1
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Ashworth JC, Cox TR. The importance of 3D fibre architecture in cancer and implications for biomaterial model design. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:461-479. [PMID: 38886573 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-024-00704-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The need for improved prediction of clinical response is driving the development of cancer models with enhanced physiological relevance. A new concept of 'precision biomaterials' is emerging, encompassing patient-mimetic biomaterial models that seek to accurately detect, treat and model cancer by faithfully recapitulating key microenvironmental characteristics. Despite recent advances allowing tissue-mimetic stiffness and molecular composition to be replicated in vitro, approaches for reproducing the 3D fibre architectures found in tumour extracellular matrix (ECM) remain relatively unexplored. Although the precise influences of patient-specific fibre architecture are unclear, we summarize the known roles of tumour fibre architecture, underlining their implications in cell-matrix interactions and ultimately clinical outcome. We then explore the challenges in reproducing tissue-specific 3D fibre architecture(s) in vitro, highlighting relevant biomaterial fabrication techniques and their benefits and limitations. Finally, we discuss imaging and image analysis techniques (focussing on collagen I-optimized approaches) that could hold the key to mapping tumour-specific ECM into high-fidelity biomaterial models. We anticipate that an interdisciplinary approach, combining materials science, cancer research and image analysis, will elucidate the role of 3D fibre architecture in tumour development, leading to the next generation of patient-mimetic models for mechanistic studies and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Ashworth
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK.
- Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - T R Cox
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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2
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Choi C, Yun E, Song M, Kim J, Son JS, Cha C. Multiscale Control of Nanofiber-Composite Hydrogel for Complex 3D Cell Culture by Extracellular Matrix Composition and Nanofiber Alignment. Biomater Res 2024; 28:0032. [PMID: 38812742 PMCID: PMC11136538 DOI: 10.34133/bmr.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
In order to manipulate the complex behavior of cells in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment, it is important to provide the microenvironment that can accurately portray the complexity of highly anisotropic tissue structures. However, it is technically challenging to generate a complex microenvironment using conventional biomaterials that are mostly isotropic with limited bioactivity. In this study, the gelatin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel incorporated with aqueous-dispersible, short nanofibers capable of in situ alignment is developed to emulate the native heterogeneous extracellular matrix consisting of fibrous and non-fibrous components. The gelatin nanofibers containing magnetic nanoparticles, which could be aligned by external magnetic field, are dispersed and embedded in gelatin-hyaluronic acid hydrogel encapsulated with dermal fibroblasts. The aligned nanofibers via magnetic field could be safely integrated into the hydrogel, and the process could be repeated to generate larger 3D hydrogels with variable nanofiber alignments. The aligned nanofibers in the hydrogel can more effectively guide the anisotropic morphology (e.g., elongation) of dermal fibroblasts than random nanofibers, whereas myofibroblastic differentiation is more prominent in random nanofibers. At a given nanofiber configuration, the hydrogel composition having intermediate hyaluronic acid content induces myofibroblastic differentiation. These results indicate that modulating the degree of nanofiber alignment and the hyaluronic acid content of the hydrogel are crucial factors that critically influence the fibroblast phenotypes. The nanofiber-composite hydrogel capable of directional nanofiber alignment and tunable material composition can effectively induce a wide array of phenotypic plasticity in 3D cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cholong Choi
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunhye Yun
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Minju Song
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyun Kim
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Sung Son
- Department of Chemical Engineering,
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaenyung Cha
- Center for Multidimensional Programmable Matter, Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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3
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Kamaraj M, Moghimi N, Chen J, Morales R, Chen S, Khademhosseini A, John JV. New dimensions of electrospun nanofiber material designs for biotechnological uses. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:631-647. [PMID: 38158307 PMCID: PMC11065627 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.11.008] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Electrospinning technology has garnered wide attention over the past few decades in various biomedical applications including drug delivery, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. This technology can create nanofibers with tunable fiber diameters and functionalities. However, the 2D membrane nature of the nanofibers, as well as the rigidity and low porosity of electrospun fibers, lower their efficacy in tissue repair and regeneration. Recently, new avenues have been explored to resolve the challenges associated with 2D electrospun nanofiber membranes. This review discusses recent trends in creating different electrospun nanofiber microstructures from 2D nanofiber membranes by using various post-processing methods, as well as their biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Kamaraj
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Nafiseh Moghimi
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Junjie Chen
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Ramon Morales
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Shixuan Chen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Tissue Repair Materials, Wenzhou Institute, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
| | - Johnson V John
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
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4
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Cedillo-Servin G, Dahri O, Meneses J, van Duijn J, Moon H, Sage F, Silva J, Pereira A, Magalhães FD, Malda J, Geijsen N, Pinto AM, Castilho M. 3D Printed Magneto-Active Microfiber Scaffolds for Remote Stimulation and Guided Organization of 3D In Vitro Skeletal Muscle Models. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307178. [PMID: 37950402 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
This work reports the rational design and fabrication of magneto-active microfiber meshes with controlled hexagonal microstructures via melt electrowriting (MEW) of a magnetized polycaprolactone-based composite. In situ iron oxide nanoparticle deposition on oxidized graphene yields homogeneously dispersed magnetic particles with sizes above 0.5 µm and low aspect ratio, preventing cellular internalization and toxicity. With these fillers, homogeneous magnetic composites with high magnetic content (up to 20 weight %) are obtained and processed in a solvent-free manner for the first time. MEW of magnetic composites enabled the creation of skeletal muscle-inspired design of hexagonal scaffolds with tunable fiber diameter, reconfigurable modularity, and zonal distribution of magneto-active and nonactive material, with elastic tensile deformability. External magnetic fields below 300 mT are sufficient to trigger out-of-plane reversible deformation. In vitro culture of C2C12 myoblasts on three-dimensional (3D) Matrigel/collagen/MEW scaffolds showed that microfibers guided the formation of 3D myotube architectures, and the presence of magnetic particles does not significantly affect viability or differentiation rates after 8 days. Centimeter-sized skeletal muscle constructs allowed for reversible, continued, and dynamic magneto-mechanical stimulation. Overall, these innovative microfiber scaffolds provide magnetically deformable platforms suitable for dynamic culture of skeletal muscle, offering potential for in vitro disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Cedillo-Servin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Ouafa Dahri
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZC, The Netherlands
- Leiden Node, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - João Meneses
- Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Joost van Duijn
- Department of Orthopaedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Harrison Moon
- Department of Orthopaedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Fanny Sage
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZC, The Netherlands
- Leiden Node, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Joana Silva
- Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - André Pereira
- Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Fernão D Magalhães
- Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Jos Malda
- Department of Orthopaedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Niels Geijsen
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, 2333 ZC, The Netherlands
- Leiden Node, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Leiden, 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Artur M Pinto
- Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castilho
- Department of Orthopaedics, Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
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5
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Jewett ME, Hiraki HL, Wojasiński M, Zhang Z, Xi SS, Bluem AS, Prabhu ES, Wang WY, Pena-Francesch A, Baker BM. Rapid magnetically directed assembly of pre-patterned capillary-scale microvessels. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2023; 33:2203715. [PMID: 38464762 PMCID: PMC10923532 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202203715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Capillary scale vascularization is critical to the survival of engineered 3D tissues and remains an outstanding challenge for the field of tissue engineering. Current methods to generate micro-scale vasculature such as 3D printing, two photon hydrogel ablation, angiogenesis, and vasculogenic assembly face challenges in rapidly creating organized, highly vascularized tissues at capillary length-scales. Within metabolically demanding tissues, native capillary beds are highly organized and densely packed to achieve adequate delivery of nutrients and oxygen and efficient waste removal. Here, we adopt two existing techniques to fabricate lattices composed of sacrificial microfibers that can be efficiently and uniformly seeded with endothelial cells (ECs) by magnetizing both lattices and ECs. Ferromagnetic microparticles (FMPs) were incorporated into microfibers produced by solution electrowriting (SEW) and fiber electropulling (FEP). By loading ECs with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), the cells could be seeded onto magnetized microfiber lattices. Following encapsulation in a hydrogel, the capillary templating lattice was selectively degraded by a bacterial lipase that does not impact mammalian cell viability or function. This work introduces a novel approach to rapidly producing organized capillary networks within metabolically demanding engineered tissue constructs which should have broad utility for the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie E. Jewett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
| | - Harrison L. Hiraki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
| | - Michał Wojasiński
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Warsaw University of Technology, Warynskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, POLAND
| | - Zenghao Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Susan S. Xi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
| | - Amanda S. Bluem
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
| | - Eashan S. Prabhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
| | - William Y. Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
| | - Abdon Pena-Francesch
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brendon M. Baker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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6
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Islam MS, Molley TG, Hung TT, Sathish CI, Putra VDL, Jalandhra GK, Ireland J, Li Y, Yi J, Kruzic JJ, Kilian KA. Magnetic Nanofibrous Hydrogels for Dynamic Control of Stem Cell Differentiation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37643902 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix in tissue consists of complex heterogeneous soft materials with hierarchical structure and dynamic mechanical properties dictating cell and tissue level function. In many natural matrices, there are nanofibrous structures that serve to guide cell activity and dictate the form and function of tissue. Synthetic hydrogels with integrated nanofibers can mimic the structural properties of native tissue; however, model systems with dynamic mechanical properties remain elusive. Here we demonstrate modular nanofibrous hydrogels that can be reversibly stiffened in response to applied magnetic fields. Iron oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into gelatin nanofibers through electrospinning, followed by chemical stabilization and fragmentation. These magnetoactive nanofibers can be mixed with virtually any hydrogel material and reversibly stiffen the matrix at a low fiber content (≤3%). In contrast to previous work, where a large quantity of magnetic material disallowed cell encapsulation, the low nanofiber content allows matrix stiffening with cells in 3D. Using adipose derived stem cells, we show how nanofibrous matrices are beneficial for both osteogenesis and adipogenesis, where stiffening the hydrogel with applied magnetic fields enhances osteogenesis while discouraging adipogenesis. Skeletal myoblast progenitors were used as a model of tissue morphogenesis with matrix stiffening augmenting myogenesis and multinucleated myotube formation. The ability to reversibly stiffen fibrous hydrogels through magnetic stimulation provides a useful tool for studying nanotopography and dynamic mechanics in cell culture, with a scope for stimuli responsive materials for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shariful Islam
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Thomas G Molley
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Tzong-Tyng Hung
- Biological Resources Imaging Laboratory, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - C I Sathish
- School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Vina D L Putra
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Gagan K Jalandhra
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Jake Ireland
- School of Chemistry, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Yancheng Li
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Jiabao Yi
- School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Jamie J Kruzic
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Chemistry, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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7
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Madl CM. Accelerating aging with dynamic biomaterials: Recapitulating aged tissue phenotypes in engineered platforms. iScience 2023; 26:106825. [PMID: 37250776 PMCID: PMC10213044 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by progressive decline in tissue function and represents the greatest risk factor for many diseases. Nevertheless, many fundamental mechanisms driving human aging remain poorly understood. Aging studies using model organisms are often limited in their applicability to humans. Mechanistic studies of human aging rely on relatively simple cell culture models that fail to replicate mature tissue function, making them poor surrogates for aged tissues. These culture systems generally lack well-controlled cellular microenvironments that capture the changes in tissue mechanics and microstructure that occur during aging. Biomaterial platforms presenting dynamic, physiologically relevant mechanical, structural, and biochemical cues can capture the complex changes in the cellular microenvironment in a well-defined manner, accelerating the process of cellular aging in model laboratory systems. By enabling selective tuning of relevant microenvironmental parameters, these biomaterials systems may enable identification of new therapeutic approaches to slow or reverse the detrimental effects of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Madl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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8
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Shou Y, Teo XY, Wu KZ, Bai B, Kumar ARK, Low J, Le Z, Tay A. Dynamic Stimulations with Bioengineered Extracellular Matrix-Mimicking Hydrogels for Mechano Cell Reprogramming and Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2300670. [PMID: 37119518 PMCID: PMC10375194 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cells interact with their surrounding environment through a combination of static and dynamic mechanical signals that vary over stimulus types, intensity, space, and time. Compared to static mechanical signals such as stiffness, porosity, and topography, the current understanding on the effects of dynamic mechanical stimulations on cells remains limited, attributing to a lack of access to devices, the complexity of experimental set-up, and data interpretation. Yet, in the pursuit of emerging translational applications (e.g., cell manufacturing for clinical treatment), it is crucial to understand how cells respond to a variety of dynamic forces that are omnipresent in vivo so that they can be exploited to enhance manufacturing and therapeutic outcomes. With a rising appreciation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a key regulator of biofunctions, researchers have bioengineered a suite of ECM-mimicking hydrogels, which can be fine-tuned with spatiotemporal mechanical cues to model complex static and dynamic mechanical profiles. This review first discusses how mechanical stimuli may impact different cellular components and the various mechanobiology pathways involved. Then, how hydrogels can be designed to incorporate static and dynamic mechanical parameters to influence cell behaviors are described. The Scopus database is also used to analyze the relative strength in evidence, ranging from strong to weak, based on number of published literatures, associated citations, and treatment significance. Additionally, the impacts of static and dynamic mechanical stimulations on clinically relevant cell types including mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells, are evaluated. The aim is to draw attention to the paucity of studies on the effects of dynamic mechanical stimuli on cells, as well as to highlight the potential of using a cocktail of various types and intensities of mechanical stimulations to influence cell fates (similar to the concept of biochemical cocktail to direct cell fate). It is envisioned that this progress report will inspire more exciting translational development of mechanoresponsive hydrogels for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Shou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xin Yong Teo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Kenny Zhuoran Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Bingyu Bai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Arun R K Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Jessalyn Low
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Zhicheng Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Andy Tay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- NUS Tissue Engineering Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117510, Singapore
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9
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Loesel KE, Hiraki HL, Baker BM, Parent CA. An adaptive and versatile method to quantitate and characterize collective cell migration behaviors on complex surfaces. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1106653. [PMID: 36776562 PMCID: PMC9909417 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1106653] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Collective cell migration is critical for proper embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer cell invasion. However, much of our knowledge of cell migration has been performed using flat surfaces that lack topographical features and do not recapitulate the complex fibrous architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The recent availability of synthetic fibrous networks designed to mimic in vivo ECM has been key to identify the topological features that dictate cell migration patterns as well as to determine the underlying mechanisms that regulate topography-sensing. Recent studies have underscored the prevalence of collective cell migration during cancer invasion, and these observations present a compelling need to understand the mechanisms controlling contact guidance within migratory, multicellular groups. Therefore, we designed an integrated migration analysis platform combining tunable electrospun fibers that recapitulate aspects of the biophysical properties of the ECM, and computational approaches to investigate collective cell migration. To quantitatively assess migration as a function of matrix topography, we developed an automated MATLAB code that quantifies cell migration dynamics, including speed, directionality, and the number of detached cells. This platform enables live cell imaging while providing enough cells for biochemical, proteomic, and genomic analyses, making our system highly adaptable to multiple experimental investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E. Loesel
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Harrison L. Hiraki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Brendon M. Baker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Carole A. Parent
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States,Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States,*Correspondence: Carole A. Parent,
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10
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Collagen Alignment via Electro-Compaction for Biofabrication Applications: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14204270. [PMID: 36297848 PMCID: PMC9609630 DOI: 10.3390/polym14204270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As the most prevalent structural protein in the extracellular matrix, collagen has been extensively investigated for biofabrication-based applications. However, its utilisation has been impeded due to a lack of sufficient mechanical toughness and the inability of the scaffold to mimic complex natural tissues. The anisotropic alignment of collagen fibres has been proven to be an effective method to enhance its overall mechanical properties and produce biomimetic scaffolds. This review introduces the complicated scenario of collagen structure, fibril arrangement, type, function, and in addition, distribution within the body for the enhancement of collagen-based scaffolds. We describe and compare existing approaches for the alignment of collagen with a sharper focus on electro-compaction. Additionally, various effective processes to further enhance electro-compacted collagen, such as crosslinking, the addition of filler materials, and post-alignment fabrication techniques, are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future directions for the electro-compaction of collagen are presented, providing guidance for the further development of collagenous scaffolds for bioengineering and nanotechnology.
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11
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Wu SY, Kim W, Kremen TJ. In Vitro Cellular Strain Models of Tendon Biology and Tenogenic Differentiation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:826748. [PMID: 35242750 PMCID: PMC8886160 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.826748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has shown that the surrounding biomechanical environment plays a significant role in the development, differentiation, repair, and degradation of tendon, but the interactions between tendon cells and the forces they experience are complex. In vitro mechanical stimulation models attempt to understand the effects of mechanical load on tendon and connective tissue progenitor cells. This article reviews multiple mechanical stimulation models used to study tendon mechanobiology and provides an overview of the current progress in modelling the complex native biomechanical environment of tendon. Though great strides have been made in advancing the understanding of the role of mechanical stimulation in tendon development, damage, and repair, there exists no ideal in vitro model. Further comparative studies and careful consideration of loading parameters, cell populations, and biochemical additives may further offer new insight into an ideal model for the support of tendon regeneration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Y. Wu
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Won Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Thomas J. Kremen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Thomas J. Kremen Jr,
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Engineering tumor stromal mechanics for improved T cell therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Al-Saggaf UM, Usman M, Naseem I, Moinuddin M, Jiman AA, Alsaggaf MU, Alshoubaki HK, Khan S. ECM-LSE: Prediction of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Using Deep Latent Space Encoding of k-Spaced Amino Acid Pairs. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:752658. [PMID: 34722479 PMCID: PMC8552119 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.752658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracelluar matrix (ECM) proteins create complex networks of macromolecules which fill-in the extracellular spaces of living tissues. They provide structural support and play an important role in maintaining cellular functions. Identification of ECM proteins can play a vital role in studying various types of diseases. Conventional wet lab-based methods are reliable; however, they are expensive and time consuming and are, therefore, not scalable. In this research, we propose a sequence-based novel machine learning approach for the prediction of ECM proteins. In the proposed method, composition of k-spaced amino acid pair (CKSAAP) features are encoded into a classifiable latent space (LS) with the help of deep latent space encoding (LSE). A comprehensive ablation analysis is conducted for performance evaluation of the proposed method. Results are compared with other state-of-the-art methods on the benchmark dataset, and the proposed ECM-LSE approach has shown to comprehensively outperform the contemporary methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubaid M. Al-Saggaf
- Center of Excellence in Intelligent Engineering Systems, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Usman
- Department of Computer Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Imran Naseem
- Research and Development, Love For Data, Karachi, Pakistan
- School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- College of Engineering, Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology, Korangi Creek, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Moinuddin
- Center of Excellence in Intelligent Engineering Systems, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad A. Jiman
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed U. Alsaggaf
- Center of Excellence in Intelligent Engineering Systems, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hitham K. Alshoubaki
- Center of Excellence in Intelligent Engineering Systems, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shujaat Khan
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Daejeon, South Korea
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