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Karimi F, Montazeri-Najafabady N, Mohammadi F, Azadi A, Koohpeyma F, Gholami A. A potential therapeutic strategy of an innovative probiotic formulation toward topical treatment of diabetic ulcer: an in vivo study. Nutr Diabetes 2024; 14:66. [PMID: 39164243 PMCID: PMC11335896 DOI: 10.1038/s41387-024-00320-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The probiotic potential of Lacticacid bacteria has been studied in various medical complications, from gastrointestinal diseases to antibiotic resistance infections recently. Moreover, diabetic ulcer (DU) is known as one of the most significant global healthcare concerns, which comprehensively impacts the quality of life for these patients. Given that the conventional treatments of DUs have failed to prevent later complications completely, developing alternative therapies seems to be crucial. METHODS We designed the stable oleogel-based formulation of viable probiotic cells, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), Lactobacillus casei (L. casei), Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum), and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) individually to investigate their effect on wound healing process as an in vivo study. The wound repair process was closely monitored regarding morphology, biochemical, and histopathological changes over two weeks and compared it with the effects of topical tetracycline as an antibiotic approach. Furthermore, the antibiofilm activity of probiotic bacteria was assessed against some common pathogens. RESULTS The findings indicated that all tested lactobacillus groups (excluded L. casei) included in the oleogel-based formulation revealed a high potential for repairing damaged skin due to the considerably more levels of hydroxyproline content of tissue samples along with the higher numerical density of mature fibroblasts cell and volume density of hair follicles, collagen fibrils, and neovascularization in comparison with antibiotic and control groups. L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus showed the best potential of wound healing among all lactobacillus species, groups treated by tetracycline and control groups. Besides, L. rhamnosus showed a significant biofilm inhibition activity against tested pathogens. CONCLUSIONS This experiment demonstrated that the designed formulations containing probiotics, particularly L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus, play a central role in manipulating diabetic wound healing. It could be suggested as an encouraging nominee for diabetic wound-healing alternative approaches, though further studies in detailed clinical trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farkhonde Karimi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran
| | - Nima Montazeri-Najafabady
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Azadi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farhad Koohpeyma
- Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Gholami
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran.
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Boraldi F, Lofaro FD, Bonacorsi S, Mazzilli A, Garcia-Fernandez M, Quaglino D. The Role of Fibroblasts in Skin Homeostasis and Repair. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1586. [PMID: 39062158 PMCID: PMC11274439 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071586] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are typical mesenchymal cells widely distributed throughout the human body where they (1) synthesise and maintain the extracellular matrix, ensuring the structural role of soft connective tissues; (2) secrete cytokines and growth factors; (3) communicate with each other and with other cell types, acting as signalling source for stem cell niches; and (4) are involved in tissue remodelling, wound healing, fibrosis, and cancer. This review focuses on the developmental heterogeneity of dermal fibroblasts, on their ability to sense changes in biomechanical properties of the surrounding extracellular matrix, and on their role in aging, in skin repair, in pathologic conditions and in tumour development. Moreover, we describe the use of fibroblasts in different models (e.g., in vivo animal models and in vitro systems from 2D to 6D cultures) for tissue bioengineering and the informative potential of high-throughput assays for the study of fibroblasts under different disease contexts for personalized healthcare and regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Boraldi
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Francesco Demetrio Lofaro
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Susanna Bonacorsi
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessia Mazzilli
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Maria Garcia-Fernandez
- Department of Human Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Investigation (IBIMA), University of Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Daniela Quaglino
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
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3
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Ferretti L, Moccia V, Centelleghe C, Venerando A, Dettin M, Sieni E, Zamuner A, Caicci F, Castagnaro M, Zappulli V, Mazzariol S. Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) immortalized fibroblasts on novel 3D in vitro collagen-free scaffolds. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304992. [PMID: 38861523 PMCID: PMC11166351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Dolphins, as apex predators, can be considered relevant sentinels of the health of marine ecosystems. The creation of 3D cell models to assess in vitro cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions in environmental-mimicking conditions, is of considerable interest. However, to date the establishment of cetacean 3D culture systems has not yet been accomplished. Thus, in this study, different 3D systems of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) skin fibroblasts have been analyzed. Particularly, novel scaffolds based on hyaluronic acid and ionic-complementary self-assembling peptides such as RGD-EAbuK and EAbuK-IKVAV have been compared to Matrigel. Histological and fluorescent staining, electron microscopy (TEM) analyses and viability assays have been performed and RT-PCR has been used to detect extracellular matrix (ECM) components produced by cells. Results showed that Matrigel induced cells to form aggregates with lower viability and no ECM production compared to the novel scaffolds. Moreover, scaffolds allowed dispersed cells to produce a collagenous ECM containing collagen1a1, laminin B1 and elastin. The HA-EAbuK-IKVAV scaffold resulted in the most suitable 3D model in terms of cell quantity and viability. The development of this innovative approach is the first step towards the possibility to create 3D in vitro models for this protected species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Ferretti
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Moccia
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Cinzia Centelleghe
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Andrea Venerando
- Department of Agrifood, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Insubria University, Varese, Italy
| | - Annj Zamuner
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Castagnaro
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Zappulli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
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4
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Ho NCW, Yap JYY, Zhao Z, Wang Y, Fernando K, Li CH, Kwang XL, Quah HS, Arcinas C, Iyer NG, Fong ELS. Bioengineered Hydrogels Recapitulate Fibroblast Heterogeneity in Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307129. [PMID: 38493497 PMCID: PMC11132030 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307129] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Recently mapped transcriptomic landscapes reveal the extent of heterogeneity in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) beyond previously established single-gene markers. Functional analyses of individual CAF subsets within the tumor microenvironment are critical to develop more accurate CAF-targeting therapeutic strategies. However, there is a lack of robust preclinical models that reflect this heterogeneity in vitro. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing datasets acquired from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues to predict microenvironmental and cellular features governing individual CAF subsets are leveraged. Some of these features are then incorporated into a tunable hyaluronan-based hydrogel system to culture patient-derived CAFs. Control over hydrogel degradability and integrin adhesiveness enabled derivation of the predominant myofibroblastic and inflammatory CAF subsets, as shown through changes in cell morphology and transcriptomic profiles. Last, using these hydrogel-cultured CAFs, microtubule dynamics are identified, but not actomyosin contractility, as a key mediator of CAF plasticity. The recapitulation of CAF heterogeneity in vitro using defined hydrogels presents unique opportunities for advancing the understanding of CAF biology and evaluation of CAF-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Ching Wei Ho
- Translational Tumor Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore119276Singapore
| | - Josephine Yu Yan Yap
- Translational Tumor Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore119276Singapore
| | - Zixuan Zhao
- The N.1 Institute for HealthNational University of SingaporeSingapore117456Singapore
| | - Yunyun Wang
- Translational Tumor Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore119276Singapore
| | - Kanishka Fernando
- Translational Tumor Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore119276Singapore
| | - Constance H Li
- Cancer Therapeutics Research LaboratoryNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingapore168583Singapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolNational University of SingaporeSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Xue Lin Kwang
- Cancer Therapeutics Research LaboratoryNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingapore168583Singapore
| | - Hong Sheng Quah
- Cancer Therapeutics Research LaboratoryNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingapore168583Singapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolNational University of SingaporeSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Camille Arcinas
- Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolNational University of SingaporeSingapore169857Singapore
| | - N. Gopalakrishna Iyer
- Cancer Therapeutics Research LaboratoryNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingapore168583Singapore
- Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolNational University of SingaporeSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Eliza Li Shan Fong
- Translational Tumor Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingapore119276Singapore
- The N.1 Institute for HealthNational University of SingaporeSingapore117456Singapore
- Cancer Science InstituteNational University of SingaporeSingapore117599Singapore
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5
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Altunbek M, Gezek M, Buck P, Camci-Unal G. Development of Human-Derived Photocrosslinkable Gelatin Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:165-176. [PMID: 38101806 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are often used as biomimetic matrices for tissue regeneration. The source of the hydrogel is of utmost importance, as it affects the physicochemical characteristics and must be carefully selected to stimulate specific cell behaviors. Naturally derived polymeric biomaterials have inherent biological moieties, such as cell binding and protease cleavage sites, and thus can provide a suitable microenvironment for cells. Human-derived matrices can mitigate potential risks associated with the immune response and disease transmission from animal-derived biomaterials. In this article, we developed glycidyl methacrylate-modified human-derived gelatin (hGelGMA) hydrogels for use in tissue engineering applications. By adjusting the glycidyl methacrylate concentration in the reaction mixture, we synthesized hGelGMA with low, medium, and high degrees of modification referred to as hGelGMA-L, hGelGMA-M, and hGelGMA-H, respectively. The amount of polymeric networks in the hydrogels was increased proportionally with the degree of modification. This change has resulted in a decreasing trend in pore size, porosity, and consequent swelling ratio. Similarly, increasing the polymer concentration also exhibited slower enzymatic degradation. On the other hand, increasing the polymer concentration led to an improvement in mechanical properties, where the compressive moduli of hGelGMA-L, hGelGMA-M, and hGelGMA-H hydrogels have changed at 2.9 ± 1.0, 13.7 ± 0.9, and 26.4 ± 2.5 kPa, respectively. The cytocompatibility of hGelGMA was assessed by 3D encapsulation of human-derived cells, including human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), in vitro. Regardless of the degree of glycidyl methacrylate modification, the hGelGMA hydrogels preserved the viability of encapsulated cells and supported their growth and proliferation. HDF cells showed a higher metabolic activity in hGelGMA-H, while MSCs exhibited an increased metabolic activity when they were encapsulated in hGelGMA-M or hGelGMA-H. These results showed that photocrosslinkable human-derived gelatin-based hydrogels can be synthesized and their physical properties can be distinctly fine-tuned to different extents as a function of their degrees of modification depending on the needs of the target tissue. Due to its promising physical and biological properties, it is anticipated that hGelGMA can be utilized in a wide spectrum of tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Altunbek
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Mert Gezek
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Paige Buck
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
| | - Gulden Camci-Unal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
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Krishnaiah P, Atchudan R, Perumal S, Gangadaran P, Manoj D, Ahn BC, Kumar RS, Almansour AI, Lee YR, Jeon BH. Multifunctional carbon dots originated from waste garlic peel for rapid sensing of heavy metals and fluorescent imaging of 2D and 3D spheroids cultured fibroblast cells. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2024; 304:123422. [PMID: 37734247 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Here, we prepared sulfur and nitrogen self-doped carbon dots derived from garlic peel extract (GPSNCDs) using a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized GPSNCDs were confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The analytical techniques indicate that the resulting GPSNCDs exhibit distinct emissive carbon-core with functionalities (owing to various ligands in the GPSNCDs). These functionalities are responsible for excellent hydrophilic and optical properties, including excitation-dependent emission and anti-photobleaching. Fluorescence intensities of GPSNCDs were quenched in the existence of Mn2+ and Fe3+ ions. This indicates that the GPSNCDs were sensitive to Fe3+ and Mn2+ ions with a limited range from 5 to 50 µM and showed lower recognition at ∼0.75 and 0.95 µM, respectively. In addition, the sensing results were generated in a short time (20 s). The cytotoxicity of GPSNCDs was tested to demonstrate that they are sufficiently safe to use for cellular imaging. The novel fluorescent GPSNCDs-based sensor can be used as a high-performance sensor for environmental monitoring. Further, GPSNCDs showed greater biocompatibility with normal fibroblast cells, and In Vitro fluorescent imaging of GPSNCDs revealed strong fluorescence signals in the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) spheroids cultured fibroblast cells. The properties mentioned above demonstrate that the GPSNCDs can be applied to imaging normal cells without further modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Krishnaiah
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South Korea
| | - Raji Atchudan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Suguna Perumal
- Department of Chemistry, Sejong University, Seoul 143‑747, Republic of Korea
| | - Prakash Gangadaran
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Devaraj Manoj
- Department of Chemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Material Chemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Raju Suresh Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman I Almansour
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yong Rok Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byong-Hun Jeon
- Department of Earth Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, South Korea.
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7
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Nikolaev VV, Kistenev YV, Kröger M, Zuhayri H, Darvin ME. Review of optical methods for noninvasive imaging of skin fibroblasts-From in vitro to ex vivo and in vivo visualization. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2024; 17:e202300223. [PMID: 38018868 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are among the most common cell types in the stroma responsible for creating and maintaining the structural organization of the extracellular matrix in the dermis, skin regeneration, and a range of immune responses. Until now, the processes of fibroblast adaptation and functioning in a varying environment have not been fully understood. Modern laser microscopes are capable of studying fibroblasts in vitro and ex vivo. One-photon- and two-photon-excited fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy/microspectroscopy are well-suited noninvasive optical methods for fibroblast imaging in vitro and ex vivo. In vivo staining-free fibroblast imaging is not still implemented. The exception is fibroblast imaging in tattooed skin. Although in vivo noninvasive staining-free imaging of fibroblasts in the skin has not yet been implemented, it is expected in the future. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art in fibroblast visualization using optical methods and discusses the advantages, limitations, and prospects for future noninvasive imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor V Nikolaev
- Tomsk State University, Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Machine Learning, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Yury V Kistenev
- Tomsk State University, Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Machine Learning, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Marius Kröger
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hala Zuhayri
- Tomsk State University, Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Machine Learning, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Maxim E Darvin
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Da Silva André G, Paganella LG, Badolato A, Sander S, Giampietro C, Tibbitt MW, Dengjel J, Labouesse C. Protein Isolation from 3D Hydrogel Scaffolds. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e966. [PMID: 38206582 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.966] [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] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Protein isolation is an essential tool in cell biology to characterize protein abundance under various experimental conditions. Several protocols exist, tailored to cell culture or tissue sections, and have been adapted to particular downstream analyses (e.g., western blotting or mass spectrometry). An increasing trend in bioengineering and cell biology is to use three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel-based scaffolds for cell culture. In principle, the same protocols can be used to extract protein from hydrogel-based cell and tissue constructs. However, in practice the yield and quality of the recovered protein pellet is often substantially lower when using standard protocols and requires tuning of multiple steps, including the selected lysis buffer and the scaffold homogenization strategy, as well as the methods for protein purification and reconstitution. We present here specific protocols tailored to common 3D hydrogels to help researchers using hydrogel-based 3D cell culture improve the quantity and quality of their extracted protein. We focus on three materials: protease-degradable PEG-based hydrogels, collagen hydrogels, and alginate hydrogels. We discuss how the protein extraction procedure can be adapted to the scaffold of interest (degradable or non-degradable gels), proteins of interests (soluble, matrix-bound, or phosphoproteins), and downstream biochemical assays (western blotting or mass spectrometry). With the growing interest in 3D cell culture, the protocols presented should be useful to many researchers in cell biology, protein science, biomaterials, and bioengineering communities. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolating proteins from PEG-based hydrogels Basic Protocol 2: Isolating proteins from collagen hydrogels Basic Protocol 3: Isolating proteins from alginate hydrogels Alternate Protocol: Isolating protein from alginate gels using EDTA to dissolve the gel Support Protocol: Isolating protein and RNA simultaneously from the same samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Da Silva André
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lorenza Garau Paganella
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Asia Badolato
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sibilla Sander
- Department of Biology, Université de Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland
| | - Mark W Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jörn Dengjel
- Department of Biology, Université de Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Céline Labouesse
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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9
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Vecheck AM, McNamee CM, Reijo Pera R, Usselman RJ. Magnetic Field Intervention Enhances Cellular Migration Rates in Biological Scaffolds. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 11:9. [PMID: 38247887 PMCID: PMC10813414 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of magnetic fields on cellular function is diverse but can be described at least in part by the radical pair mechanism (RPM), where magnetic field intervention alters reactive oxygen species (ROS) populations and downstream cellular signaling. Here, cellular migration within three-dimensional scaffolds was monitored in an applied oscillating 1.4 MHz radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field with an amplitude of 10 µT and a static 50 µT magnetic field. Given that cellular bioenergetics can be altered based on applied RF magnetic fields, this study focused on a magnetic field configuration that increased cellular respiration. Results suggest that RF accelerated cell clustering and elongation after 1 day, with increased levels of clustering and cellular linkage after 7 days. Cell distribution analysis within the scaffolds revealed that the clustering rate during the first day was increased nearly five times in the RF environment. Electron microscopy provided additional topological information and verified the development of fibrous networks, with a cell-derived matrix (CDM) visualized after 7 days in samples maintained in RF. This work demonstrates time-dependent cellular migration that may be influenced by quantum biology (QB) processes and downstream oxidative signaling, enhancing cellular migration behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Vecheck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Cameron M. McNamee
- Department of Mathematics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
| | | | - Robert J. Usselman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
- Computational Research At Florida Tech (CRAFT), Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
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10
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Kim C, Robitaille M, Christodoulides J, Ng Y, Raphael M, Kang W. Hs27 fibroblast response to contact guidance cues. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21691. [PMID: 38066191 PMCID: PMC10709656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48913-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Contact guidance is the phenomena of how cells respond to the topography of their external environment. The morphological and dynamic cell responses are strongly influenced by topographic features such as lateral and vertical dimensions, namely, ridge and groove widths and groove depth ([Formula: see text], respectively). However, experimental studies that independently quantify the effect of the individual dimensions as well as their coupling on cellular function are still limited. In this work, we perform extensive parametric studies in the dimensional space-well beyond the previously studied range in the literature-to explore topographical effects on morphology and migration of Hs27 fibroblasts via static and dynamic analyses of live cell images. Our static analysis reveals that the [Formula: see text] is most significant, followed by the [Formula: see text]. The fibroblasts appear to be more elongated and aligned in the groove direction as the [Formula: see text] increases, but their trend changes after 725 nm. Interestingly, the cell shape and alignment show a very strong correlation regardless of [Formula: see text]. Our dynamic analysis confirms that directional cell migration is also strongly influenced by the [Formula: see text], while the effect of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is statistically insignificant. Directional cell migration, as observed in the static cell behavior, shows the statistically significant transition when the [Formula: see text] is 725 nm, showing the intimate links between cell morphology and migration. We propose possible scenarios to offer mechanistic explanations of the observed cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kim
- Mechanical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - M Robitaille
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | | | - Y Ng
- Mechanical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - M Raphael
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - W Kang
- Mechanical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
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11
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Wang E, Andrade MJ, Smith Q. Vascularized liver-on-a-chip model to investigate nicotine-induced dysfunction. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:064108. [PMID: 38155919 PMCID: PMC10754629 DOI: 10.1063/5.0172677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The development of physiologically relevant in vitro systems for simulating disease onset and progression and predicting drug metabolism holds tremendous value in reducing drug discovery time and cost. However, many of these platforms lack accuracy in replicating the tissue architecture and multicellular interactions. By leveraging three-dimensional cell culture, biomimetic soft hydrogels, and engineered stimuli, in vitro models have continued to progress. Nonetheless, the incorporation of the microvasculature has been met with many challenges, specifically with the addition of parenchymal cell types. Here, a systematic approach to investigating the initial seeding density of endothelial cells and its effects on interconnected networks was taken and combined with hepatic spheroids to form a liver-on-a-chip model. Leveraging this system, nicotine's effects on microvasculature and hepatic function were investigated. The findings indicated that nicotine led to interrupted adherens junctions, decreased guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 expression, impaired angiogenesis, and lowered barrier function, all key factors in endothelial dysfunction. With the combination of the optimized microvascular networks, a vascularized liver-on-a-chip was formed, providing functional xenobiotic metabolism and synthesis of both albumin and urea. This system provides insight into potential hepatotoxicity caused by various drugs and allows for assessing vascular dysfunction in a high throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Melisa J. Andrade
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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12
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Nagarajan MB, Ainscough AJ, Reynolds DS, Uzel SGM, Bjork JW, Baker BA, McNulty AK, Woulfe SL, Lewis JA. Biomimetic human skin model patterned with rete ridges. Biofabrication 2023; 16:015006. [PMID: 37734324 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acfc29] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Rete ridges consist of undulations between the epidermis and dermis that enhance the mechanical properties and biological function of human skin. However, most human skin models are fabricated with a flat interface between the epidermal and dermal layers. Here, we report a micro-stamping method for producing human skin models patterned with rete ridges of controlled geometry. To mitigate keratinocyte-induced matrix degradation, telocollagen-fibrin matrices with and without crosslinks enable these micropatterned features to persist during longitudinal culture. Our human skin model exhibits an epidermis that includes the following markers: cytokeratin 14, p63, and Ki67 in the basal layer, cytokeratin 10 in the suprabasal layer, and laminin and collagen IV in the basement membrane. We demonstrated that two keratinocyte cell lines, one from a neonatal donor and another from an adult diabetic donor, are compatible with this model. We tested this model using an irritation test and showed that the epidermis prevents rapid penetration of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Gene expression analysis revealed differences in keratinocytes obtained from the two donors as well as between 2D (control) and 3D culture conditions. Our human skin model may find potential application for drug and cosmetic testing, disease and wound healing modeling, and aging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell B Nagarajan
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Alexander J Ainscough
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Daniel S Reynolds
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Sebastien G M Uzel
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Jason W Bjork
- 3M, 3M Center, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Bryan A Baker
- 3M, 3M Center, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Amy K McNulty
- 3M, 3M Center, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Susan L Woulfe
- 3M, 3M Center, St. Paul, MN 55144, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A Lewis
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
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13
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Kundu AN, Dougan CE, Mahmoud S, Kilic A, Panagiotou A, Richbourg N, Irakoze N, Peyton SR. Tenascin-C Activation of Lung Fibroblasts in a 3D Synthetic Lung Extracellular Matrix Mimic. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2301493. [PMID: 37227134 PMCID: PMC10528529 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The lung extracellular matrix (ECM) maintains the structural integrity of the tissue and regulates the phenotype and functions of resident fibroblasts. Lung-metastatic breast cancer alters these cell-ECM interactions, promoting fibroblast activation. There is a need for bio-instructive ECM models that match the ECM composition and biomechanics of the lung to study these cell-matrix interactions in vitro. Here, a synthetic, bioactive hydrogel is synthesized that mimics the native lung modulus and includes a representative distribution of the most abundant ECM peptide motifs responsible for integrin-binding and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated degradation in the lung, which enables quiescent culture of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). Stimulation with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), metastatic breast cancer conditioned media (CM), or tenascin-C-derived integrin-binding peptide activated hydrogel-encapsulated HLFs demonstrates multiple environmental methods to activate HLFs in a lung ECM-mimicking hydrogel. This lung hydrogel platform is a tunable, synthetic approach to studying the independent and combinatorial effects of ECM in regulating fibroblast quiescence and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Nath Kundu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Carey E. Dougan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Samar Mahmoud
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Alara Kilic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Alexi Panagiotou
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Nathan Richbourg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Ninette Irakoze
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Shelly R. Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 240 Thatcher Way, Life Sciences Laboratory N531, Amherst, MA 01003
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14
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Huang Y, Zhao H, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Shi X, Jiang S, Pu W, Liu J, Ma Y, Lin J, Lin J, Wu W, Gong Y, Wang J, Liu Q. Enhancement of Zyxin Promotes Skin Fibrosis by Regulating FAK/PI3K/AKT and TGF-β Signaling Pathways via Integrins. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:2394-2408. [PMID: 37215989 PMCID: PMC10197900 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.77649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin fibrosis is a common pathological manifestation in systemic sclerosis (SSc), keloid, and localized scleroderma (LS) characterized by fibroblast activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. However, few effective drugs are available to treat skin fibrosis due to its unclear mechanisms. In our study, we reanalyzed skin RNA-sequencing data of Caucasian, African, and Hispanic SSc patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We found that the focal adhesion pathway was up-regulated and Zyxin appeared to be the primary focal adhesion protein involved in skin fibrosis, and we further verified its expression in Chinese skin tissues of several fibrotic diseases, including SSc, keloid, and LS. Moreover, we found Zyxin inhibition could significantly alleviate skin fibrosis using Zyxin knock-down and knock-out mice, nude mouse model and skin explants of human keloid. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that Zyxin was highly expressed in fibroblasts. Further analysis revealed pro-fibrotic gene expression and collagen production increased in Zyxin over-expressed fibroblasts, and decreased in Zyxin interfered SSc fibroblasts. In addition, transcriptome and cell culture analyses revealed Zyxin inhibition could effectively attenuate skin fibrosis by regulating the FAK/PI3K/AKT and TGF-β signaling pathways via integrins. These results suggest Zyxin appears a potential new therapeutic target for skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Nanjing Intellectual Property Protection Center, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangguang Shi
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weilin Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Institute for Six-sector Economy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyun Ma
- Institute for Six-sector Economy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juiming Lin
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
| | - Jinran Lin
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
| | - Wenyu Wu
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
- Department of Dermatology, Jing' an District Central Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyi Gong
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingmei Liu
- Division of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology Shanghai, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Kundu AN, Dougan CE, Mahmoud S, Kilic A, Panagiotou A, Irakoze N, Richbourg N, Peyton SR. Tenascin-C activation of lung fibroblasts in a 3D synthetic lung extracellular matrix mimic. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.24.529926. [PMID: 36865293 PMCID: PMC9980292 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.24.529926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The lung extracellular matrix (ECM) maintains the structural integrity of the tissue and regulates the phenotype and functions of resident fibroblasts. Lung-metastatic breast cancer alters these cell-ECM interactions, promoting fibroblast activation. There is a need for bio-instructive ECM models that contain the ECM composition and biomechanics of the lung to study these cell-matrix interactions in vitro . Here, we developed a synthetic, bioactive hydrogel that mimics the native lung modulus, and includes a representative distribution of the most abundant ECM peptide motifs responsible for integrin binding and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated degradation in the lung, which promotes quiescence of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). Stimulation with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), metastatic breast cancer conditioned media (CM), or tenascin-C activated these hydrogel-encapsulated HLFs in a manner reflective of their native in vivo responses. We propose this lung hydrogel platform as a tunable, synthetic approach to study the independent and combinatorial effects of ECM in regulating fibroblast quiescence and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Nath Kundu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Carey E. Dougan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Samar Mahmoud
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Alara Kilic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Alexi Panagiotou
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Ninette Irakoze
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Nathan Richbourg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
| | - Shelly R. Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 240 Thatcher Way, Life Sciences Laboratory N531, Amherst, MA 01003
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16
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Spiaggia G, Taladriz-Blanco P, Hengsberger S, Septiadi D, Geers C, Lee A, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Petri-Fink A. A Near-Infrared Mechanically Switchable Elastomeric Film as a Dynamic Cell Culture Substrate. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010030. [PMID: 36672538 PMCID: PMC9855853 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010030] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial static cell culture substrates can usually not change their physical properties over time, resulting in a limited representation of the variation in biomechanical cues in vivo. To overcome this limitation, approaches incorporating gold nanoparticles to act as transducers to external stimuli have been employed. In this work, gold nanorods were embedded in an elastomeric matrix and used as photothermal transducers to fabricate biocompatible light-responsive substrates. The nanocomposite films analysed by lock-in thermography and nanoindentation show a homogeneous heat distribution and a greater stiffness when irradiated with NIR light. After irradiation, the initial stiffness values were recovered. In vitro experiments performed during NIR irradiation with NIH-3T3 fibroblasts demonstrated that these films were biocompatible and cells remained viable. Cells cultured on the light stiffened nanocomposite exhibited a greater proliferation rate and stronger focal adhesion clustering, indicating increased cell-surface binding strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Spiaggia
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Taladriz-Blanco
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Water Quality Group, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.T.-B.); (A.P.-F.)
| | - Stefan Hengsberger
- School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR), HES-SO, University of Applied Science and Arts in Western Switzerland, Boulevard de Pérolles 80, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Dedy Septiadi
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Geers
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Aaron Lee
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Alke Petri-Fink
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (P.T.-B.); (A.P.-F.)
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17
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Suturin AC, Krüger AJD, Neidig K, Klos N, Dolfen N, Bund M, Gronemann T, Sebers R, Manukanc A, Yazdani G, Kittel Y, Rommel D, Haraszti T, Köhler J, De Laporte L. Annealing High Aspect Ratio Microgels into Macroporous 3D Scaffolds Allows for Higher Porosities and Effective Cell Migration. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200989. [PMID: 36100464 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Growing millimeter-scaled functional tissue remains a major challenge in the field of tissue engineering. Therefore, microporous annealed particles (MAPs) are emerging as promising porous biomaterials that are formed by assembly of microgel building blocks. To further vary the pore size and increase overall MAP porosity of mechanically stable scaffolds, rod-shaped microgels with high aspect ratios up to 20 are chemically interlinked into highly porous scaffolds. Polyethylene glycol based microgels (width 10 µm, lengths up to 200 µm) are produced via in-mold polymerization and covalently interlinked into stable 3D scaffolds via epoxy-amine chemistry. For the first time, MAP porosities can be enhanced by increasing the microgel aspect ratio (mean pore sizes ranging from 39 to 82 µm, porosities from 65 to 90%). These porosities are significantly higher compared to constructs made from spherical or lower aspect ratio rod-shaped microgels. Rapid filling of the pores by either murine or primary human fibroblasts is ensured as cells migrate and grow extensively into these scaffolds. Overall, this study demonstrates that highly porous, stable macroporous hydrogels can be achieved with a very low partial volume of synthetic, high aspect ratio microgels, leading to large empty volumes available for cell ingrowth and cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa C Suturin
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas J D Krüger
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Neidig
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nina Klos
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nina Dolfen
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michelle Bund
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Till Gronemann
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Sebers
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Anna Manukanc
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ghazaleh Yazdani
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Yonca Kittel
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dirk Rommel
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jens Köhler
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC), Polymeric Biomaterials, RWTH University Aachen, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Advanced Materials for Biomedicine (AMB), Institute of Applied Medical Engineering (AME), University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems (CMBS), Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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18
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Hsiao SK, Liang CW, Chang TL, Sung YC, Chen YT, Chen Y, Wang J. An in vitro fibrotic liver lobule model through sequential cell-seeding of HSCs and HepG2 on 3D-printed poly(glycerol sebacate) acrylate scaffolds. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:9590-9598. [PMID: 36106522 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02686k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cirrhosis is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, and significantly leads to a heightened risk of liver cancer. Despite decades of efforts in seeking for cures for cirrhosis, this disease remains irreversible. To assist in the advancement of understanding toward cirrhosis as well as therapeutic options, various disease models, each with different strengths, are developed. With the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture in recent years, more realistic biochemical properties are observed in 3D cell models, which have gradually taken over the responsibilities of traditional 2D cell culture, and are expected to replace some of the animal models in the near future. Here, we propose a 3D fibrotic liver model inspired by liver lobules. In the model, 3D-printed poly(glycerol sebacate) acrylate (PGSA) scaffolds facilitated the formation of 3D tissues and guided the deposition of fibrotic structures. Through the sequential seeding of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), HepG2 and HSCs, fibrotic septum-like tissues were created on PGSA scaffolds. As albumin secretion is considered a rather important function of the liver and is found only among hepatic cells, the detection of albumin secretion up to 30 days indicates the mimicking of basic liver functions. Moreover, the in vivo fibrotic tissue shows a high similarity to fibrotic septa. Finally, via complete encapsulation of HSCs, a down-regulated albumin secretion profile was observed in the capped model, which is a metabolic indicator that is important for the prognosis for liver cirrhosis. Looking forward, the incorporation of the vasculature will further upgrade the model into a sound tool for liver research and associated treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syuan-Ku Hsiao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Cheng-Wei Liang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Tze-Ling Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Yun-Chieh Sung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China. .,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Ting Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jane Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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19
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Pittman M, Iu E, Li K, Wang M, Chen J, Taneja N, Jo MH, Park S, Jung WH, Liang L, Barman I, Ha T, Gaitanaros S, Liu J, Burnette D, Plotnikov S, Chen Y. Membrane Ruffling is a Mechanosensor of Extracellular Fluid Viscosity. NATURE PHYSICS 2022; 18:1112-1121. [PMID: 37220497 PMCID: PMC10202009 DOI: 10.1038/s41567-022-01676-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Cell behaviour is affected by the physical forces and mechanical properties of the cells and of their microenvironment. The viscosity of extracellular fluid - a component of the cellular microenvironment - can vary by orders of magnitude, but its effect on cell behaviour remains largely unexplored. Using bio-compatible polymers to increase the viscosity of the culture medium, we characterize how viscosity affects cell behaviour. We find that multiple types of adherent cells respond in an unexpected but similar manner to elevated viscosity. In a highly viscous medium, cells double their spread area, exhibit increased focal adhesion formation and turnover, generate significantly greater traction forces, and migrate nearly two times faster. We observe that when cells are immersed in regular medium, these viscosity-dependent responses require an actively ruffling lamellipodium - a dynamic membrane structure at the front of the cell. We present evidence that cells utilize membrane ruffling to sense changes in extracellular fluid viscosity and to trigger adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Pittman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Ernest Iu
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto
| | - Keva Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Mingjiu Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Nilay Taneja
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University
| | | | - Seungman Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Wei-Hung Jung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Le Liang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Ishan Barman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University
| | | | - Jian Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Dylan Burnette
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University
| | | | - Yun Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University
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20
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Huang X, Zhu Z, Lu L, Jin R, Sun D, Luo X. Frozen bean curd-inspired Xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix with triple pretreatment approach of freeze-thaw, laser drilling and ADSCs pre-culture for promoting early vascularization and integration. Regen Biomater 2022; 9:rbac053. [PMID: 35974951 PMCID: PMC9375572 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbac053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is widely used in clinical practice given its good biocompatibility and biomechanical properties. Yet, its dense structure remains a hindrance. Incorporation of laser drilling and pre-culture with Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been attempted to promote early vascularization and integration, but the results were not ideal. Inspired by the manufacturing procedure of frozen bean curd, we proposed a freeze-thaw treatment to enhance the porosity of ADM. We found that the ADM treated with -80°C3R+-30°C3R had the largest disorder of stratified plane arrangement (deviation angle 28.6%) and the largest porosity (96%), making it an optimal approach. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells on freeze-thaw treated ADM demonstrated increased expression in Tie-2 and CD105 genes, proliferation, and tube formation in vitro compared with those on ADM. Combining freeze-thaw with laser drilling and pre-culture with ADSCs, such tri-treatment improved the gene expression of pro-angiogenic factors including IGF-1, EGF, and VEGF, promoted tube formation, increased cell infiltration, and accelerated vascularization soon after implantation. Overall, freeze-thaw is an effective method for optimizing the internal structure of ADM, and tri-treatments may yield clinical significance by promoting early cell infiltration, vascularization, and integration with surrounding tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Huang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, , Shanghai, PR China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Tissue Engineering, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhu Zhu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, , Shanghai, PR China
- Shanghai Key Lab of Tissue Engineering, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, PR China
| | - Lin Lu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, , Shanghai, PR China
| | - Rui Jin
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, , Shanghai, PR China
| | - Di Sun
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, , Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xusong Luo
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, , Shanghai, PR China
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21
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Moysidou CM, Withers AM, Nisbet AJ, Price DRG, Bryant CE, Cantacessi C, Owens RM. Investigation of Host-Microbe-Parasite Interactions in an In Vitro 3D Model of the Vertebrate Gut. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200015. [PMID: 35652159 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In vitro models of the gut-microbiome axis are in high demand. Conventionally, intestinal monolayers grown on Transwell setups are used to test the effects of commensals/pathogens on the barrier integrity, both under homeostatic and pathophysiological conditions. While such models remain valuable for deepening the understanding of host-microbe interactions, often, they lack key biological components that mediate this intricate crosstalk. Here, a 3D in vitro model of the vertebrate intestinal epithelium, interfaced with immune cells surviving in culture for over 3 weeks, is developed and applied to proof-of-concept studies of host-microbe interactions. More specifically, the establishment of stable host-microbe cocultures is described and functional and morphological changes in the intestinal barrier induced by the presence of commensal bacteria are shown. Finally, evidence is provided that the 3D vertebrate gut models can be used as platforms to test host-microbe-parasite interactions. Exposure of gut-immune-bacteria cocultures to helminth "excretory/secretory products" induces in vivo-like up-/down-regulation of certain cytokines. These findings support the robustness of the modular in vitro cell systems for investigating the dynamics of host-microbe crosstalk and pave the way toward new approaches for systems biology studies of pathogens that cannot be maintained in vitro, including parasitic helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysanthi-Maria Moysidou
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, West Cambridge Site, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Aimee M Withers
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, West Cambridge Site, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Daniel R G Price
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - Clare E Bryant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Veterinary School, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge Veterinary School, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Róisín M Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, West Cambridge Site, CB3 0AS, UK
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22
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Quantification of cell contractile behavior based on non-destructive macroscopic measurement of tension forces on bioprinted hydrogel. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 134:105365. [PMID: 35863297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105365] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Contraction assay based on surface measurement have been widely used to evaluate cell contractility in 3D models. This method is straightforward and requires no specific equipment, but it does not provide quantitative data about contraction forces generated by cells. We expanded this method with a new biomechanical model, based on the work-energy theorem, to provide non-destructive longitudinal monitoring of contraction forces generated by cells in 3D. We applied this method on hydrogels seeded with either fibroblasts or osteoblasts. Hydrogel mechanical characteristics were modulated to enhance (condition HCAHigh: hydrogel contraction assay high contraction) or limit (condition HCALow: hydrogel contraction assay low contraction) cell contractile behaviors. Macroscopic measures were further correlated with cell contractile behavior and descriptive analysis of their physiology in response to different mechanical environments. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts contracted their matrix up to 47% and 77% respectively. Contraction stress peaked at day 5 with 1.1 10-14 Pa for fibroblasts and 3.5 10-14 Pa for osteoblasts, which correlated with cell attachment and spreading. Negligible contraction was seen in HCALow. Both fibroblasts and osteoblasts expressed α-SMA contractile fibers in HCAHigh and HCALow. Failure to contract HCALow was attributed to increased cross-linking and resistance to proteolytic degradation of the hydrogel.
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23
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Dura G, Crespo-Cuadrado M, Waller H, Peters DT, Ferreira-Duarte A, Lakey JH, Fulton DA. Exploiting Meltable Protein Hydrogels to Encapsulate and Culture Cells in 3D. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200134. [PMID: 35780498 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing realization that 3D cell culture better mimics complex in vivo environments than 2D, lessening aberrant cellular behaviours and ultimately improving the outcomes of experiments. Chemically cross-linked hydrogels which imitate natural extracellular matrix (ECM) are proven cell culture platforms, but the encapsulation of cells within these hydrogel networks requires bioorthogonal cross-linking chemistries which can be cytotoxic, synthetically demanding and costly. Capsular antigen fragment 1 (Caf1) is a bacterial, polymeric, fimbrial protein which can be genetically engineered to imitate ECM. Furthermore, it can, reversibly, thermally interconvert between its polymeric and monomeric forms even when chemically cross-linked within a hydrogel network. We demonstrate that this meltable feature of Caf1 hydrogels can be utilized to encapsulate neonatal human dermal fibroblasts at a range of cell densities (2 × 105 - 2 × 106 cells/mL of hydrogel) avoiding issues with chemical cytotoxicity. These hydrogels supported cell 3D culture for up to 21 days, successfully inducing cellular functions such as proliferation and migration. This work is significant because it further highlights the potential of simple, robust, Caf1-based hydrogels as a cell culture platform. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Dura
- Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory, Chemistry-School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.,Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias yTecnologías Químicas-IRICA, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. C. J. Cela, 10, Ciudad Real, 13071, Spain
| | - Maria Crespo-Cuadrado
- School of Engineering, Stephenson Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
| | - Helen Waller
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Daniel T Peters
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Ana Ferreira-Duarte
- School of Engineering, Stephenson Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
| | - Jeremy H Lakey
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - David A Fulton
- Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory, Chemistry-School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
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24
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Urzì C, Hertig D, Meyer C, Maddah S, Nuoffer JM, Vermathen P. Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Metabolic Adaptations of 3D Cell Cultures upon Challenges in Real-Time by NMR. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126555. [PMID: 35743000 PMCID: PMC9223855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
NMR flow devices provide longitudinal real-time quantitative metabolome characterisation of living cells. However, discrimination of intra- and extracellular contributions to the spectra represents a major challenge in metabolomic NMR studies. The present NMR study demonstrates the possibility to quantitatively measure both metabolic intracellular fingerprints and extracellular footprints on human control fibroblasts by using a commercially available flow tube system with a standard 5 mm NMR probe. We performed a comprehensive 3D cell culture system characterisation. Diffusion NMR was employed for intra- and extracellular metabolites separation. In addition, complementary extracellular footprints were determined. The implemented perfused NMR bioreactor system allowed the determination of 35 metabolites and intra- and extracellular separation of 19 metabolites based on diffusion rate differences. We show the reliability and sensitivity of NMR diffusion measurements to detect metabolite concentration changes in both intra- and extracellular compartments during perfusion with different selective culture media, and upon complex I inhibition with rotenone. We also demonstrate the sensitivity of extracellular footprints to determine metabolic variations at different flow rates. The current method is of potential use for the metabolomic characterisation of defect fibroblasts and for improving physiological comprehension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Urzì
- Departments of Biomedical Research and Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.U.); (D.H.); (C.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Damian Hertig
- Departments of Biomedical Research and Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.U.); (D.H.); (C.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Meyer
- Departments of Biomedical Research and Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.U.); (D.H.); (C.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sally Maddah
- Departments of Biomedical Research and Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.U.); (D.H.); (C.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Jean-Marc Nuoffer
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Vermathen
- Departments of Biomedical Research and Neuroradiology, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.U.); (D.H.); (C.M.); (S.M.)
- Translational Imaging Center (TIC), Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
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25
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Bonney SK, Sullivan LT, Cherry TJ, Daneman R, Shih AY. Distinct features of brain perivascular fibroblasts and mural cells revealed by in vivo two-photon imaging. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:966-978. [PMID: 34929105 PMCID: PMC9125487 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211068528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Perivascular fibroblasts (PVFs) are recognized for their pro-fibrotic role in many central nervous system disorders. Like mural cells, PVFs surround blood vessels and express Pdgfrβ. However, these shared attributes hinder the ability to distinguish PVFs from mural cells. We used in vivo two-photon imaging and transgenic mice with PVF-targeting promoters (Col1a1 or Col1a2) to compare the structure and distribution of PVFs and mural cells in cerebral cortex of healthy, adult mice. We show that PVFs localize to all cortical penetrating arterioles and their offshoots (arteriole-capillary transition zone), as well as the main trunk of only larger ascending venules. However, the capillary zone is devoid of PVF coverage. PVFs display short-range mobility along the vessel wall and exhibit distinct structural features (flattened somata and thin ruffled processes) not seen with smooth muscle cells or pericytes. These findings clarify that PVFs and mural cells are distinct cell types coexisting in a similar perivascular niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Bonney
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Liam T Sullivan
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Timothy J Cherry
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard Daneman
- Departments of Neurosciences and Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andy Y Shih
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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26
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Machahua C, Vicens-Zygmunt V, Ríos-Martín J, Llatjós R, Escobar-Campuzano I, Molina-Molina M, Montes-Worboys A. Collagen 3D matrices as a model for the study of cell behavior in pulmonary fibrosis. Exp Lung Res 2022; 48:126-136. [PMID: 35594338 DOI: 10.1080/01902148.2022.2067265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a complex progressive chronic lung disease where epithelial to mesenchymal interaction, extracellular matrix (ECM) contact, and pro-fibrotic cytokines dynamics take part in the development of the disease. The study of IPF in the widespread in vitro two-dimensional (2 D) culture fails to explain the interaction of cells with the changing environment that occurs in fibrotic lung tissue. A three-dimensional (3 D) co-culture model might shed light on the pathogenesis of IPF by mimicking the fibrotic environment. Materials and Methods: Fibroblasts from nine IPF were isolated and embedded in collagen matrices with the alveolar epithelial human cell line (A549) on the top. Cells were also cultured in 2 D with and without TGF-β1 as a conventional model to compare with. Both types of cells were isolated separately. Protein and gene expression of the main fibrotic markers were measured by qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Results: IPF fibroblasts to myofibroblasts differentiation was observed in the 3 D model and in cells stimulated with TGF-β1. In addition, ECM-related genes were highly up-regulated in the 3 D collagen matrix. A549 co-cultured 3 D with IPF fibroblasts showed EMT activation, with down-regulation of E-cadherin (CDH1). However, other pro-fibrotic genes as VIM, TGFB1, and MMP7 were up-regulated in A549 co-cultured 3 D with fibroblasts. Conclusions: 3 D-collagen matrices might induce fibroblasts' fibrotic phenotype as in the classic TGF-β1 model, by up-regulating genes associated with matrix production. In addition, IPF lung fibroblasts seem to exert a pro-fibrotic influence in A549 cells when they are co-cultured. These results suggest that an improved 3 D co-culture model might serve as an important tool to study the fibrotic process and its regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Machahua
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,National Consortium of Research in Respiratory Diseases, CIBERES Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Vicens-Zygmunt
- National Consortium of Research in Respiratory Diseases, CIBERES Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Unit of Interstitial Lung Diseases, Respiratory Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Respiratory Research group, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Ríos-Martín
- Unit of Interstitial Lung Diseases, Respiratory Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Respiratory Research group, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Llatjós
- Pathology Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - María Molina-Molina
- National Consortium of Research in Respiratory Diseases, CIBERES Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Unit of Interstitial Lung Diseases, Respiratory Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Respiratory Research group, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Montes-Worboys
- National Consortium of Research in Respiratory Diseases, CIBERES Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Unit of Interstitial Lung Diseases, Respiratory Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Respiratory Research group, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
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27
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An Evaluation of Different 3D Cultivation Models on Expression Profiles of Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts with Compressive Strain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042029. [PMID: 35216145 PMCID: PMC8876762 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042029] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of compressive strain during orthodontic treatment on gene expression profiles of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) have mostly been studied in 2D cell culture. However, cells behave differently in many aspects in 3D culture. Therefore, the effect of pressure application on PDLFs in different 3D structures was investigated. PDLFs were either conventionally seeded or embedded into different 3D structures (spheroids, Mebiol® gel, 3D scaffolds) and exposed to compressive force or incubated without pressure. For one 3D scaffold (POR), we also tested the effect of different compressive forces and application times. Expression of an angiogenic gene (VEGF), a gene involved in extracellular matrix synthesis (COL1A2), inflammatory genes (IL6, PTGS2), and genes involved in bone remodelling (OPG, RANKL) were investigated by RT-qPCR. Depending on the used 3D cell culture model, we detected different effects of compressive strain on expression profiles of PDLFs. COL1A2 was downregulated in all investigated 3D culture models. Angiogenetic and proinflammatory genes were regulated differentially between models. In 3D scaffolds, regulation of bone-remodelling genes upon compressive force was contrary to that observed in 3D gels. 3D cell culture models provide better approximations to in vivo physiology, compared with conventional 2D models. However, it is crucial which 3D structures are used, as these showed diverse effects on the expression profiles of PDLFs during mechanical strain.
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28
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Ghafoor H, Chu H, Huang J, Chen M, Wang S, Wang J, Chao J. ZC3H4 promotes pulmonary fibrosis via an ER stress-related positive feedback loop. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 435:115856. [PMID: 34979141 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis is a sequela of many pulmonary diseases, such as pneumoconiosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The principal characteristics of pulmonary fibrosis comprise myofibroblast proliferation, alveolar damage and deposition of extracellular matrix components, which cause abnormal lung structure remodeling and an irreversible decline in lung function; however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. The current study focused on the role of ZC3H4, a new member of the zinc finger protein family, in SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS The expression of ZC3H4 and fibroblast activation markers (COL1A1, COL3A1 and ACTA1) was measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining after SiO2 exposure (50 μg/cm2). The functional change in fibroblasts was studied with a scratch assay and a 3D migration assay. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to explore the regulatory mechanisms of ZC3H4 in pulmonary fibroblast cells. RESULTS The expression levels of ZC3H4 and sigmar1 (a key regulator of ER stress) were increased in pulmonary fibroblast cells and were associated with fibroblast activation, as indicated by the increase in COL1A1, COL3A1 and ACTA1, as well as the migration ability. SiO2-enhanced fibroblast activation was attenuated by specific knockdown of ZC3H4 and inhibition of ER stress, demonstrating that ZC3H4 activated fibroblasts via the sigmar1/ER stress pathway. Interestingly, ER stress blockade also inhibited ZC3H4 expression, indicating the positive feedback regulatory mechanism of ER stress on ZC3H4. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that ZC3H4 and sigmar1 might act as novel therapeutic targets for silicosis, providing a reference for further pulmonary fibrosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hammad Ghafoor
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Han Chu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China; Key Laboratory of Development Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China
| | - Mengling Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China
| | - Sha Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China.
| | - Jie Chao
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China; Key Laboratory of Development Genes and Human Disease, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 2100096, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China; School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shanxi 712082, China.
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29
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Douillet C, Nicodeme M, Hermant L, Bergeron V, Guillemot F, Fricain JC, Oliveira H, Garcia M. From local to global matrix organization by fibroblasts: a 4D laser-assisted bioprinting approach. Biofabrication 2021; 14. [PMID: 34875632 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac40ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts play a central role in skin homeostasis through dermal organization and maintenance. Nonetheless, the dynamic interactions between (myo)fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix (ECM) remain poorly exploited in skin repair strategies. Indeed, there is still an unmet need for soft tissue models allowing to study the spatial-temporal remodeling properties of (myo)fibroblasts. In vivo, wound healing studies in animals are limited by species specificity. In vitro, most models rely on collagen gels reorganized by randomly distributed fibroblasts. But biofabrication technologies have significantly evolved over the past ten years. High-resolution bioprinting now allows to investigate various cellular micropatterns and the emergent tissue organizations over time. In order to harness the full dynamic properties of cells and active biomaterials, it is essential to consider "time" as the 4th dimension in soft tissue design. Following this 4D bioprinting approach, we aimed to develop a novel model that could replicate fibroblast dynamic remodeling in vitro. For this purpose, (myo)fibroblasts were patterned on collagen gels with laser-assisted bioprinting (LAB) to study the generated matrix deformations and reorganizations. First, distinct populations, mainly composed of fibroblasts or myofibroblasts, were established in vitro to account for the variety of fibroblastic remodeling properties. Then, LAB was used to organize both populations on collagen gels in even isotropic patterns with high resolution, high density and high viability. With maturation, bioprinted patterns of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts reorganized into dispersed or aggregated cells, respectively. Stress-release contraction assays revealed that these phenotype-specific pattern maturations were associated with distinct lattice tension states. The two populations were then patterned in anisotropic rows in order to direct the cell-generated deformations and to orient global matrix remodeling. Only maturation of anisotropic fibroblast patterns, but not myofibroblasts, resulted in collagen anisotropic reorganizations both at tissue-scale, with lattice contraction, and at microscale, with embedded microbead displacements. Following a 4D bioprinting approach, LAB patterning enabled to elicit and orient the dynamic matrix remodeling mechanisms of distinct fibroblastic populations and organizations on collagen. For future studies, this method provides a new versatile tool to investigate in vitro dermal organizations and properties, processes of remodeling in healing, and new treatment opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Douillet
- Bioingénierie tissulaire, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, Aquitaine, 33076, FRANCE
| | - Marc Nicodeme
- Poietis, 27 Allée Charles Darwin, Pessac, 33600, FRANCE
| | - Loïc Hermant
- Poietis, 27 Allée Charles Darwin, Pessac, 33600, FRANCE
| | | | | | - Jean-Christophe Fricain
- Bioingénierie tissulaire, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, 33076, FRANCE
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- Bioingénierie tissulaire, Université de Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, 33076, FRANCE
| | - Mikael Garcia
- Poietis, 27 Allée Charles Darwin, Pessac, 33600, FRANCE
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Slater B, Li J, Indana D, Xie Y, Chaudhuri O, Kim T. Transient mechanical interactions between cells and viscoelastic extracellular matrix. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10274-10285. [PMID: 34137758 PMCID: PMC8695121 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01911a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
During various physiological processes, such as wound healing and cell migration, cells continuously interact mechanically with a surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Contractile forces generated by the actin cytoskeleton are transmitted to a surrounding ECM, resulting in structural remodeling of the ECM. To better understand how matrix remodeling takes place, a myriad of in vitro experiments and simulations have been performed during recent decades. However, physiological ECMs are viscoelastic, exhibiting stress relaxation or creep over time. The time-dependent nature of matrix remodeling induced by cells remains poorly understood. Here, we employed a discrete model to investigate how the viscoelastic nature of ECMs affects matrix remodeling and stress profiles. In particular, we used explicit transient cross-linkers with varied density and unbinding kinetics to capture viscoelasticity unlike most of the previous models. Using this model, we quantified the time evolution of generation, propagation, and relaxation of stresses induced by a contracting cell in an ECM. It was found that matrix connectivity, regulated by fiber concentration and cross-linking density, significantly affects the magnitude and propagation of stress and subsequent matrix remodeling, as characterized by fiber displacements and local net deformation. In addition, we demonstrated how the base rate and force sensitivity of cross-linker unbinding regulate stress profiles and matrix remodeling. We verified simulation results using in vitro experiments performed with fibroblasts encapsulated in a three-dimensional collagen matrix. Our study provides key insights into the dynamics of physiologically relevant mechanical interactions between cells and a viscoelastic ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Slater
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S Martin Jischke Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Jing Li
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S Martin Jischke Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Dhiraj Indana
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 440 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yihao Xie
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 452 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Taeyoon Kim
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, 206 S Martin Jischke Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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Pun S, Haney LC, Barrile R. Modelling Human Physiology on-Chip: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1250. [PMID: 34683301 PMCID: PMC8540847 DOI: 10.3390/mi12101250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
For centuries, animal experiments have contributed much to our understanding of mechanisms of human disease, but their value in predicting the effectiveness of drug treatments in the clinic has remained controversial. Animal models, including genetically modified ones and experimentally induced pathologies, often do not accurately reflect disease in humans, and therefore do not predict with sufficient certainty what will happen in humans. Organ-on-chip (OOC) technology and bioengineered tissues have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional animal testing for a wide range of applications in biological defence, drug discovery and development, and precision medicine, offering a potential alternative. Recent technological breakthroughs in stem cell and organoid biology, OOC technology, and 3D bioprinting have all contributed to a tremendous progress in our ability to design, assemble and manufacture living organ biomimetic systems that more accurately reflect the structural and functional characteristics of human tissue in vitro, and enable improved predictions of human responses to drugs and environmental stimuli. Here, we provide a historical perspective on the evolution of the field of bioengineering, focusing on the most salient milestones that enabled control of internal and external cell microenvironment. We introduce the concepts of OOCs and Microphysiological systems (MPSs), review various chip designs and microfabrication methods used to construct OOCs, focusing on blood-brain barrier as an example, and discuss existing challenges and limitations. Finally, we provide an overview on emerging strategies for 3D bioprinting of MPSs and comment on the potential role of these devices in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirjana Pun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA; (S.P.); (L.C.H.)
| | - Li Cai Haney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA; (S.P.); (L.C.H.)
| | - Riccardo Barrile
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA; (S.P.); (L.C.H.)
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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Woodley JP, Lambert DW, Asencio IO. Understanding Fibroblast Behavior in 3D Biomaterials. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2021; 28:569-578. [PMID: 34102862 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2021.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Traditional monolayer culture fails to fully recapitulate the in vivo environment of connective tissue cells such as the fibroblast. When cultured on stiff two-dimensional (2D) plastic, fibroblasts become highly proliferative forming broad lamellipodia and stress fibers. Conversely, in different three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, fibroblasts have displayed a diverse array of features; from an "activated" phenotype like that observed in 2D cultures and by myofibroblasts, to a quiescent state that likely better represents in vivo fibroblasts at rest. Today, a plethora of microfabrication techniques have made 3D culture commonplace, for both tissue engineering purposes and in the study of basic biological interactions. However, establishing the in vivo mimetic credentials of different biomimetic materials is not always straightforward, particularly in the context of fibroblast responses. Fibroblast behavior is governed by the complex interplay of biological features such as integrin binding sites, material mechanical properties that influence cellular mechanotransduction, and microarchitectural features like pore and fiber size, as well as chemical cues. Furthermore, fibroblasts are a heterogeneous group of cells with specific phenotypic traits dependent on their tissue of origin. These features have made understanding the influence of biomaterials on fibroblast behavior a challenging task. In this study, we present a review of the strategies used to investigate fibroblast behavior with a focus on the material properties that influence fibroblast activation, a process that becomes pathological in fibrotic diseases and certain cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe P Woodley
- Bioengineering and Health Technologies Group, The School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel W Lambert
- Integrated Bioscience Group, The School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ilida Ortega Asencio
- Bioengineering and Health Technologies Group, The School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Pao SI, Lin LT, Chen YH, Chen CL, Chen JT. Repression of Smad4 by MicroRNA-1285 moderates TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254873. [PMID: 34383767 PMCID: PMC8360606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess whether microRNA (miR)-1285 can suppress the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Expression of miR-1285 was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The features of EMT were assessed using Western blotting, immunocytochemical staining, scratch wound healing tests, modified Boyden chamber assay, and collagen gel contraction assay. A rabbit model of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was used for in vivo testing, which involved the induction of PVR by injection of transfected ARPE cells into the vitreous chamber. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the putative target of miR-1285. The expression of miR-1285 was downregulated in ARPE-19 cells treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Overexpression of miR-1285 led to upregulation of zonula occludens-1, downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, cell migration and cell contractility-all EMT features-in the TGF-β2-treated ARPE-19 cells. The reporter assay indicated that the 3' untranslated region of Smad4 was the direct target of miR1285. PVR progression was alleviated in the miR-1285 transfected rabbits. In conclusion, overexpression of miR-1285 attenuates TGF-β2-induced EMT in a rabbit model of PVR, and the effect of miR-1285 in PVR is dependent on Smad4. Further research is warranted to develop a feasible therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-I Pao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Le-Tien Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital Songshan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Hao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ching-Long Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jiann-Torng Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Zhu AS, Mustafa T, Connell JP, Grande-Allen KJ. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta suppress myofibroblast activation via nuclear factor kappa B signaling in 3D-cultured mitral valve interstitial cells. Acta Biomater 2021; 127:159-168. [PMID: 33831572 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitral valve disease is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity throughout the world. Many different mitral valve pathologies feature fibrotic remodeling, often accompanied by an inflammatory state. Mitral valve fibrosis is mediated by valvular interstitial cells (VICs), which reside in the valve leaflets and often differentiate into myofibroblast-like cells during disease conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) on mitral VICs, since these pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to exert pleiotropic effects on various cell types in other fibrotic disorders. Using biomimetic three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrated that TNF-α and IL-1β suppress myofibroblast differentiation in mitral VICs, as evidenced by gene and protein expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle 22 alpha. Addition of TNF-α and IL-1β also inhibited mitral VIC-mediated contraction of collagen gels. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB, which is downstream of TNF-α and IL-1β, reversed these effects. These results reveal targetable pathways for potential development of pharmaceutical treatments for alleviating fibrosis during mitral valve disease. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mitral valve disease is a common cardiovascular condition that is often accompanied by fibrotic tissue remodeling. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs), the fibroblast-like cells that reside in heart valve leaflets, are thought to drive fibrosis during valve disease by differentiating into activated myofibroblasts. However, the signaling pathways that regulate this process in the mitral valve are not fully understood. In the present study, we cultured mitral VICs in collagen and poly(ethylene glycol) scaffolds designed to mimic the heart valve microenvironment and treated the cell-seeded scaffolds with cytokines. Using these 3D culture models, we found that the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β downregulate myofibroblast and fibrosis markers in mitral VICs via the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway.
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González-Pérez M, Camasão DB, Mantovani D, Alonso M, Rodríguez-Cabello JC. Biocasting of an elastin-like recombinamer and collagen bi-layered model of the tunica adventitia and external elastic lamina of the vascular wall. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:3860-3874. [PMID: 33890956 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm02197k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The development of techniques for fabricating vascular wall models will foster the development of preventive and therapeutic therapies for treating cardiovascular diseases. However, the physical and biological complexity of vascular tissue represents a major challenge, especially for the design and the production of off-the-shelf biomimetic vascular replicas. Herein, we report the development of a biocasting technique that can be used to replicate the tunica adventitia and the external elastic lamina of the vascular wall. Type I collagen embedded with neonatal human dermal fibroblast (HDFn) and an elastic click cross-linkable, cell-adhesive and protease-sensitive elastin-like recombinamer (ELR) hydrogel were investigated as readily accessible and tunable layers to the envisaged model. Mechanical characterization confirmed that the viscous and elastic attributes predominated in the collagen and ELR layers, respectively. In vitro maturation confirmed that the collagen and ELR provided a favorable environment for the HDFn viability, while histology revealed the wavy and homogenous morphology of the ELR and collagen layer respectively, the cell polarization towards the cell-attachment sites encoded on the ELR, and the enhanced expression of glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix and differentiation of the embedded HDFn into myofibroblasts. As a complementary assay, 30% by weight of the collagen layer was substituted with the ELR. This model proved the possibility to tune the composition and confirm the versatile character of the technology developed, while revealing no significant differences with respect to the original construct. On-demand modification of the model dimensions, number and composition of the layers, as well as the type and density of the seeded cells, can be further envisioned, thus suggesting that this bi-layered model may be a promising platform for the fabrication of biomimetic vascular wall models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel González-Pérez
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), University of Valladolid, CIBER-BBN, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Dimitria Bonizol Camasão
- Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Canada Research Chair I in Biomaterials and Bioengineering for the Innovation in Surgery, Department of Min-Met-Materials Engineering, Research Center of CHU de Québec, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Diego Mantovani
- Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Canada Research Chair I in Biomaterials and Bioengineering for the Innovation in Surgery, Department of Min-Met-Materials Engineering, Research Center of CHU de Québec, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada G1V 0A6
| | - Matilde Alonso
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), University of Valladolid, CIBER-BBN, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
| | - José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello
- BIOFORGE (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), University of Valladolid, CIBER-BBN, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
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Wu Y, Sun Z, Wang Y, Chen H, Bian J. Human dermal fibroblasts support the development of human primordial/primary follicles in a 3-dimensional alginate matrix culture system. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:868. [PMID: 34164502 PMCID: PMC8184424 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Alginate matrix 3-dimensional culture offers the opportunity for the development and maturation of human secondary follicles in vitro. However, alginate may not be the most suitable culture system for human primordial/primary follicles in vitro. Thus, the innovation of alginate matrix 3-dimensional culture systems for human primordial/primary follicles could hold promise as an ideal approach to restoring fertility. Methods We extracted primordial/primary follicles from ovarian tissues collected from patients with non-ovarian benign gynecological conditions. Fibroblasts were isolated from dermal tissue from 1 male patient who had undergone posthectomy. The isolated human follicles were randomly divided into 2 groups and encapsulated within fibroblast-alginate-hydrogels or alginate hydrogels. The survival and growth of human primordial/primary follicles were measured after 21 days of in vitro culture. Results The dermal fibroblasts in alginate hydrogel microcapsules were round in shape, and were distributed as uniform clouds on the surface and gaps of the alginate. After 21 days of culture, the survival rate of follicles in the fibroblast-alginate group was higher than that of the alginate group (P<0.05). The diameter of follicles in the fibroblast-alginate group and the alginate group after 21 days of culture was 152.80±13.64 and 129.14±9.95 μm, respectively (P<0.05). After 21-day culture, the mean cpm (log-converted) for 3H-thymidine incorporated by granulosa cells in the fibroblast-alginate and alginate groups was 6.87±0.24 and 4.63±0.38, respectively (P<0.05). After 21 days of culture, the messenger RNA expression levels of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) were significantly higher in oocytes in fibroblast-alginate hydrogels than in those in alginate hydrogels (P<0.05). Conclusions Human fibroblasts are beneficial to the development of human follicles in 3-dimensional culture alginate gel systems over a long period of time. More studies are required to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms of human fibroblasts that promote follicle growth in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wu
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zili Sun
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Bian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Everjoy Medical Polyclinic, Shanghai, China
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37
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Dura G, Crespo-Cuadrado M, Waller H, Peters DT, Ferreira AM, Lakey JH, Fulton DA. Hydrogels of engineered bacterial fimbriae can finely tune 2D human cell culture. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:2542-2552. [PMID: 33571331 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01966f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Demand continues to grow for biomimetic materials able to create well-defined environments for modulating the behaviour of living cells in culture. Here, we describe hydrogels based upon the polymeric bacterial fimbriae protein capsular antigen fragment 1 (Caf1) that presents tunable biological properties for enhanced tissue cell culture applications. We demonstrate how Caf1 hydrogels can regulate cellular functions such as spreading, proliferation and matrix deposition of human dermal fibroblast cells (hDFBs). Caf1 hydrogels exploring a range of mechanical properties were prepared using copolymers featuring controlled compositions of inert wild-type Caf1 subunits and a mutant subunit displaying the RGDS peptide motif. The hydrogels showed excellent cytocompatibility with hDFBs and the ability to modulate both cell morphology and matrix deposition. Interestingly, Caf1 hydrogels displaying faster stress relaxation were demonstrated to show the highest metabolic activities of growing cells in comparison with other Caf1 hydrogel formulations. The stiffest Caf1 hydrogel impacted cellular morphology, inducing alignment of the cells. This work is significant as it clearly indicates that Caf1-based hydrogels offer tuneable biochemical and mechanical substrates conditions suitable for cell culture applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Dura
- Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory, Chemistry-School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
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Allbritton-King JD, Kimicata M, Fisher JP. Incorporating a structural extracellular matrix gradient into a porcine urinary bladder matrix-based hydrogel dermal scaffold. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 109:1893-1904. [PMID: 33797180 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of chronic, nonhealing wounds necessitates the investigation of full-thickness skin substitutes conducive to host integration and wound closure. Extracellular matrix (ECM)-based hydrogel scaffolds mimic the physiological matrix environment of dermal cells, thereby conferring favorable cellular adhesion, infiltration, and proliferation. However, low-concentration ECM hydrogels rapidly lose mechanical strength as they degrade, leaving them susceptible to shrinkage from fibroblast-mediated contraction. Conversely, high-concentration ECM hydrogels are typically too dense to permit nutrient diffusion and cellular migration. This study investigates the design and fabrication of a graded-concentration hydrogel composed of porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) as a dermal scaffold for potential use in chronic wound treatment. Our method of UBM isolation and decellularization effectively removed native DNA while preserving matrix proteins. Hydrogels composed of a range of decellularized UBM (dUBM) concentrations were characterized and used to design a three-tiered gradient hydrogel that promoted cellular activity and maintained structural integrity. The gradient dUBM hydrogel showed stability of cross-sectional area during collagenase degradation, despite considerable loss of mass. The gradient dUBM hydrogel also resisted fibroblast-mediated contraction while supporting high surface cell viability, demonstrating the mechanical support provided by denser layers of dUBM. Overall, incorporation of an ECM concentration gradient into a porcine UBM-based hydrogel scaffold capitalizes on the unique advantages of both high and low-concentration ECM hydrogels, and mitigates the structural weaknesses that have limited the efficacy of hydrogel dermal scaffolds for chronic wounds. Our gradient design shows promise for future development of stable, pro-regenerative wound scaffolds with customized architectures using 3D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules D Allbritton-King
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.,Center for Engineering Complex Tissues, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Megan Kimicata
- Center for Engineering Complex Tissues, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - John P Fisher
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.,Center for Engineering Complex Tissues, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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Fitzgerald AA, Li E, Weiner LM. 3D Culture Systems for Exploring Cancer Immunology. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 13:cancers13010056. [PMID: 33379189 PMCID: PMC7795162 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary To study any disease, researchers need convenient and relevant disease models. In cancer, the most commonly used models are two-dimensional (2D) culture models, which grow cells on hard, rigid, plastic surfaces, and mouse models. Cancer immunology is especially difficult to model because the immune system is exceedingly complex; it contains multiple types of cells, and each cell type has several subtypes and a spectrum of activation states. These many immune cell types interact with cancer cells and other components of the tumor, ultimately influencing disease outcomes. 2D culture methods fail to recapitulate these complex cellular interactions. Mouse models also suffer because the murine and human immune systems vary significantly. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems therefore provide an alternative method to study cancer immunology and can fill the current gaps in available models. This review will describe common 3D culture models and how those models have been used to advance our understanding of cancer immunology. Abstract Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, spurring extensive investigation into cancer immunology and how to exploit this biology for therapeutic benefit. Current methods to investigate cancer-immune cell interactions and develop novel drug therapies rely on either two-dimensional (2D) culture systems or murine models. However, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems provide a potentially superior alternative model to both 2D and murine approaches. As opposed to 2D models, 3D models are more physiologically relevant and better replicate tumor complexities. Compared to murine models, 3D models are cheaper, faster, and can study the human immune system. In this review, we discuss the most common 3D culture systems—spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips—and detail how these systems have advanced our understanding of cancer immunology.
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Jelinek D, Zhang ER, Ambrus A, Haley E, Guinn E, Vo A, Le P, Kesaf AE, Nguyen J, Guo L, Frederick D, Sun Z, Guo N, Sevier P, Bilotta E, Atai K, Voisin L, Coller HA. A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth. J Vis Exp 2020:10.3791/61883. [PMID: 33427239 PMCID: PMC8238354 DOI: 10.3791/61883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can play an important role in tumor growth by creating a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Models to study the role of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment can be helpful for understanding the functional importance of fibroblasts, fibroblasts from different tissues, and specific genetic factors in fibroblasts. Mouse models are essential for understanding the contributors to tumor growth and progression in an in vivo context. Here, a protocol in which cancer cells are mixed with fibroblasts and introduced into mice to develop tumors is provided. Tumor sizes over time and final tumor weights are determined and compared among groups. The protocol described can provide more insight into the functional role of CAFs in tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jelinek
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ellen Ran Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
| | - Aaron Ambrus
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Erin Haley
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
| | - Emily Guinn
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Austin Vo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Peter Le
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ayse Elif Kesaf
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Jennifer Nguyen
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Lily Guo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Destiny Frederick
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Zhengyang Sun
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Natalie Guo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
| | - Parker Sevier
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Eric Bilotta
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Kaiser Atai
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Laurent Voisin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Hilary A Coller
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles;
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Ray HC, Corliss BA, Bruce AC, Kesting S, Dey P, Mansour J, Seaman SA, Smolko CM, Mathews C, Dey BK, Owens GK, Peirce SM, Yates PA. Myh11+ microvascular mural cells and derived mesenchymal stem cells promote retinal fibrosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15808. [PMID: 32978500 PMCID: PMC7519078 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72875-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal diseases are frequently characterized by the accumulation of excessive scar tissue found throughout the neural retina. However, the pathophysiology of retinal fibrosis remains poorly understood, and the cell types that contribute to the fibrotic response are incompletely defined. Here, we show that myofibroblast differentiation of mural cells contributes directly to retinal fibrosis. Using lineage tracing technology, we demonstrate that after chemical ocular injury, Myh11+ mural cells detach from the retinal microvasculature and differentiate into myofibroblasts to form an epiretinal membrane. Inhibition of TGFβR attenuates Myh11+ retinal mural cell myofibroblast differentiation, and diminishes the subsequent formation of scar tissue on the surface of the retina. We demonstrate retinal fibrosis within a murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy resulting from the intravitreal injection of adipose Myh11-derived mesenchymal stem cells, with ensuing myofibroblast differentiation. In this model, inhibiting TGFβR signaling does not significantly alter myofibroblast differentiation and collagen secretion within the retina. This work shows the complexity of retinal fibrosis, where scar formation is regulated both by TGFβR and non-TGFβR dependent processes involving mural cells and derived mesenchymal stem cells. It also offers a cautionary note on the potential deleterious, pro-fibrotic effects of exogenous MSCs once intravitreally injected into clinical patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Clifton Ray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Bruce A Corliss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Anthony C Bruce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sam Kesting
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Paromita Dey
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Mansour
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Scott A Seaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Christian M Smolko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Corbin Mathews
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Bijan K Dey
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Gary K Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Shayn M Peirce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Paul A Yates
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800715, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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Minor AJ, Coulombe KLK. Engineering a collagen matrix for cell-instructive regenerative angiogenesis. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2020; 108:2407-2416. [PMID: 31984665 PMCID: PMC7334070 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Engineering an angiogenic material for regenerative medicine requires knowledge of native extracellular matrix remodeling by cellular processes in angiogenesis. Vascularization remains a key challenge in the field of tissue engineering, one that can be mitigated by developing platforms conducive to guiding dynamic cell-matrix interactions required for new vessel formation. In this review, we highlight nuanced processes of angiogenesis and demonstrate how materials engineering is being used to interface with dynamic type I collagen remodeling, Notch and VEGF signaling, cell migration, and tissue morphogenesis. Because α1(I)-collagen is secreted by endothelial tip cells during sprouting angiogenesis and required for migration, collagen is a very useful natural biomaterial and its angiogenic modifications are described. The balance between collagen types I and IV via secretion and degradation is tightly controlled by proteinases and other cell types that are capable of internalizing collagen to maintain tissue integrity. Thus, we provide examples in skin and cardiac tissue engineering of collagen tailoring in diverse cellular microenvironments for tissue regeneration. As our understanding of how to drive collagen remodeling and cellular phenotype through angiogenic pathways grows, our capabilities to model and manipulate material systems must continue to expand to develop novel applications for wound healing, angiogenic therapy, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia J Minor
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Kareen L K Coulombe
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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Burr SD, Stewart JA. Extracellular matrix components isolated from diabetic mice alter cardiac fibroblast function through the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade. Life Sci 2020; 250:117569. [PMID: 32201277 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Individuals suffering from diabetes have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications such as heart failure. Heart failure can be a result of the stiffening of the left ventricle, which occurs when cardiac fibroblasts become "active" and begin to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM). Fibroblast "activation" can be triggered by the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade. Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) are produced and accumulate in the ECM over time in a healthy individual, but under hyperglycemic conditions, this process is accelerated. In this study, we investigated how the presence of AGEs in either non-diabetic or diabetic ECM affected fibroblast-mediated matrix remodeling. In order to address this question, diabetic and non-diabetic fibroblasts were embedded in 3D matrices composed of collagen isolated from either non-diabetic or diabetic mice. Fibroblast function was assessed using gel contraction, migration, and protein expression. Non-diabetic fibroblasts displayed similar gel contraction to diabetic cells when embedded in diabetic collagen. Thus, suggesting the diabetic ECM can alter fibroblast function from an "inactive" to "active" state. Addition of AGEs increase the AGE/RAGE cascade leading to increased gel contraction, whereas inhibiting the cascade resulted in little or no gel contraction. These results indicated 1) the ECM from diabetic and non-diabetic mice differ from one another, 2) diabetic ECM can impact fibroblast function and shift them toward an "active" state, and 3) that fibroblasts can modify the ECM through activation of the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade. These results suggested the importance of understanding the impact diabetes has on the ECM and fibroblast function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie D Burr
- Dept. of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, United States of America.
| | - James A Stewart
- Dept. of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, United States of America.
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Pham QL, Tong A, Rodrigues LN, Zhao Y, Surblyte M, Ramos D, Brito J, Rahematpura A, Voronov RS. Ranking migration cue contributions to guiding individual fibroblasts faced with a directional decision in simple microfluidic bifurcations. Integr Biol (Camb) 2020; 11:208-220. [PMID: 31251334 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyz018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Directed cell migration in complex micro-environments, such as in vivo pores, is important for predicting locations of artificial tissue growth and optimizing scaffold architectures. Yet, the directional decisions of cells facing multiple physiochemical cues have not been characterized. Hence, we aim to provide a ranking of the relative importance of the following cues to the decision-making of individual fibroblast cells: chemoattractant concentration gradient, channel width, mitosis, and contact-guidance. In this study, bifurcated micro-channels with branches of different widths were created. Fibroblasts were then allowed to travel across these geometries by following a gradient of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) established inside the channels. Subsequently, a combination of statistical analysis and image-based diffusion modeling was used to report how the presence of multiple complex migration cues, including cell-cell influences, affect the fibroblast decision-making. It was found that the cells prefer wider channels over a higher chemoattractant gradient when choosing between asymmetric bifurcated branches. Only when the branches were symmetric in width did the gradient become predominant in directing which path the cell will take. Furthermore, when both the gradient and the channels were symmetric, contact guidance became important for guiding the cells in making directional choices. Based on these results we were able to rank these directional cues from most influential to the least as follows: mitosis > channel width asymmetry > chemoattractant gradient difference > and contact-guidance. It is expected that these results will benefit the fields of regenerative medicine, wound healing and developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quang Long Pham
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Anh Tong
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Lydia N Rodrigues
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Yang Zhao
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Migle Surblyte
- Ying Wu College of Computing Sciences, Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Diomar Ramos
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - John Brito
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Adwik Rahematpura
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Roman S Voronov
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
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Micha D, Pals G, Smit TH, Ghazanfari S. An in vitro model to evaluate the properties of matrices produced by fibroblasts from osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 521:310-317. [PMID: 31668813 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.09.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers Danlos syndrome are hereditary disorders caused primarily by defective collagen regulation. Osteogenesis imperfecta patients were divided to haploinsufficient and dominant negative depending on the effect of COL1A1 and COL1A2 mutations whereas Ehlers Danlos syndrome patients had a mutation in PLOD1. Although collagen abnormalities have been extensively studied in monolayer cultures, there are no reports about 3D in vitro models which may reflect more accurately the dynamic cell environment. This is the first study presenting the structural and mechanical characterization of a 3D cell-secreted model using primary patient fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fibroblasts from patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers Danlos syndrome were cultured with ascorbic acid for 5 weeks. The effect of mutations on cytosolic and secreted collagen was tested by electrophoresis following incubation with radiolabeled 14C proline. Extracellular matrix was studied in terms of collagen fiber orientation, stiffness, as well as glycosaminoglycan and collagen content. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Osteogenesis imperfecta patients with haploinsufficient mutations had higher percentage of anisotropic collagen fibers alignment compared to other patient groups; all patients had a lower percentage of anisotropic samples compared to healthy controls. This correlated with higher average stiffness in the control group. Glycosaminoglycan content was lower in the control and haploinsufficient groups. In cells with PLOD1 mutations, there were no differences in PLOD2 expression. This proof of concept study was able to show differences in collagen fiber orientation between different patient groups which can potentially pave the way towards the development of 3D models aiming at improved investigation of disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Gerard Pals
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Theo H Smit
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Samaneh Ghazanfari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Geleen, the Netherlands; Department of Biohybrid & Medical Textiles (Biotex), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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46
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Zhao Y, Rafatian N, Wang EY, Feric NT, Lai BFL, Knee-Walden EJ, Backx PH, Radisic M. Engineering microenvironment for human cardiac tissue assembly in heart-on-a-chip platform. Matrix Biol 2020; 85-86:189-204. [PMID: 30981898 PMCID: PMC6788963 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip systems have the potential to revolutionize drug screening and disease modeling through the use of human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. The predictive power of these tissue models critically depends on the functional assembly and maturation of human cells that are used as building blocks for organ-on-a-chip systems. To resemble a more adult-like phenotype on these heart-on-a-chip systems, the surrounding micro-environment of individual cardiomyocyte needs to be controlled. Herein, we investigated the impact of four microenvironmental cues: cell seeding density, types and percentages of non-myocyte populations, the types of hydrogels used for tissue inoculation and the electrical conditioning regimes on the structural and functional assembly of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac tissues. Utilizing a novel, plastic and open-access heart-on-a-chip system that is capable of continuous non-invasive monitoring of tissue contractions, we were able to study how different micro-environmental cues affect the assembly of the cardiomyocytes into a functional cardiac tissue. We have defined conditions that resulted in tissues exhibiting hallmarks of the mature human myocardium, such as positive force-frequency relationship and post-rest potentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimu Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5; Canada
| | - Naimeh Rafatian
- Division of Cardiology and Peter Munk Cardiac Center, University of Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2N2, Canada
| | - Erika Y Wang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Nicole T Feric
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; TARA Biosystems, Inc., New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Benjamin F L Lai
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Ericka J Knee-Walden
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Peter H Backx
- Division of Cardiology and Peter Munk Cardiac Center, University of Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2N2, Canada; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada; Toronto General Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4; Canada
| | - Milica Radisic
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E5; Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada; Toronto General Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4; Canada.
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47
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Teoh JH, Thamizhchelvan AM, Davoodi P, Ramasamy S, Vijayavenkataraman S, Yang Q, Dicolandrea T, Zhao H, Fuh JY, Liou YC, Wang CH. Investigation of the application of a Taylor-Couette bioreactor in the post-processing of bioprinted human dermal tissue. Biochem Eng J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2019.107317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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48
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Benvenuto M, Mattera R, Miele MT, Giganti MG, Tresoldi I, Albonici L, Manzari V, Modesti A, Masuelli L, Bei R. Effects of a natural multi-component compound formulation on the growth, morphology and extracellular matrix production of human adult dermal fibroblasts. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:2639-2647. [PMID: 31572512 PMCID: PMC6755435 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) creates a tissue microenvironment able to regulate cellular signaling. The loss of ECM plasticity is associated with several pathologies, especially those involving chronic inflammation, therefore, the ECM represents a potential therapeutic target for certain conditions. The present study investigated the effects of a natural multi-component compound formulation, Galium-Heel®, on the growth, morphology and ECM production of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). The effects of the formulation on HDF growth and morphology were assessed by sulforhodamine B assay, trypan blue exclusion staining, FACS and ultrastructural analyses. The effect of the compound on reactive oxygen species production by HDF was performed by dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay. The expression of ECM components, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and signaling molecules was analyzed by western blot analysis. The present results demonstrated that Galium-Heel® did not significantly affect HDF growth, survival, cell cycle or morphology indicating the biocompatibility of the formulation. The formulation demonstrated antioxidant activity. Galium-Heel® was able to modulate ECM by regulating collagens (type I and III) and MMPs-3 and −7 expression. In addition, the formulation was able to regulate molecules involved in TGF-β signalling, including mitogen activated kinase-like protein, GLI family zinc finger 2 and pro-survival proteins such as AKT. The present results demonstrating the effects of a natural multi-component compound on ECM composition, highlighted the possibility of pharmacologically modulating ECM molecules. The recovery and the maintenance of ECM homeostasis might be considered as a potential therapeutic goal to ameliorate pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Mattera
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Martino Tony Miele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Giganti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Tresoldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Albonici
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Manzari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Modesti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Sapienza', I-00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', I-00133 Rome, Italy
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Sliogeryte K, Gavara N. Vimentin Plays a Crucial Role in Fibroblast Ageing by Regulating Biophysical Properties and Cell Migration. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101164. [PMID: 31569795 PMCID: PMC6848922 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ageing is the result of changes in biochemical and biophysical processes at the cellular level that lead to progressive organ decline. Here we focus on the biophysical changes that impair cellular function of human dermal fibroblasts using donors of increasing age. We find that cell motility is impaired in cells from older donors, which is associated with increased Young’s modulus, viscosity, and adhesion. Cellular morphology also displays parallel increases in spread area and cytoskeletal assembly, with a threefold increase in vimentin filaments alongside a decrease in its remodelling rate. Treatments with withaferin A or acrylamide show that cell motility can be modulated by regulating vimentin assembly. Crucially, decreasing vimentin amount in cells from older individuals to levels displayed by the neonatal donor rescues their motility. Our results suggest that increased vimentin assembly may underlay the aberrant biophysical properties progressively observed at the cellular level in the course of human ageing and propose vimentin as a potential therapeutic target for ageing-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Sliogeryte
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Núria Gavara
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
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50
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Matei AE, Chen CW, Kiesewetter L, Györfi AH, Li YN, Trinh-Minh T, Xu X, Tran Manh C, van Kuppevelt T, Hansmann J, Jüngel A, Schett G, Groeber-Becker F, Distler JHW. Vascularised human skin equivalents as a novel in vitro model of skin fibrosis and platform for testing of antifibrotic drugs. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1686-1692. [PMID: 31540936 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fibrosis is a complex pathophysiological process involving interplay between multiple cell types. Experimental modelling of fibrosis is essential for the understanding of its pathogenesis and for testing of putative antifibrotic drugs. However, most current models employ either phylogenetically distant species or rely on human cells cultured in an artificial environment. Here we evaluated the potential of vascularised in vitro human skin equivalents as a novel model of skin fibrosis and a platform for the evaluation of antifibrotic drugs. METHODS Skin equivalents were assembled on a three-dimensional extracellular matrix by sequential seeding of endothelial cells, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Fibrotic transformation on exposure to transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) and response to treatment with nintedanib as an established antifibrotic agent were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), capillary Western immunoassay, immunostaining and histology. RESULTS Skin equivalents perfused at a physiological pressure formed a mature, polarised epidermis, a stratified dermis and a functional vessel system. Exposure of these models to TGFβ recapitulated key features of SSc skin with activation of TGFβ pathways, fibroblast to myofibroblast transition, increased release of collagen and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Treatment with the antifibrotic agent nintedanib ameliorated this fibrotic transformation. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence that vascularised skin equivalents can replicate key features of fibrotic skin and may serve as a platform for evaluation of antifibrotic drugs in a pathophysiologically relevant human setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru-Emil Matei
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Chih-Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Kiesewetter
- Translational Center Würzburg, Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andrea-Hermina Györfi
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thuong Trinh-Minh
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Cuong Tran Manh
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Toin van Kuppevelt
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Hansmann
- Translational Center Würzburg, Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Würzburg, Germany.,University for Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Wurzburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Jüngel
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich/Zurich Center of Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florian Groeber-Becker
- Translational Center Würzburg, Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), Würzburg, Germany.,Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Würzburg University Medical Center, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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