| 1. |
- Balion, Zbigniev, et al.
(författare)
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Cerebellar Cells Self-Assemble into Functional Organoids on Synthetic, Chemically Crosslinked ECM-Mimicking Peptide Hydrogels
- 2020
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Ingår i: Biomolecules. - : MDPI. - 2218-273X. ; 10:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hydrogel-supported neural cell cultures are more in vivo-relevant compared to monolayers formed on glass or plastic substrates. However, there is a lack of synthetic microenvironment available for obtaining standardized and easily reproducible cultures characterized by tissue-mimicking cell composition, cell-cell interactions, and functional networks. Synthetic peptides representing the biological properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins have been reported to promote the adhesion-driven differentiation and functional maturation of neural cells. Thus, such peptides can serve as building blocks for engineering a standardized, all-synthetic environment. In this study, we have compared the effect of two chemically crosslinked hydrogel compositions on primary cerebellar cells: collagen-like peptide (CLP), and CLP with an integrin-binding motif arginine-glycine-aspartate (CLP-RGD), both conjugated to polyethylene glycol molecular templates (PEG-CLP and PEG-CLP-RGD, respectively) and fabricated as self-supporting membranes. Both compositions promoted a spontaneous organization of primary cerebellar cells into tissue-like clusters with fast-rising Ca2+ signals in soma, reflecting action potential generation. Notably, neurons on PEG-CLP-RGD had more neurites and better synaptic efficiency compared to PEG-CLP. For comparison, poly-L-lysine-coated glass and plastic surfaces did not induce formation of such spontaneously active networks. Additionally, contrary to the hydrogel membranes, glass substrates functionalized with PEG-CLP and PEG-CLP-RGD did not sufficiently support cell attachment and, subsequently, did not promote functional cluster formation. These results indicate that not only chemical composition but also the hydrogel structure and viscoelasticity are essential for bioactive signaling. The synthetic strategy based on ECM-mimicking, multifunctional blocks in registry with chemical crosslinking for obtaining tissue-like mechanical properties is promising for the development of fast and well standardized functional in vitro neural models and new regenerative therapies.
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| 2. |
- Becker, Juliane, et al.
(författare)
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MULTIPLE ORTHOGONAL LABELLING OF OLGONUCLEOTIDES
- 2016
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Patent (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- In Summary, the present invention concerns a method for multiple orthogonal labelling of oligonucleotides, preferably RNA or DNA, by simultaneously performing the inverse Diels-Alder reaction (DAinv) and the copper-catalyzed click reaction (CuAAC), wherein the method is employed in a single step by just adding the different reaction components together and incubating the aqueous reaction mixture prefer ably for one hour at room temperature. In detail, the reaction components are one or more N-modified labels, a copper compound, a stabilizing ligand, a reducing agent and one or more electron-deficient label-modified dienes that are added together with an at least double-modified oligonucleotide having one more nucleotides containing one or more N3-re active groups and one or more electron-rich dienophiles, wherein a terminal alkyne moiety is preferably used as N3-re active group(s) and afrans-cyclooctene moiety or norbornene is preferably used as electron-rich dienophile(s), more pref erably frans-cyclooctene. Therefore, the present invention provides a one-pot method for post-synthetic multiple orthogonal labeling of oligonucleotides, which allows the site-specific introduction of more than one label, preferably of at least two labels into oligonucleotides after solid-phase synthesis, wherein the DAinv takes place on the dienophile modification only and the CuAAC selectively takes place on the N3-reactive group modification.
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| 3. |
- Calitz, Carlemi, et al.
(författare)
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A Biomimetic Model for Liver Cancer to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions in a 3D Environment with Tunable Bio-Physical Properties
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Visualized Experiments. - : JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS. - 1940-087X. ; :162
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor developing in the wake of chronic liver disease. Chronic liver disease and inflammation leads to a fibrotic environment actively supporting and driving hepatocarcinogenesis. Insight into hepatocarcinogenesis in terms of the interplay between the tumor stroma microenvironment and tumor cells is thus of considerable importance. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are proposed as the missing link between current in vitro 2D cell culture models and in vivo animal models. Our aim was to design a novel 3D biomimetic HCC model with accompanying fibrotic stromal compartment and vasculature. Physiologically relevant hydrogels such as collagen and fibrinogen were incorporated to mimic the bio-physical properties of the tumor ECM. In this model LX2 and HepG2 cells embedded in a hydrogel matrix were seeded onto the inverted transmembrane insert. HUVEC cells were then seeded onto the opposite side of the membrane. Three formulations consisting of ECM-hydrogels embedded with cells were prepared and the bio-physical properties were determined by rheology. Cell viability was determined by a cell viability assay over 21 days. The effect of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin was evaluated in both 2D co-culture and our 3D model for a period of 72h. Rheology results show that bio-physical properties of a fibrotic, cirrhotic and HCC liver can be successfully mimicked. Overall, results indicate that this 3D model is more representative of the in vivo situation compared to traditional 2D cultures. Our 3D tumor model showed a decreased response to chemotherapeutics, mimicking drug resistance typically seen in HCC patients.
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| 4. |
- Calitz, Carlemi, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of extracellular matrix composition on tumour cell behaviour in a biomimetic in vitro model for hepatocellular carcinoma
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PORTFOLIO. - 2045-2322. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The tumor micro-environment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) consists out of cirrhotic liver tissue and is characterized by an extensive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM). The evolution from a reversible fibrotic state to end-stage of liver disease, namely cirrhosis, is characterized by an increased deposition of ECM, as well as changes in the exact ECM composition, which both contribute to an increased liver stiffness and can alter tumor phenotype. The goal of this study was to assess how changes in matrix composition and stiffness influence tumor behavior. HCC-cell lines were grown in a biomimetic hydrogel model resembling the stiffness and composition of a fibrotic or cirrhotic liver. When HCC-cells were grown in a matrix resembling a cirrhotic liver, they increased proliferation and protein content, compared to those grown in a fibrotic environment. Tumour nodules spontaneously formed outside the gels, which appeared earlier in cirrhotic conditions and were significantly larger compared to those found outside fibrotic gels. These tumor nodules had an increased expression of markers related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), when comparing cirrhotic to fibrotic gels. HCC-cells grown in cirrhotic gels were also more resistant to doxorubicin compared with those grown in fibrotic gels or in 2D. Therefore, altering ECM composition affects tumor behavior, for instance by increasing pro-metastatic potential, inducing EMT and reducing response to chemotherapy.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Eimont, R., et al.
(författare)
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Extracellular matrix mimetics by crosslinked peptide hydrogels: application to neural 3D cell cultures
- 2018
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Ingår i: International conference Vita Scientia Conference book. ; , s. 59-59
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Self-supporting, shapeable hydrogels that consist of self-assembling synthetic peptides mimic the structural blocks of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Although they have been developed for regenerative medicine purposes, with a potential of grafting into patients without transplantation from organ donors, this class of materials are attractive as scaffolds for advanced cell culture/ in vitro tissue applications. In the present study, we have combined a series of peptides with functional motives (collagen, fibronectin, and laminin-like) for promoting granule layer-like organization of primary cerebellar cells and for controlling the cell attachment, neuritogenesis, cluster size and organization. We show that the micro/nanofabricated hydrogel scaffolds are applicable as multiwell plate inserts helping to analyse cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, ultimately forming organotypic cell culture and artificial tissue structures.
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| 8. |
- Griffith, May, et al.
(författare)
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COLLAGEN AND COLLAGEN LIKE PEPTIDE BASED HYDROGELS, CORNEAL IMPLANTS, FILLER GLUE AND USES THEREOF
- 2018
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Patent (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- The present invention provides for collagen and collagen like peptide based hydrogels, corneal implants, filler glue 00 and uses thereof. The invention represents an advancement in the field of hydrogels, corneal implants, filler glue based on collagen o and collagen like peptides. The invention discloses collagen and novel collagen like peptides crosslinked with DMTMM and their use in preparation of hydrogel, corneal implant and filler glue which are highly efficacious and robust as compared to existing corneal implants. Further, the invention relates to method of treating corneal defects and diseases.
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| 9. |
- Haagdorens, Michel, et al.
(författare)
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Plant Recombinant Human Collagen Type I Hydrogels for Corneal Regeneration
- 2022
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Ingår i: REGENERATIVE ENGINEERING AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 2364-4133 .- 2364-4141. ; 8:2, s. 269-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose To determine feasibility of plant-derived recombinant human collagen type I (RHCI) for use in corneal regenerative implantsMethods RHCI was crosslinked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) to form hydrogels. Application of shear force to liquid crystalline RHCI aligned the collagen fibrils. Both aligned and random hydrogels were evaluated for mechanical and optical properties, as well as in vitro biocompatibility. Further evaluation was performed in vivo by subcutaneous implantation in rats and corneal implantation in Gottingen minipigs.Results Spontaneous crosslinking of randomly aligned RHCI (rRHCI) formed robust, transparent hydrogels that were sufficient for implantation. Aligning the RHCI (aRHCI) resulted in thicker collagen fibrils forming an opaque hydrogel with insufficient transverse mechanical strength for surgical manipulation. rRHCI showed minimal inflammation when implanted subcutaneously in rats. The corneal implants in minipigs showed that rRHCI hydrogels promoted regeneration of corneal epithelium, stroma, and nerves; some myofibroblasts were seen in the regenerated neo-corneas.Conclusion Plant-derived RHCI was used to fabricate a hydrogel that is transparent, mechanically stable, and biocompatible when grafted as corneal implants in minipigs. Plant-derived collagen is determined to be a safe alternative to allografts, animal collagens, or yeast-derived recombinant human collagen for tissue engineering applications. The main advantage is that unlike donor corneas or yeast-produced collagen, the RHCI supply is potentially unlimited due to the high yields of this production method. Lay Summary A severe shortage of human-donor corneas for transplantation has led scientists to develop synthetic alternatives. Here, recombinant human collagen type I made of tobacco plants through genetic engineering was tested for use in making corneal implants. We made strong, transparent hydrogels that were tested by implanting subcutaneously in rats and in the corneas of minipigs. We showed that the plant collagen was biocompatible and was able to stably regenerate the corneas of minipigs comparable to yeast-produced recombinant collagen that we previously tested in clinical trials. The advantage of the plant collagen is that the supply is potentially limitless.
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| 10. |
- Hribersek, Matic, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Solvent-free and ball mill-free catalytic C–H methylation
- 2023
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Ingår i: Green Chemistry. - : RSC Publishing. - 1463-9262 .- 1463-9270. ; 25:22, s. 9138-9145
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An expedient, mechanochemical, operationally simple protocol is reported for the Rh-catalysed C–H methylation of (hetero)arenes under solvent-free conditions without the use of a ball mill. Reagent mixing and activation are delivered using simple pestle-and-mortar grinding and subsequent heating, providing access to the same sustainability benefits as ball milling without the need for specialised equipment. Calculated E-factors are identical to those of ball milling and 5–25 times lower than for solution based conditions. The C–H methylation displays complete regioselectivity and good functional group tolerance. Reaction mixture analyses using scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry are described.
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