Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shih-Heng Chen, Zhi-Yu Chen, Ya-Hsuan Lin, Shih-Hsien Chen, Pang-Yun Chou, Huang-Kai Kao, Feng-Huei Lin
Summary: This study demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) significantly enhanced tendon regeneration by promoting proliferation and migration of tenocytes. Treatment with ADSC-EVs also improved the mechanical strength of repaired tendons, suggesting a potentially highly potent therapeutic strategy for tendon injuries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pascal Morissette Martin, John T. Walker, Kellie J. Kim, Courtney R. Brooks, Fiona E. Serack, Anna Kornmuller, Laura Juignet, Amanda M. Hamilton, P. Joy Dunmore-Buyze, Maria Drangova, John A. Ronald, Lauren E. Flynn
Summary: A novel cell-assembled bioscaffold format was developed to deliver high densities of human adipose-derived stromal cells for soft tissue regeneration. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the potential of the new scaffold format in enhancing stability and vascular formation.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ying Rao, Chenxian Zhu, Hoi Ching Suen, Shuting Huang, Jinyue Liao, Dai Fei Elmer Ker, Rocky S. Tuan, Dan Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates that urea-extracted tECM contains abundant protein components and can enhance the proliferation and tenogenic differentiation of hASCs. Comparative analysis with Col1 reveals the potential mechanism of tECM's pro-tenogenic bioactivity.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rafaela-Maria Kavasi, Monica Neagu, Carolina Constantin, Adriana Munteanu, Mihaela Surcel, Aristidis Tsatsakis, George N. Tzanakakis, Dragana Nikitovic
Summary: This article discusses the structural and functional modulations of the keratinocyte carcinoma microenvironment, focusing on the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its role in the pathogenesis of skin cancer.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Subhajit Konar, Scott M. Bolam, Brendan Coleman, Nicola Dalbeth, Sue R. McGlashan, Sophia Leung, Jillian Cornish, Dorit Naot, David S. Musson
Summary: Tendinopathy is characterized by pathological changes in tendon matrix composition, architecture, and stiffness, with inflammation also playing an important role. This study found that substrate stiffness affects tendon-derived cells and macrophages. Tendon-derived cells showed minor responses to substrate stiffness, while macrophages exhibited a more inflammatory phenotype on non-physiological stiffness substrates. These subtle variations in matrix stiffness may contribute to the onset and progression of tendinopathy.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shengran Wang, Changlai Zhu, Bin Zhang, Junxia Hu, Jinghui Xu, Chengbin Xue, Shuangxi Bao, Xiaokun Gu, Fei Ding, Yumin Yang, Xiaosong Gu, Yun Gu
Summary: A favorable microenvironment is crucial for nerve regeneration. This study investigates the components and spatial organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by different cells and finds that ECM derived from bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) is more similar to acellular nerves. ECM-modified nerve grafts (ECM-NGs) co-cultivated with BMSCs exhibit the most promising nerve repair properties and create a superior microenvironment for nerve regeneration, indicating a potential alternative for clinical repair of peripheral nerve defects.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Pengyu Hong, Xiaoyang Xu, Xin Hu, Hao Yang, Yue Wu, Juan Chen, Kun Li, Zhangui Tang
Summary: The study demonstrated that sEV-LT promoted adipose tissue regeneration by accelerating proliferation, migration, and adipogenic differentiation of ADSCs in vitro and recruiting adipocytes and promoting angiogenesis in vivo. sEV-LT could serve as an alternative cell-free therapeutic strategy for generating adipose tissue, showing promising application prospects in tissue engineering.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anna Kornmuller, Tyler T. Cooper, Ammi Jani, Gilles A. Lajoie, Lauren E. Flynn
Summary: This study investigated the effects of expanding human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) on microcarriers fabricated from decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) or decellularized cartilage tissue (DCT). The results showed that hASCs cultured on DCT microcarriers had a significantly higher cell density and altered gene and protein expression related to cell adhesion and ECM remodeling. The DCT microcarriers also promoted the secretion of IL-8 and PDGFAA by hASCs. Furthermore, microcarrier-cultured hASCs showed enhanced adipogenic differentiation.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Jason C. Marvin, Molly E. Brakewood, Mong L. S. Poon, Nelly Andarawis-Puri
Summary: Clinical and animal studies have shown that sex influences the occurrence and progression of tendinopathy. However, the biological mechanisms underlying effective tendon healing in relation to sex remain poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of sex on tendon regeneration using the MRL/MpJ mouse strain and found that sex-specific and temporally distinct cell-ECM interactions play a role in scarless tendon healing. The results provide valuable insight into potential targets for the development of more equitable therapeutics.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Rebekka Harary Sondergaard, Lisbeth Drozd Hojgaard, Alexander Lynge Reese-Petersen, Cecilie Hoeeg, Anders Bruun Mathiasen, Mandana Haack-Sorensen, Bjarke Follin, Federica Genovese, Jens Kastrup, Morten Juhl, Annette Ekblond
Summary: This study aimed to establish an in vitro co-culture model to investigate the capabilities of ASCs to modulate fibroblasts and ECM. The results showed that in this model, ASCs increased the formation of collagen type I and III through paracrine mechanisms and the formation of collagen type VI through juxtacrine mechanisms.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Bartosz Pilecki, Paulo V. S. D. de Carvalho, Katrine L. Kirketerp-Moller, Anders Schlosser, Karin Kejling, Magdalena Dubik, Nicklas P. Madsen, Jane Stubbe, Pernille B. L. Hansen, Thomas L. Andersen, Jesper B. Moeller, Niels Marcussen, Vasco Azevedo, Svend Hvidsten, Christina Baun, Guo-Ping Shi, Jes S. Lindholt, Grith L. Sorensen
Summary: MFAP4 plays a crucial role in promoting the development of AAA by inducing macrophage-rich inflammation and MMP activity within the vessel wall. Its deficiency leads to reduced AAA incidence and ameliorates pathological changes in AAA, implicating regulation of monocyte influx and MMP production as key mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
A-Li Yang, Hua-Jun Zhou, Tao Tang, Jie-Kun Luo, Han-Jin Cui
Summary: This study analyzed the temporal profile of angiogenesis in rat brains following ICH and found that MMPs play a significant role in modulating angiogenesis post-ICH.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Chuan He, Minjia Dai, Xiaojie Zhou, Jie Long, Weidong Tian, Mei Yu
Summary: Our study compared adipose tissue extract (ATE) and its further purified small extracellular vesicles (sEV-AT) in terms of characteristics, inductivity on cells, and capacity for promoting de novo adipose tissue regeneration. sEV-AT showed higher particle yield and concentrated particle size distribution, while ATE had more soluble factors and multiple peaks in particle size distribution.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Katrin Raute, Juliane Strietz, Maria Alejandra Parigiani, Geoffroy Andrieux, Oliver S. Thomas, Klaus M. Kistner, Marina Zintchenko, Peter Aichele, Maike Hofmann, Houjiang Zhou, Wilfried Weber, Melanie Boerries, Mahima Swamy, Jochen Maurer, Susana Minguet
Summary: There is currently no targeted therapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is enriched in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC), which play a key role in metastasis, chemoresistance, relapse, and mortality. y8 T cells hold great potential in immuno-therapy against cancer and might provide an approach to therapeutically target TNBC.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Juan Paredes, Ashley Pekmezian, Nelly Andarawis-Puri
Summary: The study found that the scarless-healing MRL/MpJ tendons have therapeutic potential for improving the structure and function of tendons in traditional healing models. This suggests a promising avenue for future therapeutic development and tissue engineering applications.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Tian Jiao, Qin Lian, Weilong Lian, Yonghui Wang, Dichen Li, Rui L. Reis, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira
Summary: This study examines the properties of Collagen/Sodium Alginate (Col/SA) hydrogels for the purpose of 3D printing skin. It found that increasing the sodium alginate content improves the mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogel, but has negative effects on degradation ratio, pore size, and biological properties. A 1% collagen hydrogel was identified as the optimal bioink for printing skin, as it showed improved cell spreading and proliferation.
JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mariana Almeida, Emanuel M. Fernandes, Catarina F. Marques, Flavia C. M. Lobo, Rita O. Sousa, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: In this study, the composition and structure of the goose barnacle's calcified plates and cuticle were characterized. The plates were found to be predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, while the cuticle consisted of an outer zone covered with scales and an inner homogeneous zone composed of alpha-chitin, elastin-based proteins, and collagen. The cuticle exhibited mechanical properties similar to elastomers and soft crustacean cuticles, and the removal of calcified components increased the rigidity of the material. This flexible and mechanically suitable cuticle could inspire the development of biocompatible biomaterials.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Eva Martins, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: The industrial processing of fish generates various by-products including viscera, bones, scales, and skin, which can be used as raw materials due to their collagen content. Extracting marine collagen from fish skins has been established for different species and shows enormous potential for cosmetic applications. This study investigated the integration of marine collagen from the Greenland halibut skin in a cosmetic hydrogel formulation, demonstrating its non-cytotoxic effect and efficacy in a challenge test. Clinical studies on healthy volunteers showed a slight hydration effect, highlighting the potential of marine collagen in beauty applications. Additionally, applying the circular economy concept to the fish processing industry can bring significant benefits in terms of innovation, environment, and economy.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xuelian Yin, Lin Zhan, Lin Ding, Xuerui Chen, Junfeng Zhang, Chenchen Li, Yuxi Zhang, Murad Khan, Rui L. Reis, Yanli Wang
Summary: We report a facile synthesis method for mitochondria-specific anchored nano-complexes (AG-C-NP) comprised of a skeleton of gold and carbon atoms for cancer therapy. Compared to gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), AG-C-NP showed enhanced fluorescence imaging effects, which can be used for tumor monitoring. AG-C-NP targeted the mitochondria and increased ROS damage in cancer cells, leading to a significant inhibition of tumor growth.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anita Akbarzadeh Solbu, David Caballero, Spyridon Damigos, Subhas C. Kundu, Rui L. Reis, Oyvind Halaas, Aman S. Chahal, Berit L. Strand
Summary: Cell migration plays a crucial role in various biological processes, and recent advancements in materials science have allowed for the development of biomimetic in vitro assays to study cell migration. Three-dimensional hydrogels have been particularly useful in mimicking the extracellular environment and studying cell migration in a more physiologically relevant manner. This article provides an overview of the different types of hydrogels and their characteristics, as well as established methods for cell migration assays and tracking in three-dimensional environments.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mario C. Fonseca, Ana Catarina Vale, Rui R. Costa, Rui L. Reis, Natalia M. Alves
Summary: Inspired by mussel bioadhesion, researchers developed adhesive membranes using catechol-modified polysaccharides and a simple compaction method. These membranes exhibited strong adhesive properties and could also incorporate bioactive glass nanoparticles to stimulate mineralization, making them potentially suitable for hard tissue regeneration.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ana L. Alves, Ana C. Carvalho, Ines Machado, Gabriela S. Diogo, Emanuel M. Fernandes, Vania I. B. Castro, Ricardo A. Pires, Jose A. Vazquez, Ricardo I. Perez-Martin, Miguel Alaminos, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels produced from marine-derived gelatin for corneal stromal applications. The hydrogels exhibited excellent optical and swelling properties, easy handling, structural stability, and adequate degradation rates. The addition of ascorbic acid enhanced the biological performance of the cells and induced collagen production.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rosa F. Monteiro, Syeda M. Bakht, Manuel Gomez-Florit, Fernanda C. Stievani, Ana L. G. Alves, Rui L. Reis, Manuela E. Gomes, Rui M. A. Domingues
Summary: The authors propose an automated 3D printing method to create tendon microphysiological systems (MPSs) embedded in a biomimetic fibrillar support platform. They use tendon decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) to formulate bioinks that closely mimic the biochemical characteristics of tendon niche. They successfully recreate the cellular patterns and phenotype of the tendon core and study the interaction between different cell populations. The proposed concept shows promise for the automated fabrication of organotypic tendon-on-chip models, providing a valuable tool for studying tendon physiology, pathogenesis mechanisms, and testing new treatments for tendinopathies.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana L. Graca, Rui M. A. Domingues, Manuel Gomez-Florit, Manuela E. Gomes
Summary: In this study, the role of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in stem cells' tenogenic commitment was assessed using a 3D bioengineered in vitro tendon model. The findings showed that platelet-derived EVs boosted the tenogenic commitment of stem cells and enhanced the deposition of tendon-like extracellular matrix. These results suggest that platelet-derived EVs have promising applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Ines Machado, Catarina F. Marques, Eva Martins, Ana L. Alves, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: Marine-origin gelatin, a safe alternative to mammalian-origin materials, has the benefits of structural similarity and low production cost. Gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogels have shown excellent capacity for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering. In this study, fish gelatin was extracted from Greenland halibut skins and functionalized with methacrylation to develop a photosensitive GelMA. By combining GelMA with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), biomechanically stable hydrogels with tunable physicochemical features were produced. These hybrid hydrogels, tested as a matrix for chondrocyte culture, showed improved cell viability and have potential for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ana F. Almeida, Margarida S. Miranda, Adriana Vinhas, Marcia T. Rodrigues, Manuela E. Gomes
Summary: In recent years, nanotechnology-based microRNA (miR) therapeutic platforms have shown great promise for immunotherapy and tissue regeneration. In this study, a magnetically guided transporter was developed to deliver an miR-155 antagonist to M1-primed macrophages, which can promote tissue healing and regenerative medicine approaches. The magnetoplexes SPION@PEI-miR efficiently delivered into macrophages and induced miR-mediated gene silencing without compromising cell viability, making it a simple, safe, and nonviral theranostic platform with modulatory effects on immune cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
David Caballero, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu
Summary: Researchers have developed a cancer trap based on mechanical ratchet structures to capture metastatic cells. The trap exhibits high efficiency in capturing invasive cancer cells and may have therapeutic implications for cancer treatment and controlling cell motility in biological processes.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Raul Fontelo, Rui L. Reis, Ramon Novoa-Carballal, Iva Pashkuleva
Summary: This paper summarizes the importance and development trends of block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly in nanofabrication, and discusses its potential and challenges in the field of bioapplications.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eluana Gomes, Renato Andrade, Cristina Valente, J. Victor Santos, Joni Nunes, Oscar Carvalho, Vitor M. M. Correlo, Filipe S. S. Silva, J. Miguel Oliveira, Rui L. L. Reis, Joao Espregueira-Mendes
Summary: There is no consensus on how to measure shoulder joint laxity and the reported results lack systemization for shoulder arthrometer devices. This systematic review aims to summarize the results of available shoulder arthrometers in measuring glenohumeral laxity. The review includes 23 studies comprising 1162 shoulders, and the results show substantial heterogeneity in glenohumeral laxity values, mainly influenced by the arthrometer used and testing conditions, potentially leading to inconsistent results and impacting diagnosis and treatment decisions.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ivone Regina de Oliveira, Isabela dos Santos Goncalves, Kennedy Wallace dos Santos, Maria Carmo Lanca, Tania Vieira, Jorge Carvalho Silva, Ibrahim Fatih Cengiz, Rui Luis Reis, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira, Joao Paulo Miranda Ribeiro Borges
Summary: Traditional bioactive glass powders are typically composed of irregular particles that limit bone ingrowth due to low interconnectivity. Novel biocomposite macrospheres using Sr-bioactive glass, sodium alginate, polylactic acid (PLA), and chitosan (CH) as encapsulating materials were developed for bone fillers. The biocomposite macrospheres made with PLA exhibited higher porosity, interconnectivity, and protection from degradation, making them promising fillers for bone tissue repair applications.
