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Cadavid JL, Li NT, McGuigan AP. Bridging systems biology and tissue engineering: Unleashing the full potential of complex 3D in vitro tissue models of disease. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 5:021301. [PMID: 38617201 PMCID: PMC11008916 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Rapid advances in tissue engineering have resulted in more complex and physiologically relevant 3D in vitro tissue models with applications in fundamental biology and therapeutic development. However, the complexity provided by these models is often not leveraged fully due to the reductionist methods used to analyze them. Computational and mathematical models developed in the field of systems biology can address this issue. Yet, traditional systems biology has been mostly applied to simpler in vitro models with little physiological relevance and limited cellular complexity. Therefore, integrating these two inherently interdisciplinary fields can result in new insights and move both disciplines forward. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of how systems biology has been integrated with 3D in vitro tissue models and discuss key application areas where the synergies between both fields have led to important advances with potential translational impact. We then outline key directions for future research and discuss a framework for further integration between fields.
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Kopyeva I, Goldner EC, Hoye JW, Yang S, Regier MC, Vera KR, Bretherton RC, DeForest CA. Stepwise Stiffening/Softening of and Cell Recovery from Reversibly Formulated Hydrogel Double Networks. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.588191. [PMID: 38645065 PMCID: PMC11030224 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Biomechanical contributions of the ECM underpin cell growth and proliferation, differentiation, signal transduction, and other fate decisions. As such, biomaterials whose mechanics can be spatiotemporally altered - particularly in a reversible manner - are extremely valuable for studying these mechanobiological phenomena. Herein, we introduce a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel model consisting of two interpenetrating step-growth networks that are independently formed via largely orthogonal bioorthogonal chemistries and sequentially degraded with distinct bacterial transpeptidases, affording reversibly tunable stiffness ranges that span healthy and diseased soft tissues (e.g., 500 Pa - 6 kPa) alongside terminal cell recovery for pooled and/or single-cell analysis in a near "biologically invisible" manner. Spatiotemporal control of gelation within the primary supporting network was achieved via mask-based and two-photon lithography; these stiffened patterned regions could be subsequently returned to the original soft state following sortase-based secondary network degradation. Using this approach, we investigated the effects of 4D-triggered network mechanical changes on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) morphology and Hippo signaling, as well as Caco-2 colorectal cancer cell mechanomemory at the global transcriptome level via RNAseq. We expect this platform to be of broad utility for studying and directing mechanobiological phenomena, patterned cell fate, as well as disease resolution in softer matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kopyeva
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Ethan C. Goldner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Jack W. Hoye
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Shiyu Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Mary C. Regier
- Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Kaitlyn R. Vera
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Ross C. Bretherton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Cole A. DeForest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
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Zambuto SG, Scott AK, Oyen ML. Beyond 2D: Novel biomaterial approaches for modeling the placenta. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00073-0. [PMID: 38514278 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
This review considers fully three-dimensional biomaterial environments of varying complexity as these pertain to research on the placenta. The developments in placental cell sources are first considered, along with the corresponding maternal cells with which the trophoblast interact. We consider biomaterial sources, including hybrid and composite biomaterials. Properties and characterization of biomaterials are discussed in the context of material design for specific placental applications. The development of increasingly complicated three-dimensional structures includes examples of advanced fabrication methods such as microfluidic device fabrication and 3D bioprinting, as utilized in a placenta context. The review finishes with a discussion of the potential for in vitro, three-dimensional placenta research to address health disparities and sexual dimorphism, especially in light of the exciting recent changes in the regulatory environment for in vitro devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G Zambuto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adrienne K Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michelle L Oyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Da Silva André G, Paganella LG, Badolato A, Sander S, Giampietro C, Tibbitt MW, Dengjel J, Labouesse C. Protein Isolation from 3D Hydrogel Scaffolds. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e966. [PMID: 38206582 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.966] [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] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Protein isolation is an essential tool in cell biology to characterize protein abundance under various experimental conditions. Several protocols exist, tailored to cell culture or tissue sections, and have been adapted to particular downstream analyses (e.g., western blotting or mass spectrometry). An increasing trend in bioengineering and cell biology is to use three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel-based scaffolds for cell culture. In principle, the same protocols can be used to extract protein from hydrogel-based cell and tissue constructs. However, in practice the yield and quality of the recovered protein pellet is often substantially lower when using standard protocols and requires tuning of multiple steps, including the selected lysis buffer and the scaffold homogenization strategy, as well as the methods for protein purification and reconstitution. We present here specific protocols tailored to common 3D hydrogels to help researchers using hydrogel-based 3D cell culture improve the quantity and quality of their extracted protein. We focus on three materials: protease-degradable PEG-based hydrogels, collagen hydrogels, and alginate hydrogels. We discuss how the protein extraction procedure can be adapted to the scaffold of interest (degradable or non-degradable gels), proteins of interests (soluble, matrix-bound, or phosphoproteins), and downstream biochemical assays (western blotting or mass spectrometry). With the growing interest in 3D cell culture, the protocols presented should be useful to many researchers in cell biology, protein science, biomaterials, and bioengineering communities. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolating proteins from PEG-based hydrogels Basic Protocol 2: Isolating proteins from collagen hydrogels Basic Protocol 3: Isolating proteins from alginate hydrogels Alternate Protocol: Isolating protein from alginate gels using EDTA to dissolve the gel Support Protocol: Isolating protein and RNA simultaneously from the same samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Da Silva André
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lorenza Garau Paganella
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Asia Badolato
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sibilla Sander
- Department of Biology, Université de Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland
| | - Mark W Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jörn Dengjel
- Department of Biology, Université de Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Céline Labouesse
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Gharios R, Francis RM, DeForest CA. Chemical and Biological Engineering Strategies to Make and Modify Next-Generation Hydrogel Biomaterials. MATTER 2023; 6:4195-4244. [PMID: 38313360 PMCID: PMC10836217 DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the development of technologies to probe and direct in vitro cellular function for fundamental organoid and stem cell biology, functional tissue and metabolic engineering, and biotherapeutic formulation. Recapitulating many critical aspects of the native cellular niche, hydrogel biomaterials have proven to be a defining platform technology in this space, catapulting biological investigation from traditional two-dimensional (2D) culture into the 3D world. Seeking to better emulate the dynamic heterogeneity characteristic of all living tissues, global efforts over the last several years have centered around upgrading hydrogel design from relatively simple and static architectures into stimuli-responsive and spatiotemporally evolvable niches. Towards this end, advances from traditionally disparate fields including bioorthogonal click chemistry, chemoenzymatic synthesis, and DNA nanotechnology have been co-opted and integrated to construct 4D-tunable systems that undergo preprogrammed functional changes in response to user-defined inputs. In this Review, we highlight how advances in synthetic, semisynthetic, and bio-based chemistries have played a critical role in the triggered creation and customization of next-generation hydrogel biomaterials. We also chart how these advances stand to energize the translational pipeline of hydrogels from bench to market and close with an outlook on outstanding opportunities and challenges that lay ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Gharios
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Ryan M. Francis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
| | - Cole A. DeForest
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98105, USA
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Gnecco JS, Brown A, Buttrey K, Ives C, Goods BA, Baugh L, Hernandez-Gordillo V, Loring M, Isaacson KB, Griffith LG. Organoid co-culture model of the human endometrium in a fully synthetic extracellular matrix enables the study of epithelial-stromal crosstalk. MED 2023; 4:554-579.e9. [PMID: 37572651 PMCID: PMC10878405 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human endometrium undergoes recurring cycles of growth, differentiation, and breakdown in response to sex hormones. Dysregulation of epithelial-stromal communication during hormone-mediated signaling may be linked to myriad gynecological disorders for which treatments remain inadequate. Here, we describe a completely defined, synthetic extracellular matrix that enables co-culture of human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in a manner that captures healthy and disease states across a simulated menstrual cycle. METHODS We parsed cycle-dependent endometrial integrin expression and matrix composition to define candidate cell-matrix interaction cues for inclusion in a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel crosslinked with matrix metalloproteinase-labile peptides. We semi-empirically screened a parameter space of biophysical and molecular features representative of the endometrium to define compositions suitable for hormone-driven expansion and differentiation of epithelial organoids, stromal cells, and co-cultures of the two cell types. FINDINGS Each cell type exhibited characteristic morphological and molecular responses to hormone changes when co-encapsulated in hydrogels tuned to a stiffness regime similar to the native tissue and functionalized with a collagen-derived adhesion peptide (GFOGER) and a fibronectin-derived peptide (PHSRN-K-RGD). Analysis of cell-cell crosstalk during interleukin 1B (IL1B)-induced inflammation revealed dysregulation of epithelial proliferation mediated by stromal cells. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, we demonstrate the development of a fully synthetic matrix to sustain the dynamic changes of the endometrial microenvironment and support its applications to understand menstrual health and endometriotic diseases. FUNDING This work was supported by The John and Karine Begg Foundation, the Manton Foundation, and NIH U01 (EB029132).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan S Gnecco
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Alexander Brown
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kira Buttrey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Clara Ives
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brittany A Goods
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, 15 Thayer Drive, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Lauren Baugh
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Victor Hernandez-Gordillo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Megan Loring
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Newton Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02115, USA
| | - Keith B Isaacson
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Newton Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02115, USA
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Nicosia A, Salamone M, Costa S, Ragusa MA, Ghersi G. Mimicking Molecular Pathways in the Design of Smart Hydrogels for the Design of Vascularized Engineered Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12314. [PMID: 37569691 PMCID: PMC10418696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomaterials are pivotal in supporting and guiding vascularization for therapeutic applications. To design effective, bioactive biomaterials, understanding the cellular and molecular processes involved in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis is crucial. Biomaterial platforms can replicate the interactions between cells, the ECM, and the signaling molecules that trigger blood vessel formation. Hydrogels, with their soft and hydrated properties resembling natural tissues, are widely utilized; particularly synthetic hydrogels, known for their bio-inertness and precise control over cell-material interactions, are utilized. Naturally derived and synthetic hydrogel bases are tailored with specific mechanical properties, controlled for biodegradation, and enhanced for cell adhesion, appropriate biochemical signaling, and architectural features that facilitate the assembly and tubulogenesis of vascular cells. This comprehensive review showcases the latest advancements in hydrogel materials and innovative design modifications aimed at effectively guiding and supporting vascularization processes. Furthermore, by leveraging this knowledge, researchers can advance biomaterial design, which will enable precise support and guidance of vascularization processes and ultimately enhance tissue functionality and therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Nicosia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Monica Salamone
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation-National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Via Ugo la Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (S.C.); (M.A.R.); (G.G.)
| | - Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (S.C.); (M.A.R.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulio Ghersi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (S.C.); (M.A.R.); (G.G.)
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Francés-Herrero E, Lopez R, Campo H, de Miguel-Gómez L, Rodríguez-Eguren A, Faus A, Pellicer A, Cervelló I. Advances of xenogeneic ovarian extracellular matrix hydrogels for in vitro follicle development and oocyte maturation. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 151:213480. [PMID: 37267748 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Research aimed at preserving female fertility is increasingly using bioengineering techniques to develop new platforms capable of supporting ovarian cell function in vitro and in vivo. Natural hydrogels (alginate, collagen, and fibrin) have been the most exploited approaches; however they are biologically inert and/or biochemically simple. Thus, establishing a suitable biomimetic hydrogel from decellularized ovarian cortex (OC) extracellular matrix (OvaECM) could provide a complex native biomaterial for follicle development and oocyte maturation. The objectives of this work were (i) to establish an optimal protocol to decellularize and solubilize bovine OC, (ii) to characterize the histological, molecular, ultrastructural, and proteomic properties of the resulting tissue and hydrogel, and (iii) to assess its biocompatibility and adequacy for murine in vitro follicle growth (IVFG). Sodium dodecyl sulfate was identified as the best detergent to develop bovine OvaECM hydrogels. Hydrogels added into standard media or used as plate coatings were employed for IVFG and oocyte maturation. Follicle growth, survival, hormone production, and oocyte maturation and developmental competence were evaluated. OvaECM hydrogel-supplemented media best supported follicle survival, expansion, and hormone production, while the coatings provided more mature and competent oocytes. Overall, the findings support the xenogeneic use of OvaECM hydrogels for future human female reproductive bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Francés-Herrero
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosalba Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Hannes Campo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lucía de Miguel-Gómez
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Adolfo Rodríguez-Eguren
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Faus
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVI Roma Parioli, IVI-RMA Global, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Cervelló
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain.
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Bretherton RC, Haack AJ, Kopyeva I, Rahman F, Kern JD, Bugg D, Theberge AB, Davis J, DeForest CA. User-Controlled 4D Biomaterial Degradation with Substrate-Selective Sortase Transpeptidases for Single-Cell Biology. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209904. [PMID: 36808641 PMCID: PMC10175157 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive biomaterials show great promise for modeling disease dynamics ex vivo with spatiotemporal control over the cellular microenvironment. However, harvesting cells from such materials for downstream analysis without perturbing their state remains an outstanding challenge in 3/4-dimensional (3D/4D) culture and tissue engineering. In this manuscript, a fully enzymatic strategy for hydrogel degradation that affords spatiotemporal control over cell release while maintaining cytocompatibility is introduced. Exploiting engineered variants of the sortase transpeptidase evolved to recognize and selectively cleave distinct peptide sequences largely absent from the mammalian proteome, many limitations implicit to state-of-the-art methods to liberate cells from gels are sidestepped. It is demonstrated that evolved sortase exposure has minimal impact on the global transcriptome of primary mammalian cells and that proteolytic cleavage proceeds with high specificity; incorporation of substrate sequences within hydrogel crosslinkers permits rapid and selective cell recovery with high viability. In composite multimaterial hydrogels, it is shown that sequential degradation of hydrogel layers enables highly specific retrieval of single-cell suspensions for phenotypic analysis. It is expected that the high bioorthogonality and substrate selectivity of the evolved sortases will lead to their broad adoption as an enzymatic material dissociation cue and that their multiplexed use will enable newfound studies in 4D cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross C Bretherton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Amanda J Haack
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Irina Kopyeva
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Fariha Rahman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Jonah D Kern
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Darrian Bugg
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Davis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Cole A DeForest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
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10
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Blache U, Ford EM, Ha B, Rijns L, Chaudhuri O, Dankers PY, Kloxin AM, Snedeker JG, Gentleman E. Engineered hydrogels for mechanobiology. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:98. [PMID: 37461429 PMCID: PMC7614763 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00179-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cells' local mechanical environment can be as important in guiding cellular responses as many well-characterized biochemical cues. Hydrogels that mimic the native extracellular matrix can provide these mechanical cues to encapsulated cells, allowing for the study of their impact on cellular behaviours. Moreover, by harnessing cellular responses to mechanical cues, hydrogels can be used to create tissues in vitro for regenerative medicine applications and for disease modelling. This Primer outlines the importance and challenges of creating hydrogels that mimic the mechanical and biological properties of the native extracellular matrix. The design of hydrogels for mechanobiology studies is discussed, including appropriate choice of cross-linking chemistry and strategies to tailor hydrogel mechanical cues. Techniques for characterizing hydrogels are explained, highlighting methods used to analyze cell behaviour. Example applications for studying fundamental mechanobiological processes and regenerative therapies are provided, along with a discussion of the limitations of hydrogels as mimetics of the native extracellular matrix. The article ends with an outlook for the field, focusing on emerging technologies that will enable new insights into mechanobiology and its role in tissue homeostasis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Blache
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology and Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Disease, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eden M. Ford
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
| | - Byunghang Ha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Laura Rijns
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Y.W. Dankers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - April M. Kloxin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
| | - Jess G. Snedeker
- University Hospital Balgrist and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eileen Gentleman
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
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11
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Kast V, Nadernezhad A, Pette D, Gabrielyan A, Fusenig M, Honselmann KC, Stange DE, Werner C, Loessner D. A Tumor Microenvironment Model of Pancreatic Cancer to Elucidate Responses toward Immunotherapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2022:e2201907. [PMID: 36417691 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a devastating malignancy with minimal treatment options. Standard-of-care therapy, including surgery and chemotherapy, is unsatisfactory, and therapies harnessing the immune system have been unsuccessful in clinical trials. Resistance to therapy and disease progression are mediated by the tumor microenvironment, which contains excessive amounts of extracellular matrix and stromal cells, acting as a barrier to drug delivery. There is a lack of preclinical pancreatic cancer models that reconstruct the extracellular, cellular, and biomechanical elements of tumor tissues to assess responses toward immunotherapy. To address this limitation and explore the effects of immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy, a multicellular 3D cancer model using a star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol)-heparin hydrogel matrix is developed. Human pancreatic cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and myeloid cells are grown encapsulated in hydrogels to mimic key components of tumor tissues, and cell responses toward treatment are assessed. Combining the CD11b agonist ADH-503 with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and chemotherapy leads to a significant reduction in tumor cell viability, proliferation, metabolic activity, immunomodulation, and secretion of immunosuppressive and tumor growth-promoting cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Kast
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ali Nadernezhad
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dagmar Pette
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anastasiia Gabrielyan
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maximilian Fusenig
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kim C Honselmann
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Daniel E Stange
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty, Technical University Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Werner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela Loessner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden e.V, Max Bergmann Centre of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
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12
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Liu M, Xiang Y, Yang Y, Long X, Xiao Z, Nan Y, Jiang Y, Qiu Y, Huang Q, Ai K. State-of-the-art advancements in Liver-on-a-chip (LOC): Integrated biosensors for LOC. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 218:114758. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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13
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Cook CJ, Miller AE, Barker TH, Di Y, Fogg KC. Characterizing the extracellular matrix transcriptome of cervical, endometrial, and uterine cancers. Matrix Biol Plus 2022; 15:100117. [PMID: 35898192 PMCID: PMC9309672 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The matrisome plays a critical role in the progression of cancer, but the matrisomes of gynecological cancers have not been well characterized. We built an in silico analysis pipeline to analyze publicly available bulk RNA-seq datasets of cervical, endometrial, and uterine cancers. Using a machine learning approach, we identified genes and gene networks that held inferential significance for cancer stage and patient survival. Cervical, endometrial, and uterine cancers are highly distinct from one another and should be analyzed separately.
Increasingly, the matrisome, a set of proteins that form the core of the extracellular matrix (ECM) or are closely associated with it, has been demonstrated to play a key role in tumor progression. However, in the context of gynecological cancers, the matrisome has not been well characterized. A holistic, yet targeted, exploration of the tumor microenvironment is critical for better understanding the progression of gynecological cancers, identifying key biomarkers for cancer progression, establishing the role of gene expression in patient survival, and for assisting in the development of new targeted therapies. In this work, we explored the matrisome gene expression profiles of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC), uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), and uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) using publicly available RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) portal. We hypothesized that the matrisomal expression patterns of CESC, UCEC, and UCS would be highly distinct with respect to genes which are differentially expressed and hold inferential significance with respect to tumor progression, patient survival, or both. Through a combination of statistical and machine learning analysis techniques, we identified sets of genes and gene networks which characterized each of the gynecological cancer cohorts. Our findings demonstrate that the matrisome is critical for characterizing gynecological cancers and transcriptomic mechanisms of cancer progression and outcome. Furthermore, while the goal of pan-cancer transcriptional analyses is often to highlight the shared attributes of these cancer types, we demonstrate that they are highly distinct diseases which require separate analysis, modeling, and treatment approaches. In future studies, matrisome genes and gene ontology terms that were identified as holding inferential significance for cancer stage and patient survival can be evaluated as potential drug targets and incorporated into in vitro models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson J Cook
- Department of Bioengineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Yanming Di
- Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Kaitlin C Fogg
- Department of Bioengineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
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14
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He G, Lei H, Sun W, Gu J, Yu W, Zhang D, Chen H, Li Y, Qin M, Xue B, Wang W, Cao Y. Strong and Reversible Covalent Double Network Hydrogel Based on Force-Coupled Enzymatic Reactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202201765. [PMID: 35419931 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202201765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Biological load-bearing tissues are strong, tough, and recoverable under periodic mechanical loads. However, such features have rarely been achieved simultaneously in the same synthetic hydrogels. Here, we use a force-coupled enzymatic reaction to tune a strong covalent peptide linkage to a reversible bond. Based on this concept we engineered double network hydrogels that combine high mechanical strength and reversible mechanical recovery in the same hydrogels. Specifically, we found that a peptide ligase, sortase A, can promote the proteolysis of peptides under force. The peptide bond can be re-ligated by the same enzyme in the absence of force. This allows the sacrificial network in the double-network hydrogels to be ruptured and rebuilt reversibly. Our results demonstrate a general approach for precisely controlling the mechanical and dynamic properties of hydrogels at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxiao He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250021, China.,School of Public Health and Management, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Hai Lei
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Wenxu Sun
- School of Public Health and Management, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Jie Gu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Wenting Yu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Huiyan Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Science, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, China
| | - Meng Qin
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Bin Xue
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yi Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Ministry of Education, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Institute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics (IAMFE), School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China.,Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
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15
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He G, Lei H, Sun W, Gu J, Yu W, Zhang D, Chen H, Li Y, Qin M, Xue B, Wang W, Cao Y. Strong and Reversible Covalent Double Network Hydrogel Based on Force‐coupled Enzymatic Reactions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202201765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hai Lei
- Nanjing University Physics CHINA
| | - Wenxu Sun
- Nantong University School of Science CHINA
| | - Jie Gu
- Nanjing University Physics CHINA
| | | | - Di Zhang
- Nanjing University Physics CHINA
| | | | - Ying Li
- Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology School of Environmental Science and Engineering CHINA
| | - Meng Qin
- Nanjing University Physics CHINA
| | - Bin Xue
- Nanjing University Physics CHINA
| | - Wei Wang
- Nanjing University Physics CHINA
| | - Yi Cao
- Nanjing University Department of Physics 22 Hankou Road 210093 Nanjing CHINA
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16
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Gilchrist AE, Harley BA. Engineered Tissue Models to Replicate Dynamic Interactions within the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102130. [PMID: 34936239 PMCID: PMC8986554 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells are the progenitors of the blood and immune system and represent the most widely used regenerative therapy. However, their rarity and limited donor base necessitate the design of ex vivo systems that support HSC expansion without the loss of long-term stem cell activity. This review describes recent advances in biomaterials systems to replicate features of the hematopoietic niche. Inspired by the native bone marrow, these instructive biomaterials provide stimuli and cues from cocultured niche-associated cells to support HSC encapsulation and expansion. Engineered systems increasingly enable study of the dynamic nature of the matrix and biomolecular environment as well as the role of cell-cell signaling (e.g., autocrine feedback vs paracrine signaling between dissimilar cells). The inherent coupling of material properties, biotransport of cell-secreted factors, and cell-mediated remodeling motivate dynamic biomaterial systems as well as characterization and modeling tools capable of evaluating a temporally evolving tissue microenvironment. Recent advances in HSC identification and tracking, model-based experimental design, and single-cell culture platforms facilitate the study of the effect of constellations of matrix, cell, and soluble factor signals on HSC fate. While inspired by the HSC niche, these tools are amenable to the broader stem cell engineering community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan E. Gilchrist
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Brendan A.C. Harley
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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17
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Chrisnandy A, Blondel D, Rezakhani S, Broguiere N, Lutolf MP. Synthetic dynamic hydrogels promote degradation-independent in vitro organogenesis. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:479-487. [PMID: 34782747 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01136-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial organoids are most efficiently grown from mouse-tumour-derived, reconstituted extracellular matrix hydrogels, whose poorly defined composition, batch-to-batch variability and immunogenicity limit clinical applications. Efforts to replace such ill-defined matrices for organoid culture have largely focused on non-adaptable hydrogels composed of covalently crosslinked hydrophilic macromolecules. However, the excessive forces caused by tissue expansion in such elastic gels severely restrict organoid growth and morphogenesis. Chemical or enzymatic degradation schemes can partially alleviate this problem, but due to their irreversibility, long-term applicability is limited. Here we report a family of synthetic hydrogels that promote extensive organoid morphogenesis through dynamic rearrangements mediated by reversible hydrogen bonding. These tunable matrices are stress relaxing and thus promote efficient crypt budding in intestinal stem-cell epithelia through increased symmetry breaking and Paneth cell formation dependent on yes-associated protein 1. As such, these well-defined gels provide promising versatile matrices for fostering elaborate in vitro morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonius Chrisnandy
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Blondel
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Saba Rezakhani
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Broguiere
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Science (SB), EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Roche Institute for Translational Bioengineering (ITB), Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
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18
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Bioengineering Approaches to Improve Gynecological Cancer Outcomes. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2022; 22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2022.100384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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19
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Zambuto SG, Rattila S, Dveksler G, Harley BAC. Effects of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoproteins on Trophoblast Motility in Three-Dimensional Gelatin Hydrogels. Cell Mol Bioeng 2022; 15:175-191. [PMID: 35401843 PMCID: PMC8938592 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-021-00715-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Trophoblast invasion is a complex biological process necessary for establishment of pregnancy; however, much remains unknown regarding what signaling factors coordinate the extent of invasion. Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) are some of the most abundant circulating trophoblastic proteins in maternal blood during human pregnancy, with maternal serum concentrations rising to as high as 200-400 μg/mL at term. Methods Here, we employ three-dimensional (3D) trophoblast motility assays consisting of trophoblast spheroids encapsulated in 3D gelatin hydrogels to quantify trophoblast outgrowth area, viability, and cytotoxicity in the presence of PSG1 and PSG9 as well as epidermal growth factor and Nodal. Results We show PSG9 reduces trophoblast motility whereas PSG1 increases motility. Further, we assess bulk nascent protein production by encapsulated spheroids to highlight the potential of this approach to assess trophoblast response (motility, remodeling) to soluble factors and extracellular matrix cues. Conclusions Such models provide an important platform to develop a deeper understanding of early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G. Zambuto
- grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Shemona Rattila
- grid.265436.00000 0001 0421 5525Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- grid.265436.00000 0001 0421 5525Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Brendan A. C. Harley
- grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Department Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 110 Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 USA ,grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
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20
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Russo M, Cejas CM, Pitingolo G. Advances in microfluidic 3D cell culture for preclinical drug development. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2022; 187:163-204. [PMID: 35094774 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Drug development is often a very long, costly, and risky process due to the lack of reliability in the preclinical studies. Traditional current preclinical models, mostly based on 2D cell culture and animal testing, are not full representatives of the complex in vivo microenvironments and often fail. In order to reduce the enormous costs, both financial and general well-being, a more predictive preclinical model is needed. In this chapter, we review recent advances in microfluidic 3D cell culture showing how its development has allowed the introduction of in vitro microphysiological systems, laying the foundation for organ-on-a-chip technology. These findings provide the basis for numerous preclinical drug discovery assays, which raise the possibility of using micro-engineered systems as emerging alternatives to traditional models, based on 2D cell culture and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Russo
- Microfluidics, MEMS, Nanostructures (MMN), CNRS UMR 8231, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes (IPGG) ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, Paris France.
| | - Cesare M Cejas
- Microfluidics, MEMS, Nanostructures (MMN), CNRS UMR 8231, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes (IPGG) ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, Paris France
| | - Gabriele Pitingolo
- Bioassays, Microsystems and Optical Engineering Unit, BIOASTER, Paris France
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21
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Below CR, Kelly J, Brown A, Humphries JD, Hutton C, Xu J, Lee BY, Cintas C, Zhang X, Hernandez-Gordillo V, Stockdale L, Goldsworthy MA, Geraghty J, Foster L, O'Reilly DA, Schedding B, Askari J, Burns J, Hodson N, Smith DL, Lally C, Ashton G, Knight D, Mironov A, Banyard A, Eble JA, Morton JP, Humphries MJ, Griffith LG, Jørgensen C. A microenvironment-inspired synthetic three-dimensional model for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma organoids. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:110-119. [PMID: 34518665 PMCID: PMC7612137 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01085-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Experimental in vitro models that capture pathophysiological characteristics of human tumours are essential for basic and translational cancer biology. Here, we describe a fully synthetic hydrogel extracellular matrix designed to elicit key phenotypic traits of the pancreatic environment in culture. To enable the growth of normal and cancerous pancreatic organoids from genetically engineered murine models and human patients, essential adhesive cues were empirically defined and replicated in the hydrogel scaffold, revealing a functional role of laminin-integrin α3/α6 signalling in establishment and survival of pancreatic organoids. Altered tissue stiffness-a hallmark of pancreatic cancer-was recapitulated in culture by adjusting the hydrogel properties to engage mechano-sensing pathways and alter organoid growth. Pancreatic stromal cells were readily incorporated into the hydrogels and replicated phenotypic traits characteristic of the tumour environment in vivo. This model therefore recapitulates a pathologically remodelled tumour microenvironment for studies of normal and pancreatic cancer cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Below
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Joanna Kelly
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander Brown
- Centre for Gynepathology Research, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Humphries
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Department of Life Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Colin Hutton
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jingshu Xu
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Brian Y Lee
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Celia Cintas
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Victor Hernandez-Gordillo
- Centre for Gynepathology Research, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Linda Stockdale
- Centre for Gynepathology Research, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Schedding
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Janet Askari
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jessica Burns
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Nigel Hodson
- BioAFM Laboratory, Bioimaging Core Facility, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Duncan L Smith
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Catherine Lally
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Garry Ashton
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - David Knight
- Biological Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Aleksandr Mironov
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Antonia Banyard
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Johannes A Eble
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jennifer P Morton
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Martin J Humphries
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Centre for Gynepathology Research, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Claus Jørgensen
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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22
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Rota CM, Brown AT, Addleson E, Ives C, Trumper E, Pelton K, Teh WP, Schniederjan MJ, Castellino RC, Buhrlage S, Lauffenburger DA, Ligon KL, Griffith LG, Segal RA. Synthetic extracellular matrices and astrocytes provide a supportive microenvironment for the cultivation and investigation of primary pediatric gliomas. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac049. [PMID: 35669012 PMCID: PMC9159660 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pediatric gliomas comprise a diverse set of brain tumor entities that have substantial long-term ramifications for patient survival and quality of life. However, the study of these tumors is currently limited due to a lack of authentic models. Additionally, many aspects of pediatric brain tumor biology, such as tumor cell invasiveness, have been difficult to study with currently available tools. To address these issues, we developed a synthetic extracellular matrix (sECM)-based culture system to grow and study primary pediatric brain tumor cells. Methods We developed a brain-like sECM material as a supportive scaffold for the culture of primary, patient-derived pediatric glioma cells and established patient-derived cell lines. Primary juvenile brainstem-derived murine astrocytes were used as a feeder layer to support the growth of primary human tumor cells. Results We found that our culture system facilitated the proliferation of various primary pediatric brain tumors, including low-grade gliomas, and enabled ex vivo testing of investigational therapeutics. Additionally, we found that tuning this sECM material allowed us to assess high-grade pediatric glioma cell invasion and evaluate therapeutic interventions targeting invasive behavior. Conclusion Our sECM culture platform provides a multipurpose tool for pediatric brain tumor researchers that enables both a wide breadth of biological assays and the cultivation of diverse tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Rota
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexander T Brown
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily Addleson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Clara Ives
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ella Trumper
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristine Pelton
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wei Pin Teh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Sara Buhrlage
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas A Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keith L Ligon
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosalind A Segal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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23
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Wang AJ, Allen A, Sofman M, Sphabmixay P, Yildiz E, Griffith LG. Engineering Modular 3D Liver Culture Microenvironments In Vitro to Parse the Interplay between Biophysical and Biochemical Microenvironment Cues on Hepatic Phenotypes. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022; 2:2100049. [PMID: 35872804 PMCID: PMC9307216 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of human liver functions are used across a diverse range of applications in preclinical drug development and disease modeling, with particular increasing interest in models that capture facets of liver inflammatory status. This study investigates how the interplay between biophysical and biochemical microenvironment cues influence phenotypic responses, including inflammation signatures, of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) cultured in a commercially available perfused bioreactor. A 3D printing-based alginate microwell system was designed to form thousands of hepatic spheroids in a scalable manner as a comparator 3D culture modality to the bioreactor. Soft, synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel scaffolds with biophysical properties mimicking features of liver were engineered to replace polystyrene scaffolds, and the biochemical microenvironment was modulated with a defined set of growth factors and signaling modulators. The supplemented media significantly increased tissue density, albumin secretion, and CYP3A4 activity but also upregulated inflammatory markers. Basal inflammatory markers were lower for cells maintained in ECM hydrogel scaffolds or spheroid formats than polystyrene scaffolds, while hydrogel scaffolds exhibited the most sensitive response to inflammation as assessed by multiplexed cytokine and RNA-seq analyses. Together, these engineered 3D liver microenvironments provide insights for probing human liver functions and inflammatory response in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Wang
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Allysa Allen
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Marianna Sofman
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Pierre Sphabmixay
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Ece Yildiz
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Science, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Route Cantonale, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Linda G. Griffith
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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24
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Tomaszewski CE, DiLillo KM, Baker BM, Arnold KB, Shikanov A. Sequestered cell-secreted extracellular matrix proteins improve murine folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation for fertility preservation. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:313-324. [PMID: 33766798 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic matrices offer a high degree of control and tunability for mimicking extracellular matrix functions of native tissue, allowing the study of disease and development in vitro. In this study, we functionalized degradable poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with extracellular matrix (ECM)-sequestering peptides aiming to recapitulate the native ECM composition for culture and maturation of ovarian follicular organoids. We hypothesized that ECM-sequestering peptides would facilitate deposition and retention of cell-secreted ECM molecules, thereby recreating cell-matrix interactions in otherwise bioinert PEG hydrogels. Specifically, heparin-binding peptide from antithrombin III (HBP), heparan sulfate binding peptide derived from laminin (AG73), basement membrane binder peptide (BMB), and heparan sulfate binding region of placental growth factor 2 (RRR) tethered to a PEG hydrogel significantly improved follicle survival, growth and maturation compared to PEG-Cys, a mechanically similar but biologically inert control. Immunohistochemical analysis of the hydrogel surrounding cultured follicles confirmed sequestration and retention of laminin, collagen I, perlecan, and fibronectin in ECM-sequestering hydrogels but not in bioinert PEG-Cys hydrogels. The media from follicles cultured in PEG-AG73, PEG-BMB, and PEG-RRR also had significantly higher concentrations of factors known to regulate follicle development compared to PEG-Cys. PEG-AG73 and PEG-BMB were the most beneficial for promoting follicle maturation, likely because AG73 and BMB mimic basement membrane interactions which are crucial for follicle development. Here we have shown that functionalizing PEG with ECM-sequestering peptides allows cell-secreted ECM to be retained within the hydrogels, restoring critical cell-matrix interactions and promoting healthy organoid development in a fully synthetic culture system. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Here we present a novel approach for sequestering and retaining cell-secreted extracellular matrix in a fully synthetic material for organoid culture. We have engineered a biomimetic poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel functionalized with extracellular matrix-binding peptides to recapitulate the ovarian microenvironment. Incorporation of these peptides allows ovarian follicles to recreate their native matrix with the sequestered ECM that subsequently binds growth factors, facilitating follicle maturation. The novel design resulted in improved outcomes of folliculogenesis, potentially developing a fertility preservation option for young women undergoing sterilizing treatments for cancer. The fully synthetic and modular nature of this biomimetic material holds promise for other tissue engineering applications as it allows encapsulated cells to rebuild their native microenvironments in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E Tomaszewski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Katarina M DiLillo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Brendon M Baker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Kelly B Arnold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Ariella Shikanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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25
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Stejskalová A, Vankelecom H, Sourouni M, Ho MY, Götte M, Almquist BD. In vitro modelling of the physiological and diseased female reproductive system. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:288-312. [PMID: 33915315 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The maladies affecting the female reproductive tract (FRT) range from infections to endometriosis to carcinomas. In vitro models of the FRT play an increasingly important role in both basic and translational research, since the anatomy and physiology of the FRT of humans and other primates differ significantly from most of the commonly used animal models, including rodents. Using organoid culture to study the FRT has overcome the longstanding hurdle of maintaining epithelial phenotype in culture. Both ECM-derived and engineered materials have proved critical for maintaining a physiological phenotype of FRT cells in vitro by providing the requisite 3D environment, ligands, and architecture. Advanced materials have also enabled the systematic study of factors contributing to the invasive metastatic processes. Meanwhile, microphysiological devices make it possible to incorporate physical signals such as flow and cyclic exposure to hormones. Going forward, advanced materials compatible with hormones and optimised to support FRT-derived cells' long-term growth, will play a key role in addressing the diverse array of FRT pathologies and lead to impactful new treatments that support the improvement of women's health. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The female reproductive system is a crucial component of the female anatomy. In addition to enabling reproduction, it has wide ranging influence on tissues throughout the body via endocrine signalling. This intrinsic role in regulating normal female biology makes it susceptible to a variety of female-specific diseases. However, the complexity and human-specific features of the reproductive system make it challenging to study. This has spurred the development of human-relevant in vitro models for helping to decipher the complex issues that can affect the reproductive system, including endometriosis, infection, and cancer. In this Review, we cover the current state of in vitro models for studying the female reproductive system, and the key role biomaterials play in enabling their development.
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26
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Almeida GHDR, Iglesia RP, Araújo MS, Carreira ACO, Dos Santos EX, Calomeno CVAQ, Miglino MA. Uterine Tissue Engineering: Where We Stand and the Challenges Ahead. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2021; 28:861-890. [PMID: 34476997 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2021.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineering is an innovative approach to develop allogeneic tissues and organs. The uterus is a very sensitive and complex organ, which requires refined techniques to properly regenerate and even, to rebuild itself. Many therapies were developed in 20th century to solve reproductive issues related to uterus failure and, more recently, tissue engineering techniques provided a significant evolution in this issue. Herein we aim to provide a broad overview and highlights of the general concepts involved in bioengineering to reconstruct the uterus and its tissues, focusing on strategies for tissue repair, production of uterine scaffolds, biomaterials and reproductive animal models, highlighting the most recent and effective tissue engineering protocols in literature and their application in regenerative medicine. In addition, we provide a discussion about what was achieved in uterine tissue engineering, the main limitations, the challenges to overcome and future perspectives in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Henrique Doná Rodrigues Almeida
- University of São Paulo, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Professor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 87, Butantã, SP, Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-900.,University of São Paulo Institute of Biomedical Sciences, 54544, Cell and Developmental Biology, Professor Lineu Prestes Avenue, 1374, Butantã, SP, Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 05508-900;
| | - Rebeca Piatniczka Iglesia
- University of São Paulo Institute of Biomedical Sciences, 54544, Cell and Developmental Biology, Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Michelle Silva Araújo
- University of São Paulo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil., São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira
- University of São Paulo, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Erika Xavier Dos Santos
- State University of Maringá, 42487, Department of Morphological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil, Maringa, PR, Brazil;
| | - Celso Vitor Alves Queiroz Calomeno
- State University of Maringá, 42487, Department of Morphological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil, Maringa, PR, Brazil;
| | - Maria Angélica Miglino
- University of São Paulo, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science Professor Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 87 Butantã SP Sao Paulo, São Paulo, BR 05508-900, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil;
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27
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Hui E, Sumey JL, Caliari SR. Click-functionalized hydrogel design for mechanobiology investigations. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING 2021; 6:670-707. [PMID: 36338897 PMCID: PMC9631920 DOI: 10.1039/d1me00049g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The advancement of click-functionalized hydrogels in recent years has coincided with rapid growth in the fields of mechanobiology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Click chemistries represent a group of reactions that possess high reactivity and specificity, are cytocompatible, and generally proceed under physiologic conditions. Most notably, the high level of tunability afforded by these reactions enables the design of user-controlled and tissue-mimicking hydrogels in which the influence of important physical and biochemical cues on normal and aberrant cellular behaviors can be independently assessed. Several critical tissue properties, including stiffness, viscoelasticity, and biomolecule presentation, are known to regulate cell mechanobiology in the context of development, wound repair, and disease. However, many questions still remain about how the individual and combined effects of these instructive properties regulate the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing physiologic and pathologic processes. In this review, we discuss several click chemistries that have been adopted to design dynamic and instructive hydrogels for mechanobiology investigations. We also chart a path forward for how click hydrogels can help reveal important insights about complex tissue microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Hui
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 102 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - Jenna L Sumey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 102 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
| | - Steven R Caliari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 102 Engineer's Way, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
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28
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Gilchrist AE, Serrano JF, Ngo MT, Hrnjak Z, Kim S, Harley BAC. Encapsulation of murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in a thiol-crosslinked maleimide-functionalized gelatin hydrogel. Acta Biomater 2021; 131:138-148. [PMID: 34161871 PMCID: PMC8373770 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterial platforms are an integral part of stem cell biomanufacturing protocols. The collective biophysical, biochemical, and cellular cues of the stem cell niche microenvironment play an important role in regulating stem cell fate decisions. Three-dimensional (3D) culture of stem cells within biomaterials provides a route to present biophysical and biochemical stimuli through cell-matrix interactions and cell-cell interactions via secreted biomolecules. Herein, we describe a maleimide-functionalized gelatin (GelMAL) hydrogel that can be crosslinked via thiol-Michael addition click reaction for the encapsulation of sensitive stem cell populations. The maleimide functional units along the gelatin backbone enables gelation via the addition of a dithiol crosslinker without requiring external stimuli (e.g., UV light, photoinitiator), thereby reducing reactive oxide species generation. Additionally, the versatility of crosslinker selection enables easy insertion of thiol-containing bioactive or bioinert motifs. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were encapsulated in GelMAL, with mechanical properties tuned to mimic the in vivo bone marrow niche. We report the insertion of a cleavable peptide crosslinker that can be degraded by the proteolytic action of Sortase A, a mammalian-inert enzyme. Notably, Sortase A exposure preserves stem cell surface markers, which are an essential metric of hematopoietic activity used in immunophenotyping. This novel GelMAL system enables a route to produce artificial stem cell niches with tunable biophysical properties, intrinsic cell-interaction motifs, and orthogonal addition of bioactive crosslinks. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We describe a maleimide-functionalized gelatin hydrogel that can be crosslinked via a thiol-maleimide mediated click reaction to form a stable hydrogel without the production of reactive oxygen species typical in light-based crosslinking. The mechanical properties can be tuned to match the in vivo bone marrow microenvironment for hematopoietic stem cell culture. Additionally, we report inclusion of a peptide crosslinker that can be cleaved via the proteolytic action of Sortase A and show that Sortase A exposure does not degrade sensitive surface marker expression patterns. Together, this approach reduces stem cell exposure to reactive oxygen species during hydrogel gelation and enables post-culture quantitative assessment of stem cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan E Gilchrist
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Julio F Serrano
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Mai T Ngo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Zona Hrnjak
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sanha Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Brendan A C Harley
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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29
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Shieh P, Hill MR, Zhang W, Kristufek SL, Johnson JA. Clip Chemistry: Diverse (Bio)(macro)molecular and Material Function through Breaking Covalent Bonds. Chem Rev 2021; 121:7059-7121. [PMID: 33823111 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the two decades since the introduction of the "click chemistry" concept, the toolbox of "click reactions" has continually expanded, enabling chemists, materials scientists, and biologists to rapidly and selectively build complexity for their applications of interest. Similarly, selective and efficient covalent bond breaking reactions have provided and will continue to provide transformative advances. Here, we review key examples and applications of efficient, selective covalent bond cleavage reactions, which we refer to herein as "clip reactions." The strategic application of clip reactions offers opportunities to tailor the compositions and structures of complex (bio)(macro)molecular systems with exquisite control. Working in concert, click chemistry and clip chemistry offer scientists and engineers powerful methods to address next-generation challenges across the chemical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton Shieh
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Megan R Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Wenxu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Samantha L Kristufek
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jeremiah A Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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30
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Improved Models of Human Endometrial Organoids Based on Hydrogels from Decellularized Endometrium. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11060504. [PMID: 34205034 PMCID: PMC8229407 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) multicellular tissue models that mimic their corresponding in vivo tissue. Successful efforts have derived organoids from primary tissues such as intestine, liver, and pancreas. For human uterine endometrium, the recent generation of 3D structures from primary endometrial cells is inspiring new studies of this important tissue using precise preclinical models. To improve on these 3D models, we decellularized pig endometrium containing tissue-specific extracellular matrix and generated a hydrogel (EndoECM). Next, we derived three lines of human endometrial organoids and cultured them in optimal and suboptimal culture expansion media with or without EndoECM (0.01 mg/mL) as a soluble additive. We characterized the resultant organoids to verify their epithelial origin, long-term chromosomal stability, and stemness properties. Lastly, we determined their proliferation potential under different culture conditions using proliferation rates and immunohistochemical methods. Our results demonstrate the importance of a bioactive environment for the maintenance and proliferation of human endometrial organoids.
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31
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Simintiras CA, Dhakal P, Ranjit C, Fitzgerald HC, Balboula AZ, Spencer TE. Capture and metabolomic analysis of the human endometrial epithelial organoid secretome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2026804118. [PMID: 33876774 PMCID: PMC8053979 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026804118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Suboptimal uterine fluid (UF) composition can lead to pregnancy loss and likely contributes to offspring susceptibility to chronic adult-onset disorders. However, our understanding of the biochemical composition and mechanisms underpinning UF formation and regulation remain elusive, particularly in humans. To address this challenge, we developed a high-throughput method for intraorganoid fluid (IOF) isolation from human endometrial epithelial organoids. The IOF is biochemically distinct to the extraorganoid fluid (EOF) and cell culture medium as evidenced by the exclusive presence of 17 metabolites in IOF. Similarly, 69 metabolites were unique to EOF, showing asymmetrical apical and basolateral secretion by the in vitro endometrial epithelium, in a manner resembling that observed in vivo. Contrasting the quantitative metabolomic profiles of IOF and EOF revealed donor-specific biochemical signatures of organoids. Subsequent RNA sequencing of these organoids from which IOF and EOF were derived established the capacity to readily perform organoid multiomics in tandem, and suggests that transcriptomic regulation underpins the observed secretory asymmetry. In summary, these data provided by modeling uterine luminal and basolateral fluid formation in vitro offer scope to better understand UF composition and regulation with potential impacts on female fertility and offspring well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pramod Dhakal
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Chaman Ranjit
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | | | - Ahmed Z Balboula
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211;
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201
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32
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López-Martínez S, Campo H, de Miguel-Gómez L, Faus A, Navarro AT, Díaz A, Pellicer A, Ferrero H, Cervelló I. A Natural Xenogeneic Endometrial Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Toward Improving Current Human in vitro Models and Future in vivo Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:639688. [PMID: 33748086 PMCID: PMC7973233 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.639688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Decellularization techniques support the creation of biocompatible extracellular matrix hydrogels, providing tissue-specific environments for both in vitro cell culture and in vivo tissue regeneration. We obtained endometrium derived from porcine decellularized uteri to create endometrial extracellular matrix (EndoECM) hydrogels. After decellularization and detergent removal, we investigated the physicochemical features of the EndoECM, including gelation kinetics, ultrastructure, and proteomic profile. The matrisome showed conservation of structural and tissue-specific components with low amounts of immunoreactive molecules. EndoECM supported in vitro culture of human endometrial cells in two- and three-dimensional conditions and improved proliferation of endometrial stem cells with respect to collagen and Matrigel. Further, we developed a three-dimensional endometrium-like co-culture system of epithelial and stromal cells from different origins. Endometrial co-cultures remained viable and showed significant remodeling. Finally, EndoECM was injected subcutaneously in immunocompetent mice in a preliminary study to test a possible hypoimmunogenic reaction. Biomimetic endometrial milieus offer new strategies in reproductive techniques and endometrial repair and our findings demonstrate that EndoECM has potential for in vitro endometrial culture and as treatment for endometrial pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara López-Martínez
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Hannes Campo
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucía de Miguel-Gómez
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Faus
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alfredo T Navarro
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Díaz
- University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,IVIRMA Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Hortensia Ferrero
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,IVIRMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Cervelló
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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33
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Bretherton RC, DeForest CA. The Art of Engineering Biomimetic Cellular Microenvironments. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:3997-4008. [PMID: 33523625 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cells and their surrounding microenvironment exist in dynamic reciprocity, where bidirectional feedback and feedforward crosstalk drives essential processes in development, homeostasis, and disease. With the ongoing explosion of customizable biomaterial innovation for dynamic cell culture, an ever-expanding suite of user-programmable scaffolds now exists to probe cell fate in response to spatiotemporally controlled biophysical and biochemical cues. Here, we highlight emerging trends in these efforts, emphasizing strategies that offer tunability over complex network mechanics, present biomolecular cues anisotropically, and harness cells as physiochemical actuators of the pericellular niche. Altogether, these material advances will lead to breakthroughs in our basic understanding of how cells interact with, integrate signals from, and influence their surrounding microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross C Bretherton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, United States.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Cole A DeForest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, United States.,Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.,Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
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34
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van Gaal RC, Vrehen AF, van Sprang JF, Fransen PPKH, van Turnhout MC, Dankers PYW. Biomaterial screening of protein coatings and peptide additives: towards a simple synthetic mimic of a complex natural coating for a bio-artificial kidney. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:2209-2220. [PMID: 33506836 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01930e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bio-artificial kidneys require conveniently synthesized membranes providing signals that regulate renal epithelial cell function. Therefore, we aimed to find synthetic analogues for natural extracellular matrix (ECM) protein coatings traditionally used for epithelial cell culturing. Two biomaterial libraries, based on natural ECM-coatings and on synthetic supramolecular small molecule additives, were developed. The base material consisted of a bisurea (BU) containing polymer, providing supramolecular BU-additives to be incorporated via specific hydrogen bonding interactions. This system allows for a modular approach and therefore easy fractional factorial based screening. A natural coating on the BU-polymer material with basement membrane proteins, laminin and collagen IV, combined with catechols was shown to induce renal epithelial monolayer formation. Modification of the BU-polymer material with synthetic BU-modified ECM peptide additives did not result in monolayer formation. Unexpectedly, simple BU-catechol additives induced monolayer formation and presented similar levels of epithelial markers and apical transporter function as on the laminin, collagen IV and catechol natural coating. Importantly, when this BU-polymer material was processed into fibrous e-spun membranes the natural coating and the BU-catechol additive were shown to perfectly function. This study clearly indicates that complex natural ECM-coatings can be replaced by simple synthetic additives, and displays the potency of material libraries based on design of experiments in combination with modular, supramolecular chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald C van Gaal
- Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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35
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Cadena I, Chen A, Arvidson A, Fogg KC. Biomaterial strategies to replicate gynecological tissue. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:1117-1134. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01240h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Properties of native tissue can inspire biomimetic in vitro models of gynecological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Cadena
- Department of Chemical
- Biological
- and Environmental Engineering
- Oregon State University
- Corvallis
| | - Athena Chen
- Department of Pathology
- School of Medicine
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Portland
- USA
| | - Aaron Arvidson
- Department of Chemical
- Biological
- and Environmental Engineering
- Oregon State University
- Corvallis
| | - Kaitlin C. Fogg
- Department of Chemical
- Biological
- and Environmental Engineering
- Oregon State University
- Corvallis
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36
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A modular polymer microbead angiogenesis scaffold to characterize the effects of adhesion ligand density on angiogenic sprouting. Biomaterials 2021; 264:120231. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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37
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Wilson RL, Swaminathan G, Ettayebi K, Bomidi C, Zeng XL, Blutt SE, Estes MK, Grande-Allen KJ. Protein-Functionalized Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels as Scaffolds for Monolayer Organoid Culture. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:12-23. [PMID: 33334213 PMCID: PMC7826425 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived, organotypic in vitro models, known as organoids, have emerged as superior alternatives to traditional cell culture models due to their unparalleled ability to recreate complex physiological and pathophysiological processes. For this reason, they are attractive targets of tissue-engineering efforts, as constructs that include organoid technology would be expected to better simulate the many functions of the desired tissue or organ. While the 3D spheroidal architecture that is the default architecture of most organoid models may be preferred for some applications, 2D monolayer arrangements remain the preferred organization for many applications in tissue engineering. Therefore, in this work, we present a method to create monolayer organoid cultures on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel scaffolds, using intestinal epithelial organoids (IEOs) as a proof-of-concept. Our process involves two steps: the hydrogel is first functionalized with a layer of poly(D-lysine) (PDL), which then allows the adsorption of pristine, unmodified basement membrane proteins. This approach successfully mediates the formation of IEO monolayer unlike conventional approaches that rely on covalent modification of the hydrogel surface with cell-adhesive peptides and basement membrane proteins. We show that these IEO monolayers recreate important physiological functions of the native intestinal epithelium, including multilineage differentiation, apical-basal polarization, and the ability to model infections with human norovirus. We also show coating of a scaffold mimicking intestinal villous topography, resulting in a 3D IEO monolayer. We expect that this protocol will be useful to researchers attempting to leverage the increased physiological relevance of organoid models to elevate the potential of their tissue-engineered constructs. Impact statement While organoids are physiologically superior models of biological functions than traditional cell cultures, their 3D spheroidal architecture is an obstacle to their incorporation in many tissue-engineering applications, which often prefer 2D monolayer arrangements of cells. For this reason, we developed a protocol to establish monolayer cultures of organoids on poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels and demonstrate its utility using intestinal epithelial organoids as a proof-of-concept. We expect that this protocol will be of use to researchers creating engineered tissues for both regenerative medicine applications, as well as advanced in vitro experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reid L. Wilson
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Khalil Ettayebi
- Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carolyn Bomidi
- Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xi-Lei Zeng
- Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah E. Blutt
- Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mary K. Estes
- Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Maynard SA, Winter CW, Cunnane EM, Stevens MM. Advancing Cell-Instructive Biomaterials Through Increased Understanding of Cell Receptor Spacing and Material Surface Functionalization. REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 7:553-547. [PMID: 34805482 PMCID: PMC8594271 DOI: 10.1007/s40883-020-00180-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Regenerative medicine is aimed at restoring normal tissue function and can benefit from the application of tissue engineering and nano-therapeutics. In order for regenerative therapies to be effective, the spatiotemporal integration of tissue-engineered scaffolds by the native tissue, and the binding/release of therapeutic payloads by nano-materials, must be tightly controlled at the nanoscale in order to direct cell fate. However, due to a lack of insight regarding cell–material interactions at the nanoscale and subsequent downstream signaling, the clinical translation of regenerative therapies is limited due to poor material integration, rapid clearance, and complications such as graft-versus-host disease. This review paper is intended to outline our current understanding of cell–material interactions with the aim of highlighting potential areas for knowledge advancement or application in the field of regenerative medicine. This is achieved by reviewing the nanoscale organization of key cell surface receptors, the current techniques used to control the presentation of cell-interactive molecules on material surfaces, and the most advanced techniques for characterizing the interactions that occur between cell surface receptors and materials intended for use in regenerative medicine. Lay Summary The combination of biology, chemistry, materials science, and imaging technology affords exciting opportunities to better diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases. Recent advances in imaging technologies have enabled better understanding of the specific interactions that occur between human cells and their immediate surroundings in both health and disease. This biological understanding can be used to design smart therapies and tissue replacements that better mimic native tissue. Here, we discuss the advances in molecular biology and technologies that can be employed to functionalize materials and characterize their interaction with biological entities to facilitate the design of more sophisticated medical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Maynard
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Charles W. Winter
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Eoghan M. Cunnane
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ UK
| | - Molly M. Stevens
- Department of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ UK
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39
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Gnecco JS, Brown AT, Kan EL, Baugh L, Ives C, Loring M, Griffith LG. Physiomimetic Models of Adenomyosis. Semin Reprod Med 2020; 38:179-196. [PMID: 33176387 PMCID: PMC7803459 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1719084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Adenomyosis remains an enigmatic disease in the clinical and research communities. The high prevalence, diversity of morphological and symptomatic presentations, array of potential etiological explanations, and variable response to existing interventions suggest that different subgroups of patients with distinguishable mechanistic drivers of disease may exist. These factors, combined with the weak links to genetic predisposition, make the entire spectrum of the human condition challenging to model in animals. Here, after an overview of current approaches, a vision for applying physiomimetic modeling to adenomyosis is presented. Physiomimetics combines a system's biology analysis of patient populations to generate hypotheses about mechanistic bases for stratification with in vitro patient avatars to test these hypotheses. A substantial foundation for three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering of adenomyosis lesions exists in several disparate areas: epithelial organoid technology; synthetic biomaterials matrices for epithelial–stromal coculture; smooth muscle 3D tissue engineering; and microvascular tissue engineering. These approaches can potentially be combined with microfluidic platform technologies to model the lesion microenvironment and can potentially be coupled to other microorgan systems to examine systemic effects. In vitro patient-derived models are constructed to answer specific questions leading to target identification and validation in a manner that informs preclinical research and ultimately clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan S Gnecco
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Alex T Brown
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ellen L Kan
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren Baugh
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Clara Ives
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Megan Loring
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Care Collaborative, Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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40
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Critchley HOD, Babayev E, Bulun SE, Clark S, Garcia-Grau I, Gregersen PK, Kilcoyne A, Kim JYJ, Lavender M, Marsh EE, Matteson KA, Maybin JA, Metz CN, Moreno I, Silk K, Sommer M, Simon C, Tariyal R, Taylor HS, Wagner GP, Griffith LG. Menstruation: science and society. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 223:624-664. [PMID: 32707266 PMCID: PMC7661839 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Women's health concerns are generally underrepresented in basic and translational research, but reproductive health in particular has been hampered by a lack of understanding of basic uterine and menstrual physiology. Menstrual health is an integral part of overall health because between menarche and menopause, most women menstruate. Yet for tens of millions of women around the world, menstruation regularly and often catastrophically disrupts their physical, mental, and social well-being. Enhancing our understanding of the underlying phenomena involved in menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, and other menstruation-related disorders will move us closer to the goal of personalized care. Furthermore, a deeper mechanistic understanding of menstruation-a fast, scarless healing process in healthy individuals-will likely yield insights into a myriad of other diseases involving regulation of vascular function locally and systemically. We also recognize that many women now delay pregnancy and that there is an increasing desire for fertility and uterine preservation. In September 2018, the Gynecologic Health and Disease Branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development convened a 2-day meeting, "Menstruation: Science and Society" with an aim to "identify gaps and opportunities in menstruation science and to raise awareness of the need for more research in this field." Experts in fields ranging from the evolutionary role of menstruation to basic endometrial biology (including omic analysis of the endometrium, stem cells and tissue engineering of the endometrium, endometrial microbiome, and abnormal uterine bleeding and fibroids) and translational medicine (imaging and sampling modalities, patient-focused analysis of menstrual disorders including abnormal uterine bleeding, smart technologies or applications and mobile health platforms) to societal challenges in health literacy and dissemination frameworks across different economic and cultural landscapes shared current state-of-the-art and future vision, incorporating the patient voice at the launch of the meeting. Here, we provide an enhanced meeting report with extensive up-to-date (as of submission) context, capturing the spectrum from how the basic processes of menstruation commence in response to progesterone withdrawal, through the role of tissue-resident and circulating stem and progenitor cells in monthly regeneration-and current gaps in knowledge on how dysregulation leads to abnormal uterine bleeding and other menstruation-related disorders such as adenomyosis, endometriosis, and fibroids-to the clinical challenges in diagnostics, treatment, and patient and societal education. We conclude with an overview of how the global agenda concerning menstruation, and specifically menstrual health and hygiene, are gaining momentum, ranging from increasing investment in addressing menstruation-related barriers facing girls in schools in low- to middle-income countries to the more recent "menstrual equity" and "period poverty" movements spreading across high-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary O D Critchley
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Elnur Babayev
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Iolanda Garcia-Grau
- Igenomix Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Peter K Gregersen
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY
| | | | | | | | - Erica E Marsh
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kristen A Matteson
- Division of Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Infants Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Jacqueline A Maybin
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christine N Metz
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY
| | - Inmaculada Moreno
- Igenomix Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kami Silk
- Department of Communication, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Marni Sommer
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Clínico, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Hugh S Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Günter P Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
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41
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Zhao Y, Li Z, Li Q, Yang L, Liu H, Yan R, Xiao L, Liu H, Wang J, Yang B, Lin Q. Transparent Conductive Supramolecular Hydrogels with Stimuli-Responsive Properties for On-Demand Dissolvable Diabetic Foot Wound Dressings. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e2000441. [PMID: 33089609 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) remain a very considerable health care burden, and their treatment is difficult. Hydrogel-based wound dressings are appealing to provide an optimal environment for wound repair. However, the currently available hydrogel dressings still need surgical or mechanical debridement from the wound, causing reinjury of the newly formed tissues, wound infection, delayed healing time, and personal suffering. Additionally, to meet people's increasing demand, hydrogel wound dressings with improved performance and multifunctionality are urgently required. Here, a new multifunctional supramolecular hydrogel for on-demand dissolvable diabetic foot wound dressings is designed and constructed. Based on multihydrogen bonds between hydrophilic polymers, the resultant supramolecular hydrogels present controlled and excellent properties, such as good transparency, antibacterial ability, conductive, and self-healing properties. Thus, the supramolecular hydrogels improve the new tissue formation and provide a significant therapeutic effect on DFU by inducing angiogenesis, enhancing collagen deposition, preventing bacterial infection, and controlling wound infection. Remarkably, the resultant hydrogels also exhibit stimuli-responsive ability, which renders its capability to be dissolved on-demand, allowing for a facile DFU dressing removal. This multifunctional supramolecular hydrogel may provide a novel concept in the design of on-demand dissolvable wound dressings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Zuhao Li
- Orthopaedic Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, P. R. China
| | - Qiuju Li
- Orthopaedic Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, P. R. China
| | - Longfei Yang
- Orthopaedic Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, P. R. China
| | - Hou Liu
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Ruyue Yan
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, P. R. China
| | - Lizhi Xiao
- Jilin Ginseng Academy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, P. R. China
| | - He Liu
- Orthopaedic Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, P. R. China
| | - Jingcheng Wang
- Orthopaedic Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, P. R. China
| | - Bai Yang
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
| | - Quan Lin
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. China
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42
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Fitzgerald HC, Schust DJ, Spencer TE. In vitro models of the human endometrium: evolution and application for women's health. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:282-293. [PMID: 33009568 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus that undergoes complex regeneration and differentiation during the human menstrual cycle. The process of endometrial shedding, regeneration, and differentiation is driven by ovarian steroid hormones and prepares the endometrium and intrauterine environment for embryo implantation and pregnancy establishment. Endometrial glands and their secretions are essential for pregnancy establishment, and cross talk between the glandular epithelium and stromal cells appears vital for decidualization and placental development. Despite being crucial, the biology of the human endometrium during pregnancy establishment and most of pregnancy is incomplete, given the ethical and practical limitations of obtaining and studying endometrium from pregnant women. As such, in vitro models of the human endometrium are required to fill significant gaps in understanding endometrial biology. This review is focused on the evolution and development of in vitro three-dimensional models of the human endometrium and provides insight into the challenges and promises of those models to improve women's reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danny J Schust
- Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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43
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Ngo MT, Harley BAC. Angiogenic biomaterials to promote therapeutic regeneration and investigate disease progression. Biomaterials 2020; 255:120207. [PMID: 32569868 PMCID: PMC7396313 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The vasculature is a key component of the tissue microenvironment. Traditionally known for its role in providing nutrients and oxygen to surrounding cells, the vasculature is now also acknowledged to provide signaling cues that influence biological outcomes in regeneration and disease. These cues come from the cells that comprise vasculature, as well as the dynamic biophysical and biochemical properties of the surrounding extracellular matrix that accompany vascular development and remodeling. In this review, we illustrate the larger role of the vasculature in the context of regenerative biology and cancer progression. We describe cellular, biophysical, biochemical, and metabolic components of vascularized microenvironments. Moreover, we provide an overview of multidimensional angiogenic biomaterials that have been developed to promote therapeutic vascularization and regeneration, as well as to mimic elements of vascularized microenvironments as a means to uncover mechanisms by which vasculature influences cancer progression and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai T Ngo
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Brendan A C Harley
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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44
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Arkenberg MR, Nguyen HD, Lin CC. Recent advances in bio-orthogonal and dynamic crosslinking of biomimetic hydrogels. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:7835-7855. [PMID: 32692329 PMCID: PMC7574327 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01429j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, dynamic, 'click' hydrogels have been applied in numerous biomedical applications. Owing to the mild, cytocompatible, and highly specific reaction kinetics, a multitude of orthogonal handles have been developed for fabricating dynamic hydrogels to facilitate '4D' cell culture. The high degree of tunability in crosslinking reactions of orthogonal 'click' chemistry has enabled a bottom-up approach to install specific biomimicry in an artificial extracellular matrix. In addition to click chemistry, highly specific enzymatic reactions are also increasingly used for network crosslinking and for spatiotemporal control of hydrogel properties. On the other hand, covalent adaptable chemistry has been used to recapitulate the viscoelastic component of biological tissues and for formulating self-healing and shear-thinning hydrogels. The common feature of these three classes of chemistry (i.e., orthogonal click chemistry, enzymatic reactions, and covalent adaptable chemistry) is that they can be carried out under ambient and aqueous conditions, a prerequisite for maintaining cell viability for in situ cell encapsulation and post-gelation modification of network properties. Due to their orthogonality, different chemistries can also be applied sequentially to provide additional biochemical and mechanical control to guide cell behavior. Herein, we review recent advances in the use of orthogonal click chemistry, enzymatic reactions, and covalent adaptable chemistry for the development of dynamically tunable and biomimetic hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Arkenberg
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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45
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Maddock RMA, Pollard GJ, Moreau NG, Perry JJ, Race PR. Enzyme-catalysed polymer cross-linking: Biocatalytic tools for chemical biology, materials science and beyond. Biopolymers 2020; 111:e23390. [PMID: 32640085 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intermolecular cross-linking is one of the most important techniques that can be used to fundamentally alter the material properties of a polymer. The introduction of covalent bonds between individual polymer chains creates 3D macromolecular assemblies with enhanced mechanical properties and greater chemical or thermal tolerances. In contrast to many chemical cross-linking reactions, which are the basis of thermoset plastics, enzyme catalysed processes offer a complimentary paradigm for the assembly of cross-linked polymer networks through their predictability and high levels of control. Additionally, enzyme catalysed reactions offer an inherently 'greener' and more biocompatible approach to covalent bond formation, which could include the use of aqueous solvents, ambient temperatures, and heavy metal-free reagents. Here, we review recent progress in the development of biocatalytic methods for polymer cross-linking, with a specific focus on the most promising candidate enzyme classes and their underlying catalytic mechanisms. We also provide exemplars of the use of enzyme catalysed cross-linking reactions in industrially relevant applications, noting the limitations of these approaches and outlining strategies to mitigate reported deficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie M A Maddock
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gregory J Pollard
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicolette G Moreau
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK
| | - Justin J Perry
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul R Race
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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46
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Brown A, He H, Trumper E, Valdez J, Hammond P, Griffith LG. Engineering PEG-based hydrogels to foster efficient endothelial network formation in free-swelling and confined microenvironments. Biomaterials 2020; 243:119921. [PMID: 32172030 PMCID: PMC7203641 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.119921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In vitro tissue engineered models are poised to have significant impact on disease modeling and preclinical drug development. Reliable methods to induce microvascular networks in such microphysiological systems are needed to improve the size and physiological function of these models. By systematically engineering several physical and biomolecular properties of the cellular microenvironment (including crosslinking density, polymer density, adhesion ligand concentration, and degradability), we establish design principles that describe how synthetic matrix properties influence vascular morphogenesis in modular and tunable hydrogels based on commercial 8-arm poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG8a) macromers. We apply these design principles to generate endothelial networks that exhibit consistent morphology throughout depths of hydrogel greater than 1 mm. These PEG8a-based hydrogels have relatively high volumetric swelling ratios (>1.5), which limits their utility in confined environments such as microfluidic devices. To overcome this limitation, we mitigate swelling by incorporating a highly functional PEG-grafted alpha-helical poly (propargyl-l-glutamate) (PPLGgPEG) macromer along with the canonical 8-arm PEG8a macromer in gel formation. This hydrogel platform supports enhanced endothelial morphogenesis in neutral-swelling environments. Finally, we incorporate PEG8a-PPLGgPEG gels into microfluidic devices and demonstrate improved diffusion kinetics and microvascular network formation in situ compared to PEG8a-based gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Brown
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hongkun He
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ella Trumper
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jorge Valdez
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Paula Hammond
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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47
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Abstract
Tissue engineering technologies have produced controllable and reproducible three-dimensional (3D) models that mimic the architecture and complexity of native tissues. In particular cell biology-based research is driven by the development of cell culture platforms and techniques that allow the analysis of cells cultured in 3D. Here we summarize several easy-to-follow methods for the characterization of cells that have been encapsulated and grown in hydrogels to measure their cell viability, metabolic activity, and mechanical properties of cell-containing hydrogels. We also describe an enzymatic approach for the digestion of cell-containing hydrogels and cell recovery thereby maintaining high cell viability for subsequent analysis.
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48
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Hernandez-Gordillo V, Kassis T, Lampejo A, Choi G, Gamboa ME, Gnecco JS, Brown A, Breault DT, Carrier R, Griffith LG. Fully synthetic matrices for in vitro culture of primary human intestinal enteroids and endometrial organoids. Biomaterials 2020; 254:120125. [PMID: 32502894 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial organoids derived from human donor tissues are important tools in fields ranging from regenerative medicine to drug discovery. Organoid culture requires expansion of stem/progenitor cells in Matrigel, a tumor-derived extracellular matrix (ECM). An alternative completely synthetic ECM could improve reproducibility, clarify mechanistic phenomena, and enable human implantation of organoids. We designed synthetic ECMs with tunable biomolecular and biophysical properties to identify gel compositions supporting human tissue-derived stem/progenitor epithelial cells as enteroids and organoids starting with single cells rather than tissue fragments. The synthetic ECMs consist of 8-arm PEG-macromers modified with ECM-binding peptides and different combinations of integrin-binding peptides, crosslinked with peptides susceptible to matrix metalloprotease (MMP) degradation, and tuned to exhibit a range of biophysical properties. A gel containing an α2β1 integrin-binding peptide (GFOGER) and matrix binder peptides grafted to a 20 kDa 8-arm PEG macromer showed the most robust support of human duodenal and colon enteroids and endometrial organoids. In this synthetic ECM, human intestinal enteroids and endometrial organoids emerge from single cells and show cell-specific and apicobasal polarity markers upon differentiation. Intestinal enteroids, in addition, retain their proliferative capacity, are functionally responsive to basolateral stimulation, express canonical markers of intestinal crypt cells including Paneth cells, and can be serially passaged. The success of this synthetic ECM in supporting human postnatal organoid culture from multiple different donors and from both the intestine and endometrium suggests it may be broadly useful for other epithelial organoid culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Hernandez-Gordillo
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Timothy Kassis
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Arinola Lampejo
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - GiHun Choi
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Mario E Gamboa
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Juan S Gnecco
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Alexander Brown
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David T Breault
- Deparment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rebecca Carrier
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 208 Lake Hall, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Center for Gynepathology Research and Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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49
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Scott RA, Robinson KG, Kiick KL, Akins RE. Human Adventitial Fibroblast Phenotype Depends on the Progression of Changes in Substrate Stiffness. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901593. [PMID: 32105417 PMCID: PMC7274877 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) are major contributors to vascular remodeling and maladaptive cascades associated with arterial disease, where AFs both contribute to and respond to alterations in their surrounding matrix. The relationships between matrix modulus and human aortic AF (AoAF) function are investigated using poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels designed with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-sensitive and integrin-binding peptides. Initial equilibrium shear storage moduli for the substrates examined are 0.33, 1.42, and 2.90 kPa; after 42 days of culture, all hydrogels exhibit similar storage moduli (0.3-0.7 kPa) regardless of initial modulus, with encapsulated AoAFs spreading and proliferating. In 10 and 7.5 wt% hydrogels, modulus decreases monotonically throughout culture; however, in 5 wt% hydrogels, modulus increases after an initial 7 days of culture, accompanied by an increase in myofibroblast transdifferentiation and expression of collagen I and III through day 28. Thereafter, significant reductions in both collagens occur, with increased MMP-9 and decreased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1/-2 production. Releasing cytoskeletal tension or inhibiting cellular protein secretion in 5 wt% hydrogels block the stiffening of the polymer matrix. Results indicate that encapsulated AoAFs initiate cell-mediated matrix remodeling and demonstrate the utility of dynamic 3D systems to elucidate the complex interactions between cell behavior and substrate properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Scott
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont, Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Nemours - Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, United States
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, United States
| | - Karyn G. Robinson
- Nemours - Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, United States
| | - Kristi L. Kiick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont, Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, United States
| | - Robert E. Akins
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont, Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Nemours - Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, United States
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50
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Lee UN, Day JH, Haack AJ, Bretherton RC, Lu W, DeForest CA, Theberge AB, Berthier E. Layer-by-layer fabrication of 3D hydrogel structures using open microfluidics. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:525-536. [PMID: 31915779 PMCID: PMC8018606 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00621d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Patterned deposition and 3D fabrication techniques have enabled the use of hydrogels for a number of applications including microfluidics, sensors, separations, and tissue engineering in which form fits function. Devices such as reconfigurable microvalves or implantable tissues have been created using lithography or casting techniques. Here, we present a novel open-microfluidic patterning method that utilizes surface tension forces to form hydrogel layers on top of each other, into a patterned 3D structure. We use a patterning device to form a temporary open microfluidic channel on an existing gel layer, allowing the controlled flow of unpolymerized gel in device-regions. After layer gelation and device removal, the process can be repeated iteratively to create multi-layered 3D structures. The use of open-microfluidic and surface tension-based methods to define the shape of each individual layer enables patterning to be performed with a simple pipette and with minimal dead-volume. Our method is compatible with unmodified (native) biological hydrogels, and other non-biological materials with precursor fluid properties compatible with capillary flow. With our open-microfluidic layer-by-layer fabrication method, we demonstrate the capability to build agarose, type I collagen, and polymer-peptide 3D structures featuring asymmetric designs, multiple components, overhanging features, and cell-laden regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulri N Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - John H Day
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Amanda J Haack
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. and Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ross C Bretherton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Wenbo Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Cole A DeForest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. and Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA and Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA and Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ashleigh B Theberge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. and Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Erwin Berthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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