High throughput screening of endothelial cell response to combinatorial collagen - matrigel biomaterials

Peripheral nerve regeneration is limited by lack of growth permissive microenvironment and glial scarring. An ideal biomaterial for regeneration should support neurons and non-neural cells of Schwann cells and endothelial cells. Numerous tissue engineered strategies have been proposed for PNS regeneration but only a few approaches look at the role of support cells and microenvironment. It is therefore necessary to study the effect of scaffold, ECM proteins and growth factors and optimize the microenvironment for supporting all cell types. In this work, we evaluated the endothelial cell response to combinatorial collagen - matrigel library. Composite biomaterial library was fabricated in a microwell array and collagen and matrigel were varied at 1 - 3 mg/mL and 0 - 100% respectively. A flatbed fluorescent scanner was used for high throughput acquisition of images. Cell response analysis of cell number, morphology and metabolic activity was quantified. Endothelial cell responses is modulated by both collagen and matrigel concentration. An optimum matrigel content of 20% supported cell proliferation, spreading and increased metabolic activity.