Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaoshen Hu, Weiyang Zhang, Xiang Li, Dongling Zhong, Yuxi Li, Juan Li, Rongjiang Jin
Summary: Studies have shown that chondrocytes tend to dedifferentiate during cell amplification, losing their physiological properties, but recent research has made progress in redifferentiation control. By modulating various factors in cell culture, similar physiological characteristics and functions to human cartilage tissue have been achieved, offering hope for future cartilage repair and treatment.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexandre Dufour, Frederic Mallein-Gerin, Emeline Perrier-Groult
Summary: In this study, a combination of soluble factors, fibrin hydrogel, direct perfusion, and human articular chondrocytes was used to engineer large cartilage tissues. Perfusion preconditioning improved the quality and spatial distribution of the cartilage matrix, resulting in the reconstruction of hyaline cartilage and increased production of the main component of the pericellular matrix by chondrocytes.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vijay Bhooshan Kumar, Om Shanker Tiwari, Gal Finkelstein-Zuta, Sigal Rencus-Lazar, Ehud Gazit
Summary: Tissue engineering is focused on restoring or replacing damaged tissues, and peptide self-assembly, particularly RGD peptides, is an effective method for developing tissue structures and functionalities. This review summarizes the progress of RGD application in tissue and organ development, examines its impact on TE efficacy in clinical and preclinical studies, and outlines recent advancements in the use of RGD functionalized biomaterials for tissue regeneration.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pacharapan Sonthithai, Weerawan Hankamonsiri, Tareerat Lertwimol, Paweena Uppanan, Wanida Janvikul
Summary: A new and effective protocol was established to improve the redifferentiation of chondrocytes in vitro. By treating the cells with specific concentrations of chemical reagents, cell growth and functionality were enhanced, which is beneficial for tissue engineering applications of hyaline cartilage regeneration.
BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jill M. Middendorf, Nicole Diamantides, Byumsu Kim, Caroline Dugopolski, Stephen Kennedy, Eric Blahut, Itai Cohen, Lawrence J. Bonassar
Summary: This study identified variability in the compressive, friction, and shear properties of human tissue engineered cartilage constructs due to the chondrocyte source. The compressive properties were found to be most sensitive to changes in the autologous chondrocyte source, suggesting they should be measured prior to implantation to ensure manufacturing reproducibility.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Nadine Frerker, Tommy A. Karlsen, Magnus Borstad Lilledahl, Sverre-Henning Brorson, John E. Tibballs, Jan E. Brinchmann
Summary: Scaffold-free engineering with BMP2 and allowing free movement in chondrogenic differentiation medium resulted in firm, elastic cartilage discs rich in type II collagen. This approach may have potential applications in clinical trials.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaoyi Lan, Zhiyao Ma, Melanie Kunze, Aillette Mulet-Sierra, Martin Osswald, Khalid Ansari, Hadi Seikaly, Yaman Boluk, Adetola B. Adesida
Summary: Hydrogels with different crosslinking densities were used to investigate their effects on chondrocyte phenotype and cellular interaction. The results showed that the storage modulus of the hydrogel did not significantly alter the cartilaginous gene expression of chondrocytes. However, the gene expression of PPAR-gamma was positively correlated with crosslinking density. RNA-seq analysis revealed numerous genes that were significantly correlated to crosslinking density, which warrants further investigation.
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Liang Lu, Xifu Shang, Bin Liu, Weijian Chen, Yu Zhang, Shuyun Liu, Xiang Sui, Aiyuan Wang, Quanyi Guo
Summary: This paper explores the application value of tissue engineering in vitro for the construction of artificial cartilage. By seeding healthy porcine chondrocytes on articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ACECM) scaffolds, it was found that the cells performed well in terms of adhesion and growth on the scaffolds, and they secreted collagen type II. Moreover, the porcine ACECM scaffolds showed good biocompatibility and could be used for xenotransplantation without significant immune inflammatory response. Therefore, ACECM-oriented scaffold is an ideal natural biomaterial for cartilage tissue engineering.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marcin Szustak, Edyta Gendaszewska-Darmach
Summary: Nanocellulose is a promising biocompatible biomaterial with good mechanical properties for use as a scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering. The limited regenerative capacity of cartilage due to its lack of vascularization and sparsely distributed chondrocytes poses challenges for cell infiltration, making nanocellulose scaffolds a potential solution. The scaffolds have been shown to induce stem cell differentiation into chondrocyte phenotypes, offering opportunities for cartilage tissue development.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shenglei Yang, Mingli Sun, Xinan Zhang
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease associated with age, obesity, and trauma. Current clinical methods are unable to modify the pathological progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), making the search for safer and more reliable treatments necessary. Resveratrol, a natural compound, has shown multi-targeted effects on chondrocyte function and has been studied for its therapeutic potential in KOA. Understanding the mechanisms by which resveratrol alleviates KOA could have clinical implications for intervention.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoyi Lan, Yan Liang, Esra J. N. Erkut, Melanie Kunze, Aillette Mulet-Sierra, Tianxing Gong, Martin Osswald, Khalid Ansari, Hadi Seikaly, Yaman Boluk, Adetola B. Adesida
Summary: Skin cancer patients with tumorigenic lesions on their noses often require surgical resection resulting in nasal cartilage removal. Autologous tissue-engineered nasal cartilage grafts can help mitigate the problem, despite the issue of inhomogeneous distribution of cartilage matrix. Advances in 3D bioprinting technology offer customizable and anatomically shaped cartilages without the distribution issues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Sanchez-Porras, Daniel Durand-Herrera, Ana B. Paes, Jesus Chato-Astrain, Rik Verplancke, Jan Vanfleteren, Jose Dario Sanchez-Lopez, Oscar Dario Garcia-Garcia, Fernando Campos, Victor Carriel
Summary: Given the limitations of current repair techniques for cartilage-associated pathologies, tissue engineering strategies have emerged as a promising alternative. This study aimed to generate, characterize, and compare scaffold-free human hyaline and elastic cartilage-derived microtissues under expansion and chondrogenic media. The results suggest that chondrogenic media can enhance the biomimicry of the microtissues in terms of morphology, viability, and extracellular matrix synthesis.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Chih-Hao Chen, Hao-Hsi Kao, Yen-Chen Lee, Jyh-Ping Chen
Summary: In this study, a thermosensitive hyaluronic acid-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer was synthesized and found to have sol-to-gel phase transition temperatures suitable for use as a scaffold for chondrocyte delivery. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that cells could proliferate in the polymer scaffold with full retention of cell viability and exhibit the phenotypic morphology of chondrocytes. In vivo studies confirmed the formation of ectopic cartilage when the polymer was used as a cell delivery vehicle. These findings suggest the promising potential of the thermosensitive hydrogel in cartilage tissue engineering applications.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hannah Agten, Inge Van Hoven, Samuel R. Viseu, Jasper Van Hoorick, Sandra Van Vlierberghe, Frank P. Luyten, Veerle Bloemen
Summary: This study investigates the regenerative potential of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived chondrocytes in gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel for hyaline cartilage production. The study demonstrates that GelMA hydrogel supports the chondrocyte phenotype and that encapsulated iPSC-derived chondrocytes can preserve their matrix formation capacity. The study also shows that differentiation medium can promote the formation of hyaline cartilage-like tissue.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Meng Yang, Zheng-Chu Zhang, Yan Liu, You-Rong Chen, Rong-Hui Deng, Zi-Ning Zhang, Jia-Kuo Yu, Fu-Zhen Yuan
Summary: The RGD peptide family is considered as a specific recognition site for the integrin receptors, which play a key role in cell communication. Further research is needed to understand the potential therapeutic and regenerative effects of RGD peptides in bone and cartilage tissue engineering.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jenny Gehlen, Wanwan Qiu, Gian Nutal Schadli, Ralph Mueller, Xiao-Hua Qin
Summary: Tomographic volumetric bioprinting (VBP) is a powerful tool for rapid solidification of cell-laden hydrogel constructs. This study explores the application of VBP in bone tissue engineering by merging GelMA bioresin with 3D endothelial co-culture. The optimal formulation for VBP of complex perfusable constructs with high cell viability was identified.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kenneth Guangpu Yang, Elliott Goff, Ka-lo Cheng, Gisela A. Kuhn, Yujia Wang, Jack Chun-yiu Cheng, Yong Qiu, Ralph Muller, Wayne Yuk-wai Lee
Summary: The study aimed to validate abnormal osteocyte lacunar morphology in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) through a large-scale comparison of morphological features between AIS patients and controls in spine and ilium. Results showed that AIS patients had more oblate osteocyte lacunae in the iliac bone, which is less affected by asymmetric loading of the deformed spine, and the shape of osteocyte lacunae in the iliac bone was associated with the radiological Cobb angle in AIS patients. Osteocyte lacunae on the concave side of scoliotic curves were more stretched in both AIS and congenital scoliosis (CS) groups, likely due to asymmetric mechanical loading.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Celien A. M. Jacobs, Esther E. A. Cramer, Aylvin A. Dias, Harold Smelt, Sandra Hofmann, Keita Ito
Summary: This study aimed to assess the osteoconductivity of different surface modifications of UHMWPE fibers. The results showed that plasma treated fibers had better initial cell attachment, but using HA or plasma treatment alone was not sufficient to upregulate alkaline phosphatase activity. Combining HA loaded fibers with plasma treatment showed a combined effect, leading to increased cell attachment and upregulated alkaline phosphatase activity. This combination provided the most promising fabric surface for facilitating bone ingrowth.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART B-APPLIED BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michelle Anna Maria Vis, Bregje Wilhelmina Maria de Wildt, Keita Ito, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: Culture medium exchange is necessary for nutrient supply and waste product accumulation prevention, but it leads to the loss of valuable factors produced by cells. Dialysis culture approach can provide a solution by exchanging low molecular weight molecules while maintaining high molecular weight components. This study developed a simple dialysis culture system and found increased activity in bone remodeling cells compared to the standard culture method, indicating the potential of this system in creating a more efficient microenvironment for cell interactions.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Matthias Walle, Dominic Eggemann, Penny R. Atkins, Jack J. Kendall, Kerstin Stock, Ralph Muller, Caitlyn J. Collins
Summary: Motion artefacts in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) can degrade image quality and affect measurements of bone density, morphology, and mechanical properties. This study developed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that can predict motion scores from HR-pQCT images and identify uncertain predictions that require manual confirmation. The CNN achieved high accuracy and substantial agreement, and can significantly reduce the time for quality assessment and control of HR-pQCT scans.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Bregje W. M. de Wildt, Esther E. A. Cramer, Leanne S. de Silva, Keita Ito, Debby Gawlitta, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: In this study, an advanced in vitro human bone defect model was developed using a tissue engineering approach to study material-driven bone regeneration. By co-culturing HUVECs and hBMSCs on silk fibroin scaffolds with in vitro critically sized defects, the growth of vascular-like networks and three-dimensional bone-like tissue was facilitated. The model allowed for the evaluation of cell-material interactions, osteoinduction, and migration of HUVECs and hBMSCs, providing a valuable tool for pre-clinical evaluation of biomaterials and reducing the reliance on animal experiments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanwan Qiu, Jenny Gehlen, Margherita Bernero, Christian Gehre, Gian Nutal Schaedli, Ralph Mueller, Xiao-Hua Qin
Summary: Tomographic volumetric bioprinting (VBP) allows fast fabrication of cell-laden hydrogel constructs using a dynamic resin based on thiol-ene photo-clickable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and thermo-sensitive sacrificial gelatin. This technique enables rapid cell spreading, 3D osteogenic differentiation, and matrix mineralization. It also allows site-specific immobilization of molecules-of-interest inside a PVA hydrogel. Overall, this study introduces a synthetic dynamic photoresin that enables fast fabrication of functional ultrasoft hydrogel constructs with well-defined physicochemical properties.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bregje W. M. de Wildt, Feihu Zhao, Iris Lauwers, Bert van Rietbergen, Keita Ito, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: The transition in bone tissue engineering to in vitro models poses the challenge of recreating an anisotropic bone-like extracellular matrix (ECM). Mechanical loading and curvature are potential contributors to ECM structure formation. In this study, guided by computational simulations, the effect of fluid flow stimulation on cell and tissue growth and organization was evaluated in a concave channel. The results suggest that fluid flow can stimulate tissue growth, but not anisotropy of ECM.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sana Ansari, Keita Ito, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: In tissue engineering, the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) as a culture medium has several drawbacks, including ethical concerns, safety issues, and variability in composition. To overcome these disadvantages, a chemically defined serum substitute medium was developed for bone tissue engineering (BTE). The developed medium showed similar performance to FBS-containing medium in terms of cell attachment, survival, differentiation, and extracellular matrix deposition. The use of shear stress in conjunction with the serum substitute medium was found to be essential for improving extracellular matrix formation in BTE studies.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stefan J. A. Remmers, Freek C. van der Heijden, Keita Ito, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: This study investigated the effects of cell density and nutrient concentration on the in vitro generation of functional osteoclasts, as well as the role of commonly used markers in osteoclast cultures. The results showed that cell density and nutrient concentration had a significant impact on the functional osteoclast formation, and I beta 3 and TRAP staining were reliable markers. However, supernatant TRAP measurements could not accurately predict osteoclastic resorptive activity.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stefan J. A. Remmers, Freek C. van der Heijden, Bregje W. M. de Wildt, Keita Ito, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: The aim of the study was to improve an in vitro 3D osteoblast-osteoclast co-culture model of bone by tuning it towards states of formation, resorption, and equilibrium. This was achieved by varying culture medium composition and monocyte seeding density, and the model showed potential applications in fundamental research, drug development and personalized medicine.
Correction
Engineering, Biomedical
Jianhua Zhang, Esther Wehrle, Jolanda R. Vetsch, Graeme R. Paul, Marina Rubert, Ralph Mueller
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
M. A. M. Vis, F. Zhao, E. S. R. Bodelier, C. M. Bood, J. Bulsink, M. van Doeselaar, H. Eslami Amirabadi, K. Ito, S. Hofmann
Summary: Healthy bone is maintained through the process of bone remodeling, which can be disrupted and lead to conditions like osteoporosis. Animal models are often used, but have limitations in predicting human clinical trial results. Human in vitro models are emerging as alternatives, and this study presents a scaffold-free, fully human, 3D microfluidic coculture model of bone remodeling. This model allows for the formation of bone-like tissues and the study of fluid flow-induced forces. With on-chip cell culture capabilities and long-term viability, this coculture model is an important advancement for drug testing.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Bregje W. M. de Wildt, Lizzy A. B. Cuypers, Esther E. A. Cramer, Annelieke S. Wentzel, Keita Ito, Sandra Hofmann
Summary: In vitro bone remodeling models using osteoclast-osteoblast cocultures can be used to study human bone remodeling and reduce the need for animal experiments. However, the optimal culture conditions for supporting both cell types are still unknown. This study evaluated the impact of culture variables on bone turnover outcomes using a human bone remodeling model. The results provide insights into the translation between in vitro and in vivo studies for better drug development.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sebastian Zanner, Elliott Goff, Samuel Ghatan, Eva Maria Woelfel, Charlotte Ejersted, Gisela Kuhn, Ralph Mueller, Morten Frost
Summary: Clinical studies have shown that microvascular disease (MVD) can affect bone microstructure and decrease bone strength in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). This study collected bone biopsies from T2D patients and found that MVD may alter the morphometric parameters of osteocyte lacunae. Additionally, the study revealed that trabecular bone lacunar density was associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), independent of MVD.