Chirality-Dependent Angiogenic Activity of MoS2 Quantum Dots toward Regulatable Tissue Regeneration

Thermodynamics and models for small nanoparticles upon protein adsorption

Proteins are some of the most important components in living organisms. When nanoparticles enter a living system, they swiftly interact with proteins to produce the so-called "protein corona", which depicts the adsorption of proteins on large nanoparticles (normally tens to hundreds of nanometers). However, the sizes of small nanoparticles (typically, fluorescent nanomaterials such as quantum dots, noble metal nanoclusters, carbon dots, etc.) are less than 10 nm, which are comparable or even much smaller than those of proteins. Can proteins also adsorb onto the surface of small nanoparticles to form a "protein corona"? In this perspective, the interactions between small nanoparticles with proteins are discussed in detail, including the main characterization methods and thermodynamic mechanisms. The interaction models are summarized. In particular, the concept of a "protein complex" is emphasized.

Chiral Engineered Biomaterials: New Frontiers in Cellular Fate Regulation for Regenerative Medicine

Chirality, the property of objects that are nonsuperimposable on their mirror images, plays a crucial role in biological processes and cellular behaviors. Chiral engineered biomaterials have emerged as a promising approach to regulating cellular fate in regenerative medicine. However, few reviews provide a comprehensive examination of recent advancements in chiral biomaterials and their applications in cellular fate regulation. Herein, various fabrication techniques available for chiral biomaterials, including the use of chiral molecules, surface patterning, and self‐assembly are discussed. The mechanisms through which chiral biomaterials influence cellular responses, such as modulation of adhesion receptors, intracellular signaling, and gene expression, are explored. Notably, chiral biomaterials have demonstrated their ability to guide stem cell differentiation and augment tissue‐specific functions. The potential applications of chiral biomaterials in musculoskeletal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and wound healing are highlighted. Challenges and future perspectives, including standardization of fabrication methods and translation to clinical settings, are addressed. In conclusion, chiral engineered biomaterials offer exciting prospects for precisely controlling cellular fate, advancing regenerative medicine, and enabling personalized therapeutic strategies.

Isolation of Biomolecules Using MXenes

Biomolecule isolation is a crucial process in diverse biomedical and biochemical applications, including diagnostics, therapeutics, research, and manufacturing. Recently, MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional nanomaterials, have emerged as promising adsorbents for this purpose due to their unique physicochemical properties. These biocompatible and antibacterial nanomaterials feature a high aspect ratio, excellent conductivity, and versatile surface chemistry. This timely review explores the potential of MXenes for isolating a wide range of biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules, while highlighting key future research trends and innovative applications poised to transform the field. This review provides an in-depth discussion of various synthesis methods and functionalization techniques that enhance the specificity and efficiency of MXenes in biomolecule isolation. In addition, the mechanisms by which MXenes interact with biomolecules are elucidated, offering insights into their selective adsorption and customized separation capabilities. This review also addresses recent advancements, identifies existing challenges, and examines emerging trends that may drive the next wave of innovation in this rapidly evolving area.

Electrostatically Self-Assembled Magnetic Nanoparticles for High-Temperature Resistant and Friction-Controlled Lubrication System

Magnetic-responsive surfactants are considered promising smart lubricating materials due to their significant stimulation response to applied magnetic fields. In this study, four magneto-responsive surfactants are successfully fabricated and encapsulated on the surface of molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2@C18H37N+(CH3)3[XCl3Br]-, X = Fe, Ce, Gd, and Ho) as base-oil components using electrostatic self-assembly, thereby constructing a multi-functional magnetic lubrication system (MoS2@STAX). Magnetorheological measurements confirm the remarkable responsiveness of MoS2@STACe lubricants at high shear rates and applied magnetic fields, which is further corroborated by the constant proximity of the magnet. The formation of dense carbon and tribo-chemical films between the friction interfaces at elevated temperatures is the primary factor contributing to the significant reduction in frictional wear. Notably, the magnetic lubricant demonstrates a pronounced response behavior when subjected to an applied magnetic field in the ceramic tribopair, even at lower magnetic fields. This work presents concepts for the development of high-temperature resistant and tunable lubrication additives by designing the material structure and controlling the magnetic stimulation.

Transforming Medicine with Nanobiotechnology: Nanocarriers and Their Biomedical Applications

Nanobiotechnology, at the intersection of nanotechnology and biology, represents a burgeoning field poised to revolutionize medicine through the use of advanced nanocarriers. These nanocarriers, endowed with distinctive physiobiological attributes, are instrumental in diverse therapeutic domains including drug delivery for microbial infections, cancer treatment, tissue engineering, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. Despite the transformative potential, several challenges hinder their efficacy, such as limited drug capacity, suboptimal targeting, and poor solubility. This review delves into the latest advancements in nanocarrier technologies, examining their properties, associated limitations, and the innovative solutions developed to address these issues. It highlights promising nanocarrier systems like nanocomposites, micelles, hydrogels, microneedles, and artificial cells that employ advanced conjugation techniques, sustained and stimulus-responsive release mechanisms, and enhanced solubility. By exploring these novel structures and their contributions to overcoming existing barriers, the article emphasizes the vital role of interdisciplinary research in advancing nanobiotechnology. This field offers unparalleled opportunities for precise and effective therapeutic delivery, underscoring its potential to reshape healthcare through personalized, targeted treatments and improved drug performance.

Biomedical prospects and challenges of metal dichalcogenides nanomaterials

The biomedical applications of metal dichalcogenides (MDCs) nanomaterials (NMs) are an emerging discipline because of their unique attributes like high surface-to-volume ratio, defect sites, superb catalytic performance, and excitation-dependent emission, which is helpful in bio-imaging and cancer cell killing. Due to the compatibility of sensing material with cells and tissues, MoS2, WS2, and SnS2NMs have piqued the interest of researchers in various biomedical applications like photothermal therapy used in killing cancer cells, drug delivery, photoacoustic tomography (PAT) used in bio-imaging, nucleic acid or gene delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, etc. Furthermore, these NMs' functionalization and defect engineering can enhance therapeutic efficacy, biocompatibility, high drug transport efficiency, adjustable drug release, dispersibility, and biodegradability. Among the aforementioned materials, MoS2NMs have extensively been explored via functionalization and defects engineering to improve biosensing properties. However, further enhancement is still available. Aside from MoS2, the distinct chemo-physical and optical features of WS2and SnS2NMs promise considerable potential in biosensing, nanomedicine, and pharmaceuticals. This article mainly focuses on the challenges and future aspects of two-dimensional MDCs NMs in biomedical applications, along with their advancements in various medical diagnosis processes.

Perspectives on Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions at the In Vivo Level

The distinct features of nanoparticles have provided a vast opportunity of developing new diagnosis and therapy strategies for miscellaneous diseases. Although a few nanomedicines are available in the market or in the translation stage, many important issues are still unsolved. When entering the body, nanomaterials will be quickly coated by proteins from their surroundings, forming a corona on their surface, the so-called protein corona. Studies have shown that the protein corona has many important biological implications, particularly at the in vivo level. For example, they can promote the immune system to rapidly clear these outer materials and prevent nanoparticles from playing their designed role in therapy. In this Perspective, the available techniques for characterizing protein-nanoparticle interactions are critically summarized. Effects of nanoparticle properties and environmental factors on protein corona formation, which can further regulate the in vivo fate of nanoparticles, are highlighted and discussed. Moreover, recent progress on the biomedical application of protein corona-engineered nanoparticles is introduced, and future directions for this important yet challenging research area are also briefly discussed.

Chiral nanomaterials in tissue engineering

Addressing significant medical challenges arising from tissue damage and organ failure, the field of tissue engineering has evolved to provide revolutionary approaches for regenerating functional tissues and organs. This involves employing various techniques, including the development and application of novel nanomaterials. Among them, chiral nanomaterials comprising non-superimposable nanostructures with their mirror images have recently emerged as innovative biomaterial candidates to guide tissue regeneration due to their unique characteristics. Chiral nanomaterials including chiral fibre supramolecular hydrogels, polymer-based chiral materials, self-assembling peptides, chiral-patterned surfaces, and the recently developed intrinsically chiroptical nanoparticles have demonstrated remarkable ability to regulate biological processes through routes such as enantioselective catalysis and enhanced antibacterial activity. Despite several recent reviews on chiral nanomaterials, limited attention has been given to the specific potential of these materials in facilitating tissue regeneration processes. Thus, this timely review aims to fill this gap by exploring the fundamental characteristics of chiral nanomaterials, including their chiroptical activities and analytical techniques. Also, the recent advancements in incorporating these materials in tissue engineering applications are highlighted. The review concludes by critically discussing the outlook of utilizing chiral nanomaterials in guiding future strategies for tissue engineering design.

Promoting collateral formation in type 2 diabetes mellitus using ultra-small nanodots with autophagy activation and ROS scavenging

BACKGROUND

Impaired collateral formation is a major factor contributing to poor prognosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the current pharmacological treatments for improving collateral formation remain unsatisfactory. The induction of endothelial autophagy and the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent potential therapeutic targets for enhancing endothelial angiogenesis and facilitating collateral formation. This study investigates the potential of molybdenum disulfide nanodots (MoS2 NDs) for enhancing collateral formation and improving prognosis.

RESULTS

Our study shows that MoS2 NDs significantly enhance collateral formation in ischemic tissues of diabetic mice, improving effective blood resupply. Additionally, MoS2 NDs boost the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells under high glucose/hypoxia conditions in vitro. Mechanistically, the beneficial effects of MoS2 NDs on collateral formation not only depend on their known scavenging properties of ROS (H2O2, •O2-, and •OH) but also primarily involve a molecular pathway, cAMP/PKA-NR4A2, which promotes autophagy and contributes to mitigating damage in diabetic endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study investigated the specific mechanism by which MoS2 NDs mediated autophagy activation and highlighted the synergy between autophagy activation and antioxidation, thus suggesting that an economic and biocompatible nano-agent with dual therapeutic functions is highly preferable for promoting collateral formation in a diabetic context, thus, highlighting their therapeutic potential.