A facile strategy for tuning the density of surface-grafted biomolecules for melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing applications

Melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing(ME-AM)is a promising technique to fabricate porous scaffolds for tissue engi-neering applications.However,most synthetic semicrystalline polymers do not possess the intrinsic biological activity required to control cell fate.Grafting of biomolecules on polymeric surfaces of AM scaffolds enhances the bioactivity of a construct;however,there are limited strategies available to control the surface density.Here,we report a strategy to tune the surface density of bioactive groups by blending a low molecular weight poly(ε-caprolactone)5k(PCL5k)containing orthogonally reactive azide groups with an unfunctionalized high molecular weight PCL75k at different ratios.Stable porous three-dimensional(3D)scaf-folds were then fabricated using a high weight percentage(75 wt.%)of the low molecular weight PCL 5k.As a proof-of-concept test,we prepared films of three different mass ratios of low and high molecular weight polymers with a thermopress and reacted with an alkynated fluorescent model compound on the surface,yielding a density of 201-561 pmol/cm^(2).Subsequently,a bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2)-derived peptide was grafted onto the films comprising different blend compositions,and the effect of peptide surface density on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells(hMSCs)was assessed.After two weeks of culturing in a basic medium,cells expressed higher levels of BMP receptor II(BMPRII)on films with the conjugated peptide.In addition,we found that alkaline phosphatase activity was only significantly enhanced on films contain-ing the highest peptide density(i.e.,561 pmol/cm^(2)),indicating the importance of the surface density.Taken together,these results emphasize that the density of surface peptides on cell differentiation must be considered at the cell-material interface.Moreover,we have presented a viable strategy for ME-AM community that desires to tune the bulk and surface functionality via blending of(modified)polymers.Furthermore,the use of alkyne-azide“click”chemistry enables spatial control over bioconjugation of many tissue-specific moieties,making this approach a versatile strategy for tissue engineering applications.

Highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescent fiber matrices for oxygen sensing with micrometer spatial resolution

Oxygen(O_(2))-sensing matrices are promising tools for the live monitoring of extracellular O_(2) consumption levels in long-term cell cultures.In this study,ratiometric O_(2)-sensing membranes were prepared by electrospinning,an easy,low-cost,scalable,and robust method for fabricating nanofibers.Poly(ε-caprolactone)and poly(dimethyl)siloxane polymers were blended with tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II)dichloride,which was used as the O_(2)-sensing probe,and rhodamine B isothiocyanate,which was used as the reference dye.The functionalized scaffolds were morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy,and their physicochemical profiles were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,and water contact angle measurement.The sensing capabilities were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy,performing photobleaching,reversibility,and calibration curve studies toward different dissolved O_(2)(DO)concentrations.Electrospun sensing nanofibers showed a high response to changes in DO concentrations in the physiological-pathological range from 0.5%to 20%and good stability under ratiometric imaging.In addition,the sensing systems were highly biocompatible for cell growth promoting adhesiveness and growth of three cancer cell lines,namely metastatic melanoma cell line SK-MEL2,breast cancer cell line MCF-7,and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line Panc-1,thus recreating a suitable biological environment in vitro.These O_(2)-sensing biomaterials can potentially measure alterations in cell metabolism caused by changes in ambient O_(2)content during drug testing/validation and tissue regeneration processes.

Biomaterials and emerging technologies for tissue engineering and in vitro models

The latest advances in the field of biomaterials have opened new avenues for scientific breakthroughs in tissue engineer-ing which greatly contributed for the successful translation of tissue engineering products into the market/clinics.Bio-materials are easily processed to become similar to natural extracellular matrix,making them ideal temporary supports for mimicking the three-dimensional(3D)microenvironment required for maintaining the adequate cell/tissue functions both in vitro and in vivo^([1]).

Understanding the corrosion of Mg alloys in in vitro urinary tract conditions: A step forward towards a biodegradable metallic ureteral stent

Ureteral stents play a fundamental role in modern time urology. However, following the deployment, stent-related symptoms are frequent and affect patient health and quality of life. Using biodegradable metals as ureteral stent materials have emerged as a promising strategy, mainly due to the improved radial force and slower degradation rate expected. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize different biodegradable metals in urinary tract environment to understand their propensity for future utilization as base materials for ureteral stents. The corrosion of 5 Mg alloys - AZ31, Mg-1Zn, Mg-1Y, pure Mg, and Mg-4Ag - under simulated urinary tract conditions was accessed. The corrosion layer of the different alloys presented common elements, such as Mg(OH)_(2), MgO, and phosphate-containing products, but slight variations in their chemical compositions were detected. The corrosion rate of the different metals varied, which was expected given the differences in the corrosion layers. On top of this, the findings of this study highlighted the significant differences in the samples' corrosion and corrosion layers when in stagnant and flowing conditions. With the results of this study, we concluded that Mg-1Zn and Mg-4Ag presented a higher propensity for localized corrosion, probably due to a less protective corrosion layer;Mg-4Ag corroded faster than all the other four alloys,and Mg-1Y stood out due to its distinct corrosion pattern, that showed to be more homogeneous than all the other four samples, making this one more attractive for the future studies on biodegradable metals.

An Outlook on Implantable Biosensors for Personalized Medicine

Biosensors are a fast-growing field,as they have been shown to be very helpful in our daily life,playing roles in industries such as agriculture,food safety,homeland security,bioprocessing,environmental monitoring,and industrial monitoring.Beyond these,the application of biosensing in medicine and biomedical engineering may have the highest potential for growth and for affecting human quality of life in the near future.This potential is driven by the need for new and improved devices and technologies with improved sensitivity,specificity,reliability,and biocompatibility.

Mulberry Biomass-Derived Nanomedicines Mitigate Colitis through Improved Inflamed Mucosa Accumulation and Intestinal Microenvironment Modulation

The therapeutic outcomes of conventional oral medications against ulcerative colitis(UC)are restricted by inefficient drug delivery to the colitis mucosa and weak capacity to modulate the inflammatory microenvironment.Herein,a fluorinated pluronic(FP127)was synthesized and employed to functionalize the surface of mulberry leaf-derived nanoparticles(MLNs)loading with resveratrol nanocrystals(RNs).The obtained FP127@RN-MLNs possessed exosome-like morphologies,desirable particle sizes(around 171.4 nm),and negatively charged surfaces(−14.8 mV).The introduction of FP127 to RN-MLNs greatly improved their stability in the colon and promoted their mucus infiltration and mucosal penetration capacities due to the unique fluorine effect.

Properties of Collagen/Sodium Alginate Hydrogels for Bioprinting of Skin Models

3D printing technology has great potential for the reconstruction of human skin.However,the reconstructed skin has some differences from natural skin,largely because the hydrogel used does not have the appropriate biological and physical properties to allow healing and regeneration.This study examines the swelling,degradability,microstructure and biological properties of Collagen/Sodium Alginate(Col/SA)hydrogels of differing compositions for the purposes of skin printing.Increasing the content of sodium alginate causes the hydrogel to exhibit stronger mechanical and swelling properties,a faster degradation ratio,smaller pore size,and less favorable biological properties.An optimal 1%collagen hydrogel was used to print bi-layer skin in which fibroblasts and keratinocytes showed improved spreading and proliferation as compared to other developed formulations.The Col/SA hydrogels presented suitable tunability and properties to be used as a bioink for bioprinting of skin aiming at finding applications as 3D models for wound healing research.

Prevascularized spongy-like hydrogels maintain their angiogenic potential after prolonged hypothermic storage

The chronic shortage of organs and tissues for transplantation represents a dramatic burden on healthcare systems worldwide.Tissue engineering offers a potential solution to address these shortages,but several challenges remain,with prevascularization being a critical factor for in vivo survival and integration of tissue engineering products.Concurrently,a different challenge hindering the clinical implementation of such products,regards their efficient preservation from the fabrication site to the bedside.Hypothermia has emerged as a potential solution for this issue due to its milder effects on biologic systems in comparison with other cold preservation methodologies.Its impact on prevascularization,however,has not been well studied.In this work,3D prevascularized constructs were fabricated using adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction cells and preserved at 4◦C using Hypothermosol or basal culture media(α-MEM).Hypothermosol efficiently preserved the structural and cellular integrity of prevascular networks as compared to constructs before preservation.In contrast,the use ofα-MEM led to a clear reduction in prevascular structures,with concurrent induction of high levels of apoptosis and autophagy at the cellular level.In vivo evaluation using a chorioallantoic membrane model demonstrated that,in opposition toα-MEM,Hypothermosol preservation retained the angiogenic potential of constructs before preservation by recruiting a similar number of blood vessels from the host and presenting similar integration with host tissue.These results emphasize the need of studying the impact of preservation techniques on key properties of tissue engineering constructs such as prevascularization,in order to validate and streamline their clinical application.

Translation of biomaterials from bench to clinic

Scientific research originates from curiosity and interests. Translational research of biomaterials should always focus on addressing specific needs of the targeted clinical applications. The guest editors of this special issue hope that the included articles have provided cutting-edge biomaterials research as well as insights of the translation of biomaterials from bench to clinic.

Extracellular matrix-derived materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine:A journey from isolation to characterization and application

Biomaterial choice is an essential step during the development tissue engineering and regenerative medicine(TERM)applications.The selected biomaterial must present properties allowing the physiological-like recapitulation of several processes that lead to the reestablishment of homeostatic tissue or organ function.Biomaterials derived from the extracellular matrix(ECM)present many such properties and their use in the field has been steadily increasing.Considering this growing importance,it becomes imperative to provide a comprehensive overview of ECM biomaterials,encompassing their sourcing,processing,and integration into TERM applications.This review compiles the main strategies used to isolate and process ECM-derived biomaterials as well as different techniques used for its characterization,namely biochemical and chemical,physical,morphological,and biological.Lastly,some of their applications in the TERM field are explored and discussed.