This report describes a 3D microelectrode array integrated on a thin-film flexible cable for neural recording in small animals. The fabrication process combines traditional silicon thin-film processing techniques and direct laser writing of 3D structures at micron resolution via two-photon lithography. Direct laser-writing of 3D-printed electrodes has been described before, but this report is the first to provide a method for producing high-aspect-ratio structures. One prototype, a 16-channel array with 300 µm pitch, demonstrates successful electrophysiological signal capture from bird and mouse brains. Additional devices include 90 µm pitch arrays, biomimetic mosquito needles that penetrate through the dura of birds, and porous electrodes with enhanced surface area. The rapid 3D printing and wafer-scale methods described here will enable efficient device fabrication and new studies examining the relationship between electrode geometry and electrode performance. Applications include small animal models, nerve interfaces, retinal implants, and other devices requiring compact, high-density 3D electrodes.

BackgroundAgarose encapsulated murine renal adenocarcinoma cells (RENCA macrobeads) are currently being investigated in clinical trials as a treatment for therapy-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer. We have previously demonstrated the capacity of RENCA macrobeads to produce diffusible substances that markedly inhibit the proliferation of epithelial-derived tumor cells outside the macrobead environment. This study examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed inhibition in targeted tumor cells exposed to RENCA macrobeads.MethodsWe evaluated changes in transcription factor responses, participating intracellular signaling pathways and the involvement of specific cellular receptors in targeted tumor cells exposed to RENCA macrobeads.ResultsFactors secreted by RENCA macrobeads significantly up-regulated the activity of the MEF2 transcription factor as well as altered the transcription of MEF2b and MEF2d isoforms in targeted tumor cells. Suppression of individual or multiple MEF2 isoforms in target tumor cells markedly reduced the growth inhibitory effects of RENCA macrobeads. Furthermore, these effects were linked to the activation of the EGF receptor as attenuation of EGFR resulted in a substantial reduction of the cancer cell growth-inhibitory effect.ConclusionsSince interruption of the EGFR signaling cascade did not eliminate RENCA macrobead-induced growth control, our data suggests that RENCA macrobeads exert their full growth inhibitory effects through the simultaneous activation of multiple signaling pathways. In contrast to a precision medicine approach targeting single molecular abnormalities, the RENCA macrobead functions as a biological-systems therapy to re-establish regulation in a highly dysfunctional and dysregulated cancer system.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-5128-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Although human islet transplantation has proven to provide clinical benefits, especially the near complete amelioration of hypoglycemia, the supply of human islets is limited and insufficient to meet the needs of all people that could benefit from islet transplantation. Porcine islets, secreting insulin nearly identical to that of human insulin, have been proposed as a viable supply of unlimited islets. Further, encapsulation of the porcine islets has been shown to reduce or eliminate the use of immunosuppressive therapy that would be required to prevent rejection of the foreign islet tissue.The goal of the current study was to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of agarose encapsulated porcine islets (macrobeads) in diabetic cynomolgus macaques, in a study emulating a proposed IND trial in which daily exogenous insulin therapy would be reduced by 50% with no loss of glucose regulation. Four of six animals implanted with macrobeads demonstrated ≥ 30% reduction in insulin requirements in year 1 of follow-up. Animals were followed for 2, 3.5, and 7.4 years with no serious adverse events, mortality or evidence of pathogen transmission. This study supports the continued pursuit of encapsulated porcine islet therapy as a promising treatment option for diabetes mellitus.

This report describes a 3D microelectrode array integrated on a thin-film flexible cable for neural recording in small animals. The micro electrode array fabrication process integrates traditional silicon thin-film processing techniques and direct laser writing of 3D structures at micron resolution via two-photon lithography. While direct laser writing of 3D printed electrodes has been described before, this report is the first to provide a method for high-aspect-ratio laser-written structures integrated with microfabricated electrical traces. One prototype is a 16-channel array composed of 350 micrometer long shanks spaced on a grid with 90 micrometer pitch. Other devices shown here include biomimetic mosquito-needles that penetrate through the dura of birds and porous electrodes designed to promote tissue ingrowth or enhance charge injection capacity for neural stimulation. These devices are just a few examples of a new design space that will enable high-channel-count 3D electrode arrays with features definable at single micrometer resolution. Using a custom laser writer, the 3D printing process is rapid (1 mm3/min). This high-speed printing combined with standard wafer-scale processes will enable efficient device fabrication and new studies examining the relationship between electrode geometry and electrode performance. We anticipate highest impact in small animal models, nerve interfaces, retinal implants, and other applications requiring small, high density 3D electrodes.

We have previously shown that murine renal adenocarcinoma (RENCA) cells encapsulated in agarose macrobeads (MB) secrete factors that inhibit the proliferation of freely growing tumor cells outside the MB, both in vitro and in vivo. This effect is being investigated in ongoing clinical trials with colorectal patients who underwent laparoscopic intraperitoneal implantations of RENCA MBs (NCT01053013, NCT02046174). In the current study, we report the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies) in combination with RENCA MBs on tumor burden in BALB/cJ mice induced with K7M2 murine osteosarcoma tumors. Mice that developed tumors (2-5 mm) on subcutaneous injection of K7M2 cells were randomly enrolled in the following study groups: sham, RENCA MBs only, anti-PD-1 only, RENCA MBs + anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1 only, RENCA MBs + anti-PD-L1. Anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies were administered ip bi-weekly for 3-6 weeks. RENCA MBs were implanted in the peritoneal cavity on the day of enrollment. Mean tumor volumes (mm3) throughout days 0-24 were: RENCA MB (199.17 ± 125.57), anti-PD-1 only (278.87 ± 180.34), anti-PD-L1 only (332.46 ± 185.13) and sham treated mice (512.61 ± 230.12). RENCA MB and anti-PD-L1 combination therapy did not inhibit tumor growth (375.00 ± 511.61). PD-L1 expression was absent in primary tumors as observed by immunostaining. Treatment with RENCA MBs plus anti-PD-1 treatment demonstrated an additive effect (116.94 ± 83.77) compared to RENCA MB only or anti-PD-1 alone. Moreover, tumors in 4 out of 16 mice from the RENCA MB plus anti-PD-1 group receded and were undetectable (3 in less than 1 week and 1 at 39 days) following treatment. Tumors also regressed and were not palpable in 1 mouse each in the anti-PD-1 and RENCA MB plus anti-PD-L1 groups at day 14 and 9, respectively. Discontinuation of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 treatment after 3 weeks of treatment resulted in loss of tumor growth regulation. Preliminary data suggests that continued treatment with these immune checkpoint inhibitors beyond 3 weeks prolongs the regulation of tumor growth in this model. These data support the use of anti-PD-1 in combination with the implantation of RENCA macrobeads in this mouse model of osteosarcoma, and the possibility of similar approaches in the clinic. Citation Format: Pradeep R. Dumpala, Prithy C. Martis, Melissa A. Bemrose, Atira Dudley, Barry H. Smith, Lawrence S. Gazda. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy in combination with the implantation of agarose encapsulated cancer cells inhibits tumor growth in a mouse model of osteosarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2731.