Reversible photoregulation of cell-cell adhesions with opto-E-cadherin.

E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions are dynamically and locally regulated in many essential processes, including embryogenesis, wound healing and tissue organization, with dysregulation manifesting as tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the lack of tools that would provide control of the high spatiotemporal precision observed with E-cadherin adhesions hampers investigation of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we present an optogenetic tool, opto-E-cadherin, that allows reversible control of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions with blue light.

Spatiotemporal Control Over Multicellular Migration Using Green Light Reversible Cell-Cell Interactions.

The regulation of cell-cell adhesions in space and time plays a crucial role in cell biology, especially in the coordination of multicellular behavior. Therefore, tools that allow for the modulation of cell-cell interactions with high precision are of great interest to a better understanding of their roles and building tissue-like structures. Herein, the green light-responsive protein CarH is expressed at the plasma membrane of cells as an artificial cell adhesion receptor, so that upon addition of its cofactor vitamin B specific cell-cell interactions form and lead to cell clustering in a concentration-dependent manner.

NAD/NADH redox alterations reconfigure metabolism and rejuvenate senescent human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) promote endogenous tissue regeneration and have become a promising candidate for cell therapy. However, in vitro culture expansion of hMSCs induces a rapid decline of stem cell properties through replicative senescence. Here, we characterize metabolic profiles of hMSCs during expansion.

Cyclical aggregation extends in vitro expansion potential of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy has shown great promises in various animal disease models. However, this therapeutic potency has not been well claimed when applied to human clinical trials. This is due to both the availability of MSCs at the time of administration and lack of viable expansion strategies.

Aggregation-induced integrated stress response rejuvenates culture-expanded human mesenchymal stem cells.

Protein homeostasis is critical for cellular function, as loss of homeostasis is attributed to aging and the accumulation of unwanted proteins. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising therapeutic potential due to their impressive abilities to secrete inflammatory modulators, angiogenic, and regenerative cytokines. However, there exists the problem of human MSC expansion with compromised therapeutic quality.

Size-Dependent Cortical Compaction Induces Metabolic Adaptation in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aggregates.

This study reveals that multicellular aggregation induces metabolic reprogramming via mechanical compaction in lieu of formation of a hypoxic core. Utilizing biomechanical knowledge gained from planar culture, we set forth a novel three-dimensional (3D) model of size-dependent cortical compaction and demonstrated its role in metabolic reconfiguration. Ultimately, this study establishes mechanical compaction and its spatial gradients as key regulatory factors and design parameters in the development of 3D human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell aggregates.

Dual-Purpose Bioreactors to Monitor Noninvasive Physical and Biochemical Markers of Kidney and Liver Scaffold Recellularization.

Analysis of perfusion-based bioreactors for organ engineering and a detailed evaluation of physical and biochemical parameters that measure dynamic changes within maturing cell-laden scaffolds are critical components of ex vivo tissue development that remain understudied topics in the tissue and organ engineering literature. Intricately designed bioreactors that house developing tissue are critical to properly recapitulate the in vivo environment, deliver nutrients within perfused media, and monitor physiological parameters of tissue development. Herein, we provide an in-depth description and analysis of two dual-purpose perfusion bioreactors that improve upon current bioreactor designs and enable comparative analyses of ex vivo scaffold recellularization strategies and cell growth performance during long-term maintenance culture of engineered kidney or liver tissues.

Bioreactor design for perfusion-based, highly-vascularized organ regeneration.

Bioartificial or laboratory-grown organs is a growing field centered on developing replacement organs and tissues to restore body function and providing a potential solution to the shortage of donor organs for transplantation. With the entry of engineered planar tissues, such as bladder and trachea, into clinical studies, an increasing focus is being given to designing complex, three-dimensional solid organs. As tissues become larger, thicker and more complex, the vascular network becomes crucial for supplying nutrients and maintaining viability and growth of the neo-organ.