a School of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University , Ruston , LA , USA.
b Department of Biomedical Engineering , Louisiana Tech University , Ruston , LA , USA.
J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2019 Aug;30(11):895-918. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2019.1612725. Epub 2019 May 20.
Three-dimensional (3 D) hydrogel scaffolds are an attractive option for tissue regeneration applications because they allow for cell migration, fluid exchange, and can be synthesized to closely mimic the physical properties of the extracellular matrix environment. The material properties of hydrogels play a vital role in cellular migration and differentiation. In light of this, in-depth understanding of material properties is required before such scaffolds can be used to study their influence on cells. Herein, various blends and thicknesses of poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) hydrogels were synthesized, flash frozen, and dried by lyophilization to create scaffolds with multiscale porosity. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images demonstrated that lyophilization induced microporous voids in the PEGDMA hydrogels while swelling studies show the hydrogels retain their innate swelling properties. Change in pore size was observed between drying methods, polymer blend, and thickness when imaged in the hydrated state. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) were seeded on lyophilized and non-lyophilized hydrogels to determine if the scaffolds would support cell attachment and proliferation of a clinically relevant cell type. Cell attachment and morphology of the hASCs were evaluated using fluorescence imaging. Qualitative observations in cell attachment and morphology of hASCs on the surface of the different hydrogel spatial configurations indicate these multiscale porosity hydrogels create a suitable scaffold for hASC culture. These findings offer another factor of tunability in creating biomimetic hydrogels for various tissue engineering applications including tissue repair, regeneration, wound healing, and controlled release of growth factors.
三维（3D）水凝胶支架是组织再生应用的理想选择，因为它们允许细胞迁移、流体交换，并可以被合成以紧密模拟细胞外基质环境的物理特性。水凝胶的材料特性对细胞迁移和分化起着至关重要的作用。有鉴于此，在使用这些支架来研究它们对细胞的影响之前，需要深入了解材料特性。在此，合成了不同浓度和厚度的聚乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯（PEGDMA）水凝胶，通过冷冻干燥快速冷冻并冻干以创建具有多尺度多孔性的支架。环境扫描电子显微镜（ESEM）图像表明，冻干诱导 PEGDMA 水凝胶中形成微孔空隙，而溶胀研究表明水凝胶保留了其固有溶胀特性。在水合状态下进行成像时，观察到孔径在干燥方法、聚合物共混物和厚度之间发生了变化。将人脂肪来源干细胞（hASCs）接种在冻干和非冻干水凝胶上，以确定支架是否支持细胞附着和增殖这种临床相关的细胞类型。使用荧光成像评估 hASCs 的细胞附着和形态。hASCs 在不同水凝胶空间构型表面上的细胞附着和形态的定性观察表明，这些多尺度多孔水凝胶为 hASC 培养创造了合适的支架。这些发现为各种组织工程应用（包括组织修复、再生、伤口愈合和生长因子的控制释放）创造仿生水凝胶提供了另一个可调因素。
