Polyethylene Glycol-Based Hydrogel as a 3D Extracellular Matrix Mimic for Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes.

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models enable us to understand cell behavior that is a better reflection of what occurs in vivo than 2D in vitro models. As a result, developing 3D models for extracellular matrix (ECM) has been growing exponentially. Most of the efforts for these 3D models are geared toward understanding cancer cells.

Electrostatic Assembly of Multiarm PEG-Based Hydrogels as Extracellular Matrix Mimics: Cell Response in the Presence and Absence of RGD Cell Adhesive Ligands.

Synthetic hydrogels have been used widely as extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics due to the ability to control and mimic physical and biochemical cues observed in natural ECM proteins such as collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Most synthetic hydrogels are formed covalent bonding resulting in slow gelation which is incompatible with drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting of cells and injectable hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. Herein, we developed an electrostatically crosslinked PEG-based hydrogel system for creating high-throughput 3D in vitro models using synthetic hydrogels to mimic the ECM cancer environment.

Changes in mouse Leydig cells ultrastructure and testosterone secretion after diethylcarbamazine administration.

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been proven to be highly effective against lymphatic filariasis, although its effect on vertebrate cells remains uncertain. Mice Leydig cells after treatment with 200mg/kg of DEC for 12 days showed numerous lipid droplets, degenerated mitochondria, residual bodies and several giant whorl-like smooth endoplasmic reticulum, some of them encircling large lipids droplets. Treatment with lower dosages showed similar alterations on Leydig cells and the morphological effects decreased directly proportional to the drug concentration.