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Juang JH, Chen CL, Kao CW, Wu ST, Shen CR. In Vivo Imaging of Immune Rejection of MIN6 Cells Transplanted in C3H Mice. Cells 2024; 13:1044. [PMID: 38920672 PMCID: PMC11201743 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Recently, we successfully utilized noninvasive magnetic resonance and bioluminescence imaging to track MIN6 cells subcutaneously transplanted in immunocompromised nude mice for up to 64 days. In this study, we further used bioluminescence imaging to investigate the immune rejection of MIN6 cells in immunocompetent C3H mice. A total of 5 × 106 luciferase-transfected MIN6 cells were implanted into the subcutaneous space of each nude or C3H mouse. After transplantation, hypoglycemia and persistent bioluminescence signals were observed in eight of eight (100%) nude mice and five of nine (56%) C3H mice (p < 0.05). We then presensitized a group of C3H mice with C57BL/6 spleen cells just prior to transplantation (n = 14). Interestingly, none of them had hypoglycemia or persistent bioluminescence signals (p < 0.01 vs. C3H mice without presensitization). Histological examination of the grafts revealed a lack or minimal presence of insulin-positive cells in recipients without hypoglycemia and persistent bioluminescence signals. In contrast, recipients with hypoglycemia and persistent bioluminescence signals showed a significant presence of insulin-positive cells in their grafts. Our results indicate that rejection of MIN6 cells occurred in C3H mice and could be enhanced by presensitization with C57BL/6 spleen cells and that bioluminescence imaging is a useful noninvasive tool for detecting rejection of subcutaneously transplanted MIN6 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyuhn-Huarng Juang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-L.C.); (C.-W.K.)
| | - Chen-Ling Chen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-L.C.); (C.-W.K.)
| | - Chen-Wei Kao
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-L.C.); (C.-W.K.)
| | - Shu-Ting Wu
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Rui Shen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- R&D Center of Biochemical Engineering Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
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Juang JH, Chen CL, Kao CW, Chen CY, Shen CR, Wang JJ, Tsai ZT, Chu IM. The Image-Histology Correlation of Subcutaneous mPEG-poly(Ala) Hydrogel-Embedded MIN6 Cell Grafts in Nude Mice. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2584. [PMID: 37376231 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122584] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we have successfully used noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) and bioluminescence imaging to detect and monitor mPEG-poly(Ala) hydrogel-embedded MIN6 cells at the subcutaneous space for up to 64 days. In this study, we further explored the histological evolution of MIN6 cell grafts and correlated it with image findings. MIN6 cells were incubated overnight with chitosan-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (CSPIO) and then 5 × 106 cells in the 100 μL hydrogel solution were injected subcutaneously into each nude mouse. Grafts were removed and examined the vascularization, cell growth and proliferation with anti-CD31, SMA, insulin and ki67 antibodies, respectively, at 8, 14, 21, 29 and 36 days after transplantation. All grafts were well-vascularized with prominent CD31 and SMA staining at all time points. Interestingly, insulin-positive cells and iron-positive cells were scattered in the graft at 8 and 14 days; while clusters of insulin-positive cells without iron-positive cells appeared in the grafts at 21 days and persisted thereafter, indicating neogrowth of MIN6 cells. Moreover, proliferating MIN6 cells with strong ki67 staining was observed in 21-, 29- and 36-day grafts. Our results indicate that the originally transplanted MIN6 cells proliferated from 21 days that presented distinctive bioluminescence and MR images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyuhn-Huarng Juang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Ling Chen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Kao
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yi Chen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine and Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Rui Shen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Jie Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 20401, Taiwan
| | - Zei-Tsan Tsai
- Molecular Imaging Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - I-Ming Chu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Taiwan
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Zhao D, Rong Y, Li D, He C, Chen X. Thermo-induced physically crosslinked polypeptide-based block copolymer hydrogels for biomedical applications. Regen Biomater 2023; 10:rbad039. [PMID: 37265604 PMCID: PMC10229375 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive synthetic polypeptide-containing block copolymers have received considerable attention in recent years. Especially, unique thermo-induced sol-gel phase transitions were observed for elaborately-designed amphiphilic diblock copolypeptides and a range of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-polypeptide block copolymers. The thermo-induced gelation mechanisms involve the evolution of secondary conformation, enhanced intramolecular interactions, as well as reduced hydration and increased chain entanglement of PEG blocks. The physical parameters, including polymer concentrations, sol-gel transition temperatures and storage moduli, were investigated. The polypeptide hydrogels exhibited good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, and displayed biodegradation periods ranging from 1 to 5 weeks. The unique thermo-induced sol-gel phase transitions offer the feasibility of minimal-invasive injection of the precursor aqueous solutions into body, followed by in situ hydrogel formation driven by physiological temperature. These advantages make polypeptide hydrogels interesting candidates for diverse biomedical applications, especially as injectable scaffolds for 3D cell culture and tissue regeneration as well as depots for local drug delivery. This review focuses on recent advances in the design and preparation of injectable, thermo-induced physically crosslinked polypeptide hydrogels. The influence of composition, secondary structure and chirality of polypeptide segments on the physical properties and biodegradation of the hydrogels are emphasized. Moreover, the studies on biomedical applications of the hydrogels are intensively discussed. Finally, the major challenges in the further development of polypeptide hydrogels for practical applications are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- College of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yan Rong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Dong Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- College of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | | | - Xuesi Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- College of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Thermo-Sensitive mPEG-PA-PLL Hydrogel for Drug Release of Calcitonin. Gels 2022; 8:gels8050282. [PMID: 35621580 PMCID: PMC9141101 DOI: 10.3390/gels8050282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The oral route is the most popular way of drug administration because of good patient compliance and ease of use. However, the oral delivery of peptides and proteins is difficult, mainly due to poor oral bioavailability. In past decades, researchers have developed several strategies to improve oral bioavailability by avoiding losing activity in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and enhancing the intestinal permeability of these drugs. Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(l-alanine) (mPEG-PA) is a thermo-sensitive hydrogel exhibiting a sol-to-gel phase transition property. This characteristic is appropriate for encapsulating peptide or protein drugs. To enhance the adhesion ability to intestinal mucus, a thermo-sensitive polymer, mPEG-PA, modified with charged amino acid lysine was developed. This positively charged material would help to bind the negatively charged mucin in mucus. The synthesis was conducted by individually synthesizing mPEG-PA and poly(l-lysine) (PLL) of different lengths via ring-opening polymerization. Then, mPEG-PA and PLL were combined using an NHS ester reaction to synthesize the triblock copolymer (mPEG-PA-PLL). Biocompatibility and the release of calcitonin from the synthesized hydrogel particles under different pH were examined. The initial data showed that the newly design material had a promising potential for the oral delivery of peptide drugs.
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Chan NJ, Lentz S, Gurr PA, Scheibel T, Qiao GG. Mimicry of silk utilizing synthetic polypeptides. Prog Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Ma W, Chu I. Self‐assembly
and
sol‐to‐gel
transition of thermosensitive
methoxy‐polyethylene glycol‐polyalanine
block copolymer hydrogels. J Appl Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/app.50025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei‐Chun Ma
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Tsing Hua University Hsinchu Taiwan
| | - I‐Ming Chu
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Tsing Hua University Hsinchu Taiwan
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Noninvasive Tracking of mPEG-poly(Ala) Hydrogel-Embedded MIN6 Cells after Subcutaneous Transplantation in Mice. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13060885. [PMID: 33805723 PMCID: PMC7998640 DOI: 10.3390/polym13060885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, we demonstrated the feasibility of subcutaneous transplantation of MIN6 cells embedded in a scaffold with poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG)-poly(Ala) hydrogels. In this study, we further tracked these grafts using magnetic resonance (MR) and bioluminescence imaging. After being incubated overnight with chitosan-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (CSPIO) nanoparticles and then mixed with mPEG-poly(Ala) hydrogels, MIN6 cells appeared as dark spots on MR scans. For in vivo experiments, we transfected MIN6 cells with luciferase and/or incubated them overnight with CSPIO overnight; 5 × 106 MIN6 cells embedded in mPEG-poly(Ala) hydrogels were transplanted into the subcutaneous space of each nude mouse. The graft of CSPIO-labeled MIN6 cells was visualized as a distinct hypointense area on MR images located at the implantation site before day 21. However, this area became hyperintense on MR scans for up to 64 days. In addition, positive bioluminescence images were also observed for up to 64 days after transplantation. The histology of removed grafts showed positive insulin and iron staining. These results indicate mPEG-poly(Ala) is a suitable scaffold for β-cell encapsulation and transplantation. Moreover, MR and bioluminescence imaging are useful noninvasive tools for detecting and monitoring mPEG-poly(Ala) hydrogel-embedded MIN6 cells at a subcutaneous site.
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