Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Improves Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Spheroid Response to Chondrogenic Stimuli.

Cartilage regeneration is hindered due to the low proliferative capacity of chondrocytes and the avascular nature of cartilaginous tissue. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are widely studied for cartilage tissue engineering, and the aggregation of MSCs into high-density cell spheroids facilitates chondrogenic differentiation due to increased cell-cell contact. Despite the promise of MSCs, the field would benefit from improved strategies to regulate the chondrogenic potential of MSCs differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are advantageous for their capacity to yield large numbers of required cells.

Conductive Microgel Annealed Scaffolds Enhance Myogenic Potential of Myoblastic Cells.

Conductive biomaterials may capture native or exogenous bioelectric signaling, but incorporation of conductive moieties is limited by cytotoxicity, poor injectability, or insufficient stimulation. Microgel annealed scaffolds are promising as hydrogel-based materials due to their inherent void space that facilitates cell migration and proliferation better than nanoporous bulk hydrogels. Conductive microgels are generated from poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) to explore the interplay of void volume and conductivity on myogenic differentiation.

Biomaterials are the key to unlock spheroid function and therapeutic potential.

Spheroids are three-dimensional cell aggregates that mimic fundamental aspects of the native tissue microenvironment better than single cells, making them a promising platform for the study of tissue development and therapeutics. Spheroids have been investigated for decades as models in cancer research, yet we have only just scratched the surface of their potential clinical utility in cell-based therapies. Like many cells, spheroids commonly exhibit a loss of key attributes upon implantation, motivating the need for strategies to regulate their function .

Hydrogel degradation promotes angiogenic and regenerative potential of cell spheroids for wound healing.

Chronic nonhealing wounds are debilitating and diminish one's quality of life, necessitating the development of improved strategies for effective treatment. Biomaterial- and cell-based therapies offer an alternative treatment compared to conventional wound care for regenerating damaged tissues. Cell-based approaches frequently utilize endothelial cells (ECs) to promote vascularization and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for their potent secretome that promotes host cell recruitment.

Development of PCL PolyHIPE Substrates for 3D Breast Cancer Cell Culture.

Cancer is a becoming a huge social and economic burden on society, becoming one of the most significant barriers to life expectancy in the 21st century. In particular, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women. One of the most significant difficulties to finding efficient therapies for specific cancers, such as breast cancer, is the efficiency and ease of drug development and testing.

Mesenchymal stromal cell spheroids in sulfated alginate enhance muscle regeneration.

The therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for tissue regeneration is critically linked to the potency of the complex mixture of growth factors, cytokines, exosomes, and other biological cues that they secrete. The duration of cell-based approaches is limited by rapid loss of cells upon implantation, motivating the need to prolong cell viability and extend the therapeutic influence of the secretome. We and others demonstrated that the secretome is upregulated when MSCs are formed into spheroids.

Demonstrating the Potential of Using Bio-Based Sustainable Polyester Blends for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.

Healthcare applications are known to have a considerable environmental impact and the use of bio-based polymers has emerged as a powerful approach to reduce the carbon footprint in the sector. This research aims to explore the suitability of using a new sustainable polyester blend (Floreon™) as a scaffold directed to aid in musculoskeletal applications. Musculoskeletal problems arise from a wide range of diseases and injuries related to bones and joints.

Delivery of Bioactive Compounds to Improve Skin Cell Responses on Microfabricated Electrospun Microenvironments.

The introduction of microtopographies within biomaterial devices is a promising approach that allows one to replicate to a degree the complex native environment in which human cells reside. Previously, our group showed that by combining electrospun fibers and additive manufacturing it is possible to replicate to an extent the stem cell microenvironment (rete ridges) located between the epidermal and dermal layers. Our group has also explored the use of novel proangiogenic compounds to improve the vascularization of skin constructs.

The Use of Microfabrication Techniques for the Design and Manufacture of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments for Tissue Regeneration.

The recapitulation of the stem cell microenvironment is an emerging area of research that has grown significantly in the last 10 to 15 years. Being able to understand the underlying mechanisms that relate stem cell behavior to the physical environment in which stem cells reside is currently a challenge that many groups are trying to unravel. Several approaches have attempted to mimic the biological components that constitute the native stem cell niche, however, this is a very intricate environment and, although promising advances have been made recently, it becomes clear that new strategies need to be explored to ensure a better understanding of the stem cell niche behavior.

Fabrication of Topographically Controlled Electrospun Scaffolds to Mimic the Stem Cell Microenvironment in the Dermal-Epidermal Junction.

The use of microfabrication techniques for the development of innovative constructs for tissue regeneration is a growing area of research. This area comprises both manufacturing and biological approaches for the development of smart materials aiming to control and direct cell behavior to enhance tissue healing. Many groups have focused their efforts on introducing complexity within these innovative constructs via the inclusion of nano- and microtopographical cues mimicking physical and biological aspects of the native stem cell niche.