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Amirsadeghi A, Mahdavi S, Jager P, Kamperman M, Es Sayed J. 3D-Printable Granular Hydrogel Composed of Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Hybrid Polyelectrolyte Complex Microgels. Biomacromolecules 2025. [PMID: 40401554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2025]
Abstract
When it comes to 3D printing of hydrogels, optimizing rheological properties is crucial to ensure (i) a smooth flow of the ink through the nozzle during printing and (ii) structural integrity postprinting. Granular hydrogels offer excellent printability due to their intrinsic yield-stress properties; however, they typically lack postprinting integrity in aqueous environments. To address this limitation, a novel approach is proposed to integrate the yield-stress behavior of granular hydrogels with polyelectrolyte complexes, which exhibit tunable mechanical properties and structural integrity in aqueous media. In this approach, hybrid microgels composed of chemically co-cross-linked hyaluronic acid-chitosan polyelectrolytes are prepared in a high-salt medium to shield electrostatic interactions and then jammed to form a printable granular hydrogel. By reducing the salt concentration below the critical threshold for electrostatic association, intra- and interparticle electrostatic interactions are activated, causing both the microgels and the granular hydrogel to shrink. This process yields a hydrogel with tunable stiffness, packing density, and dimensions. Overall, this strategy paves the way for the design of 3D hydrogel constructs with dynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Amirsadeghi
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 3, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Shahriar Mahdavi
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 3, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Paula Jager
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 3, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Marleen Kamperman
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 3, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Julien Es Sayed
- Biotechnology Centre, The Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, Gliwice 44-100, Poland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen AV 9713, The Netherlands
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2
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Campbell BE, Zhang K, Shi A, Rostami S, Pioche-Lee D, Li C, Leblond A, Forigua A, Boghdady CM, Moraes C, Lesher-Pérez SC. Integrating Miniaturized Turbines into Microfluidic Droplet Generating Systems for Scalable Microgel Production. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2025; 8:3801-3810. [PMID: 40259819 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c01950] [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: 04/23/2025]
Abstract
Generating microgels is of critical importance in developing granular biomaterials, which have diverse emerging applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, producing large volumes of microgels while maintaining a reasonably low population of polydispersity remains a challenge. Here, we introduce the Turbinator, a device that can be added on to the commercially available Shirasu Porous Glass (SPG) microdroplet production system to provide precise control of the local shear stresses around the porous glass droplet production head. In addition to reducing the polydispersity of droplet sizes produced using the SPG, this system allows for continuous production of droplets in inexpensive and massively scalable kerosene oil baths for industrial manufacturing applications. To validate the device, we develop finite element models to understand the local shear stresses applied and characterize the droplets produced under various operating conditions. Finally, we confirmed that this production method supports biological activity via viability and spreading assays of fibroblast cells and invasion assays in a model cancer spheroid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin E Campbell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Kori Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Anna Shi
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Sabra Rostami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Durante Pioche-Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Alexandre Leblond
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Alejandro Forigua
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | | | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 0C5, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 1A3, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Sasha Cai Lesher-Pérez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Pradal P, Hardivillé P, Kim JB, Nam SK, Kim SH, Amstad E. 3D Printing of Stiff Photonic Microparticles into Load-Bearing Structures. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2025; 21:e2501172. [PMID: 40159833 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202501172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2025] [Revised: 03/14/2025] [Indexed: 04/02/2025]
Abstract
Structural colors are bright and possess a remarkable resistance to light exposure, humidity, and temperature such that they constitute an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pigments. Unfortunately, upscaling the production of photonic structures obtained via conventional colloidal self-assembly is challenging because defects often occur during the assembly of larger structures. Moreover, the processing of materials exhibiting structural colors into intricate 3D structures remains challenging. To address these limitations, rigid photonic microparticles are formulated into an ink that can be 3D printed through direct ink writing (DIW) at room temperature to form intricate macroscopic structures possessing locally varying mechanical and optical properties. This is achieved by adding small amounts of soft microgels to the rigid photonic particles. To rigidify the granular structure, a percolating hydrogel network is formed that covalently connects the microgels. The mechanical properties of the resulting photonic granular materials can be adjusted with the composition and volume fraction of the microgels. The potential of this approach is demonstrated by 3D printing a centimeter-sized photonic butterfly and a temperature-responsive photonic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Pradal
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials in École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Paul Hardivillé
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials in École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Jong Bin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Seong Kyeong Nam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin-Hyun Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Esther Amstad
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials in École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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4
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Miklosic G, De Oliveira S, Schlittler M, Le Visage C, Hélary C, Ferguson SJ, D'Este M. Hyaluronan composite bioink preserves nucleus pulposus cell phenotype in a stiffness-dependent manner. Carbohydr Polym 2025; 353:123277. [PMID: 39914983 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123277] [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: 07/30/2024] [Revised: 12/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2025] [Indexed: 05/07/2025]
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major cause of neck and back pain, representing a significant global socioeconomic burden. The polysaccharide hyaluronan is key to maintaining disc physiology and mediating disc disease through its structural and biological roles in the nucleus pulposus, a component of the intervertebral disc highly susceptible to degeneration. In this study, we introduce a novel composite bioink designed for extrusion bioprinting of structures resembling the nucleus pulposus. Our bioink combines levels of hyaluronic acid and collagen that approach physiological concentrations and effectively mimics the disc's hydrated and mechanically resilient environment. We modulated the composite's mechanical properties through the tyramination of hyaluronic acid and subsequent photocrosslinking, influencing morphology and gene expression of embedded bovine nucleus pulposus cells. This allows us to replicate a range of properties from healthy to degenerated human nucleus pulposus, which would be challenging to achieve with traditional cell culture and in vivo models. Our results show that modulating hyaluronan physico-chemical properties influenced embedded cell phenotype. The outcomes of this study inform the future design of biomaterials for the modelling of disc disease and regeneration, and present a versatile platform that can be readily integrated with other biofabricated components to form engineered intervertebral disc-like structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Miklosic
- AO Research Institute Davos, 7270 Davos, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie De Oliveira
- Laboratory of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Paris, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Catherine Le Visage
- Nantes Université, Oniris, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Christophe Hélary
- Laboratory of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Paris, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Matteo D'Este
- AO Research Institute Davos, 7270 Davos, Switzerland.
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5
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Holland I. Extrusion bioprinting: meeting the promise of human tissue biofabrication? PROGRESS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2025; 7:023001. [PMID: 39904058 PMCID: PMC11894458 DOI: 10.1088/2516-1091/adb254] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 11/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2025] [Indexed: 02/06/2025]
Abstract
Extrusion is the most popular bioprinting platform. Predictions of human tissue and whole-organ printing have been made for the technology. However, after decades of development, extruded constructs lack the essential microscale resolution and heterogeneity observed in most human tissues. Extrusion bioprinting has had little clinical impact with the majority of research directed away from the tissues most needed by patients. The distance between promise and reality is a result of technology hype and inherent design flaws that limit the shape, scale and survival of extruded features. By more widely adopting resolution innovations and softening its ambitions the biofabrication field could define a future for extrusion bioprinting that more closely aligns with its capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Holland
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Deanery of Biomedical Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Engineering Biology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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6
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Thompson GB, Lee J, Kamani KM, Flores-Velasco N, Rogers SA, Harley BAC. Granular hydrogels as brittle yield stress fluids. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2025:2025.02.22.639638. [PMID: 40060491 PMCID: PMC11888328 DOI: 10.1101/2025.02.22.639638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2025]
Abstract
While granular hydrogels are increasingly used in biomedical applications, methods to capture their rheological behavior generally consider shear-thinning and self-healing properties or produce ensemble metrics such as the dynamic moduli. Analytical approaches paired with common oscillatory shear tests can describe not only solid-like and fluid-like behavior of granular hydrogels but also transient characteristics inherent in yielding and unyielding processes. Combining oscillatory shear testing with consideration of Brittility (Bt) via the Kamani-Donley-Rogers (KDR) model, we show granular hydrogels behave as brittle yield stress fluids with complex transient rheology. We quantify steady and transient rheology as a function of microgel (composition; diameter) and granular (packing; droplet heterogeneity) assembly properties for mixtures of polyethylene glycol and gelatin microgels. The KDR model with Bt captures granular hydrogel behavior for a wide range of design parameters, reducing the complex transient rheology to a determination of model parameters. We describe the impact of composition on rheological behavior and model parameters in monolithic and mixed granular hydrogels. The model robustly captures self-healing behavior and reveals granular relaxation time depends on strain amplitude. This quantitative framework is an important step toward rational design of granular hydrogels for applications ranging from injection and in situ stabilization to 3D bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Thompson
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - J Lee
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - K M Kamani
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - N Flores-Velasco
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - S A Rogers
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - B A C Harley
- Dept. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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7
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Sergis V, Kelly D, Pramanick A, Britchfield G, Mason K, Daly AC. In-situquality monitoring during embedded bioprinting using integrated microscopy and classical computer vision. Biofabrication 2025; 17:025004. [PMID: 39808934 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/adaa22] [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: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2025] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in bioprinting technology, current hardware platforms lack the capability for process monitoring and quality control. This limitation hampers the translation of the technology into industrial GMP-compliant manufacturing settings. As a key step towards a solution, we developed a novel bioprinting platform integrating a high-resolution camera forin-situmonitoring of extrusion outcomes during embedded bioprinting. Leveraging classical computer vision and image analysis techniques, we then created a custom software module for assessing print quality. This module enables quantitative comparison of printer outputs to input points of the computer-aided design model's 2D projections, measuring area and positional accuracy. To showcase the platform's capabilities, we then investigated compatibility with various bioinks, dyes, and support bath materials for both 2D and 3D print path trajectories. In addition, we performed a detailed study on how the rheological properties of granular support hydrogels impact print quality during embedded bioprinting, illustrating a practical application of the platform. Our results demonstrated that lower viscosity, faster thixotropy recovery, and smaller particle sizes significantly enhance print fidelity. This novel bioprinting platform, equipped with integrated process monitoring, holds great potential for establishing auditable and more reproducible biofabrication processes for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Sergis
- CÚRAM, Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Daniel Kelly
- CÚRAM, Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ankita Pramanick
- CÚRAM, Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Graham Britchfield
- CÚRAM, Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Karl Mason
- School of Computer Science, University of Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrew C Daly
- CÚRAM, Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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8
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Li Z, Tang J, Zhou L, Mao J, Wang W, Huang Z, Zhang L, Wu J, Jiang X, Ding Z, Xi K, Cai F, Gu Y, Chen L. MicroSphere 3D Structures Delay Tissue Senescence through Mechanotransduction. ACS NANO 2025; 19:2695-2714. [PMID: 39787443 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c14874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2025]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) stores signaling molecules and facilitates mechanical and biochemical signaling in cells. However, the influence of biomimetic "rejuvenation" ECM structures on aging- and degeneration-related cellular activities and tissue repair is not well understood. We combined physical extrusion and precise "on-off" alternating cross-linking methods to create anisotropic biomaterial microgels (MicroRod and MicroSphere) and explored how they regulate the cell activities of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and their potential antidegenerative effects on intervertebral discs. NP cells exhibited aligned growth along the surface of the MicroRod, enhanced proliferation, and reduced apoptosis. This suggests an adaptive cellular response involving adhesion and mechanosensing, which causes cytoskeletal extension via environmental cues. NP cells maintain nuclear membrane integrity through the YAP/TAZ pathway, which activates the cGAS-STING pathway to rectify the aging mechanisms. In vivo, MicroRod carries NP cells and reduces inflammatory factor and protease secretion in degenerated intervertebral discs, inhibiting degeneration and promoting NP tissue regeneration. Our findings highlight the role of mechanical stress in maintaining cellular activity and antiaging effects in harsh environments, providing a foundation for further research and development of antidegenerative biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Jincheng Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Jiannan Mao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Ziyan Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Lichen Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Xinzhao Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Zhouye Ding
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Kun Xi
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Feng Cai
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Yong Gu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Soochow, Jiangsu 215000, China
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Asadikorayem M, Weber P, Surman F, Puiggalí‐Jou A, Zenobi‐Wong M. Foreign Body Immune Response to Zwitterionic and Hyaluronic Acid Granular Hydrogels Made with Mechanical Fragmentation. Adv Healthc Mater 2025; 14:e2402890. [PMID: 39498680 PMCID: PMC11730820 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202402890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Revised: 10/19/2024] [Indexed: 11/07/2024]
Abstract
Granular hydrogels have recently attracted the attention for diverse tissue engineering applications due to their versatility and modularity. Despite previous studies showing enhanced viability and metabolism of cells encapsulated in these hydrogels, the in vitro immune response and long-term fibrotic response of these scaffolds have not been well characterized. Here, bulk and granular hydrogels are studied based on synthetic zwitterionic (ZI) and natural polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) made with mechanical fragmentation. In vitro, immunomodulatory studies show an increased stimulatory effect of HA granular hydrogels compared to bulk, while both bulk and granular ZI hydrogels do not induce an inflammatory response. Subcutaneous implantation in mice shows that both ZI and HA granular hydrogels resulted in less collagen capsule deposition around implants compared to bulk HA hydrogels 10 weeks after implantation. Moreover, the HA granular hydrogels are infiltrated by host cells, including macrophages and mature blood vessels, in a porosity-dependent manner. However, a large number of cells, including multinucleated giant cells as well as blood vessels, surround bulk and granular ZI hydrogels and are not able to infiltrate. Overall, this study provides new insights on the long-term stability and fibrotic response of granular hydrogels, paving the way for future studies and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Asadikorayem
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologyETH ZürichOtto‐Stern‐Weg 7Zürich8093Switzerland
| | - Patrick Weber
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologyETH ZürichOtto‐Stern‐Weg 7Zürich8093Switzerland
| | - František Surman
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologyETH ZürichOtto‐Stern‐Weg 7Zürich8093Switzerland
| | - Anna Puiggalí‐Jou
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologyETH ZürichOtto‐Stern‐Weg 7Zürich8093Switzerland
| | - Marcy Zenobi‐Wong
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and TechnologyETH ZürichOtto‐Stern‐Weg 7Zürich8093Switzerland
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10
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Stalder T, Koenig N, Cornu R, Laurent G, Pellequer Y, Jurin F, Moulari B, Martin H, Beduneau A. Optimization and evaluation of gastroresistant microparticles designed for siRNA oral delivery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2025; 206:114588. [PMID: 39613271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114588] [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: 08/02/2024] [Revised: 10/22/2024] [Accepted: 11/26/2024] [Indexed: 12/01/2024]
Abstract
Oral administration of siRNA is a challenging strategy for the local treatment of intestinal diseases, including cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Both nucleic acids and delivery systems, especially lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), are sensitive to the acidic pH of the stomach, bile salts and digestive enzymes. The present work focuses on the design and evaluation of gastroresistant alginate microparticles (MPs) prepared with an original process for oral delivery of siRNA. MPs with a mean diameter of less than 200 µm were obtained without extrusion and emulsification methods. Onpattro® marketed pharmaceutical product and TNF-α siRNA-loaded LNPs were successfully microencapsulated with an efficiency of at least 80 %. Gastroresistance properties and intestinal release were demonstrated in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. After exposure to simulated gastric fluid, MPs in contact with hepatocyte and LPS-activated monocyte-derived macrophage cell lines reduced the expression of transthyretin and TNF-α, demonstrating the preservation of the siRNA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Stalder
- Université de Franche-Comté, CHU Besançon, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Nathan Koenig
- Université de Franche-Comté, CHU Besançon, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Raphaël Cornu
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Gautier Laurent
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France; Université de Franche-Comté, CNRS, laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Yann Pellequer
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Florian Jurin
- Université de Franche-Comté, CNRS, Institut UTINAM, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Brice Moulari
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Hélène Martin
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Arnaud Beduneau
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, F-25000 Besançon, France.
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11
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Korbanka L, Kim JA, Sim S. Macroscopic Assembly of Materials with Engineered Bacterial Spores via Coiled-Coil Interaction. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:3668-3676. [PMID: 39393788 PMCID: PMC11856349 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we report macroscopic materials formed by the assembly of engineered bacterial spores. Spores were engineered by using a T7-driven expression system to display a high density of pH-responsive self-associating proteins on their surface. The engineered surface protein on the spore surface enabled pH-dependent binding at the protein level and enabled the assembly of granular materials. Mechanical properties remained largely constant with changing pH, but erosion stability was pH-dependent in a manner consistent with the pH-dependent interaction between the engineered surface proteins. Our finding utilizes synthetic biology for the design of macroscopic materials and illuminates the impact of coiled-coil interaction across various length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Korbanka
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Ju-An Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Seunghyun Sim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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12
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Asadikorayem M, Brunel LG, Weber P, Heilshorn SC, Zenobi-Wong M. Porosity dominates over microgel stiffness for promoting chondrogenesis in zwitterionic granular hydrogels. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:5504-5520. [PMID: 39347711 PMCID: PMC11441418 DOI: 10.1039/d4bm00233d] [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] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Granular hydrogels comprised of jammed, crosslinked microgels offer great potential as biomaterial scaffolds for cell-based therapies, including for cartilage tissue regeneration. As stiffness and porosity of hydrogels affect the phenotype of encapsulated cells and the extent of tissue regeneration, the design of tunable granular hydrogels to control and optimize these parameters is highly desirable. We hypothesized that chondrogenesis could be modulated using a granular hydrogel platform based on biocompatible, zwitterionic materials with independent intra- and inter-microgel crosslinking mechanisms. Microgels are made with mechanical fragmentation of photocrosslinked zwitterionic carboxybetaine acrylamide (CBAA) and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) hydrogels, and secondarily crosslinked in the presence of cells using horseradish peroxide (HRP) to produce cell-laden granular hydrogels. We varied the intra-microgel crosslinking density to produce microgels with varied stiffnesses (1-3 kPa) and swelling properties. These microgels, when resuspended at the same weight fraction and secondarily crosslinked, resulted in granular hydrogels with distinct porosities (5-40%) due to differing swelling properties. The greatest extent of chondrogenesis was achieved in scaffolds with the highest microgel stiffness and highest porosity. However, when scaffold porosity was kept constant and just microgel stiffness varied, cell phenotype and chondrogenesis were similar across scaffolds. These results indicate the dominant role of granular scaffold porosity on chondrogenesis, whereas microgel stiffness appears to play a relatively minor role. These observations are in contrast to cells encapsulated within conventional bulk hydrogels, where stiffness has been shown to significantly affect chondrocyte response. In summary, we introduce chemically-defined, zwitterionic biomaterials to fabricate versatile granular hydrogels allowing for tunable scaffold porosity and microgel stiffness to study and influence chondrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Asadikorayem
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Lucia G Brunel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Weber
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Sarah C Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marcy Zenobi-Wong
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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13
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Hen N, Josef E, Davidovich-Pinhas M, Levenberg S, Bianco-Peled H. On the Relation between the Viscoelastic Properties of Granular Hydrogels and Their Performance as Support Materials in Embedded Bioprinting. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:6734-6750. [PMID: 39344029 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c01136] [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: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Granular hydrogels, formed by jamming microgels suspension, are promising materials for three-dimensional bioprinting applications. Despite their extensive use as support materials for embedded bioprinting, the influence of the particle's physical properties on the macroscale viscoelasticity on one hand and on the printing performance on the other hand remains unclear. Herein, we investigate the linear and nonlinear rheology of κ-carrageenan granular hydrogel through small- and large-amplitude oscillatory shear measurements. We tuned the granular hydrogel's properties by changing the stiffness (soft, medium, stiff) and the packing density of the individual microgels. Characterizations in the linear viscoelasticity regime revealed that the storage modulus of granular hydrogels is not a simple function of microgel stiffness and depends on the microgel packing density. At larger strains, increasing the microgel stiffness reduced the energy dissipation of the granular beds and increased the solid-fluid transition point. To understand how the different rheological properties of granular support materials influence embedded bioprinting, we examined the printing fidelity and cellular filament shrinkage within the granular beds. We found that microgels with low packing density diminished the printing quality, while stiff microgels promoted filament roughness. In addition, we found that highly packed stiff microgels significantly reduced the postprinting contraction of cellular filaments. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive knowledge of the rheology of granular hydrogels that can be used to rationally design support beds for bioprinting applications with specific characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noy Hen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
- The Norman Seiden Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Elinor Josef
- Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Atlit, 12th Nahal Galim, 3033980, Israel
| | - Maya Davidovich-Pinhas
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Shulamit Levenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Havazelet Bianco-Peled
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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14
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Nelson BR, Kirkpatrick BE, Skillin NP, Di Caprio N, Lee JS, Hibbard LP, Hach GK, Khang A, White TJ, Burdick JA, Bowman CN, Anseth KS. Facile Physicochemical Reprogramming of PEG-Dithiolane Microgels. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302925. [PMID: 37984810 PMCID: PMC11102926 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Granular biomaterials have found widespread applications in tissue engineering, in part because of their inherent porosity, tunable properties, injectability, and 3D printability. However, the assembly of granular hydrogels typically relies on spherical microparticles and more complex particle geometries have been limited in scope, often requiring templating of individual microgels by microfluidics or in-mold polymerization. Here, we use dithiolane-functionalized synthetic macromolecules to fabricate photopolymerized microgels via batch emulsion, and then harness the dynamic disulfide crosslinks to rearrange the network. Through unconfined compression between parallel plates in the presence of photoinitiated radicals, we transform the isotropic microgels are transformed into disks. Characterizing this process, we find that the areas of the microgel surface in contact with the compressive plates are flattened while the curvature of the uncompressed microgel boundaries increases. When cultured with C2C12 myoblasts, cells localize to regions of higher curvature on the disk-shaped microgel surfaces. This altered localization affects cell-driven construction of large supraparticle scaffold assemblies, with spherical particles assembling without specific junction structure while disk microgels assemble preferentially on their curved surfaces. These results represent a unique spatiotemporal process for rapid reprocessing of microgels into anisotropic shapes, providing new opportunities to study shape-driven mechanobiological cues during and after granular hydrogel assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Bruce E Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nathaniel P Skillin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nikolas Di Caprio
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Joshua S Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Lea Pearl Hibbard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Grace K Hach
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Alex Khang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Christopher N Bowman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
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15
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Asadikorayem M, Surman F, Weber P, Weber D, Zenobi-Wong M. Zwitterionic Granular Hydrogel for Cartilage Tissue Engineering. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2301831. [PMID: 37501337 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Zwitterionic hydrogels have high potential for cartilage tissue engineering due to their ultra-hydrophilicity, nonimmunogenicity, and superior antifouling properties. However, their application in this field has been limited so far, due to the lack of injectable zwitterionic hydrogels that allow for encapsulation of cells in a biocompatible manner. Herein, a novel strategy is developed to engineer cartilage employing zwitterionic granular hydrogels that are injectable, self-healing, in situ crosslinkable and allow for direct encapsulation of cells with biocompatibility. The granular hydrogel is produced by mechanical fragmentation of bulk photocrosslinked hydrogels made of zwitterionic carboxybetaine acrylamide (CBAA), or a mixture of CBAA and zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA). The produced microgels are enzymatically crosslinkable using horseradish peroxidase, to quickly stabilize the construct, resulting in a microporous hydrogel. Encapsulated human primary chondrocytes are highly viable and able to proliferate, migrate, and produce cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM) in the zwitterionic granular hydrogel. It is also shown that by increasing hydrogel porosity and incorporation of SBMA, cell proliferation and ECM secretion are further improved. This strategy is a simple and scalable method, which has high potential for expanding the versatility and application of zwitterionic hydrogels for diverse tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Asadikorayem
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - František Surman
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Weber
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Weber
- Division of Hand Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, 8032, Switzerland
| | - Marcy Zenobi-Wong
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
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16
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Mukundan LM, Das S, Rajasekaran R, Ganguly D, Seesala VS, Dhara S, Chattopadhyay S. Photo-annealable agarose microgels for jammed microgel printing: Transforming thermogelling hydrogel to a functional bioink. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 278:134550. [PMID: 39116964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing of hydrogel structures using jammed microgel inks offer distinct advantages of improved printing functionalities, as these inks are strain-yielding and self-recovering types. However, interparticle binding in granular hydrogel inks is a challenge to overcome the limited integrity and reduced macroscale modulus prevalent in the 3D printed microgel scaffolds. In this study, we prepared chemically annealable agarose microgels through a process of xerogel rehydration, applying a low-cost and high throughput method of spray drying. The crosslinked jammed microgel matrix is found to have superior mechanical properties with a Young's modulus of 2.23 MPa and extensibility up to 7.2%, surpassing those of traditional biopolymer-based and microgel-based inks. Furthermore, this study addresses the complexities encountered in the existing system of printing thermoresponsive agarose bioink using this jammed microgel printing approach. The jammed agarose microgel ink exhibited to be self-recovering, yield stress fluid and validated the temperature-independent printing. Furthermore, the 3D printed jammed microgel scaffold demonstrated good cell responsiveness as evaluated through the viability and morphological study in-vitro with mesenchymal stem cells cultured in it. This unique fabrication approach offers exciting possibilities to expand on microgel printing for varied requirements in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi M Mukundan
- Rubber Technology Center, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur; School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Samir Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Ragavi Rajasekaran
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | | | - Venkata Sundeep Seesala
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Santanu Dhara
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
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17
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Ianovici I, Zagury Y, Afik N, Hendel M, Lavon N, Levenberg S. Embedded three-dimensional printing of thick pea-protein-enriched constructs for large, customized structured cell-based meat production. Biofabrication 2024; 16:045023. [PMID: 38996408 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad628f] [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: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Recent 3D-printing research showed the potential of using plant-protein-enriched inks to fabricate cultivated meat (CM) via agar-based support baths. However, for fabricating large, customized, structured, thick cellular constructs and further cultivation, improved 3D-printing capabilities and diffusion limit circumvention are warranted. The presented study harnesses advanced printing and thick tissue engineering concepts for such purpose. By improving bath composition and altering printing design and execution, large-scale, marbled, 0.5-cm-thick rib-eye shaped constructs were obtained. The constructs featured stable fibrous architectures comparable to those of structured-meat products. Customized multi-cellular constructs with distinct regions were produced as well. Furthermore, sustainable 1-cm-thick cellular constructs were carefully designed and produced, which successfully maintained cell viability and activity for 3 weeks, through the combined effects of void-incorporation and dynamic culturing. As large, geometrically complex construct fabrication suitable for long-term cellular cultivation was demonstrated, these findings hold great promise for advancing structured CM research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Ianovici
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Yedidya Zagury
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Noa Afik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | | | - Neta Lavon
- Aleph-Farms Ltd, Rehovot 7670609, Israel
| | - Shulamit Levenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- Aleph-Farms Ltd, Rehovot 7670609, Israel
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18
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Kan X, Zhang S, Kwok E, Chu Y, Chen L, Zeng X. Granular hydrogels with tunable properties prepared from gum Arabic and protein microgels. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:132878. [PMID: 38844277 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/17/2024]
Abstract
Granular hydrogels have emerged as a new class of materials for 3D printing, tissue engineering, and food applications due to their extrudability, porosity, and modularity. This work introduces a convenient method to prepare granular hydrogel with tunable properties by modulating the interaction between gum Arabic (GA) and whey protein isolate (WPI) microgels. As the concentration of GA increased, the appearance of the hydrogel changed from fluid liquid to moldable solid, and the microstructure changed from a macro-porous structure with thin walls to a dense structure formed by the accumulation of spherical particles. At a GA concentration of 0.5 %, the hydrogels remained fluid. Granular hydrogels containing 1.0 % GA showed mechanical properties similar to those of tofu (compressive strength: 10.8 ± 0.5 kPa, Young's modulus: 16.7 ± 0.4 kPa), while granular hydrogels containing 1.5 % GA showed mechanical properties similar to those of hawthorn sticks and sausages (compressive strength: 300.4 ± 5.8 kPa; Young's modulus: 200.5 ± 3.4 kPa). The hydrogel with 2.0 % GA was similar to hawthorn sticks, with satisfactory bite resistance and elasticity. Such tunability has led to various application potentials in the food industry to meet consumer demand for healthy, nutritious, and diverse textures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Kan
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China; Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2P5, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sitian Zhang
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2P5, Alberta, Canada
| | - Esther Kwok
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2P5, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yifu Chu
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2P5, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lingyun Chen
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2P5, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Xiaoxiong Zeng
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.
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19
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Penolazzi L, Chierici A, Notarangelo MP, Dallan B, Lisignoli G, Lambertini E, Greco P, Piva R, Nastruzzi C. Wharton's jelly-derived multifunctional hydrogels: New tools to promote intervertebral disc regeneration in vitro and ex vivo. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:973-987. [PMID: 38308554 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The degeneration of intervertebral disc (IVD) is a disease of the entire joint between two vertebrae in the spine caused by loss of extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity, to date with no cure. The various regenerative approaches proposed so far have led to very limited successes. An emerging opportunity arises from the use of decellularized ECM as a scaffolding material that, directly or in combination with other materials, has greatly facilitated the advancement of tissue engineering. Here we focused on the decellularized matrix obtained from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (DWJ) which retains several structural and bioactive molecules very similar to those of the IVD ECM. However, being a viscous gel, DWJ has limited ability to retain ordered structural features when considered as architecture scaffold. To overcome this limitation, we produced DWJ-based multifunctional hydrogels, in the form of 3D millicylinders containing different percentages of alginate, a seaweed-derived polysaccharide, and gelatin, denatured collagen, which may impart mechanical integrity to the biologically active DWJ. The developed protocol, based on a freezing step, leads to the consolidation of the entire polymeric dispersion mixture, followed by an ionic gelation step and a freeze-drying process. Finally, a porous, stable, easily storable, and suitable matrix for ex vivo experiments was obtained. The properties of the millicylinders (Wharton's jelly millicylinders [WJMs]) were then tested in culture of degenerated IVD cells isolated from disc tissues of patients undergoing surgical discectomy. We found that WJMs with the highest percentage of DWJ were effective in supporting cell migration, restoration of the IVD phenotype (increased expression of Collagen type 2, aggrecan, Sox9 and FOXO3a), anti-inflammatory action, and stem cell activity of resident progenitor/notochordal cells (increased number of CD24 positive cells). We are confident that the DWJ-based formulations proposed here can provide adequate stimuli to the cells present in the degenerated IVD to restart the anabolic machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Penolazzi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Anna Chierici
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Dallan
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gina Lisignoli
- Laboratorio di Immunoreumatologia e Rigenerazione Tissutale, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Lambertini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Pantaleo Greco
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberta Piva
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Claudio Nastruzzi
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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20
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Xuan L, Hou Y, Liang L, Wu J, Fan K, Lian L, Qiu J, Miao Y, Ravanbakhsh H, Xu M, Tang G. Microgels for Cell Delivery in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2024; 16:218. [PMID: 38884868 PMCID: PMC11183039 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01421-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Microgels prepared from natural or synthetic hydrogel materials have aroused extensive attention as multifunctional cells or drug carriers, that are promising for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Microgels can also be aggregated into microporous scaffolds, promoting cell infiltration and proliferation for tissue repair. This review gives an overview of recent developments in the fabrication techniques and applications of microgels. A series of conventional and novel strategies including emulsification, microfluidic, lithography, electrospray, centrifugation, gas-shearing, three-dimensional bioprinting, etc. are discussed in depth. The characteristics and applications of microgels and microgel-based scaffolds for cell culture and delivery are elaborated with an emphasis on the advantages of these carriers in cell therapy. Additionally, we expound on the ongoing and foreseeable applications and current limitations of microgels and their aggregate in the field of biomedical engineering. Through stimulating innovative ideas, the present review paves new avenues for expanding the application of microgels in cell delivery techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyan Xuan
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Hou
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Liang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Jialin Wu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Fan
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Liming Lian
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Jianhua Qiu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingling Miao
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China
| | - Hossein Ravanbakhsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA.
| | - Mingen Xu
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guosheng Tang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People's Republic of China.
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21
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Liu J, Du C, Chen H, Huang W, Lei Y. Nano-Micron Combined Hydrogel Microspheres: Novel Answer for Minimal Invasive Biomedical Applications. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2300670. [PMID: 38400695 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels, key in biomedical research for their hydrophilicity and versatility, have evolved with hydrogel microspheres (HMs) of micron-scale dimensions, enhancing their role in minimally invasive therapeutic delivery, tissue repair, and regeneration. The recent emergence of nanomaterials has ushered in a revolutionary transformation in the biomedical field, which demonstrates tremendous potential in targeted therapies, biological imaging, and disease diagnostics. Consequently, the integration of advanced nanotechnology promises to trigger a new revolution in the realm of hydrogels. HMs loaded with nanomaterials combine the advantages of both hydrogels and nanomaterials, which enables multifaceted functionalities such as efficient drug delivery, sustained release, targeted therapy, biological lubrication, biochemical detection, medical imaging, biosensing monitoring, and micro-robotics. Here, this review comprehensively expounds upon commonly used nanomaterials and their classifications. Then, it provides comprehensive insights into the raw materials and preparation methods of HMs. Besides, the common strategies employed to achieve nano-micron combinations are summarized, and the latest applications of these advanced nano-micron combined HMs in the biomedical field are elucidated. Finally, valuable insights into the future design and development of nano-micron combined HMs are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chengcheng Du
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yiting Lei
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Laboratory of Chongqing Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
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22
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Liu L, Li Z, Yang B, Jia X, Wang S. Recent Research Progress on Polyamidoamine-Engineered Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications. Biomolecules 2024; 14:620. [PMID: 38927024 PMCID: PMC11201556 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked functional materials with water-absorbing and swelling properties. Many hydrogels can store a variety of small functional molecules to structurally and functionally mimic the natural extracellular matrix; hence, they have been extensively studied for biomedical applications. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers have an ethylenediamine core and a large number of peripheral amino groups, which can be used to engineer various polymer hydrogels. In this review, an update on the progress of using PAMAM dendrimers for multifunctional hydrogel design was given. The synthesis of these hydrogels, which includes click chemistry reactions, aza-Michael addition, Schiff base reactions, amidation reactions, enzymatic reactions, and radical polymerization, together with research progress in terms of their application in the fields of drug delivery, tissue engineering, drug-free tumor therapy, and other related fields, was discussed in detail. Furthermore, the biomedical applications of PAMAM-engineered nano-hydrogels, which combine the advantages of dendrimers, hydrogels, and nanoparticles, were also summarized. This review will help researchers to design and develop more functional hydrogel materials based on PAMAM dendrimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Outpatient Department of Anhui Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Hefei High-Tech Zone, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Zhiling Li
- Outpatient Department of Anhui Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Hefei High-Tech Zone, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Baiyan Yang
- Outpatient Department of Anhui Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 120 Wanshui Road, Hefei High-Tech Zone, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Xiaoqing Jia
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
| | - Shige Wang
- School of Materials and Chemistry, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Road, Shanghai 200093, China
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23
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Tuftee C, Alsberg E, Ozbolat IT, Rizwan M. Emerging granular hydrogel bioinks to improve biological function in bioprinted constructs. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:339-352. [PMID: 37852853 PMCID: PMC10939978 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in 3D bioprinting have been hindered by the trade-off between printability and biological functionality. Existing bioinks struggle to meet both requirements simultaneously. However, new types of bioinks composed of densely packed microgels promise to address this challenge. These bioinks possess intrinsic porosity, allowing for cell growth, oxygen and nutrient transport, and better immunomodulatory properties, leading to superior biological functions. In this review, we highlight key trends in the development of these granular bioinks. Using examples, we demonstrate how granular bioinks overcome the trade-off between printability and cell function. Granular bioinks show promise in 3D bioprinting, yet understanding their unique structure-property-function relationships is crucial to fully leverage the transformative capabilities of these new types of bioinks in bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Tuftee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Eben Alsberg
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JBVAMC), Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JBVAMC) at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ibrahim Tarik Ozbolat
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Neurosurgery Department, Penn State University; Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Medical Oncology Department, Cukurova University, Adana 01330, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
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24
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An C, Zhang S, Xu J, Zhang Y, Dou Z, Shao F, Long C, yang J, Wang H, Liu J. The microparticulate inks for bioprinting applications. Mater Today Bio 2024; 24:100930. [PMID: 38293631 PMCID: PMC10825055 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100930] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a groundbreaking technology for fabricating intricate and functional tissue constructs. Central to this technology are the bioinks, which provide structural support and mimic the extracellular environment, which is crucial for cellular executive function. This review summarizes the latest developments in microparticulate inks for 3D bioprinting and presents their inherent challenges. We categorize micro-particulate materials, including polymeric microparticles, tissue-derived microparticles, and bioactive inorganic microparticles, and introduce the microparticle ink formulations, including granular microparticles inks consisting of densely packed microparticles and composite microparticle inks comprising microparticles and interstitial matrix. The formulations of these microparticle inks are also delved into highlighting their capabilities as modular entities in 3D bioprinting. Finally, existing challenges and prospective research trajectories for advancing the design of microparticle inks for bioprinting are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanfeng An
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, National-Regional Key Technology Engineering Laboratory for Medical Ultrasound, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Shiying Zhang
- School of Dentistry, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jiqing Xu
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Zhenzhen Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Fei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Canling Long
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Jianhua yang
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Huanan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518172, China
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25
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Zhang H, Luo Y, Hu Z, Chen M, Chen S, Yao Y, Yao J, Shao X, Wu K, Zhu Y, Fu J. Cation-crosslinked κ-carrageenan sub-microgel medium for high-quality embedded bioprinting. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025009. [PMID: 38198708 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1cf3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting embedded within a microgel bath has emerged as a promising strategy for creating intricate biomimetic scaffolds. However, it remains a great challenge to construct tissue-scale structures with high resolution by using embedded 3D bioprinting due to the large particle size and polydispersity of the microgel medium, as well as its limited cytocompatibility. To address these issues, novel uniform sub-microgels of cell-friendly cationic-crosslinked kappa-carrageenan (κ-Car) are developed through an easy-to-operate mechanical grinding strategy. Theseκ-Car sub-microgels maintain a uniform submicron size of around 642 nm and display a rapid jamming-unjamming transition within 5 s, along with excellent shear-thinning and self-healing properties, which are critical for the high resolution and fidelity in the construction of tissue architecture via embedded 3D bioprinting. Utilizing this new sub-microgel medium, various intricate 3D tissue and organ structures, including the heart, lungs, trachea, branched vasculature, kidney, auricle, nose, and liver, are successfully fabricated with delicate fine structures and high shape fidelity. Moreover, the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated within the printed constructs exhibit remarkable viability exceeding 92.1% and robust growth. Thisκ-Car sub-microgel medium offers an innovative avenue for achieving high-quality embedded bioprinting, facilitating the fabrication of functional biological constructs with biomimetic structural organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhang
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Luo
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeming Hu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengxi Chen
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Shang Chen
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Yudong Yao
- Research Institute of Smart Medicine and Biological Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqi Shao
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Kerong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, People's Republic of China
| | - Yabin Zhu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, People's Republic of China
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26
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Surman F, Asadikorayem M, Weber P, Weber D, Zenobi-Wong M. Ionically annealed zwitterionic microgels for bioprinting of cartilaginous constructs. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025004. [PMID: 38176081 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1b1f] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Foreign body response (FBR) is a pervasive problem for biomaterials used in tissue engineering. Zwitterionic hydrogels have emerged as an effective solution to this problem, due to their ultra-low fouling properties, which enable them to effectively inhibit FBRin vivo. However, no versatile zwitterionic bioink that allows for high resolution extrusion bioprinting of tissue implants has thus far been reported. In this work, we introduce a simple, novel method for producing zwitterionic microgel bioink, using alginate methacrylate (AlgMA) as crosslinker and mechanical fragmentation as a microgel fabrication method. Photocrosslinked hydrogels made of zwitterionic carboxybetaine acrylamide (CBAA) and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) are mechanically fragmented through meshes with aperture diameters of 50 and 90µm to produce microgel bioink. The bioinks made with both microgel sizes showed excellent rheological properties and were used for high-resolution printing of objects with overhanging features without requiring a support structure or support bath. The AlgMA crosslinker has a dual role, allowing for both primary photocrosslinking of the bulk hydrogel as well as secondary ionic crosslinking of produced microgels, to quickly stabilize the printed construct in a calcium bath and to produce a microporous scaffold. Scaffolds showed ∼20% porosity, and they supported viability and chondrogenesis of encapsulated human primary chondrocytes. Finally, a meniscus model was bioprinted, to demonstrate the bioink's versatility at printing large, cell-laden constructs which are stable for furtherin vitroculture to promote cartilaginous tissue production. This easy and scalable strategy of producing zwitterionic microgel bioink for high resolution extrusion bioprinting allows for direct cell encapsulation in a microporous scaffold and has potential forin vivobiocompatibility due to the zwitterionic nature of the bioink.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Surman
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Maryam Asadikorayem
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Weber
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Weber
- Division of Hand Surgery, University Children's Hospital, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marcy Zenobi-Wong
- Tissue Engineering + Biofabrication Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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27
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Atwal A, Dale TP, Snow M, Forsyth NR, Davoodi P. Injectable hydrogels: An emerging therapeutic strategy for cartilage regeneration. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 321:103030. [PMID: 37907031 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.103030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
The impairment of articular cartilage due to traumatic incidents or osteoarthritis has posed significant challenges for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and individuals suffering from these conditions. Due to the absence of an approved treatment strategy for the complete restoration of cartilage defects to their native state, the tissue condition often deteriorates over time, leading to osteoarthritic (OA). However, recent advancements in the field of regenerative medicine have unveiled promising prospects through the utilization of injectable hydrogels. This versatile class of biomaterials, characterized by their ability to emulate the characteristics of native articular cartilage, offers the distinct advantage of minimally invasive administration directly to the site of damage. These hydrogels can also serve as ideal delivery vehicles for a diverse range of bioactive agents, including growth factors, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and cells. The controlled release of such biologically active molecules from hydrogel scaffolds can accelerate cartilage healing, stimulate chondrogenesis, and modulate the inflammatory microenvironment to halt osteoarthritic progression. The present review aims to describe the methods used to design injectable hydrogels, expound upon their applications as delivery vehicles of biologically active molecules, and provide an update on recent advances in leveraging these delivery systems to foster articular cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Atwal
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Hornbeam building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom; Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, United Kingdom
| | - Tina P Dale
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Hornbeam building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom; Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, United Kingdom
| | - Martyn Snow
- Department of Arthroscopy, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B31 2AP, United Kingdom; The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AG, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R Forsyth
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Hornbeam building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom; Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, United Kingdom; Vice Principals' Office, University of Aberdeen, Kings College, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom
| | - Pooya Davoodi
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Hornbeam building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom; Guy Hilton Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Staffordshire ST4 7QB, United Kingdom.
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