| This thesis explores the use of hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels as extracellular matrix mimics for growing astrocytes and neural progenitor cells in 3D. An examination of laminin- and fibronectin-based peptides showed that modifying gels with peptides containing the adhesive sequence RGD provided the best attachment for astrocytes. Both Diels-Alder and oxime "click" reactions were examined as gelation mechanisms, and oxime-crosslinked gels were used for cell co-cultures. It was determined that astrocytes grown on tissue culture plastic underneath the gels supported neural progenitor cell growth and differentiation better than 3D encapsulated co-cultures. These results demonstrate the importance of co-culture conditions to examine the role of astrocytes on neural progenitor cell fate. Ultimately, engineered matrices, such as those described herein, may provide useful biomimetic environments in which to probe development and/or disease progression in vitro. |
