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Multicellular dynamics on structured surfaces: Stress concentration is a key to controlling complex microtissue
Ryosuke Matsuzawa1, Akira Matsuo2, Shuya Fukamachi3
1School of Integrated Design Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
Acta Biomaterialia
|May 10, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a computational model to understand why engineered microtissues detach from 3D scaffolds. This model predicts detachment and guides scaffold design for regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are crucial for controlling multicellular dynamics in tissue engineering.
- Microfabrication technologies like 3D bioprinting enable complex scaffold structures.
- Microtissue detachment from scaffolds poses a significant challenge to achieving desired tissue constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of collective cellular detachment from 3D scaffolds.
- To develop a predictive computational model for microtissue dynamics on scaffolds.
- To guide the design of scaffolds for improved tissue engineering outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative tissue-culture experiments with vascular smooth muscle cells on curved scaffolds.
- Development of a novel particle-based computational model simulating multicellular dynamics (adhesion, rupture, deformation).
- Validation of the computational model against experimental observations of microtissue detachment.
Main Results:
- Microtissue morphology is significantly influenced by cell contractility, substrate curvature, and cell-substrate adhesion.
- Computational simulations accurately reproduced experimental detachment processes.
- Cellular contractility-induced stress concentration at the cell-substrate interface drives collective detachment.
Conclusions:
- The developed computational method effectively predicts engineered tissue dynamics.
- Detachment can be suppressed by modulating cell contractility, substrate curvature, and cell-substrate adhesion.
- This work provides a platform for physics-based scaffold design and prediction-guided biomaterials development.
