Technologies

Extracellular matrix (ECM), because of its role in regulating and maintaining progenitor cells, is of great commercial interest for the development of novel biomaterial surfaces. Creating cell culture interfaces that allow cells to reside in their native cellular state or to transform phenotype has the potential for advancing cell-based therapies and tissue engineering. However, current methods have failed to successfully mimic the complex cellular environment within the endogenous ECM.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a controlled means of depositing a mesenchymal stem cell-secreted ECM on polymeric implants of any size and geometry for use as tissue culture substrates, osteogenic gels, or for medical devices. This matrix is produced by cells on tissue culture plastic under controlled conditions, then decellularized, leaving behind only the cell-secreted components without the antigenic cellular structures or contaminating DNA. The ECM produced can be reset on other substrates in a controlled manner. This creates a powerful tool to coat any implant with an engineered ECM without requiring cells to deposit the ECM on the substrate by culturing for prolonged durations. The application of this complex matrix provides cells with a natural substrate for interaction, allowing enhanced cellular adhesion, viability, survival, and accelerated tissue formation, thereby making possible implantable materials that are more patient-friendly with enhanced integration into the patient through presentation of a cell-derived surface coating.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a controlled means of depositing a mesenchymal stem cell-secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) on polymeric implants of any size and geometry for use as tissue culture substrates, osteogenic gels, or for medical devices.