Bioengineered autonomous cell-biomaterials devices for generating humanised micro-tissues for regenerative medicine

Project Information

ATLAS

Grant agreement ID: 669858

DOI

10.3030/669858

Project closed

EC signature date 19 November 2015

Start date 1 December 2015

End date 31 October 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 2 498 987,50

EU contribution

€ 2 498 987,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 5 - ATLAS (Bioengineered autonomous cell-biomaterials devices for generating humanised micro-tissues for regenerative medicine)

Reporting period: 2020-10-01 to 2021-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

New generations of devices for tissue engineering (TE) should rationalize better the physical and biochemical cues operating in tandem during native regeneration, at the scale/organizational-level of the stem cell niches. The understanding and the deconstruction of these factors (e.g. multiple cell types exchanging both paracrine and direct signals, structural and chemical arrangement of the extra-cellular matrix, mechanical signals) should be then incorporated into the design of truly biomimetic biomaterials. ATLAS proposes rather unique toolboxes combining smart biomaterials and cells for the ground-breaking advances of engineering fully time-self-regulated complex 2D and 3D devices, able to adjust the cascade of processes leading to faster high quality new tissue formation with minimum pre-processing of cells. Biomaterials based on marine-origin macromolecules were used, namely in the supramolecular assembly of instructive multilayers as nanostratified building-blocks for engineer such structures. The backbone of these biopolymers are equipped with a variety of (bio)chemical elements permitting: post-processing chemistry and micro-patterning, specific/nonspecific cell attachment, and cell-controlled degradation. ATLAS integrates cells from different units of tissue physiology, namely bone and hematopoietic basic elements and consider the interactions between the immune and skeletal systems. These ingredients permit to architect innovative films with high-level dialogue control with cells, in sophisticated quasi-closed 3D capsules able to compartmentalize such components in a “globe-like” organization. Bone is used as the model system, but it is expected that the developed methodologies can be used for an all range of other tissues. Besides the potential in regenerative medicine, we envisage to apply the developed capsules in two other important areas: bioengineered cell niches for basic biological research and in vitro platforms for modelling disease and drug screening. We believe that ATLAS, with its integrated multidisciplinary approach and the unique research environment found at our research group and the expertise of the PI, will for sure allow for a major step further in the development of radically new bone TE strategies. We trust that under this ERC grant framework, knowledge will be created, but simultaneously we will be able to optimize procedures and devices that might be exploited clinically. This is really applied research, with a very strong basic and fundamental support, that can create value and in the long-term an impact in the economy and quality of life of patients.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Umbilical cord represents an appealing alternative source from which all the required cell phenotypes could be obtained from the same donor. Isolating cells from UC also avoids the inherent risks of invasive procedures to collect cells from BM. We also obtained new conjugates of a marine-derived polysaccharide by incorporating molecules with specific properties. The new conjugates were tested as potential candidates to develop new hydrogels and to multilayer assemblies performed using the layer-by-layer technology, as the polymers and the new groups inserted have different charges, allowing this way to assemble them into multilayers. The polysaccharides identified were then used to produce multilayer coatings and films. Besides the coatings on the hydrogel templates to produce liquefied and multilayered capsules, we are also employing the technology to coat nano and micro spherical templates that could have applications in the development of drug delivery devices. We have also developed a tailor-made device comprising (i) a perforated platform accommodating miniaturized 3D biomaterials and (ii) a bioreactor that enables the incorporation of the biomaterial-containing array into a disposable and easy-to-use perfusion chamber. The device was assembled using widely available low-cost plastic labware, and could be upscaled to parallelizable setups, increasing the number of analyzed platforms per experiment. For the specific case of the ATLAS project the results achieved so far are extremely useful to develop surface modified microparticles that could direct stem cell behaviour in a more efficient way, it can be implemented in the design experiment to produce surface modified microparticles responsible to provide cell adhesion sites in the liquefied environment. The functionalization of the capsule multilayered membrane with a peptide motif favored cell attachment producing an indirect co-culture system with pre-osteoblastic (core) and endothelial (membrane) cells. While the encapsulated cells proliferated and deposited a mineralized matrix forming aggregates with microparticles, cells on the outside of the membrane adhered and aggregated the liquified capsules. Different in vitro assays were performed to demonstrate the success of the bioencapsulation system proposed. After implantation in a chick chorioallantoic membrane, the proposed capsules were able to recruit new vessels, evidencing their angiogenic potential. Afterwards, we tested the developed capsules under a dynamic cell culture environment. Interestingly, we observed that the dynamic environment led to the development of larger aggregates of cells and microparticles, providing biophysical stimulation and robust improvements in microtissues formation and in the osteogenic differentiation fate of the encapsulated cells over static culture. Ultimately, we also produced microplatforms as bottom-up strategies to improve the anchoring sites dispersed in the liquefied environment of capsules. For that, the surface of the microfilms was modified to present micron-sized grooves, aiming to deliver cues for differentiation of cells into the osteogenic lineage.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

We focused in exploring new complex geometries besides spherical systems to produce highly organized encapsulation systems that better mimic the hierarchical organization of native tissues. We also tested the application of harsh conditions, such as high pressure, on the biological outcome of the encapsulated cells, namely in their osteogenic differentiation fate. The compartmentalized capsules are currently being employed as a magneto-responsive living bioreactor that aims to dynamically stimulate encapsulated key cells and promote the secretion of bioactive mediators of bone tissue formation upon implantation. The proposed bioreactor enables the incorporation of the biomaterial-containing array into a disposable and easy-to-use perfusion chamber represents a great output of the project. We also intend to explore the applicability of the liquefied and multilayered capsules as external bioreactors to produce microtissues in vitro that could also be used as drug testing platforms. Since one of the disadvantages of the LbL process is its inherent time-consuming, which can have an impact on cell viability, we are developing a protocol to reduce the required immersion time and thus, to reduce the overall process of the multilayered membrane build-up. In parallel, we are also developing an one-step method by using an aqueous biphasic system with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes dissolved in each phase. We are also developing a hermetically sealed encapsulation system which will be able to, in the absence of in vitro manipulation, provide all the required conditions to assure the survival of cells in an fully autonomously and self-regulated fashion.

Storyboard of the ATLAS project for the general public.

Storyboard of the ATLAS project for a specialized audience of academics/researchers.