Artificial microniches for probing mesenchymal stem cell fate in 3D

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Yujie Ma - , Radboud University Nijmegen (Author)
  • Martin P. Neubauer - , University of Bayreuth (Author)
  • Julian Thiele - , Radboud University Nijmegen (Author)
  • Andreas Fery - , University of Bayreuth (Author)
  • W. T.S. Huck - , Radboud University Nijmegen (Author)

Abstract

Droplet microfluidics is combined with bio-orthogonal thiol-ene click chemistry to fabricate micrometer-sized, monodisperse fibrinogen-containing hyaluronic acid hydrogel microbeads in a mild, radical-free procedure in the presence of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The gel beads serve as microniches for the 3D culture of single hMSCs, containing hyaluronic acid and additional fibrinogen for cell surface binding, and they are porous and stable in tissue culture medium for up to 4 weeks with mechanical properties right in the range of soft solid tissues (0.9-9.2 kPa). The encapsulation procedure results in 70% viable hMSCs in the microbeads after 24 hours of culture and a very high degree of viability of the cells after long term culture of 2 weeks. hMSCs embedded in the microniches display an overall rounded morphology, consistent with those previously observed in 3D culture. Upon induction, the multipotency and differentiation potential of the hMSCs are characterized by staining of corresponding biomarkers, demonstrating a clear heterogeneity in the cell population. These hydrogel microbeads represent a versatile microstructured material platform with great potential for studying the differences of material cues and soluble factors in stem cell differentiation in a 3D tissue-like environment at the single cell level.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1661-1671
Number of pages11
JournalBiomaterials science
Volume2
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2014
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes