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Zhao Z, Chua HM, Lai HY, Ng KW. A facile method to fabricate versatile keratin cryogels for tissue engineering applications. Biomed Mater 2024; 19:025048. [PMID: 38364277 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ad2a3f] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Human hair keratin (HHK) has been extensively explored as a biomaterial for soft tissue regeneration due to their excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. The possibility to fabricate HHK into three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels with physical properties resembling soft tissues has been well demonstrated. However, conventional keratin hydrogels often exhibit a dense architecture that could hinder cell filtration. In the present study, HHK-based cryogels were fabricated using a freeze-thaw (FT) method, where oxidized dopamine (ODA) was employed to covalently crosslink thiol/amine rich-keratin molecules at sub-zero temperatures. The obtained HHK-ODA cryogels have micron-sized pores ranging between 100 and 200 μm and mechanical properties that can be tuned by varying the crosslinking density between ODA and HHK. Through optimization of the weight content of ODA and the number of FT cycles, the compressive strengths and stiffnesses of these cryogels achieved 15-fold increments from ∼1.5 kPa to ∼22 kPa and ∼300 Pa to ∼5000 Pa, respectively. The HHK-ODA cryogels competently supported human dermal fibroblast spreading and proliferation. Overall, this study exhibited a facile method to fabricate mechanically superior keratin-based cryogels with cell compatible microarchitecture, circumventing the need for complicated chemical modifications and the use of cytotoxic crosslinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitong Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Huei Min Chua
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Ying Lai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kee Woei Ng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Singapore, Singapore
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS), Singapore, Singapore
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2
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Adav SS, Ng KW. Recent omics advances in hair aging biology and hair biomarkers analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102041. [PMID: 37634889 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a complex natural process that leads to a decline in physiological functions, which is visible in signs such as hair graying, thinning, and loss. Although hair graying is characterized by a loss of pigment in the hair shaft, the underlying mechanism of age-associated hair graying is not fully understood. Hair graying and loss can have a significant impact on an individual's self-esteem and self-confidence, potentially leading to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Omics technologies, which have applications beyond clinical medicine, have led to the discovery of candidate hair biomarkers and may provide insight into the complex biology of hair aging and identify targets for effective therapies. This review provides an up-to-date overview of recent omics discoveries, including age-associated alterations of proteins and metabolites in the hair shaft and follicle, and highlights the significance of hair aging and graying biomarker discoveries. The decline in hair follicle stem cell activity with aging decreased the regeneration capacity of hair follicles. Cellular senescence, oxidative damage and altered extracellular matrix of hair follicle constituents characterized hair follicle and hair shaft aging and graying. The review attempts to correlate the impact of endogenous and exogenous factors on hair aging. We close by discussing the main challenges and limitations of the field, defining major open questions and offering an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil S Adav
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Kee Woei Ng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore; Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, 637141, Singapore.
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3
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Chen Y, Qiu X, Liu H, Chen S. Preparation of a laminated structured polyethyleneimine cryogel for carbon capture. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 317:115400. [PMID: 35653848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A cryogel solid amine adsorbent with a laminated structure has been prepared by crosslinking polyethylenimine (PEI) with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) at a low temperature via liquid nitrogen treatment and freeze-drying. The effects of cryogenic treatment on the morphology of the cryogels were investigated. The liquid nitrogen treatment and freeze drying were critical to create the layered structure. The fast formation of ice crystals at 77 K served as a template which directed the ordered lamellar structure of the PEI and EGDE cross-linked polymer networks. The PEI cryogel adsorbent showed excellent CO2 adsorption performance both in dry and wet conditions. In dry conditions, the PEI-gel-5-0.25 cryogel showed a 5.60 mmol/g of CO2 adsorption capacity at 75 °C. After being swelled with water, the PEI-gel-15-0.25 cryogel showed an extremely high CO2 adsorption capacity of 11.39 mmol/g at 25 °C. The adsorption behaviors of adsorbents with varied water contents were explained using kinetic simulations and intraparticle diffusion simulations. It was found that the presence of water can significantly enhance the diffusion process. The regeneration performance was examined in both dry and wet conditions. After 20 adsorption-desorption cycles, the adsorption capacity of the regenerated PEI cryogel had barely decreased, indicating reliable regeneration stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangguan Chen
- PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| | - Xianyu Qiu
- PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| | - Haorui Liu
- PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| | - Shuixia Chen
- PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China; Materials Science Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
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Vitus V, Ibrahim F, Wan Kamarul Zaman WS. Valorization of Human Hair and Its Derivatives in Tissue Engineering: A Review. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2022; 28:529-544. [PMID: 35350873 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2021.022333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hair is a potential biomaterial for biomedical applications. Improper disposal of human hair may pose various adverse effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, proper management of human hair waste is pivotal. Human hair fiber and its derivatives offer various advantages as biomaterials such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, radical scavenging, electroconductivity, and intrinsic biological activity. Therefore, the favorable characteristics of human hair have rendered its usage in tissue engineering (TE) applications including skin, cardiac, nerve, bone, ocular, and periodontal. Moreover, the strategies by utilizing human hair as a biomaterial for TE applications may reduce the accumulation of human hair. Thus, it also improves human hair waste management while promoting natural, environmental-friendly, and nontoxic materials. Furthermore, promoting sustainable materials production will benefit human health and well-being. Hence, this article reviews and discusses human hair characteristics as sustainable biomaterials and their recent application in TE applications. Impact Statement This review article highlights the sustainability aspects of human hair as raw biomaterials and various elements of human hair that could potentially be used in tissue engineering (TE) applications. Furthermore, this article discusses numerous benefits of human hair, highlighting its value as biomaterials in bioscaffold development for TE applications. Moreover, this article reviews the role and effect of human hair in various TE applications, including skin, cardiac, nerve, bone, ocular, and periodontal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vieralynda Vitus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Ibrahim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre for Printable Electronics, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wan Safwani Wan Kamarul Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Wang X, Shi Z, Tian Z, Tang H, Li Q, Shen X. Molecular Mechanism of Rabbit Hair Keratin Hydrogel Fabricated via Cryoablation. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Wang
- College of Textile and Light Industry Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010080 China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010051 China
| | - Zhiming Shi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010051 China
| | - Zhan Tian
- College of Textile and Light Industry Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010080 China
| | - Henglong Tang
- College of Textile and Light Industry Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010080 China
| | - Qingchun Li
- College of Textile and Light Industry Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010080 China
| | - Xianyi Shen
- College of Textile and Light Industry Inner Mongolia University of Technology Hohhot 010080 China
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Keratin-Alginate Sponges Support Healing of Partial-Thickness Burns. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168594. [PMID: 34445299 PMCID: PMC8395243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168594] [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: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Deep partial-thickness burns damage most of the dermis and can cause severe pain, scarring, and mortality if left untreated. This study serves to evaluate the effectiveness of crosslinked keratin–alginate composite sponges as dermal substitutes for deep partial-thickness burns. Crosslinked keratin–alginate sponges were tested for the ability to support human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and to support the closure and healing of partial-thickness burn wounds in Sus scrofa pigs. Keratin–alginate composite sponges supported the enhanced proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts compared to alginate-only sponges and exhibited decreased contraction in vitro when compared to keratin only sponges. As dermal substitutes in vivo, the sponges supported the expression of keratin 14, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and collagen IV within wound sites, comparable to collagen sponges. Keratin–alginate composite sponges supported the regeneration of basement membranes in the wounds more than in collagen-treated wounds and non-grafted controls, suggesting the subsequent development of pathological scar tissues may be minimized. Results from this study indicate that crosslinked keratin–alginate sponges are suitable alternative dermal substitutes for clinical applications in wound healing and skin regeneration.
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Development of a Multi-Layer Skin Substitute Using Human Hair Keratinic Extract-Based Hybrid 3D Printing. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13162584. [PMID: 34451127 PMCID: PMC8401121 DOI: 10.3390/polym13162584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-sized or deep skin wounds require skin substitutes for proper healing without scar formation. Therefore, multi-layered skin substitutes that mimic the genuine skin anatomy of multiple layers have attracted attention as suitable skin substitutes. In this study, a novel skin substitute was developed by combining the multi-layer skin tissue reconstruction method with the combination of a human-derived keratinic extract-loaded nano- and micro-fiber using electrospinning and a support structure using 3D printing. A polycaprolactone PCL/keratin electrospun scaffold showed better cell adhesion and proliferation than the keratin-free PCL scaffold, and keratinocytes and fibroblasts showed better survival, adhesion, and proliferation in the PCL/keratin electrospun nanofiber scaffold and microfiber scaffold, respectively. In a co-culture of keratinocytes and fibroblasts using a multi-layered scaffold, the two cells formed the epidermis and dermal layer on the PCL/keratin scaffold without territorial invasion. In the animal study, the PCL/keratin scaffold caused a faster regeneration of new skin without scar formation compared to the PCL scaffold. Our study showed that PCL/keratin scaffolds co-cultured with keratinocytes and fibroblasts promoted the regeneration of the epidermal and dermal layers in deep skin defects. Such finding suggests a new possibility for artificial skin production using multiple cells.
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Lai HY, Setyawati MI, Ferhan AR, Divakarla SK, Chua HM, Cho NJ, Chrzanowski W, Ng KW. Self-Assembly of Solubilized Human Hair Keratins. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:83-89. [PMID: 33356132 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human hair keratins have proven to be a viable biomaterial for diverse regenerative applications. However, the most significant characteristic of this material, the ability to self-assemble into nanoscale intermediate filaments, has not been exploited. Herein, we successfully demonstrated the induction of hair-extracted keratin self-assembly in vitro to form dense, homogeneous, and continuous nanofibrous networks. These networks remain hydrolytically stable in vitro for up to 5 days in complete cell culture media and are compatible with primary human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. These results enhance the versatility of human hair keratins for applications where structured assembly is of benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ying Lai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (Environmental Chemistry and Materials Centre), Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Magdiel Inggrid Setyawati
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Abdul Rahim Ferhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Shiva Kamini Divakarla
- The University of Sydney, Sydney Nano Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Huei Min Chua
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Nam-Joon Cho
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Wojciech Chrzanowski
- The University of Sydney, Sydney Nano Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Kee Woei Ng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.,Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (Environmental Chemistry and Materials Centre), Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.,Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Biomedical Science Institutes, Immunos, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore 138648, Singapore.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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Zhao Z, Moay ZK, Lai HY, Goh BHR, Chua HM, Setyawati MI, Ng KW. Characterization of Anisotropic Human Hair Keratin Scaffolds Fabricated via Directed Ice Templating. Macromol Biosci 2020; 21:e2000314. [PMID: 33146949 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202000314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Human hair keratin (HHK) is successfully exploited as raw materials for 3D scaffolds for soft tissue regeneration owing to its excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity. However, most HHK scaffolds are not able to achieve the anisotropic mechanical properties of soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments due to lack of tunable, well-defined microstructures. In this study, directed ice templating method is used to fabricate anisotropic HHK scaffolds that are characterized by aligned pores (channels) in between keratin layers in the longitudinal plane. In contrast, pores in the transverse plane maintain a homogenous rounded morphology. Channel widths throughout the scaffolds range from ≈5 to ≈15 µm and are tunable by varying the freezing temperature. In comparison with HHK scaffolds with random, isotropic pore structures, the tensile strength of anisotropic HHK scaffolds is enhanced significantly by up to fourfolds (≈200 to ≈800 kPa) when the tensile load is applied in the direction parallel to the aligned pores. In vitro results demonstrate that the anisotropic HHK scaffolds are able to support human dermal fibroblast adhesion, spreading, and proliferation. The findings suggest that HHK scaffolds with well-defined, aligned microstructure hold promise as templates for soft tissues regeneration by mimicking their anisotropic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitong Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Zi Kuang Moay
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Hui Ying Lai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Bernice Huan Rong Goh
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Huei Min Chua
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Magdiel Inggrid Setyawati
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Kee Woei Ng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore.,Center for Nanotechnology and NanotoxicologyHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Environmental Chemistry and Materials CentreNanyang Environment and Water Research Institution, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, Singapore, 637141, Singapore.,Skin Research Institute of Singapore, Biomedical Science Institutes, Immunos, 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
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