Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Brandon Vorrius, Zhen Qiao, Jonathan Ge, Qian Chen
Summary: The musculoskeletal system is composed of specialized connective tissues that provide protection, structure, and mobility to the body. However, diseases of the musculoskeletal system are increasing in burden, resulting in pain, disability, and a decrease in quality of life. Regenerative drug therapies for musculoskeletal disorders are in demand, but effective drug delivery poses challenges.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Mine Altunbek, Ferdows Afghah, Ozum Sehnaz Caliskan, James J. Yoo, Bahattin Koc
Summary: Tissue interfaces are formed by transitioning of biochemical and mechanical properties in micro-scale, allowing communication and functioning of adjacent tissues. Conventional tissue engineering methods struggle to restore the function of these complex structures, but 3D bioprinting technology provides a precise approach to mimic natural tissue interfaces. This paper reviews and highlights the design of various tissue interfaces using 3D bioprinting, including cartilage-bone, muscle-tendon, tendon/ligament-bone, skin, and neuro-vascular/muscular interfaces. Future directions and translational challenges are also discussed.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beatrix Dienes, Tamas Bazso, Laszlo Szabo, Laszlo Csernoch
Summary: Since the discovery of Piezo1 channels, studies have investigated their role in various physiological and pathological processes in different organs. However, our understanding of their effects on the musculoskeletal system is still limited. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding their impact on skeletal muscles, bones, joints and cartilage, tendons and ligaments, and intervertebral discs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Xu Zhang, Dan Wang, King-Lun Kingston Mak, Rocky S. Tuan, Dai Fei Elmer Ker
Summary: This article discusses the integrated role of bone, tendon, and skeletal muscle in the musculoskeletal system and their importance in movement. It elaborates on the interplay and impact of these components in development, integration, injury healing, and disease conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Marco Fosca, Valentina Basoli, Elena Della Bella, Fabrizio Russo, Gianluca Vadala, Mauro Alini, Julietta V. Rau, Sophie Verrier
Summary: Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a powerful noninvasive tool that provides access to molecular vibrations and characteristics of biological samples in a nondestructive way. It has the potential to be used for clinical diagnostics and quality control of tissues and tissue-engineered constructs, streamlining the quality control chain before implantation by reducing the number of samples, time, and analysis variety.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Calvin L. Jones, Brian T. Penney, Sophia K. Theodossiou
Summary: The extracellular microenvironment, specifically the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a critical role in musculoskeletal development and disease. Tissue engineered approaches using ECM-material scaffolds have great potential in regenerating musculoskeletal tissues. These materials are biocompatible and can be tailored to have desirable mechanical and biochemical properties for supporting cell differentiation and halting disease progression.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jonathon Blank, Matthew Blomquist, Lesley Arant, Stephanie Cone, Joshua Roth
Summary: This systematic review focuses on the methods used to excite and measure shear wave propagation in musculoskeletal tissues. The review identifies various techniques, including acoustic pushes, mechanical taps, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, accelerometers, and laser Doppler vibrometers. Each method has its advantages and can be used to determine material behavior in different applications.
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Margo Tuerlings, Ilja Boone, Hossein Eslami Amirabadi, Michelle Vis, Eka Suchiman, Enrike van der Linden, Sandra Hofmann, Rob Nelissen, Jaap Toonder, Yolande Ramos, Ingrid Meulenbelt
Summary: A new human in vitro osteoarthritis (OA) model has been developed to simulate the disease process and study the susceptibility genes and novel therapies. The model uses a microfluidic chip with integrated fibrous polycaprolactone matrix to generate both neo-bone and cartilage tissue units, and allows control of environmental cues for evaluating their response to OA-related perturbations. This model shows promise for improved translation from OA risk genes to novel OA therapies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hamidreza Tolabi, Niyousha Davari, Mehran Khajehmohammadi, Haniyeh Malektaj, Katayoun Nazemi, Samaneh Vahedi, Behafarid Ghalandari, Rui L. Reis, Farnaz Ghorbani, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira
Summary: Cartilage degeneration is a major cause of disability and pain worldwide, but current treatments have limited success in the long term. The convergence of tissue engineering and microfabrication principles offers advanced microfluidic technologies as alternatives. This review summarizes the developments in microfluidic hydrogel-based scaffolds for cartilage regeneration and discusses the advantages over traditional hydrogels. It also presents the technologies for fabricating microfluidic scaffolds and chips, and highlights the preclinical and clinical applications and challenges in developing microfluidic systems for cartilage repair.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ibrahim Halilullah Erbay, Elifsu Polatli, Ali Can Koc, Resul Ozbilgic, Ozan Karaman, Sinan Guven
Summary: This study presents a functional 3D bone co-culture model using a highly porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffold seeded with primary osteoblast and osteoclast precursors. The cultured construct demonstrates the presence of bone deposition and resorption processes, and when implanted in mice, it exhibits a dense extracellular matrix (ECM). This model has implications for understanding complex cellular cross-talks occurring in the bone remodeling process.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu Sun, Heike Helmholz, Regine Willumeit-Roemer
Summary: In this study, a novel multicolor staining protocol was introduced for the visualization of multiple tissue components in bone samples. The staining method, which involved optimized reagents and procedures, allowed the simultaneous identification of high-mineralized bone, low-mineralized fracture callus, cartilage, and skeletal muscle fibers. The efficacy of the staining method was further validated through immunohistochemical staining and micro-CT analysis. The results demonstrated that the multicolor staining provided quality outcomes with fewer reagents and simplified procedures, making it a valuable tool for future preclinical research involving decalcified paraffin-embedded samples.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Bing Ye, Bin Wu, Yanlin Su, Tingfang Sun, Xiaodong Guo
Summary: The musculoskeletal system is crucial for the physical structure and movement of the mammalian body. Musculoskeletal disorders have a significant impact on mobility and quality of life, resulting in a societal burden. Musculoskeletal tissue engineering, using natural and synthetic polymers, shows promise as an alternative approach for treating large musculoskeletal defects. This review summarizes the progress of polymer-based scaffolds in musculoskeletal tissue engineering applications and discusses future challenges and perspectives briefly.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Juan M. Fernandez-Costa, Maria A. Ortega, Julia Rodriguez-Comas, Gerardo Lopez-Munoz, Jose Yeste, Lluis Mangas-Florencio, Miriam Fernandez-Gonzalez, Eduard Martin-Lasierra, Ainoa Tejedera-Villafranca, Javier Ramon-Azcon
Summary: Organ-on-a-chip devices offer innovative approaches for disease modeling and drug discovery by providing biomimetic models of tissues and organs combined with biosensors. In this study, a biomimetic multi-OOC integrated platform was created to study the impact of exercise on insulin secretion, using optical biosensing technology to monitor relevant indicators in real-time.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Review
Orthopedics
Wenli Dai, Xi Leng, Jian Wang, Jin Cheng, Xiaoqing Hu, Yingfang Ao
Summary: The quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft shows comparable graft survival, clinical function, and pain outcomes to bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and hamstring tendon (HT) autografts in ACL reconstruction. However, donor site morbidity is significantly higher with the QT autograft compared to BPTB and HT autografts.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Tingyun Lei, Tao Zhang, Wei Ju, Xiao Chen, Boon Chin Heng, Weiliang Shen, Zi Yin
Summary: This review discusses the challenges and strategies for tendon/ligament-to-bone healing, including biomimetic materials, growth factors, and stem cells. The importance of structure-function relationship, growth factor concentration, and stem cell application in the healing process is highlighted. Unmet needs and emerging strategies in tendon/ligament-to-bone regeneration are also discussed.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)