Co-culture of multiple myeloma cell lines and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a 3D microgel environment.

This study reproduces the complex relationships between tumour plasma cells and their bone marrow microenvironment in multiple myeloma in vitro. These relationships are established both with other cells and with the extracellular matrix and are key factors in tumour progression, generating resistance to antitumour drugs in the cellular and non-cellular environments. This paper proposes a 3D microenvironment model designed to capture the main components of the multiple myeloma tumour microenvironment.

Viscoelastic Properties of Acellular Matrices of Porcine Esophageal Mucosa and Comparison with Acellular Matrices of Porcine Small Intestine Submucosa and Bovine Pericardium.

The aim of this study was to compare the viscoelastic properties of a decellularized mesh from the porcine esophagus, prepared by our group, with two commercial acellular tissues derived from porcine small intestine submucosa and bovine pericardium for use in medical devices. The tissues' viscoelastic properties were characterized by creep tests in tension, applying the load in the direction of the fibers or the transverse direction, and also by dynamic-shear mechanical tests between parallel plates or in tension at frequencies between 0.1 and 35 Hz.

Stability of Biomimetically Functionalised Alginate Microspheres as 3D Support in Cell Cultures.

Alginate hydrogels can be used to develop a three-dimensional environment in which various cell types can be grown. Cross-linking the alginate chains using reversible ionic bonds opens up great possibilities for the encapsulation and subsequent release of cells or drugs. However, alginate also has a drawback in that its structure is not very stable in a culture medium with cellular activity.

Magnetically Activated Piezoelectric 3D Platform Based on Poly(Vinylidene) Fluoride Microspheres for Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) osteogenic commitment before injection enhances bone regeneration therapy results. Piezoelectric stimulation may be an effective cue to promote MSCs pre-differentiation, and poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) cell culture supports, when combined with CoFeO (CFO), offer a wireless in vitro stimulation strategy. Under an external magnetic field, CFO shift and magnetostriction deform the polymer matrix varying the polymer surface charge due to the piezoelectric effect.