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Du S, Huynh T, Lu YZ, Parker BJ, Tham SK, Thissen H, Martino MM, Cameron NR. Bioactive polymer composite scaffolds fabricated from 3D printed negative molds enable bone formation and vascularization. Acta Biomater 2024; 186:260-274. [PMID: 39089351 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Scaffolds for bone defect treatment should ideally support vascularization and promote bone formation, to facilitate the translation into biomedical device applications. This study presents a novel approach utilizing 3D-printed water-dissolvable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sacrificial molds to engineer polymerized High Internal Phase Emulsion (polyHIPE) scaffolds with microchannels and distinct multiscale porosity. Two sacrificial mold variants (250 µm and 500 µm) were generated using fused deposition modeling, filled with HIPE, and subsequently dissolved to create polyHIPE scaffolds containing microchannels. In vitro assessments demonstrated significant enhancement in cell infiltration, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, underscoring the favorable impact of microchannels on cell behavior. High loading efficiency and controlled release of the osteogenic factor BMP-2 were achieved, with microchannels facilitating release of the growth factor. Evaluation in a mouse critical-size calvarial defect model revealed enhanced vascularization and bone formation in microchanneled scaffolds containing BMP-2. This study not only introduces an accessible method for creating multiscale porosity in polyHIPE scaffolds but also emphasizes its capability to enhance cellular infiltration, controlled growth factor release, and in vivo performance. The findings suggest promising applications in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and are expected to facilitate the translation of this type of biomaterial scaffold. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study holds significance in the realm of biomaterial scaffold design for bone tissue engineering and regeneration. We demonstrate a novel method to introduce controlled multiscale porosity and microchannels into polyHIPE scaffolds, by utilizing 3D-printed water-dissolvable PVA molds. The strategy offers new possibilities for improving cellular infiltration, achieving controlled release of growth factors, and enhancing vascularization and bone formation outcomes. This microchannel approach not only marks a substantial stride in scaffold design but also demonstrates its tangible impact on enhancing osteogenic cell differentiation and fostering robust bone formation in vivo. The findings emphasize the potential of this methodology for bone regeneration applications, showcasing an interesting advancement in the quest for effective and innovative biomaterial scaffolds to regenerate bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengrong Du
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Tony Huynh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Yen-Zhen Lu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Bradyn J Parker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Stephen K Tham
- Department of Surgery, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Helmut Thissen
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Mikaël M Martino
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Neil R Cameron
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Agrawal M, Nandan B, Srivastava RK. Unique Crystallization Characteristics of Pickering High Internal Phase Emulsion Templated Porous Constructs. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:4893-4903. [PMID: 38373200 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
To study the crystallization behavior of polymeric chains under the influence of porosity, the thermal properties of various nonporous and porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based constructs were investigated. Porous cross-linked PCL nanocomposite constructs were fabricated utilizing in situ polymerization of CL-based surfactant-free Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), stabilized using modified fumed silica nanoparticles (mSiNP) at a minimal concentration of 0.6 wt %. The corresponding nanocomposite constructs exhibited polyhedral pore morphology with significant pore roughness due to the presence of mSiNP. DSC thermograms of nonporous constructs illustrated diminished crystallization temperature and kinetics upon cross-linking and inclusion of mSiNP which confirmed suppressed mobility of polymer chains. Further introduction of porosity led to substantial supercooling, resulting in crystallization temperatures as low as -24 °C. Changes in the crystal structure of various nonporous and porous constructs were also studied using XRD. The crystallization behavior of porous constructs was finally evaluated using Jeziorny, Ozawa, and Mo theories under nonisothermal conditions. Significant deviation from the theoretical model, as observed in the case of porous constructs, implied a complex crystallization mechanism that eventually was not only controlled by the chain immobility due to cross-linking but also heterogeneity present in the wall thickness of the constructs. The unique melting-crystallization phenomenon observed in such constructs may further be expanded to other systems of high heat capacity for utilization as energy storage materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenal Agrawal
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India
| | - Bhanu Nandan
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India
| | - Rajiv K Srivastava
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016, India
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Hahn F, Ferrandez-Montero A, Queri M, Vancaeyzeele C, Plesse C, Agniel R, Leroy-Dudal J. Electroactive 4D Porous Scaffold Based on Conducting Polymer as a Responsive and Dynamic In Vitro Cell Culture Platform. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:5613-5626. [PMID: 38278772 PMCID: PMC10859895 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
In vivo, cells reside in a 3D porous and dynamic microenvironment. It provides biochemical and biophysical cues that regulate cell behavior in physiological and pathological processes. In the context of fundamental cell biology research, tissue engineering, and cell-based drug screening systems, a challenge is to develop relevant in vitro models that could integrate the dynamic properties of the cell microenvironment. Taking advantage of the promising high internal phase emulsion templating, we here designed a polyHIPE scaffold with a wide interconnected porosity and functionalized its internal 3D surface with a thin layer of electroactive conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) to turn it into a 4D electroresponsive scaffold. The resulting scaffold was cytocompatible with fibroblasts, supported cellular infiltration, and hosted cells, which display a 3D spreading morphology. It demonstrated robust actuation in ion- and protein-rich complex culture media, and its electroresponsiveness was not altered by fibroblast colonization. Thanks to customized electrochemical stimulation setups, the electromechanical response of the polyHIPE/PEDOT scaffolds was characterized in situ under a confocal microscope and showed 10% reversible volume variations. Finally, the setups were used to monitor in real time and in situ fibroblasts cultured into the polyHIPE/PEDOT scaffold during several cycles of electromechanical stimuli. Thus, we demonstrated the proof of concept of this tunable scaffold as a tool for future 4D cell culture and mechanobiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hahn
- Equipe
de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules (ERRMECe),
Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville
sur Oise, France
- Laboratoire
de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Ana Ferrandez-Montero
- Equipe
de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules (ERRMECe),
Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville
sur Oise, France
- Laboratoire
de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
- Instituto
de Ceramica y Vidrio (ICV), CSIC, Campus Cantoblanco, Kelsen 5., 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mélodie Queri
- Equipe
de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules (ERRMECe),
Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville
sur Oise, France
- Laboratoire
de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Cédric Vancaeyzeele
- Laboratoire
de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Cédric Plesse
- Laboratoire
de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville sur Oise, France
| | - Rémy Agniel
- Equipe
de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules (ERRMECe),
Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville
sur Oise, France
| | - Johanne Leroy-Dudal
- Equipe
de Recherche sur les Relations Matrice Extracellulaire-Cellules (ERRMECe),
Groupe Matrice Extracellulaire et Physiopathologie (MECuP), I-Mat, CY Cergy Paris Université, 95000 Neuville
sur Oise, France
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Jackson CE, Doyle I, Khan H, Williams SF, Aldemir Dikici B, Barajas Ledesma E, Bryant HE, English WR, Green NH, Claeyssens F. Gelatin-containing porous polycaprolactone PolyHIPEs as substrates for 3D breast cancer cell culture and vascular infiltration. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 11:1321197. [PMID: 38260750 PMCID: PMC10800367 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1321197] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumour survival and growth are reliant on angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, to facilitate nutrient and waste exchange and, importantly, provide a route for metastasis from a primary to a secondary site. Whilst current models can ensure the transport and exchange of nutrients and waste via diffusion over distances greater than 200 μm, many lack sufficient vasculature capable of recapitulating the tumour microenvironment and, thus, metastasis. In this study, we utilise gelatin-containing polymerised high internal phase emulsion (polyHIPE) templated polycaprolactone-methacrylate (PCL-M) scaffolds to fabricate a composite material to support the 3D culture of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and vascular ingrowth. Firstly, we investigated the effect of gelatin within the scaffolds on the mechanical and chemical properties using compression testing and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. Initial in vitro assessment of cell metabolic activity and vascular endothelial growth factor expression demonstrated that gelatin-containing PCL-M polyHIPEs are capable of supporting 3D breast cancer cell growth. We then utilised the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay to assess the angiogenic potential of cell-seeded gelatin-containing PCL-M polyHIPEs, and vascular ingrowth within cell-seeded, surfactant and gelatin-containing scaffolds was investigated via histological staining. Overall, our study proposes a promising composite material to fabricate a substrate to support the 3D culture of cancer cells and vascular ingrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E. Jackson
- The Kroto Research Institute, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Iona Doyle
- The Kroto Research Institute, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Hamood Khan
- The Kroto Research Institute, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel F. Williams
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Helen E. Bryant
- School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - William R. English
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola H. Green
- The Kroto Research Institute, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Frederik Claeyssens
- The Kroto Research Institute, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, The Pam Liversidge Building, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Furmidge R, Jackson CE, Velázquez de la Paz MF, Workman VL, Green NH, Reilly GC, Hearnden V, Claeyssens F. Surfactant-free gelatin-stabilised biodegradable polymerised high internal phase emulsions with macroporous structures. Front Chem 2023; 11:1236944. [PMID: 37681209 PMCID: PMC10481965 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1236944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
High internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating is a well-established method for the generation of polymeric materials with high porosity (>74%) and degree of interconnectivity. The porosity and pore size can be altered by adjusting parameters during emulsification, which affects the properties of the resulting porous structure. However, there remain challenges for the fabrication of polyHIPEs, including typically small pore sizes (∼20-50 μm) and the use of surfactants, which can limit their use in biological applications. Here, we present the use of gelatin, a natural polymer, during the formation of polyHIPE structures, through the use of two biodegradable polymers, polycaprolactone-methacrylate (PCL-M) and polyglycerol sebacate-methacrylate (PGS-M). When gelatin is used as the internal phase, it is capable of stabilising emulsions without the need for an additional surfactant. Furthermore, by changing the concentration of gelatin within the internal phase, the pore size of the resulting polyHIPE can be tuned. 5% gelatin solution resulted in the largest mean pore size, increasing from 53 μm to 80 μm and 28 μm to 94 µm for PCL-M and PGS-M respectively. In addition, the inclusion of gelatin further increased the mechanical properties of the polyHIPEs and increased the period an emulsion could be stored before polymerisation. Our results demonstrate the potential to use gelatin for the fabrication of surfactant-free polyHIPEs with macroporous structures, with potential applications in tissue engineering, environmental and agricultural industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Furmidge
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Caitlin E. Jackson
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - María Fernanda Velázquez de la Paz
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria L. Workman
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola H. Green
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Gwendolen C. Reilly
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Hearnden
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Frederik Claeyssens
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Insigneo Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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