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Hakami N, Burgstaller A, Gao N, Rutz A, Mann S, Staufer O. Functional Integration of Synthetic Cells into 3D Microfluidic Devices for Artificial Organ-On-Chip Technologies. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2303334. [PMID: 38794823 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303334] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Microfluidics plays a pivotal role in organ-on-chip technologies and in the study of synthetic cells, especially in the development and analysis of artificial cell models. However, approaches that use synthetic cells as integral functional components for microfluidic systems to shape the microenvironment of natural living cells cultured on-chip are not explored. Here, colloidosome-based synthetic cells are integrated into 3D microfluidic devices, pioneering the concept of synthetic cell-based microenvironments for organs-on-chip. Methods are devised to create dense and stable networks of silica colloidosomes, enveloped by supported lipid bilayers, within microfluidic channels. These networks promote receptor-ligand interactions with on-chip cultured cells. Furthermore, a technique is introduced for the controlled release of growth factors from the synthetic cells into the channels, using a calcium alginate-based hydrogel formation within the colloidosomes. To demonstrate the potential of the technology, a modular plug-and-play lymph-node-on-a-chip prototype that guides the expansion of primary human T cells by stimulating receptor ligands on the T cells and modulating their cytokine environment is presented. This integration of synthetic cells into microfluidic systems offers a new direction for organ-on-chip technologies and suggests further avenues for exploration in potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Hakami
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Anna Burgstaller
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ning Gao
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Angela Rutz
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Stephen Mann
- Centre for Protolife Research and Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Oskar Staufer
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Max Planck Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, School of Chemistry, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
- Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Campus Saarland, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Campus E8 1, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
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2
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Morais AS, Mendes M, Cordeiro MA, Sousa JJ, Pais AC, Mihăilă SM, Vitorino C. Organ-on-a-Chip: Ubi sumus? Fundamentals and Design Aspects. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:615. [PMID: 38794277 PMCID: PMC11124787 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050615] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review outlines the evolutionary journey from traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture to the revolutionary field of organ-on-a-chip technology. Organ-on-a-chip technology integrates microfluidic systems to mimic the complex physiological environments of human organs, surpassing the limitations of conventional 2D cultures. This evolution has opened new possibilities for understanding cell-cell interactions, cellular responses, drug screening, and disease modeling. However, the design and manufacture of microchips significantly influence their functionality, reliability, and applicability to different biomedical applications. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider design parameters, including the number of channels (single, double, or multi-channels), the channel shape, and the biological context. Simultaneously, the selection of appropriate materials compatible with the cells and fabrication methods optimize the chips' capabilities for specific applications, mitigating some disadvantages associated with these systems. Furthermore, the success of organ-on-a-chip platforms greatly depends on the careful selection and utilization of cell resources. Advances in stem cell technology and tissue engineering have contributed to the availability of diverse cell sources, facilitating the development of more accurate and reliable organ-on-a-chip models. In conclusion, a holistic perspective of in vitro cellular modeling is provided, highlighting the integration of microfluidic technology and meticulous chip design, which play a pivotal role in replicating organ-specific microenvironments. At the same time, the sensible use of cell resources ensures the fidelity and applicability of these innovative platforms in several biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Morais
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Maria Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Marta Agostinho Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - João J. Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Alberto Canelas Pais
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Silvia M. Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.S.M.); (M.M.); (M.A.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
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Martínez AL, Brea J, López D, Cosme N, Barro M, Monroy X, Burgueño J, Merlos M, Loza MI. In vitro models for neuropathic pain phenotypic screening in brain therapeutics. Pharmacol Res 2024; 202:107111. [PMID: 38382648 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of brain therapeutics faces a significant challenge due to the low translatability of preclinical results into clinical success. To address this gap, several efforts have been made to obtain more translatable neuronal models for phenotypic screening. These models allow the selection of active compounds without predetermined knowledge of drug targets. In this review, we present an overview of various existing models within the field, examining their strengths and limitations, particularly in the context of neuropathic pain research. We illustrate the usefulness of these models through a comparative review in three crucial areas: i) the development of novel phenotypic screening strategies specifically for neuropathic pain, ii) the validation of the models for both primary and secondary screening assays, and iii) the use of the models in target deconvolution processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Martínez
- BioFarma Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Departamento de Farmacoloxía, Farmacia e Tecnoloxía Farmacéutica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J Brea
- BioFarma Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Departamento de Farmacoloxía, Farmacia e Tecnoloxía Farmacéutica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - D López
- BioFarma Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - N Cosme
- BioFarma Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M Barro
- BioFarma Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - X Monroy
- WeLab Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Burgueño
- WeLab Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Merlos
- WeLab Barcelona, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M I Loza
- BioFarma Research Group, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigacións Sanitarias de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Departamento de Farmacoloxía, Farmacia e Tecnoloxía Farmacéutica, Facultade de Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Liu Y, Yao X, Fan C, Zhang G, Luo X, Qian Y. Microfabrication and lab-on-a-chip devices promote in vitromodeling of neural interfaces for neuroscience researches and preclinical applications. Biofabrication 2023; 16:012002. [PMID: 37832555 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad032a] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Neural tissues react to injuries through the orchestration of cellular reprogramming, generating specialized cells and activating gene expression that helps with tissue remodeling and homeostasis. Simplified biomimetic models are encouraged to amplify the physiological and morphological changes during neural regeneration at cellular and molecular levels. Recent years have witnessed growing interest in lab-on-a-chip technologies for the fabrication of neural interfaces. Neural system-on-a-chip devices are promisingin vitromicrophysiological platforms that replicate the key structural and functional characteristics of neural tissues. Microfluidics and microelectrode arrays are two fundamental techniques that are leveraged to address the need for microfabricated neural devices. In this review, we explore the innovative fabrication, mechano-physiological parameters, spatiotemporal control of neural cell cultures and chip-based neurogenesis. Although the high variability in different constructs, and the restriction in experimental and analytical access limit the real-life applications of microphysiological models, neural system-on-a-chip devices have gained considerable translatability for modeling neuropathies, drug screening and personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyun Yao
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - Cunyi Fan
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - Guifeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Qian
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai 200233, People's Republic of China
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Yin X, Liu X, Xiao X, Yi K, Chen W, Han C, Wang L, Li Y, Liu J. Human neural stem cells repress glioma cell progression in a paracrine manner by downregulating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:1772-1788. [PMID: 37410396 PMCID: PMC10476570 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13671] [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: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) play crucial roles in neurological disorders and tissue injury repair through exerting paracrine effects. However, the effects of NSC-derived factors on glioma progression remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of human NSC-conditioned medium (NSC-CM) on the behaviour of glioma cells using an in vitro co-culture system. Cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays revealed that NSC-CM inhibited glioma cell proliferation and growth in a fetal bovine serum (FBS)-independent manner. In addition, our wound-healing assay demonstrated that NSC-CM repressed glioma cell migration, while results from transwell and 3D spheroid invasion assays indicated that NSC-CM also reduced the invasion capacity of glioma cells. Flow cytometry showed that NSC-CM prevented cell cycle progression from the G1 to S phase and promoted apoptosis. Western blotting was used to show that the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins, including β-catenin, c-Myc, cyclin D1, CD44 and Met, was remarkably decreased in NSC-CM-treated glioma cells. Furthermore, the addition of a Wnt/β-catenin pathway activator, CHIR99021, significantly induced the expression of β-catenin and Met and increased the proliferative and invasive capabilities of control medium-treated glioma cells but not those of NSC-CM-treated glioma cells. The use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) revealed the secretion of some antitumour factors in human and rat NSCs, including interferon-α and dickkopf-1. Our data suggest that NSC-CM partially inhibits glioma cell progression by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signalling. This study may serve as a basis for developing future antiglioma therapies based on NSC derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Yin
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Xiumei Liu
- Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision MedicineChina
| | - Xiangyi Xiao
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Kaiyu Yi
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Weigong Chen
- Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision MedicineChina
| | - Chao Han
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Liang Wang
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Ying Li
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
| | - Jing Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian Medical UniversityChina
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6
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Han CH, Ma JY, Zou W, Qu JL, Du Y, Li N, Liu Y, Jin G, Leng AJ, Liu J. 3D Microfluidic System for Evaluating Inhibitory Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Oldenlandia diffusa on Human Malignant Glioma Invasion Combined with Network Pharmacology Analysis. Chin J Integr Med 2023; 29:52-60. [PMID: 36401750 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-021-3726-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti-invasion efficacy of the ethanol extract of Oldenlandia diffusa Will. (EEOD) on a three-dimensional (3D) human malignant glioma (MG) cell invasion and perfusion model based on microfluidic chip culture and the possible mechanism of action of Oldenlandia diffusa Will. (OD). METHODS The comprehensive pharmacodynamic analysis method in this study was based on microfluidic chip 3D cell perfusion culture technology, and the action mechanism of Chinese medicine (CM) on human MG cells was investigated through network pharmacology analysis. First, the components of EEOD were analyzed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Then, cell viability and apoptosis were assessed to determine the optimum concentration of EEOD for invasion experiments, and two-dimensional (2D) migration and invasion abilities of U87 and U251 MG cells were evaluated using scratch wound and Transwell assays. The possible mechanism underlying the effects of EEOD on glioma was analyzed through a network pharmacology approach. RESULTS Thirty-five compounds of EEOD were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. EEOD suppressed the viability of MG cells, promoted their apoptosis, and inhibited their migratory and invasive potentials (all P<0.05). Network pharmacology analysis showed that OD inhibited the invasion of MG cells by directly regulating MAPK and Wnt pathways through MAPK, EGFR, MYC, GSK3B, and other targets. The anti-invasion effect of OD was also found to be related to the indirect regulation of microtubule cytoskeleton organization. CONCLUSIONS ]EEOD could inhibit the invasion of human MG cells, and the anti-invasion mechanism of OD might be regulating MAPK and Wnt signaling pathways and microtubule cytoskeleton organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hui Han
- Stem Cells Clinical Research Institution, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China.,Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing-Yun Ma
- Stem Cells Clinical Research Institution, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China.,Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei Zou
- Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jia-Lin Qu
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yang Du
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Na Li
- Stem Cells Clinical Research Institution, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Guo Jin
- Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ai-Jing Leng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Stem Cells Clinical Research Institution, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, Liaoning Province, China. .,Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning Province, China.
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Mantecón-Oria M, Rivero MJ, Diban N, Urtiaga A. On the quest of reliable 3D dynamic in vitro blood-brain barrier models using polymer hollow fiber membranes: Pitfalls, progress, and future perspectives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1056162. [DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1056162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing concern of neurodegenerative diseases, the development of new therapies and effective pharmaceuticals targeted to central nervous system (CNS) illnesses is crucial for ensuring social and economic sustainability in an ageing world. Unfortunately, many promising treatments at the initial stages of the pharmaceutical development process, that is at the in vitro screening stages, do not finally show the expected results at the clinical level due to their inability to cross the human blood-brain barrier (BBB), highlighting the inefficiency of in vitro BBB models to recapitulate the real functionality of the human BBB. In the last decades research has focused on the development of in vitro BBB models from basic 2D monolayer cultures to 3D cell co-cultures employing different system configurations. Particularly, the use of polymeric hollow fiber membranes (HFs) as scaffolds plays a key role in perfusing 3D dynamic in vitro BBB (DIV-BBB) models. Their incorporation into a perfusion bioreactor system may potentially enhance the vascularization and oxygenation of 3D cell cultures improving cell communication and the exchange of nutrients and metabolites through the microporous membranes. The quest for developing a benchmark 3D dynamic in vitro blood brain barrier model requires the critical assessment of the different aspects that limits the technology. This article will focus on identifying the advantages and main limitations of the HFs in terms of polymer materials, microscopic porous morphology, and other practical issues that play an important role to adequately mimic the physiological environment and recapitulate BBB architecture. Based on this study, we consider that future strategic advances of this technology to become fully implemented as a gold standard DIV-BBB model will require the exploration of novel polymers and/or composite materials, and the optimization of the morphology of the membranes towards thinner HFs (<50 μm) with higher porosities and surface pore sizes of 1–2 µm to facilitate the intercommunication via regulatory factors between the cell co-culture models of the BBB.
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Goldsteen PA, Sabogal Guaqueta AM, Mulder PPMFA, Bos IST, Eggens M, Van der Koog L, Soeiro JT, Halayko AJ, Mathwig K, Kistemaker LEM, Verpoorte EMJ, Dolga AM, Gosens R. Differentiation and on axon-guidance chip culture of human pluripotent stem cell-derived peripheral cholinergic neurons for airway neurobiology studies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991072. [PMID: 36386177 PMCID: PMC9651921 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway cholinergic nerves play a key role in airway physiology and disease. In asthma and other diseases of the respiratory tract, airway cholinergic neurons undergo plasticity and contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness and mucus secretion. We currently lack human in vitro models for airway cholinergic neurons. Here, we aimed to develop a human in vitro model for peripheral cholinergic neurons using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technology. hPSCs were differentiated towards vagal neural crest precursors and subsequently directed towards functional airway cholinergic neurons using the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Cholinergic neurons were characterized by ChAT and VAChT expression, and responded to chemical stimulation with changes in Ca2+ mobilization. To culture these cells, allowing axonal separation from the neuronal cell bodies, a two-compartment PDMS microfluidic chip was subsequently fabricated. The two compartments were connected via microchannels to enable axonal outgrowth. On-chip cell culture did not compromise phenotypical characteristics of the cells compared to standard culture plates. When the hPSC-derived peripheral cholinergic neurons were cultured in the chip, axonal outgrowth was visible, while the somal bodies of the neurons were confined to their compartment. Neurons formed contacts with airway smooth muscle cells cultured in the axonal compartment. The microfluidic chip developed in this study represents a human in vitro platform to model neuro-effector interactions in the airways that may be used for mechanistic studies into neuroplasticity in asthma and other lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. A. Goldsteen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- GRIAC, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - P. P. M. F. A. Mulder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - I. S. T. Bos
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- GRIAC, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - M. Eggens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - L. Van der Koog
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- GRIAC, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - J. T. Soeiro
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - A. J. Halayko
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - K. Mathwig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - L. E. M. Kistemaker
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- GRIAC, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Aquilo BV, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - E. M. J. Verpoorte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - A. M. Dolga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- GRIAC, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: R. Gosens, ; A. M. Dolga,
| | - R. Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- GRIAC, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: R. Gosens, ; A. M. Dolga,
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Wei WJ, Wang YC, Guan X, Chen WG, Liu J. A neurovascular unit-on-a-chip: culture and differentiation of human neural stem cells in a three-dimensional microfluidic environment. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:2260-2266. [PMID: 35259847 PMCID: PMC9083144 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.337050] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological studies typically rely on a simple monolayer cell culture, which does not reflect the complex functional characteristics of human tissues and organs, or their real response to external stimuli. Microfluidic technology has advantages of high-throughput screening, accurate control of the fluid velocity, low cell consumption, long-term culture, and high integration. By combining the multipotential differentiation of neural stem cells with high throughput and the integrated characteristics of microfluidic technology, an in vitro model of a functionalized neurovascular unit was established using human neural stem cell-derived neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and a functional microvascular barrier. The model comprises a multi-layer vertical neural module and vascular module, both of which were connected with a syringe pump. This provides controllable conditions for cell inoculation and nutrient supply, and simultaneously simulates the process of ischemic/hypoxic injury and the process of inflammatory factors in the circulatory system passing through the blood-brain barrier and then acting on the nerve tissue in the brain. The in vitro functionalized neurovascular unit model will be conducive to central nervous system disease research, drug screening, and new drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Wei
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ya-Chen Wang
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xin Guan
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei-Gong Chen
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cell and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
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10
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Habibey R, Rojo Arias JE, Striebel J, Busskamp V. Microfluidics for Neuronal Cell and Circuit Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14842-14880. [PMID: 36070858 PMCID: PMC9523714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread adoption of microfluidic devices among the neuroscience and neurobiology communities has enabled addressing a broad range of questions at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels. Here, we review biomedical engineering approaches that harness the power of microfluidics for bottom-up generation of neuronal cell types and for the assembly and analysis of neural circuits. Microfluidics-based approaches are instrumental to generate the knowledge necessary for the derivation of diverse neuronal cell types from human pluripotent stem cells, as they enable the isolation and subsequent examination of individual neurons of interest. Moreover, microfluidic devices allow to engineer neural circuits with specific orientations and directionality by providing control over neuronal cell polarity and permitting the isolation of axons in individual microchannels. Similarly, the use of microfluidic chips enables the construction not only of 2D but also of 3D brain, retinal, and peripheral nervous system model circuits. Such brain-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip technologies are promising platforms for studying these organs as they closely recapitulate some aspects of in vivo biological processes. Microfluidic 3D neuronal models, together with 2D in vitro systems, are widely used in many applications ranging from drug development and toxicology studies to neurological disease modeling and personalized medicine. Altogether, microfluidics provide researchers with powerful systems that complement and partially replace animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jesús Eduardo Rojo Arias
- Wellcome─MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
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11
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Abstract
Cell manipulation in droplets has emerged as one of the great successes of microfluidic technologies, with the development of single-cell screening. However, the droplet format has also served to go beyond single-cell studies, namely by considering the interactions between different cells or between cells and their physical or chemical environment. These studies pose specific challenges linked to the need for long-term culture of adherent cells or the diverse types of measurements associated with complex biological phenomena. Here we review the emergence of droplet microfluidic methods for culturing cells and studying their interactions. We begin by characterizing the quantitative aspects that determine the ability to encapsulate cells, transport molecules, and provide sufficient nutrients within the droplets. This is followed by an evaluation of the biological constraints such as the control of the biochemical environment and promoting the anchorage of adherent cells. This first part ends with a description of measurement methods that have been developed. The second part of the manuscript focuses on applications of these technologies for cancer studies, immunology, and stem cells while paying special attention to the biological relevance of the cellular assays and providing guidelines on improving this relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Sart
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gustave Ronteix
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Shreyansh Jain
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Amselem
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Charles N Baroud
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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12
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Havins L, Capel A, Christie SD, Lewis MP, Roach P. Gradient biomimetic platforms for neurogenesis studies. J Neural Eng 2021; 19. [PMID: 34942614 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac4639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for the development of new cellular therapies for the treatment of many diseases, with the central nervous system (CNS) currently an area of specific focus. Due to the complexity and delicacy of its biology, there is currently a limited understanding of neurogenesis and consequently a lack of reliable test platforms, resulting in several CNS based diseases having no cure. The ability to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into specific neuronal sub-types may enable scalable manufacture for clinical therapies, with a focus also on the purity and quality of the cell population. This focus is targeted towards an urgent need for the diseases that currently have no cure, e.g. Parkinson's disease. Differentiation studies carried out using traditional 2D cell culture techniques are designed using biological signals and morphogens known to be important for neurogenesis in vivo. However, such studies are limited by their simplistic nature, including a general poor efficiency and reproducibility, high reagent costs and an inability to scale-up the process to a manufacture-wide design for clinical use. Biomimetic approaches to recapitulate a more in vivo-like environment are progressing rapidly within this field, with application of bio(chemical) gradients presented both as 2D surfaces and within a 3D volume. This review focusses on the development and application of these advanced extracellular environments particularly for the neural niche. We emphasise the progress that has been made specifically in the area of stem cell derived neuronal differentiation. Increasing developments in biomaterial approaches to manufacture stem cells will enable the improvement of differentiation protocols, enhancing the efficiency and repeatability of the process with a move towards up-scaling. Progress in this area brings these techniques closer to enabling the development of therapies for the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurissa Havins
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Andrew Capel
- Loughborough University, 2National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Steven D Christie
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Mark P Lewis
- Loughborough University School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Paul Roach
- Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
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13
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Ioannidis K, Angelopoulos I, Gakis G, Karantzelis N, Spyroulias GA, Lygerou Z, Taraviras S. 3D Reconstitution of the Neural Stem Cell Niche: Connecting the Dots. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:705470. [PMID: 34778223 PMCID: PMC8581349 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.705470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are important constituents of the nervous system, and they become constrained in two specific regions during adulthood: the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus. The SVZ niche is a limited-space zone where NSCs are situated and comprised of growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) components that shape the microenvironment of the niche. The interaction between ECM components and NSCs regulates the equilibrium between self-renewal and differentiation. To comprehend the niche physiology and how it controls NSC behavior, it is fundamental to develop in vitro models that resemble adequately the physiologic conditions present in the neural stem cell niche. These models can be developed from a variety of biomaterials, along with different biofabrication approaches that permit the organization of neural cells into tissue-like structures. This review intends to update the most recent information regarding the SVZ niche physiology and the diverse biofabrication approaches that have been used to develop suitable microenvironments ex vivo that mimic the NSC niche physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Ioannidis
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.,Department of Development and Regeneration, Prometheus Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ioannis Angelopoulos
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Gakis
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Karantzelis
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Zoi Lygerou
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Stavros Taraviras
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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14
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Non-Animal Models in Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Research: Potentials and the Dilemma of the Translation from Bench to Bedside. Transl Stroke Res 2021; 13:218-221. [PMID: 34714498 PMCID: PMC8918456 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-021-00950-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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15
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Bang S, Hwang KS, Jeong S, Cho IJ, Choi N, Kim J, Kim HN. Engineered neural circuits for modeling brain physiology and neuropathology. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:379-400. [PMID: 34157452 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neural circuits of the central nervous system are the regulatory pathways for feeling, motion control, learning, and memory, and their dysfunction is closely related to various neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the growing demand for the unraveling of the physiology and functional connectivity of the neural circuits, their fundamental investigation is hampered because of the inability to access the components of neural circuits and the complex microenvironment. As an alternative approach, in vitro human neural circuits show principles of in vivo human neuronal circuit function. They allow access to the cellular compartment and permit real-time monitoring of neural circuits. In this review, we summarize recent advances in reconstituted in vitro neural circuits using engineering techniques. To this end, we provide an overview of the fabrication techniques and methods for stimulation and measurement of in vitro neural circuits. Subsequently, representative examples of in vitro neural circuits are reviewed with a particular focus on the recapitulation of structures and functions observed in vivo, and we summarize their application in the study of various brain diseases. We believe that the in vitro neural circuits can help neuroscience and the neuropharmacology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the growing demand to unravel the physiology and functional connectivity of the neural circuits, the studies on the in vivo neural circuits are frequently limited due to the poor accessibility. Furthermore, single neuron-based analysis has an inherent limitation in that it does not reflect the full spectrum of the neural circuit physiology. As an alternative approach, in vitro engineered neural circuit models have arisen because they can recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of in vivo neural circuits. These in vitro neural circuits allow the mimicking of dysregulation of the neural circuits, including neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injury. Emerging in vitro engineered neural circuits will provide a better understanding of the (patho-)physiology of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Seob Hwang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Jeong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Joo Cho
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Nakwon Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jongbaeg Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Jiao Y, Liu YW, Chen WG, Liu J. Neuroregeneration and functional recovery after stroke: advancing neural stem cell therapy toward clinical application. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:80-92. [PMID: 32788451 PMCID: PMC7818886 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.286955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a main cause of death and disability worldwide. The ability of the brain to self-repair in the acute and chronic phases after stroke is minimal; however, promising stem cell-based interventions are emerging that may give substantial and possibly complete recovery of brain function after stroke. Many animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated that neural stem cells (NSCs) in the central nervous system can orchestrate neurological repair through nerve regeneration, neuron polarization, axon pruning, neurite outgrowth, repair of myelin, and remodeling of the microenvironment and brain networks. Compared with other types of stem cells, NSCs have unique advantages in cell replacement, paracrine action, inflammatory regulation and neuroprotection. Our review summarizes NSC origins, characteristics, therapeutic mechanisms and repair processes, then highlights current research findings and clinical evidence for NSC therapy. These results may be helpful to inform the direction of future stroke research and to guide clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jiao
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu-Wan Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei-Gong Chen
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
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17
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Tang SW, Tong WY, Pang SW, Voelcker NH, Lam YW. Deconstructing, Replicating, and Engineering Tissue Microenvironment for Stem Cell Differentiation. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2020; 26:540-554. [PMID: 32242476 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2020.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the most crucial components of regenerative medicine is the controlled differentiation of embryonic or adult stem cells into the desired cell lineage. Although most of the reported protocols of stem cell differentiation involve the use of soluble growth factors, it is increasingly evident that stem cells also undergo differentiation when cultured in the appropriate microenvironment. When cultured in decellularized tissues, for instance, stem cells can recapitulate the morphogenesis and functional specialization of differentiated cell types with speed and efficiency that often surpass the traditional growth factor-driven protocols. This suggests that the tissue microenvironment (TME) provides stem cells with a holistic "instructive niche" that harbors signals for cellular reprogramming. The translation of this into medical applications requires the decoding of these signals, but this has been hampered by the complexity of TME. This problem is often addressed by a reductionist approach, in which cells are exposed to substrates decorated with simple, empirically designed geometries, textures, and chemical compositions ("bottom-up" approach). Although these studies are invaluable in revealing the basic principles of mechanotransduction mechanisms, their physiological relevance is often uncertain. This review examines the recent progress of an alternative, "top-down" approach, in which the TME is treated as a holistic biological entity. This approach is made possible by recent advances in systems biology and fabrication technologies that enable the isolation, characterization, and reconstitution of TME. It is hoped that these new techniques will elucidate the nature of niche signals so that they can be extracted, replicated, and controlled. This review summarizes these emerging techniques and how the data they generated are changing our view on TME. Impact statement This review summarizes the current state of art of the understanding of instructive niche in the field of tissue microenvironment. Not only did we survey the use of different biochemical preparations as stimuli of stem cell differentiation and summarize the recent effort in dissecting the biochemical composition of these preparations, through the application of extracellular matrix (ECM) arrays and proteomics, but we also introduce the use of open-source, high-content immunohistochemistry projects in contributing to the understanding of tissue-specific composition of ECM. We believe this review would be highly useful for our peer researching in the same field. "Mr. Tulkinghorn is always the same… so oddly out of place and yet so perfectly at home." -Charles Dickens, Bleak House.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Wing Tang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wing Yin Tong
- Melbourne Center for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication, Clayton, Australia.,Drug Delivery Disposition & Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stella W Pang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Melbourne Center for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication, Clayton, Australia.,Drug Delivery Disposition & Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yun Wah Lam
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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18
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Microfluidic Systems in CNS Studies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32285366 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-36588-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Current technological progress facilitates the introduction of micro-devices into biotechnology research including studies on central nervous system. Wide range of micro-chambers with diversity of channel systems and multiple compartments enable users to create models which closely mimic nervous tissue structure which nowadays is often called as brain-on-a-chip technology. Heretofore experiments showing the influence of substance gradients, cell interactions, spatial conditions, neuroinflammation, stem cells migration, drug delivery, mechanisms controlling progression of diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson, multiple sclerosis or nerve injury were performed in microfluidic devices. Moreover, the integration of bio-sensors and development of dedicated software for microfluidic studies can enable performing high throughput and good quality automated experiments investigating regeneration and degeneration processes in models well emulating central nervous system structures.
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19
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Papadimitriou L, Manganas P, Ranella A, Stratakis E. Biofabrication for neural tissue engineering applications. Mater Today Bio 2020; 6:100043. [PMID: 32190832 PMCID: PMC7068131 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2020.100043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike other tissue types, the nervous tissue extends to a wide and complex environment that provides a plurality of different biochemical and topological stimuli, which in turn defines the advanced functions of that tissue. As a consequence of such complexity, the traditional transplantation therapeutic methods are quite ineffective; therefore, the restoration of peripheral and central nervous system injuries has been a continuous scientific challenge. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the nervous system have provided new alternative medical approaches. These methods use external biomaterial supports, known as scaffolds, to create platforms for the cells to migrate to the injury site and repair the tissue. The challenge in neural tissue engineering (NTE) remains the fabrication of scaffolds with precisely controlled, tunable topography, biochemical cues, and surface energy, capable of directing and controlling the function of neuronal cells toward the recovery from neurological disorders and injuries. At the same time, it has been shown that NTE provides the potential to model neurological diseases in vitro, mainly via lab-on-a-chip systems, especially in cases for which it is difficult to obtain suitable animal models. As a consequence of the intense research activity in the field, a variety of synthetic approaches and 3D fabrication methods have been developed for the fabrication of NTE scaffolds, including soft lithography and self-assembly, as well as subtractive (top-down) and additive (bottom-up) manufacturing. This article aims at reviewing the existing research effort in the rapidly growing field related to the development of biomaterial scaffolds and lab-on-a-chip systems for NTE applications. Besides presenting recent advances achieved by NTE strategies, this work also delineates existing limitations and highlights emerging possibilities and future prospects in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Papadimitriou
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, 71003, Greece
| | - P. Manganas
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, 71003, Greece
| | - A. Ranella
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, 71003, Greece
| | - E. Stratakis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, 71003, Greece
- Physics Department, University of Crete, Heraklion, 71003, Crete, Greece
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20
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Mofazzal Jahromi MA, Abdoli A, Rahmanian M, Bardania H, Bayandori M, Moosavi Basri SM, Kalbasi A, Aref AR, Karimi M, Hamblin MR. Microfluidic Brain-on-a-Chip: Perspectives for Mimicking Neural System Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:8489-8512. [PMID: 31264092 PMCID: PMC6842047 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01653-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) include more than 600 types of nervous system disorders in humans that impact tens of millions of people worldwide. Estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest NDDs will increase by nearly 50% by 2030. Hence, development of advanced models for research on NDDs is needed to explore new therapeutic strategies and explore the pathogenesis of these disorders. Different approaches have been deployed in order to investigate nervous system disorders, including two-and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) cell cultures and animal models. However, these models have limitations, such as lacking cellular tension, fluid shear stress, and compression analysis; thus, studying the biochemical effects of therapeutic molecules on the biophysiological interactions of cells, tissues, and organs is problematic. The microfluidic "organ-on-a-chip" is an inexpensive and rapid analytical technology to create an effective tool for manipulation, monitoring, and assessment of cells, and investigating drug discovery, which enables the culture of various cells in a small amount of fluid (10-9 to 10-18 L). Thus, these chips have the ability to overcome the mentioned restrictions of 2D and 3D cell cultures, as well as animal models. Stem cells (SCs), particularly neural stem cells (NSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the capability to give rise to various neural system cells. Hence, microfluidic organ-on-a-chip and SCs can be used as potential research tools to study the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders. Accordingly, in the present review, we discuss the latest progress in microfluidic brain-on-a-chip as a powerful and advanced technology that can be used in basic studies to investigate normal and abnormal functions of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirza Ali Mofazzal Jahromi
- Department of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Research Center for Noncommunicable Diseases, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Amir Abdoli
- Research Center for Noncommunicable Diseases, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rahmanian
- Research Center for Noncommunicable Diseases, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Hassan Bardania
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Bayandori
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Kalbasi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Mahdi Karimi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Research Center for Science and Technology in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Ashammakhi N, Kim HJ, Ehsanipour A, Bierman RD, Kaarela O, Xue C, Khademhosseini A, Seidlits SK. Regenerative Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2019; 25:471-491. [PMID: 31452463 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2019.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious problem that primarily affects younger and middle-aged adults at its onset. To date, no effective regenerative treatment has been developed. Over the last decade, researchers have made significant advances in stem cell technology, biomaterials, nanotechnology, and immune engineering, which may be applied as regenerative therapies for the spinal cord. Although the results of clinical trials using specific cell-based therapies have proven safe, their efficacy has not yet been demonstrated. The pathophysiology of SCI is multifaceted, complex and yet to be fully understood. Thus, combinatorial therapies that simultaneously leverage multiple approaches will likely be required to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Although combinations of biomaterials with pharmacologic agents or cells have been explored, few studies have combined these modalities in a systematic way. For most strategies, clinical translation will be facilitated by the use of minimally invasive therapies, which are the focus of this review. In addition, this review discusses previously explored therapies designed to promote neuroregeneration and neuroprotection after SCI, while highlighting present challenges and future directions. Impact Statement To date there are no effective treatments that can regenerate the spinal cord after injury. Although there have been significant preclinical advances in bioengineering and regenerative medicine over the last decade, these have not translated into effective clinical therapies for spinal cord injury. This review focuses on minimally invasive therapies, providing extensive background as well as updates on recent technological developments and current clinical trials. This review is a comprehensive resource for researchers working towards regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury that will help guide future innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nureddin Ashammakhi
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland.,Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), Los Angeles, California.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), Los Angeles, California.,Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Han-Jun Kim
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), Los Angeles, California.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), Los Angeles, California.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | | | - Outi Kaarela
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oulu University, Oulu, Finland
| | - Chengbin Xue
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), Los Angeles, California.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), Los Angeles, California.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China.,Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, P.R. China
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), Los Angeles, California.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), Los Angeles, California.,Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephanie K Seidlits
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), Los Angeles, California.,California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), Los Angeles, California.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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22
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Liu Q, Lü L, Sun H, Zhang J, Ma W, Zhang T. [Effect of serum on the differentiation of neural stem cells]. ZHONGGUO XIU FU CHONG JIAN WAI KE ZA ZHI = ZHONGGUO XIUFU CHONGJIAN WAIKE ZAZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF REPARATIVE AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY 2018; 32:223-227. [PMID: 29806416 DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.201710113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effect of serum on the differentiation of neural stem cells. Methods The neural stem cells were isolated from the embryonic hippocampus tissues of Sprague Dawley rats at 14 day of pregnancy. After culturing and passaging, the 3rd generation cells were identified by immunocytochemical staining. Then, the cells were divided into 3 groups according to the concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS) used in the differentiation cell culture medium: 5% (group A), 1% (group B), 0 (group C), respectively. The other components of the culture media in 3 groups were the same. Cell viability was determined by using the Live/Dead cell staining at 8 days; the expressions of glial cell marker [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)] and neuronal marker (β-Ⅲ Tubulin) were determined and analyzed by immunocytochemical staining and real-time fluorescent PCR at 4 and 8 days of culture. Results Based on cell morphology and immunocytochemical staining, neural stem cells were identified. Cells were growing well with no death in all groups. With decreasing FBS concentration, the expression of GFAP was significantly decreased on both protein and mRNA level, whereas the expression of β-Ⅲ Tubulin was evidently increased. The staining of each group at 8 days was more obvious than that at 4 days. There were significant differences in mRNA expressions of GFAP and β-Ⅲ Tubulin at 4 and 8 days between groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion Serum can promote the differentiation of neural stem cells into glial cells. At the same time, it inhibits the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons, the lower the serum concentration, the smaller the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxi Liu
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P.R.China;Tianjin Weikai Bioeng Ltd., Tianjin, 300457, P.R.China
| | - Lihui Lü
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P.R.China
| | - He Sun
- Tianjin Weikai Bioeng Ltd., Tianjin, 300457, P.R.China
| | - Jinhua Zhang
- Tianjin Weikai Bioeng Ltd., Tianjin, 300457, P.R.China
| | - Wenjian Ma
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457, P.R.China;College of Biotechnology, Qilu Institute of Technology, Jinan Shandong, 250200,
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, 300457,
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