Abstract
Combining cell- and gene-based therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy in regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to develop genetically modified mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) aggregates using a poly(ethylene gly- col) (PEG) hydrogel micro-well array technique. Stable PEG hydrogel micro-well arrays with diameters of 200 to 500 µm were fabricated and used to generate genetically engineered MSC aggregates. Rat bone marrow-derived MSCs were trans- fected with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid as a reporter gene, and aggregated by culturing in the PEG hydrogel micro-well arrays. The resultant cell aggregates had a mean diameter of less than 200 µm, and maintained the mesenchymal phenotype even after genetic modification and cell aggregation. Transplantation of MSC aggregates that are genetically modified to express therapeutic or cell-survival genes may be a potential therapeutic approach for regenerative medicine. Key wordsCell and gene therapy, Mesenchymal stem cells, Micro-well array, Cell aggregates
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