Biology subjects

Mazzaglia, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Mazzaglia, C..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Simulating the Tumor Microenvironment for Immune Cell Interactions via Deployable Extrusion Bioprinting

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a promising tool for constructing tumor microenvironments (TME) for cancer modelling in vitro. Realizing the translational impacts of 3D bioprinting for cancer research necessitates innovation in bioprinting workflows which integrate affordability, user-friendliness, and biological relevance. Herein, we demonstrate bioArm, a simple, yet highly effective extrusion bioprinting platform, which can be folded into a carry-on pack, and rapidly deployed between bio-facilities. BioArm enabled TME reconstruction in the form of 3D core-shell tumoroids with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Tumoroids showed the presence of a heterogenous population of CAFs with de novo synthesized extracellular matrices, demonstrating more in vivo-like characteristics compared to conventional 2D co-culture models. Embedding the 3D printed tumoroids in an immune cell laden collagen matrix permitted tracking of the interaction between immune cells and tumoroids, and subsequent immunotherapy treatments. Our deployable extrusion bioprinting workflow could significantly widen the accessibility of 3D bioprinting for gaining mechanistic understanding in TME, and for developing strategies in cancer drug testing.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2020

Bioassemblying Macro-Scale, Lumnized Airway Tubes of Defined Shape via Multi-Organoid Patterning and Fusion

Epithelial, stem-cell derived organoids are ideal building blocks for tissue engineering, however, scalable and shape-controlled bioassembly of epithelial organoids into larger and anatomical structures has yet to be achieved. Here, a robust organoid engineering approach, Multi-Organoid Patterning and Fusion (MOrPF), is presented to assemble individual airway organoids of different sizes into upscaled, scaffold-free airway tubes with pre-defined shapes. Multi-Organoid Aggregates (MOAs) undergo accelerated fusion in a matrix-depleted, free-floating environment, possess a continuous lumen and maintain prescribed shapes without an exogenous scaffold interface. MOAs in the floating culture exhibit a well-defined three-stage process of inter-organoid surface integration, luminal material clearance and lumina connection. The observed shape stability of patterned MOAs is confirmed by theoretical modelling based on organoid morphology and the physical forces involved in organoid fusion. Immunofluorescent characterization shows that fused MOA tubes possess an unstratified epithelium consisting mainly of tracheal basal stem cells. By generating large, shape-controllable organ tubes, MOrPF enables upscaled organoid engineering towards integrated organoid-devices and structurally complex organ tubes.

bioengineering↗