Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shuai Chen, Carmen J. Gil, Liqun Ning, Linqi Jin, Lilanni Perez, Gabriella Kabboul, Martin L. Tomov, Vahid Serpooshan
Summary: This article discusses the significance of Adhesive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds (ATESs), reviewing their key characteristics and requirements, exploring mechanisms of action for securing the scaffold onto tissue, and presenting strategies for assessing adhesive properties. Current applications and future prospects of advanced ATES systems in regenerative medicine therapies are highlighted, along with key challenges in various fields of tissue engineering.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Papon Muangsanit, Victoria Roberton, Eleni Costa, James B. Phillips
Summary: Vascularisation is crucial for nerve tissue engineering to support long-term survival of implanted cells. Constructs containing endothelial cells have shown to promote axonal regeneration and vascularisation across peripheral nerve gaps.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yao Liu, Xiaonong Zhang, Chunsheng Xiao, Bin Liu
Summary: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a complex disease that commonly affects young adults and has limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. Tissue-engineered hydrogels have shown promising results in promoting neural tissue regeneration and recovery of impaired neural function. This review discusses recent advances and various therapeutic strategies of hydrogels in peripheral nerve repair, as well as the prospects and challenges in their application for PNI treatment.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wufei Dai, Yating Yang, Yumin Yang, Wei Liu
Summary: Tissue-engineered nerve conduits, using both natural and synthetic materials, have been employed to treat peripheral nerve defects and promote nerve regeneration. In addition to traditional advantages, such as good biocompatibility and controllable degradation, these conduits have been enhanced with properties like biomimetic surface topography, extracellular matrix components, neurotrophic factors, and cell seeding.
NANOTECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rebecca Powell, Despoina Eleftheriadou, Simon Kellaway, James B. Phillips
Summary: This review discusses the physical processes by which natural biomaterials mimic the function of the extracellular matrix and regulate cellular behavior, as well as highlights representative cases of controllable cell microenvironments developed through the combination of cell biology and tissue engineering principles.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wen-Hui Huang, Sheng-Long Ding, Xi-Yuan Zhao, Kai Li, Hai-Tao Guo, Ming-Zhu Zhang, Qi Gu
Summary: Neural tissue engineering (NTE) has made significant progress in recent years and holds great potential for treating various neurological disorders. Collagen, with its ability to promote neural cell growth and regeneration, is widely used in NTE applications, and recent advancements in manufacturing strategies have further enhanced its potential. This review categorizes and analyzes the different collagen-based processing techniques for neural-specific applications, assessing their strengths and weaknesses in repair and regeneration. The review also evaluates the prospects and challenges of using collagen-based biomaterials in NTE.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yingshuai Wang, Tao Yu, Feihu Hu
Summary: This study explores the application of miRNAs and exosomes in peripheral nerve regeneration and finds that a hypocapnia environment can enhance exosome function. By delivering miR-218 through engineered exosomes, sciatic nerve regeneration can be facilitated, and hypocapnia stimuli-responsive exosomes show better results.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Melissa L. D. Rayner, Adam G. E. Day, Kulraj S. Bhangra, John Sinden, James B. Phillips
Summary: This study provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of using engineered neural tissue (EngNT) as a replacement for nerve autografts, with functional regeneration assessed through histological and electrophysiological outcome measures demonstrating equivalent performance.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lorena R. Lizarraga-Valderrama, Giulia Ronchi, Rinat Nigmatullin, Federica Fregnan, Pooja Basnett, Alexandra Paxinou, Stefano Geuna, Ipsita Roy
Summary: The study demonstrated that PHA-NGCs are highly promising in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, showing comparable outcomes to autografts in functional evaluation and nerve morphology.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Justin C. Burrell, Suradip Das, Franco A. Laimo, Kritika S. Katiyar, Kevin D. Browne, Robert B. Shultz, Vishal J. Tien, Phuong T. Vu, Dmitriy Petrov, Zarina S. Ali, Joseph M. Rosen, D. Kacy Cullen
Summary: Surgical repair of nerve injuries often leads to poor functional recovery due to the limited ability of host axons to regenerate and form connections with target muscles. This study introduces tissue engineered neuromuscular interfaces (TE-NMIs) as an injectable microtissue containing motor and sensory neurons, aiming to enhance regenerative capacity and functional recovery. The results demonstrate that TE-NMIs can support Schwann cell maintenance, integrate with distal muscles, and preserve muscle response even without innervation from host axons. Additionally, repopulating the distal sheath with exogenous axons enables delayed fusion with proximal host axons, improving axon maturation and muscle reinnervation.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wentao Shi, Yiqing Wu, Jiawei Wu, Yan Gao, Peng Zhao, Xiaojie Lu
Summary: Neural tissue engineering using a neuropeptide S (NPS)-crosslinked fibrin scaffold loaded with ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) has shown promising results in bridging sciatic nerve defects in rats. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of the engineered fibrin scaffolds to promote the differentiation of EMSCs into neuronal lineage cells. In vivo experiments have further confirmed the accelerated nerve healing and improved morphological repair achieved by the combination of NPS-crosslinked fibrin scaffolds with EMSCs.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Danae A. Apatzidou, Athina A. Bakopoulou, Kokkona Kouzi-Koliakou, Vassilis Karagiannis, Antonis Konstantinidis
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a tissue-engineered biocomplex in periodontal reconstruction. The results showed that all treatment approaches led to significant clinical improvements without adverse healing events. Over the 12-month period, there were significant clinical improvements in all groups.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Liu, Chuanlei Zhang, Yanhui Kong, Huiyu Liu, Cheng Chen, Wenyu Gao, Xiaowei Xi, Hui Yang, Linhong Deng
Summary: Blindness often occurs due to corneal abnormalities, and corneal transplantation is the most effective treatment method. Developing high-quality artificial corneas is crucial since there is a shortage of available donor corneas for transplantation. Collagen, the main component of natural cornea, is commonly used as a material in corneal repair. However, promoting the regeneration of corneal nerves after surgery remains a challenge. In this study, researchers developed a novel collagen-based material that showed promising results in promoting the growth of nerve cells and corneal epithelial cells. The findings suggest that this material may have potential applications in cornea tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Christina Hadjichristou, Eleni Papachristou, Emmanouil Vereroudakis, Maria Chatzinikolaidou, Imad About, Petros Koidis, Athina Bakopoulou
Summary: A three-dimensional dentin/pulp tissue analogue has been engineered in vitro for evaluating the cytocompatibility of resin-based dental restorative cements. The results showed that both cements exhibited good cytocompatibility and triggered angiogenic responses within the dentin/pulp tissue analogue.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bryan T. Wonski, Bruce Fisher, Mai T. Lam
Summary: Tissue engineering faces the challenge of insufficient tissue strength, which hinders its application in simulating and integrating with native soft tissue. To address this, researchers explored the use of an extracellular matrix-based hydrogel coating as an adhesive tool, with promising results in vascular tissue engineering. The study revealed that gelatin crosslinked with genipin alone exhibited the highest tensile strength, while fibrin gel supported cell viability the most. Ultimately, a fibrin gel coating without genipin was deemed optimal for increasing mechanical strength and supporting cell viability.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Jimena Cuenca, Francisca Alcayaga-Miranda, Maroun Khoury
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
David Hercher, Markus Kerbl, Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Johannes Heinzel, Laszlo Gal, Michaels Stainer, Robert Schmidhammer, Thomas Hausner, Heinz Redl, Antal Nogradi, Ara Hacobian
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biology
Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Sebastian Aguayo, Gabriela Zavala, Maroun Khoury
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Bruna Benso, Sebastian Aguayo
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Clinical Neurology
David Hercher, Heinz Redl, Christina M. A. P. Schuh
JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(2020)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
C. M. A. P. Schuh, B. Benso, P. A. Naulin, N. P. Barrera, L. Bozec, S. Aguayo
Summary: The glycation of collagen has significant effects on the adhesion and biofilm formation of oral streptococci, with glucose crosslinking promoting initial adhesion and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans, while methylglyoxal treatment reduces biofilm formation for both strains. This research suggests that collagen glycation plays a role in biofilm dysbiosis in older individuals and patients with diabetes, highlighting the need for further studies to develop preventive and therapeutic treatments against dental caries.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Simon Alvarez, Camila Leiva-Sabadini, Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Sebastian Aguayo
Summary: This review explores the adhesion of oral bacteria to collagen surfaces and its impact on oral and systemic diseases, as well as its implications for collagen biomaterials and regenerative dentistry. The understanding of bacteria-collagen coupling is crucial for developing future therapeutic approaches.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Camila Leiva-Sabadini, Simon Alvarez, Nelson P. Barrera, Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Sebastian Aguayo
Summary: The study aims to characterize the molecular and nanomechanical properties of honey-derived EVs to elucidate their antibacterial effects, and to determine their differential antibiofilm activity against oral streptococci. The molecular analysis identified important exosome markers and antibacterial molecules in the EVs, while nanomechanical characterization showed their potential impact on altering cell wall elasticity. The differential effects of honey-derived EVs on different oral streptococci could provide a novel strategy for modulating biofilm formation in dental caries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
C. M. A. P. Schuh, C. Leiva-Sabadini, S. Huang, N. P. Barrera, L. Bozec, S. Aguayo
Summary: The study quantified MGO-derived AGEs in the organic matrix of human dentin and found increased accumulation of AGEs in patients over 50 years old compared to younger patients in both crown and root dentin. Additionally, changes in ultrastructure and nanomechanical properties of collagen were observed, suggesting potential implications for restorative and adhesive dentistry approaches.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Microscopy
Camila Leiva-Sabadini, Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Nelson P. Barrera, Sebastian Aguayo
Summary: Recent advances in AFM have allowed for high-resolution characterization of dental-associated biomaterials and biological surfaces. This study used AFM to explore the ultrastructure of dental enamel and found that older individuals have rougher enamel with narrower hydroxyapatite crystals compared to younger individuals. These findings provide important insights for understanding enamel aging.
JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mina Vaez, Meisam Asgari, Liisa Hirvonen, Gorkem Bakir, Emilie Khattignavong, Maya Ezzo, Sebastian Aguayo, Christina M. Schuh, Kathleen Gough, Laurent Bozec
Summary: The presence of intramolecular and intermolecular crosslinks modulates the structural and functional properties of collagen. Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) can form intermolecular crosslinks by binding to neighboring proteins. This research investigates the hypothesis that the accumulation of AGEs in collagen decreases its proteolytic degradation rates while increasing its stiffness. Through various techniques, including fluorescence lifetime imaging and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the researchers detect biochemical changes in collagen scaffolds during the glycation process. Results show that the accumulation of AGEs leads to enhanced water sorption, differential elastic modulus, and slower proteolytic degradation behavior in collagen fibrils and scaffolds.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
C. Leiva-Sabadini, P. Tiozzo-Lyon, L. Hidalgo-Galleguillos, L. Rivas, A. I. Robles, A. Fierro, N. P. Barrera, L. Bozec, C. M. A. P. Schuh, S. Aguayo
Summary: The adhesion of initial colonizers such as Streptococcus mutans to collagen is affected by the generation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in collagen, particularly those derived from methylglyoxal (MGO). However, the biophysics driving oral streptococcal attachment to MGO-modified collagen remains understudied. This study utilized bacterial cell force spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of S. mutans adherence to type I collagen in the presence and absence of MGO-derived AGEs, and found that MGO modification increased both the number and adhesion force of detachment events between S. mutans and collagen, without altering the contour or rupture lengths.
JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Simo Alvarez, Pamina Contreras-Kallens, Sebastian Aguayo, Orlando Ramirez, Catalina Vallejos, Jorge Ruiz, Eva Carrasco-Gallardo, Stefanie Troncoso-Vera, Bernardo Morales, Christina M. A. P. Schuh
Summary: Apis mellifera royal jelly (RJ) is a traditional remedy with versatile effects, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and proregenerative properties. This study investigates the involvement of RJ extracellular vesicles (RJEVs) in wound healing, revealing their ability to modulate MSC differentiation and secretion, decrease inflammation in macrophages, and accelerate wound healing in mice. These findings suggest that RJEVs play a crucial role in RJ's effects on wound healing by modulating the inflammatory phase and cellular response.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Juliana Gonzalez-Sanmiguel, Christina M. A. P. Schuh, Carola Munoz-Montesino, Pamina Contreras-Kallens, Luis G. Aguayo, Sebastian Aguayo
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Orlando J. Ramirez, Simon Alvarez, Pamina Contreras-Kallens, Nelson P. Barrera, Sebastian Aguayo, Christina M. A. P. Schuh