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Magnusson MMM, Schüpbach-Regula G, Rieger J, Plendl J, Marin I, Drews B, Kaessmeyer S. Application of an artificial intelligence for quantitative analysis of endothelial capillary beds in vitro. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2024:CH242157. [PMID: 38640146 DOI: 10.3233/ch-242157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Objective BACKGROUND: The use of endothelial cell cultures has become fundamental to study angiogenesis. Recent advances in artificial intelligences (AI) offer opportunities to develop automated assessment methods in medical research, analyzing larger datasets. Objective OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the application of AI with a manual method to morphometrically quantify in vitro angiogenesis. Objective METHODS: Co-cultures of human microvascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts were incubated mimicking endothelial capillary-beds. An AI-software was trained for segmentation of endothelial capillaries on anti-CD31-labeled light microscope crops. Number of capillaries and branches and average capillary diameter were measured by the AI and manually on 115 crops. Objective RESULTS: The crops were analyzed faster by the AI than manually (3 minutes vs 1 hour per crop). Using the AI, systematically more capillaries (mean 48/mm2 vs 27/mm2) and branches (mean 23/mm2 vs 11/mm2) were counted than manually. Both methods had a strong linear relationship in counting capillaries and branches (r-capillaries = 0.88, r-branches = 0.89). No correlation was found for measurements of the diameter (r-diameter = 0.15). Objective CONCLUSIONS: The present AI reduces the time required for quantitative analysis of angiogenesis on large datasets, and correlates well with manual analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine M M Magnusson
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Division of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Juliane Rieger
- Department of Human Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine for Health Care Systems
| | - Johanna Plendl
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ilka Marin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Drews
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Division of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Kaessmeyer
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Division of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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2
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Ghosh LD, Mathur T, Tronolone JJ, Chuong A, Rangel K, Corvigno S, Sood AK, Jain A. Angiogenesis-Enabled Human Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment-Chip Evaluates Pathophysiology of Platelets in Microcirculation. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304263. [PMID: 38553940 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes angiogenesis for its growth through the recruitment of multiple cells and signaling mechanisms. For example, TME actively recruits and activates platelets from the microcirculation to facilitate metastasis, but platelets may simultaneously also support tumor angiogenesis. Here, to model this complex pathophysiology within the TME that involves a signaling triad of cancer cells, sprouting endothelial cells, and platelets, an angiogenesis-enabled tumor microenvironment chip (aTME-Chip) is presented. This platform recapitulates the convergence of physiology of angiogenesis and platelet function within the ovarian TME and describes the contribution of platelets in promoting angiogenesis within an ovarian TME. By including three distinct human ovarian cancer cell-types, the aTME-Chip quantitatively reveals the following outcomes-first, introduction of platelets significantly increases angiogenesis; second, the temporal dynamics of angiogenic signaling is dependent on cancer cell type; and finally, tumor-educated platelets either activated exogenously by cancer cells or derived clinically from a cancer patient accelerate tumor angiogenesis. Further, analysis of effluents available from aTME-Chip validate functional outcomes by revealing changes in cytokine expression and several angiogenic and metastatic signaling pathways due to platelets. Collectively, this tumor microphysiological system may be deployed to derive antiangiogenic targets combined with antiplatelet treatments to arrest cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lopamudra D Ghosh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Tanmay Mathur
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - James J Tronolone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Ashley Chuong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Kelly Rangel
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sara Corvigno
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Anil K Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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3
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Kolahi Azar H, Gharibshahian M, Rostami M, Mansouri V, Sabouri L, Beheshtizadeh N, Rezaei N. The progressive trend of modeling and drug screening systems of breast cancer bone metastasis. J Biol Eng 2024; 18:14. [PMID: 38317174 PMCID: PMC10845631 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-024-00408-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is considered as a considerable challenge for breast cancer patients. Various in vitro and in vivo models have been developed to examine this occurrence. In vitro models are employed to simulate the intricate tumor microenvironment, investigate the interplay between cells and their adjacent microenvironment, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for tumors. The endeavor to replicate the latency period of bone metastasis in animal models has presented a challenge, primarily due to the necessity of primary tumor removal and the presence of multiple potential metastatic sites.The utilization of novel bone metastasis models, including three-dimensional (3D) models, has been proposed as a promising approach to overcome the constraints associated with conventional 2D and animal models. However, existing 3D models are limited by various factors, such as irregular cellular proliferation, autofluorescence, and changes in genetic and epigenetic expression. The imperative for the advancement of future applications of 3D models lies in their standardization and automation. The utilization of artificial intelligence exhibits the capability to predict cellular behavior through the examination of substrate materials' chemical composition, geometry, and mechanical performance. The implementation of these algorithms possesses the capability to predict the progression and proliferation of cancer. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of bone metastasis following primary breast cancer. Current models of breast cancer bone metastasis, along with their challenges, as well as the future perspectives of using these models for translational drug development, were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Kolahi Azar
- Department of Pathology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Gharibshahian
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Rostami
- Division of Food Safety and Hygiene, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Food Science and Nutrition Group (FSAN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Mansouri
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Sabouri
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Beheshtizadeh
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
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4
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Beter M, Abdollahzadeh A, Pulkkinen HH, Huang H, Orsenigo F, Magnusson PU, Ylä-Herttuala S, Tohka J, Laakkonen JP. SproutAngio: an open-source bioimage informatics tool for quantitative analysis of sprouting angiogenesis and lumen space. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7279. [PMID: 37142637 PMCID: PMC10160097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33090-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional image analyses are required to improve the understanding of the regulation of blood vessel formation and heterogeneity. Currently, quantitation of 3D endothelial structures or vessel branches is often based on 2D projections of the images losing their volumetric information. Here, we developed SproutAngio, a Python-based open-source tool, for fully automated 3D segmentation and analysis of endothelial lumen space and sprout morphology. To test the SproutAngio, we produced a publicly available in vitro fibrin bead assay dataset with a gradually increasing VEGF-A concentration ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7240927 ). We demonstrate that our automated segmentation and sprout morphology analysis, including sprout number, length, and nuclei number, outperform the widely used ImageJ plugin. We also show that SproutAngio allows a more detailed and automated analysis of the mouse retinal vasculature in comparison to the commonly used radial expansion measurement. In addition, we provide two novel methods for automated analysis of endothelial lumen space: (1) width measurement from tip, stalk and root segments of the sprouts and (2) paired nuclei distance analysis. We show that these automated methods provided important additional information on the endothelial cell organization in the sprouts. The pipelines and source code of SproutAngio are publicly available ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7381732 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Beter
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - A Abdollahzadeh
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - H H Pulkkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - H Huang
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - F Orsenigo
- Vascular Biology Unit, IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - P U Magnusson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Tohka
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J P Laakkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O.Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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Simitian G, Virumbrales-Muñoz M, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Beebe DJ, Kosoff D. Microfluidics in vascular biology research: a critical review for engineers, biologists, and clinicians. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:3618-3636. [PMID: 36047330 PMCID: PMC9530010 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00352j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, has received much research attention due to its implications for physiological processes and diseases. Most studies using traditional in vitro and in vivo platforms find challenges in recapitulating key cellular and mechanical cues of the neovascularization processes. Microfluidic in vitro models have been presented as an alternative to these limitations due to their capacity to leverage microscale physics to control cell organization and integrate biochemical and mechanical cues, such as shear stress, cell-cell interactions, or nutrient gradients, making them an ideal option for recapitulating organ physiology. Much has been written about the use of microfluidics in vascular biology models from an engineering perspective. However, a review introducing the different models, components and progress for new potential adopters of these technologies was absent in the literature. Therefore, this paper aims to approach the use of microfluidic technologies in vascular biology from a perspective of biological hallmarks to be studied and written for a wide audience ranging from clinicians to engineers. Here we review applications of microfluidics in vascular biology research, starting with design considerations and fabrication techniques. After that, we review the state of the art in recapitulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, according to the hallmarks recapitulated and complexity of the models. Finally, we discuss emerging research areas in neovascularization, such as drug discovery, and potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grigor Simitian
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - María Virumbrales-Muñoz
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Cristina Sánchez-de-Diego
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - David Kosoff
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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6
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Lafuente-Gracia L, Borgiani E, Nasello G, Geris L. Towards in silico Models of the Inflammatory Response in Bone Fracture Healing. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:703725. [PMID: 34660547 PMCID: PMC8514728 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.703725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In silico modeling is a powerful strategy to investigate the biological events occurring at tissue, cellular and subcellular level during bone fracture healing. However, most current models do not consider the impact of the inflammatory response on the later stages of bone repair. Indeed, as initiator of the healing process, this early phase can alter the regenerative outcome: if the inflammatory response is too strongly down- or upregulated, the fracture can result in a non-union. This review covers the fundamental information on fracture healing, in silico modeling and experimental validation. It starts with a description of the biology of fracture healing, paying particular attention to the inflammatory phase and its cellular and subcellular components. We then discuss the current state-of-the-art regarding in silico models of the immune response in different tissues as well as the bone regeneration process at the later stages of fracture healing. Combining the aforementioned biological and computational state-of-the-art, continuous, discrete and hybrid modeling technologies are discussed in light of their suitability to capture adequately the multiscale course of the inflammatory phase and its overall role in the healing outcome. Both in the establishment of models as in their validation step, experimental data is required. Hence, this review provides an overview of the different in vitro and in vivo set-ups that can be used to quantify cell- and tissue-scale properties and provide necessary input for model credibility assessment. In conclusion, this review aims to provide hands-on guidance for scientists interested in building in silico models as an additional tool to investigate the critical role of the inflammatory phase in bone regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lafuente-Gracia
- Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Prometheus: Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Edoardo Borgiani
- Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Prometheus: Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Biomechanics Research Unit, GIGA in silico Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Gabriele Nasello
- Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Prometheus: Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Geris
- Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Prometheus: Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Biomechanics Research Unit, GIGA in silico Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.,Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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7
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Tronolone JJ, Jain A. Engineering new microvascular networks on-chip: ingredients, assembly, and best practices. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2007199. [PMID: 33994903 PMCID: PMC8114943 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202007199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineered grafts show great potential as regenerative implants for diseased or injured tissues within the human body. However, these grafts suffer from poor nutrient perfusion and waste transport, thus decreasing their viability post-transplantation. Graft vascularization is therefore a major area of focus within tissue engineering because biologically relevant conduits for nutrient and oxygen perfusion can improve viability post-implantation. Many researchers utilize microphysiological systems as testing platforms for potential grafts due to an ability to integrate vascular networks as well as biological characteristics such as fluid perfusion, 3D architecture, compartmentalization of tissue-specific materials, and biophysical and biochemical cues. While many methods of vascularizing these systems exist, microvascular self-assembly has great potential for bench-to-clinic translation as it relies on naturally occurring physiological events. In this review, we highlight the past decade of literature and critically discuss the most important and tunable components yielding a self-assembled vascular network on chip: endothelial cell source, tissue-specific supporting cells, biomaterial scaffolds, biochemical cues, and biophysical forces. This article discusses the bioengineered systems of angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis, and includes a brief overview of multicellular systems. We conclude with future avenues of research to guide the next generation of vascularized microfluidic models and future tissue engineered grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Tronolone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77808, USA
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8
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Guerra A, Belinha J, Mangir N, MacNeil S, Natal Jorge R. Sprouting Angiogenesis: A Numerical Approach with Experimental Validation. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 49:871-884. [PMID: 32974754 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02622-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A functional vascular network is essential to the correct wound healing. In sprouting angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vessels. This is a very complex process and mathematical formulation permits to study angiogenesis using less time-consuming, reproducible and cheaper methodologies. This study aimed to mimic the chemoattractant effect of VEGF in stimulating sprouting angiogenesis. We developed a numerical model in which endothelial cells migrate according to a diffusion-reaction equation for VEGF. A chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) bioassay was used to obtain some important parameters to implement in the model and also to validate the numerical results. We verified that endothelial cells migrate following the highest VEGF concentration. We compared the parameters-total branching number, total vessel length and branching angle-that were obtained in the in silico and the in vivo methodologies and similar results were achieved (p-value smaller than 0.5; n = 6). For the difference between the total capillary volume fractions assessed using both methodologies values smaller than 15% were obtained. In this study we simulated, for the first time, the capillary network obtained during the CAM assay with a realistic morphology and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Guerra
- Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Belinha
- Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Naside Mangir
- Kroto Research Institute, Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, North Campus, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ, UK.,Department of Urology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Rd, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK
| | - Sheila MacNeil
- Kroto Research Institute, Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, North Campus, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ, UK
| | - Renato Natal Jorge
- Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transports and Aeronautics (LAETA - INEGI), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal. .,Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
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9
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Fleischer S, Tavakol DN, Vunjak-Novakovic G. From arteries to capillaries: approaches to engineering human vasculature. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2020; 30:1910811. [PMID: 33708027 PMCID: PMC7942836 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201910811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
From micro-scaled capillaries to millimeter-sized arteries and veins, human vasculature spans multiple scales and cell types. The convergence of bioengineering, materials science, and stem cell biology has enabled tissue engineers to recreate the structure and function of different hierarchical levels of the vascular tree. Engineering large-scale vessels has been pursued over the past thirty years to replace or bypass damaged arteries, arterioles, and venules, and their routine application in the clinic may become a reality in the near future. Strategies to engineer meso- and microvasculature have been extensively explored to generate models to study vascular biology, drug transport, and disease progression, as well as for vascularizing engineered tissues for regenerative medicine. However, bioengineering of large-scale tissues and whole organs for transplantation, have failed to result in clinical translation due to the lack of proper integrated vasculature for effective oxygen and nutrient delivery. The development of strategies to generate multi-scale vascular networks and their direct anastomosis to host vasculature would greatly benefit this formidable goal. In this review, we discuss design considerations and technologies for engineering millimeter-, meso-, and micro-scale vessels. We further provide examples of recent state-of-the-art strategies to engineer multi-scale vasculature. Finally, we identify key challenges limiting the translation of vascularized tissues and offer our perspective on future directions for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University
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10
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Abstract
Angiogenesis is a natural and vital phenomenon of neovascularization that occurs from pre-existing vasculature, being present in many physiological processes, namely in development, reproduction and regeneration. Being a highly dynamic and tightly regulated process, its abnormal expression can be on the basis of several pathologies. For that reason, angiogenesis has been a subject of major interest among the scientific community, being transverse to different areas and founding particular attention in tissue engineering and cancer research fields. Microfluidics has emerged as a powerful tool for modelling this phenomenon, thereby surpassing the limitations associated to conventional angiogenic models. Holding a tremendous flexibility in terms of experimental design towards a specific goal, microfluidic systems can offer an unlimited number of opportunities for investigating angiogenesis in many relevant scenarios, namely from its fundamental comprehension in normal physiological processes to the identification and testing of new therapeutic targets involved on pathological angiogenesis. Additionally, microvascular 3D in vitro models are now opening up new prospects in different fields, being used for investigating and establishing guidelines for the development of next generation of 3D functional vascularized grafts. The promising applications of this emerging technology in angiogenesis studies are herein overviewed, encompassing fundamental and applied research.
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11
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Bonifácio ED, González-Torres LA, Meireles AB, Guimarães MV, Araujo CA. Spatiotemporal pattern of glucose in a microfluidic device depend on the porosity and permeability of the medium: A finite element study. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2019; 182:105039. [PMID: 31472476 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2019.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucose plays an important role as a source of nutrients and influence cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation and migration. In vitro models based on microfluidic devices represent an alternative to study several biological processes in a more reproducible and controllable method compared to in vivo models. Glucose concentration across a microfluidic chip and its behavior in experimental conditions is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE This paper investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of glucose across the hydrogel inside a microfluidic chip. The influence of different parameters, boundary and initial conditions of experiments on glucose concentration was studied. METHODS A finite element model using a two dimensional geometry was developed. With this model, patterns of glucose concentration were investigated for different combinations of flow rate of culture medium, permeability and porosity of the medium. Patterns were also studied for two hydrogels made of collagen type I and fibrin with different initial and boundary conditions for pressure and glucose concentration. RESULTS Porosity influenced significantly on the chemical gradients generated when interstitial fluid flow was null or neglectable. A difference in concentration lower than 15% was obtained at the input of microchamber and after 90 min, when porosity changed from 0.5 to 0.99. In addition, no significant effects of modifications in permeability were observed. Regarding the collagen and fibrin matrices, in the presence of a pressure gradient of 40 Pa, the permeability significantly influenced on the concentration gradients generated. CONCLUSIONS Porosity influences importantly on patterns when diffusion is the main transport mechanism. Permeability is the most influencing parameter when a fluid flow is present. Common insertion rates of culture medium does not significantly modify the patterns of glucose inside the chips. Thus, new experiments must consider the impact of such parameters on the distribution and the time span that nutrients occupy the medium. To better contribute with experimental trials, other studies involving cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, and different chip geometries should be developed. The results of the present work could assist to develop specific systems for experimentation, to design new experiments and to improve the analysis of the obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Bonifácio
- Mechanical Projects Laboratory - LPM, School of Mechanical Engineering - UFU, Uberlandia, Brazil; Institute of Science and Technology - UFVJM, Diamantina, Brazil.
| | | | - A B Meireles
- Pharmacy Department, Laboratory of Immunology, UFVJM and PPGCF-UFVJM, Diamantina, Brazil
| | - M V Guimarães
- Mechanical Projects Laboratory - LPM, School of Mechanical Engineering - UFU, Uberlandia, Brazil
| | - C A Araujo
- Mechanical Projects Laboratory - LPM, School of Mechanical Engineering - UFU, Uberlandia, Brazil
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12
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Fernando K, Yang HW, Jiang Y, Jeon YJ, Ryu B. Ishige okamurae Extract and Its Constituent Ishophloroglucin A Attenuated In Vitro and In Vivo High Glucose-Induced Angiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5542. [PMID: 31698871 PMCID: PMC6888214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is associated with vascular complications, such as impaired wound healing and accelerated vascular growth. The different clinical manifestations, such as retinopathy and nephropathy, reveal the severity of enhanced vascular growth known as angiogenesis. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of an extract of Ishige okamurae (IO) and its constituent, Ishophloroglucin A (IPA) on high glucose-induced angiogenesis. A transgenic zebrafish (flk:EGFP) embryo model was used to evaluate vessel growth. The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), gap closure, transwell, and Matrigel® assays were used to analyze the proliferation, migration, and capillary formation of EA.hy926 cells. Moreover, protein expression were determined using western blotting. IO extract and IPA suppressed vessel formation in the transgenic zebrafish (flk:EGFP) embryo. IPA attenuated cell proliferation, cell migration, and capillary-like structure formation in high glucose-treated human vascular endothelial cells. Further, IPA down regulated the expression of high glucose-induced vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and downstream signaling molecule cascade. Overall, the IO extract and IPA exhibited anti-angiogenic effects against high glucose-induced angiogenesis, suggesting their potential for use as therapeutic agents in diabetes-related angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.H.N. Fernando
- Department of Marine Life Science, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea (H.-W.Y.); (Y.J.)
| | - Hye-Won Yang
- Department of Marine Life Science, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea (H.-W.Y.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yunfei Jiang
- Department of Marine Life Science, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea (H.-W.Y.); (Y.J.)
| | - You-Jin Jeon
- Department of Marine Life Science, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea (H.-W.Y.); (Y.J.)
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63333, Korea
| | - BoMi Ryu
- Department of Marine Life Science, School of Marine Biomedical Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea (H.-W.Y.); (Y.J.)
- Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63333, Korea
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13
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Yoon C, Choi C, Stapleton S, Mirabella T, Howes C, Dong L, King J, Yang J, Oberai A, Eyckmans J, Chen CS. Myosin IIA-mediated forces regulate multicellular integrity during vascular sprouting. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:1974-1984. [PMID: 31318321 PMCID: PMC6727772 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-02-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenic sprouting is a critical process involved in vascular network formation within tissues. During sprouting, tip cells and ensuing stalk cells migrate collectively into the extracellular matrix while preserving cell–cell junctions, forming patent structures that support blood flow. Although several signaling pathways have been identified as controlling sprouting, it remains unclear to what extent this process is mechanoregulated. To address this question, we investigated the role of cellular contractility in sprout morphogenesis, using a biomimetic model of angiogenesis. Three-dimensional maps of mechanical deformations generated by sprouts revealed that mainly leader cells, not stalk cells, exert contractile forces on the surrounding matrix. Surprisingly, inhibiting cellular contractility with blebbistatin did not affect the extent of cellular invasion but resulted in cell–cell dissociation primarily between tip and stalk cells. Closer examination of cell–cell junctions revealed that blebbistatin impaired adherens-junction organization, particularly between tip and stalk cells. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, we further identified NMIIA as the major isoform responsible for regulating multicellularity and cell contractility during sprouting. Together, these studies reveal a critical role for NMIIA-mediated contractile forces in maintaining multicellularity during sprouting and highlight the central role of forces in regulating cell–cell adhesions during collective motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Yoon
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Colin Choi
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Sarah Stapleton
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Teodelinda Mirabella
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Caroline Howes
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180
| | - Li Dong
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,The Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Jessica King
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Jinling Yang
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Assad Oberai
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007
| | - Jeroen Eyckmans
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Christopher S Chen
- Biological Design Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115
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14
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Shang M, Soon RH, Lim CT, Khoo BL, Han J. Microfluidic modelling of the tumor microenvironment for anti-cancer drug development. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:369-386. [PMID: 30644496 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00970h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The complex and disorganized tumor microenvironment makes it very difficult to treat this disease. The most common in vitro drug screening method now is based on 2D culture models which poorly represent actual tumors. Therefore, many 3D tumor models which are more physiologically relevant have been developed to conduct in vitro drug screening and alleviate this situation. Among all these models, the microfluidic tumor model has the unique advantage of recapitulating the tumor microenvironment in a comparatively easier and representative fashion. While there are many review papers available on the related topic of microfluidic tumor models, in this review we aim to focus more on the possibility of generating "clinically actionable information" from these microfluidic systems, besides scientific insight. Our topics cover the tumor microenvironment, conventional 2D and 3D cultures, animal models, and microfluidic tumor models, emphasizing their link to anti-cancer drug discovery and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglin Shang
- BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, 1, Create Way, Enterprise Wing, 138602, Singapore.
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15
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Microfluidic-Based 3D Engineered Microvascular Networks and Their Applications in Vascularized Microtumor Models. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:mi9100493. [PMID: 30424426 PMCID: PMC6215090 DOI: 10.3390/mi9100493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The microvasculature plays a critical role in human physiology and is closely associated to various human diseases. By combining advanced microfluidic-based techniques, the engineered 3D microvascular network model provides a precise and reproducible platform to study the microvasculature in vitro, which is an essential and primary component to engineer organ-on-chips and achieve greater biological relevance. In this review, we discuss current strategies to engineer microvessels in vitro, which can be broadly classified into endothelial cell lining-based methods, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis-based methods, and hybrid methods. By closely simulating relevant factors found in vivo such as biomechanical, biochemical, and biological microenvironment, it is possible to create more accurate organ-specific models, including both healthy and pathological vascularized microtissue with their respective vascular barrier properties. We further discuss the integration of tumor cells/spheroids into the engineered microvascular to model the vascularized microtumor tissue, and their potential application in the study of cancer metastasis and anti-cancer drug screening. Finally, we conclude with our commentaries on current progress and future perspective of on-chip vascularization techniques for fundamental and clinical/translational research.
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16
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Perfused 3D angiogenic sprouting in a high-throughput in vitro platform. Angiogenesis 2018; 22:157-165. [PMID: 30171498 PMCID: PMC6510881 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-018-9647-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenic sprouting, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is orchestrated by cues from within the cellular microenvironment, such as biochemical gradients and perfusion. However, many of these cues are missing in current in vitro models of angiogenic sprouting. We here describe an in vitro platform that integrates both perfusion and the generation of stable biomolecular gradients and demonstrate its potential to study more physiologically relevant angiogenic sprouting and microvascular stabilization. The platform consists of an array of 40 individually addressable microfluidic units that enable the culture of perfused microvessels against a three-dimensional collagen-1 matrix. Upon the introduction of a gradient of pro-angiogenic factors, the endothelial cells differentiated into tip cells that invaded the matrix. Continuous exposure resulted in continuous migration and the formation of lumen by stalk cells. A combination of vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF-165), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) was the most optimal cocktail to trigger robust, directional angiogenesis with S1P being crucial for guidance and repetitive sprout formation. Prolonged exposure forces the angiogenic sprouts to anastomose through the collagen to the other channel. This resulted in remodeling of the angiogenic sprouts within the collagen: angiogenic sprouts that anastomosed with the other perfusion channel remained stable, while those who did not retracted and degraded. Furthermore, perfusion with 150 kDa FITC-Dextran revealed that while the angiogenic sprouts were initially leaky, once they fully crossed the collagen lane they became leak tight. This demonstrates that once anastomosis occurred, the sprouts matured and suggests that perfusion can act as an important survival and stabilization factor for the angiogenic microvessels. The robustness of this platform in combination with the possibility to include a more physiological relevant three-dimensional microenvironment makes our platform uniquely suited to study angiogenesis in vitro.
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17
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Plou J, Juste-Lanas Y, Olivares V, Del Amo C, Borau C, García-Aznar JM. From individual to collective 3D cancer dissemination: roles of collagen concentration and TGF-β. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12723. [PMID: 30143683 PMCID: PMC6109049 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30683-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have the ability to migrate from the primary (original) site to other places in the body. The extracellular matrix affects cancer cell migratory capacity and has been correlated with tissue-specific spreading patterns. However, how the matrix orchestrates these behaviors remains unclear. Here, we investigated how both higher collagen concentrations and TGF-β regulate the formation of H1299 cell (a non-small cell lung cancer cell line) spheroids within 3D collagen-based matrices and promote cancer cell invasive capacity. We show that at low collagen concentrations, tumor cells move individually and have moderate invasive capacity, whereas when the collagen concentration is increased, the formation of cell clusters is promoted. In addition, when the concentration of TGF-β in the microenvironment is lower, most of the clusters are aggregates of cancer cells with a spheroid-like morphology and poor migratory capacity. In contrast, higher concentrations of TGF-β induced the formation of clusters with a notably higher invasive capacity, resulting in clear strand-like collective cell migration. Our results show that the concentration of the extracellular matrix is a key regulator of the formation of tumor clusters that affects their development and growth. In addition, chemical factors create a microenvironment that promotes the transformation of idle tumor clusters into very active, invasive tumor structures. These results collectively demonstrate the relevant regulatory role of the mechano-chemical microenvironment in leading the preferential metastasis of tumor cells to specific tissues with high collagen concentrations and TFG-β activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Plou
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Y Juste-Lanas
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - V Olivares
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Del Amo
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J M García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
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18
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Combined experimental and computational characterization of crosslinked collagen-based hydrogels. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195820. [PMID: 29664953 PMCID: PMC5903660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen hydrogels are widely used for in-vitro experiments and tissue engineering applications. Their use has been extended due to their biocompatibility with cells and their capacity to mimic biological tissues; nevertheless their mechanical properties are not always optimal for these purposes. Hydrogels are formed by a network of polymer filaments embedded on an aqueous substrate and their mechanical properties are mainly defined by the filament network architecture and the individual filament properties. To increase properties of native collagen, such as stiffness or strain-stiffening, these networks can be modified by adding crosslinking agents that alter the network architecture, increasing the unions between filaments. In this work, we have investigated the effect of one crosslinking agent, transglutaminase, in collagen hydrogels with varying collagen concentration. We have observed a linear dependency of the gel rigidity on the collagen concentration. Moreover, the addition of transglutaminase has induced an earlier strain-stiffening of the collagen gels. In addition, to better understand the mechanical implications of collagen concentration and crosslinkers inclusion, we have adapted an existing computational model, based on the worm-like chain model (WLC), to reproduce the mechanical behavior of the collagen gels. With this model we can estimate the parameters of the biopolymer networks without more sophisticated techniques, such as image processing or network reconstruction, or, inversely, predict the mechanical properties of a defined collagen network.
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19
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Del Amo C, Olivares V, Cóndor M, Blanco A, Santolaria J, Asín J, Borau C, García-Aznar JM. Matrix architecture plays a pivotal role in 3D osteoblast migration: The effect of interstitial fluid flow. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2018; 83:52-62. [PMID: 29677555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Osteoblast migration is a crucial process in bone regeneration, which is strongly regulated by interstitial fluid flow. However, the exact role that such flow exerts on osteoblast migration is still unclear. To deepen the understanding of this phenomenon, we cultured human osteoblasts on 3D microfluidic devices under different fluid flow regimes. Our results show that a slow fluid flow rate by itself is not able to alter the 3D migratory patterns of osteoblasts in collagen-based gels but that at higher fluid flow rates (increased flow velocity) may indirectly influence cell movement by altering the collagen microstructure. In fact, we observed that high fluid flow rates (1 µl/min) are able to alter the collagen matrix architecture and to indirectly modulate the migration pattern. However, when these collagen scaffolds were crosslinked with a chemical crosslinker, specifically, transglutaminase II, we did not find significant alterations in the scaffold architecture or in osteoblast movement. Therefore, our data suggest that high interstitial fluid flow rates can regulate osteoblast migration by means of modifying the orientation of collagen fibers. Together, these results highlight the crucial role of the matrix architecture in 3D osteoblast migration. In addition, we show that interstitial fluid flow in conjunction with the matrix architecture regulates the osteoblast morphology in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Del Amo
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Vanesa Olivares
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mar Cóndor
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandro Blanco
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Design and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jorge Santolaria
- Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Design and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jesús Asín
- Department of Statistical Methods, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
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20
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A web-based application for automated quantification of chemical gradients induced in microfluidic devices. Comput Biol Med 2018; 95:118-128. [PMID: 29494849 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Advances in microfabrication have allowed the development and popularization of microfluidic devices, which are powerful tools to recreate three-dimensional (3-D) biologically relevant in vitro models. These microenvironments are usually generated by using hydrogels and induced chemical gradients. Going further, computational models enable, after validation, the simulation of such conditions without the necessity of real experiments, thus saving costs and time. In this work we present a web-based application that allows, based on a previous numerical model, the assessment of different chemical gradients induced within a 3-D extracellular matrix. This application enables the estimation of the spatio-temporal chemical distribution inside microfluidic devices, by defining a first set of parameters characterizing the chip geometry, and a second set characterizing the diffusion properties of the hydrogel-based matrix. The simulated chemical concentration profiles generated within a synthetic hydrogel are calculated remotely on a server and returned to the website in less than 3 min, thus offering a quick automatic quantification to any user. To ensure the day-to-day applicability, user requirements were investigated prior to tool development, pre-selecting some of the most common geometries. The tool is freely available online, after user registration, on http://m2be.unizar.es/insilico_cell under the software tab. Four different microfluidic device geometries were defined to study the dependence of the geometrical parameters onto the gradient formation processes. The numerical predictions demonstrate that growth factor diffusion within 3-D matrices strongly depends not only on the physics of diffusion, but also on the geometrical parameters that characterizes these complex devices. Additionally, the effect of the combination of different hydrogels inside a microfluidic device was studied. The automatization of microfluidic device geometries generation provide a powerful tool which facilitates to any user the possibility to automatically create its own microfluidic device, greatly reducing the experimental validation processes and advancing in the understanding of in vitro 3-D cell responses without the necessity of using commercial software or performing real testing experiments.
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21
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Lee E, Takahashi H, Pauty J, Kobayashi M, Kato K, Kabara M, Kawabe JI, Matsunaga YT. A 3D in vitro pericyte-supported microvessel model: visualisation and quantitative characterisation of multistep angiogenesis. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:1085-1094. [PMID: 32254296 DOI: 10.1039/c7tb03239k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, which refers to the formation of new blood vessels from already existing vessels, is a promising therapeutic target and a complex multistep process involving many different factors. Pericytes (PCs) are attracting attention as they are considered to make significant contributions to the maturation and stabilisation of newly formed vessels, although not much is known about the precise mechanisms involved. Since there is no single specific marker for pericytes, in vivo models may complicate PC identification and the study of PCs in angiogenesis would benefit from in vitro models recapitulating the interactions between PCs and endothelial cells (ECs) in a three-dimensional (3D) configuration. In this study, a 3D in vitro co-culture microvessel model incorporating ECs and PCs was constructed by bottom-up tissue engineering. Angiogenesis was induced in the manner of sprout formation by the addition of a vascular endothelial cell growth factor. It was found that the incorporation of PCs prevented expansion of the parent vessel diameter and enhanced sprout formation and elongation. Physical interactions between ECs and PCs were visualised by immunostaining and it disclosed that PCs covered the EC monolayer from its basal side in the parent vessel as well as angiogenic sprouts. Furthermore, the microvessels were visualized in 3D by using a non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system and sprout features were quantitatively assessed. It revealed that the sprouts in EC-PC co-culture vessels were longer and tighter than those in EC mono-culture vessels. The combination of the microvessel model and the OCT system analysis can be useful for the visualisation and demonstration of the multistep process of angiogenesis, which incorporates PCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eujin Lee
- Center for International Research on Integrative Biomedical Systems (CIBiS), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
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22
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Movilla N, Borau C, Valero C, García-Aznar JM. Degradation of extracellular matrix regulates osteoblast migration: A microfluidic-based study. Bone 2018; 107:10-17. [PMID: 29107125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Bone regeneration is strongly dependent on the capacity of cells to move in a 3D microenvironment, where a large cascade of signals is activated. To improve the understanding of this complex process and to advance in the knowledge of the role of each specific signal, it is fundamental to analyze the impact of each factor independently. Microfluidic-based cell culture is an appropriate technology to achieve this objective, because it allows recreating realistic 3D local microenvironments by taking into account the extracellular matrix, cells and chemical gradients in an independent or combined scenario. The main aim of this work is to analyze the impact of extracellular matrix properties and growth factor gradients on 3D osteoblast movement, as well as the role of cell matrix degradation. For that, we used collagen-based hydrogels, with and without crosslinkers, under different chemical gradients, and eventually inhibiting metalloproteinases to tweak matrix degradation. We found that osteoblast's 3D migratory patterns were affected by the hydrogel properties and the PDGF-BB gradient, although the strongest regulatory factor was determined by the ability of cells to remodel the matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Movilla
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - C Valero
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J M García-Aznar
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
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23
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Mohammadi M, Mousavi Shaegh SA, Alibolandi M, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Tamayol A, Jaafari MR, Ramezani M. Micro and nanotechnologies for bone regeneration: Recent advances and emerging designs. J Control Release 2018; 274:35-55. [PMID: 29410062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of critical-size bone defects is a major medical challenge since neither the bone tissue can regenerate nor current regenerative approaches are effective. Emerging progresses in the field of nanotechnology have resulted in the development of new materials, scaffolds and drug delivery strategies to improve or restore the damaged tissues. The current article reviews promising nanomaterials and emerging micro/nano fabrication techniques for targeted delivery of biomolecules for bone tissue regeneration. In addition, recent advances in fabrication of bone graft substitutes with similar properties to normal tissue along with a brief summary of current commercialized bone grafts have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Mohammadi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Mousavi Shaegh
- Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mona Alibolandi
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Ali Tamayol
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ramezani
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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24
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Del Amo C, Borau C, Movilla N, Asín J, García-Aznar JM. Quantifying 3D chemotaxis in microfluidic-based chips with step gradients of collagen hydrogel concentrations. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:339-349. [PMID: 28300261 DOI: 10.1039/c7ib00022g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is an essential process involved in crucial stages of tissue formation, regeneration or immune function as well as in pathological processes including tumor development or metastasis. During the last few years, the effect of gradients of soluble molecules on cell migration has been widely studied, and complex systems have been used to analyze cell behavior under simultaneous mechano-chemical stimuli. Most of these chemotactic assays have, however, focused on specific substrates in 2D. The aim of the present work is to develop a novel microfluidic-based chip that allows the long-term chemoattractant effect of growth factors (GFs) on 3D cell migration to be studied, while also providing the possibility to analyze the influence of the interface generated between different adjacent hydrogels. Namely, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 4 mg ml-1 concentrations of collagen type I were alternatively combined with 5, 10 or 50 ng ml-1 concentrations of PDGF and VEGF (as a negative control). To achieve this goal, we have designed a new microfluidic device including three adjacent chambers to introduce hydrogels that allow the generation of a collagen concentration step gradient. This versatile and simple platform was tested by using dermal human fibroblasts embedded in 3D collagen matrices. Images taken over a week were processed to quantify the number of cells in each zone. We found, in terms of cell distribution, that the presence of PDGF, especially in small concentrations, was a strong chemoattractant for dermal human fibroblasts across the gels regardless of their collagen concentration and step gradient direction, whereas the effects of VEGF or collagen step gradient concentrations alone were negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Del Amo
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
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Vasculature-On-A-Chip for In Vitro Disease Models. Bioengineering (Basel) 2017; 4:bioengineering4010008. [PMID: 28952486 PMCID: PMC5590435 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering4010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential biological process. As the vasculature is involved in various fundamental physiological phenomena and closely related to several human diseases, it is imperative that substantial research is conducted on characterizing the vasculature and its related diseases. A significant evolution has been made to describe the vascularization process so that in vitro recapitulation of vascularization is possible. The current microfluidic systems allow elaborative research on the effects of various cues for vascularization, and furthermore, in vitro technologies have a great potential for being applied to the vascular disease models for studying pathological events and developing drug screening platforms. Here, we review methods of fabrication for microfluidic assays and inducing factors for vascularization. We also discuss applications using engineered vasculature such as in vitro vascular disease models, vasculature in organ-on-chips and drug screening platforms.
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