Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ariel A. Szklanny, Majd Machour, Idan Redenski, Vaclav Chochola, Idit Goldfracht, Ben Kaplan, Mark Epshtein, Haneen Simaan Yameen, Uri Merdler, Adam Feinberg, Dror Seliktar, Netanel Korin, Josef Jaros, Shulamit Levenberg
Summary: Creating engineered hierarchical vasculatures is crucial for implantable functional thick tissues. This study introduces a combined approach using millimetric vessel-like scaffolds and 3D bioprinted vascularized tissues to achieve fully engineered hierarchical vascular constructs for implantation. The use of sacrificial molds, endothelial cells, and vascularizing hydrogels enables the formation of functional vessels within the engineered tissue, promoting tissue perfusion and host vasculature ingrowth.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Nikolas Di Caprio, Jason A. Burdick
Summary: Cellular spheroids are being explored as building blocks for tissue engineering and as tissue models. Biomaterials are being used to guide spheroid formation and function, and also facilitate the fabrication of tissue constructs. This review provides an overview of recent studies on the role of engineered biomaterials in supporting spheroids in biomedical applications.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shira Landau, Abigail Newman, Shlomit Edri, Inbal Michael, Shahar Ben-Shaul, Yulia Shandalov, Tom Ben-Arye, Pritinder Kaur, Ming H. Zheng, Shulamit Levenberg
Summary: Lymphatic system plays a critical role in various biological processes, yet lymphangiogenesis is less studied compared to angiogenesis. By culturing human lymphatic endothelial cells on thick collagen sheets with supporting cells and blood endothelial cells, a functional lymphatic vessel network was successfully developed in a short period of time. The model provides a potential platform for investigating lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic disease mechanisms.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengnan Cheng, Yuxuan Li, Chenggong Yu, Zongwu Deng, Jie Huang, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: In this study, a biomimetic 3D co-culture metastatic model was used to accurately simulate the behavior of native breast cancer cells and investigate the interactive effects of cancer, vascular, and bone cells. The model allowed for a better understanding of drug resistance in breast cancer cells.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mervesu Gokyurek, Sumeyra Guler, Seyda Gokyer, Nuray Yazihan, Melih Akinci, Mehmet Ali Gulcelik, Kerim Bora Yilmaz, Pinar Yilgor
Summary: The parathyroid glands regulate the calcium level in the blood and can be damaged during thyroid surgery. Tissue engineering, particularly 3D printing, offers a potential solution for regenerating or replacing malfunctioning parathyroid tissue. In this study, human primary parathyroid cells were successfully isolated and seeded onto 3D printed alginate scaffolds, resulting in the engineering of functional hormone-active parathyroid tissue in vitro.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ramona Hesselbarth, Tilman U. Esser, Kaveh Roshanbinfar, Stefan Schruefer, Dirk W. Schubert, Felix B. Engel
Summary: The integration of CHIR99021 in collagen I hydrogels promotes human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte proliferation, enhancing contractility and calcium flow in engineered cardiac microtissues.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hangbo Zhao, Yongdeok Kim, Heling Wang, Xin Ning, Chenkai Xu, Judy Suh, Mengdi Han, Gelson J. Pagan-Diaz, Wei Lu, Haibo Li, Wubin Bai, Onur Aydin, Yoonseok Park, Jiaojiao Wang, Yao Yao, Yishan He, M. Taher A. Saif, Yonggang Huang, Rashid Bashir, John A. Rogers
Summary: Tissue-on-chip systems offer a promising way to monitor and control tissue functions in biomedical research, with the potential to create important possibilities in advanced sensing and control. This study introduces compliant 3D frameworks with microscale strain sensors for high-sensitivity measurements of contractile forces of engineered muscle tissue rings, demonstrating the utility of such platforms in sensing and modulation of muscle and other tissues. The development of 3D electronic scaffolds tailored to realistic 3D tissues opens up possibilities for applications ranging from drug screening to biohybrid robotic engineering.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas Rogozinski, Apuleyo Yanez, Rahulkumar Bhoi, Moo-Yeal Lee, Huaxiao Yang
Summary: 3D cardiac engineered constructs not only advance cardiac regenerative medicine but also enable more accurate modeling of healthy and diseased cardiac tissues. This review highlights the relationship between different cell types and advanced fabrication methods, shedding light on various pathologies and providing therapeutic potential for damaged myocardium. The future direction is focused on creating specialized and personalized constructs with region-specific microtopography and function.
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Sumit Murab, Aastha Gupta, Malgorzata Katarzyna Wlodarczyk-Biegun, Anuj Kumar, Patrick van Rijn, Patrick Whitlock, Sung Soo Han, Garima Agrawal
Summary: This review highlights the importance of alginate-based hydrogel inks for fabricating 3D printed scaffolds for bone and cartilage regeneration. The fundamentals of direct extrusion 3D bioprinting method are discussed, and a comprehensive overview of various alginate-based hydrogel ink formulations that have been used so far is provided. The requirements of hydrogel inks and 3D printed scaffolds to achieve similarity to the native tissue environment are summarized.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Francisca M. Acosta, Kennedy K. Howland, Katerina Stojkova, Elizabeth Hernandez, Eric M. Brey, Christopher R. Rathbone
Summary: Developing a vascularized tissue-engineered skeletal muscle model with adipocytes in vitro has shown potential for improving drug screening platforms and enhancing therapeutic approaches for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries. This model provides insights into the structural and metabolic changes induced by adipocytes in skeletal muscle, particularly in diseases like diabetes.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ying Chen, Ying Wang, Sheng-Chang Luo, Xiang Zheng, Ranjith Kumar Kankala, Shi-Bin Wang, Ai-Zheng Chen
Summary: Body articulation units, also known as body joints, are important for body flexibility in the musculoskeletal system. However, they are prone to various pathological conditions such as arthritis. Existing treatment modalities based on anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs have limitations in terms of cost and recovery. Engineering strategies, such as fabricating body articulation unit models for tissue regeneration and drug development, have emerged as promising solutions. Challenges and difficulties still exist in the clinical application of these models.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ruopiao Ni, Chao Luo, Hai Ci, Di Sun, Ran An, Zhenxing Wang, Jie Yang, Yiqing Li, Jiaming Sun
Summary: This study presents a hydrogel-based micro-tissue engineering technique to construct vascularized tissue-engineered breast grafts. By assembling adipose micro-tissues and vessel micro-tissues, a 3D printed breast-like scaffolds were implanted, resulting in significant adipose tissue regeneration and neo-vessel formation. The research expands the application of micro-tissue engineering and holds promise for creating heterogeneous tissue constructs in the future.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kenneth J. Furdella, Shinichi Higuchi, Ali Behrangzade, Kang Kim, William R. Wagner, Jonathan P. Vande Geest
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of compliance matching in tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) for improved acute remodeling. Compliance matched grafts showed better performance in vivo compared to hypocompliant grafts, resulting in reduced inflammation and improved cellular infiltration. The use of computational optimization approaches in designing TEVGs enhances their mechanical properties and overall success in coronary artery bypass surgery.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lior Debbi, Barak Zohar, Margarita Shuhmaher, Yulia Shandalov, Idit Goldfracht, Shulamit Levenberg
Summary: By combining living cells, biological hydrogel, and biodegradable synthetic polymer, a multi-scale vascular network within thick, implantable engineered tissues was successfully fabricated in this study. The functionality and patency of the multi-scale vascular network were demonstrated by dextran passage and physiological flow conditions, leading to significant improvements in blood perfusion compared to control micro-scale-vascularized grafts. This innovative approach of designing and fabricating multi-scale vascular architectures within 3D engineered tissues shows promise for both in vitro models and therapeutic translation research.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Majd Machour, Ariel A. Szklanny, Shulamit Levenberg
Summary: 3D bioprinting is a promising technology for creating artificial vascular networks by adding printable biomaterials and cells layer by layer. In this study, a combined 3D bioprinting and sacrificial mold-based 3D printing approach was used to fabricate engineered vascularized tissue flaps. The method involves printing endothelial and support cells using a special bioink and then assembling them around a mesoscale vessel-like scaffold. This approach enables the establishment of a hierarchical vascular network within the engineered tissue flap.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Orit Katarina Sirka, Eliah R. Shamir, Andrew J. Ewald
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Oncology
Dan Georgess, Veena Padmanaban, Orit Katarina Sirka, Kester Coutinho, Alex Choi, Gabriela Frid, Neil M. Neumann, Takanari Inoue, Andrew J. Ewald
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Veena Padmanaban, Eloise M. Grasset, Neil M. Neumann, Andrew K. Fraser, Elodie Henriet, William Matsui, Phuoc T. Tran, Kevin J. Cheung, Dan Georgess, Andrew J. Ewald
Article
Oncology
Christopher J. Hanley, Elodie Henriet, Orit Katarina Sirka, Gareth J. Thomas, Andrew J. Ewald
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH
(2020)
Review
Oncology
Laura D. Wood, Andrew J. Ewald
Summary: The use of three-dimensional culture models, especially organoids, has greatly expanded in cancer research, providing valuable tools for studying cellular strategies and molecular mechanisms driving cancer initiation and progression. Organoids can be used for short-term acute cultures or long-term studies, and offer advantages in addressing specific research questions in cancer biology.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helen R. Clark, Connor McKenney, Nathan M. Livingston, Ariel Gershman, Seema Sajjan, Isaac S. Chan, Andrew J. Ewald, Winston Timp, Bin Wu, Abhyudai Singh, Sergi Regot
Summary: Epithelial tissues respond to microbial patterns in a digital manner, activating a subset of cells through regulation of a bimodal epigenetic switch. Epigenetic licensing in individual cells allows for long-term, quantitative fine-tuning of population-level responses. Fine tuning the immune response according to the threat level is crucial for distinguishing between pathogens and commensal bacteria.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Akshay Narkar, Blake A. Johnson, Pandurang Bharne, Jin Zhu, Veena Padmanaban, Debojyoti Biswas, Andrew Fraser, Pablo A. Iglesias, Andrew J. Ewald, Rong Li
Summary: Studies suggest that p53 may not serve as a universal surveillance factor restricting the proliferation of aneuploid cells, but instead play a role in ensuring faithful chromosome transmission likely by preventing polyploidization and influencing spindle mechanics, both directly or indirectly.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chia-Yi Su, Alice Burchett, Matthew Dunworth, Jong Seob Choi, Andrew J. Ewald, Eun Hyun Ahn, Deok-Ho Kim
Summary: A new 3D tumor model has been developed to recapitulate the response of tumors to different ECM structures and simulate tumor invasion through guided fiber alignment. This model provides a new tool for studying collective tumor invasion and holds potential for discovering therapeutic agents targeted against cancer invasion.
Article
Cell Biology
Stephanie Torrino, Eloise M. Grasset, Stephane Audebert, Ilyes Belhadj, Caroline Lacoux, Meagan Haynes, Sabrina Pisano, Sophie Abelanet, Frederic Brau, Stephen Y. Chan, Bernard Mari, William M. Oldham, Andrew J. Ewald, Thomas Bertero
Summary: In this study, it was found that breast cancer cells respond to mechanical signals by rewiring glutamine metabolism to promote microtubule glutamylation and enhance microtubule stability, thereby promoting cell invasion. Inhibition of glutamine metabolism affects microtubule stability, while reducing microtubule glutamylation weakens cancer aggressiveness.
Article
Oncology
Hetakshi Kurani, Seyedeh Fatemeh Razavipour, Kuzhuvelil B. Harikumar, Matthew Dunworth, Andrew J. Ewald, Apsra Nasir, Gray Pearson, Derek Van Booven, Zhiqun Zhou, Diana Azzam, Claes Wahlestedt, Joyce Slingerland
Summary: This study identified DOT1L as a key regulator of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Inhibition of DOT1L suppressed the growth and metastasis of TNBC CSCs, suggesting that DOT1L inhibitors may be a potential therapeutic option for targeting stem cell-enriched TNBC.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Hillary Stires, Igor Bado, Thelma Brown, Martha Carlson, Isaac S. Chan, Gloria V. Echeverria, Andrew J. Ewald, Bora Lim, Carla Lloyd, Julia Maues, Steffi Oesterreich, Robert N. Riter, Kelly Shanahan, Alana L. Welm, Josh Newby
Summary: Incorporating patient advocates into basic cancer research can enhance research intentionality, effective communication, and direct connections between researchers and those they aim to help. However, many cancer research scientists do not collaborate with patient advocates. Through hosting workshops and discussing findings at an international conference, we identified barriers and provided actionable steps to support researchers in working with patient advocates to improve cancer research and achieve our collective goal.
Article
Cell Biology
Neil M. Neumann, Daniel M. Kim, Robert J. Huebner, Andrew J. Ewald
Summary: In this study, the process of bifurcation of mammary epithelium was investigated. The researchers observed changes in cell migration speed and the role of TGF-0 signaling in this process, revealing the mechanism behind mammary epithelial bifurcation.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elodie Henriet, Hildur Knutsdottir, Eloise M. M. Grasset, Matthew Dunworth, Meagan Haynes, Joel S. S. Bader, Andrew J. J. Ewald
Summary: Inter-patient and intra-tumoral heterogeneity makes it difficult to identify predictive biomarkers and effective treatments for basal triple negative breast cancer (b-TNBC). In this study, we cultured organoids from a b-TNBC mouse model and characterized their invasive behavior. By isolating individual organoids from collagen gels based on invasive morphology and performing RNA sequencing, we identified KRAS and ERK as essential regulators of collective and single cell dissemination. Inhibition of EGFR, MAPK/ERK, or PI3K/AKT signaling was found to reduce invasion.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Isaac S. Chan, Andrew J. Ewald
Summary: NK cells play a critical role in the body's defense against tumors and metastasis. Recent research has examined the interaction between metastatic cancer cells and NK cells. The unique biology of cancer cells at each stage of metastasis alters the fundamental biology of NK cells, including the ability of cancer cells to evade immune surveillance and manipulate NK cells to promote metastasis. This knowledge has potential translational applications in medicine.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)