



@article {3298,
	title = {Effect of cell density on mesenchymal stem cells aggregation in RGD-alginate 3D matrices under osteoinductive conditions},
	journal = {Macromolecular Bioscience},
	volume = {14},
	year = {2014},
	note = {Cited By (since 1996):1Export Date: 21 November 2014},
	month = {2014},
	pages = {759 - 771},
	abstract = {Cellular activities in 3D are differentially affected by several matrix-intrinsic and extrinsic factors. This study highlights the relevance of optimizing initial cell densities when establishing 3D cultures for specific applications. Independently of the entrapping density, MSCs cultured within RGD-alginate hydrogels showed steady-state levels of metabolic activity and were in a nearly non-proliferative state, but recovered "normal" activity levels when retrieved from 3D matrices and re-cultured as monolayers. Importantly, high-densities promoted the establishment of cell-cell contacts with formation of multicellular clusters stabilized by endogenous ECM, and also stimulated MSCs osteogenic differentiation. These MSC-ECM microtissues may be used as building blocks for tissue engineering. {\textcopyright} 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH \& Co. KGaA, Weinheim.},
	keywords = {alginate hydrogels, encapsulation, Self-assembly, Tissue engineering},
	url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84902536382\&partnerID=40\&md5=d6659c40247c561753aca566f938d788},
	author = {Maia, F.R. and Louren{\c c}o, A.H. and Granja, P.L. and Gon{\c c}alves, R.M. and Barrias, C.C.}
}
