Peptide hydrogels – versatile matrices for 3D cell culture in cancer medicine
Date
2015-04-20
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Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Abstract
Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems have contributed tremendously to our
understanding of cancer biology but have significant limitations in mimicking in vivo conditions
such as the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture
models represent a more accurate, intermediate platform between simplified 2D culture
models and complex and expensive in vivo models. 3D in vitro models can overcome 2D
in vitro limitations caused by the oversupply of nutrients, and unphysiological cell–cell and
cell–material interactions, and allow for dynamic interactions between cells, stroma, and
extracellular matrix. In addition, 3D cultures allowfor the development of concentration gradients,
including oxygen, metabolites, and growth factors, with chemical gradients playing
an integral role in many cellular functions ranging from development to signaling in normal
epithelia and cancer environments in vivo. Currently, the most common matrices used for
3D culture are biologically derived materials such as matrigel and collagen. However, in
recent years, more defined, synthetic materials have become available as scaffolds for 3D
culture with the advantage of forming well-defined, designed, tunable materials to control
matrix charge, stiffness, porosity, nanostructure, degradability, and adhesion properties,
in addition to other material and biological properties. One important area of synthetic
materials currently available for 3D cell culture is short sequence, self-assembling peptide
hydrogels. In addition to the review of recent work toward the control of material, structure,
and mechanical properties, we will also discuss the biochemical functionalization of
peptide hydrogels and how this functionalization, coupled with desired hydrogel material
characteristics, affects tumor cell behavior in 3D culture.
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WorthingtonP,PochanDJandLanghansSA(2015)Peptidehydrogels– versatilematricesfor3Dcellcultureincancermedicine.Front.Oncol. 5:92. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00092