Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Tortorici, Ansgar Petersen, Klara Ehrhart, Georg N. Duda, Sara Checa
Summary: Mechanical and biological factors are known to play key roles in osteochondral defect healing, but the underlying principles and how they can be applied in treatment strategies are still largely unknown. A computational approach was used to investigate the impact of scaffold mechanical and architectural properties on osteochondral defect healing, revealing that scaffold material elastic modulus and structural stability are crucial for supporting the repair process.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan Barcik, Devakara R. Epari
Summary: The local mechanical environment plays a crucial role in bone healing, with early mechanical stimulation being critical for optimal healing. Clinical practice often contradicts this, using non-weight-bearing approaches initially. Optimizing the mechanical environment throughout the healing process could significantly reduce fracture healing time.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zunaira Shoaib, Timothy M. Fan, Joseph M. K. Irudayaraj
Summary: Osteosarcoma, a common primary bone tumor, is influenced by mechanobiology in its pathogenesis. Mechanobiology-driven therapies can curb tumor progression by altering the physical microenvironment or inhibiting proteins associated with metastasis.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zimu Mao, Baoshi Fan, Xinjie Wang, Ximeng Huang, Jian Guan, Zewen Sun, Bingbing Xu, Meng Yang, Zeyi Chen, Dong Jiang, Jiakuo Yu
Summary: The use of tissue engineering scaffold, especially biomaterials, has shown significant effectiveness in tendon-bone healing and can be enhanced by biological interventions. Current research is mainly focused on animal models, calling for further clinical trials to explore the full potential of these approaches in clinical practice.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biophysics
Atul Chauhan, Amba D. Bhatt
Summary: This article discusses the correlation between biophysical stimulus and structural features of scaffolds, suggesting that the lack of understanding in this correlation limits the applicability of scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. Therefore, a unified framework is needed to quantify the morphological features of scaffold micro-structure in order to enhance their osteoinductivity.
BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jan Barcik, Manuela Ernst, Marc Balligand, Constantin Edmond Dlaska, Ludmil Drenchev, Stephan Zeiter, Devakara R. Epari, Markus Windolf
Summary: The study investigated the short-term response of healing tissue to mechanical stimulation, finding that resting phase may play a crucial role in bone healing progression. Optimizing the ratio between stimulation and resting periods could contribute to more robust fracture healing in the future.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Evan G. Buettmann, Rachel C. DeNapoli, Lovell B. Abraham, Joseph A. Denisco, Madelyn R. Lorenz, Michael A. Friedman, Henry J. Donahue
Summary: Patients with bone and muscle loss from prolonged disuse have a higher risk of falls and fractures. Fracture patients with continued disuse and delayed rehabilitation have worse clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of prior disuse followed by physical reambulation on fracture healing and recovery. The results suggest that immediate weight-bearing activity following fracture can improve callus healing and prevent further fall risk by stimulating skeletal muscle anabolism and decreasing callus resorption.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
ZuFu Lu, Liting Jiang, Pooria Lesani, WenJie Zhang, Ning Li, Danyang Luo, Yusi Li, Yulin Ye, Ji Bian, Guocheng Wang, Colin R. Dunstan, XinQuan Jiang, Hala Zreiqat
Summary: This study shows that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) could partially reverse the negative effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on osteoblasts, including inducing senescence, reducing differentiation ability, and affecting mitochondrial function. In addition, NMN can protect cells from aging damage by increasing mitophagy activity.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Markus Windolf, Manuela Ernst, Ronald Schwyn, Daniel Arens, Stephan Zeiter
Summary: The study found that early fracture activity, defined as the number of stimulatory events per time, had a positive effect on bone healing. There were strong correlations between fracture activity in the first and second weeks post-operation and the torsional strength of the healed bone, as well as the maximum callus area measured from X-rays. However, the role of fracture activity in the later timepoints was not significant. The findings suggest the importance of mechanical environment in the direct post-operative healing phase and may advocate for direct post-operative weight bearing, pending further clinical validation.
INJURY-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE CARE OF THE INJURED
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Pingping Han, Guillermo A. Gomez, Georg N. Duda, Saso Ivanovski, Patrina S. P. Poh
Summary: The dynamics of cell mechanics and epigenetic signatures play a crucial role in cell behavior and fate, affecting the outcomes of tissue regeneration. While 2D geometric substrates have been widely used to study cell mechanics in response to the extracellular microenvironment, there is limited knowledge about cell mechanobiology and epigenetics in 3D biomaterial matrices. This review explores the potential of additive manufacturing for incorporating multi length-scale geometry features on scaffolds, and discusses how scaffold geometry influences cell and nuclear mechanosensing and epigenetic modifications, ultimately impacting tissue regeneration outcomes.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Apratim Bajpai, Rui Li, Weiqiang Chen
Summary: Aging is a chronic and complex process that results in degenerative physical and biological changes in living organisms, affecting the mechanobiological features of cells. These mechanobiological changes can lead to dysfunctions and diseases in various organ systems. Understanding the mechanobiological effects of aging is important in developing strategies to halt and reverse the aging process.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiongpeng Yuan, Zhaoyi Ye, Yaoxun Zeng, Zhenxing Pan, ZhenZhen Feng, Ying Bao, Yushan Li, Xujie Liu, Yan He, Qingling Feng
Summary: This review summarizes the latest research progress in bifunctional scaffolds for therapeutic applications and regeneration, with a focus on the synergistic effect and interplay between therapeutic agents and scaffold materials.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ghaliah M. Alsawah, Manal Alsheddi, Ebtissam M. Al-Madi, Mohammad Al-Obaida
Summary: This study found that repairing furcal perforation with Chitosan scaffold shows desirable biological responses and healing characteristics in favor of bone regeneration at three months.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yaqiong Wang, Fuwei Liu, Nu Wang, Guichu Yue, Xiaoyi Wang, Bolei Cai, Yukun Hao, Yiwei Li, Fengyun Guo, Zhouyang Zhang, Shutao Wang, Ming Guo, Liang Kong, Yimin Zhao, Lei Jiang, Yong Zhao
Summary: This study proposes a new approach to tissue engineering by simulating the microstructure and mechanical properties of natural tissues using a hierarchical helical scaffold. The scaffold not only resembles natural tissues but also provides protection to cells during body movement, making it a promising solution for tissue regeneration.
Review
Cell Biology
Qiangqiang Li, Jack Chun-yiu Cheng, Qing Jiang, Wayne Yuk-wai Lee
Summary: Sirtuins are a family of deacetylases that promote longevity and counteract age-related diseases, with potential for targeting in the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone disorders. Preclinical studies have shown that activation of sirtuins can protect against age-related osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Lara S. Costard, Ryan R. Hosn, Harumi Ramanayake, Fergal J. O'Brien, Caroline M. Curtin
Summary: The majority of in vitro cancer research studies are conducted in 2D and subsequently validated in animal models, but both models have limitations. The proposed solution to address these discrepancies is the use of 3D culture models, which have been shown to exhibit changes in cell behavior compared to 2D models. These changes include proliferation, gene expression, and chemosensitivity, and can provide better comparability to in vivo cells.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Review
Rheumatology
Tom Hodgkinson, Domhnall C. Kelly, Caroline M. Curtin, Fergal J. O'Brien
Summary: Mechanical stimuli play fundamental roles in cartilage health and osteoarthritis, with chondrocytes sensing their physical environment and activating complex signaling pathways to regulate OA pathology. Understanding specific mechanosignalling mechanisms in cartilage has therapeutic potential and can be combined with smart biomaterials and drug delivery systems for future OA treatment advancements.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Tom Hodgkinson, Isabel N. Amado, Fergal J. O'Brien, Oran D. Kennedy
Summary: This review discusses the multifaceted changes in the mechanobiological environment of skeletal joints and emphasizes the importance of tissue crosstalk in degenerative processes. The development of accurate and reproducible model systems for osteoarthritis research is essential. The review explores recent progress in understanding mechanosensory processes in healthy and osteoarthritic joints and the advancements in in vitro and ex vivo model systems.
APL BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Maria G. Fernandes, Lucilia P. da Silva, Mariana T. Cerqueira, Rita Ibanez, Ciara M. Murphy, Rui L. Reis, Fergal J. O. Brien, Alexandra P. Marques
Summary: Scarring is a significant clinical issue that impacts many patients, causing functional, aesthetic, psychological, and social difficulties. Research has shown that mechanical forces play a crucial role in skin tissue repair and scar formation. Understanding how engineered biomaterials can modify mechanical stimuli and mechanotransduction signals in wound environments can lead to the reduction of scar tissue.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
William A. Lackington, Dominic Gehweiler, Ensi Zhao, Ivan Zderic, Dirk Nehrbass, Stephan Zeiter, Arlyng Gonzalez-Vazquez, Fergal J. O'Brien, MartinJ. Stoddart, Keith Thompson
Summary: In this study, the therapeutic efficacy of a low dose of rhBMP-2 in a weight-bearing femoral fracture healing model was enhanced by the addition of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). The combination of IL-1Ra and rhBMP-2 resulted in significantly faster early bone formation and improved mechanical reliability compared to a low dose of rhBMP-2 alone. This study demonstrates the potential of IL-1Ra to enhance bone healing in combination with a low dose of rhBMP-2.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paige V. Hinton, Katelyn J. Genoud, James O. Early, Fergal J. O'Brien, Oran D. Kennedy
Summary: Bone cells, including osteoblasts and chondrocytes, communicate with each other through interstitial fluid movement and fluid flow shear stresses. This study developed an in vitro bone-cartilage crosstalk system to examine the effect of fluid flow shear stresses on these cell types. The findings show that primary cells exhibit a more reliable and reproducible response to shear stresses, and different levels of shear stresses have varying effects on bone formation and degradation. Additionally, osteoblast-derived factors can induce catabolic changes in chondrocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Matthew McGrath, Karolina Zimkowska, Katelyn J. Genoud, Jack Maughan, Javier Gutierrez Gonzalez, Shane Browne, Fergal J. O'Brien
Summary: A biomimetic, bilayered antimicrobial collagen-based scaffold was developed to deal with the etiology of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The scaffold exhibited high structural stability, successfully inhibited the growth and infiltration of Staphylococcus aureus, and supported the proliferation of epidermal cells and vascularization. These results suggest that the bilayered scaffold is a promising candidate for enhancing diabetic wound healing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Claudio Intini, Lia Blokpoel Ferreras, Sarah Casey, James E. Dixon, John P. Gleeson, Fergal J. O'Brien
Summary: A novel miR-activated scaffold was developed to enhance mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) chondrogenesis and cartilage repair through the delivery of an inhibitor to miR-221. The miR-activated scaffold successfully transfected human MSCs with the miR-221 cargo, promoting an improved cell-mediated chondrogenic response. This innovative scaffold shows promise in improving chondrogenesis and enhancing cartilage defect repair.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Giuseppe A. Asaro, Matteo Solazzo, Meenakshi Suku, Dahnan Spurling, Katelyn Genoud, Javier Gutierrez Gonzalez, Fergal J. O' Brien, Valeria Nicolosi, Michael G. Monaghan
Summary: Electroconductive biohybrid platforms were created by blending collagen and 2D MXene, which showed high biocompatibility and enhanced cell proliferation and spreading. The platforms also limited bacterial attachment and proliferation. Culturing neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes on the substrates demonstrated increased cell growth and cx43 expression when stimulated with an external electric field. This in vitro study convincingly shows the potential of the engineered conductive biohybrid platform for cardiac tissue regeneration.
NPJ 2D MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Tara K. Mcguire, Martyna Stasiewicz, Ian Woods, Adrian G. Dervan, Fergal J. O'Brien
Summary: Spinal cord injury is a devastating traumatic injury that often results in permanent loss of function. Gene therapy using nonviral nanoparticle vectors has the potential to improve spinal cord regeneration by targeting multiple aspects of the injury and enhancing specificity. Despite challenges, nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery holds great promise for the future of spinal cord injury treatment.
ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Sorcha O'Meara, Eoghan M. Cunnane, Stefanie M. Croghan, Connor V. Cunnane, Michael T. Walsh, Fergal J. O'Brien, Niall F. Davis
Summary: The ureter is a complex structure with varying mechanical properties and morphology along its anatomical length. Understanding the mechanical forces and properties of the ureter is important for surgical outcomes and urine transport. Further studies on human ureteric tissue are needed to better understand these properties and the influence of forces on them.
NATURE REVIEWS UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Francesco Santarella, Ronaldo Jose Farias Correa do Amaral, Mark Lemoine, Domhnall Kelly, Brenton Cavanagh, Milica Marinkovic, Avi Smith, Jonathan Garlick, Fergal J. O'Brien, Cathal J. Kearney
Summary: For the first time, a method for treating DFUs is demonstrated using cells from biopsied DFU patients, reprogramming those cells, and functionalizing the scaffold with patient-specific ECM. The personalized acellular tissue-engineered scaffold enhances ECM deposition and vascularization, showing promising results for DFU healing.
ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Claudio Intini, Tom Hodgkinson, Sarah M. Casey, John P. Gleeson, Fergal J. O'Brien
Summary: CI/II-HyA scaffolds were able to enhance and prolong cartilage repair while reducing hypertrophic cartilage formation, as evidenced by improved cartilage-like formation and consistent responses in protein expression analysis. The study also highlighted the variable chondrogenic abilities of human MSCs from different donors.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Donagh G. O'Shea, Caroline M. Curtin, Fergal J. O'Brien
Summary: Articular cartilage in the human body plays a vital role in facilitating frictionless movement of synovial joints. However, its avascular and aneural nature limits its ability to self-repair when damaged. Current surgical treatment options lead to the formation of non-durable tissue, necessitating the need for a new solution. Recent advances in tissue engineering have aimed to recreate the microenvironment of native articular cartilage using biomaterial scaffolds, but the complexity of native tissue has proven to be a challenge. The advent of 3D printing has provided a potential solution by allowing the fabrication of biomimetic scaffolds that mimic the architecture and composition of articular cartilage.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Robert T. Brady, Fergal J. O'Brien, David A. Hoey
Summary: Bone is a dynamic organ that can adapt its structure through the release of soluble factors by osteocytes. The study investigated the role of composition and dimensionality in directing Sost expression in MLO-Y4 cells and found that culture in hydroxyapatite-containing collagen scaffolds enhanced Sost expression compared to traditional in vitro culture. The study also showed that the novel culture system responded to fluid flow stimulation. Overall, this study presents a novel culture system for the MLO-Y4 osteocyte cell line and provides valuable insights into Sost expression in bone cells.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lin-Lin Luo, Jie Xu, Bing-Qiao Wang, Chen Chen, Xi Chen, Qiu-Mei Hu, Yu-Qiu Wang, Wan-Yun Zhang, Wan-Xiang Jiang, Xin-Ting Li, Hu Zhou, Xiao Xiao, Kai Zhao, Sen Lin
Summary: A novel AAV serotype, AAVYC5, introduced in this study, showed more efficient transduction into multiple retinal layers compared to AAV2, and enabled successful delivery of anti-angiogenic molecules in mice and non-human primates.
