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Authors Nowak, M. ; Freudenberg, U. ; Tsurkan, M. ; Werner, C. ; Levental, K.
Title Modular GAG-matrices to promote mammary epithelial morphogenesis in vitro
Date 01.01.2017
Number 53071
Abstract Matrix systems used to study complex three-dimensional (3D) cellular processes like mammary epithelial tissue morphogenesis and tumorigenesis ex vivo often require ill-defined biological components, which lead to poor reproducibility and a lack of control over physical parameters. In this study, a well-defined, tunable synthetic biohybrid hydrogel composed of the glycosaminoglycan heparin, star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (starPEG), and matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) cleavable crosslinkers was applied to dissect the biophysical and biochemical signals promoting human mammary epithelial cell (MEC) morphogenesis. We show that compliant starPEG-heparin matrices promote the development of polarized MEC acini. Both the presence of heparin and MMP-cleavable crosslinks are essential in facilitating MEC morphogenesis without supplementation of exogenous adhesion ligands. In this system, MECs secrete and organize laminin in basement membrane-like assemblies to promote integrin signaling and drive acinar development. Therefore, starPEG-heparin hydrogels provide a versatile platform to study mammary epithelial tissue morphogenesis in a chemically defined and precisely tunable 3D in vitro microenvironment. The system allows investigation of biophysical and biochemical aspects of mammary gland biology and potentially a variety of other organoid culture studies.
Publisher Biomaterials
Wikidata
Citation Biomaterials 112 (2017) 20-30
DOI https://doi.org/dx.doi.org/
Tags mammary epithelium cell-material interaction organoid morphogenesis heparin biomimetic material

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