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Mauro F, Natale CF, Panzetta V, Netti PA. Development of an Azobenzene-Based Cell Culture Photoresponsive Platform for In Situ Modulation of Surface Topography in Wet Environments. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:29823-29833. [PMID: 38829198 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Azopolymers are light-responsive materials that hold promise to transform in vitro cell culture systems. Through precise light illumination, they facilitate substrate pattern formation and erasure, allowing for the dynamic control and creation of active interfaces between cells and materials. However, these materials exhibit a tendency to locally detach from the supporting glass in the presence of aqueous solutions, such as cell culture media, due to the formation of blisters, which are liquid-filled cavities generated at the azopolymer film-glass interface. These blisters impede precise structurization of the surface of the azomaterial, limiting their usage for surface photoactivation in the presence of cells. In this study, we present a cost-effective and easily implementable method to improve the azopolymer-glass interface stability through silane functionalization of the glass substrate. This method proved to be efficient in preventing blister formation, thereby enabling the dynamic modulation of the azopolymer surface in situ for live-cell experiments. Furthermore, we proved that the light-illumination conditions used to induce azopolymer surface variations do not induce phototoxic effects. Consequently, this approach facilitates the development of a photoswitchable azopolymer cell culture platform for studying the impact of multiple in situ inscription and erasure cycles on cell functions while maintaining a physiological wet microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mauro
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo F Natale
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Panzetta
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
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Bril M, Saberi A, Jorba I, van Turnhout MC, Sahlgren CM, Bouten CV, Schenning AP, Kurniawan NA. Shape-Morphing Photoresponsive Hydrogels Reveal Dynamic Topographical Conditioning of Fibroblasts. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303136. [PMID: 37740666 PMCID: PMC10625123 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular environment defines a physical boundary condition with which cells interact. However, to date, cell response to geometrical environmental cues is largely studied in static settings, which fails to capture the spatiotemporally varying cues cells receive in native tissues. Here, a photoresponsive spiropyran-based hydrogel is presented as a dynamic, cell-compatible, and reconfigurable substrate. Local stimulation with blue light (455 nm) alters hydrogel swelling, resulting in on-demand reversible micrometer-scale changes in surface topography within 15 min, allowing investigation into cell response to controlled geometry actuations. At short term (1 h after actuation), fibroblasts respond to multiple rounds of recurring topographical changes by reorganizing their nucleus and focal adhesions (FA). FAs form primarily at the dynamic regions of the hydrogel; however, this propensity is abolished when the topography is reconfigured from grooves to pits, demonstrating that topographical changes dynamically condition fibroblasts. Further, this dynamic conditioning is found to be associated with long-term (72 h) maintenance of focal adhesions and epigenetic modifications. Overall, this study offers a new approach to dissect the dynamic interplay between cells and their microenvironment and shines a new light on the cell's ability to adapt to topographical changes through FA-based mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Bril
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
| | - Aref Saberi
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
| | - Ignasi Jorba
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
| | - Mark C. van Turnhout
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
| | - Cecilia M. Sahlgren
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Faculty of Science and EngineeringÅbo Akademi UniversityTurkuFI‐20520Finland
| | - Carlijn V.C. Bouten
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
| | - Albert P.H.J. Schenning
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Department of Chemical Engineering & ChemistryEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5612 AEThe Netherlands
| | - Nicholas A. Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhoven5600 MBThe Netherlands
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Urban D, Marcucci N, Wölfle CH, Torgersen J, Hjelme DR, Descrovi E. Polarization-driven reversible actuation in a photo-responsive polymer composite. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6843. [PMID: 37891157 PMCID: PMC10611746 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42590-y] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Light-responsive polymers and especially amorphous azopolymers with intrinsic anisotropic and polarization-dependent deformation photo-response hold great promises for remotely controlled, tunable devices. However, dynamic control requires reversibility characteristics far beyond what is currently obtainable via plastic deformation of such polymers. Here, we embed azopolymer microparticles in a rubbery elastic matrix at high density. In the resulting composite, cumulative deformations are replaced by reversible shape switching - with two reversible degrees of freedom defined uniquely by the writing beam polarization. We quantify the locally induced strains, including small creeping losses, directly by means of a deformation tracking algorithm acting on microscope images of planar substrates. Further, we introduce free-standing 3D actuators able to smoothly undergo multiple configurational changes, including twisting, roll-in, grabbing-like actuation, and even continuous, pivot-less shape rotation, all dictated by a single wavelength laser beam with controlled polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Urban
- Department of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, O.S. Bragstads plass 2b, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Niccolò Marcucci
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy
| | - Christoph Hubertus Wölfle
- Institute of Materials Science, Department of Materials Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Jan Torgersen
- Institute of Materials Science, Department of Materials Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Dag Roar Hjelme
- Department of Electronic Systems, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, O.S. Bragstads plass 2b, 7034, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Emiliano Descrovi
- Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy.
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Yarali E, Zadpoor AA, Staufer U, Accardo A, Mirzaali MJ. Auxeticity as a Mechanobiological Tool to Create Meta-Biomaterials. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:2562-2575. [PMID: 37319268 PMCID: PMC10354748 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical and morphological design parameters, such as stiffness or porosity, play important roles in creating orthopedic implants and bone substitutes. However, we have only a limited understanding of how the microarchitecture of porous scaffolds contributes to bone regeneration. Meta-biomaterials are increasingly used to precisely engineer the internal geometry of porous scaffolds and independently tailor their mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness and Poisson's ratio). This is motivated by the rare or unprecedented properties of meta-biomaterials, such as negative Poisson's ratios (i.e., auxeticity). It is, however, not clear how these unusual properties can modulate the interactions of meta-biomaterials with living cells and whether they can facilitate bone tissue engineering under static and dynamic cell culture and mechanical loading conditions. Here, we review the recent studies investigating the effects of the Poisson's ratio on the performance of meta-biomaterials with an emphasis on the relevant mechanobiological aspects. We also highlight the state-of-the-art additive manufacturing techniques employed to create meta-biomaterials, particularly at the micrometer scale. Finally, we provide future perspectives, particularly for the design of the next generation of meta-biomaterials featuring dynamic properties (e.g., those made through 4D printing).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Yarali
- Department
of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Maritime and Materials
Engineering, Delft University of Technology
(TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
- Department
of Precision and Microsystems Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Maritime
and Materials Engineering, Delft University
of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Amir A. Zadpoor
- Department
of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Maritime and Materials
Engineering, Delft University of Technology
(TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Urs Staufer
- Department
of Precision and Microsystems Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Maritime
and Materials Engineering, Delft University
of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Angelo Accardo
- Department
of Precision and Microsystems Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Maritime
and Materials Engineering, Delft University
of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Mohammad J. Mirzaali
- Department
of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Maritime and Materials
Engineering, Delft University of Technology
(TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
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Muzzio N, Eduardo Martinez-Cartagena M, Romero G. Soft nano and microstructures for the photomodulation of cellular signaling and behavior. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 190:114554. [PMID: 36181993 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Photoresponsive soft materials are everywhere in the nature, from human's retina tissues to plants, and have been the inspiration for engineers in the development of modern biomedical materials. Light as an external stimulus is particularly attractive because it is relatively cheap, noninvasive to superficial biological tissues, can be delivered contactless and offers high spatiotemporal control. In the biomedical field, soft materials that respond to long wavelength or that incorporate a photon upconversion mechanism are desired to overcome the limited UV-visible light penetration into biological tissues. Upon light exposure, photosensitive soft materials respond through mechanisms of isomerization, crosslinking or cleavage, hyperthermia, photoreactions, electrical current generation, among others. In this review, we discuss the most recent applications of photosensitive soft materials in the modulation of cellular behavior, for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in drug delivery and for phototherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Muzzio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
| | | | - Gabriela Romero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
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