scholarly journals Development of Injectable Thermosensitive Chitosan-Based Hydrogels for Cell Encapsulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 6550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Stanzione ◽  
Alessandro Polini ◽  
Velia La Pesa ◽  
Alessandro Romano ◽  
Angelo Quattrini ◽  
...  

The three-dimensional complexity of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) suggests switching from 2D to 3D culture systems for providing the cells with an architecture more similar to the physiological environment. Reproducing the three-dimensionality in vitro can guarantee beneficial effects in terms of cell growth, adhesion, proliferation, and/or their differentiation. Hydrogels have the same tailorable physico-chemical and biological characteristics as ECM materials. In this study, we propose a thermoresponsive chitosan-based hydrogel that gels thanks to the addition of organic and inorganic salt solutions (beta-glycerolphosphate and sodium hydrogen carbonate) and is suitable for cell encapsulation allowing obtaining 3D culture systems. Physico-chemical analyses showed that the hydrogel formulations jellify at physiological conditions (37 °C, pH 7.4), are stable in vitro up to three weeks, have high swelling ratios and mechanical stiffness suitable for cellular encapsulation. Moreover, preliminary biological tests underlined the pronounced biocompatibility of the system. Therefore, these chitosan-based hydrogels are proposed as valid biomaterials for cell encapsulation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Saggioro ◽  
Stefania D'Agostino ◽  
Anna Gallo ◽  
Sara Crotti ◽  
Sara D'Aronco ◽  
...  

Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems are progressively getting attention given their potential in overcoming limitations of the classical 2D in vitro systems. Among different supports for 3D cell culture, hydrogels (HGs)...


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 830
Author(s):  
Georgia Pennarossa ◽  
Sharon Arcuri ◽  
Teresina De Iorio ◽  
Fulvio Gandolfi ◽  
Tiziana A. L. Brevini

Bi-dimensional culture systems have represented the most used method to study cell biology outside the body for over a century. Although they convey useful information, such systems may lose tissue-specific architecture, biomechanical effectors, and biochemical cues deriving from the native extracellular matrix, with significant alterations in several cellular functions and processes. Notably, the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) platforms that are able to re-create in vitro the structures of the native tissue, have overcome some of these issues, since they better mimic the in vivo milieu and reduce the gap between the cell culture ambient and the tissue environment. 3D culture systems are currently used in a broad range of studies, from cancer and stem cell biology, to drug testing and discovery. Here, we describe the mechanisms used by cells to perceive and respond to biomechanical cues and the main signaling pathways involved. We provide an overall perspective of the most recent 3D technologies. Given the breadth of the subject, we concentrate on the use of hydrogels, bioreactors, 3D printing and bioprinting, nanofiber-based scaffolds, and preparation of a decellularized bio-matrix. In addition, we report the possibility to combine the use of 3D cultures with functionalized nanoparticles to obtain highly predictive in vitro models for use in the nanomedicine field.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3417
Author(s):  
Alessandro Poggi ◽  
Federico Villa ◽  
Jordi Leonardo Castrillo Fernadez ◽  
Delfina Costa ◽  
Maria Raffaella Zocchi ◽  
...  

Several approaches have shown that the immune response against tumors strongly affects patients’ clinical outcome. Thus, the study of anti-tumor immunity is critical to understand and potentiate the mechanisms underlying the elimination of tumor cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are members of innate immunity and represent powerful anti-tumor effectors, able to eliminate tumor cells without a previous sensitization. Thus, the study of their involvement in anti-tumor responses is critical for clinical translation. This analysis has been performed in vitro, co-incubating NK with tumor cells and quantifying the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. In vivo confirmation has been applied to overcome the limits of in vitro testing, however, the innate immunity of mice and humans is different, leading to discrepancies. Different activating receptors on NK cells and counter-ligands on tumor cells are involved in the antitumor response, and innate immunity is strictly dependent on the specific microenvironment where it takes place. Thus, three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, where NK and tumor cells can interact in a tissue-like architecture, have been created. For example, tumor cell spheroids and primary organoids derived from several tumor types, have been used so far to analyze innate immune response, replacing animal models. Herein, we briefly introduce NK cells and analyze and discuss in detail the properties of 3D tumor culture systems and their use for the study of tumor cell interactions with NK cells.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivina R. Brito ◽  
Isadora M. T. Lima ◽  
Min Xu ◽  
Lonnie D. Shea ◽  
Teresa K. Woodruff ◽  
...  

The in vitro culture of ovarian follicles has provided critical insight into the biology of the follicle and its enclosed oocyte and the physical interaction and communication between the theca and granulosa cells and the oocyte that is necessary to produce meiotically competent oocytes. Various two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been developed to evaluate the effect of growth factors, hormones, extracellular matrix components and culture conditions on follicle development and oocyte growth and maturation. Among these culture systems, 3D systems make it possible to maintain follicle structure and support communication between the various cell compartments within the follicle. In this review article, we will discuss the three main approaches to ovarian follicle culture: 2D attachment systems, 3D floating systems and 3D encapsulated systems. We will specifically emphasise the development of and advances in alginate-based encapsulated systems for in vitro follicle culture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10214
Author(s):  
Sarah Kammerer

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the major reason for failures in drug development and withdrawal of approved drugs from the market. Two-dimensional cultures of hepatocytes often fail to reliably predict DILI: hepatoma cell lines such as HepG2 do not reflect important primary-like hepatic properties and primary human hepatocytes (pHHs) dedifferentiate quickly in vitro and are, therefore, not suitable for long-term toxicity studies. More predictive liver in vitro models are urgently required in drug development and compound safety evaluation. This review discusses available human hepatic cell types for in vitro toxicology analysis and their usage in established and emerging three-dimensional (3D) culture systems. Generally, 3D cultures maintain or improve primary hepatic functions (including expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes) of different liver cells for several weeks of culture, thus allowing long-term and repeated-dose toxicity studies. Spheroid cultures of pHHs have been comprehensively tested, but also other cell types such as HepaRG benefit from 3D culture systems. Emerging 3D culture techniques include usage of induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived hepatocytes and primary-like upcyte cells, as well as advanced culture techniques such as microfluidic liver-on-a-chip models. In-depth characterization of existing and emerging 3D hepatocyte technologies is indispensable for successful implementation of such systems in toxicological analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12473
Author(s):  
Guya Diletta Marconi ◽  
Cristina Porcheri ◽  
Oriana Trubiani ◽  
Thimios A. Mitsiadis

Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems opened up new horizons in studying the biology of tissues and organs, modelling various diseases, and screening drugs. Producing accurate in vitro models increases the possibilities for studying molecular control of cell–cell and cell–microenvironment interactions in detail. The Notch signalling is linked to cell fate determination, tissue definition, and maintenance in both physiological and pathological conditions. Hence, 3D cultures provide new accessible platforms for studying activation and modulation of the Notch pathway. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in different 3D culture systems, including spheroids, organoids, and “organ-on-a-chip” models, and their use in analysing the crucial role of Notch signalling in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, pathology, and regeneration.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Birgersdotter ◽  
Rickard Sandberg ◽  
Ingemar Ernberg

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fantuzzi Federica ◽  
Toivonen Sanna ◽  
Schiavo Andrea Alex ◽  
Pachera Nathalie ◽  
Rajaei Bahareh ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (29) ◽  
pp. 4778-4788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Heredia-Soto ◽  
Andrés Redondo ◽  
José Juan Pozo Kreilinger ◽  
Virginia Martínez-Marín ◽  
Alberto Berjón ◽  
...  

Sarcomas are tumours of mesenchymal origin, which can arise in bone or soft tissues. They are rare but frequently quite aggressive and with a poor outcome. New approaches are needed to characterise these tumours and their resistance mechanisms to current therapies, responsible for tumour recurrence and treatment failure. This review is focused on the potential of three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models, including multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTS) and organoids, and the latest data about their utility for the study on important properties for tumour development. The use of spheroids as a particularly valuable alternative for compound high throughput screening (HTS) in different areas of cancer biology is also discussed, which enables the identification of new therapeutic opportunities in commonly resistant tumours.


2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Finot ◽  
Eric Chanat ◽  
Frederic Dessauge

AbstractIn vivo study of tissue or organ biology in mammals is very complex and progress is slowed by poor accessibility of samples and ethical concerns. Fortunately, however, advances in stem cell identification and culture have made it possible to derive in vitro 3D “tissues” called organoids, these three-dimensional structures partly or fully mimicking the in vivo functioning of organs. The mammary gland produces milk, the source of nutrition for newborn mammals. Milk is synthesized and secreted by the differentiated polarized mammary epithelial cells of the gland. Reconstructing in vitro a mammary-like structure mimicking the functional tissue represents a major challenge in mammary gland biology, especially for farm animals for which specific agronomic questions arise. This would greatly facilitate the study of mammary gland development, milk secretion processes and pathological effects of viral or bacterial infections at the cellular level, all with the objective of improving milk production at the animal level. With this aim, various 3D cell culture models have been developed such as mammospheres and, more recently, efforts to develop organoids in vitro have been considerable. Researchers are now starting to draw inspiration from other fields, such as bioengineering, to generate organoids that would be more physiologically relevant. In this chapter, we will discuss 3D cell culture systems as organoids and their relevance for agronomic research.


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