Browsing by Author "João N. Ferreira"

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    Bioprinting Strategies for Secretory Epithelial Organoids
    (2020-01-01) Ganokon Urkasemsin; Sasitorn Rungarunlert; João N. Ferreira; Chulalongkorn University; National University of Singapore; Mahidol University
    © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. Novel three-dimensional (3D) biofabrication platforms can allow magnetic 3D bioprinting (M3DB) by using magnetic nanoparticles to tag cells and then spatially arrange them in 3D around magnet dots. Here, we report an M3DB methodology to generate salivary gland-like epithelial organoids from stem cells. These organoids possess a neuronal network that responds to saliva neurostimulants.
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    Engineering innervated secretory epithelial organoids by magnetic three-dimensional bioprinting for stimulating epithelial growth in salivary glands
    (2018-10-01) Christabella Adine; Kiaw K. Ng; Sasitorn Rungarunlert; Glauco R. Souza; João N. Ferreira; National University of Singapore, Faculty of Dentistry; Chulalongkorn University; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; Mahidol University; Nano3D Biosciences
    © 2018 Elsevier Ltd Current saliva-based stimulation therapies for radiotherapy-induced xerostomia are not fully effective due to the presence of damaged secretory epithelia and nerves in the salivary gland (SG). Hence, three-dimensional bio-engineered organoids are essential to regenerate the damaged SG. Herein, a recently validated three-dimensional (3D) biofabrication system, the magnetic 3D bioprinting (M3DB), is tested to generate innervated secretory epithelial organoids from a neural crest-derived mesenchymal stem cell, the human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC). Cells are tagged with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and spatially arranged with magnet dots to generate 3D spheroids. Next, a SG epithelial differentiation stage was completed with fibroblast growth factor 10 (4–400 ng/ml) to recapitulate SG epithelial morphogenesis and neurogenesis. The SG organoids were then transplanted into ex vivo model to evaluate their epithelial growth and innervation. M3DB-formed spheroids exhibited both high cell viability rate (>90%) and stable ATP intracellular activity compared to MNP-free spheroids. After differentiation, spheroids expressed SG epithelial compartments including secretory epithelial, ductal, myoepithelial, and neuronal. Fabricated organoids also produced salivary α-amylase upon FGF10 stimulation, and intracellular calcium mobilization and trans-epithelial resistance was elicited upon neurostimulation with different neurotransmitters. After transplantation, the SG-like organoids significantly stimulated epithelial and neuronal growth in damaged SG. It is the first time bio-functional innervated SG-like organoids are bioprinted. Thus, this is an important step towards SG regeneration and the treatment of radiotherapy-induced xerostomia.
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    Interactions between developing nerves and salivary glands
    (2013-01-01) João N. Ferreira; Matthew P. Hoffman; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; Mahidol University
    Our aim is to provide a summary of the field of salivary gland development and regeneration from the perspective of what is known about the function of nerves during these processes. The primary function of adult salivary glands is to produce and secrete saliva. Neuronal control of adult salivary gland function has been a focus of research ever since Pavlov's seminal experiments on salivation in dogs. Less is known about salivary gland innervation during development and how the developing nerves influence gland organogenesis and regeneration. Here, we will review what is known about the communication between the autonomic nervous system and the epithelium of the salivary glands during organogenesis. An important emerging theme is the instructive role of the nervous system on the epithelial stem/progenitor cells during development as well as regeneration after damage. We will provide a brief overview of the neuroanatomy of the salivary glands and discuss recent literature that begins to integrate neurobiology with epithelial organogenesis, which may provide paradigms for exploring these interactions in other organ systems. © 2013 Landes Bioscience.