Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2018 Oct;15(5):521-530. 10.1007/s13770-018-0148-4.

Polypeptide Thermogels as Three-Dimensional Scaffolds for Cells

• Patel M
• Park S
• Lee HJ
• Jeong B

• KMID: 2422668
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-018-0148-4

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Thermogel is an aqueous solution that exhibits a sol-to-gel transition as the temperature increases. Stem cells, growth factors, and differentiating factors can be incorporated in situ in the matrix during the sol-to-gel transition, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional (3D) cell-culture scaffold.
METHODS
The uses of thermogelling polypeptides, such as collagen, Matrigelâ„¢, elastin-like polypeptides, and synthetic polypeptides, as 3D scaffolds of cells, are summarized in this paper.
RESULTS
The timely supply of growth factors to the cells, cell survival, and metabolite removal is to be insured in the cell culture matrix. Various growth factors were incorporated in the matrix during the sol-to-gel transition of the thermogelling polypeptide aqueous solutions, and preferential differentiation of the incorporated stem cells into specific target cells were investigated. In addition, modulus of the matrix was controlled by post-crosslinking reactions of thermogels or employing composite systems. Chemical functional groups as well as biological factors were selected appropriately for targeted differentiation of the incorporated stem cells.
CONCLUSION
In addition to all the advantages of thermogels including mild conditions for cell-incorporation and controlled supplies of the growth factors, polypeptide thermogels provide neutral pH environments to the cells during the degradation of the gel. Polypeptide thermogels as an injectable scaffold can be a promising system for their eventual in vivo applications in stem cell therapy.

Keyword

Thermogel; Polypeptide; 3D cell culture; Stem cells; Scaffolds

MeSH Terms

Biological Factors
Cell Culture Techniques
Cell Survival
Collagen
Equipment and Supplies
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Peptides
Stem Cells
Biological Factors
Collagen
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Peptides