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Han R, Luo L, Wei C, Qiao Y, Xie J, Pan X, Xing J. Stiffness-tunable biomaterials provide a good extracellular matrix environment for axon growth and regeneration. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1364-1376. [PMID: 39075897 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal growth, extension, branching, and formation of neural networks are markedly influenced by the extracellular matrix-a complex network composed of proteins and carbohydrates secreted by cells. In addition to providing physical support for cells, the extracellular matrix also conveys critical mechanical stiffness cues. During the development of the nervous system, extracellular matrix stiffness plays a central role in guiding neuronal growth, particularly in the context of axonal extension, which is crucial for the formation of neural networks. In neural tissue engineering, manipulation of biomaterial stiffness is a promising strategy to provide a permissive environment for the repair and regeneration of injured nervous tissue. Recent research has fine-tuned synthetic biomaterials to fabricate scaffolds that closely replicate the stiffness profiles observed in the nervous system. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms by which extracellular matrix stiffness regulates axonal growth and regeneration. We highlight the progress made in the development of stiffness-tunable biomaterials to emulate in vivo extracellular matrix environments, with an emphasis on their application in neural repair and regeneration, along with a discussion of the current limitations and future prospects. The exploration and optimization of the stiffness-tunable biomaterials has the potential to markedly advance the development of neural tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronglin Han
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lanxin Luo
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Caiyan Wei
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yaru Qiao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiming Xie
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xianchao Pan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Juan Xing
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
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Zhang H, Luo Y, Hu Z, Chen M, Chen S, Yao Y, Yao J, Shao X, Wu K, Zhu Y, Fu J. Cation-crosslinked κ-carrageenan sub-microgel medium for high-quality embedded bioprinting. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025009. [PMID: 38198708 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1cf3] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting embedded within a microgel bath has emerged as a promising strategy for creating intricate biomimetic scaffolds. However, it remains a great challenge to construct tissue-scale structures with high resolution by using embedded 3D bioprinting due to the large particle size and polydispersity of the microgel medium, as well as its limited cytocompatibility. To address these issues, novel uniform sub-microgels of cell-friendly cationic-crosslinked kappa-carrageenan (κ-Car) are developed through an easy-to-operate mechanical grinding strategy. Theseκ-Car sub-microgels maintain a uniform submicron size of around 642 nm and display a rapid jamming-unjamming transition within 5 s, along with excellent shear-thinning and self-healing properties, which are critical for the high resolution and fidelity in the construction of tissue architecture via embedded 3D bioprinting. Utilizing this new sub-microgel medium, various intricate 3D tissue and organ structures, including the heart, lungs, trachea, branched vasculature, kidney, auricle, nose, and liver, are successfully fabricated with delicate fine structures and high shape fidelity. Moreover, the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated within the printed constructs exhibit remarkable viability exceeding 92.1% and robust growth. Thisκ-Car sub-microgel medium offers an innovative avenue for achieving high-quality embedded bioprinting, facilitating the fabrication of functional biological constructs with biomimetic structural organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhang
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Luo
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeming Hu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengxi Chen
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Shang Chen
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Yudong Yao
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqi Shao
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Kerong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Yabin Zhu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, People's Republic of China
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