Cell encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogels for tissue engineering applications

Spherical phospholipid polymer hydrogels for cell encapsulation prepared with a flow-focusing microfluidic channel device

To prepare spherical polymer hydrogels, we used a flow-focusing microfluidic channel device for mixing aqueous solutions of two water-soluble polymers. Continuous encapsulation of cells in the hydrogels was also examined. The polymers were bioinspired 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer bearing phenyl boronic acid groups (PMBV) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which spontaneously form a hydrogel in aqueous medium via specific molecular complexation upon mixing, even when they were in cell culture medium. The microfluidic device was prepared with polydimethylsiloxan, and the surface of the channel was treated with fluoroalkyl compound to prevent sticking of the polymers on the surface. The microfluidic channel process could control the diameter of the spherical hydrogels in the range of 30-90 μm and generated highly monodispersed diameter spherical hydrogels. We found that the polymer distribution in the hydrogel was influenced by the PVA concentration and that the hydrogel could be dissociated by the addition of d-sorbitol to the suspension. The single cells could be encapsulated and remain viable in the hydrogels. The localized distribution of polymers in the hydrogel may provide an environment for modulating cell function. It is concluded that the spontaneous hydrogel formation between PMBV and PVA in the flow-focusing microfluidic channel device is applicable for continuous preparation of a spherical hydrogel-encapsulating living cell.

Modifying the pores of an inverse opal scaffold with chitosan microstructures for truly three-dimensional cell culture

Inverse opal scaffolds have recently emerged as a novel class of scaffolds with uniform and controllable pore sizes for tissue engineering to provide better nutrient transport, a uniform cell distribution, and an adjustable microenvironment for cell differentiation. However, when the pore size of the scaffold is much larger than the dimension of a cell, the cell actually encounters a local 2D environment and the void space associated with the pore can not be efficiently utilized. Here, we demonstrate that a truly 3D microenvironment can be created inside a pore by further functionalizing the as-prepared inverse opal scaffold with a second polymer by freeze-drying. The resultant inverse opal scaffold with hierarchically structured pores can enhance both cell proliferation and tissue infiltration.

Ultrasonic wave propagation assessment of native cartilage explants and hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering

Non-destructive techniques characterising the mechanical properties of cells, tissues, and biomaterials provide baseline metrics for tissue engineering design. Ultrasonic wave propagation and attenuation has previously demonstrated the dynamics of extracellular matrix synthesis in chondrocyte-seeded hydrogel constructs. In this paper, we describe an ultrasonic method to analyse two of the construct elements used to engineer articular cartilage in real-time, native cartilage explants and an agarose biomaterial. Results indicated a similarity in wave propagation velocity ranges for both longitudinal (1500-1745 m/s) and transverse (350-950 m/s) waveforms. Future work will apply an acoustoelastic analysis to distinguish between the fluid and solid properties including the cell and matrix biokinetics as a validation of previous mathematical models.

Regulation of endothelial cell activation and angiogenesis by injectable peptide nanofibers

RAD16-II peptide nanofibers are promising for vascular tissue engineering and were shown to enhance angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, although the mechanism remains unknown. We hypothesized that the pro-angiogenic effect of RAD16-II results from low-affinity integrin-dependent interactions of microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) with RAD motifs. Mouse MVECs were cultured on RAD16-II with or without integrin and MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitors, and angiogenic responses were quantified. The results were validated in vivo using a mouse diabetic wound healing model with impaired neovascularization. RAD16-II stimulated spontaneous capillary morphogenesis, and increased β(3) integrin phosphorylation and VEGF expression in MVECs. These responses were abrogated in the presence of β(3) and MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitors or on the control peptide without RAD motifs. Wide-spectrum integrin inhibitor echistatin completely abolished RAD16-II-mediated capillary morphogenesis in vitro and neovascularization and VEGF expression in the wound in vivo. The addition of the RGD motif to RAD16-II did not change nanofiber architecture or mechanical properties, but resulted in significant decrease in capillary morphogenesis. Overall, these results suggest that low-affinity non-specific interactions between cells and RAD motifs can trigger angiogenic responses via phosphorylation of β(3) integrin and MAPK/ERK pathway, indicating that low-affinity sequences can be used to functionalize biocompatible materials for the regulation of cell migration and angiogenesis, thus expanding the current pool of available motifs that can be used for such functionalization. Incorporation of RAD or similar motifs into protein engineered or hybrid peptide scaffolds may represent a novel strategy for vascular tissue engineering and will further enhance design opportunities for new scaffold materials.

Encapsulation of Huh-7 cells within alginate-poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid microspheres

Novel calcium alginate poly(ethylene glycol) hybrid microspheres (Ca-alg-PEG) were developed and evaluated as potentially suitable materials for cell microencapsulation. Grafting 5-13% of the backbone units of sodium alginate (Na-alg) with α-amine-ω-thiol PEG maintained the gelling capacity in presence of calcium ions, while thiol end groups allowed for preparing chemically crosslinked hydrogel via spontaneous disulfide bond formation. The combination of these two gelling mechanisms yielded Ca-alg-PEG. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh-7) were encapsulated in Ca-alg-PEG and calcium alginate beads (Ca-alg), and cultured for 2 weeks under agitation conditions. Immediately after completion of the microencapsulation, the cell viability was 60% and similar in Ca-alg-PEG and Ca-alg. The proliferation of Huh-7 encapsulated in Ca-alg-PEG was slightly higher than in Ca-alg. Accelerated proliferation after 2 weeks was observed for the encapsulation in Ca-alg-PEG. The production of albumin confirmed the functionality of the encapsulated Huh-7 cells. The study confirms the suitability of Ca-alg-PEG and the one-step technology for cell microencapsulation.

Defining and designing polymers and hydrogels for neural tissue engineering

The use of biomaterials, such as hydrogels, as neural cell delivery devices is becoming more common in areas of research such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. When reviewing the available research there is some ambiguity in the type of materials used and results are often at odds. This review aims to provide the neuroscience community who may not be familiar with fundamental concepts of hydrogel construction, with basic information that would pertain to neural tissue applications, and to describe the use of hydrogels as cell and drug delivery devices. We will illustrate some of the many tunable properties of hydrogels and the importance of these properties in obtaining reliable and consistent results. It is our hope that this review promotes creative ideas for ways that hydrogels could be adapted and employed for the treatment of a broad range of neurological disorders.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells versus bone marrow nucleated cells in the treatment of chondral defects

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with bone marrow nucleated cells (BNCs) as seed cells in the treatment of cartilage defects.

METHODS

Twenty Guizhou minipigs were used to create full-thickness chondral defects of 6.0 mm in diameter in the knee joints and divided between two time points (four and eight weeks) for final assessment. At every time point, animals were separated into four groups: the CON group which underwent no implantation; the collagen type II hydrogel group (COL); the collagen type II hydrogel + bone marrow-derived MSCs group; and the collagen type II hydrogel + BNCs group. The samples were grossly examined, observed through a stereo microscope, histologically analysed and evaluated with the O'Driscoll scoring system, respectively.

RESULTS

The cartilage repair of the two cell-treated groups was improved markedly compared to the CON and the COL groups, while the repair tissues of the two cell-treated groups showed no significant difference eight weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that BNCs contribute to the repair of cartilage with collagen type II hydrogel as scaffolds, which have comparable results with bone marrow-derived MSCs. Moreover, the transplantation of autologous BNCs as seed cells may be a more economical and convenient technique for cartilage repair in clinical applications.

Degradation improves tissue formation in (un)loaded chondrocyte-laden hydrogels

BACKGROUND

Photopolymerizable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels offer a platform to deliver cells in vivo and support three-dimensional cell culture but should be designed to degrade in sync with neotissue development and endure the physiologic environment.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We asked whether (1) incorporation of degradation into PEG hydrogels facilitates tissue development comprised of essential cartilage macromolecules; (2) with early loading before pericellular matrix formation, the duration of load affects matrix production; and (3) dynamic loading in general influences macroscopic tissue development.

METHODS

Primary bovine chondrocytes were encapsulated in hydrogels (n = 3 for each condition). The independent variables were hydrogel degradation (nondegrading PEG and degrading oligo(lactic acid)-b-PEG-b-oligo(lactic acid) [PEG-LA]), culture condition (free swelling, unconfined dynamic compressive loading applied intermittently for 1 or 4 weeks), and time (up to 28 days). The dependent variables were neotissue deposition through biochemical contents, immunohistochemistry, and compressive modulus.

RESULTS

Degradation led to 2.3- and 2.9-fold greater glycosaminoglycan and collagen contents, respectively; macroscopic cartilage-like tissue formation comprised of aggrecan, collagen II and VI, link protein, and decorin; but decreased moduli. Loading, applied early or throughout culture, did not affect neotissue content in either hydrogel but affected neotissue spatial distribution in degrading hydrogels where 4 weeks of loading appeared to enhance hydrogel degradation resulting in tissue defects.

CONCLUSIONS

PEG-LA hydrogels led to macroscopic tissue development comprised of key cartilage macromolecules under loading, but hydrogel degradation requires further tuning.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

PEG-LA hydrogels have potential for delivering chondrocytes in vivo to replace damaged cartilage with a tissue-engineered native equivalent, overcoming many limitations associated with current clinical treatments.

Cell sources for bone tissue engineering: insights from basic science

One of the goals of bone tissue engineering is to design delivery methods for skeletal stem/progenitor cells to repair or replace bone. Although the materials used to retain cells play a central role in the quality of the constructs, the source of cells is key for bone regeneration. Bone marrow is the most common cell source, but other tissues are now being explored, such as the periosteum, fat, muscle, cord blood, and embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells. The therapeutic effect of exogenous stem/progenitor cells is accepted, yet their contribution to bone repair is not well defined. The in vitro osteo- and/or chondrogenic potential of these skeletal progenitors do not necessarily predict their differentiation potential in vivo and their function may be affected by their ability to home correctly to bone. This review provides an overview of animal models used to test the efficacy of cell-based approaches. We examine the mechanisms of endogenous cell recruitment during bone repair and compare the role of local versus systemic cell recruitment. We discuss how the normal repair process can help define efficacious cell sources for bone tissue engineering and improve their methods of delivery.

Biomaterials to prevascularize engineered tissues

Tissue engineering promises to restore tissue and organ function following injury or failure by creating functional and transplantable artificial tissues. The development of artificial tissues with dimensions that exceed the diffusion limit (1-2 mm) will require nutrients and oxygen to be delivered via perfusion (or convection) rather than diffusion alone. One strategy of perfusion is to prevascularize tissues; that is, a network of blood vessels is created within the tissue construct prior to implantation, which has the potential to significantly shorten the time of functional vascular perfusion from the host. The prevascularized network of vessels requires an extracellular matrix or scaffold for 3D support, which can be either natural or synthetic. This review surveys the commonly used biomaterials for prevascularizing 3D tissue engineering constructs.

Development and optimization of a dual-photoinitiator, emulsion-based technique for rapid generation of cell-laden hydrogel microspheres

A growing number of clinical trials explore the use of cell-based therapies for the treatment of disease and restoration of damaged tissue; however, limited cell survival and engraftment remains a significant challenge. As the field continues to progress, microencapsulation strategies are proving to be a valuable tool for protecting and supporting these cell therapies while preserving minimally invasive delivery. This work presents a novel, dual-photoinitiator technique for encapsulation of cells within hydrogel microspheres. A desktop vortexer was used to generate an emulsion of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) or PEGDA-based precursor solution in mineral oil. Through an optimized combination of photoinitiators added to both the aqueous and the oil phase, rapid gelation of the suspended polymer droplets was achieved. The photoinitiator combination provided superior cross-linking consistency and greater particle yield, and required lower overall initiator concentrations compared with a single initiator system. When cells were combined with the precursor solution, these benefits translated to excellent microencapsulation yield with 60-80% viability for the tested cell types. It was further shown that the scaffold material could be modified with cell-adhesive peptides to be used as surface-seeded microcarriers, or additionally with enzymatically degradable sequences to support three-dimensional spreading, migration and long-term culture of encapsulated cells. Three cell lines relevant to neural stem cell therapies are demonstrated here, but this technology is adaptable, scalable and easy to implement with standard laboratory equipment, making it a useful tool for advancing the next generation of cell-based therapeutics.

Oligo(trimethylene carbonate)-poly(ethylene glycol)-oligo(trimethylene carbonate) triblock-based hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering

A triblock co-polymer of oligo(trimethylene carbonate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) 20000-block-oligo(trimethylene carbonate) diacrylate (TMC20) was used as a photo-polymerizable precursor for the encapsulation of primary articular chondrocytes. The efficacy of TMC20 as a biodegradable scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering was compared with non-degradable poly(ethylene glycol) 20000 diacrylate (PEG20) hydrogel. Chondrocytes encapsulated in PEG hydrogels containing oligo(trimethylene carbonate) (OTMC) moieties underwent spontaneous aggregation during in vitro culture, which was not observed in the PEG hydrogel counterparts. The aggregation of cells was found to be dependent on the initial cell density, as well as the mesh size of the hydrogels. Similarly, cell aggregation was also found in biodegradable PEG hydrogels containing caprolactone moieties. The aggregation of cells in TMC20 hydrogels resulted in enhanced cartilage matrix production compared with their PEG20 counterparts over 3 weeks of culture. Taken together, these results indicate that PEG hydrogels containing degradable OTMC moieties promote the aggregation and biosynthetic activity of encapsulated chondrocytes, indicating their potential as scaffolds for the repair of cartilage tissue.

Design properties of hydrogel tissue-engineering scaffolds

This article summarizes the recent progress in the design and synthesis of hydrogels as tissue-engineering scaffolds. Hydrogels are attractive scaffolding materials owing to their highly swollen network structure, ability to encapsulate cells and bioactive molecules, and efficient mass transfer. Various polymers, including natural, synthetic and natural/synthetic hybrid polymers, have been used to make hydrogels via chemical or physical crosslinking. Recently, bioactive synthetic hydrogels have emerged as promising scaffolds because they can provide molecularly tailored biofunctions and adjustable mechanical properties, as well as an extracellular matrix-like microenvironment for cell growth and tissue formation. This article addresses various strategies that have been explored to design synthetic hydrogels with extracellular matrix-mimetic bioactive properties, such as cell adhesion, proteolytic degradation and growth factor-binding.

Strategies for tissue engineering cardiac constructs to affect functional repair following myocardial infarction

Tissue-engineered cardiac constructs are a high potential therapy for treating myocardial infarction. These therapies have the ability to regenerate or recreate functional myocardium following the infarction, restoring some of the lost function of the heart and thereby preventing congestive heart failure. Three key factors to consider when developing engineered myocardial tissue include the cell source, the choice of scaffold, and the use of biomimetic culture conditions. This review details the various biomaterials and scaffold types that have been used to generate engineered myocardial tissues as well as a number of different methods used for the fabrication and culture of these constructs. Specific bioreactor design considerations for creating myocardial tissue equivalents in vitro, such as oxygen and nutrient delivery as well as physical stimulation, are also discussed. Lastly, a brief overview of some of the in vivo studies that have been conducted to date and their assessment of the functional benefit in repairing the injured heart with engineered myocardial tissue is provided.

Statistical modeling of single target cell encapsulation

High throughput drop-on-demand systems for separation and encapsulation of individual target cells from heterogeneous mixtures of multiple cell types is an emerging method in biotechnology that has broad applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, genomics, and cryobiology. However, cell encapsulation in droplets is a random process that is hard to control. Statistical models can provide an understanding of the underlying processes and estimation of the relevant parameters, and enable reliable and repeatable control over the encapsulation of cells in droplets during the isolation process with high confidence level. We have modeled and experimentally verified a microdroplet-based cell encapsulation process for various combinations of cell loading and target cell concentrations. Here, we explain theoretically and validate experimentally a model to isolate and pattern single target cells from heterogeneous mixtures without using complex peripheral systems.

Development of a hybrid scaffold with synthetic biomaterials and hydrogel using solid freeform fabrication technology

Natural biomaterials such as hyaluronic acid, gelatin and collagen provide excellent environments for tissue regeneration. Furthermore, gel-state natural biomaterials are advantageous for encapsulating cells and growth factors. In cell printing technology, hydrogel which contains cells was printed directly to form three-dimensional (3D) structures for tissue or organ regeneration using various types of printers. However, maintaining the 3D shape of the printed structure, which is made only of the hydrogel, is very difficult due to its weak mechanical properties. In this study, we developed a hybrid scaffold consisting of synthetic biomaterials and natural hydrogel using a multi-head deposition system, which is useful in solid freeform fabrication technology. The hydrogel was intentionally infused into the space between the lines of a synthetic biomaterial-based scaffold. The cellular efficacy of the hybrid scaffold was validated using rat primary hepatocytes and a mouse pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cell line. In addition, the collagen hydrogel, which encapsulates cells, was dispensed and the viability of the cells observed. We demonstrated superior effects of the hybrid scaffold on cell adhesion and proliferation and showed the high viability of dispensed cells.

Controlled biodegradation of self-assembling β-hairpin peptide hydrogels by proteolysis with matrix metalloproteinase-13

Controlled biodegradation specific to matrix metalloproteinase-13 was incorporated into the design of self-assembling β-hairpin peptide hydrogels. Degrading Peptides (DP peptides) are a series of five peptides that have varying proteolytic susceptibilities toward MMP-13. These peptides undergo environmentally triggered folding and self-assembly under physiologically relevant conditions (150 mm NaCl, pH 7.6) to form self-supporting hydrogels. In the presence of enzyme, gels prepared from distinct peptides are degraded at rates that differ according to the primary sequence of the single peptide comprising the gel. Material degradation was monitored by oscillatory shear rheology over the course of 14 days, where overall degradation of the gels vary from 5% to 70%. Degradation products were analyzed by HPLC and identified by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry. This data shows that proteolysis of the parent peptides constituting each gel occurs at the intended sequence location. DP hydrogels show specificity to MMP-13 and are only minimally cleaved by matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), another common enzyme present during tissue injury. In vitro migration assays performed with SW1353 cells show that migration rates through each gel differs according to peptide sequence, which is consistent with the proteolysis studies using exogenous MMP-13.

Tissue engineering approaches for regenerative dentistry

Although teeth can withstand enormous abrasive forces, they are susceptible to damage due to trauma, acids and bacterial attack. Conventional treatment relies on synthetic materials to fill defects and replace whole teeth, but these remain substitutes and cannot restore the tissues' physiological architecture and function. With the isolation of postnatal stem cells from various sources in the oral cavity and the development of smart materials for cell and growth factor delivery, possibilities for alternative, biology-based treatments arise. Interdisciplinary approaches are needed to move from replacement to regeneration, involving clinicians as well as biologists, stem cell researchers and material scientists. First, in order to provide an appreciation for the complexity of the tooth as a whole, its components and surrounding structures will be described. Next, the basic principles of tooth development will be presented, which can be applied to recreate signaling events and utilize them to build whole teeth. For the regeneration of individual tooth structures, the classical tissue engineering triad can be utilized, using dental stem cells, scaffold materials and relevant growth and differentiation factors. Recent successful engineering initiatives on whole teeth as well as on specific tissues such as enamel, the dentin-pulp complex or periodontal ligament will be discussed. In projecting future research directions, we conclude with a brief discussion of key components necessary to develop effective strategies for dental tissue engineering, which might enable us to implement novel regenerative strategies in clinical practice in the near future.

Polymer-based microparticles in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Different types of biomaterials, processed into different shapes, have been proposed as temporary support for cells in tissue engineering (TE) strategies. The manufacturing methods used in the production of particles in drug delivery strategies have been adapted for the development of microparticles in the fields of TE and regenerative medicine (RM). Microparticles have been applied as building blocks and matrices for the delivery of soluble factors, aiming for the construction of TE scaffolds, either by fusion giving rise to porous scaffolds or as injectable systems for in situ scaffold formation, avoiding complicated surgery procedures. More recently, organ printing strategies have been developed by the fusion of hydrogel particles with encapsulated cells, aiming the production of organs in in vitro conditions. Mesoscale self-assembly of hydrogel microblocks and the use of leachable particles in three-dimensional (3D) layer-by-layer (LbL) techniques have been suggested as well in recent works. Along with innovative applications, new perspectives are open for the use of these versatile structures, and different directions can still be followed to use all the potential that such systems can bring. This review focuses on polymeric microparticle processing techniques and overviews several examples and general concepts related to the use of these systems in TE and RE applications. The use of materials in the development of microparticles from research to clinical applications is also discussed.

Current strategies for osteochondral regeneration: from stem cells to pre-clinical approaches

Damaged cartilage tissue has no functional replacement alternatives and current therapies for bone injury treatment are far from being the ideal solutions emphasizing an urgent need for alternative therapeutic approaches for osteochondral (OC) regeneration. The tissue engineering field provides new possibilities for therapeutics and regeneration in rheumatology and orthopaedics, holding the potential for improving the quality of life of millions of patients by exploring new strategies towards the development of biological substitutes to maintain, repair and improve OC tissue function. Numerous studies have focused on the development of distinct tissue engineering strategies that could result in promising solutions for this delicate interface. In order to outperform currently used methods, novel tissue engineering approaches propose, for example, the design of multi-layered scaffolds, the use of stem cells, bioreactors or the combination of clinical techniques.

Immunoisolating semi-permeable membranes for cell encapsulation: focus on hydrogels

Cell-based medicine has recently emerged as a promising cure for patients suffering from various diseases and disorders that cannot be cured/treated using technologies currently available. Encapsulation within semi-permeable membranes offers transplanted cell protection from the surrounding host environment to achieve successful therapeutic function following in vivo implantation. Apart from the immunoisolation requirements, the encapsulating material must allow for cell survival and differentiation while maintaining its physico-mechanical properties throughout the required implantation period. Here we review the progress made in the development of cell encapsulation technologies from the mass transport side, highlighting the essential requirements of materials comprising immunoisolating membranes. The review will focus on hydrogels, the most common polymers used in cell encapsulation, and discuss the advantages of these materials and the challenges faced in the modification of their immunoisolating and permeability characteristics in order to optimize their function.

Free radical polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate macromers: impact of macromer hydrophobicity and initiator chemistry on polymerization efficiency

A series of poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(lactide) diacrylate macromers was synthesized with variable PEG molecular weights (10 or 20 kDa) and lactate contents (0 or 6 lactates per end group). These macromers were polymerized to form hydrogels by free radical polymerization using either redox or photochemical initiators. The extent of polymerization was determined by monitoring the compressive modulus of the resulting hydrogels and by quantitative determination of unreacted acrylate after exhaustive hydrolysis of the gel. Polymerization efficiency was found to depend on the lactate content of the macromer, with higher lactate macromers giving more efficient polymerization. For redox-initiated polymerization using ferrous gluconate/t-butyl hydroperoxide initiator, macromers containing approximately six lactate repeats per end group required lower concentrations of initiator to reach high conversion than lactate-free macromers. Photochemical polymerization with α,α-dimethoxy-α-phenylacetophenone (Irgacure 651(®)) was found to be less efficient than redox polymerization, requiring the addition of N-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone (NVP) as a co-monomer to achieve conversions comparable with redox polymerization. When conditions were optimized to provide near complete conversion for all gels, the presence of lactate repeat units in the hydrogel was generally found to reduce swelling and increase the compressive modulus. Calculated values of molecular weight between cross-links (M(c)) and mesh size using Flory-Rehner theory showed that macromer molecular weight had the greatest impact on the network structure of the gel.

Incorporation of biomimetic matrix molecules in PEG hydrogels enhances matrix deposition and reduces load-induced loss of chondrocyte-secreted matrix

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels offer numerous advantages in designing controlled 3D environments for cartilage regeneration, but offer little biorecognition for the cells. Incorporating molecules that more closely mimic the native tissue may provide key signals for matrix synthesis and may also help in the retention of neotissue, particularly when mechanical stimulation is employed. Therefore, this research tested the hypothesis that exogenous hyaluronan encapsulated within PEG hydrogels improves tissue deposition by chondrocytes, while the incorporation of Link-N (DHLSDNYTLDHDRAIH), a fragment of link protein that is involved in stabilizing hyaluronan and aggrecan in cartilage, aids in the retention of the entrapped hyaluronan as well as cell-secreted glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), particularly when dynamic loading is employed. The incorporation of Link-N as covalent tethers resulted in a significant reduction, ~60%, in the loss of entrapped exogenous hyaluronan under dynamic stimulation. When chondrocytes were encapsulated in PEG hydrogels containing exogenous hyaluronan and/or Link-N, the extracellular matrix (ECM) analogs aided in the retention of cell-secreted GAGs under loading. The presence of hyaluronan led to enhanced deposition of collagen type II and aggrecan. In conclusion, our results highlight the importance of ECM analogs, specifically hyaluronan and Link-N, in matrix retention and matrix development and offer new strategies for designing scaffolds for cartilage regeneration.

Gel structure has an impact on pericellular and extracellular matrix deposition, which subsequently alters metabolic activities in chondrocyte-laden PEG hydrogels

While designing poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with high moduli suitable for in situ placement is attractive for cartilage regeneration, the impact of a tighter crosslinked structure on the organization and deposition of the matrix is not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to characterize the composition and spatial organization of new matrix as a function of gel crosslinking and study its impact on chondrocytes in terms of anabolic and catabolic gene expression and catabolic activity. Bovine articular chondrocytes were encapsulated in hydrogels with three crosslinking densities (compressive moduli 60, 320 and 590 kPa) and cultured for 25 days. Glycosaminoglycan production increased with culture time and was greatest in the gels with lowest crosslinking. Collagens II and VI, aggrecan, link protein and decorin were localized to pericellular regions in all gels, but their presence decreased with increasing gel crosslinking. Collagen II and aggrecan expression were initially up-regulated in gels with higher crosslinking, but increased similarly up to day 15. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13 expression were elevated (∼25-fold) in gels with higher crosslinking throughout the study, while MMP-3 was unaffected by gel crosslinking. The presence of aggrecan and collagen degradation products confirmed MMP activity. These findings indicate that chondrocytes synthesized the major cartilage components within PEG hydrogels, however, gel structure had a significant impact on the composition and spatial organization of the new tissue and on how chondrocytes responded to their environment, particularly with respect to their catabolic expression.

A bioresponsive hydrogel tuned to chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells

Cartilage tissue engineering aims to replace damaged or diseased tissue with a functional regenerate that restores joint function. Scaffolds are used to deliver cells and facilitate tissue development, but they can also interfere with the structural assembly of the cartilage matrix. Biodegradable scaffolds have been proposed as a means to improve matrix deposition and the biomechanical properties of neocartilage. The challenge is designing scaffolds with appropriate degradation rates, ideally such that scaffold degradation is proportional to matrix deposition. In this study, we developed a bioresponsive hydrogel with cell-mediated degradation aligned to the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We identified matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) as an enzyme with a temporal expression pattern that corresponded with cartilage development. By embedding MMP7 peptide substrates within a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate backbone, we built MMP7-sensitive hydrogels with distinct degradation rates. When MMP7-sensitive scaffolds were compared with nondegradable scaffolds in vitro, photoencapsulated hMSCs produced neocartilage constructs with more extensive collagenous matrices, as demonstrated through immunohistochemistry and biochemical quantification of matrix molecules. Furthermore, these changes translated into an increased dynamic compressive modulus. This work presents a practical strategy for designing biomaterials uniquely tuned to individual biological processes.

Controlled gelation and degradation rates of injectable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels through a double crosslinking strategy

Various biodegradable hydrogels have been employed as injectable scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery. We report a double-crosslinking strategy of biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogels derived from aminated and oxidized hyaluronic acid (HA) with genipin (GP), a compound naturally derived from the gardenia fruit. Fast gelation is attributed to the Schiff-base reaction between amino and aldehyde groups of polysaccharide derivatives, and the subsequent crosslinking with GP results in ideal biodegradability and mechanical properties. The gelation time, morphology, equilibrium swelling, compressive modulus and degradation of double-crosslinked hydrogels were examined. The double crosslinked hydrogels were examined in vivo via subcutaneous injection into a mouse model. Histological results indicated favourable biocompatility, as revealed by an absence of neutrophils and macrophages. These studies demonstrate that double-crosslinked HA hydrogels are potentially useful as injectable, biodegradable hydrogels in tissue-engineering applications.

3D structuring of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers via stereolithography

The production of user-defined 3D microstructures from biocompatible and biodegradable materials via free-form fabrication is an important step to create off-the-shelf technologies to be used as tissue engineering scaffolds. One method of achieving this is the microstereolithography of block copolymers, allowing high resolution microstructuring of materials with tuneable physical properties. A versatile protocol for the production and photofunctionalisation of pre-polymers for microstereolithography is presented along with a discussion of the possible microstereolithography set-ups and previous work in the field.

Structure and biocompatibility of an injectable bone regeneration composite

With the development of minimally invasive techniques, injectable materials have become one of the major hotspots in the biomaterial field. We have developed an injectable bone regeneration composite (IBRC) using calcium alginate hydrogel as matrix to carry nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen particles. In this work, we evaluated the homogeneity of IBRC by dry/wet weight ratio test. The results showed that the structural homogeneity was determined by controlling the molar ratios of trisodium phosphate to calcium sulfate rather than alginate concentration in the studied ranges. Pore sizes of wet IBRC samples were characterized by thermoporometry. The pore properties of dried IBRC were tested by mercury porosimetry. Average pore size and porosity of dried IBRC declined with increasing alginate concentration. In contrast, surprisingly, pore size of wet homogeneous IBRC increased with increasing alginate concentration. Meanwhile, the swelling ratio did not increase with varying alginate concentration, but the swelling degree increased with increasing alginate concentration. In vitro cell culture showed that IBRC had no obvious cytotoxic effect on the rat bone mesenchymal stem cells. The morphology and viability of cells were also related to MR value. IBRC had good histocompatibility with a mild short-term inflammatory response in rat dorsum muscle. In addition, the excellent ability of IBRC to promote bone healing was confirmed by 5-mm-diameter cranial defects using histological analysis and bone mineral density measurement.

Temporal exposure to chondrogenic factors modulates human mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis in hydrogels

Tissue engineering utilizes scaffolds containing chondrogenic cells to promote cartilage development at a clinically relevant scale, yet there remains a limited understanding of the optimal conditions for inducing differentiation and matrix production. We investigated how cell density and temporal exposure to chondrogenic factors impacted chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) encapsulated in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels. We found maximal proteoglycan and collagen production in constructs seeded between 10 and 25 × 10(6) cells/mL. Matrix deposition was significantly less per cell in constructs seeded at either higher or lower densities, indicating that paracrine communications may remain important despite loss of direct cell-cell contact. In vitro chondrogenesis of hMSCs was first accomplished using pellet cultures and a defined medium containing transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and dexamethasone. The differentiation of hMSCs in hydrogels also required initial exposure to TGF-β1, with no chondrogenic matrix produced in its absence. If TGF-β1 was initially included for at least 7 days, its removal impacted collagen production per cell but also lead to an increase in cell number, such that total collagen deposition was equivalent to controls when TGF-β1 was included for at least 3 weeks. Further, proteoglycan content per construct was higher at 6 weeks after removal of TGF-β1 at any time. In contrast to TGF-β1, dexamethasone was not required for chondrogenesis of hMSCs in hydrogels: there was no difference in matrix deposition between hydrogels cultured with or without dexamethasone. Further, without dexamethasone, SOX9 gene expression was higher during early chondrogenesis and there was a significant reduction in collagen I deposition, suggesting that a more hyaline cartilage phenotype is achieved without dexamethasone. Collagen content at 6 weeks was lower if dexamethasone was excluded after the first 7 days, but was equivalent to control if dexamethasone was included for 2 weeks or longer. Proteoglycan deposition was unaffected by dexamethasone exclusion. These results indicate that modulating exposure to TGF-β1 is beneficial for cell survival/proliferation and matrix production from hMSCs in hydrogels, and that not only is dexamethasone dispensable but also its exclusion may be advantageous for forming hyaline cartilage.

A newly developed chemically crosslinked dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel for cartilage tissue engineering

Cartilage tissue engineering, in which chondrogenic cells are combined with a scaffold, is a cell-based approach to regenerate damaged cartilage. Various scaffold materials have been investigated, among which are hydrogels. Previously, we have developed dextran-based hydrogels that form under physiological conditions via a Michael-type addition reaction. Hydrogels can be formed in situ by mixing a thiol-functionalized dextran with a tetra-acrylated star poly(ethylene glycol) solution. In this article we describe how the degradation time of dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels can be varied from 3 to 7 weeks by changing the degree of substitution of thiol groups on dextran. The degradation times increased slightly after encapsulation of chondrocytes in the gels. The effect of the gelation reaction on cell viability and cartilage formation in the hydrogels was investigated. Chondrocytes or embryonic stem cells were mixed in the aqueous dextran solution, and we confirmed that the cells survived gelation. After a 3-week culturing period, chondrocytes and embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies were still viable and both cell types produced cartilaginous tissue. Our data demonstrate the potential of dextran hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering strategies.

Macroporous hydrogel scaffolds and their characterization by optical coherence tomography

A simple porogen-leaching method to fabricate macroporous cyclic acetal hydrogel cell scaffolds is presented. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was applied for nondestructive imaging and quantitative characterization of the scaffold structures. High-resolution OCT reveals the microstructures of the engineered tissue scaffolds in three dimensions. It also enables subsequent image processing to investigate quantitatively several key morphological design parameters for macroporous scaffolds, including the volume porosity, pore interconnectivity, and pore size. Two image-processing algorithms were adapted: three-dimensional labeling was applied to assess the interconnectivity, and erosion was applied to assess the pore size. Scaffolds with different design parameters were imaged, characterized, and compared. OCT imaging and image processing successfully discriminated scaffolds made from different formulations in terms of volume porosity, interconnectivity, and pore size. The cell viability and their spread across the scaffolds were confirmed by the fluorescence microscopy co-registered with OCT.

Hierarchically designed agarose and poly(ethylene glycol) interpenetrating network hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering

A new method for encapsulating cells in interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels of superior mechanical integrity was developed. In this study, two biocompatible materials-agarose and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) diacrylate-were combined to create a new IPN hydrogel with greatly enhanced mechanical performance. Unconfined compression of hydrogel samples revealed that the IPN displayed a fourfold increase in shear modulus relative to a pure PEG-diacrylate network (39.9 vs. 9.9 kPa) and a 4.9-fold increase relative to a pure agarose network (8.2 kPa). PEG and IPN compressive failure strains were found to be 71% ± 17% and 74% ± 17%, respectively, while pure agarose gels failed around 15% strain. Similar mechanical property improvements were seen when IPNs-encapsulated chondrocytes, and LIVE/DEAD cell viability assays demonstrated that cells survived the IPN encapsulation process. The majority of IPN-encapsulated chondrocytes remained viable 1 week postencapsulation, and chondrocytes exhibited glycosaminoglycan synthesis comparable to that of agarose-encapsulated chondrocytes at 3 weeks postencapsulation. The introduction of a new method for encapsulating cells in a hydrogel with enhanced mechanical performance is a promising step toward cartilage defect repair. This method can be applied to fabricate a broad variety of cell-based IPNs by varying monomers and polymers in type and concentration and by adding functional groups such as degradable sequences or cell adhesion groups. Further, this technology may be applicable in other cell-based applications where mechanical integrity of cell-containing hydrogels is of great importance.

Engineering hydrogels as extracellular matrix mimics

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex cellular environment consisting of proteins, proteoglycans, and other soluble molecules. ECM provides structural support to mammalian cells and a regulatory milieu with a variety of important cell functions, including assembling cells into various tissues and organs, regulating growth and cell-cell communication. Developing a tailored in vitro cell culture environment that mimics the intricate and organized nanoscale meshwork of native ECM is desirable. Recent studies have shown the potential of hydrogels to mimic native ECM. Such an engineered native-like ECM is more likely to provide cells with rational cues for diagnostic and therapeutic studies. The research for novel biomaterials has led to an extension of the scope and techniques used to fabricate biomimetic hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. In this article, we detail the progress of the current state-of-the-art engineering methods to create cell-encapsulating hydrogel tissue constructs as well as their applications in in vitro models in biomedicine.

Enzyme-mediated redox initiation for hydrogel generation and cellular encapsulation

A rapid, water-soluble enzyme-mediated radical chain initiation system involving glucose oxidase and Fe(2+) generated hydrogels within minutes at 25 degrees C and in ambient oxygen. The initiation components were evaluated for their effect on polymerization rates of hydroxyethyl acrylate-poly(ethylene glycol)(575) diacrylate comonomer solutions using near-infrared spectroscopy. Increasing glucose concentration increased polymerization rates until reaching a rate plateau above 1 x 10(-3) M of glucose. A square root dependence of the initial polymerization rate on Fe(2+) concentration was observed between 1.0 x 10(-4) M and 5.0 x 10(-4) M of Fe(2+), whereupon excess Fe(2+) reduced final acrylate conversions. The glucose oxidase-mediated initiation system was employed for encapsulation of fibroblasts (NIH3T3s) into a poly(ethylene glycol) tetra-acrylate (M(n) approximately 20000) hydrogel scaffold demonstrating 96% (+/-3%) viability at 24 h postencapsulation. This first use of enzyme-mediated redox radical chain initiation for cellular encapsulation demonstrates polymerization of hydrogels in situ with kinetic control, minimal oxygen inhibition issues, and utilization of low initiator concentrations.

Periodontal tissue engineering and regeneration: current approaches and expanding opportunities

The management of periodontal tissue defects that result from periodontitis represents a medical and socioeconomic challenge. Concerted efforts have been and still are being made to accelerate and augment periodontal tissue and bone regeneration, including a range of regenerative surgical procedures, the development of a variety of grafting materials, and the use of recombinant growth factors. More recently, tissue-engineering strategies, including new cell- and/or matrix-based dimensions, are also being developed, analyzed, and employed for periodontal regenerative therapies. Tissue engineering in periodontology applies the principles of engineering and life sciences toward the development of biological techniques that can restore lost alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and root cementum. It is based on an understanding of the role of periodontal formation and aims to grow new functional tissues rather than to build new replacements of periodontium. Although tissue engineering has merged to create more opportunities for predictable and optimal periodontal tissue regeneration, the technique and design for preclinical and clinical studies remain in their early stages. To date, the reconstruction of small- to moderate-sized periodontal bone defects using engineered cell-scaffold constructs is technically feasible, and some of the currently developed concepts may represent alternatives for certain ideal clinical scenarios. However, the predictable reconstruction of the normal structure and functionality of a tooth-supporting apparatus remains challenging. This review summarizes current regenerative procedures for periodontal healing and regeneration and explores their progress and difficulties in clinical practice, with particular emphasis placed upon current challenges and future possibilities associated with tissue-engineering strategies in periodontal regenerative medicine.

Self-assembling multidomain peptide hydrogels: designed susceptibility to enzymatic cleavage allows enhanced cell migration and spreading

Multidomain peptides are a class of amphiphilic self-assembling peptides with a modular ABA block motif in which the amphiphilic B block drives self-assembly while the flanking A blocks, which are electrostatically charged, control the conditions under which assembly takes place. Previously we have shown that careful selection of the amino acids in the A and B blocks allow one to control the self-assembled fiber length and viscoelastic properties of formed hydrogels. Here we demonstrate how the modular nature of this peptide assembler can be designed for biological applications. With control over fiber length and diameter, gelation conditions, and viscoelastic properties, we can develop suitable materials for biological applications. Going beyond a simple carrier for cell delivery, a biofunctional scaffold will interact with the cells it carries, promoting advantageous cell-matrix interactions. We demonstrate the design of a multidomain peptide into a bioactive variant by incorporation of a matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP-2) specific cleavage site and cell adhesion motif. Gel formation and rheological properties were assessed and compared to related peptide hydrogels. Proteolytic degradation by collagenase IV was observed in a gel weight loss study and confirmed by specific MMP-2 degradation monitored by mass spectrometry and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Combination of this cleavage site with the cell adhesion motif RGD resulted in increased cell viability and cell spreading and encouraged cell migration into the hydrogel matrix. Collectively the structural, mechanical, and bioactive properties of this multidomain peptide hydrogel make it suitable as an injectable material for a variety of tissue engineering applications.