Update on the main use of biomaterials and techniques associated with tissue engineering

Dual-layer nanofibrous PCL/gelatin membrane as a sealant barrier to prevent postoperative pancreatic leakage

Post-operative pancreatic leakage is a severe surgical complication that can cause internal bleeding, infections, multiple organ damage, and even death. To prevent pancreatic leakage and enhance the protection of the suture lining and tissue regeneration, a dual-layer nanofibrous membrane composed of synthetic polymer polycaprolactone (PCL) and biopolymer gelatin was developed. The fabrication of this dual-layer (PGI-PGO) membrane was achieved through the electrospinning technique, with the inner layer (PGI) containing 2% PCL (w/v) and 10% gelatin (w/v), and the outer layer (PGO) containing 10% PCL (w/v) and 10% gelatin (w/v) in mixing ratios of 2:1 and 1:1, respectively. Experimental results indicated that a higher gelatin content reduced fiber diameter enhanced the hydrophilicity of the PGI layer compared to the PGO layer, improved the membrane's biodegradability, and increased its adhesive properties. In vitro biocompatibility assessments with L929 fibroblast cells showed enhanced cell proliferation in the PGI-PGO membrane. In vivo studies confirmed that the PGI-PGO membrane effectively protected the suture line without any instances of leakage and promoted wound healing within four weeks post-surgery. In conclusion, the nanofibrous PGI-PGO membrane demonstrates a promising therapeutic potential to prevent postoperative pancreatic leakage.

The Combination of Bioactive Herbal Compounds with Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine aims to restore the function of diseased or damaged tissues and organs by cell therapy, gene therapy, and tissue engineering, along with the adjunctive application of bioactive molecules. Traditional bioactive molecules, such as growth factors and cytokines, have shown great potential in the regulation of cellular and tissue behavior, but have the disadvantages of limited source, high cost, short half-life, and side effects. In recent years, herbal compounds extracted from natural plants/herbs have gained increasing attention. This is not only because herbal compounds are easily obtained, inexpensive, mostly safe, and reliable, but also owing to their excellent effects, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidative, proangiogenic behavior and ability to promote stem cell differentiation. Such effects also play important roles in the processes related to tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the moieties of the herbal compounds can form physical or chemical bonds with the scaffolds, which contributes to improved mechanical strength and stability of the scaffolds. Thus, the incorporation of herbal compounds as bioactive molecules in biomaterials is a promising direction for future regenerative medicine applications. Herein, an overview on the use of bioactive herbal compounds combined with different biomaterial scaffolds for regenerative medicine application is presented. We first introduce the classification, structures, and properties of different herbal bioactive components and then provide a comprehensive survey on the use of bioactive herbal compounds to engineer scaffolds for tissue repair/regeneration of skin, cartilage, bone, neural, and heart tissues. Finally, we highlight the challenges and prospects for the future development of herbal scaffolds toward clinical translation. Overall, it is believed that the combination of bioactive herbal compounds with biomaterials could be a promising perspective for the next generation of regenerative medicine. Impact statement This article reviews the combination of bioactive herbal compounds with biomaterials in the promotion of skin, cartilage, bone, neural, and heart regeneration, due to the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidative, and proangiogenic effects of the herbal compounds, but also their effects on the improvement of mechanic strength and stability of biomaterial scaffolds. This review provides a promising direction for the next generation of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Light-based 3D bioprinting techniques for illuminating the advances of vascular tissue engineering

Vascular tissue engineering faces significant challenges in creating in vitro vascular disease models, implantable vascular grafts, and vascularized tissue/organ constructs due to limitations in manufacturing precision, structural complexity, replicating the composited architecture, and mimicking the mechanical properties of natural vessels. Light-based 3D bioprinting, leveraging the unique advantages of light including high resolution, rapid curing, multi-material adaptability, and tunable photochemistry, offers transformative solutions to these obstacles. With the emergence of diverse light-based 3D bioprinting techniques and innovative strategies, the advances in vascular tissue engineering have been significantly accelerated. This review provides an overview of the human vascular system and its physiological functions, followed by an in-depth discussion of advancements in light-based 3D bioprinting, including light-dominated and light-assisted techniques. We explore the application of these technologies in vascular tissue engineering for creating in vitro vascular disease models recapitulating key pathological features, implantable blood vessel grafts, and tissue analogs with the integration of capillary-like vasculatures. Finally, we provide readers with insights into the future perspectives of light-based 3D bioprinting to revolutionize vascular tissue engineering.

The Influence of N-Acetylcysteine-Enriched Hydrogels on Wound Healing in a Murine Model of Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) severely impairs skin wound healing capacity, yet few treatment options exist to enhance this process. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant that improves cellular proliferation and enhances wound healing in healthy animals, yet its use in the context of type II DM has not been studied. The aim of our research was to investigate the effect of topically applied NAC-enriched hydrogels on wound healing in a leptin-deficient murine wound model. Four excisional wounds were created on the backs of 20 db/db mice and were subsequently treated with hydrogels containing NAC at concentrations of 5%, 10% and 20% or placebo (control). Healing was monitored for 28 days; photographs of the wounds were taken on every third day. Wound tissues were harvested on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 to undergo histological examinations. Wounds treated with 5% NAC showed improved wound closure speed accompanied by an increased dermal proliferation area on microscopic assessment compared with other groups. Higher concentrations of NAC failed to show a beneficial effect on wound healing. 5% NAC improved early stages of wound healing in a murine model of type II DM by increasing wound closure speed, likely mediated by improved dermal proliferation.

Decellularized, Heparinized Small-Caliber Tissue-Engineered "Biological Tubes" for Allograft Vascular Grafts

There remains a lack of small-caliber tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) with wide clinical use. Biotubes were developed by electrospinning and in-body tissue architecture (iBTA) technology to prepare small-caliber TEBVs with promising applications. Different ratios of hybrid fibers of poly(l-lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and polyurethane (PU) were obtained by electrospinning, and the electrospun tubes were then implanted subcutaneously in the abdominal area of a rabbit (as an in vivo bioreactor). The biotubes were harvested after 4 weeks. They were then decellularized and cross-linked with heparin. PLCL/PU electrospun vascular tubes, decellularized biotubes (D-biotubes), and heparinized combined decellularized biotubes (H + D-biotubes) underwent carotid artery allograft transplantation in a rabbit model. Vascular ultrasound follow-up and histological observation revealed that the biotubes developed based on electrospinning and iBTA technology, after decellularization and heparinization cross-linking, showed a better patency rate, adequate mechanical properties, and remodeling ability in the rabbit model. IBTA technology caused a higher patency, and the heparinization cross-linking process gave the biotubes stronger mechanical properties.

Applications of the Methylotrophic Yeast Komagataella phaffii in the Context of Modern Biotechnology

Komagataella phaffii (formerly Pichia pastoris) is a methylotrophic yeast widely used in laboratories around the world to produce recombinant proteins. Given its advantageous features, it has also gained much interest in the context of modern biotechnology. In this review, we present the utilization of K. phaffii as a platform to produce several products of economic interest such as biopharmaceuticals, renewable chemicals, fuels, biomaterials, and food/feed products. Finally, we present synthetic biology approaches currently used for strain engineering, aiming at the production of new bioproducts.

Production of a Bioink Containing Decellularized Spinal Cord Tissue for 3D Bioprinting

For the past few years, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a promising approach in the field of regenerative medicine. This technique allows for the production of 3D scaffolds to support cell transplantation due to its ability to mimic the extracellular environment. One alternative to enhancing cell adhesion, survival, and proliferation is the use of decellularized extracellular matrix as a bioink component. The aim of this study was to produce a bioink using lyophilized rat decellularized spinal cord tissue (DSCT) for 3D bioprinting of nervous tissue. DNA quantification, hematoxylin and eosin and DAPI staining indicated that 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate and 9 h processing were effective in removing the cells from the spinal cord samples. The cell viability assay showed that the decellularized matrix is not cytotoxic for PC12 cells. The hydrogel containing DSCT, alginate, and gelatine used as the base for the bioink has a shear thinning behavior and low G″/G' ratio, allowing for good printability without compromising cell viability after 3D bioprinting. The bioink supported long-term PC12 cell survival, with 93% of live cells 4 weeks after printing, and stimulated the production of laminin-1 and neurofilament-M. This bioink, therefore, represents an easily available biomaterial for central nervous system tissue engineering.

Investigation of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone and Tissue Engineering Approaches for the Treatment of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone

Primary bone tumors such as Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma, secondary bone tumors developed from progressive malignancies, and metastasized bone tumors are more prevalent and studied descriptively through biology and medical research. Less than 0.2% of cancer diagnoses are caused by rare bone-originating tumors, which despite being rare are particularly difficult due to their high death rates and substantial disease burden. A giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is an intramurally invasive but rare and benign type of bone tumor, which seldom metastasizes. The most often prescribed medication for GCTB is Denosumab, a RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand) inhibitor. Because pharmaceutical drug companies rely on two-dimensional and animal models, current approaches for investigating the diverse nature of tumors are insufficient. Cell line based medication effectiveness and toxicity studies cannot predict tumor response to antitumor medicines. It has already been investigated in detail why molecular pathways do not reproduce in vitro, a phenomenon known as flat biology. Due to physiological differences between human beings and animals, animal models do not succeed in identifying side effects of the treatment, emulating metastatic growth, and establishing the link between cancer and the immune system. This review summarizes and discusses GCTB, the disease, its cellular composition, various bone tumor models, and their properties and utilization in research. As a result, this study delves deep into in vitro testing, which is vital for scientists and physicians in various fields, including pharmacology, preclinical investigations, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Cell Electrospinning: a Review of Materials and Methodologies for Biofabrication

The process of electrohydrodynamic living cell microencapsulation inside a scaffold during the electrospinning (ES) process is called cell electrospinning (CE). Several studies demonstrate the feasibility of using cell electrospinning for biomedical applications, allowing for the direct biofabrication of living cells to be encapsulated in fibers for the formation of active biological scaffolds. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the materials and methodologies used in cell electrospinning, as well as their biomedical application in tissue engineering, is provided. Cell ES represents an innovative technique for automated application in regenerative medicine.

Profitability of Chemically Cross-Linked Collagen Scaffold Production Using Bovine Pericardium: Revaluing Waste from the Meat Industry for Biomedical Applications

The meat industry generates a large amount of waste that can be used to create useful products such as bio-implants, which are usually expensive. In this report, we present an economic analysis of a continuous process for large-scale chemically cross-linked collagen scaffold (CCLCS) production in a Mexican context. For this purpose, three production capacities were simulated using SuperPro Designer^® v 12.0: 5, 15, and 25 × 10³ bovine pericardium units (BPU) per month as process feedstock. Data indicated that these capacities produced 2.5, 7.5, and 12.5 kg of biomesh per batch (per day), respectively. In addition, Net Unit Production Costs (NUPC) of 784.57, 458.94, and 388.26 $USD.kg^-1 were obtained, correspondingly, with selling prices of 0.16 ± 0.078 USD.cm^-2, 0.086 ± 0.043 USD.cm^-2, and 0.069 ± 0.035 USD.cm^-2, in the same order. We found that these selling prices were significantly lower than those in the current market in Mexico. Finally, distribution of costs associated with the process followed the order: raw materials > facility-dependent > labor > royalties > quality analysis/quality control (QA/QC) > utilities. The present study showed the feasibility of producing low-cost and highly profitable CCLCS with a relatively small investment. As a result, the circular bioeconomy may be stimulated.

The Canine Pancreatic Extracellular Matrix in Diabetes Mellitus and Pancreatitis: Its Essential Role and Therapeutic Perspective

Diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis are common pancreatic diseases in dogs, affecting the endocrine and exocrine portions of the organ. Dogs have a significant role in the history of research related to genetic diseases, being considered potential models for the study of human diseases. This review discusses the importance of using the extracellular matrix of the canine pancreas as a model for the study of diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis, in addition to focusing on the importance of using extracellular matrix in new regenerative techniques, such as decellularization and recellularization. Unlike humans, rabbits, mice, and pigs, there are no reports in the literature characterizing the healthy pancreatic extracellular matrix in dogs, in addition to the absence of studies related to matrix components that are involved in triggering diabetes melittus and pancreatitis. The extracellular matrix plays the role of physical support for the cells and allows the regulation of various cellular processes. In this context, it has already been demonstrated that physiologic and pathologic pancreatic changes lead to ECM remodeling, highlighting the importance of an in-depth study of the changes associated with pancreatic diseases.

Easy-to-Assembly System for Decellularization and Recellularization of Liver Grafts in a Bioreactor

Decellularization of organs creates an acellular scaffold, ideal for being repopulated by cells. In this work, a low-cost perfusion system was created to be used in the process of liver decellularization and as a bioreactor after recellularization. It consists of a glass chamber to house the organ coupled to a peristaltic pump to promote liquid flow through the organ vascular tree. The rats' liver decellularization was made with a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The recellularization was made with 10⁸ mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and cultivated for seven days. The decellularized matrices showed an absence of DNA while preserving the collagen and glycosaminoglycans quantities, confirming the efficiency of the process. The functional analyses showed a rise in lactate dehydrogenase levels occurring in the first days of the cultivation, suggesting that there is cell death in this period, which stabilized on the seventh day. Histological analysis showed conservation of the collagen web and some groups of cells next to the vessels. It was possible to establish a system for decellularization and a bioreactor to use for the recellularization method. It is easy to assemble, can be ready to use in little time and be easily sterilized.

Adipose mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering mesh with sustained bFGF release to enhance tissue repair

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) harms the quality of life of elderly patients. Transvaginal polypropylene mesh repair for POP was a frequently reported complication and was banned by the FDA in 2019. New therapeutic strategies are urgently required, and tissue engineering technology could be a novel therapy. Here, we developed a tissue engineering mesh out of three components: silk fibroin (SF) knitted mesh loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). We used coaxial electrospinning technology to achieve local bFGF release to promote regeneration. Additionally, ADSCs were loaded to demonstrate their paracrine ability of immune regulation and angiogenesis. Meanwhile, knitted silk fibroin mesh provided mechanical support. In vitro, SF/bFGF/ADSC tissue engineering mesh can stably release bFGF and has good biocompatibility, promoting cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis. Six months after the SF/bFGF/ADSC tissue engineering mesh was implanted in a SD rat model, extracellular matrix reorganization, angiogenesis, and immunomodulatory effect, as well as mechanical properties of the implanting position were improved. Hence, SF/bFGF/ADSC tissue engineering mesh could be regarded as a promising option with excellent collagen synthesis, low foreign body response, and early angiogenic ability, providing potential ideas for POP treatment.

Tailored alginate/PCL-gelatin-β-TCP membrane for guided bone regeneration

Membranes prepared for guided bone regeneration (GBR) signify valued resources, inhibiting fibrosis and assisting bone regenration. However, existing membranes lack bone regenerative capacity or adequate degradation profile. An alginate-casted polycaprolactone (PCL)-gelatin-β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) dual membrane was fabricated by electrospinning and casting processes to enhance new bone formation under a guided bone regeneration (GBR) process. Porous membranes were synthesized with suitable hydrophilicity, swelling, and degradation behavior to confirm the compatibility of the product in the body. Furthermore, osteoblast-type cell toxicity and cell adhesion results showed that the electrospun membrane offered compatible environment to cells while the alginate sheet was found capable enough to supress the cellular attachment, but was a non-toxic material. Post-implantation, the in-vivo outcomes of the dual-layered membrane, showed appreciable bone formation. Significantly, osteoid islands had fused in the membrane group by 8 weeks. The infiltration of fibrous tissues was blocked by the alginate membrane, and the ingrowth of new bone was enhanced. Immunocytochemical analysis indicated that the dual membrane could direct more proteins which control mineralization and convene osteoconductive properties of tissue-engineered bone grafts.

Special Issue: Biopolymer-Based Materials for Biomedical Engineering

In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM), the use of traditional biomaterials capable of integrating the host tissue to promote the healing and regenerative process while it degrades has become less and less a focus of inspiration [...].

New Insights of Scaffolds Based on Hydrogels in Tissue Engineering

In recent years, biomaterials development and characterization for new applications in regenerative medicine or controlled release represent one of the biggest challenges. Tissue engineering is one of the most intensively studied domain where hydrogels are considered optimum applications in the biomedical field. The delicate nature of hydrogels and their low mechanical strength limit their exploitation in tissue engineering. Hence, developing new, stronger, and more stable hydrogels with increased biocompatibility, is essential. However, both natural and synthetic polymers possess many limitations. Hydrogels based on natural polymers offer particularly high biocompatibility and biodegradability, low immunogenicity, excellent cytocompatibility, variable, and controllable solubility. At the same time, they have poor mechanical properties, high production costs, and low reproducibility. Synthetic polymers come to their aid through superior mechanical strength, high reproducibility, reduced costs, and the ability to regulate their composition to improve processes such as hydrolysis or biodegradation over variable periods. The development of hydrogels based on mixtures of synthetic and natural polymers can lead to the optimization of their properties to obtain ideal scaffolds. Also, incorporating different nanoparticles can improve the hydrogel's stability and obtain several biological effects. In this regard, essential oils and drug molecules facilitate the desired biological effect or even produce a synergistic effect. This study's main purpose is to establish the main properties needed to develop sustainable polymeric scaffolds. These scaffolds can be applied in tissue engineering to improve the tissue regeneration process without producing other side effects to the environment.

Enhanced osteoinductive capacity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic scaffolds by embedding simvastatin

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the effect of embedding simvastatin (SIM) on the osteoinductive capacity of PLGA + HA/βTCP scaffolds in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scaffolds were produced by PLGA solvent dissolution, addition of HA/βTCP, solvent evaporation, and leaching of sucrose particles to impart porosity. Biphasic ceramic particles (70% HA/30% βTCP) were added to the PLGA in a 1:1 (w:w) ratio. Scaffolds with SIM received 1% (w:w) of this medication. Scaffolds were synthesized in a disc-shape and sterilized by ethylene oxide. The experimental groups were (G1) PLGA + HA/βTCP and (G2) PLGA + HA/βTCP + SIM in non-osteogenic culture medium, while (G3) SHED and (G4) MC3T3-E1 in osteogenic culture medium were the positive control groups. The release profile of SIM from scaffolds was evaluated. DNA quantification assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and osteonectin proteins, extracellular calcium detection, von Kossa staining, and X-ray microtomography were performed to assess the capacity of scaffolds to induce the osteogenic differentiation of SHED.

RESULTS

The release profile of SIM followed a non-liner sustained-release rate, reaching about 40% of drug release at day 28. Additionally, G2 promoted the highest osteogenic differentiation of SHED, even when compared to the positive control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the osteoinductive capacity of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic scaffolds was expressively enhanced by embedding simvastatin.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Bone regeneration is still a limiting factor in the success of several approaches to oral and maxillofacial surgeries, though tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells, scaffolds, and osteoinductive mediators might collaborate to this topic.

Polycaprolactone-gelatin membrane as a sealant biomaterial efficiently prevents postoperative anastomotic leakage with promoting tissue repair

Anastomotic leakage due to post-surgical suture line disruption is one of the crucial factors affecting patient's survival and quality of life. To resolve the poor healing of surgical anastomosis and protect suture sites leakage, fibrous membrane sealing patch was developed using a synthetic polymer (polycaprolactone (PCL)) and biopolymer (gelatin). Electrospinning was used to develop fibrous architecture of membranes fabricated in different ratios (15% (w/v) PCL: 15% (w/v) gelatin mixing ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4). Experimental findings suggested that, higher gelatin content in the membranes reduced the fiber diameter and contact angle, leading to a more hydrophilic scaffold facilitating attachment to the defect site. The degradation rate of various PCL-gelatin membranes (P1G1, P1G2, P1G3 and P1G4) was proportional to the gelatin content. Cytocompatibility was assessed using L929 cells while the P1G4 (PCL: gelatin 1:4 ratio) scaffold exhibited optimum outcome. From in vivo study, the wound site healed significantly without any leakage when the sutured area of rat caecum was covered with P1G4 membrane whereas rats in the control group (suture only) showed leakage after two weeks of surgery. In summary, the P1G4 membrane has potential to be applied as a post-surgical leakage-preventing tissue repair biomaterial.

Effects of surface condition of conductive electrospun nanofiber mats on cell behavior for nerve tissue engineering

Electrospun nanofibrous scaffold is a promising implant for peripheral nerve regeneration. Herein, to investigate the effect of surface morphological features and electrical properties of scaffolds on nerve cell behavior, we modified electrospun cellulose (EC) fibrous mats with four kind of soluble conductive polymers derivates (poly (N-(methacryl ethyl) pyrrole) (PMAEPy), poly (N-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrole) (PHEPy), poly (3-(Ethoxycarbonyl) thiophene) (P3ECT) and poly (3-thiophenethanol) (P3TE)) by an in-situ polymerization method. The morphological characterization showed that conductive polymers formed aggregated nanoparticles and coatings on the EC nanofibers with the increased fiber diameter further affected the surface properties. Compared with pure EC scaffold, more PC12 cells were adhered and grown on modified mats, with more integral and clearer cell morphology. The results of protein adsorption study indicated that modified EC mats could provide more protein adsorption site due to their characteristic surface morphology, which is beneficial to cell adhesion and growth. The results in this study suggested that these conductive polymers modified scaffolds with special surface morphology have potential applications in neural tissue engineering.

Vascular Tissue Engineering: Polymers and Methodologies for Small Caliber Vascular Grafts

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the world. In severe cases, replacement or revascularization using vascular grafts are the treatment options. While several synthetic vascular grafts are clinically used with common approval for medium to large-caliber vessels, autologous vascular grafts are the only options clinically approved for small-caliber revascularizations. Autologous grafts have, however, some limitations in quantity and quality, and cause an invasiveness to patients when harvested. Therefore, the development of small-caliber synthetic vascular grafts (<5 mm) has been urged. Since small-caliber synthetic grafts made from the same materials as middle and large-caliber grafts have poor patency rates due to thrombus formation and intimal hyperplasia within the graft, newly innovative methodologies with vascular tissue engineering such as electrospinning, decellularization, lyophilization, and 3D printing, and novel polymers have been developed. This review article represents topics on the methodologies used in the development of scaffold-based vascular grafts and the polymers used in vitro and in vivo.

Cellulose Composites with Graphene for Tissue Engineering Applications

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles of engineering and life sciences to obtain biomaterials capable of maintaining, improving, or substituting the function of various tissues or even an entire organ. In virtue of its high availability, biocompatibility and versatility, cellulose was considered a promising platform for such applications. The combination of cellulose with graphene or graphene derivatives leads to the obtainment of superior composites in terms of cellular attachment, growth and proliferation, integration into host tissue, and stem cell differentiation toward specific lineages. The current review provides an up-to-date summary of the status of the field of cellulose composites with graphene for tissue engineering applications. The preparation methods and the biological performance of cellulose paper, bacterial cellulose, and cellulose derivatives-based composites with graphene, graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide were mainly discussed. The importance of the cellulose-based matrix and the contribution of graphene and graphene derivatives fillers as well as several key applications of these hybrid materials, particularly for the development of multifunctional scaffolds for cell culture, bone and neural tissue regeneration were also highlighted.

3D Cell Culture of Human Salivary Glands Using Nature-Inspired Functional Biomaterials: The Egg Yolk Plasma and Egg White

The egg yolk plasma (EYP)-a translucent fraction of the egg yolk (EY) obtained by centrifugation-was tested as a developmentally encouraging, cost-effective, biomaterial for salivary gland (SG) tissue engineering. To find optimal incubating conditions for both the human NS-SV-AC SG acinar cell line and SG fibroblasts, cells were stained with Live/Dead®. The cellular contents of 96-well plates were analyzed by high content screening image analysis. Characteristically, the EYP biomaterial had lipid and protein content resembling the EY. On its own, the EYP was non-conducive to cell survival. EYP's pH of 6 mainly contributed to cell death. This was demonstrated by titrating EYP's pH with different concentrations of either commercial cell culture media, NaOH, or egg white (EW). These additives improved SG mesenchymal and epithelial cell survival. The best combinations were EYP diluted with (1) 70% commercial medium, (2) 0.02 M NaOH, or (3) 50% EW. Importantly, commercial medium-free growth was obtained with EYP + NaOH or EYP + EW. Furthermore, 3D cultures were obtained as a result of EW's gelatinous properties. Here, the isolation, characterization, and optimization of three EYP-based biomaterial combinations are shown; two were free of commercial medium or supplements and supported both SG cells' survival.

Leachable-Free Fabrication of Hydrogel Foams Enabling Homogeneous Viability of Encapsulated Cells in Large-Volume Constructs

The popularity of cell-laden injectable hydrogels has steeply increased due to their compatibility with minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the diffusion of indispensable molecules for cell survival through bulk hydrogel structures, particularly oxygen, is often limited to micrometric distances, often hampering cell viability or uniform tissue formation in constructs with clinically relevant sizes. The introduction of micropores in hydrogels or the use of oxygen-generating materials has enabled combining advantages of porous 3D scaffolds with the injectability properties of in situ-solidifying hydrogels. Here, cell-laden injectable gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) foams are fabricated using a single polymer formulation. Air bubbles are introduced into GelMA solutions using a simple-to-implement method based on pulling/pushing the solution through a syringe. Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from the adipose tissue (hASCs) cultured in bulk hydrogels (diameter c.a. 5 mm) show low permanence in the core of the materials and stain for factors associated to hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α)) after 7 days of culture. In opposition, cells cultured in optimized foams do not stain for HIF-1α, show high permanence, homogeneous viability, and consistent phenotype in the whole depth of the biomaterials, while secreting increased amounts of regenerative growth factors to the surrounding medium.

Advanced polymeric nanotechnology to augment therapeutic delivery and disease diagnosis

Therapeutic and diagnostic payloads are usually associated with properties that compromise their efficacy, such as poor aqueous solubility, short half-life, low bioavailability, nonspecific accumulation and diverse side effects. Nanotechnological solutions have emerged to circumvent some of these drawbacks, augmenting therapeutic and/or diagnostic outcomes. Nanotechnology has benefited from the rise in polymer science research for the development of novel nanosystems for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Polymers are a widely used class of biomaterials, with a considerable number of regulatory approvals for application in clinics. In addition to their versatility in production and functionalization, several synthetic and natural polymers demonstrate biocompatible properties that dictate their successful biological performance. This article highlights the physicochemical characteristics of a variety of natural and synthetic biocompatible polymers, as well as their role in the manufacture of nanotechnology-based systems, state-of-art applications in disease treatment and diagnosis, and current challenges in finding a way to clinics.

Cytocompatibility of Bilayer Scaffolds Electrospun from Chitosan/Alginate-Chitin Nanowhiskers

In this work, a bilayer chitosan/sodium alginate scaffold was prepared via a needleless electrospinning technique. The layer of sodium alginate was electrospun over the layer of chitosan. The introduction of partially deacetylated chitin nanowhiskers (CNW) stabilized the electrospinning and increased the spinnability of the sodium alginate solution. A CNW concentration of 7.5% provided optimal solution viscosity and structurization due to electrostatic interactions and the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex. This allowed electrospinning of defectless alginate nanofibers with an average diameter of 200-300 nm. The overall porosity of the bilayer scaffold was slightly lower than that of a chitosan monolayer, while the average pore size of up to 2 μm was larger for the bilayer scaffold. This high porosity promoted mesenchymal stem cell proliferation. The cells formed spherical colonies on the chitosan nanofibers, but formed flatter colonies and monolayers on alginate nanofibers. The fabricated chitosan/sodium alginate bilayer material was deemed promising for tissue engineering applications.

Hydrogel-Based Active Substance Release Systems for Cosmetology and Dermatology Application: A Review

Hydrogels are playing an increasingly important role in medicine and pharmacy. Due to their favorable physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and designed interaction with living surroundings, they seem to be one of the most promising groups of biomaterials. Hydrogel formulations from natural, semi, or synthetic polymeric materials have gained great attention in recent years for treating various dermatology maladies and for cosmetology procedures. The purpose of this review is to present a brief review on the basic concept of hydrogels, synthesis methods, relevant mechanisms, and applications in dermatology or cosmetology. This review discusses transdermal therapies and the recent advances that have occurred in the field.

VPA/PLGA microfibers produced by coaxial electrospinning for the treatment of central nervous system injury

The central nervous system shows limited regenerative capacity after injury. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating traumatic injury resulting in loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic function distal from the level of injury. An appropriate combination of biomaterials and bioactive substances is currently thought to be a promising approach to treat this condition. Systemic administration of valproic acid (VPA) has been previously shown to promote functional recovery in animal models of SCI. In this study, VPA was encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microfibers by the coaxial electrospinning technique. Fibers showed continuous and cylindrical morphology, randomly oriented fibers, and compatible morphological and mechanical characteristics for application in SCI. Drug-release analysis indicated a rapid release of VPA during the first day of the in vitro test. The coaxial fibers containing VPA supported adhesion, viability, and proliferation of PC12 cells. In addition, the VPA/PLGA microfibers induced the reduction of PC12 cell viability, as has already been described in the literature. The biomaterials were implanted in rats after SCI. The groups that received the implants did not show increased functional recovery or tissue regeneration compared to the control. These results indicated the cytocompatibility of the VPA/PLGA core-shell microfibers and that it may be a promising approach to treat SCI when combined with other strategies.

Development of Optimized Strategies for Growth Factor Incorporation onto Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds To Promote Prolonged Release

Growth factor incorporation in biomedical constructs for their local delivery enables specific pharmacological effects such as the induction of cell growth and differentiation. This has enabled a promising way to improve the tissue regeneration process. However, it remains challenging to identify an appropriate approach that provides effective growth factor loading into biomedical constructs with their following release kinetics in a prolonged manner. In the present work, we performed a systematic study, which explores the optimal strategy of growth factor incorporation into sub-micrometric-sized CaCO₃ core-shell particles (CSPs) and hollow silica particles (SiPs). These carriers were immobilized onto the surface of the polymer scaffolds based on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with and without reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in its structure to examine the functionality of incorporated growth factors. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and ErythroPOietin (EPO) as growth factor models were included into CSPs and SiPs using different entrapping strategies, namely, physical adsorption, coprecipitation technique, and freezing-induced loading method. It was shown that the loading efficiency, release characteristics, and bioactivity of incorporated growth factors strongly depend on the chosen strategy of their incorporation into delivery systems. Overall, we demonstrated that the combination of scaffolds with drug delivery systems containing growth factors has great potential in the field of tissue regeneration compared with individual scaffolds.

Self-assembled GFFYK peptide hydrogel enhances the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as a very promising strategy for the treatments of peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, MSC-based therapies are limited by low cell retention and survival rate in the ischemic zone. Small molecular (SM) hydrogels have shown attractive abilities to enhance the therapeutic effects of human MSCs via promoting their proliferation or maintaining their differentiation potential. Here, we designed and synthesized a new bioactive and biocompatible hydrogel, Nap-GFFYK-Thiol, using disulfide bonds as cleavable linkers to control the molecular self-assembly and we hypothesized this hydrogel could enhance the retention and engraftment of human placenta-derived MSCs (hP-MSCs) in a mouse ischemic hindlimb model. In vitro results demonstrated that the Nap-GFFYK-Thiol hydrogel increased cell viability through paracrine effects. Moreover, it enhanced the proangiogenic and anti-apoptotic effects of hP-MSCs. In vivo, Nap-GFFYK-Thiol hydrogel improved the hP-MSC retention in the murine ischemic hindlimb model as visualized by bioluminescence imaging. Furthermore, cotransplantation of hP-MSCs with hydrogel improved blood perfusion, leading to superior limb salvage. These therapeutic effects may attribute to reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, enhanced angiogenesis as well as suppressed collagen deposition. In conclusion, the Nap-GFFYK-Thiol hydrogel fabricated using disulfide bonds as cleavable linkers serves as an artificial niche for promoting hP-MSC survival and proangiogenic factor secretion in PAD therapy and thereby provide an alternative strategy for PAD therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Although several phase I/II clinical trials of MSC-based treatments for critical limb ischemia (CLI) are ongoing, MSC-based therapies are still challenged by the low quality and quantity of cells in the ischemic zone, especially in cases of extensive or irreversible damage. Hydrogels have favorable biocompatibility and safety records in the medical field. In the current study, we engineered a new bioactive and biocompatible hydrogel, Nap-GFFYK-Thiol, using disulfide bonds as cleavable linkers to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of human placenta-derived MSCs (hP-MSCs) in mouse limb ischemia model. Notably, Nap-GFFYK-Thiol hydrogel acts as an artificial niche for promoting hP-MSC survival and proangiogenic factor secretion in PAD therapy, which further promoted the restoration of blood perfusion and regeneration of muscle cells. Considering the proangiogenic effect of Nap-GFFYK-Thiol on hP-MSCs, our results may provide a new strategy for the treatment of PAD.

Engineering Precision Medicine

Advances in genomic sequencing and bioinformatics have led to the prospect of precision medicine where therapeutics can be advised by the genetic background of individuals. For example, mapping cancer genomics has revealed numerous genes that affect the therapeutic outcome of a drug. Through materials and cell engineering, many opportunities exist for engineers to contribute to precision medicine, such as engineering biosensors for diagnosis and health status monitoring, developing smart formulations for the controlled release of drugs, programming immune cells for targeted cancer therapy, differentiating pluripotent stem cells into desired lineages, fabricating bioscaffolds that support cell growth, or constructing "organs-on-chips" that can screen the effects of drugs. Collective engineering efforts will help transform precision medicine into a more personalized and effective healthcare approach. As continuous progress is made in engineering techniques, more tools will be available to fully realize precision medicine's potential.

Generation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Organoids (POs) for Regenerative Medicine

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an auto-immune condition characterized by the loss of pancreatic β-cells. The curative approach for highly selected patients is the pancreas or the pancreatic islet transplantation. Nevertheless, these options are limited by a growing shortage of donor organs and by the requirement of immunosuppression.Xenotransplantation of porcine islets has been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, the strong xenoimmunity and the risk of transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses, have limited their application in clinic. Generation of β-like cells from stem cells is one of the most promising strategies in regenerative medicine. Embryonic, and more recently, adult stem cells are currently the most promising cell sources exploited to generate functional β-cells in vitro. A number of studies demonstrated that stem cells could generate functional pancreatic organoids (POs), able to restore normoglycemia when implanted in different preclinical diabetic models. Nevertheless, a gradual loss of function and cell dead are commonly detected when POs are transplanted in immunocompetent animals. So far, the main issue to be solved is the post-transplanted islet loss, due to the host immune attack. To avoid this hurdle, nanotechnology has provided a number of polymers currently under investigation for islet micro and macro-encapsulation. These new approaches, besides conferring PO immune protection, are able to supply oxygen and nutrients and to preserve PO morphology and long-term viability.Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on bioengineered POs and the stem cell differentiation platforms. We also discuss the in vitro strategies used to generate functional POs, and the protocols currently used to confer immune-protection against the host immune attack (micro- and macro-encapsulation). In addition, the most relevant ongoing clinical trials, and the most relevant hurdles met to move towards clinical application are revised.

Recapitulating kidney development: Progress and challenges

Decades of research into the molecular and cellular regulation of kidney morphogenesis in rodent models, particularly the mouse, has provided both an atlas of the mammalian kidney and a roadmap for recreating kidney cell types with potential applications for the treatment of kidney disease. With advances in both our capacity to maintain nephron progenitors in culture, reprogram to kidney cell types and direct the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to kidney endpoints, renal regeneration via cellular therapy or tissue engineering may be possible. Human kidney models also have potential for disease modelling and drug screening. Such applications will rely upon the accuracy of the model at the cellular level and the capacity for stem-cell derived kidney tissue to recapitulate both normal and diseased kidney tissue. In this review, we will discuss the available cell sources, how well they model the human kidney and how far we are from application either as models or for tissue engineering.

Electrospun and Electrosprayed Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering

Electrospinning and electrospraying technologies provide an accessible and universal synthesis method for the continuous preparation of nanostructured materials. This chapter introduces recent uses of electrospun and electrosprayed scaffolds for tissue regeneration applications. More recent in vitro and in vivo of electrospun fibers are also discussed in relation to soft and hard tissue engineering applications. The focus is made on the bone, vascular, skin, neural and soft tissue regeneration. An introduction is presented regarding the production of biomaterials made by synthetic and natural polymers and inorganic and metallic materials for use in the production of scaffolds for regenerative medicine. For this proposal, the following techniques are discussed: electrospraying, co-axial and emulsion electrospinning and bio-electrospraying. Tissue engineering is an exciting and rapidly developing field for the understanding of how to regenerate the human body.