Abstract
Spatiotemporally controlled vascular network formation is of great importance for facilitating vascularization within engineered tissues. Therefore, we have designed aptamer-functionalized hydrogels to evaluate their potential for growth factor sequestering, controlled release profiles and study their effect on vascular network formation in a co-culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The aptamer-functionalized hydrogels were prepared via photo-polymerization of gelatin methacryloyl and acrydite modified vascular endothelial growth factor specific aptamers along with irgacure 2959. The physicochemical properties analysis of these aptamer-functionalized hydrogels showed higher aptamer retaining capacity within the acrydite modified hydrogels than the control group for as long as 14 days at 37 °C. Furthermore, the VEGF ELISA results confirmed the triggered VEGF release from the aptamer-functionalized hydrogels in the presence of complementary sequence; thus showing on-demand release. In co-culture conditions, the aptamer-functionalized hydrogels supported cell viability and the formation of vascular networks with HUVECs and MSCs within the hydrogels for up to 8 days. These initial results confirmed the bioactivity of the bound VEGF molecules after their loading within the aptamer functionalized hydrogels; and their ability to control vascular network formation spatiotemporally.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 20 Jun 2019 |
Event | Biofabrication & Biomanufacturing Europe 2019 : SelectBio - Rotterdam Marriot Hotel, Rotterdam, Netherlands Duration: 20 Jun 2019 → 21 Jun 2019 http://selectbiosciences.com/conferences/index.aspx?conf=BIOFABEU2019 |
Conference
Conference | Biofabrication & Biomanufacturing Europe 2019 |
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Abbreviated title | SelectBio |
Country/Territory | Netherlands |
City | Rotterdam |
Period | 20/06/19 → 21/06/19 |
Internet address |
Keywords
- Vascularization
- Tissue engineering