Abstract:
Cell-encapsulating hydrogels must be obtained in rigorous and completely
cytocompatible conditions, offering this way tissue engineered products that mimic the in
vivo microenvironment. These hydrophilic structures bring in vitro testing to a new level
of complexity by offering a tissue-like architecture. Various polymeric structures have
been studied in the aim to build hydrogels with physical and mechanical integrity as cellsupporting
medium. In this study, collagen-based hydrogels crosslinked with oxidized
polysaccharides (chitosan and hyaluronic acid) were used for encapsulating two different
types of cells, primary Albino rabbit fibroblasts and human epidermoid carcinoma A-431
cells. The cells were able to proliferate into hydrogels and maintained their viability for at
least eight days, for both cell lines and initiate tumor formation in the case of A-431 cells.
It was observed a better cell integration into oxidized hyaluronic acid crosslinked
hydrogels which allowed cell-cell interactions and the formation of spheroids.