@article{DengZouWangetal.2019,
  author    = {Deng, Zijun and Zou, Jie and Wang, Weiwei and Nie, Yan and Tung, Wing-Tai and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes with periodic exposure to cold},
  series = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels},
  volume    = {71},
  journal   = {Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {1386-0291},
  doi       = {10.3233/CH-199005},
  pages     = {415 -- 424},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Lipid-containing adipocytes can dedifferentiate into fibroblast-like cells under appropriate culture conditions, which are known as dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. However, the relative low dedifferentiation efficiency with the established protocols limit their widespread applications. In this study, we found that adipocyte dedifferentiation could be promoted via periodic exposure to cold (10 degrees C) in vitro. The lipid droplets in mature adipocytes were reduced by culturing the cells in periodic cooling/heating cycles (10-37 degrees C) for one week. The periodic temperature change led to the down-regulation of the adipogenic genes (FABP4, Leptin) and up-regulation of the mitochondrial uncoupling related genes (UCP1, PGC-1 alpha, and PRDM16). In addition, the enhanced expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki67 was observed in the dedifferentiated fibroblast-like cells after periodic exposure to cold, as compared to the cells cultured in 37 degrees C. Our in vitro model provides a simple and effective approach to promote lipolysis and can be used to improve the dedifferentiation efficiency of adipocytes towards multipotent DFAT cells.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DengWangXuaetal.2020,
  author    = {Deng, Zijun and Wang, Weiwei and Xua, Xun and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Kratz, Karl and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Polymeric sheet actuators with programmable bioinstructivity},
  series = {PNAS},
  volume    = {117},
  journal   = {PNAS},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {National Academy of Sciences},
  address   = {Washington, DC},
  issn      = {1091-6490},
  doi       = {10.1073/pnas.1910668117},
  pages     = {1895 -- 1901},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Stem cells are capable of sensing and processing environmental inputs, converting this information to output a specific cell lineage through signaling cascades. Despite the combinatorial nature of mechanical, thermal, and biochemical signals, these stimuli have typically been decoupled and applied independently, requiring continuous regulation by controlling units. We employ a programmable polymer actuator sheet to autonomously synchronize thermal and mechanical signals applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC5). Using a grid on its underside, the shape change of polymer sheet, as well as cell morphology, calcium (Ca2+) influx, and focal adhesion assembly, could be visualized and quantified. This paper gives compelling evidence that the temperature sensing and mechanosensing of MSC5 are interconnected via intracellular Ca2+. Up-regulated Ca2+ levels lead to a remarkable alteration of histone H3K9 acetylation and activation of osteogenic related genes. The interplay of physical, thermal, and biochemical signaling was utilized to accelerate the cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage. The approach of programmable bioinstructivity provides a fundamental principle for functional biomaterials exhibiting multifaceted stimuli on differentiation programs. Technological impact is expected in the tissue engineering of periosteum for treating bone defects.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{DengWangXuaetal.2020,
  author    = {Deng, Zijun and Wang, Weiwei and Xua, Xun and Gould, Oliver E. C. and Kratz, Karl and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Polymeric sheet actuators with programmable bioinstructivity},
  series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {4},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51549},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-515490},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Stem cells are capable of sensing and processing environmental inputs, converting this information to output a specific cell lineage through signaling cascades. Despite the combinatorial nature of mechanical, thermal, and biochemical signals, these stimuli have typically been decoupled and applied independently, requiring continuous regulation by controlling units. We employ a programmable polymer actuator sheet to autonomously synchronize thermal and mechanical signals applied to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC5). Using a grid on its underside, the shape change of polymer sheet, as well as cell morphology, calcium (Ca2+) influx, and focal adhesion assembly, could be visualized and quantified. This paper gives compelling evidence that the temperature sensing and mechanosensing of MSC5 are interconnected via intracellular Ca2+. Up-regulated Ca2+ levels lead to a remarkable alteration of histone H3K9 acetylation and activation of osteogenic related genes. The interplay of physical, thermal, and biochemical signaling was utilized to accelerate the cell differentiation toward osteogenic lineage. The approach of programmable bioinstructivity provides a fundamental principle for functional biomaterials exhibiting multifaceted stimuli on differentiation programs. Technological impact is expected in the tissue engineering of periosteum for treating bone defects.},
  language  = {en}
}