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Majumder J, Torr EE, Aisenbrey EA, Lebakken CS, Favreau PF, Richards WD, Yin Y, Chang Q, Murphy WL. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived planar neural organoids assembled on synthetic hydrogels. J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241230633. [PMID: 38361535 PMCID: PMC10868488 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241230633] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The tailorable properties of synthetic polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels make them an attractive substrate for human organoid assembly. Here, we formed human neural organoids from iPSC-derived progenitor cells in two distinct formats: (i) cells seeded on a Matrigel surface; and (ii) cells seeded on a synthetic PEG hydrogel surface. Tissue assembly on synthetic PEG hydrogels resulted in three dimensional (3D) planar neural organoids with greater neuronal diversity, greater expression of neurovascular and neuroinflammatory genes, and reduced variability when compared with tissues assembled upon Matrigel. Further, our 3D human tissue assembly approach occurred in an open cell culture format and created a tissue that was sufficiently translucent to allow for continuous imaging. Planar neural organoids formed on PEG hydrogels also showed higher expression of neural, vascular, and neuroinflammatory genes when compared to traditional brain organoids grown in Matrigel suspensions. Further, planar neural organoids contained functional microglia that responded to pro-inflammatory stimuli, and were responsive to anti-inflammatory drugs. These results demonstrate that the PEG hydrogel neural organoids can be used as a physiologically relevant in vitro model of neuro-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joydeb Majumder
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Torr
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Aisenbrey
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yanhong Yin
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Qiang Chang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Departments of Medical Genetics and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - William L Murphy
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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2
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Nelson BR, Kirkpatrick BE, Skillin NP, Di Caprio N, Lee JS, Hibbard LP, Hach GK, Khang A, White TJ, Burdick JA, Bowman CN, Anseth KS. Facile Physicochemical Reprogramming of PEG-Dithiolane Microgels. Adv Healthc Mater 2023:e2302925. [PMID: 37984810 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302925] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Granular biomaterials have found widespread applications in tissue engineering, in part because of their inherent porosity, tunable properties, injectability, and 3D printability. However, the assembly of granular hydrogels typically relies on spherical microparticles and more complex particle geometries have been limited in scope, often requiring templating of individual microgels by microfluidics or in-mold polymerization. Here, we use dithiolane-functionalized synthetic macromolecules to fabricate photopolymerized microgels via batch emulsion, and then harness the dynamic disulfide crosslinks to rearrange the network. Through unconfined compression between parallel plates in the presence of photoinitiated radicals, we transform the isotropic microgels are transformed into disks. Characterizing this process, we find that the areas of the microgel surface in contact with the compressive plates are flattened while the curvature of the uncompressed microgel boundaries increases. When cultured with C2C12 myoblasts, cells localize to regions of higher curvature on the disk-shaped microgel surfaces. This altered localization affects cell-driven construction of large supraparticle scaffold assemblies, with spherical particles assembling without specific junction structure while disk microgels assemble preferentially on their curved surfaces. These results represent a unique spatiotemporal process for rapid reprocessing of microgels into anisotropic shapes, providing new opportunities to study shape-driven mechanobiological cues during and after granular hydrogel assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Bruce E Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nathaniel P Skillin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nikolas Di Caprio
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Joshua S Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Lea Pearl Hibbard
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Grace K Hach
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Alex Khang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Christopher N Bowman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
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3
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Shubin AD, Sharipol A, Felong TJ, Weng PL, Schutrum BE, Joe DS, Aure MH, Benoit DSW, Ovitt CE. Stress or injury induces cellular plasticity in salivary gland acinar cells. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 380:487-497. [PMID: 31900666 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03157-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Salivary gland function is severely disrupted by radiation therapy used to treat patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer and by Sjögren's syndrome. The resulting condition, which results in xerostomia or dry mouth, is due to irreversible loss of the secretory acinar cells within the major salivary glands. There are presently no treatments for the resolution of xerostomia. Cell-based approaches could be employed to repopulate acinar cells in the salivary gland but investigations into potential therapeutic strategies are limited by the challenges of maintaining and expanding acinar cells in vitro. We investigate the encapsulation of salivary gland cell aggregates within PEG hydrogels as a means of culturing secretory acinar cells. Lineage tracing was used to monitor the fate of acinar cells isolated from murine submandibular gland (SMG). Upon initial formation in vitro, SMG aggregates comprise both acinar and duct cells, with the majority cells of acinar origin. With longer culture times, acinar cells significantly decreased the expression of specific markers and activated the expression of keratins normally found in duct cells. A similar acinar-to-duct cell transition was also observed in vivo, following duct ligation injury. These results indicate that under conditions of stress (mechanical and enzymatic isolation from glands) or injury (duct ligation), salivary gland acinar cells exhibit plasticity to adopt a duct cell phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Shubin
- Deparment of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Azmeer Sharipol
- Deparment of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Timothy J Felong
- Deparment of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Pei-Lun Weng
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Brittany E Schutrum
- Deparment of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Debria S Joe
- Deparment of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Marit H Aure
- Matrix and Morphology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Danielle S W Benoit
- Deparment of Biomedical Engineering, Robert B. Goergen Hall, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA.
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
| | - Catherine E Ovitt
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Center for Oral Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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4
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Fakhouri AS, Weist JL, Tomusko AR, Leight JL. High-Throughput Three-Dimensional Hydrogel Cell Encapsulation Assay for Measuring Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2019; 17:100-115. [PMID: 30958702 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2018.877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems more closely mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment than traditional two-dimensional cell culture methods, making them a valuable tool in drug screening assays. However, 3D environments often make analysis of cellular responses more difficult, so most high-throughput (HT) 3D assays have been limited to measurements of cell viability. Yet, many other cell functions contribute to disease and are important pharmacological targets. Therefore, there is a need for new technologies that enable HT measurements of a wider range of cell functions for drug screening. Here, we have adapted a hydrogel system that enables cells to be cultured in a 3D environment and allows for the simultaneous detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and metabolic activities. This system was then characterized for utility in HT screening approaches. MMPs are critical regulators of tissue homeostasis and are upregulated in many diseases, such as arthritis and cancer. The developed assay achieved Z'-factor values above 0.9 and 0.5 for enzymatic and cellular assays, respectively, intraplate coefficients of variation (%CV) below 10% and 12%, respectively, and signal measurement was unaffected by dimethyl sulfoxide, a common solvent of therapeutic compounds. Human MMP-1, -2, and -9 resulted in a significant increase in signal intensity. Encapsulation of several cell types produced robust signals above background noise and within the linear range of the assay. Multiple drugs that are known to alter MMP activity were utilized in a range of concentrations with a fibrosarcoma cell line to demonstrate the feasibility of the assay for HT applications. This assay combines 3D cellular encapsulation and MMP activity detection in HT format, which makes it suitable for drug screening and development applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S Fakhouri
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio.,3 Biomedical Technology Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jessica L Weist
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Anthony R Tomusko
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jennifer L Leight
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,2 The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio
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5
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Yesildag C, Tyushina A, Lensen M. Nano-Contact Transfer with Gold Nanoparticles on PEG Hydrogels and Using Wrinkled PDMS-Stamps. Polymers (Basel) 2017; 9:E199. [PMID: 30970878 PMCID: PMC6432311 DOI: 10.3390/polym9060199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present work, a soft lithographic process is used to create nanometer-sized line patterns of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on PEG-based hydrogels. Hereby nanometer-sized wrinkles on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are first fabricated, then functionalized with amino-silane and subsequently coated with Au NPs. The Au NPs are electrostatically bound to the surface of the wrinkled PDMS. In the next step, these relatively loosely bound Au NPs are transferred to PEG based hydrogels by simple contacting, which we denote "nano-contact transfer". Nano-patterned Au NPs lines on PEG hydrogels are thus achieved, which are of interesting potential in nano-photonics, biosensor applications (using SERS) and to control nanoscopic cell adhesion events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigdem Yesildag
- Technische Universität Berlin, Nanopatterned Biomaterials, Sekr. TC 1, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Arina Tyushina
- Technische Universität Berlin, Nanopatterned Biomaterials, Sekr. TC 1, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Marga Lensen
- Technische Universität Berlin, Nanopatterned Biomaterials, Sekr. TC 1, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
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6
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Dorsey TB, Grath A, Wang A, Xu C, Hong Y, Dai G. Evaluation of Photochemistry Reaction Kinetics to Pattern Bioactive Proteins on Hydrogels for Biological Applications. Bioact Mater 2017; 3:64-73. [PMID: 29632897 PMCID: PMC5889137 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioactive signals play many important roles on cell function and behavior. In most biological studies, soluble biochemical cues such as growth factors or cytokines are added directly into the media to maintain and/or manipulate cell activities in vitro. However, these methods cannot accurately mimic certain in vivo biological signaling motifs, which are often immobilized to extracellular matrix and also display spatial gradients that are critical for tissue morphology. Besides biochemical cues, biophysical properties such as substrate stiffness can influence cell behavior but is not easy to manipulate under conventional cell culturing practices. Recent development in photocrosslinkable hydrogels provides new tools that allow precise control of spatial biochemical and biophysical cues for biological applications, but doing so requires a comprehensive study on various hydrogel photochemistry kinetics to allow thorough photocrosslink reaction while maintain protein bioactivities at the same time. In this paper, we studied several photochemistry reactions and evaluate key photochemical parameters, such as photoinitiators and ultra-violet (UV) exposure times, to understand their unique contributions to undesired protein damage and cell death. Our data illustrates the retention of protein function and minimize of cell health during photoreactions requires careful selection of photoinitiator type and concentration, and UV exposure times. We also developed a robust method based on thiol-norbornene chemistry for independent control of hydrogel stiffness and spatial bioactive patterns. Overall, we highlight a class of bioactive hydrogels to stiffness control and site specific immobilized bioactive proteins/peptides for the study of cellular behavior such as cellular attraction, repulsion and stem cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Dorsey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Alexander Grath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180
| | - Annling Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180
| | - Cancan Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019
| | - Yi Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019
| | - Guohao Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180.,Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
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7
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Vats K, Marsh G, Harding K, Zampetakis I, Waugh RE, Benoit DSW. Nanoscale physicochemical properties of chain- and step-growth polymerized PEG hydrogels affect cell-material interactions. J Biomed Mater Res A 2017; 105:1112-1122. [PMID: 28093865 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels provide a versatile platform to develop cell instructive materials through incorporation of a variety of cell adhesive ligands and degradable chemistries. Synthesis of PEG gels can be accomplished via two mechanisms: chain and step growth polymerizations. The mechanism dramatically impacts hydrogel nanostructure, whereby chain polymerized hydrogels are highly heterogeneous and step growth networks exhibit more uniform structures. Underpinning these alterations in nanostructure of chain polymerized hydrogels are densely-packed hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) or poly(acrylate) kinetic chains between hydrophilic PEG crosslinkers. As cell-material interactions, such as those mediated by integrins, occur at the nanoscale and affect cell behavior, it is important to understand how different modes of polymerization translate into nanoscale mechanical and hydrophobic heterogeneities of hydrogels. Therefore, chain- and step-growth polymerized PEG hydrogels with macroscopically similar macromers and compliance (for example, methacrylate-functionalized PEG (PEGDM), MW = 10 kDa and norbornene-functionalized 4-arm PEG (PEGnorb), MW = 10 kDa) were used to examine potential nanoscale differences in hydrogel mechanics and hydrophobicity using atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that chain-growth polymerized network yielded greater heterogeneities in both stiffness and hydrophobicity as compared to step-growth polymerized networks. These nanoscale heterogeneities impact cell-material interactions, particularly human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) adhesion and spreading, which has implications in use of these hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1112-1122, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanika Vats
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Graham Marsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Kristen Harding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Ioannis Zampetakis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Richard E Waugh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.,Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Danielle S W Benoit
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.,Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
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8
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Wu Y, Grande-Allen KJ, West JL. Adhesive Peptide Sequences Regulate Valve Interstitial Cell Adhesion, Phenotype and Extracellular Matrix Deposition. Cell Mol Bioeng 2016; 9:479-495. [PMID: 28220141 PMCID: PMC5315271 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-016-0451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 01/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of how extracellular matrix (ECM) binding impacts valve interstitial cells (VICs) is critical not only to better understanding the etiology of valvular diseases but also to constructing living valve substitutes that can grow and remodel. Use of ECM-mimicking adhesive peptides with specific affinity to different receptors provides insights into adhesion-mediated cell signaling and downstream outcomes. Expression of adhesion receptors by VICs was assessed by flow cytometry and used to guide the choice of peptides studied. The peptide RGDS with affinity to multiple integrin receptors, and specific receptor-targeting peptides DGEA (integrin α2β1), YIGSR (67kDa laminin/elastin receptor; 67LR), and VAPG (67LR) were incorporated into hydrogels to investigate their effects on VICs. DGEA, YIGSR, and VAPG alone were insufficient to induce stable VIC adhesion. As a result, these peptides were studied in combination with 1 mM RGDS. For VICs cultured on two-dimensional hydrogel surfaces, YIGSR and VAPG down-regulated the expression of smooth muscle α-actin (myofibroblast activation marker); DGEA promoted VIC adhesion and VIC-mediated ECM deposition and inhibited the activity of alkaline phosphatase (osteogenic differentiation marker). Further, YIGSR and DGEA in combination promoted ECM deposition while inhibiting both myofibroblastic and osteogenic differentiation. However, VICs behaved differently to adhesive ligands when cultured within three-dimensional hydrogels, with most VICs assuming a healthy, quiescent phenotype under all peptide conditions tested. DGEA promoted ECM deposition by VICs within hydrogels. Overall, we demonstrate that the presentation of defined peptides targeting specific adhesion receptors can be used to regulate VIC adhesion, phenotype and ECM synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC
27708
| | | | - Jennifer L. West
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC
27708
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9
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Wu Y, Puperi DS, Grande-Allen KJ, West JL. Ascorbic acid promotes extracellular matrix deposition while preserving valve interstitial cell quiescence within 3D hydrogel scaffolds. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2015; 11:1963-1973. [PMID: 26631842 DOI: 10.1002/term.2093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Current options for aortic valve replacements are non-viable and thus lack the ability to grow and remodel, which can be problematic for paediatric applications. Toward the development of living valve substitutes that can grow and remodel, porcine aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) were isolated and encapsulated within proteolytically degradable and cell-adhesive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels, in an effort to study their phenotypes and functions. The results showed that encapsulated VICs maintained high viability and proliferated within the hydrogels. The VICs actively remodelled the hydrogels via secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and deposition of new extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including collagens I and III. The soft hydrogels with compressive moduli of ~4.3 kPa quickly reverted VICs from an activated myofibroblastic phenotype to a quiescent, unactivated phenotype, evidenced by the loss of α-smooth muscle actin expression upon encapsulation. In an effort to promote VIC-mediated ECM production, ascorbic acid (AA) was supplemented in the medium to investigate its effects on VIC function and phenotype. AA treatment enhanced VIC spreading and proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis. AA treatment also promoted VIC-mediated ECM remodelling by increasing MMP-2 activity and depositing collagens I and III. AA treatment did not significantly influence the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (myofibroblast activation marker) and alkaline phosphatase (osteogenic differentiation marker). No calcification or nodule formation was observed within the cell-laden hydrogels, with or without AA treatment. These results suggest the potential of this system and the beneficial effect of AA in heart valve tissue engineering. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel S Puperi
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jennifer L West
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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10
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Gould ST, Matherly EE, Smith JN, Heistad DD, Anseth KS. The role of valvular endothelial cell paracrine signaling and matrix elasticity on valvular interstitial cell activation. Biomaterials 2014; 35:3596-606. [PMID: 24462357 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The effects of valvular endothelial cell (VlvEC) paracrine signaling on VIC phenotype and nodule formation were tested using a co-culture platform with physiologically relevant matrix elasticities and diffusion distance. 100 μm thin poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels of 3-27 kPa Young's moduli were fabricated in transwell inserts. VICs were cultured on the gels, as VIC phenotype is known to change significantly within this range, while VlvECs lined the underside of the membrane. Co-culture with VlvECs significantly reduced VIC activation to the myofibroblast phenotype on all gels with the largest percent decrease on the 3 kPa gels (~70%), while stiffer gels resulted in approximately 20-30% decrease. Additionally, VlvECs significantly reduced αSMA protein expression (~2 fold lower) on both 3 and 27 kPa gels, as well as the number (~2 fold lower) of nodules formed on the 27 kPa gels. Effects of VlvECs were prevented when nitric oxide (NO) release was inhibited with l-NAME, suggesting that VlvEC produced NO inhibits VIC activation. Withdrawal of l-NAME after 3, 5, and 7 days with restoration of VlvEC NO production for 2 additional days led to a partial reversal of VIC activation (~25% decrease). A potential mechanism by which VlvEC produced NO reduced VIC activation was studied by inhibiting initial and mid-stage cGMP pathway molecules. Inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) with ODQ or protein kinase G (PKG) with RBrcGMP or stimulation of Rho kinase (ROCK) with LPA, abolished VlvEC effects on VIC activation. This work contributes substantially to the understanding of the valve endothelium's role in preventing VIC functions associated with aortic valve stenosis initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah T Gould
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Emily E Matherly
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Jennifer N Smith
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Donald D Heistad
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The BioFrontiers Institute, Boulder, CO 80303, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.
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