Regulation of mesenchymal stem cell morphology using hydrogel substrates with tunable topography and photoswitchable stiffness

Moxon, S. R., Richards, D., Dobre, O. , Wong, L. S., Swift, J. and Richardson, S. M. (2022) Regulation of mesenchymal stem cell morphology using hydrogel substrates with tunable topography and photoswitchable stiffness. Polymers, 14(24), 5338. (doi: 10.3390/polym14245338) (PMID:36559706) (PMCID:PMC9788018)

Abstract

Cell function can be directly influenced by the mechanical and structural properties of the extracellular environment. In particular, cell morphology and phenotype can be regulated via the modulation of both the stiffness and surface topography of cell culture substrates. Previous studies have highlighted the ability to design cell culture substrates to optimise cell function. Many such examples, however, employ photo-crosslinkable polymers with a terminal stiffness or surface profile. This study presents a system of polyacrylamide hydrogels, where the surface topography can be tailored and the matrix stiffness can be altered in situ with photoirradiation. The process allows for the temporal regulation of the extracellular environment. Specifically, the surface topography can be tailored via reticulation parameters to include creased features with control over the periodicity, length and branching. The matrix stiffness can also be dynamically tuned via exposure to an appropriate dosage and wavelength of light, thus, allowing for the temporal regulation of the extracellular environment. When cultured on the surface of the hydrogels, the morphology and alignment of immortalised human mesenchymal stem cells can be directly influenced through the tailoring of surface creases, while cell size can be altered via changes in matrix stiffness. This system offers a new platform to study cellular mechanosensing and the influence of extracellular cues on cell phenotype and function.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: D.R. was funded by UKRI (EPSRC and MRC), grant number EP/L014904/1. J.S. was funded by a BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship, grant number BB/L024551/1. S.M. was funded by a Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund award, grant number 204796/Z/16/Z.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dobre, Dr Oana
• Authors: Moxon, S. R., Richards, D., Dobre, O., Wong, L. S., Swift, J., and Richardson, S. M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Polymers
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2073-4360
• ISSN (Online): 2073-4360
• Published Online: 07 December 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 by the authors
• First Published: First published in Polymers 14(24): 5338
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License