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Nie J, Lou S, Pollet AMAO, van Vegchel M, Bouten CVC, den Toonder JMJ. A Cell Pre-Wrapping Seeding Technique for Hydrogel-Based Tubular Organ-On-A-Chip. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400970. [PMID: 38872259 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models based on microfluidic technology are increasingly used to obtain mechanistic insight into (patho)physiological processes in humans, and they hold great promise for application in drug development and regenerative medicine. Despite significant progress in OOC development, several limitations of conventional microfluidic devices pose challenges. First, most microfluidic systems have rectangular cross sections and flat walls, and therefore tubular/ curved structures, like blood vessels and nephrons, are not well represented. Second, polymers used as base materials for microfluidic devices are much stiffer than in vivo extracellular matrix (ECM). Finally, in current cell seeding methods, challenges exist regarding precise control over cell seeding location, unreachable spaces due to flow resistances, and restricted dimensions/geometries. To address these limitations, an alternative cell seeding technique and a corresponding workflow is introduced to create circular cross-sectioned tubular OOC models by pre-wrapping cells around sacrificial fiber templates. As a proof of concept, a perfusable renal proximal tubule-on-a-chip is demonstrated with a diameter as small as 50 µm, cellular tubular structures with branches and curvature, and a preliminary vascular-renal tubule interaction model. The cell pre-wrapping seeding technique promises to enable the construction of diverse physiological/pathological models, providing tubular OOC systems for mechanistic investigations and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Nie
- Microsystems Research Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Soft Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology Research Section, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Sha Lou
- Microsystems Research Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Soft Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology Research Section, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas M A O Pollet
- Microsystems Research Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Manon van Vegchel
- Microsystems Research Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Soft Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology Research Section, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V C Bouten
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Soft Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology Research Section, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap M J den Toonder
- Microsystems Research Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
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Chu LT, Laxman D, Abdelhamed J, Pirlo RK, Fan F, Wagner N, Tran TM, Bui L. Development of a tomato xylem-mimicking microfluidic system to study Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum biofilm formation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1395959. [PMID: 38860138 PMCID: PMC11163092 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1395959] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (Rps) colonizes plant xylem vessels and blocks the flow of xylem sap by its biofilm (comprising of bacterial cells and extracellular material), resulting in devastating wilt disease across many economically important host plants including tomatoes. The technical challenges of imaging the xylem environment, along with the use of artificial cell culture plates and media in existing in vitro systems, limit the understanding of Rps biofilm formation and its infection dynamics. In this study, we designed and built a microfluidic system that mimicked the physical and chemical conditions of the tomato xylem vessels, and allowed us to dissect Rps responses to different xylem-like conditions. The system, incorporating functional surface coatings of carboxymethyl cellulose-dopamine, provided a bioactive environment that significantly enhanced Rps attachment and biofilm formation in the presence of tomato xylem sap. Using computational approaches, we confirmed that Rps experienced linear increasing drag forces in xylem-mimicking channels at higher flow rates. Consistently, attachment and biofilm assays conducted in our microfluidic system revealed that both seeding time and flow rates were critical for bacterial adhesion to surface and biofilm formation inside the channels. These findings provided insights into the Rps attachment and biofilm formation processes, contributing to a better understanding of plant-pathogen interactions during wilt disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Thanh Chu
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Deeksha Laxman
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Jenna Abdelhamed
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Russell Kirk Pirlo
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
| | - Fei Fan
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas Wagner
- Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Tuan Minh Tran
- Department of Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Loan Bui
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, United States
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3
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Streutker EM, Devamoglu U, Vonk MC, Verdurmen WPR, Le Gac S. Fibrosis-on-Chip: A Guide to Recapitulate the Essential Features of Fibrotic Disease. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2303991. [PMID: 38536053 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303991] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis, which is primarily marked by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, is a pathophysiological process associated with many disorders, which ultimately leads to organ dysfunction and poor patient outcomes. Despite the high prevalence of fibrosis, currently there exist few therapeutic options, and importantly, there is a paucity of in vitro models to accurately study fibrosis. This review discusses the multifaceted nature of fibrosis from the viewpoint of developing organ-on-chip (OoC) disease models, focusing on five key features: the ECM component, inflammation, mechanical cues, hypoxia, and vascularization. The potential of OoC technology is explored for better modeling these features in the context of studying fibrotic diseases and the interplay between various key features is emphasized. This paper reviews how organ-specific fibrotic diseases are modeled in OoC platforms, which elements are included in these existing models, and the avenues for novel research directions are highlighted. Finally, this review concludes with a perspective on how to address the current gap with respect to the inclusion of multiple features to yield more sophisticated and relevant models of fibrotic diseases in an OoC format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Streutker
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Utku Devamoglu
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnoloygy and TechMed Centre, Organ-on-Chip Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon C Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter P R Verdurmen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Séverine Le Gac
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnoloygy and TechMed Centre, Organ-on-Chip Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
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Moeun BN, Fernandez SA, Collin S, Gauvin-Rossignol G, Lescot T, Fortin MA, Ruel J, Bégin-Drolet A, Leask RL, Hoesli CA. Improving the 3D Printability of Sugar Glass to Engineer Sacrificial Vascular Templates. 3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 2023; 10:869-886. [PMID: 37886415 PMCID: PMC10599441 DOI: 10.1089/3dp.2021.0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
A prominent obstacle in scaling up tissue engineering technologies for human applications is engineering an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients throughout artificial tissues. Sugar glass has emerged as a promising 3D-printable, sacrificial material that can be used to embed perfusable networks within cell-laden matrices to improve mass transfer. To characterize and optimize a previously published sugar ink, we investigated the effects of sucrose, glucose, and dextran concentration on the glass transition temperature (Tg), printability, and stability of 3D-printed sugar glass constructs. We identified a sucrose ink formulation with a significantly higher Tg (40.0 ± 0.9°C) than the original formulation (sucrose-glucose blend, Tg = 26.2 ± 0.4°C), which demonstrated a pronounced improvement in printability, resistance to bending, and final print stability, all without changing dissolution kinetics and decomposition temperature. This formulation allowed printing of 10-cm-long horizontal cantilever filaments, which can enable the printing of complex vascular segments along the x-, y-, and z-axes without the need for supporting structures. Vascular templates with a single inlet and outlet branching into nine channels were 3D printed using the improved formulation and subsequently used to generate perfusable alginate constructs. The printed lattice showed high fidelity with respect to the input geometry, although with some channel deformation after alginate casting and gelation-likely due to alginate swelling. Compared with avascular controls, no significant acute cytotoxicity was noted when casting pancreatic beta cell-laden alginate constructs around improved ink filaments, whereas a significant decrease in cell viability was observed with the original ink. The improved formulation lends more flexibility to sugar glass 3D printing by facilitating the fabrication of larger, more complex, and more stable sacrificial networks. Rigorous characterization and optimization methods for improving sacrificial inks may facilitate the fabrication of functional cellular constructs for tissue engineering, cellular biology, and other biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Simon Collin
- Mechanical Engineering, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Theophraste Lescot
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CR-CHUQ), Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Matériaux Avancés (CERMA), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Génie des Mines, de la Métallurgie et des Matériaux, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc-André Fortin
- Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CR-CHUQ), Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur les Matériaux Avancés (CERMA), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Génie des Mines, de la Métallurgie et des Matériaux, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean Ruel
- Mechanical Engineering, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Corinne A. Hoesli
- Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Chen S, Gao Q, Hu Q, Zhang H. Preparation of a scaffold for a vascular network channel with spatially varying diameter based on sucrose. Biomed Mater 2023; 18:065004. [PMID: 37691568 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/acf541] [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: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
In the past few decades, although tissue engineering has made significant progress and achieved many accomplishments, there are still some key problems that remain unsolved. One of the urgent research challenges in this field is how to prepare large-scale tissue engineering scaffolds with spatially complex structures. In this work, a sacrificial template process using sucrose as the sacrificial material and a gelatin/microbial transglutaminase mixed solution as the bio-scaffold material is proposed to fabricate a bio-scaffold with multi-level branching and spatially complex vascular network channels that mimic the structure and function of the human vascular network. To validate the feasibility of the fabrication process and the rationality of the process parameters, the morphological characteristics, connectivity of vascular network channels, shaping accuracy, and mechanical properties of the bio-scaffold were tested and analyzed. The results showed that the bio-scaffold fabricated using this process had a complete morphology and excellent connectivity. The diameter of the sucrose sacrificial template showed a linear relationship with the feeding speed, and the average diameter error rate between the sucrose sacrificial template and the vascular network channels inside the bio-scaffold was less than 8%. The mechanical properties of the bio-scaffold met the requirements for large-scale tissue defect repair. To evaluate the effect of the bio-scaffold on cell activity, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were seeded into the vascular network channels of the bio-scaffold, and their attachment, growth, and proliferation on the surface of the vascular network channels were observed. To further assess the biocompatibility of the bio-scaffold, the bio-scaffold was implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal tissue of rats, and the tissue regeneration status was compared and analyzed through immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed that the vascular network channels within the bio-scaffold allowed uniform cell attachment, growth, with fewer dead cells and high cell viability. Moreover, clear cell attachment and growth were observed within the vascular network channels of the bio-scaffold after implantation in rats. These results indicate that the fabricated bio-scaffold meets the basic performance requirements for the repair and regeneration of large-scale tissue defects, providing a new approach for oxygen and nutrient transport in large-scale tissues and opening up new avenues for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- Rapid Manufacturing Engineering Center, School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianmin Gao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxi Hu
- Rapid Manufacturing Engineering Center, School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Engineering Training Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiguang Zhang
- Rapid Manufacturing Engineering Center, School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Engineering Training Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
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6
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Choi JS, Ham DH, Kim JH, Marcial HBF, Jeong PH, Choi JH, Park WT. Quantitative image analysis of thrombus formation in microfluidic in-vitro models. MICRO AND NANO SYSTEMS LETTERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s40486-022-00166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn this study, we present a method to quantitatively analyze the thrombus formation process through image analysis in an in vitro thrombus model with a circular cross section. The thrombus model used was designed based on the mechanism between the physical principle of wall shear rate (WSR) and thrombus formation. Image analysis was used to help visualize the thrombus formation process and calculate the thrombus area. Through this method, the thrombus formation and growth from the channel wall was demonstrated without the use of fluorescence. In addition, by dividing the image into sub-sections, the accuracy of the thrombus growth pattern was improved. The departing blood clots which are called embolus, were observed being separated from the thrombus.
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7
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Texture Modification of 3D-Printed Maltitol Candy by Changing Internal Design. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to show more diverse texture modifications by changing the material of a food 3D-printed structure conducted only with soft materials (in this case, potatoes and chocolate) to a hard material (in this case, maltitol here). However, unlike previous 3D-printed food materials, sweetener materials such as sucrose and maltitol are sensitively caramelized at a high melting temperature. As such, there is no commercialized printing equipment. Therefore, a printing process experiment was conducted first in this case. To do this, a high-temperature syringe pump-based extrusion device was designed, and process tests according to the temperature and environment were conducted. An assessment of the internal structural changes according to the infill patterns and infill percentages was conducted based on the acquired process conditions. The texture strength increased as the infill percentage increased. Depending on the infill patterns, the texture strength increased in the order of the Hilbert curve, honeycomb, and rectilinear samples here. As a result, a change in the texture strength was determined through a change in the internal structure of a hard food material using 3D printing, which showed a wider range of change than in conventional soft food materials.
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Ze Y, Li Y, Huang L, Shi Y, Li P, Gong P, Lin J, Yao Y. Biodegradable Inks in Indirect Three-Dimensional Bioprinting for Tissue Vascularization. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:856398. [PMID: 35402417 PMCID: PMC8990266 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.856398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mature vasculature is important for the survival of bioengineered tissue constructs, both in vivo and in vitro; however, the fabrication of fully vascularized tissue constructs remains a great challenge in tissue engineering. Indirect three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting refers to a 3D printing technique that can rapidly fabricate scaffolds with controllable internal pores, cavities, and channels through the use of sacrificial molds. It has attracted much attention in recent years owing to its ability to create complex vascular network-like channels through thick tissue constructs while maintaining endothelial cell activity. Biodegradable materials play a crucial role in tissue engineering. Scaffolds made of biodegradable materials act as temporary templates, interact with cells, integrate with native tissues, and affect the results of tissue remodeling. Biodegradable ink selection, especially the choice of scaffold and sacrificial materials in indirect 3D bioprinting, has been the focus of several recent studies. The major objective of this review is to summarize the basic characteristics of biodegradable materials commonly used in indirect 3D bioprinting for vascularization, and to address recent advances in applying this technique to the vascularization of different tissues. Furthermore, the review describes how indirect 3D bioprinting creates blood vessels and vascularized tissue constructs by introducing the methodology and biodegradable ink selection. With the continuous improvement of biodegradable materials in the future, indirect 3D bioprinting will make further contributions to the development of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Ze
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Linyang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yixin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peiran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Mair V, Paulus I, Groll J, Ryma M. Freeform printing of thermoresponsive poly(2-cyclopropyl-oxazoline) as cytocompatible and on-demand dissolving template of hollow channel networks in cell-laden hydrogels. Biofabrication 2022; 14. [PMID: 35193128 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac57a7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Conventional additive-manufacturing technologies rely on the vertical stacking of layers, whereas each layer provides the structural integrity for the upcoming one. This inherently gives rise to limitations in freedom of design especially when structures containing large voids or truly 3D pathways for printed filaments are aspired. An especially interesting technique, which overcomes these layer limitations, is freeform printing, where thermoplastic materials are printed in 3D through controlling the temperature profile such that the polymer melt solidifies right when it exits the nozzle. In this study, we introduce freeform printing for thermoresponsive polymers at the example of poly(2-cyclopropyl-oxazoline) (PcycloPrOx). This material is especially interesting for biofabrication, as poly(oxazoline)s are known to provide excellent cytocompatibility. Furthermore, (PcycloPrOx) scaffolds provide adequate stability, so that the printed structures can be embedded in cell-laden hydrogels and sufficient time remains for the gel to form around the scaffold before dissolution via temperature reduction. This ensures accuracy and prevents channel collapse for the creation of cell-laden hydrogels with an embedded three-dimensionally interconnected channel network without the need of any additional processing step such as coating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mair
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry at the Institute of Functional Materials and Biofabrication, and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, Würzburg, 97070, GERMANY
| | - Ilona Paulus
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry at the Institute of Functional Materials and Biofabrication, and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, Würzburg, 97070, GERMANY
| | - Juergen Groll
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry at the Institute of Functional Materials and Biofabrication, and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, Würzburg, 97070, GERMANY
| | - Matthias Ryma
- Department for Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry at the Institute of Functional Materials and Biofabrication, and Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, Würzburg, 97070, GERMANY
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10
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Wasson EM, Dubbin K, Moya ML. Go with the flow: modeling unique biological flows in engineered in vitro platforms. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2095-2120. [PMID: 34008661 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00014d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Interest in recapitulating in vivo phenomena in vitro using organ-on-a-chip technology has grown rapidly and with it, attention to the types of fluid flow experienced in the body has followed suit. These platforms offer distinct advantages over in vivo models with regards to human relevance, cost, and control of inputs (e.g., controlled manipulation of biomechanical cues from fluid perfusion). Given the critical role biophysical forces play in several tissues and organs, it is therefore imperative that engineered in vitro platforms capture the complex, unique flow profiles experienced in the body that are intimately tied with organ function. In this review, we outline the complex and unique flow regimes experienced by three different organ systems: blood vasculature, lymphatic vasculature, and the intestinal system. We highlight current state-of-the-art platforms that strive to replicate physiological flows within engineered tissues while introducing potential limitations in current approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa M Wasson
- Material Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave L-222, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
| | - Karen Dubbin
- Material Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave L-222, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
| | - Monica L Moya
- Material Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave L-222, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
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11
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Hu Q, Tang H, Yao Y, Liu S, Zhang H, Ramalingam M. Rapid fabrication of gelatin-based scaffolds with prevascularized channels for organ regeneration. Biomed Mater 2021; 16. [PMID: 33730706 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/abef7b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
One of the biggest hinders in tissue engineering over the last decades was the complexity of the prevascularized channels of the engineered scaffold, which was still lower than that of human tissues. Another relative trouble was lacking precision molding capability, which restricted the clinical applications of the huge engineered scaffold. In this study, a promising approach was proposed to prepare hydrogel scaffold with prevascularized channels by liquid bath printing, which chitosan/β-sodium glycerophosphate (CS/β-GP) severed as the ink hydrogel, and gelation/nanoscale bacterial cellulose (Gel/BC) acted as the supporting hydrogel. Here, the ink hydrogel was printed by a versatile nozzle and embedded in the supporting hydrogel. Ink hydrogel transformed into liquid effluent at low temperature after cross-linking of gelatin by microbial transglutaminase (mTG). No residual template was seen on the channel surface after template removal. This preparation had a high degree of freedom in the geometry of the channel, which was demonstrated by making various prevascularized channels including circular, branched, and tree-shaped networks. The molding accuracy of the channel was detected by studying the roundness of the cross-section of the molded hollow channel, and the effect of the mechanical properties by adding BC to supporting hydrogel was analyzed. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were injected into the aforementioned channels and formed confluent and homogeneous distribution on the surface of channels. Altogether, these results showed that this approach can construct hydrogel scaffold with complex and accurate molding prevascularized channels, and had great potential to resolve urgent vascularization issue of bulk tissue-engineering scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxi Hu
- Shanghai University, 99, , Shanghai, 200444, CHINA
| | - Haihu Tang
- Shanghai University, 99, , Shanghai, 200444, CHINA
| | - Yuan Yao
- Shanghai University, 99, , Shanghai, 200444, CHINA
| | - Suihong Liu
- Rapid Manufacturing Engineering Center, Shanghai University, No.99 Shangda Road, BaoShan District, Shanghai, China, Shanghai, 200444, CHINA
| | | | - Murugan Ramalingam
- Vellore Institute of Technology, Vandalur - Kelambakkam Road, Chennai , Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, INDIA
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12
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Chen L, Kenkel SM, Hsieh PH, Gryka MC, Bhargava R. Freeform Three-Dimensionally Printed Microchannels via Surface-Initiated Photopolymerization Combined with Sacrificial Molding. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:50105-50112. [PMID: 33091299 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Precise freeform microchannels within an aqueous environment have several biomedical applications but remain a challenge to fabricate. Carbohydrate glass materials have shown potential for three-dimensionally (3D) printing precise, microscale structures and are suitable as a sacrificial material to reconstruct complex channel architectures, but due to the rapid dissolution kinetics in hydrogels and the aqueous environment, protective coatings are required. Here, conformal coatings were applied to carbohydrate structures via surface-initiated photopolymerization (SIP) by incorporating a photoinitiator (PI) into freeform 3D printed isomalt structures using a custom 3D printer. Structures were then immersed into a photocurable prepolymer bath and exposed to light for reaction initiation. To achieve uniform distribution of photoinitiator molecules in 3D printed constructs, miscibility between commercial photoinitiators and isomalt was modeled using the group contribution method. A dye-based, type-two photoinitiator, Eosin Y disodium salt (EY), was selected for its miscibility with isomalt and stability under high temperature. A previously described Eosin Y (EY)/triethanolamine (TEA) radical polymerization system was used to polymerize poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), surface morphology, and swelling ratio characterizations via SIP were performed. Coatings around freeform structures and solid surfaces were presented to demonstrate the capability of coating complex architectures. This coating method should facilitate the application of 3D sacrificial molding in a variety of hydrogels toward building biomimetic vascular constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Seth M Kenkel
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Pei-Hsuan Hsieh
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mark C Gryka
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Rohit Bhargava
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Departments of Chemistry, Mechanical Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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Eltaher HM, Abukunna FE, Ruiz-Cantu L, Stone Z, Yang J, Dixon JE. Human-scale tissues with patterned vascular networks by additive manufacturing of sacrificial sugar-protein composites. Acta Biomater 2020; 113:339-349. [PMID: 32553918 PMCID: PMC7435351 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Combating necrosis, by supplying nutrients and removing waste, presents the major challenge for engineering large three-dimensional (3D) tissues. Previous elegant work used 3D printing with carbohydrate glass as a cytocompatible sacrificial template to create complex engineered tissues with vascular networks (Miller et al. 2012, Nature Materials). The fragile nature of this material compounded with the technical complexity needed to create high-resolution structures led us to create a flexible sugar-protein composite, termed Gelatin-sucrose matrix (GSM), to achieve a more robust and applicable material. Here we developed a low-range (25–37˚C) temperature sensitive formulation that can be moulded with micron-resolution features or cast during 3D printing to produce complex flexible filament networks forming sacrificial vessels. Using the temperature-sensitivity, we could control filament degeneration meaning GSM can be used with a variety of matrices and crosslinking strategies. Furthermore by incorporation of biocompatible crosslinkers into GSM directly, we could create thin endothelialized vessel walls and generate patterned tissues containing multiple matrices and cell-types. We also demonstrated that perfused vascular channels sustain metabolic function of a variety of cell-types including primary human cells. Importantly, we were able to construct vascularized human noses which otherwise would have been necrotic. Our material can now be exploited to create human-scale tissues for regenerative medicine applications. Statement of Significance Authentic and engineered tissues have demands for mass transport, exchanging nutrients and oxygen, and therefore require vascularization to retain viability and inhibit necrosis. Basic vascular networks must be included within engineered tissues intrinsically. Yet, this has been unachievable in physiologically-sized constructs with tissue-like cell densities until recently. Sacrificial moulding is an alternative in which networks of rigid lattices of filaments are created to prevent subsequent matrix ingress. Our study describes a biocompatible sacrificial sugar-protein formulation; GSM, made from mixtures of inexpensive and readily available bio-grade materials. GSM can be cast/moulded or bioprinted as sacrificial filaments that can rapidly dissolve in an aqueous environment temperature-sensitively. GSM material can be used to engineer viable and vascularized human-scale tissues for regenerative medicine applications.
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