Biodegradable and biocompatible synthetic XXXX -Peptide hydrogels for three-dimensional stem cell culture.

@entity8487 @entity462 @entity137 @entity2569 @entity1735 @entity72322
@entity1735 -peptide hydrogels have been developed in our laboratory as new synthetic extracellular matrices for regenerative medicine applications. In this work, we have expanded on our previously reported system and applied copolymerization of @entity462 ( @entity2569 ) and @entity72322 (VS)-functionalized @entity1735 -peptide polymers via Michael-type addition for encapsulation and 3D culture of cells. Specifically, our aims were to (1) develop a novel hydrogel platform, which could be applied for encapsulating and culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a 3D environment, (2) characterize the tunable properties of the hydrogel, specifically, degradation, mechanical, and gel network properties, and (3) determine the biocompatibility of the @entity1735 -peptide hydrogel material with MSCs. Hydrogel mechanical properties were tunable by varying the VS: @entity2569 ratio (= 0.5, 1, or 2) as well as the pH (6, 7, or 8) of the cross-linking components. Stiffer gels were formed at VS: @entity2569 = 1 and pH 6 or 7. Gels formed at pH 8 or with excess @entity2569 (VS: @entity2569 = 0.5) or VS (VS: @entity2569 = 2) were significantly softer. @entity8487 and VS: @entity2569 ratio also had an effect on the degradation behavior of the VS: @entity2569 gels, with higher cross-linking pH resulting in an accelerated loss of mass. On the basis of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) analysis and fluorescence microscopy, all hydrogels appeared to exhibit porous gel networks. MSCs cultured in monolayer and exposed to soluble @entity2569 or VS copolymers (0.1-5 mg/mL) did not exhibit measurable @entity137 . In addition, MSCs were cultured in 3D for up to 14 days in vitro without deleterious effects on cell viability. In summary, we have established and characterized a tunable 3D @entity1735 -peptide hybrid copolymer hydrogel platform for culturing MSCs. Future studies will focus on utilizing the hydrogel system for controlling the differentiation of MSCs.
