1
|
Wei SY, Chen PY, Tsai MC, Hsu TL, Hsieh CC, Fan HW, Chen TH, Xie RH, Chen GY, Chen YC. Enhancing the Repair of Substantial Volumetric Muscle Loss by Creating Different Levels of Blood Vessel Networks Using Pre-Vascularized Nerve Hydrogel Implants. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303320. [PMID: 38354361 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303320] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Volumetric muscle loss (VML), a severe muscle tissue loss from trauma or surgery, results in scarring, limited regeneration, and significant fibrosis, leading to lasting reductions in muscle mass and function. A promising approach for VML recovery involves restoring vascular and neural networks at the injury site, a process not extensively studied yet. Collagen hydrogels have been investigated as scaffolds for blood vessel formation due to their biocompatibility, but reconstructing blood vessels and guiding innervation at the injury site is still difficult. In this study, collagen hydrogels with varied densities of vessel-forming cells are implanted subcutaneously in mice, generating pre-vascularized hydrogels with diverse vessel densities (0-145 numbers/mm2) within a week. These hydrogels, after being transplanted into muscle injury sites, are assessed for muscle repair capabilities. Results showed that hydrogels with high microvessel densities, filling the wound area, effectively reconnected with host vasculature and neural networks, promoting neovascularization and muscle integration, and addressing about 63% of the VML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Yen Wei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yu Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chun Tsai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Lun Hsu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chang Hsieh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Wei Fan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15289, USA
| | - Ren-Hao Xie
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300193, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300193, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Yu Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300193, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300193, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300193, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300193, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chieh Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hernández-Rodríguez JE, Martín-Barrasa JL, Aragón-Sánchez J, Monzón-Mayor M, Pérez-Galván JM, Saavedra-Santana P, Romero-Alemán MDM. The Effect of Honey, Aloe Vera, and Hydrocolloid Dressing on the Healing Process of Murine Excisional Wounds. INT J LOW EXTR WOUND 2023:15347346231214597. [PMID: 37964535 DOI: 10.1177/15347346231214597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Chronic ulcers are a major health problem associated with high costs and a loss of quality of life. Because of this, the search for products that accelerate wound healing is a constant, given the need for alternatives that help to alleviate this serious health problem. We analyzed the efficacy of 2 natural products-honey and aloe vera-versus hydrocolloid (HC) dressings as a control group in healing full-thickness wounds. For this purpose, we performed full-thickness excisions of the skin, including the panniculus carnosus, in mice. We inserted a nitrile ring into the subcutaneous cellular tissue simulating the second-intention wound healing course. We found that aloe vera reduced the diameter of the wounds compared to honey (p < .001) and the control group (p < .001).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Enrique Hernández-Rodríguez
- Department of Nursing, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University Institute for Biomedical and Health Research, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - José Luis Martín-Barrasa
- Dr. Negrin University Hospital Research Unit and University Institute for Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - J Aragón-Sánchez
- Medical Director of the Diabetic Foot Unit, La Paloma Hospital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Maximina Monzón-Mayor
- Department of Morphology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University Institute for Biomedical and Health Research, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - José Manuel Pérez-Galván
- SIMACE- Facility Research in Advanced Confocal and Electron Microscopy, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - Pedro Saavedra-Santana
- Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
| | - María Del Mar Romero-Alemán
- Department of Morphology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University Institute for Biomedical and Health Research, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen CL, Wei SY, Chen WL, Hsu TL, Chen YC. Reconstructing vascular networks promotes the repair of skeletal muscle following volumetric muscle loss by pre-vascularized tissue constructs. J Tissue Eng 2023; 14:20417314231201231. [PMID: 37744322 PMCID: PMC10517612 DOI: 10.1177/20417314231201231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Current treatment for complex and large-scale volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries remains a limited success and have substantial disadvantages, due to the irreversible loss of muscle mass, slow muscle regeneration, and rapid formation of non-functional fibrosis scars. These VML injuries are accompanied by denervation and the destruction of native vasculature which increases difficulties in the functional restoration of muscle. Here, reconstruction of the vascular network at the injury site was offered as a possible solution for improving the repair of muscle defects through the timely supply of nutrients and oxygen to surrounding cells. A hydrogel-based tissue construct containing various densities of the vascular network was successfully created in the subcutaneous space of mice by manipulating hydrogel properties, and then implanted into the VML injury site. One month after implantation, the mouse treated with the highly vascularized tissue had extensive muscle repair at the injury site and only spent a shorter time completing the inclined plane tests. These findings suggest that the reconstruction of the functional vascular network at the VML injury site accelerated muscle fiber repair through a timely supply of sufficient blood and avoided invasion by host fibroblasts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Long Chen
- Department of Dentistry, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei
- School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei
| | - Shih-Yen Wei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu
| | - Wei-Lin Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu
| | - Ting-Lun Hsu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu
| | - Ying-Chieh Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Polysaccharide hydrogels: Functionalization, construction and served as scaffold for tissue engineering. Carbohydr Polym 2022; 278:118952. [PMID: 34973769 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polysaccharide hydrogels have been widely utilized in tissue engineering. They interact with the organismal environments, modulating the cargos release and realizing of long-term survival and activations of living cells. In this review, the potential strategies for modification of polysaccharides were introduced firstly. It is not only used to functionalize the polysaccharides for the consequent formation of hydrogels, but also used to introduce versatile side groups for the regulation of cell behavior. Then, techniques and underlying mechanisms in inducing the formation of hydrogels by polysaccharides or their derivatives are briefly summarized. Finally, the applications of polysaccharide hydrogels in vivo, mainly focus on the performance for alleviation of foreign-body response (FBR) and as cell scaffolds for tissue regeneration, are exemplified. In addition, the perspectives and challenges for further research are addressed. It aims to provide a comprehensive framework about the potentials and challenges that the polysaccharide hydrogels confronting in tissue engineering.
Collapse
|
5
|
Hsu YJ, Wei SY, Lin TY, Fang L, Hsieh YT, Chen YC. A strategy to engineer vascularized tissue constructs by optimizing and maintaining the geometry. Acta Biomater 2022; 138:254-272. [PMID: 34774782 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The success of engineered tissues is limited by the need for rapid perfusion of a functional vascular network that can control tissue engraftment and promote survival after implantation. Diabetic conditions pose an additional challenge, because high glucose and lipid concentrations cause an aggressive oxidative environment that impairs vessel remodeling and stabilization and impedes integration of engineered constructs into surrounding tissues. Thus, to achieve rapid vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and anastomosis, hydrogels incorporating cells in their structure have been developed to facilitate formation of functional vascular networks within implants. However, their transport diffusivity decreases with increasing thickness, preventing the formation of a thick vascularized tissue. To address this, we used diffusion-based computational simulations to optimize the geometry of hydrogel structures. The results show that the micro-patterned constructs improved diffusion, thus supporting cell viability, and spreading while retaining their mechanical properties. Thick cell-laden bulk, linear, or hexagonal infill patterned hydrogels were implanted; and structural stability due to skin mobility was improved by the protective spacer. Larger and thicker perfused vascular networks formed in the hexagonal structures (∼17 mm diameter, ∼1.5 mm thickness) in both normal and diabetic mice on day 3, and they became functional and uniformly distributed on day 7. Moreover, transplanted islets were rapidly integrated subcutaneously in this engineered functional vascular bed, which significantly enhanced islet viability and insulin secretion. In summary, we developed a promising strategy for generating large, thick vascularized tissue constructs, which may support transplanted islet cells. These constructs showed potential for engineering other vascularized tissues in regenerative therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Diffusion-based computational simulations were used to optimize the geometry of hydrogel structures, i.e., hexagonal cell-laden hydrogels. To maintain the hydrogel's structural integrity, a spacer was designed and co-implanted subcutaneously to increase the permeability of explants. The spacer provides the structural integrity to improve the permeability of the implanted hydrogel. Otherwise, the implanted hydrogel may be easily squeezed and deformed by compression from the skin mobility of mice. Here, we successfully developed a cell-based strategy for rapidly generating large, functional vasculature (diameter ∼17 mm and thickness ∼1.5 mm) in both normal and diabetic mice and demonstrated its advantages over currently available methods in a clinically-relevant animal model. This concept could serve as a basis for engineering and repairing other tissues in animals.
Collapse
|
6
|
Tsai MC, Wei SY, Fang L, Chen YC. Viscous Fingering as a Rapid 3D Pattering Technique for Engineering Cell-Laden Vascular-Like Constructs. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101392. [PMID: 34694752 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Tissues are much larger than the diffusion limit distance, so rapidly providing blood vessels to supply embedded cells inside tissues with sufficient nutrients and oxygen is regarded as a major strategy for the success of bioengineered large and thick tissue constructs. Here, a patterning technique, viscous fingering, is developed to bioengineer vascularized-like tissues within a few minutes. By controlling viscosity, flow rate, and the volume of photo-cross-linkable prepolymer, macro- and microscale vascular network structures can be precisely engineered using the Hele-Shaw cell that is designed in this study. After cross-linking, a vascular-like gel with fingering structures is formed between the bottom and top base gels, creating a sandwich-like structure. Cells can be incorporated into the fingers, bases, or both gels. The spreading and growth direction of the embedded cells are successfully controlled and guided by manipulating the physical properties of the fingering and base gels individually. Moreover, fingering is generated, connected, and surrounded prepared cell-laden microgels in base prepolymers to form prevascularized tissue-like constructs. Taken together, the 3D cell patterning technique extends the potential for modeling and fabricating large and stackable vascularized tissue-like constructs for both ex vivo and in vivo applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Chun Tsai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yen Wei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Ling Fang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chieh Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 300044, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|