Biomimetic hydrogel blanket for conserving and recovering intrinsic cell properties

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Abstract Background: Cells in the human body experience different growth environments and conditions, such as pressure and oxygen concentrations, depending on the type and location of the tissue. For this reason, a culture device that emulates the environment inside the body to study cells outside the body is required. Method: A blanket-type cell culture device (Direct Contact Pressing: DCP) was fabricated with an alginate-based hydrogel. Changes in cell morphology due to DCP pressure were observed with a phase-contrast microscope. The modification of oxygen permeability and pressure according to the hydrogel concentration of DCP was analyzed. To compare the effects of DCP with normal or artificial hypoxic culture, groups were divided into normal culture (Normal), use of DCP culture device (Pressing), and artificial hypoxia environment (Hypoxia). Changes in phenotype, genes, and GAG amounts according to each environment were evaluated. In addition, through the results of culture environment-gene and cell morphology analysis, the mechanism of each culture environment on the conserving chondrocytes intrinsic properties was suggested.Results: When human primary chondrocytes—which require pressure and a low-oxygen environment during culture to maintain their innate properties—were cultured using the hydrogel blanket, the original shapes and properties of chondrocytes were maintained, and recovery of intrinsic properties was observed even in aged cells which lost their original cell properties. Conclusion: A direct contact pressing culture method with the use of a biomimetic hydrogel blanket provides cells with adjustable physical pressure and a low-oxygen environment. Through this technique could maintain the original cellular phenotypes and intrinsic properties of human primary chondrocytes.

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