Incorporation of gelatin microparticles on the formation of adipose-derived stem cell spheroids.

The three-dimensional (3D) cell culture method provides a physiological environment that is similar to the in vivo conditions. The spheroid culture method is a 3D cell-culture approach that facilitates aggregation and interaction of cells with other adjacent cells to establish a microenvironment in vitro. In this study, gelatin microparticles (GMPs) were introduced into spheroids to enhance stem cell proliferation and viability. GMPs with different sizes and numbers were prepared to investigate their corresponding effects on cell proliferation. To investigate the effect of surface charge on the properties of spheroids, positively and negatively charged GMPs were also prepared by conjugating poly-amino acids on the surfaces of the GMPs. GMPs were successfully incorporated into adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) to form spheroids. The results revealed no cytotoxicity in all treatment groups. Spheroids combined with GMPs showed higher proliferation potential compared to cell spheroids alone, suggesting that GMP/cell spheroids can be used for efficient delivery of stem cells to defect sites without the need for surgery, thereby highlighting the potential use of GMP/cell spheroids for stem cell therapy.

Crosslinking method of hyaluronic-based hydrogel for biomedical applications.

In the field of tissue engineering, there is a need for advancement beyond conventional scaffolds and preformed hydrogels. Injectable hydrogels have gained wider admiration among researchers as they can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures. Injectable gels completely fill the defect area and have good permeability and hence are promising biomaterials. The technique can be effectively applied to deliver a wide range of bioactive agents, such as drugs, proteins, growth factors, and even living cells. Hyaluronic acid is a promising candidate for the tissue engineering field because of its unique physicochemical and biological properties. Thus, this review provides an overview of various methods of chemical and physical crosslinking using different linkers that have been investigated to develop the mechanical properties, biodegradation, and biocompatibility of hyaluronic acid as an injectable hydrogel in cell scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and wound healing applications.