Heike Hall

Cellular uptake and intracellular pathways of PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles.

Polycationic molecules form condensates with DNA and are used for gene therapy as an alternative to viral vectors. As clinical efficacy corresponds to cellular uptake, intracellular stability of the condensates, and bioavailability of the DNA, it is crucial to analyze uptake mechanisms and trafficking pathways. Here, a detailed study of uptake, stability, and localization of PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles within COS-7 cells is presented, using FACS analysis to assess the involvement of different uptake mechanisms, colocalization studies with markers indicative for different endocytotic pathways, and immunofluorescence staining to analyze colocalization with intracellular compartments. PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles were internalized in an energy-dependent manner after 2 h and accumulated in the perinuclear region after >6 h. The nanoparticles were found to be stable within the cytoplasm for at least 24 h and did not colocalize with the endosomal pathway. Nanoparticle uptake was approximately 50% inhibited by genistein, an inhibitor of the caveolae-mediated pathway. However, genistein did not inhibit gene expression, and PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles were not colocalized with caveolin-1 indicating that caveolae-mediated endocytosis is not decisive for DNA delivery. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis pathways were reduced by 17 and 24%, respectively, in the presence of the respective inhibitors. When cells were transfected in the presence of double and triple inhibitors, transfection efficiencies were increasingly reduced by 40 and 70%, respectively; however, no differences were found between the different uptake mechanisms. These findings suggest that PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles enter by several pathways and might therefore be an efficient and versatile tool to deliver therapeutic DNA.

L1/HNK‐1 Carbohydrate‐ and β1 Integrin‐Dependent Neural Cell Adhesion to Laminin‐1

Abstract: We have shown recently that mouse small cerebellar neurons adhere to a short amino acid sequence of the G2 domain of the laminin α1 chain via the cell surface‐expressed HNK‐1 carbohydrate. Therefore, we were interested in identifying glycoproteins carrying the HNK‐1 carbohydrate at the cell surface of these neurons. Adhesion of small cerebellar neurons to laminin is partially dependent on Ca2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+, indicating the involvement of integrins, which were identified as β1, α3, and α6. They could be shown to bind to laminin by a β1‐dependent adhesion mechanism. None of these subunits was found to carry the HNK‐1 carbohydrate. HNK‐1‐immunoreactive glycoproteins were immunoprecipitated and shown to consist of predominantly one molecular species, which was identified as the neural cell recognition molecule L1. L1 was demonstrated to bind in a concentration‐dependent and saturating manner to laminin. The binding could be partially inhibited by Fab fragments of monoclonal antibodies against the HNK‐1 carbohydrate and against the Ig‐like domains of L1. Furthermore, antibodies to the Ig‐like domains of L1 and β1 integrin inhibited partially cell adhesion to laminin. Determination of the association of L1, β1 integrin, and the HNK‐1 carbohydrate on the cell surface of live cerebellar neurons by antibody‐induced patching and copatching revealed HNK‐1 to be linked to L1, but less so to β1 integrin. However, only negligible association was found between L1 and β1 integrin. Furthermore, it could be shown that adhesion to laminin is mediated by L1/HNK‐1‐ and β1 integrin‐dependent mechanisms that act at least partially independent of each other.

Influence of the fiber diameter and surface roughness of electrospun vascular grafts on blood activation.

Electrospun grafts have been widely investigated for vascular graft replacement due to their ease and compatibility with many natural and synthetic polymers. Here, the effect of the processing parameters on the scaffolds architecture and subsequent reactions of partially heparinized blood triggered by contacting these topographies were studied. Degrapol® (DP) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) electrospun fibrous scaffolds were characterized with regard to fiber diameter, pore area and scaffold roughness. The study showed that electrospinning parameters greatly affect fiber diameter together with pore dimension and overall scaffold roughness. Coagulation cascade activation, early platelet adhesion and activation were analyzed after 2h of exposure of blood to the biomaterials. While no differences were found between DP and PLGA with similar topographies, the blood reactions were observed to be dependent on the fiber diameter and scaffold roughness. Scaffolds composed of thin fibers (diameter <1μm) triggered very low coagulation and almost no platelets adhered. On the other hand, scaffolds with a bigger fiber diameter (2-3μm) triggered higher thrombin formation and more platelets adhered. The highest platelet adhesion and activations rates as well as coagulation cascade activation were found in blood incubated in contact with the scaffolds produced with the biggest fiber diameter (5μm). These findings indicate that electrospun grafts with small fiber diameter (<1μm) could perform better with reduced early thrombogenicity due to lower platelet adhesion and lower activation of platelets and coagulation cascade.

The role of plasma proteins in cell adhesion to PEG surface-density-gradient-modified titanium oxide

Surface-density gradients of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were fabricated, in order to carry out a systematic study of the influence of PEG chain density on protein adsorption and cell-adhesion behavior, as well as the correlation between them. Gradients with a linear change in coverage of the polycationic polymer Poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) were prepared on titanium dioxide surfaces by a controlled dipping process and characterized by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and fluorescence microscopy. The adsorption behavior of single proteins (fibrinogen and albumin) generally correlated with semiempirical geometric models, illustrating the effect of the PEG-chain surface distribution on the inhibition of protein adsorption. Distinct differences could be observed between individual adsorbing proteins, attributable to their mode of surface attachment. The single and competitive adsorption of protein solutions containing albumin and fibrinogen was then investigated by fluorescence microscopy, indicating a larger amount of fibrinogen adsorption compared with albumin adsorption (in minutes to hours) along the entire PLL-g-PEG gradient samples. To further elucidate the underlying mechanism of cell adhesion and spreading as a function of PEG coverage and the potential involvement of integrins, cell-adhesion assays were carried out with human foreskin fibroblasts (hFF). The use of surface-gradient samples demonstrated the importance for protein adsorption of PEG conformation, the amount of exposed titanium dioxide surface area (and its distribution), and the structure and chemistry of the proteins involved. Correspondingly the influence of these factors on cell adhesion could be directly observed, and insights gained into the roles of both nonspecific binding and specific integrin binding in cell adhesion.

Engineering functional bladder tissues

Purpose: End stage bladder disease can seriously affect patient quality of life and often requires surgical reconstruction with bowel tissue, which is associated with numerous complications. Bioengineering of functional bladder tissue using tissue‐engineering techniques could provide new functional tissues for reconstruction. In this review, we discuss the current state of this field and address different approaches to enable physiologic voiding in engineered bladder tissues in the near future. Materials and Methods: In a collaborative effort, we gathered researchers from four institutions to discuss the current state of functional bladder engineering. A MEDLINE® and PubMed® search was conducted for articles related to tissue engineering of the bladder, with special focus on the cells and biomaterials employed as well as the microenvironment, vascularisation and innervation strategies used. Results: Over the last decade, advances in tissue engineering technology have laid the groundwork for the development of a biological substitute for bladder tissue that can support storage of urine and restore physiologic voiding. Although many researchers have been able to demonstrate the formation of engineered tissue with a structure similar to that of native bladder tissue, restoration of physiologic voiding using these constructs has never been demonstrated. The main issues hindering the development of larger contractile tissues that allow physiologic voiding include the development of correct muscle alignment, proper innervation and vascularization. Conclusion: Tissue engineering of a construct that will support the contractile properties that allow physiologic voiding is a complex process. The combination of smart scaffolds with controlled topography, the ability to deliver multiple trophic factors and an optimal cell source will allow for the engineering of functional bladder tissues in the near future. Copyright

The Race to the Pole: How High-Aspect Ratio Shape and Heterogeneous Environments Limit Phagocytosis of Filamentous Escherichia coli Bacteria by Macrophages

While bioengineers ask how the shape of diagnostic and therapeutic particles impacts their pharmacological efficiency, biodistribution, and toxicity, microbiologists suggested that morphological adaptations enable pathogens to perhaps evade the immune response. Here, a shape-dependent process is described that limits phagocytosis of filamentous Escherichia coli bacteria by macrophages: successful uptake requires access to one of the terminal bacterial filament poles. By exploiting micropatterned surfaces, we further demonstrate that microenvironmental heterogeneities can slow or inhibit phagocytosis. A comparison to existing literature reveals a common shape-controlled uptake mechanism for both high-aspect ratio filamentous bacteria and engineered particles.

Formation and characterization of DNA-polymer-condensates based on poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) grafted poly(L-lysine) for non-viral delivery of therapeutic DNA

Successful gene delivery systems deliver DNA in a controlled manner combined with minimal toxicity and high transfection efficiency. Here we investigated 15 different copolymers of poly(l-lysine)-graft-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PLL-g-PMOXA) of variable grafting densities and PMOXA molecular weights for their potential to complex and deliver plasmid DNA. PLL(20)g(7)PMOXA(4) formed at N/P charge ratio of 3.125 was found to transfect 9 ± 1.6% of COS-7 cells without impairment of cell viability. Furthermore these PLL-g-PMOXA-DNA condensates were internalized 2 h after transfection and localized in the perinuclear region after 6 h. The condensates displayed a hydrodynamic diameter of ∼100 nm and were found to be stable in serum and after 70 °C heat treatment, moreover the condensates protected DNA against DNase-I digestion. The findings suggest that DNA-PMOXA-g-PLL condensate formation for efficient DNA-delivery strongly depends on PMOXA grafting density and molecular weight showing an optimum at low grafting density between 7 and 14% and medium N/P charge ratio (3.125-6.25). Thus, PLL(20)g(7)PMOXA(4) copolymers might be promising as alternative to PLL-g-PEG-DNA condensates for delivery of therapeutic DNA.

Characterization of PLL-g-PEG-DNA Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Therapeutic DNA

Local and controlled DNA release is a critical issue in current gene therapy. As viral gene delivery systems are associated with severe security problems, nonviral gene delivery vehicles were developed. Here, DNA-nanoparticles using grafted copolymers of PLL and PEG to increase their biocompatibility and stealth properties were systematically studied. Ten different PLL-based polymers with no, low, and high PEG grafting and PEG molecular weights as well as different PLL backbone lengths were complexed with plasmids containing 3200 to 10,100 base pairs. Stable complexes were formed and selected for cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency. Predominantly, PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles grafted with 4 or 5% PEG moieties of 5 kDa transfected 40% COS-7 cells without reduction of cell viability when formed at N/P ratios between 0.1 and 12.5. The molecular weight of PLL did not significantly affect transfection efficiency or cytotoxicity indicating that a specific cationic charge-density-to-PEG-ratio is important for efficient transfection and low cytotoxicity. The PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles were spherical with a diameter of approximately 100 nm and did not aggregate over 2 weeks. Moreover, they protected included plasmid DNA against serum components and DNase I digestion. Therefore, such storage stable and versatile PLL-g-PEG-DNA nanoparticles might be useful to deliver differently sized therapeutic DNA for in vivo applications.

Macrophages lift off surface-bound bacteria using a filopodium-lamellipodium hook-and-shovel mechanism

To clear pathogens from host tissues or biomaterial surfaces, phagocytes have to break the adhesive bacteria-substrate interactions. Here we analysed the mechanobiological process that enables macrophages to lift-off and phagocytose surface-bound Escherichia coli (E. coli). In this opsonin-independent process, macrophage filopodia hold on to the E. coli fimbriae long enough to induce a local protrusion of a lamellipodium. Specific contacts between the macrophage and E. coli are formed via the glycoprotein CD48 on filopodia and the adhesin FimH on type 1 fimbriae (hook). We show that bacterial detachment from surfaces occurrs after a lamellipodium has protruded underneath the bacterium (shovel), thereby breaking the multiple bacterium-surface interactions. After lift-off, the bacterium is engulfed by a phagocytic cup. Force activated catch bonds enable the long-term survival of the filopodium-fimbrium interactions while soluble mannose inhibitors and CD48 antibodies suppress the contact formation and thereby inhibit subsequent E. coli phagocytosis.

Orthogonal nanometer-micrometer roughness gradients probe morphological influences on cell behavior

Surface gradients facilitate rapid, high-throughput, systematic investigations in cell biology, materials science, and other fields. An important surface parameter is the surface roughness on both the micrometer and nanometer scales in the lateral direction. Two approaches have been combined to create two-dimensional roughness gradients by adding a nanoparticle density gradient onto a gradient of micro-featured roughness. All fabricated gradients were extensively characterized by SEM, AFM and optical profilometry to ensure their quality and to determine the roughness parameter Ra along the gradient. Additionally, a Fourier-transform approach was applied that allows a wavelength-dependent analysis of the surface topography. Since cell-culture assays require replicate experiments, a replica technique was used to create copies of the master gradient. Creating a negative replica in an elastomeric material served as a mold for a subsequent ceramic-casting process. A positive replica was then formed from epoxy resin, which was subsequently coated with titanium and used for cell studies. Finally, these gradients were used in cell-culture assays to determine cellular response to surface roughness. The results clearly demonstrate the influence of surface roughness on the production by osteoblasts of markers for osteogenesis. It was shown that high roughness in the micrometer range, combined with an intermediate nanofeature density (30-40 features/μm2), leads to the highest degree of osteopontin production after 14 days.