Biofunctionalized pectin hydrogels as 3D cellular microenvironments

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Sara C Neves (Author) Other; David B Gomes (Author) Other; Aureliana Sousa (Author) Other; Silvia J Bidarra (Author) Other; Paola Petrini (Author) Other; Lorenzo Moroni (Author) Other; Cristina C Barrias (Author) Other; Pedro L Granja (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Materials Chemistry B

Vol. 3

Pages: 2096-2108

ISSN: 2050-7518

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Materials engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-7V1

DOI: 10.1039/c4tb00885e

Abstract (EN): In situ-forming hydrogels of pectin, a polysaccharide present in the cell wall of higher plants, were prepared using an internal ionotropic gelation strategy based on calcium carbonate/D-glucono-delta-lactone, and explored for the first time as cell delivery vehicles. Since no ultrapure pectins are commercially available yet, a simple and efficient purification method was established, effectively reducing the levels of proteins, polyphenols and endotoxins of the raw pectin. The purified pectin was then functionalized by carbodiimide chemistry with a cell-adhesive peptide (RGD). Its gelation was analyzed by rheometry and optimized. Human mesenchymal stem cells embedded within unmodified and RGD-pectin hydrogels of different viscoelasticities (1.5 and 2.5 wt%) remained viable and metabolically active for up to 14 days. On unmodified pectin hydrogels, cells remained isolated and round-shaped. In contrast, within RGD-pectin hydrogels they elongated, spread, established cell-to-cell contacts, produced extracellular matrix, and migrated outwards the hydrogels. After 7 days of subcutaneous implantation in mice, acellular pectin hydrogels were considerably degraded, particularly the 1.5 wt% hydrogels. Altogether, these findings show the great potential of pectin-based hydrogels, which combine an interesting set of easily tunable properties, including the in vivo degradation profile, for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13