Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF), Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden (MBC) and Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany.
Adv Healthc Mater. 2014 Nov;3(11):1849-53. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201400102. Epub 2014 Apr 14.
Cell-instructive physical characteristics of macroporous scaffolds, developed for tissue engineering applications, often remain difficult to assess. Here, an atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation approach is adapted to quantify the local mechanical properties of biohybrid glycosaminoglycan-poly(ethylene glycol) cryogels. Resulting from cryoconcentration effects upon gel formation, cryogel struts are observed to feature a higher stiffness compared to the corresponding bulk hydrogel materials. Local Young's moduli, porosity, and integral moduli of the cryogel scaffolds are compared in dependence on gel formation parameters. The results provide valuable insights into the cryogelation process and a base for adjusting physical characteristics of the obtained cryogel scaffolds, which can critically influence the cellular response.
用于组织工程应用的大孔支架具有细胞诱导的物理特性，通常仍然难以评估。在这里，我们采用基于原子力显微镜的纳米压痕方法来量化生物杂交糖胺聚糖-聚乙二醇冷冻凝胶的局部力学性能。由于在凝胶形成过程中发生冷冻浓缩效应，与相应的体相水凝胶材料相比，冷冻凝胶支柱被观察到具有更高的刚度。局部杨氏模量、多孔性和冷冻凝胶支架的整体模量都依赖于凝胶形成参数进行比较。结果为冷冻凝胶化过程提供了有价值的见解，并为调整所获得的冷冻凝胶支架的物理特性提供了基础，这可以对细胞反应产生重要影响。
