Bone marrow-inspired hydrogel/graphene composite scaffolds to support in vitro expansion of hematopoietic stem cells†

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion offers a key strategy to address the source limitation and donor shortages of HSCs for the treatment of various blood disorders. Specific remodeling of the complex bone marrow microenvironment that contributes to efficient in vitro expansion of HSCs remains challenging. Here, inspired by the regions with different stiffness levels in the bone marrow niche, a three dimensional (3D) bone marrow-mimicking composite scaffold created based on gelatin–hyaluronic acid (Gel–HA) hydrogels and graphene foams (GFs) was engineered to support the in vitro expansion of HSCs. The composite scaffold was prepared by forming a photo-cross-linked Gel–HA hydrogel surrounding the GF. The “soft” Gel–HA hydrogel and “stiff” GF replicate the structure and stiffness of the vascular niche and endosteal niche in the bone marrow, respectively. Furthermore, HSCs cultured in the Gel–HA/GF scaffold proliferated well and retained the CD34⁺CD38⁻ immunophenotype and pluripotency, suggesting that the Gel–HA/GF composite scaffold supported the in vitro expansion of HSCs, maintaining the primitive phenotype and the ability to differentiate into functional blood cells. Thus, the hydrogel/graphene composite scaffold offers a means of facilitating HSC expansion through structurally and mechanically mimicking bone marrow niches, demonstrating great promise for HSC transplantation.