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Zhang Z, Chen W, Sun M, Aalders T, Verhaegh GW, Kouwer PHJ. TempEasy 3D Hydrogel Coculture System Provides Mechanistic Insights into Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:25773-25787. [PMID: 38739686 PMCID: PMC11129143 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) often experience incurable bone metastases; however, a lack of relevant experimental models has hampered the study of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies. In this study, we employed the recently established Temperature-based Easy-separable (TempEasy) 3D cell coculture system to investigate PCa bone metastasis. Through coculturing PCa and bone cells for 7 days, our results showed a reduction in PCa cell proliferation, an increase in neovascularization, and an enhanced metastasis potential when cocultured with bone cells. Additionally, we observed increased cell proliferation, higher stemness, and decreased bone matrix protein expression in bone cells when cocultured with PCa cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the stiffness of the extracellular matrix had a negligible impact on molecular responses in both primary (PCa cells) and distant malignant (bone cells) sites. The TempEasy 3D hydrogel coculture system is an easy-to-use and versatile coculture system that provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of cell-cell communication and interaction in cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobao Zhang
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Wen Chen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Mingchen Sun
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Tilly Aalders
- Department
of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald W. Verhaegh
- Department
of Urology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 28, Nijmegen 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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Kumari J, Paul O, Verdellen L, Berking B, Chen W, Gerrits L, Postma J, Wagener FADTG, Kouwer PHJ. Conductive Polyisocyanide Hydrogels Inhibit Fibrosis and Promote Myogenesis. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3258-3270. [PMID: 38593039 PMCID: PMC11110048 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Reliable in vitro models closely resembling native tissue are urgently needed for disease modeling and drug screening applications. Recently, conductive biomaterials have received increasing attention in the development of in vitro models as they permit exogenous electrical signals to guide cells toward a desired cellular response. Interestingly, they have demonstrated that they promote cellular proliferation and adhesion even without external electrical stimulation. This paper describes the development of a conductive, fully synthetic hydrogel based on hybrids of the peptide-modified polyisocyanide (PIC-RGD) and the relatively conductive poly(aniline-co-N-(4-sulfophenyl)aniline) (PASA) and its suitability as the in vitro matrix. We demonstrate that incorporating PASA enhances the PIC-RGD hydrogel's electroactive nature without significantly altering the fibrous architecture and nonlinear mechanics of the PIC-RGD network. The biocompatibility of our model was assessed through phenotyping cultured human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) and murine C2C12 myoblasts. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that PIC-PASA hydrogels inhibit the fibrotic behavior of HFFs while promoting myogenesis in C2C12 cells without electrical stimulation. The composite PIC-PASA hydrogel can actively change the cell fate of different cell types, providing an attractive tool to improve skin and muscle repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Kumari
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department
of Dentistry—Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Odile Paul
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Verdellen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bela Berking
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wen Chen
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte Gerrits
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle Postma
- Department
of General Instrumentation, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank A. D. T. G. Wagener
- Department
of Dentistry—Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H. J. Kouwer
- Institute
for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Advances in cell coculture membranes recapitulating in vivo microenvironments. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:214-227. [PMID: 36030108 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Porous membranes play a critical role in in vitro heterogeneous cell coculture systems because they recapitulate the in vivo microenvironment to mediate physical and biochemical crosstalk between cells. While the conventionally available Transwell® system has been widely used for heterogeneous cell coculture, there are drawbacks to precise control over cell-cell interactions and separation for implantation. The size and numbers of the pores and the thickness of the porous membranes are crucial in determining the efficiency of paracrine signaling and direct junctions between cocultured cells, and significantly impact on the performance of heterogeneous cell cultures. These opportunities and challenges have motivated the design of advanced coculture platforms through improvement of the structural and functional properties of porous membranes.
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Chen W, Kumari J, Yuan H, Yang F, Kouwer PHJ. Toward Tissue-Like Material Properties: Inducing In Situ Adaptive Behavior in Fibrous Hydrogels. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2202057. [PMID: 35792703 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202202057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The materials properties of biological tissues are unique. Nature is able to spatially and temporally manipulate (mechanical) properties while maintaining responsiveness toward a variety of cues; all without majorly changing the material's composition. Artificial mimics, synthetic or biomaterial-based are far less advanced and poorly reproduce the natural cell microenvironment. A viable strategy to generate materials with advanced properties combines different materials into nanocomposites. This work describes nanocomposites of a synthetic fibrous hydrogel, based on polyisocyanide (PIC), that is noncovalently linked to a responsive cross-linker. The introduction of the cross-linker transforms the PIC gel from a static fibrous extracellular matrix mimic to a highly dynamic material that maintains biocompatibility, as demonstrated by in situ modification of the (non)linear mechanical properties and efficient self-healing properties. Key in the material design is cross-linking at the fibrillar level using nanoparticles, which, simultaneously may be used to introduce more advanced properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Jyoti Kumari
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Heverlee, 3001, Belgium
- Institute of Biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, P. R. China
| | - Fan Yang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ 6525, The Netherlands
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Chen W, Zhang Z, Kouwer PHJ. Magnetically Driven Hierarchical Alignment in Biomimetic Fibrous Hydrogels. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203033. [PMID: 35665598 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In vivo, natural biomaterials are frequently anisotropic, exhibiting directional microstructures and mechanical properties. It remains challenging to develop such anisotropy in synthetic materials. Here, a facile one-step approach for in situ fabrication of hydrogels with hierarchically anisotropic architectures and direction-dependent mechanical properties is proposed. The anisotropic hydrogels, composed of a fibrous gel network (0.1 wt%), cross-linked with magnetic nanoparticles (spheres, rods, and wires, <0.1 wt%) are readily formed in the presence of very low magnetic fields (<20 mT). The anisotropy of the nanoparticles is transduced to the polymer network, leading to macroscopic anisotropy, for instance, in mechanical properties. Electrostatic repulsion by the negatively charged nanoparticles induces an additional layer of order in the material, perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. The straightforward fabrication strategy allows for stepwise deposition of layers with different degrees or directions of anisotropy, which enables the formation of complex structures that are able to mimic some of the complex hierarchical architectures found in biology. It is anticipated that this approach of hydrogel alignment may serve as a guide for designing advanced biomaterials in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Chen
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Zhaobao Zhang
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Paul H J Kouwer
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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