Dextran-based hydrogel formed by thiol-Michael addition reaction for 3D cell encapsulation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.02.005
• Publication Date: 2015-02-09T16:45:17Z
• Authors: Zhen Qi Liu; Zhao Wei; Xv Long Zhu; Guo You Huang; Feng Xu; Jian Hai Yang; Yoshihito Osada; Miklós Zrínyi; Jian Hui Li; Yong Mei Chen
• Keywords: Cell Survival; Cell Culture Techniques; Bone Marrow Cells; Cell Differentiation; Dextrans; Hydrogels; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; 02 engineering and technology; Cells, Immobilized; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Phase Transition; Rats; Dithiothreitol; Mice; Cross-Linking Reagents; NIH 3T3 Cells; Animals; Epoxy Compounds; Methacrylates; 0210 nano-technology

Cell encapsulation in three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels can mimic native cell microenvironment and plays a major role in cell-based transplantation therapies. In this contribution, a novel in situ-forming hydrogel, Dex-l-DTT hydrogel ("l" means "linked-by"), by cross-linking glycidyl methacrylate derivatized dextran (Dex-GMA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) under physiological conditions, has been developed using thiol-Michael addition reaction. The mechanical properties, gelation process and degree of swelling of the hydrogel can be easily adjusted by changing the pH of phosphate buffer saline. The 3D cell encapsulation ability is demonstrated by encapsulating rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts into the in situ-forming hydrogel with maintained high viability. The BMSCs also maintain their differentiation potential after encapsulation. These results demonstrate that the Dex-l-DTT hydrogel holds great potential for biomedical field.