Gelatin Maleimide Microgels for Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Encapsulation

Overview

Journal J Biomed Mater Res A

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2024 Jun 19

PMID 38894666

Authors

Gunnar B Thompson

Aidan E Gilchrist

Vincent M Lam

Alison C Nunes

Brittany A Payan

Ana Mora-Boza

Julio F Serrano

Andres J Garcia

Brendan A C Harley

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the apical cells of the hematopoietic system, giving rise to cells of the blood and lymph lineages. HSCs reside primarily within bone marrow niches that contain matrix and cell-derived signals that help inform stem cell fate. Aspects of the bone marrow microenvironment have been captured in vitro by encapsulating cells within hydrogel matrices that mimic native mechanical and biochemical properties. Hydrogel microparticles, or microgels, are increasingly being used to assemble granular biomaterials for cell culture and noninvasive delivery applications. Here, we report the optimization of a gelatin maleimide hydrogel system to create monodisperse gelatin microgels via a flow-focusing microfluidic process. We report characteristic hydrogel stiffness, stability, and swelling characteristics as well as encapsulation of murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells within microgels. Microgels support cell viability, confirming compatibility of the microfluidic encapsulation process with these sensitive bone marrow cell populations. Overall, this work presents a microgel-based gelatin maleimide hydrogel as a foundation for future development of a multicellular artificial bone marrow culture system.

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