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Covert LT, Prinz JA, Swain-Lenz D, Dvergsten J, Truskey GA. Genetic changes from type I interferons and JAK inhibitors: clues to drivers of juvenile dermatomyositis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024:keae082. [PMID: 38317053 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae082] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To better understand the pathogenesis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), we examined the effect of the cytokines type I interferons (IFN I) and JAK inhibitor drugs (JAKi) on gene expression in bioengineered pediatric skeletal muscle. METHODS Myoblasts from 3 healthy pediatric donors were used to create three-dimensional skeletal muscle units termed myobundles. Myobundles were treated with IFN I, either IFNα or IFNβ. A subset of IFNβ-exposed myobundles was treated with JAKi tofacitinib or baricitinib. RNA sequencing analysis was performed on all myobundles. RESULTS Seventy-six myobundles were analyzed. Principal component analysis showed donor-specific clusters of gene expression across IFNα and IFNβ-exposed myobundles in a dose-dependent manner. Both cytokines upregulated interferon response and proinflammatory genes; however, IFNβ led to more significant upregulation. Key downregulated pathways involved oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism and myogenesis genes. Addition of tofacitinib or baricitinib moderated the gene expression induced by IFNβ, with partial reversal of upregulated inflammatory and downregulated myogenesis pathways. Baricitinib altered genetic profiles more than tofacitinib. CONCLUSION IFNβ leads to more pro-inflammatory gene upregulation than IFNα, correlating to greater decrease in contractile protein gene expression and reduced contractile force. JAK inhibitors, baricitinib more so than tofacitinib, partially reverse IFN I-induced genetic changes. Increased IFN I exposure in healthy bioengineered skeletal muscle leads to IFN-inducible gene expression, inflammatory pathway enrichment, and myogenesis gene downregulation, consistent with what is observed in JDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Covert
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph A Prinz
- Sequencing and Genomics Technologies Core Facility, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Devjanee Swain-Lenz
- Sequencing and Genomics Technologies Core Facility, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey Dvergsten
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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2
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Covert LT, Patel H, Osman A, Duncan L, Dvergsten J, Truskey GA. Effect of type I interferon on engineered pediatric skeletal muscle: a promising model for juvenile dermatomyositis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:209-217. [PMID: 37094222 PMCID: PMC10765138 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate pathogenic mechanisms underlying JDM, we defined the effect of type I IFN, IFN-α and IFN-β, on pediatric skeletal muscle function and expression of myositis-related proteins using an in vitro engineered human skeletal muscle model (myobundle). METHODS Primary myoblasts were isolated from three healthy pediatric donors and used to create myobundles that mimic functioning skeletal muscle in structural architecture and physiologic function. Myobundles were exposed to 0, 5, 10 or 20 ng/ml IFN-α or IFN-β for 7 days and then functionally tested under electrical stimulation and analyzed immunohistochemically for structural and myositis-related proteins. Additionally, IFN-β-exposed myobundles were treated with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) tofacitinib and baricitinib. These myobundles were also analyzed for contractile force and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS IFN-β, but not IFN-α, was associated with decreased contractile tetanus force and slowed twitch kinetics. These effects were reversed by tofacitinib and baricitinib. Type I IFN paradoxically reduced myobundle fatigue, which did not reverse after JAKi. Additionally, type I IFN correlated with MHC I upregulation, which normalized after JAKi treatment, but expression of myositis-specific autoantigens Mi-2, melanocyte differentiation-associated protein 5 and the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker GRP78 were variable and donor specific after type I IFN exposure. CONCLUSION IFN-α and IFN-β have distinct effects on pediatric skeletal muscle and these effects can partially be reversed by JAKi treatment. This is the first study illustrating effective use of a three-dimensional human skeletal muscle model to investigate JDM pathogenesis and test novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T Covert
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hailee Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Alaa Osman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lavonia Duncan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey Dvergsten
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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3
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Lee JH, Shores KL, Breithaupt JJ, Lee CS, Fodera DM, Kwon JB, Ettyreddy AR, Myers KM, Evison BJ, Suchowerska AK, Gersbach CA, Leong KW, Truskey GA. PCSK9 activation promotes early atherosclerosis in a vascular microphysiological system. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:046103. [PMID: 37854060 PMCID: PMC10581720 DOI: 10.1063/5.0167440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a primary precursor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. While proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) contributes to CVD by degrading low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) and altering lipid metabolism, PCSK9 also influences vascular inflammation, further promoting atherosclerosis. Here, we utilized a vascular microphysiological system to test the effect of PCSK9 activation or repression on the initiation of atherosclerosis and to screen the efficacy of a small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor. We have generated PCSK9 over-expressed (P+) or repressed (P-) human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and further differentiated them to smooth muscle cells (viSMCs) or endothelial cells (viECs). Tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) made from P+ viSMCs and viECs resulted in increased monocyte adhesion compared to the wild type (WT) or P- equivalents when treated with enzyme-modified LDL (eLDL) and TNF-α. We also found significant viEC dysfunction, such as increased secretion of VCAM-1, TNF-α, and IL-6, in P+ viECs treated with eLDL and TNF-α. A small molecule compound, NYX-1492, that was originally designed to block PCSK9 binding with the LDLR was tested in TEBVs to determine its effect on lowering PCSK9-induced inflammation. The compound reduced monocyte adhesion in P+ TEBVs with evidence of lowering secretion of VCAM-1 and TNF-α. These results suggest that PCSK9 inhibition may decrease vascular inflammation in addition to lowering plasma LDL levels, enhancing its anti-atherosclerotic effects, particularly in patients with elevated chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jounghyun H. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Kevin L. Shores
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Jason J. Breithaupt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Caleb S. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Daniella M. Fodera
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | | | | | - Kristin M. Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kam W. Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
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4
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Truskey GA. The Potential of Deep Learning to Advance Clinical Applications of Computational Biomechanics. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1066. [PMID: 37760168 PMCID: PMC10525821 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
When combined with patient information provided by advanced imaging techniques, computational biomechanics can provide detailed patient-specific information about stresses and strains acting on tissues that can be useful in diagnosing and assessing treatments for diseases and injuries. This approach is most advanced in cardiovascular applications but can be applied to other tissues. The challenges for advancing computational biomechanics for real-time patient diagnostics and treatment include errors and missing information in the patient data, the large computational requirements for the numerical solutions to multiscale biomechanical equations, and the uncertainty over boundary conditions and constitutive relations. This review summarizes current efforts to use deep learning to address these challenges and integrate large data sets and computational methods to enable real-time clinical information. Examples are drawn from cardiovascular fluid mechanics, soft-tissue mechanics, and bone biomechanics. The application of deep-learning convolutional neural networks can reduce the time taken to complete image segmentation, and meshing and solution of finite element models, as well as improving the accuracy of inlet and outlet conditions. Such advances are likely to facilitate the adoption of these models to aid in the assessment of the severity of cardiovascular disease and the development of new surgical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
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5
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Zhang Q, Zhan R, Patsy M, Li B, Chen Y, Lipes BD, Bursac N, Truskey GA. Differential Response of Engineered Human Cardiac Tissues to Delta and Omicron COVID-19 Virus. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e029390. [PMID: 37301746 PMCID: PMC10356039 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.029390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Ren‐Zhi Zhan
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Marisa Patsy
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Binjie Li
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Barbara D. Lipes
- Department of MedicineDuke University School of MedicineDurhamNCUSA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
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6
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Abutaleb NO, Atchison L, Choi L, Bedapudi A, Shores K, Gete Y, Cao K, Truskey GA. Lonafarnib and everolimus reduce pathology in iPSC-derived tissue engineered blood vessel model of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5032. [PMID: 36977745 PMCID: PMC10050176 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32035-3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, fatal genetic disease that accelerates atherosclerosis. With a limited pool of HGPS patients, clinical trials face unique challenges and require reliable preclinical testing. We previously reported a 3D tissue engineered blood vessel (TEBV) microphysiological system fabricated with iPSC-derived vascular cells from HGPS patients. HGPS TEBVs exhibit features of HGPS atherosclerosis including loss of smooth muscle cells, reduced vasoactivity, excess extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, inflammatory marker expression, and calcification. We tested the effects of HGPS therapeutics Lonafarnib and Everolimus separately and together, currently in Phase I/II clinical trial, on HGPS TEBVs. Everolimus decreased reactive oxygen species levels, increased proliferation, reduced DNA damage in HGPS vascular cells, and improved vasoconstriction in HGPS TEBVs. Lonafarnib improved shear stress response of HGPS iPSC-derived endothelial cells (viECs) and reduced ECM deposition, inflammation, and calcification in HGPS TEBVs. Combination treatment with Lonafarnib and Everolimus produced additional benefits such as improved endothelial and smooth muscle marker expression and reduced apoptosis, as well as increased TEBV vasoconstriction and vasodilation. These results suggest that a combined trial of both drugs may provide cardiovascular benefits beyond Lonafarnib, if the Everolimus dose can be tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia O Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Leigh Atchison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Leandro Choi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Akhil Bedapudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin Shores
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yantenew Gete
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kan Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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7
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Bishawi M, Lee FH, Abraham DM, Glass C, Blocker SJ, Cox DJ, Brown ZD, Rockman HA, Mao L, Slaba TC, Dewhirst MW, Truskey GA, Bowles DE. Late onset cardiovascular dysfunction in adult mice resulting from galactic cosmic ray exposure. iScience 2022; 25:104086. [PMID: 35378858 PMCID: PMC8976132 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex and inaccessible space radiation environment poses an unresolved risk to astronaut cardiovascular health during long-term space exploration missions. To model this risk, healthy male c57BL/6 mice aged six months (corresponding to an astronaut of 34 years) were exposed to simplified galactic cosmic ray (GCR5-ion; 5-ion sim) irradiation at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven National Laboratories (BNL). Multi-modal cardiovascular functional assessments performed longitudinally and terminally revealed significant impairment in cardiac function in mice exposed to GCR5-ion compared to unirradiated controls, gamma irradiation, or single mono-energetic ions (56Fe or 16O). GCR5-ion-treated mice exhibited increased arterial elastance likely mediated by disruption of elastin fibers. This study suggests that a single exposure to GCR5-ion is associated with deterioration in cardiac structure and function that becomes apparent long after exposure, likely associated with increased morbidity and mortality. These findings represent important health considerations when preparing for successful space exploration. Mice exposed to simplified galactic cosmic ray (GCR5-ion) in controlled setting Significant cardiovascular dysfunction 1year post exposure to GCR5-ion Increased arterial elastance, elastin fiber disruption in GCR5-ion-exposed mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Muath Bishawi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Franklin H Lee
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dennis M Abraham
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Carolyn Glass
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Stephanie J Blocker
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Daniel J Cox
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Zachary D Brown
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Howard A Rockman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lan Mao
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Tony C Slaba
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, USA
| | - Mark W Dewhirst
- Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Dawn E Bowles
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, MRSB1 Rm. 421b, 203 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Aydin O, Passaro AP, Raman R, Spellicy SE, Weinberg RP, Kamm RD, Sample M, Truskey GA, Zartman J, Dar RD, Palacios S, Wang J, Tordoff J, Montserrat N, Bashir R, Saif MTA, Weiss R. Principles for the design of multicellular engineered living systems. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:010903. [PMID: 35274072 PMCID: PMC8893975 DOI: 10.1063/5.0076635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Remarkable progress in bioengineering over the past two decades has enabled the formulation of fundamental design principles for a variety of medical and non-medical applications. These advancements have laid the foundation for building multicellular engineered living systems (M-CELS) from biological parts, forming functional modules integrated into living machines. These cognizant design principles for living systems encompass novel genetic circuit manipulation, self-assembly, cell-cell/matrix communication, and artificial tissues/organs enabled through systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, genetic engineering, and microfluidics. Here, we introduce design principles and a blueprint for forward production of robust and standardized M-CELS, which may undergo variable reiterations through the classic design-build-test-debug cycle. This Review provides practical and theoretical frameworks to forward-design, control, and optimize novel M-CELS. Potential applications include biopharmaceuticals, bioreactor factories, biofuels, environmental bioremediation, cellular computing, biohybrid digital technology, and experimental investigations into mechanisms of multicellular organisms normally hidden inside the "black box" of living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Austin P. Passaro
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Ritu Raman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | - Robert P. Weinberg
- School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | | | - Matthew Sample
- Center for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Jeremiah Zartman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Roy D. Dar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Sebastian Palacios
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Jason Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Jesse Tordoff
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Nuria Montserrat
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - M. Taher A. Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Ron Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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9
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Oliver CE, Patel H, Hong J, Carter J, Kraus WE, Huffman KM, Truskey GA. Tissue engineered skeletal muscle model of rheumatoid arthritis using human primary skeletal muscle cells. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 16:128-139. [PMID: 34781416 PMCID: PMC9487182 DOI: 10.1002/term.3266] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily targeting the joints. Autoreactive immune cells involved in RA affect other tissues, including skeletal muscle. Patients with RA experience diminished physical function, limited mobility, reduced muscle function, chronic pain, and increased mortality. To explore the impact of RA on skeletal muscle, we engineered electrically responsive, contractile human skeletal muscle constructs (myobundles) using primary skeletal muscle cells isolated from the vastus lateralis muscle of 11 RA patients (aged 57-74) and 10 aged healthy donors (aged 55-76), as well as from the hamstring muscle of six young healthy donors (less than 18 years of age) as a benchmark. Since all patients were receiving treatment for the disease, RA disease activity was mild. In 2D culture, RA myoblast purity, growth rate, and senescence were not statistically different than aged controls; however, RA myoblast purity showed greater variance compared to controls. Surprisingly, in 3D culture, contractile force production by RA myobundles was greater compared to aged controls. In support of this finding, assessment of RA myofiber maturation showed increased area of sarcomeric α-actinin (SAA) expression over time compared to aged controls. Furthermore, a linear regression test indicated a positive correlation between SAA protein levels and tetanus force production in RA and controls. Our findings suggest that medications prescribed to RA patients may maintain-or even enhance-muscle function, and this effect is retained and observed in in vitro culture. Future studies regarding the effects of RA therapeutics on RA skeletal muscle, in vivo and in vitro, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hailee Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
| | - James Hong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
| | | | | | - Kim M. Huffman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine
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10
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Vann CG, Zhang X, Khodabukus A, Orenduff MC, Chen YH, Corcoran DL, Truskey GA, Bursac N, Kraus VB. Differential microRNA profiles of intramuscular and secreted extracellular vesicles in human tissue-engineered muscle. Front Physiol 2022; 13:937899. [PMID: 36091396 PMCID: PMC9452896 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.937899] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise affects the expression of microRNAs (miR/s) and muscle-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). To evaluate sarcoplasmic and secreted miR expression in human skeletal muscle in response to exercise-mimetic contractile activity, we utilized a three-dimensional tissue-engineered model of human skeletal muscle ("myobundles"). Myobundles were subjected to three culture conditions: no electrical stimulation (CTL), chronic low frequency stimulation (CLFS), or intermittent high frequency stimulation (IHFS) for 7 days. RNA was isolated from myobundles and from extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by myobundles into culture media; miR abundance was analyzed by miRNA-sequencing. We used edgeR and a within-sample design to evaluate differential miR expression and Pearson correlation to evaluate correlations between myobundle and EV populations within treatments with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Numerous miRs were differentially expressed between myobundles and EVs; 116 miRs were differentially expressed within CTL, 3 within CLFS, and 2 within IHFS. Additionally, 25 miRs were significantly correlated (18 in CTL, 5 in CLFS, 2 in IHFS) between myobundles and EVs. Electrical stimulation resulted in differential expression of 8 miRs in myobundles and only 1 miR in EVs. Several KEGG pathways, known to play a role in regulation of skeletal muscle, were enriched, with differentially overrepresented miRs between myobundle and EV populations identified using miEAA. Together, these results demonstrate that in vitro exercise-mimetic contractile activity of human engineered muscle affects both their expression of miRs and number of secreted EVs. These results also identify novel miRs of interest for future studies of the role of exercise in organ-organ interactions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Vann
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Xin Zhang
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Melissa C Orenduff
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yu-Hsiu Chen
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Virginia B Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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11
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among persons aged 65 and older in the United States and many other developed countries. Tissue engineered vascular systems (TEVS) can serve as grafts for CVD treatment and be used as in vitro model systems to examine the role of various genetic factors during the CVD progressions. Current focus in the field is to fabricate TEVS that more closely resembles the mechanical properties and extracellular matrix environment of native vessels, which depends heavily on the advance in biofabrication techniques and discovery of novel biomaterials. In this review, we outline the mechanical and biological design requirements of TEVS and explore the history and recent advances in biofabrication methods and biomaterials for tissue engineered blood vessels and microvascular systems with special focus on in vitro applications. In vitro applications of TEVS for disease modeling are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Èlia Bosch-Rué
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Sant Cugat del Vallès 08195, Spain
| | - Román A. Pérez
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Sant Cugat del Vallès 08195, Spain
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
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12
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Lee JH, Chen Z, He S, Zhou JK, Tsai A, Truskey GA, Leong KW. Emulating Early Atherosclerosis in a Vascular Microphysiological System Using Branched Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessels. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000428. [PMID: 33852179 PMCID: PMC9951769 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis begins with the accumulation of cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins on blood vessel walls and progresses to endothelial cell dysfunction, monocyte adhesion, and foam cell formation. Endothelialized tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) have previously been fabricated to recapitulate artery functionalities, including vasoconstriction, vasodilation, and endothelium activation. Here, the initiation of atherosclerosis is emulated by designing branched TEBVs (brTEBVs) of various geometries treated with enzyme-modified low-density-lipoprotein (eLDL) and TNF-α to induce endothelial cell dysfunction and adhesion of perfused human monocytes. Locations of monocyte adhesion under pulsatile flow are identified, and the hemodynamics in the brTEBVs are characterized using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Monocyte adhesion is greater at the side outlets than at the main outlets or inlets, and is greatest at larger side outlet branching angles (60° or 80° vs 45°). In PIV experiments, the branched side outlets are identified as atherosclerosis-prone areas where fluorescent particles show a transient swirling motion following flow pulses; in CFD simulations, side outlets with larger branching angles show higher vorticity magnitude and greater flow disturbance than other areas. These results suggest that the branched TEBVs with eLDL/TNF-α treatment provide a physiologically relevant model of early atherosclerosis for preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jounghyun H. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Zaozao Chen
- School of Biological Sciences and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Siyu He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Joyce K. Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Alexander Tsai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Kam W. Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a potentially unlimited source to generate endothelial cells (ECs) for numerous applications. Here, we describe a 7-day protocol to differentiate up to 55 million vascular endothelial cells (viECs) from 3.5 million human iPSCs using small molecules to regulate specific transcription factors. We also describe a parallel-plate flow chamber system to study EC behavior under physiological shear stress. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Atchison et al. (2020). A protocol for differentiating vascular endothelial cells (viECs) from human iPSCs Generation of up to 55 million viECs from 3.5 million iPSCs within 7 days Design and use of parallel-plate flow chamber to study EC behavior under flow viECs express EC markers, upregulate flow-sensitive genes, and align to flow direction
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia O Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, USA
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14
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Kennedy CC, Brown EE, Abutaleb NO, Truskey GA. Development and Application of Endothelial Cells Derived From Pluripotent Stem Cells in Microphysiological Systems Models. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:625016. [PMID: 33659279 PMCID: PMC7917070 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.625016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelium is present in all organs and blood vessels, facilitates the exchange of nutrients and waste throughout different organ systems in the body, and sets the tone for healthy vessel function. Mechanosensitive in nature, the endothelium responds to the magnitude and temporal waveform of shear stress in the vessels. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to atherosclerosis and other diseases. Modeling endothelial function and dysfunction in organ systems in vitro, such as the blood–brain barrier and tissue-engineered blood vessels, requires sourcing endothelial cells (ECs) for these biomedical engineering applications. It can be difficult to source primary, easily renewable ECs that possess the function or dysfunction in question. In contrast, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be sourced from donors of interest and renewed almost indefinitely. In this review, we highlight how knowledge of vascular EC development in vivo is used to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into ECs. We then describe how iPSC-derived ECs are being used currently in in vitro models of organ function and disease and in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal C Kennedy
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Erin E Brown
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nadia O Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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15
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Ananthakumar A, Liu Y, Fernandez CE, Truskey GA, Voora D. Modeling statin myopathy in a human skeletal muscle microphysiological system. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242422. [PMID: 33237943 PMCID: PMC7688150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins are used to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. Musculoskeletal side effects known as statin associated musculoskeletal symptoms (SAMS), are reported in up to 10% of statin users, necessitating statin therapy interruption and increasing cardiovascular disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that, when exposed to statins ex vivo, engineered human skeletal myobundles derived from individuals with (n = 10) or without (n = 14) SAMS and elevated creatine-kinase levels exhibit statin-dependent muscle defects. Myoblasts were derived from muscle biopsies of individuals (median age range of 62–64) with hyperlipidemia with (n = 10) or without (n = 14) SAMS. Myobundles formed from myoblasts were cultured with growth media for 4 days, low amino acid differentiation media for 4 days, then dosed with 0 and 5μM of statins for 5 days. Tetanus forces were subsequently measured. To model the change of tetanus forces among clinical covariates, a mixed effect model with fixed effects being donor type, statin concentration, statin type and their two way interactions (donor type*statin concentration and donor type* statin type) and the random effect being subject ID was applied. The results indicate that statin exposure significantly contributed to decrease in force (P<0.001) and the variability in data (R2C [R square conditional] = 0.62). We found no significant differences in force between myobundles from patients with/without SAMS, many of whom had chronic diseases. Immunofluorescence quantification revealed a positive correlation between the number of straited muscle fibers and tetanus force (R2 = 0.81,P = 0.015) and negative correlation between number of fragmented muscle fibers and tetanus force (R2 = 0.482,P = 0.051) with no differences between donors with or without SAMS. There is also a correlation between statin exposure and presence of striated fibers (R2 = 0.833, P = 0.047). In patient-derived myobundles, statin exposure results in myotoxicity disrupting SAA organization and reducing force. We were unable to identify differences in ex vivo statin myotoxicity in this system. The results suggest that it is unlikely that there is inherent susceptibility to or persistent effects of statin myopathy using patient-derived myobundles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandita Ananthakumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Yiling Liu
- Duke Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Cristina E. Fernandez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Deepak Voora
- Duke Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine, Durham, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Zhang X, Bishawi M, Zhang G, Prasad V, Salmon E, Breithaupt JJ, Zhang Q, Truskey GA. Modeling early stage atherosclerosis in a primary human vascular microphysiological system. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5426. [PMID: 33110060 PMCID: PMC7591486 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel atherosclerosis models are needed to guide clinical therapy. Here, we report an in vitro model of early atherosclerosis by fabricating and perfusing multi-layer arteriole-scale human tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) by plastic compression. TEBVs maintain mechanical strength, vasoactivity, and nitric oxide (NO) production for at least 4 weeks. Perfusion of TEBVs at a physiological shear stress with enzyme-modified low-density-lipoprotein (eLDL) with or without TNFα promotes monocyte accumulation, reduces vasoactivity, alters NO production, which leads to endothelial cell activation, monocyte accumulation, foam cell formation and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Removing eLDL leads to recovery of vasoactivity, but not loss of foam cells or recovery of permeability, while pretreatment with lovastatin or the P2Y11 inhibitor NF157 reduces monocyte accumulation and blocks foam cell formation. Perfusion with blood leads to increased monocyte adhesion. This atherosclerosis model can identify the role of drugs on specific vascular functions that cannot be assessed in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Muath Bishawi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, 116044, Dalian, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Varun Prasad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Ellen Salmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Jason J Breithaupt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33163, USA
| | - Qiao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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17
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Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a potentially unlimited cell source for producing autologous tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs), which currently suffer from low mechanical strength. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Luo et al. (2020) describe optimized culture media and a mechanical stretching regimen to produce hiPSC-derived TEVGs with mechanical behavior similar to that of natural vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia O Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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18
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Sklivas AB, Goss D, Bursac N, Khodahukus A, Koves T, Muoio D, Madden L, Truskey GA, Kraus WE, Hubal MJ. Gene Expression Differences In Three-dimensional Myobundles Compared To Two-dimensional Myocultures. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2020. [DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000683732.61182.4f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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19
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Salmon EE, Breithaupt JJ, Truskey GA. Application of Oxidative Stress to a Tissue-Engineered Vascular Aging Model Induces Endothelial Cell Senescence and Activation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051292. [PMID: 32455928 PMCID: PMC7290800 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies have established a connection between oxidative stress, aging, and atherogenesis. These factors contribute to senescence and inflammation in the endothelium and significant reductions in endothelium-dependent vasoreactivity in aged patients. Tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) recapitulate the structure and function of arteries and arterioles in vitro. We developed a TEBV model for vascular senescence and examined the relative influence of endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell senescence on vasoreactivity. Senescence was induced in 2D endothelial cell cultures and TEBVs by exposure to 100 µM H2O2 for one week to model chronic oxidative stress. H2O2 treatment significantly increased senescence in endothelial cells and mural cells, human neonatal dermal fibroblasts (hNDFs), as measured by increased p21 levels and reduced NOS3 expression. Although H2O2 treatment induced senescence in both the endothelial cells (ECs) and hNDFs, the functional effects on the vasculature were endothelium specific. Expression of the leukocyte adhesion molecule vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was increased in the ECs, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation decreased. Vasoconstriction and endothelium-independent vasodilation were preserved despite mural cell senescence. The results suggest that the functional effects of vascular cell senescence are dominated by the endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen E. Salmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
| | | | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +01-919-660-5147
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20
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Kondash ME, Ananthakumar A, Khodabukus A, Bursac N, Truskey GA. Glucose Uptake and Insulin Response in Tissue-engineered Human Skeletal Muscle. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 17:801-813. [PMID: 32200516 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-020-00242-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue-engineered muscles ("myobundles") offer a promising platform for developing a human in vitro model of healthy and diseased muscle for drug development and testing. Compared to traditional monolayer cultures, myobundles better model the three-dimensional structure of native skeletal muscle and are amenable to diverse functional measures to monitor the muscle health and drug response. Characterizing the metabolic function of human myobundles is of particular interest to enable their utilization in mechanistic studies of human metabolic diseases, identification of related drug targets, and systematic studies of drug safety and efficacy. METHODS To this end, we studied glucose uptake and insulin responsiveness in human tissue-engineered skeletal muscle myobundles in the basal state and in response to drug treatments. RESULTS In the human skeletal muscle myobundle system, insulin stimulates a 50% increase in 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake with a compiled EC50 of 0.27 ± 0.03 nM. Treatment of myobundles with 400 µM metformin increased basal 2-DG uptake 1.7-fold and caused a significant drop in twitch and tetanus contractile force along with decreased fatigue resistance. Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) increased the magnitude of insulin response from a 1.2-fold increase in glucose uptake in the untreated state to a 1.4-fold increase after 4-PBA treatment. 4-PBA treated myobundles also exhibited increased fatigue resistance and increased twitch half-relaxation time. CONCLUSION Although tissue-engineered human myobundles exhibit a modest increase in glucose uptake in response to insulin, they recapitulate key features of in vivo insulin sensitivity and exhibit relevant drug-mediated perturbations in contractile function and glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Kondash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | | | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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21
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Truskey GA, Fu J. The future of biomedical engineering: Bioengineering of organoids and tissue development. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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22
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Abstract
Human vascular microphysiological systems (MPS) represent promising three-dimensional in vitro models of normal and diseased vascular tissue. These systems build upon advances in tissue engineering, microfluidics, and stem cell differentiation and replicate key functional units of organs and tissues. Vascular models have been developed for the microvasculature as well as medium-size arterioles. Key functions of the vascular system have been reproduced and stem cells offer the potential to model genetic diseases and population variation in genes that may increase individual risk for cardiovascular disease. Such systems can be used to evaluate new therapeutics options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 1427 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 1427 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281, USA
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 1427 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281, USA
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23
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Atchison L, Abutaleb NO, Snyder-Mounts E, Gete Y, Ladha A, Ribar T, Cao K, Truskey GA. iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells Affect Vascular Function in a Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessel Model of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:325-337. [PMID: 32032552 PMCID: PMC7013250 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare disorder caused by a point mutation in the Lamin A gene that produces the protein progerin. Progerin toxicity leads to accelerated aging and death from cardiovascular disease. To elucidate the effects of progerin on endothelial cells, we prepared tissue-engineered blood vessels (viTEBVs) using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells (viSMCs) and endothelial cells (viECs) from HGPS patients. HGPS viECs aligned with flow but exhibited reduced flow-responsive gene expression and altered NOS3 levels. Relative to viTEBVs with healthy cells, HGPS viTEBVs showed reduced function and exhibited markers of cardiovascular disease associated with endothelium. HGPS viTEBVs exhibited a reduction in both vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Preparing viTEBVs with HGPS viECs and healthy viSMCs only reduced vasodilation. Furthermore, HGPS viECs produced VCAM1 and E-selectin protein in TEBVs with healthy or HGPS viSMCs. In summary, the viTEBV model has identified a role of the endothelium in HGPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Atchison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nadia O Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Yantenew Gete
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics at University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Alim Ladha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Thomas Ribar
- Duke iPSC Shared Resource Facility at Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kan Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics at University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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25
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Davis BN, Yen R, Prasad V, Truskey GA. Oxygen consumption in human, tissue-engineered myobundles during basal and electrical stimulation conditions. APL Bioeng 2019; 3:026103. [PMID: 31149650 DOI: 10.1063/1.5093417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During three-dimensional culture of skeletal muscle in vitro, electrical stimulation provides an important cue to enhance skeletal muscle mimicry of the in vivo structure and function. However, increased respiration can cause oxygen transport limitations in these avascular three-dimensional constructs, leading to a hypoxic, necrotic core, or nonuniform cell distributions in larger constructs. To enhance oxygen transport with convection, oxygen concentrations were measured using an optical sensor at the inlet and outlet of an 80 μl fluid volume microphysiological system (MPS) flow chamber containing three-dimensional human skeletal muscle myobundles. Finite element model simulations of convection around myobundles and oxygen metabolism by the myobundles in the 80 μl MPS flow chamber agreed well with the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) at different flow rates, suggesting that under basal conditions, mass transfer limitations were negligible for flow rates above 1.5 μl s-1. To accommodate electrodes for electrical stimulation, a modified 450 μl chamber was constructed. Electrical stimulation for 30 min increased the measured rate of oxygen consumption by the myobundles to slightly over 2 times the basal OCR. Model simulations indicate that mass transfer limitations were significant during electrical stimulation and, in the absence of mass transfer limitations, electrical stimulation induced about a 20-fold increase in the maximum rate of oxygen consumption. The results indicate that simulated exercise conditions increase respiration of skeletal muscle and mass transfer limitations reduce the measured levels of oxygen uptake, which may affect previous studies that model exercise with engineered muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0281, USA
| | - Ringo Yen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0281, USA
| | - Varun Prasad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0281, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0281, USA
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26
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Kleinstreuer C, Hyun S, Buchanan JR, Longest PW, Archie JP, Truskey GA. Hemodynamic Parameters and Early Intimal Thickening in Branching Blood Vessels. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 2019; 45:319-382. [PMID: 29953383 DOI: 10.1615/critrevbiomedeng.v45.i1-6.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Intimal thickening due to atherosclerotic lesions or intimal hyperplasia in medium to large blood vessels is a major contributor to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the Western World. Balloon angioplasty with stenting, bypass surgery, and endarterectomy (with or without patch reconstruction) are some of the techniques currently applied to occluded blood vessels. On the basis of the preponderance of clinical evidence that disturbed flow patterns play a key role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis and intimal hyperplasia, it is of interest to analyze suitable hemodynamic wall parameters that indicate susceptible sites of intimal thickening and/or favorable conditions for thrombi formation. These parameters, based on the wall shear stress, wall pressure, or particle deposition, are applied to interpret experimental/clinical observations of intimal thickening. Utilizing the parameters as "indicator" functions, internal branching blood vessel geometries are analyzed and possibly altered for different purposes: early detection of possibly highly stenosed vessel segments, prediction of future disease progression, and vessel redesign to potentially improve long-term patency rates. At the present time, the focus is on the identification of susceptible sites in branching blood vessels and their subsequent redesign, employing hemodynamic wall parameters. Specifically, the time-averaged wall shear stress (WSS), its spatial gradient (WSSG), the oscillatory shear index (OSI), and the wall shear stress angle gradient (WSSAG) are compared with experimental data for an aortoceliac junction. Then, the OSI, wall particle density (WPD), and WSSAG are segmentally averaged for different carotid artery bifurcations and compared with clinical data of intimal thickening. The third branching blood vessel under consideration is the graft-to-vein anastomosis of a vascular access graft Suggested redesigns reduce several hemodynamic parameters (i.e., the WSSG, WSSAG, and normal pressure gradient [NPG]), thereby reducing the likelihood of restenosis, especially near the critical toe region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement Kleinstreuer
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7910
| | - Sinjae Hyun
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7910
| | - J R Buchanan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7910
| | - P W Longest
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7910
| | | | - George A Truskey
- Center for Cellular and Biosurface Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
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27
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Davis BNJ, Santoso JW, Walker MJ, Oliver CE, Cunningham MM, Boehm CA, Dawes D, Lasater SL, Huffman K, Kraus WE, Truskey GA. Modeling the Effect of TNF-α upon Drug-Induced Toxicity in Human, Tissue-Engineered Myobundles. Ann Biomed Eng 2019; 47:1596-1610. [PMID: 30963383 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-019-02263-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
A number of significant muscle diseases, such as cachexia, sarcopenia, systemic chronic inflammation, along with inflammatory myopathies share TNF-α-dominated inflammation in their pathogenesis. In addition, inflammatory episodes may increase susceptibility to drug toxicity. To assess the effect of TNF-α-induced inflammation on drug responses, we engineered 3D, human skeletal myobundles, chronically exposed them to TNF-α during maturation, and measured the combined response of TNF-α and the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin on muscle function. First, the myobundle inflammatory environment was characterized by assessing the effects of TNF-α on 2D human skeletal muscle cultures and 3D human myobundles. High doses of TNF-α inhibited maturation in human 2D cultures and maturation and function in 3D myobundles. Then, a tetanus force dose-response curve was constructed to characterize doxorubicin's effects on function alone. The combination of TNF-α and 10 nM doxorubicin exhibited a synergistic effect on both twitch and tetanus force production. Overall, the results demonstrated that inflammation of a 3D, human skeletal muscle inflammatory system alters the response to doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N J Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Santoso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Michaela J Walker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Catherine E Oliver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Michael M Cunningham
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Christian A Boehm
- Department of Textile Technology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Danielle Dawes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Samantha L Lasater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Kim Huffman
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - William E Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. .,, 1395 FCIEMS, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC, 27708-0281, USA.
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Abstract
A number of major disease states involve skeletal muscle, including type 2 diabetes, muscular dystrophy, sarcopenia and cachexia arising from cancer or heart disease. Animals do not accurately represent many of these disease states. Human skeletal muscle microphysiological systems derived from primary or induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can provide an in vitro model of genetic and chronic diseases and assess individual variations. Three-dimensional culture systems more accurately represent skeletal muscle function than do two-dimensional cultures. While muscle biopsies enable culture of primary muscle cells, hPSCs provide the opportunity to sample a wider population of donors. Recent advances to promote maturation of PSC-derived skeletal muscle provide an alternative to primary cells. While contractile function is often measured in three-dimensional cultures and several systems exist to characterize contraction of small numbers of muscle fibers, there is a need for functional measures of metabolism suited for microphysiological systems. Future research should address generation of well-differentiated hPSC-derived muscle cells, enabling muscle repair in vitro, and improved disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 1427 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708-0281, USA.
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Zhang X, Hong S, Yen R, Kondash M, Fernandez CE, Truskey GA. A system to monitor statin-induced myopathy in individual engineered skeletal muscle myobundles. Lab Chip 2018; 18:2787-2796. [PMID: 30112530 PMCID: PMC6145090 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00654g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological tissue engineering models of human skeletal muscle (myobundles) provide a platform to investigate the mechanism of muscle diseases and to study the response to drugs and toxins in vitro. To examine the dynamic response to drugs, which often take several days to induce responses, we developed a system to monitor the contractile force of the same human skeletal muscle myobundles over time before and after treatment with drugs. Myobundles were formed in series with Ecoflex films (platinum-catalyzed silicones) with embedded microbeads. The displacement of the microbeads in Ecoflex exhibited a linear relation between muscle force production and Ecoflex film stretch. Forces measured with the microbeads embedded in Ecoflex agreed well with simultaneous measurements with a force transducer. Application of the Hill model for the myobundles showed that the Ecoflex affected the magnitude of the response, but not the kinetics. After continuous exposure to 100 nM cerivastatin, both active and passive forces were reduced relative to controls after 2-4 days. The decline in force was associated with a decline in the muscle myofiber organization. The inhibitory effect of cerivastatin was reduced when 0.1-1 mM mevalonate was added with cerivastatin. Although addition of co-enzyme Q10 with cerivastatin inhibited degradation of sarcomeric α-actinin (SAA) in myoblasts, the contractile force still declined, suggesting that statin-induced myopathy was related to mevalonate pathway but the addition of co-enzyme Q10 was insufficient to overcome the effect of statins on the mevalonate pathway. Thus, cerivastatin rapidly induces myopathy which can be reversds with mevalonate but not co-enzyme Q10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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30
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Chen Z, Tang M, Huang D, Jiang W, Li M, Ji H, Park J, Xu B, Atchison LJ, Truskey GA, Leong KW. Real-time observation of leukocyte-endothelium interactions in tissue-engineered blood vessel. Lab Chip 2018; 18:2047-2054. [PMID: 29927449 PMCID: PMC6055475 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00202a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Human cell-based 3D tissue constructs play an increasing role in disease modeling and drug screening. Inflammation, atherosclerosis, and many autoimmune disorders involve the interactions between immune cells and blood vessels. However, it has been difficult to image and model these interactions under realistic conditions. In this study, we fabricated a perfusion and imaging chamber to allow the real-time visualization of leukocyte perfusion, adhesion, and migration inside a tissue-engineered blood vessel (TEBV). We monitored the elevated monocyte adhesion to the TEBV wall and transendothelial migration (TEM) as the TEBV endothelium was activated by the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. We demonstrated that treatment with anti-TNF-α or an NF-kB signaling pathway inhibitor would attenuate the endothelium activation and reduce the number of leukocyte adhesion (>74%) and TEM events (>87%) close to the control. As the first demonstration of real-time imaging of dynamic cellular events within a TEBV, this work paves the way for drug screening and disease modeling in TEBV-associated microphysiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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31
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Abstract
Organoids and microphysiological systems represent two current approaches to reproduce organ function in vitro. These systems can potentially provide unbiased assays of function which are needed to understand the mechanism of action of environmental toxins. Culture models that replicate organ function and interactions among cell types and tissues move beyond existing screens that target individual pathways and provide a means to assay context-dependent function. The current state of organoid cultures and microphysiological systems is reviewed and applications discussed. While few studies have examined environmental pollutants, studies with drugs demonstrate the power of these systems to assess toxicity as well as mechanism of action. Strengths and limitations of organoids and microphysiological systems are reviewed and challenges are identified to produce suitable high capacity functional assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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32
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Marsden AL, Truskey GA. The future of biomedical engineering – Vascular bioengineering. Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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33
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Boularaoui SM, Abdel‐Raouf KM, Alwahab NSA, Kondash ME, Truskey GA, Teo JCM, Christoforou N. Efficient transdifferentiation of human dermal fibroblasts into skeletal muscle. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017; 12:e918-e936. [DOI: 10.1002/term.2415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Megan E. Kondash
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke University Durham NC USA
| | | | | | - Nicolas Christoforou
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringKhalifa University Abu Dhabi UAE
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringDuke University Durham NC USA
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Davis BNJ, Santoso JW, Walker MJ, Cheng CS, Koves TR, Kraus WE, Truskey GA. Human, Tissue-Engineered, Skeletal Muscle Myobundles to Measure Oxygen Uptake and Assess Mitochondrial Toxicity. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2017; 23:189-199. [PMID: 28338413 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2016.0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is responsible for the toxicity of a number of drugs. Current isolated mitochondria or cellular monoculture mitochondrial respiration measurement systems lack physiological relevance. Using a tissue engineering rather than cell- or mitochondria-based approach enables a more physiologically relevant detection of drug-induced mitochondrial impairment. To probe oxygen consumption and mitochondrial health, we assayed the bioenergetic profile of engineered three-dimensional human skeletal muscle myobundles derived from primary myoblasts. Through experimental and computational techniques, we did not find external or internal oxygen transport limiting the engineered myobundles in the commercial O2k system to measure oxygen consumption. In response to the complex I inhibitor rotenone, myobundle basal respiration decreased dose dependently with an IC50 of 9.24 ± 0.03 nM. At a 20 nM concentration of rotenone, myobundle maximal respiration decreased by 44.4% ± 9.8%. Respiratory depression by rotenone suggests that cultured myobundles rely heavily on the complex I pathway for ATP synthesis during times of both basal and increased energy demand. To address whether these decrements in mitochondrial function corresponded to alterations in physiological muscle function, we determined fatigue susceptibility that revealed a 46.0% ± 7.4% depression at 20 nM rotenone. The bioenergetic health index, which is a measure of normal oxidative mitochondrial function, was inversely correlated with the extent of fatigue. The human myobundles reproduce normal muscle metabolism under both basal and maximal energy demand conditions enabling the detection of drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany N J Davis
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jeffrey W Santoso
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Michaela J Walker
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cindy S Cheng
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Timothy R Koves
- 2 Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
| | - William E Kraus
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
- 2 Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
- 3 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
| | - George A Truskey
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
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Cheng CS, Ran L, Bursac N, Kraus WE, Truskey GA. Cell Density and Joint microRNA-133a and microRNA-696 Inhibition Enhance Differentiation and Contractile Function of Engineered Human Skeletal Muscle Tissues. Tissue Eng Part A 2017; 22:573-83. [PMID: 26891613 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2015.0359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To utilize three-dimensional (3D) engineered human skeletal muscle tissue for translational studies and in vitro studies of drug toxicity, there is a need to promote differentiation and functional behavior. In this study, we identified conditions to promote contraction of engineered human skeletal muscle bundles and examined the effects of transient inhibition of microRNAs (miRs) on myogenic differentiation and function of two-dimensional (2D) and 3D cultures of human myotubes. In 2D cultures, simultaneously inhibiting both miR-133a, which promotes myoblast proliferation, and miR-696, which represses oxidative metabolism, resulted in an increase in sarcomeric α-actinin protein and the metabolic coactivator PGC-1α protein compared to transfection with a scrambled miR sequence (negative control). Although PGC-1α was elevated following joint inhibition of miRs 133a and 696, there was no difference in myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein isoforms. 3D engineered human skeletal muscle myobundles seeded with 5 × 10(6) human skeletal myoblasts (HSkM)/mL and cultured for 2 weeks after onset of differentiation consistently did not contract when stimulated electrically, whereas those seeded with myoblasts at 10 × 10(6) HSkM/mL or higher did contract. When HSkM were transfected with both anti-miRs and seeded into fibrin hydrogels and cultured for 2 weeks under static conditions, twitch and tetanic specific forces after electrical stimulation were greater than for myobundles prepared with HSkM transfected with scrambled sequences. Immunofluorescence and Western blots of 3D myobundles indicate that anti-miR-133a or anti-miR-696 treatment led to modest increases in slow MHC, but no consistent increase in fast MHC. Similar to results in 2D, only myobundles prepared with myoblasts treated with anti-miR-133a and anti-miR-696 produced an increase in PGC-1α mRNA. PGC-1α targets were differentially affected by the treatment. HIF-2α mRNA showed an expression pattern similar to that of PGC-1α mRNA, but COXII mRNA levels were not affected by the anti-miRs. Overall, joint inhibition of miR-133a and miR-696 accelerated differentiation, elevated the metabolic coactivator PGC-1α, and increased the contractile force in 3D engineered human skeletal muscle bundles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy S Cheng
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Lydia Ran
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nenad Bursac
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - William E Kraus
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina.,2 Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina
| | - George A Truskey
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
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Abstract
Cardiovascular tissue engineering offers the promise of biologically based repair of injured and damaged blood vessels, valves, and cardiac tissue. Major advances in cardiovascular tissue engineering over the past few years involve improved methods to promote the establishment and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), scaffolds from decellularized tissue that may produce more highly differentiated tissues and advance clinical translation, improved methods to promote vascularization, and novel
in vitro microphysiological systems to model normal and diseased tissue function. iPSC technology holds great promise, but robust methods are needed to further promote differentiation. Differentiation can be further enhanced with chemical, electrical, or mechanical stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Truskey
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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38
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Jamiolkowski RM, Kang SD, Rodriguez AK, Haseltine JM, Galinat LJ, Jantzen AE, Carlon TA, Darrabie MD, Arciniegas AJ, Mantilla JG, Haley NR, Noviani M, Allen JD, Stabler TV, Frederiksen JW, Alzate O, Keil LG, Liu S, Lin FH, Truskey GA, Achneck HE. Increased yield of endothelial cells from peripheral blood for cell therapies and tissue engineering. Regen Med 2016; 10:447-60. [PMID: 26022764 DOI: 10.2217/rme.15.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Peripheral blood-derived endothelial cells (pBD-ECs) are an attractive tool for cell therapies and tissue engineering, but have been limited by their low isolation yield. We increase pBD-EC yield via administration of the chemokine receptor type 4 antagonist AMD3100, as well as via a diluted whole blood incubation (DWBI). MATERIALS & METHODS Porcine pBD-ECs were isolated using AMD3100 and DWBI and tested for EC markers, acetylated LDL uptake, growth kinetics, metabolic activity, flow-mediated nitric oxide production and seeded onto titanium tubes implanted into vessels of pigs. RESULTS DWBI increased the yield of porcine pBD-ECs 6.6-fold, and AMD3100 increased the yield 4.5-fold. AMD3100-mobilized ECs were phenotypically indistinguishable from nonmobilized ECs. In porcine implants, the cells expressed endothelial nitric oxide synthase, reduced thrombin-antithrombin complex systemically and prevented thrombosis. CONCLUSION Administration of AMD3100 and the DWBI method both increase pBD-EC yield.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sa Do Kang
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA
| | | | - Justin M Haseltine
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA.,2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, NC, USA
| | - Lauren J Galinat
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA.,2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, NC, USA
| | | | - Tim A Carlon
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA.,2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Jose G Mantilla
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA
| | | | - Maria Noviani
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA.,4Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jason D Allen
- 5Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA.,6Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA
| | - Thomas V Stabler
- 6Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA
| | | | - Oscar Alzate
- 8University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, NC, USA
| | - Lukas G Keil
- 8University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, NC, USA
| | - Siyao Liu
- 8University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, NC, USA
| | - Fu-Hsiung Lin
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA
| | | | - Hardean E Achneck
- 1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA.,9Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, NC, USA
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39
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Fernandez CE, Yen RW, Perez SM, Bedell HW, Povsic TJ, Reichert WM, Truskey GA. Human Vascular Microphysiological System for in vitro Drug Screening. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21579. [PMID: 26888719 PMCID: PMC4757887 DOI: 10.1038/srep21579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro human tissue engineered human blood vessels (TEBV) that exhibit vasoactivity can be used to test human toxicity of pharmaceutical drug candidates prior to pre-clinical animal studies. TEBVs with 400–800 μM diameters were made by embedding human neonatal dermal fibroblasts or human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in dense collagen gel. TEBVs were mechanically strong enough to allow endothelialization and perfusion at physiological shear stresses within 3 hours after fabrication. After 1 week of perfusion, TEBVs exhibited endothelial release of nitric oxide, phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction, and acetylcholine-induced vasodilation, all of which were maintained up to 5 weeks in culture. Vasodilation was blocked with the addition of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME). TEBVs elicited reversible activation to acute inflammatory stimulation by TNF-α which had a transient effect upon acetylcholine-induced relaxation, and exhibited dose-dependent vasodilation in response to caffeine and theophylline. Treatment of TEBVs with 1 μM lovastatin for three days prior to addition of Tumor necrosis factor – α (TNF-α) blocked the injury response and maintained vasodilation. These results indicate the potential to develop a rapidly-producible, endothelialized TEBV for microphysiological systems capable of producing physiological responses to both pharmaceutical and immunological stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Fernandez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - R W Yen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - S M Perez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - H W Bedell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - T J Povsic
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708
| | - W M Reichert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - G A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
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40
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Ji H, Atchison L, Chen Z, Chakraborty S, Jung Y, Truskey GA, Christoforou N, Leong KW. Transdifferentiation of human endothelial progenitors into smooth muscle cells. Biomaterials 2016; 85:180-194. [PMID: 26874281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Revised: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Access to smooth muscle cells (SMC) would create opportunities for tissue engineering, drug testing, and disease modeling. Herein we report the direct conversion of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) to induced smooth muscle cells (iSMC) by induced expression of MYOCD. The EPC undergo a cytoskeletal rearrangement resembling that of mesenchymal cells within 3 days post initiation of MYOCD expression. By day 7, the reprogrammed cells show upregulation of smooth muscle markers ACTA2, MYH11, and TAGLN by qRT-PCR and ACTA2 and MYH11 expression by immunofluorescence. By two weeks, they resemble umbilical artery SMC in microarray gene expression analysis. The iSMC, in contrast to EPC control, show calcium transients in response to phenylephrine stimulation and a contractility an order of magnitude higher than that of EPC as determined by traction force microscopy. Tissue-engineered blood vessels constructed using iSMC show functionality with respect to flow- and drug-mediated vasodilation and vasoconstriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- HaYeun Ji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, Mail Code 8904, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Leigh Atchison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 136 Hudson Hall, Box 90281, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Zaozao Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, Mail Code 8904, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Syandan Chakraborty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, Mail Code 8904, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Youngmee Jung
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 136 Hudson Hall, Box 90281, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Nicolas Christoforou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 136 Hudson Hall, Box 90281, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, P. O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, Mail Code 8904, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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Peters EB, Christoforou N, Leong KW, Truskey GA, West JL. Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogel Scaffolds Containing Cell-Adhesive and Protease-Sensitive Peptides Support Microvessel Formation by Endothelial Progenitor Cells. Cell Mol Bioeng 2015; 9:38-54. [PMID: 27042236 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-015-0423-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of stable, functional microvessels remains an important obstacle to overcome for tissue engineered organs and treatment of ischemia. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a promising cell source for vascular tissue engineering as they are readily obtainable and carry the potential to differentiate towards all endothelial phenotypes. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of human umbilical cord blood-derived EPCs to form vessel-like structures within a tissue engineering scaffold material, a cell-adhesive and proteolytically degradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel. EPCs in co-culture with angiogenic mural cells were encapsulated in hydrogel scaffolds by mixing with polymeric precursors and using a mild photocrosslinking process to form hydrogels with homogeneously dispersed cells. EPCs formed 3D microvessels networks that were stable for at least 30 days in culture, without the need for supplemental angiogenic growth factors. These 3D EPC microvessels displayed aspects of physiological microvasculature with lumen formation, expression of endothelial cell proteins (connexin 32, VE-cadherin, eNOS), basement membrane formation with collagen IV and laminin, perivascular investment of PDGFR-β and α-SMA positive cells, and EPC quiescence (<1% proliferating cells) by 2 weeks of co-culture. Our findings demonstrate the development of a novel, reductionist system that is well-defined and reproducible for studying progenitor cell-driven microvessel formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Peters
- Fitzpatrick CIEMAS Building, Room 1427, Box 90281, Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Nicolas Christoforou
- P.O. Box 127788, Khalifa University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Kam W Leong
- 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, Mail Code 8904, Columbia University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York, NY 10027
| | - George A Truskey
- Fitzpatrick CIEMAS Building, Room 1427, Box 90281, Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Jennifer L West
- Fitzpatrick CIEMAS Building, Room 1427, Box 90281, Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, NC 27708
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Jantzen AE, Noviani M, Mills JS, Baker KM, Lin FH, Truskey GA, Achneck HE. Point-of-care seeding of nitinol stents with blood-derived endothelial cells. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2015; 104:1658-1665. [PMID: 26340233 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.33510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Nitinol-based vascular devices, for example, peripheral and intracranial stents, are limited by thrombosis and restenosis. To ameliorate these complications, we developed a technology to promote vessel healing by rapidly seeding (QuickSeeding) autologous blood-derived endothelial cells (ECs) onto modified self-expanding nitinol stent delivery systems immediately before implantation. Several thousand micropores were laser-drilled into a delivery system sheath surrounding a commercial nitinol stent to allow for exit of an infused cell suspension. As suspension medium flowed outward through the micropores, ECs flowed through the delivery system attaching to the stent surface. The QuickSeeded ECs adhered to and spread on the stent surface following 24-h in vitro culture under static or flow conditions. Further, QuickSeeded ECs on stents that were deployed into porcine carotid arteries spread to endothelialize stent struts within 48 h (n = 4). The QuickSeeded stent struts produced significantly more nitric oxide in ex vivo flow circuits after 24 h, as compared to static conditions (n = 5). In conclusion, ECs QuickSeeded onto commercial nitinol stents within minutes of implantation spread to form a functional layer in vitro and in vivo, providing proof of concept that the novel QuickSeeding method with modified delivery systems can be used to seed functional autologous endothelium at the point of care. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1658-1665, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Jantzen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Maria Noviani
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.,Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School Singapore Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Singapore
| | - James S Mills
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Fu-Hsiung Lin
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hardean E Achneck
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. .,Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School Singapore Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Singapore. .,Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. .,Hemostemix Inc., Ness Ziona, Israel, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Abstract
Drug-induced vascular injury (DIVI) is a serious problem in preclinical studies of vasoactive molecules and for survivors of pediatric cancers. DIVI is often observed in rodents and some larger animals, primarily with drugs affecting vascular tone, but not in humans; however, DIVI observed in animal studies often precludes a drug candidate from continuing along the development pipeline. Thus, there is great interest by the pharmaceutical industry to identify quantifiable human biomarkers of DIVI. Small-scale endothelialized tissue-engineered blood vessels using human cells represent a promising approach to screen drug candidates and develop alternatives to cancer therapeutics in vitro. We identify several technical challenges that remain to be addressed, including high-throughput systems to screen large numbers of candidates, identification of suitable cell sources and establishing and maintaining a differentiated state of the vessel wall cells. Adequately addressing these challenges should yield novel platforms to screen drugs and develop new therapeutics to treat cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Truskey
- Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering , 136 Hudson Hall, CB 90281, Durham, NC 27708-0281 , USA +919 660 5147 ;
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Peters EB, Liu B, Christoforou N, West JL, Truskey GA. Erratum to: Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mononuclear Cells Exhibit Pericyte-Like Phenotype and Support Network Formation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Vitro. Ann Biomed Eng 2015; 43:2022. [PMID: 25877461 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1321-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Peters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA,
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Peters EB, Liu B, Christoforou N, West JL, Truskey GA. Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mononuclear Cells Exhibit Pericyte-Like Phenotype and Support Network Formation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Vitro. Ann Biomed Eng 2015; 43:2552-68. [PMID: 25777295 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1301-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Umbilical cord blood represents a promising cell source for pro-angiogenic therapies. The present study examined the potential of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from umbilical cord blood to support endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) microvessel formation. MNCs were isolated from the cord blood of 20 separate donors and selected for further characterization based upon their proliferation potential and morphological resemblance to human vascular pericytes (HVPs). MNCs were screened for their ability to support EPC network formation using an in vitro assay (Matrigel™) as well as a reductionist, coculture system consisting of no additional angiogenic cytokines beyond those present in serum. In less than 15% of the isolations, we identified a population of highly proliferative MNCs that phenotypically resembled HVPs as assessed by expression of PDGFR-β, NG2, α-SMA, and ephrin-B2. Within a Matrigel™ system, MNCs demonstrated pericyte-like function through colocalization to EPC networks and similar effects as HVPs upon total EPC tubule length (p = 0.95) and number of branch points (p = 0.93). In a reductionist coculture system, MNCs served as pro-angiogenic mural cells by supporting EPC network formation to a significantly greater extent than HVP cocultures, by day 14 of coculture, as evidenced through EPC total tubule length (p < 0.0001) and number of branch points (p < 0.0001). Our findings are significant as we demonstrate mural cell progenitors can be isolated from umbilical cord blood and develop culture conditions to support their use in microvascular tissue engineering applications.
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Madden L, Juhas M, Kraus WE, Truskey GA, Bursac N. Bioengineered human myobundles mimic clinical responses of skeletal muscle to drugs. eLife 2015; 4:e04885. [PMID: 25575180 PMCID: PMC4337710 DOI: 10.7554/elife.04885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Existing in vitro models of human skeletal muscle cannot recapitulate the organization and function of native muscle, limiting their use in physiological and pharmacological studies. Here, we demonstrate engineering of electrically and chemically responsive, contractile human muscle tissues (‘myobundles’) using primary myogenic cells. These biomimetic constructs exhibit aligned architecture, multinucleated and striated myofibers, and a Pax7+ cell pool. They contract spontaneously and respond to electrical stimuli with twitch and tetanic contractions. Positive correlation between contractile force and GCaMP6-reported calcium responses enables non-invasive tracking of myobundle function and drug response. During culture, myobundles maintain functional acetylcholine receptors and structurally and functionally mature, evidenced by increased myofiber diameter and improved calcium handling and contractile strength. In response to diversely acting drugs, myobundles undergo dose-dependent hypertrophy or toxic myopathy similar to clinical outcomes. Human myobundles provide an enabling platform for predictive drug and toxicology screening and development of novel therapeutics for muscle-related disorders. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04885.001 Scientists have developed realistic models of the human liver, lung, and heart that allow them to observe living tissue in the laboratory. These models have helped us to better understand how these organs work and what goes wrong in diseases that affect these organs. The models can also be used to test how new drugs may affect a particular organ without the risk of exposing patients to the drug. Efforts to develop a realistic laboratory model of human muscle tissues that can contract like real muscles have not been as successful to date. This shortcoming has potentially hindered the development of drugs to treat numerous disorders that affect muscles and movement in humans—such as muscular dystrophies, which are diseases in which people progressively lose muscle strength. Some important drugs, like cholesterol-lowering statins, have detrimental effects on muscle tissue; one statin was so harmful to muscles that it had to be withdrawn from the market. As such, it would be useful to have experimental models that would allow scientists to test whether potential drugs damage or treat muscle tissue. Madden et al. have now bioengineered a three-dimensional laboratory model of living muscle tissue made of cells taken from biopsies of several different human patients. These tissues were grown into bundles of muscle fibers on special polymer frames in the laboratory. The bioengineered muscle bundles respond to electrical and chemical signals and contract just like normal muscle. They also exhibit the same structure and signaling as healthy muscle tissue in humans. Madden et al. exposed the muscle tissue bundles to three drugs known to affect muscles to determine if the model could be used to test whether drugs have harmful effects. This revealed that the bundles had weaker contractions in response to statins and the malaria drug chloroquine, just like normal muscles do—and that this effect worsened if more of each drug was used. Madden et al. also found that a drug that strengthens muscle contractions at low doses and damages muscle at high doses in humans has similar effects in the model. As well as this model being used to screen for harmful effects of drugs before clinical trials, the technique used to create the model could be used to grow muscle tissue from patients with muscle diseases. This would help researchers and doctors to better understand the patient's condition and potentially develop more efficient therapies. Also, the technique could be eventually developed to grow healthy muscle tissue to implant in patients who have been injured. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04885.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauran Madden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Mark Juhas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - William E Kraus
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, United States
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, United States
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Peters EB, Christoforou N, Moore E, West JL, Truskey GA. CD45+ Cells Present Within Mesenchymal Stem Cell Populations Affect Network Formation of Blood-Derived Endothelial Outgrowth Cells. Biores Open Access 2015; 4:75-88. [PMID: 26309784 PMCID: PMC4497669 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2014.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) represent promising cell sources for angiogenic therapies. There are, however, conflicting reports regarding the ability of MSCs to support network formation of endothelial cells. The goal of this study was to assess the ability of human bone marrow-derived MSCs to support network formation of endothelial outgrowth cells (EOCs) derived from umbilical cord blood EPCs. We hypothesized that upon in vitro coculture, MSCs and EOCs promote a microenvironment conducive for EOC network formation without the addition of angiogenic growth supplements. EOC networks formed by coculture with MSCs underwent regression and cell loss by day 10 with a near 4-fold and 2-fold reduction in branch points and mean segment length, respectively, in comparison with networks formed by coculture vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) cocultures. EOC network regression in MSC cocultures was not caused by lack of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A or changes in TGF-β1 or Ang-2 supernatant concentrations in comparison with SMC cocultures. Removal of CD45+ cells from MSCs improved EOC network formation through a 2-fold increase in total segment length and number of branch points in comparison to unsorted MSCs by day 6. These improvements, however, were not sustained by day 10. CD45 expression in MSC cocultures correlated with EOC network regression with a 5-fold increase between day 6 and day 10 of culture. The addition of supplemental growth factors VEGF, fibroblastic growth factor-2, EGF, hydrocortisone, insulin growth factor-1, ascorbic acid, and heparin to MSC cocultures promoted stable EOC network formation over 2 weeks in vitro, without affecting CD45 expression, as evidenced by a lack of significant differences in total segment length (p=0.96). These findings demonstrate the ability of MSCs to support EOC network formation correlates with removal of CD45+ cells and improves upon the addition of soluble growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Peters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nicolas Christoforou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina. ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Erika Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer L West
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina. ; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina. ; Department of Cell Biology, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina. ; Department of Chemistry, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina
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Cheung TM, Yan JB, Fu JJ, Huang J, Yuan F, Truskey GA. Endothelial Cell Senescence Increases Traction Forces due to Age-Associated Changes in the Glycocalyx and SIRT1. Cell Mol Bioeng 2014; 8:63-75. [PMID: 25914755 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-014-0371-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) aging and senescence are key events in atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease development. Age-associated changes in the local mechanical environment of blood vessels have also been linked to atherosclerosis. However, the extent to which cell senescence affects mechanical forces generated by the cell is unclear. In this study, we sought to determine whether EC senescence increases traction forces through age-associated changes in the glycocalyx and antioxidant regulator deacetylase Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), which is downregulated during aging. Traction forces were higher in cells that had undergone more population doublings and changes in traction force were associated with altered actin localization. Older cells also had increased actin filament thickness. Depletion of heparan sulfate in young ECs elevated traction forces and actin filament thickness, while addition of heparan sulfate to the surface of aged ECs by treatment with angiopoietin-1 had the opposite effect. While inhibition of SIRT1 had no significant effect on traction forces or actin organization for young cells, activation of SIRT1 did reduce traction forces and increase peripheral actin in aged ECs. These results show that EC senescence increases traction forces and alters actin localization through changes to SIRT1 and the glycocalyx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Cheung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Durham, NC 27708
| | - Jessica B Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Durham, NC 27708
| | - Justin J Fu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Durham, NC 27708
| | - Jianyong Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Durham, NC 27708
| | - Fan Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Durham, NC 27708
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Duke University Durham, NC 27708
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Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a major target for tissue engineering, given its relative size in the body, fraction of cardiac output that passes through muscle beds, as well as its key role in energy metabolism and diabetes, and the need for therapies for muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia. To date, most studies with tissue-engineered skeletal muscle have utilized murine and rat cell sources. On the other hand, successful engineering of functional human muscle would enable different applications including improved methods for preclinical testing of drugs and therapies. Some of the requirements for engineering functional skeletal muscle include expression of adult forms of muscle proteins, comparable contractile forces to those produced by native muscle, and physiological force-length and force-frequency relations. This review discusses the various strategies and challenges associated with these requirements, specific applications with cultured human myoblasts, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy S Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Brittany N J Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Lauran Madden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Mills JS, Jantzen AE, Baker K, Lin FH, Truskey GA, Achneck HE. Abstract 47: Point-of-Care Seeded Blood-Derived Endothelial Cells Rapidly Endothelialize Nitinol Stent in a Pig Model of Personalized Cell Therapy. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.34.suppl_1.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Intimal hyperplasia after percutaneous intervention is especially problematic in peripheral arteries. In coronary arteries, drug-eluting stents (DES) have greatly reduced intimal hyperplasia; however, DES not only prevent smooth muscle cell proliferation but also inhibit endothelial cell (EC) healing. In an effort to rapidly endothelialize Nitinol vascular stents, we have developed a novel rapid seeding technology (QuickSeeding). 5000 micropores (~32.4 ± 0.4 μm) were laser-drilled circumferentially into Nitinol stent delivery systems to enable ECs to flow across the stent struts and thereby attach to the stent while in its compressed state within 5 min at the point-of-care. To evaluate EC adhesion after stent deployment, ECs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood progenitor cells and QuickSeeded, resulting in a uniform stent surface coverage of 55,000 ± 9,500 cells/cm2 (n=4). QuickSeeded stents were then deployed in tubing and tested in a flow circuit at 15 dynes/cm2, representing arterial flow shear stress. After 48 hr of flow, ECs had spread over the stent surface, demonstrated by PECAM staining of cell junctions. To assess EC function, total nitrite was measured as a marker of NO production and increased from 0.41 ± 0.13 nmol under static conditions to 7.83 ± 1.97 nmol after 24 hr of flow (p<0.05, n=5). These results demonstrate a flow-dependent increase in NO secretion. To test this technology in a large animal model, ECs were grown out from peripheral blood circulating progenitor cells of 4 pigs, fluorescently labeled, and seeded onto 4 stents. The 4 stents were then percutaneously implanted into the carotid arteries of the original 4 pigs. Each pig received an identical uncoated stent in the contralateral artery as control. Fluorescent microscopy and SEM showed that control stents were devoid of ECs but QuickSeeded stents were endothelialized after 2 days. Functionality of ECs adhering to stent struts was confirmed with a metabolic assay after explantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Mills
- Dept of Medicine/ Cardiology, Duke Univ Med Cntr, Raleigh, NC
| | | | - Katherine Baker
- Dept of Surgery and Dept of Pathology, Duke Univ Med Cntr, Durham, NC
| | | | - George A Truskey
- Dept of Surgery and Dept of Pathology, Duke Univ Med Cntr, Durham, NC
| | - Hardean E Achneck
- Dept of Surgery and Dept of Pathology, Duke Univ Med Cntr, Durham, NC
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