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Udo Reichl - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • production of high titer human influenza a virus with adherent and suspension mdck cells cultured in a single use hollow fiber bioreactor
    Vaccine, 2014
    Co-Authors: Felipe Tapia, Thomas Vogel, Yvonne Genzel, Ilona Behrendt, Mark Hirschel, David J Gangemi, Udo Reichl
    Abstract:

    Hollow fiber bioreactors (HFBRs) have been widely described as capable of supporting the production of highly concentrated monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. Only recently HFBRs have been proposed as new single-use platforms for production of high-titer influenza A virus. These bioreactors contain multiple hollow fiber Capillary tubes that separate the bioreactor in an intra- and an extra-Capillary Space. Cells are usually cultured in the extra-Capillary Space and can grow to a very high cell concentration. This work describes the evaluation of the single-use hollow fiber bioreactor PRIMER HF (Biovest International Inc., USA) for production of influenza A virus. The process was setup, characterized and optimized by running a total of 15 cultivations. The HFBRs were seeded with either adherent or suspension MDCK cells, and infected with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), and the pandemic strain A/Mexico/4108/2009 (H1N1). High HA titers and TCID₅₀ of up to 3.87 log₁₀(HA units/100 μL) and 1.8 × 10(10)virions/mL, respectively, were obtained for A/PR/8/34 influenza strain. Influenza virus was collected by performing multiple harvests of the extra-Capillary Space during a virus production time of up to 12 days. Cell-specific virus yields between 2,000 and 8,000 virions/cell were estimated for adherent MDCK cells, and between 11,000 and 19,000 virions/cell for suspension MDCK.SUS2 cells. These results do not only coincide with the cell-specific virus yields obtained with cultivations in stirred tank bioreactors and other high cell density systems, but also demonstrate that HFBRs are promising and competitive single-use platforms that can be considered for commercial production of influenza virus.

Felipe Tapia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • production of high titer human influenza a virus with adherent and suspension mdck cells cultured in a single use hollow fiber bioreactor
    Vaccine, 2014
    Co-Authors: Felipe Tapia, Thomas Vogel, Yvonne Genzel, Ilona Behrendt, Mark Hirschel, David J Gangemi, Udo Reichl
    Abstract:

    Hollow fiber bioreactors (HFBRs) have been widely described as capable of supporting the production of highly concentrated monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. Only recently HFBRs have been proposed as new single-use platforms for production of high-titer influenza A virus. These bioreactors contain multiple hollow fiber Capillary tubes that separate the bioreactor in an intra- and an extra-Capillary Space. Cells are usually cultured in the extra-Capillary Space and can grow to a very high cell concentration. This work describes the evaluation of the single-use hollow fiber bioreactor PRIMER HF (Biovest International Inc., USA) for production of influenza A virus. The process was setup, characterized and optimized by running a total of 15 cultivations. The HFBRs were seeded with either adherent or suspension MDCK cells, and infected with influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), and the pandemic strain A/Mexico/4108/2009 (H1N1). High HA titers and TCID₅₀ of up to 3.87 log₁₀(HA units/100 μL) and 1.8 × 10(10)virions/mL, respectively, were obtained for A/PR/8/34 influenza strain. Influenza virus was collected by performing multiple harvests of the extra-Capillary Space during a virus production time of up to 12 days. Cell-specific virus yields between 2,000 and 8,000 virions/cell were estimated for adherent MDCK cells, and between 11,000 and 19,000 virions/cell for suspension MDCK.SUS2 cells. These results do not only coincide with the cell-specific virus yields obtained with cultivations in stirred tank bioreactors and other high cell density systems, but also demonstrate that HFBRs are promising and competitive single-use platforms that can be considered for commercial production of influenza virus.

De Bartolo Loredana - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Dynamic operation and control of cell culture environments in bioreactors for bioartificial liver application
    2017
    Co-Authors: Naghib, Seyed Danial, Pantano Pietro, Di Renzo Alberto, Curcio Efrem, Di Maio, Francesco Paolo, De Bartolo Loredana
    Abstract:

    Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze ed Ingegneria dell'Ambiente, delle Costruzioni e dell'Energia (SIACE). Ciclo XXIXOn the global scale, liver diseases are severe public health problems, with the incidences of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) rising annually. Isolated hepatocytes represent a good model of liver metabolism because they are able to perform the full range of functions. In recent years, biochemical and biotechnological engineering have been applied to the culture of human and animal hepatocyte cells, which requires the design, operation, and control of complex appropriate bioreactors. In this work, the predictable, stable and durable operation of two types of bioartificial reactors for cell cultures is investigated. The thesis is divided into the following two parts. Part I: Fluidized bed bioreactor Fluidized-bed-based biomedical devices acting as bioartificial liver, in which cells are trapped and encapsulated into appropriated fluidized beads, have proved effective solutions to many respects. However, the bioreactor performance is significantly affected by the hydrodynamics and mass transfer, not well characterized yet for most aspects. In the present work, the intrinsic and fluidization properties of alginate beads as encapsulation medium for hepatic cells are carefully analyzed experimentally using two rigs at different scales. Appropriate alginate beads were prepared and characterized in terms of size distribution and density. Expansion properties were evaluated for free alginate beads (i.e. without hepatic cells) using saline (Ringer) solutions as fluidization medium. Bed expansion tests over a wide range of voidage values have been conducted in a 1-cm diameter column, used for perfusion during in vitro experiments, as well as in a 10-cm diameter column close to human size bioreactor, in the latter case at two temperatures: ambient (20°C) and human body (37°C) conditions. Full fluid-dynamic characterization of the alginate beads is conducted, including expansion data, terminal velocity measurements, and velocity-voidage plots and their elaboration in terms of Richardson-Zaki parameters. Part II: Hollow fiber membrane bioreactor Due to their structure affine to the physiological environment in vivo, hollow fibre membrane bioreactors in crossed configuration can provide favourable conditions for the cell behaviour and metabolism. Specific devices have been proposed in recent years with very promising potential for applications. To be able to develop bioartificial systems that operate effectively and for the long term, in addition to handling the biological complexities, fluid dynamics and transport phenomena require an advance model, careful control, and appropriate automation strategies. Tight control of the culturing environment and strategies for dealing with some inherently unsteady changes of conditions in a membrane bioreactor is investigated by developing and implementing a new hydrodynamic dual control system for an existing bioreactor prototype. The experimental implementation of the sensors-controllers-actuators system is complemented by the development of a transient mathematical model of the instrumented bioreactor, in which the membrane unit is treated as a three-compartment model. A four-input/seven-state transient model of the bioreactor is obtained, able to describe the time evolution of the flowrates, the extra-Capillary Space liquid level and the oxygen concentration across the system. The selection of appropriate sensors and the manipulated control variables is discussed. Bioreactor dynamic simulation and control is carried out within the Matlab/Simulink environment and Matlab is also used as a platform for the experimental data digital acquisition and control logic implementation (e.g. controller tuning), allowing both for flexibility with testing of different control schemes and for direct comparison of simulated and experimental values. Different experiments with selected input changes were carried out under idealized conditions and using water as perfusing medium. The applied stimuli served to mimick causes of previously observed bioreactor malfunctions (e.g. high sensitivity to liquid level variations during prolonged cell culturing experiments) and check the control system efficacy and efficiency. Finally, the developed control system is utilized during a prolonged experiment of multi-cell culture within the membrane bioreactor, demonstrating the reliable, continuous and successful cultivation for nearly one month time. The set of results collected during the present work allows to achieve new insight into the operation and reliability of bioreactors for application as bioartificial devices, by improving the capacity to predict their behaviour and better design their structure as well as by enhancing the control over the cell culture environment conditionsUniversità della Calabri

  • Mass and momentum transfer in membrane-based bioartificial liver systems
    2017
    Co-Authors: Khakpour Shervin, Pantano Pietro, De Bartolo Loredana, Curcio Efrem
    Abstract:

    Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze ed Ingegneria dell'Ambiente, delle Costruzioni e dell'Energia (SIACE). Ciclo XXIXLiver failure, caused by acute or chronic end-stage liver disease (ESLD) imposes a significant disease burden worldwide. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is ranked as 12th cause of death in the United States and 4th in middle-aged adults. Researchers in Mayo Clinic report liver-related mortality as 8th by using a more comprehensive definition accounting for other aspects of liver disease as well. Currently, liver transplantation remains the conventional treatment for ESLD as the only medically proven method to promote patient’s health. To avoid the problem of inadequate donor organs and yet provide a comprehensive range of liver functions, cell-based therapies have been actively under investigation to potentially provide a substitute for transplantation, or a temporary support for liver failure patients. Studies on the latter aim has led to development of extracorporeal bioartificial liver (BAL) devices. Hepatic cell cultures are exploited for different applications in liver disease studies, drug toxicity testing, and bioartificial liver (BAL) devices. However, development of such systems is often hindered by the peculiar characteristics and intricate requirements of primary hepatocytes, challenging their prolonged functionality and viability in vitro. Despite the development of various 3D cell culture systems using perfused bioreactors, mass transfer properties still remain a critical and controversial topic, especially oxygen supply as the limiting and modulating factor The aim of this work is to enhance and optimize a prototype hollow fiber membrane bioreactor (HFMBR) providing efficient mass transfer for nutrient provision and catabolite removal, promoting prolonged viability and functionality of hepatocytes. In this bioreactor, two bundles of hollow fibers are employed in a crossed configuration: one bundle for supplying the oxygenated medium, and the other for removing the medium from the extra-Capillary Space. Optimization of the operational culture conditions to enforce an in vivo-like microenvironment is an intrinsic part of the process that requires a clear understanding of the in vitro cellular microenvironment. Oxygen transport in a convection-enhanced, crossed-configuration HFMBR hosting hepatocyte spheroids was investigated through mass transfer modelling using COMSOL Multiphysics®, a specialized, commercial finite-element software. The permeability of hollow fibers (hydraulic, albumin solution) was evaluated experimentally, showing significant, irreversible decrease in the permeance of the membranes due to protein absorption during culture period. Bioreactor’s hydrodynamics was investigated through residence time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction model was developed to describe momentum and mass transfer in the bioreactor, in which the influential parameters were parametrized through implementation of applicable correlations. The model was numerically solved for two different types of geometries: (i) single-spheroid model using a periodic/symmetric unit cell within the bioreactor to locally represent the system decreasing the computational complexity of the model, (ii) miniaturized bioreactor model. The single-spheroid model was used to carry out a systematic parametric study to evaluate the effect of different parameters – oxygen tension (Co,sat), perfusion rate (QBR), hollow fiber spacing (δHF), spheroid diameter (Dsph), Michaelis-Menten kinetics for oxygen uptake (Vmax, Km) and porosities of the spheroid (εcc) and the membrane (εm) – on dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC) profile. Dimensionless numbers were defined for in-depth analysis of oxygen transfer and how each parameter can affect that. Among the operational conditions, Co,sat was found much more influential than QBR. Due to the mild advection added, the extra-spheroid resistances to diffusive mass transfer, i.e. the membrane (governed by εm) remains an important factor. However, εcc was found as a key intrinsic property strongly affecting intra-spheroid DOC profile. Maintaining physiological DOC range in large spheroids (Dsph=400μm) with different porosities was investigated in the single-spheroid model. Regulation of DOC profile was more manageable in spheroids with higher εcc, which lead to feasibility of achieving physiological oxygen concentrations. Low-porosity spheroids demonstrated a sharper concentration gradient, challenging sufficient oxygen supply to cells. Temporal shrinkage of spheroids due to rearrangement of cells changes the microstructure of the spheroid, the effect of which was numerically studied and proved to adversely affect the transport properties and consequently the DOC profile inside the spheroid. In the end, values from an experimental study were incorporated into the model to analyze the cellular microenvironment during the experiment, and the predictive capacity of the model regarding the outcome. Miniaturized bioreactor model was developed to reduce the computational cost while providing a more realistic model for the bioreactor. Another major advantage of this approach is capacitating investigation of the fluid dynamics inside the bioreactor. Notable DOC drop along the lumina of the supplying bundle was observed, consistent with the DOC gradient in the extra-Capillary Space along the supplying bundle. Having retentate flow in the hollow fibers significantly reduced these gradients and improved oxygen supply to the cells. Oxygen transfer was not noticeably affected by different flow patterns realized through using both bundles supplying or both removing the medium. However, minimization of the stagnant region had in fact a negative influence on oxygen supply. The miniaturized bioreactor model was also modified based on the experimental results for comparison with the single-spheroid model and the actual bioreactor, showing better compatibility with the real case.Università della Calabria

Curcio Efrem - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Dynamic operation and control of cell culture environments in bioreactors for bioartificial liver application
    2017
    Co-Authors: Naghib, Seyed Danial, Pantano Pietro, Di Renzo Alberto, Curcio Efrem, Di Maio, Francesco Paolo, De Bartolo Loredana
    Abstract:

    Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze ed Ingegneria dell'Ambiente, delle Costruzioni e dell'Energia (SIACE). Ciclo XXIXOn the global scale, liver diseases are severe public health problems, with the incidences of end-stage liver disease (ESLD) rising annually. Isolated hepatocytes represent a good model of liver metabolism because they are able to perform the full range of functions. In recent years, biochemical and biotechnological engineering have been applied to the culture of human and animal hepatocyte cells, which requires the design, operation, and control of complex appropriate bioreactors. In this work, the predictable, stable and durable operation of two types of bioartificial reactors for cell cultures is investigated. The thesis is divided into the following two parts. Part I: Fluidized bed bioreactor Fluidized-bed-based biomedical devices acting as bioartificial liver, in which cells are trapped and encapsulated into appropriated fluidized beads, have proved effective solutions to many respects. However, the bioreactor performance is significantly affected by the hydrodynamics and mass transfer, not well characterized yet for most aspects. In the present work, the intrinsic and fluidization properties of alginate beads as encapsulation medium for hepatic cells are carefully analyzed experimentally using two rigs at different scales. Appropriate alginate beads were prepared and characterized in terms of size distribution and density. Expansion properties were evaluated for free alginate beads (i.e. without hepatic cells) using saline (Ringer) solutions as fluidization medium. Bed expansion tests over a wide range of voidage values have been conducted in a 1-cm diameter column, used for perfusion during in vitro experiments, as well as in a 10-cm diameter column close to human size bioreactor, in the latter case at two temperatures: ambient (20°C) and human body (37°C) conditions. Full fluid-dynamic characterization of the alginate beads is conducted, including expansion data, terminal velocity measurements, and velocity-voidage plots and their elaboration in terms of Richardson-Zaki parameters. Part II: Hollow fiber membrane bioreactor Due to their structure affine to the physiological environment in vivo, hollow fibre membrane bioreactors in crossed configuration can provide favourable conditions for the cell behaviour and metabolism. Specific devices have been proposed in recent years with very promising potential for applications. To be able to develop bioartificial systems that operate effectively and for the long term, in addition to handling the biological complexities, fluid dynamics and transport phenomena require an advance model, careful control, and appropriate automation strategies. Tight control of the culturing environment and strategies for dealing with some inherently unsteady changes of conditions in a membrane bioreactor is investigated by developing and implementing a new hydrodynamic dual control system for an existing bioreactor prototype. The experimental implementation of the sensors-controllers-actuators system is complemented by the development of a transient mathematical model of the instrumented bioreactor, in which the membrane unit is treated as a three-compartment model. A four-input/seven-state transient model of the bioreactor is obtained, able to describe the time evolution of the flowrates, the extra-Capillary Space liquid level and the oxygen concentration across the system. The selection of appropriate sensors and the manipulated control variables is discussed. Bioreactor dynamic simulation and control is carried out within the Matlab/Simulink environment and Matlab is also used as a platform for the experimental data digital acquisition and control logic implementation (e.g. controller tuning), allowing both for flexibility with testing of different control schemes and for direct comparison of simulated and experimental values. Different experiments with selected input changes were carried out under idealized conditions and using water as perfusing medium. The applied stimuli served to mimick causes of previously observed bioreactor malfunctions (e.g. high sensitivity to liquid level variations during prolonged cell culturing experiments) and check the control system efficacy and efficiency. Finally, the developed control system is utilized during a prolonged experiment of multi-cell culture within the membrane bioreactor, demonstrating the reliable, continuous and successful cultivation for nearly one month time. The set of results collected during the present work allows to achieve new insight into the operation and reliability of bioreactors for application as bioartificial devices, by improving the capacity to predict their behaviour and better design their structure as well as by enhancing the control over the cell culture environment conditionsUniversità della Calabri

  • Mass and momentum transfer in membrane-based bioartificial liver systems
    2017
    Co-Authors: Khakpour Shervin, Pantano Pietro, De Bartolo Loredana, Curcio Efrem
    Abstract:

    Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze ed Ingegneria dell'Ambiente, delle Costruzioni e dell'Energia (SIACE). Ciclo XXIXLiver failure, caused by acute or chronic end-stage liver disease (ESLD) imposes a significant disease burden worldwide. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is ranked as 12th cause of death in the United States and 4th in middle-aged adults. Researchers in Mayo Clinic report liver-related mortality as 8th by using a more comprehensive definition accounting for other aspects of liver disease as well. Currently, liver transplantation remains the conventional treatment for ESLD as the only medically proven method to promote patient’s health. To avoid the problem of inadequate donor organs and yet provide a comprehensive range of liver functions, cell-based therapies have been actively under investigation to potentially provide a substitute for transplantation, or a temporary support for liver failure patients. Studies on the latter aim has led to development of extracorporeal bioartificial liver (BAL) devices. Hepatic cell cultures are exploited for different applications in liver disease studies, drug toxicity testing, and bioartificial liver (BAL) devices. However, development of such systems is often hindered by the peculiar characteristics and intricate requirements of primary hepatocytes, challenging their prolonged functionality and viability in vitro. Despite the development of various 3D cell culture systems using perfused bioreactors, mass transfer properties still remain a critical and controversial topic, especially oxygen supply as the limiting and modulating factor The aim of this work is to enhance and optimize a prototype hollow fiber membrane bioreactor (HFMBR) providing efficient mass transfer for nutrient provision and catabolite removal, promoting prolonged viability and functionality of hepatocytes. In this bioreactor, two bundles of hollow fibers are employed in a crossed configuration: one bundle for supplying the oxygenated medium, and the other for removing the medium from the extra-Capillary Space. Optimization of the operational culture conditions to enforce an in vivo-like microenvironment is an intrinsic part of the process that requires a clear understanding of the in vitro cellular microenvironment. Oxygen transport in a convection-enhanced, crossed-configuration HFMBR hosting hepatocyte spheroids was investigated through mass transfer modelling using COMSOL Multiphysics®, a specialized, commercial finite-element software. The permeability of hollow fibers (hydraulic, albumin solution) was evaluated experimentally, showing significant, irreversible decrease in the permeance of the membranes due to protein absorption during culture period. Bioreactor’s hydrodynamics was investigated through residence time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction time distribution analysis, by which a portion of the bioreactor was diagnosed as stagnant region. Finally, oxygen diffusion through the medium and the effect of different conditionings on the oxygen sensor’s readings in multi-well plates were studied. Mass transfer in static culture systems – both as a monolayer and as spheroids – was evaluated using a diffusion-reaction model numerically solved for oxygen (steady-state study) and urea (time-dependent study). In addition to the size and number of spheroids, sufficiency of oxygen supply to cells also depended on their distribution (the distance between them) and the amount of culture medium in each well. A convection-diffusion-reaction model was developed to describe momentum and mass transfer in the bioreactor, in which the influential parameters were parametrized through implementation of applicable correlations. The model was numerically solved for two different types of geometries: (i) single-spheroid model using a periodic/symmetric unit cell within the bioreactor to locally represent the system decreasing the computational complexity of the model, (ii) miniaturized bioreactor model. The single-spheroid model was used to carry out a systematic parametric study to evaluate the effect of different parameters – oxygen tension (Co,sat), perfusion rate (QBR), hollow fiber spacing (δHF), spheroid diameter (Dsph), Michaelis-Menten kinetics for oxygen uptake (Vmax, Km) and porosities of the spheroid (εcc) and the membrane (εm) – on dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC) profile. Dimensionless numbers were defined for in-depth analysis of oxygen transfer and how each parameter can affect that. Among the operational conditions, Co,sat was found much more influential than QBR. Due to the mild advection added, the extra-spheroid resistances to diffusive mass transfer, i.e. the membrane (governed by εm) remains an important factor. However, εcc was found as a key intrinsic property strongly affecting intra-spheroid DOC profile. Maintaining physiological DOC range in large spheroids (Dsph=400μm) with different porosities was investigated in the single-spheroid model. Regulation of DOC profile was more manageable in spheroids with higher εcc, which lead to feasibility of achieving physiological oxygen concentrations. Low-porosity spheroids demonstrated a sharper concentration gradient, challenging sufficient oxygen supply to cells. Temporal shrinkage of spheroids due to rearrangement of cells changes the microstructure of the spheroid, the effect of which was numerically studied and proved to adversely affect the transport properties and consequently the DOC profile inside the spheroid. In the end, values from an experimental study were incorporated into the model to analyze the cellular microenvironment during the experiment, and the predictive capacity of the model regarding the outcome. Miniaturized bioreactor model was developed to reduce the computational cost while providing a more realistic model for the bioreactor. Another major advantage of this approach is capacitating investigation of the fluid dynamics inside the bioreactor. Notable DOC drop along the lumina of the supplying bundle was observed, consistent with the DOC gradient in the extra-Capillary Space along the supplying bundle. Having retentate flow in the hollow fibers significantly reduced these gradients and improved oxygen supply to the cells. Oxygen transfer was not noticeably affected by different flow patterns realized through using both bundles supplying or both removing the medium. However, minimization of the stagnant region had in fact a negative influence on oxygen supply. The miniaturized bioreactor model was also modified based on the experimental results for comparison with the single-spheroid model and the actual bioreactor, showing better compatibility with the real case.Università della Calabria

Andre F Palmer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • mixtures of tense and relaxed state polymerized human hemoglobin regulate oxygen affinity and tissue construct oxygenation
    PLOS ONE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Donald A Belcher, Uddyalok Banerjee, Christopher Michael Baehr, Kristopher Emil Richardson, Pedro Cabrales, Francois Berthiaume, Andre F Palmer
    Abstract:

    Pure tense (T) and relaxed (R) quaternary state polymerized human hemoglobins (PolyhHbs) were synthesized and their biophysical properties characterized, along with mixtures of T- and R-state PolyhHbs. It was observed that the oxygen affinity of PolyhHb mixtures varied linearly with T-state mole fraction. Computational analysis of PolyhHb facilitated oxygenation of a single fiber in a hepatic hollow fiber (HF) bioreactor was performed to evaluate the oxygenation potential of T- and R-state PolyhHb mixtures. PolyhHb mixtures with T-state mole fractions greater than 50% resulted in hypoxic and hyperoxic zones occupying less than 5% of the total extra Capillary Space (ECS). Under these conditions, the ratio of the pericentral volume to the perivenous volume in the ECS doubled as the T-state mole fraction increased from 50 to 100%. These results show the effect of varying the T/R-state PolyhHb mole fraction on oxygenation of tissue-engineered constructs and their potential to oxygenate tissues.