Kevin M. Sales

Biomaterials and scaffold design: key to tissue-engineering cartilage.

Cartilage remains one of the most challenging tissues to reconstruct or replace, owing to its complex geometry in facial structures and mechanical strength at articular surfaces in joints. This non‐vascular tissue has poor replicative capacity and damage results in its functionally inferior repair tissue, fibrocartilage. This has led to a drive for advancements in tissue engineering. The variety of polymers and fabrication techniques available continues to expand. Pore size, porosity, biocompatibility, shape specificity, integration with native tissue, degradation tailored to rate of neocartilage formation and cost efficiency are important factors which need consideration in the development of a scaffold. The present review considers the current polymers and fabrication methodologies used in scaffold engineering for cartilage and postulates whether we are closer to developing the ideal scaffold for clinical application.

The endothelialization of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites - An in vitro study

It has been recognized that seeding vascular bypass grafts with endothelial cells is the ideal method of improving their long-term patency rates. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro cytocompatibility of a novel silica nanocomposite, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-poly(carbonate-urea)urethane (POSS-PCU) and hence elicit its feasibility at the vascular interface for potential use in cardiovascular devices such as vascular grafts. Using primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), cell viability and adhesion were studied using AlamarBlue assays, whereas cell proliferation on the polymer was assessed using the PicoGreen dye assay. Cellular confluence and morphology on the nanocomposite were analyzed using light and electron microscopy, respectively. Our results showed that there was no significant difference between cell viability in standard culture media and POSS-PCU. Endothelial cells were capable of adhering to the polymer within 30 min of contact (Students t-test, p<0.05) with no difference between POSS-PCU and control cell culture plates. POSS-PCU was also capable of sustaining good cell proliferation for up to 14d even from low seeding densities (1.0×103 cells/cm2) and reaching saturation by 21 d. Microscopic analysis showed evidence of optimal endothelial cell adsorption morphology with the absence of impaired motility and morphogenesis. In conclusion, these results support the application of POSS-PCU as a suitable biomaterial scaffold in bio-hybrid vascular prostheses and biomedical devices.

Apoptosis and colorectal cancer: implications for therapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by the partial suppression of apoptosis, which in turn gives tumours a selective advantage for survival and can cause current chemotherapy approaches to be ineffective. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of apoptosis in colorectal carcinogenesis has provided potential new targets for therapy. Here, we review recent studies of the regulation of apoptosis and its role in CRC initiation and progression, and we discuss the relationship between chemoresistance and the suppression of apoptosis. Recent progress in targeting apoptotic pathways and their regulators provide strategies for the exploration of novel therapies for CRC.

Stem Cells and Cancer: An Overview

Definite evidence of the importance of cancer stem cells in the progression of cancer has now come to light. Key markers of these cells have been identified in many solid tumours as well as leukaemias. Specific studies modelling the tumour induction of specific cells isolated by surface antigens such as CD44 have demonstrated that these cells are not only present in tumours but that they are the key units in their tumourgenecity. These findings provide useful insight for disease progression, treatment and metastasis. The wide variety of proposed markers, and their similarity to endothelial progenitor cells found in angiogenesis, complicates these studies. Definite proof falls only in the induction of tumours in vivo. Here we review the developments in cancer stem cells and the markers that have been found for these cells.

Assessment of the potential of progenitor stem cells extracted from human peripheral blood for seeding a novel vascular graft material.

Abstract.  Objective: A novel nanocomposite has recently been developed based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane attached by direct reaction onto a urethane segment, as a potential vascular graft material; its trade name is UCL‐Nano. The UCL‐Nano has been demonstrated to have similar viscoelastic properties to the walls of a natural artery, to be resistant to degradation and to be able to sustain endothelial cell seeding. Human peripheral blood contains both circulating endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells, which may be suitable for conduit seeding. The aim of this study was to develop a system with the potential to deliver an endothelial cell‐seeded bypass graft in a realistic time frame. Materials and methods: Endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells were isolated from human peripheral blood and were characterized by fluorescent‐activated cell sorting, reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Isolated cells were seeded on nanocomposite and were maintained in culture for 35 days. Results: The UCL‐Nano was successfully seeded with cells and a confluent cell layer was achieved after 14‐day culture. Cells remained viable and confluent on the nanocomposite for 35 days. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest that this process has potential both for a realistic and achievable two‐stage seeding process for vascular bypass grafts and for the potential development of a device, with the aim of achieving in situ seeding once implanted.

In vitro small intestinal epithelial cell growth on a nanocomposite polycaprolactone scaffold

Tissue engineering of the small intestine remains experimental despite worldwide attempts to develop a functional substitute for short bowel syndrome. Most published studies have reported predominant use of PLLA (poly‐L‐lactide acid)/PGA (polyglycolic acid) copolymer as the scaffold material, and studies have been limited by in vivo experiments. This lack of progress has inspired a fresh perspective and provoked further investigation and development in this field of tissue engineering. In the present paper, we exploit a relatively new nanocomposite of POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) and PCL [poly(caprolactone‐urea)urethane] as a material to develop porous scaffolds using a solvent casting/particulate leaching technique to fabricate porous scaffolds in different pore sizes and porosities. Scaffolds were characterized for pore morphology and porosity using scanning electron microscopy and micro‐computed tomography. Rat intestinal epithelial cells were then seeded on to the polymer scaffolds for an in vitro study of cell compatibility and proliferation, which was assessed by Alamar Blue™ and lactate dehydrogenase assays performed for 21 days post‐seeding. The results obtained demonstrate that POSS–PCL nanocomposite was produced as a macroporous scaffold with porosity over the range of 40–80% and pore size over the range of 150–250 μm. This scaffold was shown to support epithelial cell proliferation and growth. In conclusion, as a further step in investigating small intestinal tissue engineering, the nanocomposite employed in this study may prove to be a useful alternative to poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) in the future.

Inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway sensitises human colon cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil treatment

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the Western world. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) based chemotherapeutic regimes have been the mainstay of systemic treatment for disseminated colorectal cancer for many years. However, it only produces a 25% response rate due to the drug-resistance. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in the anti-apoptotic process; its activation provides cancer cells with a survival advantage to escape the apoptotic challenge. This study assessed whether the p38 MAPK pathway is involved in 5-FU resistance in colorectal cancer cells. 5-FU only or 5-FU combined with a p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor (SB203580) was used to treat 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cells. The effect of the treatment on cell viability, death and caspase activities was assessed. Western blotting was used to investigate the responses of apoptosis-related proteins following the treatment. Results showed that p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly increased colorectal cancer cell sensitivity to 5-FU. SB203580 in combination with 5-FU significantly reduced cell viability (P<0.01), and increased cell death and cellular caspase activity (P<0.01). Western blotting data revealed that SB203580 sensitises cancer cells to 5-FU due to an increase in Bax expression. These findings suggest that p38 MAPK is involved in cancer cell survival, and that the inhibition of p38 MAPK can enhance 5-FU to kill colorectal cancer cells.

Pretreatment with insulin-like growth factor I protects skeletal muscle cells against oxidative damage via PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways

Oxidative stress has an important role in the pathogenesis of many muscle diseases. The major contributors to oxidative stress in muscle tissue are reactive oxygen species such as oxygen ions, free radicals, and peroxides. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been shown to increase muscle mass and promote muscle cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. We, therefore, hypothesized that IGF-I might also be cytoprotective for muscle cells during oxidative stress. Exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to induce oxidative stress/damage in two types of skeletal muscle cells. Apoptotic pathways were assessed after the oxidative damage and the effects of IGF-I on oxidative stress in muscle cells were examined. Different IGF-I sub-pathways were analyzed with measurement of the expression of pro-and anti-apoptotic proteins. It was found that H2O2 diminishes muscle cell viability and induces a caspase-independent apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment with IGF-I protects muscle cells from H2O2-induced cell death and enhances muscle cells survival. This effect appears to result from the promotion of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl2. Further investigation shows that protection is via an IGF-I sub-pathway: PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways. Protecting muscle cells from oxidative damage presents a potential application in the treatment of the muscle wasting, which appears in many muscle pathologies including Duchenne muscle dystrophy and sarcopenia.

Degradation studies on biodegradable nanocomposite based on polycaprolactone/polycarbonate (80:20%) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

The development of biocompatible polymers has greatly advanced the field of tissue engineering. Some tissues can be propagated on a nondegradable scaffold. Tissue such as cartilage, however, is a complex tissue in which the chondrocytes require their own synthesized extracellular matrix (ECM) to function. Suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering cartilage should provide mechanical strength and degrade at a similar rate to that of cell growth and ECM production. We have developed a biodegradable nanocomposite based on polycaprolactone and polycarbonate polyurethane (PCU) with an incorporated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) (POSS modified Poly(caprolactone/carbonate) urethane/urea). Previous work on POSS incorporated into PCU (POSS-PCU) has been shown to possess good mechanical strength, elasticity and resistance to degradation. This series of experiments involved exposing this polymer to a selection of accelerated degradative solutions for up to 8 weeks. The samples were analyzed by infra-red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, contact angle analysis, and stress-strain mechanical analysis. Degradation of hard and soft segments of the nanocomposite was evident by infra-red spectroscopy in all conditioned samples. POSS nanocage degradation was evident in some oxidative/peroxidative systems accompanied by gross changes in surface topography and significant changes in mechanical properties. The hydrophobic polymer became more hydrophilic in all conditions. This biodegradable nanocomposite demonstrated steady degradation with protection of mechanical properties when exposed to hydrolytic enzymes and plasma protein fractions and exhibited more dramatic degradation by oxidation.This pattern may be potentially employed in tissue engineering scaffolds where controlled degradation and retained structural stability of the scaffold is required.

Quantitating Therapeutic Disruption of Tumor Blood Flow with Intravital Video Microscopy

Vascular-disrupting agents (VDA) kill tumor cells by selectively disrupting blood circulation in tumors. In vivo analysis of this intensely studied class of anticancer agents is invaluable for preclinical assessment of pharmacodynamic end points and effective therapeutic windows. In this review, we consider the role of intravital video microscopy in measuring tumor vascular response to VDAs, the potential of which lies in the opportunity to quantitate specific variables and to obtain real-time information on how VDAs affect tumor microcirculation.