TY - JOUR A1 - Blocki, Anna A1 - Löwenberg, Candy A1 - Jiang, Yi A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Neffe, Axel T. A1 - Jung, Friedrich A1 - Lendlein, Andreas T1 - Response of encapsulated cells to a gelatin matrix with varied bulk and microenvironmental elastic properties JF - Polymers for advanced technologies N2 - Gelatin-based hydrogels offer various biochemical cues that support encapsulated cells and are therefore suitable as cell delivery vehicles in regenerative medicine. However, besides the biochemical signals, biomechanical cues are crucial to ensure an optimal support of encapsulated cells. Hence, we aimed to correlate the cellular response of encapsulated cells to macroscopic and microscopic elastic properties of glycidylmethacrylate (GMA)-functionalized gelatin-based hydrogels. To ensure that different observations in cellular behavior could be attributed to differences in elastic properties, an identical concentration as well as degree of functionalization of biopolymers was utilized to form covalently crosslinked hydrogels. Elastic properties were merely altered by varying the average gelatin-chain length. Hydrogels exhibited an increased degree of swelling and a decreased bulk elastic modulus G with prolonged autoclaving of the starting solution. This was accompanied by an increase of hydrogel mesh size and thus by a reduction of crosslinking density. Tougher hydrogels retained the largest amount of cells; however, they also interfered with cell viability. Softer gels contained a lower cell density, but supported cell elongation and viability. Observed differences could be partially attributed to differences in bulk properties, as high crosslinking densities interfere with diffusion and cell spreading and thus can impede cell viability. Interestingly, a microscopic elastic modulus in the range of native soft tissue supported cell viability and elongation best while ensuring a good cell entrapment. In conclusion, gelatin-based hydrogels providing a soft tissue-like microenvironment represent adequate cell delivery vehicles for tissue engineering approaches. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KW - mechanotransduction KW - hydrogel KW - gelatin KW - cell encapsulation KW - matrix elasticity Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3947 SN - 1042-7147 SN - 1099-1581 VL - 28 SP - 1245 EP - 1251 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Braune, Steffen A1 - Froehlich, G. M. A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Effect of temperature on platelet adherence JF - Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels N2 - BACKGROUND: Thrombogenicity is one of the main parameters tested in vitro to evaluate the hemocompatibility of artificial surfaces. While the influence of the temperature on platelet aggregation has been addressed by several studies, the temperature influence on the adherence of platelets to body foreign surfaces as an important aspect of biomedical device handling has not yet been explored. Therefore, we analyzed the influence of two typically applied incubation-temperatures (22 degrees C and 37 degrees C) on the adhesion of platelets to biomaterials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thrombogenicity of three different polymers - medical grade poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) - were studied in an in vitro static test. Platelet adhesion was studied with stringently characterized blood from apparently healthy subjects. Collection of whole blood and preparation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) was carried out at room temperature (22 degrees C). PRP was incubated with the polymers either at 22 degrees C or 37 degrees C. Surface adherent platelets were fixed, fluorescently labelled and assessed by an image-based approach. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Differences in the density of adherent platelets after incubation at 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C occurred on PDMS and PET. Similar levels of adherent platelets were observed on the very thrombogenic PTFE. The covered surface areas per single platelet were analyzed to measure the state of platelet activation and revealed no differences between the two incubation temperatures for any of the analyzed polymers. Irrespective of the observed differences between the low and medium thrombogenic PDMS and PET and the higher variability at 22 degrees C, the thrombogenicity of the three investigated polymers was evaluated being comparable at both incubation temperatures. KW - Biomaterial KW - thrombogenicity KW - platelet adhesion KW - platelet activation KW - temperature Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-152028 SN - 1386-0291 SN - 1875-8622 VL - 61 SP - 681 EP - 688 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Braune, Steffen A1 - Gross, M. A1 - Walter, M. A1 - Zhou, Shengqiang A1 - Dietze, Siegfried A1 - Rutschow, S. A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Tschoepe, C. A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Adhesion and activation of platelets from subjects with coronary artery disease and apparently healthy individuals on biomaterials JF - Journal of biomedical materials research : an official journal of the Society for Biomaterials, the Japanese Society for Biomaterials; the Australian Society for Biomaterials N2 - On the basis of the clinical studies in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) presenting an increased percentage of activated platelets, we hypothesized that hemocompatibility testing utilizing platelets from healthy individuals may result in an underestimation of the materials' thrombogenicity. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of polymer-based biomaterials with platelets from CAD patients in comparison to platelets from apparently healthy individuals. In vitro static thrombogenicity tests revealed that adherent platelet densities and total platelet covered areas were significantly increased for the low (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) and medium (Collagen) thrombogenic surfaces in the CAD group compared to the healthy subjects group. The area per single platelet—indicating the spreading and activation of the platelets—was markedly increased on PDMS treated with PRP from CAD subjects. This could not be observed for collagen or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). For the latter material, platelet adhesion and surface coverage did not differ between the two groups. Irrespective of the substrate, the variability of these parameters was increased for CAD patients compared to healthy subjects. This indicates a higher reactivity of platelets from CAD patients compared to the healthy individuals. Our results revealed, for the first time, that utilizing platelets from apparently healthy donors bears the risk of underestimating the thrombogenicity of polymer-based biomaterials. KW - platelets KW - biomaterials KW - hemocompatibility KW - cardiovascular disease KW - cardiovascular implant Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.33366 SN - 1552-4973 SN - 1552-4981 VL - 104 SP - 210 EP - 217 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Braune, Steffen A1 - Latour, Robert A. A1 - Reinthaler, Markus A1 - Landmesser, Ulf A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - In Vitro Thrombogenicity Testing of Biomaterials JF - Advanced healthcare materials N2 - The short- and long-term thrombogenicity of implant materials is still unpredictable, which is a significant challenge for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. A knowledge-based approach for implementing biofunctions in materials requires a detailed understanding of the medical device in the biological system. In particular, the interplay between material and blood components/cells as well as standardized and commonly acknowledged in vitro test methods allowing a reproducible categorization of the material thrombogenicity requires further attention. Here, the status of in vitro thrombogenicity testing methods for biomaterials is reviewed, particularly taking in view the preparation of test materials and references, the selection and characterization of donors and blood samples, the prerequisites for reproducible approaches and applied test systems. Recent joint approaches in finding common standards for a reproducible testing are summarized and perspectives for a more disease oriented in vitro thrombogenicity testing are discussed. KW - biomaterials KW - blood tests KW - implants KW - in vitro KW - thrombogenicity Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201900527 SN - 2192-2640 SN - 2192-2659 VL - 8 IS - 21 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Braune, Steffen A1 - Walter, M. A1 - Schulze, F. A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Changes in platelet morphology and function during 24 hours of storage JF - Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels N2 - For in vitro studies assessing the interaction of platelets with implant materials, common and standardized protocols for the preparation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) are lacking, which may lead to non-matching results due to the diversity of applied protocols. Particularly, the aging of platelets during prolonged preparation and storage times is discussed to lead to an underestimation of the material thrombogenicity. Here, we study the influence of whole blood-and PRP-storage times on changes in platelet morphology and function. Whole blood PFA100 closure times increased after stimulation with collagen/ADP and collagen/epinephrine. Twenty four hours after blood collection, both parameters were prolonged pathologically above the upper limit of the reference range. Numbers of circulating platelets, measured in PRP, decreased after four hours, but no longer after twenty four hours. Mean platelet volumes (MPV) and platelet large cell ratios (P-LCR, 12 fL - 40 fL) decreased over time. Immediately after blood collection, no debris or platelet aggregates could be visualized microscopically. After four hours, first debris and very small aggregates occurred. After 24 hours, platelet aggregates and also debris progressively increased. In accordance to this, the CASY system revealed an increase of platelet aggregates (up to 90 mu m diameter)with increasing storage time. The percentage of CD62P positive platelets and PF4 increased significantly with storage time in resting PRP. When soluble ADP was added to stored PRP samples, the number of activatable platelets decreased significantly over storage time. The present study reveals the importance of a consequent standardization in the preparation of WB and PRP. Platelet morphology and function, particularly platelet reactivity to adherent or soluble agonists in their surrounding milieu, changed rapidly outside the vascular system. This knowledge is of crucial interest, particularly in the field of biomaterial development for cardiovascular applications, and may help to define common standards in the in vitro hemocompatibility testing of biomaterials. KW - Platelet KW - platelet function KW - platelet rich plasma KW - whole blood KW - platelet aging KW - platelet storage KW - hemocompatibility KW - biomaterials Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-141876 SN - 1386-0291 SN - 1875-8622 VL - 58 IS - 1 SP - 159 EP - 170 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Haase, Tobias A1 - Krost, Annalena A1 - Sauter, Tilman A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Peter, Jan A1 - Kamann, Stefanie A1 - Jung, Friedrich A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Zohlnhöfer, Dietlind A1 - Rüder, Constantin T1 - In vivo biocompatibility assessment of poly (ether imide) electrospun scaffolds JF - Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine N2 - Poly(ether imide) (PEI), which can be chemically functionalized with biologically active ligands, has emerged as a potential biomaterial for medical implants. Electrospun PEI scaffolds have shown advantageous properties, such as enhanced endothelial cell adherence, proliferation and low platelet adhesion in in vitro experiments. In this study, the in vivo behaviour of electrospun PEI scaffolds and PEI films was examined in a murine subcutaneous implantation model. Electrospun PEI scaffolds and films were surgically implanted subcutaneously in the dorsae of mice. The surrounding subcutaneous tissue response was examined via histopathological examination at 7 and 28days after implantation. No serious adverse events were observed for both types of PEI implants. The presence of macrophages or foreign body giant cells in the vicinity of the implants and the formation of a fibrous capsule indicated a normal foreign body reaction towards PEI films and scaffolds. Capsule thickness and inflammatory infiltration cells significantly decreased for PEI scaffolds during days 7-28 while remaining unchanged for PEI films. The infiltration of cells into the implant was observed for PEI scaffolds 7days after implantation and remained stable until 28days of implantation. Additionally some, but not all, PEI scaffold implants induced the formation of functional blood vessels in the vicinity of the implants. Conclusively, this study demonstrates the in vivo biocompatibility of PEI implants, with favourable properties of electrospun PEI scaffolds regarding tissue integration and wound healing. KW - poly(ether imide) KW - in vivo study KW - electrospun scaffold KW - capsule formation KW - foreign body giant cells KW - vascularization Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/term.2002 SN - 1932-6254 SN - 1932-7005 VL - 11 IS - 4 SP - 1034 EP - 1044 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Krüger-Genge, A. A1 - Braune, S. A1 - Walter, M. A1 - Krengel, M. A1 - Kratz, K. A1 - Küpper, J. H. A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Influence of different surface treatments of poly(n-butyl acrylate) networks on fibroblasts adhesion, morphology and viability JF - Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels N2 - BACKGROUND: Physical and chemical characteristics of implant materials determine the fate of long-term cardiovascular devices. However, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of the molecular mechanisms occurring in the material-tissue interphase. In a previous study, soft covalently crosslinked poly(n-butyl acrylate) networks (cPnBA) were introduced as sterilizable, non-toxic and immuno-compatible biomaterials with mechanical properties adjustable to blood vessels. Here we study the influence of different surface treatments in particular oxygen plasma modification and fibrinogen deposition as well as a combinatorial approach on the adhesion and viability of fibroblasts. RESULTS: Compared to non-treated cPnBAs the advancing water-contact angles were found to be reduced after all surface modifications (p<0.05, each), while lowest values were observed after the combined surface treatment (OPT+FIB). The latter differed significantly from the single OPT and FIB. The number of adherent fibroblasts and their adherence behavior differed on both pristine cPnBA networks. The fibroblast density on cPnBA04 was 743 +/- 434 cells. mm(-2), was about 6.5 times higher than on cPnBA73 with 115 +/- 73 cells. mm(-2). On cPnBA04 about 20% of the cells were visible as very small, round and buckled cells while all other cells were in a migrating status. On cPnBA73, nearly 50% of fibroblasts were visible as very small, round and buckled cells. The surface functionalization either using oxygen plasma treatment or fibrinogen coating led to a significant increase of adherent fibroblasts, particularly the combination of both techniques, for both cPnBA networks. It is noteworthy to mention that the fibrinogen coating overruled the characteristics of the pristine surfaces; here, the fibroblast densities after seeding were identical for both cPnBAnetworks. Thus, the binding rather depended on the fibrinogen coating than on the substrate characteristics anymore. While the integrity of the fibroblasts membrane was comparable for both polymers, the MTS tests showed a decreased metabolic activity of the fibroblasts on cPnBA. CONCLUSION: The applied surface treatments of cPnBA successfully improved the adhesion of viable fibroblasts. Under resting conditions as well as after shearing the highest fibroblast densities were found on surfaces with combined post-treatment. KW - Biomaterial KW - poly(n-butyl acrylate) KW - fibroblast KW - oxygen plasma KW - fibrinogen KW - cell adhesion KW - focal adhesion KW - actin cytoskeleton KW - viability Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-189130 SN - 1386-0291 SN - 1875-8622 VL - 69 IS - 1-2 SP - 305 EP - 316 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Krüger-Genge, Anne A1 - Dietze, Stefanie A1 - Yan, Wan A1 - Liu, Yue A1 - Fang, Liang A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Endothelial cell migration, adhesion and proliferation on different polymeric substrates JF - Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels N2 - BACKGROUND: The formation of a functionally-confluent endothelial cell (EC) monolayer affords proliferation of EC, which only happens in case of appropriate migratory activity. AIM OF THE STUDY: The migratory pathway of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC) was investigated on different polymeric substrates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surface characterization of the polymers was performed by contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy under wet conditions. 30,000 HUVEC per well were seeded on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (theta(adv) = 119 degrees +/- 2 degrees), on low-attachment plate LAP (theta(adv) = 28 degrees +/- 2 degrees) and on polystyrene based tissue culture plates (TCP, theta(adv) = 22 degrees +/- 1 degrees). HUVEC tracks (trajectories) were recorded by time lapse microscopy and the euclidean distance (straight line between starting and end point), the total distance and the velocities of HUVEC not leaving the vision field were determined. RESULTS: On PTFE, 42 HUVEC were in the vision field directly after seeding. The mean length of single migration steps (SML) was 6.1 +/- 5.2 mu m, the mean velocity (MV) 0.40 +/- 0.3 mu m.min(-1) and the complete length of the trajectory (LT) was 710 +/- 440 mu m. On TCP 82 HUVEC were in the vision field subsequent to seeding. The LT was 840 +/- 550 mu m, the SML 6.1 +/- 5.2 mu m and the MV 0.44 +/- 0.3 mu m.min(-1). The trajectories on LAP differed significantly in respect to SML (2.4 +/- 3.9 mu m, p <0.05), the MV (0.16 +/- 0.3 mu m.min(-1), p <0.05) and the LT (410 +/- 300 mu m, p <0.05), compared to PTFE and TCP. Solely on TCP a nearly confluent EC monolayer developed after three days. While on TCP diffuse signals of vinculin were found over the whole basal cell surface organizing the binding of the cells by focal adhesions, on PTFE vinculin was merely arranged at the cell rims, and on the hydrophilic material (LAP) no focal adhesions were found. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the wettability of polymers affected not only the initial adherence but also the migration of EC, which is of importance for the proliferation and ultimately the endothelialization of polymer-based biomaterials. KW - Endothelial cells KW - migration KW - polymer-based biomaterials KW - cytokine release Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-189317 SN - 1386-0291 SN - 1875-8622 VL - 70 IS - 4 SP - 511 EP - 529 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Krüger-Genge, Anne A1 - Schulz, Christian A1 - Kratz, Karl A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Comparison of two substrate materials used as negative control in endothelialization studies BT - Glass versus polymeric tissue culture plate JF - Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels N2 - The endothelialization of synthetic surfaces applied as cardiovascular implant materials is an important issue to ensure the anti-thrombotic quality of a biomaterial. However, the rapid and constant development of a functionallycon-fluent endothelial cell monolayer is challenging. In order to investigate the compatibility of potential implant materials with endothelial cells several in vitro studies are performed. Here, glass and tissue culture plates (TCP) are often used as reference materials for in vitro pre-testing. However, a direct comparison of both substrates is lacking. Therefore, a comparison of study results is difficult, since results are often related to various reference materials. In this study, the endothelialization of glass and TCP was investigated in terms of adherence, morphology, integrity, viability and function using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). On both substrates an almost functionally confluent HUVEC monolayer was developed after nine days of cell seeding with clearly visible cell rims, decreased stress fiber formation and a pronounced marginal filament band. The viability of HUVEC was comparable for both substrates nine days after cell seeding with only a few dead cells. According to that, the cell membrane integrity as well as the metabolic activity showed no differences between TCP and glass. However, a significant difference was observed for the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. The concentration of both cytokines, which are associated with migratory activity, was increased in the supernatant of HUVEC seeded on TCP. This result matches well with the slightly increased number of adherent HUVEC on TCP. In conclusion, these findings indicate that both reference materials are almost comparable and can be used equivalently as control materials in in vitro endothelialization studies. KW - Negative control KW - endothelial cells KW - glass KW - TCP KW - reference Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-189904 SN - 1386-0291 SN - 1875-8622 VL - 69 IS - 3 SP - 437 EP - 445 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kuhnla, A. A1 - Reinthaler, Markus A1 - Braune, Steffen A1 - Maier, A. A1 - Pindur, Gerhard A1 - Lendlein, Andreas A1 - Jung, Friedrich T1 - Spontaneous and induced platelet aggregation in apparently healthy subjects in relation to age JF - Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation : blood flow and vessels N2 - Thrombotic disorders remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity, despite the fact that anti-platelet therapies and vascular implants are successfully used today. As life expectancy is increasing in western societies, the specific knowledge about processes leading to thrombosis in elderly is essential for an adequate therapeutic management of platelet dysfunction and for tailoring blood contacting implants. This study addresses the limited available data on platelet function in apparently healthy subjects in relation to age, particularly in view of subjects of old age (80-98 years). Apparently healthy subjects between 20 and 98 years were included in this study. Platelet function was assessed by light transmission aggregometry and comprised experiments on spontaneous as well as ristocetin-, ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The data of this study revealed a non-linear increase in the maximum spontaneous platelet aggregation (from 3.3% +/- 3.3% to 10.9% +/- 5.9%). The maximum induced aggregation decreased with age for ristocetin (from 85.8% +/- 7.2% to 75.0% +/- 7.8%), ADP (from 88.5% +/- 4.6% to 64.8% +/- 7.3%) and collagen (from 89.5% +/- 3.0% to 64.0% +/- 4.0%) in a non-linear manner (linear regression analysis). These observations indicate that during aging, circulating platelets become increasingly activated but lose their full aggregatory potential, a phenomenon that was earlier termed "platelet exhaustion". In this study we extended the limited existing data for spontaneous and induced platelet aggregation of apparently healthy donors above the age of 75 years. The presented data indicate that the extrapolation of data from a middle age group does not necessarily predict platelet function in apparently healthy subjects of old age. It emphasizes the need for respective studies to improve our understanding of thrombotic processes in elderly humans. Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3233/CH-199006 SN - 1386-0291 SN - 1875-8622 VL - 71 IS - 4 SP - 425 EP - 435 PB - IOS Press CY - Amsterdam ER -