1
|
Lin AYW, Wu ZY, Pattison AJ, Müller IE, Yoshikuni Y, Theis W, Ercius P. Statistical 3D morphology characterization of vaterite microspheres produced by engineered Escherichia coli. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 156:213711. [PMID: 38061158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213711] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Hollow vaterite microspheres are important materials for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and regenerative medicine owing to their biocompatibility, high specific surface area, and ability to encapsulate a large number of bioactive molecules and compounds. We demonstrated that hollow vaterite microspheres are produced by an Escherichia coli strain engineered with a urease gene cluster from the ureolytic bacteria Sporosarcina pasteurii in the presence of bovine serum albumin. We characterized the 3D nanoscale morphology of five biogenic hollow vaterite microspheres using 3D high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) tomography. Using automated high-throughput HAADF-STEM imaging across several sample tilt orientations, we show that the microspheres evolved from a smaller more ellipsoidal shape to a larger more spherical shape while the internal hollow core increased in size and remained relatively spherical, indicating that the microspheres produced by this engineered strain likely do not contain the bacteria. The statistical 3D morphology information demonstrates the potential for using biogenic calcium carbonate mineralization to produce hollow vaterite microspheres with controlled morphologies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The nanoscale 3D structures of biomaterials determine their physical, chemical, and biological properties, however significant efforts are required to obtain a statistical understanding of the internal 3D morphology of materials without damaging the structures. In this study, we developed a non-destructive, automated technique that allows us to understand the nanoscale 3D morphology of many unique hollow vaterite microspheres beyond the spectroscopy methods that lack local information and microscopy methods that cannot interrogate the full 3D structure. The method allowed us to quantitatively correlate the external diameters and aspect ratios of vaterite microspheres with their hollow internal structures at the nanoscale. This work demonstrates the opportunity to use automated transmission electron microscopy to characterize nanoscale 3D morphologies of many biomaterials and validate the chemical and biological functionality of these materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Y W Lin
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Zong-Yen Wu
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Alexander J Pattison
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Isaak E Müller
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yasuo Yoshikuni
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Wolfgang Theis
- Nanoscale Physics Research Laboratory, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Peter Ercius
- National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Svenskaya Y, Pallaeva T. Exploiting Benefits of Vaterite Metastability to Design Degradable Systems for Biomedical Applications. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2574. [PMID: 38004553 PMCID: PMC10674703 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread application of calcium carbonate is determined by its high availability in nature and simplicity of synthesis in laboratory conditions. Moreover, calcium carbonate possesses highly attractive physicochemical properties that make it suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications. This review provides a conclusive analysis of the results on using the tunable vaterite metastability in the development of biodegradable drug delivery systems and therapeutic vehicles with a controlled and sustained release of the incorporated cargo. This manuscript highlights the nuances of vaterite recrystallization to non-porous calcite, dissolution at acidic pH, biodegradation at in vivo conditions and control over these processes. This review outlines the main benefits of vaterite instability for the controlled liberation of the encapsulated molecules for the development of biodegradable natural and synthetic polymeric materials for biomedical purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Svenskaya
- Scientific Medical Center, Saratov State University, 410012 Saratov, Russia
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harpaz D, Barhom H, Veltman B, Ginzburg P, Eltzov E. Biocompatibility characterization of vaterite with a bacterial whole-cell biosensor. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 222:113104. [PMID: 36584449 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.113104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The growing biomedical challenges impose the continuous development of novel platforms. Ensuring the biocompatibility of drug delivery and implantable biomedical devices is an essential requirement. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of vaterite nanoparticles is a promising platform, which has demonstrated distinctive optical and biochemical properties, including high porosity and metastability. In this study, the biocompatibility of differently shaped CaCO3 vaterite particles (toroids, ellipsoids, and spheroids) are evaluated by bacterial toxicity mode-of-action with a whole-cell biosensor. Different Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains were used in the bioluminescent assay, including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and quorum-sensing. Firstly, both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy characterizations were conducted. Bacterial cell death and aggregates were observed only in the highest tested concentration of the vaterite particles, especially in toroids 15-25 µm. After, the bioluminescent bacterial panel was exposed to the vaterite particles, and their bioluminescent signal reflected their toxicity mode-of-action. The vaterite particles resulted in an induction factor (IF > 1) on the bacterial panel, which was higher after exposure to the toroids (1.557 ≤ IF ≤ 2.271) and ellipsoids particles (1.712 ≤ IF ≤ 2.018), as compared to the spheroids particles (1.134 ≤ IF ≤ 1.494), in all the tested bacterial strains. Furthermore, the vaterite particles did not affect the viability of the bacterial cells. The bacterial monitoring demonstrated the biofriendly nature of especially spheroids vaterite nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorin Harpaz
- Institute of Postharvest and Food Science, Department of Postharvest Science, Volcani Institute, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Hani Barhom
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Boris Veltman
- Institute of Postharvest and Food Science, Department of Postharvest Science, Volcani Institute, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Pavel Ginzburg
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Evgeni Eltzov
- Institute of Postharvest and Food Science, Department of Postharvest Science, Volcani Institute, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel; Agro-Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Center, Volcani Institute, Agricultural Research Organization, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ruiz Arana L, Ströh J, Amtsfeld J, Doungmo G, Novikov D, Khadiev A, Etter M, Wharmby M, Suta M, Terraschke H. Crystallisation of phosphates revisited: a multi-step formation process for SrHPO 4. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR NATURFORSCHUNG SECTION B-A JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/znb-2021-0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
SrHPO4 is used in a multitude of applications, including biomedicine, catalysts, luminescent materials, and batteries. However, the performance of these materials depends on the ability to control the formation and transformation of strontium phosphates. This work focuses on the application of in situ and ex situ measurements, including synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, luminescence of Ce3+ and Eu3+ dopants, light transmission, reflectance, and thermogravimetry to track structural changes in SrHPO4 under different experimental conditions. Ex situ analysis of aliquots revealed favourable crystallisation of β-SrHPO4 through the formation of Sr6H3(PO4)5·2H2O as an intermediate. Furthermore, in situ analysis showed that the reaction mechanism evolves via the initial formation of amorphous strontium phosphate and Sr5(PO4)3OH, which subsequently transforms to γ-SrHPO4. Analysis of the luminescence properties of the lanthanide dopants provided insights into the coordination environments of the substituted Sr2+ sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ruiz Arana
- Institut für Anorgansiche Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel , Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - Jonas Ströh
- Institut für Anorgansiche Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel , Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - Jasper Amtsfeld
- Institut für Anorgansiche Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel , Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - Giscard Doungmo
- Institut für Anorgansiche Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel , Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - Dmitri Novikov
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), FS-PETRA-D , Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Azat Khadiev
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), FS-PETRA-D , Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Martin Etter
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), FS-PETRA-D , Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Michael Wharmby
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), FS-PETRA-D , Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Markus Suta
- Inorganic Photoactive Materials, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf , Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 , Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Huayna Terraschke
- Institut für Anorgansiche Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel , Max-Eyth-Straße 2, 24118 Kiel , Germany
- Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science (KINSIS), Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel , Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4 , 24118 Kiel , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Unger RE, Stojanovic S, Besch L, Alkildani S, Schröder R, Jung O, Bogram C, Görke O, Najman S, Tremel W, Barbeck M. In Vivo Biocompatibility Investigation of an Injectable Calcium Carbonate (Vaterite) as a Bone Substitute including Compositional Analysis via SEM-EDX Technology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031196. [PMID: 35163120 PMCID: PMC8835873 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Injectable bone substitutes (IBS) are increasingly being used in the fields of orthopedics and maxillofacial/oral surgery. The rheological properties of IBS allow for proper and less invasive filling of bony defects. Vaterite is the most unstable crystalline polymorph of calcium carbonate and is known to be able to transform into hydroxyapatite upon contact with an organic fluid (e.g., interstitial body fluid). Two different concentrations of hydrogels based on poly(ethylene glycol)-acetal-dimethacrylat (PEG-a-DMA), i.e., 8% (w/v) (VH-A) or 10% (w/v) (VH-B), were combined with vaterite nanoparticles and implanted in subcutaneous pockets of BALB/c mice for 15 and 30 days. Explants were prepared for histochemical staining and immunohistochemical detection methods to determine macrophage polarization, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) to analyze elemental composition was used for the analysis. The histopathological analysis revealed a comparable moderate tissue reaction to the hydrogels mainly involving macrophages. Moreover, the hydrogels underwent a slow cellular infiltration, revealing a different degradation behavior compared to other IBS. The immunohistochemical detection showed that M1 macrophages were mainly found at the material surfaces being involved in the cell-mediated degradation and tissue integration, while M2 macrophages were predominantly found within the reactive connective tissue. Furthermore, the histomorphometrical analysis revealed balanced numbers of pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages, demonstrating that both hydrogels are favorable materials for bone tissue regeneration. Finally, the EDX analysis showed a stepwise transformation of the vaterite particle into hydroxyapatite. Overall, the results of the present study demonstrate that hydrogels including nano-vaterite particles are biocompatible and suitable for bone tissue regeneration applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald E. Unger
- Repair-Lab, Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sanja Stojanovic
- Department of Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18108 Niš, Serbia; (S.S.); (S.N.)
- Scientific Research Center for Biomedicine, Department for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18108 Niš, Serbia
| | - Laura Besch
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (L.B.); (R.S.); (W.T.)
| | - Said Alkildani
- BerlinAnalytix GmbH, Ullsteinstrasse 108, 12109 Berlin, Germany; (S.A.); (C.B.)
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Romina Schröder
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (L.B.); (R.S.); (W.T.)
| | - Ole Jung
- Clinic and Policlinic for Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Caroline Bogram
- BerlinAnalytix GmbH, Ullsteinstrasse 108, 12109 Berlin, Germany; (S.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Oliver Görke
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials, Technical University Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 40, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Stevo Najman
- Department of Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18108 Niš, Serbia; (S.S.); (S.N.)
- Scientific Research Center for Biomedicine, Department for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, 18108 Niš, Serbia
| | - Wolfgang Tremel
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (L.B.); (R.S.); (W.T.)
| | - Mike Barbeck
- Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chair of Advanced Ceramic Materials, Technical University Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 40, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-176-81022467
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Saveleva MS, Ivanov AN, Chibrikova JA, Abalymov AA, Surmeneva MA, Surmenev RA, Parakhonskiy BV, Lomova MV, Skirtach AG, Norkin IA. Osteogenic Capability of Vaterite-Coated Nonwoven Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for In Vivo Bone Tissue Regeneration. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100266. [PMID: 34608754 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In current orthopedic practice, bone implants used to-date often exhibit poor osteointegration, impaired osteogenesis, and, eventually, implant failure. Actively pursued strategies for tissue engineering could overcome these shortcomings by developing new hybrid materials with bioinspired structure and enhanced regenerative potential. In this study, the osteogenic and therapeutic potential of bioactive vaterite is investigated as a functional component of a fibrous polymeric scaffold for bone regeneration. Hybrid two-layered polycaprolactone scaffolds coated with vaterite (PCL/CaCO3 ) are studied during their 28-days implantation period in a rat femur defect. After this period, the study of tissue formation in the defected area is performed by the histological study of femur cross-sections. Immobilization of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) into PCL/CaCO3 scaffolds accelerates new bone tissue formation and defect repair. PCL/CaCO3 and PCL/CaCO3 /ALP scaffolds reveal 37.3% and 62.9% areas, respectively, filled with newly formed bone tissue in cross-sections compared to unmineralized PCL scaffold (17.5%). Bone turnover markers are monitored on the 7th and 28th days after implantation and reveal an increase of osteocalcin level for both PCL/CaCO3 and PCL/CaCO3 /ALP compared with PCL indicating the activation of osteogenesis. These findings indicate that vaterite, as an osteoconductive component of polymeric scaffolds, promotes osteogenesis, supports angiogenesis, and facilitates bone defect repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariia S Saveleva
- Remotely Controlled Systems for Theranostics Laboratory, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya 83, Saratov, 410012, Russia.,Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Alexey N Ivanov
- Central Research Laboratory, Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky, Bolshaya Kazachya 112, Saratov, 410012, Russia
| | - Julia A Chibrikova
- Central Research Laboratory, Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky, Bolshaya Kazachya 112, Saratov, 410012, Russia
| | - Anatolii A Abalymov
- Remotely Controlled Systems for Theranostics Laboratory, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya 83, Saratov, 410012, Russia.,Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Maria A Surmeneva
- Physical Materials Science and Composite Materials Centre, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin's Avenue 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
| | - Roman A Surmenev
- Physical Materials Science and Composite Materials Centre, Research School of Chemistry and Applied Biomedical Sciences, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lenin's Avenue 30, Tomsk, 634050, Russia
| | - Bogdan V Parakhonskiy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Maria V Lomova
- Remotely Controlled Systems for Theranostics Laboratory, Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya 83, Saratov, 410012, Russia.,Scientific and Educational Center, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, 2-ya Baumanskaya 5, Moscow, 105005, Russia
| | - Andre G Skirtach
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Igor A Norkin
- Central Research Laboratory, Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky, Bolshaya Kazachya 112, Saratov, 410012, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang X, Zhong X, Li J, Liu Z, Cheng L. Inorganic nanomaterials with rapid clearance for biomedical applications. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:8669-8742. [PMID: 34156040 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00461h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic nanomaterials that have inherently exceptional physicochemical properties (e.g., catalytic, optical, thermal, electrical, or magnetic performance) that can provide desirable functionality (e.g., drug delivery, diagnostics, imaging, or therapy) have considerable potential for application in the field of biomedicine. However, toxicity can be caused by the long-term, non-specific accumulation of these inorganic nanomaterials in healthy tissues, preventing their large-scale clinical utilization. Over the past several decades, the emergence of biodegradable and clearable inorganic nanomaterials has offered the potential to prevent such long-term toxicity. In addition, a comprehensive understanding of the design of such nanomaterials and their metabolic pathways within the body is essential for enabling the expansion of theranostic applications for various diseases and advancing clinical trials. Thus, it is of critical importance to develop biodegradable and clearable inorganic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. This review systematically summarizes the recent progress of biodegradable and clearable inorganic nanomaterials, particularly for application in cancer theranostics and other disease therapies. The future prospects and opportunities in this rapidly growing biomedical field are also discussed. We believe that this timely and comprehensive review will stimulate and guide additional in-depth studies in the area of inorganic nanomedicine, as rapid in vivo clearance and degradation is likely to be a prerequisite for the future clinical translation of inorganic nanomaterials with unique properties and functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianwen Wang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tee HT, Zipp R, Koynov K, Tremel W, Wurm FR. Poly(methyl ethylene phosphate) hydrogels: Degradable and cell-repellent alternatives to PEG-hydrogels. Eur Polym J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.110075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
9
|
Stengelin E, Kuzmina A, Beltramo GL, Koziol MF, Besch L, Schröder R, Unger RE, Tremel W, Seiffert S. Bone Scaffolds Based on Degradable Vaterite/PEG-Composite Microgels. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901820. [PMID: 32378355 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Vaterite, a metastable modification of calcium carbonate, embedded in a flexible microgel packaging with adjustable mechanical properties, functionality, and biocompatibility, provides a powerful scaffolding for bone tissue regeneration, as it is easily convertible to bone-like hydroxyapatite (HA). In this study, the synthesis and physical analysis of a packaging material to encapsulate vaterite particles and osteoblast cells into monodisperse, sub-millimeter-sized microgels, is described whereby a systematic approach is used to tailor the microgel properties. The size and shape of the microgels is controlled via droplet-based microfluidics. Key requirements for the polymer system, such as absence of cytotoxicity as well as biocompatibility and biodegradability, are accomplished with functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which reacts in a cytocompatible thiol-ene Michael addition. On a mesoscopic level, the microgel stiffness and gelation times are adjusted to obtain high cellular viabilities. The co-encapsulation of living cells provides i) an in vitro platform for the study of cellular metabolic processes which can be applied to bone formation and ii) an in vitro foundation for novel tissue-regenerative therapies. Finally, the degradability of the microgels at physiological conditions caused by hydrolysis-sensitive ester groups in the polymer network is examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Stengelin
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Alena Kuzmina
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Guillermo L. Beltramo
- Institute of Biological Information Processing 2 (IBI‐2)Jülich Forschungszentrum GmbH Jülich D‐52428 Germany
| | - Martha F. Koziol
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Laura Besch
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Romina Schröder
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Ronald E. Unger
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzInstitute of Pathology Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Wolfgang Tremel
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| | - Sebastian Seiffert
- Johannes Gutenberg University MainzDepartment of Chemistry Mainz D‐55128 Germany
| |
Collapse
|