Fabrication and mechanical properties measurements of 3D microtissues for the study of cell–matrix interactions

Prasenjit Bose, Chen Yu Huang, Jeroen Eyckmans, Christopher S. Chen, Daniel H. Reich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cell interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical to cell and tissue functions involving adhesion, communication, and differentiation. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture systems are an important approach to mimic in vivo cell–matrix interactions for mechanobiology studies and tissue engineering applications. This chapter describes the use of engineered microtissues as 3D constructs in combination with a magnetic tissue gauge (μTUG) system to analyze tissue mechanical properties. The μTUG system is composed of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwells with vertical pillars in the wells. Self-assembled microtissues containing cells and ECM gel can form between the pillars, and generate mechanical forces that deform the pillars, which provides a readout of those forces. Herein, detailed procedures for microfabrication of the PDMS μTUG system, seeding and growth of cells with ECM gels in the microwells, and measurements of the mechanical properties of the resulting microtissues via magnetic actuation of magnetic sphere-tagged μTUGs are described.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherHumana Press Inc.
Pages303-328
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4939-7553-2
ISBN (Print)978-1-4939-7551-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Jan 1

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1722
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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