Acta Biomaterialia

In Vivo Characterization of the Deformation of the Human Optic Nerve Head Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Digital Volume Correlation Publication date: Available online 3 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia Author(s): Dan E. Midgett, Harry A. Quigley, Thao. D. Nguyen Abstract We developed a method to measure the 3-dimensional (3D) strain field in the optic nerve head (ONH) in vivo between two intraocular pressures (IOP). Radial optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were taken of the ONH of 5 eyes from 5 glaucoma patients before and after IOP-lowering surgery and from 5 eyes from 3 glaucoma suspect patients before and after raising IOP by wearing tight-fitting swimming goggles. Scans taken at higher and lower IOP were compared using a custom digital volume correlation (DVC) algorithm to calculate strains in the anterior lamina cribrosa (ALC), retina, and choroid. Changes in anterior lamina depth (ALD) relative to Bruch's membrane were also analyzed. Average displacement error was estimated to be subpixel and strain errors were smaller than 0.37%. Suturelysis decreased IOP by 9 - 20 mmHg and decreased compressive anterior-posterior strain Ezz in the ALC by 0.76% (p=0.002,n=5). Goggle-wearing increased IOP by 3-4 mmHg and produced compressive Ezz in the ALC (-0.32%,p=0.001,n=5). Greater IOP decrease was associated with greater ALD change (p=0.047,n=10) and greater strains in the ALC (Ezz:p=0.002,n=10). A deepening of ALD was associated with lower IOP and greater ALC strains (p⩽0.045,n=10). A DVC-based method to measure strains from OCT images caused by IOP changes as small as 2.3 mmHg provides preliminary evidence that ALD is shallower and ALC strains are less compressive at higher IOP and that ALD change is associated with ALC strains. Statement of Significance Glaucoma causes vision loss through progressive damage of the retinal ganglion axons at the lamina cribrosa, a connective tissue structure in the optic nerve head that supports the axons as they pass through the eye wall. It is hypothesized that strains caused by intraocular pressure (IOP) may initiate this damage, but few studies have measured the strain response to pressure of the optic nerve head in patients. We present a method to measure the 3D displacement and strain field in the optic nerve head caused by IOP alteration in glaucoma patients using clinically available images. We used this method to measure strain within the optic nerve head from IOP changes caused by glaucoma surgery and wearing tight-fitting swimming goggles. Graphical abstract

3-D Printed Ti-6Al-4V Scaffolds for Supporting Osteoblast and Restricting Bacterial Functions Without Using Drugs: Predictive Equations and Experiments Publication date: Available online 3 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia Author(s): Nicole J. Bassous, Christopher L. Jones, Thomas J. Webster Abstract Conditions resulting from musculoskeletal deficiencies (MSDs) are wide-ranging and retain the likelihood for restricting motion or producing pain, especially in the lower back, neck, and upper limbs. Engineered scaffold devices are being produced to replace antiquated modalities that suffer from structural and mechanical deficiencies in the treatment of MSDs. Here, as-fabricated Ti-6Al-4V-based HiveTM interbody fusion scaffolds, commercialized by HD Lifesciences LLC, were assayed for their osteogenicity and antibacterial potential using a series of characterization and in vitro tests, as well as by quantitative analyses. A topographical assessment of the HiveTM meshes indicated that the elementally pure substrates are microscopically porous and rough, in addition to displaying structural heterogeneity. Roughness estimations and static contact angle measurements recommended the use of the as-fabricated Ti-6Al-4V substrates for supporting cellular attachment, especially, due to the improved surface roughness and wettability values of these scaffolds relative to the unembellished Ti-6Al-4V surfaces. Quantitative correlations relating the surface properties of roughness and energy were applied to predict cellular behaviors. Cell growth suppositions were experimentally corroborated. Critical in vitro data indicated the competencies of HiveTM scaffolds for promoting the adhesion and proliferation of human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs); accumulating substantial calcium buildups from metabolizing hFOBs; and restricting the attachment of bacterial biofilms. The model system that investigated the pre-adsorption of casein proteins along HiveTM test substrates additionally furthered the notion that bacterial attachment may be restricted, with short-scale adhesion dynamics serving as the theoretical basis for this hypothesis. Statement of Significance Sintered Ti-6Al-4V spinal fusion devices (HiveTM) manufactured and marketed by HD Lifesciences LLC were assessed for their biocompatibility and antibacterial performance. A mixed methods approach was employed, whereby quantitative measures were used to predict the ability for HiveTM substrates to adsorb specialized proteins and to restrict bacterial surface colonization. In vitro tests that evaluated bone cell and bacterial adhesion, calcium deposition, and protein adsorption supported quantitative predictions. The data herein presented demonstrate the following: (1) surface energy is an important predictor of implant-cell interactions, (2) strong correlations exist between surface energy and surface roughness, (3) mathematical models can be used to improve implant devices, and (4) porous, rough, 3D-printed materials perform well in terms of biocompatibility and antimicrobial efficacy. Graphical abstract

Concanavalin A-targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles for infection treatment Publication date: Available online 3 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia Author(s): Marina Martínez-Carmona, Isabel Izquierdo-Barba, Montserrat Colilla, María Vallet-Regí Abstract The ability of bacteria to form biofilms hinders any conventional treatment for chronic infections and has serious socio-economic implications. For this purpose, a nanocarrier capable of overcoming the barrier of the mucopolysaccharide matrix of the biofilm and releasing its loaded-antibiotic within this matrix would be desirable. Herein, we developed a new nanosystem based on levofloxacin (LEVO)-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) decorated with the lectin concanavalin A (ConA). The presence of ConA promotes the internalization of this nanosystem into the biofilm matrix, which increases the antimicrobial efficacy of the antibiotic hosted within the mesopores. This nanodevice is envisioned as a promising alternative to conventional treatments for infection by improving the antimicrobial efficacy and reducing side effects. Statement of Significance The present study is focused on finding an adequate therapeutic solution for the treatment of bone infection using nanocarriers that are capable of overcoming the biofilm barrier by increasing the therapeutic efficacy of the loaded antibiotic. For this purpose, we present a nanoantibiotic that increases the effectiveness of levofloxacin to destroy the biofilm formed by the model bacterium E. coli.. This work opens new lines of research in the treatment of chronic infections based on nanomedicines. Graphical abstract

Corrigendum to "Functional quantum dot-siRNA nanoplexes to regulate chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells" [Acta Biomater. 46 (2016) 165–176] Publication date: Available online 2 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia Author(s): Yang Wu, Bo Zhou, Fuben Xu, Xiaoyong Wang, Gang Liu, Li Zheng, Jinmin Zhao, Xingdong Zhang

Plasma deposited poly-oxazoline nanotextured surfaces dictate osteoimmunomodulation towards ameliorative osteogenesis Publication date: Available online 2 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia Author(s): Zetao Chen, Rahul Madathiparambil Visalakshan, Jia Guo, Fei Wei, Linjun Zhang, Lingling Chen, Zhengmei Lin, Krasimir Vasilev, Yin Xiao Abstract Developing "osteoimmune-smart" bone substitute materials have become the forefront of research in bone regeneration. Biocompatible polymer coatings are applied widely to improve the bioactivity of bone substitute materials. In this context, polyoxazolines (Pox) have attracted substantial attention recently due to properties such as biocompatibility, stability, and low biofouling. In view of these useful properties, it is interesting to explore the capacity of Pox as an osteoimmunomodulatory agent to generate a favorable osteoimmune environment for osteogenesis. We applied a technique called plasma polymerization and succeeded in preparing Pox-like coatings (Ppox) and engineered their nanotopography at the nanoscale. We found that Ppox switched macrophages towards M2 extreme, thus inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines. The underlying mechanism may be related to the suppression of TLR pathway. The generated osteoimmune environment improved osteogenesis while inhibited osteoclastogenesis. This may be related to the release of osteogenic factors, especially Wnt10b from macrophages. The addition of nanotopography (16nm, 38nm, 68nm) can tune the Ppox-mediated inhibition on inflammation and osteoclastic activities, while no significant effects were observed within the tested nano sizes on the Ppox-mediated osteogenesis. These results collectively suggest that Ppox can be useful as an effective osteoiumunomodulatory agent to endow bone substitute materials with favourable osteoimmunomodulatory property. Statement of significance In this study, we succeeded in preparing plasma deposited Pox-like nano-coatings (Ppox) via plasma polymerization and found that Ppox nanotopographies are useful osteoimmunomodulatory tools. Their osteoimmunodolatory effects and underlying mechanisms are unveiled. It is the first investigation into the feasibility of applying poly-oxazoline as an osteoimmunomodulatory agent. This expand the application of poly-oxazoline into the forefront in bone regeneration area for the development of advanced "osteoimmune-smart" bone substitute materials. Graphical abstract

A Bioink Blend for Rotary 3D Bioprinting Tissue Engineered Small-Diameter Vascular Constructs Publication date: Available online 2 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia Author(s): Sebastian Freeman, Rafael Ramos, Paul Alexis Chando, Luxi Zhou, Kyle Reeser, Sha Jin, Pranav Soman, Kaiming Ye Abstract 3D bioprinted vascular constructs have gained increased interest due to their significant potential for creating customizable alternatives to autologous vessel grafts. In this study, we developed a new approach for biofabricating fibrin-based vascular constructs using a novel rotary 3D bioprinter developed in our lab. We formulated a new bioink by incorporating fibrinogen with gelatin to achieve a desired shear-thinning property for rotary bioprinting. The blending of heat-treated gelatin with fibrinogen turned unprintable fibrinogen into a printable biomaterial for vessel bioprinting by leveraging the favorable rheological properties of gelatin. We discovered that the heat-treatment of gelatin remarkably affects the rheological properties of a gelatin-fibrinogen blended bioink, which in turn influences the printability of the ink. Further characterizations revealed that not only concentration of the gelatin but the heat treatment also affects cell viability during printing. Notably, the density of cells included in the bioinks also influenced printability and tissue volumetric changes of the printed vessel constructs during cultures. We observed increased collagen deposition and construct mechanical strength during two months of the cultures. The burst pressure of the vessel constructs reached 1,110 mmHg, which is about 52% of the value of the human saphenous vein. An analysis of the tensile mechanical properties of the printed vessel constructs unveiled an increase in both the circumferential and axial elastic moduli during cultures. This study highlights important considerations for bioink formulation when bioprinting vessel constructs. Statement of Significance There has been an increased demand for small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts. Vascular 3D bioprinting holds the potential to create equivalent vascular grafts but with the ability to tailor them to meet patient's needs. Here, we presented a new and innovative 3D rotary bioprinter and a new bioink formulation for printing vascular constructs using fibrinogen, a favorable biomaterial for vascular tissue engineering. The bioink was formulated by blending fibrinogen with a more printable biomaterial, gelatin. The systematic characterization of the effects of heat treatment and gelatin concentration as well as bioink cell concentration on the printability of the bioink offers new insight into the development of printable biomaterials for tissue biofabrication. Graphical abstract

Mechanical behavior of ctenoid scales: Joint-like structures control the deformability of the scales in the flatfish Solea solea (Pleuronectiformes) Publication date: 1 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia, Volume 92 Author(s): Marlene Spinner, Clemens F. Schaber, Shao-Min Chen, Marco Geiger, Stanislav N. Gorb, Hamed Rajabi Abstract Ctenoid scales protect the fish body against predators and other environmental impacts. At the same time, they allow for sufficient degree of flexibility to perform species-specific locomotion. The scales of the flatfish Solea solea were chosen to study the specific mechanical behavior and material properties of the ctenoid scales. Using scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography, three-dimensional asymmetric structures of the stacked mineralized ctenial spines in the posterior field, which is a part of the scales exposed to the environment, were examined in detail. Nanoindentations on the surface of the ctenial spines indicated that the elastic modulus and hardness of these mineralized structures are about 14 GPa and 0.4 GPa, respectively. The spines appeared to be connected to each other by means of joint-like structures containing soft tissues. Bending tests showed that the ctenoid scales have two functional zones: a stiff supporting main body and an anisotropically deformable posterior field. While the stiff plate-like main body provides support for the whole scale, the deformable joint-like structures in the ctenial spines increase the deformability of the posterior field in downward bending. During upward bending, however, the spines prevent complete folding of the posterior field by an interlocking effect. Statement of significance In contrast to the continuously mineralized cycloid scales, ctenoid scales combine two conflicting properties: They are hard to protect the body of fish against predators and other environmental impacts, yet flexible enough to allow for sufficient degree of body bendability for locomotion. To understand the structural background underlying this specific biomechanical feature, here we investigated the scales of the flatfish Solea solea. For the first time, we demonstrated the presence of joint-like structures within the scales, which increase scale deformability during downward bending, but prevent scale deformation during upward bending by interlocking. Our results shed lights on the material-structure-function relationships in ctenoid scales, as well as on their functional adaptations to the specific environment. Graphical abstract

Synchrotron tomography of intervertebral disc deformation quantified by digital volume correlation reveals microstructural influence on strain patterns Publication date: 1 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia, Volume 92 Author(s): C.M. Disney, A. Eckersley, J.C. McConnell, H. Geng, A.J. Bodey, J.A. Hoyland, P.D. Lee, M.J. Sherratt, B.K. Bay Abstract The intervertebral disc (IVD) has a complex and multiscale extracellular matrix structure which provides unique mechanical properties to withstand physiological loading. Low back pain has been linked to degeneration of the disc but reparative treatments are not currently available. Characterising the disc's 3D microstructure and its response in a physiologically relevant loading environment is required to improve understanding of degeneration and to develop new reparative treatments. In this study, techniques for imaging the native IVD, measuring internal deformation and mapping volumetric strain were applied to an in situ compressed ex vivo rat lumbar spine segment. Synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography (synchrotron CT) was used to resolve IVD structures at microscale resolution. These image data enabled 3D quantification of collagen bundle orientation and measurement of local displacement in the annulus fibrosus between sequential scans using digital volume correlation (DVC). The volumetric strain mapped from synchrotron CT provided a detailed insight into the micromechanics of native IVD tissue. The DVC findings showed that there was no slipping at lamella boundaries, and local strain patterns were of a similar distribution to the previously reported elastic network with some heterogeneous areas and maximum strain direction aligned with bundle orientation, suggesting bundle stretching and sliding. This method has the potential to bridge the gap between measures of macro-mechanical properties and the local 3D micro-mechanical environment experienced by cells. This is the first evaluation of strain at the micro scale level in the intact IVD and provides a quantitative framework for future IVD degeneration mechanics studies and testing of tissue engineered IVD replacements. Statement of Significance Synchrotron in-line phase contrast X-ray tomography provided the first visualisation of native intact intervertebral disc microstructural deformation in 3D. For two annulus fibrosus volumes of interest, collagen bundle orientation was quantified and local displacement mapped as strain. Direct evidence of microstructural influence on strain patterns could be seen such as no slipping at lamellae boundaries and maximum strain direction aligned with collagen bundle orientation. Although disc elastic structures were not directly observed, the strain patterns had a similar distribution to the previously reported elastic network. This study presents technical advances and is a basis for future X-ray microscopy, structural quantification and digital volume correlation strain analysis of soft tissue. Graphical abstract

Investigating the passive mechanical behaviour of skeletal muscle fibres: Micromechanical experiments and Bayesian hierarchical modelling Publication date: 1 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia, Volume 92 Author(s): Markus Böl, Rahul Iyer, Johannes Dittmann, Mayra Garcés-Schröder, Andreas Dietzel Abstract Characterisation of the skeletal muscle's passive properties is a challenging task since its structure is dominated by a highly complex and hierarchical arrangement of fibrous components at different scales. The present work focuses on the micromechanical characterisation of skeletal muscle fibres, which consist of myofibrils, by realising three different deformation states, namely, axial tension, axial compression, and transversal compression. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present study provides a novel comprehensive data set representing of different deformation states. These data allow for a better understanding of muscle fibre load transfer mechanisms and can be used for meaningful modelling approaches. As the present study shows, axial tension and compression experiments reveal a strong tension-compression asymmetry at fibre level. In comparison to the tissue level, this asymmetric behaviour is more pronounced at the fibre scale, elucidating the load transfer mechanism in muscle tissue and aiding in the development of future modelling strategies. Further, a Bayesian hierarchical modelling approach was used to consider the experimental fluctuations in a parameter identification scheme, leading to more comprehensive parameter distributions that reflect the entire observed experimental uncertainty. Statement of Significance This article examines for the first time the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle fibres under axial tension, axial compression, and transversal compression, leading to a highly comprehensive data set. Moreover, a Bayesian hierarchical modelling concept is presented to identify model parameters in a broad way. The results of the deformation states allow a new and comprehensive understanding of muscle fibres' load transfer mechanisms; one example is the effect of tension-compression asymmetry. On the one hand, the results of this study contribute to the understanding of muscle mechanics and thus to the muscle's functional understanding during daily activity. On the other hand, they are relevant in the fields of skeletal muscle multiscale, constitutive modelling. Graphical abstract

Nonlinear elasticity of the lung extracellular microenvironment is regulated by macroscale tissue strain Publication date: 1 July 2019 Source: Acta Biomaterialia, Volume 92 Author(s): Ignasi Jorba, Gabriel Beltrán, Bryan Falcones, Béla Suki, Ramon Farré, José Manuel García-Aznar, Daniel Navajas Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lung provides physical support and key mechanical signals to pulmonary cells. Although lung ECM is continuously subjected to different stretch levels, detailed mechanics of the ECM at the scale of the cell is poorly understood. Here, we developed a new polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip to probe nonlinear mechanics of tissue samples with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using this chip, we performed AFM measurements in decellularized rat lung slices at controlled stretch levels. The AFM revealed highly nonlinear ECM elasticity with the microscale stiffness increasing with tissue strain. To correlate micro- and macroscale ECM mechanics, we also assessed macromechanics of decellularized rat lung strips under uniaxial tensile testing. The lung strips exhibited exponential macromechanical behavior but with stiffness values one order of magnitude lower than at the microscale. To interpret the relationship between micro- and macromechanical properties, we carried out a finite element (FE) analysis which revealed that the stiffness of the alveolar cell microenvironment is regulated by the global strain of the lung scaffold. The FE modeling also indicates that the scale dependence of stiffness is mainly due to the porous architecture of the lung parenchyma. We conclude that changes in tissue strain during breathing result in marked changes in the ECM stiffness sensed by alveolar cells providing tissue-specific mechanical signals to the cells. Statement of Significance The micromechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are a major determinant of cell behavior. The ECM is exposed to mechanical stretching in the lung and other organs during physiological function. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the nonlinear micromechanical properties of the ECM at the length scale that cells probe is required to advance our understanding of cell-matrix interplay. We designed a novel PDMS chip to perform atomic force microscopy measurements of ECM micromechanics on decellularized rat lung slices at different macroscopic strain levels. For the first time, our results reveal that the microscale stiffness of lung ECM markedly increases with macroscopic tissue strain. Therefore, changes in tissue strain during breathing result in variations in ECM stiffness providing tissue-specific mechanical signals to lung cells. Graphical abstract

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com