水凝胶交联网络调控PC12细胞三维培养

his study aimed to develop a three-dimensional (3D) culture system with tunable matrix viscoelasticity to investigate the regulatory effects of extracellular matrix mechanical properties on neural cell behavior. Dynamic-crosslinked hydrogels and static-crosslinked hydrogels were successfully fabricated through reactions between type I collagen and functionalized PEG derivatives, demonstrating good biocompatibility, structural stability, and independent regulation of elastic and viscoelastic properties. When applied to 3D culture of PC12 cells, distinct morphological responses to viscoelasticity were observed. The established model provides a novel approach for analyzing the effects of three-dimensional mechanical microenvironments on neural cells, holding potential application value in biological sciences and related fields.