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Afzal Z, Huguet EL. Bioengineering liver tissue by repopulation of decellularised scaffolds. World J Hepatol 2023; 15:151-179. [PMID: 36926238 PMCID: PMC10011915 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v15.i2.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation is the only curative therapy for end stage liver disease, but is limited by the organ shortage, and is associated with the adverse consequences of immunosuppression. Repopulation of decellularised whole organ scaffolds with appropriate cells of recipient origin offers a theoretically attractive solution, allowing reliable and timely organ sourcing without the need for immunosuppression. Decellularisation methodologies vary widely but seek to address the conflicting objectives of removing the cellular component of tissues whilst keeping the 3D structure of the extra-cellular matrix intact, as well as retaining the instructive cell fate determining biochemicals contained therein. Liver scaffold recellularisation has progressed from small rodent in vitro studies to large animal in vivo perfusion models, using a wide range of cell types including primary cells, cell lines, foetal stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Within these models, a limited but measurable degree of physiologically significant hepatocyte function has been reported with demonstrable ammonia metabolism in vivo. Biliary repopulation and function have been restricted by challenges relating to the culture and propagations of cholangiocytes, though advances in organoid culture may help address this. Hepatic vasculature repopulation has enabled sustainable blood perfusion in vivo, but with cell types that would limit clinical applications, and which have not been shown to have the specific functions of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Minority cell groups such as Kupffer cells and stellate cells have not been repopulated. Bioengineering by repopulation of decellularised scaffolds has significantly progressed, but there remain significant experimental challenges to be addressed before therapeutic applications may be envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Afzal
- Department of Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research and Academic Health Sciences Centre; Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel Laurent Huguet
- Department of Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research and Academic Health Sciences Centre; Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
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Spaletta G, Sofroniou M, Barbaro F, di Conza G, Mosca S, Toni R. A Computational Template for Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Vascular Scaffold of the Human Thyroid Gland. Tissue Eng Part A 2023; 29:47-57. [PMID: 36112727 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2022.0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently designed an innovative scaffold-bioreactor unit for the bioengineering of a three-dimensional (3D) bioartificial human thyroid gland or its miniaturized replica as a part of a microfluidic chip test system. This device is based on the evidence that the 3D geometry of the intraglandular stromal/vascular scaffold (SVS; i.e., the fibrous and vascular matrix) of mammalian viscera plays a key role in guiding growth and differentiation of in vitro seeded cells. Therefore, we initiated a research program focused on computer-aided reconstruction of the 2nd to 4th order intralobar arterial network (IAN) of the human thyroid gland as a reliable surrogate for its 3D SVS, to be used as an input for rapid prototyping of a biomaterial replica. To this end, we developed a computational template that works within the Mathematica environment, giving rise to a quasi-fractal growth of the IAN distribution, constrained within an approximation of the thyroid lobe shape as a closed surface. Starting from edge detection of planar images of real human thyroid lobes acquired by in vivo real-time ultrasonography, we performed data approximation of the lobar profiles based on splines and Bezier curves, providing 3D lobar shapes as geometric boundaries for vessel growth by a diffusion-limited aggregation model. Our numerical procedures allowed for a robust connection between development of lobar arterial trees and thyroid lobe shape, led to a vascular self-similarity consistent with that of a cadaveric lobar arterial cast, and reproduced arterial vessels in a proportion not statistically different from that described for the real human thyroid gland. We conclude that our algorithmic template offers a reliable reproduction of the extremely complex IAN of the adult human thyroid lobe, potentially useful as a computational guidance for bioprinting of thyroid lobe matrix replicas. In addition, due to the simplicity and limited number of morphometrical parameters required by our system, we predict its application to the design of a number of patient-tailored human bioartificial organs and organs-on-chip, including parenchymal viscera and bones. Impact statement The study introduces the computer simulation of the three-dimensional (3D) intrinsic vascular matrix of the human thyroid gland, offering a general concept applicable to a number of other human viscera. Indeed, it provides a flexible software tool for reproduction of a 3D surrogate of the organ's 3D stromal matrix, suitable for eventual 3D bioprinting with biomaterials, and recellularization with organ-specific stem cells/progenitors. The final expectation is the design of patient-tailored 3D organ's matrices upon clinical request.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Spaletta
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mark Sofroniou
- R&D Department, Wolfram Research, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Fulvio Barbaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-DIMEC, Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.BI.BI.T.), Laboratory of Regenerative Morphology and Bioartificial Structures (Re.Mo.Bio.S.), and Museum and Historical Library of Biomedicine-BIOMED, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giusy di Conza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-DIMEC, Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.BI.BI.T.), Laboratory of Regenerative Morphology and Bioartificial Structures (Re.Mo.Bio.S.), and Museum and Historical Library of Biomedicine-BIOMED, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mosca
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-DIMEC, Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.BI.BI.T.), Laboratory of Regenerative Morphology and Bioartificial Structures (Re.Mo.Bio.S.), and Museum and Historical Library of Biomedicine-BIOMED, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Course on Disorders of the Locomotor System, Fellow Program in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Toni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-DIMEC, Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.BI.BI.T.), Laboratory of Regenerative Morphology and Bioartificial Structures (Re.Mo.Bio.S.), and Museum and Historical Library of Biomedicine-BIOMED, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Nutrition Disorders Outpatient Clinic-OSTEONET Unit (Osteoporosis, Nutrition, Endocrinology, and Innovative Therapies), Medical Center Galliera, San Venanzio di Galliera, Bologna, Italy.,Academy of Sciences of the Institute of Bologna, Section IV-Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center-Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Dai Q, Jiang W, Huang F, Song F, Zhang J, Zhao H. Recent Advances in Liver Engineering With Decellularized Scaffold. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:831477. [PMID: 35223793 PMCID: PMC8866951 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.831477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation is currently the only effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease; however, donor liver scarcity is a notable concern. As a result, extensive endeavors have been made to diversify the source of donor livers. For example, the use of a decellularized scaffold in liver engineering has gained considerable attention in recent years. The decellularized scaffold preserves the original orchestral structure and bioactive chemicals of the liver, and has the potential to create a de novo liver that is fit for transplantation after recellularization. The structure of the liver and hepatic extracellular matrix, decellularization, recellularization, and recent developments are discussed in this review. Additionally, the criteria for assessment and major obstacles in using a decellularized scaffold are covered in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Dai
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Internal Medicine IV (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Infectious Diseases), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Burns, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fan Huang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fei Song
- Department of Urology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Jiqian Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Jiqian Zhang, ; Hongchuan Zhao,
| | - Hongchuan Zhao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Jiqian Zhang, ; Hongchuan Zhao,
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Heim M, Nixon IJ, Emmerson E, Callanan A. From hormone replacement therapy to regenerative scaffolds: A review of current and novel primary hypothyroidism therapeutics. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:997288. [PMID: 36277721 PMCID: PMC9581390 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.997288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary hypothyroidism severely impacts the quality of life of patients through a decrease in the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, leading to symptoms affecting cardiovascular, neurological, cognitive, and metabolic function. The incidence rate of primary hypothyroidism is expected to increase in the near future, partially due to increasing survival of patients that have undergone radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, which induces this disease in over half of those treated. The current standard of care encompasses thyroid hormone replacement therapy, traditionally in the form of synthetic T4. However, there is mounting evidence that this is unable to restore thyroid hormone signaling in all tissues due to often persistent symptoms. Additional complications are also present in the form of dosage difficulties, extensive drug interactions and poor patience compliance. The alternative therapeutic approach employed in the past is combination therapy, which consists of administration of both T3 and T4, either synthetic or in the form of desiccated thyroid extract. Here, issues are present regarding the lack of regulation concerning formulation and lack of data regarding safety and efficacy of these treatment methods. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have been applied in conjunction with each other to restore function of various tissues. Recently, these techniques have been adapted for thyroid tissue, primarily through the fabrication of regenerative scaffolds. Those currently under investigation are composed of either biopolymers or native decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) in conjunction with either primary thyrocytes or stem cells which have undergone directed thyroid differentiation. Multiple of these scaffolds have successfully restored an athyroid phenotype in vivo. However, further work is needed until clinical translation can be achieved. This is proposed in the form of exploration and combination of materials used to fabricate these scaffolds, the addition of peptides which can aid restoration of tissue homeostasis and additional in vivo experimentation providing data on safety and efficacy of these implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Heim
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ian J. Nixon
- Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Elaine Emmerson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Callanan
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Anthony Callanan,
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