Collagen mimetic peptide-PEG hybrid hydrogel for 3D culture of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells / 国际生物医学工程杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To construct a extracellular matrix-like collagen mimetic peptide-PEG hybrid hydrogel and to study the usage of this hydrogel in 3D culture of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs).Methods The hybrid hydrogel was synthesised by conjugating the cysteine at the end of the collagen mimetic peptide with the maleimine-modified multi-arm PEG.The circular dichroism spectra were used to characterize the triple helix structure and thermal stability of the collagen mimetic peptides.The rheology test and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the gelation process,mechanical strength and internal structure of the hydrogel.The rBMSCs were embedded in the hybrid hydrogel for 3D culture.The cell compatibility of the hydrogel and its effect on differentiation of the cells was studied.Results Collagen mimetic peptides could promote spontaneous formation of triple helix structure in the natural collagen,and the thermal transition temperature was 49.4 ℃.The formation process of the collagen mimetic peptides-PEG hybrid hydrogel was rapid,in which the porous network-like fibrous structure was formed.After the encapsulation of rBMSCs within the hydrogel for 24 h,most of the cells remained viable.Gene expression analysis showed that the hybrid hydrogel could affect the differentiation of rBMSCs.Conclusions The collagen mimetic peptide-PEG hybrid hydrogel possesses the characteristics of mild preparation condition,good mechanical strength and good cell compatibility,and is favorable to chondrocyte differentiation of rBMSCs.