Temperature-Responsive Methylcellulose–Hyaluronic Hydrogel as a 3D Cell Culture Matrix

This study investigated the application of a temperature-responsive methylcellulose–hyaluronic acid (MC–HA) hydrogel to support 3D cell growth in vitro. Initial work focused on the preparation of hydrogels for 3D culture, followed by investigations of the biological compatibility of hydrogel components and optimization of the cell culture environment. Evaluation of viability and proliferation of HCT116 cells cultured in the MC–HA hydrogel was used to adjust the blend composition to design a hydrogel with optimal properties to support cell growth. Two important aspects in terms of the application of the proposed polymeric matrix in 3D cell culture were demonstrated: (i) 3D cultured cell aggregates can be released/recovered from the matrix via a gentle procedure that will preserve cell viability and (ii) the hydrogel matrix is amenable to application in a 96-well plate format as a standard approach employed in in vitro tissue culture tests. The work therefore shows that MC–HA hydrogels demonstrate potential for in vitro 3D cell culture as inexpensive and well-defined alternatives to animal-derived or complex synthetic systems.