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Zhang X, Li K, Wang C, Rao Y, Tuan RS, Wang DM, Ker DFE. Facile and rapid fabrication of a novel 3D-printable, visible light-crosslinkable and bioactive polythiourethane for large-to-massive rotator cuff tendon repair. Bioact Mater 2024; 37:439-458. [PMID: 38698918 PMCID: PMC11063952 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Facile and rapid 3D fabrication of strong, bioactive materials can address challenges that impede repair of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears including personalized grafts, limited mechanical support, and inadequate tissue regeneration. Herein, we developed a facile and rapid methodology that generates visible light-crosslinkable polythiourethane (PHT) pre-polymer resin (∼30 min at room temperature), yielding 3D-printable scaffolds with tendon-like mechanical attributes capable of delivering tenogenic bioactive factors. Ex vivo characterization confirmed successful fabrication, robust human supraspinatus tendon (SST)-like tensile properties (strength: 23 MPa, modulus: 459 MPa, at least 10,000 physiological loading cycles without failure), excellent suture retention (8.62-fold lower than acellular dermal matrix (ADM)-based clinical graft), slow degradation, and controlled release of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3). In vitro studies showed cytocompatibility and growth factor-mediated tenogenic-like differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. In vivo studies demonstrated biocompatibility (3-week mouse subcutaneous implantation) and ability of growth factor-containing scaffolds to notably regenerate at least 1-cm of tendon with native-like biomechanical attributes as uninjured shoulder (8-week, large-to-massive 1-cm gap rabbit rotator cuff injury). This study demonstrates use of a 3D-printable, strong, and bioactive material to provide mechanical support and pro-regenerative cues for challenging injuries such as large-to-massive rotator cuff tears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Ke Li
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Chenyang Wang
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Ying Rao
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Rocky S. Tuan
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Dan Michelle Wang
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
| | - Dai Fei Elmer Ker
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
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Liu J, Huang L, Guo H, Liu H, Lu T. Hybrid-Microstructure-Based Soft Network Materials with Independent Tunability of Mechanical Properties over Large Deformations. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:32411-32424. [PMID: 38865596 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Introducing auxetic metamaterials into stretchable electronics shows promising prospects for enhancing the performance and innovating the functionalities of various devices, such as stretchable strain sensors. Nevertheless, most existing auxetics fail to meet the requirement of stretchable electronics, which typically include high mechanical flexibility and stable Poisson's ratio over large deformations. Moreover, despite being highly advantageous for application in diverse load-bearing conditions, achieving tunability of J-shaped stress-strain response independent of negative Poisson's ratio remains a significant challenge. This paper introduces a class of hybrid-microstructure-based soft network materials (HMSNMs) consisting of different types of microstructures along the loading and transverse directions. The J-shaped stress-strain curve and nonlinear Poisson's ratio for HMSNMs can be tuned independently of each other. The HMSNM provides much higher strength than the corresponding existing metamaterial while offering a nearly stable negative Poisson's ratio over large strains. Both mechanical properties under infinitesimal and large deformations can be well-tuned by geometric parameters. Fascinating functionalities such as shape programming and stress regulation are achieved by integrating a set of HMSNMs in series/parallel configurations. A stretchable LED-integrated display capable of displaying dynamic images without distortion under uniaxial stretching serves as a demonstrative application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxing Liu
- State Key Lab for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Soft Machines Lab, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Linwei Huang
- State Key Lab for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Soft Machines Lab, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Haoyu Guo
- State Key Lab for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Soft Machines Lab, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Tongqing Lu
- State Key Lab for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Soft Machines Lab, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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Cheng X, Shen Z, Zhang Y. Bioinspired 3D flexible devices and functional systems. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwad314. [PMID: 38312384 PMCID: PMC10833470 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Flexible devices and functional systems with elaborated three-dimensional (3D) architectures can endow better mechanical/electrical performances, more design freedom, and unique functionalities, when compared to their two-dimensional (2D) counterparts. Such 3D flexible devices/systems are rapidly evolving in three primary directions, including the miniaturization, the increasingly merged physical/artificial intelligence and the enhanced adaptability and capabilities of heterogeneous integration. Intractable challenges exist in this emerging research area, such as relatively poor controllability in the locomotion of soft robotic systems, mismatch of bioelectronic interfaces, and signal coupling in multi-parameter sensing. By virtue of long-time-optimized materials, structures and processes, natural organisms provide rich sources of inspiration to address these challenges, enabling the design and manufacture of many bioinspired 3D flexible devices/systems. In this Review, we focus on bioinspired 3D flexible devices and functional systems, and summarize their representative design concepts, manufacturing methods, principles of structure-function relationship and broad-ranging applications. Discussions on existing challenges, potential solutions and future opportunities are also provided to usher in further research efforts toward realizing bioinspired 3D flexible devices/systems with precisely programmed shapes, enhanced mechanical/electrical performances, and high-level physical/artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Cheng
- Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Laboratory of Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhangming Shen
- Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Laboratory of Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yihui Zhang
- Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Laboratory of Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Muthuramalingam K, Lee HJ. Effect of GelMA Hydrogel Properties on Long-Term Encapsulation and Myogenic Differentiation of C 2C 12 Spheroids. Gels 2023; 9:925. [PMID: 38131911 PMCID: PMC10743132 DOI: 10.3390/gels9120925] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle regeneration and engineering hold great promise for the treatment of various muscle-related pathologies and injuries. This research explores the use of gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels as a critical component for encapsulating cellular spheroids in the context of muscle tissue engineering and regenerative applications. The preparation of GelMA hydrogels at various concentrations, ranging from 5% to 15%, was characterized and correlated with their mechanical stiffness. The storage modulus was quantified and correlated with GelMA concentration: 6.01 ± 1.02 Pa (5% GelMA), 75.78 ± 6.67 Pa (10% GelMA), and 134.69 ± 7.93 Pa (15% GelMA). In particular, the mechanical properties and swelling capacity of GelMA hydrogels were identified as key determinants affecting cell sprouting and migration from C2C12 spheroids. The controlled balance between these factors was found to significantly enhance the differentiation and functionality of the encapsulated spheroids. Our results highlight the critical role of GelMA hydrogels in orchestrating cellular dynamics and processes within a 3D microenvironment. The study demonstrates that these hydrogels provide a promising scaffold for the long-term encapsulation of spheroids while maintaining high biocompatibility. This research provides valuable insights into the design and use of GelMA hydrogels for improved muscle tissue engineering and regenerative applications, paving the way for innovative approaches to muscle tissue repair and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyun Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea;
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