The progression of cancer is often accompanied by changes in the mechanical properties of an extracellular matrix. However, limited efforts have been made to reproduce these biological events in vitro. To this end, this study demonstrates that matrix remodeling caused by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 regulates phenotypic activities and modulates radiosensitivity of cancer cells exclusively in a 3D matrix. In this study, hepatocarcinoma cells are cultured in a collagen‐based gel tailored to present an elastic modulus of ≈4.0 kPa. The subsequent exposure of the gel to MMP‐1 decreases the elastic modulus from 4.0 to 0.5 kPa. In response to MMP‐1, liver cancer cells undergo active proliferation, downregulation of E‐cadherin, and the loss of detoxification capacity. The resulting spheroids are more sensitive to radiation than the spheroids cultured in the stiffer gel not exposed to MMP‐1. Overall, this study serves to better understand and control the effects of MMP‐induced matrix remodeling. 相似文献
The bioadhesive properties of a novel chemical hydrogel based on a polymer of protein-like structure, have been investigated by using ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. In particular, the copolymer PHG obtained by partial derivatization of PHEA with GMA was chemically crosslinked by UV irradiation at 313 nm. Crosslinked PHG was treated with water to obtain a swelled sample, named PHG-UV gel, that was brought into contact with a phosphate buffer/citric acid solution at pH 7.0 in the absence or in the presence of mucin at various concentrations (0.01, 0.1 and 1 wt.-%). Preliminary dynamic swelling studies have evidenced the occurrence of an interaction between the PHG-UV gel and the glycoprotein. This result was confirmed by ATR FT-IR measurements. A diffusion model using a solution of Ficks' second law was employed to determine the diffusion coefficient of water into PHG-UV gel as a consequence of adsorption and/or interdiffusion which occur at the PHG-UV gel/mucin solution interface. Experimental results suggest a potential use of PHG-UV gel to prepare bioadhesive devices. 相似文献
This letter focuses on the first result of the preparation and the swelling behavior of a novel hybrid gelatin hydrogel with carbon nanotubes. A novel hybrid gelatin hydrogel with carbon nanotubes was synthesized by a physical mixing method. The structure of the novel hydrogel obtained was characterized by SEM. Besides, the swelling behavior of the synthesized hydrogel was measured at two different temperatures. The results indicate that carbon nanotubes added could maintain the stability of the hybrid hydrogel without cross‐linking at 37 °C. This suggests that the hybrid gelatin hydrogel with carbon nanotubes could be used in biomedical field. Besides, its application in protein separation is discussed.
SEM image of the gelatin‐MWNTs hybrid gel at 10 000 × magnification. 相似文献
Application of thermomechanometry to the measurement of hydrogels containing a large amount of water was carried out by static
and dynamic methods. A thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) equipped with a quartz compression probe immersed in water was used.
Polysaccharide hydrogels containing ca 98% water were measured. Creep of hydrogels in water was analyzed in a stress range
from 1.04⋅103 to 5.2⋅103 Pa and loading rate from 0.3⋅103 to 3.0⋅103 Pa min−1.Stress relaxation was measured in compressed ratio range from 0.02 to 0.45 m m−1 and in compressing rate was 0.09 to 0.15 m m−1 min−1. Dynamic viscoelasticity was measured by TMA when dynamic Young’s modulus which was larger than 1⋅104 Pa in frequencies ranging from 0.02~0.2 Hz.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. 相似文献