AUTHOR=Zheng Guoshuang , Xue Chundong , Cao Fang , Hu Minghui , Li Maoyuan , Xie Hui , Yu Weiting , Zhao Dewei 

TITLE=Effect of the uronic acid composition of alginate in alginate/collagen hybrid hydrogel on chondrocyte behavior

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1118975

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2023.1118975

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Developing a culture system that can effectively maintain chondrocyte phenotype and functionalization is a promising strategy for cartilage repair.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> An alginate/collagen (ALG/COL) hybrid hydrogel using different guluronate/mannuronate acid ratio (G/M ratio) of alginates (a G/M ratio of 64/36 and a G/M ratio of 34/66) with collagen was developed. The effects of G/M ratios on the properties of hydrogels and their effects on the chondrocytes behaviors were evaluated.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The results showed that the mechanical stiffness of the hydrogel was significantly affected by the G/M ratios of alginate. Chondrocytes cultured on Mid-G/M hydrogels exhibited better viability and phenotype preservation. Moreover, RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression of cartilage-specific genes, including SOX9, COL2, and aggrecan was increased while the expression of RAC and ROCK1 was decreased in chondrocytes cultured on Mid-G/M hydrogels.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> These findings demonstrated that Mid-G/M hydrogels provided suitable matrix conditions for cultivating chondrocytes and may be useful in cartilage tissue engineering. More importantly, the results indicated the importance of taking alginate G/M ratios into account when designing alginate-based composite materials for cartilage tissue engineering.</p>