Protein‐Engineered Injectable Hydrogel to Improve Retention of Transplanted Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells

Abstract

Improved retention of transplanted stem cells is achieved through minimally invasive delivery in MITCH, a Mixing-Induced Two-Component Hydrogel engineered to possess shear-thinning and self-healing thixotropic properties. MITCH, an ideal injectable cell-delivery vehicle, supports 3D stem cell culture, resulting in high cell viability and physiologically relevant cell morphology.

Hydrogel depots for local co-delivery of osteoinductive peptides and mesenchymal stem cells

“…These materials form highly hydrophilic 3D networks that recreate some features of native extracellular matrices (ECM), providing adequate cellular microenvironments where the exchange of nutrients, oxygen and metabolites with the extracellular milieu is facilitated. Compared to direct bolus injection at the injury site, often associated with poor cell survival, the preentrapment of cells in a hydrogel delivery vehicle may improve viability by providing physical protection, biochemical and biomechanical survival signals, and scaffolding [1,2]. It also helps localizing cells to the targeted area, increasing the chance of post-transplantation cell retention and engraftment, and affording a template for new tissue formation [1,2].…”

“…Compared to direct bolus injection at the injury site, often associated with poor cell survival, the preentrapment of cells in a hydrogel delivery vehicle may improve viability by providing physical protection, biochemical and biomechanical survival signals, and scaffolding [1,2]. It also helps localizing cells to the targeted area, increasing the chance of post-transplantation cell retention and engraftment, and affording a template for new tissue formation [1,2]. Hydrogels can be further decorated with specific cellinstructive cues aimed at directing the phenotype of entrapped cells.…”

“…Hydrogels can be further decorated with specific cellinstructive cues aimed at directing the phenotype of entrapped cells. Therapeutic approaches aiming at driving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) fate in a controlled manner, namely by promoting their differentiation into bone-forming cells through the co-delivery of osteoinductive compounds, are promising for bone healing applications [1,2].…”

Improving stem cell engraftment to enhance functional efficacy in cardiovascular disease: where are we now?

“…To improve the stem cell transplantation effectiveness, a new approach called Matrix-Assisted Cell Transplantation (MACT) which creates a materials-based environment that enhances pro-survival paracrine signaling and then increase cell engraftment with the host tissues was born (Parisi-Amon et al, 2013;Prestwich, 2008). There are several materials that can be used in the strategy including natural and synthetic types like hydrogel, alginate, chitosan, collagen, etc.…”

Controlling the self-assembly of protein polymers via heterodimer-forming modules

“…2.3B). They have been used for engineering self-assembly in particular by the group of Heilshorn, which has developed two-component hydrogels based on the WW domain and proline-rich peptide [80][81][82][83] . Since the protein-peptide ligand interaction is relatively weak, the authors incorporated multiple WW and multiple proline-rich motifs.…”