Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments II

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Regenerative Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 8435

Special Issue Editor

School of Clinical Dentistry, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
Interests: stem cell niche; biomaterial design; tissue regeneration; synthetic microenvironment; microfabrication; biofunctionalisation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that the native stem cell niche plays a key role in dictating stem cell fate and that being able to recapitulate specific features of this intricate environment can open the door to the development of more efficient biomaterials for tissue regeneration applications. Many research groups are now directing their efforts towards the design and manufacture of topographically controlled biomaterials that are able to mimic different aspects of the native stem cell niche, looking at both the niche physical/spatial distribution as well as its biochemical/ biomechanical conformation. Last year I had the pleasure of leading the development of a special issue in this area with the journal Bioengineering; this issue was very well received and we were proud to publish a palette of interesting and high quality papers in the field. We now have the opportunity to work on a second volume for this issue which will focus again on “Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Niches” aiming to capture new approaches to designing functional synthetic niche environments in the form of original research papers as well as comprehensive reviews.

Dr. Ilida Ortega Asencio

Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • stem cell niche
  • biomaterial design
  • tissue regeneration
  • synthetic microenvironment
  • microfabrication
  • biofunctionalisation

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 10281 KiB  
Article
Decellularized Human Umbilical Tissue-Derived Hydrogels Promote Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
by Faiza Ramzan, Sobia Ekram, Trivia Frazier, Asmat Salim, Omair Anwar Mohiuddin and Irfan Khan
Bioengineering 2022, 9(6), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9060239 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3214
Abstract
Tissue engineering is a promising approach for the repair and regeneration of cartilaginous tissue. Appropriate three-dimensional scaffolding materials that mimic cartilage are ideal for the repair of chondral defects. The emerging decellularized tissue-based scaffolds have the potential to provide essential biochemical signals and [...] Read more.
Tissue engineering is a promising approach for the repair and regeneration of cartilaginous tissue. Appropriate three-dimensional scaffolding materials that mimic cartilage are ideal for the repair of chondral defects. The emerging decellularized tissue-based scaffolds have the potential to provide essential biochemical signals and structural integrity, which mimics the natural tissue environment and directs cellular fate. Umbilical cord-derived hydrogels function as 3D scaffolding material, which support adherence, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells due to their similar biochemical composition to cartilage. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish a protocol for the formulation of a hydrogel from decellularized human umbilical cord (DUC) tissue, and assess its application in the proliferation and differentiation of UC-MSCs along chondrogenic lineage. The results showed that the umbilical cord was efficiently decellularized. Subsequently, DUC hydrogel was prepared, and in vitro chondral differentiation of MSCs seeded on the scaffold was determined. The developed protocol efficiently removed the cellular and nuclear content while retaining the extracellular matrix (ECM). DUC tissue, pre-gel, and hydrogels were evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy, which confirmed the gelation from pre-gel to hydrogel. SEM analysis revealed the fibril morphology and porosity of the DUC hydrogel. Calcein AM and Alamar blue assays confirmed the MSC survival, attachment, and proliferation in the DUC hydrogels. Following seeding of UC-MSCs in the hydrogels, they were cultured in stromal or chondrogenic media for 28 days, and the expression of chondrogenic marker genes including TGF-β1, BMP2, SOX-9, SIX-1, GDF-5, and AGGRECAN was significantly increased (* p ≤ 0.05, ** p ≤ 0.01, *** p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the hydrogel concentration was found to significantly affect the expression of chondrogenic marker genes. The overall results indicate that the DUC-hydrogel is compatible with MSCs and supports their chondrogenic differentiation in vitro. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments II)
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Review

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19 pages, 2715 KiB  
Review
Electrical Stimulation in Cartilage Tissue Engineering
by Raminta Vaiciuleviciute, Ilona Uzieliene, Paulius Bernotas, Vitalij Novickij, Aidas Alaburda and Eiva Bernotiene
Bioengineering 2023, 10(4), 454; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10040454 - 07 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2024
Abstract
Electrical stimulation (ES) has been frequently used in different biomedical applications both in vitro and in vivo. Numerous studies have demonstrated positive effects of ES on cellular functions, including metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation. The application of ES to cartilage tissue for increasing extracellular [...] Read more.
Electrical stimulation (ES) has been frequently used in different biomedical applications both in vitro and in vivo. Numerous studies have demonstrated positive effects of ES on cellular functions, including metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation. The application of ES to cartilage tissue for increasing extracellular matrix formation is of interest, as cartilage is not able to restore its lesions owing to its avascular nature and lack of cells. Various ES approaches have been used to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation in chondrocytes and stem cells; however, there is a huge gap in systematizing ES protocols used for chondrogenic differentiation of cells. This review focuses on the application of ES for chondrocyte and mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis for cartilage tissue regeneration. The effects of different types of ES on cellular functions and chondrogenic differentiation are reviewed, systematically providing ES protocols and their advantageous effects. Moreover, cartilage 3D modeling using cells in scaffolds/hydrogels under ES are observed, and recommendations on reporting about the use of ES in different studies are provided to ensure adequate consolidation of knowledge in the area of ES. This review brings novel insights into the further application of ES in in vitro studies, which are promising for further cartilage repair techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments II)
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18 pages, 1319 KiB  
Review
Concise Review: Bioengineering of Limbal Stem Cell Niche
by Mohammad Soleimani, Kasra Cheraqpour, Raghuram Koganti, Seyed Mahbod Baharnoori and Ali R. Djalilian
Bioengineering 2023, 10(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10010111 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2539
Abstract
The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are [...] Read more.
The corneal epithelium is composed of nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells and has a significant turnover rate. Limbal integrity is vital to maintain the clarity and avascularity of the cornea as well as regeneration of the corneal epithelium. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are located in the basal epithelial layer of the limbus and preserve this homeostasis. Proper functioning of LESCs is dependent on a specific microenvironment, known as the limbal stem cell niche (LSCN). This structure is made up of various cells, an extracellular matrix (ECM), and signaling molecules. Different etiologies may damage the LSCN, leading to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), which is characterized by conjunctivalization of the cornea. In this review, we first summarize the basics of the LSCN and then focus on current and emerging bioengineering strategies for LSCN restoration to combat LSCD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments II)
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