Development of Variable-Elasticity Cell Scaffolds Using Magnetic Gels

Abstract

It is well known that cells are influenced by the properties of their extracellular matrix, which is primarily composed of sugars and proteins. In particular, there exists a strong relationship between the elasticity of the extracellular substrate and cell motility. Clarification of the relationship between cells and substrate elasticity is expected to prove useful in both the design of scaffold materials for tissue engineering and the elucidation of the mechanisms of diseases that cause fibrosis. The elasticity of the extracellular matrix is characterized by two features: a partial elastic gradient and day-to-day variation. Most previous studies reproduced either one or the other, and this likely does not reflect the in vivo situation. Thus, a greater understanding of the changes in cells and substrates is needed. In this study, we propose a scaffold based on a magnetic gel with variable elasticity. We describe the preparation of a magnetic gel and cell seeding on its surface. The cells were cultured under the application of magnetic force after seeding, revealing an increase in the cell area due to the hardening of the magnetic gel in the presence of magnetic force.