Label-free mapping of microstructural organisation in self-aligning cellular collagen hydrogels using image correlation spectroscopy

Hydrogels have emerged as promising biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Despite major advances, tissue engineers have faced challenges in studying the complex dynamics of cellmediated hydrogel remodelling. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy has been a pivotal tool for non-invasive visualization of collagen type I hydrogels. By taking into account the typical polarization SHG effect, we recently proposed an alternative image correlation spectroscopy (ICS) model to quantify characteristics of randomly oriented collagen fibrils. However, fibril alignment is an important feature in many tissues that needs to be monitored for effective assembly of anisotropic tissue constructs. Here we extended our previous approach to include the orientation distribution of fibrils in cellular hydrogels and show the power of this model in two biologically relevant applications. Using a collagen hydrogel contraction assay, we were able to capture cell-induced hydrogel modifications at the microscopic scale and link these to changes in overall gel dimensions over time. After 24 h, the collagen density was about 3 times higher than the initial density, which was of the same order as the decrease in hydrogel area. We also showed that the orientation parameters recovered from our automated ICS model match values obtained from manual measurements. Furthermore, regions axial to cellular processes aligned at least 1.5 times faster compared with adjacent zones. Being able to capture minor temporal and spatial changes in hydrogel density and collagen fibril orientation, we demonstrated the sensitivity of this extended ICS model to deconstruct a complex environment and support its potential for tissue engineering research

Engineered neural tissue with Schwann cell differentiated human dental pulp stem cells: potential for peripheral nerve repair?

Despite the spontaneous regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system, large gap peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) require bridging strategies. The limitations and suboptimal results obtained with autografts or hollow nerve conduits in the clinic urge the need for alternative treatments. Recently, we have described promising neuroregenerative capacities of Schwann cells derived from differentiated human dental pulp stem cells (d-hDPSCs) in vitro. Here, we extended the in vitro assays to show the pro-angiogenic effects of d-hDPSCs, such as enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. In addition, for the first time we evaluated the performance of d-hDPSCs in an in vivo rat model of PNI. Eight weeks after transplantation of NeuraWrap™ conduits filled with engineered neural tissue (EngNT) containing aligned d-hDPSCs in 15-mm rat sciatic nerve defects, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis revealed ingrowing neurites, myelinated nerve fibres and blood vessels along the construct. Although further research is required to optimize the delivery of this EngNT, our findings suggest that d-hDPSCs are able to exert a positive effect in the regeneration of nerve tissue in vivo

Human dental pulp stem cells can differentiate into Schwann cells and promote and guide neurite outgrowth in an aligned tissue-engineered collagen construct <i>in vitro</i>

In the present study, we evaluated the differentiation potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) toward Schwann cells, together with their functional capacity with regard to myelination and support of neurite outgrowth in vitro. Successful Schwann cell differentiation was confirmed at the morphological and ultrastructural level by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, compared to undifferentiated hDPSCs, immunocytochemistry and ELISA tests revealed increased glial marker expression and neurotrophic factor secretion of differentiated hDPSCs (d-hDPSCs), which promoted survival and neurite outgrowth in 2-dimensional dorsal root ganglia cultures. In addition, neurites were myelinated by d-hDPSCs in a 3-dimensional collagen type I hydrogel neural tissue construct. This engineered construct contained aligned columns of d-hDPSCs that supported and guided neurite outgrowth. Taken together, these findings provide the first evidence that hDPSCs are able to undergo Schwann cell differentiation and support neural outgrowth in vitro, proposing them to be good candidates for cell-based therapies as treatment for peripheral nerve injury

Label free optical imaging of engineered neural tissue formation by second harmonic signals from collagen type I

A variety of optical microscopy techniques can visualise individual cells in their extracellular matrix (ECM), most of them requiring exogenous dyes. Many labels have been subject of discussion because of phototoxic effects and perturbation of native cellular behavior. Interestingly, some biological molecules and structures can generate intrinsic optical signals, thereby making the use of exogenous dyes redundant. Cellular autofluorescence can be observed by one- or two-photon excitation (TPE) of for example NADH and flavins. Another intrinsic optical effect is Second Harmonic Generation (SHG), where laser light interacting with non-centrosymmetric molecules such as collagen type I generates frequency-doubled light. The resulting images with high contrast and submicron resolution can be further analyzed to obtain specific quantitative information. Despite the advantages of these nonlinear optical microscopy methods, their use in the biomedical field is not widespread. In areas of tissue engineering, these techniques could be of great value for non-invasive characterization of biomaterials. Collagen type I hydrogels have been proposed for many regenerative applications due to their native-like ECM properties, inherent biocompatibility and suitability as carriers for different cell types. When a collagen type I hydrogel solution seeded with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) is casted into a mould with tethering bars positioned at each end, the contractile forces generated by DPSCs create a uniaxial tension along the tethered hydrogel (Fig 1a), resulting in longitudinal cell alignment within this 3D matrix (Fig 1b).[1] Although this engineered neural tissue (EngNT) containing DPSCs represents the desired end result for neuroregenerative applications [1], time-lapse experiments monitoring changes of hydrogel architecture are lacking. In order to truly understand ECM remodeling by enclosed cells, it is essential to monitor the interaction of these cells with the 3D construct in time without the use of fluorescent labels. To this end, we performed TPE and second harmonic imaging of live EngNT, which revealed a marked change in collagen type I organization before and after cell alignment (Fig 2). Furthermore, we applied our in house developed image correlation spectroscopy approach [2] to characterize the spatial organization and structural characteristics of collagen type I fibers in time. This research demonstrates the application of nonlinear label free optical techniques for high resolution biomedical imaging

Hypoxia diminishes the detoxification of the environmental mutagen benzo[a]pyrene

Hypoxia promotes genetic instability and is therefore an important factor in carcinogenesis. We have previously shown that activation of the hypoxia responsive transcription factor HIF alpha can enhance the mutagenic phenotype induced by the environmental mutagen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). To further elucidate the mechanism behind the ability of hypoxia to increase mutagenicity of carcinogens, we examined the activation and detoxification of BaP under hypoxic conditions. To this end, the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 was treated with BaP under 20%, 5% or 0.2% oxygen for 18h and alterations in BaP metabolism were assayed. First, BaP-induced expression of key metabolic enzymes was analysed; expression levels of the activating CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 were increased, while the detoxifying enzymes UGT1A6 and UGT2B7 were significantly reduced by hypoxia. To evaluate whether these changes had an effect on metabolism, levels of BaP and several of its metabolites were determined. Cells under hypoxia have a reduced capacity to metabolise BaP leaving more of the parent molecule intact. Additionally, BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, the pre-cursor metabolite of the reactive metabolite BaP-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), was formed in higher concentrations. Finally, under hypoxia, DNA adducts accumulated over a period of 168h, whereas adducts were efficiently removed in 20% oxygen conditions. The delayed detoxification kinetics resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in DNA adducts. These data indicate that the metabolism under hypoxic conditions has shifted towards increased activation of BaP instead of detoxification and support the idea that modulation of carcinogen metabolism is an important additional mechanism for the observed HIF1 mediated genetic instability