@article {18178,
	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},
	month = {2014-02-28 00:00:00},
	pages = {659-771},
	abstract = {<p>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 {\textquotedblleft}normal{\textquotedblright} activity levels when retrieved from 3D matrices and re-cultured as monolayers. Importantly, high-densities promoted the establishment of cell{\textendash}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.</p>},
	keywords = {alginate hydrogels, encapsulation, self-assembly, Tissue engineering},
	doi = {10.1002/mabi.201300567},
	url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mabi.201300567/abstract;jsessionid=902F43BD5677D920D14697F6503D3D0D.f03t02},
	author = {Maia, F. R. and Louren{\c c}o, A. F. and Granja, P. L. and Gon{\c c}alves, R. M. and Barrias, C. C.}
}
