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Slaby EM, Hansen N, Sharma R, Pirrotte P, Weaver JD. Engineered 3D Hydrogel Matrices to Modulate Trophoblast Stem Cell-Derived Placental Organoid Phenotype. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.594007. [PMID: 38798435 PMCID: PMC11118344 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.594007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Placental organoid models are a promising platform to study human placental development and function. Organoid systems typically use naturally derived hydrogel extracellular matrices (ECM), resulting in batch-to-batch variability that limits experimental reproducibility. As an alternative, synthetic ECM-mimicking hydrogel matrices offer greater consistency and control over environmental cues. Here, we generated trophoblast stem cell-derived placental organoids using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels with tunable degradability and placenta-derived ECM cues to evaluate trophoblast differentiation relative to Matrigel and two-dimensional (2D) culture controls. Our data demonstrate that PEG hydrogels support trophoblast viability and metabolic function comparable to gold standard Matrigel. Additionally, phenotypic characterization via proteomic analysis revealed that PEG and Matrigel matrices drive syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast-dominant placental organoid phenotypes, respectively. Further, three-dimensional (3D) environments promoted greater integrin expression and ECM production than 2D culture. This study demonstrates that engineered 3D culture environments can be used to reliably generate placental organoids and guide trophoblast differentiation.
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2
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Slaby EM, Plaisier SB, Brady SR, Hiremath SC, Weaver JD. Controlling placental spheroid growth and phenotype using engineered synthetic hydrogel matrices. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:933-948. [PMID: 38204396 PMCID: PMC10922805 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01393f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The human placenta is a complex organ comprised of multiple trophoblast subtypes, and inadequate models to study the human placenta in vitro limit the current understanding of human placental behavior and development. Common in vitro placental models rely on two-dimensional culture of cell lines and primary cells, which do not replicate the native tissue microenvironment, or poorly defined three-dimensional hydrogel matrices such as Matrigel™ that provide limited environmental control and suffer from high batch-to-batch variability. Here, we employ a highly defined, synthetic poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel system with tunable degradability and presentation of extracellular matrix-derived adhesive ligands native to the placenta microenvironment to generate placental spheroids. We evaluate the capacity of a hydrogel library to support the viability, function, and phenotypic protein expression of three human trophoblast cell lines modeling varied trophoblast phenotypes and find that degradable synthetic hydrogels support the greatest degree of placental spheroid viability, proliferation, and function relative to standard Matrigel controls. Finally, we show that trophoblast culture conditions modulate cell functional phenotype as measured by proteomics analysis and functional secretion assays. Engineering precise control of placental spheroid development in vitro may provide an important new tool for the study of early placental behavior and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Slaby
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| | - Seema B Plaisier
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA
| | - Sarah R Brady
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| | - Shivani C Hiremath
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| | - Jessica D Weaver
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
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3
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Fan F, Su B, Kolodychak A, Ekwueme E, Alderfer L, Saha S, Webber MJ, Hanjaya-Putra D. Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels with Phototunable Supramolecular Cross-Linking for Spatially Controlled Lymphatic Tube Formation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:58181-58195. [PMID: 38065571 PMCID: PMC10739586 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) influences stem cell differentiation and morphogenesis into complex lymphatic networks. While dynamic hydrogels with stress relaxation properties have been developed, many require detailed chemical processing to tune viscoelasticity, offering a limited opportunity for in situ and spatiotemporal control. Here, a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel is reported with viscoelasticity that is controlled and spatially tunable using UV light to direct the extent of supramolecular and covalent cross-linking interactions. This is achieved using UV-mediated photodimerization of a supramolecular ternary complex of pendant trans-Brooker's Merocyanine (BM) guests and a cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) macrocycle. The UV-mediated conversion of this supramolecular complex to its covalent photodimerized form is catalyzed by CB[8], offering a user-directed route to spatially control hydrogel dynamics in combination with orthogonal photopatterning by UV irradiation through photomasks. This material thus achieves spatial heterogeneity of substrate dynamics, recreating features of native ECM without the need for additional chemical reagents. Moreover, these dynamic hydrogels afford spatial control of substrate mechanics to direct human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) to form lymphatic cord-like structures (CLS). Specifically, cells cultured on viscoelastic supramolecular hydrogels have enhanced formation of CLS, arising from increased expression of key lymphatic markers, such as LYVE-1, Podoplanin, and Prox1, compared to static elastic hydrogels prepared from fully covalent cross-linking. Viscoelastic hydrogels promote lymphatic CLS formation through the expression of Nrp2, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3 to enhance the VEGF-C stimulation. Overall, viscoelastic supramolecular hydrogels offer a facile route to spatially control lymphatic CLS formation, providing a tool for future studies of basic lymphatic biology and tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Fan
- Bioengineering
Graduate Program, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Bo Su
- Chemical
and Biomolecular Engineering, University
of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Alexander Kolodychak
- Chemical
and Biomolecular Engineering, University
of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Ephraim Ekwueme
- Bioengineering
Graduate Program, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Laura Alderfer
- Bioengineering
Graduate Program, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Sanjoy Saha
- Bioengineering
Graduate Program, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Matthew J. Webber
- Chemical
and Biomolecular Engineering, University
of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Donny Hanjaya-Putra
- Bioengineering
Graduate Program, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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4
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Saha S, Fan F, Alderfer L, Graham F, Hall E, Hanjaya-Putra D. Synthetic hyaluronic acid coating preserves the phenotypes of lymphatic endothelial cells. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:7346-7357. [PMID: 37789798 PMCID: PMC10628678 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00873h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) play a critical role in the formation and maintenance of the lymphatic vasculature, which is essential for the immune system, fluid balance, and tissue repair. However, LECs are often difficult to study in vivo and in vitro models that accurately mimic their behaviors and phenotypes are limited. In particular, LECs have been shown to lose their lymphatic markers over time while being cultured in vitro, which reflect their plasticity and heterogeneity in vivo. Since LECs uniquely express lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), we hypothesized that surface coating with hyaluronic acid (HA) can preserve LEC phenotypes and functionalities. Dopamine conjugated hyaluronic acid (HA-DP) was synthesized with 42% degree of substitution to enable surface modification and conjugation onto standard tissue culture plates. Compared to fibronectin coating and tissue culture plate controls, surface coating with HA-DP was able to preserve lymphatic markers, such as prospero homeobox protein 1 (Prox1), podoplanin (PDPN), and LYVE-1 over several passages in vitro. LECs cultured on HA-DP expressed lower levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and YAP/TAZ, which may be responsible for the maintenance of the lymphatic characteristics. Collectively, the HA-DP coating may provide a novel method for culturing human LECs in vitro toward more representative studies in basic lymphatic biology and lymphatic regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjoy Saha
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Fei Fan
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Laura Alderfer
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Francine Graham
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Eva Hall
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Donny Hanjaya-Putra
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Song J, Gerecht S. Hydrogels to Recapture Extracellular Matrix Cues That Regulate Vascularization. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:e291-e302. [PMID: 37317849 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The ECM (extracellular matrix) is a 3-dimensional network that supports cellular responses and maintains structural tissue integrity in healthy and pathological conditions. The interactions between ECM and cells trigger signaling cascades that lead to phenotypic changes and structural and compositional turnover of the ECM, which in turn regulates vascular cell behavior. Hydrogel biomaterials are a powerful platform for basic and translational studies and clinical applications due to their high swelling capacity and exceptional versatility in compositions and properties. This review highlights recent developments and uses of engineered natural hydrogel platforms that mimic the ECM and present defined biochemical and mechanical cues for vascularization. Specifically, we focus on modulating vascular cell stimulation and cell-ECM/cell-cell interactions in the microvasculature that are the established biomimetic microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeon Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC
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Razavi MS, Lei PJ, Amoozgar Z, Leartprapun N, Nadkarni SK, Baish JW, Padera TP, Munn LL. Regeneration of collecting lymphatic vessels following injury. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3025656. [PMID: 37461473 PMCID: PMC10350186 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3025656/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Secondary lymphedema is a debilitating condition driven by impaired regeneration of lymphatic vasculature following lymphatic injury, surgical removal of lymph nodes in cancer patients or infection. However, the extent to which collecting lymphatic vessels regenerate following injury remains unclear. Here, we employed a novel mouse model of lymphatic injury in combination with state-of-the-art lymphatic imaging to demonstrate that the implantation of an optimized fibrin gel following lymphatic vessel injury leads to the growth and reconnection of the injured lymphatic vessel network, resulting in the restoration of lymph flow to the draining node. Intriguingly, we found that fibrin implantation elevates the tissue levels of CCL5, a potent macrophage-recruiting chemokine. Notably, CCL5-KO mice displayed a reduced ability to reconnect injured vessels following fibrin gel implantation. These novel findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying lymphatic regeneration and suggest that enhancing CCL5 signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing lymphatic regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. Razavi
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Pin-Ji Lei
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zohreh Amoozgar
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Nichaluk Leartprapun
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Seemantini K. Nadkarni
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - James W. Baish
- Biomedical Engineering, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Timothy P. Padera
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lance L. Munn
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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7
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Jeong DP, Montes D, Chang HC, Hanjaya-Putra D. Fractal dimension to characterize interactions between blood and lymphatic endothelial cells. Phys Biol 2023; 20:045004. [PMID: 37224822 PMCID: PMC10258918 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/acd898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Spatial patterning of different cell types is crucial for tissue engineering and is characterized by the formation of sharp boundary between segregated groups of cells of different lineages. The cell-cell boundary layers, depending on the relative adhesion forces, can result in kinks in the border, similar to fingering patterns between two viscous partially miscible fluids which can be characterized by its fractal dimension. This suggests that mathematical models used to analyze the fingering patterns can be applied to cell migration data as a metric for intercellular adhesion forces. In this study, we develop a novel computational analysis method to characterize the interactions between blood endothelial cells (BECs) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), which form segregated vasculature by recognizing each other through podoplanin. We observed indiscriminate mixing with LEC-LEC and BEC-BEC pairs and a sharp boundary between LEC-BEC pair, and fingering-like patterns with pseudo-LEC-BEC pairs. We found that the box counting method yields fractal dimension between 1 for sharp boundaries and 1.3 for indiscriminate mixing, and intermediate values for fingering-like boundaries. We further verify that these results are due to differential affinity by performing random walk simulations with differential attraction to nearby cells and generate similar migration pattern, confirming that higher differential attraction between different cell types result in lower fractal dimensions. We estimate the characteristic velocity and interfacial tension for our simulated and experimental data to show that the fractal dimension negatively correlates with capillary number (Ca), further indicating that the mathematical models used to study viscous fingering pattern can be used to characterize cell-cell mixing. Taken together, these results indicate that the fractal analysis of segregation boundaries can be used as a simple metric to estimate relative cell-cell adhesion forces between different cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghyun Paul Jeong
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
| | - Daniel Montes
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
| | - Hsueh-Chia Chang
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
| | - Donny Hanjaya-Putra
- Bioengineering Graduate Program, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States of America
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8
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Deng H, Zhang J, Wu F, Wei F, Han W, Xu X, Zhang Y. Current Status of Lymphangiogenesis: Molecular Mechanism, Immune Tolerance, and Application Prospect. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041169. [PMID: 36831512 PMCID: PMC9954532 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The lymphatic system is a channel for fluid transport and cell migration, but it has always been controversial in promoting and suppressing cancer. VEGFC/VEGFR3 signaling has long been recognized as a major molecular driver of lymphangiogenesis. However, many studies have shown that the neural network of lymphatic signaling is complex. Lymphatic vessels have been found to play an essential role in the immune regulation of tumor metastasis and cardiac repair. This review describes the effects of lipid metabolism, extracellular vesicles, and flow shear forces on lymphangiogenesis. Moreover, the pro-tumor immune tolerance function of lymphatic vessels is discussed, and the tasks of meningeal lymphatic vessels and cardiac lymphatic vessels in diseases are further discussed. Finally, the value of conversion therapy targeting the lymphatic system is introduced from the perspective of immunotherapy and pro-lymphatic biomaterials for lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyang Deng
- Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Institute, Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Fahong Wu
- Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Institute, Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Fengxian Wei
- Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Institute, Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Wei Han
- Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Institute, Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Xiaodong Xu
- Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Institute, Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Youcheng Zhang
- Hepatic-Biliary-Pancreatic Institute, Department of General Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
- Correspondence:
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Nagahara AI, Homma J, Ryu B, Sekine H, Higashi Y, Shimizu T, Kawamata T. Networked lymphatic endothelial cells in a transplanted cell sheet contribute to form functional lymphatic vessels. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21698. [PMID: 36522421 PMCID: PMC9755306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26041-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated whether cell sheets containing a network of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) promoted lymphangiogenesis after transplantation in vivo. Cell sheets with a LEC network were constructed by co-culturing LECs and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on temperature-responsive culture dishes. A cell ratio of 3:2 (vs. 1:4) generated networks with more branches and longer branch lengths. LEC-derived lymphatic vessels were observed 2 weeks after transplantation of a three-layered cell sheet construct onto rat gluteal muscle. Lymphatic vessel number, diameter and depth were greatest for a construct comprising two ASC sheets stacked on a LEC/ASC (3:2 ratio) sheet. Transplantation of this construct in a rat model of femoral lymphangiectomy led to the formation of functional lymphatic vessels containing both transplanted and host LECs. Further development of this technique may lead to a new method of promoting lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Inoue Nagahara
- grid.410818.40000 0001 0720 6587Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan
| | - Jun Homma
- grid.410818.40000 0001 0720 6587Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, TWIns, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan
| | - Bikei Ryu
- grid.488555.10000 0004 1771 2637Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan
| | - Hidekazu Sekine
- grid.410818.40000 0001 0720 6587Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, TWIns, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan
| | - Yuhei Higashi
- grid.410818.40000 0001 0720 6587Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, TWIns, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan ,Tokaihit Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Shimizu
- grid.410818.40000 0001 0720 6587Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, TWIns, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan
| | - Takakazu Kawamata
- grid.488555.10000 0004 1771 2637Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University Hospital, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666 Japan
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Jeong DP, Hall E, Neu E, Hanjaya-Putra D. Podoplanin is Responsible for the Distinct Blood and Lymphatic Capillaries. Cell Mol Bioeng 2022; 15:467-478. [PMID: 36444348 PMCID: PMC9700554 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-022-00730-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Controlling the formation of blood and lymphatic vasculatures is crucial for engineered tissues. Although the lymphatic vessels originate from embryonic blood vessels, the two retain functional and physiological differences even as they develop in the vicinity of each other. This suggests that there is a previously unknown molecular mechanism by which blood (BECs) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) recognize each other and coordinate to generate distinct capillary networks.
Methods
We utilized Matrigel and fibrin assays to determine how cord-like structures (CLS) can be controlled by altering LEC and BEC identity through podoplanin (PDPN) and folliculin (FLCN) expressions. We generated BECΔFLCN and LECΔPDPN, and observed cell migration to characterize loss lymphatic and blood characteristics due to respective knockouts.
Results
We observed that LECs and BECs form distinct CLS in Matrigel and fibrin gels despite being cultured in close proximity with each other. We confirmed that the LECs and BECs do not recognize each other through paracrine signaling, as proliferation and migration of both cells were unaffected by paracrine signals. On the other hand, we found PDPN to be the key surface protein that is responsible for LEC-BEC recognition, and LECs lacking PDPN became pseudo-BECs and vice versa. We also found that FLCN maintains BEC identity through downregulation of PDPN.
Conclusions
Overall, these observations reveal a new molecular pathway through which LECs and BECs form distinct CLS through physical contact by PDPN which in turn is regulated by FLCN, which has important implications toward designing functional engineered tissues.
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