3D Cell Culture Systems for Biomedical Research

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 1164

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: biomaterials; surface functionalisation; regenerative medicine; targeted therapies in cancer; angiogenesis

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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: regenerative medicine; neurodegeneration; neuroregeneration; Alzheimer’s disease
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, 3D cell culture systems have become one of the most relevant models in biological research; they are employed in a broad range of studies, particularly in the human health field, and are often chosen over traditional 2D (monolayer) in vitro cell cultures. They have a spatial structure, which enables the possibility of cell–cell interactions, and the model’s scaffold surface can mimic the tissue microenvironment. Three-dimensional cell culture systems may be useful in the development of new biomaterials or for surface functionalisation, which is the basis for tissue engineering. Moreover, some 3D structures may provide alternative solutions for tumour in vitro models and act as a bridge between in vitro and in vivo investigations. 3D models have the potential to depict advanced scaffold-linked pathology conditions in tissues and serve as a model for the design of new therapies. Interdisciplinary techniques are greatly needed to evaluate and visualise these structures and the experimental results.

We hope that this Special Issue will provide significant insight into the most advanced 3D cell culture models and encourage researchers to share their unique research and models to enable us to better understand and project future research with more adequate models.

Dr. Agnieszka Rusak
Dr. Benita Wiatrak
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • 3D
  • scaffolds
  • spheroids
  • biomaterials
  • tumour model
  • bioengineering
  • tissue regeneration
  • regenerative medicine
  • targeted therapies
  • tissue mimics
  • angiogenesis
  • cancerogenesis
  • drug development
  • 3D printing
  • material functionalisation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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17 pages, 10148 KiB  
Article
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Reversing Hepatic Fibrosis in 3D Liver Spheroids
by Giulia Chiabotto, Armina Semnani, Elena Ceccotti, Marco Guenza, Giovanni Camussi and Stefania Bruno
Biomedicines 2024, 12(8), 1849; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081849 - 14 Aug 2024
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Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis, arising from prolonged liver injury, entails the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblast-like cells expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), thereby driving extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis progression. Strategies targeting activated HSC reversal and hepatocyte regeneration show promise for fibrosis [...] Read more.
Hepatic fibrosis, arising from prolonged liver injury, entails the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblast-like cells expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), thereby driving extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis progression. Strategies targeting activated HSC reversal and hepatocyte regeneration show promise for fibrosis management. Previous studies suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs) from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can suppress HSC activation, but ensuring EV purity is essential for clinical use. This study investigated the effects of MSC-derived EVs cultured in chemically defined conditions on liver spheroids and activated HSCs. Umbilical cord- and bone marrow-derived MSCs were expanded in chemically defined media, and EVs were isolated using filtration and differential ultracentrifugation. The impact of MSC-EVs was evaluated on liver spheroids generated in Sphericalplate 5D™ and on human HSCs, both activated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). MSC-EVs effectively reduced the expression of profibrotic markers in liver spheroids and activated HSCs induced by TGF-β1 stimulation. These results highlight the potential of MSC-EVs collected under chemically defined conditions to mitigate the activated phenotype of HSCs and liver spheroids, suggesting MSC-EVs as a promising treatment for hepatic fibrosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Cell Culture Systems for Biomedical Research)
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17 pages, 11336 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional-Printed Modular Titanium Alloy Plates for Osteosynthesis of the Jawbone
by Maciej Dobrzyński, Maria Szymonowicz, Joanna Nowicka, Magdalena Pajączkowska, Anna Nikodem, Piotr Kuropka, Magdalena Wawrzyńska and Agnieszka Rusak
Biomedicines 2024, 12(7), 1466; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071466 - 2 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Backgrounds: The titanium–aluminum–vanadium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is frequently used in implantology due to its biocompatibility. The use of 3D printing enables the mechanical modification of implant structures and the adaptation of their shape to the specific needs of individual patients. Methods: The titanium alloy [...] Read more.
Backgrounds: The titanium–aluminum–vanadium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is frequently used in implantology due to its biocompatibility. The use of 3D printing enables the mechanical modification of implant structures and the adaptation of their shape to the specific needs of individual patients. Methods: The titanium alloy plates were designed using the 3D CAD method and printed using a 3D SLM printer. Qualitative tests were performed on the material surface using a microcomputed tomography scanner. The cytotoxicity of the modular titanium plates was investigated using the MTT assay on the L929 cell line and in direct contact with Balb/3T3 cells. Cell adhesion to the material surface was evaluated with hFOB1.19 human osteoblasts. Microbial biofilm formation was investigated on strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans using the TTC test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The surface analysis showed the hydrophobic nature of the implant. The study showed that the titanium plates had no cytotoxic properties. In addition, the material surface showed favorable properties for osteoblast adhesion. Among the microorganisms tested, the strains of S. mutans and S. epidermidis showed the highest adhesion capacity to the plate surface, while the fungus C. albicans showed the lowest adhesion capacity. Conclusions: The manufactured modular plates have properties that are advantageous for the implantation and reduction in selected forms of microbial biofilm. Three-dimensional-printed modular titanium plates were investigated in this study and revealed the potential clinical application of this type of materials, regarding lack of cytotoxicity, high adhesion properties for osteoblasts and reduction in biofilm formation. The 3D CAD method allows us to personalise the shape of implants for individual patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Cell Culture Systems for Biomedical Research)
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