Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Omar Alheib, Lucilia P. da Silva, Alain da Silva Morais, Katia A. Mesquita, Rogerio P. Pirraco, Rui L. Reis, Vitor M. Conrelo
Summary: We developed an injectable gellan gum-based hydrogel that delivers C2C12 into a localized myopathic model. The gellan gum was biofunctionalized with a laminin-derived peptide to mimic the natural muscular extracellular matrix. Furthermore, the hydrogel was physically adjusted to replicate the mechanical properties of native tissue. This formula was utilized for the first time in the field of skeletal muscle tissue regeneration. The injectability of the hydrogel allowed for non-invasive administration, creating a reliable microenvironment that supported C2C12 with minimal inflammation. The treatment of skeletal muscle defects with the cell-laden hydrogel significantly enhanced regeneration of localized muscular trauma.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Natsumi Ueda, Shiho Sawada, Fumiya Yuasa, Karen Kato, Koji Nagahama
Summary: This study reports an injectable covalent stem cell-combining biohybrid material for in vivo tissue engineering, which can achieve controlled differentiation and integration with host tissues. By incorporating specific modified stem cells and alginate polymers in a cross-linking agent, the mechanical properties of the material can be adjusted. Experimental results in a mouse muscle defect model demonstrate that this covalent material treatment can effectively promote tissue regeneration with better outcomes compared to control materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Natalie G. Kozan, Mrunmayi Joshi, Sydnee T. Sicherer, Jonathan M. Grasman
Summary: This article reviews the methods and materials used for fabricating porous biomaterial scaffolds for skeletal muscle regeneration. It discusses the current state of skeletal muscle tissue engineering and provides guidelines for scaffold fabrication based on functional requirements.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xinlin Jia, Junping Ma, Xuzhuo Chen, Wentao Li, Xianhao Zhou, Bo Lei, Xin Zhao, Yuanqing Mao
Summary: Current treatments of osteoarthritis only provide temporary relief from pain and have limited impact on disease progression. This study presents a strategy using FPSOH matrixgel to treat osteoarthritis, which shows robust anti-inflammatory activity and prevents disease progression by inhibiting oxidative stress and inducing M2 polarization of macrophages.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Review
Biology
Camila Vesga-Castro, Javier Aldazabal, Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi, Jacobo Paredes
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in evaluating the contractile force (CF) of engineered muscle tissues, but there are currently no standards available for selecting the most suitable experimental platform, measuring system, culture protocol, or stimulation patterns. Cantilever deflection, post deflection, and force transducers are commonly used configurations for CF assessment, and future studies are recommended to report detailed information on construct size, contractile area, maturity level, sarcomere length, and the tetanus-to-twitch ratio.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengying Yin, Xingyu Jiang, Stephen Mann, Liangfei Tian, Bruce W. Drinkwater
Summary: The high throughput deposition of microscale objects with precise spatial arrangement is crucial in microfabrication technology. The utilization of dynamic acoustic fields offers a contactless approach to real-time reconfigurable miniaturized systems, with potential applications in various fields. This article discusses the physical interactions of microscale objects in an acoustic pressure field, the fabrication of acoustic trapping devices, methods to tune the spatial arrangement, and potential applications in different disciplines.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamadmahdi Samandari, Jacob Quint, Alejandra Rodriguez-delaRosa, Indranil Sinha, Olivier Pourquie, Ali Tamayol
Summary: Skeletal muscle injuries can lead to mobility limitations and loss of independence, with current treatments showing variable effectiveness. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering and bioprinting are considered promising solutions for reconstructing complex muscle structures and improving functional recovery.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Souzan Salemi, Jenny A. Prange, Valentin Baumgartner, Deana Mohr-Haralampieva, Daniel Eberli
Summary: Tissue engineering has seen significant advancements in recent years, particularly in the application of stem cells for skeletal and smooth muscle cell engineering. The use of adult stem cells for muscle engineering shows promise, but still faces challenges in selecting the appropriate cell type and controlling differentiation and proliferation.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Catherine G. Y. Ngan, Anita Quigley, Richard J. Williams, Cathal D. O'Connell, Romane Blanchard, Mitchell Boyd-Moss, Tim D. Aumann, Penny McKelvie, Gordon G. Wallace, Peter F. M. Choong, Rob M. I. Kapsa
Summary: This study developed a biofabrication technique to engineer muscle for research and clinical applications. It demonstrated myoblast migration through a bioprinted GelMA scaffold, showing cells spontaneously forming fibers on the material surface, leading to advanced maturation of muscle tissue. This methodology has wide applications for in vitro and in vivo neuromuscular function and disease modeling.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Omar Alheib, Lucilia P. da Silva, David Caballero, Ricardo A. Pires, Subhas C. Kundu, Vitor M. Correlo, Rui L. Reis
Summary: Current therapies for skeletal muscle disorders/injuries are limited, necessitating the development of new treatments. Skeletal muscle tissue engineered platforms could provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle disorders/injuries and the efficacy of new therapies.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Miriam Filippi, Oncay Yasa, Jan Giachino, Reto Graf, Aiste Balciunaite, Lisa Stefani, Robert K. Katzschmann
Summary: Engineered centimeter-scale skeletal muscle tissue is successfully created through bioprinting, allowing the study of muscle pathophysiology and various applications in biomedicine. The design includes perfusable channels for cell survival, mechanical cell stimulation, and myofiber formation. The biohybrid structures coprinted with synthetic elements demonstrate coherent interfaces with living tissue, and the perfusable designs ensure cell viability and enable mechanical tension during matrix remodeling for drug distribution studies.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Janine Tomasch, Babette Maleiner, Philipp Heher, Manuel Rufin, Orestis G. Andriotis, Philipp J. Thurner, Heinz Redl, Christiane Fuchs, Andreas H. Teuschl-Woller
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of apparent elastic properties of fibrin scaffolds on myoblasts and evaluate if those effects differ between murine and human cells. The results showed that the elastic modulus of fibrin hydrogels had different effects on myoblast proliferation and differentiation, with a more pronounced impact on human cells in a 3D environment compared to 2D. Furthermore, the differentiation potential of human myoblasts was significantly impaired when incorporated into 3D gels. These findings provide insights into the cellular behavior and myogenic outcome of skeletal muscle tissue engineering approaches, highlighting the need for adjusting 3D culture parameters when working with human cells.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nicolas Rose, Berenice Estrada Chavez, Surabhi Sonam, Thao Nguyen, Gianluca Grenci, Anne Bigot, Antoine Muchir, Benoit Ladoux, Bruno Cadot, Fabien Le Grand, Lea Trichet
Summary: We have developed a miniaturized 3D myotube culture chip that can monitor contraction at the single cell level. This technology requires significantly fewer starting materials than current systems and is crucial for evaluating the outcomes of therapeutic procedures for neuromuscular disorders.
Article
Cell Biology
Sarah M. Somers, Warren L. Grayson
Summary: Bioreactor systems play a crucial role in tissue engineering by guiding cell differentiation and maturation. By combining with electrospun fibrin microfibers, the systems can be effectively applied in muscle tissue engineering. The system is also able to test the mechanical properties of hydrogel-based scaffolds and apply tensile strain for relevant experiments.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Martina M. Sanchez, Isabella A. Bagdasarian, William Darch, Joshua T. Morgan
Summary: Aging is a major risk factor for various diseases and the existing models used in aging research have limitations. To overcome these limitations, researchers have been increasingly using organotypic models and have made progress in this field. This review aims to introduce these advancements and provide a resource for researchers.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tatsuhiro Horii, Kei Okada, Toshinori Fujie
Summary: In this study, skin-contact dielectric elastomer actuators with skin-conformable and stretchable electrodes are fabricated using a roll-to-roll-based gravure coating method. The experimental results show that the actuators can conform to the skin surface and generate significant displacement, demonstrating their potential application in skin-contact haptic devices.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Serge Ostrovidov, Murugan Ramalingam, Hojae Bae, Gorka Orive, Toshinori Fujie, Xuetao Shi, Hirokazu Kaji
Summary: With the advances in skeletal muscle tissue engineering, new platforms have emerged for biology studies, disease modeling, and drug testing. The authors review the latest advances in in vitro models of engineered skeletal muscle tissues used for drug testing, focusing on four main cell culture techniques: well plate cultures, microfluidics, organoids, and bioprinted constructs. More developments are expected to increase the validation and use of these models in drug testing.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yugen Chen, Fumitaka Ishiwari, Tomoya Fukui, Takashi Kajitani, Haonan Liu, Xiaobin Liang, Ken Nakajima, Masatoshi Tokita, Takanori Fukushima
Summary: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used due to its unique physical and chemical properties, and covalent cross-linking is commonly used to cure it. However, by incorporating terminal groups with strong intermolecular interactions, a non-covalent network can be formed, greatly improving the mechanical properties of PDMS. Through the design of a terminal group capable of two-dimensional (2D) assembly, a dramatic change in the polymer from a fluid to a viscous solid can be induced. Additionally, simply replacing a hydrogen with a methoxy group leads to extraordinary enhancement of the mechanical properties, giving rise to a thermoplastic PDMS material without covalent cross-linking.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaobin Liang, Takashi Kojima, Makiko Ito, Naoya Amino, Haonan Liu, Masataka Koishi, Ken Nakajima
Summary: In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanomechanical technique was used to directly visualize the micromechanical behaviors of polymer nanocomposites during compressive strain. The stress distribution image of carbon black (CB)-filled rubber at the nanoscale was obtained for the first time, revealing the microscopic reinforcement mechanisms and heterogeneous deformation behaviors. The stress concentrations near the CB particles formed a network structure which acted as the key reinforcement mechanism. The finite-element method (FEM) simulations reproduced the heterogeneity in stress distribution, confirming the insights provided by the AFM experiments.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tomonori Nakamura, Shun Omagari, Xiaobin Liang, Qiwen Tan, Ken Nakajima, Martin Vacha
Summary: Using atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, we studied the single-chain structure of conjugated polymer polyfluorene (PFO). We found that mechanical stretching of the chain causes disappearance of the green emission band, indicating that the green emission originates from an intrachain aggregated state on the self-folded chain. Additionally, stretching upon laser irradiation leads to the appearance of additional features in the force spectra, small force peales in the initial stages of the unfolding, which are attributed to a combination of excitonic and van der Waals coupling of a ground-state intrachain aggregate.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shoichiro Aoki, Tatsuro Yoshida, Hung K. Nguyen, Ken Nakajima, Tomoyasu Hirai, Yoshinobu Nakamura, Syuji Fujii
Summary: Cubic liquid marbles (LMs) were fabricated using different epoxy monomers and polymer plates as stabilizers. Cubic polymer particles were synthesized by exposing the LMs to NH3 vapor, and the effect of solubility parameters (SPs) of the epoxy monomers on particle formation was investigated. The shapes of the LMs and resulting polymer particles could be controlled by adjusting the number of polymer plates and coalescence of the LMs.
Review
Polymer Science
Xiaobin Liang
Summary: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an advanced tool for microscopic study of materials, particularly in characterizing their nanoscale spatial properties. In recent decades, the AFM-based nanomechanical characterization technique has been widely used to investigate the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of polymeric materials. This technique allows for direct visualization of the micromechanical properties of material surfaces, known as the AFM nanomechanics technique. This review emphasizes the application of AFM nanomechanics in studying polymer composites, highlighting significant advancements in tracking microscopic deformation behavior and visualizing microscopic stress distributions.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Masato Mori, Xiaobin Liang, Ken Nakajima
Summary: In this paper, the viscoelasticity of a single polystyrene (PS) chain in N,N-dimethyl formamide was directly measured using thermal noise analysis. The force-dependences of the elasticity and viscosity for the PS chain were evaluated. The elastic behavior of the single chain was described well with the worm-like chain model, but the assessment of viscous behavior was limited due to the small response of the polymer chain to the cantilever.
E-JOURNAL OF SURFACE SCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hung K. Nguyen, Atsuomi Shundo, Makiko Ito, Bede Pittenger, Satoru Yamamoto, Keiji Tanaka, Ken Nakajima
Summary: Interfacial polymer layers with nanoscale size enhance the fracture toughness of structural nanocomposites. However, understanding their mechanical dynamics and toughening mechanisms remains a challenge.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Michio Ono, Ken Nakajima
Summary: The nano-scale elastic modulus of a phase-separated polyolefin blend consisting of iPP and EO was investigated using AFM. The elastic modulus of the EO domain was found to be distributed differently depending on the annealing temperature, indicating that the annealing temperature plays a role in relieving the stress within the EO domain.
Review
Automation & Control Systems
Baishali Kanjilal, Yangzhi Zhu, Vaishali Krishnadoss, Janitha M. M. Unagolla, Parnian Saemian, Alessia Caci, Danial Cheraghali, Iman Dehzangi, Ali Khademhosseini, Iman Noshadi
Summary: Ionic liquids (ILs) have unique properties that make them promising candidates for biomedical applications, but their cytocompatibility limitations are enhanced by using bioionic liquids (BILs) derived from biological molecules. BILs can be synthesized and immobilized onto biopolymers, and their functionalization enables the design of responsive actuators and sensors. The cytocompatibility of BIL-functionalized polymers also makes them suitable for power storage and implantable devices. This review focuses on the recent advances of BILs in biomedical applications, specifically their use as functionalization agents for biopolymers and solvents for supermolecular ionic networks.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Moeka Inada, Tatsuhiro Horii, Toshinori Fujie, Takuya Nakanishi, Toru Asahi, Kei Saito
Summary: Debonding-on-demand (DoD) adhesives, with the ability to repeatedly adhere and release in response to external stimuli, are attracting attention as sustainable functional materials. This study presents a DoD adhesive system based on a polymer fabricated by the reversible cycloaddition reaction of coumarin-terminated four-arm siloxane monomers. The thermophysical property analysis confirms that photoinduced fluidization is achieved through reversible crosslinking and decrosslinking reactions of the monomers. This simple siloxane-based reversible cycloaddition system exhibits significant potential as a room temperature DoD adhesive.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bruna Gregatti Carvalho, Aya Nakayama, Hiromi Miwa, Sang Won Han, Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre, Dino Di Carlo, Junmin Lee, Han-Jun Kim, Ali Khademhosseini, Natan Roberto de Barros
Summary: A novel mRNA-releasing matrix based on GelMA microporous annealed particle scaffolds is reported. The sustained release of mRNA complexes achieves indirect intracellular delivery, while direct intracellular delivery is achieved by cell adhesion on the mRNA-releasing scaffolds. This hybrid system demonstrates efficient protein expression, offering potential for mRNA-releasing biomaterials in tissue engineering.
