The Technique of Thyroid Cartilage Scaffold Support Formation for Extrusion-Based Bioprinting.

During biofabrication, a tissue scaffold may require temporary support. The aim of this study was to develop an approach of human thyroid cartilage scaffold temporal support formation. The scaffold 3D-model was based on DICOM images. XY plane projections were used to form scaffold supporting part. To verify the technique, collagen hydrogel was chosen as the main scaffold component. Gelatin was applied for the supporting part. To test the applicability of the approach, a model of thyroid cartilage scaffold with the support was printed. The scaffold corresponded to a given model, although some discrepancy in geometry was observed during verification by computed tomography.

[Elimination kinetics of carbonyl-modified low density lipoproteins from bloodstream]. / Kinetika éliminirovaniia karbonil-modifitsirovannykh lipoproteinov nizkoi plotnosti iz krovotoka.

The elimination kinetics of carbonyl-modified low density lipoproteins (LDL) from rabbit bloodstream was studied using isolated LDL of rabbits and humans after preliminary biotinylation or labeling with FITZ. LDL from rabbit or human blood plasma were isolated using differential ultracentrifugation in a density gradient, and then LDL were labeled using biotinylation or FITZ, after which they were modified with various low molecular weight natural dicarbonyls: malondialdehyde (MDA), glyoxal or methylglyoxal. Native and dicarbonyl-modified biotinylated or FITZ-labeled LDL were injected into the ear vein of rabbits and blood samples were taken at certain intervals. To determine the content of biotinylated LDL in blood plasma, an enzyme immunoassay was performed; FITZ-labeled LDL were determined by spectra fluorescence. It is shown that glyoxal- and methylglyoxal-modified LDL in rabbits and humans circulated in the bloodstream for almost the same time as native (unmodified) LDL. At the same time, MDA-modified rabbit and human LDL were extremely quickly eliminated from the rabbit bloodstream. Dicarbonyl-modified LDL from the donors blood plasma were not associated with the red blood cells and endothelial cells. It has been shown that using the kits Oxidized LDL ELISA ("Mercodia", Sweden), it is possible to identify mainly MDA-modified LDL. The level of MDA-modified LDL in the blood plasma of CHD patients sharply decreases during therapy with the hypocholesterolemic drug the PCSK9 inhibitor (evulokumab), which activates LDL reutilization in the liver cells. These results explain the extreme drop in the level of MDA-modified LDL by their increased utilization in hepatocytes. The results obtained indicate a high atherogenicity of glyoxal- and methylglyoxal-modified LDL, long-term circulating in the bloodstream.

[Biocompatibility and osteoinductive properties of collagen and fibronectin hydrogel impregnated with rhBMP-2]. / Biosovmestimost' i osteogennye svoistva kollagen-fibronektinovogo gidrogelya, impregnirovannogo BMP-2.

The study aimed to demonstrate the biocompatibility and osteoinductive properties of a hydrogel based on highly purified collagen and fibronectin impregnated with rhBMP-2. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that the minimum effective dosage of rhBMP-2 is 10 µg/ml. The cytocompatibility of the collagen-fibronectin gel was determined using MTT test and staining with PKH-26. There was no inflammation reaction when the material was subcutaneously implanted in rats (n=30) in vivo. The collagen-fibronectin hydrogel containing 10 µg/ml rhBMP-2 showed high osteogenic properties. By the end of 28 days 8±4% of its volume was replaced by newly formed bone tissue in case of subcutaneous implantation, 17±10% in intramuscular implantation and 26±11% in intraosseous implantation in the calvarial critical-size. The optimal combination of biocompatible and osteogenic properties of collagen-fibronectin hydrogel impregnated with BMP-2 allows us to consider it as a promising basis for creating the new generation of osteoplastic materials for dentistry.

[The prospects of collagen as a basis for curable and activated osteoplastic materials]. / Perspektivy ispol'zovaniia kollagenovogo gidrogelia v kachestve osnovy dlia otverzhdaemykh i aktivirovannykh kostno-plasticheskikh materialov.

In the review, the structure and biological properties of collagen, variants of its production from natural sources and purification are considered. Methods for modifying the physico-mechanical properties of collagen to create a curable, highly purified collagen hydrogel are described. The advantages of a cured highly purified collagen hydrogel as a basis for osteoplastic material and a means of delivery of growth factors are indicated. The registered osteoplastic materials based on the curable highly purified collagen hydrogel are described, and their comparative analysis is carried out. On the basis of the obtained data, a conclusion was made about the prospects of using collagen as a basis for curable and activated osteoplastic materials.

[Differences in the cytocompatibility of bone-plastic materials from xenogeneic hydroxyapatite with stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells]. / Razlichiia tsitosovmestimosti kostno-plasticheskikh materialov iz ksenogennogo gidroksiapatita s mul'tipotentnymi mezenkhimal'nymi stromal'nymi kletkami, poluchennymi iz pul'py vypavshikh molochnykh zubov i podkozhnogo lipoaspirata.

AIM: To compare the cytocompatibility of osteoplastic materials used in dentistry with stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Materials of the brands 'Bio-Oss', 'Indost', 'Bioplast', 'Viscoll' and 'Trikafor' were selected for study purposes. Cultures of SHED and AD-MSC were used for testing. The cytotoxic effect of the materials was determined using MTT test and vital staining with trypan blue. Cell adhesion was assessed by the vital staining of PKH-26. RESULTS: Water extracts of bone-plastic materials from xenogeneic hydroxyapatite of the brands 'Bio-Oss', 'Indost' and 'Bioplast' exert a cytotoxic effect on SHED and do not cause the death of AD-MSC. Materials based on collagen and ß-tricalcium phosphate possess high cytocompatibility with all cell cultures under study. CONCLUSION: From the point of cytocompatibility all the examined bone-plastic materials may be considered safe for the restoration of bone defects. It should be noted that SHED transplantation on the surface of materials containing xenogeneic hydroxypatite is unacceptable.

In Vitro Modeling of Co-Transplantation of Multipotent Stromal Mesenchymal Cells from Orbital Fat Pad and Lipoaspirate of Human Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Organ Culture in Collagen Gel.

The interplay of multipotent stromal cells derived from the orbital fat pads and cells of the lipoaspirate from the subcutaneous adipose tissue was studied using in vitro co-transplantation model in an organ culture in a collagen gel. Microscopy findings and intensity of apoptosis and cell proliferation in cultures of lipoaspirate with and without multipotent stromal cells showed that the cells maintained their viability, proliferation capacity, and cytokine secretion activity. Higher proliferatitive activity of cells in cocultures promotes renewal of fat transplant cells and can help to maintain its stable volume in delayed terms after transplantation.

Fibrillar, fibril-associated and basement membrane collagens of the arterial wall: architecture, elasticity and remodeling under stress.

The ability of a human artery to pass through 150 million liters of blood sustaining 2 billion pulsations of blood pressure with minor deterioration depends on unique construction of the arterial wall. Viscoelastic properties of this construction enable to re-seal the occuring damages apparently without direct immediate participance of the constituent cells. Collagen structures are considered to be the elements that determine the mechanoelastic properties of the wall in parallel with elastin responsible for elasticity and resilience. Collagen scaffold architecture is the function-dependent dynamic arrangement of a dozen different collagen types composing three distinct interacting forms inside the extracellular matrix of the wall. Tightly packed molecules of collagen types I, III, V provide high tensile strength along collagen fibrils but toughness of the collagen scaffold as a whole depends on molecular bonds between distinct fibrils. Apart of other macromolecules in the extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen-specific interlinks involve microfilaments of collagen type VI, meshwork-organized collagen type VIII, and FACIT collagen type XIV. Basement membrane collagen types IV, XV, XVIII and cell-associated collagen XIII enable transmission of mechanical signals between cells and whole artery matrix. Collagen scaffold undergoes continuous remodeling by decomposition promoted with MMPs and reconstitution from newly produced collagen molecules. Pulsatile stress-strain load modulates both collagen synthesis and MMP-dependent collagen degradation. In this way the ECM structure becomes adoptive to mechanical challenges. The mechanoelastic properties of the arterial wall are changed in atherosclerosis concomitantly with collagen turnover both type-specific and dependent on the structure. Improving the feedback could be another approach to restore sufficient blood circulation.

Stromal differentiation and architecture of the human umbilical cord.

In order to assess the characteristics of its stromal cells and the distribution of extracellular matrix proteins, we investigated, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally, term, first and second trimester human umbilical cords. A differential distribution pattern of the various cytoskeletal proteins of stromal cells and extracellular matrix proteins was observed in different zones of the stroma, the subamniotic stroma, Wharton's jelly, and the vessels' adventitia. All three zones showed immunoreactivities for collagen types I, III and VI and for basement membrane molecules such as collagen type IV, laminin and heparan sulphate proteoglycan. Immunoreactivities for these extracellular matrix molecules were observed around cleft-like territories (stromal clefts) in the Wharton's jelly which were occupied by homogeneous ground substance but void of collagen fibrils and basal lamina molecules. Moreover, between the stromal clefts, slender cells were found which immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally corresponded to various stages of myofibroblastic differentiation. In earlier stages of gestation, stromal cells with a less complex expression pattern prevailed. The stromal clefts and the contractile cells together might serve as a system regulating the turgor of the cord.

Collagen-targeted antibodies inhibit platelet-dependent thrombosis in vivo.

Subendothelial collagen is one of the main triggers of platelet-dependent thrombus formation in arteries. The antithrombotic effects of rabbit polyclonal inhibitory antibodies to rat collagen type I-III and of murine non-inhibitory monoclonals to human recombinant single-/two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (rscu-/rtcu-PA), cross-reacting with rat scu-/tcu-PA and their chemically synthesized conjugate, were studied both in vitro and in vivo. Anticollagen antibodies and bispecific conjugate inhibited human platelet adhesion, aggregation and formation of thrombus-like structures induced by rat collagen immobilized on the polystyrene surface in a condition mimicing a high shear rates in the large elastic arteries. Monoclonals to human rscu-/rtcu-PA did not block the collagen-induced platelet activation in vitro. The short-term treatment of the collagen-soaked silk thread by the collagen antibodies suppressed the platelet-dependent thrombus formation in the arterio-venous shunt in rats by 56 +/- 4% (P < 0.05). Bispecific conjugate, directed to collagen and endogenous rat scu/tcu-PA inhibited thrombus formation by the same factor as anticollagen antibodies. The treatment of collagen-adsorbed conjugate by human rtcu-PA did not increase the antithrombotic effect. The present results suggest, that the local administration of the anticollagen antibodies to the site of vascular injury can be an efficient tool for prophylaxis of platelet-dependent thrombus formation in arteries at thrombolysis or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Immunohistochemical localization of extracellular matrix in perivillous fibrinoid of normal human term placenta.

The extracellular matrix of perivillous fibrinoid in normal human term placenta was investigated by means of the indirect immunofluorescent technique. Polyclonal antibodies to collagen types I, III, IV, V, fibronectin, fibrinogen, laminin, entactin and heparan sulphate proteoglycan and monoclonal antibodies BC-1, IST-9 and IST-4 to human fibronectin were used. The antigens can be grouped according to their presence in fibrinoid as abundant (fibrinogen, fibronectin, heparan sulphate proteoglycan, basement membrane collagen types IV and V), absent (laminin) and variable between fibrinoids (interstitial collagen types I and III, entactin). Our results also demonstrate that fibronectin in fibrinoid originates from placental cells (presumably cytotrophoblast). Monoclonal antibodies BC-1 and IST-9 specific to tissue fibronectin do not stain neighbouring placental extracellular matrix but do bind to fibrinoids on the same sections. Work by other authors has presented evidence that fibrin actually originates from maternal blood and even makes an attempt to substitute the term "fibrinoid" for "fibrin deposition". Our data on the composition of perivillous fibrinoids and the abundance of extracellular matrix components do not support this view and suggest that fibrinoid is a more relevant term for this interesting phenomenon, which deserves further investigation.

Phenotype related changes of intimal smooth muscle cells from human aorta in primary culture.

To study the functional characteristics of smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypes, we have investigated myosin expression, cell proliferation, collagen production and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor activity in intimal SMCs of normal human aorta during their growth in primary culture. By staining with rabbit antibodies to smooth muscle myosin (ASMM) 3 cell types could be distinguished in culture: homogeneously stained cells, cells with discontinuous myosin fibrils and myosin-negative cells. The ratio of cell types greatly changed with culture growth: on days 5, 7 and 14 it was 82:1:17%, 70:5:25% and 10:30:60%, respectively. After 5-6 days of culture intimal SMCs began to proliferate and DNA-synthesizing nuclei were seen 1.5-4.3 times more frequently in myosin-negative cells than in cells with homogeneous myosin distribution. At that time the number of cells reacted with monoclonal antibody (MAb) to an epitope shared collagen types I and III started to increase. By double immunofluorescence staining it was shown that the cultured cells containing both ASMM and MAb markers were found 2.0-4.8 times more rarely than MAb-positive staining in myosin-negative cells. During the first 5 days in culture LDL binding and uptake were diminished in intimal cells with intercellular lipid inclusions independently of their myosin staining pattern, but their activity increased with culture growth. Thus, SMCs from human aortic intima change their phenotype on days 6 and 7 in primary culture as manifested by alteration of myosin expression, increased cell proliferation, collagen production and LDL receptor activity. Changes in myosin expression, however, are not an essential prerequisite for cell proliferation and collagen production.

Penetration of macromolecules into contracted blood clot.

The effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy is determined by accessibility of thrombus compartments to plasminogen activators and, therefore, depends on permeability of thrombus to blood born macromolecules. Accumulation of 125I labeled proteins with molecular massess ranging from 150 to 450 kD into partly contracted blood clot or plasma clot was consistent with diffusion coefficients 3.2 x 10(-11) and 2.7 x 10(-11) m2 s-1, respectively. So far as the model conditions imitated those for venous thrombi, these data indicate that such thrombi are porous enough for immunoconjugates of relatively big size.

Confocal and conventional immunofluorescent and immunogold electron microscopic localization of collagen types III and IV in human placenta.

Confocal and conventional indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopic methods were applied to examine the distribution of extracellular matrix constituents (collagens types III and IV) in the villi of immature and term human placentae. The immunofluorescence study revealed that collagen type III is more distinct in the villous stroma of term placenta as compared with that of the first trimester. Collagen type IV was detected mainly in endothelial and epithelial basement membranes and interestingly also to a certain extent in the stroma. Results obtained using immunoelectron microscopy support the proposal that collagen types III and IV are characteristic of stromal and basement membranes, respectively. Stromal collagen type IV is apparently localized in association with the interstitial types of collagen (I and III), in the villous stroma of term placenta.

Cytotoxicity of glucose oxidase conjugated with antibodies to target cells: killing efficiency depends on the conjugate internalization.

The cytotoxic action of glucose oxidase conjugated with antibodies against the target cells has been examined in a culture of human endothelial cells. Internalizable (anti-endothelial, MoAb E25) and non-internalizable (anti-fibronectin, MoAb FN) monoclonal antibodies were employed as vectors. Anti-endothelial monoclonal antibody E78 (whether it can be internalized by endothelial cells is unclear) and polyclonal mouse antiserum to the human endothelium were also used. The conjugates were prepared by oxidation of the enzyme carbohydrate moiety with periodate. Free conjugates display similar enzyme activity in glucose solution. In contrast to glucose oxidase, conjugated with no-immune IgG, antibody-conjugated glucose oxidase binds specifically to target cells. The efficiency of targeting was different for various conjugates. Targeting via the anti-fibronectin antibody and anti-endothelial antiserum provided maximal quantitative binding of glucose oxidase to endothelial cells, while the conjugates with MoAb E25 and MoAb E78 monoclonal antibodies provided less effective binding. In the presence of glucose, targeted glucose oxidase generated H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide is relatively stable in buffer, but rapidly decays in the culture medium supplemented with 20% human serum. Though the quantitative binding of MoAb E25-conjugated glucose oxidase was minimal comparing to other conjugates, targeting via MoAb E25 produced the maximal cytotoxic effect as well as targeting via polyclonal antiserum. The killing efficiencies of MoAb FN-conjugated and MoAb E78-conjugated glucose oxidase were about 30-fold lower. The high efficiency of the MoAb E25-conjugated enzyme may be due to its internalization by target cells. Internalization can lead to unaccessibility of generated H2O2 for extracellular scavengers and pH optimization for glucose oxidase activity, which provides valuable advantages for the cytotoxicity of the conjugate. Thus, cytotoxicity of antibody-conjugated glucose oxidase depends not only on the efficiency of specific binding to the target cell, but also on the fate of cell-bound conjugate. Cytotoxicity is extremely effective in case of 'internalizable' conjugate and drastically less effective in case of 'non-internalizable' conjugate.

Phorbol ester stimulates platelet spreading and thrombi-like aggregate formation on the surface of immobilized type V collagen.

We have studied the effect of the tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 4 beta-phorbol-12 beta-myristate-13 a-acetate (PMA), and of the stable prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue U46619 on the interaction of human blood platelets with surfaces coated with monomeric human type V collagen (CV) and on free calcium concentration in platelet cytoplasm. It was shown by scanning electron microscopy that native resting platelets sparingly attach to CV and fail to spread or aggregate on the collagenous substrate in the absence of PMA and U46619. Addition of 0.15-1.5 nM PMA or 1.5 microM U46619 stimulates platelet spreading and formation of multilayer (thrombi-like) platelet aggregates on the per se non-thrombogenic type V collagen substrate. It was further demonstrated using the fluorescent indicator quin2 that U46619 (0.1 microM) increases cytoplasmic free calcium concentration from basal level (100-120 nM) up to 600 nM, whereas PMA (0.75-15 nM) exerts only a minor effect, increasing free calcium level by 30-40 nM. These results indicate that the tumor-promoting phorbol ester PMA induces massive platelet spreading and aggregation on surfaces coated with non-thrombogenic type V collagen via activation of protein kinase C with little or no apparent change in free cytoplasmic calcium.

The role of platelet prostanoids and dense granule compounds in initial attachment, spreading and aggregation of platelets on collagen substrates.

The role of platelet prostanoids, ADP and 5HT in initial attachment, spreading and aggregation of platelets on collagen substrates (CI, CIII, CIV, CV, CC) was studied. A positive linear correlation was found between thrombi-like aggregate formation on collagen substrates and production of platelet prostanoids. No correlation was established between platelet aggregation and 14C-5HT release. Thrombi-like aggregate formation was completely inhibited by indomethacin and TXA2/PGH2 antagonists (13-APA and BM 13.177). Both 13-APA and BM 13.177 had no effect on platelet spreading, while indomethacin inhibited this process by 25%. The ADP-scavenger system (CP/CPK) inhibited platelet aggregation and spreading by 25-30%. Initial attachment was not influenced by aspirin, indomethacin and CP/CPK. The data obtained indicate that platelet aggregation on collagen substrates is mediated by PGH2 and TXA2 production. These compounds slightly affect the platelet spreading. Both platelet spreading and aggregation on collagen substrates are only partially mediated by ADP and 5HT release. Initial attachment of platelets does not depend on the release reaction and PGH2/TXA2 synthesis.

Platelet interaction with [125I]-labeled collagen type III: requirement of fibrillar structure formation.

Interaction of collagen type III (CIII) with washed human platelets was studied using CIII preparation from human placenta. CIII was labeled with [125I] and [125I]-CIII in monomeric and fibrillar form [( 125I]-CIIIm and [125I]-CIIIf respectively) were incubated with platelets at room temperature. Platelet-associated and free labels were separated by centrifugation through 20% sucrose. Binding of [125I]-CIIIf was unsaturable, linearly dependent on the concentration of label and represented 28 +/- 3% of the added protein. In comparison with CIIIf, binding of [125I]-CIIIm was minimal and represents only 0.9 +/- 0.2% of the added protein. The binding of [125]-CIIIm was also nonsaturable and linearly depend on the concentration of the labeled protein. Platelet activation neither increases the CIIIf binding, nor stimulates the binding of CIIIm. The binding of [125I]-CIIIf was not inhibited by the excess of the unlabeled CIIIm. The data obtained suggests the absence of high-affinity collagen receptors in platelets and corroborates the hypothesis of multiple low-affinity interactions between collagen fibrils and platelet surface. Binding of CIIIf was very fast--the level of binding reached a plateau within 1 min, and was similar in the presence of Ca2+/Mg2+ and EDTA. Spectrophotometrically undetectable microfibril formation during the lag phase of fibrillogenesis was sufficient for nearly the same as with large fibrils binding of CIII to platelets. Unlike platelets red blood cells (RBC) fail to bind significant amounts of [125I]-CIIIf.

Rapid blood clearance of biotinylated IgG after infusion of avidin.

The techniques of immunotherapy and radioimmunoimaging suffer from the problem of background: intravenously injected antibodies remain in the circulation much longer than it is necessary for effective binding to the target. Various approaches, including the postinjection of second antibodies, were explored to overcome the problem with some success. The phenomenon of a 100-fold more rapid blood clearance of biotinylated immunoglobulins after postinjection of an equivalent dose of avidin is described. The concentration of 125I-labeled biotinylated IgG in the circulation of rats slowly decreased to 20% of initial in 24 hr. Avidin injection at any interval during this period induced 90-95% reduction of radioactivity in blood in 15 min. Up to 70% of the radioactivity was recovered in the liver. Avidin-induced blood clearance of biotinylated immunoglobulins may find applications in immunotherapy and radio- or nuclear magnetic resonance immunoimaging.

Participance of fibronectin and various collagen types in the formation of fibrous extracellular matrix in cardiosclerosis.

Investigation of the extracellular matrix composition of the left heart ventricle was carried out on autopsy material of subjects, aged from 60 to 70 years, in a number of cases, including: (1) tissue without cardiosclerosis; (2) granulation tissue formed 2 weeks after infarction; (3) post-infarctial fibrous scars; (4) diffuse cardiosclerosis in consequence of stenotic coronary atherosclerosis. Cryostat sections treated with highly specific antibodies to fibronectin and types I, III, IV and V collagens were examined by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Fibronectin and the mentioned collagenous proteins were detected in the extracellular matrix of granulation tissue. In contrast, fibronectin and collagen type IV were not revealed in post-infarctial fibrous scars. Collagen types III and V were diffusely distributed in fibrous tissue, whereas collagen type I was demonstrated to accumulate preferentially in the deeper regions of post-infarctial scars. Fibronectin and collagen types I, III, V, but never type IV, were also found in the connective tissue in diffuse cardiosclerosis. The significance of type V collagen in the extracellular matrix is discussed.

Substances that polymerize or depolymerize cytoskeletal proteins affect platelet spreading and thrombus-formation on surfaces coated with human collagen isotypes I, IV, and V.

The effect of substances that affect platelet cytoskeleton on the interaction of gel-filtered platelets with surfaces coated with human monomeric type I, IV, and V collagen was studied. The sulfhydryl group oxidizing agent azodicarboxylic acid-bis-dimethylamide (diamide) which causes disulfide-linked polymer formation of certain cytoskeletal proteins, the actin-polymerization inhibitor, cytochalasin B, and 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (2-MPG), a cell-permeable SH-reagent, completely abolish adhesion-induced platelet spreading and mural platelet aggregate formation on collagen-coated surfaces. Extrusion of pseudopods was inhibited by cytochalasin B and 2-MPG as well as by diamide, but only the latter caused spherulation of platelets, whereas cytochalasin B and 2-MPG left the discoid shape of resting platelets intact. These effects are dose-dependent and are not accounted for by a chemical modification of the collagenous substrates by the cytoskeletal perturbing substances. The present data indicate that (i) cytoskeletal rearrangements are essential in adhesion-induced platelet spreading and aggregate formation on surfaces coated with collagen, but not in supporting the initial attachment of native platelets to the substrate; (ii) both, polymerization and depolymerization of actin filaments affect platelet activation; (iii) the sulfhydryl-disulfide status of the platelet seems to be a possible target for anti-platelet drugs, since chemical modification of platelets by the GSH-GSSG-active substances, diamide and 2-MPG, leads to a reversible inhibition of adhesion-induced platelet activation.