Mass transfer aspects of 3D cell cultures in tissue engineering

FSTL-1 loaded 3D bioprinted vascular patch regenerates the ischemic heart tissue

Cardiac patch strategies are developed as a promising approach to regenerate the injured heart after myocardial infarction (MI). This study integrated 3D bioprinting and cardioprotective paracrine signaling to fabricate vascular patch devices containing endothelial cells (ECs) and the regenerative follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) peptide. Engineered patch supported the 3D culture of ECs in both static and dynamic culture, forming a uniform endothelium on the printed channels. Implantation of vascular patch onto a rat model of acute MI resulted in significant reduction of scar formation, left ventricle dilation, and wall thinning, as well as enhanced ejection fraction. Furthermore, increased vascularization and proliferation of cardiomyocytes were observed in hearts treated with patches. These findings highlight the remarkable capacity of 3D bioprinted vascular patch to augment the endogenous regenerative capacity of mammalian heart, together with the exogenous cardioprotective function, to serve as a robust therapeutic device to treat acute MI.

Diffusion behavior of rhodamine 6G in single octadecylsilyl-functionalized silica particle revealed by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

We investigated the diffusion behavior of rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) within single octadecylsilyl-functionalized (ODS) silica particle in an acetonitrile (ACN)/water system using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). FCS measurements were conducted at the center of the particle to exclusively determine the intraparticle diffusion coefficient (D). The obtained D values were analyzed based on a pore and surface diffusion model, the results of which indicate that surface diffusion primarily governs the intraparticle diffusion of Rh6G. Furthermore, an increase in the concentration of ACN (CACN) resulted in a corresponding increase in the surface diffusion coefficient (Ds), whereas the addition of NaCl did not significantly affect the Ds values. We attributed this dependence of Ds to the dielectric constant change in the interfacial liquid phase formed on the ODS layer. Specially, Ds values of (4.0 ± 0.5) × 10-7, (7.7 ± 1.1) × 10-7, (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10-6, and (1.1 ± 0.2) × 10-6 cm2 s-1 were obtained for CACN = 20, 30, 40, and 50 vol%, respectively. We anticipate that this approach will contribute to advancing research on intraparticle mass transfer mechanisms.

Integrated Experimental and Mathematical Exploration of Modular Tissue Cultures for Developmental Engineering

Developmental engineering (DE) involves culturing various cells on modular scaffolds (MSs), yielding modular tissues (MTs) assembled into three-dimensional (3D) tissues, mimicking developmental biology. This study employs an integrated approach, merging experimental and mathematical methods to investigate the biological processes in MT cultivation and assembly. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were cultured on tissue culture plastics, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) discs with regular open structures, or spherical poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) MSs, respectively. Notably, HDFs exhibited flattened spindle shapes when adhered to solid surfaces, and complex 3D structures when migrating into the structured voids of PLA discs or interstitial spaces between aggregated PMMA MSs, showcasing coordinated colonization of porous scaffolds. Empirical investigations led to power law models simulating density-dependent cell growth on solid surfaces or voids. Concurrently, a modified diffusion model was applied to simulate oxygen diffusion within tissues cultured on solid surfaces or porous structures. These mathematical models were subsequently combined to explore the influences of initial cell seeding density, culture duration, and oxygen diffusion on MT cultivation and assembly. The findings underscored the intricate interplay of factors influencing MT design for tissue assembly. The integrated approach provides insights into mechanistic aspects, informing bioprocess design for manufacturing MTs and 3D tissues in DE.

How are cell and tissue structure and function influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms?

Progress in mechanobiology allowed us to better understand the important role of mechanical forces in the regulation of biological processes. Space research in the field of life sciences clearly showed that gravity plays a crucial role in biological processes. The space environment offers the unique opportunity to carry out experiments without gravity, helping us not only to understand the effects of gravitational alterations on biological systems but also the mechanisms underlying mechanoperception and cell/tissue response to mechanical and gravitational stresses. Despite the progress made so far, for future space exploration programs it is necessary to increase our knowledge on the mechanotransduction processes as well as on the molecular mechanisms underlying microgravity-induced cell and tissue alterations. This white paper reports the suggestions and recommendations of the SciSpacE Science Community for the elaboration of the section of the European Space Agency roadmap "Biology in Space and Analogue Environments" focusing on "How are cells and tissues influenced by gravity and what are the gravity perception mechanisms?" The knowledge gaps that prevent the Science Community from fully answering this question and the activities proposed to fill them are discussed.

Fluid flow to mimic organ function in 3D in vitro models

Many different strategies can be found in the literature to model organ physiology, tissue functionality, and disease in vitro; however, most of these models lack the physiological fluid dynamics present in vivo. Here, we highlight the importance of fluid flow for tissue homeostasis, specifically in vessels, other lumen structures, and interstitium, to point out the need of perfusion in current 3D in vitro models. Importantly, the advantages and limitations of the different current experimental fluid-flow setups are discussed. Finally, we shed light on current challenges and future focus of fluid flow models applied to the newest bioengineering state-of-the-art platforms, such as organoids and organ-on-a-chip, as the most sophisticated and physiological preclinical platforms.

A 3D Bioprinted In Vitro Model of Pulmonary Artery Atresia to Evaluate Endothelial Cell Response to Microenvironment

Vascular atresia are often treated via transcatheter recanalization or surgical vascular anastomosis due to congenital malformations or coronary occlusions. The cellular response to vascular anastomosis or recanalization is, however, largely unknown and current techniques rely on restoration rather than optimization of flow into the atretic arteries. An improved understanding of cellular response post anastomosis may result in reduced restenosis. Here, an in vitro platform is used to model anastomosis in pulmonary arteries (PAs) and for procedural planning to reduce vascular restenosis. Bifurcated PAs are bioprinted within 3D hydrogel constructs to simulate a reestablished intervascular connection. The PA models are seeded with human endothelial cells and perfused at physiological flow rate to form endothelium. Particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics modeling show close agreement in quantifying flow velocity and wall shear stress within the bioprinted arteries. These data are used to identify regions with greatest levels of shear stress alterations, prone to stenosis. Vascular geometry and flow hemodynamics significantly affect endothelial cell viability, proliferation, alignment, microcapillary formation, and metabolic bioprofiles. These integrated in vitro-in silico methods establish a unique platform to study complex cardiovascular diseases and can lead to direct clinical improvements in surgical planning for diseases of disturbed flow.

Magnetic levitation assisted biofabrication, culture, and manipulation of 3D cellular structures using a ring magnet based setup

Diamagnetic levitation is an emerging technology for remote manipulation of cells in cell and tissue level applications. Low-cost magnetic levitation configurations using permanent magnets are commonly composed of a culture chamber physically sandwiched between two block magnets that limit working volume and applicability. This work describes a single ring magnet-based magnetic levitation system to eliminate physical limitations for biofabrication. Developed configuration utilizes sample culture volume for construct size manipulation and long-term maintenance. Furthermore, our configuration enables convenient transfer of liquid or solid phases during the levitation. Before biofabrication, we first calibrated/ the platform for levitation with polymeric beads, considering the single cell density range of viable cells. By taking advantage of magnetic focusing and cellular self-assembly, millimeter-sized 3D structures were formed and maintained in the system allowing easy and on-site intervention in cell culture with an open operational space. We demonstrated that the levitation protocol could be adapted for levitation of various cell types (i.e., stem cell, adipocyte and cancer cell) representing cells of different densities by modifying the paramagnetic ion concentration that could be also reduced by manipulating the density of the medium. This technique allowed the manipulation and merging of separately formed 3D biological units, as well as the hybrid biofabrication with biopolymers. In conclusion, we believe that this platform will serve as an important tool in broad fields such as bottom-up tissue engineering, drug discovery and developmental biology.

A novel culture method that sustains ERα signaling in human breast cancer tissue microstructures

BACKGROUND

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling is a defining and driving event in most breast cancers; ERα is detected in malignant epithelial cells of 75% of all breast cancers (classified as ER-positive breast cancer) and, in these cases, ERα targeting is the main therapeutic strategy. However, the biological determinants of ERα heterogeneity and the mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance are still elusive, hampered by the challenges in developing experimental models recapitulative of intra-tumoral heterogeneity and in which ERα signaling is sustained. Ex vivo cultures of human breast cancer tissue have been proposed to retain the original tissue architecture, epithelial and stromal cell components and ERα. However, loss of cellularity, viability and ERα expression are well-known culture-related phenomena.

METHODS

BC samples were collected and brought to the laboratory. Then they were minced, enzymatically digested, entrapped in alginate and cultured for 1 month. The histological architecture, cellular composition and cell proliferation of tissue microstructures were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Cell viability was assessed by measurement of cell metabolic activity and histological evaluation. The presence of ERα was accessed by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR and its functionality evaluated by challenge with 17-β-estradiol and fulvestrant.

RESULTS

We describe a strategy based on entrapment of breast cancer tissue microstructures in alginate capsules and their long-term culture under agitation, successfully applied to tissue obtained from 63 breast cancer patients. After 1 month in culture, the architectural features of the encapsulated tissue microstructures were similar to the original patient tumors: epithelial, stromal and endothelial compartments were maintained, with an average of 97% of cell viability compared to day 0. In ERα-positive cases, fibers of collagen, the main extracellular matrix component in vivo, were preserved. ERα expression was at least partially retained at gene and protein levels and response to ERα stimulation and inhibition was observed at the level of downstream targets, demonstrating active ER signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed model system is a new methodology to study ex vivo breast cancer biology, in particular ERα signaling. It is suitable for interrogating the long-term effects of anti-endocrine drugs in a set-up that closely resembles the original tumor microenvironment, with potential application in pre- and co-clinical assays of ERα-positive breast cancer.

A Multimodal Stimulation Cell Culture Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering: A Numerical Modelling Approach

The use of digital twins in tissue engineering (TE) applications is of paramount importance to reduce the number of in vitro and in vivo tests. To pursue this aim, a novel multimodal bioreactor is developed, combining 3D design with numerical stimulation. This approach will facilitate the reproducibility between studies and the platforms optimisation (physical and digital) to enhance TE. The new bioreactor was specifically designed to be additive manufactured, which could not be reproduced with conventional techniques. Specifically, the design suggested allows the application of dual stimulation (electrical and mechanical) of a scaffold cell culture. For the selection of the most appropriate material for bioreactor manufacturing several materials were assessed for their cytotoxicity. Numerical modelling methods were then applied to the new bioreactor using one of the most appropriate material (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified (PETG)) to find the optimal stimulation input parameters for bone TE based on two reported in vitro studies.

Improved osteogenic differentiation of umbilical cord blood MSCs using custom made perfusion bioreactor

Background

3D cell culture is an appropriate method to develop engineered bone tissue, where different bioreactors have been designed to mitigate the challenges in 3D culture. Currently, we tailored a perfusion reactor to witness human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) proliferation and differentiation over polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol (PLA/PEG) composite scaffolds.

Methods

The composite scaffolds with different weight ratios of PLA and PEG were prepared using solvent casting-particulate leaching technique. Human umbilcal card blood MSCs were cultured under dynamic and static conditions to elucidate the role of dynamic fluid flow in osteogenesis of MSCs.

Results

The human MSCs distribution over the scaffolds was confirmed with fluorescent microscopy. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium mineralization, and collagen formation were found to be higher in PLA90 scaffolds than PLA100 and PLA75. PLA90 scaffolds with better cell adhesion/proliferartion were considered for bioreactor studies and they exhibited enhanced ALP, Ca⁺² mineralization and collagen formation under dynamic perfusion than static culture. We further confirmed our observation by looking at expression levels of osteogenic marker (Runx2 and osteonectin) in differentiated MSCs subjected to perfusion culture compared to static culture.

Conclusion

The results of the current investigation once again proves that dynamic perfusion cultures improve the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs over hybrid polymer scaffolds (PLA90) for effective bone regeneration.