The authors would like to thank Prof. Steven Nutt and Mr. Yuzheng Zhang for assistant with the Focus Ion Beam, and the Center for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (CEMMA) at USC for electron microscopy. Research was supported by NIH-NIDCR grants; DE-13414 and DE-020099 to J.M.O.

Los molares humanos se extrajeron siguiendo los procedimientos estándar para la extracción de la Escuela Ostrow de Odontología de la Universidad del Sur de California y manipulados con la aprobación de la Junta de Revisión Institucional. 1. Preparación del Diente grabado con ácido, Slice <ol><li> Seleccionar un tercer molar humano sin ningún tipo de caries restaurados. </li><li> Retire la parte de la raíz del molar, y cortar la corona del molar longitudinalmente en rodajas de 2 mm de grosor utilizando una sierra de diamante de baja velocidad refrigerado por agua. Ultrasonidos limpiar estas rodajas durante 2 minutos, y luego enjuague con agua desionizada 3 veces. </li><li> Para simular lesiones erosivas, grabar las rodajas de dientes con un 30% de ácido fosfórico durante 30 segundos luego enjuagar inmediatamente con agua desionizada. </li><li> Ultrasonidos limpiar las rodajas grabadas durante 2 minutos, y luego enjuague con agua desionizada 3 veces. </li></ol> 2. Preparación de amelogenina-quitosano hidrogel <ol><li> PREPARACIÓNn de la solución madre quitosano <ol><li> Disolver 1% (w / v) de quitosano (peso molecular medio, 75-85% desacetilado) en una solución al 1% (v / v) de ácido acético seguido de agitación a 80 ° CO / N. </li><li> Después de enfriar la solución a TA, se filtra la solución de quitosano utilizando un filtro de 0,45 micras. Ajustar el valor de pH a 5,0 mediante la adición de solución 1 M de NaOH. </li></ol></li><li> Preparación de calcio y la solución de stock de fosfato (0,1 M) <ol><li> Pesar de cloruro de calcio (CaCl2) y preparar una solución de 0,1 M, a continuación, mezclar usando un vórtice hasta que la solución es clara. Ajustar el valor de pH a 11 mediante la adición de solución 1 M de NaOH. </li><li> Pesar de fosfato de sodio dibásico (Na 2 HPO 4) y preparar una solución de 0,1 M, a continuación, mezclar usando un vórtice hasta que la solución es clara. </li></ol></li><li> Expresión y purificación de amelogenina recombinante 17-18 La amelogenina recombinante de longitud completa de porcino (rP172) utilizado aquí tiene 172 aminoácidos y es un análogo de la plenaDe longitud P173 porcina natural, pero que carece de la metionina N-terminal, así como un grupo fosfato en Ser16 18. <ol><li> Añadir 20 g de caldo de Lisogenia (LB) polvo de agar en 500 ml de agua desionizada, la solución en autoclave a 121 ° C (ajuste de líquido) durante 20 min. Deje enfriar el agar a ~ 55 ° C, añadir ampicilina (100 mg / ml) en solución de agar. </li><li> Transferir la solución de agar a placas de Petri, que cada plato fresco hasta que esté sólido, y luego la vuelta para evitar la condensación en el agar. Placas, almacenarlas en bolsas de plástico a 4 ° C. </li><li> Racha de la placa de agar LB con células recombinantes (E. coli-FC21) de la solución madre en glicerol (-80 ° C). Las placas se incuban O / N a 37 ° C. </li><li> Preparar 50 ml de medio NZCYM y esterilizar en autoclave los medios de comunicación a 121 ° C durante 30 min. Permita que el medio se enfríe, añadir 50 l de 100 mg / ml de ampicilina a 50 ml de medio. </li><li> Inocular una sola colonia de la placa de agar LB en los medios de comunicación NZCYM 50ml suplementado con ampicillpulg incuban las células O / N en una incubadora de agitación a 37 º C. </li><li> Preparar 1 l de medio NZCYM y los medios de comunicación en autoclave a 121 ° C durante 30 min. Añadir 1 ml de 100 mg / ml de ampicilina a 1000 ml de medio. Tome una densidad óptica (DO) como blanco utilizando un espectrofotómetro UV-Vis. NOTA: No se deshaga de esto después de la primera lectura. </li><li> Inocular 10 ml de cultivo celular de la etapa 2.3.5 en 1000 ml de medios de comunicación desde el paso 2.3.6. Lea la densidad óptica a 595 nm inmediatamente después de la inoculación. Tome la lectura de la densidad óptica periódicamente para hacer un seguimiento del crecimiento. NOTA: Lea el blanco cada vez que se toma la OD. </li><li> Inducir con 700 l de isopropil β-D-1-tiogalactopiranósido (IPTG, 1 M) cuando el crecimiento bacteriano llega a alrededor de 0,75 ~ 0,8 OD a 595 nm. </li><li> Recoger las células cuando el OD alcanza 1,1. Verter el contenido del matraz a 6 botellas de plástico. Balanzas y pesar las botellas antes de utilizar la centrífuga. Centrifugar durante 20 minutos a 8554 xga 4 º C.Mantenga el sedimento celular en el -20 ° CO / N. </li><li> Saque los sedimentos celulares y combinarlos en un tubo de 50 ml. Añadir 3,5 ml de HCl de guanidina 4M por l de fermentación. Veces Sonicar 2-3 sobre hielo, 30 segundos cada vez, con intervalos de 1 min. </li><li> Hacer diluciones 6x de volumen de células con ácido fórmico al 0,5% y dejar que se revuelva en la cámara fría durante 2 horas. Centrifugar durante 30 min, 8554 xga 4 º C. Mantenga el sobrenadante. Añadir sulfato de amonio saturado al 20% utilizando la solución madre saturadas y revuelo en la sala fría, O / N. </li><li> Centrifugar durante 30 min, 8.554 xg a 4 ° C y mantener el sedimento. Reconstituir los pellets en 0,1% de ácido trifluoroacético (TFA), la carga en una columna C4 (10 x 250 mm, 5 micras), y fraccionar utilizando un gradiente lineal de A = 0,1% de TFA y B = 60% de acetonitrilo en TFA, en un tasa de 1,5 ml · min -1 fluir. </li><li> Congelar la solución de proteína en hielo seco y liofilizar la congelada muestra O / N. </li></ol></li><li> Preparación de amelogenina-quitosano (CS-AMEL) hydrogEL (Figura 1A) <ol><li> Añadir 200 g de rp172 en un tubo que contiene 960 l de solución de quitosano al 1%, a continuación, mezclar usando un vórtice hasta que la solución es clara. </li><li> Añadir 25 l de solución de CaCl M 0,1 2 seguido por 15 l de 0,1 M de Na 2 HPO 4 solución a la solución de quitosano que contiene amelogenina-, a continuación, mezclar usando un vórtice durante 5 min. </li><li> Ajustar el pH de la solución de CS-AMEL a 6,5 ​​por adición cuidadosa de solución 1 M de NaOH. CS-AMEL hidrogel formará cuando el valor de pH alcanza 6,5. </li></ol></li></ol> 3. Esmalte Recrecimiento en Amelogenin-quitosano hidrogel <ol><li> Preparación de la solución de saliva artificial <ol><li> Disolver una cierta cantidad de cloruro de magnesio (MgCl2, 0,2 mM), cloruro de calcio (CaCl2, 1 mM), fosfato dihidrógeno de potasio (KH 2 PO 4, 4 mM), cloruro de potasio (KCl, 16 mM) y cloruro de amonio ( NH4Cl, 4,5 mM) en 20 mM de HEPES(4 - (2-hidroxietil) piperazina-1-etano-sulfónico) tampón 12. </li><li> Ajustar el pH a 7.0 con 1 M de NaOH y almacenar la solución de saliva artificial a 4 ° C. </li><li> Antes de utilizar la solución, agregar fluoruro de sodio (NaF, 300 ppm). </li></ol></li><li> Aplicación de la CS-AMEL hidrogel <ol><li> Aplicar sobre 20 l de hidrogel CS-AMEL a la rebanada diente se graban mediante una jeringa (Figura 1B). </li><li> Secar la rebanada diente de hidrogel cubierto en un desecador a temperatura ambiente durante 2 h. </li><li> Transferir la rebanada diente a un vaso de precipitados que contiene 30 ml de solución de saliva artificial. Cubrir el vaso con papel de aluminio, y luego mantener el vaso de precipitados en un horno a 37 ° C durante 7 días. </li><li> Retire el trozo de diente y secarlo en un desecador a temperatura ambiente. </li></ol></li></ol> 4. Caracterización de la interfaz entre la capa recién cultivado y esmalte La microestructura de la interfaz entre la capa recién crecido y esmalte fue observaciónved por microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) y microscopía electrónica de transmisión de alta revolución (HR-TEM). La muestra de TEM se preparó usando un haz de iones enfocado técnica (FIB), los pasos para los que son de la siguiente manera. <ol><li> Cargue la muestra en un instrumento FIB-SEM y terminar todas las alineaciones de acuerdo a las instrucciones de funcionamiento. NOTA: El ajuste de Z Fine se debe realizar por lo menos 2 veces. </li><li> Depositar una capa de carbono (15 × 3 micras) sobre la muestra para proteger la estructura subyacente (Figura 2A). </li><li> Moler la muestra cuidadosamente en los lados superior, inferior y derecho de la capa de carbón para preparar una pieza delgada de la muestra y, a continuación, cortar la parte inferior de esta pieza delgada. NOTA: Compruebe la alineación del haz de iones antes de cada etapa de molienda (Figura 2B). </li><li> Weld una punta de Pt sobre la pieza fina y cortar la parte izquierda para separar la pieza de muestra (Figura 3C). NOTA: Compruebe la alineación del haz de iones antes de la etapa de soldadura. </li><li> Levante tque PT punta con la muestra lentamente, y montar la muestra laminar sobre una rejilla TEM lift-out. </li><li> Separe la punta de la muestra, y diluir la muestra hasta que su grosor es inferior a 100 nm (Figura 3D). Retire la muestra del instrumento para llevar a cabo la observación TEM. NOTA: Compruebe la alineación del haz de iones antes de cada proceso de adelgazamiento. </li></ol> 5. Evaluación de propiedades de unión y mecánicas de la capa recién Grown <ol><li> La fuerza de unión se evalúa por tratamiento ultrasónico. Mantener la rebanada diente reparado en un limpiador de ultrasonidos (42 kHz, 100 W) durante 10 min, y a continuación, observar la interfaz entre la capa de esmalte natural y reparado con un análisis SEM de retrodispersión de electrones. </li><li> Medir la dureza y módulo elástico a 20 puntos de prueba en cada superficie del esmalte reparado (n = 3) por un nano-penetrador con una punta Berkovich. </li></ol> 6. Inmunofluorescencia La tinción <ol><li> Lave el diente con slice Tris buffer solución salina (TBS) durante 15 min. </li><li> Bloque con 1% de albúmina de suero bovino (BSA) en TBS durante 15 min. </li><li> Eliminar el líquido y se incuba la muestra O / N con 1 ° Ab (1:500 pollo anti-amelogenina) diluido en TBS (0,1% de BSA, 0,3% de Triton X-100). </li><li> Lavar la muestra con TBS durante 30 min y se incuba O / N con 2 ° Ab (1:100 FITC anti-pollo) diluido en TBS. </li><li> Lavar la muestra con TBS durante 30 minutos y dejar secar durante otros 30 min. </li><li> Observar al microscopio de fluorescencia. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Moradian-Oldak, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protein-+mediated+enamel+mineralization.">Protein- mediated enamel mineralization.</a> Frontiers in Bioscience. 17, 1996-2023 (2012).</li><li>Palmer, L. C., Newcomb, C. J., Kaltz, S. R., Spoerke, E. D., Stupp, S. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomimetic+Systems+for+Hydroxyapatite+Mineralization+Inspired+By+Bone+and+Enamel.">Biomimetic Systems for Hydroxyapatite Mineralization Inspired By Bone and Enamel.</a> Chem. Rev. 108, 4754-4783 (2008).</li><li>Onuma, K., Yamagishi, K., Oyane, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nucleation+and+growth+of+hydroxyapatite+nanocrystals+for+nondestructive+repair+of+early+caries+lesions.">Nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals for nondestructive repair of early caries lesions.</a> J. Cryst. Growth. 282, 199-207 (2005).</li><li>Xie, R. Q., Feng, Z. D., Li, S. W., Xu, B. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=EDTA-Assisted+Self-Assembly+of+Fluoride-Substituted+Hydroxyapatite+Coating+on+Enamel+Substrate.">EDTA-Assisted Self-Assembly of Fluoride-Substituted Hydroxyapatite Coating on Enamel Substrate.</a> Cryst. Growth Des. 11, 5206-5214 (2011).</li><li>Li, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bio-Inspired+Enamel+Repair+via+Glu-Directed+Assembly+of+Apatite+Nanoparticles:+an+Approach+to+Biomaterials+with+Optimal+Characteristics.">Bio-Inspired Enamel Repair via Glu-Directed Assembly of Apatite Nanoparticles: an Approach to Biomaterials with Optimal Characteristics.</a> Advanced Materials. 23, (2011).</li><li>Yin, Y. J., Yun, S., Fang, J. S., Chen, H. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemical+regeneration+of+human+tooth+enamel+under+near-physiological+conditions.">Chemical regeneration of human tooth enamel under near-physiological conditions.</a> Chem. Commun. , 5892-5894 (2009).</li><li>Fan, Y., Sun, Z., Moradian-Oldak, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlled+remineralization+of+enamel+in+the+presence+of+amelogenin+and+fluoride.">Controlled remineralization of enamel in the presence of amelogenin and fluoride.</a> Biomaterials. 30, 478-483 (2009).</li><li>Li, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Repair+of+enamel+by+using+hydroxyapatite+nanoparticles+as+the+building+blocks.">Repair of enamel by using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as the building blocks.</a> J. Mater. Chem. 18, 4079-4084 (2008).</li><li>Chen, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acellular+synthesis+of+a+human+enamel-like+microstructure.">Acellular synthesis of a human enamel-like microstructure.</a> Advanced Materials. 18, (2006).</li><li>Yamagishi, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+synthetic+enamel+for+rapid+tooth+repair.">A synthetic enamel for rapid tooth repair.</a> Nature. 433, 819-819 (2005).</li><li>Bleek, K., Taubert, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+developments+in+polymer-controlled,+bioinspired+calcium+phosphate+mineralization+from+aqueous+solution.">New developments in polymer-controlled, bioinspired calcium phosphate mineralization from aqueous solution.</a> Acta Biomaterialia. 9, 6283-6321 (2013).</li><li>Fletcher, J., Walsh, D., Fowler, C. E., Mann, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrospun+mats+of+PVP/ACP+nanofibres+for+remineralization+of+enamel+tooth+surfaces.">Electrospun mats of PVP/ACP nanofibres for remineralization of enamel tooth surfaces.</a> Crystengcomm. 13, 3692-3697 (2011).</li><li>Fang, P. -. A., Conway, J. F., Margolis, H. C., Simmer, J. P., Beniash, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hierarchical+self-assembly+of+amelogenin+and+the+regulation+of+biomineralization+at+the+nanoscale.">Hierarchical self-assembly of amelogenin and the regulation of biomineralization at the nanoscale.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108, 14097-14102 (2011).</li><li>Yang, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+Amelogenin+Orchestrates+the+Organization+of+Hierarchical+Elongated+Microstructures+of+Apatite.">How Amelogenin Orchestrates the Organization of Hierarchical Elongated Microstructures of Apatite.</a> Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 114, 2293-2300 (2010).</li><li>Li, H., Fujiki, Y., Sada, K., Estroff, L. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gel+incorporation+inside+of+organic+single+crystals+grown+in+agarose+hydrogels.">Gel incorporation inside of organic single crystals grown in agarose hydrogels.</a> Crystengcomm. 13, 1060-1062 (2011).</li><li>Ruan, Q., Zhang, Y., Yang, X., Nutt, S., Moradian-Oldak, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+amelogenin-chitosan+matrix+promotes+assembly+of+an+enamel-like+layer+with+a+dense+interface.">An amelogenin-chitosan matrix promotes assembly of an enamel-like layer with a dense interface.</a> Acta Biomater. 9, 7289-7297 (2013).</li><li>Hu, C. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning,+cDNA+sequence,+and+alternative+splicing+of+porcine+amelogenin+mRNAs.">Cloning, cDNA sequence, and alternative splicing of porcine amelogenin mRNAs.</a> Journal of Dental Research. 75, 1735-1741 (1996).</li><li>Bromley, K. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amelogenin+Processing+by+MMP-20+Prevents+Protein+Occlusion+Inside+Calcite+Crystals.">Amelogenin Processing by MMP-20 Prevents Protein Occlusion Inside Calcite Crystals.</a> Cryst. Growth Des. 12, 4897-4905 (2012).</li><li>Fan, Y., Sun, Z., Abbott, C., Moradian-Oldak, 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+enamel+inspired+nanocomposite+fabrication+through+amelogenin+supramolecular+assembly.">A enamel inspired nanocomposite fabrication through amelogenin supramolecular assembly.</a> Biomaterials. 28, 3034-3042 (2007).</li><li>Wright, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+molecular+etiologies+and+associated+phenotypes+of+amelogenesis+imperfecta.">The molecular etiologies and associated phenotypes of amelogenesis imperfecta.</a> Am. J. Med. Gent. A. 140 (23), 2547-2555 (2006).</li><li>Eimar, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+enamel+hardness+by+its+crystallographic+dimensions.">Regulation of enamel hardness by its crystallographic dimensions.</a> Acta Biomaterialia. 8, 3400-3410 (2012).</li><li>Ruan, Q., Siddiqah, N., Li, X., Nutt, S., Moradian-Oldak, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amelogenin-chitosan+matrix+for+human+enamel+regrowth:+effects+of+viscosity+and+supersaturation+degree.">Amelogenin-chitosan matrix for human enamel regrowth: effects of viscosity and supersaturation degree.</a> Connect Tissue Res. , (2014).</li><li>Pouget, E. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Initial+Stages+of+Template-Controlled+CaCO3+Formation+Revealed+by+Cryo-TEM.">The Initial Stages of Template-Controlled CaCO3 Formation Revealed by Cryo-TEM.</a> Science. 323, 1455-1458 (2009).</li><li>Gebauer, D., Volkel, A., Colfen, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stable+Prenucleation+Calcium+Carbonate+Clusters.">Stable Prenucleation Calcium Carbonate Clusters.</a> Science. 322, 1819-1822 (2008).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Mientras que el contenido mineral del esmalte es alto por lo que es el tejido mineralizado más duro del cuerpo humano, este biocerámico es susceptible a los procesos de desmineralización, que suelen aparecer como caries dental o erosión. Las mutaciones genéticas también pueden hacer que el esmalte delgadas o blandas que conducen a una serie de enfermedades hereditarias de la malformación del esmalte llamado amelogénesis imperfecta 20. Productos para el cuidado de la salud oral que contienen f...

Dental enamel is the hard mineralized surface of human teeth. It is composed of numerous needle-like apatite crystals, which are bundled in organized, parallel prisms to ensure the unique mechanical strength and biological protection that enamel provides1-2. Unlike other mineralized tissues, such as bone and dentin, mature enamel is acellular and cannot regenerate itself after substantial mineral loss1-2, which often occurs as dental caries or erosion. Commercially available products such as fluoride containing varnishes, tooth pastes and mouthwashes are effective in re-mineralizing enamel but none of them have the potential to promote the formation of organized apatite crystals. Clinically, the conventional treatment for enamel repair involves a filling procedure with artificial materials such as amalgam, ceramics, or composite resin 3. However, these materials usually do not interface well with the natural tissue surrounding the lesion, because their structures, components and properties are different from the natural enamel. As a result, secondary caries frequently develops overtime at the interface between the tooth and foreign materials. Therefore, in situ regrowth of enamel with a dense interface is an attractive target for the fields of materials science and stomatology. One particularly promising way to achieve this purpose is biomimetic synthesis of enamel-like material on the enamel surface. Recently, numerous in vitro attempts have been made to prepare enamel-like materials using biomimetic systems that contain nano-apatites or different organic additives 4-12. However, developing the optimal biomimetic strategy to promote remineralization crystals to achieve a perfect dense interface is still a challenge. 
During enamel mineralization, the oriented growth and elongation of apatite crystals is regulated by an amelogenin-rich matrix 1,13-14. To mimic the organic matrix in developing enamel, herein we describe a detailed protocol for fabricating an amelogenin-chitosan (CS-AMEL) hydrogel for in situ enamel regrowth on an acid-etched enamel surface used as a model for erosive lesions. As &#8220;the most versatile growth media&#8221; for crystals 15, hydrogel matrices have an advantage over a solution system since clinically they are easier to handle. Moreover, CS-AMEL is biocompatible, biodegradable, and has unique antimicrobial and adhesion properties that compare favorably with other biomimetic systems for dental applications 16. Importantly, the in situ mineralization of apatite crystals on the enamel surface provides a dense interface between the repaired layer and the natural enamel, which can potentially improve the durability of restorations and prevent the formation of new caries at the margin of the restoration.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1219">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Name</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Material/ Reagent</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:331px;">Human Third Molar&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">The human molars were extracted following the standard procedures for extraction at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California and handled with the approval of the Institutional Review Board.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:331px;">Recombinant Pocine Amelogenin</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Expression and purification&#160; in lab</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">rP172, full-length&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Chitosan&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">448877</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">medium molecular weight, 75-85% deacetylated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Phosphoric Acid&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">AA033266</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Acetic Acid Glacial</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">A036289</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Sodium Hydroxide</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH9292</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Calcium Chloride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">223506</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Dibasic Sodium Phosphate Anhydrous</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH0316</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">BL21-CodonPlus (DE3)-RP&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Agilent Technologies Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">230255</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Ammonium Sulfate</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH8001</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Trifluoroacetic Acid</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">AAAL06374</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Acetonitrile</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH1103</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Magnesium Chloride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH0244</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH9268</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Potassium Chloride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">BDH0258</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Ammonium Chloride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">AAAA15000</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:331px;">HEPES (4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethane-sulfonic acid)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">AAA14777</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Sodium Fluoride&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">AA11561</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Tris-Buffered Saline</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Bio-Rad</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">170-6435</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">10&#215; TBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Bovine Serum Albumin</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">EMD Millipore&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">12659</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">CalBioChem, Albumin, Bovine Serum, Fraction V, Low Heavy Metals&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Triton X-100</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">EMD Millipore&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">TX1568-1</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Chicken Anti-Amelogenin</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">A gift from Prof. Malcolm Snead, University of Southern California</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Bovine Anti-Chicken IgY-FITC</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Sc-2700</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="32">
			<td height="32" style="height:32px;width:331px;">Equipments</td>
			<td style="width:209px;"></td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:26px;width:331px;">High Performance Liquid Chromatography System</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Agilent Technologies Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Varian Prostar 210</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">C4 column</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Phenomenx&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Jupiter 5&#956; 300A</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Scanning Electron Microscopy&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">JEOL&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">JSM-7001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">FIB-SEM&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">JEOL&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">JIB-4500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Transmission Electron Microscopy&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">JEOL</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">JEM-2100F</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Digital Low Speed Diamond Saw</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">MTI Corporation</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">SYJ-150</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Fluorescence Microscopy</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Leica</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">DMI3000 B</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Ultrasonic Cleaner&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Branson&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">2510</td>
			<td style="width:516px;">42 kHz, 100 W</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:331px;">Nano-indenter&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Agilent Technologies Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">MTS XP</td>
			<td style="width:516px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

development of amelogenin-chitosan hydrogel for in vitro enamel regrowth with a dense interface

Biomimetic enamel reconstruction is a significant topic in material science and dentistry as a novel approach for the treatment of dental caries or erosion. Amelogenin has been proven to be a critical protein for controlling the organized growth of apatite crystals. In this paper, we present a detailed protocol for superficial enamel reconstruction by using a novel amelogenin-chitosan hydrogel. Compared to other conventional treatments, such as topical fluoride and mouthwash, this method not only has the potential to prevent the development of dental caries but also promotes significant and durable enamel restoration. The organized enamel-like microstructure regulated by amelogenin assemblies can significantly improve the mechanical properties of etched enamel, while the dense enamel-restoration interface formed by an in situ regrowth of apatite crystals can improve the effectiveness and durability of restorations. Furthermore, chitosan hydrogel is easy to use and can suppress bacterial infection, which is the major risk factor for the occurrence of dental caries. Therefore, this biocompatible and biodegradable amelogenin-chitosan hydrogel shows promise as a biomaterial for the prevention, restoration, and treatment of defective enamel.

La eficacia del protocolo descrito aquí se demuestra por microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM), difracción de electrones área seleccionada (SAED) y difracción de rayos X (DRX) análisis. Después de la reparación por amelogenina-quitosano (CS-AMEL) hidrogel durante 7 días, se formó una capa similar al esmalte con un espesor de 15 micras en la superficie de esmalte grabado. La capa recién crecido-se hizo de matrices altamente ordenadas de cristales con un diámetro de ~ 50 nm, preferentemente creciente a lo ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface at JoVE.com

Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface

En este artículo, se describe un protocolo para fabricar un hidrogel amelogenina quitosano para la reconstrucción del esmalte superficial. Organizado en el crecimiento in situ de los cristales de apatita en el hidrogel formado una densa interfaz de esmalte-restauración, lo que mejorará la eficacia y durabilidad de las restauraciones.

Desarrollo de amelogenina-quitosano hidrogel para<em&gt; In Vitro</em&gt; Esmalte Recrecimiento con una interfaz Dense

Biomimetic enamel reconstruction is a significant topic in material science and dentistry as a novel approach for the treatment of dental caries or ...

development-amelogenin-chitosan-hydrogel-for-vitro-enamel-regrowth

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface

14.9K vistas.  University of Southern California.  En este artículo, se describe un protocolo para fabricar un hidrogel amelogenina quitosano para la reconstrucción del esmalte superficial. Organizado en el crecimiento in situ de los cristales de apatita en el hidrogel formado una densa interfaz de esmalte-restauración, lo que mejorará la eficacia y durabilidad de las restauraciones. 

Video: Development of Amelogenin-chitosan Hydrogel for In Vitro Enamel Regrowth with a Dense Interface

Encapsulation of Cardiomyocytes in a Fibrin Hydrogel for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Culturing cells in a three dimensional hydrogel environment is an important technique for developing constructs for tissue engineering as well as studying cellular responses under various culture conditions in vitro. The three dimensional environment more closely mimics what the cells observe in vivo due to the application of mechanical and chemical stimuli in all dimensions 1. Three-dimensional hydrogels can either be made from synthetic polymers such as PEG-DA 2 and PLGA 3 or a number of naturally occurring proteins such as collagen 4, hyaluronic acid 5 or fibrin 6,7. Hydrogels created from fibrin, a naturally occurring blood clotting protein, can polymerize to form a mesh that is part of the body's natural wound healing processes 8. Fibrin is cell-degradable and potentially autologous 9, making it an ideal temporary scaffold for tissue engineering.
Here we describe in detail the isolation of neonatal cardiomyocytes from three day old rat pups and the preparation of the cells for encapsulation in fibrin hydrogel constructs for tissue engineering. Neonatal myocytes are a common cell source used for in vitro studies in cardiac tissue formation and engineering 4. Fibrin gel is created by mixing fibrinogen with the enzyme thrombin. Thrombin cleaves fibrinopeptides FpA and FpB from fibrinogen, revealing binding sites that interact with other monomers 10. These interactions cause the monomers to self-assemble into fibers that form the hydrogel mesh. Because the timing of this enzymatic reaction can be adjusted by altering the ratio of thrombin to fibrinogen, or the ratio of calcium to thrombin, one can injection mold constructs with a number of different geometries 11,12. Further we can generate alignment of the resulting tissue by how we constrain the gel during culture 13.
After culturing the engineered cardiac tissue constructs for two weeks under static conditions, the cardiac cells have begun to remodel the construct and can generate a contraction force under electrical pacing conditions 6. As part of this protocol, we also describe methods for analyzing the tissue engineered myocardium after the culture period including functional analysis of the active force generated by the cardiac muscle construct upon electrical stimulation, as well as methods for determining final cell viability (Live-Dead assay) and immunohistological staining to examine the expression and morphology of typical proteins important for contraction (Myosin Heavy Chain or MHC) and cellular coupling (Connexin 43 or Cx43) between myocytes.

We describe the isolation of neonatal cardiomyocytes and the preparation of the cells for encapsulation in fibrin hydrogel constructs for tissue engineering. We describe methods for analyzing the tissue engineered myocardium after the culture period including active force generated upon electrical stimulation and cell viability and immunohistological staining.

La encapsulación de los cardiomiocitos en un hidrogel de fibrina para ingeniería de tejidos cardíacos

Culturing cells in a three dimensional hydrogel environment is an important technique for developing constructs for tissue engineering as well as studying ...

Investigación

Bioingeniería

Cultivation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells in a 3-dimensional Self-assembling Peptide Hydrogel

The influence of 3-dimensional (3D) scaffolds on growth, proliferation and finally neuronal differentiation is of great interest in order to find new methods for cell-based and standardised therapies in neurological disorders or neurodegenerative diseases. 3D structures are expected to provide an environment much closer to the in vivo situation than 2D cultures. In the context of regenerative medicine, the combination of biomaterial scaffolds with neural stem and progenitor cells holds great promise as a therapeutic tool.1-5 Culture systems emulating a three dimensional environment have been shown to influence proliferation and differentiation in different types of stem and progenitor cells. Herein, the formation and functionalisation of the 3D-microenviroment is important to determine the survival and fate of the embedded cells.6-8 Here we used PuraMatrix9,10 (RADA16, PM), a peptide based hydrogel scaffold, which is well described and used to study the influence of a 3D-environment on different cell types.7,11-14 PuraMatrix can be customised easily and the synthetic fabrication of the nano-fibers provides a 3D-culture system of high reliability, which is in addition xeno-free.
Recently we have studied the influence of the PM-concentration on the formation of the scaffold.13 In this study the used concentrations of PM had a direct impact on the formation of the 3D-structure, which was demonstrated by atomic force microscopy. A subsequent analysis of the survival and differentiation of the hNPCs revealed an influence of the used concentrations of PM on the fate of the embedded cells. However, the analysis of survival or neuronal differentiation by means of immunofluorescence techniques posses some hurdles. To gain reliable data, one has to determine the total number of cells within a matrix to obtain the relative number of e.g. neuronal cells marked by &beta;III-tubulin. This prerequisites a technique to analyse the scaffolds in all 3-dimensions by a confocal microscope or a comparable technique like fluorescence microscopes able to take z-stacks of the specimen. Furthermore this kind of analysis is extremely time consuming. 
Here we demonstrate a method to release cells from the 3D-scaffolds for the later analysis e.g. by flow cytometry. In this protocol human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) of the ReNcell VM cell line (Millipore USA) were cultured and differentiated in 3D-scaffolds consisting of PuraMatrix (PM) or PuraMatrix supplemented with laminin (PML). In our hands a PM-concentration of 0.25% was optimal for the cultivation of the cells13, however the concentration might be adapted to other cell types.12 The released cells can be used for e.g. immunocytochemical studies and subsequently analysed by flow cytometry. This speeds up the analysis and more over, the obtained data rest upon a wider base, improving the reliability of the data.

Here we describe the use of a self-assembling 3-dimensional scaffold to culture human neural progenitor cells. We present a protocol to release the cells from the scaffolds to be analysed subsequently e.g. by flow cytometry. This protocol might be adapted to other cell types to perform detailed mechanistically studies.

Cultivo de Células progenitoras neurales en un hidrogel de péptidos 3-dimensional de auto-montaje

The  influence of 3-dimensional (3D) scaffolds on growth, proliferation and finally  neuronal differentiation is of great interest in order to find new ...

Bridging the Bio-Electronic Interface with Biofabrication

Advancements in lab-on-a-chip technology promise to revolutionize both research and medicine through lower costs, better sensitivity, portability, and higher throughput. The incorporation of biological components onto biological microelectromechanical systems (bioMEMS) has shown great potential for achieving these goals. Microfabricated electronic chips allow for micrometer-scale features as well as an electrical connection for sensing and actuation. Functional biological components give the system the capacity for specific detection of analytes, enzymatic functions, and whole-cell capabilities. Standard microfabrication processes and bio-analytical techniques have been successfully utilized for decades in the computer and biological industries, respectively. Their combination and interfacing in a lab-on-a-chip environment, however, brings forth new challenges. There is a call for techniques that can build an interface between the electrode and biological component that is mild and is easy to fabricate and pattern.
Biofabrication, described here, is one such approach that has shown great promise for its easy-to-assemble incorporation of biological components with versatility in the on-chip functions that are enabled. Biofabrication uses biological materials and biological mechanisms (self-assembly, enzymatic assembly) for bottom-up hierarchical assembly. While our labs have demonstrated these concepts in many formats 1,2,3, here we demonstrate the assembly process based on electrodeposition followed by multiple applications of signal-based interactions. The assembly process consists of the electrodeposition of biocompatible stimuli-responsive polymer films on electrodes and their subsequent functionalization with biological components such as DNA, enzymes, or live cells 4,5. Electrodeposition takes advantage of the pH gradient created at the surface of a biased electrode from the electrolysis of water 6,7,. Chitosan and alginate are stimuli-responsive biological polymers that can be triggered to self-assemble into hydrogel films in response to imposed electrical signals 8. The thickness of these hydrogels is determined by the extent to which the pH gradient extends from the electrode. This can be modified using varying current densities and deposition times 6,7. This protocol will describe how chitosan films are deposited and functionalized by covalently attaching biological components to the abundant primary amine groups present on the film through either enzymatic or electrochemical methods 9,10. Alginate films and their entrapment of live cells will also be addressed 11. Finally, the utility of biofabrication is demonstrated through examples of signal-based interaction, including chemical-to-electrical, cell-to-cell, and also enzyme-to-cell signal transmission. 
Both the electrodeposition and functionalization can be performed under near-physiological conditions without the need for reagents and thus spare labile biological components from harsh conditions. Additionally, both chitosan and alginate have long been used for biologically-relevant purposes 12,13. Overall, biofabrication, a rapid technique that can be simply performed on a benchtop, can be used for creating micron scale patterns of functional biological components on electrodes and can be used for a variety of lab-on-a-chip applications.

This article describes a biofabrication approach: deposition of stimuli-responsive polysaccharides in the presence of biased electrodes to create biocompatible films which can be functionalized with cells or proteins. We demonstrate a bench-top strategy for the generation of the films as well as their basic uses for creating interactive biofunctionalized surfaces for lab-on-a-chip applications.

Reducción de la interfaz de Bio-electrónica con Biofabrication

Advancements in lab-on-a-chip technology promise to revolutionize both research and medicine through lower costs, better sensitivity, portability, and ...

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

The gastrointestinal tract is an example of barrier tissue that provides a physical barrier against entry of pathogens and toxins, while allowing the passage of necessary ions and molecules. A breach in this barrier can be caused by a reduction in the extracellular calcium concentration. This reduction in calcium concentration causes a conformational change in proteins involved in the sealing of the barrier, leading to an increase of the paracellular flux. To mimic this effect the calcium chelator ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N&#39;,N&#39;-tetra acetic acid (EGTA) was used on a monolayer of cells known to be representative of the gastrointestinal tract. Different methods to detect the disruption of the barrier tissue already exist, such as immunofluorescence and&#160;permeability assays. However, these methods are time-consuming and costly and not suited to dynamic or high-throughput measurements. Electronic methods for measuring barrier tissue integrity also exist for measurement of the transepithelial resistance (TER), however these are often costly and complex. The development of rapid, cheap, and sensitive methods is urgently needed as the integrity of barrier tissue is a key parameter in drug discovery and pathogen/toxin diagnostics. The organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) integrated with barrier tissue forming cells has been shown as a new device capable of dynamically monitoring barrier tissue integrity. The device is able to measure minute variations in ionic flux with unprecedented temporal resolution and sensitivity, in real time, as an indicator of barrier tissue integrity. This new method is based on a simple device that can be compatible with high throughput screening applications and fabricated at low cost.

The Organic Electrochemical Transistor is integrated with live cells and used to monitor ion flux across the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier. In this study, an increase in ion flux, related to disruption of tight junctions, induced by the presence of the calcium chelator EGTA (ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra acetic acid), is measured.

Detección de barrera interrupción del tejido con un transistor orgánico Electroquímica

The gastrointestinal tract is an example of barrier tissue that provides a physical barrier against entry of pathogens and toxins, while allowing the ...

Synthesis of an Intein-mediated Artificial Protein Hydrogel

We present the synthesis of a highly stable protein hydrogel mediated by a split-intein-catalyzed protein trans-splicing reaction. The building blocks of this hydrogel are two protein block-copolymers each containing a subunit of a trimeric protein that serves as a crosslinker and one half of a split intein. A highly hydrophilic random coil is inserted into one of the block-copolymers for water retention. Mixing of the two protein block copolymers triggers an intein trans-splicing reaction, yielding a polypeptide unit with crosslinkers at either end that rapidly self-assembles into a hydrogel. This hydrogel is very stable under both acidic and basic conditions, at temperatures up to 50 &#176;C, and in organic solvents. The hydrogel rapidly reforms after shear-induced rupture. Incorporation of a &#34;docking station peptide&#34; into the hydrogel building block enables convenient incorporation of &#34;docking protein&#34;-tagged target proteins. The hydrogel is compatible with tissue culture growth media, supports the diffusion of 20 kDa molecules, and enables the immobilization of bioactive globular proteins. The application of the intein-mediated protein hydrogel as an organic-solvent-compatible biocatalyst was demonstrated by encapsulating the horseradish peroxidase enzyme and corroborating its activity.

We present the synthesis of a split-intein-mediated protein hydrogel. The building blocks of this hydrogel are two protein copolymers each containing a subunit of a trimeric protein that serves as a crosslinker and one half of a split intein. Mixing of the two protein copolymers triggers an intein trans-splicing reaction, yielding a polypeptide unit that self-assembles into a hydrogel. This hydrogel is highly pH- and temperature-stable, compatible with organic solvents, and easily incorporates functional globular proteins.

Síntesis de una proteína artificial mediada Intein hidrogel

We present the synthesis of a highly stable protein hydrogel mediated by a split-intein-catalyzed protein trans-splicing reaction. The building blocks of ...

Hydrogel Nanoparticle Harvesting of Plasma or Urine for Detecting Low Abundance Proteins

Novel biomarker discovery plays a crucial role in providing more sensitive and specific disease detection. Unfortunately many low-abundance biomarkers that exist in biological fluids cannot be easily detected with mass spectrometry or immunoassays because they are present in very low concentration, are labile, and are often masked by high-abundance proteins such as albumin or immunoglobulin. Bait containing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAm) based nanoparticles are able to overcome these physiological barriers. In one step they are able to capture, concentrate and preserve biomarkers from body fluids. Low-molecular weight analytes enter the core of the nanoparticle and are captured by different organic chemical dyes, which act as high affinity protein baits. The nanoparticles are able to concentrate the proteins of interest by several orders of magnitude. This concentration factor is sufficient to increase the protein level such that the proteins are within the detection limit of current mass spectrometers, western blotting, and immunoassays. Nanoparticles can be incubated with a plethora of biological fluids and they are able to greatly enrich the concentration of low-molecular weight proteins and peptides while excluding albumin and other high-molecular weight proteins. Our data show that a 10,000 fold amplification in the concentration of a particular analyte can be achieved, enabling mass spectrometry and immunoassays to detect previously undetectable biomarkers.

Several pathological biomarkers cannot be easily detected by current techniques because of their low concentration in biological fluids, the presence of degrading enzymes, and large amounts of high molecular weight proteins. Chemically functionalized hydrogel nanoparticles can harvest, preserve and concentrate low abundance proteins enabling the detection of previously undetectable biomarkers.

Hidrogel Nanoparticle recolección de plasma o de orina para la detección de proteínas de baja abundancia

Novel biomarker discovery plays a crucial role in providing more sensitive and specific disease detection. Unfortunately many low-abundance biomarkers ...

Eye Irritation Test (EIT) for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritating Chemicals using Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelial (RhCE) Tissue Model

To comply with the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive and EU REACH legislation, validated non-animal alternative methods for reliable and accurate assessment of ocular toxicity in man are needed. To address this need, we have developed an eye irritation test (EIT) which utilizes a three dimensional reconstructed human cornea-like epithelial (RhCE) tissue model that is based on normal human cells. The EIT is able to separate ocular&#160;irritants and corrosives (GHS Categories 1 and 2 combined) and those that do not require labeling (GHS No Category). The test utilizes two separate protocols, one designed for liquid chemicals and a second, similar protocol for solid test articles. The EIT prediction model uses a single exposure period (30 min for liquids, 6 hr for solids) and a single tissue viability cut-off (60.0% as determined by the MTT assay). Based on the results for 83 chemicals (44 liquids and 39 solids) EIT achieved 95.5/68.2/ and 81.8% sensitivity/specificity and accuracy (SS&#38;A) for liquids, 100.0/68.4/ and 84.6% SS&#38;A for solids, and 97.6/68.3/ and 83.1% for overall SS&#38;A. The EIT will contribute significantly to classifying the ocular irritation potential of a wide range of liquid and solid chemicals without the use of animals to meet regulatory testing requirements. The EpiOcular EIT method was implemented in 2015 into the OECD Test Guidelines as TG 492.

Eye Irritation Test EIT for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritating Chemicals using Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelial RhCE Tissue Model

We have developed an eye irritation test which utilizes a three dimensional reconstructed human cornea-like epithelial (RhCE) tissue model. The test is able to discriminate between ocular irritant and corrosive materials (GHS Categories 1 and 2 combined) and those that do not require labeling (GHS No Category).

Irritación de los ojos de prueba (IET) para la identificación del peligro de los ojos: Irrita los productos químicos que utilizan Reconstruido humana Córnea-como epitelial (RHCE) Modelo de Tejidos

To comply with the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive and EU REACH legislation, validated non-animal alternative methods for reliable and ...

In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling

Vascular disease is a common cause of death within the United States. Herein, we present a method to examine the contribution of flow dynamics towards vascular disease pathologies. Unhealthy arteries often present with wall stiffening, scarring, or partial stenosis which may all affect fluid flow rates, and the magnitude of pulsatile flow, or pulsatility index. Replication of various flow conditions is the result of tuning a flow pressure damping chamber downstream of a blood pump. Introduction of air within a closed flow system allows for a compressible medium to absorb pulsatile pressure from the pump, and therefore vary the pulsatility index. The method described herein is simply reproduced, with highly controllable input, and easily measurable results. Some limitations are recreation of the complex physiological pulse waveform, which is only approximated by the system. Endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts are affected by the blood flow through the artery. The dynamic component of blood flow is determined by the cardiac output and arterial wall compliance. Vascular cell mechano-transduction of flow dynamics may trigger cytokine release and cross-talk between cell types within the artery. Co-culture of vascular cells is a more accurate picture reflecting cell-cell interaction on the blood vessel wall and vascular response to mechanical signaling. Contribution of flow dynamics, including the cell response to the dynamic and mean (or steady) components of flow, is therefore an important metric in determining disease pathology and treatment efficacy. Through introducing an in vitro co-culture model and pressure damping downstream of blood pump which produces simulated cardiac output, various arterial disease pathologies may be investigated.

In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling

This protocol replicates physiological or pathological blood flow in vitro to aid in determining cell response in disease pathologies. By introducing a pressure damping chamber downstream of a blood pump, blood flow across the vasculature can be recapitulated and imposed on a monolayer of vascular endothelium or a mimetic co-culture.

En Vitro Modelo de fisiológicos y patológicos de flujo de sangre con aplicación a las investigaciones de remodelado vascular celular

Vascular disease is a common cause of death within the United States. Herein, we present a method to examine the contribution of flow dynamics towards ...

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Currently, in vitro evaluations of contact lenses (CLs) for drug delivery are typically performed in large volume vials,1-6 which fail to mimic physiological tear volumes.7 The traditional model also lacks the natural tear flow component and the blinking reflex, both of which are defining factors of the ocular environment. The development of a novel model is described in this study, which consists of a unique 2-piece design, eyeball and eyelid piece, capable of mimicking physiological tear volume. The models are created from 3-D printed molds (Polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon molds), which can be used to generate eye models from various polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and agar. Further modifications to the eye pieces, such as the integration of an explanted human or animal cornea or human corneal construct, will permit for more complex in vitro ocular studies. A commercial microfluidic syringe pump is integrated with the platform to emulate physiological tear secretion. Air exposure and mechanical wear are achieved using two mechanical actuators, of which one moves the eyelid piece laterally, and the other moves the eyeballeyepiece circularly. The model has been used to evaluate CLs for drug delivery and deposition of tear components on CLs.

Development of an In Vitro Ocular Platform to Test Contact Lenses

Current in vitro models for evaluating contact lenses (CLs) and other eye-related applications are severely limited. The presented ocular platform simulates physiological tear flow, tear volume, air exposure and mechanical wear. This system is highly versatile and can be applied to various in vitro analyses with CLs.

Desarrollo de una<em&gt; In Vitro</em&gt; Plataforma ocular para probar las lentes de contacto

Currently, in vitro evaluations of contact lenses (CLs) for drug delivery are typically performed in large volume vials,1-6 which fail to mimic ...

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

In the central nervous system, numerous acute injuries and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as implanted devices or biomaterials engineered to enhance function result in the same outcome: excess inflammation leads to gliosis, cytotoxicity, and/or formation of a glial scar that collectively exacerbate injury or prevent healthy recovery. With the intent of creating a system to model glial scar formation and study inflammatory processes, we have generated a 3D cell scaffold capable of housing primary cultured glial cells: microglia that regulate the foreign body response and initiate the inflammatory event, astrocytes that respond to form a fibrous scar, and oligodendrocytes that are typically vulnerable to inflammatory injury. The present work provides a detailed step-by-step method for the fabrication, culture, and microscopic characterization of a hyaluronic acid-based 3D hydrogel scaffold with encapsulated rat brain-derived glial cells. Further, protocols for characterization of cell encapsulation and the hydrogel scaffold by confocal immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy are demonstrated, as well as the capacity to modify the scaffold with bioactive substrates, with incorporation of a commercial basal lamina mixture to improved cell integration.

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Herein, we present a protocol for the 3D culture of rat brain-derived glia cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. We demonstrate primary cell culture, methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) hydrogel synthesis, HAMAphoto-polymerization and cell encapsulation, and sample processing for confocal and scanning electron microscopic imaging.

Mejora 3D hidrogel culturas de células Glial primarias para In Vitro modelado de neuroinflamación

In the central nervous system, numerous acute injuries and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as implanted devices or biomaterials engineered to enhance ...