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Silva B, Marques EF, Gomes AC. Recent advances in in vitro models simulating the female genital tract toward more effective intravaginal therapeutic delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2024:1-21. [PMID: 39001669 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2024.2380338] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intravaginal drug delivery has emerged as a promising avenue for treating a spectrum of systemic and local female genital tract (FGT) conditions, using biomaterials as carriers or scaffolds for targeted and efficient administration. Much effort has been made to understand the natural barriers of this route and improve the delivery system to achieve an efficient therapeutic response. AREAS COVERED In this review, we conducted a comprehensive literature search using multiple databases (PubMed Scopus Web of Science Google Scholar), to discuss the potential of intravaginal therapeutic delivery, as well as the obstacles unique to this route. The in vitro cell models of the FGT and how they can be applied to probing intravaginal drug delivery are then analyzed. We further explore the limitations of the existing models and the possibilities to make them more promising for delivery studies or biomaterial validation. Complementary information is provided by in vitro acellular techniques that may shed light on mucus-drug interaction. EXPERT OPINION Advances in 3D models and cell cultures have enhanced our understanding of the FGT, but they still fail to replicate all variables. Future research should aim to use complementary methods, ensure stability, and develop consistent protocols to improve therapy evaluation and create better predictive in vitro models for women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Silva
- CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology), Department of Biology, Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- CIQUP, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eduardo F Marques
- CIQUP, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia C Gomes
- CBMA (Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology), Department of Biology, Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Farzamfar S, Elia E, Richer M, Chabaud S, Naji M, Bolduc S. Extracellular Matrix-Based and Electrospun Scaffolding Systems for Vaginal Reconstruction. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:790. [PMID: 37508817 PMCID: PMC10376078 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10070790] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital vaginal anomalies and pelvic organ prolapse affect different age groups of women and both have significant negative impacts on patients' psychological well-being and quality of life. While surgical and non-surgical treatments are available for vaginal defects, their efficacy is limited, and they often result in long-term complications. Therefore, alternative treatment options are urgently needed. Fortunately, tissue-engineered scaffolds are promising new treatment modalities that provide an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like environment for vaginal cells to adhere, secrete ECM, and be remodeled by host cells. To this end, ECM-based scaffolds or the constructs that resemble ECM, generated by self-assembly, decellularization, or electrospinning techniques, have gained attention from both clinicians and researchers. These biomimetic scaffolds are highly similar to the native vaginal ECM and have great potential for clinical translation. This review article aims to discuss recent applications, challenges, and future perspectives of these scaffolds in vaginal reconstruction or repair strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Farzamfar
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Elissa Elia
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Megan Richer
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Chabaud
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mohammad Naji
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1666677951, Iran
| | - Stéphane Bolduc
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Elia E, Brownell D, Chabaud S, Bolduc S. Tissue Engineering for Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Tracts. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010009. [PMID: 36613452 PMCID: PMC9820091 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts share several similarities. Primarily, these tissues are composed of hollow structures lined by an epithelium through which materials need to flow with the help of peristalsis brought by muscle contraction. In the case of the gastrointestinal tract, solid or liquid food must circulate to be digested and absorbed and the waste products eliminated. In the case of the urinary tract, the urine produced by the kidneys must flow to the bladder, where it is stored until its elimination from the body. Finally, in the case of the vagina, it must allow the evacuation of blood during menstruation, accommodate the male sexual organ during coitus, and is the natural way to birth a child. The present review describes the anatomy, pathologies, and treatments of such organs, emphasizing tissue engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa Elia
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - David Brownell
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Chabaud
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bolduc
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-418-525-4444 (ext. 42282)
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Brownell D, Chabaud S, Bolduc S. Tissue Engineering in Gynecology. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012319. [PMID: 36293171 PMCID: PMC9603941 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Female gynecological organ dysfunction can cause infertility and psychological distress, decreasing the quality of life of affected women. Incidence is constantly increasing due to growing rates of cancer and increase of childbearing age in the developed world. Current treatments are often unable to restore organ function, and occasionally are the cause of female infertility. Alternative treatment options are currently being developed in order to face the inadequacy of current practices. In this review, pathologies and current treatments of gynecological organs (ovaries, uterus, and vagina) are described. State-of-the-art of tissue engineering alternatives to common practices are evaluated with a focus on in vivo models. Tissue engineering is an ever-expanding field, integrating various domains of modern science to create sophisticated tissue substitutes in the hope of repairing or replacing dysfunctional organs using autologous cells. Its application to gynecology has the potential of restoring female fertility and sexual wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Brownell
- Centre de Recherche en Organogéneèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Chabaud
- Centre de Recherche en Organogéneèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bolduc
- Centre de Recherche en Organogéneèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Regenerative Medicine Division, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Québec, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Millet M, Bollmann E, Ringuette Goulet C, Bernard G, Chabaud S, Huot MÉ, Pouliot F, Bolduc S, Bordeleau F. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in a 3D Engineered Tissue Model Induce Tumor-like Matrix Stiffening and EMT Transition. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153810. [PMID: 35954473 PMCID: PMC9367573 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The physical properties of a tumor, such as stiffness, are important drivers of tumor progression. However, current in vitro tumor models fail to recapitulate the full range of physical properties observed in solid tumors. Here, we proposed a 3D self-assembly engineered bladder model using cancer-associated fibroblasts in which stromal cells produce their extracellular matrix. We then proceeded to assess how our model recapitulates biological and mechanical features found in tumors. We confirmed that stroma assembled by cancer-associated fibroblasts have increased extracellular matrix content and display increased remodeling and higher stiffness. Moreover, normal urothelial cells seeded on the tumor model displayed a mechanotransduction response, increased cell proliferation, cell infiltration within stroma, and displayed features of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Altogether, we demonstrated that our cancer-associated fibroblast-derived tumor stroma recapitulates several biological and physical features expected from a tumor-like environment and, thus, provides the basis for more accurate cancer models. Abstract A tumor microenvironment is characterized by its altered mechanical properties. However, most models remain unable to faithfully recreate the mechanical properties of a tumor. Engineered models based on the self-assembly method have the potential to better recapitulate the stroma architecture and composition. Here, we used the self-assembly method based on a bladder tissue model to engineer a tumor-like environment. The tissue-engineered tumor models were reconstituted from stroma-derived healthy primary fibroblasts (HFs) induced into cancer-associated fibroblast cells (iCAFs) along with an urothelium overlay. The iCAFs-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) composition was found to be stiffer, with increased ECM deposition and remodeling. The urothelial cells overlaid on the iCAFs-derived ECM were more contractile, as measured by quantitative polarization microscopy, and displayed increased YAP nuclear translocation. We further showed that the proliferation and expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker in the urothelial cells correlate with the increased stiffness of the iCAFs-derived ECM. Our data showed an increased expression of EMT markers within the urothelium on the iCAFs-derived ECM. Together, our results demonstrate that our tissue-engineered tumor model can achieve stiffness levels comparable to that of a bladder tumor, while triggering a tumor-like response from the urothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martial Millet
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division) and Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Enola Bollmann
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division) and Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Cassandra Ringuette Goulet
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division) and Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division), Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Geneviève Bernard
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division), Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Stéphane Chabaud
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division), Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Marc-Étienne Huot
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division) and Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Frédéric Pouliot
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division) and Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bolduc
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Regenerative Medicine Division), Quebec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - François Bordeleau
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division) and Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Organogénèse Expérimentale/LOEX, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-418-525-4444 (ext. 15554)
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Genitourinary Tissue Engineering: Reconstruction and Research Models. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8070099. [PMID: 34356206 PMCID: PMC8301202 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8070099] [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] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering is an emerging field of research that initially aimed to produce 3D tissues to bypass the lack of adequate tissues for the repair or replacement of deficient organs. The basis of tissue engineering protocols is to create scaffolds, which can have a synthetic or natural origin, seeded or not with cells. At the same time, more and more studies have indicated the low clinic translation rate of research realised using standard cell culture conditions, i.e., cells on plastic surfaces or using animal models that are too different from humans. New models are needed to mimic the 3D organisation of tissue and the cells themselves and the interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix. In this regard, urology and gynaecology fields are of particular interest. The urethra and vagina can be sites suffering from many pathologies without currently adequate treatment options. Due to the specific organisation of the human urethral/bladder and vaginal epithelium, current research models remain poorly representative. In this review, the anatomy, the current pathologies, and the treatments will be described before focusing on producing tissues and research models using tissue engineering. An emphasis is made on the self-assembly approach, which allows tissue production without the need for biomaterials.
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Abstract
Tissue engineering is one of the most promising scientific breakthroughs of the late 20th century. Its objective is to produce in vitro tissues or organs to repair and replace damaged ones using various techniques, biomaterials, and cells. Tissue engineering emerged to substitute the use of native autologous tissues, whose quantities are sometimes insufficient to correct the most severe pathologies. Indeed, the patient’s health status, regulations, or fibrotic scars at the site of the initial biopsy limit their availability, especially to treat recurrence. This new technology relies on the use of biomaterials to create scaffolds on which the patient’s cells can be seeded. This review focuses on the reconstruction, by tissue engineering, of two types of tissue with tubular structures: vascular and urological grafts. The emphasis is on self-assembly methods which allow the production of tissue/organ substitute without the use of exogenous material, with the patient’s cells producing their own scaffold. These continuously improved techniques, which allow rapid graft integration without immune rejection in the treatment of severely burned patients, give hope that similar results will be observed in the vascular and urological fields.
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