Molecular Gels for Tissue Engineering - Soft Fibrillar Materials: Fabrication and Applications - page 142

tissue engineering, where the mechanical properties of scaffolds, such as hardness,
can have significant impacts on the ability for cells to attach and grow [70].
Although research involving tissue engineering on lipid-based molecular gel
scaffolds may seem limited at the present time, there exists significant potential
forthemtobedevelopedintosuccessfulcellculturesystems.Theuseoflipids,
either as monomer, liposome, or surface coating, in tissue engineering has
provided powerful evidence of their essential roles in guiding cellular development,
attachment, and differentiation.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), for instance, a key member of the sphingolipids,
is pivotal in the induction of numerous cellular processes. S1P is involved in the
survival, proliferation, and regulation of apoptosis in human embryonic stem cells
[71]. Additionally, S1P maintains growth and multipotency of human bone marrow
and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) [72]. A recent study
involving culturing human umbilical cord MSC with cardiomyocytes-conditioned
medium supplemented with S1P showed that S1P is able to trigger and potentiate
differentiation and maturation of human umbilical cord MSC into cardiomyocytes.

(A) (B)

(a)

20 μ m

(b)

10

μ
m

40 μ m

20 μ m

(C)

14 days cell culture (x320) 21 days cell culture (x320)

21 days details (x640)
Division

Collagen network

Figure 4.7 (A) SEM micrographs of fi-
brous nanostructures of soybean oil (a)
and caprylic/capric triglyceride organogels
(b). (B) Environmental SEM micrographs of
CHO cells on a soybean oil based organogel
after 21 days of incubation. (C) Histologi-
cal images showing the morphology and

attachment of CHO cells in a soybean oil
organogel after 14 and 21 days of cell cul-
ture with Masson's trichrome staining; De-
tailed histological examination revealed on-
going cell division and possible formation of
collagen fibrous network. (Figures adapted
from Ref. [5] (Copyright 2010) Elsevier B.V.)