Biofunctionalized pectin hydrogels as 3D cellular microenvironments

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2015

Autores

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

Revista

Título: Journal of Materials Chemistry B

Vol. 3

Páginas: 2096-2108

ISSN: 2050-7518

Editora: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citações

Scopus - 1 Citação

Classificação Científica

FOS: Ciências da engenharia e tecnologias > Engenharia dos materiais

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: 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.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 13