Plasticity of 3D Hydrogels Predicts Cell Biological Behavior

Malandrino A, Zhang H, Schwarm N, Böhringer D, Kah DTE, Kuster C, Boccaccini AR, Fabry B (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Biomacromolecules American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 25

Pages Range: 7608-7618

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00765

Abstract

Under 3D culture conditions, cells tend to spread, migrate, and proliferate better in more viscoelastic and plastic hydrogels. Here, we present evidence that the improved cell behavior is facilitated by the lower steric hindrance of a more viscoelastic and plastic matrix with weaker intermolecular bonds. To determine intermolecular bond stability, we slowly insert semispherical tipped needles (100-700 μm diameter) into alginate dialdehyde-gelatin hydrogels and measure stiffness, yield strength, plasticity, and the force at which the surface ruptures (puncture force). To tune these material properties without affecting matrix stiffness, we precross-link the hydrogels with CaCl2 droplets prior to mixing in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and final cross-linking with CaCl2. Precross-linking introduces microscopic weak spots in the hydrogel, increases plasticity, and decreases puncture force and yield strength. Fibroblasts spread and migrate better in precross-linked hydrogels, demonstrating that intermolecular bond stability is a critical determinant of cell behavior under 3D culture conditions.

Authors with CRIS profile

Huijun Zhang Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien) Nico Schwarm Sonderforschungsbereich/Transregio 225/2 Von den Grundlagen der Biofabrikation zu funktionalen Gewebemodellen David Böhringer Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Delf-Thorge Eric Kah Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Christian Kuster Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Aldo Boccaccini Lehrstuhl für Werkstoffwissenschaften (Biomaterialien) Ben Fabry Lehrstuhl für Biophysik

Additional Organisation(s)

FAU Forschungszentrum Neue Wirkstoffe (FAU NeW)

Involved external institutions

Polytechnic University of Catalonia / Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) / Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña ES Spain (ES)

How to cite

APA:

Malandrino, A., Zhang, H., Schwarm, N., Böhringer, D., Kah, D.-T.E., Kuster, C.,... Fabry, B. (2024). Plasticity of 3D Hydrogels Predicts Cell Biological Behavior. Biomacromolecules, 25(12), 7608-7618. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00765

MLA:

Malandrino, Andrea, et al. "Plasticity of 3D Hydrogels Predicts Cell Biological Behavior." Biomacromolecules 25.12 (2024): 7608-7618.

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