Macrophage-like rapid uptake and toxicity of tattoo ink in human monocytes.

Macrophages play a critical role for the persistence of tattoo ink in human skin. However, a comparison to other skin-resident and blood circulating immune cells and a profound analysis of REACH-compliant tattoo ink are unmet medical needs. We hence characterized the size distribution of ink particles using physicochemical methods. We studied the uptake of tattoo ink by key human skin cells and blood-derived immune cells using optical and electron microscopy as well as flow cytometry. Scanning electron microscopy of ink revealed its crystalline structure, and a tendency towards aggregations was indicated by size changes upon diluting it. Flow cytometric analyses of skin and immune cells after incubation with tattoo ink demonstrated an increase in cellular granularity upon uptake and red ink additionally evoked fluorescent signals. Human macrophages were most potent in internalizing ink in full thickness 3D skin models. Macrophage cultures demonstrated that the ink did not lead to elevated inflammatory mediators, and showed no indications for toxicity, even after nice days. Strikingly, monocytes were most efficient in ink uptake, but displayed reduced viability, whereas granulocytes and lymphocytes showed only temporary ink uptake with flow cytometric signals declining after 1 day. Mechanistic studies on ink retention by corticosteroids or dexpanthenol in macrophage cultures demonstrated that these compounds do not lead to ink excretion, but even slightly increase the ink load in macrophages. The highly motile monocytes, precursors of macrophages, may play an underrated role for tattoo ink translocation from dermal blood vessels into internal organs.

Varying the Stiffness and Diffusivity of Rod-Shaped Microgels Independently through Their Molecular Building Blocks.

Microgels are water-swollen, crosslinked polymers that are widely used as colloidal building blocks in scaffold materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Microgels can be controlled in their stiffness, degree of swelling, and mesh size depending on their polymer architecture, crosslink density, and fabrication method-all of which influence their function and interaction with the environment. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how the polymer composition influences the internal structure of soft microgels and how this morphology affects specific biomedical applications. In this report, we systematically vary the architecture and molar mass of polyethylene glycol-acrylate (PEG-Ac) precursors, as well as their concentration and combination, to gain insight in the different parameters that affect the internal structure of rod-shaped microgels. We characterize the mechanical properties and diffusivity, as well as the conversion of acrylate groups during photopolymerization, in both bulk hydrogels and microgels produced from the PEG-Ac precursors. Furthermore, we investigate cell-microgel interaction, and we observe improved cell spreading on microgels with more accessible RGD peptide and with a stiffness in a range of 20 kPa to 50 kPa lead to better cell growth.

Unraveling topology-induced shape transformations in dendrimersomes.

The vital functions of cell membranes require their ability to quickly change shape to perform complex tasks such as motion, division, endocytosis, and apoptosis. Membrane curvature in cells is modulated by very complex processes such as changes in lipid composition, the oligomerization of curvature-scaffolding proteins, and the reversible insertion of protein regions that act like wedges in the membrane. But, could much simpler mechanisms support membrane shape transformation? In this work, we demonstrate how the change of amphiphile topology in the bilayer can drive shape transformations of cell membrane models. To tackle this, we have designed and synthesized new types of amphiphiles-Janus dendrimers-that self-assemble into uni-, multilamellar, or smectic-ordered vesicles, named dendrimersomes. We synthesized Janus dendrimers containing a photo-labile bond that upon UV-Vis irradiation cleavage lose a part of the hydrophilic dendron. This leads to a change from a cylindrically to a wedge-shaped amphiphile. The high mobility of these dendrimers allows for the concentration of the wedge-shaped amphiphiles and the generation of transmembrane asymmetries. The concentration of the wedges and their rate of segregation allowed control of the budding and generation of structures such as tubules and high genus vesicles.

Enhanced Concanavalin†A Binding to Preorganized Mannose Nanoarrays in Glycodendrimersomes Revealed Multivalent Interactions.

The effect of the two-dimensional glycan display on glycan-lectin recognition remains poorly understood despite the importance of these interactions in a plethora of cellular processes, in (patho)physiology, as well as its potential for advanced therapeutics. Faced with this challenge we utilized glycodendrimersomes, a type of synthetic vesicles whose membrane mimics the surface of a cell and offers a means to probe the carbohydrate biological activity. These single-component vesicles were formed by the self-assembly of sequence-defined mannose-Janus dendrimers, which serve as surrogates for glycolipids. Using atomic force microscopy and molecular modeling we demonstrated that even mannose, a monosaccharide, was capable of organizing the sugar moieties into periodic nanoarrays without the need of the formation of liquid-ordered phases as assumed necessary for rafts. Kinetics studies of Concanavalin A binding revealed that those nanoarrays resulted in a new effective ligand yielding a ten-fold increase in the kinetic and thermodynamic constant of association.

Substrate Resistance to Traction Forces Controls Fibroblast Polarization.

The mechanics of fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix regulate cell physiology in a number of diseases, prompting efforts to elucidate cell mechanosensing mechanisms at the molecular and cellular scale. Here, the use of fibronectin-functionalized silicone elastomers that exhibit considerable frequency dependence in viscoelastic properties unveiled the presence of two cellular processes that respond discreetly to substrate mechanical properties. Weakly cross-linked elastomers supported efficient focal adhesion maturation and fibroblast spreading because of an apparent stiff surface layer. However, they did not enable cytoskeletal and fibroblast polarization; elastomers with high cross-linking and low deformability were required for polarization. Our results suggest as an underlying reason for this behavior the inability of soft elastomer substrates to resist traction forces rather than a lack of sufficient traction force generation. Accordingly, mild inhibition of actomyosin contractility rescued fibroblast polarization even on the softer elastomers. Our findings demonstrate differential dependence of substrate physical properties on distinct mechanosensitive processes and provide a premise to reconcile previously proposed local and global models of cell mechanosensing.

Granular Cellulose Nanofibril Hydrogel Scaffolds for 3D Cell Cultivation.

The replacement of diseased and damaged organs remains an challenge in modern medicine. However, through the use of tissue engineering techniques, it may soon be possible to (re)generate tissues and organs using artificial scaffolds. For example, hydrogel networks made from hydrophilic precursor solutions can replicate many properties found in the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) but often lack the dynamic nature of the ECM, as many covalently crosslinked hydrogels possess elastic and static networks with nanoscale pores hindering cell migration without being degradable. To overcome this, macroporous colloidal hydrogels can be prepared to facilitate cell infiltration. Here, an easy method is presented to fabricate granular cellulose nanofibril hydrogel (CNF) scaffolds as porous networks for 3D cell cultivation. CNF is an abundant natural and highly biocompatible material that supports cell adhesion. Granular CNF scaffolds are generated by pre-crosslinking CNF using calcium and subsequently pressing the gel through micrometer-sized nylon meshes. The granular solution is mixed with fibroblasts and crosslinked with cell culture medium. The obtained granular CNF scaffold is significantly softer and enables well-distributed fibroblast growth. This cost-effective material combined with this efficient and facile fabrication technique allows for 3D cell cultivation in an upscalable manner.

Membrane-Mimetic Dendrimersomes Engulf Living Bacteria via Endocytosis.

There is much interest in developing vesicular microcompartments from natural and synthetic amphiphiles, enabling programmable interactions with living matter. Of particular interest is the development of vesicles capable of endocytosis of living bacteria. Despite the complexity of this process, theoretical studies predict that the endocytosis of prolate micro-objects is possible without the need of active cell machinery if the energy released upon bacterial adhesion to the membrane surpasses the energy required to bend the membrane. Nonetheless, natural liposomes and synthetic polymersomes fail to sufficiently recapitulate membrane properties to perform this advanced function. Here we report the engulfment of living bacteria into endosomes by cell-like dendrimersomes assembled from Janus dendrimers. Full engulfment occurred in less than a minute after contact. The process is driven by the adhesion of the bacterium to the dendrimersome's membrane by ultraweak interactions, comparable to those utilized by nature. The key to success relies on the combination of high flexibility and stability of the dendrimersomes. The key properties of the dendrimersomes are programmed into the molecular structures of their building blocks. The ability to support endocytosis highlights opportunities for the design and programming of dendrimersomes in biomedical research.

Cell Encapsulation in Soft, Anisometric Poly(ethylene) Glycol Microgels Using a Novel Radical-Free Microfluidic System.

Complex 3D artificial tissue constructs are extensively investigated for tissue regeneration. Frequently, materials and cells are delivered separately without benefitting from the synergistic effect of combined administration. Cell delivery inside a material construct provides the cells with a supportive environment by presenting biochemical, mechanical, and structural signals to direct cell behavior. Conversely, the cell/material interaction is poorly understood at the micron scale and new systems are required to investigate the effect of micron-scale features on cell functionality. Consequently, cells are encapsulated in microgels to avoid diffusion limitations of nutrients and waste and facilitate analysis techniques of single or collective cells. However, up to now, the production of soft cell-loaded microgels by microfluidics is limited to spherical microgels. Here, a novel method is presented to produce monodisperse, anisometric poly(ethylene) glycol microgels to study cells inside an anisometric architecture. These microgels can potentially direct cell growth and can be injected as rod-shaped mini-tissues that further assemble into organized macroscopic and macroporous structures post-injection. Their aspect ratios are adjusted with flow parameters, while mechanical and biochemical properties are altered by modifying the precursors. Encapsulated primary fibroblasts are viable and spread and migrate across the 3D microgel structure.

Tailored environments to study motile cells and pathogens.

Motile cells and pathogens migrate in complex environments and yet are mostly studied on simple 2D substrates. In order to mimic the diverse environments of motile cells, a set of assays including substrates of defined elasticity, microfluidics, micropatterns, organotypic cultures, and 3D gels have been developed. We briefly introduce these and then focus on the use of micropatterned pillar arrays, which help to bridge the gap between 2D and 3D. These structures are made from polydimethylsiloxane, a moldable plastic, and their use has revealed new insights into mechanoperception in Caenorhabditis elegans, gliding motility of Plasmodium, swimming of trypanosomes, and nuclear stability in cancer cells. These studies contributed to our understanding of how the environment influences the respective cell and inform on how the cells adapt to their natural surroundings on a cellular and molecular level.

A Layer-by-Layer Single-Cell Coating Technique To Produce Injectable Beating Mini Heart Tissues via Microfluidics.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are used as an alternative for human embryonic stem cells. Cardiomyocytes derived from hiPSCs are employed in cardiac tissue regeneration constructs due to the heart's low regeneration capacity after infarction. A coculture of hiPSC-CM and primary dermal fibroblasts is encapsulated in injectable poly(ethylene glycol)-based microgels via microfluidics to enhance the efficiency of regenerative cell transplantations. The microgels are prepared via Michael-type addition of multi-arm PEG-based molecules with an enzymatically degradable peptide as a cross-linker and modified with a cell-adhesive peptide. Cell-cell interactions and, consequently, cell viability are improved by a thin extracellular matrix (ECM) coating formed on the cell surfaces via layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition. The beating strength of encapsulated cardiomyocytes (∼60 BPM) increases by 2-fold compared to noncoated cells. The combination of microfluidics with the LbL technique offers a new technology to fabricate functional cardiac mini tissues for cell transplantation therapies.

Synthetic 3D PEG-Anisogel Tailored with Fibronectin Fragments Induce Aligned Nerve Extension.

An enzymatically cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel was engineered to promote and align nerve cells in a three-dimensional manner. To render the injectable, otherwise bioinert, PEG-based material supportive for cell growth, its mechanical and biochemical properties were optimized. A recombinant fibronectin fragment (FNIII9*-10/12-14) was coupled to the PEG backbone during gelation to provide cell adhesive and growth factor binding domains in close vicinity. Compared to full-length fibronectin, FNIII9*-10/12-14 supports nerve growth at similar concentrations. In a 3D environment, only the ultrasoft 1 w/v% PEG hydrogels with a storage modulus of ∼10 Pa promoted neuronal growth. This gel was used to establish the first fully synthetic, injectable Anisogel by the addition of magnetically aligned microelements, such as rod-shaped microgels or short fibers. The Anisogel led to linear neurite extension and represents a large step in the direction of clinical translation with the opportunity to treat acute spinal cord injuries.

Dissipative disassembly of colloidal microgel crystals driven by a coupled cyclic reaction network.

A plethora of natural systems rely on the consumption of chemical fuel or input of external energy to control the assembly and disassembly of functional structures on demand. While dissipative assembly has been demonstrated, the control of structural breakdown using a dissipative cycle remains almost unexplored. Here, we propose and realize a dissipative disassembly process using two coupled cyclic reactions, in which protons mediate the interaction between the cycles. We show how an ordered colloidal crystal, can cyclically transform into a disordered state by addition of energy to a chemical cycle, reversibly activating a photoacid. This cycle is coupled to the colloidal assembly cycle via the exchange of protons, which in turn trigger charging of the particles. This system is an experimental realization of a cyclic reaction-assembly network and its principle can be extended to other types of structure formation.

An Injectable Hybrid Hydrogel with Oriented Short Fibers Induces Unidirectional Growth of Functional Nerve Cells.

To regenerate soft aligned tissues in living organisms, low invasive biomaterials are required to create 3D microenvironments with a structural complexity to mimic the tissue's native architecture. Here, a tunable injectable hydrogel is reported, which allows precise engineering of the construct's anisotropy in situ. This material is defined as an Anisogel, representing a new type of tissue regenerative therapy. The Anisogel comprises a soft hydrogel, surrounding magneto-responsive, cell adhesive, short fibers, which orient in situ in the direction of a low external magnetic field, before complete gelation of the matrix. The magnetic field can be removed after gelation of the biocompatible gel precursor, which fixes the aligned fibers and preserves the anisotropic structure of the Anisogel. Fibroblasts and nerve cells grow and extend unidirectionally within the Anisogels, in comparison to hydrogels without fibers or with randomly oriented fibers. The neurons inside the Anisogel show spontaneous electrical activity with calcium signals propagating along the anisotropy axis of the material. The reported system is simple and elegant and the short magneto-responsive fibers can be produced with an effective high-throughput method, ideal for a minimal invasive route for aligned tissue therapy.

Nanoscale control of surface immobilized BMP-2: toward a quantitative assessment of BMP-mediated signaling events.

In this work we determine the impact of surface density of immobilized BMP-2 on intracellular signal transduction. We use block copolymer micellar nanolithography to fabricate substrates with precisely spaced and tunable gold nanoparticle arrays carrying single BMP-2 molecules. We found that the immobilized growth factor triggers prolonged and elevated Smad signaling pathway activation compared to the same amount of soluble protein. This approach is suitable for achieving controlled and sustained local delivery of BMP-2 and other growth factors.

Microgels as Platforms for Antibody-Mediated Cytokine Scavenging.

Therapeutic antibodies are the key treatment option for various cytokine-mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, systemic injection of these antibodies can cause side effects and suppress the immune system. Moreover, clearance of therapeutic antibodies from the blood is limiting their efficacy. Here, water-swollen microgels are produced with a size of 25 µm using droplet-based microfluidics. The microgels are functionalized with TNFα antibodies to locally scavenge the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. Homogeneous distribution of TNFα-antibodies is shown throughout the microgel network and demonstrates specific antibody-antigen binding using confocal microscopy and FLIM-FRET measurements. Due to the large internal accessibility of the microgel network, its capacity to bind TNFα is extremely high. At a TNFα concentration of 2.5 µg mL-1 , the microgels are able to scavenge 88% of the cytokine. Cell culture experiments reveal the therapeutic potential of these microgels by protecting HT29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells from TNFα toxicity and resulting in a significant reduction of COX II and IL8 production of the cells. When the microgels are incubated with stimulated human macrophages, to mimic the in vivo situation of inflammatory bowel disease, the microgels scavenge almost all TNFα that is produced by the cells.

Measuring forces between two single actin filaments during bundle formation.

Bundles of filamentous actin are dominant cytoskeletal structures, which play a crucial role in various cellular processes. As yet quantifying the fundamental interaction between two individual actin filaments forming the smallest possible bundle has not been realized. Applying holographic optical tweezers integrated with a microfluidic platform, we were able to measure the forces between two actin filaments during bundle formation. Quantitative analysis yields forces up to 0.2 pN depending on the concentration of bundling agents.

Fibronectin anchoring to viscoelastic poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers controls fibroblast mechanosensing and directional motility.

The established link between deregulated tissue mechanics and various pathological states calls for the elucidation of the processes through which cells interrogate and interpret the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. In this work, we demonstrate that changes in the presentation of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin on the surface of viscoelastic silicone elastomers have an overarching effect on cell mechanosensing, that is independent of bulk mechanics. Reduction of surface hydrophilicity resulted in altered fibronectin adsorption strength as monitored using atomic force microscopy imaging and pulling experiments. Consequently, primary human fibroblasts were able to remodel the fibronectin coating, adopt a polarized phenotype and migrate directionally even on soft elastomers, that otherwise were not able to resist the applied traction forces. The findings presented here provide valuable insight on how cellular forces are regulated by ligand presentation and used by cells to probe their mechanical environment, and have implications on biomaterial design for cell guidance.

Brush-Like Interface on Surface-Attached Hydrogels Repels Proteins and Bacteria.

Interfacing artificial materials with biological tissues remains a challenge. The direct contact of their surface with the biological milieu results in multiscale interactions, in which biomacromolecules adsorb and act as transducers mediating the interactions with cells and tissues. So far, only antifouling polymer brushes have been able to conceal the surface of synthetic materials. However, their complex synthesis has precluded their translation to applications. Here, it is shown that ultrathin surface-attached hydrogel coatings of N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) and carboxybetaine methacrylamide (CBMAA) provide the same level of protection as brushes. In spite of being readily applicable, these coatings prevent the fouling from whole blood plasma and provide a barrier to the adhesion of Gram positive and negative bacteria. The analysis of the components of the surface free energy and nanoindentation experiments reveals that the excellent antifouling properties stem from the strong surface hydrophilicity and the presence of a brush-like structure at the water interface. Moreover, these coatings can be functionalized to achieve antimicrobial activity while remaining stealth and non-cytotoxic to eukaryotic cells. Such level of performance is previously only achieved with brushes. Thus, it is anticipated that this readily applicable strategy is a promising route to enhance the biocompatibility of real biomedical devices.

Functionalized Microgel Rods Interlinked into Soft Macroporous Structures for 3D Cell Culture.

In this work, a two component microgel assembly using soft anisometric microgels that interlink to create a 3D macroporous construct for cell growth is reported. Reactive microgel rods with variable aspect ratio are produced via microfluidics in a continuous plug-flow on-chip gelation method by photoinitiated free-radical polymerization of star-polyethylene glycol-acrylate with glycidyl methacrylate or 2-aminoethyl methacrylate comonomers. The resulting complementary epoxy- and amine-functionalized microgels assemble and interlink with each other via a ring opening reaction, resulting in macroporous constructs with pores up to several hundreds of micrometers. The level of crosslinking depends on the functionalization degree of the microgels, which also affects the stiffness and cell adhesiveness of the microgels when modified with the cell-adhesive GRGDS-PC peptide. Therefore, 3D spreading and growth of cells inside the macroporous structure is influenced not only by the presence of macropores but also by the mechanical and biochemical properties of the individual microgels.

Dendrimersome Synthetic Cells Harbor Cell Division Machinery of Bacteria.

The integration of active cell machinery with synthetic building blocks is the bridge toward developing synthetic cells with biological functions and beyond. Self-replication is one of the most important tasks of living systems, and various complex machineries exist to execute it. In Escherichia coli, a contractile division ring is positioned to mid-cell by concentration oscillations of self-organizing proteins (MinCDE), where it severs membrane and cell wall. So far, the reconstitution of any cell division machinery has exclusively been tied to liposomes. Here, the reconstitution of a rudimentary bacterial divisome in fully synthetic bicomponent dendrimersomes is shown. By tuning the membrane composition, the interaction of biological machinery with synthetic membranes can be tailored to reproduce its dynamic behavior. This constitutes an important breakthrough in the assembly of synthetic cells with biological elements, as tuning of membrane-divisome interactions is the key to engineering emergent biological behavior from the bottom-up.