Native and cell-derived extracellular matrix exhibit disparate immunogenic and immunomodulatory effects

Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM) represents the natural environment of the cells and consists of various fibrous and non-fibrous proteins. It can be generated by decellularization of native tissue (dECM) or by isolation from cultured cells in vitro (cdECM). In the present study the immunomodulatory effect of dECM from native adipose tissue and cdECM from adipose derived stem cells (cdECM) on monocytes and ASCs encapsulated in gellan gum-ECM hybrid hydrogels was investigated. The monocyte activation test revealed a higher secretion of IL6 and TNFα in monocytes incubated with dECM compared to cdECM. Encapsulated ASCs in gellan gum-ECM-hybrid hydrogels exhibit different cytokine profiles (IL8, IL6, MCP-1, TNFα) when cultured with dECM or cdECM or gellan gum alone. The demonstrated differences in cellular behavior in the present of the two different types of ECM should be considered when using them as a biomaterial for in vitro as well as in vivo applications.