Glycosaminoglycan-based hydrogels to modulate heterocellular communication in in vitro angiogenesis models

• DOI: 10.1038/srep04414
• Publication Date: 2014-03-19T10:05:49Z
• Authors: Karolina Chwalek; Mikhail V. Tsurkan; Uwe Freudenberg; Carsten Werner
• Keywords: Matrix (chemical analysis); Regenerative Medicine

Angiogenesis, the outgrowth of blood vessels, is crucial in development, disease and regeneration. Studying angiogenesis vitro remains challenging because capillary morphogenesis endothelial cells (ECs) controlled by multiple exogenous signals. Therefore, a set situ-forming starPEG-heparin hydrogels was used to identify matrix parameters cellular interactions that best support EC morphogenesis. We showed particular type soft, metalloproteinase-degradable hydrogel containing covalently bound integrin ligands reversibly conjugated pro-angiogenic growth factors could boost development highly branched, interconnected, lumenized networks. Using these effective conditions, 3D heterocellular ECs with different mural were demonstrated enabled network modulation maintenance stable vascular capillaries over periods about one month vitro. The approach also shown permit tumor vascularization experiments unprecedented levels control both cells. In total, introduced co-culture system offer unique options for dissecting adjusting biochemical, biophysical, cell-cell triggers tissue-related models.