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Xu Y, Liu X, Ahmad MA, Ao Q, Yu Y, Shao D, Yu T. Engineering cell-derived extracellular matrix for peripheral nerve regeneration. Mater Today Bio 2024; 27:101125. [PMID: 38979129 PMCID: PMC11228803 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrices (ECMs) play a key role in nerve repair and are recognized as the natural source of biomaterials. In parallel to extensively studied tissue-derived ECMs (ts-ECMs), cell-derived ECMs (cd-ECMs) also have the capability to partially recapitulate the complicated regenerative microenvironment of native nerve tissues. Notably, cd-ECMs can avoid the shortcomings of ts-ECMs. Cd-ECMs can be prepared by culturing various cells or even autologous cells in vitro under pathogen-free conditions. And mild decellularization can achieve efficient removal of immunogenic components in cd-ECMs. Moreover, cd-ECMs are more readily customizable to achieve the desired functional properties. These advantages have garnered significant attention for the potential of cd-ECMs in neuroregenerative medicine. As promising biomaterials, cd-ECMs bring new hope for the effective treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. Herein, this review comprehensively examines current knowledge about the functional characteristics of cd-ECMs and their mechanisms of interaction with cells in nerve regeneration, with a particular focus on the preparation, engineering optimization, and scalability of cd-ECMs. The applications of cd-ECMs from distinct cell sources reported in peripheral nerve tissue engineering are highlighted and summarized. Furthermore, current limitations that should be addressed and outlooks related to clinical translation are put forward as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxi Xu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xianbo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | | | - Qiang Ao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Control of Tissue Regenerative Biomaterial, Institute of Regulatory Science for Medical Device, National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Health Sciences Institute, Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Shao
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianhao Yu
- The VIP Department, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Shenyang, China
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Liu Q, Jiang HJ, Wu YD, Li JD, Sun XH, Xiao C, Xu JY, Lin ZY. Carrageenan maintains the contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells by increasing macromolecular crowding in vitro. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:249. [PMID: 38650027 PMCID: PMC11036678 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01843-2] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) results in good diastolic and contractile capacities, and its altered function is the main pathophysiological basis for diseases such as hypertension. VSMCs exist as a synthetic phenotype in vitro, making it challenging to maintain a contractile phenotype for research. It is widely recognized that the common medium in vitro is significantly less crowded than in the in vivo environment. Additionally, VSMCs have a heightened sense for detecting changes in medium crowding. However, it is unclear whether macromolecular crowding (MMC) helps maintain the VSMCs contractile phenotype. PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the phenotypic, behavioral and gene expression changes of VSMCs after increasing the crowding degree by adding carrageenan (CR). METHODS The degree of medium crowding was examined by a dynamic light scattering assay; VSMCs survival and activity were examined by calcein/PI cell activity and toxicity and CCK-8 assays; VSMCs phenotypes and migration were examined by WB and wound healing assays; and gene expression was examined by transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR. RESULTS Notably, 225 μg/mL CR significantly increased the crowding degree of the medium and did not affect cell survival. Simultaneously, CR significantly promoted the contraction phenotypic marker expression in VSMCs, shortened cell length, decreased cell proliferation, and inhibited cell migration. CR significantly altered gene expression in VSMCs. Specifically, 856 genes were upregulated and 1207 genes were downregulated. These alterations primarily affect the cellular ion channel transport, microtubule movement, respiratory metabolism, amino acid transport, and extracellular matrix synthesis. The upregulated genes were primarily involved in the cytoskeleton and contraction processes of VSMCs, whereas the downregulated genes were mainly involved in extracellular matrix synthesis. CONCLUSIONS The in vitro study showed that VSMCs can maintain the contractile phenotype by sensing changes in the crowding of the culture environment, which can be maintained by adding CR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Jing Jiang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yin-Di Wu
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Dong Li
- Ji Hua Institute of Biomedical Engineering Technology, Ji Hua Laboratory, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xu-Heng Sun
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cong Xiao
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian-Yi Xu
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhan-Yi Lin
- Ji Hua Institute of Biomedical Engineering Technology, Ji Hua Laboratory, Foshan, Guangdong, China.
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Faleeva M, Ahmad S, Theofilatos K, Lynham S, Watson G, Whitehead M, Marhuenda E, Iskratsch T, Cox S, Shanahan CM. Sox9 Accelerates Vascular Aging by Regulating Extracellular Matrix Composition and Stiffness. Circ Res 2024; 134:307-324. [PMID: 38179698 PMCID: PMC10826924 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular calcification and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness are hallmarks of vascular aging. Sox9 (SRY-box transcription factor 9) has been implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteo/chondrogenic conversion; however, its relationship with aging and calcification has not been studied. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed on human aortic samples from young and aged patients. Young and senescent primary human VSMCs were induced to produce ECM, and Sox9 expression was manipulated using adenoviral overexpression and depletion. ECM properties were characterized using atomic force microscopy and proteomics, and VSMC phenotype on hydrogels and the ECM were examined using confocal microscopy. RESULTS In vivo, Sox9 was not spatially associated with vascular calcification but correlated with the senescence marker p16 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A). In vitro Sox9 showed mechanosensitive responses with increased expression and nuclear translocation in senescent cells and on stiff matrices. Sox9 was found to regulate ECM stiffness and organization by orchestrating changes in collagen (Col) expression and reducing VSMC contractility, leading to the formation of an ECM that mirrored that of senescent cells. These ECM changes promoted phenotypic modulation of VSMCs, whereby senescent cells plated on ECM synthesized from cells depleted of Sox9 returned to a proliferative state, while proliferating cells on a matrix produced by Sox9 expressing cells showed reduced proliferation and increased DNA damage, reiterating features of senescent cells. LH3 (procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 3) was identified as an Sox9 target and key regulator of ECM stiffness. LH3 is packaged into extracellular vesicles and Sox9 promotes extracellular vesicle secretion, leading to increased LH3 deposition within the ECM. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the crucial role of ECM structure and composition in regulating VSMC phenotype. We identify a positive feedback cycle, whereby cellular senescence and increased ECM stiffening promote Sox9 expression, which, in turn, drives further ECM modifications to further accelerate stiffening and senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Faleeva
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sadia Ahmad
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Theofilatos
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Lynham
- Proteomics Facility, Centre of Excellence for Mass Spectrometry (S.L.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Watson
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Meredith Whitehead
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie Marhuenda
- School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (E.M., T.I.)
| | - Thomas Iskratsch
- School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (E.M., T.I.)
| | - Susan Cox
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine (S.C.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine M. Shanahan
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
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