Cellular microenvironment, engineering

Microfabrication technology has provided a plethora of tools and methods to engineer the position and microenvironment of cells in vitro. The unprecedented level of control over the mechanical, chemical, and electrical nature of the cellular microenvironment allows investigation of questions not addressable with conventional tools and methods. The unique insight into normal and abnormal cell behavior afforded by microfabricated tools and methods may one day lead to cures for injuries and diseases, and the ability to direct cell growth and behavior for tissue engineering or industrial applications. 

Ross, A.M., Lahann, J. Surface engineering the cellular microenvironment via patterning and gradients. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 51, 775-794 (2013)... 

Keywords Organ-on-a-chip Microfluidics system Dmg screening and delivery Cellular microenvironment Tissue engineering... 

Recendy carbon nanotubes together with other types of conductive materials have been used to enhance the viability and function of cardiomyocytes in vitro. Single-walled carbon nanotubes were incorporated into gelatin hydrogel scaffolds to construct SD-engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs). Results showed that SWNTs could provide favorable in vitro cellular microenvironment for cardiac contraction and the expression of electrochemical associated proteins. 

Control of the cellular microenvironment is critical for achieving myocardial regeneration. It is a well-known fact that the majority of cells injected into the myocardium do not smvive. Those that survive might not physiologically couple with the native myocardium. This makes the choice of scaffold critical for cardiac tissue engineering. The scaffolds are expected to support the cells as a three-dimensional structure that enables the development of localized extracellular matrix (ECM) and intercellular... 

Research in smart polymers has undergone tremendous progress in the past few years however, the effectiveness of these biomaterials as a valuable tool for TE clinical applications is still in its early stages. Major limitations such as rapid and well controllable response, reproducibility, and biocompatibility still need to be overcome. It is crucial to remember that the continuous advances in TE and regenerative medicine will increase the need for more complex and well-organized systems that cannot be obtained by conventional means, and an increased demand for controlled site-specific systems is expected. The rapid progress in the development of the new techniques to engineer the cellular microenvironment will certainly enhance the possibility of a rapid advance toward this objective. 

In contrast, tissue-engineering approaches provide an opportunity to precisely place proper cells into the defect site in a controlled cellular microenvironment to maintain/ enhance chondrocyte phenotype and increase cell-delivery efficiency for facilitated tissue regeneration. 

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