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Janssen J, Chirico N, Ainsworth MJ, Cedillo-Servin G, Viola M, Dokter I, Vermonden T, Doevendans PA, Serra M, Voets IK, Malda J, Castilho M, van Laake LW, Sluijter JPG, Sampaio-Pinto V, van Mil A. Hypothermic and cryogenic preservation of cardiac tissue-engineered constructs. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:3866-3881. [PMID: 38910521 PMCID: PMC11265564 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01908j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac tissue engineering (cTE) has already advanced towards the first clinical trials, investigating safety and feasibility of cTE construct transplantation in failing hearts. However, the lack of well-established preservation methods poses a hindrance to further scalability, commercialization, and transportation, thereby reducing their clinical implementation. In this study, hypothermic preservation (4 °C) and two methods for cryopreservation (i.e., a slow and fast cooling approach to -196 °C and -150 °C, respectively) were investigated as potential solutions to extend the cTE construct implantation window. The cTE model used consisted of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and human cardiac fibroblasts embedded in a natural-derived hydrogel and supported by a polymeric melt electrowritten hexagonal scaffold. Constructs, composed of cardiomyocytes of different maturity, were preserved for three days, using several commercially available preservation protocols and solutions. Cardiomyocyte viability, function (beat rate and calcium handling), and metabolic activity were investigated after rewarming. Our observations show that cardiomyocytes' age did not influence post-rewarming viability, however, it influenced construct function. Hypothermic preservation with HypoThermosol® ensured cardiomyocyte viability and function. Furthermore, fast freezing outperformed slow freezing, but both viability and function were severely reduced after rewarming. In conclusion, whereas long-term preservation remains a challenge, hypothermic preservation with HypoThermosol® represents a promising solution for cTE construct short-term preservation and potential transportation, aiding in off-the-shelf availability, ultimately increasing their clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmijn Janssen
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
| | - Nino Chirico
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
| | - Madison J Ainsworth
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
| | - Gerardo Cedillo-Servin
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
| | - Martina Viola
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Dokter
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
| | - Tina Vermonden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A Doevendans
- Netherlands Heart Institute (NLHI), Utrecht, 3511 EP, The Netherlands
- Centraal Militair Hospitaal (CMH), Utrecht, 3584 EZ, The Netherlands
| | - Margarida Serra
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ilja K Voets
- Laboratory of Self-Organizing Soft Matter, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry & Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, PO box 513, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Malda
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, 3584 CX, The Netherlands
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, Utrecht, 3584 CL, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel Castilho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Linda W van Laake
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
| | - Joost P G Sluijter
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
| | - Vasco Sampaio-Pinto
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
| | - Alain van Mil
- Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Circulatory Health Research Center, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
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Wyle Y, Lu N, Hepfer J, Sayal R, Martinez T, Wang A. The Role of Biophysical Factors in Organ Development: Insights from Current Organoid Models. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:619. [PMID: 38927855 PMCID: PMC11200479 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11060619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biophysical factors play a fundamental role in human embryonic development. Traditional in vitro models of organogenesis focused on the biochemical environment and did not consider the effects of mechanical forces on developing tissue. While most human tissue has a Young's modulus in the low kilopascal range, the standard cell culture substrate, plasma-treated polystyrene, has a Young's modulus of 3 gigapascals, making it 10,000-100,000 times stiffer than native tissues. Modern in vitro approaches attempt to recapitulate the biophysical niche of native organs and have yielded more clinically relevant models of human tissues. Since Clevers' conception of intestinal organoids in 2009, the field has expanded rapidly, generating stem-cell derived structures, which are transcriptionally similar to fetal tissues, for nearly every organ system in the human body. For this reason, we conjecture that organoids will make their first clinical impact in fetal regenerative medicine as the structures generated ex vivo will better match native fetal tissues. Moreover, autologously sourced transplanted tissues would be able to grow with the developing embryo in a dynamic, fetal environment. As organoid technologies evolve, the resultant tissues will approach the structure and function of adult human organs and may help bridge the gap between preclinical drug candidates and clinically approved therapeutics. In this review, we discuss roles of tissue stiffness, viscoelasticity, and shear forces in organ formation and disease development, suggesting that these physical parameters should be further integrated into organoid models to improve their physiological relevance and therapeutic applicability. It also points to the mechanotransductive Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway as a key player in the interplay between extracellular matrix stiffness, cellular mechanics, and biochemical pathways. We conclude by highlighting how frontiers in physics can be applied to biology, for example, how quantum entanglement may be applied to better predict spontaneous DNA mutations. In the future, contemporary physical theories may be leveraged to better understand seemingly stochastic events during organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yofiel Wyle
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.W.); (N.L.); (J.H.); (R.S.); (T.M.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Children’s, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Nathan Lu
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.W.); (N.L.); (J.H.); (R.S.); (T.M.)
| | - Jason Hepfer
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.W.); (N.L.); (J.H.); (R.S.); (T.M.)
| | - Rahul Sayal
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.W.); (N.L.); (J.H.); (R.S.); (T.M.)
| | - Taylor Martinez
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.W.); (N.L.); (J.H.); (R.S.); (T.M.)
| | - Aijun Wang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; (Y.W.); (N.L.); (J.H.); (R.S.); (T.M.)
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Children’s, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Center for Surgical Bioengineering, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 4625 2nd Ave., Research II, Suite 3005, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Basara G, Celebi LE, Ronan G, Discua Santos V, Zorlutuna P. 3D bioprinted aged human post-infarct myocardium tissue model. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1945. [PMID: 38655426 PMCID: PMC11035382 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Fibrotic tissue formed after myocardial infarction (MI) can be as detrimental as MI itself. However, current in vitro cardiac fibrosis models fail to recapitulate the complexities of post-MI tissue. Moreover, although MI and subsequent fibrosis is most prominent in the aged population, the field suffers from inadequate aged tissue models. Herein, an aged human post-MI tissue model, representing the native microenvironment weeks after initial infarction, is engineered using three-dimensional bioprinting via creation of individual bioinks to specifically mimic three distinct regions: remote, border, and scar. Methods The aged post-MI tissue model is engineered through combination of gelatin methacryloyl, methacrylated hyaluronic acid, aged type I collagen, and photoinitiator at variable concentrations with different cell types, including aged human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, cardiac fibroblasts, and cardiac myofibroblasts, by introducing a methodology which utilizes three printheads of the bioprinter to model aged myocardium. Then, using cell-specific proteins, the cell types that comprised each region are confirmed using immunofluorescence. Next, the beating characteristics are analyzed. Finally, the engineered aged post-MI tissue model is used as a benchtop platform to assess the therapeutic effects of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles on the scar region. Results As a result, high viability (>74%) was observed in each region of the printed model. Constructs demonstrated functional behavior, exhibiting a beating velocity of 6.7 μm/s and a frequency of 0.3 Hz. Finally, the effectiveness of hiPSC-EV and MSC-EV treatment was assessed. While hiPSC-EV treatment showed no significant changes, MSC-EV treatment notably increased cardiomyocyte beating velocity, frequency, and confluency, suggesting a regenerative potential. Conclusion In conclusion, we envision that our approach of modeling post-MI aged myocardium utilizing three printheads of the bioprinter may be utilized for various applications in aged cardiac microenvironment modeling and testing novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gozde Basara
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - Lara Ece Celebi
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Bioengineering Graduate ProgramUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | - George Ronan
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Bioengineering Graduate ProgramUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
| | | | - Pinar Zorlutuna
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Bioengineering Graduate ProgramUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
- Harper Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIndianaUSA
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Roland TJ, Song K. Advances in the Generation of Constructed Cardiac Tissue Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modeling and Therapeutic Discovery. Cells 2024; 13:250. [PMID: 38334642 PMCID: PMC10854966 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030250] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The human heart lacks significant regenerative capacity; thus, the solution to heart failure (HF) remains organ donation, requiring surgery and immunosuppression. The demand for constructed cardiac tissues (CCTs) to model and treat disease continues to grow. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) manipulation, CRISPR gene editing, and 3D tissue culture have enabled a boom in iPSC-derived CCTs (iPSC-CCTs) with diverse cell types and architecture. Compared with 2D-cultured cells, iPSC-CCTs better recapitulate heart biology, demonstrating the potential to advance organ modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine, though iPSC-CCTs could benefit from better methods to faithfully mimic heart physiology and electrophysiology. Here, we summarize advances in iPSC-CCTs and future developments in the vascularization, immunization, and maturation of iPSC-CCTs for study and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Truman J. Roland
- Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Kunhua Song
- Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
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Basara G, Bahcecioglu G, Ren X, Zorlutuna P. An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Cardiac Tissue-Patch Interrelation. J Biomech Eng 2023; 145:081004. [PMID: 37337466 PMCID: PMC10321148 DOI: 10.1115/1.4062736] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineered cardiac patches have great potential as a regenerative therapy for myocardial infarction. Yet, the mutual interaction of cardiac patches with healthy tissue has not been completely understood. Here, we investigated the impact of acellular and cellular patches on a beating two-dimensional (2D) cardiac cell layer, and the effect of the beating of this layer on the cells encapsulated in the patch. We cultured human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) on a coverslip and placed gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel alone or with encapsulated iCMs to create acellular and cellular patches, respectively. When the acellular patch was placed on the cardiac cell layer, the beating characteristics and Ca+2 handling properties reduced, whereas placing the cellular patch restored these characteristics. To better understand the effects of the cyclic contraction and relaxation induced by the beating cardiac cell layer on the patch placed on top of it, a simulation model was developed, and the calculated strain values were in agreement with the values measured experimentally. Moreover, this dynamic culture induced by the beating 2D iCM layer on the iCMs encapsulated in the cellular patch improved their beating velocity and frequency. Additionally, the encapsulated iCMs were observed to be coupled with the underlying beating 2D iCM layer. Overall, this study provides a detailed investigation on the mutual relationship of acellular/cellular patches with the beating 2D iCM layer, understanding of which would be valuable for developing more advanced cardiac patches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gozde Basara
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 225 Multidisciplinary Research Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - Gokhan Bahcecioglu
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 108B Multidisciplinary Research Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - Xiang Ren
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - Pinar Zorlutuna
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 143 Multidisciplinary Research Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556
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The Role of ncRNAs in Cardiac Infarction and Regeneration. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:jcdd10030123. [PMID: 36975887 PMCID: PMC10052289 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10030123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease worldwide, and it is defined as cardiomyocyte cell death due to a lack of oxygen supply. Such a temporary absence of oxygen supply, or ischemia, leads to extensive cardiomyocyte cell death in the affected myocardium. Notably, reactive oxygen species are generated during the reperfusion process, driving a novel wave of cell death. Consequently, the inflammatory process starts, followed by fibrotic scar formation. Limiting inflammation and resolving the fibrotic scar are essential biological processes with respect to providing a favorable environment for cardiac regeneration that is only achieved in a limited number of species. Distinct inductive signals and transcriptional regulatory factors are key components that modulate cardiac injury and regeneration. Over the last decade, the impact of non-coding RNAs has begun to be addressed in many cellular and pathological processes including myocardial infarction and regeneration. Herein, we provide a state-of-the-art review of the current functional role of diverse non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in different biological processes involved in cardiac injury as well as in distinct experimental models of cardiac regeneration.
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Abstract
Heart disease is a significant burden on global health care systems and is a leading cause of death each year. To improve our understanding of heart disease, high quality disease models are needed. These will facilitate the discovery and development of new treatments for heart disease. Traditionally, researchers have relied on 2D monolayer systems or animal models of heart disease to elucidate pathophysiology and drug responses. Heart-on-a-chip (HOC) technology is an emerging field where cardiomyocytes among other cell types in the heart can be used to generate functional, beating cardiac microtissues that recapitulate many features of the human heart. HOC models are showing great promise as disease modeling platforms and are poised to serve as important tools in the drug development pipeline. By leveraging advances in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte biology and microfabrication technology, diseased HOCs are highly tuneable and can be generated via different approaches such as: using cells with defined genetic backgrounds (patient-derived cells), adding small molecules, modifying the cells' environment, altering cell ratio/composition of microtissues, among others. HOCs have been used to faithfully model aspects of arrhythmia, fibrosis, infection, cardiomyopathies, and ischemia, to name a few. In this review, we highlight recent advances in disease modeling using HOC systems, describing instances where these models outperformed other models in terms of reproducing disease phenotypes and/or led to drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Mourad
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Ryan Yee
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara S Nunes
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Ajmera Transplant Center (S.S.N.), University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering (O.M., R.Y., M.L., S.S.N.), University of Toronto, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology (S.S.N.), University of Toronto, Canada.,Heart and Stroke/Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence (S.S.N.), University of Toronto, Canada
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