Speaker
Description
Collagen-based biomaterials have gained increasing attention in regenerative medicine and nutraceutical applications. This study integrates three complementary approaches: the investigation of collagenous biopolymers from marine spongin, the development of bioinks derived from decellularized collagen-rich extracellular matrix (dECM) of the porcine meniscus for 3D bioprinting, and the creation of a single-cell transcriptome atlas of the meniscus to support tissue engineering strategies.
Our research confirms the presence of collagen types I and III as primary structural components of spongin, with proteomics, solid-state NMR, and Raman spectroscopy demonstrating its compositional similarity to mammalian collagen. Additionally, HPLC-MS analysis identified halogenated di- and tri-tyrosine crosslinking agents, revealing a complex molecular interplay within this ancient biocomposite [1]. In parallel, we present an efficient, scalable method for extracting and processing porcine meniscus dECM for bioink formulation. Given the meniscus's cartilage-like properties and structural robustness, we developed a novel protocol combining homogenization, hydrolysis, supercritical CO₂ extraction, and lyophilization. This method retains native biomolecules while ensuring good printability and cell-supportive properties. Despite DNA content exceeding conventional thresholds, in vitro studies confirmed excellent biocompatibility, challenging current decellularization efficacy standards[2].
Furthermore, we introduce a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome atlas of the porcine meniscus, highlighting four major cell types—chondrocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells—along with five distinct chondrocyte subclusters (Ch0-Ch4). Notably, chondrocyte subclusters in the red zone exhibit mesenchymal stem cell-like properties, contributing to tissue remodeling, endothelial proliferation, and vascularization, whereas those in the white zone specialize in cartilage matrix deposition and microenvironmental protection. The cellular similarity between porcine and human menisci reinforces the pig model’s relevance for orthopaedic research and regenerative medicine [3].
By integrating biomaterial innovations with cellular and molecular insights, our findings open new avenues for advanced therapies in tissue engineering, meniscal repair, and collagen-based nutraceuticals.
[1] H. Ehrlich, I. Miksik, M. Tsurkan, P. Simon, F. Porzucek, J. D. Rybka, M. Mankowska, R. Galli, C. Viehweger, E. Brendler, A. Voronkina, M. Pajewska-Szmyt, A. Tabachnik, K. Tabachnick, C. Vogt, M. Wysokowski, T. Jesionowski, T. Buchwald, M. Szybowicz, K. Skieresz-Szewczyk, H. Jackowiak, A. Ereskovsky, A. CS de Alcântara, A. Dos Santos, C. da Costa, S. Arevalo, M. Skaf, M. Buehler Discovery of mammalian collagens I and III within ancient poriferan biopolymer spongin; Nature Communications (2025)
[2] F. Porzucek, M. Mankowska, J. Semba, P. Cywoniuk, A. Augustyniak, A. Mleczko, A. Teixeira, P. Martins, A. Mieloch,
J. D. Rybka Development of a Porcine Decellularized Extracellular Matrix (dECM) Bioink for 3D Bioprinting of Meniscus Tissue Engineering: Formulation, Characterization and Biological Evaluation, Virtual and Physical Prototyping (2024)
[3] M. Mankowska, M. Stefanska, A. Mleczko, K. Sarad, W. Kot, L. Krych, J. Semba, E. Lindberg, J. D. Rybka Pig meniscus single-cell sequencing reveals highly active red zone chondrocyte populations involved in stemness maintenance and vascularization development, Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology) (2025)
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