Design of biomimetic collagen matrices by reagent-free electron beam induced crosslinking: Structure-property relationships and cellular response

• Published in: Materials & design 2019-04, Vol.168, p.107606, Article 107606
• Main Authors: Riedel, Stefanie, Hietschold, Philine, Krömmelbein, Catharina, Kunschmann, Tom, Konieczny, Robert, Knolle, Wolfgang, Mierke, Claudia T., Zink, Mareike, Mayr, Stefan G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomimetic collagen; Extracellular matrix model; High energy electron crosslinking; Reagent-free crosslinking
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2019.107606

Novel strategies to mimic mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro are desirable to study cell behavior, diseases and new agents in drug delivery. Even though collagen represents the major constituent of mammalian ECM, artificial collagen hydrogels with characteristic tissue properties such as network size and stiffness are difficult to design without application of chemicals which might be even cytotoxic. In our study we investigate how high energy electron induced crosslinking can be utilized to precisely tune collagen properties for ECM model systems. Constituting a minimally invasive approach, collagen residues remain intact in the course of high energy electron treatment. Quantification of the 3D pore size of the collagen network as a function of irradiation dose shows an increase in density leading to decreased pore size. Rheological measurements indicate elevated storage and loss moduli correlating with an increase in crosslinking density. In addition, cell tests show well maintained viability of NIH 3T3 cells for irradiated collagen gels indicating excellent cellular acceptance. With this, our investigations demonstrate that electron beam crosslinked collagen matrices have a high potential as precisely tunable ECM-mimetic systems with excellent cytocompatibility. [Display omitted] •Collagen hydrogels can be effectively tuned by reagent-free electron treatment to develop biomimetic ECM systems.•Properties of collagen hydrogels can be tuned by electron treatment influencing pore size and elastic behavior.•Electron beam treatment excellently maintains chemical integrity of collagen hydrogels.•Fibroblasts show high cytocompatibility with electron beam treated collagen hydrogels.