Hydrogels with an embossed surface: An all-in-one platform for mass production and culture of human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 188; pp. 198 - 212
• Main Authors: Kim, Se-jeong, Park, Jaesung, Byun, Hayeon, Park, Young-Woo, Major, Luke G., Lee, Dong Yun, Choi, Yu Suk, Shin, Heungsoo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2019
• Subjects: 3D cell culture; 3D printing; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Bioprinting; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Humans; Hydrogel; Hydrogels - chemistry; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - cytology; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Spheroids, Cellular - cytology; Stem cell spheroid; Surface Properties; Surface structure; Tissue Scaffolds - chemistry; 3D cell culture; Stem cell spheroid; Hydrogel; 3D printing; Surface structure
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.025

Stem cell spheroids have been studied extensively in organoid culture and therapeutic transplantation. Herein, hydrogels with an embossed surface (HES) were developed as an all-in-one platform that can enable the rapid formation and culture of a large quantity of size-controllable stem cell spheroids. The embossed structure on the hydrogel was adjustable according to the grit designation of the sandpaper. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were rapidly assembled into spheroids on the hydrogel, with their size distribution precisely controlled from 95 ± 6 μm to 181 ± 15 μm depending on surface roughness. The hADSC spheroids prepared from the HES demonstrated expression of stemness markers and differentiation capacity. In addition, HES-based spheroids showed significantly greater VEGF secretion than spheroids grown on a commercially available low-attachment culture plate. Exploiting those advantages, the HES-based spheroids were used for 3D bioprinting, and the spheroids within the 3D-printed construct showed improved retention and VEGF secretion compared to the same 3D structure containing single cell suspension. Collectively, HES would offer a useful platform for mass fabrication and culture of stem cell spheroids with controlled sizes for a variety of biomedical applications.