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Tang T, Zhang P, Zhang Q, Man X, Xu Y. Fabrication of heterocellular spheroids with controllable core-shell structure using inertial focusing effect for scaffold-free 3D cell culture models. Biofabrication 2024; 16:045013. [PMID: 39019062 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad647e] [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: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models capable of emulating the biological functions of natural tissues are pivotal in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Despite progress, the fabrication ofin vitroheterocellular models that mimic the intricate structures of natural tissues remains a significant challenge. In this study, we introduce a novel, scaffold-free approach leveraging the inertial focusing effect in rotating hanging droplets for the reliable production of heterocellular spheroids with controllable core-shell structures. Our method offers precise control over the core-shell spheroid's size and geometry by adjusting the cell suspension density and droplet morphology. We successfully applied this technique to create hair follicle organoids, integrating dermal papilla cells within the core and epidermal cells in the shell, thereby achieving markedly enhanced hair inducibility compared to mixed-structure models. Furthermore, we have developed melanoma tumor spheroids that accurately mimic the dynamic interactions between tumor and stromal cells, showing increased invasion capabilities and altered expressions of cellular adhesion molecules and proteolytic enzymes. These findings underscore the critical role of cellular spatial organization in replicating tissue functionalityin vitro. Our method represents a significant advancement towards generating heterocellular spheroids with well-defined architectures, offering broad implications for biological research and applications in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Tang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuting Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingkun Man
- School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Xu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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2
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Yoon S, Fuwad A, Jeong S, Cho H, Jeon TJ, Kim SM. Surface Deformation of Biocompatible Materials: Recent Advances in Biological Applications. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:395. [PMID: 39056836 PMCID: PMC11274418 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9070395] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The surface topography of substrates is a crucial factor that determines the interaction with biological materials in bioengineering research. Therefore, it is important to appropriately modify the surface topography according to the research purpose. Surface topography can be fabricated in various forms, such as wrinkles, creases, and ridges using surface deformation techniques, which can contribute to the performance enhancement of cell chips, organ chips, and biosensors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of soft, hard, and hybrid substrates used in the bioengineering field and the surface deformation techniques applied to the substrates. Furthermore, this review summarizes the cases of cell-based research and other applications, such as biosensor research, that utilize surface deformation techniques. In cell-based research, various studies have reported optimized cell behavior and differentiation through surface deformation, while, in the biosensor and biofilm fields, performance improvement cases due to surface deformation have been reported. Through these studies, we confirm the contribution of surface deformation techniques to the advancement of the bioengineering field. In the future, it is expected that the application of surface deformation techniques to the real-time interaction analysis between biological materials and dynamically deformable substrates will increase the utilization and importance of these techniques in various fields, including cell research and biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunhee Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation (BK21), Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahmed Fuwad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (A.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Seorin Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (A.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Hyeran Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
| | - Tae-Joon Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation (BK21), Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Min Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (A.F.); (S.J.)
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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3
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Xian Q, Luo X, Zhang J, Wong YC, Yang S, Wen W. High-Throughput Microfluidic Particle Counter Based on Optical Absorption. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4085-4092. [PMID: 38780535 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
With the utilization of advanced microfluidic techniques, the microfluidic particle counter demonstrates significant potential due to its high efficiency, precise manipulation, and portability. This work focuses on a photodetection counter based on optical absorption. To achieve precise particle detection, a Christmas tree-like structure was implemented to separate a single particle from a cluster, which was then detected in independent multiple parallel channels. The system exhibits a high degree of reliability, as evidenced by a linear correlation coefficient over 0.99 obtained during testing with gradient-concentrated beads. Furthermore, when the calculated density of NIH 3T3 cells is compared with that of a traditional flow cytometer, the system achieves a substantial agreement percentage ranging from 87.5 to 99.9%. The system's ability to perform high-throughput analysis with a high acquisition rate positions it as a promising tool for real-time point-of-care testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Xian
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha, Guangzhou 511400, China
- Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas, Interdisciplinary Program Office, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Zhang
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Yu Ching Wong
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Siyu Yang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Weijia Wen
- Thrust of Advanced Materials, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha, Guangzhou 511400, China
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
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4
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Kim S, Lam PY, Jayaraman A, Han A. Uniform sized cancer spheroids production using hydrogel-based droplet microfluidics: a review. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:26. [PMID: 38806765 PMCID: PMC11241584 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00712-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been extensively utilized in various mechanistic studies as well as for drug development studies as superior in vitro platforms than conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models. This is especially the case in cancer biology, where 3D cancer models, such as spheroids or organoids, have been utilized extensively to understand the mechanisms of cancer development. Recently, many sophisticated 3D models such as organ-on-a-chip models are emerging as advanced in vitro models that can more accurately mimic the in vivo tissue functions. Despite such advancements, spheroids are still considered as a powerful 3D cancer model due to the relatively simple structure and compatibility with existing laboratory instruments, and also can provide orders of magnitude higher throughput than complex in vitro models, an extremely important aspects for drug development. However, creating well-defined spheroids remain challenging, both in terms of throughputs in generation as well as reproducibility in size and shape that can make it challenging for drug testing applications. In the past decades, droplet microfluidics utilizing hydrogels have been highlighted due to their potentials. Importantly, core-shell structured gel droplets can avoid spheroid-to-spheroid adhesion that can cause large variations in assays while also enabling long-term cultivation of spheroids with higher uniformity by protecting the core organoid area from external environment while the outer porous gel layer still allows nutrient exchange. Hence, core-shell gel droplet-based spheroid formation can improve the predictivity and reproducibility of drug screening assays. This review paper will focus on droplet microfluidics-based technologies for cancer spheroid production using various gel materials and structures. In addition, we will discuss emerging technologies that have the potential to advance the production of spheroids, prospects of such technologies, and remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Yadav AS, Galogahi FM, Vashi A, Tran DT, Kijanka GS, Cha H, Sreejith KR, Nguyen NT. Synthesis and active manipulation of magnetic liquid beads. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:24. [PMID: 38709370 PMCID: PMC11074228 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00708-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
We report the fabrication and characterisation of magnetic liquid beads with a solid magnetic shell and liquid core using microfluidic techniques. The liquid beads consist of a fluorinated oil core and a polymer shell with magnetite particles. The beads are generated in a flow-focusing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device and cured by photo polymerisation. We investigated the response of the liquid beads to an external magnetic field by characterising their motion towards a permanent magnet. Magnetic sorting of liquid beads in a channel was achieved with 90% efficiency. The results show that the liquid beads can be controlled magnetically and have potential applications in digital microfluidics including nucleic acid amplification, drug delivery, cell culture, sensing, and tissue engineering. The present paper also discusses the magnetophoretic behaviour of the liquid bead by varying its mass and magnetite concentration in the shell. We also demonstrated the two-dimensional self-assembly of magnetic liquid beads for potential use in digital polymerase chain reaction and digital loop mediated isothermal amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeet Singh Yadav
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Fariba Malekpour Galogahi
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Aditya Vashi
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Du Tuan Tran
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Gregor S Kijanka
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Haotian Cha
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Kamalalayam Rajan Sreejith
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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6
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Żuchowska A, Baranowska P, Flont M, Brzózka Z, Jastrzębska E. Review: 3D cell models for organ-on-a-chip applications. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1301:342413. [PMID: 38553129 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) cultures do not fully reflect the human organs' physiology and the real effectiveness of the used therapy. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) models are increasingly used in bioanalytical science. Organ-on-a-chip systems are used to obtain cellular in vitro models, better reflecting the human body's in vivo characteristics and allowing us to obtain more reliable results than standard preclinical models. Such 3D models can be used to understand the behavior of tissues/organs in response to selected biophysical and biochemical factors, pathological conditions (the mechanisms of their formation), drug screening, or inter-organ interactions. This review characterizes 3D models obtained in microfluidic systems. These include spheroids/aggregates, hydrogel cultures, multilayers, organoids, or cultures on biomaterials. Next, the methods of formation of different 3D cultures in Organ-on-a-chip systems are presented, and examples of such Organ-on-a-chip systems are discussed. Finally, current applications of 3D cell-on-a-chip systems and future perspectives are covered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Żuchowska
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Baranowska
- Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Flont
- Center for Advanced Materials and Technologies CEZAMAT, Warsaw University of Technology, Poleczki 19, 02-822, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Brzózka
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Jastrzębska
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Noakowskiego 3, 00-664, Warsaw, Poland.
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7
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Giannitelli SM, Peluzzi V, Raniolo S, Roscilli G, Trombetta M, Mozetic P, Rainer A. On-chip recapitulation of the tumor microenvironment: A decade of progress. Biomaterials 2024; 306:122482. [PMID: 38301325 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122482] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
One of the hurdles to the development of new anticancer therapies is the lack of in vitro models which faithfully reproduce the in vivo tumor microenvironment (TME). Understanding the dynamic relationships between the components of the TME in a controllable, scalable, and reliable setting would indeed support the discovery of biological targets impacting cancer diagnosis and therapy. Cancer research is increasingly shifting from traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture toward three-dimensional (3D) culture models, which have been demonstrated to increase the significance and predictive value of in vitro data. In this scenario, microphysiological systems (also known as organs-on-chip) have emerged as a relevant technological platform enabling more predictive investigation of cell-cell and cell-ECM interplay in cancer, attracting a significant research effort in the last years. This review illustrates one decade of progress in the field of tumor-microenvironment-on-chip (TMOC) approaches, exploiting either cell-laden microfluidic chambers or microfluidic confined tumor spheroids to model the TME. TMOCs have been designed to recapitulate several aspects of the TME, including tumor cells, the tumor-associated stroma, the immune system, and the vascular component. Significantly, the last aspect has emerged for its pivotal role in orchestrating cellular interactions and modulating drug pharmacokinetics on-chip. A further advancement has been represented by integration of TMOCs into multi-organ microphysiological systems, with the final aim to follow the metastatic cascade to target organs and to study the effects of chemotherapies at a systemic level. We highlight that the increased degree of complexity achieved by the most advanced TMOC models has enabled scientists to shed new light on the role of microenvironmental factors in tumor progression, metastatic cascade, and response to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Giannitelli
- Department of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and One Health, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - V Peluzzi
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - S Raniolo
- Department of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and One Health, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Roscilli
- Takis s.r.l., Via di Castel Romano 100, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - M Trombetta
- Department of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and One Health, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo, 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - P Mozetic
- Institute of Nanotechnology (NANOTEC), National Research Council, via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - A Rainer
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, via Álvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy.
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8
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Jiang L, Guo K, Chen Y, Xiang N. Droplet Microfluidics for Current Cancer Research: From Single-Cell Analysis to 3D Cell Culture. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:1335-1354. [PMID: 38420753 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Differences in drug resistance and treatment response caused by the heterogeneity of cancer cells are the primary reasons for poor cancer therapy outcomes in patients. In addition, current in vitro anticancer drug-screening methods rely on two-dimensional monolayer-cultured cancer cells, which cannot accurately predict drug behavior in vivo. Therefore, a powerful tool to study the heterogeneity of cancer cells and produce effective in vitro tumor models is warranted to leverage cancer research. Droplet microfluidics has become a powerful platform for the single-cell analysis of cancer cells and three-dimensional cell culture of in vitro tumor spheroids. In this review, we discuss the use of droplet microfluidics in cancer research. Droplet microfluidic technologies, including single- or double-emulsion droplet generation and passive- or active-droplet manipulation, are concisely discussed. Recent advances in droplet microfluidics for single-cell analysis of cancer cells, circulating tumor cells, and scaffold-free/based 3D cell culture of tumor spheroids have been systematically introduced. Finally, the challenges that must be overcome for the further application of droplet microfluidics in cancer research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Kefan Guo
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Nan Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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9
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Yoon S, Kilicarslan You D, Jeong U, Lee M, Kim E, Jeon TJ, Kim SM. Microfluidics in High-Throughput Drug Screening: Organ-on-a-Chip and C. elegans-Based Innovations. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:55. [PMID: 38275308 PMCID: PMC10813408 DOI: 10.3390/bios14010055] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The development of therapeutic interventions for diseases necessitates a crucial step known as drug screening, wherein potential substances with medicinal properties are rigorously evaluated. This process has undergone a transformative evolution, driven by the imperative need for more efficient, rapid, and high-throughput screening platforms. Among these, microfluidic systems have emerged as the epitome of efficiency, enabling the screening of drug candidates with unprecedented speed and minimal sample consumption. This review paper explores the cutting-edge landscape of microfluidic-based drug screening platforms, with a specific emphasis on two pioneering approaches: organ-on-a-chip and C. elegans-based chips. Organ-on-a-chip technology harnesses human-derived cells to recreate the physiological functions of human organs, offering an invaluable tool for assessing drug efficacy and toxicity. In parallel, C. elegans-based chips, boasting up to 60% genetic homology with humans and a remarkable affinity for microfluidic systems, have proven to be robust models for drug screening. Our comprehensive review endeavors to provide readers with a profound understanding of the fundamental principles, advantages, and challenges associated with these innovative drug screening platforms. We delve into the latest breakthroughs and practical applications in this burgeoning field, illuminating the pivotal role these platforms play in expediting drug discovery and development. Furthermore, we engage in a forward-looking discussion to delineate the future directions and untapped potential inherent in these transformative technologies. Through this review, we aim to contribute to the collective knowledge base in the realm of drug screening, providing valuable insights to researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders alike. We invite readers to embark on a journey into the realm of microfluidic-based drug screening platforms, fostering a deeper appreciation for their significance and promising avenues yet to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunhee Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Dilara Kilicarslan You
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Uiechan Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Eunhye Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
| | - Tae-Joon Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
- Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center (BSRC), Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Min Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (D.K.Y.); (M.L.); (E.K.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center (BSRC), Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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10
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Weng Y, Yang G, Li Y, Xu L, Chen X, Song H, Zhao CX. Alginate-based materials for enzyme encapsulation. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 318:102957. [PMID: 37392664 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Enzymes are widely used in industry due to their high efficiency and selectivity. However, their low stability during certain industrial processes can result in a significant loss of catalytic activity. Encapsulation is a promising technique that can stabilize enzymes by protecting them from environmental stresses such as extreme temperature and pH, mechanical force, organic solvents, and proteases. Alginate and alginate-based materials have emerged as effective carriers for enzyme encapsulation due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to form gel beads through ionic gelation. This review presents various alginate-based encapsulation systems for enzyme stabilization and explores their applications in different industries. We discuss the preparation methods of alginate encapsulated enzymes and analyze the release mechanisms of enzymes from alginate materials. Additionally, we summarize the characterization techniques used for enzyme-alginate composites. This review provides insights into the use of alginate encapsulation as a means of stabilizing enzymes and highlights the potential benefits for various industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilun Weng
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Guangze Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Yang Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Letao Xu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Hao Song
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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11
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Plava J, Cehakova M, Kuniakova M, Trnkova L, Cihova M, Bohac M, Danisovic L. The third dimension of tumor microenvironment-The importance of tumor stroma in 3D cancer models. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:1347-1358. [PMID: 37750028 PMCID: PMC10625342 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231198050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the three-dimensional (3D) cancer models give rise to a plethora of new possibilities in the development of anti-cancer drug therapies and bring us closer to personalized medicine. Three-dimensional models are undoubtedly more authentic than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Nowadays, they are becoming preferentially used in most cancer research fields due to their more accurate biomimetic characteristics. On the contrary, they still lack the cellular and matrix complexity of the native tumor microenvironment (TME). This review focuses on the description of existing 3D models, the incorporation of TME and fluidics into these models, and their perspective in the future research. It is clear that such an improvement would need not only biological but also technical progress. Therefore, the modern approach to anti-cancer drug discovery should involve various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Plava
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Cehakova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
- National Institute of Rheumatic Diseases, Piestany 921 12, Slovakia
| | - Marcela Kuniakova
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Trnkova
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Marina Cihova
- Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bohac
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia
- Department of Oncosurgery, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia
- Regenmed Ltd., Bratislava 81108, Slovakia
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
- National Institute of Rheumatic Diseases, Piestany 921 12, Slovakia
- Regenmed Ltd., Bratislava 81108, Slovakia
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12
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Urzì O, Gasparro R, Costanzo E, De Luca A, Giavaresi G, Fontana S, Alessandro R. Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures: The Bridge between In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12046. [PMID: 37569426 PMCID: PMC10419178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Although historically, the traditional bidimensional in vitro cell system has been widely used in research, providing much fundamental information regarding cellular functions and signaling pathways as well as nuclear activities, the simplicity of this system does not fully reflect the heterogeneity and complexity of the in vivo systems. From this arises the need to use animals for experimental research and in vivo testing. Nevertheless, animal use in experimentation presents various aspects of complexity, such as ethical issues, which led Russell and Burch in 1959 to formulate the 3R (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principle, underlying the urgent need to introduce non-animal-based methods in research. Considering this, three-dimensional (3D) models emerged in the scientific community as a bridge between in vitro and in vivo models, allowing for the achievement of cell differentiation and complexity while avoiding the use of animals in experimental research. The purpose of this review is to provide a general overview of the most common methods to establish 3D cell culture and to discuss their promising applications. Three-dimensional cell cultures have been employed as models to study both organ physiology and diseases; moreover, they represent a valuable tool for studying many aspects of cancer. Finally, the possibility of using 3D models for drug screening and regenerative medicine paves the way for the development of new therapeutic opportunities for many diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Urzì
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Roberta Gasparro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Elisa Costanzo
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Angela De Luca
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, SC Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Gianluca Giavaresi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, SC Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, 40136 Bologna, Italy; (A.D.L.); (G.G.)
| | - Simona Fontana
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
| | - Riccardo Alessandro
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D), Section of Biology and Genetics, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy; (O.U.); (R.G.); (E.C.); (R.A.)
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13
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Hou Y, Zheng Y, Zheng X, Sun Y, Yi X, Wu Z, Lin JM. Multidimensional controllable fabrication of tumor spheroids based on a microfluidic device. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2654-2663. [PMID: 37190976 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00251a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) are in vitro solid tumor models with physiological relevance. To achieve robust process control, a MCTS fabrication method that combines cell membrane engineering and droplet microfluidic techniques is designed. The fluidic control and the chemical interactions between biotin and streptavidin enable artificial cell aggregation to be accomplished in seconds. Then, spheroids with a uniform size are fabricated within alginate microcapsules. Microfluidic mixing-based cell aggregation regulates the cell aggregate size and the spheroid composition, and the microcapsules regulate the size of spheroids from 120 to 180 μm. The method shows applicability for various cancer cell lines, including HCT116, HepG2, and A549. In addition, composite colon cancer spheroids consisting of HCT116 and NIH3T3 with predetermined cell ratios and uniform distributions are produced. The generated MCTSs are assessed using the ELISA and UPLC-MS/MS techniques. The release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance differ in the monotypic and cocultured colon cancer models. Our method provides a robust way to produce consistent and customized MCTSs in cancer research and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yajing Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaonan Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Yucheng Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Xizhen Yi
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Zengnan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Jin-Ming Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Microanalytical Methods and Instrumentation, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
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14
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Cameron AP, Gao S, Liu Y, Zhao CX. Impact of hydrogel biophysical properties on tumor spheroid growth and drug response. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 149:213421. [PMID: 37060634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in regulating cell-matrix interactions during tumor progression. These interactions are due in large part to the biophysical properties responding to cancer cell interactions. Within in vitro models, the ECM is mimicked by hydrogels, which possess adjustable biophysical properties that are integral to tumor development. This work presents a systematic and comparative study on the impact of the biophysical properties of two widely used natural hydrogels, Matrigel and collagen gel, on tumor growth and drug response. The biophysical properties of Matrigel and collagen including complex modulus, loss tangent, diffusive permeability, and pore size, were characterised. Then the spheroid growth rates in these two hydrogels were monitored for spheroids with two different sizes (140 μm and 500 μm in diameters). An increased migratory growth was observed in the lower concentration of both the gels. The effect of spheroid incorporation within the hydrogel had a minimal impact on the hydrogel's complex modulus. Finally, 3D tumor models using different concentrations of hydrogels were applied for drug treatment using paclitaxel. Spheroids cultured in hydrogels with different concentrations showed different drug response, demonstrating the significant effect of the choice of hydrogels and their concentrations on the drug response results despite using the same spheroids. This study provides useful insights into the effect of hydrogel biophysical properties on spheroid growth and drug response and highlights the importance of hydrogel selection and in vitro model design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P Cameron
- Australian institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Song Gao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Yun Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
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15
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Wu Y, Zhao Y, Zhou Y, Islam K, Liu Y. Microfluidic Droplet-Assisted Fabrication of Vessel-Supported Tumors for Preclinical Drug Discovery. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:15152-15161. [PMID: 36920885 PMCID: PMC10249002 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c23305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
High-fidelity in vitro tumor models are important for preclinical drug discovery processes. Currently, the most commonly used model for in vitro drug testing remains the two-dimensional (2D) cell monolayer. However, the natural in vivo tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of extracellular matrix (ECM), supporting stromal cells and vasculature. They not only participate in the progression of tumors but also hinder drug delivery and effectiveness on tumor cells. Here, we report an integrated engineering system to generate vessel-supported tumors for preclinical drug screening. First, gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel was selected to mimic tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). HCT-116 tumor cells were encapsulated into individual micro-GelMA beads with microfluidic droplet technique to mimic tumor-ECM interactions in vitro. Then, normal human lung fibroblasts were mingled with tumor cells to imitate the tumor-stromal interaction. The tumor cells and fibroblasts reconstituted in the individual GelMA microbead and formed a biomimetic heterotypic tumor model with a core-shell structure. Next, the cell-laden beads were consociated into a functional on-chip vessel network platform to restore the tumor-tumor microenvironment (TME) interaction. Afterward, the anticancer drug paclitaxel was tested on the individual and vessel-supported tumor models. It was demonstrated that the blood vessel-associated TME conferred significant additional drug resistance in the drug screening experiment. The reported system is expected to enable the large-scale fabrication of vessel-supported heterotypic tumor models of various cellular compositions. It is believed to be promising for the large-scale fabrication of biomimetic in vitro tumor models and may be valuable for improving the efficiency of preclinical drug discovery processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yuwen Zhao
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yuyuan Zhou
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Khayrul Islam
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department
of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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16
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Wang Y, Liu M, Zhang Y, Liu H, Han L. Recent methods of droplet microfluidics and their applications in spheroids and organoids. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:1080-1096. [PMID: 36628972 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00493c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidic techniques have long been known as a high-throughput approach for cell manipulation. The capacity to compartmentalize cells into picolitre droplets in microfluidic devices has opened up a range of new ways to extract information from cells. Spheroids and organoids are crucial in vitro three-dimensional cell culture models that physiologically mimic natural tissues and organs. With the aid of developments in cell biology and materials science, droplet microfluidics has been applied to construct spheroids and organoids in numerous formats. In this article, we divide droplet microfluidic approaches for managing spheroids and organoids into three categories based on the droplet module format: liquid droplet, microparticle, and microcapsule. We discuss current advances in the use of droplet microfluidics for the generation of tumour spheroids, stem cell spheroids, and organoids, as well as the downstream applications of these methods in high-throughput screening and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihe Wang
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 P. R. China.
| | - Mengqi Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 P. R. China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 P. R. China.
| | - Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100 P. R. China.
| | - Lin Han
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 P. R. China.
- Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan, 250100 P. R. China
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17
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Monteduro AG, Rizzato S, Caragnano G, Trapani A, Giannelli G, Maruccio G. Organs-on-chips technologies – A guide from disease models to opportunities for drug development. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 231:115271. [PMID: 37060819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Current in-vitro 2D cultures and animal models present severe limitations in recapitulating human physiopathology with striking discrepancies in estimating drug efficacy and side effects when compared to human trials. For these reasons, microphysiological systems, organ-on-chip and multiorgans microdevices attracted considerable attention as novel tools for high-throughput and high-content research to achieve an improved understanding of diseases and to accelerate the drug development process towards more precise and eventually personalized standards. This review takes the form of a guide on this fast-growing field, providing useful introduction to major themes and indications for further readings. We start analyzing Organs-on-chips (OOC) technologies for testing the major drug administration routes: (1) oral/rectal route by intestine-on-a-chip, (2) inhalation by lung-on-a-chip, (3) transdermal by skin-on-a-chip and (4) intravenous through vascularization models, considering how drugs penetrate in the bloodstream and are conveyed to their targets. Then, we focus on OOC models for (other) specific organs and diseases: (1) neurodegenerative diseases with brain models and blood brain barriers, (2) tumor models including their vascularization, organoids/spheroids, engineering and screening of antitumor drugs, (3) liver/kidney on chips and multiorgan models for gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic assessment of drugs and (4) biomechanical systems recapitulating heart, muscles and bones structures and related diseases. Successively, we discuss technologies and materials for organ on chips, analyzing (1) microfluidic tools for organs-on-chips, (2) sensor integration for real-time monitoring, (3) materials and (4) cell lines for organs on chips. (Nano)delivery approaches for therapeutics and their on chip assessment are also described. Finally, we conclude with a critical discussion on current significance/relevance, trends, limitations, challenges and future prospects in terms of revolutionary impact on biomedical research, preclinical models and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Grazia Monteduro
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Silvia Rizzato
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giusi Caragnano
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Adriana Trapani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maruccio
- Omnics Research Group, Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento and Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR-Nanotec and INFN Sezione di Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
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18
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Froelich A, Jakubowska E, Jadach B, Gadziński P, Osmałek T. Natural Gums in Drug-Loaded Micro- and Nanogels. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030759. [PMID: 36986620 PMCID: PMC10059891 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Gums are polysaccharide compounds obtained from natural sources, such as plants, algae and bacteria. Because of their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, as well as their ability to swell and their sensitivity to degradation by the colon microbiome, they are regarded as interesting potential drug carriers. In order to obtain properties differing from the original compounds, blends with other polymers and chemical modifications are usually applied. Gums and gum-derived compounds can be applied in the form of macroscopic hydrogels or can be formulated into particulate systems that can deliver the drugs via different administration routes. In this review, we present and summarize the most recent studies regarding micro- and nanoparticles obtained with the use of gums extensively investigated in pharmaceutical technology, their derivatives and blends with other polymers. This review focuses on the most important aspects of micro- and nanoparticulate systems formulation and their application as drug carriers, as well as the challenges related to these formulations.
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19
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Besanjideh M, Shamloo A, Hannani SK. Evaluating the reliability of tumour spheroid-on-chip models for replicating intratumoural drug delivery: considering the role of microfluidic parameters. J Drug Target 2023; 31:179-193. [PMID: 36036226 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2119478] [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: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Several tumour spheroid-on-chip models have already been proposed in the literature to conduct high throughput drug screening assays. The microfluidic configurations in these models generally depend on the strategies adopted for spheroid formation and entrapment. However, it is not clear how successful they are to mimic in vivo transport mechanisms. In this study, drug transport in different tumour spheroid-on-chip models is numerically investigated under static and dynamic conditions using porous media theory. Moreover, the treatment of a solid tumour at the initial stage of development is modelled using bolus injection and continuous infusion methods. Then, the results of tumour spheroid-on-chip, including drug concentration, cell viability, as well as pressure and fluid shear stress distributions, are compared with those of the solid tumour, assuming identical transport properties in all models. Finally, a new configuration of the microfluidic device along with the optimal drug concentrations is proposed, which can well imitate a given in vivo situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Besanjideh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.,Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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20
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Tevlek A, Kecili S, Ozcelik OS, Kulah H, Tekin HC. Spheroid Engineering in Microfluidic Devices. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:3630-3649. [PMID: 36743071 PMCID: PMC9893254 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture techniques are commonly employed to investigate biophysical and biochemical cellular responses. However, these culture methods, having monolayer cells, lack cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, mimicking the cell microenvironment and multicellular organization. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture methods enable equal transportation of nutrients, gas, and growth factors among cells and their microenvironment. Therefore, 3D cultures show similar cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation properties to in vivo. A spheroid is defined as self-assembled 3D cell aggregates, and it closely mimics a cell microenvironment in vitro thanks to cell-cell/matrix interactions, which enables its use in several important applications in medical and clinical research. To fabricate a spheroid, conventional methods such as liquid overlay, hanging drop, and so forth are available. However, these labor-intensive methods result in low-throughput fabrication and uncontrollable spheroid sizes. On the other hand, microfluidic methods enable inexpensive and rapid fabrication of spheroids with high precision. Furthermore, fabricated spheroids can also be cultured in microfluidic devices for controllable cell perfusion, simulation of fluid shear effects, and mimicking of the microenvironment-like in vivo conditions. This review focuses on recent microfluidic spheroid fabrication techniques and also organ-on-a-chip applications of spheroids, which are used in different disease modeling and drug development studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atakan Tevlek
- METU
MEMS Research and Application Center, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Seren Kecili
- The
Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute
of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Ozge S. Ozcelik
- The
Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute
of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Haluk Kulah
- METU
MEMS Research and Application Center, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- The
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - H. Cumhur Tekin
- METU
MEMS Research and Application Center, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- The
Department of Bioengineering, Izmir Institute
of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
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21
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Fabrication of Cell Spheroids for 3D Cell Culture and Biomedical Applications. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-022-00086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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22
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Azimian Zavareh V, Rafiee L, Sheikholeslam M, Shariati L, Vaseghi G, Savoji H, Haghjooy Javanmard S. Three-Dimensional in Vitro Models: A Promising Tool To Scale-Up Breast Cancer Research. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:4648-4672. [PMID: 36260561 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Common models used in breast cancer studies, including two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal models, do not precisely model all aspects of breast tumors. These models do not well simulate the cell-cell and cell-stromal interactions required for normal tumor growth in the body and lake tumor like microenvironment. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are novel approaches to studying breast cancer. They do not have the restrictions of these conventional models and are able to recapitulate the structural architecture, complexity, and specific function of breast tumors and provide similar in vivo responses to therapeutic regimens. These models can be a link between former traditional 2D culture and in vivo models and are necessary for further studies in cancer. This review attempts to summarize the most common 3D in vitro models used in breast cancer studies, including scaffold-free (spheroid and organoid), scaffold-based, and chip-based models, particularly focused on the basic and translational application of these 3D models in drug screening and the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vajihe Azimian Zavareh
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Core Research Facilities (CRF), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Laleh Rafiee
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Mohammadali Sheikholeslam
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Biosensor Research Center, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Laleh Shariati
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran.,Cancer Prevention Research Center, Omid Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Golnaz Vaseghi
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
| | - Houman Savoji
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,Research Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.,Montreal TransMedTech Institute, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746 73461, Iran
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23
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Luo Q, Zhang J, Huang M, Lin G, Tanaka M, Lepler S, Guan J, Siemann D, Tang X. Automatic Multi-functional Integration Program (AMFIP) towards all-optical mechano-electrophysiology interrogation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266098. [PMID: 35901062 PMCID: PMC9333221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Automatic operations of multi-functional and time-lapse live-cell imaging are necessary for the biomedical science community to study active, multi-faceted, and long-term biological phenomena. To achieve automatic control, most existing solutions often require the purchase of extra software programs and hardware that rely on the manufacturers’ own specifications. However, these software programs are usually non-user-programmable and unaffordable for many laboratories. To address this unmet need, we have developed a novel open-source software program, titled Automatic Multi-functional Integration Program (AMFIP), as a new Java-based and hardware-independent system that provides proven advantages over existing alternatives to the scientific community. Without extra hardware, AMFIP enables the functional synchronization of the μManager software platform, the Nikon NIS-Elements platform, and other 3rd party software to achieve automatic operations of most commercially available microscopy systems, including but not limited to those from Nikon. AMFIP provides a user-friendly and programmable graphical user interface (GUI), opening the door to expanding the customizability for myriad hardware and software systems according to user-specific experimental requirements and environments. To validate the intended purposes of developing AMFIP, we applied it to elucidate the question whether single cells, prior to their full spreading, can sense and respond to a soft solid substrate, and if so, how does the interaction depend on the cell spreading time and the stiffness of the substrate. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-engineered human epithelial Beas2B (B2B) cell line that expresses mNeonGreen2-tagged mechanosensitive Yes-associated protein (YAP), we show that single B2B cells develop distinct substrate-stiffness-dependent YAP expressions within 10 hours at most on the substrate, suggesting that cells are able to sense, distinguish, and respond to mechanical cues prior to the establishment of full cell spreading. In summary, AMFIP provides a reliable, open-source, and cost-free solution that has the validated long-term utility to satisfy the need of automatic imaging operations in the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Luo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Justin Zhang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, UF, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Gaoming Lin
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mai Tanaka
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sharon Lepler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Juan Guan
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Physics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Dietmar Siemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, UF, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Nairon KG, DePalma TJ, Zent JM, Leight JL, Skardal A. Tumor cell-conditioned media drives collagen remodeling via fibroblast and pericyte activation in an in vitro premetastatic niche model. iScience 2022; 25:104645. [PMID: 35811850 PMCID: PMC9257340 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary tumors secrete large quantities of cytokines and exosomes into the bloodstream, which are uptaken at downstream sites and induce a pro-fibrotic, pro-inflammatory premetastatic niche. Niche development is associated with later increased metastatic burden, but the cellular and matrix changes in the niche that facilitate metastasis are yet unknown. Furthermore, there is no current standard model to study this phenomenon. Here, biofabricated collagen and hyaluronic acid hydrogel models were employed to identify matrix changes elicited by pericytes and fibroblasts after exposure to colorectal cancer-secreted factors. Focusing on myofibroblast activation and collagen remodeling, we report fibroblast activation and pericyte stunting in response to tumor signaling. In addition, we characterize contributions of both cell types to matrix dysregulation via collagen degradation, deposition, and architectural remodeling. With these findings, we discuss potential impacts on tissue stiffening and vascular leakiness and suggest pathways of interest for future mechanistic studies of metastatic cell-premetastatic niche interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie G. Nairon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Thomas J. DePalma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Joshua M. Zent
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Leight
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for Cancer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Aleksander Skardal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for Cancer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Saad MA, Zhung W, Stanley ME, Formica S, Grimaldo-Garcia S, Obaid G, Hasan T. Photoimmunotherapy Retains Its Anti-Tumor Efficacy with Increasing Stromal Content in Heterotypic Pancreatic Cancer Spheroids. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:2549-2563. [PMID: 35583476 PMCID: PMC10443673 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease characterized by increased levels of desmoplasia that contribute to reduced drug delivery and poor treatment outcomes. In PDAC, the stromal content can account for up to 90% of the total tumor volume. The complex interplay between stromal components, including pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts (PCAFs), and PDAC cells in the tumor microenvironment has a significant impact on the prognoses and thus needs to be recapitulated in vitro when evaluating various treatment strategies. This study is a systematic evaluation of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in 3D heterotypic coculture models of PDAC with varying ratios of patient-derived PCAFs that simulate heterogeneous PDAC tumors with increasing stromal content. The efficacy of antibody-targeted PDT (photoimmunotherapy; PIT) using cetuximab (a clinically approved anti-EGFR antibody) photoimmunoconjugates (PICs) of a benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) is contrasted with that of liposomal BPD (Visudyne), which is currently in clinical trials for PDT of PDAC. We demonstrate that both Visudyne-PDT and PIT were effective in heterotypic PDAC 3D spheroids with a low stromal content. However, as the stromal content increases above 50% in the 3D spheroids, the efficacy of Visudyne-PDT is reduced by up to 10-fold, while PIT retains its efficacy. PIT was found to be 10-, 19-, and 14-fold more phototoxic in spheroids with 50, 75, and 90% PCAFs, respectively, as compared to Visudyne-PDT. This marked difference in efficacy is attributed to the ability of PICs to penetrate and distribute homogeneously within spheroids with a higher stromal content and the mechanistically different modes of action of the two formulations. This study thus demonstrates how the stromal content in PDAC spheroids directly impacts their responsiveness to PDT and proposes PIT to be a highly suited treatment option for desmoplastic tumors with particularly high degrees of stromal content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A. Saad
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Wonho Zhung
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Margaret Elizabeth Stanley
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Sydney Formica
- Bouvè college of Health Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Girgis Obaid
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Current address: Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson 75080, Texas, USA
| | - Tayyaba Hasan
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Weng Y, Ranaweera S, Zou D, Cameron A, Chen X, Song H, Zhao CX. Alginate Particles for Enzyme Immobilization Using Spray Drying. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:7139-7147. [PMID: 35648591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c02298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Enzymes are important catalysts for biological processes due to their high catalytic activity and selectivity. However, their low thermal stability limited their industrial applications. The present work demonstrates a simple and effective method for enzyme immobilization via spray drying. Alginate was used as a support material. Phytase, an important enzyme in the animal feed industry, was selected to study the effect of enzyme immobilization using alginate particles on its thermal stability. The physicochemical properties of alginate particles such as size, surface morphology, and heat resistance were studied. Successful immobilization of phytase was confirmed by confocal microscopy, and the immobilized phytase retained 58% of its original activity upon heating at 95 °C, compared to 4% when the alginate support material was absent. Phytase was released promptly in a simulated gastrointestinal tract with >95% of its original activity recovered. The spray drying method for phytase immobilization is scalable and applicable to other enzymes for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilun Weng
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Supun Ranaweera
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Da Zou
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Therapeutics Research Group, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Anna Cameron
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Hao Song
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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In vitro 3D cocultured tumor-vascular barrier model based on alginate hydrogel and Transwell system for anti-cancer drug evaluation. Tissue Cell 2022; 76:101796. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Mukundan S, Bell J, Teryek M, Hernandez C, Love AC, Parekkadan B, Chan LLY. Automated Assessment of Cancer Drug Efficacy On Breast Tumor Spheroids in Aggrewell™400 Plates Using Image Cytometry. J Fluoresc 2022; 32:521-531. [PMID: 34989923 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-021-02881-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tumor spheroid models have proven useful in the study of cancer cell responses to chemotherapeutic compounds by more closely mimicking the 3-dimensional nature of tumors in situ. Their advantages are often offset, however, by protocols that are long, complicated, and expensive. Efforts continue for the development of high-throughput assays that combine the advantages of 3D models with the convenience and simplicity of traditional 2D monolayer methods. Herein, we describe the development of a breast cancer spheroid image cytometry assay using T47D cells in Aggrewell™400 spheroid plates. Using the Celigo® automated imaging system, we developed a method to image and individually track thousands of spheroids within the Aggrewell™400 microwell plate over time. We demonstrate the use of calcein AM and propidium iodide staining to study the effects of known anti-cancer drugs Doxorubicin, Everolimus, Gemcitabine, Metformin, Paclitaxel and Tamoxifen. We use the image cytometry results to quantify the fluorescence of calcein AM and PI as well as spheroid size in a dose dependent manner for each of the drugs. We observe a dose-dependent reduction in spheroid size and find that it correlates well with the viability obtained from the CellTiter96® endpoint assay. The image cytometry method we demonstrate is a convenient and high-throughput drug-response assay for breast cancer spheroids under 400 μm in diameter, and may lay a foundation for investigating other three-dimensional spheroids, organoids, and tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpaa Mukundan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Jordan Bell
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Matthew Teryek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Charles Hernandez
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Andrea C Love
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Biju Parekkadan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.,Department of Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Leo Li-Ying Chan
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA.
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Ladeira B, Custodio C, Mano J. Core-Shell Microcapsules: Biofabrication and Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:2122-2153. [DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01974k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The construction of biomaterial scaffolds that accurately recreate the architecture of living tissues in vitro is a major challenge in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Core-shell microcapsules...
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Ayvaz I, Sunay D, Sariyar E, Erdal E, Karagonlar ZF. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma - a Review. J Gastrointest Cancer 2021; 52:1294-1308. [PMID: 34927218 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-021-00772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture studies are becoming extremely common because of their capability to mimic tumor architecture, such as cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, more efficiently than 2D monolayer systems. These interactions have important roles in defining the tumor cell behaviors, such as proliferation, differentiation, and most importantly, tumor drug response. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide an overview of the methods for 3D tumor spheroid formation to model human tumors, specifically concentrated on studies using hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHOD We obtained information from previously published articles. In this review, there is discussion of the scaffold and non-scaffold-based approaches, including hanging drop, bioreactors and 3D bioprinting. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The mimicking of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as tumor spheroids could provide a valuable platform for studying tumor biology. Multicellular tumor spheroids are self-assembled cultures of mixed cells (tumor and stromal cells) organized in a 3D arrangement. These spheroids closely mimic the main features of human solid tumors, such as structural organization, central hypoxia, and overall oxygen and nutrient gradients. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy, and most difficult to overcome because of its drug resistance and tumor heterogeneity. In order to mimic this highly heterogeneous environment, 3D cell culture systems are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irmak Ayvaz
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, 35330, Turkey
| | - Dilara Sunay
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, 35330, Turkey
| | - Ece Sariyar
- Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, 35330, Turkey
| | - Esra Erdal
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, FacultyofMedicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, 35340, Turkey.,Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, 35340, Turkey
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Boodaghi M, Libring S, Solorio L, Ardekani AM. A Bayesian approach to estimate the diffusion coefficient of Rhodamine 6G in breast cancer spheroids. J Control Release 2021; 340:60-71. [PMID: 34634388 PMCID: PMC8671317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Multicellular spheroids have emerged as a robust platform to model tumor growth and are widely used for studying drug sensitivity. Diffusion is the main mechanism for transporting nutrients and chemotherapeutic drugs into spheroids, since they are typically avascular. In this study, the Bayesian inference was used to solve the inverse problem of determining the light attenuation coefficient and diffusion coefficient of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) in breast cancer spheroids, as a mock drug for the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Neratinib. Four types of breast cancer spheroids were formed and the diffusion coefficient was estimated assuming a linear relationship between the intensity and concentration. The mathematical model used for prediction is the solution to the diffusion problem in spherical coordinates, accounting for the light attenuation. The Gaussian likelihood was used to account for the error between the measurements and model predictions. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm (MCMC) was used to sample from the posterior. The posterior predictions for the diffusion and light attenuation coefficients were provided. The results indicate that the diffusion coefficient values do not significantly vary across a HER2+ breast cancer cell line as a function of transglutaminase 2 levels, even in the presence of fibroblast cells. However, we demonstrate that different diffusion coefficient values can be ascertained from tumorigenic compared to nontumorigenic spheroids and from nonmetastatic compared to post-metastatic breast cancer cells using this approach. We also report agreement between spheroid radius, attenuation coefficient, and subsequent diffusion coefficient to give evidence of cell packing in self-assembled spheroids. The methodology presented here will allow researchers to determine diffusion in spheroids to decouple transport and drug penetration changes from biological resistivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miad Boodaghi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Sarah Libring
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Luis Solorio
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Arezoo M Ardekani
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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Wu Y, Zhou Y, Qin X, Liu Y. From cell spheroids to vascularized cancer organoids: Microfluidic tumor-on-a-chip models for preclinical drug evaluations. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2021; 15:061503. [PMID: 34804315 PMCID: PMC8589468 DOI: 10.1063/5.0062697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the most effective cancer treatments. Starting from the discovery of new molecular entities, it usually takes about 10 years and 2 billion U.S. dollars to bring an effective anti-cancer drug from the benchtop to patients. Due to the physiological differences between animal models and humans, more than 90% of drug candidates failed in phase I clinical trials. Thus, a more efficient drug screening system to identify feasible compounds and pre-exclude less promising drug candidates is strongly desired. For their capability to accurately construct in vitro tumor models derived from human cells to reproduce pathological and physiological processes, microfluidic tumor chips are reliable platforms for preclinical drug screening, personalized medicine, and fundamental oncology research. This review summarizes the recent progress of the microfluidic tumor chip and highlights tumor vascularization strategies. In addition, promising imaging modalities for enhancing data acquisition and machine learning-based image analysis methods to accurately quantify the dynamics of tumor spheroids are introduced. It is believed that the microfluidic tumor chip will serve as a high-throughput, biomimetic, and multi-sensor integrated system for efficient preclinical drug evaluation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
| | - Yuyuan Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
| | - Xiaochen Qin
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
| | - Yaling Liu
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Kerk YJ, Jameel A, Xing X, Zhang C. Recent advances of integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture system. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2021; 5:103-119. [PMID: 36970555 PMCID: PMC9996741 DOI: 10.1049/enb2.12015] [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: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic devices with superior microscale fluid manipulation ability and large integration flexibility offer great advantages of high throughput, parallelisation and multifunctional automation. Such features have been extensively utilised to facilitate cell culture processes such as cell capturing and culturing under controllable and monitored conditions for cell-based assays. Incorporating functional components and microfabricated configurations offered different levels of fluid control and cell manipulation strategies to meet diverse culture demands. This review will discuss the advances of single-phase flow and droplet-based integrated microfluidic suspension cell culture systems and their applications for accelerated bioprocess development, high-throughput cell selection, drug screening and scientific research to insight cell biology. Challenges and future prospects for this dynamically developing field are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Jing Kerk
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Aysha Jameel
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xin‐Hui Xing
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Chong Zhang
- Institute of Biochemical EngineeringDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- MOE Key Laboratory of Industrial BiocatalysisDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
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Amirifar L, Besanjideh M, Nasiri R, Shamloo A, Nasrollahi F, de Barros NR, Davoodi E, Erdem A, Mahmoodi M, Hosseini V, Montazerian H, Jahangiry J, Darabi MA, Haghniaz R, Dokmeci MR, Annabi N, Ahadian S, Khademhosseini A. Droplet-based microfluidics in biomedical applications. Biofabrication 2021; 14. [PMID: 34781274 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac39a9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidic systems have been employed to manipulate discrete fluid volumes with immiscible phases. Creating the fluid droplets at microscale has led to a paradigm shift in mixing, sorting, encapsulation, sensing, and designing high throughput devices for biomedical applications. Droplet microfluidics has opened many opportunities in microparticle synthesis, molecular detection, diagnostics, drug delivery, and cell biology. In the present review, we first introduce standard methods for droplet generation (i.e., passive and active methods) and discuss the latest examples of emulsification and particle synthesis approaches enabled by microfluidic platforms. Then, the applications of droplet-based microfluidics in different biomedical applications are detailed. Finally, a general overview of the latest trends along with the perspectives and future potentials in the field are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Amirifar
- Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Mohsen Besanjideh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Rohollah Nasiri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Tehran, 11365-11155, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | | | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Elham Davoodi
- Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | - Ahmet Erdem
- Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Vahid Hosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Hossein Montazerian
- Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | - Jamileh Jahangiry
- University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Reihaneh Haghniaz
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Mehmet R Dokmeci
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Nasim Annabi
- Chemical Engineering, UCLA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 90095, UNITED STATES
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024, UNITED STATES
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Zhang P, Shao N, Qin L. Recent Advances in Microfluidic Platforms for Programming Cell-Based Living Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2005944. [PMID: 34270839 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based living materials, including single cells, cell-laden fibers, cell sheets, organoids, and organs, have attracted intensive interests owing to their widespread applications in cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, drug development, and so on. Significant progress in materials, microfabrication, and cell biology have promoted the development of numerous promising microfluidic platforms for programming these cell-based living materials with a high-throughput, scalable, and efficient manner. In this review, the recent progress of novel microfluidic platforms for programming cell-based living materials is presented. First, the unique features, categories, and materials and related fabrication methods of microfluidic platforms are briefly introduced. From the viewpoint of the design principles of the microfluidic platforms, the recent significant advances of programming single cells, cell-laden fibers, cell sheets, organoids, and organs in turns are then highlighted. Last, by providing personal perspectives on challenges and future trends, this review aims to motivate researchers from the fields of materials and engineering to work together with biologists and physicians to promote the development of cell-based living materials for human healthcare-related applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Zhang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Ning Shao
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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Zhuang P, Chiang YH, Fernanda MS, He M. Using Spheroids as Building Blocks Towards 3D Bioprinting of Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Bioprint 2021; 7:444. [PMID: 34805601 PMCID: PMC8600307 DOI: 10.18063/ijb.v7i4.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer still ranks as a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Although considerable efforts have been dedicated to anticancer therapeutics, progress is still slow, partially due to the absence of robust prediction models. Multicellular tumor spheroids, as a major three-dimensional (3D) culture model exhibiting features of avascular tumors, gained great popularity in pathophysiological studies and high throughput drug screening. However, limited control over cellular and structural organization is still the key challenge in achieving in vivo like tissue microenvironment. 3D bioprinting has made great strides toward tissue/organ mimicry, due to its outstanding spatial control through combining both cells and materials, scalability, and reproducibility. Prospectively, harnessing the power from both 3D bioprinting and multicellular spheroids would likely generate more faithful tumor models and advance our understanding on the mechanism of tumor progression. In this review, the emerging concept on using spheroids as a building block in 3D bioprinting for tumor modeling is illustrated. We begin by describing the context of the tumor microenvironment, followed by an introduction of various methodologies for tumor spheroid formation, with their specific merits and drawbacks. Thereafter, we present an overview of existing 3D printed tumor models using spheroids as a focus. We provide a compilation of the contemporary literature sources and summarize the overall advancements in technology and possibilities of using spheroids as building blocks in 3D printed tissue modeling, with a particular emphasis on tumor models. Future outlooks about the wonderous advancements of integrated 3D spheroidal printing conclude this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Zhuang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA
| | - Yi-Hua Chiang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA
| | | | - Mei He
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA
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Chen L, Xiao Y, Wu Q, Yan X, Zhao P, Ruan J, Shan J, Chen D, Weitz DA, Ye F. Emulsion Designer Using Microfluidic Three-Dimensional Droplet Printing in Droplet. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2102579. [PMID: 34390183 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202102579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hierarchical emulsions are interesting for both scientific researches and practical applications. Hierarchical emulsions prepared by microfluidics require complicated device geometry and delicate control of flow rates. Here, a versatile method is developed to design hierarchical emulsions using microfluidic 3D droplet printing in droplet. The process of droplet printing in droplet mimics the dragonfly laying eggs and has advantages of easy processing and flexible design. To demonstrate the capability of the method, double emulsions and triple emulsions with tunable core number, core size, and core composition are prepared. The hierarchical emulsions are excellent templates for the developments of functional materials. Flattened crescent-moon-shaped particles are then fabricated using double emulsions printed in confined 2D space as templates. The particles are excellent delivery vehicles for 2D interfaces, which can load and transport cargos through a well-defined trajectory under external magnetic steering. Microfluidic 3D droplet printing in droplet provides a powerful platform with improved simplicity and flexibility for the design of hierarchical emulsions and functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, P. R. China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Qinglin Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Jian Ruan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Jianzhen Shan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, P. R. China
- College of Energy Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, P. R. China
| | - David A Weitz
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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Rasouli R, Tabrizian M. Rapid Formation of Multicellular Spheroids in Boundary-Driven Acoustic Microstreams. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101931. [PMID: 34418307 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
3D cell spheroid culture has emerged as a more faithful recreation of cell growth environment compared to conventional 2D culture, as it can maintain tissue structures, physicochemical characteristics, and cell phenotypes. The majority of current spheroid formation methods are limited to a physical agglomeration of the desired cell type, and then relying on cell capacity to secrete extracellular matrix to form coherent spheroids. Hence, apart from being time-consuming, their success in leading to functional spheroid formation is also cell-type dependent. In this study, a boundary-driven acoustic microstreaming tool is presented that can simultaneously congregate cells and generate sturdy cell clusters through incorporating a bioadhesive such as collagen for rapid production of spheroids. The optimized mixture of type I collagen (0.42 mg mL-1 ) and methylcellulose (0.4% w/v ) accelerates the coagulation of cell-matrix as fast as 10 s while avoiding their adhesion to the device, and thereby offering easy spheroid retrieval. The versatility of the platform is shown for the production of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 spheroids, multicellular spheroids, and composite spheroids made of cells and microparticles. The ability to produce densely packed spheroids embedded within a biomimetic extracellular matrix component, along with rapid formation and easy collection of spheroids render the proposed device a step in technology development required to realize potentials of 3D constructs such as building blocks for the emerging field of bottom-up tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Rasouli
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Maryam Tabrizian
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, Canada
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Artificial cells for the treatment of liver diseases. Acta Biomater 2021; 130:98-114. [PMID: 34126265 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden and account for over 2 million deaths every year globally. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they also suffer limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. Artificial cells have demonstrated advantages in long-term storage, targeting capability, and tuneable features. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment. First, the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions are summarized. Then, systems that mimic cell surface properties are introduced with two concepts highlighted: cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells. Next, cell microencapsulation strategy is summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells are outlined. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Liver diseases have become an increasing health burden. Standard therapies including liver transplant and cell therapy offer a promising treatment for liver diseases, but they have limitations such as adverse immune reactions and lack of long-term efficacy. Artificial cells that mimic certain functions of a living cell have emerged as a new strategy to overcome some of the challenges that liver cell therapy faces at present. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in developing artificial cells and their potential applications in liver disease treatment, including the design of artificial cells and their biomimicking functions, two systems that mimic cell surface properties (cell membrane-coated artificial cells and synthetic lipid-based artificial cells), and cell microencapsulation strategy. We also outline the challenges and future perspectives of artificial cells.
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Liu W, Hu R, Han K, Sun M, Liu D, Zhang J, Wang J. Parallel and large-scale antitumor investigation using stable chemical gradient and heterotypic three-dimensional tumor coculture in a multi-layered microfluidic device. Biotechnol J 2021; 16:e2000655. [PMID: 34218506 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer has been responsible for a large number of human deaths in the 21st century. Establishing a controllable, biomimetic, and large-scale analytical platform to investigate the tumor-associated pathophysiological and preclinical events, such as oncogenesis and chemotherapy, is necessary. METHODS AND RESULTS This study presents antitumor investigation in a parallel, large-scale, and tissue-mimicking manner based on well-constructed chemical gradients and heterotypic three-dimensional (3D) tumor cocultures using a multifunction-integrated device. The integrated microfluidic device was engineered to produce a controllable and steady chemical gradient by manipulative optimization. Array-like and size-homogeneous production of heterotypic 3D tumor cocultures with in vivo-like features, including similar tumor-stromal composition and functional phenotypic gradients of metabolic activity and viability, was successfully established. Furthermore, temporal, parallel, and high-throughput analyses of tumor behaviors in different antitumor stimulations were performed in a device based on the integrated operations involving gradient generation and coculture. CONCLUSION This achievement holds great potential for applications in the establishment of multifunctional tumor platforms to perform tissue-biomimetic neoplastic research and therapy assessment in the fields of oncology, bioengineering, and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Hu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kai Han
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Meilin Sun
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jinyi Wang
- College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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LIANG Y, PAN J, FANG Q. [Research advances of high-throughput cell-based drug screening systems based on microfluidic technique]. Se Pu 2021; 39:567-577. [PMID: 34227317 PMCID: PMC9404090 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1123.2020.07014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug screening is the process of screening new drugs or leading compounds with biological activity from natural products or synthetic compounds, and it plays an essential role in drug discovery. The discovery of innovative drugs requires the screening of a large number of compounds with appropriate drug targets. With the development of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, combinatorial chemistry, and other disciplines, the library of drug molecules has been largely expanded, and the number of drug targets is continuously increasing. High-throughput screening systems enable the parallel analysis of thousands of reactions through automated operation, thereby enhancing the experimental scale and efficiency of drug screening. Among them, cell-based high-throughput drug screening has become the main screening mode because it can provide a microenvironment similar to human physiological conditions. However, the current high-throughput screening systems are mainly built based on multiwell plates, which have several disadvantages such as simple cell culture conditions, laborious and time-consuming operation, and high reagent consumption. In addition, it is difficult to achieve complex drug combination screening. Therefore, there is an urgent need for rapid and low-cost drug screening methods to reduce the time and cost of drug development. Microfluidic techniques, which can manipulate and control microfluids in microscale channels, have the advantages of low consumption, high efficiency, high throughput, and automation. It can overcome the shortcomings of screening systems based on multi-well plates and provide an efficient and reliable technical solution for establishing high-throughput cell-based screening systems. Moreover, microfluidic systems can be flexibly changed in terms of cell culture materials, chip structure design, and fluid control methods to enable better control and simulation of cell growth microenvironment. Operations such as cell seeding, culture medium replacement or addition, drug addition and cleaning, and cell staining reagent addition are usually involved in cell-based microfluidic screening systems. These operations are all based on the manipulation of microfluids. This paper reviews the research advances in cell-based microfluidic screening systems using different microfluidic manipulation modes, namely perfusion flow mode, droplet mode, and microarray mode. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these systems are summarized. Moreover, the development prospects of high-throughput screening systems based on microfluidic techniques has been looked forward. Furthermore, the current problems in this field and the directions to overcome these problems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiao LIANG
- 浙江大学化学系, 微分析系统研究所, 浙江 杭州 310058
- Institute of Microanalytical Systems, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianzhang PAN
- 浙江大学化学系, 微分析系统研究所, 浙江 杭州 310058
- Institute of Microanalytical Systems, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qun FANG
- 浙江大学化学系, 微分析系统研究所, 浙江 杭州 310058
- Institute of Microanalytical Systems, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Olofsson K, Carannante V, Takai M, Önfelt B, Wiklund M. Ultrasound-Based Scaffold-Free Core-Shell Multicellular Tumor Spheroid Formation. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12030329. [PMID: 33804708 PMCID: PMC8003921 DOI: 10.3390/mi12030329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In cancer research and drug screening, multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) are a popular model to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo. However, the current techniques to culture mixed co-culture MCTSs do not mimic the structural architecture and cellular spatial distribution in solid tumors. In this study we present an acoustic trapping-based core-shell MCTSs culture method using sequential seeding of the core and shell cells into microwells coated with a protein repellent coating. Scaffold-free core-shell ovarian cancer OVCAR-8 cell line MCTSs were cultured, stained, cleared and confocally imaged on-chip. Image analysis techniques were used to quantify the shell thickness (23.2 ± 1.8 µm) and shell coverage percentage (91.2 ± 2.8%). We also show that the shell thickness was evenly distributed over the MCTS cores with the exception of being slightly thinner close to the microwell bottom. This scaffold-free core-shell MCTSs formation technique and the analysis tools presented herein could be used as an internal migration assay within the MCTS or to form core-shell MCTS co-cultures to study therapy response or the interaction between tumor and stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Olofsson
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.O.); (B.Ö.)
| | - Valentina Carannante
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Madoka Takai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan;
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.O.); (B.Ö.)
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Martin Wiklund
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.O.); (B.Ö.)
- Correspondence:
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Rodrigues J, Heinrich MA, Teixeira LM, Prakash J. 3D In Vitro Model (R)evolution: Unveiling Tumor–Stroma Interactions. Trends Cancer 2021; 7:249-264. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Liu Z, Zhang H, Zhan Z, Nan H, Huang N, Xu T, Gong X, Hu C. Mild formation of core-shell hydrogel microcapsules for cell encapsulation. Biofabrication 2020; 13. [PMID: 33271516 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abd076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Internal gelation has been an important sol-gel route for the preparation of spherical microgel for drug delivery, cell therapy, or tissue regeneration. Despite high homogeneity and permeability, the internal gelated microgels often result in weak mechanical stability, unregular interface morphology and low cell survival rate. In this work, we have extensively improved the existing internal gelation approach and core-shell hydrogel microcapsules (200-600 μm) with a smooth surface, high mechanical stability and cell survival rate, are successfully prepared by using internal gelation. A coaxial flow-focusing capillary-assembled microfluidic (CFCM) device was developed for the gelation. Rapid gelling behavior of alginate in the internal gelation makes it suitable for producing well-defined and homogenous alginate hydrogel microstructures that serve as the shell of the microcapsules. 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) was used in the shell stream during the internal gelation. Thus, a high concentration of acid in the oil solution can be used for better crosslinking the alginate while maintaining high cell viability. We further demonstrated that the gelation conditions in our approach were mild enough for encapsulating HepG2 cells and 3T3 fibroblasts without losing their viability and functionality in a co-culture environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyang Liu
- Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), No.1001 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China., Shenzhen, Beijing, 518000, CHINA
| | - Hongyong Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, China., Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, CHINA
| | - Zhen Zhan
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, China., Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, CHINA
| | - Haochen Nan
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, China., Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, CHINA
| | - Nan Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, No. 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, China., Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, CHINA
| | - Tao Xu
- Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), No.1001 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China., Shenzhen, Beijing, 518000, CHINA
| | - Xiaohua Gong
- School of Optometry and Vision Science Program, University of California Berkeley, 380 Minor Ln, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA, Berkeley, California, CA 94720, UNITED STATES
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- Mechanical and Energy Eningeering, Southern University of Science and Technology, NoNo. 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, China., Shenzhen, 518000, CHINA
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Velasco V, Shariati SA, Esfandyarpour R. Microtechnology-based methods for organoid models. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2020; 6:76. [PMID: 34567686 PMCID: PMC8433138 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-020-00185-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Innovations in biomaterials and stem cell technology have allowed for the emergence of novel three-dimensional (3D) tissue-like structures known as organoids and spheroids. As a result, compared to conventional 2D cell culture and animal models, these complex 3D structures have improved the accuracy and facilitated in vitro investigations of human diseases, human development, and personalized medical treatment. Due to the rapid progress of this field, numerous spheroid and organoid production methodologies have been published. However, many of the current spheroid and organoid production techniques are limited by complexity, throughput, and reproducibility. Microfabricated and microscale platforms (e.g., microfluidics and microprinting) have shown promise to address some of the current limitations in both organoid and spheroid generation. Microfabricated and microfluidic devices have been shown to improve nutrient delivery and exchange and have allowed for the arrayed production of size-controlled culture areas that yield more uniform organoids and spheroids for a higher throughput at a lower cost. In this review, we discuss the most recent production methods, challenges currently faced in organoid and spheroid production, and microfabricated and microfluidic applications for improving spheroid and organoid generation. Specifically, we focus on how microfabrication methods and devices such as lithography, microcontact printing, and microfluidic delivery systems can advance organoid and spheroid applications in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Velasco
- Biochemistry Department, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - S. Ali Shariati
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA USA
| | - Rahim Esfandyarpour
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
- Henry Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
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Gangrade A, Mandal BB. Drug Delivery of Anticancer Drugs from Injectable 3D Porous Silk Scaffold for Prevention of Gastric Cancer Growth and Recurrence. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:6195-6206. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Gangrade
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Biman B. Mandal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
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Munir H, Mazzaglia C, Shields JD. Stromal regulation of tumor-associated lymphatics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 161-162:75-89. [PMID: 32783989 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances have identified a growing array of roles played by lymphatics in the tumor microenvironment, from providing a route of metastasis to immune modulation. The tumor microenvironment represents an exceptionally complex, dynamic niche comprised of a diverse mixture of cancer cells and normal host cells termed the stroma. This review discusses our current understanding of stromal elements and how they regulate lymphatic growth and functional properties in the tumor context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafsa Munir
- MRC Cancer Unit, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Box 197 Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ
| | - Corrado Mazzaglia
- MRC Cancer Unit, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Box 197 Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ
| | - Jacqueline D Shields
- MRC Cancer Unit, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Box 197 Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ.
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Wang HF, Liu Y, Wang T, Yang G, Zeng B, Zhao CX. Tumor-Microenvironment-on-a-Chip for Evaluating Nanoparticle-Loaded Macrophages for Drug Delivery. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:5040-5050. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Fei Wang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yun Liu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tong Wang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Guangze Yang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Bijun Zeng
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chun-Xia Zhao
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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