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Dvorak N, Liu Z, Mouthuy PA. Soft bioreactor systems: a necessary step toward engineered MSK soft tissue? Front Robot AI 2024; 11:1287446. [PMID: 38711813 PMCID: PMC11070535 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2024.1287446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
A key objective of tissue engineering (TE) is to produce in vitro funcional grafts that can replace damaged tissues or organs in patients. TE uses bioreactors, which are controlled environments, allowing the application of physical and biochemical cues to relevant cells growing in biomaterials. For soft musculoskeletal (MSK) tissues such as tendons, ligaments and cartilage, it is now well established that applied mechanical stresses can be incorporated into those bioreactor systems to support tissue growth and maturation via activation of mechanotransduction pathways. However, mechanical stresses applied in the laboratory are often oversimplified compared to those found physiologically and may be a factor in the slow progression of engineered MSK grafts towards the clinic. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the application of complex loading conditions, applying stresses of different types and direction on tissue constructs, in order to better mimic the cellular environment experienced in vivo. Such studies have highlighted the need to improve upon traditional rigid bioreactors, which are often limited to uniaxial loading, to apply physiologically relevant multiaxial stresses and elucidate their influence on tissue maturation. To address this need, soft bioreactors have emerged. They employ one or more soft components, such as flexible soft chambers that can twist and bend with actuation, soft compliant actuators that can bend with the construct, and soft sensors which record measurements in situ. This review examines types of traditional rigid bioreactors and their shortcomings, and highlights recent advances of soft bioreactors in MSK TE. Challenges and future applications of such systems are discussed, drawing attention to the exciting prospect of these platforms and their ability to aid development of functional soft tissue engineered grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pierre-Alexis Mouthuy
- Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Jebeli M, Lopez SK, Goldblatt ZE, McCollum D, Mana-Capelli S, Wen Q, Billiar K. Multicellular aligned bands disrupt global collective cell behavior. Acta Biomater 2023; 163:117-130. [PMID: 36306982 PMCID: PMC10334361 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.041] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical stress patterns emerging from collective cell behavior have been shown to play critical roles in morphogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer metastasis. In our previous work, we constrained valvular interstitial cell (VIC) monolayers on circular protein islands to study emergent behavior in a controlled manner and demonstrated that the general patterns of cell alignment, size, and apoptosis correlate with predicted mechanical stress fields if radially increasing stiffness or contractility are used in the computational models. However, these radially symmetric models did not predict the existence of local regions of dense aligned cells observed in seemingly random locations of individual aggregates. The goal of this study is to determine how the heterogeneities in cell behavior emerge over time and diverge from the predicted collective cell behavior. Cell-cell interactions in circular multicellular aggregates of VICs were studied with time-lapse imaging ranging from hours to days, and migration, proliferation, and traction stresses were measured. Our results indicate that elongated cells create strong local alignment within preconfluent cell populations on the microcontact printed protein islands. These cells influence the alignment of additional cells to create dense, locally aligned bands of cells which disrupt the predicted global behavior. Cells are highly elongated at the endpoints of the bands yet have decreased spread area in the middle and reduced mobility. Although traction stresses at the endpoints of bands are enhanced, even to the point of detaching aggregates from the culture surface, the cells in dense bands exhibit reduced proliferation, less nuclear YAP, and increased apoptotic rates indicating a low stress environment. These findings suggest that strong local cell-cell interactions between primary fibroblastic cells can disrupt the global collective cellular behavior leading to substantial heterogeneity of cell behaviors in constrained monolayers. This local emergent behavior within aggregated fibroblasts may play an important role in development and disease of connective tissues. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mechanical stress patterns emerging from collective cell behavior play critical roles in morphogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer metastasis. Much has been learned of these collective behaviors by utilizing microcontact printing to constrain cell monolayers (aggregates) into specific shapes. Here we utilize these tools along with long-term video microscopy tracking of individual aggregates to determine how heterogeneous collective behaviors unique to primary fibroblastic cells emerge over time and diverge from computed stress fields. We find that dense multicellular bands form from local collective behavior and disrupt the global collective behavior resulting in heterogeneous patterns of migration, traction stresses, proliferation, and apoptosis. This local emergent behavior within aggregated fibroblasts may play an important role in development and disease of connective tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahvash Jebeli
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Samantha K Lopez
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Zachary E Goldblatt
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Dannel McCollum
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester MA, USA
| | | | - Qi Wen
- Physics Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Kristen Billiar
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA.
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Hoque MA, Mahmood N, Ali KM, Sefat E, Huang Y, Petersen E, Harrington S, Fang X, Gluck JM. Development of a Pneumatic-Driven Fiber-Shaped Robot Scaffold for Use as a Complex 3D Dynamic Culture System. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:biomimetics8020170. [PMID: 37092422 PMCID: PMC10123682 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells can sense and respond to different kinds of continuous mechanical strain in the human body. Mechanical stimulation needs to be included within the in vitro culture system to better mimic the existing complexity of in vivo biological systems. Existing commercial dynamic culture systems are generally two-dimensional (2D) which fail to mimic the three-dimensional (3D) native microenvironment. In this study, a pneumatically driven fiber robot has been developed as a platform for 3D dynamic cell culture. The fiber robot can generate tunable contractions upon stimulation. The surface of the fiber robot is formed by a braiding structure, which provides promising surface contact and adequate space for cell culture. An in-house dynamic stimulation using the fiber robot was set up to maintain NIH3T3 cells in a controlled environment. The biocompatibility of the developed dynamic culture systems was analyzed using LIVE/DEAD™ and alamarBlue™ assays. The results showed that the dynamic culture system was able to support cell proliferation with minimal cytotoxicity similar to static cultures. However, we observed a decrease in cell viability in the case of a high strain rate in dynamic cultures. Differences in cell arrangement and proliferation were observed between braided sleeves made of different materials (nylon and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). In summary, a simple and cost-effective 3D dynamic culture system has been proposed, which can be easily implemented to study complex biological phenomena in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muh Amdadul Hoque
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Nasif Mahmood
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Kiran M Ali
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Eelya Sefat
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Yihan Huang
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Emily Petersen
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Shane Harrington
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Fang
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Jessica M Gluck
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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Sander IL, Dvorak N, Stebbins JA, Carr AJ, Mouthuy PA. Advanced Robotics to Address the Translational Gap in Tendon Engineering. CYBORG AND BIONIC SYSTEMS 2022; 2022:9842169. [PMID: 36285305 PMCID: PMC9508494 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9842169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tendon disease is a significant and growing burden to healthcare systems. One strategy to address this challenge is tissue engineering. A widely held view in this field is that mechanical stimulation provided to constructs should replicate the mechanical environment of native tissue as closely as possible. We review recent tendon tissue engineering studies in this article and highlight limitations of conventional uniaxial tensile bioreactors used in current literature. Advanced robotic platforms such as musculoskeletal humanoid robots and soft robotic actuators are promising technologies which may help address translational gaps in tendon tissue engineering. We suggest the proposed benefits of these technologies and identify recent studies which have worked to implement these technologies in tissue engineering. Lastly, key challenges to address in adapting these robotic technologies and proposed future research directions for tendon tissue engineering are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain L. Sander
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
- Oxford Gait Laboratory, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Tebbit Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK
| | - Nicole Dvorak
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Julie A. Stebbins
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
- Oxford Gait Laboratory, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Tebbit Centre, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK
| | - Andrew J. Carr
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Pierre-Alexis Mouthuy
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Windmill Road, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
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Dhand AP, Davidson MD, Galarraga JH, Qazi TH, Locke RC, Mauck RL, Burdick JA. Simultaneous One-Pot Interpenetrating Network Formation to Expand 3D Processing Capabilities. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2202261. [PMID: 35510317 PMCID: PMC9283285 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202202261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The incorporation of a secondary network into traditional single-network hydrogels can enhance mechanical properties, such as toughness and loading to failure. These features are important for many applications, including as biomedical materials; however, the processing of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels is often limited by their multistep fabrication procedures. Here, a one-pot scheme for the synthesis of biopolymer IPN hydrogels mediated by the simultaneous crosslinking of two independent networks with light, namely: i) free-radical crosslinking of methacrylate-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) to form the primary network and ii) thiol-ene crosslinking of norbornene-modified HA with thiolated guest-host assemblies of adamantane and β-cyclodextrin to form the secondary network, is reported. The mechanical properties of the IPN hydrogels are tuned by changing the network composition, with high water content (≈94%) hydrogels exhibiting excellent work of fracture, tensile strength, and low hysteresis. As proof-of-concept, the IPN hydrogels are implemented as low-viscosity Digital Light Processing resins to fabricate complex structures that recover shape upon loading, as well as in microfluidic devices to form deformable microparticles. Further, the IPNs are cytocompatible with cell adhesion dependent on the inclusion of adhesive peptides. Overall, the enhanced processing of these IPN hydrogels will expand their utility across applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek P Dhand
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Matthew D Davidson
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Jonathan H Galarraga
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Taimoor H Qazi
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ryan C Locke
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Robert L Mauck
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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