Peptide gels of fully-defined composition and mechanics for probing cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in vitro.

ABSTRACT: Current materials used for in vitro 3D cell culture are often limited by their poor similarity to human tissue, batch-to-batch variability and complexity of composition and manufacture. Here, we present a "blank slate" culture environment based on a self-assembling peptide gel free from matrix motifs. The gel can be customised by incorporating matrix components selected to match the target tissue, with independent control of mechanical properties. Therefore the matrix components are restricted to those specifically added, or those synthesised by encapsulated cells. The flexible 3D culture platform provides full control over biochemical and physical properties, allowing the impact of biochemical composition and tissue mechanics to be separately evaluated in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that

SUBMITTER: Ashworth JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7610915 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature