Bioengineering

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12 pages, 8634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Semi-Three-Dimensional Bioprinted Neurocardiac System for Tissue Engineering of a Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Model

by Ivana Hernandez, Salma P. Ramirez, Wendy V. Salazar, Sarahi Mendivil, Andrea Guevara, Akshay Patel, Carla D. Loyola, Zayra N. Dorado and Binata Joddar

Bioengineering 2023, 10(7), 834; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10070834 - 14 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1836

Abstract

In this study, we designed a tissue-engineered neurocardiac model to help us examine the role of neuronal regulation and confirm the importance of neural innervation techniques for the regeneration of cardiac tissue. A three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted neurocardiac scaffold composed of a mixture of [...] Read more.

In this study, we designed a tissue-engineered neurocardiac model to help us examine the role of neuronal regulation and confirm the importance of neural innervation techniques for the regeneration of cardiac tissue. A three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted neurocardiac scaffold composed of a mixture of gelatin–alginate and alginate–genipin–fibrin hydrogels was developed with a 2:1 ratio of AC16 cardiomyocytes (CMs) and retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells (NCs) respectively. A unique semi-3D bioprinting approach was adopted, where the CMs were mixed in the cardiac bioink and printed using an anisotropic accordion design to mimic the physiological tissue architecture in vivo. The voids in this 3D structure were methodically filled in using a NC–gel mixture and crosslinked. Confocal fluorescent imaging using microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) and anticholine acetyltransferase (CHAT) antibodies for labeling the NCs and the MyoD1 antibody for the CMs revealed functional coupling between the two cell types in the final crosslinked structure. These data confirmed the development of a relevant neurocardiac model that could be used to study neurocardiac modulation under physiological and pathological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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18 pages, 4638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3D-Printed Tumor-on-Chip for the Culture of Colorectal Cancer Microspheres: Mass Transport Characterization and Anti-Cancer Drug Assays

by Mónica Gabriela Sánchez-Salazar, Regina Crespo-López Oliver, Sofía Ramos-Meizoso, Valeri Sofía Jerezano-Flores, Salvador Gallegos-Martínez, Edna Johana Bolívar-Monsalve, Carlos Fernando Ceballos-González, Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago and Mario Moisés Álvarez

Bioengineering 2023, 10(5), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10050554 - 5 May 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3439

Abstract

Tumor-on-chips have become an effective resource in cancer research. However, their widespread use remains limited due to issues related to their practicality in fabrication and use. To address some of these limitations, we introduce a 3D-printed chip, which is large enough to host [...] Read more.

Tumor-on-chips have become an effective resource in cancer research. However, their widespread use remains limited due to issues related to their practicality in fabrication and use. To address some of these limitations, we introduce a 3D-printed chip, which is large enough to host ~1 cm³ of tissue and fosters well-mixed conditions in the liquid niche, while still enabling the formation of the concentration profiles that occur in real tissues due to diffusive transport. We compared the mass transport performance in its rhomboidal culture chamber when empty, when filled with GelMA/alginate hydrogel microbeads, or when occupied with a monolithic piece of hydrogel with a central channel, allowing communication between the inlet and outlet. We show that our chip filled with hydrogel microspheres in the culture chamber promotes adequate mixing and enhanced distribution of culture media. In proof-of-concept pharmacological assays, we biofabricated hydrogel microspheres containing embedded Caco2 cells, which developed into microtumors. Microtumors cultured in the device developed throughout the 10-day culture showing >75% of viability. Microtumors subjected to 5-fluorouracil treatment displayed <20% cell survival and lower VEGF-A and E-cadherin expression than untreated controls. Overall, our tumor-on-chip device proved suitable for studying cancer biology and performing drug response assays. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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14 pages, 2246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Hypoxia on Branching Characteristics and Cell Subpopulations during Kidney Organ Culture

by Morgan Hamon, Hsiao-Min Cheng, Ming Johnson, Norimoto Yanagawa and Peter V. Hauser

Bioengineering 2022, 9(12), 801; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9120801 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

During early developmental stages, embryonic kidneys are not fully vascularized and are potentially exposed to hypoxic conditions, which is known to influence cell proliferation and survival, ureteric bud branching, and vascularization of the developing kidney. To optimize the culture conditions of in vitro [...] Read more.

During early developmental stages, embryonic kidneys are not fully vascularized and are potentially exposed to hypoxic conditions, which is known to influence cell proliferation and survival, ureteric bud branching, and vascularization of the developing kidney. To optimize the culture conditions of in vitro cultured kidneys and gain further insight into the effect of hypoxia on kidney development, we exposed mouse embryonic kidneys isolated at E11.5, E12.5, and E13.5 to hypoxic and normal culture conditions and compared ureteric bud branching patterns, the growth of the progenitor subpopulation hoxb7+, and the expression patterns of progenitor and differentiation markers. Branching patterns were quantified using whole organ confocal imaging and gradient-vector-based analysis. In our model, hypoxia causes an earlier expression of UB tip cell markers, and a delay in stalk cell marker gene expression. The metanephric mesenchyme (MM) exhibited a later expression of differentiation marker FGF8, marking a delay in nephron formation. Hypoxia further delayed the expression of stroma cell progenitor markers, a delay in cortical differentiation markers, as well as an earlier expression of medullary and ureteral differentiation markers. We conclude that standard conditions do not apply universally and that tissue engineering strategies need to optimize suitable culture conditions for each application. We also conclude that adapting culture conditions to specific aspects of organ development in tissue engineering can help to improve individual stages of tissue generation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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14 pages, 1645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

All Trans-Retinoic Acids Facilitate the Remodeling of 2D and 3D Cultured Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts

by Yuri Tsugeno, Tatsuya Sato, Megumi Watanabe, Megumi Higashide, Masato Furuhashi, Araya Umetsu, Soma Suzuki, Yosuke Ida, Fumihito Hikage and Hiroshi Ohguro

Bioengineering 2022, 9(9), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9090463 - 11 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2199

Abstract

Vitamin A derivative, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), is known to be a potent regulator of the growth and differentiation of various types of cells. In the present study, the unidentified effects of ATRA on superficial and vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were examined. The study [...] Read more.

Vitamin A derivative, all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), is known to be a potent regulator of the growth and differentiation of various types of cells. In the present study, the unidentified effects of ATRA on superficial and vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were examined. The study involved the use of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of human conjunctival fibroblast (HconF) cells in the presence or absence of TGF-β2. The effects of ATRA (1 μM) on superficial or vertical spreading conjunctival scarring were evaluated by the barrier function by trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC dextran permeability measurements and real-time metabolic analysis, as well as the physical properties, namely, the size and stiffness, of 3D spheroids, respectively. In addition, the expressions of several related molecules, including extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, ECM modulators including a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and ER stress-related factors, were examined. ATRA significantly induced (1) an increase in TEER values and a decrease in FITC dextran permeability, respectively, in the 2D monolayers, and (2) relatively and substantially increased the size and stiffness, respectively, of the 3D spheroids. These ATRA-induced effects were further enhanced in the TGF-β2-treated cells, whereas the TGF-β2-induced enhancement in glycolytic capacity was canceled by the presence of ATRA. Consistent with these physical and morphological effects, the mRNA expressions of several molecules were significantly but differently induced between 2D and 3D cultures by ATRA, although the presence of TGF-β2 did not substantially affect these gene expression levels. The findings reported in this study indicate that ATRA may exacerbate both superficial and vertical conjunctival fibrosis spreading independently of TGF-β2-induced changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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17 pages, 4405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Laser Bioprinting of Cells Using UV and Visible Wavelengths: A Comparative DNA Damage Study

by Panagiotis Karakaidos, Christina Kryou, Nikiana Simigdala, Apostolos Klinakis and Ioanna Zergioti

Bioengineering 2022, 9(8), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9080378 - 9 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2460

Abstract

Laser-based techniques for printing cells onto different substrates with high precision and resolution present unique opportunities for contributing to a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering. In this study, laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) printing was employed to rapidly and accurately deposit [...] Read more.

Laser-based techniques for printing cells onto different substrates with high precision and resolution present unique opportunities for contributing to a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering. In this study, laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) printing was employed to rapidly and accurately deposit patterns of cancer cells in a non-contact manner, using two different wavelengths, 532 and 355 nm. To evaluate the effect of LIFT on the printed cells, their growth and DNA damage profiles were assessed and evaluated quantitatively over several days. The damaging effect of LIFT-printing was thoroughly investigated, for the first time at a single cell level, by counting individual double strand breaks (DSB). Overall, we found that LIFT was able to safely print patterns of breast cancer cells with high viability with little or no heat or shear damage to the cells, as indicated by unperturbed growth and negligible gross DNA damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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13 pages, 24055 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brimonidine Modulates the ROCK1 Signaling Effects on Adipogenic Differentiation in 2D and 3D 3T3-L1 Cells

by Araya Umetsu, Yosuke Ida, Tatsuya Sato, Megumi Watanabe, Yuri Tsugeno, Masato Furuhashi, Fumihito Hikage and Hiroshi Ohguro

Bioengineering 2022, 9(7), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9070327 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

The additive effects of an α2-adrenergic agonist, brimonidine (BRI), on the pan-ROCK inhibitor (ROCK-i), ripasudil (Rip), and the ROCK2-I, KD025, on adipogenic differentiation (DIF+) were examined using two- or three-dimension (2D or 3D) cultures of 3T3-L1 cells. The following analyses were carried out: [...] Read more.

The additive effects of an α2-adrenergic agonist, brimonidine (BRI), on the pan-ROCK inhibitor (ROCK-i), ripasudil (Rip), and the ROCK2-I, KD025, on adipogenic differentiation (DIF+) were examined using two- or three-dimension (2D or 3D) cultures of 3T3-L1 cells. The following analyses were carried out: (1) lipid staining (2D and 3D), (2) real-time measurements of cellular metabolism (2D), (3) mRNA expression of DIF+ related genes and extracellular matrix molecules (ECMs) including collagen (Col)-1, -4, and -6, and fibronectin (Fn), and (4) the sizes and physical properties of the 3D spheroids. The findings indicate that DIF+ induced (1) a substantial enhancement in lipid staining and enhanced expression of the Pparγ and Fabp4 genes, (2) significantly larger and softer 3D spheroids, and (3) down-regulation of Col1 and Fn and up-regulation of Col4 and Col6 genes. Treatment with Rip alone caused a significant enhancement in adipogenesis of both the 2D and 3D cultured 3T3-L1 cells and in the physical properties of the 3D spheroids; these effects were substantially inhibited by BRI, and the effects induced by BRI or KD025 were not insignificant. These collective findings indicate that the addition of BRI inhibited the Rip-induced enhancement of DIF+ in 3T3-L1 cells, presumably by modulating ROCK1 signaling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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11 pages, 2128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An α2-Adrenergic Agonist, Brimonidine, Beneficially Affects the TGF-β2-Treated Cellular Properties in an In Vitro Culture Model

by Megumi Watanabe, Tatsuya Sato, Yuri Tsugeno, Megumi Higashide, Masato Furuhashi, Araya Umetsu, Soma Suzuki, Yosuke Ida, Fumihito Hikage and Hiroshi Ohguro

Bioengineering 2022, 9(7), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9070310 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1959

Abstract

We report herein on the effects of brimonidine (BRI), an α2-adrenergic agonist, on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell-cultured TGF-β2-untreated and -treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. In the presence of TGF-β2 (5 ng/mL), (1) the effects of BRI on (1) the 2D HTM [...] Read more.

We report herein on the effects of brimonidine (BRI), an α2-adrenergic agonist, on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell-cultured TGF-β2-untreated and -treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. In the presence of TGF-β2 (5 ng/mL), (1) the effects of BRI on (1) the 2D HTM monolayers’ barrier function were investigated as estimated using trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement and FITC dextran permeability; (2) real-time analyses of cellular metabolism using a Seahorse Bioanalyzer; (3) the largeness and hardness of 3D spheroids; and (4) the expression of genes that encode extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagens (COL) 1, 4, and 6; fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA); ECM modulators, including a tissue inhibitor of matrix proteinase (TIMP) 1–4; matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, 9, and 14; and several endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes, including the X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1), the spliced XBP1 (sXBP1), glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, GRP94, and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). BRI markedly inhibited the TGF-β2-induced increase in the values of TEER of the 2D cell monolayer and the hardness of the 3D spheroids, although it had no effect on their sizes. BRI also cancelled the TGF-β2-induced reduction in mitochondrial maximal respiration but had no effect on the glycolytic capacity. In addition, the gene expression of these molecules was quite different between the 2D and 3D cultures of HTM cells. The present observations found in this study indicate that BRI may beneficially affect TGF-β2-induced changes in both cultures, 2D and 3D, of HTM cells, although their structural and functional properties that were altered varied significantly between both cultures of HTM cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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Review

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25 pages, 1635 KiB

Open AccessReview

Present Application and Perspectives of Organoid Imaging Technology

by Keyi Fei, Jinze Zhang, Jin Yuan and Peng Xiao

Bioengineering 2022, 9(3), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9030121 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7151

Abstract

An organoid is a miniaturized and simplified in vitro model with a similar structure and function to a real organ. In recent years, the use of organoids has increased explosively in the field of growth and development, disease simulation, drug screening, cell therapy, [...] Read more.

An organoid is a miniaturized and simplified in vitro model with a similar structure and function to a real organ. In recent years, the use of organoids has increased explosively in the field of growth and development, disease simulation, drug screening, cell therapy, etc. In order to obtain necessary information, such as morphological structure, cell function and dynamic signals, it is necessary and important to directly monitor the culture process of organoids. Among different detection technologies, imaging technology is a simple and convenient choice and can realize direct observation and quantitative research. In this review, the principle, advantages and disadvantages of imaging technologies that have been applied in organoids research are introduced. We also offer an overview of prospective technologies for organoid imaging. This review aims to help biologists find appropriate imaging techniques for different areas of organoid research, and also contribute to the development of organoid imaging systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Organoid Research and Developmental Engineering)

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