Independent control over cell patterning and adhesion on hydrogel substrates for tissue interface mechanobiology

Louis S Prahl; Catherine M Porter; Jiageng Liu; John M Viola; Alex J Hughes

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106657

Independent control over cell patterning and adhesion on hydrogel substrates for tissue interface mechanobiology

iScience. 2023 Apr 11;26(5):106657. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106657. eCollection 2023 May 19.

Authors

Louis S Prahl¹, Catherine M Porter¹, Jiageng Liu¹, John M Viola¹, Alex J Hughes^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
² Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Abstract

Tissue boundaries and interfaces are engines of morphogenesis in vivo. However, despite a wealth of micropatterning approaches available to control tissue size, shape, and mechanical environment in vitro, fine-scale spatial control of cell positioning within tissue constructs remains an engineering challenge. To address this, we augment DNA "velcro" technology for selective patterning of ssDNA-labeled cells on mechanically defined photoactive polyacrylamide hydrogels. Hydrogels bearing photopatterned single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) features for cell capture are then co-functionalized with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to support subsequent adhesion of patterned tissues. ECM protein co-functionalization does not alter ssDNA pattern fidelity, cell capture, or hydrogel elastic stiffness. This approach enables mechanobiology studies and measurements of signaling activity at dynamic cell interfaces with precise initial patterning. Combining DNA velcro patterning and ECM functionalization provides independent control of initial cell placement, adhesion, and mechanics, constituting a new tool for studying biological interfaces and for programming multicellular interactions in engineered tissues.

Keywords: Bioengineering; Cell biology; Tissue engineering.

Abstract

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