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Wan S, Aregueta Robles U, Poole-Warren L, Esrafilzadeh D. Advances in 3D tissue models for neural engineering: self-assembled versus engineered tissue models. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:3522-3549. [PMID: 38829222 DOI: 10.1039/d4bm00317a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Neural tissue engineering has emerged as a promising field that aims to create functional neural tissue for therapeutic applications, drug screening, and disease modelling. It is becoming evident in the literature that this goal requires development of three-dimensional (3D) constructs that can mimic the complex microenvironment of native neural tissue, including its biochemical, mechanical, physical, and electrical properties. These 3D models can be broadly classified as self-assembled models, which include spheroids, organoids, and assembloids, and engineered models, such as those based on decellularized or polymeric scaffolds. Self-assembled models offer advantages such as the ability to recapitulate neural development and disease processes in vitro, and the capacity to study the behaviour and interactions of different cell types in a more realistic environment. However, self-assembled constructs have limitations such as lack of standardised protocols, inability to control the cellular microenvironment, difficulty in controlling structural characteristics, reproducibility, scalability, and lengthy developmental timeframes. Integrating biomimetic materials and advanced manufacturing approaches to present cells with relevant biochemical, mechanical, physical, and electrical cues in a controlled tissue architecture requires alternate engineering approaches. Engineered scaffolds, and specifically 3D hydrogel-based constructs, have desirable properties, lower cost, higher reproducibility, long-term stability, and they can be rapidly tailored to mimic the native microenvironment and structure. This review explores 3D models in neural tissue engineering, with a particular focus on analysing the benefits and limitations of self-assembled organoids compared with hydrogel-based engineered 3D models. Moreover, this paper will focus on hydrogel based engineered models and probe their biomaterial components, tuneable properties, and fabrication techniques that allow them to mimic native neural tissue structures and environment. Finally, the current challenges and future research prospects of 3D neural models for both self-assembled and engineered models in neural tissue engineering will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqian Wan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Ulises Aregueta Robles
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Laura Poole-Warren
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
- Tyree Foundation Institute of Health Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Dorna Esrafilzadeh
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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2
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Mendes AX, Caballero Aguilar L, do Nascimento AT, Duchi S, Charnley M, Nisbet DR, Quigley AF, Kapsa RMI, Moraes Silva S, Moulton SE. Integrating Graphene Oxide-Hydrogels and Electrical Stimulation for Controlled Neurotrophic Factor Encapsulation: A Promising Approach for Efficient Nerve Tissue Regeneration. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:4175-4192. [PMID: 38830774 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00523] [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: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a crucial role in cellular growth and neurodifferentiation. To achieve significant neuronal regeneration and repair using in vitro NGF delivery, spatiotemporal control that follows the natural neuronal processes must be developed. Notably, a challenge hindering this is the uncontrolled burst release from the growth factor delivery systems. The rapid depletion of NGF reduces treatment efficacy, leading to poor cellular response. To address this, we developed a highly controllable system using graphene oxygen (GO) and GelMA hydrogels modulated by electrical stimulation. Our system showed superior control over the release kinetics, reducing the burst up 30-fold. We demonstrate that the system is also able to sequester and retain NGF up to 10-times more efficiently than GelMA hydrogels alone. Our controlled release system enabled neurodifferentiation, as revealed by gene expression and immunostaining analysis. The increased retention and reduced burst release from our system show a promising pathway for nerve tissue engineering research toward effective regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Xavier Mendes
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Lilith Caballero Aguilar
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- The Graeme Clark Institute, Biomedical Engineering Department, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Adriana Teixeira do Nascimento
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Serena Duchi
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Mirren Charnley
- Centre for Optical Sciences and Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Immune Signalling Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia
| | - David R Nisbet
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- The Graeme Clark Institute, Biomedical Engineering Department, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Anita F Quigley
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
- School of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Robert M I Kapsa
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- School of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
| | - Saimon Moraes Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology Centre, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Simon E Moulton
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
- Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122, Australia
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Lomboni DJ, Ozgun A, de Medeiros TV, Staines W, Naccache R, Woulfe J, Variola F. Electroconductive Collagen-Carbon Nanodots Nanocomposite Elicits Neurite Outgrowth, Supports Neurogenic Differentiation and Accelerates Electrophysiological Maturation of Neural Progenitor Spheroids. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2301894. [PMID: 37922888 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301894] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal disorders are characterized by the loss of functional neurons and disrupted neuroanatomical connectivity, severely impacting the quality of life of patients. This study investigates a novel electroconductive nanocomposite consisting of glycine-derived carbon nanodots (GlyCNDs) incorporated into a collagen matrix and validates its beneficial physicochemical and electro-active cueing to relevant cells. To this end, this work employs mouse induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitor (NP) spheroids. The findings reveal that the nanocomposite markedly augmented neuronal differentiation in NP spheroids and stimulate neuritogenesis. In addition, this work demonstrates that the biomaterial-driven enhancements of the cellular response ultimately contribute to the development of highly integrated and functional neural networks. Lastly, acute dizocilpine (MK-801) treatment provides new evidence for a direct interaction between collagen-bound GlyCNDs and postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, thereby suggesting a potential mechanism underlying the observed cellular events. In summary, the findings establish a foundation for the development of a new nanocomposite resulting from the integration of carbon nanomaterials within a clinically approved hydrogel, toward an effective biomaterial-based strategy for addressing neuronal disorders by restoring damaged/lost neurons and supporting the reestablishment of neuroanatomical connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Lomboni
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Biomedical Engineering (OCIBME), Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Alp Ozgun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Tayline V de Medeiros
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Centre for NanoScience Research, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
- Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - William Staines
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Rafik Naccache
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Centre for NanoScience Research, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
- Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - John Woulfe
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Fabio Variola
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Biomedical Engineering (OCIBME), Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
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Walsh CM, Wychowaniec JK, Brougham DF, Dooley D. Functional hydrogels as therapeutic tools for spinal cord injury: New perspectives on immunopharmacological interventions. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 234:108043. [PMID: 34813862 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex medical and psychological challenge for which there is no curative therapy currently available. Despite major progress in pharmacological and surgical approaches, clinical trials for SCI patients have been uniformly disappointing thus far as there are many practical and biological issues yet to be resolved. Neuroinflammation is a critical event of the secondary injury phase after SCI, and recent research strategies have focused on modulating the immune response after injury to provide a more favorable recovery environment. Biomaterials can serve this purpose by providing physical and trophic support to the injured spinal cord after SCI. Of all potential biomaterials, functional hydrogels are emerging as a key component in novel treatment strategies for SCI, including controlled and localized delivery of immunomodulatory therapies to drive polarization of immune cells towards a pro-regenerative phenotype. Here, we extensively review recent developments in the use of functional hydrogels as immunomodulatory therapies for SCI. We briefly describe physicochemical properties of hydrogels and demonstrate how advanced fabrication methods lead to the required heterogeneity and hierarchical arrangements that increasingly mimic complex spinal cord tissue. We then summarize potential SCI therapeutic modalities including: (i) hydrogels alone; (ii) hydrogels as cellular or (iii) bioactive molecule delivery vehicles, and; (iv) combinatorial approaches. By linking the structural properties of hydrogels to their functions in treatment with particular focus on immunopharmacological stimuli, this may accelerate further development of functional hydrogels for SCI, and indeed next-generation central nervous system regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara M Walsh
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jacek K Wychowaniec
- School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland
| | - Dermot F Brougham
- School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Tran HT, Lucas MS, Ishikawa T, Shahmoradian SH, Padeste C. A Compartmentalized Neuronal Cell-Culture Platform Compatible With Cryo-Fixation by High-Pressure Freezing for Ultrastructural Imaging. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726763. [PMID: 34566569 PMCID: PMC8455873 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain contains a wide array of billions of neurons and interconnections, which are often simplified for analysis in vitro using compartmentalized microfluidic devices for neuronal cell culturing, to better understand neuronal development and disease. However, such devices are traditionally incompatible for high-pressure freezing and high-resolution nanoscale imaging and analysis of their sub-cellular processes by methods including electron microscopy. Here we develop a novel compartmentalized neuronal co-culture platform allowing reconstruction of neuronal networks with high variable spatial control, which is uniquely compatible for high-pressure freezing. This cryo-fixation method is well-established to enable high-fidelity preservation of the reconstructed neuronal networks and their sub-cellular processes in a near-native vitreous state without requiring chemical fixatives. To direct the outgrowth of neurites originating from two distinct groups of neurons growing in the two different compartments, polymer microstructures akin to microchannels are fabricated atop of sapphire disks. Two populations of neurons expressing either enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or mCherry were grown in either compartment, facilitating the analysis of the specific interactions between the two separate groups of cells. Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells, murine hippocampal and striatal neurons were successfully used in this context. The design of this device permits direct observation of entire neuritic processes within microchannels by optical microscopy with high spatial and temporal resolution, prior to processing for high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. Following freeze substitution, we demonstrate that it is possible to process the neuronal networks for ultrastructural imaging by electron microscopy. Several key features of the embedded neuronal networks, including mitochondria, synaptic vesicles, axonal terminals, microtubules, with well-preserved ultrastructures were observed at high resolution using focused ion beam - scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and serial sectioning - transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results demonstrate the compatibility of the platform with optical microscopy, high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. The platform can be extended to neuronal models of brain disease or development in future studies, enabling the investigation of subcellular processes at the nanoscale within two distinct groups of neurons in a functional neuronal pathway, as well as pharmacological testing and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Tri Tran
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Miriam S. Lucas
- Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy ScopeM, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Takashi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Celestino Padeste
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
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