Poly(2-oxazoline) hydrogels as next generation three-dimensional cell supports

Synthetic hydrogels selectively decorated with cell adhesion motifs are rapidly emerging as promising substrates for 3D cell culture. When cells are grown in 3D they experience potentially more physiologically relevant cell–cell interactions and physical cues compared with traditional 2D cell culture on stiff surfaces. A newly developed polymer based on poly(2-oxazoline)s has been used for the first time to control attachment of fibroblast cells and is discussed here for its potential use in 3D cell culture with particular focus on cancer cells toward the ultimate aim of high-throughput screening of anticancer therapies. Advantages and limitations of using poly(2-oxazoline) hydrogels are discussed and compared with more established polymers, especially polyethylene glycol (PEG).     

聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺细胞培养平台的研究进展

聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(poly(N-isopropylacrylamide),PNIPAAm),温敏性聚合物,可利用其温敏特性替代酶类物质或细胞刮刀用于贴壁细胞的收获,从而有效避免酶解和机械损伤,可为生物医药领域提供品质优良的种子细胞。重点阐述促进细胞有效粘附和快速脱附的温敏性PNIPAAm二维平面的研发情况,包括选取特殊基材、引入亲水基团、调节反应物比率、控制聚合物厚度/密度、提供适宜外力等方式,从而有效改善细胞对温敏性平面的适应性并降低染菌风险以及减少低温处理对细胞的影响。同时介绍PNIPAAm微载体、支架和凝胶等温敏性三维培养介质的研究进展,此方式不仅增加细胞生长面积,更可以模拟体内微环境,从而保持细胞原始生理特征,同时实现大规模扩增和非酶解收获细胞以及组织器官修复和重构的目标。最后简单说明PNIPAAm培养平台的应用,PNIPAAm的研发为再生医学的发展提供了崭新思路。     

需钠弧菌(Vibrio natriegens)合成聚羟基丁酸的研究

研究结果表明,V.natriegens可以利用葡萄糖,果糖,以及糖蜜为碳源合成聚羟基丁酸[Poly(3HB)] ,当以糖蜜为碳源时,积累的Poly(3HB)达到细胞干重的28．4％,实验结果还表明,Poly(3HB)的积累滞后于细胞生长,在培养前加入过量的碳源,不仅没有Poly(3HB)积累,还抑制细胞的生长,测定了与Poly(3HB)合成相关的PHA聚合酶,β-酮硫解酶和乙酰乙酰CoA还原酶的活性。结果表明,伴随Poly(3HB)合成,PHA聚合酶活性从无到有,β－酮硫解酶活性提高了10倍以上。进一步通过利用脂肪酸合成代谢抑制物－浅蓝菌素（cerulenin),研究了脂肪酸从头合成途径与Poly(3HB)合成途径的关系。发现浅蓝菌素能够明显降低细胞Poly(3HB)的累积。根据以上结果,推测在V.natrigens中可能存在两条代谢途径参与Poly(3HB)的合成。     

Crosslinked Poly(tetrahydrofuran) as a Loosely Coordinating Polymer Electrolyte

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) promise to improve the safety and performance of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, the low ionic conductivity and transference number of conventional poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐based SPEs preclude their widespread implementation. Herein, crosslinked poly(tetrahydrofuran) (xPTHF) is introduced as a promising polymer matrix for “beyond PEO” SPEs. The crosslinking procedure creates thermally stable, mechanically robust membranes for use in LIBs. Molecular dynamics and density functional theory (DFT) simulations accompanied by ⁷Li NMR measurements show that the lower spatial concentration of oxygen atoms in the xPTHF backbone leads to loosened O–Li⁺ coordination. This weakened interaction enhances ion transport; xPTHF has a high lithium transference number of 0.53 and higher lithium conductivity than a xPEO SPE of the same length at room temperature. It is demonstrated that organic additives further weaken the O–Li⁺ interaction, enabling room temperature ionic conductivity of 1.2 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ with 18 wt% N,N‐dimethylformamide in xPTHF. In a solid‐state LIB application, neat xPTHF SPEs cycle with near theoretical capacity for 100 cycles at 70 °C, with rate capability up to 1 C. The plasticized xPTHF SPEs operate at room temperature while maintaining respectable rate capability and capacity. The novel PTHF system demonstrated here represents an exciting platform for future studies involving SPEs.     

A comparison of human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis in poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels as a function of MMP-sensitive crosslinker and crosslink density in chemically defined medium

This study investigated osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-sensitive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels in chemically defined medium (10 ng/ml bone morphogenic factor-2). Thiol-norbornene photoclick hydrogels were formed with CRGDS and crosslinkers of PEG dithiol (nondegradable), CVPLS-LYSGC (P1) or CRGRIGF-LRTDC (P2; dash indicates cleavage site) at two crosslink densities. Exogenous MMP-2 degraded P1 and P2 hydrogels similarly. MMP-14 degraded P1 hydrogels more rapidly than P2 hydrogels. Cell spreading was greatest in P1 low crosslinked hydrogels and to a lesser degree in P2 low crosslinked hydrogels, but not evident in nondegradable and high crosslinked MMP-sensitive hydrogels. Early osteogenesis (Alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity) was accelerated in hydrogels that facilitated cell spreading. Contrarily, late osteogenesis (mineralization) was independent of cell spreading. Mineralized matrix was present in P1 hydrogels, but only present in P2 high crosslinked hydrogels and not yet present in nondegradable hydrogels. Overall, the low crosslinked P1 hydrogels exhibited an accelerated early and late osteogenesis with the highest ALP activity (Day 7), greatest calcium content (Day 14), and greatest collagen content (Day 28), concomitant with increased compressive modulus over time. Collectively, this study demonstrates that in chemically defined medium, hydrogel degradability is critical to accelerating early osteogenesis, but other factors are important in late osteogenesis.     

重组大肠杆菌合成聚(3-巯基丙酸)和聚(3-羟基丁酸-3-巯基丙酸)的研究

利用Clostridium acetobutylicum的丁酸激酶基因 (buk) 和磷酸转丁酰基酶基因(ptb),以及Thiocapsa pfennigii的PHA合成酶基因,设计了一条能够合成多种聚羟基烷酸的代谢途径,用构建的质粒转化大肠杆菌,获得了重组大肠杆菌菌株.前期的研究表明,在合适的前体物条件下,该重组大肠杆菌能够合成包括聚羟基丁酸、聚(羟基丁酸-戊酸)等多种生物聚酯[Liu and Steinbüchel, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66739-743].利用该重组大肠杆菌,通过生物催化作用合成了3-巯基丙酸的同型共聚酯,同时利用该重组大肠杆菌还获得了含3-巯基丙酸单体的多种异型共聚物.实验首先研究了3-巯基丙酸对大肠杆菌生长的影响,在此基础上优化了培养过程中添加3-巯基丙酸的时机和浓度,结果表明,在实验的条件下,细胞合成聚(3-巯基丙酸)可达6.7%(占细胞干重),合成聚(3-羟基丁酸-3-巯基丙酸)(分子中3-巯基丙酸3-羟基丁酸=31)可达24.3%.实验进一步研究了同时或分别表达以上3个基因的重组大肠杆菌合成聚合物的能力,结果表明只有当3个基因同时表达时才能合成聚合物,说明3个基因对合成过程是必须的,从而表明了合成途径是按照设计的路线进行的.还通过GC/MS、GPC、IR等手段对合成的化合物进行了定性的研究.聚(3-巯基丙酸)或聚(3-羟基丁酸-3-巯基丙酸)等聚酯属于一类新型生物聚合物,它在分子骨架中含有硫酯键,不同于聚羟基烷酸酯的氧酯键,从而具有显著不同的物理、化学、光学等性质和具有重要的潜在应用价值.     

Decellularized breast matrix as bioactive microenvironment for in vitro three-dimensional cancer culture

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women with unsatisfactory survival rates. Advances in the understanding of the genetic basis of BC provide the opportunity to develop gene-based medicines capable of treating metastatic diseases. Here, we first demonstrated efficient tissue engineering approaches applied to normal breast and BC extracellular matrix (ECM) starting from decellularized human biopsies to generate a three-dimensional (3D) bioactive model with the sodium lauryl ether sulfate solution. The decellularized tissues maximized the genetic component removal from tissues and minimally injured ECM structures and native compositions by histology and ECM compositions analyses. Importantly, we proved that the 3D ECM retained tissues biological properties. We demonstrated that after 30 days of recellularization with MCF-7 cell (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line), the 3D cancer ECM induced an overexpression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer proliferation. Meanwhile, normal ECM from the breast inhibited EMT and cell growth with the inducement of apoptosis. Given the biological activity preserved in the ECM after decellularization, we believe these approaches are powerful tools for future preclinical research for BC and breast development.     

High cell density cultivation of Pseudomonas oleovorans: growth and production of poly (3-hydroxyalkanoates) in two-liquid phase batch and fed-batch systems

Pseudomonas oleovorans is able to accumulate poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) under conditions of excess n-alkanes, which serve as sole energy and carbon source, and limitation of an essential nutrient such as ammonium. In this study we aimed at an efficient production of these PHAs by growing P. oleovorans to high cell densities in fed-batch cultures.To examine the efficiency of our reactor system, P. oleovorans was first grown in batch cultures using n-octane as growth substrate and ammonia water for pH regulation to prevent ammonium limiting conditions. When cell growth ceased due to oxygen limiting conditions, a maximum cell density of 27 g .L(-1) dry weight was obtained. When the growth temperature was decreased from the optimal temperature of 30 degrees -18 degrees C, cell growth continued to a final cell density of 35 g . L(-1) due to a lower oxygen demand of the cells at this lower incubation temperature.To quantify mass transfer rates in our reactor system, the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a) was determined during growth of P. oleovorans on n-octane. Since the stirrer speed and airflow were increased during growth of the organism, the k(L)a also increased, reaching a constant value of 0.49 s(-1) at maximum airflow and stirrer speed of 2 L . min(-1) and 2500 rpm, respectively. This k(L)a value suggests that oxygen transfer is very efficient in our stirred tank reactor.Using these conditions of high oxygen transfer rates, PHA production by P. oleovorans in fed-batch cultures was studied. The cells were first grown batchwise to a density of 6 g . L(-1), after which a nutrient feed, consisting of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) and MgSO(4), was started. The limiting nutrient ammonium was added at a constant rate of 0.23 g NH(4) (+) per hour, and when after 38 h the feed was stopped, a biomass concentration of 37.1 g . L(-1) was obtained. The Cellular PHA content was 33% (w/w), which is equal to a final PHA yield of 12.1 g . L(-1) and an overall PHA productivity of 0.25 g PHA produced per liter medium per hour. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) supports adhesion and migration of mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes

AIM: To establish the potential of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) as a material for tendon repair. METHODS: The biocompatibility of PHBHHx with both rat tenocytes (rT) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) was explored by monitoring adhesive characteristics on films of varying weight/volume ratios coupled to a culture atmosphere of either 21% O2 (air) or 2% O2 (physiological normoxia). The diameter and stiffness of PHBHHx films was established using optical coherence tomography and mechanical testing, respectively. RESULTS: Film thickness correlated directly with weight/volume PHBHHx (r2 = 0.9473) ranging from 0.1 mm (0.8% weight/volume) to 0.19 mm (2.4% weight/volume). Film stiffness on the other hand displayed a biphasic response which increased rapidly at values 1.6% weight/volume. Optimal cell attachment of rT required films of ≥ 1.6% and ≥ 2.0% weight/volume PHBHHx in 2% O2 and 21% O2 respectively. A qualitative adhesion increase was noted for hMSC in films ≥ 1.2% weight/volume, becoming significant at 2% weight/volume in 2% O2. An increase in cell adhesion was also noted with ≥ 2% weight/volume PHBHHx in 21% O2. Cell migration into films was not observed. CONCLUSION: This evaluation demonstrates that PHBHHx is a suitable polymer for future cell/polymer replacement strategies in tendon repair.     

Method for generation of homogeneous multicellular tumor spheroids applicable to a wide variety of cell types

Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) are used as organotypic models of normal and solid tumor tissue. Traditional techniques for generating MCTS, such as growth on nonadherent surfaces, in suspension, or on scaffolds, have a number of drawbacks, including the need for manual selection to achieve a homogeneous population and the use of nonphysiological matrix compounds. In this study we describe a mild method for the generation of MCTS, in which individual spheroids form in hanging drops suspended from a microtiter plate. The method has been successfully applied to a broad range of cell lines and shows nearly 100% efficiency (i.e., one spheroid per drop). Using the hepatoma cell line, HepG2, the hanging drop method generated well-rounded MCTS with a narrow size distribution (coefficient of variation [CV] 10% to 15%, compared with 40% to 60% for growth on nonadherent surfaces). Structural analysis of HepG2 and a mammary gland adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7, composed spheroids, revealed highly organized, three-dimensional, tissue-like structures with an extensive extracellular matrix. The hanging drop method represents an attractive alternative for MCTS production, because it is mild, can be applied to a wide variety of cell lines, and can produce spheroids of a homogeneous size without the need for sieving or manual selection. The method has applications for basic studies of physiology and metabolism, tumor biology, toxicology, cellular organization, and the development of bioartificial tissue.     

Production of poly(D-3-hydroxybutyrate) from CO(2), H(2), and O(2) by high cell density autotrophic cultivation of Alcaligenes eutrophus

Hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium, Alcaligenes eutrophus autotrophically produces biodegradable plastic material, poly(D-3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), from carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen. In autotrophic cultivation of the microorganism, it is essential to eliminate possible occurrence of gas explosions from the fermentation process. We developed a bench-plant scale, recycled-gas, closed-circuit culture system equipped with several safety features to perform autotrophic cultivation of A. eutrophus by maintaining the oxygen concentration in the substrate gas phase below the lower limit for a gas explosion (6.9%). The culture vessel utilized a baskettype agitator, resulting in a K(L) a value of 2970 h(-1). Oxygen gas was also directly fed to the fermentor separately from the other gases. As a result, 91.3 g . dm(-3) of the cells and 61.9 g . dm(-3) of P(3HB) were obtained after 40 h of cultivation under this oxygen-limited condition. The results compared favorably with those reported for mass production of P(3HB) by heterotrophic fermentation. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) improved osteogenic differentiation of the human induced pluripotent stem cells while considered as an artificial extracellular matrix

Cocell polymers can be the best implants for replacing bone defects in patients. The pluripotent stem cells produced from the patient and the nanofibrous polymeric scaffold that can be completely degraded in the body and its produced monomers could be also usable are the best options for this implant. In this study, electrospun poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanofibers were fabricated and characterized and then osteogenic differentiation of the human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was investigated while cultured on PHBV scaffold. MTT results showed that cultured iPSCs on PHBV proliferation were increased compared to those cultured on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) as the control. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content were also significantly increased in iPSCs cultured on PHBV compared to the cultured on TCPS under osteogenic medium. Gene expression evaluation demonstrated that Runx2, collagen type I, ALP, osteonectin, and osteocalcin were upregulated in iPSCs cultured on PHBV scaffold in comparison with those cultured on TCPS for 2 weeks. Western blot analysis have shown that osteocalcin and osteopontin expression as two major osteogenic markers were increased in iPSCs cultured on PHBV scaffold. According to the results, nanofiber-based PHBV has a promising potential to increase osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells and iPSCs-PHBV as a cell-co-polymer construct demonstrated that has a great efficiency for use as a bone tissue engineered bioimplant.