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Boulingre M, Portillo-Lara R, Green RA. Biohybrid neural interfaces: improving the biological integration of neural implants. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:14745-14758. [PMID: 37991846 PMCID: PMC10720954 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05006h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Implantable neural interfaces (NIs) have emerged in the clinic as outstanding tools for the management of a variety of neurological conditions caused by trauma or disease. However, the foreign body reaction triggered upon implantation remains one of the major challenges hindering the safety and longevity of NIs. The integration of tools and principles from biomaterial design and tissue engineering has been investigated as a promising strategy to develop NIs with enhanced functionality and performance. In this Feature Article, we highlight the main bioengineering approaches for the development of biohybrid NIs with an emphasis on relevant device design criteria. Technical and scientific challenges associated with the fabrication and functional assessment of technologies composed of both artificial and biological components are discussed. Lastly, we provide future perspectives related to engineering, regulatory, and neuroethical challenges to be addressed towards the realisation of the promise of biohybrid neurotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolaine Boulingre
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Roberto Portillo-Lara
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Rylie A Green
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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2
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Lomoio S, Pandey RS, Rouleau N, Menicacci B, Kim W, Cantley WL, Haydon PG, Bennett DA, Young-Pearse TL, Carter GW, Kaplan DL, Tesco G. 3D bioengineered neural tissue generated from patient-derived iPSCs mimics time-dependent phenotypes and transcriptional features of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:5390-5401. [PMID: 37365240 PMCID: PMC11164539 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02147-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Several iPSC-derived three-dimensional (3D) cultures have been generated to model Alzheimer's disease (AD). While some AD-related phenotypes have been identified across these cultures, none of them could recapitulate multiple AD-related hallmarks in one model. To date, the transcriptomic features of these 3D models have not been compared with those of human AD brains. However, these data are crucial to understanding the pertinency of these models for studying AD-related pathomechanisms over time. We developed a 3D bioengineered model of iPSC-derived neural tissue that combines a porous scaffold composed of silk fibroin protein with an intercalated collagen hydrogel to support the growth of neurons and glial cells into complex and functional networks for an extended time, a fundamental requisite for aging studies. Cultures were generated from iPSC lines obtained from two subjects carrying the familial AD (FAD) APP London mutation, two well-studied control lines, and an isogenic control. Cultures were analyzed at 2 and 4.5 months. At both time points, an elevated Aβ42/40 ratio was detected in conditioned media from FAD cultures. However, extracellular Aβ42 deposition and enhanced neuronal excitability were observed in FAD culture only at 4.5 months, suggesting that extracellular Aβ deposition may trigger enhanced network activity. Remarkably, neuronal hyperexcitability has been described in AD patients early in the disease. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the deregulation of multiple gene sets in FAD samples. Such alterations were strikingly similar to those observed in human AD brains. These data provide evidence that our patient-derived FAD model develops time-dependent AD-related phenotypes and establishes a temporal relation among them. Furthermore, FAD iPSC-derived cultures recapitulate transcriptomic features of AD patients. Thus, our bioengineered neural tissue represents a unique tool to model AD in vitro over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Lomoio
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ravi S Pandey
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Nicolas Rouleau
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Beatrice Menicacci
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - WonHee Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William L Cantley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Philip G Haydon
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory W Carter
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Giuseppina Tesco
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Wang J, Wu Y, Wang Y, Shuai Y, Xu Z, Wan Q, Chen Y, Yang M. Graphene Oxide-Coated Patterned Silk Fibroin Films Promote Cell Adhesion and Induce Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Biomolecules 2023; 13:990. [PMID: 37371570 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac tissue engineering is a promising strategy for the treatment of myocardial damage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are extensively used in tissue engineering. However, transformation of MSCs into cardiac myocytes is still a challenge. Furthermore, weak adhesion of MSCs to substrates often results in poor cell viability. Here, we designed a composite matrix based on silk fibroin (SF) and graphene oxide (GO) for improving the cell adhesion and directing the differentiation of MSCs into cardiac myocytes. Specifically, patterned SF films were first produced by soft lithographic. After being treated by air plasma, GO nanosheets could be successfully coated on the patterned SF films to construct the desired matrix (P-GSF). The resultant P-GSF films presented a nano-topographic surface characterized by linear grooves interlaced with GO ridges. The P-GSF films exhibited high protein absorption and suitable mechanical strength. Furthermore, the P-GSF films accelerated the early cell adhesion and directed the growth orientation of MSCs. RT-PCR results and immunofluorescence imaging demonstrated that the P-GSF films significantly improved the cardiomyogenic differentiation of MSCs. This work indicates that patterned SF films coated with GO are promising matrix in the field of myocardial repair tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yecheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yajun Shuai
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zongpu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Quan Wan
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuyin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
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4
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Hu Z, Niu Q, Hsiao BS, Yao X, Zhang Y. Bioactive polymer-enabled conformal neural interface and its application strategies. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:808-828. [PMID: 36597872 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh01125e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Neural interface is a powerful tool to control the varying neuron activities in the brain, where the performance can directly affect the quality of recording neural signals and the reliability of in vivo connection between the brain and external equipment. Recent advances in bioelectronic innovation have provided promising pathways to fabricate flexible electrodes by integrating electrodes on bioactive polymer substrates. These bioactive polymer-based electrodes can enable the conformal contact with irregular tissue and result in low inflammation when compared to conventional rigid inorganic electrodes. In this review, we focus on the use of silk fibroin and cellulose biopolymers as well as certain synthetic polymers to offer the desired flexibility for constructing electrode substrates for a conformal neural interface. First, the development of a neural interface is reviewed, and the signal recording methods and tissue response features of the implanted electrodes are discussed in terms of biocompatibility and flexibility of corresponding neural interfaces. Following this, the material selection, structure design and integration of conformal neural interfaces accompanied by their effective applications are described. Finally, we offer our perspectives on the evolution of desired bioactive polymer-enabled neural interfaces, regarding the biocompatibility, electrical properties and mechanical softness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanao Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qianqian Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, People's Republic of China.
| | - Benjamin S Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794-3400, USA
| | - Xiang Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaopeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Zhao G, Zhou H, Jin G, Jin B, Geng S, Luo Z, Ge Z, Xu F. Rational Design of Electrically Conductive Biomaterials toward Excitable Tissues Regeneration. Prog Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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6
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Tang-Schomer MD, Chandok H, Wu WB, Lau CC, Bookland MJ, George J. 3D patient-derived tumor models to recapitulate pediatric brain tumors In Vitro. Transl Oncol 2022; 20:101407. [PMID: 35381525 PMCID: PMC8980497 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Tailored therapies need preclinical brain tumor models representing a wide range of molecular subtypes. Here, we adapted a previously established brain tissue-model to fresh patient tumor cells with the goal of establishing3D in vitro culture conditions for each tumor type.Wereported our findings from 11 pediatric tumor cases, consisting of three medulloblastoma (MB) patients, three ependymoma (EPN) patients, one glioblastoma (GBM) patient, and four juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (Ast) patients. Chemically defined media consisting of a mixture of pro-neural and pro-endothelial cell culture medium was found to support better growth than serum-containing medium for all the tumor cases we tested. 3D scaffold alone was found to support cell heterogeneity and tumor type-dependent spheroid-forming ability; both properties were lost in 2D or gel-only control cultures. Limited in vitro models showed that the number of differentially expressed genes between in vitro vs. primary tissues, are 104 (0.6%) of medulloblastoma, 3,392 (20.2%) of ependymoma, and 576 (3.4%) of astrocytoma, out of total 16,795 protein-coding genes and lincRNAs. Two models derived from a same medulloblastoma patient clustered together with the patient-matched primary tumor tissue; both models were 3D scaffold-only in Neurobasal and EGM 1:1 (v/v) mixture and differed by a 1-mo gap in culture (i.e., 6wk versus 10wk). The genes underlying the in vitrovs. in vivo tissue differences may provide mechanistic insights into the tumor microenvironment. This study is the first step towards establishing a pipeline from patient cells to models to personalized drug testing for brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min D. Tang-Schomer
- UConn Health, Department of Pediatrics, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA,Correspondence author.
| | - Harshpreet Chandok
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA
| | - Wei-Biao Wu
- University of Chicago, Department of Statistics, 5747 S.Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ching C. Lau
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106, USA,UConn Health, Department of Pediatrics, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA,The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA
| | - Markus J. Bookland
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106, USA,UConn Health, Department of Pediatrics, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA
| | - Joshy George
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA
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Redolfi Riva E, Micera S. Progress and challenges of implantable neural interfaces based on nature-derived materials. Bioelectron Med 2021; 7:6. [PMID: 33902750 PMCID: PMC8077843 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-021-00067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural interfaces are bioelectronic devices capable of stimulating a population of neurons or nerve fascicles and recording electrical signals in a specific area. Despite their success in restoring sensory-motor functions in people with disabilities, their long-term exploitation is still limited by poor biocompatibility, mechanical mismatch between the device and neural tissue and the risk of a chronic inflammatory response upon implantation.In this context, the use of nature-derived materials can help address these issues. Examples of these materials, such as extracellular matrix proteins, peptides, lipids and polysaccharides, have been employed for decades in biomedical science. Their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability in the absence of toxic compound release, physiochemical properties that are similar to those of human tissues and reduced immunogenicity make them outstanding candidates to improve neural interface biocompatibility and long-term implantation safety. The objective of this review is to highlight progress and challenges concerning the impact of nature-derived materials on neural interface design. The use of these materials as biocompatible coatings and as building blocks of insulation materials for use in implantable neural interfaces is discussed. Moreover, future perspectives are presented to show the increasingly important uses of these materials for neural interface fabrication and their possible use for other applications in the framework of neural engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Redolfi Riva
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Silvestro Micera
- The BioRobotics Institute and Department of Excellence in Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neuroengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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8
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Yonesi M, Garcia-Nieto M, Guinea GV, Panetsos F, Pérez-Rigueiro J, González-Nieto D. Silk Fibroin: An Ancient Material for Repairing the Injured Nervous System. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:429. [PMID: 33806846 PMCID: PMC8004633 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Silk refers to a family of natural fibers spun by several species of invertebrates such as spiders and silkworms. In particular, silkworm silk, the silk spun by Bombyx mori larvae, has been primarily used in the textile industry and in clinical settings as a main component of sutures for tissue repairing and wound ligation. The biocompatibility, remarkable mechanical performance, controllable degradation, and the possibility of producing silk-based materials in several formats, have laid the basic principles that have triggered and extended the use of this material in regenerative medicine. The field of neural soft tissue engineering is not an exception, as it has taken advantage of the properties of silk to promote neuronal growth and nerve guidance. In addition, silk has notable intrinsic properties and the by-products derived from its degradation show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Finally, this material can be employed for the controlled release of factors and drugs, as well as for the encapsulation and implantation of exogenous stem and progenitor cells with therapeutic capacity. In this article, we review the state of the art on manufacturing methodologies and properties of fiber-based and non-fiber-based formats, as well as the application of silk-based biomaterials to neuroprotect and regenerate the damaged nervous system. We review previous studies that strategically have used silk to enhance therapeutics dealing with highly prevalent central and peripheral disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral trauma. Finally, we discuss previous research focused on the modification of this biomaterial, through biofunctionalization techniques and/or the creation of novel composite formulations, that aim to transform silk, beyond its natural performance, into more efficient silk-based-polymers towards the clinical arena of neuroprotection and regeneration in nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Yonesi
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain; (M.Y.); (G.V.G.)
- Silk Biomed SL, 28260 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Gustavo V. Guinea
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain; (M.Y.); (G.V.G.)
- Silk Biomed SL, 28260 Madrid, Spain;
- Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fivos Panetsos
- Silk Biomed SL, 28260 Madrid, Spain;
- Neurocomputing and Neurorobotics Research Group, Faculty of Biology and Faculty of Optics, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Pérez-Rigueiro
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain; (M.Y.); (G.V.G.)
- Silk Biomed SL, 28260 Madrid, Spain;
- Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel González-Nieto
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain; (M.Y.); (G.V.G.)
- Silk Biomed SL, 28260 Madrid, Spain;
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Tecnología Fotónica y Bioingeniería, ETSI Telecomunicaciones, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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9
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Development of robust, ultra-smooth, flexible and transparent regenerated silk composite films for bio-integrated electronic device applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 176:498-509. [PMID: 33571588 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Regenerated Silk Fibroin (RSF) films are considered promising substrate candidates primarily in the field of bio-integrated electronic device applications. The key issues that ought to be addressed to exploit the inherent advantages of silk thin films include enhancing their flexibility and chemical durability. Such films find a plethora of applications, the significant one being conformal, transparent microelectrode arrays. Elevated temperatures that are regularly used in lithographic processes tend to dehydrate RSF films, making them brittle. Furthermore, the solvents/etchants used in typical device fabrication results in the formation of micro-cracks. This paper addressed both these issues by developing composite films and studying the effect of biodegradable additives in enhancing flexibility and chemical durability without compromising on optical transparency and surface smoothness. Through our rigorous experimentation, regenerated silk blended with Polyvinyl Alcohol (Silk/PVA) is identified as the composite for achieving the objectives. Furthermore, the Cyto-compatibility studies suggest that Silk/PVA, along with all other silk composites, have shown above 80% cell viability, as verified using L929 fibroblast cell lines. Going a step further, we demonstrated the successful patterning of 32 channel optically transparent microelectrode array (MEA) pattern, with a minimum feature size of 5 μm above the free-standing and optically transparent Silk/PVA composite film.
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Llerena Zambrano B, Renz AF, Ruff T, Lienemann S, Tybrandt K, Vörös J, Lee J. Soft Electronics Based on Stretchable and Conductive Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001397. [PMID: 33205564 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Research on the field of implantable electronic devices that can be directly applied in the body with various functionalities is increasingly intensifying due to its great potential for various therapeutic applications. While conventional implantable electronics generally include rigid and hard conductive materials, their surrounding biological objects are soft and dynamic. The mechanical mismatch between implanted devices and biological environments induces damages in the body especially for long-term applications. Stretchable electronics with outstanding mechanical compliance with biological objects effectively improve such limitations of existing rigid implantable electronics. In this article, the recent progress of implantable soft electronics based on various conductive nanocomposites is systematically described. In particular, representative fabrication approaches of conductive and stretchable nanocomposites for implantable soft electronics and various in vivo applications of implantable soft electronics are focused on. To conclude, challenges and perspectives of current implantable soft electronics that should be considered for further advances are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron Llerena Zambrano
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics ETH Zurich Gloriastrasse 35 Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Aline F. Renz
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics ETH Zurich Gloriastrasse 35 Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Tobias Ruff
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics ETH Zurich Gloriastrasse 35 Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Samuel Lienemann
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics Department of Science and Technology Linköping University Norrköping 601 74 Sweden
| | - Klas Tybrandt
- Laboratory of Organic Electronics Department of Science and Technology Linköping University Norrköping 601 74 Sweden
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics ETH Zurich Gloriastrasse 35 Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Jaehong Lee
- Department of Robotics Engineering Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) 333 Techno jungan‐dareo Daegu 42988 South Korea
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11
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Abstract
Neural transplantation is a promising modality for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Biocompatible scaffolds with optimized properties improve the survival of transplanted neural cells and differentiation of progenitor cells into the desired types of neurons. Silk fibroin is a biocompatible material for tissue engineering. Here, we describe thin-film scaffolds based on photocrosslinked methacrylated silk fibroin (FBMA). These scaffolds exhibit an increased mechanical stiffness and improved water stability. Photocrosslinking of fibroin increased its rigidity from 25 to 480 kPa and the contact angle from 59.7 to 70.8, the properties important for differentiation of neural cells. Differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells on FBMA increased the length of neurites as well as the levels of neural differentiation markers MAP2 and βIII-tubulin. Growth of SH-SY5Y cells on the unmodified fibroin and FBMA substrates led to a spontaneous phosphorylation of Src and Akt protein kinases critical for neuronal differentiation; this effect was paralleled by neural cell adhesion molecule elevation. Thus, FBMA is an easily manufactured, cytocompatible material with improved and sustainable properties applicable for neural tissue engineering.
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12
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Rochford AE, Carnicer-Lombarte A, Curto VF, Malliaras GG, Barone DG. When Bio Meets Technology: Biohybrid Neural Interfaces. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1903182. [PMID: 31517403 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201903182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of electronics capable of interfacing with the nervous system is a rapidly advancing field with applications in basic science and clinical translation. Devices containing arrays of electrodes can be used in the study of cells grown in culture or can be implanted into damaged or dysfunctional tissue to restore normal function. While devices are typically designed and used exclusively for one of these two purposes, there have been increasing efforts in developing implantable electrode arrays capable of housing cultured cells, referred to as biohybrid implants. Once implanted, the cells within these implants integrate into the tissue, serving as a mediator of the electrode-tissue interface. This biological component offers unique advantages to these implant designs, providing better tissue integration and potentially long-term stability. Herein, an overview of current research into biohybrid devices, as well as the historical background that led to their development are provided, based on the host anatomical location for which they are designed (CNS, PNS, or special senses). Finally, a summary of the key challenges of this technology and potential future research directions are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Rochford
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
| | | | - Vincenzo F Curto
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
| | - George G Malliaras
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
| | - Damiano G Barone
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
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13
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Rouleau N, Cantley WL, Liaudanskaya V, Berk A, Du C, Rusk W, Peirent E, Koester C, Nieland TJF, Kaplan DL. A Long-Living Bioengineered Neural Tissue Platform to Study Neurodegeneration. Macromol Biosci 2020; 20:e2000004. [PMID: 32065736 PMCID: PMC7292623 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202000004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise as age demographics in the population shift, inspiring the development of long-term tissue culture systems with which to study chronic brain disease. Here, it is investigated whether a 3D bioengineered neural tissue model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can remain stable and functional for multiple years in culture. Silk-based scaffolds are seeded with neurons and glial cells derived from hiPSCs supplied by human donors who are either healthy or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Cell retention and markers of stress remain stable for over 2 years. Diseased samples display decreased spontaneous electrical activity and a subset displays sporadic-like indicators of increased pathological β-amyloid and tau markers characteristic of Alzheimer's disease with concomitant increases in oxidative stress. It can be concluded that the long-term stability of the platform is suited to study chronic brain disease including neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rouleau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Engineering Complex, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- The Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Biology Department, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave. Suite 4600, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - William L Cantley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Engineering Complex, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Volha Liaudanskaya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Engineering Complex, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Alexander Berk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Chuang Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Engineering Complex, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - William Rusk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Emily Peirent
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Cole Koester
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Thomas J F Nieland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Engineering Complex, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering, Tufts University, Science & Engineering Complex, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- The Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Biology Department, Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave. Suite 4600, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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14
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Activity Characteristics and Tyrosinase Inhibition Mechanism of a Silk Fibroin Oligopeptide and Cordyceps Polysaccharide Composite. Int J Pept Res Ther 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-019-09966-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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15
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Silk: A Promising Biomaterial Opening New Vistas Towards Affordable Healthcare Solutions. J Indian Inst Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-019-00114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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16
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Tang-Schomer MD, Kaplan DL, Whalen MJ. Film interface for drug testing for delivery to cells in culture and in the brain. Acta Biomater 2019; 94:306-319. [PMID: 30836199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.02.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Brain access remains a major challenge in drug testing. The nearly 'impermeable' blood-brain-barrier (BBB) prevents most drugs from gaining access to brain cells via systematic intravenous (IV) injection. In this study, silk fibroin films were used as drug carrier as well as cell culture substrate to simulate the in vivo interface between drug reservoir and brain cells for testing drug delivery in the brain. In in vitro studies, film-released arabinofuranosyl cytidine (AraC), a mitotic inhibitor, selectively killed glial cells in film-supported mixed neural cell cultures; with widened dosage windows for drug efficacy and tolerance compared to drugs in solution. In the brain, the presence of silk films was well tolerated with no signs of acute neuroinflammation, cell death, or altered brain function. Topical application of silk films on the cortical surface delivered Evans blue, a BBB-impenetrable fluorescent marker, through the intact dura matter into the parenchyma of the ipsilateral hemisphere as deep as the hippocampal region, but not the contralateral hemisphere. In a mouse traumatic brain injury (TBI) model, necrosis markers by film delivery accessed more cells in the lesion core than by con-current IV delivery; whereas the total coverage including the peri-lesional area appeared to be comparable between the two routes. The complementary distribution patterns of co-delivered markers provided direct evidence of the partial confinement of either route's access to brain cells by a restrictive zone near the lesion border. Finally, film-delivered necrostatin-1 reduced overall cell necrosis by approximately 40% in the TBI model. These findings from representative small molecules of delivery route-dependent drug access are broadly applicable for evaluating drug actions both in vitro and in vivo. Combined with its demonstrated role of supporting neuron-electrode interfaces, the film system can be further developed for testing a range of neuromodulation approaches (i.e., drug delivery, electrical stimulation, cell graft) in the brain. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrated that silk fibroin films can be used to evaluate drug actions both in vitro and in vivo, partially overcoming the significant delivery barriers of the brain. This system can be adapted for efficient drug access to specific brain regions and/or cell types. The film system can be further developed for testing a range of interventions with drugs, electrical signals or cell graft for analysis of treatment outcomes including cell responses and brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min D Tang-Schomer
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; University of Connecticut Health Center & Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Farmington, CT 06032, USA.
| | - David L Kaplan
- Tufts University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medford, MA 02155, United States.
| | - Michael J Whalen
- Harvard Medical School, Acute Brain Injury Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Charlestown, MA 02129, United States.
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17
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Gupta AK, Coburn JM, Davis-Knowlton J, Kimmerling E, Kaplan DL, Oxburgh L. Scaffolding kidney organoids on silk. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019; 13:812-822. [PMID: 30793851 DOI: 10.1002/term.2830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
End stage kidney disease affects hundreds of thousands of patients in the United States. The therapy of choice is kidney replacement, but availability of organs is limited, and alternative sources of tissue are needed. Generation of new kidney tissue in the laboratory has been made possible through pluripotent cell reprogramming and directed differentiation. In current procedures, aggregates of cells known as organoids are grown either submerged or at the air-liquid interface. These studies have demonstrated that kidney tissue can be generated from pluripotent stem cells, but they also identify limitations. The first is that perfusion of cell aggregates is limited, restricting the size to which they can be grown. The second is that aggregates lack the structural integrity required for convenient engraftment and suturing or adhesion to regions of kidney injury. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of silk to serve as a support for the growth and differentiation of kidney tissue from primary cells and from human induced pluripotent stem cells. We find that cells can differentiate to epithelia characteristic of the developing kidney on this material and that these structures are maintained following engraftment under the capsule of the adult kidney. Blood vessel investment can be promoted by the addition of vascular endothelial growth factor to the scaffold, but the proliferation of stromal cells within the graft presents a challenge, which will require some readjustment of cell growth and differentiation conditions. In summary, we find that silk can be used to support growth of stem cell derived kidney tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwani Kumar Gupta
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine
| | | | - Jessica Davis-Knowlton
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine.,Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erica Kimmerling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Leif Oxburgh
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine
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18
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Chen F, Lu S, Zhu L, Tang Z, Wang Q, Qin G, Yang J, Sun G, Zhang Q, Chen Q. Conductive regenerated silk-fibroin-based hydrogels with integrated high mechanical performances. J Mater Chem B 2019; 7:1708-1715. [DOI: 10.1039/c8tb02445f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Strong and tough RSF-based hydrogels that could be used as a strain sensor, a touch screen pen and an electronic skin were developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Shaoping Lu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Lin Zhu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Ziqing Tang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Qilin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Gang Qin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Jia Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
| | - Gengzhi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (KLOFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM)
- Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech)
- Nanjing
- China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun
- China
| | - Qiang Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Henan Polytechnic University
- Jiaozuo
- China
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19
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Moisenovich MM, Plotnikov EY, Moysenovich AM, Silachev DN, Danilina TI, Savchenko ES, Bobrova MM, Safonova LA, Tatarskiy VV, Kotliarova MS, Agapov II, Zorov DB. Effect of Silk Fibroin on Neuroregeneration After Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurochem Res 2018; 44:2261-2272. [PMID: 30519983 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-2691-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of disability among the working-age population worldwide. Despite attempts to develop neuroprotective therapeutic approaches, including pharmacological or cellular technologies, significant advances in brain regeneration have not yet been achieved. Development of silk fibroin-based biomaterials represents a new frontier in neuroregenerative therapies after brain injury. In this study, we estimated the short and long-term effects of silk fibroin scaffold transplantation on traumatic brain injury and biocompatibility of this biomaterial within rat neuro-vascular cells. Silk fibroin microparticles were injected into a brain damage area 1 day after the injury. Silk fibroin affords neuroprotection as judged by diminished brain damage and recovery of long-term neurological functions. We did not detect considerable toxicity to neuro-vascular cells cultured on fibroin/fibroin-gelatin microparticles in vitro. Cultivation of primary cell cultures of neurons and astrocytes on silk fibroin matrices demonstrated their higher viability under oxygen-glucose deprivation compared to 2D conditions on plastic plates. Thus, we conclude that scaffolds based on silk fibroin can become the basis for the creation of constructs aimed to treat brain regeneration after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Moisenovich
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E Y Plotnikov
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A M Moysenovich
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - D N Silachev
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - T I Danilina
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E S Savchenko
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - M M Bobrova
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Bionanotechnology Laboratory, V.I.Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - L A Safonova
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Bionanotechnology Laboratory, V.I.Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - V V Tatarskiy
- N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| | - M S Kotliarova
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I I Agapov
- Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Bionanotechnology Laboratory, V.I.Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia
| | - D B Zorov
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
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20
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Tang-Schomer MD, Jackvony T, Santaniello S. Cortical Network Synchrony Under Applied Electrical Field in vitro. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:630. [PMID: 30297981 PMCID: PMC6160828 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Synchronous network activity plays a crucial role in complex brain functions. Stimulating the nervous system with applied electric field (EF) is a common tool for probing network responses. We used a gold wire-embedded silk protein film-based interface culture to investigate the effects of applied EFs on random cortical networks of in vitro cultures. Two-week-old cultures were exposed to EF of 27 mV/mm for <1 h and monitored by time-lapse calcium imaging. Network activity was represented by calcium signal time series mapped to source neurons and analyzed by using a community detection algorithm. Cortical cultures exhibited large scale, synchronized oscillations under alternating EF of changing frequencies. Field polarity and frequency change were both found to be necessary for network synchrony, as monophasic pulses of similar frequency changes or EF of a constant frequency failed to induce correlated activities of neurons. Group-specific oscillatory patterns were entrained by network-level synchronous oscillations when the alternating EF frequency was increased from 0.2 Hz to 200 kHz. Binary responses of either activity increase or decrease contributed to the opposite phase patterns of different sub-populations. Conversely, when the EF frequency decreased over the same range span, more complex behavior emerged showing group-specific amplitude and phase patterns. These findings formed the basis of a hypothesized network control mechanism for temporal coordination of distributed neuronal activity, involving coordinated stimulation by alternating polarity, and time delay by change of frequency. These novel EF effects on random neural networks have important implications for brain functional studies and neuromodulation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min D Tang-Schomer
- Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Farmington, CT, United States.,The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States.,CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Taylor Jackvony
- School of Medicine, UConn Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Sabato Santaniello
- CT Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.,Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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21
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A Mosquito Inspired Strategy to Implant Microprobes into the Brain. Sci Rep 2018; 8:122. [PMID: 29317748 PMCID: PMC5760625 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18522-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitos are among the deadliest insects on the planet due to their ability to transmit diseases like malaria through their bite. In order to bite, a mosquito must insert a set of micro-sized needles through the skin to reach vascular structures. The mosquito uses a combination of mechanisms including an insertion guide to enable it to bite and feed off of larger animals. Here, we report on a biomimetic strategy inspired by the mosquito insertion guide to enable the implantation of intracortical microelectrodes into the brain. Next generation microelectrode designs leveraging ultra-small dimensions and/or flexible materials offer the promise of increased performance, but present difficulties in reliable implantation. With the biomimetic guide in place, the rate of successful microprobe insertion increased from 37.5% to 100% due to the rise in the critical buckling force of the microprobes by 3.8-fold. The prototype guides presented here provide a reproducible method to augment the insertion of small, flexible devices into the brain. In the future, similar approaches may be considered and applied to the insertion of other difficult to implant medical devices.
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22
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Jiang W, Zhao T, Liu H, Jia R, Niu D, Chen B, Shi Y, Yin L, Lu B. Laminated pyroelectric generator with spin coated transparent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes for a flexible self-powered stimulator. RSC Adv 2018; 8:15134-15140. [PMID: 35541318 PMCID: PMC9079999 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra00491a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A laminated pyroelectric generator with spray coated transparent PEDOT:PSS electrodes has been designed for use as a flexible self-powered stimulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Hongzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Rui Jia
- Department of Neurology
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710061
- China
| | - Dong Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Bangdao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Yongsheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Lei Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
| | - Bingheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering
- Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Xi'an 710049
- China
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23
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3D axon growth by exogenous electrical stimulus and soluble factors. Brain Res 2018; 1678:288-296. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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24
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Lo H, Huang A, Lee P, Chung T, Wang S. Morphological transformation of h
BMSC
from 2
D
monolayer to 3
D
microtissue on low‐crystallinity
SF‐PCL
patch with promotion of cardiomyogenesis. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017; 12:e1852-e1864. [DOI: 10.1002/term.2616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin‐Yu Lo
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational Yang‐Ming University Taipei Taiwan
| | - An‐Li Huang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational Yang‐Ming University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Pei‐Chi Lee
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational Yang‐Ming University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Tze‐Wen Chung
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational Yang‐Ming University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Shoei‐Shen Wang
- Department of SurgeryFu Jen Catholic University Hospital, and Fu Jen Catholic University College of Medicine New Taipei City Taiwan
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25
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Safety and tolerability of silk fibroin hydrogels implanted into the mouse brain. Acta Biomater 2016; 45:262-275. [PMID: 27592819 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
At present, effective therapies to repair the central nervous system do not exist. Biomaterials might represent a new frontier for the development of neurorestorative therapies after brain injury and degeneration. In this study, an in situ gelling silk fibroin hydrogel was developed via the sonication-induced gelation of regenerated silk fibroin solutions. An adequate timeframe for the integration of the biomaterial into the brain tissue was obtained by controlling the intensity and time of sonication. After the intrastriatal injection of silk fibroin the inflammation and cell death in the implantation area were transient. We did not detect considerable cognitive or sensorimotor deficits, either as examined by different behavioral tests or an electrophysiological analysis. The sleep and wakefulness states studied by chronic electroencephalogram recordings and the fitness of thalamocortical projections and the somatosensory cortex explored by evoked potentials were in the range of normality. The methodology used in this study might serve to assess the biological safety of other biomaterials implanted into the rodent brain. Our study highlights the biocompatibility of native silk with brain tissue and extends the current dogma of the innocuousness of this biomaterial for therapeutic applications, which has repercussion in regenerative neuroscience. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The increasingly use of sophisticated biomaterials to encapsulate stem cells has changed the comprehensive overview of potential strategies for repairing the nervous system. Silk fibroin (SF) meets with most of the standards of a biomaterial suitable to enhance stem cell survival and function. However, a proof-of-principle of the in vivo safety and tolerability of SF implanted into the brain tissue is needed. In this study we have examined the tissue bioresponse and brain function after implantation of SF hydrogels. We have demonstrated the benign coexistence of silk with the complex neuronal circuitry that governs sensorimotor coordination and mechanisms such as learning and memory. Our results have repercussion in the development of advances strategies using this biomaterial in regenerative neuroscience.
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26
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Manchineella S, Thrivikraman G, Basu B, Govindaraju T. Surface-Functionalized Silk Fibroin Films as a Platform To Guide Neuron-like Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:22849-22859. [PMID: 27518901 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b06403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Surface interactions at the biomaterial-cellular interface determine the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. Manipulating such interactions through the surface chemistry of scaffolds renders control over directed stem cell differentiation into the cell lineage of interest. This approach is of central importance for stem cell-based tissue engineering and regenerative therapy applications. In the present study, silk fibroin films (SFFs) decorated with integrin-binding laminin peptide motifs (YIGSR and GYIGSR) were prepared and employed for in vitro adult stem cell-based neural tissue engineering applications. Functionalization of SFFs with short peptides showcased the peptide sequence and nature of functionalization-dependent differentiation of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Intriguingly, covalently functionalized SFFs with GYIGSR hexapeptide (CL2-SFF) supported hMSC proliferation and maintenance in an undifferentiated pluripotent state and directed the differentiation of hMSCs into neuron-like cells in the presence of a biochemical cue, on-demand. The observed morphological changes were further corroborated by the up-regulation of neuronal-specific marker gene expression (MAP2, TUBB3, NEFL), confirmed through semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. The enhanced proliferation and on-demand directed differentiation of adult stem cells (hMSCs) by the use of an economically viable short recognition peptide (GYIGSR), as opposed to the integrin recognition protein laminin, establishes the potential of SFFs for neural tissue engineering and regenerative therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivaprasad Manchineella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Greeshma Thrivikraman
- Laboratory for Biomaterials, Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru 560012, Karnataka, India
| | - Bikramjit Basu
- Laboratory for Biomaterials, Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru 560012, Karnataka, India
| | - T Govindaraju
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research , Jakkur, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
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27
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Abstract
The desire for flexible electronics is booming, and development of bioelectronics for health monitoring, internal body procedures, and other biomedical applications is heavily responsible for the growing market. Most current fabrication techniques for flexible bioelectronics, however, do not use materials that optimize both biocompatibility and mechanical properties. This Review explores flexible electronic technologies, fabrication methods, and protein materials for biomedical applications. With favorable sustainability and biocompatibility, naturally derived proteins are an exceptional alternative to synthetic materials currently used. Many proteins can take on various forms, such as fibers, films, and scaffolds. The fabrication of resistors and organic solar cells on silk has already been proven, and optoelectronics made of collagen and keratin have also been explored. The flexibility and biocompatibility of these materials along with their proven performance in electronics make them ideal materials in the advancement of biomedical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Torculas
- Departments of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Electrical and Computer Engineering, ∇Mechanical Engineering, §Chemical Engineering, ∥Biomedical and Translational Sciences, and ⊥Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Jethro Medina
- Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, ∇Mechanical Engineering, §Chemical Engineering, ∥Biomedical and Translational Sciences, and ⊥Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Wei Xue
- Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, §Chemical Engineering, ∥Biomedical and Translational Sciences, and ⊥Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Xiao Hu
- Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, ∥Biomedical and Translational Sciences, and ⊥Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
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28
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Zhu B, Wang H, Leow WR, Cai Y, Loh XJ, Han MY, Chen X. Silk Fibroin for Flexible Electronic Devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:4250-65. [PMID: 26684370 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201504276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Flexible electronic devices are necessary for applications involving unconventional interfaces, such as soft and curved biological systems, in which traditional silicon-based electronics would confront a mechanical mismatch. Biological polymers offer new opportunities for flexible electronic devices by virtue of their biocompatibility, environmental benignity, and sustainability, as well as low cost. As an intriguing and abundant biomaterial, silk offers exquisite mechanical, optical, and electrical properties that are advantageous toward the development of next-generation biocompatible electronic devices. The utilization of silk fibroin is emphasized as both passive and active components in flexible electronic devices. The employment of biocompatible and biosustainable silk materials revolutionizes state-of-the-art electronic devices and systems that currently rely on conventional semiconductor technologies. Advances in silk-based electronic devices would open new avenues for employing biomaterials in the design and integration of high-performance biointegrated electronics for future applications in consumer electronics, computing technologies, and biomedical diagnosis, as well as human-machine interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Zhu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798
| | - Hong Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798
| | - Wan Ru Leow
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798
| | - Yurong Cai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 3 Research Link, Singapore, 117602
| | - Ming-Yong Han
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 3 Research Link, Singapore, 117602
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798
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29
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Zhao T, Jiang W, Liu H, Niu D, Li X, Liu W, Li X, Chen B, Shi Y, Yin L, Lu B. An infrared-driven flexible pyroelectric generator for non-contact energy harvester. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:8111-8117. [PMID: 27025660 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr09290f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, energy harvesting technologies, which can scavenge many kinds of energies from our living environment to power micro/nanodevices, have attracted increasing attention. However, remote energy transmission, flexibility and electric waveform controllability remain the key challenges for wireless power supply by an energy harvester. In this paper, we design a new infrared-driven non-contact pyroelectric generator for harvesting heat energy, which avoids direct contact between the pyroelectric generator and heat source and realizes remote energy transfer exploiting the photothermal and penetrability of infrared light. The output voltage (under the input impedance of 100 MOhm) and short-circuit current of the pyroelectric generator consisting of a CNT/PVDF/CNT layer (20 mm × 5 mm × 100 μm) can be as large as 1.2 V and 9 nA, respectively, under a 1.45 W cm(-2) near-infrared laser (808 nm). We also demonstrate the means by which the pyroelectric generator can modulate square waveforms with controllable periods through irradiation frequency, which is essential for signal sources and medical stimulators. The overshoot of square waveforms are in a range of 9.0%-13.1% with a rise time of 120 ms. The prepared pyroelectric generator can light a liquid crystal display (LCD) in a vacuum chamber from outside. This work paves the way for non-contact energy harvesting for some particular occasions where near-field energy control is not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Weitao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Hongzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Dong Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Microelectronics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- Department of Microelectronics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Bangdao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Yongsheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Lei Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Bingheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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30
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Chen HI, Jgamadze D, Serruya MD, Cullen DK, Wolf JA, Smith DH. Neural Substrate Expansion for the Restoration of Brain Function. Front Syst Neurosci 2016; 10:1. [PMID: 26834579 PMCID: PMC4724716 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2016.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Restoring neurological and cognitive function in individuals who have suffered brain damage is one of the principal objectives of modern translational neuroscience. Electrical stimulation approaches, such as deep-brain stimulation, have achieved the most clinical success, but they ultimately may be limited by the computational capacity of the residual cerebral circuitry. An alternative strategy is brain substrate expansion, in which the computational capacity of the brain is augmented through the addition of new processing units and the reconstitution of network connectivity. This latter approach has been explored to some degree using both biological and electronic means but thus far has not demonstrated the ability to reestablish the function of large-scale neuronal networks. In this review, we contend that fulfilling the potential of brain substrate expansion will require a significant shift from current methods that emphasize direct manipulations of the brain (e.g., injections of cellular suspensions and the implantation of multi-electrode arrays) to the generation of more sophisticated neural tissues and neural-electric hybrids in vitro that are subsequently transplanted into the brain. Drawing from neural tissue engineering, stem cell biology, and neural interface technologies, this strategy makes greater use of the manifold techniques available in the laboratory to create biocompatible constructs that recapitulate brain architecture and thus are more easily recognized and utilized by brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Isaac Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical CenterPhiladelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dennis Jgamadze
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mijail D Serruya
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical CenterPhiladelphia, PA, USA
| | - John A Wolf
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical CenterPhiladelphia, PA, USA
| | - Douglas H Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA
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31
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Peláez RJ, González-Mayorga A, Gutiérrez MC, García-Rama C, Afonso CN, Serrano MC. Tailored Fringed Platforms Produced by Laser Interference for Aligned Neural Cell Growth. Macromol Biosci 2015; 16:255-65. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201500253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ramón J. Peláez
- Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Calle Serrano 121; 28006-Madrid Spain
| | - Ankor González-Mayorga
- Laboratory of Neural Repair and Biomaterials, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Servicio de Salud de Castilla La Mancha; Finca La Peraleda s/n; 45071-Toledo Spain
| | - María C. Gutiérrez
- Group of Bioinspired Materials, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; Calle Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3; 28049-Madrid Spain
| | - Concepción García-Rama
- Laboratory of Neural Repair and Biomaterials, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Servicio de Salud de Castilla La Mancha; Finca La Peraleda s/n; 45071-Toledo Spain
| | - Carmen N. Afonso
- Laser Processing Group, Instituto de Óptica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC); Calle Serrano 121; 28006-Madrid Spain
| | - María C. Serrano
- Laboratory of Neural Repair and Biomaterials, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Servicio de Salud de Castilla La Mancha; Finca La Peraleda s/n; 45071-Toledo Spain
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32
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Hassarati RT, Marcal H, John L, Foster R, Green RA. Biofunctionalization of conductive hydrogel coatings to support olfactory ensheathing cells at implantable electrode interfaces. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2015; 104:712-22. [PMID: 26248597 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.33497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical discrepancies between conventional platinum (Pt) electrodes and neural tissue often result in scar tissue encapsulation of implanted neural recording and stimulating devices. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are a supportive glial cell in the olfactory nervous system which can transition through glial scar tissue while supporting the outgrowth of neural processes. It has been proposed that this function can be used to reconnect implanted electrodes with the target neural pathways. Conductive hydrogel (CH) electrode coatings have been proposed as a substrate for supporting OEC survival and proliferation at the device interface. To determine an ideal CH to support OECs, this study explored eight CH variants, with differing biochemical composition, in comparison to a conventional Pt electrodes. All CH variants were based on a biosynthetic hydrogel, consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and heparin, through which the conductive polymer (CP) poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) was electropolymerized. The biochemical composition was varied through incorporation of gelatin and sericin, which were expected to provide cell adherence functionality, supporting attachment, and cell spreading. Combinations of these biomolecules varied from 1 to 3 wt %. The physical, electrical, and biological impact of these molecules on electrode performance was assessed. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the addition of these biological molecules had little significant effect on the coating's ability to safely transfer charge. Cell attachment studies, however, determined that the incorporation of 1 wt % gelatin in the hydrogel was sufficient to significantly increase the attachment of OECs compared to the nonfunctionalized CH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle T Hassarati
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.,Bio/polymers Research Group, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Helder Marcal
- Topical Therapeutics Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - L John
- Bio/polymers Research Group, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - R Foster
- Bio/polymers Research Group, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rylie A Green
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
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33
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An B, Tang-Schomer M, Huang W, He J, Jones J, Lewis RV, Kaplan DL. Physical and biological regulation of neuron regenerative growth and network formation on recombinant dragline silks. Biomaterials 2015; 48:137-146. [PMID: 25701039 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant spider silks produced in transgenic goat milk were studied as cell culture matrices for neuronal growth. Major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp1) supported neuronal growth, axon extension and network connectivity, with cell morphology comparable to the gold standard poly-lysine. In addition, neurons growing on MaSp1 films had increased neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression at both mRNA and protein levels. The results indicate that MaSp1 films present useful surface charge and substrate stiffness to support the growth of primary rat cortical neurons. Moreover, a putative neuron-specific surface binding sequence GRGGL within MaSp1 may contribute to the biological regulation of neuron growth. These findings indicate that MaSp1 could regulate neuron growth through its physical and biological features. This dual regulation mode of MaSp1 could provide an alternative strategy for generating functional silk materials for neural tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo An
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Min Tang-Schomer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Wenwen Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Jiuyang He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
| | - Justin Jones
- Department of Biology, Synthetic Biomanufacturing Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - Randolph V Lewis
- Department of Biology, Synthetic Biomanufacturing Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
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34
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Abstract
The brain remains one of the most important but least understood tissues in our body, in part because of its complexity as well as the limitations associated with in vivo studies. Although simpler tissues have yielded to the emerging tools for in vitro 3D tissue cultures, functional brain-like tissues have not. We report the construction of complex functional 3D brain-like cortical tissue, maintained for months in vitro, formed from primary cortical neurons in modular 3D compartmentalized architectures with electrophysiological function. We show that, on injury, this brain-like tissue responds in vitro with biochemical and electrophysiological outcomes that mimic observations in vivo. This modular 3D brain-like tissue is capable of real-time nondestructive assessments, offering previously unidentified directions for studies of brain homeostasis and injury.
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