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Chalard AE, Porritt H, Lam Po Tang EJ, Taberner AJ, Winbo A, Ahmad AM, Fitremann J, Malmström J. Dynamic composite hydrogels of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) with supramolecular fibers for tissue engineering applications. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213957. [PMID: 39024864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In the field of tissue engineering, there is a growing need for biomaterials with structural properties that replicate the native characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is important to include fibrous structures into ECM mimics, especially when constructing scar models. Additionally, including a dynamic aspect to cell-laden biomaterials is particularly interesting, since native ECM is constantly reshaped by cells. Composite hydrogels are developed to bring different combinations of structures and properties to a scaffold by using different types and sources of materials. In this work, we aimed to combine gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) with biocompatible supramolecular fibers made of a small self-assembling sugar-derived molecule (N-heptyl-D-galactonamide, GalC7). The GalC7 fibers were directly grown in the GelMA through a thermal process, and it was shown that the presence of the fibrous network increased the Young's modulus of GelMA. Due to the non-covalent interactions that govern the self-assembly, these fibers were observed to dissolve over time, leading to a dynamic softening of the composite gels. Cardiac fibroblast cells were successfully encapsulated into composite gels for 7 days, showing excellent biocompatibility and fibroblasts extending in an elongated morphology, most likely in the channels left by the fibers after their degradation. These novel composite hydrogels present unique properties and could be used as tools to study biological processes such as fibrosis, vascularization and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs E Chalard
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Harrison Porritt
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Emily J Lam Po Tang
- The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew J Taberner
- The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Annika Winbo
- Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Manaaki Manawa Centre for Heart Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amatul M Ahmad
- Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Juliette Fitremann
- Laboratoire Softmat, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jenny Malmström
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand.
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Drew EN, Piras CC, Fitremann J, Smith DK. Wet-spinning multi-component low-molecular-weight gelators to print synergistic soft materials. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:11115-11118. [PMID: 36102842 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc04003d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Two different low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) have been 3D-printed as filaments by wet-spininng. When the two LMWGs are simultaneously wet-spun, the co-assembled hybrid gel filaments combine the individual properties of the two gelators (dynamic pH response and in-situ metal nanoparticle formation) in synergistic ways, creating gel objects with new properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma N Drew
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Carmen C Piras
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Juliette Fitremann
- IMRCP, UMR 5623, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - David K Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
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Hill MJS, Adams DJ. Multi-layer 3D printed dipeptide-based low molecular weight gels. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5960-5965. [PMID: 35916473 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00663d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We describe the direct 3D printing of dipeptide hydrogels, forming layers from gels prepared from different dipeptides. The dipeptides self-assemble into fibres that lead to very different microstructures letting us differentiate between the gels. We show how the mechanical properties of the overall 3D printed structures are affected by the composition of each of the layers, allowing us to build up structures with different microstructure and stiffness. We also discuss the interface between layers formed from different gelators, showing that the gels remain independent from neighbouring printed material, even when prepared in very close proximity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J S Hill
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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Hacene S, Le Friec A, Desmoulin F, Robert L, Colitti N, Fitremann J, Loubinoux I, Cirillo C. Present and future avenues of cell-based therapy for brain injury: The enteric nervous system as a potential cell source. Brain Pathol 2022; 32:e13105. [PMID: 35773942 PMCID: PMC9425017 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is a promising strategy in the field of regenerative medicine; however, several concerns limit the effective clinical use, namely a valid cell source. The gastrointestinal tract, which contains a highly organized network of nerves called the enteric nervous system (ENS), is a valuable reservoir of nerve cells. Together with neurons and neuronal precursor cells, it contains glial cells with a well described neurotrophic potential and a newly identified neurogenic one. Recently, enteric glia is looked at as a candidate for cell therapy in intestinal neuropathies. Here, we present the therapeutic potential of the ENS as cell source for brain repair, too. The example of stroke is introduced as a brain injury where cell therapy appears promising. This disease is the first cause of handicap in adults. The therapies developed in recent years allow a partial response to the consequences of the disease. The only prospect of recovery in the chronic phase is currently based on rehabilitation. The urgency to offer other treatments is therefore tangible. In the first part of the review, some elements of stroke pathophysiology are presented. An update on the available therapeutic strategies is provided, focusing on cell‐ and biomaterial‐based approaches. Following, the ENS is presented with its anatomical and functional characteristics, focusing on glial cells. The properties of these cells are depicted, with particular attention to their neurotrophic and, recently identified, neurogenic properties. Finally, preliminary data on a possible therapeutic approach combining ENS‐derived cells and a biomaterial are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirine Hacene
- National Veterinary School of Toulouse, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Alice Le Friec
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering-Medical Biotechnology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Franck Desmoulin
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Lorenne Robert
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Nina Colitti
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Juliette Fitremann
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, CNRS UMR 5623, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Isabelle Loubinoux
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Carla Cirillo
- Toulouse NeuroImaging Center (ToNIC), Inserm, University of Toulouse-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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