Name: engineered vascularized muscle flap
Uploaded: 2016-01-11T09:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Engineered Vascularized Muscle Flap at JoVE.com

This research was supported by the FP7 European Research Council Grant 281501, ENGVASC.

All animal studies were approved by the Committee of the Ethics of Animal Experiments of the Technion. For this procedure, athymic nude mice were used to avoid immunological rejection. If using another type of mouse, the mice should be shaved prior to the surgical procedure and administration of cyclosporine (or another anti-rejection substitute) is recommended.
1. Scaffold Preparation and Cell Embedding
<ol>
	<li>Prepare scaffolds composed of 1:1 mixture of poly-L-lactic-acid (PLLA) and pol...

<ol>
	<li>Engelsman, A. F., van der Mei, H. C., Ploeg, R. J., Busscher, H. 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S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Abdominal+wall+reconstruction+using+biological+tissue+grafts:+present+status+and+future+opportunities.">Abdominal wall reconstruction using biological tissue grafts: present status and future opportunities.</a> Exp rev of med dev. 3 (5), 657-675 (2006).</li><li>Caspi, O., 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=Tissue+engineering+of+vascularized+cardiac+muscle+from+human+embryonic+stem+cells.">Tissue engineering of vascularized cardiac muscle from human embryonic stem cells.</a> Circ Res. 100 (2), 263-272 (2007).</li><li>Kaufman-Francis, K., Koffler, J., Weinberg, N., Dor, Y., Levenberg, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engineered+vascular+beds+provide+key+signals+to+pancreatic+hormone-producing+cells.">Engineered vascular beds provide key signals to pancreatic hormone-producing cells.</a> PloS one. 7 (7), e40741 (2012).</li><li>Kaully, T., Kaufman-Francis, K., Lesman, A., Levenberg, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascularization--the+conduit+to+viable+engineered+tissues.">Vascularization--the conduit to viable engineered tissues.</a> Tiss eng. 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Part A. 16 (1), 115-125 (2010).</li><li>Levenberg, S., 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=Engineering+vascularized+skeletal+muscle+tissue.">Engineering vascularized skeletal muscle tissue.</a> Nat Biotechnol. 23 (7), 879-884 (2005).</li><li>Bearzi, 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=PlGF-MMP9-engineered+iPS+cells+supported+on+a+PEG-fibrinogen+hydrogel+scaffold+possess+an+enhanced+capacity+to+repair+damaged+myocardium.">PlGF-MMP9-engineered iPS cells supported on a PEG-fibrinogen hydrogel scaffold possess an enhanced capacity to repair damaged myocardium.</a> Cell death &amp; disease. 5, e1053 (2014).</li><li>Zhang, 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=SDF-1+expression+by+mesenchymal+stem+cells+results+in+trophic+support+of+cardiac+myocytes+after+myocardial+infarction.">SDF-1 expression by mesenchymal stem cells results in trophic support of cardiac myocytes after myocardial infarction.</a> FASEB J : official publication of the .Fed Am Soc Exp Biol. 21 (12), 3197-3207 (2007).</li><li>Dvir, T., 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=Prevascularization+of+cardiac+patch+on+the+omentum+improves+its+therapeutic+outcome.">Prevascularization of cardiac patch on the omentum improves its therapeutic outcome.</a> PNAS. 106 (35), 14990-14995 (2009).</li><li>Marsano, A., 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+effect+of+controlled+expression+of+VEGF+by+transduced+myoblasts+in+a+cardiac+patch+on+vascularization+in+a+mouse+model+of+myocardial+infarction.">The effect of controlled expression of VEGF by transduced myoblasts in a cardiac patch on vascularization in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.</a> Biomaterials. 34 (2), 393-401 (2013).</li><li>Rufaihah, A. 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The advances in tissue engineering have been met with a growing demand for substitute tissues for reconstruction of various tissue types. A variety of synthetic 1,17,18 and biological 14-16 materials as well as fabrication methods have been assessed for their capacity to address these demands. However, despite the progress in clinical care and in tissue engineering, the restoration of full-thickness abdominal wall defects remains a challenge. A tissue adequate for reconstruction of such massive defe...

Abdominal wall defects often arise following severe trauma, cancer treatment, burns and removal of infected mesh. These defects often involve significant tissue loss, requiring complicated surgical procedures and presenting a major challenge for plastic reconstruction surgeons 1-4. Tissue engineering researchers seeking new sources for artificial tissues have explored different materials, cell sources and growth factors. Successful restorations of various tissues, such as trachea 5,6, bladder 7, cornea 8, bone 9and skin 10, by implantation of engineered tissues were previously reported. However, fabrication of a thick vascularized engineered tissue, particularly for reconstruction of large defects, remains a significant challenge in tissue engineering.
One of the main factors limiting the thickness of a viable tissue construct is the control of oxygen supply to its constituent cells. When relying on diffusion, construct thickness is limited to that of a very thin layer. The maximum distance between oxygen- and nutrient-supplying capillaries in vivo is approximately 200&#160;&#181;m, which correlates with the diffusion limit of oxygen11,12. Insufficient vascularization can result in tissue ischemia and escalate to tissue resorption or necrosis 13.
In addition, the ideal material used for tissue reconstruction must be biocompatible and non-immunogenic. It must also be capable of promoting further integration of host cells with the biomaterial, and maintaining structural integrity. Various biological 14-16 and synthetic 1,17,18 matrices have been previously explored for tissue reconstruction, however their use remain limited due to lack of effective blood supply, infections or insufficient tissue strength.
In this study, a biocompatible, cell-embedded scaffold comprised of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved poly L-lactic acid (PLLA)/poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), was implanted around the femoral artery and vein (AV) vessels of a nude mouse and separated from the surrounding tissue, ensuring vascularization from the AV vessels only. One week post-implantation, the graft was viable, thick and well vascularized. This thick vascularized tissue with the AV vessels, was then transferred as a pedicled flap to an abdominal full-thickness defect in the same mouse. One week post-transfer, the flap was viable, vascularized and well integrated with the surrounding tissue, bearing sufficient strength to support abdominal viscera. Thus, the engineered thick, vascularized tissue flap, bearing an autologous pedicle, presents a novel method for repairing full-thickness abdominal wall defects.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>small fine straight scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>14090-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>spring scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>15003-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>straight forceps with fine tip</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>11251-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>serrated forceps&#160;</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>11050-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>needle holder</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>12500-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small vessel cauterizer&#160;</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools (FST)</td>
			<td>18000-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Duratears</td>
			<td>Alcon</td>
			<td align="right">5686</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sedaxylan</td>
			<td>Euravet</td>
			<td>DJ03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clorketam 1000</td>
			<td>Vetoquinol</td>
			<td>4A0726B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buprenorphine</td>
			<td>vetmarket</td>
			<td>B15100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4-0 silk sutures</td>
			<td>Assut sutures</td>
			<td align="right">647</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-0 polypropylene sutures</td>
			<td>Assut sutures</td>
			<td>9351F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>8-0 silk sutures</td>
			<td>Assut sutures</td>
			<td align="right">684568</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin syringe (6mm needle)</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td align="right">324911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vevo 2100 high-resolution ultrasound system</td>
			<td>VisualSonics inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MS250 non-linear transducer</td>
			<td>VisualSonics inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromarker non-targeted contrast agent</td>
			<td>VisualSonics inc.</td>
			<td>VS-11694</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tail vein catheter</td>
			<td>VisualSonics inc.</td>
			<td>VS-11912</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vevo 2100 software</td>
			<td>VisualSonics inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>FD500S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matlab</td>
			<td>Mathworks, MA, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kimwipes</td>
			<td>Kimtech</td>
			<td align="right">34120</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>antigen unmasking solution</td>
			<td>Vector laboratories</td>
			<td>H-3300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CD31 antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam&#160;</td>
			<td>ab28364</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>biotinylated goat anti-rabbit (secondary) antibody</td>
			<td>Vector laboratories</td>
			<td>BA-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>streptavidin-peroxidase</td>
			<td>Jackson&#160;</td>
			<td>016-030-084</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mayer&#39;s hamatoxylin solution</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>MHS-16</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>aminoethylcarbazole (AEC) substrate kit</td>
			<td>Life technologies, Invitrogen&#160;</td>
			<td>00-2007</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vectamount</td>
			<td>Vector laboratories</td>
			<td>H-5501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

engineered vascularized muscle flap

One of the main factors limiting the thickness of a tissue construct and its consequential viability and applicability in vivo, is the control of oxygen supply to the cell microenvironment, as passive diffusion is limited to a very thin layer. Although various materials have been described to restore the integrity of full-thickness defects of the abdominal wall, no material has yet proved to be optimal, due to low graft vascularization, tissue rejection, infection, or inadequate mechanical properties. This protocol describes a means of engineering a fully vascularized flap, with a thickness relevant for muscle tissue reconstruction. Cell-embedded poly L-lactic acid/poly lactic-co-glycolic acid constructs are implanted around the mouse femoral artery and vein and maintained in vivo for a period of one or two weeks. The vascularized graft is then transferred as a flap towards a full thickness defect made in the abdomen. This technique replaces the need for autologous tissue sacrifications and may enable the use of in vitro engineered vascularized flaps in many surgical applications.

Graft vascularization and perfusion in vivo
The grafts were implanted one or two weeks prior to their transfer as axial flaps. At one and two weeks post-implantation, gross observation of the graft area revealed viable and vascularized tissue grafts. These grafts proved to be highly vascularized, as determined by positive CD31 immunostaining (Figure 1A), and highly perfused, as evidenced by FITC-dextran tail vein injection and ultrasound measurements. Many vessels wer...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Engineered Vascularized Muscle Flap at JoVE.com

Engineered Vascularized Muscle Flap

To date, thick tissue defects are typically reconstructed by applying autologous tissue flaps or engineered tissues. In this protocol, we present a new method for engineering vascularized tissue flap bearing an autologous pedicle, to serve as a substitute to autologous flaps.

One of the main factors limiting the thickness of a tissue construct and its consequential viability and applicability in vivo, is the control of oxygen ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to create a well-vascularized tissue flap to be exploited for reconstruction of full-thickness abdominal wall defects. This is accomplished by first preparing a biodegradable polylactic acid poly lactic-co-glycolic acid scaffold. Next, endothelial cells, muscle cells, and fibroblasts are seeded, and the graft is cultured in vitro to allow the cells to self-assemble.Then the engineered tissue is implanted around the femoral artery and veins of the mouse where it undergoes anastimosis with host vessels and becomes highly vascularized. Finally, the tissue is transferred as pedicled flap to a full-thickness abdominal wall defect. Ultimately, graft vascularization is proven by ultrasound the T dextran injection, and immunostaining for CD31, and flap stiffness is examined using a biodynamic test instrument.The main advantages of this over existing methods are lower donor site mobility and high viability of the engineered flap that can be used for the construction of full-thickness soft tissues. This method can help with patients with full-thickness abdominal wall defects. Demonstrating the procedure will be done by Dr.Dana Egozi, a plastic surgeon, working in collaboration with my laboratory, and Anina Freimann will assist her.After preparing scaffolds and embedding cells according to the text protocol, autoclave the following surgical tools:a small fine straight scissors, a spring scissors, a straight fine-tipped forceps, a serrated forceps, Hudson forceps, a needle holder, and a number 15 blade scalpel. Prepare a mixture of 425 microliters of ketamine and 75 microliters of silodsin in a microcentrifuge tube and transfer to a syringe. Then dilute 0.3 milligrams per milliliter of buprenorphine one to 20 in sterile saline.After anesthetizing the mouse according to text protocol, place it on a stage, heat it to 37 degrees Celsius, to maintain normal body temperature, and use an adhesive bandage to secure it to the stage. With cotton tips, use iodine followed by 70%ethanol to clean the incision site to establish an aseptic working field. After verifying the level of sedation, use a scalpel to make an incisions through the skin from the knee to the inguinal ligament parallel to the femoral vessels until the femoral artery and vein vessels are exposed.Use clips or needles to hold down the skin. Then, using spring scissors and forceps, starting at the femoral AV below the profunda and above the bifurcation to the tibial and peroneal AV, carefully isolate the femoral artery and vein vessels from the surrounding tissue. Leave the profunda untouched in order to preserve blood flow to the leg and prevent subsequent dischemia.Next, fold the previous prepared graft around the exposed femoral AV below the profunda and above the bifurcation to the tibial and proneal AV and use 8-0 silk sutures to join its ends. To ensure implant vascularization by the capillaries sprouting from the femoral AV vessels only, put a piece of sterilized latex under the graft then wrap it around the graft and suture, using 6-0 silk. Then use 4-0 silk sutures to close the overlying skin.Subcutaneously inject bupreorphine twice per day for two to three days. Monitor the mouse closely until recovery from the anesthesia and every day thereafter until the graft is transferred as a flap. One to two weeks post-implantation, after anesthetizing the mouse, place the animal on the heated stage and secure it.After cleaning the incisions site as demonstrated earlier in this video, use scissors and forceps to carefully open the sutures in the skin, and with a scalpel make an incision to the skin perpendicular to the inguinal ligament, continuing through the ventral skin. Using a scalpel, make an incision in the ventral abdominal wall. Carefully remove the latex piece and expose the vascularized flap.Then with scissors and forceps, dissect the tissue flap from the surrounding tissue. With 8-0 silk suture, ligate the distal end of the femoral AV to prevent bleeding from the AV.Then cauterize the AV at the knee, distal to the folded implanted tissue and the 8-0 sutures. Gently transfer the femoral AV enveloped by the graft towards the ventral abdominal wall, avoiding damage to the artery, to determine at which distance the full-thickness defect should be made.With spring scissors, make an incision in the rectus abdominis muscle and remove an about one centimeter by 0.8 centimeter segment of the muscle with the overlying skin. Transfer the femoral AV enveloped by the vascularized graft as an axial flap to the full-thickness defect in the ventral abdominal wall, using 8-0 silk sutures to prevent hernia. Suture the flap to the surrounding muscle tissue.Then with 4-0 silks, suture the skin of the leg. Leave the ventral skin exposed to mimic the effect of a full abdominal wall defect. With iodinated gauze and a sterile bandage, cover the wound in the skin to prevent contamination of the exposed area.Administer buprenorphine as previously described in this video. Monitor the animal closely until recovery from anesthesia and every day thereafter until recovery of the flap for studies outlined in the text protocol. At one and two weeks post-implantation, gross observation of the graft area revealed viable and highly vascularized tissue grafts as determined by positive CD31 immunostaining.The tissue grafts were also highly perfused as seen by FITC-dextran tail vein injection and ultrasound measurements. This graph demonstrates that many vessels were already observed at one week post-implantation, a number that rose significantly after an additional week in the vicinity of the AV vessels. As seen here, post-femoral patency and integrity after graft implantation were confirmed by ultrasound imaging in color Doppler mode.The blue and red represent blood flow in the graft. Moreover, ultrasonic graphic examination revealed perfusion within the graft area, which was slightly higher post-implantation as compared to one week. Gross examination of the flaps one week post-transfer revealed that they underwent firm attachment to their surroundings.When comparing the pre-vascularized cell embedded flaps, the control acellular non-vascularized grafts the former showed superior mechanical properties, including stiffness and strength, which also resulted in less dehiscence and herniation. Once mastered, this technique can be done in about 30 minutes if it is performed properly. After its development, this technique paves the way for plastic surgeons to treat patients that suffer from a full-thickness abdominal wall defect as well as other complicated and significant soft tissue defects.

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Engineered 3D Silk-collagen-based Model of Polarized Neural Tissue

Despite huge efforts to decipher the anatomy, composition and function of the brain, it remains the least understood organ of the human body. To gain a deeper comprehension of the neural system scientists aim to simplistically reconstruct the tissue by assembling it in vitro from basic building blocks using a tissue engineering approach. Our group developed a tissue-engineered silk and collagen-based 3D brain-like model resembling the white and gray matter of the cortex. The model consists of silk porous sponge, which is pre-seeded with rat brain-derived neurons, immersed in soft collagen matrix. Polarized neuronal outgrowth and network formation is observed with separate axonal and cell body localization. This compartmental architecture allows for the unique development of niches mimicking native neural tissue, thus enabling research on neuronal network assembly, axonal guidance, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and electrical functions.

Insight into the complex actions of the brain requires advanced research tools. Here we demonstrate a novel silk-collagen-based 3D engineered model of neural tissue resembling brain-like architecture. The model can be used to study neuronal network assembly, axonal guidance, cell-cell interactions and electrical activity.

Despite huge efforts to decipher the anatomy, composition and function of the brain, it remains the least understood organ of the human body. To gain a ...

Applications of In Vivo Functional Testing of the Rat Tibialis Anterior for Evaluating Tissue Engineered Skeletal Muscle Repair

Despite the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle, permanent functional and/or cosmetic deficits (e.g., volumetric muscle loss (VML) resulting from traumatic injury, disease and various congenital, genetic and acquired conditions are quite common. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine technologies have enormous potential to provide a therapeutic solution. However, utilization of biologically relevant animal models in combination with longitudinal assessments of pertinent functional measures are critical to the development of improved regenerative therapeutics for treatment of VML-like injuries. In that regard, a commercial muscle lever system can be used to measure length, tension, force and velocity parameters in skeletal muscle. We used this system, in conjunction with a high power, bi-phase stimulator, to measure in vivo force production in response to activation of the anterior crural compartment of the rat hindlimb. We have previously used this equipment to assess the functional impact of VML injury on the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, as well as the extent of functional recovery following treatment of the injured TA muscle with our tissue engineered muscle repair (TEMR) technology. For such studies, the left foot of an anaesthetized rat is securely anchored to a footplate linked to a servomotor, and the common peroneal nerve is stimulated by two percutaneous needle electrodes to elicit muscle contraction and dorsiflexion of the foot. The peroneal nerve stimulation-induced muscle contraction is measured over a range of stimulation frequencies (1-200 Hz), to ensure an eventual plateau in force production that allows for an accurate determination of peak tetanic force. In addition to evaluation of the extent of VML injury as well as the degree of functional recovery following treatment, this methodology can be easily applied to study diverse aspects of muscle physiology and pathophysiology. Such an approach should assist with the more rational development of improved therapeutics for muscle repair and regeneration.

Applications of In Vivo Functional Testing of the Rat Tibialis Anterior for Evaluating Tissue Engineered Skeletal Muscle Repair

We describe an in vivo protocol to measure dorsiflexion of the foot following stimulation of the peroneal nerve and contraction of the anterior crural compartment of the rat hindlimb. Such measurements are an indispensable translational tool for evaluating skeletal muscle pathology and tissue engineering approaches to muscle repair and regeneration.

Despite the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle, permanent functional and/or cosmetic deficits (e.g., volumetric muscle loss (VML) resulting from ...

Microfluidic Bioprinting for Engineering Vascularized Tissues and Organoids

Engineering vascularized tissue constructs and organoids has been historically challenging. Here we describe a novel method based on microfluidic bioprinting to generate a scaffold with multilayer interlacing hydrogel microfibers. To achieve smooth bioprinting, a core-sheath microfluidic printhead containing a composite bioink formulation extruded from the core flow and the crosslinking solution carried by the sheath flow, was designed and fitted onto the bioprinter. By blending gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) with alginate, a polysaccharide that undergoes instantaneous ionic crosslinking in the presence of select divalent ions, followed by a secondary photocrosslinking of the GelMA component to achieve permanent stabilization, a microfibrous scaffold could be obtained using this bioprinting strategy. Importantly, the endothelial cells encapsulated inside the bioprinted microfibers can form the lumen-like structures resembling the vasculature over the course of culture for 16 days. The endothelialized microfibrous scaffold may be further used as a vascular bed to construct a vascularized tissue through subsequent seeding of the secondary cell type into the interstitial space of the microfibers. Microfluidic bioprinting provides a generalized strategy in convenient engineering of vascularized tissues at high fidelity.

We provide a generalized protocol based on a microfluidic bioprinting strategy for engineering a microfibrous vascular bed, where a secondary cell type could be further seeded into the interstitial space of this microfibrous structure to generate vascularized tissues and organoids.

Engineering vascularized tissue constructs and organoids has been historically challenging. Here we describe a novel method based on microfluidic ...

Tissue-Engineered Graft for Circumferential Esophageal Reconstruction in Rats

The use of biocompatible materials for circumferential esophageal reconstruction is a technically challenging task in rats and requires an optimal implant technique with nutritional support. Recently, there have been many attempts at esophageal tissue engineering, but the success rate has been limited due to difficulty in early epithelization in the special environment of peristalsis. Here, we developed an artificial esophagus that can improve the regeneration of the esophageal mucosa and muscle layers through a two-layered tubular scaffold, a mesenchymal stem cell-based bioreactor system, and a bypass feeding technique with modified gastrostomy. The scaffold is made of polyurethane (PU) nanofibers in a cylindrical shape with a three-dimensional (3D) printed polycaprolactone strand wrapped around the outer wall. Prior to transplantation, human-derived mesenchymal stem cells were seeded into the lumen of the scaffold, and bioreactor cultivation was performed to enhance cellular reactivity. We improved the graft survival rate by applying surgical anastomosis and covering the implanted prosthesis with a thyroid gland flap, followed by temporary nonoral gastrostomy feeding. These grafts were able to recapitulate the findings of initial epithelialization and muscle regeneration around the implanted sites, as demonstrated by histological analysis. In addition, increased elastin fibers and neovascularization were observed in the periphery of the graft. Therefore, this model presents a potential new technique for circumferential esophageal reconstruction.

Esophageal reconstruction is a challenging procedure, and development of a tissue-engineered esophagus that enables regeneration of esophageal mucosa and muscle and that can be implanted as an artificial graft is necessary. Here, we present our protocol to generate an artificial esophagus, including scaffold manufacturing, bioreactor cultivation, and various surgical techniques.

The use of biocompatible materials for circumferential esophageal reconstruction is a technically challenging task in rats and requires an optimal implant ...

Fabrication of Zero Mode Waveguides for High Concentration Single Molecule Microscopy

In single molecule fluorescence enzymology, background fluorescence from labeled substrates in solution often limits fluorophore concentration to pico- to nanomolar ranges, several orders of magnitude less than many physiological ligand concentrations. Optical nanostructures called zero mode waveguides (ZMWs), which are 100&#8722;200 nm in diameter apertures fabricated in a thin conducting metal such as aluminum or gold, allow imaging of individual molecules at micromolar concentrations of fluorophores by confining visible light excitation to zeptoliter effective volumes. However, the need for expensive and specialized nanofabrication equipment has precluded the widespread use of ZMWs. Typically, nanostructures such as ZMWs are obtained by direct writing using electron beam lithography, which is sequential and slow. Here, colloidal, or nanosphere, lithography is used as an alternative strategy to create nanometer-scale masks for waveguide fabrication. This report describes the approach in detail, with practical considerations for each phase. The method allows thousands of aluminum or gold ZMWs to be made in parallel, with final waveguide diameters and depths of 100&#8722;200 nm. Only common lab equipment and a thermal evaporator for metal deposition are required. By making ZMWs more accessible to the biochemical community, this method can facilitate the study of molecular processes at cellular concentrations and rates.

Described here is a nanosphere lithography method for parallel fabrication of zero mode waveguides, which are arrays of nanoapertures in a metal-clad glass microscopy coverslip for single molecule imaging at nano- to micromolar concentrations of fluorophores. The method takes advantage of colloidal crystal self-assembly to create a waveguide template.

In single molecule fluorescence enzymology, background fluorescence from labeled substrates in solution often limits fluorophore concentration to pico- to ...

Generation of Self-assembled Vascularized Human Skin Equivalents

Human skin equivalents (HSEs) are tissue engineered constructs that model epidermal and dermal components of human skin. These models have been used to study skin development, wound healing, and grafting techniques. Many HSEs continue to lack vasculature and are additionally analyzed through post-culture histological sectioning which limits volumetric assessment of the structure. Presented here is a straightforward protocol utilizing accessible materials to generate vascularized human skin equivalents (VHSE); further described are volumetric imaging and quantification techniques of these constructs. Briefly, VHSEs are constructed in 12 well culture inserts in which dermal and epidermal cells are seeded into rat tail collagen type I gel. The dermal compartment is made up of fibroblast and endothelial cells dispersed throughout collagen gel. The epidermal compartment is made up of keratinocytes (skin epithelial cells) that differentiate at the air-liquid interface. Importantly, these methods are customizable based on needs of the researcher, with results demonstrating VHSE generation with two different fibroblast cell types: human dermal fibroblasts (hDF) and human lung fibroblasts (IMR90s). VHSEs were developed, imaged through confocal microscopy, and volumetrically analyzed using computational software at 4- and 8-week timepoints. An optimized process to fix, stain, image, and clear VHSEs for volumetric examination is described. This comprehensive model, imaging, and analysis techniques are readily customizable to the specific research needs of individual labs with or without prior HSE experience.

The goal of this protocol is to describe the generation and volumetric analysis of vascularized human skin equivalents using accessible and simple techniques for long term culture. To the extent possible, the rationale for steps is described to allow researchers the ability to customize based on their research needs.

Human skin equivalents (HSEs) are tissue engineered constructs that model epidermal and dermal components of human skin. These models have been used to ...

Assessing Functional Metrics of Skeletal Muscle Health in Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models of skeletal muscle are a valuable advancement in biomedical research as they afford the opportunity to study skeletal muscle reformation and function in a scalable format that is amenable to experimental manipulations. 3D muscle culture systems are desirable as they enable scientists to study skeletal muscle ex vivo in the context of human cells. 3D in vitro&#160;models closely mimic aspects of the native tissue structure of adult skeletal muscle. However, their universal application is limited by the availability of platforms that are simple to fabricate, cost and user-friendly, and yield relatively high quantities of human skeletal muscle tissues. Additionally, since skeletal muscle plays an important functional role that is impaired over time in many disease states, an experimental platform for microtissue studies is most practical when minimally invasive calcium transient and contractile force measurements can be conducted directly within the platform itself. In this protocol, the fabrication of a 96-well platform known as &#39;MyoTACTIC&#39;, and en masse production of 3D human skeletal muscle microtissues (hMMTs) is described. In addition, the methods for a minimally invasive application of electrical stimulation that enables repeated measurements of skeletal muscle force and calcium handling of each microtissue over time are reported.

This manuscript describes a detailed protocol to produce arrays of 3D human skeletal muscle microtissues and minimally invasive downstream in situ assays of function, including contractile force and calcium handling analyses.

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models of skeletal muscle are a valuable advancement in biomedical research as they afford the opportunity to study ...

Fibroblast Derived Human Engineered Connective Tissue for Screening Applications

Fibroblasts are phenotypically highly dynamic cells, which quickly transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts in response to biochemical and biomechanical stimuli. The current understanding of fibrotic processes, including cardiac fibrosis, remains poor, which hampers the development of new anti-fibrotic therapies. Controllable and reliable human model systems are crucial for a better understanding of fibrosis pathology. This is a highly reproducible and scalable protocol to generate engineered connective tissues (ECT) in a 48-well casting plate to facilitate studies of fibroblasts and the pathophysiology of fibrotic tissue in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment. ECT are generated around the poles with tunable stiffness, allowing for studies under a defined biomechanical load. Under the defined loading conditions, phenotypic adaptations controlled by cell-matrix interactions can be studied. Parallel testing is feasible in the 48-well format with the opportunity for the time-course analysis of multiple parameters, such as tissue compaction and contraction against the load. From these parameters, biomechanical properties such as tissue stiffness and elasticity can be studied.

Presented here is a protocol to generate engineered connective tissues for a parallel culture of 48 tissues in a multi-well plate with double poles, suitable for mechanistic studies, disease modeling, and screening applications. The protocol is compatible with fibroblasts from different organs and species and is exemplified here with human primary cardiac fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts are phenotypically highly dynamic cells, which quickly transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts in response to biochemical and biomechanical ...

Engineered Lung Tissues Prepared from Decellularized Lung Slices

There is a need for improved 3-dimensional (3D) lung models that recapitulate the architectural and cellular complexity of the native lung alveolus ex vivo. Recently developed organoid models have facilitated the expansion and study of lung epithelial progenitors in vitro, but these platforms typically rely on mouse tumor-derived matrix and/or serum, and incorporate just one or two cellular lineages. Here, we describe a protocol for generating engineered lung tissues (ELTs) based on the multi-lineage recellularization of decellularized precision-cut lung slices (PCLS). ELTs contain alveolar-like structures comprising alveolar epithelium, mesenchyme, and endothelium, within an extracellular matrix (ECM) substrate closely resembling that of native lung. To generate the tissues, rat lungs are inflated with agarose, sliced into 450 &#181;m-thick slices, cut into strips, and decellularized. The resulting acellular ECM scaffolds are then reseeded with primary endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s). AEC2s can be maintained in ELT culture for at least 7 days with a serum-free, chemically-defined growth medium. Throughout the tissue preparation and culture process, the slices are clipped into a cassette system that facilitates handling and standardized cell seeding of multiple ELTs in parallel. These ELTs represent an organotypic culture platform that should facilitate investigations of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions within the alveolus as well as biochemical signals regulating AEC2s and their niche.

This protocol describes a method to generate reproducible, small-scale engineered lung tissues, by repopulating decellularized precision-cut lung slices with alveolar epithelial type 2 cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells.

There is a need for improved 3-dimensional (3D) lung models that recapitulate the architectural and cellular complexity of the native lung alveolus ex ...

A Reliable Porcine Fascio-Cutaneous Flap Model for Vascularized Composite Allografts Bioengineering Studies

Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCA) such as hand, face, or penile transplant represents the cutting-edge treatment for devastating skin defects, failed by the first steps of the reconstructive ladder. Despite promising aesthetic and functional outcomes, the main limiting factor remains the need for a drastically applied lifelong immunosuppression and its well-known medical risks, preventing broader indications. Therefore, lifting the immune barrier in VCA is essential to tip the ethical scale and improve patients&#39; quality of life using the most advanced surgical techniques. De novo creation of a patient-specific graft is the upcoming breakthrough in reconstructive transplantation. Using tissue engineering techniques, VCAs can be freed of donor cells and customized for the recipient through perfusion-decellularization-recellularization. To develop these new technologies, a large-scale animal VCA model is necessary. Hence, swine fascio-cutaneous flaps, composed of skin, fat, fascia, and vessels, represent an ideal model for preliminary studies in VCA. Nevertheless, most VCA models described in the literature include muscle and bone. This work reports&#160;a reliable and reproducible technique for saphenous fascio-cutaneous flap harvest in swine, a practical tool for various research fields, especially vascularized composite tissue engineering.

The present protocol describes the porcine fascio-cutaneous flap model and its potential use in vascularized composite tissue research.

Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCA) such as hand, face, or penile transplant represents the cutting-edge treatment for devastating skin defects, ...