The smart connective tissue of echinoderms: a materializing promise for biotech applications

Echinoderm Mutable Collagenous Tissues (MCT5) undergo nervously mediated, drastic and reversible changes in their passive mechanical properties. MCT mutability is involved in autotomy, posture maintenance and motility, and, as a consequence, it influences all aspects of echinoderm biology (nutrition, reproduction, habitat selection, self-defense and predatory behavior) representing a key-factor for the ecological success of the phylum. Besides this, MCT performance represents a topic of remarkable interest for many different applied fields. A biomimetic research route looks at MCTs as a source of inspiration for the development of smart and innovative biomaterials with great potential for in vitro and in vivo applications when controlled and reversible plasticization and/or stiffening of the extracellular matrix is required. The MIMESIS (Marine Invertebrate Models & Engineered Substrates for Innovative bio-Scaffolds) project has been developed within this scientific context. The selected echinoderm model is the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. This project is based on a multidisciplinary approach combining functional biology with biomaterial engineering. A brief review of recent morphological, biomolecular, biomechanical and biochemical results on P lividus MCTs are here presented in a biotechnological perspective, taking into account also a promising application regarding the use of MCT-derived substrata for cell culture studies.