Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jana Sievers, Vaibhav Mahajan, Petra B. Welzel, Carsten Werner, Anna Taubenberger
Summary: Cancer progression involves remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, particularly changes in mechanical characteristics. Bioengineered polymer hydrogels can be used to explore how these mechanical changes impact cancer cell behavior. This article reviews studies using hydrogel-based models to investigate the effects of different mechanical cues on cancer cells and highlights advanced strategies for recreating the tumor microenvironment's architectural and mechanical features. It is anticipated that these precision hydrogel systems will enhance our understanding of cancer mechanobiology.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuechen Shi, Paul A. A. Janmey
Summary: The rigidity of a cell's substrate or extracellular matrix is crucial for regulating cell and tissue functions, and polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels are commonly used cell culture substrates that provide physiologically relevant stiffness. However, preparing PAAm substrates in large batches for high-yield or multiscale cell cultures is currently difficult and time-consuming. This communication presents a simple method to prepare mechanically uniform PAAm hydrogels with reduced time cost and easily accessible materials. The hydrogel supports cell culture in large batches and covers a wide range of stiffness, controlling various cell features. This method enhances the reproducibility of mechanobiology studies and can be easily applied to research requiring large numbers of cells or experimental groups.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Dennis J. Yuan, Lingting Shi, Lance C. Kam
Summary: This study revealed a biphasic functional response of primary human T cells to substrate stiffness, which can be influenced by activating antibody density and cellular contractility. T cell morphology was also shown to be modulated by stiffness, while RNA-seq analysis indicated differing trends in upregulated genes and pathways at both ends of the stiffness spectrum.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lingzhu Zhao, Guoqing Zhao, Jinteng Feng, Zheng Zhang, Jiayu Zhang, Hui Guo, Min Lin
Summary: T cell immune responses play a crucial role in both physiological and pathological processes. Mechanosensitive receptors in the microenvironment are found to regulate various T cell immune responses, including activation, cytokine production, metabolism, proliferation, and migration, in addition to biochemical cues. These mechanical cues are converted into biochemical signals by force-sensitive receptors in the immune synapse, a phenomenon widely accepted in the emerging field of immunomechanobiology. This review provides insights into immunomechanobiology, specifically focusing on the binding and triggering of mechanosensitive receptors and resulting T cell immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Chirag Sachar, Lance C. Kam
Summary: This study introduces a method to change the structural rigidity of microscale elastomer pillars using magnetic fields, showing that an increase in pillar spring constant alters the morphology of T cells and IL-2 secretion. This approach separates local substrate stiffness from long-range structural rigidity, revealing new insights into T cell interaction with their environment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Audrey Moatti, Anais Debesset, Caroline Pilon, Asma Beldi-Ferchiou, Mathieu Leclerc, Rabah Redjoul, Frederic Charlotte, Nhu Hanh To, Adeline Bak, Yazid Belkacemi, Benoit Laurent Salomon, Fadi Issa, David Michonneau, Sebastien Maury, Jose Laurent Cohen, Allan Thiolat
Summary: This study reveals the potential of targeting TNFR2 to enhance anti-tumor responses and treat relapse of blood malignancies. The researchers also found that TNFR2 is over-expressed in Tregs from healthy donors and patients with leukemia relapse or GVHD. These findings provide new perspectives for the development of immunotherapies.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Nobuhiko Imahashi, Rafet Basar, Yuefan Huang, Fang Wang, Natalia Baran, Pinaki Prosad Banerjee, Junjun Lu, Ana Karen Nunez Cortes, Nadima Uprety, Emily Ensley, Luis Muniz-Feliciano, Tamara J. Laskowski, Judy S. Moyes, May Daher, Mayela Mendt, Lucila N. Kerbauy, Mayra Shanley, Li Li, Francesca Lorraine Wei Inng Lim, Hila Shaim, Ye Li, Marina Konopleva, Michael Green, Jennifer Wargo, Elizabeth J. Shpall, Ken Chen, Katayoun Rezvani
Summary: This study shows that activated B cells suppress T-cell responses through metabolic competition, including increased oxygen consumption and glucose deprivation. These findings provide new insights into immunometabolism and its potential implications for cancer immunotherapy.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Zhang, Chaoliang He, Xuesi Chen
Summary: The immune system plays a crucial role not only in defense against pathogens and cancer cells, but also in maintaining homeostasis and tissue regeneration. Hydrogels have emerged as promising platforms for localized delivery of immunomodulatory agents and cells, as well as creating an immunomodulatory microenvironment. This review focuses on the design considerations and applications of hydrogel platforms for immunomodulation in cancer therapy and tissue regeneration.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rimsha Bhatta, Joonsu Han, Yusheng Liu, Yang Bo, Hua Wang
Summary: Adoptive T cell therapy has great potential for treating cancer and other diseases. However, strategies for maintaining the proliferation and function of T cells post adoptive transfer are lacking. This study introduces an injectable T cell-responsive macroporous hydrogel that enables in situ activation and expansion of T cells, leading to enhanced CD8(+) T cell response and antitumor efficacy. The gel provides a platform for in vivo expansion of engineered T cells in a controlled manner, for timely and effective treatment of diseases.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alexander S. Zhovmer, Morgan Chandler, Alexis Manning, Kirill A. Afonin, Erdem D. Tabdanov
Summary: In this research, a nucleic acid nanoassembly (NAN)-based technology was developed for functionalization of hydrogels to efficiently capture human T lymphocytes and activate TCR. The platform allows for regulation of 3D force momentum and 2D shear modulus, providing new tools to address the mechanical stimulation issue during the initial phase of immune surveillance.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yan Luo, Barath Shreeder, James W. Jenkins, Huashan Shi, Purushottam Lamichhane, Kexun Zhou, Deborah A. Bahr, Sophia Kurian, Katherine A. Jones, Joshua Daum, Navnita Dutta, Brian M. Necela, Martin J. Cannon, Matthew S. Block, Keith L. Knutson
Summary: This study found that Th17-DC vaccines can increase the number of Th17 T cells in the tumor microenvironment, reshape the myeloid microenvironment, and improve mouse survival. The efficacy of Th17-DC vaccines in OC is mediated by CD4 T cells.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Biology
Honghan Li, Daiki Matsunaga, Tsubasa S. Matsui, Hiroki Aosaki, Genki Kinoshita, Koki Inoue, Amin Doostmohammadi, Shinji Deguchi
Summary: In this study, a machine learning approach called wrinkle force microscopy (WFM) was proposed to extract cellular force distributions from microscope images. The method can predict cellular forces by observing the microscope images, providing a simple and efficient tool for evaluating cellular forces. Moreover, this machine learning based approach has the potential to be applied to various cellular assays for studying mechanobiology of cells.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Antonio Sorrentino, Ayse Nur Menevse, Tillmann Michels, Valentina Volpin, Franziska Christine Durst, Julian Sax, Maria Xydia, Abir Hussein, Slava Stamova, Steffen Spoerl, Nicole Heuschneider, Jasmin Muehlbauer, Katharina Marlene Jeltsch, Anchana Rathinasamy, Melanie Werner-Klein, Marco Breinig, Damian Mikietyn, Christian Kohler, Isabel Poschke, Sabrina Purr, Olivia Reidell, Catarina Martins Freire, Rienk Offringa, Claudia Gebhard, Rainer Spang, Michael Rehli, Michael Boutros, Christian Schmidl, Nisit Khandelwal, Philipp Beckhove
Summary: This study reveals a molecular mechanism that protects tumor cells from cytotoxic T-cell attack and demonstrates the feasibility of pharmacological inhibition of this pathway.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Bingcheng Yi, Qi Xu, Wei Liu
Summary: Cell-matrix interactions and substrate stiffness play critical roles in tissue repair and regeneration. This review provides an overview of recent progress in understanding the cellular responses mediated by substrate stiffness and the manipulation of scaffold stiffness. It aims to facilitate interdisciplinary knowledge transfer and the design of suitable biomaterials for tissue regeneration.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Thomas R. Coughlin, Ali Sana, Kevin Voss, Abhilash Gadi, Upal Basu-Roy, Caroline M. Curtin, Alka Mansukhani, Oran D. Kennedy
Summary: Primary bone cancers like osteosarcoma are driven by bone cells with mutations, and their behavior can be influenced by mechanical stimuli in the tumor microenvironment. Fluid flow over the cells' surface was found to change the behavior of osteosarcoma cells, potentially reducing their harmful effects. Sensitivity of bone cells to mechanical changes suggests that modulation of fluid movement or stiffness levels within tumors could be a novel consideration in developing new treatments to prevent cancer progression.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mar Casajuana Ester, Richard M. Day
Summary: In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising biomarkers, cell-free therapeutic agents, and drug delivery carriers. However, the production of EVs remains a challenge. The use of three-dimensional (3D) culture methods, such as scaffolds and bioreactors, has been successful in increasing EV production and enhancing their therapeutic effects. 3D culture methods also provide opportunities to study the role of EVs in disease pathogenesis and improve drug delivery.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Panagiotis Trogadas, Linlin Xu, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is a promising approach to maintain a carbon cycle balance and produce value-added chemicals. However, conventional CO2RR electrocatalysts suffer from low activity, stability, and selectivity. Taking inspiration from nature, enzyme-inspired and enzyme-mimicking CO2RR electrocatalysts have been developed, enabling the production of C-1 products with high faradaic efficiency. To achieve disruptive change, a systematic design methodology that leverages fundamental mechanisms associated with desired properties in nature and adapts them to engineering applications is advocated.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shangwei Zhou, Linlin Xu, Panagiotis Trogadas, Lara Rasha, Wenjia Du, Paul R. Shearing, Marc-Olivier Coppens, Dan J. L. Brett, Rhodri Jervis
Summary: Intermittent switching between wet and dry reactant gases can improve performance stability in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) and alleviate the effects of flooding. Two relative humidity (RH) control strategies were investigated, and it was found that proper duration of the dry gas period can prevent fuel cell degradation. Current and temperature distribution mapping was used to analyze the dynamic response during the transitional stages. Intermittent switching between wet and dry reactant gases is an effective method to overcome mass transfer limitations.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Bryony Mccord, Richard M. Day
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of IL-1 beta and IFN gamma on TDP-43 and p62 aggregation in vitro. The results showed that combined treatment with IL-1 beta and IFN gamma increased the size of p62 aggregates. IL-1 beta increased p62 protein expression, while IFN gamma did not affect p62. IL-1 beta and IFN gamma may influence TDP-43 processing, but did not trigger sIBM-like TDP-43/p62 features.
MEDIATORS OF INFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kaiqiao Wu, Shuxian Jiang, Victor Francia, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: In rectangular and cylindrical annular fluidized beds, pulsating gas flow can create regular bubble patterns, overcoming challenges seen in conventional units. This study provides new opportunities for modularization of fluidized bed operations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bryony McCord, Richard M. Day
Summary: Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by invasion of CD8 T cells and aggregation of proteins in the muscle. TDP-43 and p62 are suggested markers for sIBM. This study found that cytotoxic immune cells may contribute to the TDP-43 localization shifts observed in sIBM, but do not induce aggregation of TDP-43 or p62.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuman Xu, Ke Zheng, Cristian-Renato Boruntea, Dang-guo Cheng, Fengqiu Chen, Guanghua Ye, Xinggui Zhou, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: This article discusses the surface barriers to mass transfer in nanoporous materials and highlights their significant impact on catalysis and separations. It summarizes the research methods for characterizing the existence and influence of surface barriers and emphasizes the need to consider all the elementary steps of mass transfer in designing new nanoporous and hierarchically structured adsorbents and catalysts.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Charlotte Desprez, Davide Danovi, Charles H. Knowles, Richard M. Day
Summary: Skeletal muscle-derived cells (SMDC) have the potential to replenish dysfunctional muscle. Current therapeutic methods rely on autologous cells harvested from muscle biopsies and expanded in vitro. Heterogeneity in SMDC can affect outcomes. This study developed a profiling tool to analyze SMDC derived from different donors and predict their therapeutic potential based on cell shape.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohammed D. Alsubei, Barry Reid, Saad A. Aljlil, Marc-Olivier Coppens, Luiza C. Campos
Summary: This study fabricated ceramic membranes using natural and cost-effective materials, including white clay, Arabic gum, and marble powder. The optimal recipes for two different substrates were determined and the membranes were analyzed and evaluated using various techniques. The results showed that the ceramic membranes were affordable and exhibited desirable properties for water treatment applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2024)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matthew H. W. Chin, Barry Reid, Veronika Lachina, Sophie E. Acton, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: This study explores the microstructure of cell scaffolds in the field of biomedical and tissue engineering, and designs complex cell scaffolds based on graph theory. An algorithmic toolset is created to generate and optimize the 3D printability of the networks. The results show that these scaffolds have small-world network properties and can support cell survival. This work opens up a bioinspired, graph theory-driven approach to control microscale cell niche networks.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Linlin Xu, Panagiotis Trogadas, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: This review summarizes recent advances in the nature-inspired design of electrocatalysts for CO2RR to C2+ products. By categorizing the inspiration sources, such as the coordination sphere of metalloenzymes, cascade reactions within enzymes, and the local environment, it highlights the importance of understanding the fundamental mechanisms and the differences between nature and technological application in the design process.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Shangwei Zhou, Lara Rasha, Linlin Xu, Wenjia Du, Paul. R. Shearing, Marc-Olivier Coppens, Dan J. L. Brett, Rhodri Jervis
Summary: This study investigated the impact of local heating on the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) and analyzed its effects on voltage by mapping the current density distribution. The results showed that local heating can improve the uniformity of current density distribution, with the outlet heating having the largest increase in current density and inlet heating exacerbating heterogeneity.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Matthew H. W. Chin, Julia Linke, Marc-Olivier Coppens
Summary: With the increase in life expectancy and health crises, the demand for medical materials is higher than ever. However, reliance on traditional fabrication and disposal methods, which are harmful to the environment and energy intensive, has also increased. Therefore, there is a need for technological adaptations to ensure a more sustainable future for medicine. Nature-inspired solutions, such as surface patterning, additive manufacturing, microfluidics, and synthetic biology, can be engineered into the lifecycle of medical materials at different stages, from raw materials to recycling.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
