Hydrogels as extracellular matrix mimics for 3D cell culture

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering Vol. 103; no. 4; pp. 655 - 663
• Main Authors: Tibbitt, Mark W, Anseth, Kristi S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-07-2009; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: 3D cell culture; Animals; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; biomaterials; Biotechnology; Cell culture; Cells, Cultured; Extracellular Matrix; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; Hydrogels; Mammals; Studies; Tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; Cell culture; Three dimensional culture; Tissue engineering; Extracellular matrix; 3D cell culture; Biomaterial; hydrogels; Hydrogel; biomaterials
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.22361

Methods for culturing mammalian cells ex vivo are increasingly needed to study cell and tissue physiology and to grow replacement tissue for regenerative medicine. Two-dimensional culture has been the paradigm for typical in vitro cell culture; however, it has been demonstrated that cells behave more natively when cultured in three-dimensional environments. Permissive, synthetic hydrogels and promoting, natural hydrogels have become popular as three-dimensional cell culture platforms; yet, both of these systems possess limitations. In this perspective, we discuss the use of both synthetic and natural hydrogels as scaffolds for three-dimensional cell culture as well as synthetic hydrogels that incorporate sophisticated biochemical and mechanical cues as mimics of the native extracellular matrix. Ultimately, advances in synthetic-biologic hydrogel hybrids are needed to provide robust platforms for investigating cell physiology and fabricating tissue outside of the organism. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 655-663.