VitroGel®  MMP High Concentration

VitroGel®  MMP High Concentration is a tunable, xeno-free (animal origin-free) hydrogel system modified with matrix metalloproteinase-sensitive peptides. The enzyme-sensitive hydrogel can be degraded by several MMPs (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, and MMP13) and supports various biological activities, including cell proliferation, migration (adhesion/dispersion), differentiation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis.  VitroGel MMP High Concentration comes with VitroGel Dilution Solution to adjust the final hydrogel strength from 10 to 4000 Pa.

VitroGel®  High Concentration hydrogels are our xeno-free, tunable hydrogels for researchers wanting full control to manipulate the biophysical and biological properties of the cell culture environment. The tunability of the hydrogel enables the creation of an optimized environment for cell growth. The hydrogel system has a neutral pH, is transparent, permeable, and compatible with different imaging systems. The solution transforms into a hydrogel matrix by simply mixing with the cell culture medium. No cross-linking agent is required. Cells cultured in this system can be easily harvested with our VitroGel® Cell Recovery Solution. The hydrogel can also be tuned to be injectable for in vivo studies.

From 3D cell culture, 2D cell coating to animal injection, VitroGel®  makes it possible to bridge the in vitro and in vivo studies with the same platform system.

Mix & Match – 3D Cell Culture Your WAY!

Unique to VitroGel®  High Concentration hydrogels is the ability to customize a multi-functional hydrogel by blending different types of VitroGel® .  VitroGel® MMP can be “mix & matched” with other versions of VitroGel, such as VitroGel® RGD, VitroGel® YIGSR, VitroGel® IKVAV, and VitroGel® COL to create a customized multi-functional hydrogel. Using this flexible and powerful hydrogel system, scientists can tailor their 3D culture micro-environment for different applications.

Learn more about the “Mix & Match” features >

Specifications

Contents	VitroGel® MMP High Concentration, 3 mL VitroGel® Dilution Solution, 50 mL
Hydrogel Formulation	Xeno-free tunable hydrogel modified with matrix metalloproteinases sensitive peptide.
Use	MMP sensitive biodegradable hydrogel.
Mix & Match	Can be blended with other versions of VitroGel concentrated hydrogels to create a custom multi-functional matrix.
Operation	Room temperature
Hydrogel Strength	10 to 4,000 Pa of G’ depending on dilution ratio. Dilute with VitroGel Dilution Solution (TYPE 1 or TYPE 2) for different concentrations.
pH	Neutral
Color	Transparent
Cell Harvesting	VitroGel Organoid Recovery Solution 5-15 min cell recovery
Injectable	Injectable hydrogel
Storage	Store at 2-8°C. Ships at ambient temperature
Number of Uses	Dilution ratio: 1:2 = 225 uses at 50 µL per well 1:3 = 300 uses at 50 µL per well 1:5 = 450 uses at 50 µL per well

3D Cell Culture Process in 20 Minutes

VitroGel®  High Concentration hydrogels are easy to use. There is no cross-linking agent required. Work confidently at room temperature.

Tunable Hydrogel Strength

Simply diluting the hydrogel controls the gel strength.

Video Protocols & Demonstrations

VIDEO PROTOCOL TIP

3D Cell Culture
VitroGel High Concentration Hydrogels

VIDEO PROTOCOL TIP

2D Cell Coating
Method 1
VitroGel High Concentration Hydrogels

VIDEO PROTOCOL TIP

2D Cell Coating
Method 2
VitroGel High Concentration Hydrogels

VIDEO PROTOCOL TIP

Cell Recovery
Method 1
from 3D & 2D cultures

VIDEO PROTOCOL TIP

Cell Recovery
Method 2
from 3D & 2D  cultures

VIDEO PROTOCOL TIP

Injectable Hydrogel
VitroGel System

Data and References

Cell Type Behavior Reference Table – VitroGel®  MMP

Multiple examples of immobilized, conjugated MMP substrate peptides in hydrogels in different tissues and cell type. MMPs’ activity is critical in remodeling the extracellular matrix. Hydrogels with MMP substrate peptides incorporated allow for the study of MMP activity in multiple cell types.

Figure 1.  Rheological properties of VitroGel®  MMP with RPMI medium.
A) The gel formation curve after mixing with RPMI medium. VitroGel MMP was diluted at 1:1 and 1:3 (v/v) with VitroGel Dilution Solution (Type 1) and then mixed with RPMI at a 4:1 (v/v) ratio; B) The gel strength after 24 hours of incubation. The hydrogel was prepared according to the user handbook at 1:0, 1:1, and 1:3 dilution ratios, and incubated at 37°C CO₂ for 24 hours before the rheological test. (10 ~ 4000 Pa of G’ of regular products at dilutions. Customized high concentration product to reach over 20K Pa)

Figure 2. Degradation of VitroGel®  MMP gel with MMP2 enzyme.
A) The hydrogel was prepared without dilution (1:0 dilution) and incubated for 24 hours before adding MMP2 (1 µg/mL) on top of the hydrogel. The plate was incubated in a 5% CO2 incubator at 37°C and was shaken using an orbital shaker at 40 rpm. The hydrogel obtains a heterogeneous consistency after 24 hours, and by day 6, the entire middle section appears degraded.  B) The 1:3 diluted hydrogel was prepared with VitroGel Dilution Solution and incubated as a 1:0 diluted hydrogel. The hydrogel appears to have completely dissolved after 6 hours after exposed to the MMP2 enzyme. C). The rheological data show a rapid decline in the elastic modulus of the 1:3 diluted hydrogel over time after adding the MMP2 enzyme. The gel was almost completely degraded by the enzyme after 200 mins. The test result demonstrates that VitroGel MMP undergoes an MMP-sensitive degradation. The higher the dilution of the gel, the faster the degradation process.

Figure 3. 3D culture of glioblastoma cells (SNB 75) in VitroGel®  MMP.
Cells were cultured with 1:3 diluted VitroGel MMP according to the user handbook (50% FBS was used to prepare the cell suspension to achieve a hydrogel with a final 10% FBS concentration).

References/Publications

• Sun, W., Xu, W., Xiao, M., Zhang, X., Chen, J., Zhang, J., Yang, L., & Quan Na. (2025). Enhancing exosome stability and delivery with natural polymers to prevent intrauterine adhesions and promote endometrial regeneration: a review. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03603-8
• Sadiasa, A., Werkmeister, J., Gurung, S., & Gargett, C. (2025). Steps towards the clinical application of endometrial and menstrual fluid mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of gynecological disorders. Taylor & Francis Online; Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14712598.2025.2465826
• Powell K. Adding depth to cell culture. Science, 356(6333), 96–98. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.356.6333.96