Society for Biomaterials: Biomaterial Applications: Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Stimuli-responsive function
Program Organizers: Jessica Jennings, University of Memphis; Guillermo Ameer, Northwestern University; Danielle Benoit, University of Rochester; Jordon Gilmore, Clemson University

Tuesday 8:00 AM
October 11, 2022
Room: 316
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Session Chair: Danielle Benoit, University of Rochester


8:00 AM  Invited
Harnessing Perfluorocarbons to Enhance Oxygenation in Engineered Tissues: Nic Leipzig1; 1Univeristy of Akron
    Oxygen is fundamental to complex life as we know it, however, few biomaterial based strategies exist today to appropriately supply additional oxygen to sustain cellular processes for complex tissue functions. Our invention of crosslinked chitosan hydrogels with immobilized perfluorocarbons (PFCs) allows for the creation of biomimetic hydrogel platforms that harness PFC oxygenation abilities long-term. I will discuss the development of these materials and their subsequent applications. In vitro we have shown that our approach supports higher and tunable oxygen tensions, facilitates improved oxygen transport while enhancing cell survival/proliferation. We have gone on to apply these materials as wound dressings in animal models, and demonstrated improved healing responses due to enhanced oxygen bioavailability. Recently, we have formulated our materials into microfluidics generated microgels, which we have shown to significantly enhance 3D micro tissues, including liver spheroids that are larger, more viable, and more synthetically active compared to standard approaches.

8:30 AM  
Silanized Titanium for Delivery of Hydrophobic Therapeutic in Aqueous Environment: Zoe Harrison1; Joshua Bush1; Felio Perez1; Joel Bumgardner1; Tomoko Fujiwara1; Daniel Baker1; Jessica Jennings1; 1University of Memphis
    Drug eluting coatings can prevent biofilm on titanium implants, but many therapeutics are hydrophobic and may not be retained when coated onto a hydrophilic metal surface. Titanium coupons were silanized with n- decyltrimeth-oxysilane (DTMS) to provide a hydrophobic environment to hold hydrophobic therapeutic molecules, such as signaling factor 2-Heptylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (2CP), for controlled delivery. FTIR analysis of the titanium surface indicated the presence of the silane layer and showed distinct difference with a drop-coated layer of the 2CP signaling molecule. Contact angle analysis of the silanized surface shows the high contact angle of a hydrophobic surface. However, when 2CP coats the surface, the contact angle reduces to near zero. This likely shows that the hydrophobic tail of the 2CP molecule is interacting with the carbon chains at the surface, leaving the hydrophilic, acid end of the molecule facing the aqueous environment, aiding in therapeutic delivery to the surrounding tissue.

8:50 AM  
Hybrid 3D Bioprinting of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds with Dual Delivery Capability for Anticancer Drugs: Jiahui Lai1; Man Hang Mathew Wong1; Min Wang1; 1University of Hong Kong
    Tumor resection is a major cancer treatment method but can result in tissue defects that greatly lower patients’ quality of life. Tissue regeneration and killing of possible residual tumor cells are critical for these patients. 3D bioprinting enables fabrication of superior cell-scaffold constructs for tissue regeneration. Anticancer drugs are often used together to provide effective chemotherapy. 3D printed scaffolds incorporated with anticancer drugs can kill residual tumor cells while regenerating body tissues. In this study, dual-drug loaded and cell-laden scaffolds were fabricated through hybrid 3D bioprinting of a synthetic polymer ink and a natural polymer bioink and were subsequently studied. The synthetic ink contained nanoclay, PEGDA and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX); the natural bioink contained alginate, CaCl2, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). These scaffolds exhibited favorable cell behavior for tissue regeneration together with controlled dual release of DOX and 5-Fu, showing high potential for treating cancer patients after surgery.

9:10 AM  
Altering the Size of Doxorubicin Loaded DOPE:DOPC Liposomes to Target Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Utilizing Size-dependent Selective Targeting: Tanzeel Ur Rehman1; Madison Rubin1; Kaitlin Bratlie1; 1Iowa State University
    Fibroblasts are crucial in wound healing, synthesizing extracellular matrix and collagen, and supporting the wound healing process by differentiating into myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts promote wound healing and wound closure; however, in the presence of cancer, myofibroblasts can act as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), enhancing tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy drugs. Therefore, there is a need to synthesize drug delivery vehicles that can actively target CAFs, while being more toxic to CAFs compared to fibroblasts. We investigated four different sizes of DOPE:DOPC liposomes (50, 100, 200, and 400 nm) for their selective targetability and internalization. Liposomes of 400 nm resulted in a variety of concentrations that can be used to target CAFs while presenting no harm to healthy cells. Moreover, sizes 100 and 200 nm can also be used at different concentrations to target CAFs. This study establishes a strong basis for using modification-free liposomal selective targeting.

9:30 AM  Invited
Antimicrobial Biomaterials Target Intracellular Infection: Bingyun Li1; 1West Virginia University School of Medicine
    The invention and use of antibiotics have significantly reduced infections and saved millions of lives. However, the extensive use of antibiotics has created new challenges in patient care, i.e., antibiotic resistant bacteria, which have been increasingly seen in recent decades. Besides antibiotic resistance, infection control and treatments are facing other challenges including intracellular infection, biofilm formation, delayed wound healing, etc. The recent COVID-19 have further reminded us of the challenges in dealing with infections. Biomaterials and nanotechnology have inspired excitements in controlling and treating infections and other diseases, and the most recent use of lipid nanoparticles in the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines was a great success. In this talk, the development of antimicrobial biomaterials and nanomedicine targeting intracellular infection will be presented.

10:00 AM Break

10:20 AM  
Utilizing Thiolyne Click Chemistry to Target Cancer Cells Using Folate Conjugated Liposomes: Tanzeel Ur Rehman1; Kaitlin Bratlie1; Surya Mallapragada1; 1Iowa State University
    Macrophages are specialized cells involved in the detection, phagocytosis, and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms. However, in the presence of a tumor, the macrophages turn into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by producing cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and triggering the inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins released in T cells. Ergo, it is critical to develope a drug delivery vehicle that can specifically target TAMs in TME and does not harm healthy cells. In this study, we developed a conjugate-ready DOPE:DOPC liposome vehicle that can deliver drugs specific cell types using different targets. This vehicle was modified to have a thiol (-SH) terminal group that can be readily used for click chemistry with an alkane or alkene. For proof of concept, we modified folic acid (FA) to have a terminal alkyne and used the alkyl-bound-FA to deliver doxorubicin to TAMs.

10:40 AM  
Harnessing Biological Functions in Dental Materials: Candan Tamerler1; Paulette Spencer1; 1University of Kansas
    Oral health challenges form one of the most prevalent medical interventions. 3.5 billion cases end up with untreated oral conditions where more than quarter million individuals ending up with complete tooth loss globally. In US, nearly 100 million dental composite and amalgam restorations fail each year, and the cycle of repeated composite-restoration replacements is a pernicious problem. Clinical need for dental biomaterial therapies is unrelenting. Dental biomaterials in oral cavity are required to interface not only with a diverse set of tissues, from soft oral gingiva to hard, mineralized enamel and bone; but also function under demanding environmental conditions. To address this challenge, we harness biomolecules for engineered preventive, restorative, and regenerative approaches where a particular focus is imparted to key biological activity imparted by each engineered biomolecule. Emphasis will be placed on the structure-function relationships between biomolecules and their biological activity, the unique challenges of each clinical condition.