StemBond hydrogels control the mechanical microenvironment for pluripotent stem cells

Labouesse C, Tan BX, Agley CC, Hofer M, Winkel AK, Stirparo GG, Stuart HT, Verstreken CM, Mulas C, Mansfield W, Bertone P, Franze K, Silva JCR, Chalut KJ (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Nature Communications Nature Publishing Group: Nature Communications

Book Volume: 12

Article Number: 6132

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26236-5

Abstract

Studies of mechanical signalling are typically performed by comparing cells cultured on soft and stiff hydrogel-based substrates. However, it is challenging to independently and robustly control both substrate stiffness and extracellular matrix tethering to substrates, making matrix tethering a potentially confounding variable in mechanical signalling investigations. Moreover, unstable matrix tethering can lead to poor cell attachment and weak engagement of cell adhesions. To address this, we developed StemBond hydrogels, a hydrogel in which matrix tethering is robust and can be varied independently of stiffness. We validate StemBond hydrogels by showing that they provide an optimal system for culturing mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. We further show how soft StemBond hydrogels modulate stem cell function, partly through stiffness-sensitive ERK signalling. Our findings underline how substrate mechanics impact mechanosensitive signalling pathways regulating self-renewal and differentiation, indicating that optimising the complete mechanical microenvironment will offer greater control over stem cell fate specification.

Authors with CRIS profile

Kristian Franze Lehrstuhl für Medizinische Physik und Mikrogewebetechnik

Involved external institutions

University of Cambridge GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Labouesse, C., Tan, B.X., Agley, C.C., Hofer, M., Winkel, A.K., Stirparo, G.G.,... Chalut, K.J. (2021). StemBond hydrogels control the mechanical microenvironment for pluripotent stem cells. Nature Communications, 12(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26236-5

MLA:

Labouesse, Celine, et al. "StemBond hydrogels control the mechanical microenvironment for pluripotent stem cells." Nature Communications 12.1 (2021).

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