1
|
Ky A, McCoy AJ, Flesher CG, Friend NE, Li J, Akinleye K, Patsalis C, Lumeng CN, Putnam AJ, O’Rourke RW. Matrix density regulates adipocyte phenotype. Adipocyte 2023; 12:2268261. [PMID: 37815174 PMCID: PMC10566443 DOI: 10.1080/21623945.2023.2268261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations of the extracellular matrix contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction in metabolic disease. We studied the role of matrix density in regulating human adipocyte phenotype in a tunable hydrogel culture system. Lipid accumulation was maximal in intermediate hydrogel density of 5 weight %, relative to 3% and 10%. Adipogenesis and lipid and oxidative metabolic gene pathways were enriched in adipocytes in 5% relative to 3% hydrogels, while fibrotic gene pathways were enriched in 3% hydrogels. These data demonstrate that the intermediate density matrix promotes a more adipogenic, less fibrotic adipocyte phenotype geared towards increased lipid and aerobic metabolism. These observations contribute to a growing literature describing the role of matrix density in regulating adipose tissue function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ky
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Atticus J. McCoy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Carmen G. Flesher
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Graduate Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicole E. Friend
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kore Akinleye
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Christopher Patsalis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Carey N. Lumeng
- Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew J. Putnam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Robert W. O’Rourke
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Goldshmid R, Simaan-Yameen H, Ifergan L, Loebel C, Burdick JA, Seliktar D. Modulus-dependent effects on neurogenic, myogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional hydrogel cultures. J Biomed Mater Res A 2023; 111:1441-1458. [PMID: 37066837 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37545] [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: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) are of significant interest as a renewable source of therapeutically useful cells. In tissue engineering, hMSCs are implanted within a scaffold to provide enhanced capacity for tissue repair. The present study evaluates how mechanical properties of that scaffold can alter the phenotype and genotype of the cells, with the aim of augmenting hMSC differentiation along the myogenic, neurogenic or chondrogenic linages. The hMSCs were grown three-dimensionally (3D) in a hydrogel comprised of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-conjugated to fibrinogen. The hydrogel's shear storage modulus (G'), which was controlled by increasing the amount of PEG-diacrylate cross-linker in the matrix, was varied in the range of 100-2000 Pascal (Pa). The differentiation into each lineage was initiated by a defined culture medium, and the hMSCs grown in the different modulus hydrogels were characterized using gene and protein expression. Materials having lower storage moduli (G' = 100 Pa) exhibited more hMSCs differentiating to neurogenic lineages. Myogenesis was favored in materials having intermediate modulus values (G' = 500 Pa), whereas chondrogenesis was favored in materials with a higher modulus (G' = 1000 Pa). Enhancing the differentiation pathway of hMSCs in 3D hydrogel scaffolds using simple modifications to mechanical properties represents an important achievement toward the effective application of these cells in tissue engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Revital Goldshmid
- The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- The Interdisciplinary Program for Biotechnology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Haneen Simaan-Yameen
- The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- The Interdisciplinary Program for Biotechnology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Liaura Ifergan
- The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Claudia Loebel
- Materials Science & Engineering Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jason A Burdick
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Dror Seliktar
- The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abdal Dayem A, Lee SB, Lim KM, Kim A, Shin HJ, Vellingiri B, Kim YB, Cho SG. Bioactive peptides for boosting stem cell culture platform: Methods and applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114376. [PMID: 36764131 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides, short protein fragments, can emulate the functions of their full-length native counterparts. Peptides are considered potent recombinant protein alternatives due to their specificity, high stability, low production cost, and ability to be easily tailored and immobilized. Stem cell proliferation and differentiation processes are orchestrated by an intricate interaction between numerous growth factors and proteins and their target receptors and ligands. Various growth factors, functional proteins, and cellular matrix-derived peptides efficiently enhance stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and directed differentiation. For that, peptides can be immobilized on a culture plate or conjugated to scaffolds, such as hydrogels or synthetic matrices. In this review, we assess the applications of a variety of peptides in stem cell adhesion, culture, organoid assembly, proliferation, and differentiation, describing the shortcomings of recombinant proteins and their full-length counterparts. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges of peptide applications in stem cell culture and materials design, as well as provide a brief outlook on future directions to advance peptide applications in boosting stem cell quality and scalability for clinical applications in tissue regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdal Dayem
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Bin Lee
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Min Lim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; R&D Team, StemExOne co., ltd. 303, Life Science Bldg, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Aram Kim
- Department of Urology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; R&D Team, StemExOne co., ltd. 303, Life Science Bldg, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Shin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; R&D Team, StemExOne co., ltd. 303, Life Science Bldg, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Stem cell and Regenerative Medicine/Translational Research, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab (CUPB), Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Young Bong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science & Engineering, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ssang-Goo Cho
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; R&D Team, StemExOne co., ltd. 303, Life Science Bldg, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zheng X, Hou Y, Zhang Q, Zheng Y, Wu Z, Zhang X, Lin JM. 3D microgel with extensively adjustable stiffness and homogeneous microstructure for metastasis analysis of solid tumor. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
|
5
|
Sharick JT, Atieh AJ, Gooch KJ, Leight JL. Click chemistry functionalization of self-assembling peptide hydrogels. J Biomed Mater Res A 2023; 111:389-403. [PMID: 36210776 PMCID: PMC10092743 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37460] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling peptide (SAP) hydrogels provide a fibrous microenvironment to cells while also giving users control of biochemical and mechanical cues. Previously, biochemical cues were introduced by physically mixing them with SAPs prior to hydrogel assembly, or by incorporating them into the SAP sequence during peptide synthesis, which limited flexibility and increased costs. To circumvent these limitations, we developed "Click SAPs," a novel formulation that can be easily functionalized via click chemistry thiol-ene reaction. Due to its high cytocompatibility, the thiol-ene click reaction is currently used to crosslink and functionalize other types of polymeric hydrogels. In this study, we developed a click chemistry compatible SAP platform by addition of a modified lysine (lysine-alloc) to the SAP sequence, enabling effective coupling of thiol-containing molecules to the SAP hydrogel network. We demonstrate the flexibility of this approach by incorporating a fluorescent dye, a cellular adhesion peptide, and a matrix metalloproteinase-sensitive biosensor using the thiol-ene reaction in 3D Click SAPs. Using atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that Click SAPs retain the ability to self-assemble into fibers, similar to previous systems. Additionally, a range of physiologically relevant stiffnesses can be achieved by adjusting SAP concentration. Encapsulated cells maintain high viability in Click SAPs and can interact with adhesion peptides and a matrix metalloproteinase biosensor, demonstrating that incorporated molecules retain their biological activity. The Click SAP platform supports easier functionalization with a wider array of bioactive molecules and enables new investigations with temporal and spatial control of the cellular microenvironment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe T Sharick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,The Center for Cancer Engineering, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Angelina J Atieh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,The Center for Cancer Engineering, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Keith J Gooch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jennifer L Leight
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,The Center for Cancer Engineering, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sedighi M, Shrestha N, Mahmoudi Z, Khademi Z, Ghasempour A, Dehghan H, Talebi SF, Toolabi M, Préat V, Chen B, Guo X, Shahbazi MA. Multifunctional Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15051160. [PMID: 36904404 PMCID: PMC10007692 DOI: 10.3390/polym15051160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly is a growth mechanism in nature to apply local interactions forming a minimum energy structure. Currently, self-assembled materials are considered for biomedical applications due to their pleasant features, including scalability, versatility, simplicity, and inexpensiveness. Self-assembled peptides can be applied to design and fabricate different structures, such as micelles, hydrogels, and vesicles, by diverse physical interactions between specific building blocks. Among them, bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of peptide hydrogels have introduced them as versatile platforms in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensing, and treating different diseases. Moreover, peptides are capable of mimicking the microenvironment of natural tissues and responding to internal and external stimuli for triggered drug release. In the current review, the unique characteristics of peptide hydrogels and recent advances in their design, fabrication, as well as chemical, physical, and biological properties are presented. Additionally, recent developments of these biomaterials are discussed with a particular focus on their biomedical applications in targeted drug delivery and gene delivery, stem cell therapy, cancer therapy and immune regulation, bioimaging, and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Sedighi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853076, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853076, Iran
| | - Neha Shrestha
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biomedicine and Translational Research, Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kathmandu P.O. Box 7731, Nepal
| | - Zahra Mahmoudi
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan 6517838636, Iran
| | - Zahra Khademi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9177948954, Iran
| | - Alireza Ghasempour
- Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853076, Iran
| | - Hamideh Dehghan
- Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853076, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Fahimeh Talebi
- Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand 9717853076, Iran
| | - Maryam Toolabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Véronique Préat
- Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bozhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xindong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Correspondence: (X.G.); (M.-A.S.)
| | - Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
- W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (X.G.); (M.-A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bai L, Han Q, Meng Z, Chen B, Qu X, Xu M, Su Y, Qiu Z, Xue Y, He J, Zhang J, Yin Z. Bioprinted living tissue constructs with layer-specific, growth factor-loaded microspheres for improved enthesis healing of a rotator cuff. Acta Biomater 2022; 154:275-289. [PMID: 36328126 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Substantial challenges remain in constructing the native tendon-to-bone interface for rotator cuff healing owing to the enthesis tissues' highly organized structural and compositional gradients. Herein, we propose to bioprint living tissue constructs with layer-specific growth factors (GFs) to promote enthesis regeneration by guiding the zonal differentiation of the loaded stem cells in situ. The sustained release of tenogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic GFs was achieved via microsphere-based delivery carriers embedded in the bioprinted constructs. Compared to the basal construct without GFs, the layer-specific tissue analogs realized region-specific differentiation of stem cells in vitro. More importantly, bioprinted living tissue constructs with layer-specific GFs rapidly enhanced the enthesis regeneration in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model in terms of biomechanical restoration, collagen deposition, and alignment, showing gradient interface of fibrocartilage structures with aligned collagen fibrils and an ultimate load failure of 154.3 ± 9.5 N resembling those of native enthesis tissues in 12 weeks. This exploration provides a feasible strategy to engineer living tissue constructions with region-specific differentiation potentials for the functional repair of gradient enthesis tissues. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Previous studies that employed acellular layer-specific scaffolds or stem cells for the reconstruction of the rotator cuff faced challenges due to their insufficient capability to rebuild the anisotropic compositional and structural gradients of native enthesis tissues. This manuscript proposed a living tissue construct with layer-specific, GFs-loaded µS, which can direct in situ and region-specific differentiation of the embedded stem cells to tenogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages for functional regeneration of the enthesis tissues. This bioprinted living tissue construct with the unique capability to reduce fibrovascular scar tissue formation and simultaneously facilitate enthesis tissue remodeling might provide a promising strategy to repair complex and gradient tissues in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lang Bai
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China; State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Qian Han
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China; State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zijie Meng
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Baojun Chen
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 450003, China
| | - Xiaoli Qu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Meiguang Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yanwen Su
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zhennan Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jiankang He
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, 229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an 710069, China.
| | - Zhanhai Yin
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gray VP, Amelung CD, Duti IJ, Laudermilch EG, Letteri RA, Lampe KJ. Biomaterials via peptide assembly: Design, characterization, and application in tissue engineering. Acta Biomater 2022; 140:43-75. [PMID: 34710626 PMCID: PMC8829437 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A core challenge in biomaterials, with both fundamental significance and technological relevance, concerns the rational design of bioactive microenvironments. Designed properly, peptides can undergo supramolecular assembly into dynamic, physical hydrogels that mimic the mechanical, topological, and biochemical features of native tissue microenvironments. The relatively facile, inexpensive, and automatable preparation of peptides, coupled with low batch-to-batch variability, motivates the expanded use of assembling peptide hydrogels for biomedical applications. Integral to realizing dynamic peptide assemblies as functional biomaterials for tissue engineering is an understanding of the molecular and macroscopic features that govern assembly, morphology, and biological interactions. In this review, we first discuss the design of assembling peptides, including primary structure (sequence), secondary structure (e.g., α-helix and β-sheets), and molecular interactions that facilitate assembly into multiscale materials with desired properties. Next, we describe characterization tools for elucidating molecular structure and interactions, morphology, bulk properties, and biological functionality. Understanding of these characterization methods enables researchers to access a variety of approaches in this ever-expanding field. Finally, we discuss the biological properties and applications of peptide-based biomaterials for engineering several important tissues. By connecting molecular features and mechanisms of assembling peptides to the material and biological properties, we aim to guide the design and characterization of peptide-based biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Engineering peptide-based biomaterials that mimic the topological and mechanical properties of natural extracellular matrices provide excellent opportunities to direct cell behavior for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Here we review the molecular-scale features of assembling peptides that result in biomaterials that exhibit a variety of relevant extracellular matrix-mimetic properties and promote beneficial cell-biomaterial interactions. Aiming to inspire and guide researchers approaching this challenge from both the peptide biomaterial design and tissue engineering perspectives, we also present characterization tools for understanding the connection between peptide structure and properties and highlight the use of peptide-based biomaterials in neural, orthopedic, cardiac, muscular, and immune engineering applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent P Gray
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
| | - Connor D Amelung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
| | - Israt Jahan Duti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
| | - Emma G Laudermilch
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States
| | - Rachel A Letteri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States.
| | - Kyle J Lampe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Alcala-Orozco CR, Mutreja I, Cui X, Hooper GJ, Lim KS, Woodfield TBF. Hybrid biofabrication of 3D osteoconductive constructs comprising Mg-based nanocomposites and cell-laden bioinks for bone repair. Bone 2022; 154:116198. [PMID: 34534709 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineering approaches for bone repair have rapidly evolved due to the development of novel biofabrication technologies, providing an opportunity to fabricate anatomically-accurate living implants with precise placement of specific cell types. However, limited availability of biomaterial inks, that can be 3D-printed with high resolution, while providing high structural support and the potential to direct cell differentiation and maturation towards the osteogenic phenotype, remains an ongoing challenge. Aiming towards a multifunctional biomaterial ink with high physical stability and biological functionality, this work describes the development of a nanocomposite biomaterial ink (Mg-PCL) comprising of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles (Mg) and polycaprolactone (PCL) thermoplastic for 3D printing of strong and bioactive bone regenerative scaffolds. We characterised the Mg nanoparticle system and systematically investigated the cytotoxic and osteogenic effects of Mg supplementation to human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) 2D-cultures. Next, we prepared Mg-PCL biomaterial ink using a solvent casting method, and studied the effect of Mg over mechanical properties, printability and scaffold degradation. Furthermore, we delivered MSCs within Mg-PCL scaffolds using a gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) matrix, and evaluated the effect of Mg over cell viability and osteogenic differentiation. Nanocomposite Mg-PCL could be printed with high fidelity at 20 wt% of Mg content, and generated a mechanical reinforcement between 30%-400% depending on the construct internal geometry. We show that Mg-PCL degrades faster than standard PCL in an accelerated-degradation assay, which has positive implications towards in vivo implant degradation and bone regeneration. Mg-PCL did not affect MSCs viability, but enhanced osteogenic differentiation and bone-specific matrix deposition, as demonstrated by higher ALP/DNA levels and Alizarin Red calcium staining. Finally, we present proof of concept of Mg-PCL being utilised in combination with a bone-specific bioink (Sr-GelMA) in a coordinated-extrusion bioprinting strategy for fabrication of hybrid constructs with high stability and synergistic biological functionality. Mg-PCL further enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated MSCs and supported bone ECM deposition within the bioink component of the hybrid construct, evidenced by mineralised nodule formation, osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen type-I (Col I) expression within the bioink filaments. This study demonstrated that magnesium-based nanocomposite bioink material optimised for extrusion-based 3D printing of bone regenerative scaffolds provide enhanced mechanical stability and bone-related bioactivity with promising potential for skeletal tissue regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cesar R Alcala-Orozco
- Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand; Light-Activated Biomaterials (LAB) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Isha Mutreja
- Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Xiaolin Cui
- Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Gary J Hooper
- Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand; Centre of Research Excellence in Medical Technologies (MedTech CoRE), Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Khoon S Lim
- Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand; Light-Activated Biomaterials (LAB) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand; Centre of Research Excellence in Medical Technologies (MedTech CoRE), Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Tim B F Woodfield
- Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering (CReaTE) Group, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand; Centre of Research Excellence in Medical Technologies (MedTech CoRE), Auckland, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hayaei Tehrani RS, Hajari MA, Ghorbaninejad Z, Esfandiari F. Droplet microfluidic devices for organized stem cell differentiation into germ cells: capabilities and challenges. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:1245-1271. [PMID: 35059040 PMCID: PMC8724463 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00907-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Demystifying the mechanisms that underlie germline development and gamete production is critical for expanding advanced therapies for infertile couples who cannot benefit from current infertility treatments. However, the low number of germ cells, particularly in the early stages of development, represents a serious challenge in obtaining sufficient materials required for research purposes. In this regard, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have provided an opportunity for producing an unlimited source of germ cells in vitro. Achieving this ambition is highly dependent on accurate stem cell niche reconstitution which is achievable through applying advanced cell engineering approaches. Recently, hydrogel microparticles (HMPs), as either microcarriers or microcapsules, have shown promising potential in providing an excellent 3-dimensional (3D) biomimetic microenvironment alongside the systematic bioactive agent delivery. In this review, recent studies of utilizing various HMP-based cell engineering strategies for appropriate niche reconstitution and efficient in vitro differentiation are highlighted with a special focus on the capabilities of droplet-based microfluidic (DBM) technology. We believe that a deep understanding of the current limitations and potentials of the DBM systems in integration with stem cell biology provides a bright future for germ cell research. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12551-021-00907-5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reyhaneh Sadat Hayaei Tehrani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, 1665659911 Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Hajari
- Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeynab Ghorbaninejad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, 1665659911 Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Esfandiari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, 16635-148, 1665659911 Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vernerey FJ, Lalitha Sridhar S, Muralidharan A, Bryant SJ. Mechanics of 3D Cell-Hydrogel Interactions: Experiments, Models, and Mechanisms. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11085-11148. [PMID: 34473466 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are highly water-swollen molecular networks that are ideal platforms to create tissue mimetics owing to their vast and tunable properties. As such, hydrogels are promising cell-delivery vehicles for applications in tissue engineering and have also emerged as an important base for ex vivo models to study healthy and pathophysiological events in a carefully controlled three-dimensional environment. Cells are readily encapsulated in hydrogels resulting in a plethora of biochemical and mechanical communication mechanisms, which recapitulates the natural cell and extracellular matrix interaction in tissues. These interactions are complex, with multiple events that are invariably coupled and spanning multiple length and time scales. To study and identify the underlying mechanisms involved, an integrated experimental and computational approach is ideally needed. This review discusses the state of our knowledge on cell-hydrogel interactions, with a focus on mechanics and transport, and in this context, highlights recent advancements in experiments, mathematical and computational modeling. The review begins with a background on the thermodynamics and physics fundamentals that govern hydrogel mechanics and transport. The review focuses on two main classes of hydrogels, described as semiflexible polymer networks that represent physically cross-linked fibrous hydrogels and flexible polymer networks representing the chemically cross-linked synthetic and natural hydrogels. In this review, we highlight five main cell-hydrogel interactions that involve key cellular functions related to communication, mechanosensing, migration, growth, and tissue deposition and elaboration. For each of these cellular functions, recent experiments and the most up to date modeling strategies are discussed and then followed by a summary of how to tune hydrogel properties to achieve a desired functional cellular outcome. We conclude with a summary linking these advancements and make the case for the need to integrate experiments and modeling to advance our fundamental understanding of cell-matrix interactions that will ultimately help identify new therapeutic approaches and enable successful tissue engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franck J Vernerey
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0428, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-613, United States
| | - Shankar Lalitha Sridhar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0428, United States
| | - Archish Muralidharan
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-613, United States
| | - Stephanie J Bryant
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-613, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0596, United States.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0596, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Parisi C, Qin K, Fernandes FM. Colonization versus encapsulation in cell-laden materials design: porosity and process biocompatibility determine cellularization pathways. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2021; 379:20200344. [PMID: 34334019 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2020.0344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seeding materials with living cells has been-and still is-one of the most promising approaches to reproduce the complexity and the functionality of living matter. The strategies to associate living cells with materials are limited to cell encapsulation and colonization, however, the requirements for these two approaches have been seldom discussed systematically. Here we propose a simple two-dimensional map based on materials' pore size and the cytocompatibility of their fabrication process to draw, for the first time, a guide to building cellularized materials. We believe this approach may serve as a straightforward guideline to design new, more relevant materials, able to seize the complexity and the function of biological materials. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 1)'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cleo Parisi
- Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Sorbonne Université, UMR7574, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Kankan Qin
- Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Sorbonne Université, UMR7574, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Francisco M Fernandes
- Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Sorbonne Université, UMR7574, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Alcala-Orozco CR, Cui X, Hooper GJ, Lim KS, Woodfield TB. Converging functionality: Strategies for 3D hybrid-construct biofabrication and the role of composite biomaterials for skeletal regeneration. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:188-216. [PMID: 33713862 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, biomaterial development and our increasing understanding of cell biology has created enormous potential for the development of personalized regenerative therapies. In the context of skeletal tissue engineering, physical and biological demands play key roles towards successful construct implantation and the achievement of bone, cartilage and blood vessel tissue formation. Nevertheless, meeting such physical and biological demands to mimic the complexity of human tissues and their functionality is still a significant ongoing challenge. Recent studies have demonstrated that combination of AM technologies and advanced biomaterials has great potential towards skeletal tissue engineering. This review aims to analyze how the most prominent technologies and discoveries in the field converge towards the development of advanced constructs for skeletal regeneration. Particular attention is placed on hybrid biofabrication strategies, combining bioinks for cell delivery with biomaterial inks providing physical support. Hybrid biofabrication has been the focus of recent emerging strategies, however there has been limited review and analysis of these techniques and the challenges involved. Furthermore, we have identified that there are multiple hybrid fabrication strategies, here we present a category system where each strategy is reviewed highlighting their distinct advantages, challenges and potential applications. In addition, bioinks and biomaterial inks are the main components of the hybrid biofabrication strategies, where it is recognized that such platforms still lack optimal physical and biological functionality. Thus, this review also explores the development of composite materials specifically targeting the enhancement of physical and biological functionality towards improved skeletal tissue engineering. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biofabrication strategies capable of recreating the complexity of native tissues could open new clinical possibilities towards patient-specific regenerative therapies and disease models. Several reviews target the existing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies that may be utilised for biomedical purposes. However, this work presents a unique perspective, describing how such AM technologies have been recently translated towards hybrid fabrication strategies, targeting the fabrication of constructs with converging physical and biological properties. Furthermore, we address composite bioinks and biomaterial inks that have been engineered to overcome traditional limitations, and might be applied to the hybrid fabrication strategies outlined. This work offers ample perspectives and insights into the current and future challenges for the fabrication of skeletal tissues aiming towards clinical and biomedical applications.
Collapse
|
14
|
El-Rashidy AA, El Moshy S, Radwan IA, Rady D, Abbass MMS, Dörfer CE, Fawzy El-Sayed KM. Effect of Polymeric Matrix Stiffness on Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells: Concise Review. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2950. [PMID: 34502988 PMCID: PMC8434088 DOI: 10.3390/polym13172950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) have a multi-differentiation potential into specialized cell types, with remarkable regenerative and therapeutic results. Several factors could trigger the differentiation of MSCs into specific lineages, among them the biophysical and chemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including its stiffness, composition, topography, and mechanical properties. MSCs can sense and assess the stiffness of extracellular substrates through the process of mechanotransduction. Through this process, the extracellular matrix can govern and direct MSCs' lineage commitment through complex intracellular pathways. Hence, various biomimetic natural and synthetic polymeric matrices of tunable stiffness were developed and further investigated to mimic the MSCs' native tissues. Customizing scaffold materials to mimic cells' natural environment is of utmost importance during the process of tissue engineering. This review aims to highlight the regulatory role of matrix stiffness in directing the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, addressing how MSCs sense and respond to their ECM, in addition to listing different polymeric biomaterials and methods used to alter their stiffness to dictate MSCs' differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aiah A. El-Rashidy
- Biomaterials Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt;
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
| | - Sara El Moshy
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Israa Ahmed Radwan
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Dina Rady
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Marwa M. S. Abbass
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Christof E. Dörfer
- Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Christian Albrechts University, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Karim M. Fawzy El-Sayed
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Christian Albrechts University, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
- Oral Medicine and Periodontology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Graceffa V. Physical and mechanical cues affecting biomaterial-mediated plasmid DNA delivery: insights into non-viral delivery systems. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2021; 19:90. [PMID: 34142237 PMCID: PMC8211807 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00194-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whilst traditional strategies to increase transfection efficiency of non-viral systems aimed at modifying the vector or the polyplexes/lipoplexes, biomaterial-mediated gene delivery has recently sparked increased interest. This review aims at discussing biomaterial properties and unravelling underlying mechanisms of action, for biomaterial-mediated gene delivery. DNA internalisation and cytoplasmic transport are initially discussed. DNA immobilisation, encapsulation and surface-mediated gene delivery (SMD), the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) and topographical cues, biomaterial stiffness and mechanical stimulation are finally outlined. MAIN TEXT Endocytic pathways and mechanisms to escape the lysosomal network are highly variable. They depend on cell and DNA complex types but can be diverted using appropriate biomaterials. 3D scaffolds are generally fabricated via DNA immobilisation or encapsulation. Degradation rate and interaction with the vector affect temporal patterns of DNA release and transgene expression. In SMD, DNA is instead coated on 2D surfaces. SMD allows the incorporation of topographical cues, which, by inducing cytoskeletal re-arrangements, modulate DNA endocytosis. Incorporation of ECM mimetics allows cell type-specific transfection, whereas in spite of discordances in terms of optimal loading regimens, it is recognised that mechanical loading facilitates gene transfection. Finally, stiffer 2D substrates enhance DNA internalisation, whereas in 3D scaffolds, the role of stiffness is still dubious. CONCLUSION Although it is recognised that biomaterials allow the creation of tailored non-viral gene delivery systems, there still are many outstanding questions. A better characterisation of endocytic pathways would allow the diversion of cell adhesion processes and cytoskeletal dynamics, in order to increase cellular transfection. Further research on optimal biomaterial mechanical properties, cell ligand density and loading regimens is limited by the fact that such parameters influence a plethora of other different processes (e.g. cellular adhesion, spreading, migration, infiltration, and proliferation, DNA diffusion and release) which may in turn modulate gene delivery. Only a better understanding of these processes may allow the creation of novel robust engineered systems, potentially opening up a whole new area of biomaterial-guided gene delivery for non-viral systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Graceffa
- Cellular Health and Toxicology Research Group (CHAT), Institute of Technology Sligo, Ash Ln, Bellanode, Sligo, Ireland.
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology Sligo, Ash Ln, Bellanode, Sligo, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
A Collagen-Mimetic Organic-Inorganic Hydrogel for Cartilage Engineering. Gels 2021; 7:gels7020073. [PMID: 34203914 PMCID: PMC8293055 DOI: 10.3390/gels7020073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Promising strategies for cartilage regeneration rely on the encapsulation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in a hydrogel followed by an injection into the injured joint. Preclinical and clinical data using MSCs embedded in a collagen gel have demonstrated improvements in patients with focal lesions and osteoarthritis. However, an improvement is often observed in the short or medium term due to the loss of the chondrocyte capacity to produce the correct extracellular matrix and to respond to mechanical stimulation. Developing novel biomimetic materials with better chondroconductive and mechanical properties is still a challenge for cartilage engineering. Herein, we have designed a biomimetic chemical hydrogel based on silylated collagen-mimetic synthetic peptides having the ability to encapsulate MSCs using a biorthogonal sol-gel cross-linking reaction. By tuning the hydrogel composition using both mono- and bi-functional peptides, we succeeded in improving its mechanical properties, yielding a more elastic scaffold and achieving the survival of embedded MSCs for 21 days as well as the up-regulation of chondrocyte markers. This biomimetic long-standing hybrid hydrogel is of interest as a synthetic and modular scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
Collapse
|
17
|
Xiang S, Li Z, Fritch MR, Li L, Velankar S, Liu Y, Sohn J, Baker N, Lin H, Tuan RS. Caveolin-1 mediates soft scaffold-enhanced adipogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:347. [PMID: 34127047 PMCID: PMC8201886 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02356-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) can differentiate into adipocytes upon stimulation and are considered an appropriate cell source for adipose tissue engineering. In addition to biochemical cues, the stiffness of a substrate that cells attach to has also been shown to affect hBMSC differentiation potential. Of note, most current studies are conducted on monolayer cultures which do not directly inform adipose tissue engineering, where 3-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are often used to create proper tissue architecture. In this study, we aim to examine the adipogenic differentiation of hBMSCs within soft or stiff scaffolds and investigate the molecular mechanism mediating the response of hBMSCs to substrate stiffness in 3D culture, specifically the involvement of the integral membrane protein, caveolin-1 (CAV1), known to regulate signaling in MSCs via compartmentalizing and concentrating signaling molecules. METHODS By adjusting the photo-illumination time, photocrosslinkable gelatin scaffolds with the same polymer concentration but different stiffnesses were created. hBMSCs were seeded within soft and stiff scaffolds, and their response to adipogenic induction under different substrate mechanical conditions was characterized. The functional involvement of CAV1 was assessed by suppressing its expression level using CAV1-specific siRNA. RESULTS The soft and stiff scaffolds used in this study had a compressive modulus of ~0.5 kPa and ~23.5 kPa, respectively. hBMSCs showed high viability in both scaffold types, but only spread out in the soft scaffolds. hBMSCs cultured in soft scaffolds displayed significantly higher adipogenesis, as revealed by histology, qRT-PCR, and immunostaining. Interestingly, a lower CAV1 level was observed in hBMSCs in the soft scaffolds, concomitantly accompanied by increased levels of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and decreased YAP phosphorylation, when compared to cells seeded in the stiff scaffolds. Interestingly, reducing CAV1 expression with siRNA was shown to further enhance hBMSC adipogenesis, which may function through activation of the YAP signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Soft biomaterials support superior adipogenesis of encapsulated hBMSCs in 3D culture, which is partially mediated by the CAV1-YAP axis. Suppressing CAV1 expression levels represents a robust method in the promotion of hBMSC adipogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Xiang
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madalyn R Fritch
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - La Li
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sachin Velankar
- Department of Chem/Petroleum Engineering and Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jihee Sohn
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Present Address: Biogen, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Natasha Baker
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Present Address: Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hang Lin
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. .,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Rocky S Tuan
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. .,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. .,Present Address: Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Childers RC, Lucchesi PA, Gooch KJ. Decreased Substrate Stiffness Promotes a Hypofibrotic Phenotype in Cardiac Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126231. [PMID: 34207723 PMCID: PMC8230133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A hypofibrotic phenotype has been observed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) isolated from a volume overload heart failure model, aortocaval fistula (ACF). This paradoxical phenotype results in decreased ECM synthesis despite increased TGF-β presence. Since ACF results in decreased tissue stiffness relative to control (sham) hearts, this study investigates whether the effects of substrate stiffness could account for the observed hypofibrotic phenotype in CFs isolated from ACF. CFs isolated from ACF and sham hearts were plated on polyacrylamide gels of a range of stiffness (2 kPa to 50 kPa). Markers related to cytoskeletal and fibrotic proteins were measured. Aspects of the hypofibrotic phenotype observed in ACF CFs were recapitulated by sham CFs on soft substrates. For instance, sham CFs on the softest gels compared to ACF CFs on the stiffest gels results in similar CTGF (0.80 vs. 0.76) and transgelin (0.44 vs. 0.57) mRNA expression. The changes due to stiffness may be explained by the observed decreased nuclear translocation of transcriptional regulators, MRTF-A and YAP. ACF CFs appear to have a mechanical memory of a softer environment, supported by a hypofibrotic phenotype overall compared to sham with less YAP detected in the nucleus, and less CTGF and transgelin on all stiffnesses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C. Childers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Pamela A. Lucchesi
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Correspondence: (P.A.L.); (K.J.G.)
| | - Keith J. Gooch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Correspondence: (P.A.L.); (K.J.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
A spatial model of YAP/TAZ signaling reveals how stiffness, dimensionality, and shape contribute to emergent outcomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021571118. [PMID: 33990464 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021571118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
YAP/TAZ is a master regulator of mechanotransduction whose functions rely on translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in response to diverse physical cues. Substrate stiffness, substrate dimensionality, and cell shape are all input signals for YAP/TAZ, and through this pathway, regulate critical cellular functions and tissue homeostasis. Yet, the relative contributions of each biophysical signal and the mechanisms by which they synergistically regulate YAP/TAZ in realistic tissue microenvironments that provide multiplexed input signals remain unclear. For example, in simple two-dimensional culture, YAP/TAZ nuclear localization correlates strongly with substrate stiffness, while in three-dimensional (3D) environments, YAP/TAZ translocation can increase with stiffness, decrease with stiffness, or remain unchanged. Here, we develop a spatial model of YAP/TAZ translocation to enable quantitative analysis of the relationships between substrate stiffness, substrate dimensionality, and cell shape. Our model couples cytosolic stiffness to nuclear mechanics to replicate existing experimental trends, and extends beyond current data to predict that increasing substrate activation area through changes in culture dimensionality, while conserving cell volume, forces distinct shape changes that result in nonlinear effect on YAP/TAZ nuclear localization. Moreover, differences in substrate activation area versus total membrane area can account for counterintuitive trends in YAP/TAZ nuclear localization in 3D culture. Based on this multiscale investigation of the different system features of YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation, we predict that how a cell reads its environment is a complex information transfer function of multiple mechanical and biochemical factors. These predictions reveal a few design principles of cellular and tissue engineering for YAP/TAZ mechanotransduction.
Collapse
|
20
|
Jorgensen MD, Chmielewski J. Reversible crosslinked assembly of a trimeric coiled-coil peptide into a three-dimensional matrix for cell encapsulation and release. J Pept Sci 2021; 28:e3302. [PMID: 33506586 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) continues to be a goal in the field of regenerative medicine. Herein, we report a modified trimeric GCN4 coiled-coil sequence containing three ligands for metal ions specifically positioned for crosslinked assembly (TriCross). In the presence of metal ions, TriCross assembles into a three-dimensional (3D) matrix with significant cavities to accommodate cells. The matrix was found to be stable in media with serum, and mild removal of the metal leads to disassembly. By assembling TriCross with a suspension of cells in media, the matrix encapsulates cells during the assembly process leading to high cell viability. Further disassembly under mild conditions allows for the release of cells from the scaffold. As such, this peptide-based material displays many of the characteristics necessary for successful 3D cell culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean Chmielewski
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ruiter FAA, Sidney LE, Kiick KL, Segal JI, Alexander C, Rose FRAJ. The electrospinning of a thermo-responsive polymer with peptide conjugates for phenotype support and extracellular matrix production of therapeutically relevant mammalian cells. Biomater Sci 2021; 8:2611-2626. [PMID: 32239020 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01965k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Current cell expansion methods for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications rely on the use of enzymatic digestion passaging and 2D platforms. However, this enzymatic treatment significantly reduces cell quality, due to the destruction of important cell-surface proteins. In addition, culture in 2D results in undesired de-differentiation of the cells caused by the lack of 3D similarity to the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Research has led to the development of thermo-responsive surfaces for the continuous culture of cells. These thermo-responsive materials properties can be used to passage cells from the surface when the cell culture temperature is reduced. Here we report the development of a PLA/thermo-responsive (PDEGMA) blend 3D electrospun fibre-based scaffold to create an enzymatic-free 3D cell culture platform for the expansion of mammalian cells with the desired phenotype for clinical use. Human corneal stromal cells (hCSCs) were used as an exemplar as they have been observed to de-differentiate to an undesirable myo-fibroblastic phenotype when cultured by conventional 2D cell culture methods. Scaffolds were functionalised with a cell adherence peptide sequence GGG-YIGSR by thiol-ene chemistry to improve cell adherence and phenotype support. This was obtained by functionalising the thermo-responsive polymer with a thiol (PDEGMA/PDEGSH) by co-polymerisation. These incorporated thiols react with the norbornene acid functionalised peptide (Nor-GGG-YIGSR) under UV exposure. Presence of the thiol in the scaffold and subsequent peptide attachment on the scaffolds were confirmed by fluorescence labelling, ToF-SIMS and XPS analysis. The biocompatibility of the peptide containing scaffolds was assessed by the adhesion, proliferation and immuno-staining of hCSCs. Significant increase in hCSC adherence and proliferation was observed on the peptide containing scaffolds. Immuno-staining showed maintained expression of the desired phenotypic markers ALDH, CD34 and CD105, while showing no or low expression of the undesired phenotype marker α-SMA. This desired expression was observed to be maintained after thermo-responsive passaging and higher when cells were cultured on PLA scaffolds with 10 wt% PDEGMA/4 mol% PDEGS-Nor-GGG-YIGSR. This paper describes the fabrication and application of a first generation, biocompatible peptide conjugated thermo-responsive fibrous scaffold. The ease of fabrication, successful adherence and expansion of a therapeutically relevant cell type makes these scaffolds a promising new class of materials for the application of cell culture expansion platforms in the biomaterials and tissue engineering field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F A A Ruiter
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, UK.
| | - L E Sidney
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, UK.
| | - K L Kiick
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, USA.
| | - J I Segal
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK.
| | - C Alexander
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, UK.
| | - F R A J Rose
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Distler T, Schaller E, Steinmann P, Boccaccini A, Budday S. Alginate-based hydrogels show the same complex mechanical behavior as brain tissue. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 111:103979. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
23
|
Peng F, Zhang W, Qiu F. Self-assembling Peptides in Current Nanomedicine: Versatile Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:4855-4881. [PMID: 31309877 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190712154021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of modern nanomedicine greatly depends on the involvement of novel materials as drug delivery system. In order to maximize the therapeutic effects of drugs and minimize their side effects, a number of natural or synthetic materials have been widely investigated for drug delivery. Among these materials, biomimetic self-assembling peptides (SAPs) have received more attention in recent years. Considering the rapidly growing number of SAPs designed for drug delivery, a summary of how SAPs-based drug delivery systems were designed, would be beneficial. METHOD We outlined research works on different SAPs that have been investigated as carriers for different drugs, focusing on the design of SAPs nanomaterials and how they were used for drug delivery in different strategies. RESULTS Based on the principle rules of chemical complementarity and structural compatibility, SAPs such as ionic self-complementary peptide, peptide amphiphile and surfactant-like peptide could be designed. Determined by the features of peptide materials and the drugs to be delivered, different strategies such as hydrogel embedding, hydrophobic interaction, electrostatic interaction, covalent conjugation or the combination of them could be employed to fabricate SAPs-drug complex, which could achieve slow release, targeted or environment-responsive delivery of drugs. Furthermore, some SAPs could also be combined with other types of materials for drug delivery, or even act as drug by themselves. CONCLUSION Various types of SAPs have been designed and used for drug delivery following various strategies, suggesting that SAPs as a category of versatile nanomaterials have promising potential in the field of nanomedicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Peng
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wensheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Feng Qiu
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Guo Y, Du S, Quan S, Jiang F, Yang C, Li J. Effects of biophysical cues of 3D hydrogels on mesenchymal stem cells differentiation. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:2268-2275. [PMID: 32885847 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
For stem cell research, three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels are increasingly recognized as more physiological systems than two-dimensional culture plates due to bidirectional and 3D interaction of stem cells and surrounding matrix. Among various stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the most widely applied from bench to bedside. In 3D hydrogels, MSCs are allowed to actively remodel the surrounding matrix through proteolytic degradation and cell-exerted force, which highly resembles in vivo situation. Notably, factors affecting hydrogel modifiability including matrix viscoelasticity and matrix degradability have been found to regulate adhesion, morphology, and fate decision of MSCs. In addition, MSCs within 3D hydrogels have been found to employ multiple mechanotransduction mechanisms including not only the classic integrin-actomyosin cytoskeleton system but also ion channels, microtubule cytoskeleton, and self-secreted proteinaceous matrix. This review summarizes the effects of biophysical cues on MSCs differentiation in 3D hydrogels and underlying mechanobiology in a hope to update our readers' understanding of stem cell biology and guide tissue engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Guo
- Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shufang Du
- Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuqi Quan
- Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fulin Jiang
- Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Cai Yang
- Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, West China School of Stomatology, State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Collagen hydrogel confinement of Amyloid-β (Aβ) accelerates aggregation and reduces cytotoxic effects. Acta Biomater 2020; 112:164-173. [PMID: 32464268 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is associated with the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ), a peptide whose aggregation has been associated with neurotoxicity. Drugs targeting Aβ have shown great promise in 2D in vitro models and mouse models, yet preclinical and clinical trials for AD have been highly disappointing. We propose that current in vitro culture systems for discovering and developing AD drugs have significant limitations; specifically, that Aβ aggregation is vastly different in these 2D cultures carried out on flat plastic or glass substrates vs. in a 3D environment, such as brain tissue, where Aβ confinement alters aggregation kinetics and thermodynamics. In this work, we identified attenuation of Aβ cytotoxicity in 3D hydrogel culture compared to 2D cell culture. We investigated Aβ structure and aggregation in solution vs. hydrogel using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), and Thioflavin T (ThT) assays. Our results reveal that the equilibrium is shifted to stable extended β-sheet (ThT positive) aggregates in hydrogels and away from the relatively unstable/unstructured presumed toxic oligomeric Aβ species in solution. Volume exclusion imparted by hydrogel confinement stabilizes unfolded, presumably toxic species, promoting stable extended β-sheet fibrils. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating disease and has been studied for over 100 years. Yet, no cure exists and only 5 prescription drugs are FDA-approved to temporarily treat the AD symptoms of declining brain functions related to thinking and memory. Why don't we have more effective treatments to cure AD or relieve AD symptoms? We propose that current culture methods based upon cells cultured on flat, stiff substrates have significant limitations for discovering and developing AD drugs. This study provides strong evidence that AD drugs should be tested in 3D culture systems as a step along the development pathway towards new, more effective drugs to treat AD.
Collapse
|
26
|
Nguyen AK, Kilian KA. Physicochemical Tools for Visualizing and Quantifying Cell-Generated Forces. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1731-1746. [PMID: 32530602 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To discern how mechanical forces coordinate biological outcomes, methods that map cell-generated forces in a spatiotemporal manner, and at cellular length scales, are critical. In their native environment, whether it be within compact multicellular three-dimensional structures or sparsely populated fibrillar networks of the extracellular matrix, cells are constantly exposed to a slew of physical forces acting on them from all directions. At the same time, cells exert highly localized forces of their own on their surroundings and on neighboring cells. Together, the generation and transmission of these forces can control diverse cellular activities and behavior as well as influence cell fate decisions. To thoroughly understand these processes, we must first be able to characterize and measure such forces. However, our experimental needs and technical capabilities are in discord-while it is apparent that we should study cell-generated forces within more biologically relevant 3D environments, this goal remains challenging because of caveats associated with complex "sensing-transduction-readout" modalities. In this Review, we will discuss the latest techniques for measuring cell-generated forces. We will highlight recent advances in traction force microscopy and examine new alternative approaches for quantifying cell-generated forces, both of individual cells and within 3D tissues. Finally, we will explore the future direction of novel cellular force-sensing tools in the context of mechanobiology and next-generation biomaterials design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley K. Nguyen
- School of Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- School of Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hu T, Cui X, Zhu M, Wu M, Tian Y, Yao B, Song W, Niu Z, Huang S, Fu X. 3D-printable supramolecular hydrogels with shear-thinning property: fabricating strength tunable bioink via dual crosslinking. Bioact Mater 2020; 5:808-818. [PMID: 32637745 PMCID: PMC7317699 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
3-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology provides promising strategy in the fabrication of artificial tissues and organs. As the fundamental element in bioprinting process, preparation of bioink with ideal mechanical properties without sacrifice of biocompatibility is a great challenge. In this study, a supramolecular hydrogel-based bioink is prepared by polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted chitosan, α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) and gelatin. It has a primary crosslinking structure through the aggregation of the pseudo-polyrotaxane-like side chains, which are formed from the host-guest interactions between α-CD and PEG side chain. Apparent viscosity measurement shows the shear-shinning property of this bioink, which might be due to the reversibility of the physical crosslinking. Moreover, with β-glycerophosphate at different concentrations as the secondary crosslinking agent, the printed constructs demonstrate different Young's modulus (p < 0.001). They could also maintain the Young's modulus in cell culture condition for at least 21 days (p < 0.05). By co-culturing each component with fibroblasts, CCK-8 assay demonstrate cellular viability is higher than 80%. After bioprinting and culturing, immunofluorescence staining with quantification indicate the expression of Ki-67, Paxillin, and N-cadherin is higher in day 14 than those in day 3 (p < 0.05). Oil red O and Nissl body specific staining reflect strength tunable bioink may have impact on the cell fate of mesenchymal stem cells (p < 0.05). This work might provide new idea for advanced bioink in the application of re-establishing complicated tissues and organs. Supramolecular bioink demonstrates good shear-shinning property. Dual crosslinking provides the bioink with tunable strength. Tunable strength facilitates stem cells lineage differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Hu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, 51 Fu Cheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China.,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Xiaoliang Cui
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Man Wu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Bin Yao
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, 51 Fu Cheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Wei Song
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, 51 Fu Cheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Zhongwei Niu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Sha Huang
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, 51 Fu Cheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Xiaobing Fu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, PR China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, 51 Fu Cheng Road, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Distler T, McDonald K, Heid S, Karakaya E, Detsch R, Boccaccini AR. Ionically and Enzymatically Dual Cross-Linked Oxidized Alginate Gelatin Hydrogels with Tunable Stiffness and Degradation Behavior for Tissue Engineering. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3899-3914. [PMID: 33463325 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels that allow for the successful long-term in vitro culture of cell-biomaterial systems to enable the maturation of tissue engineering constructs are highly relevant in regenerative medicine. Naturally derived polysaccharide-based hydrogels promise to be one material group with enough versatility and chemical functionalization capability to tackle the challenges associated with long-term cell culture. We report a marine derived oxidized alginate, alginate dialdehyde (ADA), and gelatin (GEL) system (ADA-GEL), which is cross-linked via ionic (Ca2+) and enzymatic (microbial transglutaminase, mTG) interaction to form dually cross-linked hydrogels. The cross-linking approach allowed us to tailor the stiffness of the hydrogels in a wide range (from <5 to 120 kPa), without altering the initial ADA and GEL hydrogel chemistry. It was possible to control the degradation behavior of the hydrogels to be stable for up to 30 days of incubation. Increasing concentrations of mTG cross-linker solutions allowed us to tune the degradation behavior of the ADA-GEL hydrogels from fast (<7 days) to moderate (14 days) and slow (>30 days) degradation kinetics. The cytocompatibility of mTG cross-linked ADA-GEL was assessed using NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and ATDC-5 mouse teratocarcinoma cells. Both cell types showed highly increased cellular attachment on mTG cross-linked ADA-GEL in comparison to Ca2+ cross-linked hydrogels. In addition, ATDC-5 cells showed a higher proliferation on mTG cross-linked ADA-GEL hydrogels in comparison to tissue culture polystyrene control substrates. Further, the attachment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on ADA-GEL (+) mTG was confirmed, proving the suitability of mTG+Ca2+ cross-linked ADA-GEL for several cell types. Summarizing, a promising platform to control the properties of ADA-GEL hydrogels is presented, with the potential to be applied in long-term cell culture investigations such as cartilage, bone, and blood-vessel engineering, as well as for biofabrication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Distler
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kilian McDonald
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Heid
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Emine Karakaya
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Detsch
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aldo R Boccaccini
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Cauerstr. 6, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang K, Man K, Liu J, Liu Y, Chen Q, Zhou Y, Yang Y. Microphysiological Systems: Design, Fabrication, and Applications. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3231-3257. [PMID: 33204830 PMCID: PMC7668566 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems, including organoids, 3-D printed tissue constructs and organ-on-a-chips (organ chips), are physiologically relevant in vitro models and have experienced explosive growth in the past decades. Different from conventional, tissue culture plastic-based in vitro models or animal models, microphysiological systems recapitulate key microenvironmental characteristics of human organs and mimic their primary functions. The advent of microphysiological systems is attributed to evolving biomaterials, micro-/nanotechnologies and stem cell biology, which enable the precise control over the matrix properties and the interactions between cells, tissues and organs in physiological conditions. As such, microphysiological systems have been developed to model a broad spectrum of organs from microvasculature, eye, to lung and many others to understand human organ development and disease pathology and facilitate drug discovery. Multiorgans-on-a-chip systems have also been developed by integrating multiple associated organ chips in a single platform, which allows to study and employ the organ function in a systematic approach. Here we first discuss the design principles of microphysiological systems with a focus on the anatomy and physiology of organs, and then review the commonly used fabrication techniques and biomaterials for microphysiological systems. Subsequently, we discuss the recent development of microphysiological systems, and provide our perspectives on advancing microphysiological systems for preclinical investigation and drug discovery of human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Kun Man
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Jiafeng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| | - Yang Liu
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, United States
| | - Qi Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Emergency, Xinqiao Hospital, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76207, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hogrebe NJ, Augsornworawat P, Maxwell KG, Velazco-Cruz L, Millman JR. Targeting the cytoskeleton to direct pancreatic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:460-470. [PMID: 32094658 PMCID: PMC7274216 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Generation of pancreatic β cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) holds promise as a cell replacement therapy for diabetes. In this study, we establish a link between the state of the actin cytoskeleton and the expression of pancreatic transcription factors that drive pancreatic lineage specification. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated that different degrees of actin polymerization biased cells toward various endodermal lineages and that conditions favoring a polymerized cytoskeleton strongly inhibited neurogenin 3-induced endocrine differentiation. Using latrunculin A to depolymerize the cytoskeleton during endocrine induction, we developed a two-dimensional differentiation protocol for generating human pluripotent stem-cell-derived β (SC-β) cells with improved in vitro and in vivo function. SC-β cells differentiated from four hPSC lines exhibited first- and second-phase dynamic glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Transplantation of islet-sized aggregates of these cells rapidly reversed severe preexisting diabetes in mice at a rate close to that of human islets and maintained normoglycemia for at least 9 months.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J Hogrebe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristina G Maxwell
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhong J, Yang Y, Liao L, Zhang C. Matrix stiffness-regulated cellular functions under different dimensionalities. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:2734-2755. [DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01809c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The microenvironments that cells encounter with in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instruments (Sun Yat-sen University)
- School of Biomedical Engineering
- Sun Yat-Sen University
- Guangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Yuexiong Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instruments (Sun Yat-sen University)
- School of Biomedical Engineering
- Sun Yat-Sen University
- Guangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Liqiong Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering
- Biomaterials Research Center
- School of Biomedical Engineering
- Southern Medical University
- Guangzhou
| | - Chao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instruments (Sun Yat-sen University)
- School of Biomedical Engineering
- Sun Yat-Sen University
- Guangzhou
- P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Millar-Haskell CS, Dang AM, Gleghorn JP. Coupling synthetic biology and programmable materials to construct complex tissue ecosystems. MRS COMMUNICATIONS 2019; 9:421-432. [PMID: 31485382 PMCID: PMC6724541 DOI: 10.1557/mrc.2019.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology combines engineering and biology to produce artificial systems with programmable features. Specifically, engineered microenvironments have advanced immensely over the past few decades, owing in part to the merging of materials with biological mimetic structures. In this review, we adapt a traditional definition of community ecology to describe "cellular ecology", or the study of the distribution of cell populations and interactions within their microenvironment. We discuss two exemplar hydrogel platforms: (1) self-assembling peptide (SAP) hydrogels and (2) Poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) hydrogels and describe future opportunities for merging smart material design and synthetic biology within the scope of multicellular platforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Allyson M. Dang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Jason P. Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Fakhouri AS, Weist JL, Tomusko AR, Leight JL. High-Throughput Three-Dimensional Hydrogel Cell Encapsulation Assay for Measuring Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2019; 17:100-115. [PMID: 30958702 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2018.877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems more closely mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment than traditional two-dimensional cell culture methods, making them a valuable tool in drug screening assays. However, 3D environments often make analysis of cellular responses more difficult, so most high-throughput (HT) 3D assays have been limited to measurements of cell viability. Yet, many other cell functions contribute to disease and are important pharmacological targets. Therefore, there is a need for new technologies that enable HT measurements of a wider range of cell functions for drug screening. Here, we have adapted a hydrogel system that enables cells to be cultured in a 3D environment and allows for the simultaneous detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and metabolic activities. This system was then characterized for utility in HT screening approaches. MMPs are critical regulators of tissue homeostasis and are upregulated in many diseases, such as arthritis and cancer. The developed assay achieved Z'-factor values above 0.9 and 0.5 for enzymatic and cellular assays, respectively, intraplate coefficients of variation (%CV) below 10% and 12%, respectively, and signal measurement was unaffected by dimethyl sulfoxide, a common solvent of therapeutic compounds. Human MMP-1, -2, and -9 resulted in a significant increase in signal intensity. Encapsulation of several cell types produced robust signals above background noise and within the linear range of the assay. Multiple drugs that are known to alter MMP activity were utilized in a range of concentrations with a fibrosarcoma cell line to demonstrate the feasibility of the assay for HT applications. This assay combines 3D cellular encapsulation and MMP activity detection in HT format, which makes it suitable for drug screening and development applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S Fakhouri
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio.,3 Biomedical Technology Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jessica L Weist
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Anthony R Tomusko
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jennifer L Leight
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Rufaihah AJ, Cheyyatraivendran S, Mazlan MDM, Lim K, Chong MSK, Mattar CNZ, Chan JKY, Kofidis T, Seliktar D. The Effect of Scaffold Modulus on the Morphology and Remodeling of Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1555. [PMID: 30622472 PMCID: PMC6308149 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogel materials have been successfully used as matrices to explore the role of biophysical and biochemical stimuli in directing stem cell behavior. Here, we present our findings on the role of modulus in guiding bone marrow fetal mesenchymal stem cell (BMfMSC) fate determination using semi-synthetic hydrogels made from PEG-fibrinogen (PF). The BMfMSCs were cultivated in the PF for up to 2 weeks to study the influence of matrix modulus (i.e., cross-linking density of the PF) on BMfMSC survival, morphology and integrin expression. Both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions were employed to examine the BMfMSCs as single cells or as cell spheroids. The hydrogel modulus affected the rate of BMfMSC metabolic activity, the integrin expression levels and the cell morphology, both as single cells and as spheroids. The cell seeding density was also found to be an important parameter of the system in that high densities were favorable in facilitating more cell-to-cell contacts that favored higher metabolic activity. Our findings provide important insight about design of a hydrogel scaffold that can be used to optimize the biological response of BMfMSCs for various tissue engineering applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Jalil Rufaihah
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Suganya Cheyyatraivendran
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Muhammad Danial Mohd Mazlan
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenrich Lim
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mark Seow Khoon Chong
- Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Jerry Kok Yen Chan
- Department of Obstretics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Theodoros Kofidis
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dror Seliktar
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Qiu F, Chen Y, Tang C, Zhao X. Amphiphilic peptides as novel nanomaterials: design, self-assembly and application. Int J Nanomedicine 2018; 13:5003-5022. [PMID: 30214203 PMCID: PMC6128269 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s166403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Designer self-assembling peptides are a category of emerging nanobiomaterials which have been widely investigated in the past decades. In this field, amphiphilic peptides have received special attention for their simplicity in design and versatility in application. This review focuses on recent progress in designer amphiphilic peptides, trying to give a comprehensive overview about this special type of self-assembling peptides. By exploring published studies on several typical types of amphiphilic peptides in recent years, herein we discuss in detail the basic design, self-assembling behaviors and the mechanism of amphiphilic peptides, as well as how their nanostructures are affected by the peptide characteristics or environmental parameters. The applications of these peptides as potential nanomaterials for nanomedicine and nanotechnology are also summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Qiu
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China, .,Institute for Nanobiomedical Technology and Membrane Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China, ,
| | - Yongzhu Chen
- Institute for Nanobiomedical Technology and Membrane Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China, , .,Periodical Press of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chengkang Tang
- Institute for Nanobiomedical Technology and Membrane Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China, , .,Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Institute for Nanobiomedical Technology and Membrane Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China, ,
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Akimoto AM, Niitsu EH, Nagase K, Okano T, Kanazawa H, Yoshida R. Mesenchylmal Stem Cell Culture on Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel with Repeated Thermo-Stimulation. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041253. [PMID: 29690540 PMCID: PMC5979304 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We prepared thermoresponsive hydrogels by mixing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) derivatives as the main chain components, octa-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a crosslinker, and the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptides as cell adhesion units. Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hbmMSCs) were cultured on the hydrogels. The PNIPAAm gel prepared by the post-crosslinking gelation method was revealed to be cytocompatible and showed temperature-dependent changes in mechanical properties. Repeated changes in the swelling ratio of the PNIPAAm gel affected the shape of the hbmMSCs. With respect to both cytocompatibility and reversibility of changes in mechanical properties, the PNIPAAm gel system could be potentially useful for the analysis of cell mechanobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aya Mizutani Akimoto
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Erika Hasuike Niitsu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
| | - Kenichi Nagase
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
| | - Teruo Okano
- Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
| | - Hideko Kanazawa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
| | - Ryo Yoshida
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Independent control of matrix adhesiveness and stiffness within a 3D self-assembling peptide hydrogel. Acta Biomater 2018; 70:110-119. [PMID: 29410241 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A cell's insoluble microenvironment has increasingly been shown to exert influence on its function. In particular, matrix stiffness and adhesiveness strongly impact behaviors such as cell spreading and differentiation, but materials that allow for independent control of these parameters within a fibrous, stromal-like microenvironment are very limited. In the current work, we devise a self-assembling peptide (SAP) system that facilitates user-friendly control of matrix stiffness and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) concentration within a hydrogel possessing a microarchitecture similar to stromal extracellular matrix. In this system, the RGD-modified SAP sequence KFE-RGD and the scrambled sequence KFE-RDG can be directly swapped for one another to change RGD concentration at a given matrix stiffness and total peptide concentration. Stiffness is controlled by altering total peptide concentration, and the unmodified base peptide KFE-8 can be included to further increase this stiffness range due to its higher modulus. With this tunable system, we demonstrate that human mesenchymal stem cell morphology and differentiation are influenced by both gel stiffness and the presence of functional cell binding sites in 3D culture. Specifically, cells 24 hours after encapsulation were only able to spread out in stiffer matrices containing KFE-RGD. Upon addition of soluble adipogenic factors, soft gels facilitated the greatest adipogenesis as determined by the presence of lipid vacuoles and PPARγ-2 expression, while increasing KFE-RGD concentration at a given stiffness had a negative effect on adipogenesis. This three-component hydrogel system thus allows for systematic investigation of matrix stiffness and RGD concentration on cell behavior within a fibrous, three-dimensional matrix. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Physical cues from a cell's surrounding environment-such as the density of cell binding sites and the stiffness of the surrounding material-are increasingly being recognized as key regulators of cell function. Currently, most synthetic biomaterials used to independently tune these parameters lack the fibrous structure characteristic of stromal extracellular matrix, which can be important to cells naturally residing within stromal tissues. In this manuscript, we describe a 3D hydrogel encapsulation system that provides user-friendly control over matrix stiffness and binding site concentration within the context of a stromal-like microarchitecture. Binding site concentration and gel stiffness both influenced cell spreading and differentiation, highlighting the utility of this system to study the independent effects of these material properties on cell function.
Collapse
|
38
|
Sun M, Chi G, Xu J, Tan Y, Xu J, Lv S, Xu Z, Xia Y, Li L, Li Y. Extracellular matrix stiffness controls osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells mediated by integrin α5. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:52. [PMID: 29490668 PMCID: PMC5831741 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation into osteoblasts has important clinical significance in treating bone injury, and the stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been shown to be an important regulatory factor for hMSC differentiation. The aim of this study was to further delineate how matrix stiffness affects intracellular signaling through integrin α5/β1, FAK, and Wnt signaling, subsequently regulating the osteogenic phenotype of hMSCs. Methods hMSCs were cultured on tunable polyacrylamide hydrogels coated with fibronectin with stiffness corresponding to a Young’s modulus of 13–16 kPa and 62–68 kPa. After hMSCs were cultured on gels for 1 week, gene expression of alpha-1typeIcollagen, BGLAP, and RUNX2 were evaluated by real-time PCR. After hMSCs were cultured on gels for 24 h, signaling molecules relating to integrin α5 (FAK, ERK, p-ERK, Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, and β-catenin) were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results Osteogenic differentiation was increased on 62–68 kPa ECM, as evidenced by alpha-1 type I collagen, BGLAP, and RUNX2 gene expression, calcium deposition, and ALP staining. In the process of differentiation, gene and protein expression of integrin α5/β1 increased, together with protein expression of the downstream signaling molecules FAK, p-ERK, p-Akt, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, and β-catenin, indicating that these molecules can affect the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. An antibody blocking integrin α5 suppressed the stiffness-induced expression of all osteoblast markers examined. In particular, alpha-1 type I collagen, RUNX2, and BGLAP were significantly downregulated, indicating that integrin α5 regulates hMSC osteogenic differentiation. Downstream expression of FAK, ERK, p-ERK, and β-catenin protein was unchanged, whereas Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, and p-GSK-3β were upregulated. Moreover, expression of Akt and p-Akt was upregulated with anti-integrin α5 antibody, but no difference was observed for FAK, ERK, and p-ERK between the with or without anti-integrin α5 antibody groups. At the same time, expression of GSK-3β and p-GSK-3β was upregulated and β-catenin levels showed no difference between the groups with or without anti-integrin α5 antibody. Since Akt, p-Akt, GSK-3β, and p-GSK-3β displayed the same changes between the groups with or without anti-integrin α5 antibody, we then detected the links among them. Expression of p-Akt and p-GSK-3β was reduced effectively in the presence of the Akt inhibitor Triciribine. However, Akt, GSK-3β, and β-catenin were unchanged. These results suggested that expression of p-GSK-3β was regulated by p-Akt on 62–68 kPa ECM. Conclusions Taken together, our results provide evidence that matrix stiffness (62–68 kPa) affects the osteogenic outcome of hMSCs through mechanotransduction events that are mediated by integrin α5. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0798-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiyu Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangfan Chi
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Juanjuan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Tan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhan Xia
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisha Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yulin Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sung TC, Li HF, Higuchi A, Ling QD, Yang JS, Tseng YC, Pan CHP, Alarfaj AA, Munusamy MA, Kumar S, Hsu ST, Murugan K. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture on Polyvinyl Alcohol-Co-Itaconic Acid Hydrogels with Varying Stiffness Under Xeno-Free Conditions. J Vis Exp 2018:57314. [PMID: 29443075 PMCID: PMC5912358 DOI: 10.3791/57314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of physical cues, such as the stiffness of biomaterials on the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, has been investigated by several researchers. However, most of these investigators have used polyacrylamide hydrogels for stem cell culture in their studies. Therefore, their results are controversial because those results might originate from the specific characteristics of the polyacrylamide and not from the physical cue (stiffness) of the biomaterials. Here, we describe a protocol for preparing hydrogels, which are not based on polyacrylamide, where various stem, cells including human embryonic stem (ES) cells and human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, can be cultured. Hydrogels with varying stiffness were prepared from bioinert polyvinyl alcohol-co-itaconic acid (P-IA), with stiffness controlled by crosslinking degree by changing crosslinking time. The P-IA hydrogels grafted with and without oligopeptides derived from extracellular matrix were investigated as a future platform for stem cell culture and differentiation. The culture and passage of amniotic fluid stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, human ES cells, and human iPS cells is described in detail here. The oligopeptide P-IA hydrogels showed superior performances, which were induced by their stiffness properties. This protocol reports the synthesis of the biomaterial, their surface manipulation, along with controlling the stiffness properties and finally, their impact on stem cell fate using xeno-free culture conditions. Based on recent studies, such modified substrates can act as future platforms to support and direct the fate of various stem cells line to different linkages; and further, regenerate and restore the functions of the lost organ or tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Cheng Sung
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University
| | - Hsing-Fen Li
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University
| | - Akon Higuchi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University; Department of Botany and Microbiology, King Saud University;
| | - Qing-Dong Ling
- Cathay Medical Research Institute, Cathay General Hospital; Graduate Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University
| | - Jia-Sin Yang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University
| | - Yeh-Chia Tseng
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University
| | - Chih-Hsien Pan Pan
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University
| | | | | | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universiti Putra Malaysia
| | - Shih-Tien Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Taiwan Landseed Hospital
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Betush RJ, Urban JM, Nilsson BL. Balancing hydrophobicity and sequence pattern to influence self-assembly of amphipathic peptides. Biopolymers 2018; 110. [PMID: 29292825 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Amphipathic peptides with alternating polar and nonpolar amino acid sequences efficiently self-assemble into functional β-sheet fibrils as long as the nonpolar residues have sufficient hydrophobicity. For example, the Ac-(FKFE)2 -NH2 peptide rapidly self-assembles into β-sheet bilayer nanoribbons, while Ac-(AKAE)2 -NH2 fails to self-assemble under similar conditions due to the significantly reduced hydrophobicity and β-sheet propensity of Ala relative to Phe. Herein, we systematically explore the effect of substituting only two of the four Ala residues at various positions in the Ac-(AKAE)2 -NH2 peptide with amino acids of increasing hydrophobicity, β-sheet potential, and surface area (including Phe, 1-naphthylalanine (1-Nal), 2-naphthylalanine (2-Nal), cyclohexylalanine (Cha), and pentafluorophenylalanine (F5 -Phe)) on the self-assembly propensity of the resulting sequences. It was found that double Phe variants, regardless of the position of substitution, failed to self-assemble under the conditions used in this study. In contrast, all double 1-Nal and 2-Nal variants readily self-assembled, albeit at differing rates depending on the substitution patterns. To determine whether this was due to hydrophobicity or side chain surface area, we also prepared double Cha and F5 -Phe variant peptides (both side chain groups are more hydrophobic than Phe). Each of these variants also underwent effective self-assembly, with the aromatic F5 -Phe peptides doing so with greater efficiency. These findings provide insight into the role of amino acid hydrophobicity and sequence pattern on self-assembly proclivity of amphipathic peptides and on how targeted substitutions of nonpolar residues in these sequences can be exploited to tune the characteristics of the resulting self-assembled materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ria J Betush
- Department of Chemistry, Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer M Urban
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Bradley L Nilsson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Yang Y, Wang K, Gu X, Leong KW. Biophysical Regulation of Cell Behavior-Cross Talk between Substrate Stiffness and Nanotopography. ENGINEERING (BEIJING, CHINA) 2017; 3:36-54. [PMID: 29071164 PMCID: PMC5653318 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The stiffness and nanotopographical characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) influence numerous developmental, physiological, and pathological processes in vivo. These biophysical cues have therefore been applied to modulate almost all aspects of cell behavior, from cell adhesion and spreading to proliferation and differentiation. Delineation of the biophysical modulation of cell behavior is critical to the rational design of new biomaterials, implants, and medical devices. The effects of stiffness and topographical cues on cell behavior have previously been reviewed, respectively; however, the interwoven effects of stiffness and nanotopographical cues on cell behavior have not been well described, despite similarities in phenotypic manifestations. Herein, we first review the effects of substrate stiffness and nanotopography on cell behavior, and then focus on intracellular transmission of the biophysical signals from integrins to nucleus. Attempts are made to connect extracellular regulation of cell behavior with the biophysical cues. We then discuss the challenges in dissecting the biophysical regulation of cell behavior and in translating the mechanistic understanding of these cues to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Kam W. Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hogrebe NJ, Reinhardt JW, Gooch KJ. Biomaterial microarchitecture: a potent regulator of individual cell behavior and multicellular organization. J Biomed Mater Res A 2016; 105:640-661. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J. Hogrebe
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State University270 Bevis Hall 1080 Carmack RdColumbus Ohio43210
| | - James W. Reinhardt
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State University270 Bevis Hall 1080 Carmack RdColumbus Ohio43210
| | - Keith J. Gooch
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe Ohio State University270 Bevis Hall 1080 Carmack RdColumbus Ohio43210
- The Ohio State University, Davis Heart Lung Research Institute473 W 12th AveColumbus Ohio43210
| |
Collapse
|