Polyethersulfone-carbon nanotubes composite hollow fiber membranes with improved biocompatibility for bioartificial liver

Polyethersulfone Polymer for Biomedical Applications and Biotechnology

Polymers stand out as promising materials extensively employed in biomedicine and biotechnology. Their versatile applications owe much to the field of tissue engineering, which seamlessly integrates materials engineering with medical science. In medicine, biomaterials serve as prototypes for organ development and as implants or scaffolds to facilitate body regeneration. With the growing demand for innovative solutions, synthetic and hybrid polymer materials, such as polyethersulfone, are gaining traction. This article offers a concise characterization of polyethersulfone followed by an exploration of its diverse applications in medical and biotechnological realms. It concludes by summarizing the significant roles of polyethersulfone in advancing both medicine and biotechnology, as outlined in the accompanying table.

Stem Cell-Based Strategies: The Future Direction of Bioartificial Liver Development

Acute liver failure (ALF) results from severe liver damage or end-stage liver disease. It is extremely fatal and causes serious health and economic burdens worldwide. Once ALF occurs, liver transplantation (LT) is the only definitive and recommended treatment; however, LT is limited by the scarcity of liver grafts. Consequently, the clinical use of bioartificial liver (BAL) has been proposed as a treatment strategy for ALF. Human primary hepatocytes are an ideal cell source for these methods. However, their high demand and superior viability prevent their widespread use. Hence, finding alternatives that meet the seed cell quality and quantity requirements is imperative. Stem cells with self-renewing, immunogenic, and differentiative capacities are potential cell sources. MSCs and its secretomes encompass a spectrum of beneficial properties, such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-ROS (reactive oxygen species), anti-apoptotic, pro-metabolomic, anti-fibrogenesis, and pro-regenerative attributes. This review focused on the recent status and future directions of stem cell-based strategies in BAL for ALF. Additionally, we discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with promoting such strategies for clinical applications.

Surface Engineering of a Bioartificial Membrane for Its Application in Bioengineering Devices

Membrane technology is playing a crucial role in cutting-edge innovations in the biomedical field. One such innovation is the surface engineering of a membrane for enhanced longevity, efficient separation, and better throughput. Hence, surface engineering is widely used while developing membranes for its use in bioartificial organ development, separation processes, extracorporeal devices, etc. Chemical-based surface modifications are usually performed by functional group/biomolecule grafting, surface moiety modification, and altercation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Further, creation of micro/nanogrooves, pillars, channel networks, and other topologies is achieved to modify physio-mechanical processes. These surface modifications facilitate improved cellular attachment, directional migration, and communication among the neighboring cells and enhanced diffusional transport of nutrients, gases, and waste across the membrane. These modifications, apart from improving functional efficiency, also help in overcoming fouling issues, biofilm formation, and infection incidences. Multiple strategies are adopted, like lysozyme enzymatic action, topographical modifications, nanomaterial coating, and antibiotic/antibacterial agent doping in the membrane to counter the challenges of biofilm formation, fouling challenges, and microbial invasion. Therefore, in the current review, we have comprehensibly discussed different types of membranes, their fabrication and surface modifications, antifouling/antibacterial strategies, and their applications in bioengineering. Thus, this review would benefit bioengineers and membrane scientists who aim to improve membranes for applications in tissue engineering, bioseparation, extra corporeal membrane devices, wound healing, and others.

Bioartificial livers: a review of their design and manufacture

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rapidly progressive disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Liver transplantation and artificial liver support systems, such as artificial livers (ALs) and bioartificial livers (BALs), are the two major therapies for ALF. Compared to ALs, BALs are composed of functional hepatocytes that provide essential liver functions, including detoxification, metabolite synthesis, and biotransformation. Furthermore, BALs can potentially provide effective support as a form of bridging therapy to liver transplantation or spontaneous recovery for patients with ALF. In this review, we systematically discussed the currently available state-of-the-art designs and manufacturing processes for BAL support systems. Specifically, we classified the cell sources and bioreactors that are applied in BALs, highlighted the advanced technologies of hepatocyte culturing and bioreactor fabrication, and discussed the current challenges and future trends in developing next generation BALs for large scale clinical applications.

Advancements in modification of membrane materials over membrane separation for biomedical applications-Review

A comprehensive overview of various modifications carried out on polymeric membranes for biomedical applications has been presented in this review paper. In particular, different methods of carrying out these modifications have been discussed. The uniqueness of the review lies in the sense that it discusses the surface modification techniques traversing the timeline from traditionally well-established technologies to emerging new techniques, thus giving an intuitive understanding of the evolution of surface modification techniques over time. A critical comparison of the advantages and pitfalls of commonly used traditional and emerging surface modification techniques have been discussed. The paper also highlights the tuning of specific properties of polymeric membranes that are critical for their increased applications in the biomedical industry specifically in drug delivery, along with current challenges faced and where the future potential of research in the field of surface modification of membranes.

Chemical Degradation of PSF-PUR Blend Hollow Fiber Membranes-Assessment of Changes in Properties and Morphology after Hydrolysis

In this study, we focused on obtaining polysulfone-polyurethane (PSF-PUR) blend partly degradable hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) with different compositions while maintaining a constant PSF:PUR = 8:2 weight ratio. It was carried out through hydrolysis, and evaluation of the properties and morphology before and after the hydrolysis process while maintaining a constant cut-off. The obtained membranes were examined for changes in ultrafiltration coefficient (UFC), retention, weight loss, morphology assessment using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and MeMoExplorer™ Software, as well as using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) method. The results of the study showed an increase in the UFC value after the hydrolysis process, changes in retention, mass loss, and FT-IR spectra. The evaluation in MeMoExplorer™ Software showed the changes in membranes' morphology. It was confirmed that polyurethane (PUR) was partially degraded, the percentage of ester bonds has an influence on the degradation process, and PUR can be used as a pore precursor instead of superbly known polymers.

Development and characterization of a novel l-asparaginase/MWCNT nanobioconjugate

The enzyme l-asparaginase (ASNase) presents effective antineoplastic properties used for acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment besides their potential use in the food sector to decrease the acrylamide formation. Considering their applications, the improvement of this enzyme's properties by efficient immobilization techniques is in high demand. Carbon nanotubes are promising enzyme immobilization supports, since these materials have increased surface area and effective capacity for enzyme loading. Accordingly, in this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were explored as novel supports for ASNase immobilization by a simple adsorption method. The effect of pH and contact time of immobilization, as well as the ASNase to nanoparticles mass ratio, were optimized according to the enzyme immobilization yield and relative recovered activity. The enzyme–MWCNTs bioconjugation was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. MWCNTs have a high ASNase loading capacity, with a maximum immobilization yield of 90%. The adsorbed ASNase retains 90% of the initial enzyme activity at the optimized conditions (pH 8.0, 60 min, and 1.5 × 10⁻³ g mL⁻¹ of ASNase). According to these results, ASNase immobilized onto MWCNTs can find improved applications in several areas, namely biosensors, medicine and food industry.

l-Asparaginase immobilization by adsorption over MWCNTs for potential application in pharmaceutical and food industries.