Mathematical Model Predicts that Acceleration of Diabetic Wound Healing is Dependent on Spatial Distribution of VEGF-A mRNA (AZD8601)

Understanding the ideal wound healing mechanistic behavior using in silico modelling perspectives: A review

Complexity of the entire body precludes an accurate assessment of the specific contributions of tissues or cells during the healing process, which might be expensive and time consuming. Because of this, controlling the wound's size, depth, and dimensions may be challenging, and there is not yet an efficient and reliable chronic wound model representation. Furthermore, given the inherent challenges associated with conducting non-invasive in vivo investigations, it becomes peremptory to explore alternative methodologies for studying wound healing. In this context, biologically-realistic mathematical and computational models emerge as a valuable framework that can effectively address this need. Therefore, it might improve our approach to understanding the process at its core. This article will examines all facets of wound healing, including the kinds, pathways, and most current developments in wound treatment worldwide, particularly in silico modelling utilizing both mathematical and structure-based modelling techniques. It may be helpful to identify the crucial traits through the feedback loop of computer models and experimental investigations in order to build innovative therapies to cure wounds. Hence the effectiveness of personalised medicine and more targeted therapy in the healing of wounds may be enhanced by this interdisciplinary expertise.

mRNA vaccines in disease prevention and treatment

mRNA vaccines have emerged as highly effective strategies in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, thanks largely although not totally to their extraordinary performance in recent years against the worldwide plague COVID-19. The huge superiority of mRNA vaccines regarding their efficacy, safety, and large-scale manufacture encourages pharmaceutical industries and biotechnology companies to expand their application to a diverse array of diseases, despite the nonnegligible problems in design, fabrication, and mode of administration. This review delves into the technical underpinnings of mRNA vaccines, covering mRNA design, synthesis, delivery, and adjuvant technologies. Moreover, this review presents a systematic retrospective analysis in a logical and well-organized manner, shedding light on representative mRNA vaccines employed in various diseases. The scope extends across infectious diseases, cancers, immunological diseases, tissue damages, and rare diseases, showcasing the versatility and potential of mRNA vaccines in diverse therapeutic areas. Furthermore, this review engages in a prospective discussion regarding the current challenge and potential direction for the advancement and utilization of mRNA vaccines. Overall, this comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, providing a comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects, historical context, and future prospects of mRNA vaccines in the fight against various diseases.

In silico optimization of heparin microislands in microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogel for endothelial cell migration

Biomaterials capable of generating growth factor gradients have shown success in guiding tissue regeneration, as growth factor gradients are a physiologic driver of cell migration. Of particular importance, a focus on promoting endothelial cell migration is vital to angiogenesis and new tissue formation. Microporous Annealed Particle (MAP) scaffolds represent a unique niche in the field of regenerative biomaterials research as an injectable biomaterial with an open porosity that allows cells to freely migrate independent of material degradation. Recently, we have used the MAP platform to heterogeneously include spatially isolated heparin-modified microgels (heparin microislands) which can sequester growth factors and guide cell migration. In in vitro sprouting angiogenesis assays, we observed a parabolic relationship between the percentage of heparin microislands and cell migration, where 10% heparin microislands had more endothelial cell migration compared to 1% and 100%. Due to the low number of heparin microisland ratios tested, we hypothesize the spacing between microgels can be further optimized. Rather than use purely empirical methods, which are both expensive and time intensive, we believe this challenge represents an opportunity to use computational modeling. Here we present the first agent-based model of a MAP scaffold to optimize the ratio of heparin microislands. Specifically, we develop a two-dimensional model in Hybrid Automata Library (HAL) of endothelial cell migration within the unique MAP scaffold geometry. Finally, we present how our model can accurately predict cell migration trends in vitro, and these studies provide insight on how computational modeling can be used to design particle-based biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : While the combination of experimental and computational approaches is increasingly being used to gain a better understanding of cellular processes, their combination in biomaterials development has been relatively limited. Heparin microislands are spatially isolated heparin microgels; when located within a microporous annealed particle (MAP) scaffold, they can sequester and release growth factors. Importantly, we present the first agent-based model of MAP scaffolds to optimize the ratio of heparin microislands within the scaffold to promote endothelial cell migration. We demonstrate this model can accurately predict trends in vitro, thus opening a new avenue of research to aid in the design of MAP scaffolds.

Photoacoustic microscopy of vascular adaptation and tissue oxygen metabolism during cutaneous wound healing

Cutaneous wounds affect millions of people every year. Vascularization and blood oxygen delivery are critical bottlenecks in wound healing, and understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of these processes may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies to accelerate wound healing. In this work, we applied multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) to study vascular adaptation and the associated changes in blood oxygen delivery and tissue oxygen metabolism throughout the hemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation, and early remodeling phases of wound healing in mice with skin puncture wounds. Multifaceted changes in the vascular structure, function, and tissue oxygen metabolism were observed during the 14-day monitoring of wound healing. On the entire wound area, significant elevations of the arterial blood flow and tissue oxygen metabolism were observed right after wounding and remained well above the baseline over the 14-day period. On the healing front, biphasic changes in the vascular density and blood flow were observed, both of which peaked on day 1, remained elevated in the first week, and returned to the baselines by day 14. Along with the wound closure and thickening, tissue oxygen metabolism in the healing front remained elevated even after structural and functional changes in the vasculature were stabilized. On the newly formed tissue, significantly higher blood oxygenation, flow, and tissue metabolism were observed compared to those before wounding. Blood oxygenation and flow in the new tissue appeared to be independent of when it was formed, but instead showed noticeable dependence on the phase of wound healing. This PAM study provides new insights into the structural, functional, and metabolic changes associated with vascular adaptation during wound healing and suggests that the timing and target of vascular treatments for wound healing may affect the outcomes.

4-Hexylresorcinol: pharmacologic chaperone and its application for wound healing

4-Hexylresorcinol (4HR) is amphiphilic organic chemical and auto-regulator for micro-organism. As 4HR administration induces the stress on the endoplasmic reticulum, 4HR changes protein folding. The application of 4HR inhibits NF-κB signal pathway and TNF-α production. In addition, 4HR administration increases VEGF, TGF-β1, and calcification associated proteins. As a consequence, 4HR administration increases angiogenesis and bone formation in wounded area. Strong anti-inflammatory reaction and capillary regeneration in diabetic model demonstrate that 4HR can be applied on many types of surgical wound.