Sarah Heilshorn

All Publications

• Microfluidic Investigation of BDNF-Enhanced Neural Stem Cell Chemotaxis in CXCL12 Gradients SMALL Xu, H., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 9 (4): 585-595

  Abstract

  In vivo studies have suggested that gradients of CXCL12 (aka stromal cell-derived factor 1α) may be critical for neural stem cell (NSC) migration during brain development and neural tissue regeneration. However, traditional in vitro chemotaxis tools are limited by unstable concentration gradients and the inability to decouple cell migration directionality and speed. These limitations have restricted the reproducible and quantitative analysis of neuronal migration, which is required for mechanism-based studies. Using a microfluidic gradient generator, nestin and Sox-2 positive human embryonic NSC chemotaxis is quantified within a linear and stable CXCL12 gradient. While untreated NSCs are not able to chemotax within CXCL12 gradients, pre-treatment of the cells with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) results in significant chemotactic, directional migration. BDNF pre-treatment has no effect on cell migration speed, which averages about 1 μm min(-1). Quantitative analysis determines that CXCL12 concentrations above 9.0 nM are above the minimum activation threshold, while concentrations below 14.7 nM are below the saturation threshold. Interestingly, although inhibitor studies with AMD 3100 revealed that CXCL12 chemotaxis requires receptor CXCR4 activation, BDNF pre-treatment is found to have no profound effects on the mRNA levels or surface presentation of CXCR4 or the putative CXCR7 scavenger receptor. The microfluidic study of NSC migration within stable chemokine concentration profiles provides quantitative analysis as well as new insight into the migratory mechanism underlying BDNF-induced chemotaxis towards CXCL12.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/smll.201202208

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315103300013

  View details for PubMedID 23109183

• Building stem cell niches from the molecule up through engineered peptide materials NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS Lampe, K. J., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 519 (2): 138-146

  Abstract

  The native stem cell niche is a dynamic and complex microenvironment. Recapitulating this niche is a critical focus within the fields of stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine and requires the development of well-defined, tunable materials. Recent biomaterial design strategies seek to create engineered matrices that interact with cells at the molecular scale and allow on-demand, cell-triggered matrix modifications. Peptide and protein engineering can accomplish these goals through the molecular-level design of bioinductive and bioresponsive materials. This brief review focuses on engineered peptide and protein materials suitable for use as in vitro neural stem cell niche mimics and in vivo central nervous system repair. A key hallmark of these materials is the immense design freedom to specify the exact amino acid sequence leading to multi-functional bulk materials with tunable properties. These advanced materials are engineered using rational design strategies to recapitulate key aspects of the native neural stem cell niche. The resulting materials often combine the advantages of biological matrices with the engineering control of synthetic polymers. Future design strategies are expected to endow these materials with multiple layers of bi-directional feedback between the cell and the matrix, which will lead to more advanced mimics of the highly dynamic neural stem cell niche.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.01.042

  View details for Web of Science ID 000306146800009

  View details for PubMedID 22322073

• Improving Viability of Stem Cells During Syringe Needle Flow Through the Design of Hydrogel Cell Carriers TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A Aguado, B. A., Mulyasasmita, W., Su, J., Lampe, K. J., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 18 (7-8): 806-815

  Abstract

  Cell transplantation is a promising therapy for a myriad of debilitating diseases; however, current delivery protocols using direct injection result in poor cell viability. We demonstrate that during the actual cell injection process, mechanical membrane disruption results in significant acute loss of viability at clinically relevant injection rates. As a strategy to protect cells from these damaging forces, we hypothesize that cell encapsulation within hydrogels of specific mechanical properties will significantly improve viability. We use a controlled in vitro model of cell injection to demonstrate success of this acute protection strategy for a wide range of cell types including human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), human adipose stem cells, rat mesenchymal stem cells, and mouse neural progenitor cells. Specifically, alginate hydrogels with plateau storage moduli (G') ranging from 0.33 to 58.1 Pa were studied. A compliant crosslinked alginate hydrogel (G'=29.6 Pa) yielded the highest HUVEC viability, 88.9% ± 5.0%, while Newtonian solutions (i.e., buffer only) resulted in 58.7% ± 8.1% viability. Either increasing or decreasing the hydrogel storage modulus reduced this protective effect. Further, cells within noncrosslinked alginate solutions had viabilities lower than media alone, demonstrating that the protective effects are specifically a result of mechanical gelation and not the biochemistry of alginate. Experimental and theoretical data suggest that extensional flow at the entrance of the syringe needle is the main cause of acute cell death. These results provide mechanistic insight into the role of mechanical forces during cell delivery and support the use of protective hydrogels in future clinical stem cell injection studies.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/ten.tea.2011.0391

  View details for Web of Science ID 000302137200013

  View details for PubMedID 22011213

• Essential Regulation of CNS Angiogenesis by the Orphan G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR124 SCIENCE Kuhnert, F., Mancuso, M. R., Shamloo, A., Wang, H., Choksi, V., Florek, M., Su, H., Fruttiger, M., Young, W. L., Heilshorn, S. C., Kuo, C. J. 2010; 330 (6006): 985-989

  Abstract

  The orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR124/tumor endothelial marker 5 is highly expressed in central nervous system (CNS) endothelium. Here, we show that complete null or endothelial-specific GPR124 deletion resulted in embryonic lethality from CNS-specific angiogenesis arrest in forebrain and neural tube. Conversely, GPR124 overexpression throughout all adult vascular beds produced CNS-specific hyperproliferative vascular malformations. In vivo, GPR124 functioned cell-autonomously in endothelium to regulate sprouting, migration, and developmental expression of the blood-brain barrier marker Glut1, whereas in vitro, GPR124 mediated Cdc42-dependent directional migration to forebrain-derived, vascular endothelial growth factor-independent cues. Our results demonstrate CNS-specific angiogenesis regulation by an endothelial receptor and illuminate functions of the poorly understood adhesion GPCR subfamily. Further, the functional tropism of GPR124 marks this receptor as a therapeutic target for CNS-related vascular pathologies.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/science.1196554

  View details for Web of Science ID 000284118000049

  View details for PubMedID 21071672

• Two-component protein-engineered physical hydrogels for cell encapsulation PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Foo, C. T., Lee, J. S., Mulyasasmita, W., Parisi-Amon, A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2009; 106 (52): 22067-22072

  Abstract

  Current protocols to encapsulate cells within physical hydrogels require substantial changes in environmental conditions (pH, temperature, or ionic strength) to initiate gelation. These conditions can be detrimental to cells and are often difficult to reproduce, therefore complicating their use in clinical settings. We report the development of a two-component, molecular-recognition gelation strategy that enables cell encapsulation without environmental triggers. Instead, the two components, which contain multiple repeats of WW and proline-rich peptide domains, undergo a sol-gel phase transition upon simple mixing and hetero-assembly of the peptide domains. We term these materials mixing-induced, two-component hydrogels. Our results demonstrate use of the WW and proline-rich domains in protein-engineered materials and expand the library of peptides successfully designed into engineered proteins. Because both of these association domains are normally found intracellularly, their molecular recognition is not disrupted by the presence of additional biomolecules in the extracellular milieu, thereby enabling reproducible encapsulation of multiple cell types, including PC-12 neuronal-like cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and murine adult neural stem cells. Precise variations in the molecular-level design of the two components including (i) the frequency of repeated association domains per chain and (ii) the association energy between domains enable tailoring of the hydrogel viscoelasticity to achieve plateau shear moduli ranging from approximately 9 to 50 Pa. Because of the transient physical crosslinks that form between association domains, these hydrogels are shear-thinning, injectable, and self-healing. Neural stem cells encapsulated in the hydrogels form stable three-dimensional cultures that continue to self-renew, differentiate, and sprout extended neurites.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.0904851106

  View details for Web of Science ID 000273178700008

  View details for PubMedID 20007785

• Dynamic, three-dimensional pattern formation within enzyme-responsive hydrogels Advanced Materials Straley KS, Heilshorn SC 2009; 21 (41): 4148-4152
• Independent tuning of multiple biomaterial properties using protein engineering Soft Matter Straley KS, Heilshorn SC 2009; 5: 114-124
• Adaptable Hydrogel Networks with Reversible Linkages for Tissue Engineering ADVANCED MATERIALS Wang, H., Heilshorn, S. C. 2015; 27 (25): 3717-3736

  Abstract

  Adaptable hydrogels have recently emerged as a promising platform for three-dimensional (3D) cell encapsulation and culture. In conventional, covalently crosslinked hydrogels, degradation is typically required to allow complex cellular functions to occur, leading to bulk material degradation. In contrast, adaptable hydrogels are formed by reversible crosslinks. Through breaking and re-formation of the reversible linkages, adaptable hydrogels can be locally modified to permit complex cellular functions while maintaining their long-term integrity. In addition, these adaptable materials can have biomimetic viscoelastic properties that make them well suited for several biotechnology and medical applications. In this review, an overview of adaptable-hydrogel design considerations and linkage selections is presented, with a focus on various cell-compatible crosslinking mechanisms that can be exploited to form adaptable hydrogels for tissue engineering.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adma.201501558

  View details for Web of Science ID 000357335900001

  View details for PubMedID 25989348

• Matrix interactions modulate neurotrophin-mediated neurite outgrowth and pathfinding NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH Madl, C. M., Heilshorn, S. C. 2015; 10 (4): 514-517

  Abstract

  Both matrix biochemistry and neurotrophic factors are known to modulate neurite outgrowth and pathfinding; however, the interplay between these two factors is less studied. While previous work has shown that the biochemical identity of the matrix can alter the outgrowth of neurites in response to neurotrophins, the importance of the concentration of cell-adhesive ligands is unknown. Using engineered elastin-like protein matrices, we recently demonstrated a synergistic effect between matrix-bound cell-adhesive ligand density and soluble nerve growth factor treatment on neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia. This synergism was mediated by Schwann cell-neurite contact through L1CAM. Cell-adhesive ligand density was also shown to alter the pathfinding behavior of dorsal root ganglion neurites in response to a gradient of nerve growth factor. While more cell-adhesive matrices promoted neurite outgrowth, less cell-adhesive matrices promoted more faithful neurite pathfinding. These studies emphasize the importance of considering both matrix biochemistry and neurotrophic factors when designing biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration.

  View details for DOI 10.4103/1673-5374.155426

  View details for Web of Science ID 000354156200002

• Injectable Hydrogels with In Situ Double Network Formation Enhance Retention of Transplanted Stem Cells ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS Cai, L., Dewi, R. E., Heilshorn, S. C. 2015; 25 (9): 1344-1351

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adfm.201403631

  View details for Web of Science ID 000350541700003

• Protein-Engineered Hydrogel Encapsulation for 3-D Culture of Murine Cochlea OTOLOGY & NEUROTOLOGY Chang, D. T., Chai, R., DiMarco, R., Heilshorn, S. C., Cheng, A. G. 2015; 36 (3): 531-538

  Abstract

  Elastin-like protein (ELP) hydrogel helps maintain the three-dimensional (3-D) cochlear structure in culture.Whole-organ culture of the cochlea is a useful model system facilitating manipulation and analysis of live sensory cells and surrounding nonsensory cells. The precisely organized 3-D cochlear structure demands a culture method that preserves this delicate architecture; however, current methods have not been optimized to serve such a purpose.A protein-engineered ELP hydrogel was used to encapsulate organ of Corti isolated from neonatal mice. Cultured cochleae were immunostained for markers of hair cells and supporting cells. Organ of Corti hair cell and supporting cell density and organ dimensions were compared between the ELP and nonencapsulated systems. These culture systems were then compared with noncultured cochlea.After 3 days in vitro, vital dye uptake and immunostaining for sensory and nonsensory cells show that encapsulated cochlea contain viable cells with an organized architecture. In comparison with nonencapsulated cultured cochlea, ELP-encapsulated cochleae exhibit higher densities of hair cells and supporting cells and taller and narrower organ of Corti dimensions that more closely resemble those of noncultured cochleae. However, we found compromised cell viability when the culture period extended beyond 3 days.We conclude that the ELP hydrogel can help preserve the 3-D architecture of neonatal cochlea in short-term culture, which may be applicable to in vitro study of the physiology and pathophysiology of the inner ear.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000349769700033

  View details for PubMedID 25111520

• Microfluidic Gradients Reveal Enhanced Neurite Outgrowth but Impaired Guidance within 3D Matrices with High Integrin Ligand Densities SMALL Romano, N. H., Lampe, K. J., Xu, H., Ferreira, M. M., Heilshorn, S. C. 2015; 11 (6): 722-730

  Abstract

  The density of integrin-binding ligands in an extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to regulate cell migration speed by imposing a balance of traction forces between the leading and trailing edges of the cell, but the effect of cell-adhesive ligands on neurite chemoattraction is not well understood. A platform is presented here that combines gradient-generating microfluidic devices with 3D protein-engineered hydrogels to study the effect of RGD ligand density on neurite pathfinding from chick dorsal root ganglia-derived spheroids. Spheroids are encapsulated in elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) hydrogels presenting either 3.2 or 1.6 mM RGD ligands and exposed to a microfluidic gradient of nerve growth factor (NGF). While the higher ligand density matrix enhanced neurite initiation and persistence of neurite outgrowth, the lower ligand density matrix significantly improved neurite pathfinding and increased the frequency of growth cone turning up the NGF gradient. The apparent trade-off between neurite extension and neurite guidance is reminiscent of the well-known trade-off between adhesive forces at the leading and trailing edges of a migrating cell, implying that a similar matrix-mediated balance of forces regulates neurite elongation and growth cone turning. These results have implications in the design of engineered materials for in vitro models of neural tissue and in vivo nerve guidance channels.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/smll.201401574

  View details for Web of Science ID 000349977500010

  View details for PubMedID 25315156

• Matrix RGD ligand density and L1CAM-mediated Schwann cell interactions synergistically enhance neurite outgrowth ACTA BIOMATERIALIA Romano, N. H., Madl, C. M., Heilshorn, S. C. 2015; 11: 48-57

  Abstract

  The innate biological response to peripheral nerve injury involves a complex interplay of multiple molecular cues to guide neurites across the injury gap. Many current strategies to stimulate regeneration take inspiration from this biological response. However, little is known about the balance of cell-matrix and Schwann cell-neurite dynamics required for regeneration of neural architectures. We present an engineered extracellular matrix (eECM) microenvironment with tailored cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions to study their individual and combined effects on neurite outgrowth. This eECM regulates cell-matrix interactions by presenting integrin-binding RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) ligands at specified densities. Simultaneously, the addition or exclusion of nerve growth factor (NGF) is used to modulate L1CAM-mediated Schwann cell-neurite interactions. Individually, increasing the RGD ligand density from 0.16 to 3.2mM resulted in increasing neurite lengths. In matrices presenting higher RGD ligand densities, neurite outgrowth was synergistically enhanced in the presence of soluble NGF. Analysis of Schwann cell migration and co-localization with neurites revealed that NGF enhanced cooperative outgrowth between the two cell types. Interestingly, neurites in NGF-supplemented conditions were unable to extend on the surrounding eECM without the assistance of Schwann cells. Blocking studies revealed that L1CAM is primarily responsible for these Schwann cell-neurite interactions. Without NGF supplementation, neurite outgrowth was unaffected by L1CAM blocking or the depletion of Schwann cells. These results underscore the synergistic interplay between cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions in enhancing neurite outgrowth for peripheral nerve regeneration.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.10.008

  View details for Web of Science ID 000347747900005

• Microfluidic analysis of extracellular matrix-bFGF crosstalk on primary human myoblast chemoproliferation, chemokinesis, and chemotaxis INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY Ferreira, M. M., Dewi, R. E., Heilshorn, S. C. 2015; 7 (5): 569-579

  Abstract

  Exposing myoblasts to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which is released after muscle injury, results in receptor phosphorylation, faster migration, and increased proliferation. These effects occur on time scales that extend across three orders of magnitude (10(0)-10(3) minutes). Finite element modeling of Transwell assays, which are traditionally used to assess chemotaxis, revealed that the bFGF gradient formed across the membrane pore is short-lived and diminishes 45% within the first minute. Thus, to evaluate bFGF-induced migration over 10(2) minutes, we employed a microfluidic assay capable of producing a stable, linear concentration gradient to perform single-cell analyses of chemokinesis and chemotaxis. We hypothesized that the composition of the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) may affect the behavioral response of myoblasts to soluble bFGF, as previous work with other cell types has suggested crosstalk between integrin and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors. Consistent with this notion, we found that bFGF significantly reduced the doubling time of myoblasts cultured on laminin but not fibronectin or collagen. Laminin also promoted significantly faster migration speeds (13.4 μm h(-1)) than either fibronectin (10.6 μm h(-1)) or collagen (7.6 μm h(-1)) without bFGF stimulation. Chemokinesis driven by bFGF further increased migration speed in a strictly additive manner, resulting in an average increase of 2.3 μm h(-1) across all ECMs tested. We observed relatively mild chemoattraction (∼67% of myoblast population) in response to bFGF gradients of 3.2 ng mL(-1) mm(-1) regardless of ECM identity. Thus, while ECM-bFGF crosstalk did impact chemoproliferation, it did not have a significant effect on chemokinesis or chemotaxis. These data suggest that the main physiological effect of bFGF on myoblast migration is chemokinesis and that changes in the surrounding ECM, resulting from aging and/or disease may impact muscle regeneration by altering myoblast migration and proliferation.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c5ib00060b

  View details for Web of Science ID 000354362000008

  View details for PubMedID 25909157

• Multi-Site Functionalization of Protein Scaffolds for Bimetallic Nanoparticle Templating ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS Huggins, K. N., Schoen, A. P., Arunagirinathan, M. A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 24 (48): 7737-7744

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adfm.201402049

  View details for Web of Science ID 000346498900020

• Avidity-controlled hydrogels for injectable co-delivery of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells and growth factors. Journal of controlled release Mulyasasmita, W., Cai, L., Dewi, R. E., Jha, A., Ullmann, S. D., Luong, R. H., Huang, N. F., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 191: 71-81

  Abstract

  To translate recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell biology to clinical regenerative medicine therapies, new strategies to control the co-delivery of cells and growth factors are needed. Building on our previous work designing Mixing-Induced Two-Component Hydrogels (MITCHs) from engineered proteins, here we develop protein-polyethylene glycol (PEG) hybrid hydrogels, MITCH-PEG, which form physical gels upon mixing for cell and growth factor co-delivery. MITCH-PEG is a mixture of C7, which is a linear, engineered protein containing seven repeats of the CC43 WW peptide domain (C), and 8-arm star-shaped PEG conjugated with either one or two repeats of a proline-rich peptide to each arm (P1 or P2, respectively). Both 20kDa and 40kDa star-shaped PEG variants were investigated, and all four PEG-peptide variants were able to undergo a sol-gel phase transition when mixed with the linear C7 protein at constant physiological conditions due to noncovalent hetero-dimerization between the C and P domains. Due to the dynamic nature of the C-P physical crosslinks, all four gels were observed to be reversibly shear-thinning and self-healing. The P2 variants exhibited higher storage moduli than the P1 variants, demonstrating the ability to tune the hydrogel bulk properties through a biomimetic peptide-avidity strategy. The 20kDa PEG variants exhibited slower release of encapsulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), due to a decrease in hydrogel mesh size relative to the 40kDa variants. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (hiPSC-ECs) adopted a well-spread morphology within three-dimensional MITCH-PEG cultures, and MITCH-PEG provided significant protection from cell damage during ejection through a fine-gauge syringe needle. In a mouse hindlimb ischemia model of peripheral arterial disease, MITCH-PEG co-delivery of hiPSC-ECs and VEGF was found to reduce inflammation and promote muscle tissue regeneration compared to a saline control.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.05.015

  View details for PubMedID 24848744

• Hybrid Elastin-like Polypeptide-Polyethylene Glycol (ELP-PEG) Hydrogels with Improved Transparency and Independent Control of Matrix Mechanics and Cell Ligand Density BIOMACROMOLECULES Wang, H., Cai, L., Paul, A., Enejder, A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 15 (9): 3421-3428

  View details for DOI 10.1021/bm500969d

  View details for Web of Science ID 000341409800024

• Avidity-Controlled Delivery of Angiogenic Peptides from Injectable Molecular-Recognition Hydrogels TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A Mulyasasmita, W., Cai, L., Hori, Y., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 20 (15-16): 2102-2114

  Abstract

  Peptide mimics of growth factors represent an emerging class of therapeutic drugs due to high biological specificity and relative ease of synthesis. However, maintaining efficacious therapeutic dosage at the therapy site has proven challenging owing to poor intestinal permeability and short circulating half-lives in the blood stream. In this work, we present the affinity immobilization and controlled release of QK, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mimetic peptide, from an injectable mixing-induced two-component hydrogel (MITCH). The MITCH system is crosslinked by reversible interactions between WW domains and complementary proline-rich peptide modules. Fusion of the QK peptide to either one or two units of the proline-rich sequence creates bifunctional peptide conjugates capable of specific binding to MITCH while preserving their angiogenic bioactivity. Presenting two repeats of the proline-rich sequence increases the binding enthalpy 2.5 times due to avidity effects. Mixing of the drug conjugates with MITCH components results in drug encapsulation and extended release at rates consistent with the affinity immobilization strength. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with the soluble drug conjugates exhibit morphogenetic events of VEGF receptor 2 signal transduction followed by cell migration and organization into networks characteristic of early angiogenesis. In a three-dimensional model where HUVECs were cultured as spheroids in a matrix of collagen and fibronectin, injection of drug-releasing MITCH resulted in significantly more cell outgrowth than drugs injected in saline. This ability to sustain local drug availability is ideal for therapeutic angiogenesis applications, where spatiotemporal control over drug distribution is a key requirement for clinical success.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0357

  View details for Web of Science ID 000340846500006

• Designing ECM-mimetic materials using protein engineering ACTA BIOMATERIALIA Cai, L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 10 (4): 1751-1760

  Abstract

  The natural extracellular matrix (ECM), with its multitude of evolved cell-instructive and cell-responsive properties, provides inspiration and guidelines for the design of engineered biomaterials. One strategy to create ECM-mimetic materials is the modular design of protein-based engineered ECM (eECM) scaffolds. This modular design strategy involves combining multiple protein domains with different functionalities into a single, modular polymer sequence, resulting in a multifunctional matrix with independent tunability of the individual domain functions. These eECMs often enable decoupled control over multiple material properties for fundamental studies of cell-matrix interactions. In addition, since the eECMs are frequently composed entirely of bioresorbable amino acids, these matrices have immense clinical potential for a variety of regenerative medicine applications. This brief review demonstrates how fundamental knowledge gained from structure-function studies of native proteins can be exploited in the design of novel protein-engineered biomaterials. While the field of protein-engineered biomaterials has existed for over 20years, the community is only now beginning to fully explore the diversity of functional peptide modules that can be incorporated into these materials. We have chosen to highlight recent examples that either (i) demonstrate exemplary use as matrices with cell-instructive and cell-responsive properties or (ii) demonstrate outstanding creativity in terms of novel molecular-level design and macro-level functionality.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.12.028

  View details for Web of Science ID 000334137700025

• Presentation of BMP-2 Mimicking Peptides in 3D Hydrogels Directs Cell Fate Commitment in Osteoblasts and Mesenchymal Stem Cells BIOMACROMOLECULES Madl, C. M., Mehta, M., Duda, G. N., Heilshorn, S. C., Mooney, D. J. 2014; 15 (2): 445-455

  Abstract

  Many strategies for controlling the fate of transplanted stem cells rely on the concurrent delivery of soluble growth factors that have the potential to produce undesirable secondary effects in surrounding tissue. Such off target effects could be eliminated by locally presenting growth factor peptide mimics from biomaterial scaffolds to control stem cell fate. Peptide mimics of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) were synthesized by solid phase Fmoc-peptide synthesis and covalently bound to alginate hydrogels via either carbodiimide or sulfhydryl-based coupling strategies. Successful peptide conjugation was confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and quantified by fluorescently labeling the peptides. Peptides derived from the knuckle epitope of BMP-2, presented from both 2D surfaces and 3D alginate hydrogels, were shown to increase alkaline phosphatase activity in clonally derived murine osteoblasts. Furthermore, when presented in 3D hydrogels, these peptides were shown to initiate Smad signaling, upregulate osteopontin production, and increase mineral deposition with clonally derived murine mesenchymal stem cells. These data suggest that these peptide-conjugated hydrogels may be effective alternatives to local BMP-2 release in directly and spatially eliciting osteogenesis from transplanted or host osteoprogenitors in the future.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/bm401726u

  View details for Web of Science ID 000331342200001

• Engineering of three-dimensional microenvironments to promote contractile behavior in primary intestinal organoids INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY Dimarco, R. L., Su, J., Yan, K. S., Dewi, R., Kuo, C. J., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 6 (2): 127-142

  Abstract

  Multiple culture techniques now exist for the long-term maintenance of neonatal primary murine intestinal organoids in vitro; however, the achievement of contractile behavior within cultured organoids has thus far been infrequent and unpredictable. Here we combine finite element simulation of oxygen transport and quantitative comparative analysis of cellular microenvironments to elucidate the critical variables that promote reproducible intestinal organoid contraction. Experimentally, oxygen distribution was manipulated by adjusting the ambient oxygen concentration along with the use of semi-permeable membranes to enhance transport. The culture microenvironment was further tailored through variation of collagen type-I matrix density, addition of exogenous R-spondin1, and specification of culture geometry. "Air-liquid interface" cultures resulted in significantly higher numbers of contractile cultures relative to traditional submerged cultures. These interface cultures were confirmed to have enhanced and more symmetric oxygen transport relative to traditional submerged cultures. While oxygen availability was found to impact in vitro contraction rate and the orientation of contractile movement, it was not a key factor in enabling contractility. For all conditions tested, reproducible contractile behavior only occurred within a consistent and narrow range of collagen type-I matrix densities with porosities of approximately 20% and storage moduli near 30 Pa. This suggests that matrix density acts as a "permissive switch" that enables contractions to occur. Similarly, contractions were only observed in cultures with diameters less than 15.5 mm that had relatively large interfacial surface area between the compliant matrix and the rigid culture dish. Taken together, these data suggest that spatial geometry and mechanics of the microenvironment, which includes both the encapsulating matrix as well as the surrounding culture device, may be key determinants of intestinal organoid functionality. As peristaltic contractility is a crucial requirement for normal digestive tract function, this achievement of reproducible organoid contraction marks a pivotal advancement towards engineering physiologically functional replacement tissue constructs.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3ib40188j

  View details for Web of Science ID 000330795500002

• Dual-stage growth factor release within 3D protein-engineered hydrogel niches promotes adipogenesis BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE Greenwood-Goodwin, M., Teasley, E. S., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 2 (11): 1627-1639

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c4bm00142g

  View details for Web of Science ID 000343034200008

• Rheology and simulation of 2-dimensional clathrin protein network assembly SOFT MATTER VanDersarl, J. J., Mehraeen, S., Schoen, A. P., Heilshorn, S. C., Spakowitz, A. J., Melosh, N. A. 2014; 10 (33): 6219-6227

  Abstract

  Clathrin is a three-legged protein complex that assembles into lattice structures on the cell membrane and transforms into fullerene-like cages during endocytosis. This dynamic structural flexibility makes clathrin an attractive building block for guided assembly. The assembly dynamics and the mechanical properties of clathrin protein lattices are studied using rheological measurements and theoretical modelling in an effort to better understand two dynamic processes: protein adsorption to the interface and assembly into a network. We find that percolation models for protein network formation are insufficient to describe clathrin network formation, but with Monte Carlo simulations we can describe the dynamics of network formation very well. Insights from this work can be used to design new bio-inspired nano-assembly systems.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c4sm00025k

  View details for Web of Science ID 000340438600010

• Small-molecule axon-polarization studies enabled by a shear-free microfluidic gradient generator LAB ON A CHIP Xu, H., Ferreira, M. M., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 14 (12): 2047-2056

  Abstract

  A deep understanding of the mechanisms behind neurite polarization and axon path-finding is important for interpreting how the human body guides neurite growth during development and response to injury. Further, it is of great clinical importance to identify diffusible chemical cues that promote neurite regeneration for nervous tissue repair. Despite the fast development of various types of concentration gradient generators, it has been challenging to fabricate neuron-friendly (i.e. shear-free and biocompatible for neuron growth and maturation) devices to create stable gradients, particularly for fast diffusing small molecules, which typically require high flow and shear rates. Here we present a finite element analysis for a polydimethylsiloxane/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PDMS/PEG-DA) based gradient generator, describe the microfabrication process, and validate its use for neuronal axon polarization studies. This device provides a totally shear-free, biocompatible microenvironment with a linear and stable concentration gradient of small molecules such as forskolin. The gradient profile in this device can be customized by changing the composition or width of the PEG-DA barriers during direct UV photo-patterning within a permanently bonded PDMS device. Primary rat cortical neurons (embryonic E18) exposed to soluble forskolin gradients for 72 h exhibited statistically significant polarization and guidance of their axons. This device provides a useful platform for both chemotaxis and directional guidance studies, particularly for shear sensitive and non-adhesive cell cultures, while allowing fast new device design prototyping at a low cost.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c4lc00162a

  View details for Web of Science ID 000336738900010

  View details for PubMedID 24781157

• One-pot synthesis of elastin-like polypeptide hydrogels with grafted VEGF-mimetic peptides BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE Cai, L., Dinh, C. B., Heilshorn, S. C. 2014; 2 (5): 757-765

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3bm60293a

  View details for Web of Science ID 000333579600017

• A microfluidic-based genetic screen to identify microbial virulence factors that inhibit dendritic cell migration INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY McLaughlin, L. M., Xu, H., Carden, S. E., Fisher, S., Reyes, M., Heilshorn, S. C., Monack, D. M. 2014; 6 (4): 438-449

  Abstract

  Microbial pathogens are able to modulate host cells and evade the immune system by multiple mechanisms. For example, Salmonella injects effector proteins into host cells and evades the host immune system in part by inhibiting dendritic cell (DC) migration. The identification of microbial factors that modulate normal host functions should lead to the development of new classes of therapeutics that target these pathways. Current screening methods to identify either host or pathogen genes involved in modulating migration towards a chemical signal are limited because they do not employ stable, precisely controlled chemical gradients. Here, we develop a positive selection microfluidic-based genetic screen that allows us to identify Salmonella virulence factors that manipulate DC migration within stable, linear chemokine gradients. Our screen identified 7 Salmonella effectors (SseF, SifA, SspH2, SlrP, PipB2, SpiC and SseI) that inhibit DC chemotaxis toward CCL19. This method is widely applicable for identifying novel microbial factors that influence normal host cell chemotaxis as well as revealing new mammalian genes involved in directed cell migration.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3ib40177d

  View details for Web of Science ID 000333331800007

• Design of three-dimensional engineered protein hydrogels for tailored control of neurite growth ACTA BIOMATERIALIA Lampe, K. J., Antaris, A. L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 9 (3): 5590-5599

  Abstract

  The design of bioactive materials allows tailored studies probing cell-biomaterial interactions, however, relatively few studies have examined the effects of ligand density and material stiffness on neurite growth in three-dimensions. Elastin-like proteins (ELPs) have been designed with modular bioactive and structural regions to enable the systematic characterization of design parameters within three-dimensional (3-D) materials. To promote neurite out-growth and better understand the effects of common biomaterial design parameters on neuronal cultures we here focused on the cell-adhesive ligand density and hydrogel stiffness as design variables for ELP hydrogels. With the inherent design freedom of engineered proteins these 3-D ELP hydrogels enabled decoupled investigations into the effects of biomechanics and biochemistry on neurite out-growth from dorsal root ganglia. Increasing the cell-adhesive RGD ligand density from 0 to 1.9×10(7)ligands μm(-3) led to a significant increase in the rate, length, and density of neurite out-growth, as quantified by a high throughput algorithm developed for dense neurite analysis. An approximately two-fold improvement in total neurite out-growth was observed in materials with the higher ligand density at all time points up to 7 days. ELP hydrogels with initial elastic moduli of 0.5, 1.5, or 2.1kPa and identical RGD ligand densities revealed that the most compliant materials led to the greatest out-growth, with some neurites extending over 1800μm by day 7. Given the ability of ELP hydrogels to efficiently promote neurite out-growth within defined and tunable 3-D microenvironments these materials may be useful in developing therapeutic nerve guides and the further study of basic neuron-biomaterial interactions.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2012.10.033

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315536000019

• Protein-Engineered Injectable Hydrogel to Improve Retention of Transplanted Adipose-Derived Stem Cells ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS Parisi-Amon, A., Mulyasasmita, W., Chung, C., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 2 (3): 428-432

  Abstract

  Improved retention of transplanted stem cells is achieved through minimally invasive delivery in MITCH, a mixing-induced two-component hydrogel that was engineered to possess shear-thinning and self-healing thixotropic properties. MITCH, an ideal injectable cell-delivery vehicle, supports 3D stem-cell culture, resulting in high cell viability and physiologically relevant cell morphology.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.201200293

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315899900004

  View details for PubMedID 23184882

• Sequence-Specific Crosslinking of Electrospun, Elastin-Like Protein Preserves Bioactivity and Native-Like Mechanics ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS Benitez, P. L., Sweet, J. A., Fink, H., Chennazhi, K. P., Nair, S. V., Enejder, A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 2 (1): 114-118

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.201200115

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315121900009

• Chemotaxis of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH Huang, N. F., Dewi, R. E., Okogbaa, J., Lee, J. C., Jalilrufaihah, A., Heilshorn, S. C., Cooke, J. P. 2013; 5 (5): 510-U96

  View details for Web of Science ID 000323539100004

• Spontaneous cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryoid bodies regulated by hydrogel crosslink density BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE Chung, C., Pruitt, B. L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 1 (10): 1082-1090

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3bm60139k

  View details for Web of Science ID 000330137700009

• Engineered clathrin nanoreactors provide tunable control over gold nanoparticle synthesis and clustering JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B Schoen, A. P., Huggins, K. N., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 1 (48): 6662-6669

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3tb21145b

  View details for Web of Science ID 000327499100010

• Microfluidic devices for quantifying the role of soluble gradients in early angiogenesis Mechanical and Chemical Signaling in Angiogenesis Benitez, P., Heilshorn, S. C. edited by Reinhart-King, C. A. Heidelberg, Germany, Springer.. 2013: 1
• Spontaneous cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse and embryoid bodies regulated by hydrogel crosslink density. Biomaterials Science Chung, C., Pruitt, B. L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 10 (1): 1082-1090
• Dynamic remodelling of disordered protein aggregates is an alternative pathway to achieve robust self-assembly of nanostructures SOFT MATTER Schoen, A. P., Cordella, N., Mehraeen, S., Arunagirinathan, M. A., Spakowitz, A. J., Heilshorn, S. C. 2013; 9 (38): 9137-9145

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3sm50830g

  View details for Web of Science ID 000324423700012

• Chemotaxis of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells. American journal of translational research Huang, N. F., Dewi, R. E., Okogbaa, J., Lee, J. C., Jalilrufaihah, A., Heilshorn, S. C., Cooke, J. P. 2013; 5 (5): 510-520

  Abstract

  This study examined the homing capacity of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) and their response to chemotactic gradients of stromal derived factor-1α (SDF). We have previously shown that EC derived from murine pluripotent stem cells can home to the ischemic hindlimb of the mouse. In the current study, we were interested to understand if ECs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells are capable of homing. The homing capacity of iPSC-ECs was assessed after systemic delivery into immunodeficient mice with unilateral hindlimb ischemia. Furthermore, the iPSC-ECs were evaluated for their expression of CXCR4 and their ability to respond to SDF chemotactic gradients in vitro. Upon systemic delivery, the iPSC-ECs transiently localized to the lungs but did not home to the ischemic limb over the course of 14 days. To understand the mechanism of the lack of homing, the expression levels of the homing receptor, CXCR4, was examined at the transcriptional and protein levels. Furthermore, their ability to migrate in response to chemokines was assessed using microfluidic and scratch assays. Unlike ECs derived from syngeneic mouse pluripotent stem cells, human iPSC-ECs do not home to the ischemic mouse hindlimb. This lack of functional homing may represent an impairment of interspecies cellular communication or a difference in the differentiation state of the human iPSC-ECs. These results may have important implications in therapeutic delivery of iPSC-ECs.

  View details for PubMedID 23977410

• Tuning colloidal association with specific peptide interactions SOFT MATTER Schoen, A. P., Hommersom, B., Heilshorn, S. C., Leunissen, M. E. 2013; 9 (29): 6781-6785

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3sm50230a

  View details for Web of Science ID 000321273000023

• Complex chemoattractive and chemorepellent Kit signals revealed by direct imaging of murine mast cells in microfluidic gradient chambers INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY Shamloo, A., Manchandia, M., Ferreira, M., Mani, M., Nguyen, C., Jahn, T., Weinberg, K., Heilshorn, S. 2013; 5 (8): 1076-1085

  Abstract

  Besides its cooperating effects on stem cell proliferation and survival, Kit ligand (KL) is a potent chemotactic protein. While transwell assays permit studies of the frequency of migrating cells, the lack of direct visualization precludes dynamic chemotaxis studies. In response, we utilize microfluidic chambers that enable direct observation of murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) within stable KL gradients. Using this system, individual Kit+ BMMC were quantitatively analyzed for migration speed and directionality during KL-induced chemotaxis. Our results indicated a minimum activating threshold of ∼3 ng ml(-1) for chemoattraction. Analysis of cells at KL concentrations below 3 ng ml(-1) revealed a paradoxical chemorepulsion, which has not been described previously. Unlike chemoattraction, which occurred continuously after an initial time lag, chemorepulsion occurred only during the first 90 minutes of observation. Both chemoattraction and chemorepulsion required the action of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), as treatment with pertussis toxin abrogated directed migration. These results differ from previous studies of GPCR-mediated chemotaxis, where chemorepulsion occurred at high ligand concentrations. These data indicate that Kit-mediated chemotaxis is more complex than previously understood, with the involvement of GPCRs in addition to the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase and the presence of both chemoattractive and chemorepellent phases.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3ib40025e

  View details for Web of Science ID 000322076800007

• Engineered Protein Templates Synthesize Inorganic Nanomaterials CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRESS Schoen, A. P., Schoen, D. T., Huggins, K. N., Adhimoolam, A. M., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 108 (12): 47-50

  View details for Web of Science ID 000312283600020

• Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) Phosphonium Chloride as a Covalent Cross-Linking Agent for Cell Encapsulation within Protein-Based Hydrogels BIOMACROMOLECULES Chung, C., Lampe, K. J., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 13 (12): 3912-3916

  Abstract

  Native tissues provide cells with complex, three-dimensional (3D) environments comprised of hydrated networks of extracellular matrix proteins and sugars. By mimicking the dimensionality of native tissue while deconstructing the effects of environmental parameters, protein-based hydrogels serve as attractive, in vitro platforms to investigate cell-matrix interactions. For cell encapsulation, the process of hydrogel formation through physical or covalent cross-linking must be mild and cell compatible. While many chemical cross-linkers are commercially available for hydrogel formation, only a subset are cytocompatible; therefore, the identification of new and reliable cytocompatible cross-linkers allows for greater flexibility of hydrogel design for cell encapsulation applications. Here, we introduce tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) as an inexpensive, amine-reactive, aqueous cross-linker for 3D cell encapsulation in protein-based hydrogels. We characterize the THPC-amine reaction by demonstrating THPC's ability to react with primary and secondary amines of various amino acids. In addition, we demonstrate the utility of THPC to tune hydrogel gelation time (6.7±0.2 to 27±1.2 min) and mechanical properties (storage moduli ?250 Pa to ?2200 Pa) with a recombinant elastin-like protein. Lastly, we show cytocompatibility of THPC for cell encapsulation with two cell types, embryonic stem cells and neuronal cells, where cells exhibited the ability to differentiate and grow in elastin-like protein hydrogels. The primary goal of this communication is to report the identification and utility of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) as an inexpensive but widely applicable cross-linker for protein-based materials.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/bm3015279

  View details for Web of Science ID 000312035000004

  View details for PubMedID 23151175

• Protein-Engineered Biomaterials to Generate Human Skeletal Muscle Mimics ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS Sengupta, D., Gilbert, P. M., Johnson, K. J., Blau, H. M., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 1 (6): 785-789

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adhm.201200195

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315120500014

  View details for PubMedID 23184832

• Multifunctional Materials through Modular Protein Engineering ADVANCED MATERIALS Dimarco, R. L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 24 (29): 3923-3940

  Abstract

  The diversity of potential applications for protein-engineered materials has undergone profound recent expansion through a rapid increase in the library of domains that have been utilized in these materials. Historically, protein-engineered biomaterials have been generated from a handful of peptides that were selected and exploited for their naturally evolved functionalities. In recent years, the scope of the field has drastically expanded to include peptide domains that were designed through computational modeling, identified through high-throughput screening, or repurposed from wild type domains to perform functions distinct from their primary native applications. The strategy of exploiting a diverse library of peptide domains to design modular block copolymers enables the synthesis of multifunctional protein-engineered materials with a range of customizable properties and activities. As the diversity of peptide domains utilized in modular protein engineering continues to expand, a tremendous and ever-growing combinatorial expanse of material functionalities will result.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adma.201200051

  View details for Web of Science ID 000307048200002

  View details for PubMedID 22730248

• Mechanisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Induced Pathfinding by Endothelial Sprouts in Biomaterials TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A Shamloo, A., Xu, H., Heilshorn, S. 2012; 18 (3-4): 320-330

  Abstract

  A critical property of biomaterials for use in regenerative medicine applications is the ability to promote angiogenesis, the formation of new vascular networks, to support regenerating tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that a complex interplay exists between biomechanical and biochemical regulators of endothelial cell sprouting, an early step in angiogenesis. Here, we use a microfluidic platform to study the pathfinding behaviors induced by various stable vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gradients during sprouting morphogenesis within biomaterials. Quantitative, time-lapse analysis of endothelial sprouting demonstrated that the ability of VEGF to regulate sprout orientation during several stages of sprouting morphogenesis (initiation, elongation, and turning navigation) was biomaterial dependent. Identical VEGF gradients induced different types of coordinated cell movements depending on the density of the surrounding collagen/fibronectin matrix. In denser matrices, sprouts were more likely to have an initial orientation aligned parallel to the VEGF gradient. In contrast, in less dense matrices, sprouts were more likely to initially misalign with the VEGF gradient; however, these sprouts underwent significant turning and navigation to eventually reorient to be parallel to the VEGF gradient. These less dense matrices required shallower VEGF gradients and demonstrated lower activating VEGF thresholds to induce proper sprout alignment and pathfinding. These results encourage the future use of microfluidic platforms to probe fundamental aspects of matrix effects on angiogenesis, to screen biomaterials for angiogenic potential, and to design ex vivo tissues with aligned vascular networks.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/ten.tea.2011.0323

  View details for Web of Science ID 000300003300010

  View details for PubMedID 21888475

• The intestinal stem cell markers Bmi1 and Lgr5 identify two functionally distinct populations PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Yan, K. S., Chia, L. A., Li, X., Ootani, A., Su, J., Lee, J. Y., Su, N., Luo, Y., Heilshorn, S. C., Amieva, M. R., Sangiorgi, E., Capecchi, M. R., Kuo, C. J. 2012; 109 (2): 466-471

  Abstract

  The small intestine epithelium undergoes rapid and continuous regeneration supported by crypt intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Bmi1 and Lgr5 have been independently identified to mark long-lived multipotent ISCs by lineage tracing in mice; however, the functional distinctions between these two populations remain undefined. Here, we demonstrate that Bmi1 and Lgr5 mark two functionally distinct ISCs in vivo. Lgr5 marks mitotically active ISCs that exhibit exquisite sensitivity to canonical Wnt modulation, contribute robustly to homeostatic regeneration, and are quantitatively ablated by irradiation. In contrast, Bmi1 marks quiescent ISCs that are insensitive to Wnt perturbations, contribute weakly to homeostatic regeneration, and are resistant to high-dose radiation injury. After irradiation, however, the normally quiescent Bmi1(+) ISCs dramatically proliferate to clonally repopulate multiple contiguous crypts and villi. Clonogenic culture of isolated single Bmi1(+) ISCs yields long-lived self-renewing spheroids of intestinal epithelium that produce Lgr5-expressing cells, thereby establishing a lineage relationship between these two populations in vitro. Taken together, these data provide direct evidence that Bmi1 marks quiescent, injury-inducible reserve ISCs that exhibit striking functional distinctions from Lgr5(+) ISCs and support a model whereby distinct ISC populations facilitate homeostatic vs. injury-induced regeneration.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1118857109

  View details for Web of Science ID 000298950200030

  View details for PubMedID 22190486

• Hydrogel crosslinking density regulates temporal contractility of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in 3D cultures SOFT MATTER Chung, C., Anderson, E., Pera, R. R., Pruitt, B. L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 8 (39): 10141-10148

  Abstract

  Systematically tunable in vitro platforms are invaluable in gaining insight to stem cell-microenvironment interactions in three-dimensional cultures. Utilizing recombinant protein technology, we independently tune hydrogel properties to systematically isolate the effects of matrix crosslinking density on cardiomyocyte differentiation, maturation, and function. We show that contracting human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) remain viable within four engineered elastin-like hydrogels of varying crosslinking densities with elastic moduli ranging from 0.45 to 2.4 kPa. Cardiomyocyte phenotype and function was maintained within hESC embryoid bodies for up to 2 weeks. Interestingly, increased crosslinking density was shown to transiently suspend spontaneous contractility. While encapsulated cells began spontaneous contractions at day 1 in hydrogels of the lowest crosslinking density, onset of contraction was increasingly delayed at higher crosslinking densities up to 6 days. However, once spontaneous contraction was restored, the rate of contraction was similar within all materials (71 ± 8 beats/min). Additionally, all groups successfully responded to electrical pacing at both 1 and 2 Hz. This study demonstrates that encapsulated hESC-CMs respond to 3D matrix crosslinking density within elastin-like hydrogels and stresses the importance of investigating temporal cellular responses in 3D cultures.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c2sm26082d

  View details for Web of Science ID 000308882800024

• Hydrogels from Protein Engineering Biomimetic Approaches for Biomaterials Development Greenwood-Goodwin, M., Heilshorn, S. C. edited by Mano, J. F. Mannheim, Germany, Wiley-VCH Verlag.. 2012: 1
• Engineered Protein Biomaterials. Biomedical Engineering Handbook Parisi-Amon, A., Heilshorn, S. C. edited by Bronzino, J. D., Peterson, D. R., FIsher, J. P. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press. 2012; 4th: 1
• Protein-Engineered Hydrogels. Biomaterials Surface Science Raphel, J., Parisi-Amon, A. P., Heilshorn, S. C. edited by Taubert, A., Mano, J., Rodriquez-Cabello, J. C. Mannheim, Germany, Wiley-VCH Verlag.. 2012: 1
• Photoreactive elastin-like proteins for use as versatile bioactive materials and surface coatings JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY Raphel, J., Parisi-Amon, A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2012; 22 (37): 19429-19437

  Abstract

  Photocrosslinkable, protein-engineered biomaterials combine a rapid, controllable, cytocompatible crosslinking method with a modular design strategy to create a new family of bioactive materials. These materials have a wide range of biomedical applications, including the development of bioactive implant coatings, drug delivery vehicles, and tissue engineering scaffolds. We present the successful functionalization of a bioactive elastin-like protein with photoreactive diazirine moieties. Scalable synthesis is achieved using a standard recombinant protein expression host followed by site-specific modification of lysine residues with a heterobifunctional N-hydroxysuccinimide ester-diazirine crosslinker. The resulting biomaterial is demonstrated to be processable by spin coating, drop casting, soft lithographic patterning, and mold casting to fabricate a variety of two- and three-dimensional photocrosslinked biomaterials with length scales spanning the nanometer to millimeter range. Protein thin films proved to be highly stable over a three-week period. Cell-adhesive functional domains incorporated into the engineered protein materials were shown to remain active post-photo-processing. Human adipose-derived stem cells achieved faster rates of cell adhesion and larger spread areas on thin films of the engineered protein compared to control substrates. The ease and scalability of material production, processing versatility, and modular bioactive functionality make this recombinantly engineered protein an ideal candidate for the development of novel biomaterial coatings, films, and scaffolds.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c2jm31768k

  View details for Web of Science ID 000308099900010

  View details for PubMedID 23015764

• Template Engineering Through Epitope Recognition: A Modular, Biomimetic Strategy for Inorganic Nanomaterial Synthesis JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Schoen, A. P., Schoen, D. T., Huggins, K. N., Arunagirinathan, M. A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2011; 133 (45): 18202-18207

  Abstract

  Natural systems often utilize a single protein to perform multiple functions. Control over functional specificity is achieved through interactions with other proteins at well-defined epitope binding sites to form a variety of functional coassemblies. Inspired by the biological use of epitope recognition to perform diverse yet specific functions, we present a Template Engineering Through Epitope Recognition (TEThER) strategy that takes advantage of noncovalent, molecular recognition to achieve functional versatility from a single protein template. Engineered TEThER peptides span the biologic-inorganic interface and serve as molecular bridges between epitope binding sites on protein templates and selected inorganic materials in a localized, specific, and versatile manner. TEThER peptides are bifunctional sequences designed to noncovalently bind to the protein scaffold and to serve as nucleation sites for inorganic materials. Specifically, we functionalized identical clathrin protein cages through coassembly with designer TEThER peptides to achieve three diverse functions: the bioenabled synthesis of anatase titanium dioxide, cobalt oxide, and gold nanoparticles in aqueous solvents at room temperature and ambient pressure. Compared with previous demonstrations of site-specific inorganic biotemplating, the TEThER strategy relies solely on defined, noncovalent interactions without requiring any genetic or chemical modifications to the biomacromolecular template. Therefore, this general strategy represents a mix-and-match, biomimetic approach that can be broadly applied to other protein templates to achieve versatile and site-specific heteroassemblies of nanoscale biologic-inorganic complexes.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/ja204732n

  View details for Web of Science ID 000297381200043

  View details for PubMedID 21967307

• Molecular-Level Engineering of Protein Physical Hydrogels for Predictive Sol-Gel Phase Behavior BIOMACROMOLECULES Mulyasasmita, W., Lee, J. S., Heilshorn, S. C. 2011; 12 (10): 3406-3411

  Abstract

  Predictable tuning of bulk mechanics from the molecular level remains elusive in many physical hydrogel systems because of the reliance on nonspecific and nonstoichiometric chain interactions for network formation. We describe a mixing-induced two-component hydrogel (MITCH) system, in which network assembly is driven by specific and stoichiometric peptide-peptide binding interactions. By integrating protein science methodologies with a simple polymer physics model, we manipulate the polypeptide binding interactions and demonstrate the direct ability to predict the resulting effects on network cross-linking density, sol-gel phase behavior, and gel mechanics.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/bm200959e

  View details for Web of Science ID 000295602600006

  View details for PubMedID 21861461

• Protein-engineered biomaterials: Nanoscale mimics of the extracellular matrix BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS Romano, N. H., Sengupta, D., Chung, C., Heilshorn, S. C. 2011; 1810 (3): 339-349

  Abstract

  Traditional materials used as in vitro cell culture substrates are rigid and flat surfaces that lack the exquisite nano- and micro-scale features of the in vivo extracellular environment. While these surfaces can be coated with harvested extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to partially recapitulate the bio-instructive nature of the ECM, these harvested proteins often exhibit large batch-to-batch variability and can be difficult to customize for specific biological studies. In contrast, recombinant protein technology can be utilized to synthesize families of 3 dimensional protein-engineered biomaterials that are cyto-compatible, reproducible, and fully customizable.Here we describe a modular design strategy to synthesize protein-engineered biomaterials that fuse together multiple repeats of nanoscale peptide design motifs into full-length engineered ECM mimics.Due to the molecular-level precision of recombinant protein synthesis, these biomaterials can be tailored to include a variety of bio-instructional ligands at specified densities, to exhibit mechanical properties that match those of native tissue, and to include proteolytic target sites that enable cell-triggered scaffold remodeling. Furthermore, these biomaterials can be processed into forms that are injectable for minimally-invasive delivery or spatially patterned to enable the release of multiple drugs with distinct release kinetics.Given the reproducibility and flexibility of these protein-engineered biomaterials, they are ideal substrates for reductionist biological studies of cell-matrix interactions, for in vitro models of physiological processes, and for bio-instructive scaffolds in regenerative medicine therapies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Nanotechnologies - Emerging Applications in Biomedicine.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bbagen.2010.07.005

  View details for Web of Science ID 000287470900012

  View details for PubMedID 20647034

• Vacuum soft lithography to direct neuronal polarization SOFT MATTER Nevill, J. T., Mo, A., Cord, B. J., Palmer, T. D., Poo, M., Lee, L. P., Heilshorn, S. C. 2011; 7 (2): 343-347

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c0sm00869a

  View details for Web of Science ID 000286110900005

• Protein-Engineered Biomaterials: Synthesis and Characterization. Comprehensive Biomaterials. Mulyasasmita, W., Heilshorn, S. C. edited by Ducheyne, P., Healy, K., Hutmacher, D. W. Oxford, UK, Elsevier Science.. 2011: 1
• High Speed Water Sterilization Using One-Dimensional Nanostructures NANO LETTERS Schoen, D. T., Schoen, A. P., Hu, L., Kim, H. S., Heilshorn, S. C., Cui, Y. 2010; 10 (9): 3628-3632

  Abstract

  The removal of bacteria and other organisms from water is an extremely important process, not only for drinking and sanitation but also industrially as biofouling is a commonplace and serious problem. We here present a textile based multiscale device for the high speed electrical sterilization of water using silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and cotton. This approach, which combines several materials spanning three very different length scales with simple dying based fabrication, makes a gravity fed device operating at 100000 L/(h m(2)) which can inactivate >98% of bacteria with only several seconds of total incubation time. This excellent performance is enabled by the use of an electrical mechanism rather than size exclusion, while the very high surface area of the device coupled with large electric field concentrations near the silver nanowire tips allows for effective bacterial inactivation.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/nl101944e

  View details for Web of Science ID 000281498200068

  View details for PubMedID 20726518

• Protein-Engineered Biomaterials: Highly Tunable Tissue Engineering Scaffolds TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS Sengupta, D., Heilshorn, S. C. 2010; 16 (3): 285-293

  Abstract

  A common goal in tissue engineering is to attain the ability to tailor specific cell-scaffold interactions and thereby gain control over cell behavior. The tunable nature of protein-engineered biomaterials enables independent tailoring of a range of biomaterial properties, creating an attractive alternative to synthetic polymeric scaffolds or harvested natural scaffolds. Protein-engineered biomaterials are comprised of modular peptide domains with various functionalities that are encoded into a DNA plasmid, transfected into an organism of choice, and expressed and purified to yield a biopolymer with exact molecular-level sequence specification. Because of the modular design strategy of protein-engineered biomaterials, these scaffolds can be easily modified to enable optimization for specific tissue engineering applications. By including multiple peptide domains with different functionalities in a single, modular biomaterial, the scaffolds can be designed to mimic the diverse properties of the natural extracellular matrix, including cell adhesion, cell signaling, elasticity, and biodegradability. Recently, the field of protein-engineered biomaterials has expanded to include functional modules that are not normally present in the extracellular matrix, thus expanding the scope and functionality of these materials. For example, these modules can include noncanonical amino acids, inorganic-binding domains, and DNA-binding sequences. The modularity, tunability, and sequence specificity of protein-engineered biomaterials make them attractive candidates for use as substrates for a variety of tissue engineering applications.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/ten.teb.2009.0591

  View details for Web of Science ID 000278640000002

  View details for PubMedID 20141386

• Local and Long-Range Reciprocal Regulation of cAMP and cGMP in Axon/Dendrite Formation SCIENCE Shelly, M., Lim, B. K., Cancedda, L., Heilshorn, S. C., Gao, H., Poo, M. 2010; 327 (5965): 547-552

  Abstract

  Cytosolic cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) often mediate antagonistic cellular actions of extracellular factors, from the regulation of ion channels to cell volume control and axon guidance. We found that localized cAMP and cGMP activities in undifferentiated neurites of cultured hippocampal neurons promote and suppress axon formation, respectively, and exert opposite effects on dendrite formation. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging showed that alterations of the amount of cAMP resulted in opposite changes in the amount of cGMP, and vice versa, through the activation of specific phosphodiesterases and protein kinases. Local elevation of cAMP in one neurite resulted in cAMP reduction in all other neurites of the same neuron. Thus, local and long-range reciprocal regulation of cAMP and cGMP together ensures coordinated development of one axon and multiple dendrites.

  View details for DOI 10.1126/science.1179735

  View details for Web of Science ID 000274020500029

  View details for PubMedID 20110498

• Matrix density mediates polarization and lumen formation of endothelial sprouts in VEGF gradients LAB ON A CHIP Shamloo, A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2010; 10 (22): 3061-3068

  Abstract

  Endothelial cell (EC) sprouting morphogenesis is a critical step during angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from existing conduits. Here, three-dimensional sprouting morphogenesis was examined using in vitro microfluidic devices that enabled the separate and simultaneous tuning of biomechanical and soluble biochemical stimuli. Quantitative analysis of endothelial sprout formation demonstrated that the ability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to regulate stable sprout formation was mediated by the density of the surrounding collagen/fibronectin matrix. The coordinated migration and proliferation of multiple ECs to form stable sprouts were enhanced at intermediate matrix densities (1.2-1.9 mg ml(-1)), while lower densities resulted in uncoordinated migration (0.3-0.7 mg ml(-1)) and higher densities resulted in broad cell clusters that did not elongate (2.7 mg ml(-1)). Within the permissive range of matrix biomechanics, higher density matrices resulted in shorter, thicker, and slower-growing sprouts. The sprouts in higher density matrices also were more likely to polarize towards higher VEGF concentrations, included more cells per cross-sectional area, and demonstrated more stable lumen formation compared to sprouts in lower density matrices. These results quantitatively demonstrate that matrix density mediates VEGF-induced sprout polarization and lumen formation, potentially by regulating the balance between EC migration rate and proliferation rate.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c005069e

  View details for Web of Science ID 000283600900006

  View details for PubMedID 20820484

• Protein Engineered Biomaterials. Protein Engineering. Wong, C. P., Heilshorn, S. C. edited by Park, S. J., Cochran, J. R. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press. 2010: 1
• The Interplay between Biomechanical and Biochemical Factors Regulates Lumen Formation and Navigation of Endothelial Cell Sprouts PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASME SUMMER BIOENGINEERING CONFERENCE, 2010 Shamloo, A., Heilshorn, S. C. 2010: 429-430

  View details for Web of Science ID 000290705300215

• Biomaterial Design Strategies for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA Straley, K. S., Foo, C. W., Heilshorn, S. C. 2010; 27 (1): 1-19

  Abstract

  The highly debilitating nature of spinal cord injuries has provided much inspiration for the design of novel biomaterials that can stimulate cellular regeneration and functional recovery. Many experts agree that the greatest hope for treatment of spinal cord injuries will involve a combinatorial approach that integrates biomaterial scaffolds, cell transplantation, and molecule delivery. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of biomaterial-scaffold design strategies currently being applied to the development of nerve guidance channels and hydrogels that more effectively stimulate spinal cord tissue regeneration. To enhance the regenerative capacity of these two scaffold types, researchers are focusing on optimizing the mechanical properties, cell-adhesivity, biodegradability, electrical activity, and topography of synthetic and natural materials, and are developing mechanisms to use these scaffolds to deliver cells and biomolecules. Developing scaffolds that address several of these key design parameters will lead to more successful therapies for the regeneration of spinal cord tissue.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/neu.2009.0948

  View details for Web of Science ID 000273983200001

  View details for PubMedID 19698073

• Dynamic, 3D-Pattern Formation Within Enzyme-Responsive Hydrogels ADVANCED MATERIALS Straley, K. S., Heilshorn, S. C. 2009; 21 (41): 4148-?

  View details for DOI 10.1002/adma.200901865

  View details for Web of Science ID 000272110000012

• Gradient lithography of engineered proteins to fabricate 2D and 3D cell culture micro environments BIOMEDICAL MICRODEVICES Wang, S., Foo, C. W., Warrier, A., Poo, M., Heilshorn, S. C., Zhang, X. 2009; 11 (5): 1127-1134

  Abstract

  Spatial patterning of proteins is a valuable technique for many biological applications and is the prevailing tool for defining microenvironments for cells in culture, a required procedure in developmental biology and tissue engineering research. However, it is still challenging to achieve protein patterns that closely mimic native microenvironments, such as gradient protein distributions with desirable mechanical properties. By combining projection dynamic mask lithography and protein engineering with non-canonical photosensitive amino acids, we demonstrate a simple, scalable strategy to fabricate any user-defined 2D or 3D stable gradient pattern with complex geometries from an artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) protein. We show that the elastic modulus and chemical nature of the gradient profile are biocompatible and allow useful applications in cell biological research.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10544-009-9329-1

  View details for Web of Science ID 000270679400019

  View details for PubMedID 19495986

• Formation and properties of magnetic chains for 100nm nanoparticles used in separations of molecules and cells Wilson, R. J., Hu, W., Fu, C. W., Koh, A. L., Gaster, R. S., Earhart, C. M., Fu, A., Heilshorn, S. C., Sinclair, R., Wang, S. X. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2009: 1452-1458

  Abstract

  Optical observations of 100 nm metallic magnetic nanoparticles are used to study their magnetic field induced self assembly. Chains with lengths of tens of microns are observed to form within minutes at nanoparticle concentrations of 10(10) per mL. Chain rotation and magnetophoresis are readily observed, and SEM reveals that long chains are not simple single particle filaments. Similar chains are detected for several 100 nm commercial bio-separation nanoparticles. We demonstrate the staged magnetic condensation of different types of nanoparticles into composite structures and show that magnetic chains bind to immunomagnetically labeled cells, serving as temporary handles which allow novel magnetic cell manipulations.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jmmm.2009.02.066

  View details for Web of Science ID 000265278000028

  View details for PubMedID 20161001

• Designer Protein-Based Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering Straley, K., Heilshorn, S. C. IEEE. 2009: 2101-2102

  Abstract

  A key attribute missing from many current biomaterials is the ability to independently tune multiple biomaterial properties without simultaneously affecting other material parameters. Because cells are well known to respond to changes in the initial elastic modulus, degradation rate, and cell adhesivity of a biomaterial, it is critical to develop synthetic design strategies that allow decoupled tailoring of each individual parameter in order to systematically optimize cell-scaffold interactions. We present the development of a family of biomimetic scaffolds composed of chemically crosslinked, elastin-like proteins designed to support neural regeneration through a combination of cell adhesion and cell-induced degradation and remodeling. Through use of a modular protein-design strategy, a range of biomaterials is created that allows independent tuning over the initial elastic modulus, degradation rate, cell adhesivity, and neurite outgrowth. By combining these engineered proteins into composite structures, biomaterials are created with 3D patterns that emerge over time in response to cell-secreted enzymes. These dynamic 3D structures enable the delivery of multiple drugs with precise spatial and temporal resolution and also enable the design of biomaterials that adapt to changing scaffold needs.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000280543601259

  View details for PubMedID 19964779

• Independent tuning of multiple biomaterial properties using protein engineering SOFT MATTER Straley, K. S., Heilshorn, S. C. 2009; 5 (1): 114-124

  View details for DOI 10.1039/b808504h

  View details for Web of Science ID 000263272100015

• Design and adsorption of modular engineered proteins to prepare customized, neuron-compatible coatings. Frontiers in neuroengineering Straley, K. S., Heilshorn, S. C. 2009; 2: 9-?

  Abstract

  Neural prosthetic implants are currently being developed for the treatment and study of both peripheral and central nervous system disorders. Effective integration of these devices upon implantation is a critical hurdle to achieving function. As a result, much attention has been directed towards the development of biocompatible coatings that prolong their in vivo lifespan. In this work, we present a novel approach to fabricate such coatings, which specifically involves the use of surface-adsorbed, nanoscale-designed protein polymers to prepare reproducible, customized surfaces. A nanoscale modular design strategy was employed to synthesize six engineered, recombinant proteins intended to mimic aspects of the extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin, laminin, and elastin as well as the cell-cell adhesive protein neural cell adhesion molecule. Physical adsorption isotherms were experimentally determined for these engineered proteins, allowing for direct calculation of the available ligand density present on coated surfaces. As confirmation that ligand density in these engineered systems impacts neuronal cell behavior, we demonstrate that increasing the density of fibronectin-derived RGD ligands on coated surfaces while maintaining uniform protein surface coverage results in enhanced neurite extension of PC-12 cells. Therefore, this engineered protein adsorption approach allows for the facile preparation of tunable, quantifiable, and reproducible surfaces for in vitro studies of cell-ligand interactions and for potential application as coatings on neural implants.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/neuro.16.009.2009

  View details for PubMedID 19562090

• Endothelial cell polarization and chemotaxis in a microfluidic device LAB ON A CHIP Shamloo, A., Ma, N., Poo, M., Sohn, L. L., Heilshorn, S. C. 2008; 8 (8): 1292-1299

  Abstract

  The directed migration of endothelial cells is an early and critical step in angiogenesis, or new blood vessel formation. In this study, the polarization and chemotaxis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in response to quantified gradients of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined. To accomplish this, a microfluidic device was designed and fabricated to generate stable concentration gradients of biomolecules in a cell culture chamber while minimizing the fluid shear stress experienced by the cells. Finite element simulation of the device geometry produced excellent agreement with the observed VEGF concentration distribution, which was found to be stable across multiple hours. This device is expected to have wide applicability in the study of shear-sensitive cells such as HUVEC and non-adherent cell types as well as in the study of migration through three-dimensional matrices. HUVEC were observed to chemotax towards higher VEGF concentrations across the entire range of concentrations studied (18-32 ng mL(-1)) when the concentration gradient was 14 ng mL(-1) mm(-1). In contrast, shallow gradients (2 ng mL(-1) mm(-1)) across the same concentration range were unable to induce HUVEC chemotaxis. Furthermore, while all HUVEC exposed to elevated VEGF levels (both in steep and shallow gradients) displayed an increased number of filopodia, only chemotaxing HUVEC displayed an asymmetric distribution of filopodia, with enhanced numbers of protrusions present along the leading edge. These results suggest a two-part requirement to induce VEGF chemotaxis: the VEGF absolute concentration enhances the total number of filopodia extended while the VEGF gradient steepness induces filopodia localization, cell polarization, and subsequent directed migration.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/b719788h

  View details for Web of Science ID 000258572400009

  View details for PubMedID 18651071

• LKB1/STRAD promotes axon initiation during neuronal polarization CELL Shelly, M., Cancedda, L., Heilshorn, S., Sumbre, G., Poo, M. 2007; 129 (3): 565-577

  Abstract

  Axon/dendrite differentiation is a critical step in neuronal development. In cultured hippocampal neurons, the accumulation of LKB1 and STRAD, two interacting proteins critical for establishing epithelial polarity, in an undifferentiated neurite correlates with its subsequent axon differentiation. Downregulation of either LKB1 or STRAD by siRNAs prevented axon differentiation, and overexpression of these proteins led to multiple axon formation. Furthermore, interaction of STRAD with LKB1 promoted LKB1 phosphorylation at a PKA site S431 and elevated the LKB1 level, and overexpressing LKB1 with a serine-to-alanine mutation at S431 (LKB1(S431A)) prevented axon differentiation. In developing cortical neurons in vivo, downregulation of LKB1 or overexpression of LKB1(S431A) also abolished axon formation. Finally, local exposure of the undifferentiated neurite to brain-derived neurotrophic factor or dibutyryl-cAMP promoted axon differentiation in a manner that depended on PKA-dependent LKB1 phosphorylation. Thus local LKB1/STRAD accumulation and PKA-dependent LKB1 phosphorylation represents an early signal for axon initiation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2007.04.012

  View details for Web of Science ID 000246373600022

  View details for PubMedID 17482549

• Lithographic patterning of photoreactive cell-adhesive proteins JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY Carrico, I. S., Maskarinec, S. A., Heilshorn, S. C., Mock, M. L., Liu, J. C., Nowatzki, P. J., Franck, C., Ravichandran, G., Tirrell, D. A. 2007; 129 (16): 4874-?

  View details for DOI 10.1021/ja070200b

  View details for Web of Science ID 000245782800009

  View details for PubMedID 17397163

• Cell-binding domain context affects cell behavior on engineered proteins BIOMACROMOLECULES Heilshorn, S. C., Liu, J. C., Tirrell, D. A. 2005; 6 (1): 318-323

  Abstract

  A family of artificial extracellular matrix proteins developed for application in small-diameter vascular grafts is used to examine the importance of cell-binding domain context on cell adhesion and spreading. The engineered protein sequences are derived from the naturally occurring extracellular matrix proteins elastin and fibronectin. While each engineered protein contains identical CS5 cell-binding domain sequences, the lysine residues that serve as cross-linking sites are either (i) within the elastin cassettes or (ii) confined to the ends of the protein. Endothelial cells adhere specifically to the CS5 sequence in both of these proteins, but cell adhesion and spreading are more robust on proteins in which the lysine residues are confined to the terminal regions of the chain. These results may be due to altered protein conformations that affect either the accessibility of the CS5 sequence or its affinity for the alpha(4)beta(1) integrin receptor on the endothelial cell surface. Amino acid choice outside the cell-binding domain can thus have a significant impact on the behavior of cells cultured on artificial extracellular matrix proteins.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/bm049627q

  View details for Web of Science ID 000226344300041

  View details for PubMedID 15638535

• Comparative cell response to artificial extracellular matrix proteins containing the RGD and CS5 cell-binding domains BIOMACROMOLECULES Liu, J. C., Heilshorn, S. C., Tirrell, D. A. 2004; 5 (2): 497-504

  Abstract

  This study addresses endothelial cell adhesion and spreading on a family of artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) proteins designed for application in small-diameter vascular grafts. The aECM proteins contain domains derived from elastin and from fibronectin. aECM 1 contains the RGD sequence from the tenth type III domain of fibronectin; aECM 3 contains the fibronectin CS5 cell-binding domain. Negative control proteins aECM 2 and 4 are scrambled versions of aECM 1 and 3, respectively. Competitive peptide inhibition studies and comparisons of positive and negative control proteins confirm that adhesion of HUVECs to aECM proteins 1 and 3 is sequence specific. When subjected to a normal detachment force of 780 pN, 3-fold more HUVECs remained adherent to aECM 1 than to aECM 3. HUVECs also spread more rapidly on aECM 1 than on aECM 3. These results (i) indicate that cellular responses to aECM proteins can be modulated through choice of cell-binding domain and (ii) recommend the RGD sequence for applications that require rapid endothelial cell spreading and matrix adhesion.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/bm034340z

  View details for Web of Science ID 000220109200032

  View details for PubMedID 15003012

• Endothelial cell adhesion to the fibronectin CS5 domain in artificial extracellular matrix proteins BIOMATERIALS Heilshorn, S. C., DiZio, K. A., Welsh, E. R., Tirrell, D. A. 2003; 24 (23): 4245-4252

  Abstract

  This study examines the spreading and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) proteins containing sequences derived from elastin and fibronectin. Three aECM variants were studied: aECM 1 contains lysine residues periodically spaced within the protein sequence and three repeats of the CS5 domain of fibronectin, aECM 2 contains periodically spaced lysines and three repeats of a scrambled CS5 sequence, and aECM 3 contains lysines at the protein termini and five CS5 repeats. Comparative cell binding and peptide inhibition assays confirm that the tetrapeptide sequence REDV is responsible for HUVEC adhesion to aECM proteins that contain the CS5 domain. Furthermore, more than 60% of adherent HUVEC were retained on aECM 1 after exposure to physiologically relevant shear stresses (

  View details for DOI 10.1016/S0142-9612(03)00294-1

  View details for Web of Science ID 000184239500017

  View details for PubMedID 12853256

• Liquid personal cleansing compositions which contain a  complex coacervate for improved sensory perception Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company. Glenn, R. W., Sine, M. R., Evans, M. D., Carethers, M. E., Heilshorn, S. C. 2000