Spatially controlled simultaneous patterning of multiple growth factors in three-dimensional hydrogels

Nat Mater. 2011 Oct;10(10):799-806. doi: 10.1038/nmat3101.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) protein-patterned scaffolds provide a more biomimetic environment for cell culture than traditional two-dimensional surfaces, but simultaneous 3D protein patterning has proved difficult. We developed a method to spatially control the immobilization of different growth factors in distinct volumes in 3D hydrogels, and to specifically guide differentiation of stem/progenitor cells therein. Stem-cell differentiation factors sonic hedgehog (SHH) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were simultaneously immobilized using orthogonal physical binding pairs, barnase-barstar and streptavidin-biotin, respectively. Barnase and streptavidin were sequentially immobilized using two-photon chemistry for subsequent concurrent complexation with fusion proteins barstar-SHH and biotin-CNTF, resulting in bioactive 3D patterned hydrogels. The technique should be broadly applicable to the patterning of a wide range of proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • Cell Culture Techniques*
  • Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / chemistry
  • Hedgehog Proteins / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Ribonucleases / chemistry
  • Sepharose / chemistry
  • Streptavidin / chemistry
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Hydrogels
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • barstar protein, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
  • Biotin
  • Sepharose
  • Streptavidin
  • Ribonucleases
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ribonuclease