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Oliveira M, Sarker PP, Skovorodkin I, Kalantarifard A, Haskavuk T, Mac Intyre J, Nallukunnel Raju E, Nooranian S, Shioda H, Nishikawa M, Sakai Y, Vainio SJ, Elbuken C, Raykhel I. From ex ovo to in vitro: xenotransplantation and vascularization of mouse embryonic kidneys in a microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2024. [PMID: 39290081 PMCID: PMC11408908 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00547c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Organoids are emerging as a powerful tool to investigate complex biological structures in vitro. Vascularization of organoids is crucial to recapitulate the morphology and function of the represented human organ, especially in the case of the kidney, whose primary function of blood filtration is closely associated with blood circulation. Current in vitro microfluidic approaches have only provided initial vascularization of kidney organoids, whereas in vivo transplantation to animal models is problematic due to ethical problems, with the exception of xenotransplantation onto a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Although CAM can serve as a good environment for vascularization, it can only be used for a fixed length of time, limited by development of the embryo. Here, we propose a novel lab on a chip design that allows organoids of different origin to be cultured and vascularized on a CAM, as well as to be transferred to in vitro conditions when required. Mouse embryonic kidneys cultured on the CAM showed enhanced vascularization by intrinsic endothelial cells, and made connections with the chicken vasculature, as evidenced by blood flowing through them. After the chips were transferred to in vitro conditions, the vasculature inside the organoids was successfully maintained. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches applied to microfluidic chip design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Oliveira
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - Partha Protim Sarker
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Disease Networks Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Ilya Skovorodkin
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Disease Networks Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Ali Kalantarifard
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - Tugce Haskavuk
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Disease Networks Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Jonatan Mac Intyre
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - Elizabath Nallukunnel Raju
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - Samin Nooranian
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
| | - Hiroki Shioda
- Laboratory of Organs and Biosystems Engineering, Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Laboratory of Organs and Biosystems Engineering, Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Laboratory of Organs and Biosystems Engineering, Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seppo J Vainio
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Disease Networks Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
- Infotech Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Kvantum Institute, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Caglar Elbuken
- Microfluidics and Biosensor Research Group, Disease Networks Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Finland
| | - Irina Raykhel
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Disease Networks Research Unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
- Laboratory of Organs and Biosystems Engineering, Department of Chemical System Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Kumar D, Nadda R, Repaka R. Advances and challenges in organ-on-chip technology: toward mimicking human physiology and disease in vitro. Med Biol Eng Comput 2024; 62:1925-1957. [PMID: 38436835 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-024-03062-7] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Organs-on-chips have been tissues or three-dimensional (3D) mini-organs that comprise numerous cell types and have been produced on microfluidic chips to imitate the complicated structures and interactions of diverse cell types and organs under controlled circumstances. Several morphological and physiological distinctions exist between traditional 2D cultures, animal models, and the growing popular 3D cultures. On the other hand, animal models might not accurately simulate human toxicity because of physiological variations and interspecies metabolic capability. The on-chip technique allows for observing and understanding the process and alterations occurring in metastases. The present study aimed to briefly overview single and multi-organ-on-chip techniques. The current study addresses each platform's essential benefits and characteristics and highlights recent developments in developing and utilizing technologies for single and multi-organs-on-chips. The study also discusses the drawbacks and constraints associated with these models, which include the requirement for standardized procedures and the difficulties of adding immune cells and other intricate biological elements. Finally, a comprehensive review demonstrated that the organs-on-chips approach has a potential way of investigating organ function and disease. The advancements in single and multi-organ-on-chip structures can potentially increase drug discovery and minimize dependency on animal models, resulting in improved therapies for human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India
| | - Rahul Nadda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India.
| | - Ramjee Repaka
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab, 140001, India
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Doherty EL, Krohn G, Warren EC, Patton A, Whitworth CP, Rathod M, Biehl A, Aw WY, Freytes DO, Polacheck WJ. Human Cell-Derived Matrix Composite Hydrogels with Diverse Composition for Use in Vasculature-on-chip Models. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2400192. [PMID: 38518808 PMCID: PMC11281875 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400192] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Microphysiological and organ-on-chip platforms seek to address critical gaps in human disease models and drug development that underlie poor rates of clinical success for novel interventions. While the fabrication technology and model cells used to synthesize organs-on-chip have advanced considerably, most platforms rely on animal-derived or synthetic extracellular matrix as a cell substrate, limiting mimicry of human physiology and precluding use in modeling diseases in which matrix dynamics play a role in pathogenesis. Here, the development of human cell-derived matrix (hCDM) composite hydrogels for use in 3D microphysiologic models of the vasculature is reported. hCDM composite hydrogels are derived from human donor fibroblasts and maintain a complex milieu of basement membrane, proteoglycans, and nonfibrillar matrix components. The use of hCDM composite hydrogels as 2D and 3D cell culture substrates is demonstrated, and hCDM composite hydrogels are patterned to form engineered human microvessels. Interestingly, hCDM composite hydrogels are enriched in proteins associated with vascular morphogenesis as determined by mass spectrometry, and functional analysis demonstrates proangiogenic signatures in human endothelial cells cultured in these hydrogels. In conclusion, this study suggests that human donor-derived hCDM composite hydrogels could address technical gaps in human organs-on-chip development and serve as substrates to promote vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Doherty
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Grace Krohn
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Emily C Warren
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Alexandra Patton
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Chloe P Whitworth
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 130 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, Carolina, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mitesh Rathod
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Andreea Biehl
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Wen Yih Aw
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Donald O Freytes
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - William J Polacheck
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, Carolina, NC 27599, USA
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Bala V, Patel V, Sewell-Loftin MK. Cadherin Expression Is Regulated by Mechanical Phenotypes of Fibroblasts in the Perivascular Matrix. Cells Tissues Organs 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38768571 DOI: 10.1159/000539319] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The influence of mechanical forces generated by stromal cells in the perivascular matrix is thought to be a key regulator in controlling blood vessel growth. Cadherins are mechanosensors that facilitate and maintain cell-cell interactions and blood vessel integrity, but little is known about how stromal cells regulate cadherin signaling in the vasculature. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between mechanical phenotypes of stromal cells with cadherin expression in 3D tissue engineering models of vascular growth. METHODS Stromal cell lines were subjected to a bead displacement assay to track matrix distortions and characterize mechanical phenotypes in 3D microtissue models. These cells included human ventricular cardiac (NHCF), dermal (NHDF), lung (NHLF), breast cancer-associated (CAF), and normal breast fibroblasts (NBF). Cells were embedded in a fibrin matrix (10 mg/mL) with fluorescent tracker beads; images were collected every 30 min. We also studied endothelial cells (ECs) in co-culture with mechanically active or inactive stromal cells and quantified N-Cad, OB-Cad, and VE-Cad expression using immunofluorescence. RESULTS Bead displacement studies identified mechanically active stromal cells (CAFs, NHCFs, NHDFs) that generate matrix distortions and mechanically inactive cells (NHLFs, NBFs). CAFs, NHCFs, and NHDFs displaced the matrix with an average magnitude of 3.17 ± 0.11 μm, 3.13 ± 0.06 μm, and 2.76 ± 0.05 μm, respectively, while NHLFs and NBFs displaced the matrix with an average of 1.82 ± 0.05 μm and 2.66 ± 0.06 μm in fibrin gels. Compared to ECs only, CAFs + ECs as well as NBFs + ECs in 3D co-culture significantly decreased expression of VE-Cad; in addition, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient for N-Cad and VE-Cad showed a strong correlation (>0.7), suggesting cadherin colocalization. Using a microtissue model, we demonstrated that mechanical phenotypes associated with increased matrix deformations correspond to enhanced angiogenic growth. The results could suggest a mechanism to control tight junction regulation in developing vascular beds for tissue engineering scaffolds or understanding vascular growth during developmental processes. CONCLUSION Our studies provide novel data for how mechanical phenotype of stromal cells in combination with secreted factor profiles is related to cadherin regulation, localization, and vascularization potential in 3D microtissue models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Bala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Vidhi Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Johnson BM, Johnson AM, Heim M, Buckley M, Mortimer B, Berry JL, Sewell-Loftin MK. Biomechanical stimulation promotes blood vessel growth despite VEGFR-2 inhibition. BMC Biol 2023; 21:290. [PMID: 38072992 PMCID: PMC10712065 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01792-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiogenesis, or the growth of new vasculature from existing blood vessels, is widely considered a primary hallmark of cancer progression. When a tumor is small, diffusion is sufficient to receive essential nutrients; however, as the tumor grows, a vascular supply is needed to deliver oxygen and nutrients into the increasing mass. Several anti-angiogenic cancer therapies target VEGF and the receptor VEGFR-2, which are major promoters of blood vessel development. Unfortunately, many of these cancer treatments fail to completely stop angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Since these therapies focus on the biochemical activation of VEGFR-2 via VEGF ligand binding, we propose that mechanical cues, particularly those found in the TME, may be a source of VEGFR-2 activation that promotes growth of blood vessel networks even in the presence of VEGF and VEGFR-2 inhibitors. RESULTS In this paper, we analyzed phosphorylation patterns of VEGFR-2, particularly at Y1054/Y1059 and Y1214, stimulated via either VEGF or biomechanical stimulation in the form of tensile strains. Our results show prolonged and enhanced activation at both Y1054/Y1059 and Y1214 residues when endothelial cells were stimulated with strain, VEGF, or a combination of both. We also analyzed Src expression, which is downstream of VEGFR-2 and can be activated through strain or the presence of VEGF. Finally, we used fibrin gels and microfluidic devices as 3D microtissue models to simulate the TME. We determined that regions of mechanical strain promoted increased vessel growth, even with VEGFR-2 inhibition through SU5416. CONCLUSIONS Overall, understanding both the effects that biomechanical and biochemical stimuli have on VEGFR-2 activation and angiogenesis is an important factor in developing effective anti-angiogenic therapies. This paper shows that VEGFR-2 can be mechanically activated through strain, which likely contributes to increased angiogenesis in the TME. These proof-of-concept studies show that small molecular inhibitors of VEGFR-2 do not fully prevent angiogenesis in 3D TME models when mechanical strains are introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronte Miller Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Wallace Tumor Institute, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Allison McKenzie Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Wallace Tumor Institute, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Michael Heim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Wallace Tumor Institute, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Molly Buckley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Wallace Tumor Institute, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Bryan Mortimer
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Joel L Berry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Wallace Tumor Institute, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Wallace Tumor Institute, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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6
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Le HT, Phan HL, Lenshof A, Duong VT, Choi C, Cha C, Laurell T, Koo KI. Ultrasound standing wave spatial patterning of human umbilical vein endothelial cells for 3D micro-vascular networks formation. Biofabrication 2023; 16:015009. [PMID: 37844581 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad03be] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Generating functional and perfusable micro-vascular networks is an important goal for the fabrication of large and three-dimensional tissues. Up to now, the fabrication of micro-vascular networks is a complicated multitask involving several different factors such as time consuming, cells survival, micro-diameter vasculature and strict alignment. Here, we propose a technique combining multi-material extrusion and ultrasound standing wave forces to create a network structure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells within a mixture of calcium alginate and decellularized extracellular matrix. The functionality of the matured microvasculature networks was demonstrated through the enhancement of cell-cell adhesion, angiogenesis process, and perfusion tests with microparticles, FITC-dextran, and whole mouse blood. Moreover, animal experiments exhibited the implantability including that the pre-existing blood vessels of the host sprout towards the preformed vessels of the scaffold over time and the microvessels inside the implanted scaffold matured from empty tubular structures to functional blood-carrying microvessels in two weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huong Thi Le
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
| | - Huu Lam Phan
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
| | - Andreas Lenshof
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Van Thuy Duong
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
| | - Cholong Choi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaenyung Cha
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Thomas Laurell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kyo-In Koo
- Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
- Basic-Clinical Convergence Research Institute, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
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Wan Z, Floryan MA, Coughlin MF, Zhang S, Zhong AX, Shelton SE, Wang X, Xu C, Barbie DA, Kamm RD. New Strategy for Promoting Vascularization in Tumor Spheroids in a Microfluidic Assay. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2201784. [PMID: 36333913 PMCID: PMC10156888 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201784] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have developed vascularized tumor spheroid models to demonstrate the impact of intravascular flow on tumor progression and treatment. However, these models have not been widely adopted so the vascularization of tumor spheroids in vitro is generally lower than vascularized tumor tissues in vivo. To improve the tumor vascularization level, a new strategy is introduced to form tumor spheroids by adding fibroblasts (FBs) sequentially to a pre-formed tumor spheroid and demonstrate this method with tumor cell lines from kidney, lung, and ovary cancer. Tumor spheroids made with the new strategy have higher FB densities on the periphery of the tumor spheroid, which tend to enhance vascularization. The vessels close to the tumor spheroid made with this new strategy are more perfusable than the ones made with other methods. Finally, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are perfused under continuous flow into vascularized tumor spheroids to demonstrate immunotherapy evaluation using vascularized tumor-on-a-chip model. This new strategy for establishing tumor spheroids leads to increased vascularization in vitro, allowing for the examination of immune, endothelial, stromal, and tumor cell responses under static or flow conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengpeng Wan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marie A Floryan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Mark F Coughlin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Amy X Zhong
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sarah E Shelton
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Xun Wang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Chenguang Xu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - David A Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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8
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Ghorbanpour SM, Richards C, Pienaar D, Sesperez K, Aboulkheyr Es H, Nikolic VN, Karadzov Orlic N, Mikovic Z, Stefanovic M, Cakic Z, Alqudah A, Cole L, Gorrie C, McGrath K, Kavurma MM, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, McClements L. A placenta-on-a-chip model to determine the regulation of FKBPL and galectin-3 in preeclampsia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:44. [PMID: 36652019 PMCID: PMC9849194 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04648-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific cardiovascular disorder, involving significant maternal endothelial dysfunction. Although inappropriate placentation due to aberrant angiogenesis, inflammation and shallow trophoblast invasion are the root causes of preeclampsia, pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly in early pregnancy. Here, we first confirm the abnormal expression of important vascular and inflammatory proteins, FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) and galectin-3 (Gal-3), in human plasma and placental tissues from women with preeclampsia and normotensive controls. We then employ a three-dimensional microfluidic placental model incorporating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a first trimester trophoblast cell line (ACH-3P) to investigate FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in inflammatory conditions. In human samples, both circulating (n = 17 controls; n = 30 preeclampsia) and placental (n ≥ 6) FKBPL and Gal-3 levels were increased in preeclampsia compared to controls (plasma: FKBPL, p < 0.0001; Gal-3, p < 0.01; placenta: FKBPL, p < 0.05; Gal-3, p < 0.01), indicative of vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. In our placenta-on-a-chip model, we show that endothelial cells are critical for trophoblast-mediated migration and that trophoblasts effectively remodel endothelial vascular networks. Inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (10 ng/mL) modulates both FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in conjunction with trophoblast migration and impairs vascular network formation (p < 0.005). Our placenta-on-a-chip recapitulates aspects of inappropriate placental development and vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Masoumeh Ghorbanpour
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire Richards
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dillan Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kimberly Sesperez
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamidreza Aboulkheyr Es
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Valentina N Nikolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Niš, Serbia
| | - Natasa Karadzov Orlic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Narodni Front, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Mikovic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Narodni Front, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Stefanovic
- Department of Internal Medicine-Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Niš, Serbia
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Centre Nis, Niš, Serbia
| | - Zoran Cakic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital of Leskovac, Leskovac, Serbia
| | - Abdelrahim Alqudah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Louise Cole
- Australian Institute of Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine Gorrie
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristine McGrath
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary M Kavurma
- Heart Research Institute,The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lana McClements
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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9
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Huang CBX, Tu TY. Recent advances in vascularized tumor-on-a-chip. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1150332. [PMID: 37064144 PMCID: PMC10099572 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1150332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The vasculature plays a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis, representing a pivotal aspect in the creation of cancer models. In recent years, the emergence of organ-on-a-chip technology has proven to be a robust tool, capable of replicating in vivo conditions with exceptional spatiotemporal resolution, making it a significant asset in cancer research. This review delves into the latest developments in 3D microfluidic vascularized tumor models and their applications in vitro, focusing on heterotypic cellular interactions, the mechanisms of metastasis, and therapeutic screening. Additionally, the review examines the benefits and drawbacks of these models, as well as the future prospects for their advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ting-Yuan Tu,
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Tu TY, Shen YP, Lim SH, Wang YK. A Facile Method for Generating a Smooth and Tubular Vessel Lumen Using a Viscous Fingering Pattern in a Microfluidic Device. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:877480. [PMID: 35586553 PMCID: PMC9108369 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.877480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessels are ubiquitous in the human body and play essential roles not only in the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients but also in many disease implications and drug transportation. Although fabricating in vitro blood vessels has been greatly facilitated through various microfluidic organ-on-chip systems, most platforms that are used in the laboratories suffer from a series of laborious processes ranging from chip fabrication, optimization, and control of physiologic flows in micro-channels. These issues have thus limited the implementation of the technique to broader scientific communities that are not ready to fabricate microfluidic systems in-house. Therefore, we aimed to identify a commercially available microfluidic solution that supports user custom protocol developed for microvasculature-on-a-chip (MVOC). The custom protocol was validated to reliably form a smooth and functional blood vessel using a viscous fingering (VF) technique. Using VF technique, the unpolymerized collagen gel in the media channels was extruded by less viscous fluid through VF passive flow pumping, whereby the fluid volume at the inlet and outlet ports are different. The different diameters of hollow tubes produced by VF technique were carefully investigated by varying the ambient temperature, the pressure of the passive pump, the pre-polymerization time, and the concentration of collagen type I. Subsequently, culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells inside the hollow structure to form blood vessels validated that the VF-created structure revealed a much greater permeability reduction than the vessel formed without VF patterns, highlighting that a more functional vessel tube can be formed in the proposed methodology. We believe the current protocol is timely and will offer new opportunities in the field of in vitro MVOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ting-Yuan Tu,
| | - Yen-Ping Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | | | - Yang-Kao Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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11
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Organ-on-a-chip technology for the study of the female reproductive system. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:461-478. [PMID: 33831478 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, organs-on-a-chip and microphysiological systems have emerged as a disruptive in vitro technology for biopharmaceutical applications. By enabling new capabilities to engineer physiological living tissues and organ units in the precisely controlled environment of microfabricated devices, these systems offer great promise to advance the frontiers of basic and translational research in biomedical sciences. Here, we review an emerging body of interdisciplinary work directed towards harnessing the power of organ-on-a-chip technology for reproductive biology and medicine. The focus of this topical review is to provide an overview of recent progress in the development of microengineered female reproductive organ models with relevance to drug delivery and discovery. We introduce the engineering design of these advanced in vitro systems and examine their applications in the study of pregnancy, infertility, and reproductive diseases. We also present two case studies that use organ-on-a-chip design principles to model placental drug transport and hormonally regulated crosstalk between multiple female reproductive organs. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities for the advancement of reproductive organ-on-a-chip technology.
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12
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Zeinali S, Thompson EK, Gerhardt H, Geiser T, Guenat OT. Remodeling of an in vitro microvessel exposed to cyclic mechanical stretch. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:026102. [PMID: 33834157 PMCID: PMC8019357 DOI: 10.1063/5.0010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the lungs, vascular endothelial cells experience cyclic mechanical strain resulting from rhythmic breathing motions and intraluminal blood pressure. Mechanical stress creates evident physiological, morphological, biochemical, and gene expression changes in vascular endothelial cells. However, the exact mechanisms of the mechanical signal transduction into biological responses remain to be clarified. Besides, the level of mechanical stress is difficult to determine due to the complexity of the local distension patterns in the lungs and thus assumed to be the same as the one acting on the alveolar epithelium. Existing in vitro models used to investigate the effect of mechanical stretch on endothelial cells are usually limited to two-dimensional (2D) cell culture platforms, which poorly mimic the typical three-dimensional structure of the vessels. Therefore, the development of an advanced in vitro vasculature model that closely mimics the dynamic of the human lung vasculatures is highly needed. Here, we present the first study that investigates the interplay of the three-dimensional (3D) mechanical cyclic stretch and its magnitude with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation on a 3D perfusable vasculature in vitro. We studied the effects of the cyclic strain on a perfusable 3D vasculature, made of either human lung microvascular endothelial cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells embedded in a gel layer. The in vitro 3D vessels underwent both in vivo-like longitudinal and circumferential deformations, simultaneously. Our results showed that the responses of the human lung microvascular endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to cyclic stretch were in good agreement. Although our 3D model was in agreement with the 2D model in predicting a cytoskeletal remodeling in response to different magnitudes of cyclic stretch, however, we observed several phenomena in the 3D model that the 2D model was unable to predict. Angiogenic sprouting induced by VEGF decreased significantly in the presence of cyclic stretch. Similarly, while treatment with VEGF increased vascular permeability, the cyclic stretch restored vascular barrier tightness and significantly decreased vascular permeability. One of the major findings of this study was that a 3D microvasculature can be exposed to a much higher mechanical cyclic stress level than reported in the literature without any dysfunction of its barrier. For higher magnitudes of the cyclic stretch, the applied longitudinal strain level was 14% and the associated circumferential strain reached the equivalent of 63%. In sharp contrast to our findings, such strain typically leads to the disruption of the endothelial barrier in a 2D stretching assay and is considered pathological. This highlights the importance of 3D modeling to investigate mechanobiology effects rather than using a simple endothelial monolayer, which truly recapitulates the in vivo situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Zeinali
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Emily K. Thompson
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Holger Gerhardt
- Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC),13092 Berlin, Germany
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13
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Tronolone JJ, Jain A. Engineering new microvascular networks on-chip: ingredients, assembly, and best practices. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2007199. [PMID: 33994903 PMCID: PMC8114943 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202007199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineered grafts show great potential as regenerative implants for diseased or injured tissues within the human body. However, these grafts suffer from poor nutrient perfusion and waste transport, thus decreasing their viability post-transplantation. Graft vascularization is therefore a major area of focus within tissue engineering because biologically relevant conduits for nutrient and oxygen perfusion can improve viability post-implantation. Many researchers utilize microphysiological systems as testing platforms for potential grafts due to an ability to integrate vascular networks as well as biological characteristics such as fluid perfusion, 3D architecture, compartmentalization of tissue-specific materials, and biophysical and biochemical cues. While many methods of vascularizing these systems exist, microvascular self-assembly has great potential for bench-to-clinic translation as it relies on naturally occurring physiological events. In this review, we highlight the past decade of literature and critically discuss the most important and tunable components yielding a self-assembled vascular network on chip: endothelial cell source, tissue-specific supporting cells, biomaterial scaffolds, biochemical cues, and biophysical forces. This article discusses the bioengineered systems of angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis, and includes a brief overview of multicellular systems. We conclude with future avenues of research to guide the next generation of vascularized microfluidic models and future tissue engineered grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Tronolone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77808, USA
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14
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Vera D, García-Díaz M, Torras N, Álvarez M, Villa R, Martinez E. Engineering Tissue Barrier Models on Hydrogel Microfluidic Platforms. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:13920-13933. [PMID: 33739812 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c21573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Tissue barriers play a crucial role in human physiology by establishing tissue compartmentalization and regulating organ homeostasis. At the interface between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and flowing fluids, epithelial and endothelial barriers are responsible for solute and gas exchange. In the past decade, microfluidic technologies and organ-on-chip devices became popular as in vitro models able to recapitulate these biological barriers. However, in conventional microfluidic devices, cell barriers are primarily grown on hard polymeric membranes within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channels that do not mimic the cell-ECM interactions nor allow the incorporation of other cellular compartments such as stromal tissue or vascular structures. To develop models that accurately account for the different cellular and acellular compartments of tissue barriers, researchers have integrated hydrogels into microfluidic setups for tissue barrier-on-chips, either as cell substrates inside the chip, or as self-contained devices. These biomaterials provide the soft mechanical properties of tissue barriers and allow the embedding of stromal cells. Combining hydrogels with microfluidics technology provides unique opportunities to better recreate in vitro the tissue barrier models including the cellular components and the functionality of the in vivo tissues. Such platforms have the potential of greatly improving the predictive capacities of the in vitro systems in applications such as drug development, or disease modeling. Nevertheless, their development is not without challenges in their microfabrication. In this review, we will discuss the recent advances driving the fabrication of hydrogel microfluidic platforms and their applications in multiple tissue barrier models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vera
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Biomimetic Systems for Cell Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - María García-Díaz
- Biomimetic Systems for Cell Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Núria Torras
- Biomimetic Systems for Cell Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Mar Álvarez
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Rosa Villa
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Elena Martinez
- Biomimetic Systems for Cell Engineering, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER), Madrid 28029, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona 08028, Spain
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15
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Mansoorifar A, Gordon R, Bergan R, Bertassoni LE. Bone-on-a-chip: microfluidic technologies and microphysiologic models of bone tissue. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2006796. [PMID: 35422682 PMCID: PMC9007546 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202006796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Bone is an active organ that continuously undergoes an orchestrated process of remodeling throughout life. Bone tissue is uniquely capable of adapting to loading, hormonal, and other changes happening in the body, as well as repairing bone that becomes damaged to maintain tissue integrity. On the other hand, diseases such as osteoporosis and metastatic cancers disrupt normal bone homeostasis leading to compromised function. Historically, our ability to investigate processes related to either physiologic or diseased bone tissue has been limited by traditional models that fail to emulate the complexity of native bone. Organ-on-a-chip models are based on technological advances in tissue engineering and microfluidics, enabling the reproduction of key features specific to tissue microenvironments within a microfabricated device. Compared to conventional in-vitro and in-vivo bone models, microfluidic models, and especially organs-on-a-chip platforms, provide more biomimetic tissue culture conditions, with increased predictive power for clinical assays. In this review, we will report microfluidic and organ-on-a-chip technologies designed for understanding the biology of bone as well as bone-related diseases and treatments. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the current models and point toward future directions for microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip technologies in bone research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Mansoorifar
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ryan Gordon
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Raymond Bergan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Luiz E. Bertassoni
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center (CEDAR), Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA
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16
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Xu M, Chen Z, Chen K, Ma D, Chen L, DiPietro LA. Phagocytosis of apoptotic endothelial cells reprograms macrophages in skin wounds. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 12. [PMID: 33796800 DOI: 10.1016/j.regen.2021.100038] [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: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In healing wounds, the regression of blood vessels during the resolution phase creates a significant number of apoptotic endothelial cells (ApoECs). Surprisingly few studies have investigated the fate of apoECs in wounds, or the consequence of their removal. The current study employed both in vitro and in vivo models to investigate if macrophages ingest apoECs and to determine if such phagocytosis alters macrophage phenotype. To examine the capability of macrophages to ingest apoECs in in vivo wounds, pHrodo green labeled apoECs were injected into skin wounds 6 days after injury. The results demonstrated that 2.2% of macrophages in the wounds had engulfed apoECs 24 hours after injection. Macrophages that had engulfed apoECs expressed the markers CD80 (100%), CD86 (93.8%), and CD163 (22.8%), while no expression of CD206 marker was observed. In in vitro studies, 76.1% and 81.1% of PMA differentiated THP-1 macrophages engulfed apoECs at 6 and 24 hours, respectively. mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, iNOS, and TGF-β1 decreased in THP-1 macrophages after exposure to apoECs, while the expression of IL-6 increased. THP-1 macrophages that were incubated with apoECs for 6hours expressed CD80 (30.2%), CD163 (62.9%), and CD206 (45.3%), while expression levels in untreated group were 0.5%, 45.0%, and 2.4%, respectively. Taken together, our studies showed that macrophages phagocytize dermal apoECs both in vitro and in vivo. The engulfment of apoECs leads to a unique macrophage phenotype, which has characteristics of both M1 and M2 macrophage phenotypes. These findings provide a new mechanism by which macrophage phenotypes can be modified during wound resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyuan Xu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenlong Chen
- Departments of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Kevin Chen
- Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Da Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital, Guanghua School of Stomatology, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Luisa A DiPietro
- Center for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
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17
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Douglas SA, Haase K, Kamm RD, Platt MO. Cysteine cathepsins are altered by flow within an engineered in vitro microvascular niche. APL Bioeng 2020; 4:046102. [PMID: 33195960 PMCID: PMC7644274 DOI: 10.1063/5.0023342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the process of vascular growth and remodeling, the extracellular matrix (ECM) concurrently undergoes significant changes due to proteolytic activity—regulated by both endothelial and surrounding stromal cells. The role of matrix metalloproteinases has been well-studied in the context of vascular remodeling, but other proteases, such as cysteine cathepsins, could also facilitate ECM remodeling. To investigate cathepsin-mediated proteolysis in vascular ECM remodeling, and to understand the role of shear flow in this process, in vitro microvessels were cultured in previously designed microfluidic chips and assessed by immunostaining, zymography, and western blotting. Primary human vessels (HUVECs and fibroblasts) were conditioned by continuous fluid flow and/or small molecule inhibitors to probe cathepsin expression and activity. Luminal flow (in contrast to static culture) decreases the activity of cathepsins in microvessel systems, despite a total protein increase, due to a concurrent increase in the endogenous inhibitor cystatin C. Observations also demonstrate that cathepsins mostly co-localize with fibroblasts, and that fibrin (the hydrogel substrate) may stabilize cathepsin activity in the system. Inhibitor studies suggest that control over cathepsin-mediated ECM remodeling could contribute to improved maintenance of in vitro microvascular networks; however, further investigation is required. Understanding the role of cathepsin activity in in vitro microvessels and other engineered tissues will be important for future regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone A Douglas
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | | | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Manu O Platt
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
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18
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Fitzsimmons REB, Ireland RG, Zhong A, Soos A, Simmons CA. Assessment of fibrin-collagen co-gels for generating microvessels ex vivousing endothelial cell-lined microfluidics and multipotent stromal cell (MSC)-induced capillary morphogenesis. Biomed Mater 2020; 16. [PMID: 33086195 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/abc38f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
One aspect of the challenge of engineering viable tissues ex vivo is the generation of perfusable microvessels of varying diameters. In this work, we take the approach of using hydrogel-based microfluidics seeded with endothelial cells (ECs) to form small artery/vein-like vessels, in conjunction with using the self-assembly behavior of ECs to form capillary-like vessels when co-cultured with multipotent stromal cells (MSCs). In exploring this approach, we focused on investigating collagen, fibrin, and various collagen-fibrin co-gel formulations for their potential suitability as serving as scaffold materials by surveying their angiogencity and mechanical properties. Fibrin and co-gels successfully facilitated multicellular EC sprouting, whereas collagen elicited a migration response of individual ECs, unless supplemented with the PKC (protein kinase C)-activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Collagen scaffolds were also found to severely contract when embedded with mesenchymal cells, but this contraction could be abrogated with the addition of fibrin. Increasing collagen content within co-gel formulations, however, imparted a higher compressive modulus and allowed for the reliable formation of intact hydrogel-based microchannels which could then be perfused. Given the bioactivity and mechanical benefits of fibrin and collagen, respectively, collagen-fibrin co-gels are a promising scaffold option for generating vascularized tissue constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross E B Fitzsimmons
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
| | - Ronald G Ireland
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
| | - Aileen Zhong
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
| | - Agnes Soos
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
| | - Craig A Simmons
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
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19
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Lin CL, Kuo YT, Tsao CH, Shyong YJ, Shih SH, Tu TY. Development of an In Vitro 3D Model for Investigating Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy. Biol Proced Online 2020; 22:20. [PMID: 32884451 PMCID: PMC7460798 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-020-00132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) is among the most crucial factors in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, which can cause back pain, lower extremity pain, cauda equina syndrome and neurogenic claudication. The exact pathogenesis of LFH remains elusive despite extensive research. Most in vitro studies investigating LFH have been carried out using conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, which do not resemble in vivo conditions, as they lack crucial pathophysiological factors found in three-dimensional (3D) LFH tissue, such as enhanced cell proliferation and cell cluster formation. In this study, we generated ligamentum flavum (LF) clusters using spheroid cultures derived from primary LFH tissue. Results The cultured LF spheroids exhibited good viability and growth on an ultra-low attachment 96-well plate (ULA 96-plate) platform according to live/dead staining. Our results showed that the 100-cell culture continued to grow in size, while the 1000-cell culture maintained its size, and the 5000-cell culture exhibited a decreasing trend in size as the culture time increased; long-term culture was validated for at least 28 days. The LF spheroids also maintained the extracellular matrix (ECM) phenotype, i.e., fibronectin, elastin, and collagen I and III. The 2D culture and 3D culture were further compared by cell cycle and Western blot analyses. Finally, we utilized hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to demonstrate that the 3D spheroids resembled part of the cell arrangement in LF hypertrophic tissue. Conclusions The developed LF spheroid model has great potential, as it provides a stable culture platform in a 3D model that can further improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of LFH and has applications in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Li Lin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Skeleton Materials and Bio-compatibility Core Lab, Research Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Che-Hao Tsao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Yan-Jye Shyong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hsien Shih
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
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20
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Sewell-Loftin MK, Katz JB, George SC, Longmore GD. Micro-strains in the extracellular matrix induce angiogenesis. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2776-2787. [PMID: 32614340 PMCID: PMC7659465 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00145g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
An improved understanding of biomechanical factors that control tumor development, including angiogenesis, could explain why few of the promising treatment strategies discovered via in vitro models translate well into in vivo or clinical studies. The ability to manipulate and in real-time study the multiple independent biomechanical properties on cellular activity has been limited, primarily due to limitations in traditional in vitro platforms or the inability to manipulate such factors in vivo. We present a novel microfluidic platform that mimics the vascularized tumor microenvironment with independent control of interstitial flow and mechanical strain. The microtissue platform design isolates mechanically-stimulated angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment, by manipulating interstitial flow to eliminate soluble factors that could drive blood vessel growth. Our studies demonstrate that enhanced mechanical strain induced by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promotes angiogenesis in microvasculature models, even when preventing diffusion of soluble factors to the growing vasculature. Moreover, small but significant decreases in micro-strains induced by inhibited CAFs were sufficient to reduce angiogenesis. Ultimately, we believe this platform represents a significant advancement in the ability to investigate biomechanical signals while controlling for biochemical signals, with a potential to be utilized in fields beyond cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wallace Tumor Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1824 6th Avenue South, Room 630A, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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21
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Correa SO, Luo X, Raub CB. Microfluidic fabrication of stable collagen microgels with aligned microstructure using flow-driven co-deposition and ionic gelation. JOURNAL OF MICROMECHANICS AND MICROENGINEERING : STRUCTURES, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS 2020; 30:085002. [PMID: 37273664 PMCID: PMC10237176 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6439/ab8ebf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The controlled biofabrication of stable, aligned collagen hydrogels within microfluidic devices is critically important to the design of more physiologically accurate, longer-cultured on-chip models of tissue and organs. To address this goal, collagen-alginate microgels were formed in a microfluidic channel by calcium crosslinking of a flowing collagen-alginate solution through a cross-channel chitosan membrane spanning a pore allowing ion diffusion but not convection. The gels formed within seconds as isolated islands in a single channel, and their growth was self-limiting. Total gel thickness was controlled by altering the concentration of calcium and collagen-alginate flow rate to reach an equilibrium of calcium diffusion and solution convection at the gel boundary, for a desired thickness of 30-200 μm. Additionally, less calcium and higher flow produced greater compression of the gel, with regions farther from the pore compressing more. An aligned, stable collagen network was demonstrated by collagen birefringence, circumferential texture orientation, and little change in gel dimensions with de-chelation of calcium from alginate by prolonged flow of EDTA in the channel. Resultant gels were most stable and only slightly asymmetric when formed from solutions containing 8 mg ml-1 collagen. Diffusion of 4 kDa and 70 kDa fluorescently-labeled dextran indicated size-dependent diffusion across the gel, and accessibility of the construct to appropriately-sized bioactive molecules. This work demonstrates the physicochemical parameter control of collagen gel formation in microfluidic devices, with utility toward on-chip models of dense extracellular matrix invasion, cancer growth and drug delivery to cells within dense extracellular matrix bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago O Correa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Xiaolong Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington DC, United States of America
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Christopher B Raub
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington DC, United States of America
- These authors contributed equally to this work
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Shirazi J, Donzanti MJ, Nelson KM, Zurakowski R, Fromen CA, Gleghorn JP. Significant Unresolved Questions and Opportunities for Bioengineering in Understanding and Treating COVID-19 Disease Progression. Cell Mol Bioeng 2020; 13:259-284. [PMID: 32837585 PMCID: PMC7384395 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-020-00637-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a disease that manifests itself in a multitude of ways across a wide range of tissues. Many factors are involved, and though impressive strides have been made in studying this novel disease in a very short time, there is still a great deal that is unknown about how the virus functions. Clinical data has been crucial for providing information on COVID-19 progression and determining risk factors. However, the mechanisms leading to the multi-tissue pathology are yet to be fully established. Although insights from SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV have been valuable, it is clear that SARS-CoV-2 is different and merits its own extensive studies. In this review, we highlight unresolved questions surrounding this virus including the temporal immune dynamics, infection of non-pulmonary tissue, early life exposure, and the role of circadian rhythms. Risk factors such as sex and exposure to pollutants are also explored followed by a discussion of ways in which bioengineering approaches can be employed to help understand COVID-19. The use of sophisticated in vitro models can be employed to interrogate intercellular interactions and also to tease apart effects of the virus itself from the resulting immune response. Additionally, spatiotemporal information can be gleaned from these models to learn more about the dynamics of the virus and COVID-19 progression. Application of advanced tissue and organ system models into COVID-19 research can result in more nuanced insight into the mechanisms underlying this condition and elucidate strategies to combat its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Shirazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - Michael J. Donzanti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - Katherine M. Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - Ryan Zurakowski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - Catherine A. Fromen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
| | - Jason P. Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE 19716 USA
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Tan SY, Leung Z, Wu AR. Recreating Physiological Environments In Vitro: Design Rules for Microfluidic-Based Vascularized Tissue Constructs. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1905055. [PMID: 31913580 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201905055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Vascularization of engineered tissue constructs remains one of the greatest unmet challenges to mimicking the native tissue microenvironment in vitro. The main obstacle is recapitulating the complexity of the physiological environment while providing simplicity in operation and manipulation of the model. Microfluidic technology has emerged as a promising tool that enables perfusion of the tissue constructs through engineered vasculatures and precise control of the vascular microenvironment cues in vitro. The tunable microenvironment includes i) biochemical cues such as coculture, supporting matrix, and growth factors and ii) engineering aspects such as vasculature engineering methods, fluid flow, and shear stress. In this systematic review, the design considerations of the microfluidic-based in vitro model are discussed, with an emphasis on microenvironment control to enhance the development of next-generation vascularized engineered tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin Yen Tan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ziuwin Leung
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Angela Ruohao Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Akther F, Little P, Li Z, Nguyen NT, Ta HT. Hydrogels as artificial matrices for cell seeding in microfluidic devices. RSC Adv 2020; 10:43682-43703. [PMID: 35519701 PMCID: PMC9058401 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08566a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogel-based artificial scaffolds and its incorporation with microfluidic devices play a vital role in shifting in vitro models from two-dimensional (2D) cell culture to in vivo like three-dimensional (3D) cell culture
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahima Akther
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
- The University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre
| | - Peter Little
- School of Pharmacy
- The University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Mechanical Medical & Process Engineering
- Queensland University of Technology
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre
- Griffith University
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Hang T. Ta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
- The University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre
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Rauff A, LaBelle SA, Strobel HA, Hoying JB, Weiss JA. Imaging the Dynamic Interaction Between Sprouting Microvessels and the Extracellular Matrix. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1011. [PMID: 31507428 PMCID: PMC6713949 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thorough understanding of growth and evolution of tissue vasculature is fundamental to many fields of medicine including cancer therapy, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Angiogenesis, the growth of new vessels from existing ones, is dynamically influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including mechanical and biophysical factors, chemotactic factors, proteolysis, and interaction with stromal cells. Yet, dynamic interactions between neovessels and their environment are difficult to study with traditional fixed time imaging techniques. Advancements in imaging technologies permit time-series and volumetric imaging, affording the ability to visualize microvessel growth over 3D space and time. Time-lapse imaging has led to more informative investigations of angiogenesis. The environmental factors implicated in angiogenesis span a wide range of signals. Neovessels advance through stromal matrices by forming attachments and pulling and pushing on their microenvironment, reorganizing matrix fibers, and inducing large deformations of the surrounding stroma. Concurrently, neovessels secrete proteolytic enzymes to degrade their basement membrane, create space for new vessels to grow, and release matrix-bound cytokines. Growing neovessels also respond to a host of soluble and matrix-bound growth factors, and display preferential growth along a cytokine gradient. Lastly, stromal cells such as macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) interact directly with neovessels and their surrounding matrix to facilitate sprouting, vessel fusion, and tissue remodeling. This review highlights how time-lapse imaging techniques advanced our understanding of the interaction of blood vessels with their environment during sprouting angiogenesis. The technology provides means to characterize the evolution of microvessel behavior, providing new insights and holding great promise for further research on the process of angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Rauff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Steven A. LaBelle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Hannah A. Strobel
- Innovations Laboratory, Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, Manchester, NH, United States
| | - James B. Hoying
- Innovations Laboratory, Advanced Solutions Life Sciences, Manchester, NH, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Gaspar D, Peixoto R, De Pieri A, Striegl B, Zeugolis DI, Raghunath M. Local pharmacological induction of angiogenesis: Drugs for cells and cells as drugs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 146:126-154. [PMID: 31226398 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The past decades have seen significant advances in pro-angiogenic strategies based on delivery of molecules and cells for conditions such as coronary artery disease, critical limb ischemia and stroke. Currently, three major strategies are evolving. Firstly, various pharmacological agents (growth factors, interleukins, small molecules, DNA/RNA) are locally applied at the ischemic region. Secondly, preparations of living cells with considerable bandwidth of tissue origin, differentiation state and preconditioning are delivered locally, rarely systemically. Thirdly, based on the notion, that cellular effects can be attributed mostly to factors secreted in situ, the cellular secretome (conditioned media, exosomes) has come into the spotlight. We review these three strategies to achieve (neo)angiogenesis in ischemic tissue with focus on the angiogenic mechanisms they tackle, such as transcription cascades, specific signalling steps and cellular gases. We also include cancer-therapy relevant lymphangiogenesis, and shall seek to explain why there are often conflicting data between in vitro and in vivo. The lion's share of data encompassing all three approaches comes from experimental animal work and we shall highlight common technical obstacles in the delivery of therapeutic molecules, cells, and secretome. This plethora of preclinical data contrasts with a dearth of clinical studies. A lack of adequate delivery vehicles and standardised assessment of clinical outcomes might play a role here, as well as regulatory, IP, and manufacturing constraints of candidate compounds; in addition, completed clinical trials have yet to reveal a successful and efficacious strategy. As the biology of angiogenesis is understood well enough for clinical purposes, it will be a matter of time to achieve success for well-stratified patients, and most probably with a combination of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Gaspar
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland
| | - Rita Peixoto
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrea De Pieri
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Proxy Biomedical Ltd., Coilleach, Spiddal, Galway, Ireland
| | - Britta Striegl
- Competence Centre Tissue Engineering for Drug Development (TEDD), Centre for Cell Biology & Tissue Engineering, Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland
| | - Michael Raghunath
- Competence Centre Tissue Engineering for Drug Development (TEDD), Centre for Cell Biology & Tissue Engineering, Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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27
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Guo J, Keller KA, Govyadinov P, Ruchhoeft P, Slater JH, Mayerich D. Accurate flow in augmented networks (AFAN): an approach to generating three-dimensional biomimetic microfluidic networks with controlled flow. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2019; 11:8-16. [PMID: 31490456 PMCID: PMC6336169 DOI: 10.1039/c8ay01798k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In vivo, microvasculature provides oxygen, nutrients, and soluble factors necessary for cell survival and function. The highly tortuous, densely-packed, and interconnected three-dimensional (3D) architecture of microvasculature ensures that cells receive these crucial components. The ability to duplicate microvascular architecture in tissue-engineered models could provide a means to generate large-volume constructs as well as advanced microphysiological systems. Similarly, the ability to induce realistic flow in engineered microvasculature is crucial to recapitulating in vivo-like flow and transport. Advanced biofabrication techniques are capable of generating 3D, biomimetic microfluidic networks in hydrogels, however, these models can exhibit systemic aberrations in flow due to incorrect boundary conditions. To overcome this problem, we developed an automated method for generating synthetic augmented channels that induce the desired flow properties within three-dimensional microfluidic networks. These augmented inlets and outlets enforce the appropriate boundary conditions for achieving specified flow properties and create a three-dimensional output useful for image-guided fabrication techniques to create biomimetic microvascular networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Guo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Houston , USA .
| | - Keely A Keller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Delaware , USA
| | - Pavel Govyadinov
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Houston , USA .
| | - Paul Ruchhoeft
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Houston , USA .
| | - John H Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering , University of Delaware , USA
| | - David Mayerich
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering , University of Houston , USA .
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28
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A 3D microvascular network model to study the impact of hypoxia on the extravasation potential of breast cell lines. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17949. [PMID: 30560881 PMCID: PMC6298998 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36381-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated hypoxia to be an important trigger of tumor cell invasion or metastasizes via hypoxia-signaling cascades, including hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Microfluidic model can be a reliable in vitro tool for systematically interrogating individual factors and their accompanying downstream effects, which may otherwise be difficult to study in complex tumor tissues. Here, we used an in vitro model of microvascular networks in a microfluidic chip to measure the extravasation potential of breast cell lines subjected to different oxygen conditions. Through the use of HIF-1α knock-down cell lines, we also validated the importance of HIF-1α in the transmigration ability of human breast cell lines. Three human breast cell lines derived from human breast tissues (MCF10A, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) were used in this study to evaluate the role of hypoxia in promoting metastasis at different stages of cancer progression. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF-1α protein level was increased, and coincided with changes in cell morphology, viability and an elevated metastatic potential. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the rate of extravasation compared to normoxia (21% O2). siRNA knockdown of HIF-1α in hypoxic tumors significantly decreased the extravasation rates of all the cell lines tested and may have an effect on the function of metastatic and apoptotic-related cellular processes.
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29
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Zeinali S, Bichsel CA, Hobi N, Funke M, Marti TM, Schmid RA, Guenat OT, Geiser T. Human microvasculature-on-a chip: anti-neovasculogenic effect of nintedanib in vitro. Angiogenesis 2018; 21:861-871. [PMID: 29967964 PMCID: PMC6208892 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-018-9631-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by a progressive scarring and stiffening of the peripheral lung tissue that decreases lung function. Over the course of the disease, the lung microvasculature undergoes extensive remodeling. There is increased angiogenesis around fibrotic foci and an absence of microvessels within the foci. To elucidate how the anti-fibrotic drug nintedanib acts on vascular remodeling, we used an in vitro model of perfusable microvessels made with primary endothelial cells and primary lung fibroblasts in a microfluidic chip. The microvasculature model allowed us to study the impact of nintedanib on permeability, vascularized area, and cell-cell interactions. The anti-vasculogenic impact of nintedanib was visible at the minimal concentrations of 10 nM, showing a significant increase in vessel permeability. Furthermore, nintedanib decreased microvessel density, diameter, and influenced fibroblast organization around endothelial microvessels. These results show that nintedanib acts on the endothelial network formation and endothelial-perivascular interactions. Advanced in vitro microvasculature models may thus serve to pinpoint the mechanistic effect of anti-fibrotic drugs on the microvascular remodeling in 3D and refine findings from animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Zeinali
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Colette A Bichsel
- Vascular Biology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nina Hobi
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Funke
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas M Marti
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ralph A Schmid
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivier T Guenat
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Geiser
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies Laboratory, ARTORG Center, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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30
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Morgan JT, Shirazi J, Comber EM, Eschenburg C, Gleghorn JP. Fabrication of centimeter-scale and geometrically arbitrary vascular networks using in vitro self-assembly. Biomaterials 2018; 189:37-47. [PMID: 30384127 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
One of the largest challenges facing the field of tissue engineering is the incorporation of a functional vasculature, allowing effective nourishment of graft tissue beyond diffusion length scales. Here, we demonstrate a methodology for inducing the robust self-assembly of endothelial cells into stable three-dimensional perfusable networks on millimeter and centimeter length scales. Utilizing broadly accessible cell strains and reagents, we have rigorously tested a state space of cell densities (0.5-2.0 × 106 cell/mL) and collagen gel densities (2-6 mg/mL) that result in robust vascular network formation. Further, over the range of culture conditions with which we observed robust network formation, we advanced image processing algorithms and quantitative metrics to assess network connectivity, coverage, tortuosity, lumenization, and vessel diameter. These data demonstrate that decreasing collagen density produced more connected networks with higher coverage. Finally, we demonstrated that this methodology results in the formation of perfusable networks, is extensible to arbitrary geometries and centimeter scales, and results in networks that remain stable for 21 days without the need for the co-culture of supporting cells. Given the robustness and accessibility, this system is ideal for studies of tissue-scale biology, as well as future studies on the formation and remodeling of larger engineered graft tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Morgan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Jasmine Shirazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Erica M Comber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Christian Eschenburg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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31
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Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Engineer Blood Vessels. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 163:147-168. [PMID: 29090328 DOI: 10.1007/10_2017_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Development of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a remarkable scientific advancement that allows scientists to harness the power of regenerative medicine for potential treatment of disease using unaffected cells. PSCs provide a unique opportunity to study and combat cardiovascular diseases, which continue to claim the lives of thousands each day. Here, we discuss the differentiation of PSCs into vascular cells, investigation of the functional capabilities of the derived cells, and their utilization to engineer microvascular beds or vascular grafts for clinical application. Graphical Abstract Human iPSCs generated from patients are differentiated toward ECs and perivascular cells for use in disease modeling, microvascular bed development, or vascular graft fabrication.
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Abstract
In vivo, cells of the vascular system are subjected to various mechanical stimuli and have demonstrated the ability to adapt their behavior via mechanotransduction. Recent advances in microfluidic and "on-chip" techniques have provided the technology to study these alterations in cell behavior. Contrary to traditional in vitro assays such as transwell plates and parallel plate flow chambers, these microfluidic devices (MFDs) provide the opportunity to integrate multiple mechanical cues (e.g. shear stress, confinement, substrate stiffness, vessel geometry and topography) with in situ quantification capabilities. As such, MFDs can be used to recapitulate the in vivo mechanical setting and systematically vary microenvironmental conditions for improved mechanobiological studies of the endothelium. Additionally, adequate modelling provides for enhanced understanding of disease progression, design of cell separation and drug delivery systems, and the development of biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Here, we will discuss the advances in knowledge about endothelial cell mechanosensing resulting from the design and application of biomimetic on-chip and microfluidic platforms.
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33
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In vitro development of zebrafish vascular networks. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 70:102-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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34
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Engineered microenvironments for synergistic VEGF - Integrin signalling during vascularization. Biomaterials 2017; 126:61-74. [PMID: 28279265 PMCID: PMC5354119 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability of critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth factor binding (FNIII12-14) and integrin binding (FNIII9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled on PEA. This material platform promotes synergistic integrin/VEGF signalling which is highly effective for vascularization events in vitro with low concentrations of VEGF. VEGF specifically binds to FN fibrils on PEA compared to control polymers (poly(methyl acrylate), PMA) where FN remains in a globular conformation and integrin/GF binding domains are not simultaneously available. The vasculogenic response of human endothelial cells seeded on these synergistic interfaces (VEGF bound to FN assembled on PEA) was significantly improved compared to soluble administration of VEGF at higher doses. Early onset of VEGF signalling (PLCγ1 phosphorylation) and both integrin and VEGF signalling (ERK1/2 phosphorylation) were increased only when VEGF was bound to FN nanonetworks on PEA, while soluble VEGF did not influence early signalling. Experiments with mutant FN molecules with impaired integrin binding site (FN-RGE) confirmed the role of the integrin binding site of FN on the vasculogenic response via combined integrin/VEGF signalling. In vivo experiments using 3D scaffolds coated with FN and VEGF implanted in the murine fat pad demonstrated pro-vascularization signalling by enhanced formation of new tissue inside scaffold pores. PEA-driven organization of FN promotes efficient presentation of VEGF to promote vascularization in regenerative medicine applications.
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35
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Buno KP, Chen X, Weibel JA, Thiede SN, Garimella SV, Yoder MC, Voytik-Harbin SL. In Vitro Multitissue Interface Model Supports Rapid Vasculogenesis and Mechanistic Study of Vascularization across Tissue Compartments. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:21848-60. [PMID: 27136321 PMCID: PMC5007191 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b01194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
A significant challenge facing tissue engineers is the design and development of complex multitissue systems, including vascularized tissue-tissue interfaces. While conventional in vitro models focus on either vasculogenesis (de novo formation of blood vessels) or angiogenesis (vessels sprouting from existing vessels or endothelial monolayers), successful therapeutic vascularization strategies will likely rely on coordinated integration of both processes. To address this challenge, we developed a novel in vitro multitissue interface model in which human endothelial colony forming cell (ECFC)-encapsulated tissue spheres are embedded within a surrounding tissue microenvironment. This highly reproducible approach exploits biphilic surfaces (nanostructured surfaces with distinct superhydrophobic and hydrophilic regions) to (i) support tissue compartments with user-specified matrix composition and physical properties as well as cell type and density and (ii) introduce boundary conditions that prevent the cell-mediated tissue contraction routinely observed with conventional three-dimensional monodispersion cultures. This multitissue interface model was applied to test the hypothesis that independent control of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell interactions would affect vascularization within the tissue sphere as well as across the tissue-tissue interface. We found that high-cell-density tissue spheres containing 5 × 10(6) ECFCs/mL exhibit rapid and robust vasculogenesis, forming highly interconnected, stable (as indicated by type IV collagen deposition) vessel networks within only 3 days. Addition of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) in the surrounding tissue further enhanced vasculogenesis within the sphere as well as angiogenic vessel elongation across the tissue-tissue boundary, with both effects being dependent on the ASC density. Overall, results show that the ECFC density and ECFC-ASC crosstalk, in terms of paracrine and mechanophysical signaling, are critical determinants of vascularization within a given tissue compartment and across tissue interfaces. This new in vitro multitissue interface model and the associated mechanistic insights it yields provide guiding principles for the design and optimization of multitissue vascularization strategies for research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P. Buno
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Xuemei Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Justin A. Weibel
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Stephanie N. Thiede
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Suresh V. Garimella
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Mervin C. Yoder
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Sherry L. Voytik-Harbin
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Corresponding Author:. Phone: (765) 496-6128. Address: Martin C. Jischke Hall of Biomedical Engineering, Room 3033, 206 South Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2032, U.S.A
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Marx U, Andersson TB, Bahinski A, Beilmann M, Beken S, Cassee FR, Cirit M, Daneshian M, Fitzpatrick S, Frey O, Gaertner C, Giese C, Griffith L, Hartung T, Heringa MB, Hoeng J, de Jong WH, Kojima H, Kuehnl J, Luch A, Maschmeyer I, Sakharov D, Sips AJAM, Steger-Hartmann T, Tagle DA, Tonevitsky A, Tralau T, Tsyb S, van de Stolpe A, Vandebriel R, Vulto P, Wang J, Wiest J, Rodenburg M, Roth A. Biology-inspired microphysiological system approaches to solve the prediction dilemma of substance testing. ALTEX 2016; 33:272-321. [PMID: 27180100 PMCID: PMC5396467 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1603161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The recent advent of microphysiological systems - microfluidic biomimetic devices that aspire to emulate the biology of human tissues, organs and circulation in vitro - is envisaged to enable a global paradigm shift in drug development. An extraordinary US governmental initiative and various dedicated research programs in Europe and Asia have led recently to the first cutting-edge achievements of human single-organ and multi-organ engineering based on microphysiological systems. The expectation is that test systems established on this basis would model various disease stages, and predict toxicity, immunogenicity, ADME profiles and treatment efficacy prior to clinical testing. Consequently, this technology could significantly affect the way drug substances are developed in the future. Furthermore, microphysiological system-based assays may revolutionize our current global programs of prioritization of hazard characterization for any new substances to be used, for example, in agriculture, food, ecosystems or cosmetics, thus, replacing laboratory animal models used currently. Thirty-six experts from academia, industry and regulatory bodies present here the results of an intensive workshop (held in June 2015, Berlin, Germany). They review the status quo of microphysiological systems available today against industry needs, and assess the broad variety of approaches with fit-for-purpose potential in the drug development cycle. Feasible technical solutions to reach the next levels of human biology in vitro are proposed. Furthermore, key organ-on-a-chip case studies, as well as various national and international programs are highlighted. Finally, a roadmap into the future is outlined, to allow for more predictive and regulatory-accepted substance testing on a global scale.
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Del Amo C, Borau C, Gutiérrez R, Asín J, García-Aznar JM. Quantification of angiogenic sprouting under different growth factors in a microfluidic platform. J Biomech 2016; 49:1340-1346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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He XL, Zhao YX, Ge LL, An HQ, Su Y, Jin ZL, Wei DS, Chen L. Micropatterned fabrication of chitosan-based thermoresponsive membranes for improving cell adhesion and gene expression. J BIOACT COMPAT POL 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0883911515623080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A simple, rapid, and economical method to fabricate micropatterned thermoresponsive chitosan membranes was developed. Porous polystyrene films were prepared by liquid-induced phase separation. The size of pores on polystyrene films could be regulated by adjusting the composition of coagulation bath and changing the solvent evaporation rate. Subsequently, chitosan-based thermoresponsive membranes with island protrusions were fabricated using porous polystyrene films as templates. The effects of the micropatterns on the behaviors of mouse fibroblast L929 were investigated. The presence of micropatterns altered the cell cycle distribution and enhanced the gene expression of cyclin D1 and integrin β1. The micro-convex surface could promote the adhesion and proliferation of L929 cells. These results provided valuable guidance to design appropriate topographic surfaces for tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ling He
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Fiber Modification and Functional Fiber, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu-Xin Zhao
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Li-Li Ge
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui-qin An
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Su
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen-Li Jin
- School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong-Sheng Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Fiber Modification and Functional Fiber, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
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39
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Kokai LE, Marra KG, Kershaw EE. Three-Dimensional Adipocyte Culture: The Next Frontier for Adipocyte Biology Discovery. Endocrinology 2015; 156:4375-6. [PMID: 26492473 PMCID: PMC4655218 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Kokai
- Department of Plastic Surgery and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (L.E.K., K.G.M.), and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine (E.E.K.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Kacey G Marra
- Department of Plastic Surgery and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (L.E.K., K.G.M.), and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine (E.E.K.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Erin E Kershaw
- Department of Plastic Surgery and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine (L.E.K., K.G.M.), and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine (E.E.K.), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
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40
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Cox MC, Reese LM, Bickford LR, Verbridge SS. Toward the Broad Adoption of 3D Tumor Models in the Cancer Drug Pipeline. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2015; 1:877-894. [PMID: 33429520 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5b00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite a cost of approximately $1 billion to develop a new cancer drug, about 90% of drugs that enter clinical trials fail. A tremendous opportunity exists to streamline the drug selection and testing process, and innovative approaches promise to reduce the burdensome cost of health care for those suffering from cancer. There is great potential for 3D models of human tumors to complement more traditional testing methods; however, the shift from 2D to 3D assays at early stages of the drug discovery and development process is far from widely accepted. 3D platforms range from simple tumor spheroids to more complex microfluidic hydrogels that better mimic the tumor microenvironment. While several companies have developed and patented advanced high-throughput 3D platforms for drug screening, their cost and complexity have limited their adoption as an industry standard. In this review, we will highlight the various tumor platforms that have been developed, emphasizing the approaches that have successfully led to commercial products. We will then consider potential directions toward more relevant tumor models, advantages of the adoption of such platforms within the drug development and screening process, and new opportunities in personalized medicine that such platforms will uniquely enable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Cox
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Laura M Reese
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Lissett R Bickford
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Scott S Verbridge
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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41
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van Duinen V, Trietsch SJ, Joore J, Vulto P, Hankemeier T. Microfluidic 3D cell culture: from tools to tissue models. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 35:118-26. [PMID: 26094109 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The transition from 2D to 3D cell culture techniques is an important step in a trend towards better biomimetic tissue models. Microfluidics allows spatial control over fluids in micrometer-sized channels has become a valuable tool to further increase the physiological relevance of 3D cell culture by enabling spatially controlled co-cultures, perfusion flow and spatial control over of signaling gradients. This paper reviews most important developments in microfluidic 3D culture since 2012. Most efforts were exerted in the field of vasculature, both as a tissue on its own and as part of cancer models. We observe that the focus is shifting from tool building to implementation of specific tissue models. The next big challenge for the field is the full validation of these models and subsequently the implementation of these models in drug development pipelines of the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately in personalized medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent van Duinen
- Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan J Trietsch
- Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Mimetas BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Paul Vulto
- Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Mimetas BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Hankemeier
- Division of Analytical Biosciences, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
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