Hyaluronan-mediated angiogenesis in vascular disease: uncovering RHAMM and CD44 receptor signaling pathways

Methods for determining the structure and physicochemical properties of hyaluronic acid and its derivatives: A review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear high molecular weight polymer ubiquitously distributed in humans and animals. The D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine repeating disaccharide backbone along with variable secondary and tertiary structures endows HA with unique rheological characteristics as well as diverse biological functions such as maintaining tissue homeostasis and mediating cell functions. Due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, viscoelasticity and moisturizing properties, natural HA and its chemically modified derivatives are widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. For broad application purposes, abundant HA-based biochemical products have been developed, including the methodologies for characterization of these products. This review provides an overview focusing on the methods used for determining HA structure as well as the strategies for constructing its derivatives. Apart from the analytical approaches for defining the physicochemical properties of HA (e.g., molecular weight, rheology and swelling capacity), quantitative methods for assessing the purity of HA-based materials are discussed. In addition, the biological functions and potential applications of HA and its derivatives are briefly embarked and perspectives in methodological development are discussed.

Network-Based Bioinformatics Highlights Broad Importance of Human Milk Hyaluronan

Human milk (HM) is rich in bioactive factors promoting postnatal small intestinal development and maturation of the microbiome. HM is also protective against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating inflammatory condition predominantly affecting preterm infants. The HM glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronan (HA), is present at high levels in colostrum and early milk. Our group has demonstrated that HA with a molecular weight of 35 kDa (HA35) promotes maturation of the murine neonatal intestine and protects against two distinct models of NEC. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning HA35-induced changes in the developing ileum are unclear. CD-1 mouse pups were treated with HA35 or vehicle control daily, from P7 to P14, and we used network and functional analyses of bulk RNA-seq ileal transcriptomes to further characterize molecular mechanisms through which HA35 likely influences intestinal maturation. HA35-treated pups separated well by principal component analysis, and cell deconvolution revealed increases in stromal, Paneth, and mature enterocyte and progenitor cells in HA35-treated pups. Gene set enrichment and pathway analyses demonstrated upregulation in key processes related to antioxidant and growth pathways, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-mediated oxidative stress response, hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha, mechanistic target of rapamycin, and downregulation of apoptotic signaling. Collectively, pro-growth and differentiation signals induced by HA35 may present novel mechanisms by which this HM bioactive factor may protect against NEC.

Crosslinking by Click Chemistry of Hyaluronan Graft Copolymers Involving Resorcinol-Based Cinnamate Derivatives Leading to Gel-like Materials

The well-known "click chemistry" reaction copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) was used to transform under very mild conditions hyaluronan-based graft copolymers HA(270)-FA-Pg into the crosslinked derivatives HA(270)-FA-TEGERA-CL and HA(270)-FA-HEGERA-CL. In particular, medium molecular weight (i.e., 270 kDa) hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted at various extents (i.e., 10, 20, and 40%) with fluorogenic ferulic acid (FA) residue bonding propargyl groups were used in the CuAAC reaction with novel azido-terminated crosslinking agents Tri(Ethylene Glycol) Ethyl Resorcinol Acrylate (TEGERA) and Hexa(Ethylene Glycol) Ethyl Resorcinol Acrylate (HEGERA). The resulting HA(270)-FA-TEGERA-CL and HA(270)-FA-HEGERA-CL materials were characterized from the point of view of their structure by performing NMR studies. Moreover, the swelling behavior and rheological features were assessed employing TGA and DSC analysis to evaluate the potential gel-like properties of the resulting crosslinked materials. Despite the 3D crosslinked structure, HA(270)-FA-TEGERA-CL and HA(270)-FA-HEGERA-CL frameworks showed adequate swelling performance, the required shear thinning behavior, and coefficient of friction values close to those of the main commercial HA solutions used as viscosupplements (i.e., 0.20 at 10 mm/s). Furthermore, the presence of a crosslinked structure guaranteed a longer residence time. Indeed, HA(270)-FA-TEGERA-CL-40 and HA(270)-FA-HEGERA-CL-40 after 48 h showed a four times greater enzymatic resistance than the commercial viscosupplements. Based on the promising obtained results, the crosslinked materials are proposed for their potential applicability as novel viscosupplements.

Hyaluronic Acid Receptor-Mediated Nanomedicines and Targeted Therapy

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the extracellular matrix with broad applications in disease treatment. HA possesses good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to interact with various cell surface receptors. Its wide range of molecular weights and modifiable chemical groups make it an effective drug carrier for drug delivery. Additionally, the overexpression of specific receptors for HA on cell surfaces in many disease states enhances the accumulation of drugs at pathological sites through receptor binding. In this review, the modification of HA with drugs, major receptor proteins, and the latest advances in receptor-targeted nano drug delivery systems (DDS) for the treatment of tumors and inflammatory diseases are summarized. Furthermore, the functions of HA with varying molecular weights of HA in vivo and the selection of drug delivery methods for different diseases are discussed.

Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogels for 3D Modeling of Tumor Tissues

Although routine two-dimensional (2D) cell culture techniques have advanced basic cancer research owing to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reproducibility, they have limitations that necessitate the development of advanced three-dimensional (3D) tumor models that better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment. Various biomaterials have been used to establish these 3D models, enabling the study of cancer cell behavior within different matrices. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumor tissues, has been widely studied and employed in the development of multiple cancer models. This review first examines the role of HA in tumors, including its function as an ECM component and regulator of signaling pathways that affect tumor progression. It then explores HA-based models for various cancers, focusing on HA as a central component of the 3D matrix and its mobilization within the matrix for targeted studies of cell behavior and drug testing. The tumor models discussed included those for breast cancer, glioblastoma, fibrosarcoma, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and melanoma. The review concludes with a discussion of future prospects for developing more robust and high-throughput HA-based models to more accurately mimic the tumor microenvironment and improve drug testing. Impact Statement This review underscores the transformative potential of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels in developing advanced tumor models. By exploring HA's dual role as a critical extracellular matrix component and a regulator of cancer cell dynamics, we highlight its unique contributions to replicating the tumor microenvironment. The recent advancements in HA-based models provide new opportunities for more accurate studies of cancer cell behavior and drug responses. Looking ahead, these innovations pave the way for high-throughput, biomimetic platforms that could revolutionize drug testing and accelerate the discovery of effective cancer therapies.

High-Level Extracellular Expression of Hyaluronate Lyase HylP in Bacillus subtilis for Hyaluronan Degradation

Hyaluronate lyase (HA lyase) has potential in the industrial processing of hyaluronan. In this study, HylP, an HA lyase from Streptococcus pyogenes phage (SPB) was successfully expressed in Bacillus subtilis. To improve the extracellular enzyme activity of HylP in B. subtilis, signal peptide engineering systematic optimization was carried out, and cultured it from shake flasks and fermenters, followed by purification, characterization, and analysis of degradation products. The results showed that the replacement of the signal peptide increased the extracellular enzyme activity of HylP from 1.0 × 104 U/mL to 1.86 × 104 U/mL in the shake flask assay, and using a 20 L fermenter in a batch fermentation process, the extracellular enzyme activity achieved the level of 1.07 × 105 U/mL. HylP exhibited significant thermal and pH stability in the temperature range of 40 °C and pH range of 4-8, respectively. The enzyme showed optimum activity at 40 °C and pH 6, with significant activity in the presence of Na+, Mg2+, and Co2+ ions. Degradation analysis showed that HylP efficiently degraded hyaluronan as an endonuclease, releasing unsaturated disaccharides. These comprehensive findings underscore the substantial industrial potential of HylP for hyaluronan processing applications, offering valuable insights into enzyme characterization and optimization of expression for potential industrial utilization.

Biomimetic Hyaluronan Binding Biomaterials to Capture the Complex Regulation of Hyaluronan in Tissue Development and Function

Within native ECM, Hyaluronan (HA) undergoes remarkable structural remodeling through its binding receptors and proteins called hyaladherins. Hyaladherins contain a group of tandem repeat sequences, such as LINK domains, BxB7 homologous sequences, or 20-50 amino acid long short peptide sequences that have high affinity towards side chains of HA. The HA binding sequences are critical players in HA distribution and regulation within tissues and potentially attractive therapeutic targets to regulate HA synthesis and organization. While HA is a versatile and successful biopolymer, most HA-based therapeutics have major differences from a native HA molecule, such as molecular weight discrepancies, crosslinking state, and remodeling with other HA binding proteins. Recent studies showed the promise of HA binding domains being used as therapeutic biomaterials for osteoarthritic, ocular, or cardiovascular therapeutic products. However, we propose that there is a significant potential for HA binding materials to reveal the physiological functions of HA in a more realistic setting. This review is focused on giving a comprehensive overview of the connections between HA's role in the body and the potential of HA binding material applications in therapeutics and regenerative medicine. We begin with an introduction to HA then discuss HA binding molecules and the process of HA binding. Finally, we discuss HA binding materials anf the future prospects of potential HA binding biomaterials systems in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering.

The function of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitors in the development of disease

Through the formation of covalent connections with hyaluronic acid (HA), the inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (IαI) family collaborates to preserve the stability of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The five distinct homologous heavy chains (ITIH) and one type of light chain make up the IαI family. ITIH alone or in combination with bikunin (BK) has been proven to have important impacts in a number of earlier investigations. This implies that BK and ITIH might be crucial to both physiological and pathological processes. The functions of BK and ITIH in various pathophysiological processes are discussed independently in this paper. In the meanwhile, this study offers suggestions for further research on the roles of BK and ITIH in the course of disease and summarizes the plausible mechanisms of the previous studies.

Endogenous Hyaluronan Promotes Intestinal Homeostasis and Protects against Murine Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a complex, multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder predominantly affecting preterm infants. The pathogenesis of this condition involves a complex interplay between intestinal barrier dysfunction, microbial dysbiosis, and an altered immune response. This study investigates the potential role of endogenous hyaluronan (HA) in both the early phases of intestinal development and in the context of NEC-like intestinal injury. We treated neonatal CD-1 mouse pups with PEP1, a peptide inhibiting HA receptor interactions, from postnatal days 8 to 12. We evaluated postnatal intestinal developmental indicators, such as villi length, crypt depth, epithelial cell proliferation, crypt fission, and differentiation of goblet and Paneth cells, in PEP1-treated animals compared with those treated with scrambled peptide. PEP1 treatment significantly impaired intestinal development, as evidenced by reductions in villi length, crypt depth, and epithelial cell proliferation, along with a decrease in crypt fission activity. These deficits in PEP1-treated animals correlated with increased susceptibility to NEC-like injuries, including higher mortality rates, and worsened histological intestinal injury. These findings highlight the role of endogenous HA in supporting intestinal development and protecting against NEC.

A Multi-Omics Approach to Defining Target Organ Injury in Youth with Primary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Primary hypertension in childhood tracks into adulthood and may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Studies conducted in children and adolescents provide an opportunity to explore the early cardiovascular target organ injury (CV-TOI) in a population free from many of the comorbid cardiovascular disease risk factors that confound studies in adults.

METHODS

Youths (n=132, mean age 15.8 years) were stratified by blood pressure (BP) as low, elevated, and high-BP and by left ventricular mass index (LVMI) as low- and high-LVMI. Systemic circulating RNA, miRNA, and methylation profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and deep proteome profiles in serum were determined using high-throughput sequencing techniques.

RESULTS

VASH1 gene expression was elevated in youths with high-BP with and without high-LVMI. VASH1 expression levels positively correlated with systolic BP (r=0.3143, p=0.0034). The expression of hsa-miR-335-5p, one of the VASH1-predicted miRNAs, was downregulated in high-BP with high-LVMI youths and was inversely correlated with systolic BP (r=-0.1891, p=0.0489). GSE1 hypermethylation, circulating PROZ upregulation (log2FC=0.61, p=0.0049 and log2FC=0.62, p=0.0064), and SOD3 downregulation (log2FC=-0.70, p=0.0042 and log2FC=-0.64, p=0.010) were observed in youths with elevated BP and high-BP with high-LVMI. Comparing the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles revealed elevated HYAL1 levels in youths displaying high-BP and high-LVMI.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings are compatible with a novel blood pressure-associated mechanism that may occur through impaired angiogenesis and extracellular matrix degradation through dysregulation of Vasohibin-1 and Hyaluronidase1 was identified as a possible mediator of CV-TOI in youth with high-BP and suggests strategies for ameliorating TOI in adult-onset primary hypertension.

The bioengineering application of hyaluronic acid in tissue regeneration and repair

The multifaceted role of hyaluronic acid (HA) across diverse biomedical disciplines underscores its versatility in tissue regeneration and repair. HA hydrogels employ different crosslinking including chemical (chitosan, collagen), photo- initiation (riboflavin, LAP), enzymatic (HRP/H2O2), and physical interactions (hydrogen bonds, metal coordination). In biophysics and biochemistry, HA's signaling pathways, primarily through CD44 and RHAMM receptors, modulate cell behavior (cell migration; internalization of HA), inflammation, and wound healing. Particularly, smaller HA fragments stimulate inflammatory responses through toll-like receptors, impacting macrophages and cytokine expression. HA's implications in oncology highlight its involvement in tumor progression, metastasis, and treatment. Elevated HA in tumor stroma impacts apoptosis resistance and promotes tumor growth, presenting potential therapeutic targets to halt tumor progression. In orthopedics, HA's presence in synovial fluid aids in osteoarthritis management, as its supplementation alleviates pain, enhances synovial fluid's viscoelastic properties, and promotes cartilage integrity. In ophthalmology, HA's application in dry eye syndrome addresses symptoms by moisturizing the eyes, replenishing tear film deficiencies, and facilitating wound healing. Intravitreal injections and hydrogel-based systems offer versatile approaches for drug delivery and vitreous humor replacement. For skin regeneration and wound healing, HA hydrogel dressings exhibit exceptional properties by promoting moist wound healing and facilitating tissue repair. Integration of advanced regenerative tools like stem cells and solubilized amnion membranes into HA-based systems accelerates wound closure and tissue recovery. Overall, HA's unique properties and interactions render it a promising candidate across diverse biomedical domains, showcasing immense potentials in tissue regeneration and therapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, many detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of HA and its applications remain unexplored and warrant further investigation.

Recent Advances in the Degradability and Applications of Tissue Adhesives Based on Biodegradable Polymers

In clinical practice, tissue adhesives have emerged as an alternative tool for wound treatments due to their advantages in ease of use, rapid application, less pain, and minimal tissue damage. Since most tissue adhesives are designed for internal use or wound treatments, the biodegradation of adhesives is important. To endow tissue adhesives with biodegradability, in the past few decades, various biodegradable polymers, either natural polymers (such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, gelatin, chondroitin sulfate, starch, sodium alginate, glucans, pectin, functional proteins, and peptides) or synthetic polymers (such as poly(lactic acid), polyurethanes, polycaprolactone, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)), have been utilized to develop novel biodegradable tissue adhesives. Incorporated biodegradable polymers are degraded in vivo with time under specific conditions, leading to the destruction of the structure and the further degradation of tissue adhesives. In this review, we first summarize the strategies of utilizing biodegradable polymers to develop tissue adhesives. Furthermore, we provide a symmetric overview of the biodegradable polymers used for tissue adhesives, with a specific focus on the degradability and applications of these tissue adhesives. Additionally, the challenges and perspectives of biodegradable polymer-based tissue adhesives are discussed. We expect that this review can provide new inspirations for the design of novel biodegradable tissue adhesives for biomedical applications.

The efficacy of intradermal hyaluronic acid filler as a skin quality booster: A prospective, single-center, single-arm pilot study

BACKGROUND

The use of "skin boosters" comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers to improve skin quality has gained popularity recently, especially in individuals interested in skin rejuvenation.

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal micropuncture injections of HA-based gel filler combined with lidocaine (BYRYZN® SKINBOOSTER HA, ACROSS Co., Ltd., Gangwon-do, Korea).

PATIENTS/METHODS

A prospective, single-arm, open-label pilot study was conducted with study subjects who were aged between 30 and 60 years old and exhibited evidence of skin aging, such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity. They received three injections at 2-week intervals and were followed up for a total of 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Twenty subjects with a mean age of 54.1 years were included. The mean Lemperle wrinkle scale demonstrated a 40% decrease from 2.60 ± 0.60 at baseline to 1.55 ± 0.51 at week 8. The improvement rate was maintained at about 33% until week 12. The average maximum height of the wrinkle (Rz, μm), average skin roughness (Ra, μm), skin elasticity (R2, AU), facial curved length (mm), skin pore size (mm2 ), skin hydration (AU), TEWL (g/hm2 ), and skin glossiness (gloss value, AU) exhibited statistically significant improvements over time compared with the baseline measurements. No serious adverse effects or persistent adverse effects were reported, except for a transient subcutaneous nodule in one subject.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that multiple microinjections of HA-based gel filler for facial skin aging are safe and effective in improving facial skin quality.

The Role of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer and the eighth most common female cancer. The early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains a clinical problem despite the significant development of technology. Nearly 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with stages III-IV metastatic disease. Reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are currently lacking. Ovarian cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy pose vital problems and translate into poor outcomes. Cancer stem cells appear to be responsible for tumour recurrence resulting from chemotherapeutic resistance. These cells are also crucial for tumour initiation due to the ability to self-renew, differentiate, avoid immune destruction, and promote inflammation and angiogenesis. Studies have confirmed an association between CSC occurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, subsequent metastases, and cancer relapses. Therefore, the elimination of CSCs appears important for overcoming drug resistance and improving prognoses. This review focuses on the expression of selected ovarian CSC markers, including CD133, CD44, CD24, CD117, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, which show potential prognostic significance. Some markers expressed on the surface of CSCs correlate with clinical features and can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. However, due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs, the determination of specific CSC phenotypes is difficult.

Hyaluronan Metabolism in Urologic Cancers

Hyaluronan (HA) is one of the major components of the extracellular matrix in tumor tissue. Recent reports have made it clear that the balance of HA synthesis and degradation is critical for tumor progression. HA is synthesized on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane by hyaluronan synthases (HAS) and extruded into the extracellular space. Excessive HA production in cancer is associated with enhanced HA degradation in the tumor microenvironment, leading to the accumulation of HA fragments with small molecular weight. These perturbations in both HA synthesis and degradation may play important roles in tumor progression. Recently, it has become increasingly clear that small HA fragments can induce a variety of biological events, such as angiogenesis, cancer-promoting inflammation, and tumor-associated immune suppression. Progression of urologic malignancies, particularly of prostate and bladder cancers, as well as of certain types of kidney cancer show markedly perturbed metabolism of tumor-associated HA. This review highlights the recent research findings regarding HA metabolism in tumor microenvironments with a special focus on urologic cancers. It also will discuss the potential implications of these findings for the development of novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers.

The Effect of Mechanical Stress on Hyaluronan Fragments' Inflammatory Cascade: Clinical Implications

It is a common experience, reported by patients who have undergone manual therapy that uses deep friction, to perceive soreness in treatment areas; however, it is still not clear what causes it and if it is therapeutically useful or a simple side effect. The purpose of this narrative review is to determine whether manual and physical therapies can catalyze an inflammatory process driven by HA fragments. The literature supports the hypothesis that mechanical stress can depolymerize into small pieces at low molecular weight and have a high inflammatory capacity. Many of these pieces are then further degraded into small oligosaccharides. Recently, it has been demonstrated that oligosaccharides are able to stop this inflammatory process. These data support the hypothesis that manual therapy that uses deep friction could metabolize self-aggregated HA chains responsible for increasing loose connective tissue viscosity, catalyzing a local HA fragment cascade that will generate soreness but, at the same time, facilitate the reconstitution of the physiological loose connective tissue properties. This information can help to explain the meaning of the inflammatory process as well as the requirement for it for the long-lasting resolution of these alterations.

Local decorin delivery via hyaluronic acid microrods improves cardiac performance, ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

Heart failure (HF) remains a global public health burden and often results following myocardial infarction (MI). Following injury, cardiac fibrosis forms in the myocardium which greatly hinders cellular function, survival, and recruitment, thus severely limits tissue regeneration. Here, we leverage biophysical microstructural cues made of hyaluronic acid (HA) loaded with the anti-fibrotic proteoglycan decorin to more robustly attenuate cardiac fibrosis after acute myocardial injury. Microrods showed decorin incorporation throughout the entirety of the hydrogel structures and exhibited first-order release kinetics in vitro. Intramyocardial injections of saline (n = 5), microrods (n = 7), decorin microrods (n = 10), and free decorin (n = 4) were performed in male rat models of ischemia-reperfusion MI to evaluate therapeutic effects on cardiac remodeling and function. Echocardiographic analysis demonstrated that rats treated with decorin microrods (5.21% ± 4.29%) exhibited significantly increased change in ejection fraction (EF) at 8 weeks post-MI compared to rats treated with saline (-4.18% ± 2.78%, p < 0.001) and free decorin (-3.42% ± 1.86%, p < 0.01). Trends in reduced end diastolic volume were also identified in decorin microrod-treated groups compared to those treated with saline, microrods, and free decorin, indicating favorable ventricular remodeling. Quantitative analysis of histology and immunofluorescence staining showed that treatment with decorin microrods reduced cardiac fibrosis (p < 0.05) and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (p < 0.05) at 8 weeks post-MI compared to saline control. Together, this work aims to contribute important knowledge to guide rationally designed biomaterial development that may be used to successfully treat cardiovascular diseases.

Natural and Synthetic Polymeric Biomaterials for Application in Wound Management

Biomaterials are at the forefront of the future, finding a variety of applications in the biomedical field, especially in wound healing, thanks to their biocompatible and biodegradable properties. Wounds spontaneously try to heal through a series of interconnected processes involving several initiators and mediators such as cytokines, macrophages, and fibroblasts. The combination of biopolymers with wound healing properties may provide opportunities to synthesize matrices that stimulate and trigger target cell responses crucial to the healing process. This review outlines the optimal management and care required for wound treatment with a special focus on biopolymers, drug-delivery systems, and nanotechnologies used for enhanced wound healing applications. Researchers have utilized a range of techniques to produce wound dressings, leading to products with different characteristics. Each method comes with its unique strengths and limitations, which are important to consider. The future trajectory in wound dressing advancement should prioritize economical and eco-friendly methodologies, along with improving the efficacy of constituent materials. The aim of this work is to give researchers the possibility to evaluate the proper materials for wound dressing preparation and to better understand the optimal synthesis conditions as well as the most effective bioactive molecules to load.

In vitro activity of hyaluronic acid and human serum on periodontal biofilm and periodontal ligament fibroblasts

OBJECTIVES

A beneficial effect of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (cHA) on periodontal wound healing and regeneration has recently been demonstrated. The present in vitro study was designed to obtain deeper knowledge on the effect of cHA when applied in the gingival sulcus (serum-rich environment) during non-surgical periodontal therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The influence of cHA, human serum (HS), and cHA/HS on (i) a 12-species biofilm formation, (ii) the adhesion of periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) to dentine surface, (iii) the expression and secretion of interleukin-8, and (iv) the expression of receptors of HA in PDLF and gingival fibroblasts (GF) were evaluated.

RESULTS

At 4 h of biofilm formation, cHA and HS in combination (cHA/HS) slightly decreased the colony-forming unit counts in biofilm whereas the metabolic activity of biofilm was reduced in all test groups (cHA, HS, cHA/HS) vs. control. At 24 h, the quantity of biofilm was reduced in all test groups vs. untreated control. The test substances did not affect adhesion of PDLF to dentin. HS increased the expression of IL-8 by PDLF and GF which was partially downregulated by cHA. HS and/or cHA promoted the expression of the HA receptor RHAMM in GF but not in PDLF.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the present data indicate that serum neither negatively affect the activity of cHA against periodontal biofilm nor had any unwanted influence on the activity of PDLF.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings lend additional support for the positive effects of cHA on cells involved in periodontal wound healing, thus pointing to its potential use in non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Angiogenesis induction as a key step in cardiac tissue Regeneration: From angiogenic agents to biomaterials

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. After myocardial infarction, the vascular supply of the heart is damaged or blocked, leading to the formation of scar tissue, followed by several cardiac dysfunctions or even death. In this regard, induction of angiogenesis is considered as a vital process for supplying nutrients and oxygen to the cells in cardiac tissue engineering. The current review aims to summarize different approaches of angiogenesis induction for effective cardiac tissue repair. Accordingly, a comprehensive classification of induction of pro-angiogenic signaling pathways through using engineered biomaterials, drugs, angiogenic factors, as well as combinatorial approaches is introduced as a potential platform for cardiac regeneration application. The angiogenic induction for cardiac repair can enhance patient treatment outcomes and generate economic prospects for the biomedical industry. The development and commercialization of angiogenesis methods often involves collaboration between academic institutions, research organizations, and biomedical companies.

The Contribution of Vascular Proteoglycans to Atherothrombosis: Clinical Implications

The vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by endothelial and smooth muscle cells is composed of collagens and glycoproteins and plays an integral role in regulating the structure and function of the vascular wall. Alteration in the expression of these proteins is associated with endothelial dysfunction and has been implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The ECM composition of atherosclerotic plaques varies depending on plaque phenotype and vulnerability, with distinct differences observed between ruptured and erodes plaques. Moreover, the thrombi on the exposed ECM are diverse in structure and composition, suggesting that the best antithrombotic approach may differ depending on plaque phenotype. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of proteoglycans in atherogenesis and thrombosis. It discusses the differential expression of the proteoglycans in different plaque phenotypes and the potential impact on platelet function and thrombosis. Finally, the review highlights the importance of this concept in developing a targeted approach to antithrombotic treatments to improve clinical outcomes in cardiovascular disease.

Development of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 8 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-94 against Gastric Carcinomas

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. GC with peritoneal metastasis exhibits a poor prognosis due to the lack of effective therapy. A comprehensive analysis of malignant ascites identified the genomic alterations and significant amplifications of cancer driver genes, including CD44. CD44 and its splicing variants are overexpressed in tumors, and play crucial roles in the acquisition of invasiveness, stemness, and resistance to treatments. Therefore, the development of CD44-targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is important for GC diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we immunized mice with CD44v3-10-overexpressed PANC-1 cells and established several dozens of clones that produce anti-CD44v3-10 mAbs. One of the clones (C₄₄Mab-94; IgG₁, kappa) recognized the variant-8-encoded region and peptide, indicating that C₄₄Mab-94 is a specific mAb for CD44v8. Furthermore, C₄₄Mab-94 could recognize CHO/CD44v3-10 cells, oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line (HSC-3), or GC cell lines (MKN45 and NUGC-4) in flow cytometric analyses. C₄₄Mab-94 could detect the exogenous CD44v3-10 and endogenous CD44v8 in western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer cells. These results indicate that C₄₄Mab-94 is useful for detecting CD44v8 in a variety of experimental methods and is expected to become usefully applied to GC diagnosis and therapy.

Inhibiting Heat Shock Protein 90 Attenuates Nucleus Pulposus Fibrosis and Pathologic Angiogenesis Induced by Macrophages via Down-Regulating Cell Migration-Inducing Protein

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is usually accompanied by nucleus pulposus (NP) fibrosis and pathologic angiogenesis, which are possibly associated with macrophage infiltration. Previous research indicates a destructive role of macrophages and the protective effect of inhibiting heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in IVDD. Herein, the effects of inhibiting HSP90 on NP fibrosis and pathologic angiogenesis induced by macrophages were investigated further. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis was used to classify fibrotic NP cell (NPC) clusters and healthy NPC clusters in human NP tissues. The fibrotic NPC clusters were possibly associated with angiogenesis-related biological processes. Immunostaining showed the spatial association between blood vessel ingrowth and macrophage infiltration, as well as elevated levels of cell migration-inducing protein (CEMIP) and vascular endothelial growth factor A in severely degenerated human IVD tissues. Particularly, HSP90 inhibitor tanespimycin (17-AAG) ameliorated macrophage-induced fibrotic phenotype of NPCs via inhibiting CEMIP. M2, but not M1, macrophages promoted the pro-angiogenic ability of endothelial cells, which was attenuated by 17-AAG or HSP90 siRNA. Reversing the fibrotic phenotype of NPCs by Cemip siRNA also mitigated the pro-angiogenic effects of M2-conditioned medium-treated NPCs. Moreover, the murine IVDD model supported the 17-AAG-induced amelioration of NP fibrosis and endothelial cell invasion in IVD tissues. In conclusion, inhibiting HSP90 attenuated two interrelated pathologic processes, NP fibrosis and pathologic angiogenesis, induced by macrophages via down-regulating CEMIP.

Glycocalyx-Sodium Interaction in Vascular Endothelium

The glycocalyx generally covers almost all cellular surfaces, where it participates in mediating cell-surface interactions with the extracellular matrix as well as with intracellular signaling molecules. The endothelial glycocalyx that covers the luminal surface mediates the interactions of endothelial cells with materials flowing in the circulating blood, including blood cells. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. The cardiovascular risk factors start by causing endothelial cell dysfunction associated with destruction or irregular maintenance of the glycocalyx, which may culminate into a full-blown cardiovascular disease. The endothelial glycocalyx plays a crucial role in shielding the cell from excessive exposure and absorption of excessive salt, which can potentially cause damage to the endothelial cells and underlying tissues of the blood vessels. So, in this mini review/commentary, we delineate and provide a concise summary of the various components of the glycocalyx, their interaction with salt, and subsequent involvement in the cardiovascular disease process. We also highlight the major components of the glycocalyx that could be used as disease biomarkers or as drug targets in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Establishment of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 10 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-18 for Immunohistochemical Analysis against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer, and has been revealed as the second-highest expression of CD44 in cancers. CD44 has been investigated as a cancer stem cell marker of HNSCC and plays a critical role in tumor malignant progression. Especially, splicing variant isoforms of CD44 (CD44v) are overexpressed in cancers and considered a promising target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. We developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CD44 by immunizing mice with CD44v3-10-overexpressed PANC-1 cells. Among the established clones, C₄₄Mab-18 (IgM, kappa) reacted with CHO/CD44v3-10, but not with CHO/CD44s and parental CHO-K1 using flow cytometry. The epitope mapping using peptides that cover variant exon-encoded regions revealed that C₄₄Mab-18 recognized the border sequence between variant 10 and the constant exon 16-encoded sequence. These results suggest that C₄₄Mab-18 recognizes variant 10-containing CD44v, but not CD44s. Furthermore, C₄₄Mab-18 could recognize the human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line, HSC-3, in flow cytometry. The apparent dissociation constant (K_D) of C₄₄Mab-18 for CHO/CD44v3-10 and HSC-3 was 1.6 × 10^-7 M and 1.7 × 10^-7 M, respectively. Furthermore, C₄₄Mab-18 detected CD44v3-10 but not CHO/CD44s in Western blotting, and endogenous CD44v10 in immunohistochemistry using OSCC tissues. These results indicate that C₄₄Mab-18 is useful for detecting CD44v10 in flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

Hyaluronic Acid: A Powerful Biomolecule with Wide-Ranging Applications-A Comprehensive Review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan widely distributed in the human body, especially in body fluids and the extracellular matrix of tissues. It plays a crucial role not only in maintaining tissue hydration but also in cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and the inflammatory response. HA has demonstrated its efficacy as a powerful bioactive molecule not only for skin antiaging but also in atherosclerosis, cancer, and other pathological conditions. Due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and non-immunogenicity, several HA-based biomedical products have been developed. There is an increasing focus on optimizing HA production processes to achieve high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective products. This review discusses HA's structure, properties, and production through microbial fermentation. Furthermore, it highlights the bioactive applications of HA in emerging sectors of biomedicine.

A Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 3 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-6 Was Established for Multiple Applications

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) promotes tumor progression through the recruitment of growth factors and the acquisition of stemness, invasiveness, and drug resistance. CD44 has multiple isoforms including CD44 standard (CD44s) and CD44 variants (CD44v), which have common and unique functions in tumor development. Therefore, elucidating the function of each CD44 isoform in a tumor is essential for the establishment of CD44-targeting tumor therapy. We have established various anti-CD44s and anti-CD44v monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) through the immunization of CD44v3-10-overexpressed cells. In this study, we established C44Mab-6 (IgG1, kappa), which recognized the CD44 variant 3-encoded region (CD44v3), as determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C44Mab-6 reacted with CD44v3-10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells (CHO/CD44v3-10) or some cancer cell lines (COLO205 and HSC-3) via flow cytometry. The apparent KD of C44Mab-6 for CHO/CD44v3-10, COLO205, and HSC-3 was 1.5 × 10-9 M, 6.3 × 10-9 M, and 1.9 × 10-9 M, respectively. C44Mab-6 could detect the CD44v3-10 in Western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor sections in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C44Mab-6 is useful for detecting CD44v3 in various experiments and is expected for the application of tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Development of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 5 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-3 for Multiple Applications against Pancreatic Carcinomas

Pancreatic cancer exhibits a poor prognosis due to the lack of early diagnostic biomarkers and the resistance to conventional chemotherapy. CD44 has been known as a cancer stem cell marker and plays tumor promotion and drug resistance roles in various cancers. In particular, the splicing variants are overexpressed in many carcinomas and play essential roles in the cancer stemness, invasiveness or metastasis, and resistance to treatments. Therefore, the understanding of each CD44 variant's (CD44v) function and distribution in carcinomas is essential for the establishment of CD44-targeting tumor therapy. In this study, we immunized mice with CD44v3-10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells and established various anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). One of the established clones (C₄₄Mab-3; IgG₁, kappa) recognized peptides of the variant-5-encoded region, indicating that C₄₄Mab-3 is a specific mAb for CD44v5. Moreover, C₄₄Mab-3 reacted with CHO/CD44v3-10 cells or pancreatic cancer cell lines (PK-1 and PK-8) by flow cytometry. The apparent K_D of C₄₄Mab-3 for CHO/CD44v3-10 and PK-1 was 1.3 × 10^-9 M and 2.6 × 10^-9 M, respectively. C₄₄Mab-3 could detect the exogenous CD44v3-10 and endogenous CD44v5 in Western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pancreatic cancer cells but not normal pancreatic epithelial cells in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C₄₄Mab-3 is useful for detecting CD44v5 in various applications and is expected to be useful for the application of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and therapy.

A Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 9 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-1 Was Developed for Immunohistochemical Analyses against Colorectal Cancers

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein and has been shown to be a cell surface marker of cancer stem-like cells in various cancers. In particular, the splicing variants of CD44 (CD44v) are overexpressed in cancers and play critical roles in cancer stemness, invasiveness, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, the understanding of the function of each CD44v is indispensable for CD44-targeting therapy. CD44v9 contains the variant 9-encoded region, and its expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with various cancers. CD44v9 plays critical roles in the malignant progression of tumors. Therefore, CD44v9 is a promising target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here, we developed sensitive and specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CD44 by immunizing mice with CD44v3-10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO/CD44v3-10) cells. We first determined their critical epitopes using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and characterized their applications as flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. One of the established clones, C44Mab-1 (IgG1, kappa), reacted with a peptide of the variant 9-encoded region, indicating that C44Mab-1 recognizes CD44v9. C44Mab-1 could recognize CHO/CD44v3-10 cells or colorectal cancer cell lines (COLO201 and COLO205) in flow cytometric analysis. The apparent dissociation constant (KD) of C44Mab-1 for CHO/CD44v3-10, COLO201, and COLO205 was 2.5 × 10-8 M, 3.3 × 10-8 M, and 6.5 × 10-8 M, respectively. Furthermore, C44Mab-1 was able to detect the CD44v3-10 in western blotting and the endogenous CD44v9 in immunohistochemistry using colorectal cancer tissues. These results indicated that C44Mab-1 is useful for detecting CD44v9 not only in flow cytometry or western blotting but also in immunohistochemistry against colorectal cancers.

Development of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 7/8 Monoclonal Antibody, C44Mab-34, for Multiple Applications against Oral Carcinomas

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) has been investigated as a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker as it plays critical roles in tumor malignant progression. The splicing variants are overexpressed in many carcinomas, especially squamous cell carcinomas, and play critical roles in the promotion of tumor metastasis, the acquisition of CSC properties, and resistance to treatments. Therefore, each CD44 variant (CD44v) function and distribution in carcinomas should be clarified for the establishment of novel tumor diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we immunized mouse with a CD44 variant (CD44v3–10) ectodomain and established various anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). One of the established clones (C44Mab-34; IgG1, kappa) recognized a peptide that covers both variant 7- and variant 8-encoded regions, indicating that C44Mab-34 is a specific mAb for CD44v7/8. Moreover, C44Mab-34 reacted with CD44v3–10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO) cells or the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line (HSC-3) by flow cytometry. The apparent KD of C44Mab-34 for CHO/CD44v3–10 and HSC-3 was 1.4 × 10−9 and 3.2 × 10−9 M, respectively. C44Mab-34 could detect CD44v3–10 in Western blotting and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded OSCC in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C44Mab-34 is useful for detecting CD44v7/8 in various applications and is expected to be useful in the application of OSCC diagnosis and therapy.

Inter-Alpha Inhibitor Proteins Modify the Microvasculature after Exposure to Hypoxia-Ischemia and Hypoxia in Neonatal Rats

Microvasculature develops during early brain development. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) and hypoxia (H) predispose to brain injury in neonates. Inter-alpha inhibitor proteins (IAIPs) attenuate injury to the neonatal brain after exposure to HI. However, the effects of IAIPs on the brain microvasculature after exposure to HI have not been examined in neonates. Postnatal day-7 rats were exposed to sham treatment or right carotid artery ligation and 8% oxygen for 90 min. HI comprises hypoxia (H) and ischemia to the right hemisphere (HI-right) and hypoxia to the whole body, including the left hemisphere (H-left). Human IAIPs (hIAIPs, 30 mg/kg) or placebo were injected immediately, 24 and 48 h after HI/H. The brains were analyzed 72 h after HI/H to determine the effects of hIAIPs on the microvasculature by laminin immunohistochemistry and calculation of (1) the percentage area stained by laminin, (2) cumulative microvessel length, and (3) density of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), which are sensitive indicators of the earliest phases of neo-vascularization/collateralization. hIAIPs mainly affected the percent of the laminin-stained area after HI/H, cumulative vessel length after H but not HI, and TNT density in females but not males. hIAIPs modify the effects of HI/H on the microvasculature after brain injury in neonatal rats and exhibit sex-related differential effects. Our findings suggest that treatment with hIAIPs after exposure to H and HI in neonatal rats affects the laminin content of the vessel basal lamina and angiogenic responses in a sex-related fashion.

Conditional expression of endorepellin in the tumor vasculature attenuates breast cancer growth, angiogenesis and hyaluronan deposition

The tumor stroma of most solid malignancies is characterized by a pathological accumulation of pro-angiogenic and pro-tumorigenic hyaluronan driving tumorigenesis and metastatic potential. Of all three hyaluronan synthase isoforms, HAS2 is the primary enzyme that promotes the build-up of tumorigenic HA in breast cancer. Previously, we discovered that endorepellin, the angiostatic C-terminal fragment of perlecan, evokes a catabolic mechanism targeting endothelial HAS2 and hyaluronan via autophagic induction. To explore the translational implications of endorepellin in breast cancer, we created a double transgenic, inducible Tie2CreERT2;endorepellin(ER)Ki mouse line that expresses recombinant endorepellin specifically from the endothelium. We investigated the therapeutic effects of recombinant endorepellin overexpression in an orthotopic, syngeneic breast cancer allograft mouse model. First, adenoviral delivery of Cre evoking intratumor expression of endorepellin in ERKi mice suppressed breast cancer growth, peritumor hyaluronan and angiogenesis. Moreover, tamoxifen-induced expression of recombinant endorepellin specifically from the endothelium in Tie2CreERT2;ERKi mice markedly suppressed breast cancer allograft growth, hyaluronan deposition in the tumor proper and perivascular tissues, and tumor angiogenesis. These results provide insight into the tumor suppressing activity of endorepellin at the molecular level and implicate endorepellin as a promising cancer protein therapy that targets hyaluronan in the tumor microenvironment.

Extracellular Matrix-Derived Biophysical Cues Mediate Interstitial Flow-Induced Sprouting Angiogenesis

Sprouting angiogenesis is orchestrated by an intricate balance of biochemical and mechanical cues in the local tissue microenvironment. Interstitial flow has been established as a potent regulator of angiogenesis. Similarly, extracellular matrix (ECM) physical properties, such as stiffness and microarchitecture, have also emerged as important mediators of angiogenesis. However, the interplay between interstitial flow and ECM physical properties in the initiation and control of angiogenesis is poorly understood. Using a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic tissue analogue of angiogenic sprouting with defined interstitial flow superimposed over ECM with well-characterized physical properties, we found that the addition of hyaluronan (HA) to collagen-based matrices significantly enhances sprouting induced by interstitial flow compared to responses in collagen-only hydrogels. We confirmed that both the stiffness and matrix pore size of collagen-only hydrogels were increased by the addition of HA. Interestingly, interstitial flow-potentiated sprouting responses in collagen/HA matrices were not affected when functionally blocking the HA receptor CD44. In contrast, enzymatic depletion of HA in collagen/HA matrices with hyaluronidase (HAdase) resulted in decreased stiffness, pore size, and interstitial flow-mediated sprouting to the levels observed in collagen-only matrices. Taken together, these results suggest that HA enhances interstitial flow-mediated angiogenic sprouting through its alterations to collagen ECM stiffness and pore size.

One-Pot Synthesis of Bioadhesive Double-Network Hydrogel Patch as Disposable Wound Dressing

Inventions of materials to achieve biocompatibility, bioadhesion, and easy manufacturing are the urgent demand for promoting wound healing in clinical treatment. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is probably the ideal candidate for current dressing materials due to its well-known biocompatibility. However, the unavoidable problem for HA dressings is their inherent low adhesiveness to wounds, which severely impairs their treatment efficacy, especially during body movement. Here, we report a one-pot facile fabrication of hybrid double-network polydopamine-HA (PDA-HA) hydrogel with significantly enhanced adhesiveness compared to the HA hydrogel. Besides the easy manufacturing and promoted effectiveness, the PDA-HA hydrogel could be vacuum-dried to form a patch, further benefitting from the convenience for storage and distribution. When applied on the wound, the PDA-HA patch quickly rehydrated by absorbing exudate and stuck tightly to the wound. The applied PDA-HA patches keep the wounds covered for more than 7 days against strenuous exercise. Thus, mouse full-thickness wounds treated with the PDA-HA patches exhibited increased healing rates, where epithelization was finished within 14 days. Moreover, the hydrogel dressing exhibited promoting effects on vascularization and cell proliferation/migration. Together with the easy manufacturing procedure, good adhesion/adaptation, and promotion of wound healing, the PDA-HA patch holds great potential for future clinical translation.

Different molecular weights of hyaluronan research in knee osteoarthritis: A state-of-the-art review

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is characterized by progressive cartilage destruction, concomitant adaptive osteogenesis, and loss of joint function. The progression of OA with aging is associated with a decrease in native hyaluronan (HA, hyaluronate or hyaluronic acid) with a high molecular weight (HMW) in synovial fluid and a subsequent increase in lower MW HA and fragments. As HMW HA possesses numerous biochemical and biological properties, we review new molecular insights into the potential of HA to modify OA processes. Different MWs in the formulation of products appear to have varying effects on knee OA (KOA) pain relief, improved function, and postponing surgery. In addition to the safety profile, more evidence indicates that intraarticular (IA) HA administration may be an effective option to treat KOA, with a particular emphasis on the use of HA with fewer injections of higher MW, including potential applications of HA of very HMW. We also analyzed published systemic reviews and meta-analyses of IA HA in treating KOA in order to discuss their conclusions and consensus statements. According to its MW, HA may offer a simple way to refine therapeutic information in selective KOA.

Development of a Novel Anti-CD44 Variant 6 Monoclonal Antibody C44Mab-9 for Multiple Applications against Colorectal Carcinomas

CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein, and its isoforms are produced by the alternative splicing with the standard and variant exons. The CD44 variant exon-containing isoforms (CD44v) are overexpressed in carcinomas. CD44v6 is one of the CD44v, and its overexpression predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. CD44v6 plays critical roles in CRC adhesion, proliferation, stemness, invasiveness, and chemoresistance. Therefore, CD44v6 is a promising target for cancer diagnosis and therapy for CRC. In this study, we established anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by immunizing mice with CD44v3-10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells. We then characterized them using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. One of the established clones (C₄₄Mab-9; IgG₁, kappa) reacted with a peptide of the variant 6-encoded region, indicating that C₄₄Mab-9 recognizes CD44v6. Furthermore, C₄₄Mab-9 reacted with CHO/CD44v3-10 cells or CRC cell lines (COLO201 and COLO205) by flow cytometry. The apparent dissociation constant (K_D) of C₄₄Mab-9 for CHO/CD44v3-10, COLO201, and COLO205 was 8.1 × 10^-9 M, 1.7 × 10^-8 M, and 2.3 × 10^-8 M, respectively. C₄₄Mab-9 detected the CD44v3-10 in western blotting, and partially stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded CRC tissues in immunohistochemistry. Collectively, C₄₄Mab-9 is useful for detecting CD44v6 in various applications.

Local delivery of decorin via hyaluronic acid microrods improves cardiac performance and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

Heart failure (HF) is a global public health burden and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. HF can result as a complication following myocardial infarction (MI), with cardiac fibrosis forming in the myocardium as a response to injury. The dense, avascular scar tissue that develops in the myocardium after injury following MI creates an inhospitable microenvironment that hinders cellular function, survival, and recruitment, thus severely limiting tissue regeneration. We have previously demonstrated the ability of hyaluronic acid (HA) polymer microrods to modulate fibroblast phenotype using discrete biophysical cues and to improve cardiac outcomes after implantation in rodent models of ischemia-reperfusion MI injury. Here, we developed a dual-pronged biochemical and biophysical therapeutic strategy leveraging bioactive microrods to more robustly attenuate cardiac fibrosis after acute myocardial injury. Incorporation of the anti-fibrotic proteoglycan decorin within microrods led to sustained release of decorin over one month in vitro and after implantation, resulted in marked improvement in cardiac function and ventricular remodeling, along with decreased fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Together, this body of work aims to contribute important knowledge to help develop rationally designed engineered biomaterials that may be used to successfully treat cardiovascular diseases.

Biodegradable Microneedle Array-Mediated Transdermal Delivery of Dimethyloxalylglycine-Functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Nanoparticles for Bacteria-Infected Wound Treatment

Bacteria-infected skin wounds caused by external injuries remain a serious challenge to the whole society. Wound healing dressings, with excellent antibacterial activities and potent regeneration capability, are increasingly needed clinically. Here, we reported a novel functional microneedle (MN) array comprising methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) embedded with pH-responsive functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles to treat bacteria-infected cutaneous wounds. Antibacterial activity was introduced into Zn-ZIF-8 to achieve sterilization through releasing Zn ions, as well as increased angiogenesis by dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) molecules that were distributed within its framework. Furthermore, biodegradable MeHA was chosen as a substrate material carrier to fabricate DMOG@ZIF-8 MN arrays. By such design, DMOG@ZIF-8 MN arrays would not only exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria but also enhance angiogenesis within wound bed by upregulating the expression of HIF-1α, leading to a significant therapeutic efficiency on bacteria-infected cutaneous wound healing. Based on these results, we conclude that this new treatment strategy can provide a promising alternative for accelerating infected wound healing via effective antibacterial activity and ameliorative angiogenesis.

Vitreous Substitutes from Bench to the Operating Room in a Translational Approach: Review and Future Endeavors in Vitreoretinal Surgery

Vitreous substitutes are indispensable tools in vitreoretinal surgery. The two crucial functions of these substitutes are their ability to displace intravitreal fluid from the retinal surface and to allow the retina to adhere to the retinal pigment epithelium. Today, vitreoretinal surgeons can choose among a plethora of vitreous tamponades, and the tamponade of choice might be difficult to determine in the ever-expanding range of possibilities for a favorable outcome. The currently available vitreous substitutes have disadvantages that need to be addressed to improve the surgical outcome achievable today. Herein, the fundamental physical and chemical proprieties of all vitreous substitutes are reported, and their use and clinical applications are described alongside some surgical techniques of intra-operative manipulation. The major upcoming developments in vitreous substitutes are extensively discussed, keeping a translational perspective throughout. Conclusions on future perspectives are derived through an in-depth analysis of what is lacking today in terms of desired outcomes and biomaterials technology.

Low molecular weight hyaluronan inhibits lung epithelial ion channels by activating the calcium-sensing receptor

Herein, we tested the hypothesis that low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA) inhibits lung epithelial ions transport in-vivo, ex-vivo, and in-vitro by activating the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Twenty-four hours post intranasal instillation of 50-150 µg/ml LMW-HA to C57BL/6 mice, there was a 75% inhibition of alveolar fluid clearance (AFC), a threefold increase in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) depth, and a 20% increase in lung wet/dry (W/D) ratio. Incubation of human and mouse precision cut lung slices with 150 µg/ml LMW-HA reduced the activity and the open probability (Po) of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in alveolar epithelial type 2 (ATII) cells, and in mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTEC) monolayers as early as 4 h. The Cl- current through cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the activity of Na,K-ATPase were both inhibited by more than 66% at 24 h. The inhibitory effects of LMW-HA on ion channels were reversed by 1 µM NPS-2143, or 150 µg/ml high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMW-HA). In HEK-293 cells expressing the calcium-sensitive Cl- channel TMEM16-A, CaSR was required for the activation of the Cl- current by LMW-HA. This is the first demonstration of lung ions and water transport inhibition by LMW-HA, and its mediation through the activation of CaSR.

Piperine-loaded nanoparticles incorporated into hyaluronic acid/sodium alginate-based membranes for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases

Piperine is an alkaloid mostly found in the fruits of several species of the Piper genus, and its anti-inflammatory potential is already known. However, its therapeutic applications still need to be better explored due to the low aqueous solubility of this active. To overcome this drawback, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of the nanoencapsulation of the compound as well as its incorporation into hyaluronic acid/alginate-based biomembranes. Polymeric nanoparticles composed of Eudragit S100 and Poloxamer 188 were obtained by the nanoprecipitation technique, obtaining spherical nanosized particles with an average diameter of 122.1 ± 2.0 nm, polydispersity index of 0.266, and encapsulation efficiency of 76.2 %. Hyaluronic acid/sodium alginate membranes were then prepared and characterized. Regarding permeation, a slow passage rate was observed until the initial 14 h, when an exponential increase in the recovered drug concentration began to occur. The in vivo assay showed a reduction in inflammation up to 43.6 %, and no cytotoxicity was observed. The results suggested the potential of the system developed for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.

Importance of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in cancer cells

Background

In most regions, cancer ranks the second most frequent cause of death following cardiovascular disorders.

Aim

In this article, we review the various aspects of glycolysis with a focus on types of MCTs and the importance of lactate in cancer cells.

Results and Discussion

Metabolic changes are one of the first and most important alterations in cancer cells. Cancer cells use different pathways to survive, energy generation, growth, and proliferation compared to normal cells. The increase in glycolysis, which produces substances such as lactate and pyruvate, has an important role in metastases and invasion of cancer cells. Two important cellular proteins that play a role in the production and transport of lactate include lactate dehydrogenase and monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). These molecules by their various isoforms and different tissue distribution help to escape the immune system and expansion of cancer cells under different conditions.

Absorption, metabolism, and functions of hyaluronic acid and its therapeutic prospects in combination with microorganisms: A review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is key to the stability of the internal environment of tissues. HA content in tissues gradually decreases with age, causing age-related health problems. Exogenous HA supplements are used to prevent or treat these problems including skin dryness and wrinkles, intestinal imbalance, xerophthalmia, and arthritis after absorption. Moreover, some probiotics are able to promote endogenous HA synthesis and alleviate symptoms caused by HA loss, thus introducing potential preventative or therapeutic applications of HA and probiotics. Here, we review the oral absorption, metabolism, and biological function of HA as well as the potential role of probiotics and HA in increasing the efficacy of HA supplements.

Hyaluronic Acid as a Modern Approach in Anticancer Therapy-Review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear polysaccharide and crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), maintaining tissue hydration and tension. Moreover, HA contributes to embryonic development, healing, inflammation, and cancerogenesis. This review summarizes new research on the metabolism and interactions of HA with its binding proteins, known as hyaladherins (CD44, RHAMM), revealing the molecular basis for its distinct biological function in the development of cancer. The presence of HA on the surface of tumor cells is a sign of an adverse prognosis. The involvement of HA in malignancy has been extensively investigated using cancer-free naked mole rats as a model. The HA metabolic components are examined for their potential impact on promoting or inhibiting tumor formation, proliferation, invasion, and metastatic spread. High molecular weight HA is associated with homeostasis and protective action due to its ability to preserve tissue integrity. In contrast, low molecular weight HA indicates a pathological condition in the tissue and plays a role in pro-oncogenic activity. A systematic approach might uncover processes related to cancer growth, establish novel prognostic indicators, and identify potential targets for treatment action.

The integrated transcriptome bioinformatics analysis identifies key genes and cellular components for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) is a chronic complication of Diabetes and the main cause of blindness among the world's working population at present. While there have been many studies on the pathogenesis of PDR, its intrinsic molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In recent years, several studies have employed bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and cellular components associated with PDR. This study adds to this expanding body of work by identifying PDR's target genes and cellular components by conducting an integrated transcriptome bioinformatics analysis. This study integrately examined two public bulk RNA-seq datasets(including 11 PDR patients and 7 controls) and one single-cell RNA-seq datasets(including 5 PDR patients) of Fibro (Vascular) Membranes (FVMs) from PDR patients and control. A total of 176 genes were identified as DEGs between PDR patients and control among both bulk RNA-seq datasets. Based on these DEGs, 14 proteins were identified in the protein overlap within the significant ligand-receptor interactions of retinal FVMs and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, three of which were associated with PDR (CD44, ICAM1, POSTN), and POSTN might act as key ligand. This finding may provide novel gene signatures and therapeutic targets for PDR.

Ovarian Cancer-Cell Pericellular Hyaluronan Deposition Negatively Impacts Prognosis of Ovarian Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronan (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix, is frequently increased under pathological conditions including cancer. Not only stroma cells but also cancer cells themselves synthesize HA, and the interaction of HA with its cognate receptors promotes malignant progression and metastasis.

METHODS

In the present study, HA deposition in tissue sections was analyzed by hyaluronan-binding protein (HABP) ligand histochemistry in 17 borderline tumors and 102 primary and 20 recurrent ovarian cancer samples. The intensity and, particularly, localization of the HA deposition were recorded: for the localization, the pericellular deposition around the ovarian cancer cells was distinguished from the deposition within the stromal compartment. These histochemical data were correlated with clinical and pathological parameters. Additionally, within a reduced subgroup of ovarian cancer samples (n = 70), the RNA levels of several HA-associated genes were correlated with the HA localization and intensity.

RESULTS

Both stroma-localized and pericellular tumor-cell-associated HA deposition were observed. Cancer-cell pericellular HA deposition, irrespective of its staining intensity, was significantly associated with malignancy, and in the primary ovarian cancer cohort, it represents an independent unfavorable prognostic marker for overall survival. Furthermore, a significant association between high CD44, HAS2 and HAS3 mRNA levels and a cancer-cell pericellular HA-deposition pattern was noted. In contrast, stromal hyaluronan deposition had no impact on ovarian cancer prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the site of HA deposition is of prognostic value, but the amount deposited is not. The significant association of only peritumoral cancer-cell HA deposition with high CD44 mRNA expression levels suggests a pivotal role of the CD44-HA signaling axis for malignant progression in ovarian cancer.

Maternal plasma proteome profiling of biomarkers and pathogenic mechanisms of early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy without a cure. There are two phenotypes of preeclampsia, early-onset (EOPE) and late-onset (LOPE) with poorly defined pathogenic differences. This study aimed to facilitate better understanding of the mechanisms of pathophysiology of EOPE and LOPE, and identify specific biomarkers or therapeutic targets. In this study, we conducted an untargeted, label-free quantitative proteomic analyses of plasma samples from pregnant women with EOPE (n = 17) and LOPE (n = 11), and age, BMI-matched normotensive controls (n = 18). Targeted proteomics approach was also employed to validate a subset of proteins (n = 17). In total, there were 26 and 20 differentially abundant proteins between EOPE or LOPE, and normotensive controls, respectively. A series of angiogenic and inflammatory proteins, including insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4; EOPE: FDR = 0.0030 and LOPE: FDR = 0.00396) and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H2-4 (ITIH2-4), were significantly altered in abundance in both phenotypes. Through validation we confirmed that ITIH2 was perturbed only in LOPE (p = 0.005) whereas ITIH3 and ITIH4 were perturbed in both phenotypes (p < 0.05). Overall, lipid metabolism/transport proteins associated with atherosclerosis were highly abundant in LOPE, however, ECM proteins had a more pronounced role in EOPE. The complement cascade and binding and uptake of ligands by scavenger receptors, pathways, were associated with both EOPE and LOPE.