Interconnected Microchannels in Hydrogels to Control Cell Adhesion and Mechanotransduction

Abstract

Cells respond to external mechanical stimuli through the activation of mechanotransduction, which influences cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, and adhesion. Likewise, diseases such as cancer and cardiac dysfunctions are strongly related to cellular mechanotransduction. Here we show an innovative 3D material to serve as a platform for controlling mechanotransduction by mimicking natural 3D cellular environments. Our material contains a novel form of microporous structures represented by micron-sized channels embedded in a hydrogel matrix of a well-defined stiffness and conductivity. The material guarantees pore interconnectivity independently of pore density and size, and different types of surface functionalization are possible. Furthermore, the material also provides a large and spatially controlled cell-surface contact area through the specific architecture of its pores, such that the mechanical properties of the environment have large impact on the cells. We here show data on how different cell types grow in the microporous materials and future applications where cellular mechanotransduction can be exploited.