Engineering Cell Microenvironment Using Nanopattern-Derived Multicellular Spheroids and Photo-Crosslinked Gelatin/Hyaluronan Hydrogels

Cell cultures of dispersed cells within hydrogels depict the interaction of the cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) in 3D, while the coculture of different cells within spheroids combines both the effects of cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions. In this study, the cell co-spheroids of human bone mesenchymal stem cells/human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HBMSCs/HUVECs) are prepared with the assistance of a nanopattern, named colloidal self-assembled patterns (cSAPs), which is superior to low-adhesion surfaces. A phenol-modified gelatin/hyaluronan (Gel-Ph/HA-Ph) hydrogel is used to encapsulate the multicellular spheroids and the constructs are photo-crosslinked using blue light. The results show that Gel-Ph/HA-Ph hydrogels with a 5%-to-0.3% ratio have the best properties. Cells in HBMSC/HUVEC co-spheroids are more favorable for osteogenic differentiation (Runx2, ALP, Col1a1 and OPN) and vascular network formation (CD31+ cells) compared to HBMSC spheroids. In a subcutaneous nude mouse model, the HBMSC/HUVEC co-spheroids showed better performance than HBMSC spheroids in angiogenesis and the development of blood vessels. Overall, this study paves a new way for using nanopatterns, cell coculturing and hydrogel technology for the generation and application of multicellular spheroids.

Automated summary

This study utilized colloidal self-assembled patterns (cSAPs) to prepare cell co-spheroids of human bone mesenchymal stem cells/human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HBMSCs/HUVECs), which were encapsulated in phenol-modified gelatin/hyaluronan (Gel-Ph/HA-Ph) hydrogels and photo-crosslinked using blue light. The Gel-Ph/HA-Ph hydrogels with a 5%-to-0.3% ratio exhibited the best properties. The HBMSC/HUVEC co-spheroids showed enhanced osteogenic differentiation and vascular network formation, and performed better in angiogenesis and blood vessel development in a subcutaneous nude mouse model compared to HBMSC spheroids.