Injectable thermogel for 3D culture of stem cells

Publication date: March 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 159
Author(s): Madhumita Patel, Hyun Jung Lee, Sohee Park, Yelin Kim, Byeongmoon Jeong
Thermogel is an aqueous polymer solution that undergoes sol-to-gel transition as the temperature increases. Cells, growth factors, and signaling molecules can be incorporated simultaneously during the sol-to-gel transition. The cytocompatible procedure makes the thermogel an excellent platform for 3D culture of stem cells. This review focuses on the crucial questions that need to be addressed to achieve effective differentiation of stem cells into target cells, comprising low modulus, cell adhesion, and controlled supply of the growth factors. Recent progress in the use of thermogel as a 3D culture system of stem cells is summarized, and our perspectives on designing a new thermogel for 3D culture and its eventual application to injectable tissue engineering of stem cells are presented.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2D1TSjZ