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Nolan J, Pearce OMT, Screen HRC, Knight MM, Verbruggen SW. Organ-on-a-Chip and Microfluidic Platforms for Oncology in the UK. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:635. [PMID: 36765593 PMCID: PMC9913518 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-on-chip systems are capable of replicating complex tissue structures and physiological phenomena. The fine control of biochemical and biomechanical cues within these microphysiological systems provides opportunities for cancer researchers to build complex models of the tumour microenvironment. Interest in applying organ chips to investigate mechanisms such as metastatsis and to test therapeutics has grown rapidly, and this review draws together the published research using these microfluidic platforms to study cancer. We focus on both in-house systems and commercial platforms being used in the UK for fundamental discovery science and therapeutics testing. We cover the wide variety of cancers being investigated, ranging from common carcinomas to rare sarcomas, as well as secondary cancers. We also cover the broad sweep of different matrix microenvironments, physiological mechanical stimuli and immunological effects being replicated in these models. We examine microfluidic models specifically, rather than organoids or complex tissue or cell co-cultures, which have been reviewed elsewhere. However, there is increasing interest in incorporating organoids, spheroids and other tissue cultures into microfluidic organ chips and this overlap is included. Our review includes a commentary on cancer organ-chip models being developed and used in the UK, including work conducted by members of the UK Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies Network. We conclude with a reflection on the likely future of this rapidly expanding field of oncological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Nolan
- Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Centre for Predictive In Vitro Models, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Barts Cancer Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AD, UK
| | - Oliver M. T. Pearce
- Barts Cancer Institute, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AD, UK
| | - Hazel R. C. Screen
- Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Centre for Predictive In Vitro Models, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Martin M. Knight
- Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Centre for Predictive In Vitro Models, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Stefaan W. Verbruggen
- Centre for Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Centre for Predictive In Vitro Models, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
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Zhai H, Jin X, Minnick G, Rosenbohm J, Hafiz MAH, Yang R, Meng F. Spatially Guided Construction of Multilayered Epidermal Models Recapturing Structural Hierarchy and Cell-Cell Junctions. SMALL SCIENCE 2022; 2:2200051. [PMID: 36590765 PMCID: PMC9799093 DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202200051] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A current challenge in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting of skin equivalents is to recreate the distinct basal and suprabasal layers and to promote their direct interactions. Such a structural arrangement is essential to establish 3D stratified epidermis disease models, such as for the autoimmune skin disease pemphigus vulgaris (PV), which targets the cell-cell junctions at the interface of the basal and suprabasal layers. Inspired by epithelial regeneration in wound healing, we develop a method that combines 3D bioprinting and spatially guided self-reorganization of keratinocytes to recapture the fine structural hierarchy that lies in the deep layers of the epidermis. Here, keratinocyte-laden fibrin hydrogels are bioprinted to create geographical cues, guiding dynamic self-reorganization of cells through collective migration, keratinocyte differentiation and vertical expansion. This process results in a region of self-organized multilayers (SOMs) that contain the basal to suprabasal transition, marked by the expressed levels of different types of keratins that indicate differentiation. Finally, we demonstrate the reconstructed skin tissue as an in vitro platform to study the pathogenic effects of PV and observe a significant difference in cell-cell junction dissociation from PV antibodies in different epidermis layers, indicating their applications in the preclinical test of possible therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Zhai
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Xiaowei Jin
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Grayson Minnick
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Jordan Rosenbohm
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | | | - Ruiguo Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
| | - Fanben Meng
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
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3
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Wu C, Du X, Jia B, Zhang C, Li W, Liu TC, Li YQ. A transformable gold nanocluster aggregate-based synergistic strategy for potentiated radiation/gene cancer therapy. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:2314-2322. [PMID: 33616590 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb02986f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nano-radiosensitizers provide a powerful tool for cancer radiation therapy. However, their limited tumor retention/penetration and the inherent or adaptive radiation resistance of tumor cells hamper the clinical success of radiation therapy. Herein, we report a synergistic strategy for potentiated cancer radiation/gene therapy based on transformable gold nanocluster aggregates loaded with antisense oligonucleotide-targeting survivin mRNA (named AuNC-ASON). AuNC-ASON exhibited acidic pH-triggered structure splitting from a gold nanocluster aggregate (around 80 nm) to gold nanocluster (<2 nm), leading to the tumor microenvironment-responsive size transformation of the nano-radiosensitizer and activated release of the loaded antisense oligonucleotides to perform gene silencing. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that AuNC-ASON could amplify and improve the radio-sensitivity of tumor cells (the sensitization enhancement ratio was about 1.81) as a result of the synergistic effect of the transformable gold nanocluster radiosensitizer and survivin gene interference. Remarkably, the size transformation capability realized the high tumor retention/penetration and renal metabolism of AuNC-ASON in vivo and boosted the radio-susceptibility of cancer cells with the assistance of survivin gene interference, synergistically achieving potentiated tumor radiation/gene therapy. The proposed concept of transformable nano-radiosensitizer aggregate-based synergistic therapy can be utilized as a general strategy to guide the design of activatable multifunctional nanosystems for cancer theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xuancheng Du
- Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Science, School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Bingqing Jia
- Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Science, School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Chengmei Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Weifeng Li
- Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Science, School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Tian-Cai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Engineering of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Li
- Institute of Advanced Interdisciplinary Science, School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China. and Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Zheng N, Wang Q, Li C, Wang X, Liu X, Wang X, Deng G, Wang J, Zhao L, Lu J. Responsive Degradable Theranostic Agents Enable Controlled Selenium Delivery to Enhance Photothermal Radiotherapy and Reduce Side Effects. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002024. [PMID: 33645002 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is a popular clinical therapy method for extending cancer patient survival, but is hampered by severe side effects and the weak therapy effect. Herein, responsive degradable selenium (Se) theranostic agents (Se@SiO2 @Bi nanocomposites (NCs)) are fabricated, which combine computed tomography (CT) imaging and simultaneously enhance the therapeutic effects of photothermal therapy (PTT) and RT, while reducing the side effects of radiation. The Se@SiO2 @Bi theranostic agents can accumulate at the tumor site, and responsively decompose to releease Se, avoiding systemic toxicity by the element. Se enhances the effect of PTT/RT, simultaneously reducing the side effects of RT. The Se@SiO2 @Bi NCs as CT agents also exhibit significantly enhanced contrast imaging performance due to the high atomic number of Bi. More importantly, the Se@SiO2 @Bi NCs can be rapidly excreted without long-term toxicity, owing to responsive degradation into ultrasmall particles (<5 nm) at the tumor site. In vitro and in vivo results show that the Se@SiO2 @Bi NCs can remarkably inhibit tumor cells, without causing appreciable toxicity during the treatment. This study opens a new perspective in rationally designing responsive degradable theranostic agents for future tumor therapy with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and lesser side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Qi Wang
- Putuo Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine No. 164, Lanxi Road, Putuo District Shanghai 200062 China
- Trauma Center Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine No. 650, Xin Songjiang Road Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Chunlin Li
- Trauma Center Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine No. 650, Xin Songjiang Road Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Xiang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Xijian Liu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Xingyan Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Guoying Deng
- Trauma Center Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine No. 650, Xin Songjiang Road Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Jinxia Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Linjing Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Jie Lu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University of Engineering Science Shanghai 201620 China
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Yu J, Cai P, Zhang X, Zhao T, Liang L, Zhang S, Liu H, Chen X. Spatiotemporal Oscillation in Confined Epithelial Motion upon Fluid-to-Solid Transition. ACS NANO 2021; 15:7618-7627. [PMID: 33844497 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fluid-to-solid phase transition in multicellular assembly is crucial in many developmental biological processes, such as embryogenesis and morphogenesis. However, biomechanical studies in this area are limited, and little is known about factors governing the transition and how cell behaviors are regulated. Due to different stresses present, cells could behave distinctively depending on the nature of tissue. Here we report a fluid-to-solid transition in geometrically confined multicellular assemblies. Under circular confinement, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) monolayers undergo spatiotemporally oscillatory motions that are strongly dependent on the confinement size and distance from the periphery of the monolayers. Nanomechanical mapping reveals that epithelial tensional stress and traction forces on the substrate are both dependent on confinement size. The oscillation pattern and cellular nanomechanics profile appear well correlated with stress fiber assembly and cell polarization. These experimental observations imply that the confinement size-dependent surface tension regulates actin fiber assembly, cellular force generation, and cell polarization. Our analyses further suggest a characteristic confinement size (approximates to MDCK's natural correlation length) below which surface tension is sufficiently high and triggers a fluid-to-solid transition of the monolayers. Our findings may shed light on the geometrical and nanomechanical control of tissue morphogenesis and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Pingqiang Cai
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Xiaoqian Zhang
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Tiankai Zhao
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Linlin Liang
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Sulin Zhang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Hong Liu
- Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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6
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Zong W, Chui N, Tian Z, Li Y, Yang C, Rao D, Wang W, Huang J, Wang J, Lai F, Liu T. Ultrafine MoP Nanoparticle Splotched Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanosheets Enabling High-Performance 3D-Printed Potassium-Ion Hybrid Capacitors. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004142. [PMID: 33854899 PMCID: PMC8025015 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Size engineering is deemed to be an adoptable method to boost the electrochemical properties of potassium-ion storage; however, it remains a critical challenge to significantly reduce the nanoparticle size without compromising the uniformity. In this work, a series of MoP nanoparticle splotched nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (MoP@NC) is synthesized. Due to the coordinate and hydrogen bonds in the water-soluble polyacrylamide hydrogel, MoP is uniformly confined in a 3D porous NC to form ultrafine nanoparticles which facilitate the extreme exposure of abundant three-phase boundaries (MoP, NC, and electrolyte) for ionic binding and storage. Consequently, MoP@NC-1 delivers an excellent capacity performance (256.1 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1) and long-term cycling durability (89.9% capacitance retention after 800 cycles). It is further confirmed via density functional theory calculations that the smaller the MoP nanoparticle, the larger the three-phase boundary achieved for favoring competitive binding energy toward potassium ions. Finally, MoP@NC-1 is applied as highly electroactive additive for 3D printing ink to fabricate 3D-printed potassium-ion hybrid capacitors, which delivers high gravimetric energy/power density of 69.7 Wh kg-1/2041.6 W kg-1, as well as favorable areal energy/power density of 0.34 mWh cm-2/9.97 mW cm-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zong
- School of Chemical EngineeringZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer MaterialsCollege of Materials Science and EngineeringInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua UniversityShanghai201620P. R. China
| | - Ningbo Chui
- School of Chemical EngineeringZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Zhihong Tian
- School of Chemical EngineeringZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Yuying Li
- School of Chemical EngineeringZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Chao Yang
- Institute of Materials Science and TechnologyTechnische Universität BerlinStraße des 17. JuniBerlin10623Germany
| | - Dewei Rao
- School of Materials Science and EngineeringJiangsu UniversityZhenjiang212013P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Bio‐inspired Energy Materials and DevicesSchool of Space and EnvironmentBeihang UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Jiajia Huang
- School of Chemical EngineeringZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Jingtao Wang
- School of Chemical EngineeringZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001P. R. China
| | - Feili Lai
- Department of ChemistryKU LeuvenCelestijnenlaan 200FLeuven3001Belgium
| | - Tianxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer MaterialsCollege of Materials Science and EngineeringInnovation Center for Textile Science and TechnologyDonghua UniversityShanghai201620P. R. China
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7
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Yu J, Cai P, Chen X. Structural Regulation of Myocytes in Engineered Healthy and Diseased Cardiac Models. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:267-276. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Pingqiang Cai
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore
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8
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Huang X, Zhang M, Ming J, Ning X, Bai S. High-Strength and High-Toughness Silk Fibroin Hydrogels: A Strategy Using Dynamic Host-Guest Interactions. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:7103-7112. [PMID: 35019370 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural polymer-based hydrogels attract great attention because of their inherent biocompatibility and controllable biodegradability. However, the broad applications of these hydrogels require a combination of high mechanical strength, high toughness, fatigue resistance, as well as self-healing. The integration of this combination into one natural polymer-based hydrogel remains challenging. Here, a molecular design strategy was proposed to fabricate mechanically robust silk fibroin-based hydrogels using host-guest interactions. Silk fibroin molecules was chemically modified with cholesterol (Chol, guest) or β-cyclodextrin (β-CD, host), and host-guest interaction between Chol and β-CD moieties drove the supramolecular assemblies of hydrogels. The dissociation/reassociation behavior of host-guest complexation, serving as sacrificial bonds, endowed hydrogels with effective energy dissipation and rapid self-healing ability. The prepared silk fibroin-based hydrogels exhibited high mechanical strength, high toughness, and remarkable fatigue resistance, superior to conventional silk fibroin hydrogels. Moreover, due to reversible host-guest interactions, hydrogels achieved facile functional recovery after damage without any external stimuli. This design strategy provides an avenue to develop natural polymer-based materials with robust mechanical properties, thus broadening current hydrogel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Huang
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens and Technical Textiles, College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengya Zhang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinfa Ming
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens and Technical Textiles, College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Ning
- Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens and Technical Textiles, College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Shumeng Bai
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, People's Republic of China
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Mao Q, Wang Y, Li Y, Juengpanich S, Li W, Chen M, Yin J, Fu J, Cai X. Fabrication of liver microtissue with liver decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) bioink by digital light processing (DLP) bioprinting. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 109:110625. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.110625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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