Extracellular Matrix Mimics Using Hyaluronan-Based Biomaterials

Sara Amorim; Celso A Reis; Rui L Reis; Ricardo A Pires

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.06.003

Extracellular Matrix Mimics Using Hyaluronan-Based Biomaterials

Trends Biotechnol. 2021 Jan;39(1):90-104. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.06.003. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Authors

Sara Amorim¹, Celso A Reis², Rui L Reis¹, Ricardo A Pires³

Affiliations

¹ 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
² Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal; Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Pathology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal.
³ 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, 4805-017 Barco, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal. Electronic address: rpires@i3bs.uminho.pt.

PMID: 32654775
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.06.003

Abstract

Hyaluronan (HA) is a critical element of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The regulated synthesis and degradation of HA modulates the ECM chemical and physical properties that, in turn, influence cellular behavior. HA triggers signaling pathways associated with the adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells, mediated by its interaction with specific cellular receptors or by tuning the mechanical properties of the ECM. This review summarizes the recent advances on strategies used to mimic the HA present in the ECM to study healthy or pathological cellular behavior. This includes the development of HA-based 2D and 3D in vitro tissue models for the seeding and encapsulation of cells, respectively, and HA particles as carriers for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.

Keywords: 2D surfaces; 3D models; extracellular matrix; hyaluronan; hydrogels; particles.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
Cells / cytology
Drug Delivery Systems
Extracellular Matrix* / chemistry
Humans
Hyaluronic Acid* / chemistry

Substances

Biocompatible Materials
Hyaluronic Acid