4D corneal tissue engineering: achieving time-dependent tissue self-curvature through localized control of cell actuators

Miotto, M., Gouveia, R. M., Ionescu, A. M., Figueiredo, F., Hamley, I. W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4549-0926 and Connon, C. J. (2019) 4D corneal tissue engineering: achieving time-dependent tissue self-curvature through localized control of cell actuators. Advanced Functional Materials, 29 (8). 1807334. ISSN 1616-3028 doi: 10.1002/adfm.201807334

Abstract/Summary

While tissue engineering is widely used to construct complex tridimensional biocompatible structures, researchers are now attempting to extend the technique into the fourth dimension. Such fourth dimension consists in the transformation of 3D materials over time, namely, by changing their shape, composition, and/or function when subjected to specific external stimuli. Herein, producing a 4D biomaterial with an internal mechanism of stimulus, using contractile cells as bio‐actuators to change tissue shape and structure, is explored. Specifically, producing cornea‐shaped, curved stromal tissue equivalents via the controlled, cell‐driven curving of collagen‐based hydrogels. This is achieved by modulating the activity of the bio‐actuators in delimited regions of the gels using a contraction‐inhibiting peptide amphiphile. The self‐curved constructs are then characterized in terms of cell and collagen fibril reorganization, gel stiffness, cell phenotype, and the ability to sustain the growth of a corneal epithelium in vitro. Overall, the results show that the structural and mechanical properties of self‐curved gels acquired through a 4D engineering method are more similar to those of the native tissue, and represent a significant improvement over planar 3D scaffolds. In this perspective, the study demonstrates the great potential of cell bio‐actuators for 4D tissue engineering applications.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/81712
Identification Number/DOI	10.1002/adfm.201807334
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Chemistry
Publisher	Wiley
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