What Caging Force Cells Feel in 3D Hydrogels: A Rheological Perspective

• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000517
• Publication Date: 2020-07-22T06:12:43Z
• Authors: Giuseppe Ciccone; Oana Dobre; Graham M. Gibson; Jose Manuel Rey; Cristina Gonzalez...; Massimo Vassalli; Manuel Salmeron–S...; Manlio Tassieri
• Keywords: Microrheology; Stiffening

It is established that the mechanical properties of hydrogels control fate (stem) cells. However, despite its importance, a one-to-one correspondence between gels' stiffness and cell behaviour still missing from literature. In this work, viscoelastic Poly(ethylene-glycol) (PEG)-based - broadly used in 3D cultures whose can be tuned to resemble those different biological tissues are investigated by means rheological measurements performed at length scales. When compared with literature values, outcomes work reveal conventional bulk rheology may overestimate up an order magnitude. demonstrated apparent stiffening caused induced 'tensional state' gel network, due application compressional normal force during measurements. Moreover, it shown actual instead accurately determined passive-video-particle-tracking (PVPT) microrheology measurements, which inherently cells scales absence any externally applied force. These results underpin methodology for measuring linear representative constraints felt hydrogel cultures.