A self-assembled matrix system for cell-bioengineering applications in different dimensions, scales, and geometries

Stem cell bioengineering and therapy require different model systems and materials in different stages of development. If a chemically defined biomatrix system can fulfill most tasks, it can minimize the discrepancy among various setups. By screening biomaterials synthesized through a coacervation-mediated self-assembling mechanism, a biomatrix system optimal for human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) two dimensional (2D) culture and osteogenesis is identified. Its utility for hMSC bioengineering has been further demonstrated in coating porous bioactive glass scaffolds and nano-particle synthesis for esiRNA delivery to knock down the SOX-9 gene with high delivery efficiency. The self-assembled injectable system was further utilized for three dimensional (3D) cell culture, segregated co-culture of hMSC with Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as angiogenesis model, and 3D bioprinting. Most interestingly, the coating of bioactive glass with the self-assembled biomatrix not only supports the proliferation and osteogenesis of hMSC in the 3D scaffold but also induces the amorphous bioglass scaffold surface to form new apatite crystals resembling the bone-like plate structures. Thus, the self-assembled biomatrix system can be utilized in various dimensions, scales, and geometries for many different bioengineering applications.