Engineered Phage Matrix Stiffness-Modulating Osteogenic Differentiation

Herein, we demonstrate an engineered phage mediated matrix for osteogenic differentiation with controlled stiffness by cross-linking the engineered phage displaying Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and His-Pro-Gln (HPQ) with various concentrations of streptavidin or polymer, poly­(diallyldimethylammonium)­chloride (PDDA). Osteogenic gene expressions showed that they were specifically increased when MC3T3 cells were cultured on the stiffer phage matrix than the softer one. Our phage matrixes can be easily functionalized using chemical/genetic engineering and used as a stem cell tissue matrix stiffness platform for modulating differential cell expansion and differentiation.