Pub Date : 2025-05-19DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100599
Rafael Tapia-Rojo , Sergi Garcia-Manyes
The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a crucial role in regulating fundamental cellular processes, including migration, development, and proliferation. Cells generate pulling forces on the ECM, while simultaneously, focal adhesions experience the mechanical cues transmitted from the ECM. However, the molecular mechanisms that enable cells to sense and adapt to their mechanical environment remain poorly understood. Advances in intracellular and extracellular tension sensors have enabled the quantification of the physiologically relevant forces at play, which trigger conformational changes in the involved proteins that can be tracked with single-molecule in vitro techniques. From early AFM experiments focused on stiff ECM proteins like tenascin and fibronectin to recent magnetic tweezers studies of mechanically labile focal adhesion proteins, such as talin and vinculin, we are progressively elucidating the physicochemical principles underlying force-sensing processes. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the study of the nanomechanics of ECM and focal adhesion proteins, highlighting how molecular-scale mechanics drive complex mechanosensing and mechanotransduction processes at the cellular level.
{"title":"Nanomechanics at the extracellular matrix-focal adhesion interface","authors":"Rafael Tapia-Rojo , Sergi Garcia-Manyes","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a crucial role in regulating fundamental cellular processes, including migration, development, and proliferation. Cells generate pulling forces on the ECM, while simultaneously, focal adhesions experience the mechanical cues transmitted from the ECM. However, the molecular mechanisms that enable cells to sense and adapt to their mechanical environment remain poorly understood. Advances in intracellular and extracellular tension sensors have enabled the quantification of the physiologically relevant forces at play, which trigger conformational changes in the involved proteins that can be tracked with single-molecule <em>in vitro</em> techniques. From early AFM experiments focused on stiff ECM proteins like tenascin and fibronectin to recent magnetic tweezers studies of mechanically labile focal adhesion proteins, such as talin and vinculin, we are progressively elucidating the physicochemical principles underlying force-sensing processes. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the study of the nanomechanics of ECM and focal adhesion proteins, highlighting how molecular-scale mechanics drive complex mechanosensing and mechanotransduction processes at the cellular level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100599"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144255499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100598
Elisa B. Nieves , Andrés J. García
Fibrotic diseases are characterized by the excess production of extracellular matrix components that leads to changes in tissue mechanics and function. Mechanosensing altered during the onset of pulmonary fibrosis is hypothesized to form a positive-feedback loop that contributes to the progression of the disease. However, the exact mechanism(s) leading to fibrotic tissue remodeling as opposed to homeostatic tissue remodeling remains unknown. The development of innovative laboratory models of pulmonary fibrosis has facilitated mechanistic studies of pathogenic mechanosensing and identified new anti-fibrotic candidates. This brief review will cover recent (<5 years) publications that explore mechanotransduction pathways contributing to the development of pulmonary fibrosis and innovative laboratory models that can advance the field.
{"title":"Mechanosensing pathways in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis","authors":"Elisa B. Nieves , Andrés J. García","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fibrotic diseases are characterized by the excess production of extracellular matrix components that leads to changes in tissue mechanics and function. Mechanosensing altered during the onset of pulmonary fibrosis is hypothesized to form a positive-feedback loop that contributes to the progression of the disease. However, the exact mechanism(s) leading to fibrotic tissue remodeling as opposed to homeostatic tissue remodeling remains unknown. The development of innovative laboratory models of pulmonary fibrosis has facilitated mechanistic studies of pathogenic mechanosensing and identified new anti-fibrotic candidates. This brief review will cover recent (<5 years) publications that explore mechanotransduction pathways contributing to the development of pulmonary fibrosis and innovative laboratory models that can advance the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100598"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144204784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100601
Chiara Coricciati , Eleonora Mello , Elisa De Luca , Giuseppe Gigli , Alberto Rainer , Pamela Mozetic
Organs-on-chips (OoCs) are micro-engineered systems recapitulating the microenvironment and functions of native organs, thus representing a platform for studying complex biological processes in vitro. Advances in OoC technology have transformed the landscape of disease modeling, opening new avenues for research and therapeutic development. Gut- and liver-on-chip models are particularly relevant, given the involvement of these two organs in several physiological processes. Indeed, the intricate interactions between the gastrointestinal and hepatic systems, named gut-liver axis, play a key role in metabolic processes and in the pathogenesis of several conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease. This review summarizes the advancements in the field of gut- and liver-on-chip models over the past five years, focusing on their application in disease modeling. By highlighting recent developments and open challenges, we aim to underscore the potential of these systems in enhancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and improving therapeutic strategies.
{"title":"Gut-on-chip and liver-on-chip platforms for pathophysiological modeling","authors":"Chiara Coricciati , Eleonora Mello , Elisa De Luca , Giuseppe Gigli , Alberto Rainer , Pamela Mozetic","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organs-on-chips (OoCs) are micro-engineered systems recapitulating the microenvironment and functions of native organs, thus representing a platform for studying complex biological processes <em>in vitro</em>. Advances in OoC technology have transformed the landscape of disease modeling, opening new avenues for research and therapeutic development. Gut- and liver-on-chip models are particularly relevant, given the involvement of these two organs in several physiological processes. Indeed, the intricate interactions between the gastrointestinal and hepatic systems, named gut-liver axis, play a key role in metabolic processes and in the pathogenesis of several conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease. This review summarizes the advancements in the field of gut- and liver-on-chip models over the past five years, focusing on their application in disease modeling. By highlighting recent developments and open challenges, we aim to underscore the potential of these systems in enhancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and improving therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100601"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144255500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100600
Arnaud Miéville, Viola Vogel
The discovery that proteins can act as mechanochemical switches lies at the core of the new field of mechanobiology. Nanotools enabled to establish that structural changes induced by mechanical stress or mechano-regulated proteolytic activity alter the accessibility or presentation of binding sites and thereby modulate cellular functions. Current research highlights extracellular matrix (ECM) fiber tension as a powerful modulator of cell functions, with significant implications for tissue pathology and potential applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. With the goal of developing mechanopharmaceuticals, this current opinion aims to discuss emerging insights into mechanochemical switches in the ECM and how alterations in their tensional states can influence cellular behavior and disease progression.
{"title":"Cell Niche Properties as Tuned by Physical Factors: ECM Proteins as Mechanochemical Switches","authors":"Arnaud Miéville, Viola Vogel","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The discovery that proteins can act as mechanochemical switches lies at the core of the new field of mechanobiology. Nanotools enabled to establish that structural changes induced by mechanical stress or mechano-regulated proteolytic activity alter the accessibility or presentation of binding sites and thereby modulate cellular functions. Current research highlights extracellular matrix (ECM) fiber tension as a powerful modulator of cell functions, with significant implications for tissue pathology and potential applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. With the goal of developing mechanopharmaceuticals, this current opinion aims to discuss emerging insights into mechanochemical switches in the ECM and how alterations in their tensional states can influence cellular behavior and disease progression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100600"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100595
Katrina Lyon, Kai Yee Eng, Francesco Boccellato, Antonella D'Amore
The microenvironment of an infection is the biological space surrounding the interaction between the pathogen and the host. Focusing on epithelial barriers, the apical microenvironment corresponds to the lumen of the organ, where the pathogen must survive amidst body fluids, microbiota, and cellular secretions. On the opposite side, the basal microenvironment includes stromal cells, endothelial cells of blood vessels, and immune cells recruited to combat infection. The first distinguishing element between the apical and basal domains is the epithelium itself, which consists of polarized cells that secrete different molecules to their apical and basal domains. Organoids and other stem cell-derived culture systems have emerged as valuable models for studying epithelial barriers and their capacities for pathogen recognition, inflammatory signalling, and differentiation. By mimicking multiple aspects of epithelial biology in vitro, organoids provide an opportunity to investigate infections from the initial attack to the subsequent defences. This review explores how organoids, stem cell-derived planar cultures, and micro-physiological systems are transforming our understanding of infection microenvironments.
{"title":"Organoids and derived models to study the microenvironments of bacterial infections","authors":"Katrina Lyon, Kai Yee Eng, Francesco Boccellato, Antonella D'Amore","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100595","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100595","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The microenvironment of an infection is the biological space surrounding the interaction between the pathogen and the host. Focusing on epithelial barriers, the apical microenvironment corresponds to the lumen of the organ, where the pathogen must survive amidst body fluids, microbiota, and cellular secretions. On the opposite side, the basal microenvironment includes stromal cells, endothelial cells of blood vessels, and immune cells recruited to combat infection. The first distinguishing element between the apical and basal domains is the epithelium itself, which consists of polarized cells that secrete different molecules to their apical and basal domains. Organoids and other stem cell-derived culture systems have emerged as valuable models for studying epithelial barriers and their capacities for pathogen recognition, inflammatory signalling, and differentiation. By mimicking multiple aspects of epithelial biology <em>in vitro</em>, organoids provide an opportunity to investigate infections from the initial attack to the subsequent defences. This review explores how organoids, stem cell-derived planar cultures, and micro-physiological systems are transforming our understanding of infection microenvironments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100595"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144189622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-08DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100594
Luis F. Arrieta-Viana , Andrés J. García
Spatiotemporally-patterned biomaterials have emerged as powerful tools for enhancing organoid development and functionality by recreating the dynamic complexity of native tissues. Recent innovations in photopatterning, bioprinting, and stimuli-responsive materials have expanded our ability to control the cellular microenvironment with remarkable precision. These advances have significantly improved our ability to control organoid development, leading to better structural organization and functionality. However, transitioning from proof-of-concept studies to standardized, scalable platforms remains challenging. Breakthrough technologies developed in recent years have transformed organoid applications and accelerated their translation. We suggest that the integration of multiple control systems, especially through microfluidics and “smart” materials, offers the most promising path toward realizing the full potential of organoid technologies.
{"title":"Spatiotemporally-patterned biomaterials for organoid culture","authors":"Luis F. Arrieta-Viana , Andrés J. García","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spatiotemporally-patterned biomaterials have emerged as powerful tools for enhancing organoid development and functionality by recreating the dynamic complexity of native tissues. Recent innovations in photopatterning, bioprinting, and stimuli-responsive materials have expanded our ability to control the cellular microenvironment with remarkable precision. These advances have significantly improved our ability to control organoid development, leading to better structural organization and functionality. However, transitioning from proof-of-concept studies to standardized, scalable platforms remains challenging. Breakthrough technologies developed in recent years have transformed organoid applications and accelerated their translation. We suggest that the integration of multiple control systems, especially through microfluidics and “smart” materials, offers the most promising path toward realizing the full potential of organoid technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100594"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144123466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Microneedles (MNs) are an attractive option as a minimally invasive means to break through the stratum corneum of the skin for transdermal drug delivery and the analysis of interstitial fluid. The solid-based porous microneedle (PMN) is a relatively new type of MN with a micro/nanochannel network throughout the whole needle. The PMN, filled with an electrolyte solution serves as a ‘salt bridge’ to create an ionic pathway across the skin surface layer. This review outlines the advantages of the ionically conductive PMN from a biomedical engineering perspective. After a brief description of the fabrication techniques of PMN, the decrease in transdermal resistance by PMN insertion is quantitatively discussed. In addition, possible applications of PMN-based salt bridges are presented, including the skin potential and resistance measurements, intradermal electrochemical analysis, and transdermal molecular transport.
{"title":"Porous microneedles: Transdermal salt bridge for biomedical device engineering","authors":"Gaobo Wang , Yuina Abe , Soichiro Tottori , Shuto Osaki , Matsuhiko Nishizawa","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100593","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100593","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microneedles (MNs) are an attractive option as a minimally invasive means to break through the stratum corneum of the skin for transdermal drug delivery and the analysis of interstitial fluid. The solid-based porous microneedle (PMN) is a relatively new type of MN with a micro/nanochannel network throughout the whole needle. The PMN, filled with an electrolyte solution serves as a ‘salt bridge’ to create an ionic pathway across the skin surface layer. This review outlines the advantages of the ionically conductive PMN from a biomedical engineering perspective. After a brief description of the fabrication techniques of PMN, the decrease in transdermal resistance by PMN insertion is quantitatively discussed. In addition, possible applications of PMN-based salt bridges are presented, including the skin potential and resistance measurements, intradermal electrochemical analysis, and transdermal molecular transport.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100593"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144138158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-28DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100592
Fadoua El Abdellaoui Soussi , Francesco Piraino , Janine Scholefield , Sylke Hoehnel-Ka , Magdalena Kasendra
The interplay between genetic ancestry and biological sex is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing health outcomes, treatment efficacy, and drug toxicity. Current research highlights significant disparities in disease susceptibility and therapeutic responses across different ancestral groups and sexes, with underrepresentation of diverse populations in genomic studies impeding progress. Most Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) remain predominantly European, hindering the development of accurate polygenic risk scores (PRS). Additionally, sex-related differences in drug metabolism, immune response, and disease prevalence necessitate sex-stratified analyses. This review underscores the potential of advanced in vitro models, particularly human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and adult stem cell-derived organoids, to bridge these gaps by providing platforms that reflect human genetic diversity and facilitate high-throughput screening. By integrating diverse genetic data and leveraging donor/population-specific organoid models’ researchers can uncover critical genotype-phenotype associations that enhance understanding of health disparities and improve pharmacogenomic applications. To increase reproducibility and throughput, standardized protocols, implementing automation, and employing organoid arrays along with well-controlled pooled populations can streamline workflows and enhance repeatability across studies and geographies. This approach fosters personalized medicine aimed at optimizing treatment efficacy and reducing adverse reactions across diverse populations, promoting equitable healthcare outcomes.
{"title":"Diversity in a dish: Leveraging organoids to reflect genetic ancestry and sex differences in health and disease","authors":"Fadoua El Abdellaoui Soussi , Francesco Piraino , Janine Scholefield , Sylke Hoehnel-Ka , Magdalena Kasendra","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The interplay between genetic ancestry and biological sex is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing health outcomes, treatment efficacy, and drug toxicity. Current research highlights significant disparities in disease susceptibility and therapeutic responses across different ancestral groups and sexes, with underrepresentation of diverse populations in genomic studies impeding progress. Most Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) remain predominantly European, hindering the development of accurate polygenic risk scores (PRS). Additionally, sex-related differences in drug metabolism, immune response, and disease prevalence necessitate sex-stratified analyses. This review underscores the potential of advanced <em>in vitro</em> models, particularly human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and adult stem cell-derived organoids, to bridge these gaps by providing platforms that reflect human genetic diversity and facilitate high-throughput screening. By integrating diverse genetic data and leveraging donor/population-specific organoid models’ researchers can uncover critical genotype-phenotype associations that enhance understanding of health disparities and improve pharmacogenomic applications. To increase reproducibility and throughput, standardized protocols, implementing automation, and employing organoid arrays along with well-controlled pooled populations can streamline workflows and enhance repeatability across studies and geographies. This approach fosters personalized medicine aimed at optimizing treatment efficacy and reducing adverse reactions across diverse populations, promoting equitable healthcare outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"35 ","pages":"Article 100592"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144089034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-16DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100591
Haoran Gong , Wenwen Weng , Shuhao Zhang , Zhigang Gao , Ning Hu
Electrophysiology measurement is a significant technique to detect electrical activities and analyze cell behaviors. Among various electrophysiological detection methods, microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been widely investigated in recent years due to their high efficiency and accuracy in analyzing electrophysiological activities of cells and tissues. Rigid MEAs, favored for their convenience and scalability, are widely used in drug selection, pathological analysis, and photothermal research. Soft MEAs, with the flexible geometries and outstanding biocompatibility, are better suited for applications involving three-dimensional organoids. This review provides an overview of recent advances in rigid and soft MEAs over the past five years, focusing on their application in cardiology and neuroscience.
{"title":"Rigid and soft microelectrodes for electrophysiology measurement","authors":"Haoran Gong , Wenwen Weng , Shuhao Zhang , Zhigang Gao , Ning Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100591","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100591","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Electrophysiology measurement is a significant technique to detect electrical activities and analyze cell behaviors. Among various electrophysiological detection methods, microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been widely investigated in recent years due to their high efficiency and accuracy in analyzing electrophysiological activities of cells and tissues. Rigid MEAs, favored for their convenience and scalability, are widely used in drug selection, pathological analysis, and photothermal research. Soft MEAs, with the flexible geometries and outstanding biocompatibility, are better suited for applications involving three-dimensional organoids. This review provides an overview of recent advances in rigid and soft MEAs over the past five years, focusing on their application in cardiology and neuroscience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 100591"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-04-08DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100590
Maria K. Jantz , Robert A. Gaunt
Lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction is a common symptom of a wide array of neural disorders, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, interventions to treat LUT dysfunction primarily manage symptoms without restoring coordinated bladder control. To regain this control, neural prostheses are being developed that operate through multiple neurophysiological mechanisms.
Here, we discuss recent advances that use three fundamentally different mechanisms; some systems target LUT reflexes to produce coordinated voiding or continence, others drive non-LUT circuits that indirectly influence bladder and urethral function, while others directly excite or block the motor components of the LUT. The work described here demonstrates substantial advances in the field, yet many of these advances have not been translated to clinical use. We suggest that developing devices to transform the state of clinical bladder care will require that known translational challenges are considered from the outset, even in basic mechanistic research.
{"title":"Mechanism to translation: Neural prostheses for the lower urinary tract","authors":"Maria K. Jantz , Robert A. Gaunt","doi":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cobme.2025.100590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction is a common symptom of a wide array of neural disorders, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, interventions to treat LUT dysfunction primarily manage symptoms without restoring coordinated bladder control. To regain this control, neural prostheses are being developed that operate through multiple neurophysiological mechanisms.</div><div>Here, we discuss recent advances that use three fundamentally different mechanisms; some systems target LUT reflexes to produce coordinated voiding or continence, others drive non-LUT circuits that indirectly influence bladder and urethral function, while others directly excite or block the motor components of the LUT. The work described here demonstrates substantial advances in the field, yet many of these advances have not been translated to clinical use. We suggest that developing devices to transform the state of clinical bladder care will require that known translational challenges are considered from the outset, even in basic mechanistic research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36748,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 100590"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143882332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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