Applications of stem cells and bioprinting for potential treatment of diabetes

Shweta Anil Kumar, Monica Delgado, Victor E Mendez, Binata Joddar

Abstract Currently, there does not exist a strategy that can reduce diabetes and scientists are working towards a cure and innovative approaches by employing stem cellbased therapies. On the other hand, bioprinting technology is a novel therapeutic approach that aims to replace the diseased or lost β-cells, insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas, which can potentially regenerate damaged organs such as the pancreas. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell lines including insulinproducing cells. However, there are still barriers that hamper the successful differentiation of stem cells into β-cells. In this review, we focus on the potential applications of stem cell research and bioprinting that may be targeted towards replacing the β-cells in the pancreas and may offer approaches towards treatment of diabetes. This review emphasizes on the applicability of employing both stem cells and other cells in 3D bioprinting to generate substitutes for diseased β-cells and recover lost pancreatic functions. The article then proceeds to discuss the overall research done in the field of stem cell-based bioprinting and provides future directions for improving the same for potential applications in diabetic research.

Key words: Bioprinting; Tissue engineering; Pluripotent stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cells; Human embryonic stem; Adult human liver cells; β-cells; Islet cells; Biomaterials;Bioink; Stem cell; Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes has become a major cause of concern owing to its serious repercussions health and its increasing occurrence at alarming rates. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people with diabetes rose to 422 million and caused 1.6 million deaths in the recent past. Diabetes, a non-communicable disease, is considered as a huge economic burden, for instance in 2010, approximately $376 billion dollars were used to treat and prevent the disease and its complications[1,2]. Over time,diabetes can permanently damage the body organs and is the major cause of kidney failures, heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and lower limb amputations[1,3]. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that can be divided into two main etiopathogenetic categories: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), which is the autoimmune destruction of insulin in the pancreas and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which occurs when the body uses insulin ineffectively[1].

T1DM, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, is identified by serological evidence and is most commonly found in infants and children[4]. T1DM is a metabolic disease characterized by the autoimmune destruction of islet beta cells (β-cells) and their secretory functions that result in a deficiency of insulin production[5](Figure 1A).T1DM involves genetic factors such as human leukocytes, antigen class II genes and environmental factors that initiate autoimmunity[6]. The pathogenesis of T1DM is caused by cellular and humoral immune pathways where CD8+T lymphocytes kill βcells[1]. T1DM patients do not produce insulin and exogenous insulin administration is required to mimic insulin release to control glucose levels during mealtimes. Patients with T1DM have been treated with immunosuppressant agents in the past, but this type of treatment does not maintain the function of β-cells rendering insulin replacement therapy as the only treatment effective for the restoration of metabolic disturbances in T1DM patients. The treatment for T1DM requires administering a long acting insulin dosage (once or twice a day with each meal)[7]. Furthermore,treatment for T1DM is based on a rigorous monitoring of blood glucose levels and intravenous insulin injections. The management of T1DM requires significant patient compliance, which is associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia.

T2DM or adult-onset diabetes is a more prevalent category caused by a combination of insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretory responses and functions[1,4](Figure 1B). T2DM is asymptomatic as its progression causes hyperglycemia, which triggers pathological and functional changes in target tissues.Patients with T2DM and T1DM are at risk of developing micro- and macro-vascular complications[8-13]. These are associated with atherosclerotic disease affecting arteries that supply blood to the heart and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in which death from myocardial infarction and strokes is the leading cause of mortality in T1DM and T2DM patients[2,14]. Patients with T2DM are subjected to a non-insulinbased therapy and in some patients with T2DM; the insulin requirements are similar to those with T1DM necessitating daily injections for long-acting insulin during mealtimes[15].

Researchers have intensely studied diabetes and have decades of experience investigating means to replace β-cells of the pancreas that are destroyed by the immune system. Current procedures involve allotransplantation, which requires passing a catheter through the liver, involving high risks of bleeding and blood clots,and is categorized under extremely invasive surgeries[16]. A very common treatment for diabetes is the transplantation of the pancreas, but an extreme shortage of donors still exists[9]. According to United Network for Organ Sharing, a person is added to the national transplant waiting list every ten minutes. Moreover, the other hurdles related to pancreas and islet transplantation are associated with alloimmune responses[9,16].

Figure 1 Schematic representation differentiating between normal and diabetic (Type 1 and Type 2) pancreas.

Current treatment strategies have not been able to successfully maintain or replace the function of β-cells, thereby seeking alternative therapies such as regenerative medicine using stem cells, in combination with bioprinting technologies to cure and diminish the health challenges of diabetes. The efficacy of combining stem cells and additive manufacturing in the field of regenerative medicine has been established in prior studies and has prompted further research for scientists, worldwide. This review discusses stem cell-based therapies and the applications of bioprinting in regenerative medicine, which can be directed towards strategizing potential treatments for regenerating the pancreas affected during diabetes, either in part or as a whole.

STEM CELL-BASED THERAPIES

The main goal of diabetes therapy is to attain normoglycemia through the replacement of the diseased or lost cells of the pancreas with new cells. Scientists have attained success in producing insulin-secreting cells from different types of cells. This section focuses on the current types of stem cell research to treat diabetes and past research relating to novel applications of stem cell therapies for diabetes.

Stem cell-based therapy

Induced pluripotent stem cells:Ever since Takahashi et al[17]demonstrated that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could be generated from differentiated somatic cells through the reprogramming of adult and embryonic mouse fibroblasts by transfecting the cells with plasmids, they have opened up a possibility for replacement in cell-based therapy. iPSCs are also favored for their capacity to selfrenew infinitely and their potential for differentiation into a wide variety of cell types[18]. The maintenance of undifferentiated iPSCs as cell lines holds great promise for modeling diseases and to generate personalized stem cells for cell therapies[19].According to studies done by Alipio et al[20], hyperglycemia in diabetic mice was found to be controlled by mouse skin fibroblast-derived iPSCs that differentiated into β-like cells, which were morphologically identical to normal, endogenous cells that secreted insulin. Mature pancreatic cells that had the ability to secrete insulin and C-peptide were generated by the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and iPSCs[21]. Patients suffering from T1DM and T2DM diabetes were employed as sources to produce iPSCs[22]. In vitro production of insulin-secreting cells was also achieved by the directed differentiation of iPSCs using small molecules and growth factors in the culture[23]. The primary advantages of employing iPSCs are that they do not present ethical concerns and only pose a low risk of teratoma formations[24]. However, the reprogramming of somatic cells into iPSCs achieved with the aid of viral transfection of transcription factors requires the use of genomes[25]. These genomes are harmful as they can trigger mutations and hamper the normal function of iPSCs and their ability to differentiate, in addition to causing the formation of tumors[25].

Mesenchymal stem cells:The method for isolating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)from the rat bone marrow was first described by Friedenstein as explained in previous studies[26]. Although the bone marrow is the richest source of MSCs[27-29], they have also been successfully isolated from adipose tissues[30,31], fetal liver[32], umbilical cord and its blood[33,34], fibroblasts[35], endometrium[36], placenta[37], trabecular and compact bone[38]. MSCs have been found to be able to differentiate into mesodermal,endodermal and ectodermal cells under suitable culture conditions[39]. MSCs are suitable for the regeneration of tissues, as they do not result in teratoma formation[39].Other advantages of using MSCs for stem cell-based therapy include the ease of isolation, expansion to large quantities and their multipotential differentiation capacity[40]. In addition, their ability to circumvent immune recognition and inhibit immune responses also makes them ideal candidates for immunomodulatory cell therapy in immune-mediated diseases[41].

According to studies performed by Xu et al[42], the direct injection of MSCs into the pancreas had helped alleviate diabetes symptoms by improving the metabolic control in animal models, counteracting autoimmunity, enhancing islet engraftment and survival, besides serving as a source of growth factors and cytokines. Direct injection of MSCs has not only been found to be effective in improving the functions of the pancreas but also healed related symptoms like diabetic foot and neuropathy[43]. The main limitation posed by MSCs is their potential to differentiate into unwanted mesenchymal lineages, which can be detrimental to their therapeutic applications[44].The possibility of malignant transformations and cytogenetic aberrations of MSCs may also considered drawbacks[44]. Results of some MSCs clinical trials in T1DM are shown in Table 1[45-51].

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs):hESCs are characterized by properties such as pluripotency of gene expression, self-renewal ability, and high proliferative capacity[52,53]thereby making them a valuable treatment option in all types of medicine. Numerous in vivo and in vitro differentiation strategies have been adopted for the production of functional pancreatic islets. Generally, hESCs are initially harvested from the inner cell mass of the blastula post fertilization when the cells are still capable of differentiation into all types of germ layers and there is a high level of telomerase activity[52]. This is followed by the differentiation of the hESCs into definitive endoderm, which further undergo differentiation into functional β-cells,through a chain of endodermal intermediates[54,55]. These techniques cause the hESCs to be exposed to specific transcription factors that can facilitate coordinated activation and inhibit intracellular signaling pathways. Although cell signaling and epigenetic factors involved in the differentiation process remain to be studied and understood,the detection of markers such as pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene 1 (PDx1),insulin gene enhancer protein (Isl-1), and Forkhead box protein A2 validate the endodermic differentiation into endocrine and exocrine pancreatic β-cells[56,57].

Non-stem cell-based therapy

Adult human liver cells: The liver has been extensively studied as a potential source for pancreatic β-cells that can help cure diabetes. It has an added advantage over other organs as it has been derived from the endoderm along with the pancreas[58,59]. A comprehensive developmental shift of adult human liver cells into insulin-producing cells was induced with the help of PDx1 and other soluble factors[59]. Studies conducted by Yang et al[60]provide evidence that purified adult rat hepatic oval‘‘stem’’ cells transdifferentiate into pancreatic endocrine hormone-producing cells when subjected to culture in a high-glucose environment. These differentiated cells then self-assemble forming three-dimensional islet cell-like clusters that express pancreatic islet cell differentiation-related transcripts which can be validated by reverse transcription-PCR/nested PC and islet-specific hormones detectable by immunohistochemistry[60]. Hepatic oval cell activation through hepatic transdifferentiation and pancreatic islet regeneration was also successfully reversed for streptozotocin-induced diabetes[61]. Although these methods differed in terms of their approaches, they were successful in ameliorating hyperglycemia in the mouse models. This further led to a search for alternate pancreatic sources of insulin as can be seen from the studies conducted by Zalzman et al[62], which demonstrated the reversal of hyperglycemia in mice by employing human expandable insulin-producing cells that were generated by the differentiation of fetal liver progenitor cells .

Table 1 Results of some mesenchymal stem cells clinical trials in diabetes mellitus type 1[45]

β-cells:The pancreas is the first choice for harvesting potential stem cells for the treatment of diabetes[63]. Bonner-Weir et al[63]demonstrated through their experiments that the availability of small amounts of pancreatic tissue could help to restore the maximum pancreatic β-cell mass. This has been attributed to the replication and dedifferentiation of differentiated β-cells of the pancreatic ducts, which in turn triggers the production of more β-cells. Further studies conducted showed that these ductal cell populations could be cultivated and directed into forming cell-clusters secreting insulin[63,64]. A clonal population of adult pancreatic precursor cells, that had the ability to produce both insulin and C-peptide, were generated from ductal cells by Seaberg et al[65]. Although there were debates in the past about the existence of pancreatic adult stem cells despite their progress and potential, strong evidence indicating that the pancreatic ducts of mice contained multipotent progenitor stem cells, which could generate new β-cells, was given by Xu et al[66]. However, more research needs to be done for the promotion of β-cell formation in diabetic patients by finding and activating pancreatic stem cells. This necessitates the development of better experimental strategies to come up with suitable methods to overcome the issues of isolation and ex-vivo expansion of these stem cells for transplantation.

Islet cells:The pancreatic islets, also termed, as the islets of Langerhans, constitute regions of the pancreas that contain the hormone-producing cells (endocrine cells)and were first described by Paul Langerhans in 1869, a German pathological anatomist[67]. The relation between the pancreas and diabetes was established much later by Minkowski and von Mering[68]. The islets of Langerhans were first isolated from the pancreas of a guinea pig by Moskalewski et al[69]by employing an enzymatic digestion technique. Studies conducted by Bottazzo et al[70]indicated the possibility that islet cell transplantation would be a very suitable option for people who were suffering from T1DM poorly controlled with insulin. The challenges of transplanting islet cells include finding compatible donors, ensuring the survival of the new islets and side effects induced by medications administered to prevent immune rejection[71].Azarpira et al[72]successfully isolated islet cells from cadaveric donors which were then administered via injections into the recipient’s portal vein. The study showed that there was a reduction in the initial β-cell mass attributed to instant bloodmediated inflammatory reactions, immune responses resulting from the transplantation of the islet cells and diabetogenic effects triggered by the immunosuppressive medications[72]. This necessitated the need for repeated episodes of cell transplantation to ensure significant outcomes[73]. According to studies conducted by Bennet et al[74], it was established that the exposure of isolated islets to ABO-compatible blood resulted in an immediate thrombotic reaction and hence required multiple transplants to reduce the insulin shots. There was also the possibility of the impairment in insulin production of the transplanted islets due to their entrapment by blood clots, which could shut them off from oxygen and attract immunocytes[75]. This motivated scientists to seek alternative cell sources such as pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, to generate pancreatic cells and aid in diabetes therapy by replacing the diseased or lost pancreatic cells[76].

3D BIOPRINTING

Bioprinting techniques had emerged in 1988, as demonstrated by Klebe[10]using cytoscribing technology, a method that requires mispositioning of the cells to construct synthetic tissues using a Hewlett Packard inkjet printer. 3D bioprinting is a revolutionary field that is utilized in biomedical engineering and sciences. The difference between 3D printing and 3D bioprinting is that bioprinting technologies utilize living cells, which are printed layer by layer to form a 3D structures[11,12]with the ultimate goal to regenerate the diseased or damaged tissue and reduce organ shortage[2]. Currently in the United States, there is a great need for an alternative to organ transplants, due to the limited availability of organ donors[77]. A potential solution for this problem is tissue engineering by developing organs that can be built with the patients' genetics to eliminate the chances of rejection, relieve suffering, and save lives[78]. The purpose of tissue engineering and state-of-the-art 3D printing is to develop a degradable scaffold, that will allow cells to proliferate and regenerate through pores to replace the damaged organ or tissue. These characteristics provide the cells with viability and functionality, in addition to the ability to attach and mimic the native organ environment[13].

3D printing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine holds great promise for building and assembling viable and functional tissues and organs. 3D printing involves a combination of scaffold and biomolecules that sustain the cells, to improve or regenerate specific tissue or the whole organ[13]. Researches had encountered challenges while trying to develop the accurate scaffold materials for manual cell seeding[79]. Difficulties in seeding the cells manually limit the cells’ precise placement and ability to proliferate inside the scaffold[79]. Despite the great advantages of biofabrication of scaffolds, another limitation is that cells need to grow in high density to develop the thickness of the organ or tissue, which is difficult to achieve because the cells only attach to the surface and do not penetrate the entire scaffold[79].Furthermore, the difficulty and need to achieve vascularization and anastomosis is critical. These challenges have led to the development of optimization of bioprinting technologies and cell seeding protocol where scientists encapsulate large numbers of cells to achieve density and promote oxygenation, vascularization and the desired pattern through the scaffold[80,81].

3D bioprinting technologies involve the design of unconventional scaffolds where the design is inspired by the patient's own anatomy for developing a correct shape for the tissue construct. Bioprinting technology can develop a porous construct to allow media and nutrients to reach the cells. Bioprinting technologies are based on three major steps for the design of tissue regeneration. To develop a medical image of the desired area of the body, a blueprint is created using a software system, which is followed by toolpath planning and finally 3D bioprinting, which is divided, into three major categories depending on the technique employed to print (Figure 2)[13,79,82].

The first category is extrusion-based bioprinting that uses a combination of automated robotic and fluid allotting system of pneumatic, mechanical force or solenoid micro-extrusion to continuously extrude bioink on the biopaper[13,79]. The second category is inkjet-based

bioprinting, in which small droplets of cells are ejected to fabricated tissues[83]. This method involves electro-hydrodynamic jetting, acoustic droplet ejection, thermal,piezoelectric, or electrostatic energy for printing[79]. The third category is laser-based bioprinting; which incolves cell-transfer and a photo-polymerization process using digital light to crosslink the bioink (Figure 2)[13,79].

The process of bioprinting involves two components, namely the bioink and the biopaper. The bioink is a biomaterial in which live cells are embedded to print on the biopaper to mimic the extracellular matrix of the desired tissue. The biopaper is another important component of 3D bioprinting because it serves as the substrate on which cells (bioink) are deposited in an organized pattern[13]. Currently, hydrogels are popularly employed as bioinks as they facilitate effective oxygen, nutrient and metabolite transportation, besides providing great permeability to water[13,79,84].

Figure 2 Classification of bioprinting techniques.

However, synthetic bioinks struggle to achieve high printability and biocompatibility, thereby strengthening the need for developing naturally derived bioinks. A novel furfuryl-gelatin based bioink was developed and found to exhibit a highly porous networked structure, and co-culture feasibility when C2C12 myoblasts and STO fibroblasts were printed in a double-layered structure[85]. These structures,cross-linked by exposure to visible light, have been successful in preserving the viability of both cells types, showing that this bioink can be used for tissue engineering applications for developing complex tissues to help study cellular communication in a disease or normal models[85]. Comparison of cell viabilities for ink jet based-, extrusion based- and laser assisted bioprinting is shown in Table 2[86-90].

Other properties of the bioink, such as transfer of thermal energy into kinetic energy and high viscosity, rapid gelation mechanism by enzymatic, physical, or chemical crosslinking processes are important for consideration to develop the ideal scaffolds[91].

APPLICATIONS OF BIOPRINTING

3D bioprinting has the ability to write living cells in a stackable layer-by-layer organizational pattern using biomaterials to engineer a specific construct for the use of tissue regeneration, surgery procedures, drug and medical studies to treat disease and health-related complications[84,92,93]. This computer-assisted technology is a powerful tool that has obtained attention worldwide[79]and 3D bioprinting modalities are driven by endless possibilities of innovative use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This technology offers the advantage of placing cells in a precise location and specific fashion to create a cellular models[84,92,93].

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Current translational benefits in 3D bioprinting are in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine i.e., bone tissue engineering for the development of the specific tissue construct by recreating the unique patients’ anatomy[79,94]. Another such benefit of 3D bioprinting is the ability to develop a cardiac patch with the ability to synchronously beat, which has great promise in regenerating a specific area of the heart[95]. Anil Kumar et al[85]developed a novel furfuryl-gelatin based hydrogel that was bioprinted into cell-laden rectangular constructs and may potentially be implanted on post infarcted hearts. Cartilage tissue has been successfully bioprinted,to solve cartilage defect repair[65]. Furthermore, the progress made in creating an organ-in-a-chip helps to simulate the mechanisms and functions of a specific body area[92]. This approach also provides the opportunity to perform drug screening studies for diseases[96]. However, the difficulty in incorporating vascularization simultaneously with the 3D bioprinting of tissues, gives rise to challenges in the fabrication of bone tissues, to treat major defects or bone loss[97]. The use of hydrogels for bone tissue in bioprinting approaches makes it difficult to implant into a loadbearing site in the patient’s body[98]. Thus, the hydrogels need to be mechanically robust and possess the characteristics to support large-scale regeneration of bonetissue in vivo[98].

Table 2 Comparison of cell viabilities for ink jet based-, extrusion based- and laser assisted bioprinting[90]

3D bioprinting for bone tissue reconstruction presents major challenges related to vascularization. Considerable progress has been made in skin bioprinting, but improvement in scar-less tissue formation need to be implemented[79]. Another challenge that needs to be overcome involves in vivo studies for bioprinted blood vessel and the organ fabrication. Moreover, the availability of technologies capable of bioprinting vascular networks in high density and generate organ constructs integrating different tissues together, are also needed[79]. For this, co-culture of different cell types for the development and reconstitution of the functionality of a whole organ is necessary. Despite the progress in 3D bioprinting technologies translated from bench to bedside, the aforementioned applications still have limitations and challenges that need to be overcome, especially in the fabrication of functional tissues with long-term viability[99]. For instance, the heart, pancreas, and liver are the organs that are the most difficult to fabricate due to the need for metabolic functions and vascularization[79]. Metabolically highly active organs are a great challenge to reconstruct because their complexity requires molecular networks from arteries, veins and cell communication of different cell types in order to mimic the identical long-term functionality[99].

Currently, bioprinted living constructs have been acutely investigated and transplanted in vivo (animal models)[100]. Animal studies provided the opportunity and insights into evaluation of engraftment of the implant with the host anastomosis,vascularization, and regeneration of functionality[101]. 3D-printed metallic, plastics,and ceramics have been developed as successful constructs for bone tissue replacement and these constructs have been transplanted into humans[97]. Bioprinting is a powerful tool for medical procedures, especially for a near future with possible in situ bioprinting[79]. In situ bioprinting is an attractive application for 3D bioprinting that has provided a major advantage in regenerative medicine over traditional procedures. Recently, the use of in situ bioprinting was applied in skin regeneration for large wounds on pig models[102]and skull defects in rodents[101,103]. The advancement of in situ bioprinting can be applied in the regeneration of a variety of tissues and organs such as plastic surgery, maxillo- and craniofacial reconstruction[103].

Screening and drug toxicity testing

Another benefit in using bioprinting technologies is the application of bioprinted tissue and organ models for potential pharmaceutics use and for screening and drug toxicity testing[96]. This application relieves the time consumption and cost related to drug discovery, which entails financial investment and human resources. In addition,3D bioprinted tissues have the ability to bioprint in microarrays and develop in vitro 3D-pinted models that mimic the native human tissue[79,96]. This approach provides the opportunity to use a 3D-assay system that may contribute to a possible solution to lower the cost and financial investment in pharmaceutics. Bioprinting has also offered other great advantages for testing toxicity; for instance, the development of liver-on-achip for testing hepatic toxicity of acetaminophen[104]and the test of antitumor drugs for breast cancer[105].

Future concerns

Regenerative medicine is a rapidly expanding area of research that deals with repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs[106]. Tissue engineering may one day put an end to allogenic organ transplantation and the need for immunosuppression. Stem cells are a cornerstone to this process, as they possess the ability to differentiate into nearly any cell type[107]. Combining the abovementioned research fields with 3D bioprinting will allow for in vitro tissue creation. Bioprinting uses the 3D additive manufacturing process while utilizing biomaterials, growth factors, or different cell types as the printing medium[108].

Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans can be used to create a digital blueprint of the desired organ[109,110]. This computer created file is then converted into thin slices that can be layered on top of one another. When the 3D printing process is done the tissue still needs to undergo a maturation process before it can be implanted. Over time the tissue will start to develop its own extracellular matrix and any temporary scaffolding is degraded[110].

One of the largest challenges in 3D printing human tissue and organs is to implement and promote vascularization[111]. Researches have tried to overcome this obstacle by printing sacrificial mediums embedded in endothelial cells, which can mature into blood vessels as the original medium slowly degrades over time[112].However, these constructs are extremely fragile and require mechanical and chemical stimulation to undergo maturation and capable of implantation into the body[113].Once in the body, the new tissue must generate its own extracellular matrix to be fully incorporated. Trauma and tumor growth can lead to substantial amounts of bone loss[114]. Traditional bone grafts are limited ＜ 5 cm in size and often fail due to residual stress[115]. Gao et al[87]used an inkjet printer to print peptides and PEG with simultaneous photo-polymerization using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,which showed significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation.

Liver transplantation is the only cure for liver failure. However, there are more people waiting for livers than there are donors, leading to many deaths while waiting for a transplant[116]. Faulkner-Jones et al[117]differentiated iPSCs into hepatocytes after bioprinting showed that stem cells maintain their pluripotency during the printing process. Ahn et al[118]printed a multilayer porous mesh structure made with alginate and ADSCs, which they successfully differentiated into a hepatogenic lineage expressing liver-specific genes.

THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF STEM CELLS AND BIOPRINTING TOWARDS DIABETES

Around 15 different types of tissues have been studied in bioprinting technology but there are other tissues types that are part of the human body, which are unexplored and need more investigation[79]. In addition, the innovation of bionic organs or new types of organs is a possible direction for the future in bioprinting to solve organ shortage and alleviate patients’ suffering[119]. Bioprinting research involves multiple cell types patterned to mimic the complex anatomy of the human body and the understanding for an optimal protocol for culture conditions with multiple cell types;these optimizations should include the correct medium and nutrients to promote growth and viability of multiple cell types[79,81].

For T2DM

An example of an application of bioprinting with cells is a pancreatic model bioprinted with pancreatic islets that was implanted into a diabetic murine model leading to regulated insulin secretion. However, the size of the mouse model of study was significantly different, about 100000 times smaller than a human model[79,100,120].Hence, the 3D bioprinted models of study need to have relevant dimensions for clinical use i.e., the simulation of human size, a larger animal model needs to be used that can possibly represent human physiology[121].

A recent study had reported translational benefits of adult and embryonic stem cell in which stem cells can be used to produce insulin-like secreting cells known as βcells[76]. The translational benefits provided evidence towards the existence of new βcells generated by the replication of pre-existing β-cells from the adult pancreas or partial removal of the pancreas[76]. Cells used to reconstruct and regenerate the pancreas after implantation must be pathogen free. Ideally, the cells that will differentiate into β-cells should not only be able to reconstitute the function of the pancreas but also maintain long-term and normal activity[122]. It has been shown that mature exocrine cells of the pancreas can be reprogrammed to become β-like-cells in vivo with a combination of 3 transcription factors[123]. Another challenge that needs to be addressed is that the differentiated β-cells persist as individual cells or small clusters and do not reorganize into islets before clinical therapy is induced[122]. The viruses that are used to reprogram factors needed for induction of differentiation should be replaced with safer reagents to produce β-cells[124].

Although 3D bioprinting has been successfully applied to fabricate tissues such as blood vessels[125,126], skin[127,128], bone and cartilage[93,122,125-130]and liver[13], the bioprinting of pancreatic islet tissues to treat diabetes remains to be explored. However, other techniques such as stereolithography have shown promise, in this regard. According to work done by Gallego-Perez et al[131], microwell arrays were created with stereolithography and electrospinning, and structurally interfaced with a porous sheet of micro/nano-scale polyblend fibers. These arrays served as a platform for the anchoring and subsequent assemblage of human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells into insulin-expressing 3D clusters occurred[131]. Given that cluster size and uniformity are known to influence islet cell behavior, the ability to effectively control these parameters could find applications in the development of anti-diabetic therapies[131].Immunoreactivity for insulin, C-peptide and glucagon was detected on both the platform and control surfaces; however, intracellular levels of C-peptide/cell were approximately 60% higher on the platform[131]. Alginate-based porous scaffolds as extra-hepatic islet delivery systems were successfully developed through 3D plotting by Marchioli et al[99]. INS1E β-cells, human and mouse islets were successfully embedded in these 3D-plotted constructs without affecting their morphology and viability while preventing their aggregation[99]. Studies such as these show that there is a definite possibility of treating diabetes by incorporating 3D printing technology, but rigorous research is in order before that can be achieved.

Investigations led by Dor et al[132]provided conclusive evidence that terminally differentiated β-cells could retain a significant proliferative capacity in vivo and could be used as a major source for new β-cells during adult life and following pancreatectomy in mice.

A scalable differentiation protocol to generate millions of glucose-responsive β-cells from hPSC in vitro was reported by Pagliuca et al[54]as the, insulin-producing cells that were previously generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) were found to lack many functional characteristics exhibited by bona fide β-cells.

Ozbolat et al[14]proposed the concept of miniature organs, that could potentially be fabricated on a smaller scale in comparison to their natural counterparts and closely mimic the most vital function of the associated organ, such as a pancreatic organ. This organ could be placed in a less immune-responsive site in the body to effectively produce and secrete insulin in the desired quantities into the bloodstream to regulate glucose levels to normoglycemia in the human body[14].

Chen et al[133]investigated the possibility of differentiating rat marrow MSCs in vitro into functional islet-like cells and to confirm their diabetes therapeutic potential.Insulin mRNA and protein expressions were observed in the resulting typical isletlike clustered cells[133]. The insulin excreted from the differentiated cells was found to be much higher than the undifferentiated MSCs[133]. The injected differentiated MSCs were also found to downregulate glucose levels in diabetic rats when diabetic rat models were made to test the in vivo function of the differentiated MSCs[133].

Jiang et al[56]established a novel serum-free protocol to generate insulin-producing islet-like clusters (ILCs) from hESCs grown under feeder-free conditions. The hESCs were treated with sodium butyrate and activin A to generate definitive endoderm[56].The endoderm population was then converted into cellular aggregates which were further differentiated into Pdx1-expressing pancreatic endoderm in the presence of epidermal and basic fibroblast growth factors[56]. The aggregates were finally allowed to mature and the temporal pattern of pancreas-specific expression in the hESC-derived ILCs showed considerable resemblance to in vivo pancreas development, and the final population contained representatives of the ductal, exocrine, and endocrine pancreas[56].

Ferrell et al[134]successfully developed a technique that could enable the active patterning of individual cells and groups of cells in a polymer-based microdevice using vacuum-assisted cell seeding. Polymer microwells with various geometries on top of commercially available porous membranes were moulded by employing soft lithography[134]. This method was used to determine the number of cells in a microwell for given cell seeding density and microwell geometry and tested successfully with pancreatic ductal epithelial-like cells indicating potential applications in tissue engineering[134].

Patients with diabetes mellitus are at a greater risk of developing heart failure such as hypertension and coronary artery disease[135]. Diabetic patients may develop a diabetic heart disease (DHD) in which progresses with cardiac hypertrophy where the thickness of the left ventricular wall is increased and caused diastolic dysfunctions and other abnormalities[2]. Myocardial dysfunctions and impaired coronary perfusions in DHD are dependent pathologies associated with endothelial dysfunction initiated by diabetes[136]. Previous studies had showed that T2DM disrupts mitochondrial proteomic associated with protein import efficiency, which triggers mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic patients leading to heart problems[4]. Further studies need to be explored in order to understand the causes of DHD; for instance, the development of an organ-on-a-chip can be established to construct experiments for deficiency of signaling pathways, drugs screening through systemic interactions by interconnecting different organs such as the pancreas and the heart or other organs affected by diabetes[137,138]. In addition, organ-on-a-chip can help to develop devices with sensors that can read glucose levels or increased proteins levels in the heart that may trigger heart failure; moreover, these state-of-the-art devices can also help to manage skin wound in risk of bacterial infections on those diabetic patients[9,139,140]. Status of stem cell therapies and bioprinting in tissue repair and regeneration are shown in Table 3[141-181].

For T1DM

Besides providing for a constant source of β-cells, for serving therapeutic benefits in T1DM there is a need for a protective shell, which can house the newly regenerated βcells while preventing antibodies from destroying them, thereby retaining their functionality.

Although T1MD has been treated by the transplantation of islets of Langerhans into the pancreas, it has necessitated the need to administer immunosuppressive drugs to the patients[182]. Since the side effects of these drugs have not been understood completely, cell transplantation therapy without the use of immunosuppressive drugs is preferred. Bioartificial pancreas has been fabricated by the encapsulation of islet cells within a semi-permeable membrane for the resolution of this issue[182]. Prior research has reported that these models function well with small animal models, but their clinical outcome on human patients remains to be studied further[182].

Scaffold-free tissue strands, expressing high levels of insulin, were microfabricated for extrusion based bioprinting by Akkouch et al[183]. These tissue strands were composed of rat fibroblasts and mouse insulinoma TC-3 β cells in the core and shell,respectively and were developed for scale up tissue engineering purposes[183].

Microscale organoids in which heterocellular aggregates possessed organ-like functions, have been successfully generated in vitro for pancreatic tissues by Greggio et al[184]. Efficient expansion of dissociated mouse embryonic pancreatic progenitors was enabled by establishing three-dimensional culture conditions in Matrigel[184].Hollow spheres, composed of pancreatic progenitors, or complex organoids spontaneously undergoing pancreatic morphogenesis and differentiation, were generated by the manipulation of the medium composition[184]

Hiscox et al[185]successfully developed a tissue engineered pre-vascularized pancreatic encapsulating device (PPED) using collagen gels. It was observed that isolated islets that were placed in collagen gels exhibited fourfold more insulin release than islets not in collagen. Subsequently, a sandwich comprised of two layers of prevascularized collagen gels around a central collagen gel containing islets was also developed and implanted. In vitro characterization of the islets showed that islets were functional and responded to glucose stimulation[185]. Insulin and the presence of intra-islet endothelial cells were detected by performing immunohistochemical analysis. The results of the study indicated that PPED was able to enhance the islet survival by supporting islet viability and maintaining intra-islet endothelial cell structures[185]. Bloch et al[186]developed a technology to overcome the immunoisolation of pancreatic islets that leads to severe cell hypoxia and dysfunction. A thermophylic strain of the unicellular alga Chlorella was used as a natural photosynthetic oxygen generator to supply oxygen to the islets encapsulated in alginate[186]. The results of the study indicated that photosynthetic-dependent oxygen generation induced higher glucose-stimulated insulin response when compared to normoxic perfusion[186].

CONCLUSION

The ever-rising global burden of diabetes and its related complications is predicted to affect about 650 million by 2040 and is a major burden on our economy (American Heart Association). Diabetes mellitus is believed to be the underlying cause of functional and structural changes in the myocardium, that manifests in the condition referred to as diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), and may lead to heart failure independent of underlying coronary heart disease[187]. Patients with T2DM are recognized to have an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as hyperglycemia deteriorates endogenous cardiac protection[188]. Although DCM results from various mechanisms including microvascular impairment, metabolic disturbance, subcellular component abnormalities, cardiac autonomic dysfunction,and a maladaptive immune response, the underlying pathogenesis is partially understood. But there are major discrepancies among animal and human studies that leaves an important gap in knowledge[189]. Insights into the pathophysiology of human DCM are critical to discovering standardized targeted therapies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to biofabricate human tissue-on-a-chip models that can serve as a basis for development of novel therapeutic approaches to cure or prevent DCM in vivo.Bioprinting is a promising recent technology, which is likely to play an influential role in regenerative medicine. Many technical challenges still need to be overcome including limitations in resolution, cell distribution, vascularization, and innervation.However, this technology is poised to alleviate the treatment limitations of end-stageorgan dysfunction and failure. These challenges can be addressed by using more sophisticated printing technologies. Another possibility for addressing these challenges is through the fabrication and characterization of more sophisticated bioinks that deliver the necessary cues for promoting cell survival and the desired differentiation.

Table 3 Status of stem cell therapies and bioprinting in tissue repair and regeneration

Hinton et al[190]developed a novel 3D printing method using the freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels. This novel printing process generates intricate structures that mimic the properties of native tissues found in vivo, including the structures found in bone and brain.

Human cardiac cells prepared from iPSCs are incredibly useful as tools for generating human models of heart disease to acquire an improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and for testing different drugs or other treatments[191,192].They can also be used to help predict which patients might have toxic cardiac side effects from drugs for other diseases. Such an advancement in stem cell-based tissue engineering will enable building of physiologically relevant cardiac tissue for applications in drug discovery and will further provide the opportunity to create personalized in vitro models from cells derived from patients[193]. The use of stem cell therapies and bioprinting in clinical practice will continue to emerge in the upcoming years. The availability of disease specific iPSCs such as those derived from patients having T1DM and T2DM have a huge potential towards fabrication of disease specific human tissue-on-a-chip models that may be used to model disease progression in vitro[194].

The employment of stem cells for the treatment of diabetes is still at its infancy stage in spite of the magnificent strides that have been taken in the field of stem cell biology and research. The research that has been done over the past decade has established that insulin-producing cells can definitely be derived from stem cells.However, the entire potential of stem cells can be harnessed only upon the resolution of associated issues and hurdles that fall in the way. Some of the key issues that limit the further exploration of stem cells in clinical trials include exploration of stem cells in clinical trials includes safety concerns, formations of teratomas, transplantation issues and autoimmune response, and also ethical dilemmas posed by ESCs.Similarly, the problems associated with the scale up production, further hamper the application of adult stem cells and iPSCs, as a choice of therapeutic resources. The need to formulate newer methods for the differentiation and selection of completely functional β-cell is a priority. The regeneration of these cells can be made possible only by controlling the regulation of various factors. The scientific efforts of the past research have made it possible to generate insulin-secreting cells and have laid the foundation for future research to come up with solutions utilizing stem cells as therapeutic agents to alleviate diabetes.