Introduction
Metatissue® hPLMA Easy is a xeno-free, animal serum-free, and bioactive hydrogel platform derived from human platelet lysates. Designed to closely mimic the native extracellular environment, it provides a physiologically relevant and supportive matrix for in vitro cell culture, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine applications.
This ready-to-use formulation consists of a 15% (w/v) solution of methacrylated human platelet lysates (hPLMA) in PBS, containing 0.5% (w/v) LAP (lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate) as a photoinitiator. It enables straightforward and reproducible hydrogel preparation, eliminating the need for reconstitution or additional mixing steps, and helping reduce variability across experiments. Upon exposure to light within the appropriate wavelength range for LAP activation (typically 365–405 nm), hPLMA Easy undergoes rapid polymerization to form a stable hydrogel.
With its bioactive composition and customizable physical properties, hPLMA Easy offers a versatile and convenient solution for a wide range of advanced 3D cell culture applications, facilitating more predictive and translationally relevant in vitro models.
Applications:
- 3D cell culture: Cell growth and expansion.
- Tissue engineering: Platform that supports tissue regeneration.
- Disease modeling: Drug discovery and screening.
- Cancer research: Tumor-like microenvironments.
- Stem cell research: Suitable for stem cell proliferation.
- Microtissue development: Tissue morphogenesis and homeostatis.
Advantages:
- Human-derived: Multiple native human-derived proteins and growth factors provide a xeno-free alternative to animal products.
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Photocrosslinkable: The precursor solution can be cured upon light exposure to induce hydrogel crosslinking. Its temperature stability allows for easier handling.
- Versatile: Easily processed in multiple geometries and in microarrays amenable to organ-on-a-chip systems designed for high throughput screening applications.
- Reproducible: The materials are prepared from multiple donor units that are pooled to minimize lot-to-lot variation.
- Personalized: Under request, specific products may be prepared with samples from a specific donor, enriched or depleted in specific target molecules.
hPLMA Material
Metatissue® hPLMA Easy is composed of several proteins, including growth factors and cytokines. These bioactive proteins are known to be key components involved in cell adhesion and proliferation processes.
Main Components:
- Serum albumin
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
- Fibrinogen
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
- Complement C3
- Serotransferrin
Source:
hPLMA is manufactured from platelet units obtained from screened healthy donors designated for therapeutic transfusion. Each donor undergoes testing, and non-reactivity is confirmed for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HIV-1/2, anti-HCV, anti-HTLV-1/2, anti-T. cruzi, HIV-1, HCV, HBV, WNV nucleic acid testing, and syphilis micro hemagglutination assay. It is essential to observe universal precautions for handling and disposing of biological products while working with hPLMA.
Storage/Stability:
Stability of the ready-to-use formulation has been thoroughly validated. The product remains stable for up to 6 months when stored at 4°C. Encapsulated cells exhibit comparable viability and behavior in hydrogels prepared from freshly made product and from product stored for 6 months, confirming its consistent performance over time.
Specifications
| Product Category: | Hydrogels, scaffolds, biomatrices |
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Product Type: |
Hydrogel |
| Liquid/Powder: | Liquid solution |
| Size: | 5 ml |
| Storage: | 2-8°C |
| Manufacturer: | Metatissue® |
| Country of Origin: | Portugal |
hPLMA Validation in Cell Culture
Validated Cell Types
These are some of the human cells already validated with the hPLMA product:
- Adipose stem cells
- Lung fibroblasts
- Osteosarcoma cancer cell line
- Cardiomyocytes
- Smooth muscle cells
- Urothelial cells
- Bone marrow stem cells
Cell Viability & Proliferation
hPLMA Easy hydrogels provide a supportive three-dimensional environment for encapsulated stem cells, maintaining their viability and enabling proliferation for at least 7 days (Fig. 1). This demonstrates that the material does not act as a restrictive barrier, but rather as a permissive matrix that sustains both cell maintenance and expansion over time. The hydrogels also exhibit mechanical properties with a Young’s modulus of approximately 15 kPa, aligning with the range of soft tissue-like mechanics.
Figure 1: A) Live/Dead assay staining. Representative images of Live/Dead staining for hASCs cultured encapsulated in hPLMA Easy at 1, and 7 days of cell culture. Scale bar: 200 μm. B) hASCs relative cell growth in hPLMA Easy hydrogels assessed through the CCK-8 assay.
3D Bioprinting by Extrusion and DLP
hPLMA Easy can be used as an ink for bioprinting in different printing techniques, such as extrusion or DLP. It can also be added to new ink formulations as a complement for a human touch.
Documents
Usage
This product is intended for Laboratory Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. This product may not be used as a pharmaceutical or veterinary drug, agricultural product, or food additive.
Related Products
-
Metatissue® hPLMA - Human Methacryloyl Platelet Lysates Photopolymerizable Hydrogel
- Metatissue® LAP Photoinitiator
Ilex Life Sciences LLC is an authorized worldwide distributor of Metatissue® products.