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Mehta AS, Zhang SL, Xie X, Khanna S, Tropp J, Ji X, Daso RE, Franz CK, Jordan SW, Rivnay J. Decellularized Biohybrid Nerve Promotes Motor Axon Projections. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401875. [PMID: 39219219 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401875] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Developing nerve grafts with intact mesostructures, superior conductivity, minimal immunogenicity, and improved tissue integration is essential for the treatment and restoration of neurological dysfunctions. A key factor is promoting directed axon growth into the grafts. To achieve this, biohybrid nerves are developed using decellularized rat sciatic nerve modified by in situ polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Nine biohybrid nerves are compared with varying polymerization conditions and cycles, selecting the best candidate through material characterization. These results show that a 1:1 ratio of FeCl3 oxidant to ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer, cycled twice, provides superior conductivity (>0.2 mS cm-1), mechanical alignment, intact mesostructures, and high compatibility with cells and blood. To test the biohybrid nerve's effectiveness in promoting motor axon growth, human Spinal Cord Spheroids (hSCSs) derived from HUES 3 Hb9:GFP cells are used, with motor axons labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Seeding hSCS onto one end of the conduit allows motor axon outgrowth into the biohybrid nerve. The construct effectively promotes directed motor axon growth, which improves significantly after seeding the grafts with Schwann cells. This study presents a promising approach for reconstructing axonal tracts in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abijeet Singh Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Sophia L Zhang
- Biologics Laboratory, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior St., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Section for Injury Repair and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Xinran Xie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Shreyaa Khanna
- Biologics Laboratory, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Joshua Tropp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Xudong Ji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Rachel E Daso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Colin K Franz
- Biologics Laboratory, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Sumannas W Jordan
- Biologics Laboratory, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior St., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jonathan Rivnay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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González-Cruz RD, Wan Y, Burgess A, Calvao D, Renken W, Vecchio F, Franck C, Kesari H, Hoffman-Kim D. Cortical spheroids show strain-dependent cell viability loss and neurite disruption following sustained compression injury. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295086. [PMID: 39159236 PMCID: PMC11332998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295086] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sustained compressive injury (SCI) in the brain is observed in numerous injury and pathological scenarios, including tumors, ischemic stroke, and traumatic brain injury-related tissue swelling. Sustained compressive injury is characterized by tissue loading over time, and currently, there are few in vitro models suitable to study neural cell responses to strain-dependent sustained compressive injury. Here, we present an in vitro model of sustained compressive neural injury via centrifugation. Spheroids were made from neonatal rat cortical cells seeded at 4000 cells/spheroid and cultured for 14 days in vitro. A subset of spheroids was centrifuged at 104, 209, 313 or 419 rads/s for 2 minutes. Modeling the physical deformation of the spheroids via finite element analyses, we found that spheroids centrifuged at the aforementioned angular velocities experienced pressures of 10, 38, 84 and 149 kPa, respectively, and compressive (resp. tensile) strains of 10% (5%), 18% (9%), 27% (14%) and 35% (18%), respectively. Quantification of LIVE-DEAD assay and Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining showed that centrifuged spheroids subjected to pressures above 10 kPa exhibited significantly higher DNA damage than control spheroids at 2, 8, and 24 hours post-injury. Immunohistochemistry of β3-tubulin networks at 2, 8, and 24 hours post-centrifugation injury showed increasing degradation of microtubules over time with increasing strain. Our findings show that cellular injuries occur as a result of specific levels and timings of sustained tissue strains. This experimental SCI model provides a high throughput in vitro platform to examine cellular injury, to gain insights into brain injury that could be targeted with therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael D. González-Cruz
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Yang Wan
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Amina Burgess
- Institute for Biology, Engineering, and Medicine, Brown University Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Dominick Calvao
- Institute for Biology, Engineering, and Medicine, Brown University Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - William Renken
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Francesca Vecchio
- Institute for Biology, Engineering, and Medicine, Brown University Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Christian Franck
- Center for Traumatic Brain Injury, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Haneesh Kesari
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - Diane Hoffman-Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
- Institute for Biology, Engineering, and Medicine, Brown University Providence, RI, United States of America
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Wan Y, González-Cruz RD, Hoffman-Kim D, Kesari H. A mechanics theory for the exploration of a high-throughput, sterile 3D in vitro traumatic brain injury model. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:1179-1196. [PMID: 38970736 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-024-01832-8] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Brain injuries resulting from mechanical trauma represent an ongoing global public health issue. Several in vitro and in vivo models for traumatic brain injury (TBI) continue to be developed for delineating the various complex pathophysiological processes involved in its onset and progression. Developing an in vitro TBI model that is based on cortical spheroids is especially of great interest currently because they can replicate key aspects of in vivo brain tissue, including its electrophysiology, physicochemical microenvironment, and extracellular matrix composition. Being able to mechanically deform the spheroids are a key requirement in any effective in vitro TBI model. The spheroids' shape and size, however, make mechanically loading them, especially in a high-throughput, sterile, and reproducible manner, quite challenging. To address this challenge, we present an idea for a spheroid-based, in vitro TBI model in which the spheroids are mechanically loaded by being spun by a centrifuge. (An experimental demonstration of this new idea will be published shortly elsewhere.) An issue that can limit its utility and scope is that imaging techniques used in 2D and 3D in vitro TBI models cannot be readily applied in it to determine spheroid strains. In order to address this issue, we developed a continuum mechanics-based theory to estimate the spheroids' strains when they are being spun at a constant angular velocity. The mechanics theory, while applicable here to a special case of the centrifuge-based TBI model, is also of general value since it can help with the further exploration and development of TBI models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wan
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Rafael D González-Cruz
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Diane Hoffman-Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Robert J. and Nancy D. Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Haneesh Kesari
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Mitevska A, Santacruz C, Martin EJ, Jones IE, Ghiacy A, Dixon S, Mostafazadeh N, Peng Z, Kiskinis E, Finan JD. Polyurethane Culture Substrates Enable Long-Term Neuron Monoculture in a Human in vitro Model of Neurotrauma. Neurotrauma Rep 2023; 4:682-692. [PMID: 37908320 PMCID: PMC10615064 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2023.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cells can reproduce human-specific pathophysiology, patient-specific vulnerability, and gene-environment interactions in neurological disease. Human in vitro models of neurotrauma therefore have great potential to advance the field. However, this potential cannot be realized until important biomaterials challenges are addressed. Status quo stretch injury models of neurotrauma culture cells on sheets of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that are incompatible with long-term monoculture of hiPSC-derived neurons. Here, we overcame this challenge in an established human in vitro neurotrauma model by replacing PDMS with a highly biocompatible form of polyurethane (PU). This substitution allowed long-term monoculture of hiPSC-derived neurons. It also changed the biomechanics of stretch injury. We quantified these changes experimentally using high-speed videography and digital image correlation. We used finite element modeling to quantify the influence of the culture substrate's thickness, stiffness, and coefficient of friction on membrane stretch and concluded that the coefficient of friction explained most of the observed biomechanical changes. Despite these changes, we demonstrated that the modified model produced a robust, dose-dependent trauma phenotype in hiPSC-derived neuron monocultures. In summary, the introduction of this PU film makes it possible to maintain hiPSC-derived neurons in monoculture for long periods in a human in vitro neurotrauma model. In doing so, it opens new horizons in the field of neurotrauma by enabling the unique experimental paradigms (e.g., isogenic models) associated with hiPSC-derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mitevska
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Citlally Santacruz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Eric J. Martin
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ian E. Jones
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Arian Ghiacy
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Simon Dixon
- Biomer Technology Ltd., Warrington, United Kingdom
| | - Nima Mostafazadeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Zhangli Peng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John D. Finan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Beltrán SM, Bobo J, Habib A, Kodavali CV, Edwards L, Mamindla P, Taylor RE, LeDuc PR, Zinn PO. Characterization of neural mechanotransduction response in human traumatic brain injury organoid model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13536. [PMID: 37598247 PMCID: PMC10439953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40431-y] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to model physiological systems through 3D neural in-vitro systems may enable new treatments for various diseases while lowering the need for challenging animal and human testing. Creating such an environment, and even more impactful, one that mimics human brain tissue under mechanical stimulation, would be extremely useful to study a range of human-specific biological processes and conditions related to brain trauma. One approach is to use human cerebral organoids (hCOs) in-vitro models. hCOs recreate key cytoarchitectural features of the human brain, distinguishing themselves from more traditional 2D cultures and organ-on-a-chip models, as well as in-vivo animal models. Here, we propose a novel approach to emulate mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) using hCOs that undergo strain rates indicative of TBI. We subjected the hCOs to mild (2 s[Formula: see text]) and moderate (14 s[Formula: see text]) loading conditions, examined the mechanotransduction response, and investigated downstream genomic effects and regulatory pathways. The revealed pathways of note were cell death and metabolic and biosynthetic pathways implicating genes such as CARD9, ENO1, and FOXP3, respectively. Additionally, we show a steeper ascent in calcium signaling as we imposed higher loading conditions on the organoids. The elucidation of neural response to mechanical stimulation in reliable human cerebral organoid models gives insights into a better understanding of TBI in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana M Beltrán
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA
| | - Justin Bobo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA
| | - Ahmed Habib
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15232, PA, USA
| | - Chowdari V Kodavali
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15232, PA, USA
| | - Lincoln Edwards
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15232, PA, USA
| | - Priyadarshini Mamindla
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15232, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca E Taylor
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA
| | - Philip R LeDuc
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA.
| | - Pascal O Zinn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15213, PA, USA.
- Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 15232, PA, USA.
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Modeling Central Nervous System Injury In Vitro: Current Status and Promising Future Strategies. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010094. [PMID: 36672601 PMCID: PMC9855387 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) injury, which occurs because of mechanical trauma or ischemia/hypoxia, is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in the modern society. Until know, despite the fact that numerous preclinical and clinical studies have been undertaken, no significant neuroprotective strategies have been discovered that could be used in the brain trauma or ischemia treatment. Although there are many potential explanations for the failure of those studies, it is clear that there are questions regarding the use of experimental models, both in vivo and in vitro, when studying CNS injury and searching new therapeutics. Due to some ethical issues with the use of live animals in biomedical research, implementation of experimental strategies that prioritize the use of cells and tissues in the in vitro environment has been encouraged. In this review, we examined some of the most commonly used in vitro models and the most frequently utilized cellular platforms in the research of traumatic brain injury and cerebral ischemia. We also proposed some future strategies that could improve the usefulness of these studies for better bench-to-bedside translational outcomes.
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Abstract
The publication of Resource articles is essential for the dissemination of novel, or substantially enhanced, tools, techniques, disease models, datasets and resources. By sharing knowledge and resources in a globally accessible manner, we can support human disease research to accelerate the translation of fundamental discoveries to effective treatments or diagnostics for diverse patient populations. To promote and encourage excellence in Resource articles, Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) is launching a new 'Outstanding Resource Paper Prize'. To celebrate this, we highlight recent outstanding DMM Resource articles that have the ultimate goal of benefitting of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty M. Hooper
- The Company of Biologists, Bidder Building, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LF, UK
| | - Julija Hmeljak
- The Company of Biologists, Bidder Building, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9LF, UK
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Spotlight on Three Rs Progress. Altern Lab Anim 2022. [PMID: 35466726 DOI: 10.1177/02611929221091328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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