Interface-directed self-assembly of cell-laden microgels

Small. 2010 Apr 23;6(8):937-44. doi: 10.1002/smll.200902326.

Abstract

Cell-laden hydrogels show great promise for creating engineered tissues. However, a major shortcoming with these systems has been the inability to fabricate structures with controlled micrometer-scale features on a biologically relevant length scale. In this Full Paper, a rapid method is demonstrated for creating centimeter-scale, cell-laden hydrogels through the assembly of shape-controlled microgels or a liquid-air interface. Cell-laden microgels of specific shapes are randomly placed on the surface of a high-density, hydrophobic solution, induced to aggregate and then crosslinked into macroscale tissue-like structures. The resulting assemblies are cell-laden hydrogel sheets consisting of tightly packed, ordered microgel units. In addition, a hierarchical approach creates complex multigel building blocks, which are then assembled into tissues with precise spatial control over the cell distribution. The results demonstrate that forces at an air-liquid interface can be used to self-assemble spatially controllable, cocultured tissue-like structures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Aggregation
  • Cell Survival
  • Fibroblasts / cytology*
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis*
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds

Substances

  • Hydrogels