Collagen-based hydrogels have mechanical properties that mimic those of neonatal neural tissue.
(a) The collagen hydrogel has the highest compressive modulus (~1800 Pa), whereas the hydrogels with other components added (either HA or laminin) have lower moduli (~1200 kPa). The Col HA Lam hydrogel has the lowest compressive modulus (~ 570 Pa). All multi-component hydrogels are in range of the expected moduli that will provide the most optimal stimulus for oligodendrocyte maturation (~0.4-1 kPa) [16, 22]; n=15. (b)–(c). Storage and loss moduli were measured for each hydrogel type. Col HA hydrogels have the lowest shear moduli, and Col Lam hydrogels have the highest. Storage moduli below 200 Pa are in range of brain tissue [23]; n=6. *=p ≤ 0.05, **=p ≤ 0.01, error bars are ± standard error of the mean.