biostudies-literatureJanzen DDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschafte2201826https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11468248biostudies-literatureUnknown11(21)3D neuronal cultures attempt to better replicate the in vivo environment to study neurological/neurodegenerative diseases compared to 2D models. A challenge to establish 3D neuron culture models is the low elastic modulus (30-500 Pa) of the native brain. Here, an ultra-soft matrix based on thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) reinforced with a microfiber frame is formulated and used. Hyaluronic acid represents an essential component of the brain extracellular matrix (ECM). Box-shaped frames with a microfiber spacing of 200 µm composed of 10-layers of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) microfibers (9.7 ± 0.2 µm) made via melt electrowriting (MEW) are used to reinforce the HA-SH matrix which has an elastic modulus of 95 Pa. The neuronal viability is low in pure HA-SH matrix, however, when astrocytes arAdvanced healthcare materialsReinforced Hyaluronic Acid-Based Matrices Promote 3D Neuronal Network Formation.PMC11468248326 998 133 – TRR 225Villmann CBudday SPal AAndrade Mier MForster LDetsch RFaber JDalton PDBakirci EHauptstein JTeßmar JBlunk THazur JBoccaccini ARJanzen DfalseReinforced Hyaluronic Acid-Based Matrices Promote 3D Neuronal Network Formation.3D neuronal cultures attempt to better replicate the in vivo environment to study neurological/neurodegenerative diseases compared to 2D models. A challenge to establish 3D neuron culture models is the low elastic modulus (30-500 Pa) of the native brain. Here, an ultra-soft matrix based on thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH) reinforced with a microfiber frame is formulated and used. Hyaluronic acid represents an essential component of the brain extracellular matrix (ECM). Box-shaped frames with a microfiber spacing of 200 µm composed of 10-layers of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) microfibers (9.7 ± 0.2 µm) made via melt electrowriting (MEW) are used to reinforce the HA-SH matrix which has an elastic modulus of 95 Pa. The neuronal viability is low in pure HA-SH matrix, however, when astrocytes ar2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Nov2025-04-26T07:56:41.74Z2025-04-06T12:30:58.639ZS-EPMC114682483599339110.1002/adhm.202201826