1
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Adu-Berchie K, Liu Y, Zhang DKY, Freedman BR, Brockman JM, Vining KH, Nerger BA, Garmilla A, Mooney DJ. Generation of functionally distinct T-cell populations by altering the viscoelasticity of their extracellular matrix. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1374-1391. [PMID: 37365267 PMCID: PMC10749992 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01052-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies largely depends on the generation of T-cell populations that provide rapid effector function and long-term protective immunity. Yet it is becoming clearer that the phenotypes and functions of T cells are inherently linked to their localization in tissues. Here we show that functionally distinct T-cell populations can be generated from T cells that received the same stimulation by altering the viscoelasticity of their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). By using a model ECM based on a norbornene-modified collagen type I whose viscoelasticity can be adjusted independently from its bulk stiffness by varying the degree of covalent crosslinking via a bioorthogonal click reaction with tetrazine moieties, we show that ECM viscoelasticity regulates T-cell phenotype and function via the activator-protein-1 signalling pathway, a critical regulator of T-cell activation and fate. Our observations are consistent with the tissue-dependent gene-expression profiles of T cells isolated from mechanically distinct tissues from patients with cancer or fibrosis, and suggest that matrix viscoelasticity could be leveraged when generating T-cell products for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwasi Adu-Berchie
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yutong Liu
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David K Y Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin R Freedman
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua M Brockman
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyle H Vining
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Preventative and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bryan A Nerger
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - David J Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Ganabady K, Contessi Negrini N, Scherba JC, Nitschke BM, Alexander MR, Vining KH, Grunlan MA, Mooney DJ, Celiz AD. High-Throughput Screening of Thiol-ene Click Chemistries for Bone Adhesive Polymers. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:50908-50915. [PMID: 37905511 PMCID: PMC10636719 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Metal surgical pins and screws are employed in millions of orthopedic surgical procedures every year worldwide, but their usability is limited in the case of complex, comminuted fractures or in surgeries on smaller bones. Therefore, replacing such implants with a bone adhesive material has long been considered an attractive option. However, synthesizing a biocompatible bone adhesive with a high bond strength that is simple to apply presents many challenges. To rapidly identify candidate polymers for a biocompatible bone adhesive, we employed a high-throughput screening strategy to assess human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) adhesion toward a library of polymers synthesized via thiol-ene click chemistry. We chose thiol-ene click chemistry because multifunctional monomers can be rapidly cured via ultraviolet (UV) light while minimizing residual monomer, and it provides a scalable manufacturing process for candidate polymers identified from a high-throughput screen. This screening methodology identified a copolymer (1-S2-FT01) composed of the monomers 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (TATATO) and pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP), which supported highest hMSC adhesion across a library of 90 polymers. The identified copolymer (1-S2-FT01) exhibited favorable compressive and tensile properties compared to existing commercial bone adhesives and adhered to bone with adhesion strengths similar to commercially available bone glues such as Histoacryl. Furthermore, this cytocompatible polymer supported osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and could adhere 3D porous polymer scaffolds to the bone tissue, making this polymer an ideal candidate as an alternative bone adhesive with broad utility in orthopedic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavya Ganabady
- Department
of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
| | | | - Jacob C. Scherba
- Wyss
Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A.
Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Brandon M. Nitschke
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843-3120, United States
| | | | - Kyle H. Vining
- School
of Dental Medicine and Department of Materials Science, School of
Engineering and Applied Science, University
of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6030, United States
| | - Melissa A. Grunlan
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843-3120, United States
| | - David J. Mooney
- Wyss
Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A.
Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Adam D. Celiz
- Department
of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K.
- Francis
Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
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3
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Vining KH, Marneth AE, Adu-Berchie K, Grolman JM, Tringides CM, Liu Y, Wong WJ, Pozdnyakova O, Severgnini M, Stafford A, Duda GN, Hodi FS, Mullally A, Wucherpfennig KW, Mooney DJ. Mechanical checkpoint regulates monocyte differentiation in fibrotic niches. Nat Mater 2022; 21:939-950. [PMID: 35817965 PMCID: PMC10197159 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01293-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Myelofibrosis is a progressive bone marrow malignancy associated with monocytosis, and is believed to promote the pathological remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Here we show that the mechanical properties of myelofibrosis, namely the liquid-to-solid properties (viscoelasticity) of the bone marrow, contribute to aberrant differentiation of monocytes. Human monocytes cultured in stiff, elastic hydrogels show proinflammatory polarization and differentiation towards dendritic cells, as opposed to those cultured in a viscoelastic matrix. This mechanically induced cell differentiation is blocked by inhibiting a myeloid-specific isoform of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, PI3K-γ. We further show that murine bone marrow with myelofibrosis has a significantly increased stiffness and unveil a positive correlation between myelofibrosis grading and viscoelasticity. Treatment with a PI3K-γ inhibitor in vivo reduced frequencies of monocyte and dendritic cell populations in murine bone marrow with myelofibrosis. Moreover, transcriptional changes driven by viscoelasticity are consistent with transcriptional profiles of myeloid cells in other human fibrotic diseases. These results demonstrate that a fibrotic bone marrow niche can physically promote a proinflammatory microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle H Vining
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Preventative and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna E Marneth
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kwasi Adu-Berchie
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua M Grolman
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering, The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Christina M Tringides
- Harvard Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division in Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yutong Liu
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Waihay J Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olga Pozdnyakova
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mariano Severgnini
- Center for Immuno-Oncology Immune Assessment Laboratory at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Stafford
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Georg N Duda
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Julius Wolff Institute for Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Regeneration at Berlin Institute of Health and Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health and Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - F Stephen Hodi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann Mullally
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kai W Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - David J Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Gonzalez-Pujana A, de Lázaro I, Vining KH, Santos-Vizcaino E, Igartua M, Hernandez RM, Mooney DJ. 3D encapsulation and inflammatory licensing of mesenchymal stromal cells alter the expression of common reference genes used in real-time RT-qPCR. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:6741-6753. [PMID: 33136110 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01562h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) hold great promise in the treatment of inflammatory and immune diseases, due to their immunomodulatory capacity. Their therapeutic activity is often assessed measuring levels of expression of immunomodulatory genes such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and real-time RT-qPCR is most predominantly the method of choice due to its high sensitivity and relative simplicity. Currently, multiple strategies are explored to promote hMSC-mediated immunomodulation, overlooking the effects they pose in the expression of genes commonly used as internal calibrators in real-time RT-qPCR analyses. However, variations in their expression could introduce significant errors in the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of hMSCs. This work investigates, for the first time, how some of these strategies - 3D encapsulation, the mechanical properties of the 3D matrix and inflammatory licensing - influence the expression of common reference genes in hMSCs. Both 3D encapsulation and inflammatory licensing alter significantly the expression of β-actin (ACTB) and Ubiquitin C (UBC), respectively. Using them as normalization factors leads to an erroneous assessment of IDO1 mRNA levels, therefore resulting in over or underestimation of the therapeutic potential of hMSCs. In contrast, the range of mechanical properties of the matrix encapsulating the cells did not significantly affect the expression of any of the reference genes studied. Moreover, we identify RPS13 and RPL30 as reference genes of choice under these particular experimental conditions. These results demonstrate the vital importance of validating the expression of reference genes to correctly assess the therapeutic potential of hMSCs by real-time RT-qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Gonzalez-Pujana
- NanoBioCel Research Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
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5
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Gonzalez-Pujana A, Vining KH, Zhang DKY, Santos-Vizcaino E, Igartua M, Hernandez RM, Mooney DJ. Multifunctional biomimetic hydrogel systems to boost the immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stromal cells. Biomaterials 2020; 257:120266. [PMID: 32763614 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great therapeutic potential, in part because of their immunomodulatory properties. However, these properties can be transient and depend on multiple factors. Here, we developed a multifunctional hydrogel system to synergistically enhance the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs, using a combination of sustained inflammatory licensing and three-dimensional (3D) encapsulation in hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties. The immunomodulatory extracellular matrix hydrogels (iECM) consist of an interpenetrating network of click functionalized-alginate and fibrillar collagen, in which interferon γ (IFN-γ) loaded heparin-coated beads are incorporated. The 3D microenvironment significantly enhanced the expression of a wide panel of pivotal immunomodulatory genes in bone marrow-derived primary human MSCs (hMSCs), compared to two-dimensional (2D) tissue culture. Moreover, the inclusion of IFN-γ loaded heparin-coated beads prolonged the expression of key regulatory genes upregulated upon licensing, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and galectin-9 (GAL9). At a protein level, iECM hydrogels enhanced the secretion of the licensing responsive factor Gal-9 by hMSCs. Its presence in hydrogel conditioned media confirmed the correct release and diffusion of the factors secreted by hMSCs from the system. Furthermore, co-culture of iECM-encapsulated hMSCs and activated human T cells resulted in suppressed proliferation, demonstrating direct regulation on immune cells. These data highlight the potential of iECM hydrogels to enhance the immunomodulatory properties of hMSCs in cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Gonzalez-Pujana
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN). Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Kyle H Vining
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David K Y Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Edorta Santos-Vizcaino
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN). Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Manoli Igartua
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN). Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Rosa Maria Hernandez
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN). Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
| | - David J Mooney
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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6
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Ledo AM, Vining KH, Alonso MJ, Garcia-Fuentes M, Mooney DJ. Extracellular matrix mechanics regulate transfection and SOX9-directed differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Acta Biomater 2020; 110:153-163. [PMID: 32417266 PMCID: PMC7291356 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gene delivery within hydrogel matrices can potentially direct mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards a chondrogenic fate to promote regeneration of cartilage. Here, we investigated whether the mechanical properties of the hydrogel containing the gene delivery systems could enhance transfection and chondrogenic programming of primary human bone marrow-derived MSCs. We developed collagen-I-alginate interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels with tunable stiffness and adhesion properties. The hydrogels were activated with nanocomplexed SOX9 polynucleotides to direct chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. MSCs transfected within the hydrogels showed higher expression of chondrogenic markers compared to MSCs transfected in 2D prior to encapsulation. The nanocomplex uptake and resulting expression of transfected SOX9 were jointly enhanced by increased stiffness and cell-adhesion ligand density in the hydrogels. Further, transfection of SOX9 effectively induced MSCs chondrogenesis and reduced markers of hypertrophy compared to control matrices. These findings highlight the importance of matrix stiffness and adhesion as design parameters in gene-activated matrices for regenerative medicine. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Gene-activated matrices (GAMs) are biodegradable polymer networks integrating gene therapies, and they are promising technologies for supporting tissue regeneration. Despite this interest, there is still limited information on how to rationally design these systems. Here, we provide a systematic study of the effect of matrix stiffness and cell adhesion ligands on gene transfer efficiency. We show that high stiffness and the presence of cell-binding sites promote transfection efficiency and that this result is related to more efficient internalization and trafficking of the gene therapies. GAMs with optimized mechanical properties can induce cartilage formation and result in tissues with better characteristics for articular cartilage tissue engineering as compared to previously described standard methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Ledo
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, IDIS Research Institute, CIMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - Kyle H Vining
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Maria J Alonso
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, IDIS Research Institute, CIMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - Marcos Garcia-Fuentes
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, IDIS Research Institute, CIMUS Research Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - David J Mooney
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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7
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Vining KH, Lombaert IMA, Patel VN, Kibbey SE, Pradhan-Bhatt S, Witt RL, Hoffman MP. Neurturin-containing laminin matrices support innervated branching epithelium from adult epithelial salispheres. Biomaterials 2019; 216:119245. [PMID: 31200143 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell transplantation of autologous adult biopsies, grown ex vivo as epithelial organoids or expanded as spheroids, are proposed treatments to regenerate damaged branching organs. However, it is not clear whether transplantation of adult organoids or spheroids alone is sufficient to initiate a fetal-like program of branching morphogenesis in which coordinated branching of multiple cell types including nerves, mesenchyme and blood vessels occurs. Yet this is an essential concept for the regeneration of branching organs such as lung, pancreas, and lacrimal and salivary glands. Here, we used factors identified from fetal organogenesis to maintain and expand adult murine and human epithelial salivary gland progenitors in non-adherent spheroid cultures, called salispheres. These factors stimulated critical developmental pathways, and increased expression of epithelial progenitor markers such as Keratin5, Keratin14, FGFR2b and KIT. Moreover, physical recombination of adult salispheres in a laminin-111 extracellular matrix with fetal salivary mesenchyme, containing endothelial and neuronal cells, only induced branching morphogenesis when neurturin, a neurotrophic factor, was added to the matrix. Neurturin was essential to improve neuronal survival, axon outgrowth, innervation of the salispheres, and resulted in the formation of branching structures with a proximal-distal axis that mimicked fetal branching morphogenesis, thus recapitulating organogenesis. Epithelial progenitors were also maintained, and developmental differentiation programs were initiated, showing that the fetal microenvironment provides a template for adult epithelial progenitors to initiate branching and differentiation. Further delineation of secreted and physical cues from the fetal niche will be useful to develop novel regenerative therapies that instruct adult salispheres to resume a developmental-like program in vitro and to regenerate branching organs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Vining
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20842, USA; Medical Research Scholars Program, Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education, Clinical Center, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20842, USA; University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Current Address: John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138. USA
| | - I M A Lombaert
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20842, USA; Current Address: Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, North Campus Research Center, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - V N Patel
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20842, USA
| | - S E Kibbey
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20842, USA
| | - S Pradhan-Bhatt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA; Center for Translational Cancer Research, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA; Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
| | - R L Witt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA; Center for Translational Cancer Research, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA; Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, 19713, USA; Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - M P Hoffman
- Matrix and Morphogenesis Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20842, USA.
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8
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Vining KH, Stafford A, Mooney DJ. Sequential modes of crosslinking tune viscoelasticity of cell-instructive hydrogels. Biomaterials 2018; 188:187-197. [PMID: 30366219 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Materials that can mimic the fibrillar architecture of native extracellular matrix (ECM) while allowing for independent regulation of viscoelastic properties may serve as ideal, artificial ECM (aECM) to regulate cell functions. Here we describe an interpenetrating network of click-functionalized alginate, crosslinked with a combination of ionic and covalent crosslinking, and fibrillar collagen type I. Varying the mode and magnitude of crosslinking enables tunable stiffness and viscoelasticity, while altering neither the hydrogel's microscale architecture nor diffusional transport of molecules with molecular weight relevant to typical nutrients. Further, appropriately timing sequential ionic and covalent crosslinking permits self-assembly of collagen into fibrillar structures within the network. Culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in this mechanically-tunable ECM system revealed that MSC expression of immunomodulatory markers is differentially impacted by the viscoelasticity and stiffness of the matrix. Together, these results describe and validate a novel material system for investigating how viscoelastic mechanical properties of ECM regulate cellular behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle H Vining
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alexander Stafford
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - David J Mooney
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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9
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Vidovic-Zdrilic I, Vining KH, Vijaykumar A, Kalajzic I, Mooney DJ, Mina M. FGF2 Enhances Odontoblast Differentiation by αSMA + Progenitors In Vivo. J Dent Res 2018; 97:1170-1177. [PMID: 29649366 DOI: 10.1177/0022034518769827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine the effects of early and limited exposure of perivascular cells expressing α (αSMA) to fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in vivo. We performed in vivo fate mapping by inducible Cre-loxP and experimental pulp injury in molars to induce reparative dentinogenesis. Our results demonstrate that early delivery of exogenous FGF2 to exposed pulp led to proliferative expansion of αSMA-tdTomato+ cells and their accelerated differentiation into odontoblasts. In vivo lineage-tracing experiments showed that the calcified bridge/reparative dentin in FGF2-treated pulps were lined with an increased number of Dspp+ odontoblasts and devoid of BSP+ osteoblasts. The increased number of odontoblasts derived from αSMA-tdTomato+ cells and the formation of reparative dentin devoid of osteoblasts provide in vivo evidence for the stimulatory effects of FGF signaling on odontoblast differentiation from early progenitors in dental pulp.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Vidovic-Zdrilic
- 1 Departments of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - K H Vining
- 2 John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - A Vijaykumar
- 1 Departments of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - I Kalajzic
- 3 Departments of Reconstructive Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - D J Mooney
- 2 John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - M Mina
- 1 Departments of Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
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Alonso-Nocelo M, Raimondo TM, Vining KH, López-López R, de la Fuente M, Mooney DJ. Matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophages modulate epithelial to mesenchymal transition of human adenocarcinoma cells. Biofabrication 2018; 10:035004. [PMID: 29595143 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/aaafbc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is gaining increasing attention in oncology, as it is recognized to be functionally important during tumor development and progression. Tumors are heterogeneous tissues that, in addition to tumor cells, contain tumor-associated cell types such as immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. These other cells, together with the specific extracellular matrix (ECM), create a permissive environment for tumor growth. While the influence of tumor-infiltrating cells and mechanical properties of the ECM in tumor invasion and progression have been studied separately, their interaction within the complex TME and the epithelial -to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is still unclear. In this work, we develop a 3D co-culture model of lung adenocarcinoma cells and macrophages in an interpenetrating network hydrogel, to investigate the influence of the macrophage phenotype and ECM stiffness in the induction of EMT. Rising ECM stiffness increases both tumor cell proliferation and invasiveness. The presence of tumor-associated macrophages and the ECM stiffness jointly contribute to an invasive phenotype, and modulate the expression of key EMT-related markers. Overall, these findings support the utility of in vitro 3D cancer models that allow one to study interactions among key components of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Alonso-Nocelo
- Translational Medical Oncology Group, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, CIBERONC, E-15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Vining KH, Scherba JC, Bever AM, Alexander MR, Celiz AD, Mooney DJ. Synthetic Light-Curable Polymeric Materials Provide a Supportive Niche for Dental Pulp Stem Cells. Adv Mater 2018; 30:10.1002/adma.201704486. [PMID: 29215170 PMCID: PMC5788014 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Dental disease annually affects billions of patients, and while regenerative dentistry aims to heal dental tissue after injury, existing polymeric restorative materials, or fillings, do not directly participate in the healing process in a bioinstructive manner. There is a need for restorative materials that can support native functions of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), which are capable of regenerating dentin. A polymer microarray formed from commercially available monomers to rapidly identify materials that support DPSC adhesion is used. Based on these findings, thiol-ene chemistry is employed to achieve rapid light-curing and minimize residual monomer of the lead materials. Several triacrylate bulk polymers support DPSC adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro, and exhibit stiffness and tensile strength similar to existing dental materials. Conversely, materials composed of a trimethacrylate monomer or bisphenol A glycidyl methacrylate, which is a monomer standard in dental materials, do not support stem cell adhesion and negatively impact matrix and signaling pathways. Furthermore, thiol-ene polymerized triacrylates are used as permanent filling materials at the dentin-pulp interface in direct contact with irreversibly injured pulp tissue. These novel triacrylate-based biomaterials have potential to enable novel regenerative dental therapies in the clinic by both restoring teeth and providing a supportive niche for DPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle H Vining
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jacob C Scherba
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Alaina M Bever
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Morgan R Alexander
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Adam D Celiz
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David J Mooney
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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Abstract
Stem cells and their local microenvironment, or niche, communicate through mechanical cues to regulate cell fate and cell behaviour and to guide developmental processes. During embryonic development, mechanical forces are involved in patterning and organogenesis. The physical environment of pluripotent stem cells regulates their self-renewal and differentiation. Mechanical and physical cues are also important in adult tissues, where adult stem cells require physical interactions with the extracellular matrix to maintain their potency. In vitro, synthetic models of the stem cell niche can be used to precisely control and manipulate the biophysical and biochemical properties of the stem cell microenvironment and to examine how the mode and magnitude of mechanical cues, such as matrix stiffness or applied forces, direct stem cell differentiation and function. Fundamental insights into the mechanobiology of stem cells also inform the design of artificial niches to support stem cells for regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle H. Vining
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - David J. Mooney
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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