@article{HauptsteinForsterNadernezhadetal.2022, author = {Hauptstein, Julia and Forster, Leonard and Nadernezhad, Ali and Horder, Hannes and Stahlhut, Philipp and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Blunk, Torsten and Teßmar, J{\"o}rg}, title = {Bioink Platform Utilizing Dual-Stage Crosslinking of Hyaluronic Acid Tailored for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells}, series = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, volume = {22}, journal = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.202100331}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257556}, pages = {2100331}, year = {2022}, abstract = {3D bioprinting often involves application of highly concentrated polymeric bioinks to enable fabrication of stable cell-hydrogel constructs, although poor cell survival, compromised stem cell differentiation, and an inhomogeneous distribution of newly produced extracellular matrix (ECM) are frequently observed. Therefore, this study presents a bioink platform using a new versatile dual-stage crosslinking approach based on thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA-SH), which not only provides stand-alone 3D printability but also facilitates effective chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells. A range of HA-SH with different molecular weights is synthesized and crosslinked with acrylated (PEG-diacryl) and allylated (PEG-diallyl) polyethylene glycol in a two-step reaction scheme. The initial Michael addition is used to achieve ink printability, followed by UV-mediated thiol-ene reaction to stabilize the printed bioink for long-term cell culture. Bioinks with high molecular weight HA-SH (>200 kDa) require comparably low polymer content to facilitate bioprinting. This leads to superior quality of cartilaginous constructs which possess a coherent ECM and a strongly increased stiffness of long-term cultured constructs. The dual-stage system may serve as an example to design platforms using two independent crosslinking reactions at one functional group, which allows adjusting printability as well as material and biological properties of bioinks.}, language = {en} } @article{HauptsteinForsterNadernezhadetal.2022, author = {Hauptstein, Julia and Forster, Leonard and Nadernezhad, Ali and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Teßmar, J{\"o}rg and Blunk, Torsten}, title = {Tethered TGF-β1 in a hyaluronic acid-based bioink for bioprinting cartilaginous tissues}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {2}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms23020924}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284239}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In 3D bioprinting for cartilage regeneration, bioinks that support chondrogenic development are of key importance. Growth factors covalently bound in non-printable hydrogels have been shown to effectively promote chondrogenesis. However, studies that investigate the functionality of tethered growth factors within 3D printable bioinks are still lacking. Therefore, in this study, we established a dual-stage crosslinked hyaluronic acid-based bioink that enabled covalent tethering of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were cultured over three weeks in vitro, and chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs within bioink constructs with tethered TGF-β1 was markedly enhanced, as compared to constructs with non-covalently incorporated TGF-β1. This was substantiated with regard to early TGF-β1 signaling, chondrogenic gene expression, qualitative and quantitative ECM deposition and distribution, and resulting construct stiffness. Furthermore, it was successfully demonstrated, in a comparative analysis of cast and printed bioinks, that covalently tethered TGF-β1 maintained its functionality after 3D printing. Taken together, the presented ink composition enabled the generation of high-quality cartilaginous tissues without the need for continuous exogenous growth factor supply and, thus, bears great potential for future investigation towards cartilage regeneration. Furthermore, growth factor tethering within bioinks, potentially leading to superior tissue development, may also be explored for other biofabrication applications.}, language = {en} } @article{RymaGencNadernezhadetal.2022, author = {Ryma, Matthias and Gen{\c{c}}, Hatice and Nadernezhad, Ali and Paulus, Ilona and Schneidereit, Dominik and Friedrich, Oliver and Andelovic, Kristina and Lyer, Stefan and Alexiou, Christoph and Cicha, Iwona and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {A Print-and-Fuse Strategy for Sacrificial Filaments Enables Biomimetically Structured Perfusable Microvascular Networks with Functional Endothelium Inside 3D Hydrogels}, series = {Advanced Materials}, volume = {34}, journal = {Advanced Materials}, number = {28}, doi = {10.1002/adma.202200653}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318532}, year = {2022}, abstract = {A facile and flexible approach for the integration of biomimetically branched microvasculature within bulk hydrogels is presented. For this, sacrificial scaffolds of thermoresponsive poly(2-cyclopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PcycloPrOx) are created using melt electrowriting (MEW) in an optimized and predictable way and subsequently placed into a customized bioreactor system, which is then filled with a hydrogel precursor solution. The aqueous environment above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PcycloPrOx at 25 °C swells the polymer without dissolving it, resulting in fusion of filaments that are deposited onto each other (print-and-fuse approach). Accordingly, an adequate printing pathway design results in generating physiological-like branchings and channel volumes that approximate Murray's law in the geometrical ratio between parent and daughter vessels. After gel formation, a temperature decrease below the LCST produces interconnected microchannels with distinct inlet and outlet regions. Initial placement of the sacrificial scaffolds in the bioreactors in a pre-defined manner directly yields perfusable structures via leakage-free fluid connections in a reproducible one-step procedure. Using this approach, rapid formation of a tight and biologically functional endothelial layer, as assessed not only through fluorescent dye diffusion, but also by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation, is obtained within three days.}, language = {en} } @article{WeiglBlumSanchoetal.2022, author = {Weigl, Franziska and Blum, Carina and Sancho, Ana and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Correlative Analysis of Intra- Versus Extracellular Cell Detachment Events via the Alignment of Optical Imaging and Detachment Force Quantification}, series = {Advanced Materials Technologies}, volume = {7}, journal = {Advanced Materials Technologies}, number = {11}, issn = {2365-709X}, doi = {10.1002/admt.202200195}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318544}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In recent decades, hybrid characterization systems have become pillars in the study of cellular biomechanics. Especially, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is combined with a variety of optical microscopy techniques to discover new aspects of cell adhesion. AFM, however, is limited to the early-stage of cell adhesion, so that the forces of mature cell contacts cannot be addressed. Even though the invention of Fluidic Force Microscopy (FluidFM) overcomes these limitations by combining the precise force-control of AFM with microfluidics, the correlative investigation of detachment forces arising from spread mammalian cells has been barely achieved. Here, a novel multifunctional device integrating Fluorescence Microscopy (FL) into FluidFM technology (FL-FluidFM) is introduced, enabling real-time optical tracking of entire cell detachment processes in parallel to the undisturbed acquisition of force-distance curves. This setup, thus, allows for entailing two pieces of information at once. As proof-of-principle experiment, this method is applied to fluorescently labeled rat embryonic fibroblast (REF52) cells, demonstrating a precise matching between identified force-jumps and visualized cellular unbinding steps. This study, thus, presents a novel characterization tool for the correlated evaluation of mature cell adhesion, which has great relevance, for instance, in the development of biomaterials or the fight against diseases such as cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{BrandForsterBoecketal.2022, author = {Brand, Jessica S. and Forster, Leonard and B{\"o}ck, Thomas and Stahlhut, Philipp and Teßmar, J{\"o}rg and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Albrecht, Krystyna}, title = {Covalently Cross-Linked Pig Gastric Mucin Hydrogels Prepared by Radical-Based Chain-Growth and Thiol-ene Mechanisms}, series = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, volume = {22}, journal = {Macromolecular Bioscience}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1002/mabi.202100274}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-318453}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Mucin, a high molecular mass hydrophilic glycoprotein, is the main component of mucus that coats every wet epithelium in animals. It is thus intrinsically biocompatible, and with its protein backbone and the o-glycosidic bound oligosaccharides, it contains a plethora of functional groups which can be used for further chemical modifications. Here, chain-growth and step-growth (thiol-ene) free-radical cross-linked hydrogels prepared from commercially available pig gastric mucin (PGM) are introduced and compared as cost-efficient and easily accessible alternative to the more broadly applied bovine submaxillary gland mucin. For this, PGM is functionalized with photoreactive acrylate groups or allyl ether moieties, respectively. Whereas homopolymerization of acrylate-functionalized polymers is performed, for thiol-ene cross-linking, the allyl-ether-functionalized PGM is cross-linked with thiol-functionalized hyaluronic acid. Morphology, mechanical properties, and cell compatibility of both kinds of PGM hydrogels are characterized and compared. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of these hydrogels can be evaluated in cell culture experiments.}, language = {en} } @article{ShanBoeckKelleretal.2021, author = {Shan, Junwen and B{\"o}ck, Thomas and Keller, Thorsten and Forster, Leonard and Blunk, Torsten and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Teßmar, J{\"o}rg}, title = {TEMPO/TCC as a Chemo Selective Alternative for the Oxidation of Hyaluronic Acid}, series = {Molecules}, volume = {26}, journal = {Molecules}, number = {19}, issn = {1420-3049}, doi = {10.3390/molecules26195963}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-248362}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels are very commonly applied as cell carriers for different approaches in regenerative medicine. HA itself is a well-studied biomolecule that originates from the physiological extracellular matrix (ECM) of mammalians and, due to its acidic polysaccharide structure, offers many different possibilities for suitable chemical modifications which are necessary to control, for example, network formation. Most of these chemical modifications are performed using the free acid function of the polymer and, additionally, lead to an undesirable breakdown of the biopolymer's backbone. An alternative modification of the vicinal diol of the glucuronic acid is oxidation with sodium periodate to generate dialdehydes via a ring opening mechanism that can subsequently be further modified or crosslinked via Schiff base chemistry. Since this oxidation causes a structural destruction of the polysaccharide backbone, it was our intention to study a novel synthesis protocol frequently applied to selectively oxidize the C6 hydroxyl group of saccharides. On the basis of this TEMPO/TCC oxidation, we studied an alternative hydrogel platform based on oxidized HA crosslinked using adipic acid dihydrazide as the crosslinker.}, language = {en} } @article{HorderGuazaLasherasGrummeletal.2021, author = {Horder, Hannes and Guaza Lasheras, Mar and Grummel, Nadine and Nadernezhad, Ali and Herbig, Johannes and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Teßmar, J{\"o}rg and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Fabry, Ben and Bauer-Kreisel, Petra and Blunk, Torsten}, title = {Bioprinting and differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cell spheroids for a 3D breast cancer-adipose tissue model}, series = {Cells}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells}, number = {4}, doi = {10.3390/cells10040803}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-236496}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Biofabrication, including printing technologies, has emerged as a powerful approach to the design of disease models, such as in cancer research. In breast cancer, adipose tissue has been acknowledged as an important part of the tumor microenvironment favoring tumor progression. Therefore, in this study, a 3D-printed breast cancer model for facilitating investigations into cancer cell-adipocyte interaction was developed. First, we focused on the printability of human adipose-derived stromal cell (ASC) spheroids in an extrusion-based bioprinting setup and the adipogenic differentiation within printed spheroids into adipose microtissues. The printing process was optimized in terms of spheroid viability and homogeneous spheroid distribution in a hyaluronic acid-based bioink. Adipogenic differentiation after printing was demonstrated by lipid accumulation, expression of adipogenic marker genes, and an adipogenic ECM profile. Subsequently, a breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231) compartment was printed onto the adipose tissue constructs. After nine days of co-culture, we observed a cancer cell-induced reduction of the lipid content and a remodeling of the ECM within the adipose tissues, with increased fibronectin, collagen I and collagen VI expression. Together, our data demonstrate that 3D-printed breast cancer-adipose tissue models can recapitulate important aspects of the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interplay within the tumor-stroma microenvironment}, language = {en} } @article{DoryabTaskinStahlhutetal.2021, author = {Doryab, Ali and Taskin, Mehmet Berat and Stahlhut, Philipp and Schr{\"o}ppel, Andreas and Orak, Sezer and Voss, Carola and Ahluwalia, Arti and Rehberg, Markus and Hilgendorff, Anne and St{\"o}ger, Tobias and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Schmid, Otmar}, title = {A Bioinspired in vitro Lung Model to Study Particokinetics of Nano-/Microparticles Under Cyclic Stretch and Air-Liquid Interface Conditions}, series = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology}, issn = {2296-4185}, doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2021.616830}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-223830}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Evolution has endowed the lung with exceptional design providing a large surface area for gas exchange area (ca. 100 m\(^{2}\)) in a relatively small tissue volume (ca. 6 L). This is possible due to a complex tissue architecture that has resulted in one of the most challenging organs to be recreated in the lab. The need for realistic and robust in vitro lung models becomes even more evident as causal therapies, especially for chronic respiratory diseases, are lacking. Here, we describe the Cyclic In VItro Cell-stretch (CIVIC) "breathing" lung bioreactor for pulmonary epithelial cells at the air-liquid interface (ALI) experiencing cyclic stretch while monitoring stretch-related parameters (amplitude, frequency, and membrane elastic modulus) under real-time conditions. The previously described biomimetic copolymeric BETA membrane (5 μm thick, bioactive, porous, and elastic) was attempted to be improved for even more biomimetic permeability, elasticity (elastic modulus and stretchability), and bioactivity by changing its chemical composition. This biphasic membrane supports both the initial formation of a tight monolayer of pulmonary epithelial cells (A549 and 16HBE14o\(^{-}\)) under submerged conditions and the subsequent cell-stretch experiments at the ALI without preconditioning of the membrane. The newly manufactured versions of the BETA membrane did not improve the characteristics of the previously determined optimum BETA membrane (9.35\% PCL and 6.34\% gelatin [w/v solvent]). Hence, the optimum BETA membrane was used to investigate quantitatively the role of physiologic cyclic mechanical stretch (10\% linear stretch; 0.33 Hz: light exercise conditions) on size-dependent cellular uptake and transepithelial transport of nanoparticles (100 nm) and microparticles (1,000 nm) for alveolar epithelial cells (A549) under ALI conditions. Our results show that physiologic stretch enhances cellular uptake of 100 nm nanoparticles across the epithelial cell barrier, but the barrier becomes permeable for both nano- and micron-sized particles (100 and 1,000 nm). This suggests that currently used static in vitro assays may underestimate cellular uptake and transbarrier transport of nanoparticles in the lung.}, language = {en} } @article{SeifertGrollWeichholdetal.2021, author = {Seifert, Annika and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Weichhold, Jan and Boehm, Anne V. and M{\"u}ller, Frank A. and Gbureck, Uwe}, title = {Phase Conversion of Ice-Templated α-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffolds into Low-Temperature Calcium Phosphates with Anisotropic Open Porosity}, series = {Advanced Engineering Materials}, volume = {23}, journal = {Advanced Engineering Materials}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1002/adem.202001417}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256311}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The current study aims to extend the material platform for anisotropically structured calcium phosphates to low-temperature phases such as calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) or the secondary phosphates monetite and brushite. This is achieved by the phase conversion of highly porous α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) scaffolds fabricated by ice-templating into the aforementioned phases by hydrothermal treatment or incubation in phosphoric acid. Prior to these steps, α-TCP scaffolds are either sintered for 8 h at 1400 °C or remain in their original state. Both nonsintered and sintered α-TCP specimens are converted into CDHA by hydrothermal treatment, while a transformation into monetite and brushite is achieved by incubation in phosphoric acid. Hydrothermal treatment for 72 h at 175 °C increases the porosity in nonsintered samples from 85\% to 88\% and from 75\% to 88\% in the sintered ones. An increase in the specific surface area from (1.102 ± 0.005) to (9.17 ± 0.01) m2 g-1 and from (0.190 ± 0.004) to (2.809 ± 0.002) m2 g-1 due to the phase conversion is visible for both the nonsintered and sintered samples. Compressive strength of the nonsintered samples increases significantly from (0.76 ± 0.11) to (5.29 ± 0.94) MPa due to incubation in phosphoric acid.}, language = {en} } @article{HolzmeisterWeichholdGrolletal.2021, author = {Holzmeister, Ib and Weichhold, Jan and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Zreiqat,, Hala and Gbureck, Uwe}, title = {Hydraulic reactivity and cement formation of baghdadite}, series = {Journal of the American Ceramic Society}, volume = {104}, journal = {Journal of the American Ceramic Society}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1111/jace.17727}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-259457}, pages = {3554-3561}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this study, the hydraulic reactivity and cement formation of baghdadite (Ca\(_{3}\)ZrSi\(_{2}\)O\(_{9}\)) was investigated. The material was synthesized by sintering a mixture of CaCO\(_{3}\), SiO\(_{2}\), and ZrO\(_{2}\) and then mechanically activated using a planetary mill. This leads to a decrease in particle and crystallite size and a partial amorphization of baghdadite as shown by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and laser diffraction measurements. Baghdadite cements were formed by the addition of water at a powder to liquid ratio of 2.0 g/ml. Maximum compressive strengths were found to be ~2 MPa after 3-day setting for a 24-h ground material. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements showed an incongruent dissolution profile of set cements with a preferred dissolution of calcium and only marginal release of zirconium ions. Cement formation occurs under alkaline conditions, whereas the unground raw powder leads to a pH of 11.9 during setting, while prolonged grinding increased pH values to approximately 12.3.}, language = {en} } @article{GoetzHoleczekGrolletal.2021, author = {G{\"o}tz, Lisa-Marie and Holeczek, Katharina and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and J{\"u}ngst, Tomasz and Gbureck, Uwe}, title = {Extrusion-Based 3D Printing of Calcium Magnesium Phosphate Cement Pastes for Degradable Bone Implants}, series = {Materials}, volume = {14}, journal = {Materials}, number = {18}, issn = {1996-1944}, doi = {10.3390/ma14185197}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246110}, year = {2021}, abstract = {This study aimed to develop printable calcium magnesium phosphate pastes that harden by immersion in ammonium phosphate solution post-printing. Besides the main mineral compound, biocompatible ceramic, magnesium oxide and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) were the crucial components. Two pastes with different powder to liquid ratios of 1.35 g/mL and 1.93 g/mL were characterized regarding their rheological properties. Here, ageing over the course of 24 h showed an increase in viscosity and extrusion force, which was attributed to structural changes in HPMC as well as the formation of magnesium hydroxide by hydration of MgO. The pastes enabled printing of porous scaffolds with good dimensional stability and enabled a setting reaction to struvite when immersed in ammonium phosphate solution. Mechanical performance under compression was approx. 8-20 MPa as a monolithic structure and 1.6-3.0 MPa for printed macroporous scaffolds, depending on parameters such as powder to liquid ratio, ageing time, strand thickness and distance.}, language = {en} } @article{HuHahnYangetal.2021, author = {Hu, Chen and Hahn, Lukas and Yang, Mengshi and Altmann, Alexander and Stahlhut, Philipp and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Improving printability of a thermoresponsive hydrogel biomaterial ink by nanoclay addition}, series = {Journal of Materials Science}, volume = {56}, journal = {Journal of Materials Science}, issn = {0022-2461}, doi = {10.1007/s10853-020-05190-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234894}, pages = {691-705}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As a promising biofabrication technology, extrusion-based bioprinting has gained significant attention in the last decade and major advances have been made in the development of bioinks. However, suitable synthetic and stimuli-responsive bioinks are underrepresented in this context. In this work, we described a hybrid system of nanoclay Laponite XLG and thermoresponsive block copolymer poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(2-n-propyl-2-oxazine) (PMeOx-b-PnPrOzi) as a novel biomaterial ink and discussed its critical properties relevant for extrusion-based bioprinting, including viscoelastic properties and printability. The hybrid hydrogel retains the thermogelling properties but is strengthened by the added clay (over 5 kPa of storage modulus and 240 Pa of yield stress). Importantly, the shear-thinning character is further enhanced, which, in combination with very rapid viscosity recovery (~ 1 s) and structure recovery (~ 10 s), is highly beneficial for extrusion-based 3D printing. Accordingly, various 3D patterns could be printed with markedly enhanced resolution and shape fidelity compared to the biomaterial ink without added clay.}, language = {en} } @article{BlumTaskinShanetal.2021, author = {Blum, Carina and Taskin, Mehmet Berat and Shan, Junwen and Schilling, Tatjana and Schlegelmilch, Katrin and Teßmar, J{\"o}rg and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Appreciating the First Line of the Human Innate Immune Defense: A Strategy to Model and Alleviate the Neutrophil Elastase-Mediated Attack toward Bioactivated Biomaterials}, series = {Small}, volume = {17}, journal = {Small}, number = {13}, doi = {10.1002/smll.202007551}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-257691}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Biointerface engineering is a wide-spread strategy to improve the healing process and subsequent tissue integration of biomaterials. Especially the integration of specific peptides is one promising strategy to promote the regenerative capacity of implants and 3D scaffolds. In vivo, these tailored interfaces are, however, first confronted with the innate immune response. Neutrophils are cells with pronounced proteolytic potential and the first recruited immune cells at the implant site; nonetheless, they have so far been underappreciated in the design of biomaterial interfaces. Herein, an in vitro approach is introduced to model and analyze the neutrophil interaction with bioactivated materials at the example of nano-bioinspired electrospun surfaces that reveals the vulnerability of a given biointerface design to the contact with neutrophils. A sacrificial, transient hydrogel coating that demonstrates optimal protection for peptide-modified surfaces and thus alleviates the immediate cleavage by neutrophil elastase is further introduced.}, language = {en} } @article{HaiderAhmadYangetal.2021, author = {Haider, Malik Salman and Ahmad, Taufiq and Yang, Mengshi and Hu, Chen and Hahn, Lukas and Stahlhut, Philipp and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Luxenhofer, Robert}, title = {Tuning the thermogelation and rheology of poly(2-oxazoline)/poly(2-oxazine)s based thermosensitive hydrogels for 3D bioprinting}, series = {Gels}, volume = {7}, journal = {Gels}, number = {3}, issn = {2310-2861}, doi = {10.3390/gels7030078}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241781}, year = {2021}, abstract = {As one kind of "smart" material, thermogelling polymers find applications in biofabrication, drug delivery and regenerative medicine. In this work, we report a thermosensitive poly(2-oxazoline)/poly(2-oxazine) based diblock copolymer comprising thermosensitive/moderately hydrophobic poly(2-N-propyl-2-oxazine) (pPrOzi) and thermosensitive/moderately hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (pEtOx). Hydrogels were only formed when block length exceeded certain length (≈100 repeat units). The tube inversion and rheological tests showed that the material has then a reversible sol-gel transition above 25 wt.\% concentration. Rheological tests further revealed a gel strength around 3 kPa, high shear thinning property and rapid shear recovery after stress, which are highly desirable properties for extrusion based three-dimensional (3D) (bio) printing. Attributed to the rheology profile, well resolved printability and high stackability (with added laponite) was also possible. (Cryo) scanning electron microscopy exhibited a highly porous, interconnected, 3D network. The sol-state at lower temperatures (in ice bath) facilitated the homogeneous distribution of (fluorescently labelled) human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) in the hydrogel matrix. Post-printing live/dead assays revealed that the hADSCs encapsulated within the hydrogel remained viable (≈97\%). This thermoreversible and (bio) printable hydrogel demonstrated promising properties for use in tissue engineering applications.}, language = {en} } @article{SeifertGruberGburecketal.2021, author = {Seifert, Annika and Gruber, Julia and Gbureck, Uwe and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Morphological control of freeze-structured scaffolds by selective temperature and material control in the ice-templating process}, series = {Advanced Engineering Materials}, volume = {24}, journal = {Advanced Engineering Materials}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/adem.202100860}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256330}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Herein, it is aimed to highlight the importance of the process parameter choice during directional solidification of polymer solutions, as they have a significant influence on the pore structure and orientation. Biopolymer solutions (alginate and chitosan) are directionally frozen, while systematically varying parameters such as the external temperature gradient, the temperature of the overall system, and the temperatures of the cooling surfaces. In addition, the effect of material properties such as molecular weight, solution concentration, or viscosity on the sample morphology is investigated. By selecting appropriate temperature gradients and cooling surface temperatures, aligned pores ranging in size between (50 ± 22) μm and (144 ± 56) μm are observed in the alginate samples, whereas the pore orientation is influenced by altering the external temperature gradient. As this gradient increases, the pores are increasingly oriented perpendicular to the sample surface. This is also observed in the chitosan samples. However, if the overall system is too cold, that is, using temperatures of the lower cooling surface down to -60 °C combined with low temperatures of the upper cooling surface, control over pore orientation is lost. This is also found when viscosity of chitosan solutions is above ≈5 Pas near the freezing point.}, language = {en} } @article{DoganScheuringWagneretal.2021, author = {Dogan, Leyla and Scheuring, Ruben and Wagner, Nicole and Ueda, Yuichiro and Schmidt, Sven and W{\"o}rsd{\"o}rfer, Philipp and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman}, title = {Human iPSC-derived mesodermal progenitor cells preserve their vasculogenesis potential after extrusion and form hierarchically organized blood vessels}, series = {Biofabrication}, volume = {13}, journal = {Biofabrication}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1088/1758-5090/ac26ac}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-254046}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Post-fabrication formation of a proper vasculature remains an unresolved challenge in bioprinting. Established strategies focus on the supply of the fabricated structure with nutrients and oxygen and either rely on the mere formation of a channel system using fugitive inks or additionally use mature endothelial cells and/or peri-endothelial cells such as smooth muscle cells for the formation of blood vessels in vitro. Functional vessels, however, exhibit a hierarchical organization and multilayered wall structure that is important for their function. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesodermal progenitor cells (hiMPCs) have been shown to possess the capacity to form blood vessels in vitro, but have so far not been assessed for their applicability in bioprinting processes. Here, we demonstrate that hiMPCs, after formulation into an alginate/collagen type I bioink and subsequent extrusion, retain their ability to give rise to the formation of complex vessels that display a hierarchical network in a process that mimics the embryonic steps of vessel formation during vasculogenesis. Histological evaluations at different time points of extrusion revealed the initial formation of spheres, followed by lumen formation and further structural maturation as evidenced by building a multilayered vessel wall and a vascular network. These findings are supported by immunostainings for endothelial and peri-endothelial cell markers as well as electron microscopic analyses at the ultrastructural level. Moreover, endothelial cells in capillary-like vessel structures deposited a basement membrane-like matrix at the basal side between the vessel wall and the alginate-collagen matrix. After transplantation of the printed constructs into the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) the printed vessels connected to the CAM blood vessels and get perfused in vivo. These results evidence the applicability and great potential of hiMPCs for the bioprinting of vascular structures mimicking the basic morphogenetic steps of de novo vessel formation during embryogenesis.}, language = {en} } @article{GaritanoTrojaolaSanchoGoetzetal.2021, author = {Garitano-Trojaola, Andoni and Sancho, Ana and G{\"o}tz, Ralph and Eiring, Patrick and Walz, Susanne and Jetani, Hardikkumar and Gil-Pulido, Jesus and Da Via, Matteo Claudio and Teufel, Eva and Rhodes, Nadine and Haertle, Larissa and Arellano-Viera, Estibaliz and Tibes, Raoul and Rosenwald, Andreas and Rasche, Leo and Hudecek, Michael and Sauer, Markus and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Einsele, Hermann and Kraus, Sabrina and Kort{\"u}m, Martin K.}, title = {Actin cytoskeleton deregulation confers midostaurin resistance in FLT3-mutant acute myeloid leukemia}, series = {Communications Biology}, volume = {4}, journal = {Communications Biology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1038/s42003-021-02215-w}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260709}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The presence of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) is one of the most frequent mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. FLT3 inhibitors, such as midostaurin, are used clinically but fail to entirely eradicate FLT3-ITD+AML. This study introduces a new perspective and highlights the impact of RAC1-dependent actin cytoskeleton remodeling on resistance to midostaurin in AML. RAC1 hyperactivation leads resistance via hyperphosphorylation of the positive regulator of actin polymerization N-WASP and antiapoptotic BCL-2. RAC1/N-WASP, through ARP2/3 complex activation, increases the number of actin filaments, cell stiffness and adhesion forces to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) being identified as a biomarker of resistance. Midostaurin resistance can be overcome by a combination of midostaruin, the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax and the RAC1 inhibitor Eht1864 in midostaurin-resistant AML cell lines and primary samples, providing the first evidence of a potential new treatment approach to eradicate FLT3-ITD+AML. Garitano-Trojaola et al. used a combination of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and primary samples to show that RAC1-dependent actin cytoskeleton remodeling through BCL2 family plays a key role in resistance to the FLT3 inhibitor, Midostaurin in AML. They showed that by targeting RAC1 and BCL2, Midostaurin resistance was diminished, which potentially paves the way for an innovate treatment approach for FLT3 mutant AML.}, language = {en} } @article{NadernezhadRymaGencetal.2021, author = {Nadernezhad, Ali and Ryma, Matthias and Gen{\c{c}}, Hatice and Cicha, Iwona and J{\"u}ngst, Thomasz and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Melt electrowriting of isomalt for high-resolution templating of embedded microchannels}, series = {Advanced Material Technologies}, volume = {6}, journal = {Advanced Material Technologies}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1002/admt.202100221}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256401}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Fabrication of microchannels using 3D printing of sugars as fugitive material is explored in different fields, including microfluidics. However, establishing reproducible methods for the controlled production of sugar structures with sub-100 μm dimensions remains a challenge. This study pioneers the processing of sugars by melt electrowriting (MEW) enabling the fabrication of structures with so far unprecedented resolution from Isomalt. Based on a systematic variation of process parameters, fibers with diameters down to 20 μm can be fabricated. The flexibility in the adjustment of fiber diameter by on-demand alteration of MEW parameters enables generating constructs with perfusable channels within polydimethylsiloxane molds. These channels have a diameter that can be adjusted from 30 to 200 μm in a single design. Taken together, the experiments show that MEW strongly benefits from the thermal and physical stability of Isomalt, providing a robust platform for the fabrication of small-diameter embedded microchannel systems.}, language = {en} } @article{MechauFrankBakircietal.2021, author = {Mechau, Jannik and Frank, Andreas and Bakirci, Ezgi and Gumbel, Simon and Jungst, Tomasz and Giesa, Reiner and Groll, J{\"u}rgen and Dalton, Paul D. and Schmidt, Hans-Werner}, title = {Hydrophilic (AB)\(_{n}\) Segmented Copolymers for Melt Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing}, series = {Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {222}, journal = {Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/macp.202000265}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224513}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Several manufacturing technologies beneficially involve processing from the melt, including extrusion-based printing, electrospinning, and electrohydrodynamic jetting. In this study, (AB)\(_{n}\) segmented copolymers are tailored for melt-processing to form physically crosslinked hydrogels after swelling. The copolymers are composed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol)-based segments and hydrophobic bisurea segments, which form physical crosslinks via hydrogen bonds. The degree of polymerization was adjusted to match the melt viscosity to the different melt-processing techniques. Using extrusion-based printing, a width of approximately 260 µm is printed into 3D constructs, with excellent interlayer bonding at fiber junctions, due to hydrogen bonding between the layers. For melt electrospinning, much thinner fibers in the range of about 1-15 µm are obtained and produced in a typical nonwoven morphology. With melt electrowriting, fibers are deposited in a controlled way to well-defined 3D constructs. In this case, multiple fiber layers fuse together enabling constructs with line width in the range of 70 to 160 µm. If exposed to water the printed constructs swell and form physically crosslinked hydrogels that slowly disintegrate, which is a feature for soluble inks within biofabrication strategies. In this context, cytotoxicity tests confirm the viability of cells and thus demonstrating biocompatibility of this class of copolymers.}, language = {en} } @article{PinznerKellerMutetal.2021, author = {Pinzner, Florian and Keller, Thorsten and Mut, J{\"u}rgen and Bechold, Julian and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Groll, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Polyoxazolines with a vicinally double-bioactivated terminus for biomacromolecular affinity assessment}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {21}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {9}, issn = {1424-8220}, doi = {10.3390/s21093153}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-239530}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Interactions between proteins and carbohydrates with larger biomacromolecules, e.g., lectins, are usually examined using self-assembled monolayers on target gold surfaces as a simplified model measuring setup. However, most of those measuring setups are either limited to a single substrate or do not allow for control over ligand distance and spacing. Here, we develop a synthetic strategy, consisting of a cascade of a thioesterification, native chemical ligation (NCL) and thiol-ene reaction, in order to create three-component polymer conjugates with a defined double bioactivation at the chain end. The target architecture is the vicinal attachment of two biomolecule residues to the α telechelic end point of a polymer and a thioether group at the ω chain end for fixating the conjugate to a gold sensor chip surface. As proof-of-principle studies for affinity measurements, we demonstrate the interaction between covalently bound mannose and ConA in surface acoustic wave (SAW) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments.}, language = {en} }