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Quílez C, Jeon EY, Pappalardo A, Pathak P, Abaci HE. Efficient Generation of Skin Organoids from Pluripotent Cells via Defined Extracellular Matrix Cues and Morphogen Gradients in a Spindle-Shaped Microfluidic Device. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2400405. [PMID: 38452278 PMCID: PMC11305970 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400405] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cell-derived skin organoids (PSOs) emerge as a developmental skin model that is self-organized into multiple components, such as hair follicles. Despite their impressive complexity, PSOs are currently generated in the absence of 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) signals and have several major limitations, including an inverted anatomy (e.g., epidermis inside/dermis outside). In this work, a method is established to generate PSOs effectively in a chemically-defined 3D ECM environment. After examining various dermal ECM molecules, it is found that PSOs generated in collagen -type I (COLI) supplemented with laminin 511 (LAM511) exhibit increased growth compared to conventional free-floating conditions, but fail to induce complete skin differentiation due in part to necrosis. This problem is addressed by generating the PSOs in a 3D bioprinted spindle-shaped hydrogel device, which constrains organoid growth longitudinally. This culture system significantly reduces organoid necrosis and leads to a twofold increase in keratinocyte differentiation and an eightfold increase in hair follicle formation. Finally, the system is adapted as a microfluidic device to create asymmetrical gradients of differentiation factors and improves the spatial organization of dermal and epidermal cells. This study highlights the pivotal role of ECM and morphogen gradients in promoting and spatially-controlling skin differentiation in the PSO framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Quílez
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, 28911 Spain
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Eun Y. Jeon
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alberto Pappalardo
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pooja Pathak
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hasan E. Abaci
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Zhao F, Zhang M, Nizamoglu M, Kaper HJ, Brouwer LA, Borghuis T, Burgess JK, Harmsen MC, Sharma PK. Fibroblast alignment and matrix remodeling induced by a stiffness gradient in a skin-derived extracellular matrix hydrogel. Acta Biomater 2024; 182:67-80. [PMID: 38750915 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.05.018] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Large skin injuries heal as scars. Stiffness gradually increases from normal skin to scar tissue (20x higher), due to excessive deposition and crosslinking of extracellular matrix (ECM) mostly produced by (myo)fibroblasts. Using a custom mold, skin-derived ECM hydrogels (dECM) were UV crosslinked after diffusion of ruthenium (Ru) to produce a Ru-dECM gradient hydrogel. The Ru diffusion gradient equates to a stiffness gradient and models physiology of the scarred skin. Crosslinking in Ru-dECM hydrogels results in a 23-fold increase in stiffness from a stiffness similar to that of normal skin. Collagen fiber density increases in a stiffness-dependent fashion while stress relaxation also alters, with one additional Maxwell element necessary for characterizing Ru-dECM. Alignment of fibroblasts encapsulated in hydrogels suggests that the stiffness gradient directs fibroblasts to orientate at ∼45 ° in regions below 120 kPa. In areas above 120 kPa, fibroblasts decrease the stiffness prior to adjusting their orientation. Furthermore, fibroblasts remodel their surrounding ECM in a gradient-dependent fashion, with rearrangement of cell-surrounding ECM in high-stiffness areas, and formation of interlaced collagen bundles in low-stiffness areas. Overall, this study shows that fibroblasts remodel their local environment to generate an optimal ECM mechanical and topographical environment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study developed a versatile in vitro model with a gradient stiffness using skin-derived ECM hydrogel with unchanged biochemical environment. Using Ruthenium crosslinking, a 20-fold stiffness increase was achieved as observed in fibrotic skin. The interaction between fibroblasts and matrix depends on changes in the matrix stiffness. The stiffness gradient directed the alignment of fibroblasts with ∼45° in regions with≤ 120 kPa. The cells in regions with the higher stiffness decreased stiffness first and then oriented themselves. Furthermore, fibroblasts remodeled surrounding ECM and regulated its mechanics in a gradient-dependent fashion to reach an optimal condition. Our study highlights the dynamic interplay between cells and surrounding matrix, shedding light on potential mechanisms and strategies to target scar formation and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghua Zhao
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology-FB40, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Meng Zhang
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mehmet Nizamoglu
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans J Kaper
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology-FB40, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Linda A Brouwer
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Theo Borghuis
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Janette K Burgess
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martin C Harmsen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Hanzeplein 1 (EA11), 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Prashant K Sharma
- University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology-FB40, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Hidaka M, Kojima M, Sakai S, Delattre C. Characterization of Chitosan Hydrogels Obtained through Phenol and Tripolyphosphate Anionic Crosslinking. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1274. [PMID: 38732743 PMCID: PMC11085344 DOI: 10.3390/polym16091274] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chitosan is a deacetylated polymer of chitin that is extracted mainly from the exoskeleton of crustaceans and is the second-most abundant polymer in nature. Chitosan hydrogels are preferred for a variety of applications in bio-related fields due to their functional properties, such as antimicrobial activity and wound healing effects; however, the existing hydrogelation methods require toxic reagents and exhibit slow gelation times, which limit their application in biological fields. Therefore, a mild and rapid gelation method is necessary. We previously demonstrated that the visible light-induced gelation of chitosan obtained through phenol crosslinking (ChPh) is a rapid gelation method. To further advance this method (<10 s), we propose a dual-crosslinked chitosan hydrogel obtained by crosslinking phenol groups and crosslinking sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and the amino groups of chitosan. The chitosan hydrogel was prepared by immersing the ChPh hydrogel in a TPP solution after phenol crosslinking via exposure to visible light. The physicochemical properties of the dual-crosslinked hydrogels, including Young's moduli and water retentions, were subsequently investigated. Young's moduli of the dual-crosslinked hydrogels were 20 times higher than those of the hydrogels without TPP ion crosslinking. The stiffness could be manipulated by varying the immersion time, and the water retention properties of the ChPh hydrogel were improved by TPP crosslinking. Ion crosslinking could be reversed using an iron chloride solution. This method facilitates chitosan hydrogel use for various applications, particularly tissue engineering and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuyuki Hidaka
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; (M.H.); (M.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Masaru Kojima
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; (M.H.); (M.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Shinji Sakai
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; (M.H.); (M.K.); (S.S.)
| | - Cédric Delattre
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Institut Pascal, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Institute Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
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Nelson KM, Ferrick BJ, Karimi H, Hatem CL, Gleghorn JP. A straightforward cell culture insert model to incorporate biochemical and biophysical stromal properties into transplacental transport studies. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.19.590317. [PMID: 38712271 PMCID: PMC11071360 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.19.590317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The placental extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamically remodels over pregnancy and in disease. How these changes impact placental barrier function is poorly understood as there are limited in vitro models of the placenta with a modifiable stromal compartment to mechanistically investigate these extracellular factors. We developed a straightforward method to incorporate uniform hydrogels into standard cell culture inserts for transplacental transport studies. Methods Uniform polyacrylamide (PAA) gels were polymerized within cell culture inserts by (re)using the insert packaging to create a closed, controllable environmental chamber. PAA pre-polymer solution was added dropwise via a syringe to the cell culture insert and the atmosphere was purged with an inert gas. Transport and cell culture studies were conducted to validate the model. Results We successfully incorporated and ECM functionalized uniform PAA gels to cell culture inserts enable cell adhesion and monolayer formation. Imaging and analyte transport studies validated gel formation and expected mass transport results and successful cell studies confirmed cell viability, monolayer formation, and that the model could be used transplacental transport studies. Detailed methods and validation protocols are included. Discussion It is well appreciated that ECM biophysical and biochemical properties impact cell phenotype and cell signaling in many tissues including the placenta. The incorporation of a PAA gel within a cell culture insert enables independent study of placental ECM biophysical and biochemical properties in the context of transplacental transport. These straightforward and low-cost methods to build three dimensional cellular models are readily adoptable by the wider scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713
| | - Bryan J Ferrick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713
| | - Hassan Karimi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713
| | - Christine L Hatem
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713
| | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713
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O'Bryan CS, Ni Y, Taylor CR, Angelini TE, Schulze KD. Collagen Networks under Indentation and Compression Behave Like Cellular Solids. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:4228-4235. [PMID: 38357880 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Simple synthetic and natural hydrogels can be formulated to have elastic moduli that match biological tissues, leading to their widespread application as model systems for tissue engineering, medical device development, and drug delivery vehicles. However, two different hydrogels having the same elastic modulus but differing in microstructure or nanostructure can exhibit drastically different mechanical responses, including their poroelasticity, lubricity, and load bearing capabilities. Here, we investigate the mechanical response of collagen-1 networks to local and bulk compressive loads. We compare these results to the behavior of polyacrylamide, a fundamentally different class of hydrogel network consisting of flexible polymer chains. We find that the high bending rigidity of collagen fibers, which suppresses entropic bending fluctuations and osmotic pressure, facilitates the bulk compression of collagen networks under infinitesimal applied stress. These results are fundamentally different from the behavior of flexible polymer networks in which the entropic thermal fluctuations of the polymer chains result in an osmotic pressure that must first be overcome before bulk compression can occur. Furthermore, we observe minimal transverse strain during the axial loading of collagen networks, a behavior reminiscent of open-celled cellular solids. Inspired by these results, we applied mechanical models of cellular solids to predict the elastic moduli of the collagen networks and found agreement with the moduli values measured through contact indentation. Collectively, these results suggest that unlike flexible polymer networks that are often considered incompressible, collagen hydrogels behave like rigid porous solids that volumetrically compress and expel water rather than spreading laterally under applied normal loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S O'Bryan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Yongliang Ni
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Curtis R Taylor
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Thomas E Angelini
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32603, United States
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Kyle D Schulze
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
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Zhang H, Rahman T, Lu S, Adam AP, Wan LQ. Helical vasculogenesis driven by cell chirality. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj3582. [PMID: 38381835 PMCID: PMC10881055 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The cellular helical structure is well known for its crucial role in development and disease. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism governing this phenomenon remains largely unexplored, particularly in recapitulating it in well-controlled engineering systems. Leveraging advanced microfluidics, we present compelling evidence of the spontaneous emergence of helical endothelial tubes exhibiting robust right-handedness governed by inherent cell chirality. To strengthen our findings, we identify a consistent bias toward the same chirality in mouse vascular tissues. Manipulating endothelial cell chirality using small-molecule drugs produces a dose-dependent reversal of the handedness in engineered vessels, accompanied by non-monotonic changes in vascular permeability. Moreover, our three-dimensional cell vertex model provides biomechanical insights into the chiral morphogenesis process, highlighting the role of cellular torque and tissue fluidity in its regulation. Our study unravels an intriguing mechanism underlying vascular chiral morphogenesis, shedding light on the broader implications and distinctive perspectives of tubulogenesis within biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haokang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Tasnif Rahman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Shuhan Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Alejandro Pablo Adam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Leo Q. Wan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
- Center for Modeling, Simulation and Imaging in Medicine, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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Kim Y, Kang D, Choi GE, Kim SD, Yang SJ, Kim H, You D, Kim CS, Suh N. Therapeutic potential of BMSC-conditioned medium in an in vitro model of renal fibrosis using the RPTEC/TERT1 cell line. BMB Rep 2024; 57:116-121. [PMID: 38303564 PMCID: PMC10910087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
We investigated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) on immortalized renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC/ TERT1) in a fibrotic environment. To replicate the increased stiffness characteristic of kidneys in chronic kidney disease, we utilized polyacrylamide gel platforms. A stiff matrix was shown to increase α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, indicating fibrogenic activation in RPTEC/TERT1 cells. Interestingly, treatment with BMSC-CM resulted in significant reductions in the levels of fibrotic markers (α-SMA and vimentin) and increases in the levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and aquaporin 7, particularly under stiff conditions. Furthermore, BMSC-CM modified microRNA (miRNA) expression and reduced oxidative stress levels in these cells. Our findings suggest that BMSC-CM can modulate cellular morphology, miRNA expression, and oxidative stress in RPTEC/TERT1 cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential in fibrotic kidney disease. [BMB Reports 2024; 57(2): 116-121].
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunji Kim
- Department of Medical Sciences, General Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
| | - Dayeon Kang
- Department of Medical Sciences, General Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
| | - Ga-eun Choi
- Department of Medical Sciences, General Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
| | - Sang Dae Kim
- Department of Medical Sciences, General Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
| | | | - Hyosang Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Dalsan You
- Department of Urology, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Choung Soo Kim
- Urology Institute, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Seoul 07985, Korea
| | - Nayoung Suh
- Department of Medical Sciences, General Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan 31538, Korea
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