A novel porous scaffold fabrication technique for epithelial and endothelial tissue engineering.

Porous scaffolds have the ability to minimize transport barriers for both two- (2D) and three-dimensional tissue engineering. However, current porous scaffolds may be non-ideal for 2D tissues such as epithelium due to inherent fabrication-based characteristics. While 2D tissues require porosity to support molecular transport, pores must be small enough to prevent cell migration into the scaffold in order to avoid non-epithelial tissue architecture and compromised function. Though electrospun meshes are the most popular porous scaffolds used today, their heterogeneous pore size and intense topography may be poorly-suited for epithelium. Porous scaffolds produced using other methods have similar unavoidable limitations, frequently involving insufficient pore resolution and control, which make them incompatible with 2D tissues. In addition, many of these techniques require an entirely new round of process development in order to change material or pore size. Herein we describe "pore casting," a fabrication method that produces flat scaffolds with deterministic pore shape, size, and location that can be easily altered to accommodate new materials or pore dimensions. As proof-of-concept, pore-cast poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated and compared to electrospun PCL in vitro using canine kidney epithelium, human colon epithelium, and human umbilical vein endothelium. All cell types demonstrated improved morphology and function on pore-cast scaffolds, likely due to reduced topography and universally small pore size. These results suggest that pore casting is an attractive option for creating 2D tissue engineering scaffolds, especially when the application may benefit from well-controlled pore size or architecture.

Enhanced differentiation of retinal progenitor cells using microfabricated topographical cues.

Due to the retina's inability to replace photoreceptors lost during retinal degeneration, significant interest has been placed in methods to implant replacement cells. Polymer scaffolds are increasingly being studied as vehicles for cellular delivery to degenerated retinas. Previously, we fabricated poly(methyl methacrylate) thin film scaffolds that increased survival and integration of implanted retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). Additionally, these scaffolds minimized the trauma and cellular response associated with implantation of foreign bodies into mouse eyes. Here, we demonstrate that biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) thin film scaffolds can be fabricated with integrated microtopography. Microfabricated topography in a PCL thin film enhanced the attachment and organization of RPCs compared to unstructured surfaces. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction we also observed that attachment to microtopography induced cellular differentiation. RPCs grown on PCL thin films exhibited an increase in gene expression for the photoreceptor markers recoverin and rhodopsin, an increase in the glial and Müller cell marker GFAP, and a decrease in SOX2 gene expression (a marker for undifferentiated progenitor cells) compared to cells grown on unmodified tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS).

Development of a microfluidics-based intracochlear drug delivery device.

BACKGROUND: Direct delivery of drugs and other agents into the inner ear will be important for many emerging therapies, including the treatment of degenerative disorders and guiding regeneration. METHODS: We have taken a microfluidics/MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) technology approach to develop a fully implantable reciprocating inner-ear drug-delivery system capable of timed and sequenced delivery of agents directly into perilymph of the cochlea. Iterations of the device were tested in guinea pigs to determine the flow characteristics required for safe and effective delivery. For these tests, we used the glutamate receptor blocker DNQX, which alters auditory nerve responses but not cochlear distortion product otoacoustic emissions. RESULTS: We have demonstrated safe and effective delivery of agents into the scala tympani. Equilibration of the drug in the basal turn occurs rapidly (within tens of minutes) and is dependent on reciprocating flow parameters. CONCLUSION: We have described a prototype system for the direct delivery of drugs to the inner ear that has the potential to be a fully implantable means for safe and effective treatment of hearing loss and other diseases.

A microfabricated scaffold for retinal progenitor cell grafting.

Diseases that cause photoreceptor cell degeneration afflict millions of people, yet no restorative treatment exists for these blinding disorders. Replacement of photoreceptors using retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) represents a promising therapy for the treatment of retinal degeneration. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of polymer scaffolds to increase significantly both the survival and differentiation of RPCs. We report the microfabrication of a poly(glycerol-sebacate) scaffold with superior mechanical properties for the delivery of RPCs to the subretinal space. Using a replica molding technique, a porous poly(glycerol-sebacate) scaffold with a thickness of 45 microm was fabricated. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of this scaffold showed that the Young's modulus is about 5-fold lower and the maximum elongation at failure is about 10-fold higher than the previously reported RPC scaffolds. RPCs strongly adhered to the poly(glycerol-sebacate) scaffold, and endogenous fluorescence nearly doubled over a 2-day period before leveling off after 3 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that cells grown on the scaffold for 7 days expressed a mixture of immature and mature markers, suggesting a tendency towards differentiation. We conclude that microfabricated poly(glycerol-sebacate) exhibits a number of novel properties for use as a scaffold for RPC delivery.

Survival, migration and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells transplanted on micro-machined poly(methyl methacrylate) scaffolds to the subretinal space.

Stem and progenitor cells can be combined with polymer substrates to generate tissue equivalents in culture. The replacement of retinal tissue lost to disease or trauma using retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) delivered on polymer scaffolds and transplanted into the sub-retinal space of the damaged retina is a promising therapeutic strategy. Micromachining-based, ultra-thin PMMA poly(methyl methacrylate) scaffolds may provide a suitable cytoarchitectural environment for tissue engineering and transplantation to the diseased eye. Here, adhesion of RPCs to polymer, as well as migration and differentiation in the host retina were compared for PMMA scaffolds (6 microm thickness) with either smooth or porous (11 microm diameter) surface topography. RPCs were cultured under identical conditions on smooth or porous laminin-coated polymer scaffolds and transplanted into the subretinal space of C57BL/6 mice. RPCs could be cultured on both scaffolds with similar results, although transplantation with non-porous scaffolds showed limited RPC retention. Porous scaffolds demonstrated enhanced RPC adherence during transplantation and allowed for greater process outgrowth and cell migration into the host retinal layers. Integrated cells expressed the mature neuronal marker neurofilament-200 (nf-200), the glial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the retinal-specific marker recoverin. No host foreign body response was seen. In conclusion, ultra-thin film PMMA scaffolds micromachined to contain through pores retain adherent RPCs to a considerably greater extent than unmachined versions during the transplantation process and can serve as a biocompatible substrate for cell delivery in vivo.

Gastrointestinal patch systems for oral drug delivery.

Gastrointestinal patch systems with integrated multifunctions could surmount the challenges associated with conventional drug delivery. Several gastrointestinal patch systems provide bioadhesion, drug protection and unidirectional release. This combination of function could improve the overall oral bioavailability of large molecules that can currently be delivered only by injection, for example, epoetin-alpha and granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, which are commonly used to treat chemotherapy-associated anemia and leukopenia, respectively. Furthermore, self-regulated release and cell-specific targeting provide additional 'smart' characteristics to this innovative therapeutic platform.

Micromachined devices: the impact of controlled geometry from cell-targeting to bioavailability.

Advances in microelectomechanical systems (MEMS) have allowed the microfabrication of polymeric substrates and the development of a novel class of controlled delivery devices. These vehicles have specifically tailored three-dimensional physical and chemical features which, together, provide the capacity to target cells, promote unidirectional controlled release, and enhance permeation across the intestinal epithelial barrier. Examining the biological response at the microdevice biointerface may provide insight into the benefits of customized surface chemistry and structure in terms of complex drug delivery vehicle design. Therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the interfacial effects of selective surface chemistry and architecture of tomato lectin (TL)-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) drug delivery microdevices on the Caco-2 cell line, a model of the gastrointestinal tract.

Enhanced differentiation and delivery of mouse retinal progenitor cells using a micropatterned biodegradable thin-film polycaprolactone scaffold.

The deterioration of retinal tissue in advanced stages of retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration and the lack of signaling cues for laminar regeneration are significant challenges highlighting the need for a tissue engineering approach to retinal repair. In this study, we fabricated a biodegradable thin-film polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with varying surface topographies using microfabrication techniques. Mouse retinal progenitor cells (mRPCs) cultured on PCL scaffolds exhibited enhanced potential to differentiate toward a photoreceptor fate in comparison to mRPCs cultured on control substrates, suggesting that PCL scaffolds are promising as substrates to guide differentiation of mRPCs toward a photoreceptor fate in vitro before transplantation. When cocultured with the retinal explants of rhodopsin null mice, mRPC/PCL constructs showed increased mRPC integration rates compared to directly applied dissociated mRPCs. Moreover, these mRPC/PCL constructs could be delivered into the subretinal space of rhodopsin null mice with minimal disturbance of the host retina. Whether cocultured with retinal explants or transplanted into the subretinal space, newly integrated mRPCs localized to the outer nuclear layer and expressed appropriate markers of photoreceptor fate. Thus, the PCL scaffold provides a platform to guide differentiation and organized delivery of mRPCs as a practical strategy to repair damaged retina.

Microfabricated drug delivery systems: from particles to pores.

Microfabrication techniques which permit the creation of therapeutic delivery systems that possess a combination of structural, mechanical, and perhaps electronic features may surmount challenges associated with conventional delivery of therapy. In this review, delivery concepts are presented which capitalize on the strengths of microfabrication. Possible applications include micromachined silicon membranes to create implantable biocapsules for the immunoisolation of pancreatic islet cells-as a possible treatment for diabetes-and sustained release of injectable drugs needed over long time periods. Asymmetrical, drug-loaded microfabricated particles with specific ligands linked to the surface are proposed for improving oral bioavailability of peptide (and perhaps protein) drugs. In addition, microfabricated drug delivery systems ranging from transdermal microneedles to implantable microchips will be discussed.

Bioadhesive poly(methyl methacrylate) microdevices for controlled drug delivery.

Oral delivery is the preferred route of drug administration. However, the breakdown of molecules and low levels of absorption in the gastrointestinal system render the oral delivery of proteins and peptides ineffective. Bioadhesive delivery devices can be used to circumvent these problems by protecting the drug from gastrointestinal denaturation, localizing and prolonging a drug at a specific target site, and maintaining direct contact with the intestinal cells, thereby increasing the drug concentration gradient. Microfabrication technology may offer some potential advantages over conventional delivery technologies. The benefits of microfabrication include the ability to tailor the size, shape, reservoir volume, and surface characteristics of the drug delivery vehicle. In this study, bioadhesive properties were introduced to microfabricated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microdevices by attachment of lectins, a group of proteins capable of specifically targeting cells in the gastrointestinal tract. In this process, the PMMA microdevices were chemically modified by aminolysis to yield amine-terminated surfaces. Avidin molecules were covalently bound to the surface of the particles using a hydroxysuccinimide catalyzed carbodiimide reagent and then incubated in an aqueous solution of biotinylated lectin. The lectin-modified microdevices were examined in vitro in terms of their bioadhesive characteristics.

Synthesis of cytoadhesive poly(methylmethacrylate) for applications in targeted drug delivery.

The objective of this work was to incorporate cytoadhesive properties into poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) for potential applications in highly localized tissue-specific drug delivery. First, the PMMA was chemically modified by aminolysis to yield amine-terminated surfaces. X-ray photoelectron microscopy confirmed the presence of surface nitrogen entities, and the distribution of amine groups was found to be relatively uniform, as characterized by atomic force microscopy. The availability of these groups for attachment of biologically active molecules was characterized by fluorescence microscopy after immobilization of avidin-FITC. To render the PMMA cytoadhesive, avidin molecules were conjugated to the amine-terminated surfaces with a hydroxy-succinimide-catalyzed carbodiimide reagent and biotin-labeled lectins (tomato, which binds selectively to Caco-2 cells, and peanut, an unrelated lectin) subsequently were attached utilizing avidin-biotin chemistry. Cytoadhesive activity was evaluated by characterizing the interactions between microfabricated PMMA particles and Caco-2 monolayers. After 15-, 30-, 60-, and 120-min incubation periods, the tomato lectin-conjugated PMMA showed a two to sixfold increase in Caco-2 cell recognition over control particles. Furthermore, the stability of the cytoadhesive PMMA interactions appeared to be three to seven times greater than that of the control surfaces. These findings demonstrate that cytoadhesive properties of modified PMMA, making this novel bioactive polymer very promising for applications in targeted drug delivery.

Porous poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds for retinal pigment epithelium transplantation.

PURPOSE: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, previous attempts at subretinal RPE cell transplantation have experienced limited success due to poor adhesion, organization, and function on aged or diseased Bruch's membrane. Instead, cell-based strategies may benefit from a synthetic scaffold that mimics the functions of healthy Bruch's membrane to promote the formation of a functional RPE monolayer while maintaining metabolite exchange between the vasculature and outer retina. METHODS: This study evaluated the behavior of human RPE on nanopatterned porous poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) film as a potential scaffold for therapeutic transplantation. Fetal human RPE (fhRPE) was cultured on porous PCL, nonporous PCL, or Costar porous polyester transwells for up to 8 weeks and assessed using light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, transepithelial resistance, quantitative PCR, ELISAs, and phagocytosis assays. RESULTS: fhRPE on porous PCL displayed improved markers of maturity and function compared with both porous polyester transwells and nonporous PCL, including pigmentation, increased cell density, superior barrier function, up-regulation of RPE-specific genes, and polarized growth factor secretion. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that porous PCL is an attractive scaffold for RPE transplantation. In addition to being biocompatible with the subretinal space, porous PCL also allows for trans-scaffold metabolite transport and significantly improves RPE cell behavior compared to nonporous PCL or porous polyester transwells.

Combined surface micropatterning and reactive chemistry maximizes tissue adhesion with minimal inflammation.

The use of tissue adhesives for internal clinical applications is limited due to a lack of materials that balance strong adhesion with biocompatibility. The use of substrate topography is explored to reduce the volume of a highly reactive and toxic glue without compromising adhesive strength. Micro-textured patches coated with a thin layer of cyanoacrylate glue achieve similar adhesion levels to patches employing large amounts of adhesive, and is superior to the level of adhesion achieved when a thin coating is applied to a non-textured patch. In vivo studies demonstrate reduced tissue inflammation and necrosis for patterned patches with a thinly coated layer of reactive glue, thus overcoming a significant challenge with existing tissue adhesives such as cyanoacrylate. Closure of surgical stomach and colon defects in a rat model is achieved without abdominal adhesions. Harnessing the synergy between surface topography and reactive chemistry enables controlled tissue adhesion with an improved biocompatibility profile without requiring changes in the chemical composition of reactive tissue glues.

Topographical control of ocular cell types for tissue engineering.

Visual impairment affects over 285 million people worldwide and has a major impact on an individual's quality of life. Tissue engineering has the potential to increase the quality of life for many of these patients by preventing vision loss or restoring vision using cell-based therapies. However, these strategies will require an understanding of the microenvironmental factors that influence cell behavior. The eye is a well-organized organ whose structural complexity is essential for proper function. Interactions between ocular cells and their highly ordered extracellular matrix are necessary for maintaining key tissue properties including corneal transparency and retinal lamination. Therefore, it is not surprising that culturing these cells in vitro on traditional flat substrates result in irregular morphology. Instead, topographically patterned biomaterials better mimic native extracellular matrix and have been shown to elicit in vivo-like morphology and gene expression which is essential for tissue engineering. Herein we review multiple methods for producing well-controlled topography and discuss optimal biomaterial scaffold design for cells of the cornea, retina, and lens.

Microfabrication technologies for oral drug delivery.

Micro-/nanoscale technologies such as lithographic techniques and microfluidics offer promising avenues to revolutionalize the fields of tissue engineering, drug discovery, diagnostics and personalized medicine. Microfabrication techniques are being explored for drug delivery applications due to their ability to combine several features such as precise shape and size into a single drug delivery vehicle. They also offer to create unique asymmetrical features incorporated into single or multiple reservoir systems maximizing contact area with the intestinal lining. Combined with intelligent materials, such microfabricated platforms can be designed to be bioadhesive and stimuli-responsive. Apart from drug delivery devices, microfabrication technologies offer exciting opportunities to create biomimetic gastrointestinal tract models incorporating physiological cell types, flow patterns and brush-border like structures. Here we review the recent developments in this field with a focus on the applications of microfabrication in the development of oral drug delivery devices and biomimetic gastrointestinal tract models that can be used to evaluate the drug delivery efficacy.

Microfabrication of a three-dimensional polycaprolactone thin-film scaffold for retinal progenitor cell encapsulation.

Retinal degenerations are the leading cause of irreversible visual disability among the adult population. Stem-cell-based therapy has the potential to preserve and restore vision in these conditions. In addition to replacing lost or diseased cells, transplanted cells may be able to rescue dying photoreceptors of the host retina. To fully realize the potential of these cells, improved methods for cell delivery are needed. Utilizing microfabrication processes, a novel biodegradeable thin-film cell encapsulation scaffold was developed in polycaprolactone (PCL) as a possible cell transplantation vehicle. Individual thin-film 2-2.5-D PCL layers (<10 µm thin) were structured with varying micro- and nano-geometries (protrusions, cavities, pores, particles) utilizing a modified spin-assisted solvent casting and melt templating technique. Thin-film layers were aligned and thermally bonded to form the 3-D cell encapsulation scaffold (<30 µm thin) and these were found to promote retinal progenitor cell (RPC) retention and provide appropriate permeability. The resulting scaffolds provide a novel platform for the delivery of cells to the outer retina that addresses critical biological constraints related to transplantation to this anatomical location.

In vitro inflammatory response of nanostructured titania, silicon oxide, and polycaprolactone.

Nanostructured materials are ubiquitous in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biosensing applications. Nonetheless, little is known about the inflammatory response of materials differing in surface nanoarchitecture. Here we report human monocyte viability and morphology, in addition to inflammatory cytokines (IL-1alpha and B, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-alpha and gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-12, MIP-1alpha and beta), and reactive oxygen species production on several nanostructured surfaces, compared to flat surfaces of the same material. The surfaces studied were titiania nanotubes, short and long silicon oxide, and polycaprolactone nanowires. The results indicate that inflammation on titanium, polycaprolactone, and silicon oxide materials can be reduced by restructuring the surface with nanoarchitecture. Nanostructured surfaces display a reduced inflammation response compared to a respective flat control, with significant differences between titanium and nanotubular titanium. Little difference is observed in the inflammatory response between short and long nanowires of PCL and silicon oxide. All surfaces are significantly less inflammatory than the positive control, lipopolysaccharide. Additionally, we show that flat titanium is more inflammatory than silicon oxide and polycaprolactone. This study shows that nanoarchitecture can be used to reduce the inflammatory response of human monocytes in vitro.

Biomimetic nanowire coatings for next generation adhesive drug delivery systems.

Without bioadhesive delivery devices, complex compounds are typically degraded or cleared from mucosal tissues by the mucous layer.While some chemically modified, microstructured surfaces have been studied in aqueous environments,adhesion due to geometry alone has not been investigated. Silicon nanowire-coated beads show significantly better adhesion than those with targeting agents under shear, and can increase the lift-off force 100-fold. We have shown that nanowire coatings, paired with epithelial physiology, significantly increase adhesion in mucosal conditions.

Surface modification of SU-8 for enhanced biofunctionality and nonfouling properties.

SU-8 is a chemically amplified, epoxy-based negative photoresist typically used for producing ultrathick resist layers during device manufacturing in the semiconductor industry. As a simple resist, SU-8 has garnered attention as a possible material for a variety of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, as well as cell-based screening and sensing. However, as a hydrophobic material, the use of SU-8 is limited due to a high degree of nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules, as well as limited cell attachment. In this work, surface chemistry is utilized to modify the SU-8 surface by covalently attaching poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to increase biofunctionality and improve its nonfouling properties. Different molecular weights and concentrations of PEG were used to form films of various grafting densities on SU-8 surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to verify the presence of PEG moieties on the SU-8 surface. High-resolution C1s spectra show that, with an increase in concentration and immobilization time, the grafting density of PEG also increases. Further, a standard overlayer model was used to calculate the thickness of the PEG films formed. The effect of PEG-modified SU-8 was examined in terms of protein adsorption on the surface and fibroblast-surface interactions.

Inner ear drug delivery for auditory applications.

Many inner ear disorders cannot be adequately treated by systemic drug delivery. A blood-cochlear barrier exists, similar physiologically to the blood-brain barrier, which limits the concentration and size of molecules able to leave the circulation and gain access to the cells of the inner ear. However, research in novel therapeutics and delivery systems has led to significant progress in the development of local methods of drug delivery to the inner ear. Intratympanic approaches, which deliver therapeutics to the middle ear, rely on permeation through tissue for access to the structures of the inner ear, whereas intracochlear methods are able to directly insert drugs into the inner ear. Innovative drug delivery systems to treat various inner ear ailments such as ototoxicity, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, autoimmune inner ear disease, and for preserving neurons and regenerating sensory cells are being explored.