This work was funded by the Richard Thomas Leukaemia Fund, the Lady Tata Memorial Trust, the Northwick Park Hospital Leukaemia Research Trust Fund and the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), UK.

1. Scaffold Manufacture and Bio-functionalization of Scaffolds
<ol>
 <li>To fabricate PU scaffolds (pore size 100-250 mm, porosity 90-95%) in the form of Petri dish disks, use the thermally induced phase separation13 process by preparing a polymer solution (5wt% in Dioxan) followed by freezing and subsequent solvent sublimation (Figure 1A).</li>
 <li>Cut the scaffold disk into cubes of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm prior to coating with ECM proteins (Figure 1B).</li>
 <li>Pre-wet the scaffolds by immersing them in ethanol (70%) for 1 min and then transfer into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 20 min. Then centrifuge for 10 min at 3630 x g and add the protein solution.</li>
 <li>Centrifuge the scaffolds in the protein solution at 1420 x g for 20 min.</li>
 <li>In order to unblock the surface pores, and allow the cells seeded to penetrate deeper into the scaffold, centrifuge the scaffolds one more time at 910 x g for 10 min in PBS.</li>
 <li>Sterilize the scaffolds using a combination of 8 min exposure at 230 v, 50 Hz, 0.14 A, UV lamp, with immersion for 2 h in Ethanol (70%). After that, wash the scaffolds twice in PBS before adding Iscove's Modified Dulbecco Medium (IMDM) supplemented with 30% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% Penicillin and Streptomycin (P/S). Place the scaffolds in a humidified incubator for 3 days at 37 &deg;C and 5% CO2 prior to use. Sterile scaffolds are placed in a 24 well-tissue culture plates (one scaffold per well).</li>
</ol>
2. Mononuclear Cell Isolation and Scaffold Seeding
<ol>
 <li>Extract human MNC from cord blood or leukemic bone marrow samples, using Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation (35 min at 1500 rpm) (Figure 1C).</li>
 <li>Resuspend MNC in IMDM containing 30% FBS and 1% P/S.</li>
 <li>Seed 100&mu;l of MNC suspension (2 &times; 106 cells/scaffold) onto the scaffolds using a micro-pipette.</li>
 <li>Incubate the seeded scaffolds at 37 &deg;C under 5% CO2 for 10 minutes for the cells to settle into the scaffolds.</li>
 <li>Top up each well up with 1.5 ml of IMDM containing 30% FBS and 1% P/S and place well plates in the incubator at 37 &deg;C and 5% CO2 for the duration of the experiment.</li>
 <li>The seeded scaffolds undergo daily change of all media.</li>
</ol>
3. In situ Cell Proliferation and Morphology: MTS, SEM and Cytospins
<ol>
 <li>MTS assay: Remove from culture one un-seeded and two seeded scaffolds and place in a clean new 24 well-plate. Add 1 ml of media and 200 &mu;l of the MTS solution and incubate for 3 h at 37 &deg;C and 5% CO2.
 <ol>
 <li>Take 8 x 100 &mu;l samples from the supernatant; place in a 96-well plate and measure absorbance at 490 nm using a microplate reader.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): At different time points of the culture, remove the scaffolds seeded with MNC from the media, and fix with 2.5% PBS-buffered glutaraldehyde solution for 40 min at 4 &deg;C, then wash twice with PBS.
 <ol>
 <li>Dehydrated the scaffolds in a graded series of ethanol (25, 50, 70, 80, 90, 95, and 100%), each for 10 min and dry in an aseptic environment for 4 hours.</li>
 <li>Section specimens and then sputter-coat them with gold in an argon atmosphere for 2 min prior to SEM evaluation, use an acceleration voltage of 20 kV.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>Cytospins: Collect 2.0 x 104 cells/slide by aspirating the cells from the scaffold at different time points in the culture.
 <ol>
 <li>Centrifuge the cells onto a glass slide for 3 min at 1500 rpm.</li>
 <li>Stain the slides with Wright-Giemsa Stain Modified and observe by using an optical microscope. F-view Soft Imaging System can be used to take pictures.</li>
 <li>Wash slides prior to microscope observation.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>Multiphoton analysis: Fix scaffolds at different time points with ethanol vapor (70%) overnight and then dry and store at -20 &deg;C until further analysis. Prior to visualization with the multiphoton microscope section the scaffold into 30 &mu;m-thick slides and wet with PBS.
 <ol>
 <li>Block the seeded scaffolds in PBS with 10% fetal bovine serum for 30 min at room temperature.</li>
 <li>Incubate the scaffolds overnight at 4 &deg;C in darkness with a 1:50 dilution of primary monoclonal antibody: mouse anti human CD71.</li>
 <li>Wash samples three times in PBS and stain with the secondary antibody: anti-mouse Alexa Fluor 488 for 1 h at room temperature in darkness.</li>
 <li>Wash samples three times with PBS and observe with a confocal microscope using a water emission x60 objective lens.</li>
 <li>Fluorophore Alexa Fluor 488 is excited at 488 nm by the pulsatile lasers. Volocity 5.3.2 software can be used for subsequent image analysis.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
</ol>
4. Flow Cytometric Analysis of the Cellular Population
<ol>
 <li>Before cellular analysis in the flow cytometer (FC), label the cells of interest with the corresponding immunofluorescence antibodies for detection. A number of samples are prepared according to the selected antibodies for detection. For MNC detection the following combination of antibodies are used: CD45-FITC/CD71-PE/CD235a-PE-Cy5.</li>
 <li>Aspirate the cells from the scaffold at different time points and centrifuge. Dissolve a cell pellet of around 1x106 cells in 100 &mu;l FC buffer (PBS + 0.1% sodium azide) and add 10 &mu;L of each antibody fluorescence dye. Incubate the cells for 30 min at 4 &deg;C, wash twice with PBS and finally re-suspend in FC buffer.</li>
 <li>Load the sample into the flow cytometer stained with the isotype control to set the "negativity" of the antibody expression and calibrate the detection channels with the flow cytometer control.</li>
 <li>Read the sample stained with the three different antibodies and finally represent the data in using the WinList software.</li>
</ol>
5. Representative Results
An example of hematopoietic cellular growth kinetics without the addition of exogenous growth factors is shown in Figure 2. Due to the heterogeneous nature of hematopoiesis, two different cells: normal and abnormal hematopoietic cells are illustrated. In Figure 2A, cellular proliferation of human CBMNC is evident after 28 days in culture. Figure 2B shows the growth kinetics in the mimicry using human primary leukemic cells. Cellular proliferation is assessed using the MTS assay which measures cellular metabolic activity in relation to absorbance. In both cases, the cells proliferated and established in the model. Differences in growth kinetics are observed; normal hematopoietic cells establish the culture faster than the leukemic cells.
The morphology of the harvested cells even after 28 days of culture in the absence of exogenous growth factors was typical of normal hematopoietic cells (Figure 3A) and leukemic cells (Figure 3B). Central sections of the scaffolds were analyzed by SEM after the scaffolds were removed from the culture and showed the spreading of the seeded cells throughout the scaffold, establishing themselves in clusters and in "niche-like" structures (Figure 3A' &amp;B'). Figure C shows the pore size and distribution in an unseeded scaffold used as a control. Multiphoton microscopy after 28 days was used to highlight the distribution of the cells within the 3D scaffold in situ and it showed the presence of erythroid islands in central sections of the scaffold (Figure 4) by the expression of the marker CD71 which is positive in erythroblasts. This proves the importance of mature and maturing cells during erythropoiesis. Finally, flow cytometry graphs of the cells prior seeding shows the difference in the phenotype of hematopoietic cells, where Figure 5A represents normal hematopoietic cells: human CBMNCs and Figure 5B illustrates abnormal hematopoietic cells: primary leukemic cells. Levels of CD235a + and CD45+ corresponding to erythrocytes and leukocytes respectively are higher in the normal sample than in the leukemic highlighting the hemoblastic nature of the leukemias.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/3654/3654fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Illustration of the processes involved in PU scaffold manufacture and bio-functionalization. A) PU is dissolved in Dioxan (5wt%) and by the thermally induced phase separation process and subsequent solvent sublimation the scaffold is produced, as described by Safinia et al 13. B) The scaffold disk is then cut into cubes of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm and then coated by centrifugation with extra cellular matrix (ECM) proteins. C) MNC are extracted from human umbilical CB or from BM aspiration using density gradient centrifugation and seeded (2x106 cells/scaffold) in the PU scaffolds with a micropipette.
<img alt="Figure 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/3654/3654fig2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2. Cellular proliferation measured using the MTS assay: A) using human cord blood MNCs; B) using human primary leukemic cells. The columns show the growth of cells over time when seeded in the PU scaffolds without the addition of exogenous cytokines.
<img alt="Figure 3" src="/files/ftp_upload/3654/3654fig3.jpg" />
Figure 3: Cell morphology and distribution around the scaffolds using cytospins, scanning electron micrographs. (A-B) Representative Wright-Giemsa stained cytospins of A) cord blood mononuclear cells collected from PU scaffolds after 28 days of culture, and B) bone aspirated leukemic cells collected from PU scaffolds after 14 days of culture. Both experiments were carried out in cytokine free condition. (A'-B') Representative central sections of the PU scaffold SEM micrographs of A') seeded cord blood MNCs and B') leukemic cells after being cultured for 28 days, and C) control scaffold with no cells.
<img alt="Figure 4" src="/files/ftp_upload/3654/3654fig4.jpg" />
Figure 4. Multiphoton micrograph of a PU scaffold seeded with cord blood MNCs after 28 d in culture and stained with the erythroid marker CD71.
<img alt="Figure 5" src="/files/ftp_upload/3654/3654fig5.jpg" /> 
Figure 5. Flow cytometry 3D dot-plots stained for CD45, CD71 and CD235a surface expression markers. The isotype control obtained is also presented for comparison of the relative fluorescence intensity. Panel A shows human cord blood mononuclear cells positive for the above markers; Panel B shows human primary leukemic cells.

<ol>
	<li>Orkin, S., Zon, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hematopoiesis:+an+evolving+paradigm+for+stem+cell+biology.">Hematopoiesis: an evolving paradigm for stem cell biology.</a> Cell. 132, 631-644 (2008).</li><li>Spradling, A., Drummond-Barbosa, D., Kai, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stem+cells+find+their+niche.">Stem cells find their niche.</a> Nature. 414, 98-104 (2001).</li><li>Panoskaltsis, N., Mantalaris, A., Wu, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engineering+a+mimicry+of+bone+marrow+tissue+ex+vivo.">Engineering a mimicry of bone marrow tissue ex vivo.</a> J Biosci. Bioeng. 100, 28-35 (2005).</li><li>Lo Celso, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live-animal+tracking+of+individual+haematopoietic+stem/progenitor+cells+in+their+niche.">Live-animal tracking of individual haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in their niche.</a> Nature. 457, 92-96 (2009).</li><li>Mantalaris, A., Bourne, P., Wu, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Production+of+human+osteoclasts+in+a+three-dimensional+bone+marrow+culture+system.">Production of human osteoclasts in a three-dimensional bone marrow culture system.</a> Biochem. Eng. J. 20, 189-196 (2004).</li><li>Placzek, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stem+cell+bioprocessing:+fundamentals+and+principles.">Stem cell bioprocessing: fundamentals and principles.</a> J. R. Soc. Interface. 6, 209-232 (2009).</li><li>Dexter, T., Testa, N., Prescott, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Methods in Cell Biology. 14, 387-405 (1976).</li><li>Piacibello, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+growth+factor+requirement+of+primitive+cord+blood+hematopoietic+stem+cell+for+self-renewal+and+amplification+vs+proliferation+and+differentiation.">Differential growth factor requirement of primitive cord blood hematopoietic stem cell for self-renewal and amplification vs proliferation and differentiation.</a> Leukemia. 12, 718-727 (1998).</li><li>Yoshida, T., Takagi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+processing+engineering+for+ex+vivo+expansion+of+hematopoietic+cells:+a+review.">Cell processing engineering for ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic cells: a review.</a> Biochemical Engineering Journal. 20, 99-106 (2004).</li><li>Lim, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intelligent+bioprocessing+for+haemotopoietic+cell+cultures+using+monitoring+and+design+of+experiments.">Intelligent bioprocessing for haemotopoietic cell cultures using monitoring and design of experiments.</a> Biotechnol. Adv. 25, 353-368 (2007).</li><li>Mortera-Blanco, T., Mantalaris, A., Bismarck, A., Panoskaltsis, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+development+of+a+three-dimensional+scaffold+for+ex+vivo+biomimicry+of+human+acute+myeloid+leukaemia.">The development of a three-dimensional scaffold for ex vivo biomimicry of human acute myeloid leukaemia.</a> Biomaterials. 31, 2243-2251 (2010).</li><li>Mortera-Blanco, T., Mantalaris, A., Bismarck, A., Aqel, N., Panoskaltsis, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+cytokine-free+expansion+of+cord+blood+mononuclear+cells+in+three-dimensional+scaffolds.">Long-term cytokine-free expansion of cord blood mononuclear cells in three-dimensional scaffolds.</a> Biomaterials. 32, 9263-9270 (2011).</li><li>Safinia, L., Datan, N., Hohse, M., Mantalaris, A., Bismarck, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Towards+a+methodology+for+the+effective+surface+modification+of+porous+polymer+scaffolds.">Towards a methodology for the effective surface modification of porous polymer scaffolds.</a> Biomaterials. 26, 7537-7547 (2005).</li></ol>

We have nothing to disclose.

The ex vivo 3D culture system presented here enables us to establish a 3D biomimicry of hematopoiesis that recapitulates the original BM architecture and cellular phenotype independent of exogenous cytokines. The 3D model provides the structure and the microenvironment that enables normal and abnormal hematopoietic cells to proliferate in conditions similar to those encountered in vivo.
The selection of the polymeric scaffold material represented a critical step in the biomi...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of the reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue No</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dioxan</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>D20,186-3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14190-094</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IMDM</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12440-053</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ficoll-Paque</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>17-1440-02</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P4333</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTS</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>G3580</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutaraldehyde</td>
			<td>Fluka Biochemika</td>
			<td>49624</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wright-Giemsa</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>WG32</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10108-165</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD71</td>
			<td>Santa Cruz Biotechnology</td>
			<td>sc-32272</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11001</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD45-FITC</td>
			<td>BD Pharmigen</td>
			<td>74895</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD71-PE</td>
			<td>BD Pharmigen</td>
			<td>555537</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD235a-PE-Cy5</td>
			<td>BD Pharmigen</td>
			<td>555570</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium azide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S-8032</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

ex vivo mimicry of normal and abnormal human hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic stem cells require a unique microenvironment in order to sustain blood cell formation1; the bone marrow (BM) is a complex three-dimensional (3D) tissue wherein hematopoiesis is regulated by spatially organized cellular microenvironments termed niches2-4. The organization of the BM niches is critical for the function or dysfunction of normal or malignant BM5. Therefore a better understanding of the in vivo microenvironment using an ex vivo mimicry would help us elucidate the molecular, cellular and microenvironmental determinants of leukemogenesis6.
Currently, hematopoietic cells are cultured in vitro in two-dimensional (2D) tissue culture flasks/well-plates7 requiring either co-culture with allogenic or xenogenic stromal cells or addition of exogenous cytokines8. These conditions are artificial and differ from the in vivo microenvironment in that they lack the 3D cellular niches and expose the cells to abnormally high cytokine concentrations which can result in differentiation and loss of pluripotency9,10.
Herein, we present a novel 3D bone marrow culture system that simulates the in vivo 3D growth environment and supports multilineage hematopoiesis in the absence of exogenous growth factors. The highly porous scaffold used in this system made of polyurethane (PU), facilitates high-density cell growth across a higher specific surface area than the conventional monolayer culture in 2D11. Our work has indicated that this model supported the growth of human cord blood (CB) mononuclear cells (MNC)12 and primary leukemic cells in the absence of exogenous cytokines. This novel 3D mimicry provides a viable platform for the development of a human experimental model to study hematopoiesis and to explore novel treatments for leukemia.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ex vivo Mimicry of Normal and Abnormal Human Hematopoiesis at JoVE.com

Ex vivo Mimicry of Normal and Abnormal Human Hematopoiesis

A 3D culture system for hematopoiesis is described using human cord blood and leukemic bone marrow cells. The method is based on the use of a porous synthetic polyurethane scaffold coated with extracellular matrix proteins. This scaffold is adaptable to accommodate a wide range of cells.

Ex vivo Mimicry of Normal and Abnormal Human Hematopoiesis

Hematopoietic stem cells require a unique microenvironment in order to sustain blood cell formation1; the bone marrow (BM) is a complex three-dimensional ...

ex-vivo-mimicry-of-normal-and-abnormal-human-hematopoiesis

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15.4K Views.  Imperial College London. A 3D culture system for hematopoiesis is described using human cord blood and leukemic bone marrow cells. The method is based on the use of a porous synthetic polyurethane scaffold coated with extracellular matrix proteins. This scaffold is adaptable to accommodate a wide range of cells.

Video: Ex vivo Mimicry of Normal and Abnormal Human Hematopoiesis

The Three-Dimensional Human Skin Reconstruct Model: a Tool to Study Normal  Skin and Melanoma Progression

Most in vitro studies in experimental skin biology have been done in 2-dimensional (2D) monocultures, while accumulating evidence suggests that cells behave differently when they are grown within a 3D extra-cellular matrix and also interact with other cells (1-5). Mouse models have been broadly utilized to study tissue morphogenesis in vivo. However mouse and human skin have significant differences in cellular architecture and physiology, which makes it difficult to extrapolate mouse studies to humans. Since melanocytes in mouse skin are mostly localized in hair follicles, they have distinct biological properties from those of humans, which locate primarily at the basal layer of the epidermis. The recent development of 3D human skin reconstruct models has enabled the field to investigate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions between different cell types. The reconstructs consist of a "dermis" with fibroblasts embedded in a collagen I matrix, an "epidermis", which is comprised of stratified, differentiated keratinocytes and a functional basement membrane, which separates epidermis from dermis. Collagen provides scaffolding, nutrient delivery, and potential for cell-to-cell interaction. The 3D skin models incorporating melanocytic cells recapitulate natural features of melanocyte homeostasis and melanoma progression in human skin. As in vivo, melanocytes in reconstructed skin are localized at the basement membrane interspersed with basal layer keratinocytes. Melanoma cells exhibit the same characteristics reflecting the original tumor stage (RGP, VGP and metastatic melanoma cells) in vivo. Recently, dermal stem cells have been identified in the human dermis (6). These multi-potent stem cells can migrate to the epidermis and differentiate to melanocytes.

In this report, we describe the three-dimensional skin reconstruct model which mimics human skin in architecture and composition. Melanocyte physiology, melanoma progression and the fate of dermal stem cells have been investigated using the skin reconstruct model. The model is also useful as a preclinical tool for drug assessment.

Most in vitro studies in experimental skin biology have been done in 2-dimensional (2D) monocultures, while accumulating evidence suggests that cells ...

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

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, allows for unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow into the ventricle. Aortic valve leaflets are composed of interstitial cells suspended within an extracellular matrix (ECM) and are lined with an endothelial cell monolayer. The valve withstands a harsh, dynamic environment and is constantly exposed to shear, flexion, tension, and compression. Research has shown calcific lesions in diseased valves occur in areas of high mechanical stress as a result of endothelial disruption or interstitial matrix damage1-3. Hence, it is not surprising that epidemiological studies have shown high blood pressure to be a leading risk factor in the onset of aortic valve disease4. 
The only treatment option currently available for valve disease is surgical replacement of the diseased valve with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve5. Improved understanding of valve biology in response to physical stresses would help elucidate the mechanisms of valve pathogenesis. In turn, this could help in the development of non-invasive therapies such as pharmaceutical intervention or prevention. Several bioreactors have been previously developed to study the mechanobiology of native or engineered heart valves6-9. Pulsatile bioreactors have also been developed to study a range of tissues including cartilage10, bone11 and bladder12. The aim of this work was to develop a cyclic pressure system that could be used to elucidate the biological response of aortic valve leaflets to increased pressure loads. 
The system consisted of an acrylic chamber in which to place samples and produce cyclic pressure, viton diaphragm solenoid valves to control the timing of the pressure cycle, and a computer to control electrical devices. The pressure was monitored using a pressure transducer, and the signal was conditioned using a load cell conditioner. A LabVIEW program regulated the pressure using an analog device to pump compressed air into the system at the appropriate rate. The system mimicked the dynamic transvalvular pressure levels associated with the aortic valve; a saw tooth wave produced a gradual increase in pressure, typical of the transvalvular pressure gradient that is present across the valve during diastole, followed by a sharp pressure drop depicting valve opening in systole. The LabVIEW program allowed users to control the magnitude and frequency of cyclic pressure. The system was able to subject tissue samples to physiological and pathological pressure conditions. This device can be used to increase our understanding of how heart valves respond to changes in the local mechanical environment.

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

A cyclic pressure bioreactor capable of subjecting heart valve tissue to physiological and pathological pressure conditions has been designed. A LabVIEW program allows users to control pressure magnitude, amplitude and frequency. This device can be used to study the mechanobiology of heart valve tissue or isolated cells.

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

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

Implantable microdevices are gaining significant attention for several biomedical applications1-4. Such devices have been made from a range of materials, each offering its own advantages and shortcomings5,6. Most prominently, due to the microscale device dimensions, a high modulus is required to facilitate implantation into living tissue. Conversely, the stiffness of the device should match the surrounding tissue to minimize induced local strain7-9. Therefore, we recently developed a new class of bio-inspired materials to meet these requirements by responding to environmental stimuli with a change in mechanical properties10-14. Specifically, our poly(vinyl acetate)-based nanocomposite (PVAc-NC) displays a reduction in stiffness when exposed to water and elevated temperatures (e.g. body temperature). Unfortunately, few methods exist to quantify the stiffness of materials in vivo15, and mechanical testing outside of the physiological environment often requires large samples inappropriate for implantation. Further, stimuli-responsive materials may quickly recover their initial stiffness after explantation. Therefore, we have developed a method by which the mechanical properties of implanted microsamples can be measured ex vivo, with simulated physiological conditions maintained using moisture and temperature control13,16,17. 
To this end, a custom microtensile tester was designed to accommodate microscale samples13,17 with widely-varying Young's moduli (range of 10 MPa to 5 GPa). As our interests are in the application of PVAc-NC as a biologically-adaptable neural probe substrate, a tool capable of mechanical characterization of samples at the microscale was necessary. This tool was adapted to provide humidity and temperature control, which minimized sample drying and cooling17. As a result, the mechanical characteristics of the explanted sample closely reflect those of the sample just prior to explantation.
The overall goal of this method is to quantitatively assess the in vivo mechanical properties, specifically the Young's modulus, of stimuli-responsive, mechanically-adaptive polymer-based materials. This is accomplished by first establishing the environmental conditions that will minimize a change in sample mechanical properties after explantation without contributing to a reduction in stiffness independent of that resulting from implantation. Samples are then prepared for implantation, handling, and testing (Figure 1A). Each sample is implanted into the cerebral cortex of rats, which is represented here as an explanted rat brain, for a specified duration (Figure 1B). At this point, the sample is explanted and immediately loaded into the microtensile tester, and then subjected to tensile testing (Figure 1C). Subsequent data analysis provides insight into the mechanical behavior of these innovative materials in the environment of the cerebral cortex.

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

A method is discussed by which the in vivo mechanical behavior of stimuli-responsive materials is monitored as a function of time. Samples are tested ex vivo using a microtensile tester with environmental controls to simulate the physiological environment. This work further promotes understanding the in vivo behavior of our material.

Implantable microdevices are gaining significant attention for several biomedical applications1-4. Such devices have been made from a range of materials, ...

Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model

Decades ago the human placenta was thought to be an impenetrable barrier between mother and unborn child. However, the discovery of thalidomide-induced birth defects and many later studies afterwards proved the opposite. Today several harmful xenobiotics like nicotine, heroin, methadone or drugs as well as environmental pollutants were described to overcome this barrier. With the growing use of nanotechnology, the placenta is likely to come into contact with novel nanoparticles either accidentally through exposure or intentionally in the case of potential nanomedical applications. Data from animal experiments cannot be extrapolated to humans because the placenta is the most species-specific mammalian organ 1. Therefore, the ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion, developed by Panigel et al. in 1967 2 and continuously modified by Schneider et al. in 1972 3, can serve as an excellent model to study the transfer of xenobiotics or particles.
Here, we focus on the ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion protocol and its further development to acquire reproducible results.
The placentae were obtained after informed consent of the mothers from uncomplicated term pregnancies undergoing caesarean delivery. The fetal and maternal vessels of an intact cotyledon were cannulated and perfused at least for five hours. As a model particle fluorescently labelled polystyrene particles with sizes of 80 and 500 nm in diameter were added to the maternal circuit. The 80 nm particles were able to cross the placental barrier and provide a perfect example for a substance which is transferred across the placenta to the fetus while the 500 nm particles were retained in the placental tissue or maternal circuit. The ex vivo human placental perfusion model is one of few models providing reliable information about the transport behavior of xenobiotics at an important tissue barrier which delivers predictive and clinical relevant data.

Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model

The ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion model can be used to investigate the transfer of xenobiotics and nanoparticles across the human placenta. In this video protocol we describe the equipment and techniques required for a successful execution of a placenta perfusion.

Decades ago the human placenta was thought to be an impenetrable barrier between mother and unborn child. However, the discovery of thalidomide-induced ...

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides

Collagen is a major structural component of the extracellular matrix that supports tissue formation and maintenance. Although collagen remodeling is an integral part of normal tissue renewal, excessive amount of remodeling activity is involved in tumors, arthritis, and many other pathological conditions. During collagen remodeling, the triple helical structure of collagen molecules is disrupted by proteases in the extracellular environment. In addition, collagens present in many histological tissue samples are partially denatured by the fixation and preservation processes. Therefore, these denatured collagen strands can serve as effective targets for biological imaging. We previously developed a caged collagen mimetic peptide (CMP) that can be photo-triggered to hybridize with denatured collagen strands by forming triple helical structure, which is unique to collagens. The overall goals of this procedure are i)&#160;to image denatured collagen strands resulting from normal remodeling activities in vivo, and ii) to visualize collagens in ex vivo tissue sections using the photo-triggered caged CMPs. To achieve effective hybridization and successful in vivo and ex vivo imaging, fluorescently labeled caged CMPs are either photo-activated immediately before intravenous injection, or are directly activated on tissue sections. Normal skeletal collagen remolding in nude mice and collagens in prefixed mouse cornea tissue sections are imaged in this procedure. The imaging method based on the CMP-collagen hybridization technology presented here could lead to deeper understanding of the tissue remodeling process, as well as allow development of new diagnostics for diseases associated with high collagen remodeling activity.

Imaging Denatured Collagen Strands In vivo and Ex vivo via Photo-triggered Hybridization of Caged Collagen Mimetic Peptides

This procedure demonstrates in vivo near IR fluorescence imaging of collagen remodeling activities in mice as well as ex vivo staining of collagens in tissue sections using caged collagen mimetic peptides that can be photo-triggered to hybridize with denatured collagen strands.

Collagen is a major structural component of the extracellular matrix that supports tissue formation and maintenance. Although collagen remodeling is an ...

Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy

To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the human brain, utilization of cerebral blood flow (CBF) as a source of contrast is desired because it is a key hemodynamic parameter related to cerebral oxygen supply. Resting state low frequency fluctuations based on oxygenation contrast have been shown to provide correlations between functionally connected regions. The presented protocol uses optical diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) to assess blood flow-based resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) in the human brain. Results of CBF-based RSFC in human frontal cortex indicate that intra-regional RSFC is significantly higher in the left and right cortices compared to inter-regional RSFC in both cortices. This protocol should be of interest to researchers who employ multi-modal imaging techniques to study human brain function, especially in the pediatric population.

This protocol demonstrates how to measure resting state functional connectivity in the human prefrontal cortex using a custom-made diffuse correlation spectroscopy instrument. The report also discuss practical aspects of the experiment as well as detailed steps for analyzing the data.

To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the human brain, utilization of cerebral blood flow (CBF) as a source of contrast is desired because it is a ...

Simultaneous Brightfield, Fluorescence, and Optical Coherence Tomographic Imaging of Contracting Cardiac Trabeculae Ex Vivo

In cardiac muscle, intracellular Ca2+ transients activate contractile myofilaments, causing contraction, macroscopic shortening, and geometric&#160;deformation. Our understanding of the internal relationships between these events has been limited because we can neither &#39;see&#39; inside the muscle nor precisely track the spatio-temporal nature of excitation-contraction dynamics. To resolve these problems, we have constructed a device that combines a suite of imaging modalities. Specifically, it integrates a brightfield microscope to measure local changes of sarcomere length and tissue strain, a fluorescence microscope to visualize the Ca2+ transient, and an optical coherence tomograph to capture the tissue&#39;s geometric&#160;changes throughout the time-course of a cardiac cycle. We present here the imaging infrastructure and associated data collection framework. Data are collected from isolated rod-like tissue structures known as trabeculae carneae. In our instrument, a pair of position-controlled platinum hooks hold each end of an ex vivo muscle sample while it is continuously superfused with nutrient-rich saline solution. The hooks are under independent control, permitting real-time control of muscle length and force. Lengthwise translation enables the piecewise scanning of the sample, overcoming limitations associated with the relative size of the microscope imaging window (540 &#181;m by 540 &#181;m) and the length of a typical trabecula (&#62;2000 &#181;m). Platinum electrodes at either end of the muscle chamber stimulate the trabecula at a user-defined rate. We exploit the stimulation signal as a trigger for synchronizing the data from each imaging window to reconstruct the entire sample twitching under steady-state conditions. Applying image-processing techniques to these brightfield imaging data provides tissue displacement and sarcomere length maps. Such a collection of data, when incorporated into an experiment-modeling pipeline, will provide a deeper understanding of muscle contractile homogeneity and heterogeneity in physiology and pathophysiology.

Simultaneous Brightfield, Fluorescence, and Optical Coherence Tomographic Imaging of Contracting Cardiac Trabeculae Ex Vivo

This protocol presents a collection of sarcomere, calcium, and macroscopic geometric&#160;data from an actively contracting cardiac trabecula ex vivo. These simultaneous measurements are made possible by the integration of three imaging modalities.

In cardiac muscle, intracellular Ca2+ transients activate contractile myofilaments, causing contraction, macroscopic shortening, and ...

All-optical Mechanobiology Interrogation of Yes-associated Protein in Human Cancer and Normal Cells using a Multi-functional System

Long-term multi-functional imaging and analysis of live cells require streamlined, functional coordination of various hardware and software platforms. However, manual control of various equipment produced by different manufacturers is labor-intensive and time-consuming, potentially decreasing the accuracy, reproducibility, and quality of acquired data. Therefore, an all-in-one and user-programmable system that enables automatic, multi-functional, and long-term image acquisition and is compatible with most fluorescent microscopy platforms can benefit the scientific community. This paper introduces the complete operating protocols of utilizing a novel integrated software system that consists of (1) a home-built software program, titled "Automatic Multi-functional Integration Program (AMFIP)," which enables automatic multi-channel imaging acquisition, and (2) a suite of quantitative imaging analysis and cell traction computation packages. 
This integrated system is applied to reveal the previously unknown relationship between the spatial-temporal distribution of mechano-sensitive Yes-associated protein (YAP) and the cell mechanics, including cell spreading and traction, in CRISPR/Cas9-engineered human normal cells (B2B) and lung cancer cells (PC9). Leveraging this system's capability of multi-channel control and readout, the result shows: (1) B2B normal cells and PC9 cancer cells show a distinct relationship between YAP expression, traction, and cell dynamics during cell spreading and migration processes; and (2) PC9 cancer cells apply noticeable peri-nuclear forces on substrates. In summary, this paper presents a detailed stepwise protocol on how to utilize an integrated user-programmable system that enables automatic multi-functional imaging and analysis to elucidate YAP mechano-sensitivity. These tools open the possibility for detailed explorations of multifaceted signaling dynamics in the context of cell physiology and pathology.

This paper presents a detailed stepwise protocol on how to utilize an integrated multi-functional and user-programmable system that enables automatic multi-channel imaging and mechanobiological analysis to elucidate the mechano-sensitivity of Yes-associated protein (YAP).

Long-term multi-functional imaging and analysis of live cells require streamlined, functional coordination of various hardware and software platforms. ...

A Novel 3D Printed Bioreactor for Ex Vivo Culture of Blood Vessels in Perfusion

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

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

Author Spotlight: EasyFlow - An Economical and Adaptable Perfusion Bioreactor for Large Blood Vessel Culture 

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

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

"Avatar"- Optimized Ex Vivo Work Loop Experiment to Emulate In Vivo Muscle Force

"Avatar", a Modified Ex vivo Work Loop Experiments Using In vivo Strain and Activation

Movement behaviors are emergent features of dynamic systems that result from muscle force production and work output. The interplay between neural and mechanical systems occurs at all levels of biological organization concurrently, from the tuning of leg muscle properties while running to the dynamics of the limbs interacting with the ground. Understanding the conditions under which animals shift their neural control strategies toward intrinsic muscle mechanics (&#39;preflexes&#39;) in the control hierarchy would allow muscle models to predict in vivo muscle force and work more accurately. To understand in vivo muscle mechanics, ex vivo investigation of muscle force and work under dynamically varying strain and loading conditions similar to in vivo locomotion is required. In vivo strain trajectories typically exhibit abrupt changes (i.e., strain and velocity transients) that arise from interactions among neural activation, musculoskeletal kinematics, and loads applied by the environment. The principal goal of our &#34;avatar&#34; technique is to investigate how muscles function during abrupt changes in strain rate and loading when the contribution of intrinsic mechanical properties to muscle force production may be highest. In the &#34;avatar&#34; technique, the traditional work-loop approach is modified using measured in vivo strain trajectories and electromyographic (EMG) signals from animals during dynamic movements to drive ex vivo muscles through multiple stretch-shortening cycles. This approach is similar to the work-loop technique, except that in vivo strain trajectories are scaled appropriately and imposed on ex vivo mouse muscles attached to a servo motor. This technique allows one to: (1) emulate in vivo strain, activation, stride frequency, and work-loop patterns; (2) vary these patterns to match in vivo force responses most accurately; and (3) vary specific features of strain and/or activation in controlled combinations to test mechanistic hypotheses.

Author Spotlight: Bridging the Gap Between In Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies with the "Avatar" Technique to Advance Muscle Mechanics Research 

This article details the methodology for emulating in vivo muscle force production during ex vivo work loop experiments using an "avatar" muscle from a laboratory rodent to assess the contributions of strain transients and activation to the muscle force response.

Movement behaviors are emergent features of dynamic systems that result from muscle force production and work output. The interplay between neural and ...