Review
Oncology
Muhammad R. Haque, Trevor H. Rempert, Taslim A. Al-Hilal, Chengyao Wang, Abhinav Bhushan, Faraz Bishehsari
Summary: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a low survival rate and current chemotherapeutics often fail due to high molecular heterogeneity and rich fibro-inflammatory components in the tumor microenvironment. This highlights the need for ex vivo modeling to discover effective drug regimens targeting TME components for individualized treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anna Kobuszewska, Dominik Kolodziejek, Michal Wojasinski, Tomasz Ciach, Zbigniew Brzozka, Elzbieta Jastrzebska
Summary: Stem cells were shown to increase the metabolic activity of cardiac cells in a microfluidic system, when maintained with FCCP as a mitochondrial dysfunction mimic. The study utilized bioluminescence assay to evaluate the metabolic activity of cells.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jennifer Kieda, Amid Shakeri, Shira Landau, Erika Yan Wang, Yimu Zhao, Benjamin Fook Lai, Sargol Okhovatian, Ying Wang, Richard Jiang, Milica Radisic
Summary: Recent advances in cardiac tissue engineering and hearts-on-a-chip have been made possible through the development of new biomaterials and innovative fabrication techniques. These allow for precise control of the mechanical, electrical, and structural properties of simulated cardiac tissues. Notably, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac patches have achieved significant progress and entered human testing. Heart-on-a-chip platforms are now widely used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. However, both fields face common challenges related to tissue fabrication, cellular fidelity, tissue maturation, and cryopreservation protocols.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tatyana Isayeva Waldrop, Caleb Graham, William Gard, Kevin Ingle, Travis Ptacek, Nguyen Nguyen, Bailey Lose, Palaniappan Sethu, Timmy Lee
Summary: Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death in dialysis patients. Researchers have developed a three-dimensional cardiac tissue chip that can mimic the hemodynamic changes associated with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. By subjecting the tissue constructs to volume overload conditions, they observed fibrosis and gene expression changes similar to those seen in AVF mice.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Min Kyeong Kim, Kyurim Paek, Sang-Mi Woo, Jeong Ah Kim
Summary: With the increasing importance of preclinical evaluation of drugs or treatments, in vitro organ or disease models are necessary. However, bone-on-a-chip (BOC) systems that mimic the bone microenvironment are less developed. The development of biomimetic BOCs can be important for studying orthopedic diseases and predicting drug responses. In this article, recently engineered BOCs using microfluidic technologies are reviewed, along with various biomimetic strategies for biomedical applications. The limitations and challenges of current BOCs are also addressed.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna Contato, Onelia Gagliano, Michael Magnussen, Monica Giomo, Nicola Elvassore
Summary: In this study, a new method for cardiac differentiation-on-a-chip was developed by combining stage-specific regulation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling with forced expression of transcription factors. The results showed that this optimized protocol led to a robust and reproducible approach to obtain a cost-effective hiPSC-derived heart-on-chip model, enabling high-throughput experiments on functional cardiomyocytes.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Feng Zhang, Hongyi Cheng, Kaiyun Qu, Xuetian Qian, Yongping Lin, Yike Zhang, Sichong Qian, Ningping Huang, Chang Cui, Minglong Chen
Summary: Heart-on-chip is a potential tool for cardiac tissue engineering that mimics key physiological cues in cardiac pathophysiology. This study presents a novel heart-on-chip platform with soft conductive hydrogel pillar electrodes, which allows for controlled electrical stimulation and direct functional readouts. The platform successfully improves the functional performance of cardiac tissues by altering tissue structure dynamics and contractile development, and accurately measures contractile forces through optical tracking of hydrogel pillar displacement. The conductive properties of the hydrogel pillars enable non-invasive electrophysiology studies, enabling real-time monitoring of signal changes and drug administration to the cardiac tissues.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sara Deir, Yasaman Mozhdehbakhsh Mofrad, Shohreh Mashayekhan, Amir Shamloo, Amirreza Mansoori-Kermani
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases can be caused by genetic factors, environmental conditions, and medication-related issues. The cardiotoxicity of drugs needs to be thoroughly examined before they are released to the market. Heart-on-chip (HOC) systems have been developed as a more efficient and cost-effective solution for disease modeling and drug testing. These systems need to replicate the biology, physiology, and pathology of human heart tissue in order to be considered reliable. Recent advancements in HOC technology have allowed for the development of user-friendly platforms that can induce and record electro-physiological stimuli.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Changhao Hou, Yubo Gu, Wei Yuan, Wukai Zhang, Xianjie Xiu, Jiahao Lin, Yue Gao, Peichuan Liu, Xiang Chen, Lujie Song
Summary: The urinary system has a unique mechanical and fluid microenvironment that is crucial for its growth and development. Microfluidic models based on tissue engineering technology can accurately simulate the urinary microenvironment, but there are still challenges in achieving controllable conditions similar to physiological conditions.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sadegh Seidi, Aziz Eftekhari, Ameer Khusro, Reza Shiri Heris, Muhammad Umar Khayam Sahibzada, Mario Gajdacs
Summary: Organ-on-a-chip biosystems are microfluidic devices that mimic the functions of different organs and create physiological models. They have diverse applications in the field of biomedicine and are crucial for disease modeling and drug development.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2022)
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
L. Banh, K. K. Cheung, M. W. Y. Chan, E. W. K. Young, S. Viswanathan
Summary: Joint-on-a-chip models are powerful tools for osteoarthritis research, recapitulating the multifaceted joint tissue microenvironment. This article reviews recent advancements in human Joint-on-a-chip technology and identifies gaps for future development, including mechanical stimulation systems, multi-joint tissue cultures, and incorporation of immune cells to capture aspects of osteoarthritis inflammation.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Xingxing Liu, Qiuping Su, Xiaoyu Zhang, Wenjian Yang, Junhua Ning, Kangle Jia, Jinlan Xin, Huanling Li, Longfei Yu, Yuheng Liao, Diming Zhang
Summary: Cancer, as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, presents challenges in understanding its nature and developing effective therapeutics due to its unclear molecular mechanism and complex tumor microenvironment. The organ-on-chip (OoC) platform, integrating 3D cell culture, tissue engineering, and microfluidics, emerges as a new method to simulate the complex tumor microenvironment and has significant implications for personalized treatment and drug development.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joao Ferreira Gil, Carla Sofia Moura, Vania Silverio, Gil Goncalves, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with millions of lives lost every year. However, the understanding of physiological and biomechanical processes underlying tumors remains limited, hindering the development of effective therapies. 3D tumor-on-a-chip (ToC) models have the potential to address these challenges by integrating various technologies and enabling reliable studies in fundamental oncology and pharmacology. This review focuses on the ability of ToC models to reproduce the tumor microenvironment, discusses the advantages and drawbacks of existing models and architectures, and explores the current materials and micro/nanofabrication techniques used to manufacture reliable and reproducible microfluidic ToC models.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Adrian Lopez-Canosa, Soledad Perez-Amodio, Eduardo Yanac-Huertas, Jesus Ordono, Romen Rodriguez-Trujillo, Josep Samitier, Oscar Castano, Elisabeth Engel
Summary: The creation of cardiac tissue models for preclinical testing remains a challenge due to the limitations in replicating the complexity of cardiac tissue in vitro. In this study, a microfluidic platform was developed to provide signaling cues to immature cardiac cells, guiding them towards an adult phenotype. The platform demonstrated control over the anisotropy of cardiac tissue and induced the upregulation of key genes through electrical stimulation, validating its potential as a powerful tool for tissue engineering.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoqi Wu, Weihong Guo, Ling Wang, Yichao Xu, Zihan Wang, Yang Yang, Liu Yu, Junfei Huang, Yanbin Li, Hongwu Zhang, Yaobin Wu, Guoxin Li, Wenhua Huang
Summary: An injectable asymmetric-adhesive hydrogel has been developed using photocurable catechol-grafted hyaluronic acid (HAD) to prevent the development of postoperative adhesions during minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hydrogel exhibits superior tissue retention properties and inhibits adhesion formation by acting as a physical barrier and polyanion trap. It also downregulates fibrosis-related and proinflammatory cytokines expression and promotes macrophage polarization.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Peier Chen, Xiaodong Ning, Weirun Li, Yuxuan Pan, Ling Wang, Hekai Li, Xianglin Fan, Jiexin Zhang, Tiantian Luo, Yaobin Wu, Caiwen Ou, Minsheng Chen
Summary: This study developed artificial stem cells that can continuously release T beta 4-exosomes, which greatly promote coronary collateralization and provide a feasible and alternative method for clinical revascularization after myocardial infarction. The artificial stem cells showed a better therapeutic effect than direct injection of exosomes. The mechanism involves the enhancement of angiogenic capacity of coronary endothelial cells through the miR-17-5p/PHD3/Hif-1 alpha pathway.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ling Wang, Ting Li, Zihan Wang, Juedong Hou, Sitian Liu, Qiao Yang, Liu Yu, Weihong Guo, Yongjie Wang, Baolin Guo, Wenhua Huang, Yaobin Wu
Summary: Developing an injectable anisotropic scaffold with precise topographic cues plays a critical role in volumetric muscle loss repair. In this study, researchers prepared monodisperse remote magnetic controlled short nanofibers (MSNFs) and designed an injectable MSNF/Gel nanofiber/hydrogel scaffold. This scaffold showed the ability to guide 3D cellular alignment and organization through remote magnetic field control. The MSNF/Gel anisotropic scaffolds successfully recreated the topographical features of orbicular and bipennate muscles, leading to enhanced aligned myofiber formation and improved functional recovery in animal models.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Qingqing Liu, Ka-Yi Kwan, Tianyu Cao, Bingpeng Yan, Kumar Ganesan, Lei Jia, Feng Zhang, Chunyu Lim, Yaobin Wu, Yibin Feng, Zhiwei Chen, Li Liu, Jianping Chen
Summary: The percolation extract of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn (SSP) was found to have broad-spectrum viral entry inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-1/2 and other enveloped viruses. In vivo studies showed no abnormal toxicity or behavior in long-term SSP treatment. These findings suggest that SSP has the potential to be developed as a drug candidate for preventing and treating COVID-19 and other emerging enveloped viruses.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ting Li, Juedong Hou, Ling Wang, Guanjie Zeng, Zihan Wang, Liu Yu, Qiao Yang, Junfeiyang Yin, Meng Long, Lizhi Chen, Siyuan Chen, Hongwu Zhang, Yanbing Li, Yaobin Wu, Wenhua Huang
Summary: This study aims to develop an interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel with tunable stress relaxation using a combination of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and fibrinogen. These IPN hydrogels with faster stress relaxation showed higher 3D cellular proliferation and better differentiation. The cellfree 3D printed scaffold was implanted into a rat VML model, and both the short and long-term repair results demonstrated its ability to enhance functional skeletal muscle tissue regeneration.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qiao Yang, Jianfeng Li, Weiwei Su, Liu Yu, Ting Li, Yongdi Wang, Kairui Zhang, Yaobin Wu, Ling Wang
Summary: This study presents an electrospinning approach to fabricate aligned poly (epsilon-caprolactone) nanofiber yarns that integrate with nano- and micro-scale structure to mimic the hierarchical structure of native tendon tissue. These aligned nanofiber yarns demonstrated good in vitro biocompatibility and the ability to induce 3D cellular alignment and elongation of tendon stem/progenitor cells. Furthermore, they showed potential in promoting tenogenic differentiation and tendon repair in vivo.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yan Wang, Chen Zhang, Meng Xiao, Kumar Ganesan, Fei Gao, Qingqing Liu, Zhen Ye, Yue Sui, Feng Zhang, Kunhua Wei, Yaobin Wu, Jianmin Wu, Bing Du, Cong Xu, Yan Li, Peng Li, Jinming Zhang, Jianping Chen
Summary: In this study, ISL-loaded zein phosphatidylcholine hybrid nanoparticles (ISL@ZLH NPs) were developed to enhance the oral efficacy of ISL for TNBC treatment. The results showed that ISL@ZLH NPs could improve the absorption of ISL in tumor sites and exhibit anti-TNBC efficacy.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Liu Yu, Guanjie Zeng, Jie Xu, Mingying Han, Zihan Wang, Ting Li, Meng Long, Ling Wang, Wenhua Huang, Yaobin Wu
Summary: This article reviews the research progress of Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and its derivatives in the field of biomedicine over the past two decades, including material design, synthesis, and properties. In addition, a statistical analysis is presented to identify trends in this research. It is expected that this review and the design principles of PGS-based materials will promote further development and optimization of PGS and its derivatives for biomedical applications.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Xiulin Cheng, Panjing Yin, Ting Li, Lincong Luo, Yang Yang, Ling Wang, Weiwei Su, Yilin Wang, Yanbing Li, Yanfang Wang, Yaobin Wu, Wenhua Huang
Summary: This study explored a transplantation strategy using a composite hydrogel encapsulating GCMS as a carrier for ARPE-19 cells. The results showed that GCMS induced cell aggregation and maintained cell viability, while the hydrogel provided an aggregated protective shell. This novel platform has significant potential for alternative injectable and highly aggregated RPE cell transplantation strategy design.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sitian Liu, Zihan Wang, Xinyi Chen, Mingying Han, Jie Xu, Ting Li, Liu Yu, Maoyu Qin, Meng Long, Mingchuan Li, Hongwu Zhang, Yanbing Li, Ling Wang, Wenhua Huang, Yaobin Wu
Summary: Cardiac safety assessments are important in drug discovery due to drug-induced cardiotoxicity being the primary cause of drug attrition. However, the development of heart-on-a-chip (HoC) technology remains a challenge due to the complex cardiac structure. In this study, an anisotropic multiscale cardiac scaffold was created using 3D printing and electrospinning technology, enabling the mimicking of the native myocardium structure and guiding cellular arrangements. The integration of 3D bioengineered cardiac tissues and a microfluidic perfusion system established a 3D anisotropic HoC model for evaluating drug efficacy and cardiotoxicity.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ling Wang, Peier Chen, Yuxuan Pan, Zihan Wang, Jie Xu, Xiaoqi Wu, Qiao Yang, Meng Long, Sitian Liu, Wenhua Huang, Caiwen Ou, Yaobin Wu
Summary: This study introduces an injectable Janus hydrogel for reducing postsurgical pericardial adhesions. It demonstrates that the hydrogel, loaded with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte exosomes (iCM-EXOs), effectively attenuates oxidative stress and prevents macrophage clearance, highlighting its potential in heart surgery patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Panjing Yin, Weiwei Su, Ting Li, Ling Wang, Jianying Pan, Xiaoqi Wu, Yan Shao, Huabin Chen, Lin Lin, Yang Yang, Xiulin Cheng, Yanbing Li, Yaobin Wu, Chun Zeng, Wenhua Huang
Summary: This study proposed a modular hydrogel-based bioink containing microsphere-embedded chondrocytes for 3D printing multi-scale scaffolds. The gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)/alginate microspheres were prepared using a microfluidic approach and the chondrocytes remained viable after being frozen and resuscitated. The modular hydrogel bioink could be printed using the gel-in-gel 3D bioprinting strategy to fabricate the scaffolds, which showed good cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro and biocompatibility in vivo. These findings suggest that this modular hydrogel-based bioink has potential applications in articular cartilage tissue engineering.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Huihui Zhang, Yilin Wang, Zijun Zheng, Xuerong Wei, Lianglong Chen, Yaobin Wu, Wenhua Huang, Lei Yang
Summary: 3D bioprinting technology can replicate native tissue and organ microenvironments by precisely placing cells in bioinks. However, finding the ideal bioink is a challenge. Organ-derived decellularized ECM (dECM) bioink has optimal biomimetic properties but is non-printable due to poor mechanical properties. Recent studies have focused on improving the printability of dECM bioinks. This review highlights the methods used to produce these bioinks, strategies to improve printability, and advancements in tissue regeneration. Challenges and potential applications are also discussed.