Human Cadaveric Donor Cornea Derived Extra Cellular Matrix Microparticles for Minimally Invasive Healing/Regeneration of Corneal Wounds.

Biological materials derived from extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have garnered interest as their composition is very similar to that of native tissue. Herein, we report the use of human cornea derived decellularized ECM (dECM) microparticles dispersed in human fibrin sealant as an accessible therapeutic alternative for corneal anterior stromal reconstruction. dECM microparticles had good particle size distribution (≤10 µm) and retained the majority of corneal ECM components found in native tissue.

Toward zonally tailored scaffolds for osteochondral differentiation of synovial mesenchymal stem cells.

Synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) are an emerging cell source for regenerative medicine applications, including osteochondral defect (OCD) repair. However, in contrast to bone marrow MSCs, scaffold compositions which promote SMSC chondrogenesis/osteogenesis are still being identified. In the present manuscript, we examine poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG)-based scaffolds containing zonally-specific biochemical cues to guide SMSC osteochondral differentiation.

Tuning Forkhead Box D3 overexpression to promote specific osteogenic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells while reducing pluripotency in a three-dimensional culture system.

Clinical use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in bone regeneration applications requires that their osteogenic differentiation be highly controllable as well as time- and cost-effective. The main goals of the current work were thus (a) to assess whether overexpression of pluripotency regulator Forkhead Box D3 (FOXD3) can enhance the osteogenic commitment of hESCs seeded in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds and (b) to evaluate if the degree of FOXD3 overexpression regulates the strength and specificity of hESC osteogenic commitment. In conducting these studies, an interpenetrating hydrogel network consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and collagen I was utilized as a 3D culture platform.

A canine in vitro model for evaluation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell-based bone scaffolds.

Tissue engineered bone grafts based on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are being actively developed for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) applications. As for all tissue engineered implants, the bone-regenerating capacity of these MSC-based grafts must first be evaluated in animal models prior to human trials. Canine models have traditionally resulted in improved clinical translation of CMF grafts relative to other animal models.

Three-dimensional patterning in biomedicine: Importance and applications in neuropharmacology.

Nature manufactures biological systems in three dimensions with precisely controlled spatiotemporal profiles on hierarchical length and time scales. In this article, we review 3D patterning of biological systems on synthetic platforms for neuropharmacological applications. We briefly describe 3D versus 2D chemical and topographical patterning methods and their limitations.

Characterization of sequential collagen-poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate interpenetrating networks and initial assessment of their potential for vascular tissue engineering.

Collagen hydrogels have been widely investigated as scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering due in part to the capacity of collagen to promote robust cell adhesion and elongation. However, collagen hydrogels display relatively low stiffness and strength, are thrombogenic, and are highly susceptible to cell-mediated contraction. In the current work, we develop and characterize a sequentially-formed interpenetrating network (IPN) that retains the benefits of collagen, but which displays enhanced mechanical stiffness and strength, improved thromboresistance, high physical stability and resistance to contraction.