Los autores agradecen a Shad y Schipke Chesser Daniel por su ayuda con el diseño y fabricación del sistema y Myles Valtresa de asistencia con la preparación del manuscrito.

1. Tejido de cosecha y preparación <ol><li> Válvulas aórtica deben ser tomadas de cerdos adultos que no pesen más de 120 libras inmediatamente después de la muerte. </li><li> Lave las válvulas de dos veces con solución salina estéril tamponada de fosfato (PBS) y el transporte al laboratorio en hielo. </li><li> Todos los pasos posteriores se deben realizar bajo condiciones estériles. </li><li> Asegúrese de que los folletos no muestran ningún signo de degeneración, lagrimeo o calcificación. Quitar folletos de la raíz aórtica mediante la reducción de 1 / 3 de la distancia desde el anillo. </li><li> Folletos a cabo en los distintos pozos de una placa de seis pocillo e incubar durante la noche con 3 ml de Dulbecco modificado medio de Eagle suplementado con 1% de solución anti-biotic/anti-mycotic y el 10% de suero fetal bovino a 37 ° C y 5% CO 2. </li><li> Como una alternativa de células, aisladas pueden ser sembradas en placas de cultivo de seis pozos y se utiliza en el dispositivo de presión. Válvula de aislamiento de las células endoteliales y células intersticiales puede llevar a cabo como se describió previamente 13, 14. </li></ol> 2. Estudios de presión <ol><li> Un sistema de presión a medida ha sido diseñado para estudiar los efectos de la presión mechanobiological cíclico en el tejido de la válvula aórtica 15. </li><li> Inicie sesión en el ordenador y abrir el programa LabVIEW (Figura 1). </li><li> Calibración: <ol><li> Antes de la experimentación, el sistema debe estar bien calibrados. </li><li> Conecte la fuente de alimentación a la placa de circuito. Esto proporciona energía a las válvulas solenoides que controlan el flujo de aire dentro y fuera de la cámara. </li><li> Asegúrese de que el aire comprimido está conectado al sistema y abrir el suministro de aire a velocidad plena. </li><li> Encienda el amplificador de señal. Asegúrese de que la lectura de voltaje es de 0,00. Realice los ajustes necesarios </li><li> La interfaz de LabVIEW tiene un interruptor marcado &quot;TEST / RECORD&quot;. Asegúrese de que el interruptor está en &quot;TEST&quot;. Haga clic en el botón &quot;Air Supply&quot; para abrir la válvula solenoide de entrada. </li><li> Usando el regulador de presión de gas, presurizar la cámara con aire comprimido a un ISP. La presión en la cámara se pueden leer con el medidor de presión digital en la parte posterior de la placa terminal de la cámara. Una vez que la presión se equilibra, se registra la lectura de voltaje del amplificador de la señal. Repita el procedimiento para la ISP 2, 3, 4 y 5. </li><li> Construir una curva de calibración de presión función de la tensión. La presión debe ser convertida de PSI para mmHg. La ecuación de la gráfica se puede colocar en el código del programa LabVIEW </li></ol></li><li> Retire la placa frontal de aluminio de la cámara de presión y rocíe la cámara con un 70% de etanol. Deja por un mínimo de 10 minutos para permitir que los gases residuales de etanol a disiparse. </li><li> Coloque la placa de seis pozos que contienen las muestras de hoja en la cámara y vuelva a colocar la placa frontal. Asegúrese de que el sello hermético de apretar las tuercas ubicadas en las cuatro varillas roscadas (que se encuentra en cada esquina de la placa final) con la mano. Coloque la cámara de presión en la incubadora a 37 ° C. Un diagrama esquemático de la cámara de presión se muestra en la figura 2. </li><li> La interfaz le pedirá al usuario que proporcione la cantidad de tiempo entre los ciclos del sistema entrada de aire comprimido y de salida. Estos deben ser reguladas para las condiciones diastólica y sistólica y 0,6 s 0,4 s para imitar, respectivamente, a una frecuencia de 1Hz. El usuario debe entrar en una ruta de archivo de datos. </li><li> En LabVIEW, haga clic en Ejecutar y el interruptor &quot;TEST / RECORD&quot; cambiar a &quot;RECORD&quot;. </li><li> Asegúrese de que la presión está en el nivel deseado con el gráfico de la interfaz de LabVIEW. La presión se puede ajustar con el regulador de presión de gas. </li><li> Ejecute el programa de tiempo deseado. </li><li> Una vez que el experimento se haya completado, haga clic en el botón de parada en LabVIEW, a su vez el suministro de aire y abra la válvula de escape en la cámara de presión. </li><li> Retire la placa frontal de la cámara y recuperar muestras de seis pozos placa que contiene. Muestras que ahora se puede analizar la expresión de genes, expresión de la proteína, la histología, propiedades mecánicas, etc </li></ol> 3. Los resultados representativos: El sistema de presión es capaz de simular las presiones máximas transvalvular observado en normotensos, la etapa I y II etapa de las condiciones de hipertensos. Sin embargo, la presión no era capaz de imitar el gradiente de presión sistólica, que es esencialmente cero en vivo. La frecuencia se mantiene a 1 Hz, con un tiempo de entrada de aire de 0,6 s y un tiempo de 0,4 s de escape. Formas de onda representante presión de las condiciones normales de presión y elevados obtenidos del sistema se puede ver en la figura 3. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/3316/3316fig1.jpg" alt="Figura 1"/> Figura 1: Captura de pantalla de la interfaz de LabVIEW. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/3316/3316fig2.jpg" alt="Figura 2"/> Figura 2: Esquema de la cámara de vista de la presión A. isométrica de la cámara de presión, ver B. secundarios de la cámara de presión;C. Vista superior de la cámara de presión. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/3316/3316fig3.jpg" alt="Figura 3"/> Figura 3: Gráfico de simulación de la presión dentro de la cámara de presión en (A) normotensos, (B) Fase I hipertensos, y (C) Fase II las condiciones de hipertensos.

<ol>
	<li>Freeman, R. V., Otto, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spectrum+of+calcific+aortic+valve+disease:+pathogenesis,+disease+progression,+and+treatment+strategies.">Spectrum of calcific aortic valve disease: pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment strategies.</a> Circulation. 111, 3316-3326 (2005).</li><li>Robicsek, F., Thubrikar, M. J., Fokin, A. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cause+of+degenerative+disease+of+the+trileaflet+aortic+valve:+review+of+subject+and+presentation+of+a+new+theory.">Cause of degenerative disease of the trileaflet aortic valve: review of subject and presentation of a new theory.</a> Ann Thorac Surg. 73, 1346-1354 (2002).</li><li>Thubrikar, M. J., Aouad, J., Nolan, S. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Patterns+of+calcific+deposits+in+operatively+excised+stenotic+or+purely+regurgitant+aortic+valves+and+their+relation+to+mechanical+stress.">Patterns of calcific deposits in operatively excised stenotic or purely regurgitant aortic valves and their relation to mechanical stress.</a> Am J Cardiol. 58, 304-308 (1986).</li><li>Agno, F. S., Chinali, M., Bella, J. N., Liu, J. E., Arnett, D. K., Kitzman, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aortic+valve+sclerosis+is+associated+with+preclinical+cardiovascular+disease+in+hypertensive+adults:+the+Hypertension+Genetic+Epidemiology+Network+study.">Aortic valve sclerosis is associated with preclinical cardiovascular disease in hypertensive adults: the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network study.</a> J Hypertens. 23, 867-8673 (2005).</li><li>Cawley, P. J., Otto, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prevention+of+calcific+aortic+valve+stenosis+-+fact+or+fiction.">Prevention of calcific aortic valve stenosis - fact or fiction.</a> Annals of Medicine. 41, 100-108 (2009).</li><li>Durst, C. A., Grande-Allen, J. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+and+physical+characterization+of+a+synchronous+multivalve+aortic+valve+culture+system.">Design and physical characterization of a synchronous multivalve aortic valve culture system.</a> Ann Biomed Eng. 38, 319-3125 (2010).</li><li>Engelmayr, G. C., Soletti, L., Vigmostad, S. C., Budilarto, S. G., Federspiel, W. J., Chandran, K. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+flex-stretch-flow+bioreactor+for+the+study+of+engineered+heart+valve+tissue+mechanobiology.">A novel flex-stretch-flow bioreactor for the study of engineered heart valve tissue mechanobiology.</a> Ann Biomed Eng. 36, 700-712 (2008).</li><li>Sucosky, P., Padala, M., Elhammali, A., Balachandran, K., Jo, H., Yoganathan, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Design+of+an+ex+vivo+culture+system+to+investigate+the+effects+of+shear+stress+on+cardiovascular+tissue.">Design of an ex vivo culture system to investigate the effects of shear stress on cardiovascular tissue.</a> J Biomech Eng. 130, 035001-03 (2008).</li><li>Syedain, Z. H., Tranquillo, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlled+cyclic+stretch+bioreactor+for+tissue-engineered+heart+valves.">Controlled cyclic stretch bioreactor for tissue-engineered heart valves.</a> Biomaterials. 30, 4078-4084 (2009).</li><li>Lagana, K., Moretti, M., Dubini, G., Raimondi, M. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+bioreactor+for+the+controlled+application+of+complex+mechanical+stimuli+for+cartilage+tissue+engineering.">A new bioreactor for the controlled application of complex mechanical stimuli for cartilage tissue engineering.</a> Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 222, 705-715 (2008).</li><li>Wartella, K. A., Wayne, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bioreactor+for+biaxial+mechanical+stimulation+to+tissue+engineered+constructs.">Bioreactor for biaxial mechanical stimulation to tissue engineered constructs.</a> J Biomech Eng. 131, 044501-044501 (2009).</li><li>Wallis, M. C., Yeger, H., Cartwright, L., Shou, Z., Radisic, M., Haig, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feasibility+study+of+a+novel+urinary+bladder+bioreactor.">Feasibility study of a novel urinary bladder bioreactor.</a> Tissue Eng Part A. 14, 339-348 (2008).</li><li>Butcher, J. T., Nerem, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Valvular+endothelial+cells+regulate+the+phenotype+of+interstitial+cells+in+co-culture:+effects+of+steady+shear+stress.">Valvular endothelial cells regulate the phenotype of interstitial cells in co-culture: effects of steady shear stress.</a> Tissue Eng. 12, 905-915 (2006).</li><li>Metzler, S. A., Pregonero, C. A., Butcher, J. T., Burgess, S. C., Warnock, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cyclic+Strain+Regulates+Pro-Inflammatory+Protein+Expression+in+Porcine+Aortic+Valve+Endothelial+Cells.">Cyclic Strain Regulates Pro-Inflammatory Protein Expression in Porcine Aortic Valve Endothelial Cells.</a> J Heart Valve Dis. 17, 571-578 (2008).</li><li>Schipke, K. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Design of a cyclic pressure bioreactor for the ex vivo study of aortic heart valve mechanobiology. , (2008).</li><li>Smith, K. E., Metzler, S. A., Warnock, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cyclic+strain+inhibits+acute+pro-inflammatory+gene+expression+in+aortic+valve+interstitial+cells.">Cyclic strain inhibits acute pro-inflammatory gene expression in aortic valve interstitial cells.</a> Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology. , (2009).</li><li>Warnock, J. N., Burgess, S. C., Shack, A., Yoganathan, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+immediate-early+gene+responses+to+elevated+pressure+in+porcine+aortic+valve+interstitial+cells.">Differential immediate-early gene responses to elevated pressure in porcine aortic valve interstitial cells.</a> J Heart Valve Dis. 15, 34-41 (2006).</li><li>Brathwaite, D., Weissman, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+new+onset+of+atrial+arrhythmias+following+major+noncardiothoracic+surgery+is+associated+with+increased+mortality.">The new onset of atrial arrhythmias following major noncardiothoracic surgery is associated with increased mortality.</a> Chest. 114, 462-468 (1998).</li><li>Walsh, S. R., Oates, J. E., Anderson, J. A., Blair, S. D., Makin, C. A., Walsh, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postoperative+arrhythmias+in+colorectal+surgical+patients:+incidence+and+clinical+correlates.">Postoperative arrhythmias in colorectal surgical patients: incidence and clinical correlates.</a> Colorectal Dis. 8, 212-216 (2006).</li><li>Walsh, S. R., Tang, T., Gaunt, M. E., Schneider, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+arrhythmias+after+non-cardiothoracic+surgery.">New arrhythmias after non-cardiothoracic surgery.</a> BMJ. 7, 333-333 (2006).</li><li>Walsh, S. R., Tang, T., Wijewardena, C., Yarham, S. I., Boyle, J. R., Gaunt, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postoperative+arrhythmias+in+general+surgical+patients.">Postoperative arrhythmias in general surgical patients.</a> Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 89, 91-95 (2007).</li></ol>

No hay conflictos de interés declarado.

El sistema de presión con éxito la válvula aórtica folletos expuestos a las presiones cíclicas que eran representativos de la presión diastólica transvalvular. Sin embargo, no fue capaz de imitar la presión sistólica transvalvular, como la única presión se redujo a 40 mmHg. Presión transvalvular es la diferencia entre la presión en la aorta ascendente y el ventrículo izquierdo. Durante la diástole, cuando la válvula está cerrada, la diferencia de presión es 80 mmHg en condiciones normotensos y 90 mmHg ...

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><th> Nombre del reactivo </th><th> Empresa </th><th> Número de catálogo </th><th> Comentarios (opcional) </th></tr><tr><td> DMEM </td><td> Sigma </td><td> D5671 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Dulbecco PBS </td><td> Sigma </td><td> D5652 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Solución Anti-mycotic/antibiotic </td><td> Sigma </td><td> A5955 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> De suero fetal bovino </td><td> ThermoScientific </td><td> SH30070 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Viton Las válvulas de diafragma de solenoide </td><td> McMaster Carr </td><td> 4868K11 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Transductor de presión </td><td> Omega Engineering, Inc. </td><td> PX302-200GV </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> De carga acondicionado celular </td><td> Encore Electronics, Inc. </td><td> 4025-101 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Adquisición de Datos (DAQ) Módulo </td><td> Measurement Computing </td><td> PMD1608 </td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

design of a cyclic pressure bioreactor for the ex vivo study of aortic heart valves

La válvula aórtica, localizada entre el ventrículo izquierdo y la aorta, permite un flujo unidireccional de sangre, evitando el reflujo hacia el ventrículo. Folletos de la válvula aórtica se componen de células intersticiales suspendido dentro de una matriz extracelular (MEC) y se alinean con una monocapa de células endoteliales. La válvula resistente a un ambiente duro, dinámico y está constantemente expuesto a corte, flexión, tensión y compresión. Las investigaciones han demostrado lesiones calcificadas en las válvulas enfermas se producen en zonas de alto esfuerzo mecánico como consecuencia de la alteración del endotelio o daño de la matriz intersticial 1-3. Por lo tanto, no es de extrañar que los estudios epidemiológicos han demostrado que la hipertensión es un factor de riesgo en la aparición de la enfermedad de la válvula aórtica 4. La única opción de tratamiento actualmente disponibles para la enfermedad de la válvula es la cirugía de reemplazo de la válvula enferma por una válvula mecánica o bioprótesis 5. Una mejor comprensión de la biología de la válvula en respuesta a las tensiones físicas que ayudan a dilucidar los mecanismos de la patogénesis de la válvula. A su vez, esto podría ayudar en el desarrollo de terapias no invasivas, como la intervención farmacéutica o la prevención. Biorreactores varios han sido previamente desarrollado para estudiar la mecanobiología de las válvulas del corazón nativo o ingeniería 6-9. Biorreactores pulsátil también se han desarrollado para estudiar una amplia gama de tejidos incluyendo el cartílago 10, 11 huesos y la vejiga 12. El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar un sistema de presión cíclica que puede ser utilizado para dilucidar la respuesta biológica de la válvula aórtica a las cargas de mayor presión. El sistema consistía en una cámara de acrílico en el que colocar las muestras y producir una presión cíclica, viton válvulas de solenoide del diafragma para controlar el tiempo del ciclo de presión, y un ordenador para controlar los dispositivos eléctricos. La presión se controlará mediante un transductor de presión, y la señal se acondicionó con un acondicionador de la célula de carga. Un programa LabVIEW regula la presión usando un dispositivo analógico a la bomba de aire comprimido en el sistema a la velocidad adecuada. El sistema imita la dinámica de los niveles de presión transvalvular asociados con la válvula aórtica, una onda de diente de sierra produce un aumento gradual en la presión, típico de la gradiente de presión transvalvular que está presente a través de la válvula durante la diástole, seguida de una fuerte caída de presión que representa la apertura de la válvula en sístole. El programa LabVIEW permite a los usuarios controlar la magnitud y la frecuencia de presión cíclica. El sistema fue capaz de someter a las muestras de tejido de las condiciones de presión fisiológicos y patológicos. Este dispositivo se puede utilizar para aumentar nuestra comprensión de cómo las válvulas del corazón responder a los cambios en el entorno mecánico local.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves at JoVE.com

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

Un biorreactor presión cíclica capaz de someter a los tejidos del corazón de la válvula de presión a las condiciones fisiológicas y patológicas ha sido diseñado. Un programa LabVIEW permite a los usuarios para controlar la presión magnitud, amplitud y frecuencia. Este dispositivo puede ser utilizado para estudiar el tejido mecanobiología de las válvulas del corazón o células aisladas.

Diseño de un biorreactor de presión cíclica de la Ex Vivo Estudio de las válvulas aórtica del corazón

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, allows for unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow into the ventricle. Aortic ...

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Unit 1

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

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15.7K vistas.  Mississippi State University. Un biorreactor presión cíclica capaz de someter a los tejidos del corazón de la válvula de presión a las condiciones fisiológicas y patológicas ha sido diseñado. Un programa LabVIEW permite a los usuarios para controlar la presión magnitud, amplitud y frecuencia. Este dispositivo puede ser utilizado para estudiar el tejido mecanobiología de las válvulas del corazón o células aisladas.

Video: Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

Engineering Biological-Based Vascular Grafts Using a Pulsatile Bioreactor

Much effort has been devoted to develop and advance the methodology to regenerate functional small-diameter arterial bypasses. In the physiological environment, both mechanical and chemical stimulation are required to maintain the proper development and functionality of arterial vessels1,2.
Bioreactor culture systems developed by our group are designed to support vessel regeneration within a precisely controlled chemo-mechanical environment mimicking that of native vessels. Our bioreactor assembly and maintenance procedures are fairly simple and highly repeatable3,4. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are seeded onto a tubular polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh that is threaded over compliant silicone tubing and cultured in the bioreactor with or without pulsatile stimulation for up to 12 weeks. There are four main attributes that distinguish our bioreactor from some predecessors. 1) Unlike other culture systems that simulate only the biochemical surrounding of native blood vessels, our bioreactor also creates a physiological pulsatile environment by applying cyclic radial strain to the vessels in culture. 2) Multiple engineered vessels can be cultured simultaneously under different mechanical conditions within a controlled chemical environment. 3) The bioreactor allows a mono layer of endothelial cells (EC) to be easily coated onto the luminal side of engineered vessels for animal implantation models. 4) Our bioreactor can also culture engineered vessels with different diameter size ranged from 1 mm to 3 mm, saving the effort to tailor each individual bioreactor to fit a specific diameter size. 
The engineered vessels cultured in our bioreactor resemble native blood vessels histologically to some degree. Cells in the vessel walls express mature SMC contractile markers such as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC)3. A substantial amount of collagen is deposited within the extracellular matrix, which is responsible for ultimate mechanical strength of the engineered vessels5. Biochemical analysis also indicates that collagen content of engineered vessels is comparable to that of native arteries6. Importantly, the pulsatile bioreactor has consistently regenerated vessels that exhibit mechanical properties that permit successful implantation experiments in animal models3,7. Additionally, this bioreactor can be further modified to allow real-time assessment and tracking of collagen remodeling over time, non-invasively, using a non-linear optical microscopy (NLOM)8. To conclude, this bioreactor should serve as an excellent platform to study the fundamental mechanisms that regulate the regeneration of functional small-diameter vascular grafts.

Our group has developed a bioreactor culture system that mimics the physiological pulsatile stresses of the cardiovascular system to regenerate implantable small-diameter vascular grafts.

La ingeniería biológica basada en los injertos vasculares El uso de un biorreactor pulsátil

Much effort has been devoted to develop and advance the methodology to regenerate functional small-diameter arterial bypasses. In the physiological ...

Investigación

Bioingeniería

Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves

Limitations of currently available prosthetic valves, xenografts, and homografts have prompted a recent resurgence of developments in the area of tri-leaflet polymer valve prostheses. However, identification of a protocol for initial assessment of polymer valve hydrodynamic functionality is paramount during the early stages of the design process. Traditional in vitro pulse duplicator systems are not configured to accommodate flexible tri-leaflet materials; in addition, assessment of polymer valve functionality needs to be made in a relative context to native and prosthetic heart valves under identical test conditions so that variability in measurements from different instruments can be avoided. Accordingly, we conducted hydrodynamic assessment of i) native (n = 4, mean diameter, D = 20 mm), ii) bi-leaflet mechanical (n= 2, D = 23 mm) and iii) polymer valves (n = 5, D = 22 mm) via the use of a commercially available pulse duplicator system (ViVitro Labs Inc, Victoria, BC) that was modified to accommodate tri-leaflet valve geometries. Tri-leaflet silicone valves developed at the University of Florida comprised the polymer valve group. A mixture in the ratio of 35:65 glycerin to water was used to mimic blood physical properties. Instantaneous flow rate was measured at the interface of the left ventricle and aortic units while pressure was recorded at the ventricular and aortic positions. Bi-leaflet and native valve data from the literature was used to validate flow and pressure readings. The following hydrodynamic metrics were reported: forward flow pressure drop, aortic root mean square forward flow rate, aortic closing, leakage&#160;and regurgitant volume, transaortic closing, leakage, and total energy losses. Representative results indicated that hydrodynamic metrics from the three valve groups could be successfully obtained by incorporating a custom-built assembly into a commercially available pulse duplicator system and subsequently, objectively compared to provide insights on functional aspects of polymer valve design.

There has been renewed interest in developing polymer valves. Here, the objectives are to demonstrate the feasibility of modifying a commercial pulse duplicator to accommodate tri-leaflet geometries and to define a protocol to present polymer valve hydrodynamic data in comparison to native and prosthetic valve data collected under near-identical conditions.

Protocolo para la evaluación relativa hidrodinámico de Tri-lámina polimérica Válvulas

Limitations of currently available prosthetic valves, xenografts, and homografts have prompted a recent resurgence of developments in the area of ...

Design of a Biaxial Mechanical Loading Bioreactor for Tissue Engineering

We designed a loading device that is capable of applying uniaxial or biaxial mechanical strain to a tissue engineered biocomposites fabricated for transplantation. While the device primarily functions as a bioreactor that mimics the native mechanical strains, it is also outfitted with a load cell for providing force feedback or mechanical testing of the constructs. The device subjects engineered cartilage constructs to biaxial mechanical loading with great precision of loading dose (amplitude and frequency) and is compact enough to fit inside a standard tissue culture incubator. It loads samples directly in a tissue culture plate, and multiple plate sizes are compatible with the system. The device has been designed using components manufactured for precision-guided laser applications. Bi-axial loading is accomplished by two orthogonal stages. The stages have a 50 mm travel range and are driven independently by stepper motor actuators, controlled by a closed-loop stepper motor driver that features micro-stepping capabilities, enabling step sizes of less than 50 nm. A polysulfone loading platen is coupled to the bi-axial moving platform. Movements of the stages are controlled by Thor-labs Advanced Positioning Technology (APT) software. The stepper motor driver is used with the software to adjust load parameters of frequency and amplitude of both shear and compression independently and simultaneously. Positional feedback is provided by linear optical encoders that have a bidirectional repeatability of 0.1 &mu;m and a resolution of 20 nm, translating to a positional accuracy of less than 3 &mu;m over the full 50 mm of travel. These encoders provide the necessary position feedback to the drive electronics to ensure true nanopositioning capabilities. In order to provide the force feedback to detect contact and evaluate loading responses, a precision miniature load cell is positioned between the loading platen and the moving platform. The load cell has high accuracies of 0.15% to 0.25% full scale.

We designed a novel mechanical loading bioreactor that can apply uniaxial or biaxial mechanical strain to a cartilage biocomposite prior to transplantation into an articular cartilage defect.

Diseño de un Carga mecánica Biaxial biorreactor para Ingeniería de Tejidos

We  designed a loading device that is capable of applying uniaxial or biaxial  mechanical strain to a tissue engineered biocomposites fabricated for  ...

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Heart valve disease is a major burden in the Western world and no effective treatment is available. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the molecular, cellular and mechanical mechanisms underlying the maintenance and/or loss of the valvular structure. 
Current models used to study valvular biology include in vitro cultures of valvular endothelial and interstitial cells. Although, in vitro culturing models provide both cellular and molecular mechanisms, the mechanisms involved in the 3D-organization of the valve remain unclear. While in vivo models have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying valvular development, insight into adult valvular biology is still elusive. 
In order to be able to study the regulation of the valvular 3D-organization on tissue, cellular and molecular levels, we have developed the Miniature Tissue Culture System. In this ex vivo flow model the mitral or the aortic valve is cultured in its natural position in the heart. The natural configuration and composition of the leaflet are maintained allowing the most natural response of the valvular cells to stimuli. The valves remain viable and are responsive to changing environmental conditions. This MTCS may provide advantages on studying questions including but not limited to, how does the 3D organization affect valvular biology, what factors affect 3D organization of the valve, and which network of signaling pathways regulates the 3D organization of the valve.

Here, we present an ex vivo flow model in which murine cardiac valves can be cultured allowing the study of the biology of the valve.

El cultivo de ratón cardíaca válvulas en el sistema de cultivo tisular miniatura

Heart valve disease is a major burden in the Western world and no effective treatment is available. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of the ...

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

Various valved conduits and stent-mounted valves are used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) valve replacement in patients with congenital heart disease. When using prosthetic materials however, these grafts are susceptible to bacterial infections and various host responses.
Identification of bacterial and host factors that play a vital role in endovascular adherence of microorganisms is of importance to better understand the pathophysiology of the onset of infections such as infective endocarditis (IE) and to develop preventive strategies. Therefore, the development of competent models to investigate bacterial adhesion under physiological shear conditions is necessary. Here, we describe the use of a newly designed in vitro perfusion chamber based on parallel plates that allows the study of bacterial adherence to different components of graft tissues such as exposed extracellular matrix, endothelial cells and inert areas. This method combined with colony-forming unit (CFU) counting is adequate to evaluate the propensity of graft materials towards bacterial adhesion under flow. Further on, the flow chamber system might be used to investigate the role of blood components in bacterial adhesion under shear conditions. We demonstrated that the source of tissue, their surface morphology and bacterial species specificity are not the major determining factors in bacterial adherence to graft tissues by using our in-house designed in vitro perfusion model.

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

We describe an in-house designed in vitro flow chamber model, which allows the investigation of bacterial adherence to graft tissues.

Un modelo In Vitro de un sistema de placas paralelas de la perfusión para el estudio de adherencia bacteriana a los tejidos de injerto

Various valved conduits and stent-mounted valves are used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) valve replacement in patients with congenital heart ...

Biología del Desarrollo

A Multi-Cue Bioreactor to Evaluate the Inflammatory and Regenerative Capacity of Biomaterials under Flow and Stretch

The use of resorbable biomaterials to induce regeneration directly in the body is an attractive strategy from a translational perspective. Such materials induce an inflammatory response upon implantation, which is the driver of subsequent resorption of the material and the regeneration of new tissue. This strategy, also known as in situ tissue engineering, is pursued to obtain cardiovascular replacements such as tissue-engineered vascular grafts. Both the inflammatory and the regenerative processes are determined by the local biomechanical cues on the scaffold (i.e., stretch and shear stress). Here, we describe in detail the use of a custom-developed bioreactor that uniquely enables the decoupling of stretch and shear stress on a tubular scaffold. This allows for the systematic and standardized evaluation of the inflammatory and regenerative capacity of tubular scaffolds under the influence of well-controlled mechanical loads, which we demonstrate on the basis of a dynamic co-culture experiment using human macrophages and myofibroblasts. The key practical steps in this approach&#8212;the construction and setting up of the bioreactor, preparation of the scaffolds and cell seeding, application and maintenance of stretch and shear flow, and sample harvesting for analysis&#8212;are discussed in detail.

The goal of this protocol is to execute a dynamic co-culture of human macrophages and myofibroblasts in tubular electrospun scaffolds to investigate material-driven tissue regeneration, using a bioreactor which enables the decoupling of shear stress and cyclic stretch.

Un biorreactor multipíca para evaluar la capacidad inflamatoria y regenerativa de los biomateriales bajo flujo y estiramiento

The use of resorbable biomaterials to induce regeneration directly in the body is an attractive strategy from a translational perspective. Such materials ...

Ingeniería

In vitro Assessment of Aortic Regurgitation Using Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Aortic regurgitation (AR) refers to backward blood flow from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV) during ventricular diastole. The regurgitant jet arising from the complex shape is characterized by the three-dimensional flow and high-velocity gradient, sometimes limiting an accurate measurement of the regurgitant volume using 2D echocardiography. Recently developed four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow MRI) enables three-dimensional volumetric flow measurements, which can be used to accurately quantify the amount of the regurgitation. This study focuses on (i) magnetic resonance compatible AR model fabrication (dilatation, perforation, and prolapse) and (ii) systematic analysis of the performance of 4D flow MRI in AR quantification. The results indicated that the formation of the forward and backward jets over time was highly dependent on the types of AR origin. The amount of regurgitation volume bias for the model types were -7.04%, -33.21%, 6.75%, and 37.04% compared to the ground truth (48 mL) volume measured from the pump stroke volume. The largest error of the regurgitation fraction was around 12%. These results indicate that careful selection of imaging parameters is required when absolute regurgitation volume is important. The suggested in vitro flow phantom can easily be modified to simulate other valvular diseases such as aortic stenosis or bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and can be used as a standard platform to test different MRI sequences in the future.

In vitro Assessment of Aortic Regurgitation Using Four-Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Aortic regurgitation is an aortic valve heart disease. This manuscript demonstrates how four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging can evaluate aortic regurgitation using in vitro heart valves mimicking aortic regurgitation.

In vitro Evaluación de la regurgitación aórtica mediante imágenes de resonancia magnética de flujo cuatridimensional

Aortic regurgitation (AR) refers to backward blood flow from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV) during ventricular diastole. The regurgitant jet ...

Designing a Bioreactor to Improve Data Acquisition and Model Throughput of Engineered Cardiac Tissues

Heart failure remains the leading cause of death worldwide, creating a pressing need for better preclinical models of the human heart. Tissue engineering is crucial for basic science cardiac research; in vitro human cell culture eliminates the interspecies differences of animal models, while a more tissue-like 3D environment (e.g., with extracellular matrix and heterocellular coupling) simulates in vivo conditions to a greater extent than traditional two-dimensional culture on plastic Petri dishes. However, each model system requires specialized equipment, for example, custom-designed bioreactors and functional assessment devices. Additionally, these protocols are often complicated, labor-intensive, and plagued by the failure of the small, delicate tissues.
This paper describes a process for generating a robust human engineered cardiac tissue (hECT) model system using induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes for the longitudinal measurement of tissue function. Six hECTs with linear strip geometry are cultured in parallel, with each hECT&#160;suspended from a pair of force-sensing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) posts attached to PDMS racks. Each post is capped with a black PDMS stable post tracker (SPoT), a new feature that improves the ease of use, throughput, tissue retention, and data quality. The shape allows for the reliable optical tracking of post deflections, yielding improved twitch force tracings with absolute active and passive tension. The cap geometry eliminates tissue failure due to hECTs slipping off the posts, and as they involve a second step after PDMS rack fabrication, the SPoTs can be added to existing PDMS post-based designs without major changes to the bioreactor fabrication process.
The system is used to demonstrate the importance of measuring hECT function at physiological temperatures and shows stable tissue function during data acquisition. In summary, we describe a state-of-the-art model system that reproduces key physiological conditions to advance the biofidelity, efficiency, and rigor of engineered cardiac tissues for in vitro applications.

Three-dimensional cardiac tissues bioengineered using stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes have emerged as promising models for studying healthy and diseased human myocardium in vitro while recapitulating key aspects of the native cardiac niche. This manuscript describes a protocol for fabricating and analyzing high-content engineered cardiac tissues generated from human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Diseño de un biorreactor para mejorar la adquisición de datos y el rendimiento del modelo de tejidos cardíacos diseñados

Heart failure remains the leading cause of death worldwide, creating a pressing need for better preclinical models of the human heart. Tissue engineering ...

Un novedoso biorreactor impreso en 3D para el cultivo ex vivo de vasos sanguíneos en perfusión

Ex Vivo Perfusion Culture of Large Blood Vessels in a 3D Printed Bioreactor

Vascular disease forms the basis of most cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which remain the primary cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Efficacious surgical and pharmacological interventions to prevent and treat vascular disease are urgently needed. In part, the shortage of translational models limits the understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in vascular disease. Ex vivo perfusion culture bioreactors provide an ideal platform for the study of large animal vessels (including humans) in a controlled dynamic environment, combining the ease of in vitro culture and the complexity of the live tissue. Most bioreactors are, however, custom manufactured and therefore difficult to adopt, limiting the reproducibility of the results. This paper presents a 3D printed system that can be easily produced and applied in any biological lab, and provides a detailed protocol for its setup, enabling users&#39; operation. This innovative and reproducible ex vivo perfusion culture system enables the culture of blood vessels for up to 7 days in physiological conditions. We expect that adopting a standardized perfusion bioreactor will support a better understanding of physiological and pathological processes in large animal blood vessels and accelerate the discovery of new therapeutics.

Autor destacado: EasyFlow: un biorreactor de perfusión económico y adaptable para el cultivo de grandes vasos sanguíneos 

This protocol presents the setup and operation of a newly developed, 3D printed bioreactor for the ex vivo culture of blood vessels in perfusion. The system is designed to be easily adopted by other users, practical, affordable, and adaptable to different experimental applications, such as basic biology and pharmacological studies.

Ex Vivo Cultivo de perfusión de grandes vasos sanguíneos en un biorreactor impreso en 3D

Vascular disease forms the basis of most cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which remain the primary cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Efficacious ...

Diseño de un biorreactor de presión cíclica de la Ex Vivo Estudio de las válvulas aórtica del corazón

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