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Agarwal G, Shumard S, McCrary MW, Osborne O, Santiago JM, Ausec B, Schmidt CE. Decellularized porcine peripheral nerve based injectable hydrogels as a Schwann cell carrier for injured spinal cord regeneration. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:046002. [PMID: 38885674 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad5939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Objective.To develop a clinically relevant injectable hydrogel derived from decellularized porcine peripheral nerves and with mechanical properties comparable to native central nervous system (CNS) tissue to be used as a delivery vehicle for Schwann cell transplantation to treat spinal cord injury (SCI).Approach.Porcine peripheral nerves (sciatic and peroneal) were decellularized by chemical decellularization using a sodium deoxycholate and DNase (SDD) method previously developed by our group. The decellularized nerves were delipidated using dichloromethane and ethanol solvent and then digested using pepsin enzyme to form injectable hydrogel formulations. Genipin was used as a crosslinker to enhance mechanical properties. The injectability, mechanical properties, and gelation kinetics of the hydrogels were further analyzed using rheology. Schwann cells encapsulated within the injectable hydrogel formulations were passed through a 25-gauge needle and cell viability was assessed using live/dead staining. The ability of the hydrogel to maintain Schwann cell viability against an inflammatory milieu was assessedin vitrousing inflamed astrocytes co-cultured with Schwann cells.Mainresults. The SDD method effectively removes cells and retains extracellular matrix in decellularized tissues. Using rheological studies, we found that delipidation of decellularized porcine peripheral nerves using dichloromethane and ethanol solvent improves gelation kinetics and mechanical strength of hydrogels. The delipidated and decellularized hydrogels crosslinked using genipin mimicked the mechanical strength of CNS tissue. The hydrogels were found to have shear thinning properties desirable for injectable formulations and they also maintained higher Schwann cell viability during injection compared to saline controls. Usingin vitroco-culture experiments, we found that the genipin-crosslinked hydrogels also protected Schwann cells from astrocyte-mediated inflammation.Significance. Injectable hydrogels developed using delipidated and decellularized porcine peripheral nerves are a potential clinically relevant solution to deliver Schwann cells, and possibly other therapeutic cells, at the SCI site by maintaining higher cellular viability and increasing therapeutic efficacy for SCI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Agarwal
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Samantha Shumard
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Michaela W McCrary
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Olivia Osborne
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Jorge Mojica Santiago
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Breanna Ausec
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
| | - Christine E Schmidt
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States of America
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Redolfi Riva E, Özkan M, Contreras E, Pawar S, Zinno C, Escarda-Castro E, Kim J, Wieringa P, Stellacci F, Micera S, Navarro X. Beyond the limiting gap length: peripheral nerve regeneration through implantable nerve guidance conduits. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:1371-1404. [PMID: 38363090 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01163a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve damage results in the loss of sensorimotor and autonomic functions, which is a significant burden to patients. Furthermore, nerve injuries greater than the limiting gap length require surgical repair. Although autografts are the preferred clinical choice, their usage is impeded by their limited availability, dimensional mismatch, and the sacrifice of another functional donor nerve. Accordingly, nerve guidance conduits, which are tubular scaffolds engineered to provide a biomimetic environment for nerve regeneration, have emerged as alternatives to autografts. Consequently, a few nerve guidance conduits have received clinical approval for the repair of short-mid nerve gaps but failed to regenerate limiting gap damage, which represents the bottleneck of this technology. Thus, it is still necessary to optimize the morphology and constituent materials of conduits. This review summarizes the recent advances in nerve conduit technology. Several manufacturing techniques and conduit designs are discussed, with emphasis on the structural improvement of simple hollow tubes, additive manufacturing techniques, and decellularized grafts. The main objective of this review is to provide a critical overview of nerve guidance conduit technology to support regeneration in long nerve defects, promote future developments, and speed up its clinical translation as a reliable alternative to autografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Redolfi Riva
- The Biorobotic Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Melis Özkan
- Institute of Materials, école Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neural Engineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, école Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Estefania Contreras
- Integral Service for Laboratory Animals (SIAL), Faculty of Veterinary, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Sujeet Pawar
- Institute of Materials, école Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ciro Zinno
- The Biorobotic Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrique Escarda-Castro
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaehyeon Kim
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Wieringa
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Stellacci
- Institute of Materials, école Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Global Health Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Silvestro Micera
- The Biorobotic Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neural Engineering, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Institute of Bioengineering, école Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Institute Guttmann Foundation, Hospital of Neurorehabilitation, Badalona, Spain
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3
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Contreras E, Traserra S, Bolívar S, Nieto-Nicolau N, Jaramillo J, Forés J, Jose-Cunilleras E, Moll X, García F, Delgado-Martínez I, Fariñas O, López-Chicón P, Vilarrodona A, Udina E, Navarro X. Decellularized Graft for Repairing Severe Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Sheep. Neurosurgery 2023; 93:1296-1304. [PMID: 37319401 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Peripheral nerve injuries resulting in a nerve defect require surgical repair. The gold standard of autograft (AG) has several limitations, and therefore, new alternatives must be developed. The main objective of this study was to assess nerve regeneration through a long gap nerve injury (50 mm) in the peroneal nerve of sheep with a decellularized nerve allograft (DCA). METHODS A 5-cm long nerve gap was made in the peroneal nerve of sheep and repaired using an AG or using a DCA. Functional tests were performed once a month and electrophysiology and echography evaluations at 6.5 and 9 months postsurgery. Nerve grafts were harvested at 9 months for immunohistochemical and morphological analyses. RESULTS The decellularization protocol completely eliminated the cells while preserving the extracellular matrix of the nerve. No significant differences were observed in functional tests of locomotion and pain response. Reinnervation of the tibialis anterior muscles occurred in all animals, with some delay in the DCA group compared with the AG group. Histology showed a preserved fascicular structure in both AG and DCA; however, the number of axons distal to the nerve graft was higher in AG than in DCA. CONCLUSION The decellularized graft assayed supported effective axonal regeneration when used to repair a 5-cm long gap in the sheep. As expected, a delay in functional recovery was observed compared with the AG because of the lack of Schwann cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Contreras
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
- Integral Service for Laboratory Animals (SIAL), Faculty of Veterinary, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Sara Traserra
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
- Integral Service for Laboratory Animals (SIAL), Faculty of Veterinary, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Sara Bolívar
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra , Spain
| | | | - Jessica Jaramillo
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Joaquim Forés
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
- Hand and Peripheral Nerve Unit, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona , Spain
| | - Eduard Jose-Cunilleras
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Xavier Moll
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Félix García
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Ignacio Delgado-Martínez
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Oscar Fariñas
- Barcelona Tissue Bank, Banc de Sang i Teixits, Barcelona , Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona , Spain
| | - Patrícia López-Chicón
- Barcelona Tissue Bank, Banc de Sang i Teixits, Barcelona , Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Barcelona , Spain
| | - Anna Vilarrodona
- Barcelona Tissue Bank, Banc de Sang i Teixits, Barcelona , Spain
- Vall Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Barcelona , Spain
| | - Esther Udina
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra , Spain
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra , Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Bellaterra , Spain
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Zoghoul Alsmadi N, Deister C, Agrawal N, Tran L, Zhukauskas R, Neubauer Fischer D, Mercer D. Characterization of Nerve Damage After an Injury to the Adjacent Soft Tissue: A Pilot Animal Study. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2023; 29:547-557. [PMID: 37742110 PMCID: PMC10714259 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2023.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic injuries may result in the formation of soft tissue adhesions between peripheral nerves and surrounding soft tissue. These soft tissue adhesions lead to compression and ischemic stress within fascicles due to nonpliability of adhered scar tissue, and nerve tension due to loss of nerve gliding from scar tethering. These changes in the soft tissue bed surrounding the nerve may result in axon degeneration and neuroma-in-continuity. Preclinical models that simulate clinically relevant levels of scar in the nerve environment may be impactful to the development of surgical techniques and treatments to prevent adhesions. This study presents the results of a rodent model with an induced indirect nerve injury by (1) thermal insult to the soft tissue bed surrounding the nerve and (2) air-drying the surrounding soft tissue bed of the nerve. Our findings suggest that inducing an injury of the soft tissue bed results in increased intraneural scar and extraneural adhesions to the nerve compared to a sham procedure. Thermal induced injuries showed more macrophages and changes in nerve health compared to air-dried induced injuries. The changes in the nerves of the induced injury groups, specifically the thermal injury group, may be meaningful for evaluating treatments for nontransected nerve injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Curt Deister
- Department of Research & Development, Axogen Corporation, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Nik Agrawal
- Department of Research & Development, Axogen Corporation, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Lan Tran
- Department of Research & Development, Axogen Corporation, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Rasa Zhukauskas
- Department of Research & Development, Axogen Corporation, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | | | - Deana Mercer
- Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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5
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Dong X, Yang Y, Bao Z, Midgley AC, Li F, Dai S, Yang Z, Wang J, Liu L, Li W, Zheng Y, Liu S, Liu Y, Yu W, Liu J, Fan M, Zhu M, Shen Z, Xiaosong G, Kong D. Micro-nanofiber composite biomimetic conduits promote long-gap peripheral nerve regeneration in canine models. Bioact Mater 2023; 30:98-115. [PMID: 37560200 PMCID: PMC10406865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries may result in severe long-gap interruptions that are challenging to repair. Autografting is the gold standard surgical approach for repairing long-gap nerve injuries but can result in prominent donor-site complications. Instead, imitating the native neural microarchitecture using synthetic conduits is expected to offer an alternative strategy for improving nerve regeneration. Here, we designed nerve conduits composed of high-resolution anisotropic microfiber grid-cordes with randomly organized nanofiber sheaths to interrogate the positive effects of these biomimetic structures on peripheral nerve regeneration. Anisotropic microfiber-grids demonstrated the capacity to directionally guide Schwann cells and neurites. Nanofiber sheaths conveyed adequate elasticity and permeability, whilst exhibiting a barrier function against the infiltration of fibroblasts. We then used the composite nerve conduits bridge 30-mm long sciatic nerve defects in canine models. At 12 months post-implant, the morphometric and histological recovery, gait recovery, electrophysiological function, and degree of muscle atrophy were assessed. The newly regenerated nerve tissue that formed within the composite nerve conduits showed restored neurological functions that were superior compared to sheaths-only scaffolds and Neurolac nerve conduit controls. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using synthetic biophysical cues to effectively bridge long-gap peripheral nerve injuries and indicates the promising clinical application prospects of biomimetic composite nerve conduits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianhao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yueyue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zheheng Bao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Outpatient Department, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Adam C. Midgley
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Feiyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuxin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Outpatient Department, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lihua Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Medical Imaging Institute, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenlei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yayuan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Siyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Medical Imaging Institute, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weijian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Clinical School/College of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Joint, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Fan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meifeng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Keyan West Road, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Zhongyang Shen
- Institute of Transplantation Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gu Xiaosong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Deling Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Transplantation Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Keyan West Road, Tianjin, 300192, China
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Ron T, Leon A, Kafri A, Ashraf A, Na J, Babu A, Banerjee R, Brookbank H, Muddaluri SR, Little KJ, Aghion E, Pixley S. Nerve Regeneration with a Scaffold Incorporating an Absorbable Zinc-2% Iron Alloy Filament to Improve Axonal Guidance. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2595. [PMID: 38004574 PMCID: PMC10674795 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve damage that results in lost segments requires surgery, but currently available hollow scaffolds have limitations that could be overcome by adding internal guidance support. A novel solution is to use filaments of absorbable metals to supply physical support and guidance for nerve regeneration that then safely disappear from the body. Previously, we showed that thin filaments of magnesium metal (Mg) would support nerve regeneration. Here, we tested another absorbable metal, zinc (Zn), using a proprietary zinc alloy with 2% iron (Zn-2%Fe) that was designed to overcome the limitations of both Mg and pure Zn metal. Non-critical-sized gaps in adult rat sciatic nerves were repaired with silicone conduits plus single filaments of Zn-2%Fe, Mg, or no metal, with autografts as controls. After seventeen weeks, all groups showed equal recovery of function and axonal density at the distal end of the conduit. The Zn alloy group showed some improvements in early rat health and recovery of function. The alloy had a greater local accumulation of degradation products and inflammatory cells than Mg; however, both metals had an equally thin capsule (no difference in tissue irritation) and no toxicity or inflammation in neighboring nerve tissues. Therefore, Zn-2%Fe, like Mg, is biocompatible and has great potential for use in nervous tissue regeneration and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Ron
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Avi Leon
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Alon Kafri
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
- Nuclear Research Centre-Negev, Beer-Sheva 84190, Israel
| | - Ahmed Ashraf
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - John Na
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ashvin Babu
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Runima Banerjee
- College of Engineering & Applied Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Hunter Brookbank
- College of Arts & Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | | | - Kevin J. Little
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Pediatric Hand & Upper Extremity Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Eli Aghion
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Sarah Pixley
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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7
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Li J, Wu C, Zeng M, Zhang Y, Wei D, Sun J, Fan H. Functional material-mediated wireless physical stimulation for neuro-modulation and regeneration. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:9056-9083. [PMID: 37649427 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01354e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Nerve injuries and neurological diseases remain intractable clinical challenges. Despite the advantages of stem cell therapy in treating neurological disorders, uncontrollable cell fates and loss of cell function in vivo are still challenging. Recently, increasing attention has been given to the roles of external physical signals, such as electricity and ultrasound, in regulating stem cell fate as well as activating or inhibiting neuronal activity, which provides new insights for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, direct physical stimulations in vivo are short in accuracy and safety. Functional materials that can absorb energy from a specific physical field exerted in a wireless way and then release another localized physical signal hold great advantages in mediating noninvasive or minimally invasive accurate indirect physical stimulations to promote the therapeutic effect on neurological disorders. In this review, the mechanism by which various physical signals regulate stem cell fate and neuronal activity is summarized. Based on these concepts, the approaches of using functional materials to mediate indirect wireless physical stimulation for neuro-modulation and regeneration are systematically reviewed. We expect that this review will contribute to developing wireless platforms for neural stimulation as an assistance for the treatment of neurological diseases and injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Chengheng Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
- Institute of Regulatory Science for Medical Devices, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, China
| | - Mingze Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Dan Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jing Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hongsong Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China.
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8
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Lewis M, David G, Jacobs D, Kuczwara P, Woessner AE, Kim JW, Quinn KP, Song Y. Neuro-regenerative behavior of adipose-derived stem cells in aligned collagen I hydrogels. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100762. [PMID: 37600354 PMCID: PMC10433000 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries persist as a major clinical issue facing the US population and can be caused by stretch, laceration, or crush injuries. Small nerve gaps are simple to treat, and the nerve stumps can be reattached with sutures. In longer nerve gaps, traditional treatment options consist of autografts, hollow nerve guidance conduits, and, more recently, manufactured fibrous scaffolds. These manufactured scaffolds often incorporate stem cells, growth factors, and/or extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to better mimic the native environment but can have issues with homogenous cell distribution or uniformly oriented neurite outgrowth in scaffolds without fibrous alignment. Here, we utilize a custom device to fabricate collagen I hydrogels with aligned fibers and encapsulated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) for potential use as a peripheral nerve repair graft. Initial results of our scaffold system revealed significantly less cell viability in higher collagen gel concentrations; 3 mg/mL gels showed 84.8 ± 7.3% viable cells, compared to 6 mg/mL gels viability of 76.7 ± 9.5%. Mechanical testing of the 3 mg/mL gels showed a Young's modulus of 6.5 ± 0.8 kPa nearly matching 7.45 kPa known to support Schwann cell migration. Further analysis of scaffolds coupled with stretching in vitro revealed heightened angiogenic and factor secretion, ECM deposition, fiber alignment, and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurite outgrowth along the axis of fiber alignment. Our platform serves as an in vitro testbed to assess neuro-regenerative potential of ASCs in aligned collagen fiber scaffolds and may provide guidance on next-generation nerve repair scaffold design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Lewis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Gabriel David
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Danielle Jacobs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Patrick Kuczwara
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Alan E. Woessner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Jin-Woo Kim
- Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- Materials Science & Engineering Program; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Kyle P. Quinn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Younghye Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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9
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Kasper M, Cydis M, Afridi A, Smadi BM, Li Y, Charlier A, Barnes BE, Hohn J, Cline MJ, Carver W, Matthews M, Savin D, Rinaldi-Ramos CM, Schmidt CE. Development of a bioactive tunable hyaluronic-protein bioconjugate hydrogel for tissue regenerative applications. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:7663-7674. [PMID: 37458393 PMCID: PMC10528782 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02766f] [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] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Every year, there are approximately 500 000 peripheral nerve injury (PNI) procedures due to trauma in the US alone. Autologous and acellular nerve grafts are among current clinical repair options; however, they are limited largely by the high costs associated with donor nerve tissue harvesting and implant processing, respectively. Therefore, there is a clinical need for an off-the-shelf nerve graft that can recapitulate the native microenvironment of the nerve. In our previous work, we created a hydrogel scaffold that incorporates mechanical and biological cues that mimic the peripheral nerve microenvironment using chemically modified hyaluronic acid (HA). However, with our previous work, the degradation profile and cell adhesivity was not ideal for tissue regeneration, in particular, peripheral nerve regeneration. To improve our previous hydrogel, HA was conjugated with fibrinogen using Michael-addition to assist in cell adhesion and hydrogel degradability. The addition of the fibrinogen linker was found to contribute to faster scaffold degradation via active enzymatic breakdown, compared to HA alone. Additionally, cell count and metabolic activity was significantly higher on HA conjugated fibrinogen compared previous hydrogel formulations. This manuscript discusses the various techniques deployed to characterize our new modified HA fibrinogen chemistry physically, mechanically, and biologically. This work addresses the aforementioned concerns by incorporating controllable degradability and increased cell adhesivity while maintaining incorporation of hyaluronic acid, paving the pathway for use in a variety of applications as a multi-purpose tissue engineering platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kasper
- J Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| | - Madison Cydis
- J Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| | - Abdullah Afridi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Bassam M Smadi
- J Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| | - Yuan Li
- J Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| | - Alban Charlier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Brooke E Barnes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Julia Hohn
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
| | - Michael J Cline
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Wayne Carver
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
| | - Michael Matthews
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA
| | - Daniel Savin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Carlos M Rinaldi-Ramos
- J Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Christine E Schmidt
- J Crayton Pruitt Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
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10
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Daeschler SC, Feinberg K, Harhaus L, Kneser U, Gordon T, Borschel GH. Advancing Nerve Regeneration: Translational Perspectives of Tacrolimus (FK506). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12771. [PMID: 37628951 PMCID: PMC10454725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries have far-reaching implications for individuals and society, leading to functional impairments, prolonged rehabilitation, and substantial socioeconomic burdens. Tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressive drug known for its neuroregenerative properties, has emerged in experimental studies as a promising candidate to accelerate nerve fiber regeneration. This review investigates the therapeutic potential of tacrolimus by exploring the postulated mechanisms of action in relation to biological barriers to nerve injury recovery. By mapping both the preclinical and clinical evidence, the benefits and drawbacks of systemic tacrolimus administration and novel delivery systems for localized tacrolimus delivery after nerve injury are elucidated. Through synthesizing the current evidence, identifying practical barriers for clinical translation, and discussing potential strategies to overcome the translational gap, this review provides insights into the translational perspectives of tacrolimus as an adjunct therapy for nerve regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon C. Daeschler
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, BG Trauma Hospital, D-67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Program, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Konstantin Feinberg
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Leila Harhaus
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, BG Trauma Hospital, D-67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Kneser
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Heidelberg, BG Trauma Hospital, D-67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Tessa Gordon
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Gregory H. Borschel
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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11
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Guan Y, Ren Z, Yang B, Xu W, Wu W, Li X, Zhang T, Li D, Chen S, Bai J, Song X, Jia Z, Xiong X, He S, Li C, Meng F, Wu T, Zhang J, Liu X, Meng H, Peng J, Wang Y. Dual-bionic regenerative microenvironment for peripheral nerve repair. Bioact Mater 2023; 26:370-386. [PMID: 36942011 PMCID: PMC10024190 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autologous nerve grafting serves is considered the gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve defects; however, limited availability and donor area destruction restrict its widespread clinical application. Although the performance of allogeneic decellularized nerve implants has been explored, challenges such as insufficient human donors have been a major drawback to its clinical use. Tissue-engineered neural regeneration materials have been developed over the years, and researchers have explored strategies to mimic the peripheral neural microenvironment during the design of nerve catheter grafts, namely the extracellular matrix (ECM), which includes mechanical, physical, and biochemical signals that support nerve regeneration. In this study, polycaprolactone/silk fibroin (PCL/SF)-aligned electrospun material was modified with ECM derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs), and a dual-bionic nerve regeneration material was successfully fabricated. The results indicated that the developed biomimetic material had excellent biological properties, providing sufficient anchorage for Schwann cells and subsequent axon regeneration and angiogenesis processes. Moreover, the dual-bionic material exerted a similar effect to that of autologous nerve transplantation in bridging peripheral nerve defects in rats. In conclusion, this study provides a new concept for designing neural regeneration materials, and the prepared dual-bionic repair materials have excellent auxiliary regenerative ability and further preclinical testing is warranted to evaluate its clinical application potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Guan
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226007, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Zhiqi Ren
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Boyao Yang
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Wenjun Wu
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Xiangling Li
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Tieyuan Zhang
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Dongdong Li
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Shengfeng Chen
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Jun Bai
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Song
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075051, PR China
| | - Zhibo Jia
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075051, PR China
| | - Xing Xiong
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Songlin He
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, PR China
| | - Chaochao Li
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Fanqi Meng
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Tong Wu
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Xiuzhi Liu
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Graduate School of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China
| | - Haoye Meng
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Jiang Peng
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226007, PR China
- Corresponding author. Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China.
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226007, PR China
- Corresponding author. Institute of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, No. 51 Fucheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China.
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12
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Stocco E, Barbon S, Emmi A, Tiengo C, Macchi V, De Caro R, Porzionato A. Bridging Gaps in Peripheral Nerves: From Current Strategies to Future Perspectives in Conduit Design. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119170. [PMID: 37298122 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) with substance loss, where tensionless end-to-end suture is not achievable, the positioning of a graft is required. Available options include autografts (e.g., sural nerve, medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves, superficial branch of the radial nerve), allografts (Avance®; human origin), and hollow nerve conduits. There are eleven commercial hollow conduits approved for clinical, and they consist of devices made of a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer (polyvinyl alcohol), biodegradable synthetic polymers (poly(DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone); polyglycolic acid), and biodegradable natural polymers (collagen type I with/without glycosaminoglycan; chitosan; porcine small intestinal submucosa); different resorption times are available for resorbable guides, ranging from three months to four years. Unfortunately, anatomical/functional nerve regeneration requirements are not satisfied by any of the possible alternatives; to date, focusing on wall and/or inner lumen organization/functionalization seems to be the most promising strategy for next-generation device fabrication. Porous or grooved walls as well as multichannel lumens and luminal fillers are the most intriguing options, eventually also including the addition of cells (Schwann cells, bone marrow-derived, and adipose tissue derived stem cells) to support nerve regeneration. This review aims to describe common alternatives for severe PNI recovery with a highlight of future conduits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Stocco
- Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padova University Hospital, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
- L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Veneto Region, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Foundation for Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering and Signaling-TES, Onlus, 35030 Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Barbon
- Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
- L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Veneto Region, 35128 Padova, Italy
- Foundation for Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering and Signaling-TES, Onlus, 35030 Padova, Italy
| | - Aron Emmi
- Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Cesare Tiengo
- Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Veronica Macchi
- Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
- L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Veneto Region, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Raffaele De Caro
- Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
- L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Veneto Region, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Porzionato
- Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
- L.i.f.e.L.a.b. Program, Consorzio per la Ricerca Sanitaria (CORIS), Veneto Region, 35128 Padova, Italy
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13
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Yu Y, Jin B, Chen J, Lou C, Guo J, Yang C, Zhao Y. Nerve-on-a-Chip Derived Biomimicking Microfibers for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2207536. [PMID: 37119478 PMCID: PMC10369236 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Fibrous scaffolds have shown their advantages in tissue engineering, such as peripheral nerve regeneration, while most of the existing fiber-shaped scaffolds are with simple structures, and the in vitro performance for nerve regeneration lacks systematic analysis. Here, novel nerve-on-a-chip derived biomimicking microfibers for peripheral nerve regeneration are presented. The microfibers with controllable core-shell structures and functionalities are generated through capillary microfluidic devices. By integrating these microfibers into a multitrack-architectured chip, and coculturing them with nerve cells as well as gradient bioactive elements, the nerve-on-a-chip with the capabilities of systematically assessing the performances of nerve fiber formation in the hollow microfibers at in vitro level is constructed. Based on a rat sciatic nerve injury model, the rapid promotion ability is demonstrated of optimized microfibers in nerve regeneration and function recovery in vivo, which implies the credibility of the nerve-on-a-chip on biomimicking microfibers evaluation for peripheral nerve regeneration. Thus, it is convinced that the organ-on-a-chip will undoubtedly open up a new chapter in evaluating biological scaffolds for in vivo tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunru Yu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Binghui Jin
- Oujiang Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Jinghao Chen
- Oujiang Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Chenghao Lou
- Oujiang Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Jiahui Guo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Chaoyu Yang
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P. R. China
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14
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Fan Z, Wen X, Ding X, Wang Q, Wang S, Yu W. Advances in biotechnology and clinical therapy in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration based on magnetism. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1079757. [PMID: 36970536 PMCID: PMC10036769 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1079757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is one of the most common neurological diseases. Recent studies on nerve cells have provided new ideas for the regeneration of peripheral nerves and treatment of physical trauma or degenerative disease-induced loss of sensory and motor neuron functions. Accumulating evidence suggested that magnetic fields might have a significant impact on the growth of nerve cells. Studies have investigated different magnetic field properties (static or pulsed magnetic field) and intensities, various magnetic nanoparticle-encapsulating cytokines based on superparamagnetism, magnetically functionalized nanofibers, and their relevant mechanisms and clinical applications. This review provides an overview of these aspects as well as their future developmental prospects in related fields.
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15
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Microtubes with gradient decellularized porcine sciatic nerve matrix from microfluidics for sciatic nerve regeneration. Bioact Mater 2023; 21:511-519. [PMID: 36185737 PMCID: PMC9508151 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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16
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Han N, Zhang W, Fang XX, Li QC, Pi W. Reduced graphene oxide-embedded nerve conduits loaded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Neural Regen Res 2023. [PMID: 35799543 PMCID: PMC9241414 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.343889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously combined reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) to create an rGO-GelMA-PCL nerve conduit and found that the conductivity and biocompatibility were improved. However, the rGO-GelMA-PCL nerve conduits differed greatly from autologous nerve transplants in their ability to promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves and axonal sprouting. Extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can be loaded into rGO-GelMA-PCL nerve conduits for repair of rat sciatic nerve injury because they can promote angiogenesis at the injured site. In this study, 12 weeks after surgery, sciatic nerve function was measured by electrophysiology and sciatic nerve function index, and myelin sheath and axon regeneration were observed by electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. The regeneration of microvessel was observed by immunofluorescence. Our results showed that rGO-GelMA-PCL nerve conduits loaded with BMSC-derived extracellular vesicles were superior to rGO-GelMA-PCL conduits alone in their ability to increase the number of newly formed vessels and axonal sprouts at the injury site as well as the recovery of neurological function. These findings indicate that rGO-GelMA-PCL nerve conduits loaded with BMSC-derived extracellular vesicles can promote peripheral nerve regeneration and neurological function recovery, and provide a new direction for the curation of peripheral nerve defect in the clinic.
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17
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Repair of Long Nerve Defects with a New Decellularized Nerve Graft in Rats and in Sheep. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244074. [PMID: 36552838 PMCID: PMC9777287 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Decellularized nerve allografts (DC) are an alternative to autografts (AG) for repairing severe peripheral nerve injuries. We have assessed a new DC provided by VERIGRAFT. The decellularization procedure completely removed cellularity while preserving the extracellular matrix. We first assessed the DC in a 15 mm gap in the sciatic nerve of rats, showing slightly delayed but effective regeneration. Then, we assayed the DC in a 70 mm gap in the peroneal nerve of sheep compared with AG. Evaluation of nerve regeneration and functional recovery was performed by clinical, electrophysiology and ultrasound tests. No significant differences were found in functional recovery between groups of sheep. Histology showed a preserved fascicular structure in the AG while in the DC grafts regenerated axons were grouped in small units. In conclusion, the DC was permissive for axonal regeneration and allowed to repair a 70 mm long gap in the sheep nerve.
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18
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Wei S, Hu Q, Ma J, Dai X, Sun Y, Han G, Meng H, Xu W, Zhang L, Ma X, Peng J, Wang Y. Acellular nerve xenografts based on supercritical extraction technology for repairing long-distance sciatic nerve defects in rats. Bioact Mater 2022; 18:300-320. [PMID: 35387172 PMCID: PMC8961471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared to conventional artificial nerve guide conduits (NGCs) prepared using natural polymers or synthetic polymers, acellular nerve grafts (ACNGs) derived from natural nerves with eliminated immune components have natural bionic advantages in composition and structure that polymer materials do not have. To further optimize the repair effect of ACNGs, in this study, we used a composite technology based on supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) extraction to process the peripheral nerve of a large mammal, the Yorkshire pig, and obtained an innovative Acellular nerve xenografts (ANXs, namely, CD + scCO2 NG). After scCO2 extraction, the fat and DNA content in CD + scCO2 NG has been removed to the greatest extent, which can better supported cell adhesion and proliferation, inducing an extremely weak inflammatory response. Interestingly, the protein in the CD + scCO2 NG was primarily involved in signaling pathways related to axon guidance. Moreover, compared with the pure chemical decellularized nerve graft (CD NG), the DRG axons grew naturally on the CD + scCO2 NG membrane and extended long distances. In vivo studies further revealed that the regenerated nerve axons had basically crossed the CD + scCO2 NG 3 weeks after surgery. 12 weeks after surgery, CD + scCO2 NG was similar to autologous nerves in improving the quality of nerve regeneration, target muscle morphology and motor function recovery and was significantly better than hollow NGCs and CD NG. Therefore, we believe that the fully decellularized and fat-free porcine ACNGs may be the most promising “bridge” for repairing human nerve defects at this stage and for some time to come. The native adipose tissue inside acellular nerve xenografts hinders regenerated nerve fibers. Environmentally friendly scCO2 extraction has natural advantages in reducing fat content. Natural three-dimensional nerve basement membrane tube structure guides regenerating axons.
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Yu T, Ao Q, Ao T, Ahmad MA, Wang A, Xu Y, Zhang Z, Zhou Q. Preparation and assessment of an optimized multichannel acellular nerve allograft for peripheral nerve regeneration. Bioeng Transl Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhao Yu
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Shenyang China
| | - Qiang Ao
- Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education China Medical University Shenyang China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Control of Tissue Regenerative Biomaterial, Institute of Regulatory Science for Medical Device, National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Tianrang Ao
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | | | - Aijun Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery University of California Davis Sacramento California USA
| | - Yingxi Xu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Zhongti Zhang
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Shenyang China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Shenyang China
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20
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Gregory E, Baek IH, Ala-Kokko N, Dugan R, Pinzon-Herrera L, Almodóvar J, Song YH. Peripheral Nerve Decellularization for In Vitro Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Use: A Comparative Study. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:2574-2588. [PMID: 35649243 PMCID: PMC9983633 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The rise of tissue-engineered biomaterials has introduced more clinically translatable models of disease, including three-dimensional (3D) decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogels. Specifically, decellularized nerve hydrogels have been utilized to model peripheral nerve injuries and disorders in vitro; however, there lacks standardization in decellularization methods. Here, rat sciatic nerves of varying preparations were decellularized using previously established methods: sodium deoxycholate (SD)-based, 3-((3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio)-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS)-based, and apoptosis-mediated. These nerves were characterized for cellular debris removal, ECM retention, and low cytotoxicity with cultured Schwann cells. The best preparations of each decellularization method were digested into dECM hydrogels, and rheological characterization, gelation kinetics, and confocal reflectance imaging of collagen fibril assembly were performed. It was determined that the SD-based method with nerve epineurial removal best maintained the overall ECM composition and mechanical properties of physiological peripheral nerves while efficiently stripping the scaffolds of tissue-specific cells and debris. This method was then utilized as a culture platform for quiescent Schwann cells and cancer-nerve crosstalk. Hydrogel-embedded Schwann cells were found to have high viability and act in a more physiologically relevant manner than those cultured in monolayers, and the hydrogel platform allowed for the activation of Schwann cells following treatment with cancer secreted factors. These findings establish a standard for peripheral nerve decellularization for usage as a dECM hydrogel testbed for in vitro peripheral nerve disease modeling and may facilitate the development of treatments for peripheral nerve disease and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emory Gregory
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - In Ha Baek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Nikolas Ala-Kokko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Reagan Dugan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Luis Pinzon-Herrera
- Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Jorge Almodóvar
- Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Young Hye Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
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21
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Bousalis D, McCrary MW, Vaughn N, Hlavac N, Evering A, Kolli S, Song YH, Morley C, Angelini T, Schmidt CE. Decellularized peripheral nerve as an injectable delivery vehicle for neural applications. J Biomed Mater Res A 2022; 110:595-611. [PMID: 34590403 PMCID: PMC8742792 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Damage to the nervous system can result in loss of sensory and motor function, paralysis, or even death. To facilitate neural regeneration and functional recovery, researchers have employed biomaterials strategies to address both peripheral and central nervous system injuries. Injectable hydrogels that recapitulate native nerve extracellular matrix are especially promising for neural tissue engineering because they offer more flexibility for minimally invasive applications and provide a growth-permissive substrate for neural cell types. Here, we explore the development of injectable hydrogels derived from decellularized rat peripheral nerves (referred to as "injectable peripheral nerve [iPN] hydrogels"), which are processed using a newly developed sodium deoxycholate and DNase (SDD) decellularization method. We assess the gelation kinetics, mechanical properties, cell bioactivity, and drug release kinetics of the iPN hydrogels. The iPN hydrogels thermally gel when exposed to 37°C in under 20 min and have mechanical properties similar to neural tissue. The hydrogels demonstrate in vitro biocompatibility through support of Schwann cell viability and metabolic activity. Additionally, iPN hydrogels promote greater astrocyte spreading compared to collagen I hydrogels. Finally, the iPN is a promising delivery vehicle of drug-loaded microparticles for a combinatorial approach to neural injury therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Bousalis
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Michaela W. McCrary
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Natalie Vaughn
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Nora Hlavac
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Ashley Evering
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Shruti Kolli
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Young Hye Song
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
| | - Cameron Morley
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Thomas Angelini
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Christine E. Schmidt
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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22
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Contreras E, Bolívar S, Nieto-Nicolau N, Fariñas O, López-Chicón P, Navarro X, Udina E. A novel decellularized nerve graft for repairing peripheral nerve long gap injury in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 390:355-366. [PMID: 36114915 PMCID: PMC9722790 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03682-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Decellularized nerve allografts are an alternative to autograft for repairing severe nerve injuries, since they have higher availability and do not induce rejection. In this study, we have assessed the regenerative potential of a novel decellularization protocol for human and rat nerves for repairing nerve resections, compared to the gold standard autograft. A 15-mm gap in the sciatic nerve was repaired with decellularized rat allograft (DC-RA), decellularized human xenograft (DC-HX), or fresh autograft (AG). Electrophysiology tests were performed monthly to evaluate muscle reinnervation, whereas histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the grafts were evaluated at 4 months. A short-term study was also performed to compare the differences between the two decellularized grafts (DC-RA and DC-HX) in early phases of regeneration. The decellularization process eliminated cellularity while preserving the ECM and endoneurial tubules of both rat and human nerves. Higher amount of reinnervation was observed in the AG group compared to the DC-RA group, while only half of the animals of the DC-HX showed distal muscle reinnervation. The number of regenerating myelinated axons in the mid-graft was similar between AG and DC-RA and lower in DC-HX graft, but significantly lower in both DC grafts distally. At short term, fibroblasts repopulated the DC-RA graft, supporting regenerated axons, whereas an important fibrotic reaction was observed around DC-HX grafts. In conclusion, the decellularized allograft sustained regeneration through a long gap in the rat although at a slower rate compared to the ideal autograft, whereas regeneration was limited or even failed when using a decellularized xenograft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Contreras
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, ISCIII, 08913 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sara Bolívar
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, ISCIII, 08913 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Núria Nieto-Nicolau
- Barcelona Tissue Bank, Banc de Sang I Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain ,Biomedical Research Institute (IIB-Sant Pau; SGR1113), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Fariñas
- Barcelona Tissue Bank, Banc de Sang I Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain ,Biomedical Research Institute (IIB-Sant Pau; SGR1113), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrícia López-Chicón
- Barcelona Tissue Bank, Banc de Sang I Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain ,Biomedical Research Institute (IIB-Sant Pau; SGR1113), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, ISCIII, 08913 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Esther Udina
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERNED, ISCIII, 08913 Bellaterra, Spain
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23
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Parker BJ, Rhodes DI, O'Brien CM, Rodda AE, Cameron NR. Nerve guidance conduit development for primary treatment of peripheral nerve transection injuries: A commercial perspective. Acta Biomater 2021; 135:64-86. [PMID: 34492374 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Commercial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) for repair of peripheral nerve discontinuities are of little use in gaps larger than 30 mm, and for smaller gaps they often fail to compete with the autografts that they are designed to replace. While recent research to develop new technologies for use in NGCs has produced many advanced designs with seemingly positive functional outcomes in animal models, these advances have not been translated into viable clinical products. While there have been many detailed reviews of the technologies available for creating NGCs, none of these have focussed on the requirements of the commercialisation process which are vital to ensure the translation of a technology from bench to clinic. Consideration of the factors essential for commercial viability, including regulatory clearance, reimbursement processes, manufacturability and scale up, and quality management early in the design process is vital in giving new technologies the best chance at achieving real-world impact. Here we have attempted to summarise the major components to consider during the development of emerging NGC technologies as a guide for those looking to develop new technology in this domain. We also examine a selection of the latest academic developments from the viewpoint of clinical translation, and discuss areas where we believe further work would be most likely to bring new NGC technologies to the clinic. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: NGCs for peripheral nerve repairs represent an adaptable foundation with potential to incorporate modifications to improve nerve regeneration outcomes. In this review we outline the regulatory processes that functionally distinct NGCs may need to address and explore new modifications and the complications that may need to be addressed during the translation process from bench to clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradyn J Parker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - David I Rhodes
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; ReNerve Pty. Ltd., Brunswick East 3057, Australia
| | - Carmel M O'Brien
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Science, Technology, Research and innovation Precinct (STRIP), Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew E Rodda
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Neil R Cameron
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
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24
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Development of a magnetically aligned regenerative tissue-engineered electronic nerve interface for peripheral nerve applications. Biomaterials 2021; 279:121212. [PMID: 34717196 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries can be debilitating to motor and sensory function, with severe cases often resulting in complete limb amputation. Over the past two decades, prosthetic limb technology has rapidly advanced to provide users with crude motor control of up to 20° of freedom; however, the nerve-interfacing technology required to provide high movement selectivity has not progressed at the same rate. The work presented here focuses on the development of a magnetically aligned regenerative tissue-engineered electronic nerve interface (MARTEENI) that combines polyimide "threads" encapsulated within a magnetically aligned hydrogel scaffold. The technology exploits tissue-engineered strategies to address concerns over traditional peripheral nerve interfaces including poor axonal sampling through the nerve and rigid substrates. A magnetically templated hydrogel is used to physically support the polyimide threads while also promoting regeneration in close proximity to the electrode sites on the polyimide. This work demonstrates the utility of magnetic templating for use in tuning the mechanical properties of hydrogel scaffolds to match the stiffness of native nerve tissue while providing an aligned substrate for Schwann cell migration in vitro. MARTEENI devices were fabricated and implanted within a 5-mm-long rat sciatic-nerve transection model to assess regeneration at 6 and 12 weeks. MARTEENI devices do not disrupt tissue remodeling and show axon densities equivalent to fresh tissue controls around the polyimide substrates. Devices are observed to have attenuated foreign-body responses around the polyimide threads. It is expected that future studies with functional MARTEENI devices will be able to record and stimulate single axons with high selectivity and low stimulation regimes.
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25
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Lu Q, Zhang F, Cheng W, Gao X, Ding Z, Zhang X, Lu Q, Kaplan DL. Nerve Guidance Conduits with Hierarchical Anisotropic Architecture for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100427. [PMID: 34038626 PMCID: PMC8295195 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nerve guidance conduits with multifunctional features could offer microenvironments for improved nerve regeneration and functional recovery. However, the challenge remains to optimize multiple cues in nerve conduit systems due to the interplay of these factors during fabrication. Here, a modular assembly for the fabrication of nerve conduits is utilized to address the goal of incorporating multifunctional guidance cues for nerve regeneration. Silk-based hollow conduits with suitable size and mechanical properties, along with silk nanofiber fillers with tunable hierarchical anisotropic architectures and microporous structures, are developed and assembled into conduits. These conduits supported improves nerve regeneration in terms of cell proliferation (Schwann and PC12 cells) and growth factor secretion (BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in vitro, and the in vivo repair and functional recovery of rat sciatic nerve defects. Nerve regeneration using these new conduit designs is comparable to autografts, providing a path towards future clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Feng Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Weinan Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Zhaozhao Ding
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyi Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk and Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
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26
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Vinzons LU, Lin SP. Facile fabrication of ordered discontinuous nanotopography on photosensitive substrates for enhanced neuronal differentiation. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 32:365301. [PMID: 34015777 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac0381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the development and morphology of neurons is important for basic neuroscience research as well as for applications in nerve regeneration and neural interfaces. Various studies have shown that nanoscale topographies can promote the development of neuronal cells and the differentiation of neural stem cells; however, the fabrication of these nanotopographical features often involves expensive and sophisticated techniques. Here, we employ nanosphere lens lithography combined with UV-LED technology to create nanopatterns on an SU-8 photoresist. We develop a facile method to create a reusable polystyrene nanosphere (PS-NS) lens array by the spontaneous formation of a hexagonal close-packed array of PS-NSs at a water-air interface and its subsequent transfer to a polydimethylsiloxane carrier film without using any special equipment. We show that this simple technique can create ordered arrays of nanodots on an SU-8 film, the dimensions of which can be controlled by the size of the PS-NSs. When used as a substrate for the neuronal differentiation of pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, the nanopatterned SU-8 films exhibit enhanced differentiation parameters with respect to conventional tissue culture plastic as compared with their flat counterparts. The method proposed here can greatly facilitate the nanopatterning of various photosensitive substrates for the development of implants for nerve regeneration and neural interfacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lester U Vinzons
- PhD Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ping Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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27
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Holland JDR, Webster G, Rooney P, Wilshaw SP, Jennings LM, Berry HE. Effects of Chemical and Radiation Sterilisation on the Biological and Biomechanical Properties of Decellularised Porcine Peripheral Nerves. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:660453. [PMID: 34150728 PMCID: PMC8209421 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.660453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a clinical need for novel graft materials for the repair of peripheral nerve defects. A decellularisation process has been developed for porcine peripheral nerves, yielding a material with potentially significant advantages over other devices currently being used clinically (such as autografts and nerve guidance conduits). Grafts derived from xenogeneic tissues should undergo sterilisation prior to clinical use. It has been reported that sterilisation methods may adversely affect the properties of decellularised tissues, and therefore potentially negatively impact on the ability to promote tissue regeneration. In this study, decellularised nerves were produced and sterilised by treatment with 0.1% (v/v) PAA, gamma radiation (25-28 kGy) or E Beam (33-37 kGy). The effect of sterilisation on the decellularised nerves was determined by cytotoxicity testing, histological staining, hydroxyproline assays, uniaxial tensile testing, antibody labelling for collagen type IV, laminin and fibronectin in the basal lamina, and differential scanning calorimetry. This study concluded that decellularised nerves retained biocompatibility following sterilisation. However, sterilisation affected the mechanical properties (PAA, gamma radiation), endoneurial structure and basement membrane composition (PAA) of decellularised nerves. No such alterations were observed following E Beam treatment, suggesting that this method may be preferable for the sterilisation of decellularised porcine peripheral nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D. R. Holland
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina Webster
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Rooney
- National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) Tissue and Eye Services, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stacy-Paul Wilshaw
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom
| | - Louise M. Jennings
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Helen E. Berry
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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28
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Rao Z, Lin T, Qiu S, Zhou J, Liu S, Chen S, Wang T, Liu X, Zhu Q, Bai Y, Quan D. Decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel scaffolds with longitudinally oriented and size-tunable microchannels for peripheral nerve regeneration. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 120:111791. [PMID: 33545917 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The scaffolding biomaterials and their internal structures are crucial in constructing growth-permissive microenvironment for tissue regeneration. A functional bioscaffold not only requires sufficient extracellular matrix components, but also provides topological guidance by mimicry of the ultrastructure of the native tissue. In our laboratory, a decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel derived from porcine sciatic nerve (pDNM-G) is successfully prepared, which shows great promise for peripheral nerve regeneration. Herein, longitudinally oriented microchannel structures were introduced into pDNM-G bioscaffolds (A-pDNM-G) through controlled unidirectional freeze-drying. The axially aligned microchannels effectively directed and significantly promoted neurite extension and Schwann cell migration, assessed by culturing dorsal root ganglion explants on the longitudinal sections of A-pDNM-G scaffolds. Such regenerative cellular responses can be further optimized by tuning the channel sizes. In vivo studies confirmed that the implanted nerve guidance conduits containing A-pDNM-G scaffolds significantly facilitated axonal extension, myelination, and reached considerable functional recovery in 15-mm rat sciatic nerve defects. The incorporation of nerve growth factor further improved the overall performance in the grafted nerve. The bioactive pDNM-G enables controlled release of neurotrophic factor and easy integration of topological cue provided by the axially aligned microchannels into implantable bioscaffolds, which may serve in future clinical treatments of peripheral nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Rao
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Tao Lin
- Guangdong Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering and Technology Research Center, Department of Orthopedic and Microsurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Shuai Qiu
- Guangdong Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering and Technology Research Center, Department of Orthopedic and Microsurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Guangdong Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Sheng Liu
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Shihao Chen
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Guangdong Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering and Technology Research Center, Department of Orthopedic and Microsurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Soft Tissue Biofabrication Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Guangdong Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering and Technology Research Center, Department of Orthopedic and Microsurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qingtang Zhu
- Guangdong Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering and Technology Research Center, Department of Orthopedic and Microsurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Soft Tissue Biofabrication Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Ying Bai
- Guangdong Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Soft Tissue Biofabrication Engineering Laboratory, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Daping Quan
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Functional Biomaterials Engineering Technology Research Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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29
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Magaz A, Ashton MD, Hathout RM, Li X, Hardy JG, Blaker JJ. Electroresponsive Silk-Based Biohybrid Composites for Electrochemically Controlled Growth Factor Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E742. [PMID: 32784563 PMCID: PMC7463593 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12080742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive materials are very attractive candidates for on-demand drug delivery applications. Precise control over therapeutic agents in a local area is particularly enticing to regulate the biological repair process and promote tissue regeneration. Macromolecular therapeutics are difficult to embed for delivery, and achieving controlled release over long-term periods, which is required for tissue repair and regeneration, is challenging. Biohybrid composites incorporating natural biopolymers and electroconductive/active moieties are emerging as functional materials to be used as coatings, implants or scaffolds in regenerative medicine. Here, we report the development of electroresponsive biohybrid composites based on Bombyx mori silkworm fibroin and reduced graphene oxide that are electrostatically loaded with a high-molecular-weight therapeutic (i.e., 26 kDa nerve growth factor-β (NGF-β)). NGF-β-loaded composite films were shown to control the release of the drug over a 10-day period in a pulsatile fashion upon the on/off application of an electrical stimulus. The results shown here pave the way for personalized and biologically responsive scaffolds, coatings and implantable devices to be used in neural tissue engineering applications, and could be translated to other electrically sensitive tissues as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Magaz
- Department of Materials and Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Mark D. Ashton
- Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK;
| | - Rania M. Hathout
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Xu Li
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK;
- Materials Science Institute, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK
| | - Jonny J. Blaker
- Department of Materials and Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway
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30
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McCrary MW, Bousalis D, Mobini S, Song YH, Schmidt CE. Decellularized tissues as platforms for in vitro modeling of healthy and diseased tissues. Acta Biomater 2020; 111:1-19. [PMID: 32464269 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biomedical engineers are at the forefront of developing novel treatments to improve human health, however, many products fail to translate to clinical implementation. In vivo pre-clinical animal models, although the current best approximation of complex disease conditions, are limited by reproducibility, ethical concerns, and poor accurate prediction of human response. Hence, there is a need to develop physiologically relevant, low cost, scalable, and reproducible in vitro platforms to provide reliable means for testing drugs, biomaterials, and tissue engineered products for successful clinical translation. One emerging approach of developing physiologically relevant in vitro models utilizes decellularized tissues/organs as biomaterial platforms for 2D and 3D models of healthy and diseased tissue. Decellularization is a process that removes cellular content and produces tissue-specific extracellular matrix scaffolds that can more accurately recapitulate an organ/tissue's native microenvironment compared to other natural or synthetic materials. Decellularized tissues hold enormous potential for in vitro modeling of various disease phenotypes and tissue responses to drugs or external conditions such as aging, toxin exposure, or even implantation. In this review, we highlight the need for in vitro models, the advantages and limitations of implementing decellularized tissues, and considerations of the decellularization process. We discuss current research efforts towards applying decellularized tissues as platforms to generate in vitro models of healthy and diseased tissues, and where we foresee the field progressing. A variety of organs/tissues are discussed, including brain, heart, kidney, large intestine, liver, lung, skeletal muscle, skin, and tongue. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Many biomedical products fail to reach clinical translation due to animal model limitations. Development of physiologically relevant in vitro models can provide a more economic, scalable, and reproducible means of testing drugs/therapeutics for successful clinical translation. The use of decellularized tissues as platforms for in vitro models holds promise, as these scaffolds can effectively replicate native tissue complexity, but is not widely explored. This review discusses the need for in vitro models, the promise of decellularized tissues as biomaterial substrates, and the current research applying decellularized tissues towards the creation of in vitro models. Further, this review provides insights into the current limitations and future of such in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela W McCrary
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. BMS J257, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States.
| | - Deanna Bousalis
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. BMS J257, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States.
| | - Sahba Mobini
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. BMS J257, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States; Instituto de Micro y Nanotechnología, IMN-CNM, CSIC (CEI UAM+CSIC), Calle Isaac Newton 8, 28760 Madrid, Tres Cantos, Spain; Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Calle Nicolás Cabrera, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Young Hye Song
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. BMS J257, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 134 White Hall, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States.
| | - Christine E Schmidt
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. BMS J257, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States.
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