High-Throughput Methods in the Discovery and Study of Biomaterials and Materiobiology

Ultrasonic-microwave technique promotes the physicochemical structure of hydrogel and its release characterization of curcumin in vitro

In this study, soybean protein isolate and hawthorn pectin were mixed to prepare binary hydrogels using ultrasound and microwave techniques. Moderate treatment can not only significantly improve the mechanical strength of the hydrogel, but also increase the tightness of the internal cross-linking. The strengthening of interactions (hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and disulfide bonds) was the main reason for this trend. Especially, the ultrasonic-microwave (80 s) treatment hydrogel possessed excellent hardness (33.426 N), water-holding capacity (98.26%), elasticity (G' = 1205 Pa), and a more homogeneous and denser microstructure. In addition, the hydrogel minimized the extent of curcumin loss (21.23%) after 5 weeks of storage. In general, the ultrasonic-microwave technique could significantly promote the physicochemical structure and curcumin bioaccessibility of hydrogels, which showed excellent market prospects in the food industry.

A plasma-3D print combined in vitro platform with implications for reliable materiobiological screening

Materiobiology is an emerging field focused on the physiochemical properties of biomaterials concerning biological outcomes which includes but is not limited to the biological responses and bioactivity of surface-modified biomaterials. Herein, we report a novel in vitro characterization platform for characterizing nanoparticle surface-modified 3D printed PLA scaffolds. We have introduced innovative design parameters that were practical for ubiquitous in vitro assays like those utilizing 96 and 24-well plates. Subsequently, gold and silica nanoparticles were deposited using two low-temperature plasma-assisted processes namely plasma electroless reduction (PER) and dusty plasma on 3D scaffolds. Materiobiological testing began with nanoparticle surface modification optimization on 96 well plate design 3D scaffolds. We have employed 3D laser confocal imaging and scanning electron microscopy to study the deposition of nanoparticles. It was found that the formation and distribution of the nanoparticles were time-dependent. In vitro assays were performed utilizing an osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell as a model. These cells were grown on both 96 and 24 well plate design 3D scaffolds. Subsequently, we performed different in vitro assays such as cell viability, and fluorescence staining of cytoskeletal actin and DNA incorporation. The actin cytoskeleton staining showed more homogeneity in the cell monolayer growing on the gold nanoparticle-modified 3D scaffolds than the control 3D PLA scaffold. Furthermore, the mineralization and protein adsorption experiments conducted on 96 well plate design scaffolds have shown enhanced mineralization and bovine serum albumin adsorption for the gold nanoparticle-modified scaffolds compared to the control scaffolds. Taken together, this study reports the efficacy of this new in vitro platform in conducting more reliable and efficient materiobiology studies. It is also worth mentioning that this platform has significant futuristic potential for developing as a high throughput screening platform. Such platforms could have a significant impact on the systematic study of biocompatibility and bioactive mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering. It would also provide unique ways to investigate mechanisms of biological responses and subsequent bioactive mechanisms for implantable biomaterials. Moreover, this platform can derive more consistent and reliable in vitro results which can improve the success rate of further in vivo experiments.

Scalable lipid droplet microarray fabrication, validation, and screening

High throughput screening of small molecules and natural products is costly, requiring significant amounts of time, reagents, and operating space. Although microarrays have proven effective in the miniaturization of screening for certain biochemical assays, such as nucleic acid hybridization or antibody binding, they are not widely used for drug discovery in cell culture due to the need for cells to internalize lipophilic drug candidates. Lipid droplet microarrays are a promising solution to this problem as they are capable of delivering lipophilic drugs to cells at dosages comparable to solution delivery. However, the scalablility of the array fabrication, assay validation, and screening steps has limited the utility of this approach. Here we take several new steps to scale up the process for lipid droplet array fabrication, assay validation in cell culture, and drug screening. A nanointaglio printing process has been adapted for use with a printing press. The arrays are stabilized for immersion into aqueous solution using a vapor coating process. In addition to delivery of lipophilic compounds, we found that we are also able to encapsulate and deliver a water-soluble compound in this way. The arrays can be functionalized by extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen prior to cell culture as the mechanism for uptake is based on direct contact with the lipid delivery vehicles rather than diffusion of the drug out of the microarray spots. We demonstrate this method for delivery to 3 different cell types and the screening of 92 natural product extracts on a microarray covering an area of less than 0.1 cm2. The arrays are suitable for miniaturized screening, for instance in high biosafety level facilities where space is limited and for applications where cell numbers are limited, such as in functional precision medicine.

Harnessing Immunomodulatory Polymers for Treatment of Autoimmunity, Allergy, and Transplant Rejection

Autoimmunity, allergy, and transplant rejection are a collection of chronic diseases that are currently incurable, drastically decrease patient quality of life, and consume considerable health care resources. Underlying each of these diseases is a dysregulated immune system that results in the mounting of an inflammatory response against self or an innocuous antigen. As a consequence, afflicted patients are required to adhere to lifelong regimens of multiple immunomodulatory drugs to control disease and reclaim agency. Unfortunately, current immunomodulatory drugs are associated with a myriad of side effects and adverse events, such as increased risk of cancer and increased risk of serious infection, which negatively impacts patient adherence rates and quality of life. The field of immunoengineering is a new discipline that aims to harness endogenous biological pathways to thwart disease and minimize side effects using novel biomaterial-based strategies. We highlight and discuss polymeric micro/nanoparticles with inherent immunomodulatory properties that are currently under investigation in biomaterial-based therapies for treatment of autoimmunity, allergy, and transplant rejection.

Recent advances in zinc-ion dehydration strategies for optimized Zn-metal batteries

Aqueous Zn-metal batteries have attracted increasing interest for large-scale energy storage owing to their outstanding merits in terms of safety, cost and production. However, they constantly suffer from inadequate energy density and poor cycling stability due to the presence of zinc ions in the fully hydrated solvation state. Thus, designing the dehydrated solvation structure of zinc ions can effectively address the current drawbacks of aqueous Zn-metal batteries. In this case, considering the lack of studies focused on strategies for the dehydration of zinc ions, herein, we present a systematic and comprehensive review to deepen the understanding of zinc-ion solvation regulation. Two fundamental design principles of component regulation and pre-desolvation are summarized in terms of solvation environment formation and interfacial desolvation behavior. Subsequently, specific strategy based distinct principles are carefully discussed, including preparation methods, working mechanisms, analysis approaches and performance improvements. Finally, we present a general summary of the issues addressed using zinc-ion dehydration strategies, and four critical aspects to promote zinc-ion solvation regulation are presented as an outlook, involving updating (de)solvation theories, revealing interfacial evolution, enhancing analysis techniques and developing functional materials. We believe that this review will not only stimulate more creativity in optimizing aqueous electrolytes but also provide valuable insights into designing other battery systems.

Interfacing High-Throughput Electrosynthesis and Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Azines

Combinatorial electrochemistry has great promise for accelerated reaction screening, organic synthesis, and catalysis. Recently, we described a new high-throughput electrochemistry platform, colloquially named "Legion". Legion fits the footprint of a 96-well microtiter plate with simultaneous individual control over all 96 electrochemical cells. Here, we demonstrate the versatility of Legion when coupled with high-throughput mass spectrometry (MS) for electrosynthetic product screening and quantitation. Electrosynthesis of benzophenone azine was selected as a model reaction and was arrayed and optimized using a combination of Legion and nanoelectrospray ionization MS. The combination of high-throughput synthesis with Legion and analysis via MS proves a compelling strategy for accelerating reaction discovery and optimization in electro-organic synthesis.

Loading rutin on surfaces by the layer-by-layer assembly technique to improve the oxidation resistance and osteogenesis of titanium implants in osteoporotic rats

The purpose of this study was to construct a rutin-controlled release system on the surface of Ti substrates and investigate its effects on osteogenesis and osseointegration on the surface of implants. The base layer, polyethylenimine (PEI), was immobilised on a titanium substrate. Then, hyaluronic acid (HA)/chitosan (CS)-rutin (RT) multilayer films were assembled on the PEI using layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technology. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and contact angle measurements to examine all Ti samples. The drug release test of rutin was also carried out to detect the slow-release performance. The osteogenic abilities of the samples were evaluated by experiments on an osteoporosis rat model and MC3T3-E1 cells. The results (SEM, FTIR and contact angle measurements) all confirmed that the PEI substrate layer and HA/CS-RT multilayer film were effectively immobilised on titanium. The drug release test revealed that a rutin controlled release mechanism had been successfully established. Furthermore, thein vitrodata revealed that osteoblasts on the coated titanium matrix had greater adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation capacity than the osteoblasts on the pure titanium surface. When MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to H2O2-induced oxidative stressin vitro, cell-based tests revealed great tolerance and increased osteogenic potential on HA/CS-RT substrates. We also found that the HA/CS-RT coating significantly increased the new bone mass around the implant. The LBL-deposited HA/CS-RT multilayer coating on the titanium base surface established an excellent rutin-controlled release system, which significantly improved osseointegration and promoted osteogenesis under oxidative stress conditions, suggesting a new implant therapy strategy for patients with osteoporosis.

Intelligent Biomaterialomics: Molecular Design, Manufacturing, and Biomedical Applications

Materialomics integrates experiment, theory, and computation in a high-throughput manner, and has changed the paradigm for the research and development of new functional materials. Recently, with the rapid development of high-throughput characterization and machine-learning technologies, the establishment of biomaterialomics that tackles complex physiological behaviors has become accessible. Breakthroughs in the clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapeutics and vaccines have been observed. Herein, recent advances in biomaterials, including polymers, lipid-like materials, and peptides/proteins, discovered through high-throughput screening or machine learning-assisted methods, are summarized. The molecular design of structure-diversified libraries; high-throughput characterization, screening, and preparation; and, their applications in drug delivery and clinical translation are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the prospects and main challenges in future biomaterialomics and high-throughput screening development are highlighted.

OH End-Capped Silicone as an Effective Nucleating Agent for Polylactide-A Robotizing Method for Evaluating the Mechanical Characteristics of PLA/Silicone Blends

Current research on materials engineering focuses mainly on bio-based materials. One of the most frequently studied materials in this group is polylactide (PLA), which is a polymer derived from starch. PLA does not have a negative impact on the natural environment and additionally, it possesses properties comparable to those of industrial polymers. The aim of the work was to investigate the potential of organosilicon compounds as modifiers of the mechanical and rheological properties of PLA, as well as to develop a new method for conducting mechanical property tests through innovative high-throughput technologies. Precise dosing methods were utilized to create PLA/silicone polymer blends with varying mass contents, allowing for continuous characterization of the produced blends. To automate bending tests and achieve comprehensive characterization of the blends, a self-created workstation setup has been used. The tensile properties of selected blend compositions were tested, and their ability to withstand dynamic loads was studied. The blends were characterized through various methods, including rheological (MFI), X-ray (XRD), spectroscopic (FTIR), and thermal properties analysis (TG, DSC, HDT), and they were evaluated using microscopic methods (MO, SEM) to examine their structures.

Translating Ideas into Commercial Biomaterial Devices: A Path to Improving Healthcare

The medical device industry is undergoing substantial transformations, looking to face the increasing pressures on healthcare systems and fundamental shifts in healthcare delivery. There is an ever-growing emphasis on identifying underserved clinical requirements and enhancing industry-academia partnerships to accelerate innovative solutions. In this context, an analysis of the requirements for translation, highlighting support and funding for innovation to transform an idea for a biomaterial device into a commercially available product, is discussed.

Strongly Adhesive, Self-Healing, Hemostatic Hydrogel for the Repair of Traumatic Brain Injury

With wide clinical demands, therapies for traumatic brain injury (TBI) are a major problem in surgical procedures and after major trauma. Due to the difficulty in regeneration of neurons or axons after injury, as well as the inhibition of blood vessel growth by the formation of neural scars, existing treatment measures have limited effectiveness in repairing brain tissue. Herein, the biomultifunctional hydrogels are developed for TBI treatment based on the Schiff base reaction of calcium ion (Ca2+)-cross-linked oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). The obtained COCS hydrogel exhibits excellent adhesion to wet tissues, self-repair capability, and antimicrobial properties. What's particularly interesting is that the addition of Ca2+ increases the hydrogel's extensibility, enhancing its hemostatic capabilities. Biological assessments indicate that the COCS hydrogel demonstrates excellent biocompatibility, hemostatic properties, and the ability to promote arterial vessel repair. Importantly, the COCS hydrogel promotes the growth of cerebral microvessels by upregulating CD31, accelerates the proliferation of astrocytes, enhances the expression of GFAP, and stimulates the expression of neuron-specific markers such as NEUN and β-tubulin. All of these findings highlight that the strongly adhesive, self-healing, hemostatic hydrogel shows great potential for the repair of traumatic brain injury and other tissue repair therapy.

Supramolecular Hydrogel with Ultra-Rapid Cell-Mediated Network Adaptation for Enhancing Cellular Metabolic Energetics and Tissue Regeneration

Cellular energetics plays an important role in tissue regeneration, and the enhanced metabolic activity of delivered stem cells can accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. However, conventional hydrogels with limited network cell adaptability restrict cell-cell interactions and cell metabolic activities. In this work, it is shown that a cell-adaptable hydrogel with high network dynamics enhances the glucose uptake and fatty acid β-oxidation of encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) compared with a hydrogel with low network dynamics. It is further shown that the hMSCs encapsulated in the high dynamic hydrogels exhibit increased tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) biosynthesis via an E-cadherin- and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent mechanism. The in vivo evaluation further showed that the delivery of MSCs by the dynamic hydrogel enhanced in situ bone regeneration in an animal model. It is believed that the findings provide critical insights into the impact of stem cell-biomaterial interactions on cellular metabolic energetics and the underlying mechanisms.

Optimization of a tunable process for rapid production of calcium phosphate microparticles using a droplet-based microfluidic platform

Calcium phosphate (CaP) biomaterials are amongst the most widely used synthetic bone graft substitutes, owing to their chemical similarities to the mineral part of bone matrix and off-the-shelf availability. However, their ability to regenerate bone in critical-sized bone defects has remained inferior to the gold standard autologous bone. Hence, there is a need for methods that can be employed to efficiently produce CaPs with different properties, enabling the screening and consequent fine-tuning of the properties of CaPs towards effective bone regeneration. To this end, we propose the use of droplet microfluidics for rapid production of a variety of CaP microparticles. Particularly, this study aims to optimize the steps of a droplet microfluidic-based production process, including droplet generation, in-droplet CaP synthesis, purification and sintering, in order to obtain a library of CaP microparticles with fine-tuned properties. The results showed that size-controlled, monodisperse water-in-oil microdroplets containing calcium- and phosphate-rich solutions can be produced using a flow-focusing droplet-generator microfluidic chip. We optimized synthesis protocols based on in-droplet mineralization to obtain a range of CaP microparticles without and with inorganic additives. This was achieved by adjusting synthesis parameters, such as precursor concentration, pH value, and aging time, and applying heat treatment. In addition, our results indicated that the synthesis and fabrication parameters of CaPs in this method can alter the microstructure and the degradation behavior of CaPs. Overall, the results highlight the potential of the droplet microfluidic platform for engineering CaP microparticle biomaterials with fine-tuned properties.

Merging Modular Molecular Design with High Throughput Screening of Cell Adhesion on Antimicrobial Supramolecular Biomaterials

A polymer microarray based on the supramolecular ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) moiety is fabricated to screen antimicrobial materials for their ability to support cell adhesion. UPy-functionalized additives, either cell-adhesive, antimicrobial or control peptides, are used, and investigated in different combinations at different concentrations, resulting in a library of 194 spots. These are characterized on composition and morphology to evaluate the microarray fabrication. Normal human dermal fibroblasts are cultured on the microarrays and cell adhesion to the spots is systematically analyzed. Results demonstrate enhanced cell adhesion on spots with combinations including the antimicrobial peptides. This study clearly proves the power of the high throughput approach in combination with supramolecular molecules, to screen additive libraries for desired biological response.

Trends in bioactivity: inducing and detecting mineralization of regenerative polymeric scaffolds

Due to limitations of biological and alloplastic grafts, regenerative engineering has emerged as a promising alternative to treat bone defects. Bioactive polymeric scaffolds are an integral part of such an approach. Bioactivity importantly induces hydroxyapatite mineralization that promotes osteoinductivity and osseointegration with surrounding bone tissue. Strategies to confer bioactivity to polymeric scaffolds utilize bioceramic fillers, coatings and surface treatments, and additives. These approaches can also favorably impact mechanical and degradation properties. A variety of fabrication methods are utilized to prepare scaffolds with requisite morphological features. The bioactivity of scaffolds may be evaluated with a broad set of techniques, including in vitro (acellular and cellular) and in vivo methods. Herein, we highlight contemporary and emerging approaches to prepare and assess scaffold bioactivity, as well as existing challenges.

Unlocking Bio-Instructive Polymers: A Novel Multi-Well Screening Platform Based on Secretome Sampling

Biomaterials are designed to interact with biological systems to replace, support, enhance, or monitor their function. However, there are challenges associated with traditional biomaterials' development due to the lack of underlying theory governing cell response to materials' chemistry. This leads to the time-consuming process of testing different materials plus the adverse reactions in the body such as cytotoxicity and foreign body response. High-throughput screening (HTS) offers a solution to these challenges by enabling rapid and simultaneous testing of a large number of materials to determine their bio-interactions and biocompatibility. Secreted proteins regulate many physiological functions and determine the success of implanted biomaterials through directing cell behaviour. However, the majority of biomaterials' HTS platforms are suitable for microscopic analyses of cell behaviour and not for investigating non-adherent cells or measuring cell secretions. Here, we describe a multi-well platform adaptable to robotic printing of polymers and suitable for secretome profiling of both adherent and non-adherent cells. We detail the platform's development steps, encompassing the preparation of individual cell culture chambers, polymer printing, and the culture environment, as well as examples to demonstrate surface chemical characterisation and biological assessments of secreted mediators. Such platforms will no doubt facilitate the discovery of novel biomaterials and broaden their scope by adapting wider arrays of cell types and incorporating assessments of both secretome and cell-bound interactions. Key features • Detailed protocols for preparation of substrate for contact printing of acrylate-based polymers including O2 plasma etching, functionalisation process, and Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) dip coating. • Preparations of 7 mm × 7 mm polymers employing pin printing system. • Provision of confined area for each polymer using ProPlate® multi-well chambers. • Compatibility of this platform was validated using adherent cells [primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs)) and non-adherent cells (primary human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs)]. • Examples of the adaptability of the platform for secretome analysis including five different cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, DuoSet®). Graphical overview.

Recent Progress in antibacterial hydrogel coatings for targeting biofilm to prevent orthopedic implant-associated infections

The application of orthopedic implants for bone tissue reconstruction and functional restoration is crucial for patients with severe bone fractures and defects. However, the abiotic nature of orthopedic implants allows bacterial adhesion and colonization, leading to the formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant surface. This can result in implant failure and severe complications such as osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the limited efficacy of drugs against biofilms have increased the risk of orthopedic implant-associated infections (OIAI), necessitating the development of alternative therapeutics. In this regard, antibacterial hydrogels based on bacteria repelling, contact killing, drug delivery, or external assistance strategies have been extensively investigated for coating orthopedic implants through surface modification, offering a promising approach to target biofilm formation and prevent OIAI. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in the application of antibacterial hydrogel coatings for preventing OIAI by targeting biofilm formation. The topics covered include: (1) the mechanisms underlying OIAI occurrence and the role of biofilms in exacerbating OIAI development; (2) current strategies to impart anti-biofilm properties to hydrogel coatings and the mechanisms involved in treating OIAI. This article aims to summarize the progress in antibacterial hydrogel coatings for OIAI prevention, providing valuable insights and facilitating the development of prognostic markers for the design of effective antibacterial orthopedic implants.

Integrative Analyses of scRNA-seq, Bulk mRNA-seq, and DNA Methylation Profiling in Depressed Suicide Brain Tissues

BACKGROUND

Suicidal behaviors have become a serious public health concern globally due to the economic and human cost of suicidal behavior to individuals, families, communities, and society. However, the underlying etiology and biological mechanism of suicidal behavior remains poorly understood.

METHODS

We collected different single omic data, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), bulk mRNA-seq, DNA methylation microarrays from the cortex of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in suicide subjects' studies, as well as fluoxetine-treated rats brains. We matched subject IDs that overlapped between the transcriptome dataset and the methylation dataset. The differential expression genes and differentially methylated regions were calculated with a 2-group comparison analysis. Cross-omics analysis was performed to calculate the correlation between the methylated and transcript levels of differentially methylated CpG sites and mapped transcripts. Additionally, we performed a deconvolution analysis for bulk mRNA-seq and DNA methylation profiling with scRNA-seq as the reference profiles.

RESULTS

Difference in cell type proportions among 7 cell types. Meanwhile, our analysis of single-cell sequence from the antidepressant-treated rats found that drug-specific differential expression genes were enriched into biological pathways, including ion channels and glutamatergic receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified some important dysregulated genes influenced by DNA methylation in 2 brain regions of depression and suicide patients. Interestingly, we found that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) have the most contributors for cell-type proportions related to differential expression genes and methylated sites in suicidal behavior.

Marriage of High-Throughput Gradient Surface Generation With Statistical Learning for the Rational Design of Functionalized Biomaterials

Functional biomaterial is already an important aspect in modern therapeutics; yet, the design of novel multi-functional biomaterial is still a challenging task nowadays. When several biofunctional components are present, the complexity that arises from their combinations and interactions will lead to tedious trial-and-error screening. In this work, a novel strategy of biomaterial rational design through the marriage of gradient surface generation with statistical learning is presented. Not only can parameter combinations be screened in a high-throughput fashion, but also the optimal conditions beyond the experimentally tested range can be extrapolated from the models. The power of the strategy is demonstrated in rationally designing an unprecedented ternary functionalized surface for orthopedic implant, with optimal osteogenic, angiogenic, and neurogenic activities, and its optimality and the best osteointegration promotion are confirmed in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The presented strategy is expected to open up new possibilities in the rational design of biomaterials.

Biomaterials text mining: A hands-on comparative study of methods on polydioxanone biocompatibility

Scientific information extraction is fundamental for research and innovation, but is currently mostly a manual, time-consuming process. Text Mining tools (TMTs) enable automated, accurate and quick information extraction from text, but there is little precedent of their use in the biomaterials field. Here, we compare the ability of various TMTs to extract useful information from biomaterials abstracts. Focusing on the biocompatibility of polydioxanone, a biodegradable polymer for which there are relatively few scientific publications, we tested several tools ranging from machine learning approaches and statistical text analysis to MeSH indexing and domain-specific semantic tools for Named Entity Recognition. We also evaluated their output alongside a manual review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The findings show that TMTs can be highly efficient and powerful for mapping biomaterials texts and rapidly yield up-to-date information. Here, TMTs enable one to identify dominating themes, see the evolution of specific terms and topics, and learn about key medical applications in biomaterials literature over the years. The analysis also shows that ambiguity around biomaterials nomenclature is a significant challenge in mining biomedical literature that is yet to be tackled. This research showcases the potential value of using Natural Language Processing and domain-specific tools to extract and organize biomaterials data.

Effects of Mechanical Stress on Endothelial Cells In Situ and In Vitro

Endothelial cells lining blood vessels are essential for maintaining vascular homeostasis and mediate several pathological and physiological processes. Mechanical stresses generated by blood flow and other biomechanical factors significantly affect endothelial cell activity. Here, we review how mechanical stresses, both in situ and in vitro, affect endothelial cells. We review the basic principles underlying the cellular response to mechanical stresses. We also consider the implications of these findings for understanding the mechanisms of mechanotransducer and mechano-signal transduction systems by cytoskeletal components.

Legion: An Instrument for High-Throughput Electrochemistry

Electrochemical arrays promise utility for accelerated hypothesis testing and breakthrough discoveries. Herein, we report a new high-throughput electrochemistry platform, colloquially called "Legion," for applications in electroanalysis and electrosynthesis. Legion consists of 96 electrochemical cells dimensioned to match common 96-well plates that are independently controlled with a field-programmable gate array. We demonstrate the utility of Legion by measuring model electrochemical probes, pH-dependent electron transfers, and electrocatalytic dehalogenation reactions. We consider advantages and disadvantages of this new instrumentation, with the hope of expanding the electrochemical toolbox.

Progress in microsphere-based scaffolds in bone/cartilage tissue engineering

Bone/cartilage repair and regeneration have been popular and difficult issues in medical research. Tissue engineering is rapidly evolving to provide new solutions to this problem, and the key point is to design the appropriate scaffold biomaterial. In recent years, microsphere-based scaffolds have been considered suitable scaffold materials for bone/cartilage injury repair because microporous structures can form more internal space for better cell proliferation and other cellular activities, and these composite scaffolds can provide physical/chemical signals for neotissue formation with higher efficiency. This paper reviews the research progress of microsphere-based scaffolds in bone/chondral tissue engineering, briefly introduces types of microspheres made from polymer, inorganic and composite materials, discusses the preparation methods of microspheres and the exploration of suitable microsphere pore size in bone and cartilage tissue engineering, and finally details the application of microsphere-based scaffolds in biomimetic scaffolds, cell proliferation and drug delivery systems.

Review of the Role of Nanotechnology in Overcoming the Challenges Faced in Oral Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Throughout the world, oral cancer is a common and aggressive malignancy with a high risk of morbidity, mortality, and recurrence. The importance of early detection in cancer prevention and disease treatment cannot be overstated. Conventional therapeutic strategies have minor difficulties but considerable side effects and unfavourable consequences in clinical applications. Hence, there is a requirement for effective ways for early detection and treatment of oral cancer. At present, numerous forms of nanoparticles have piqued researchers' interest as a potentially useful tool for diagnostic probes and medicinal devices. Because of their inherent physicochemical properties and customizable surface modification, they are able to circumvent some of restrictions and accomplish the intended diagnostic and therapeutic impact. Nanotechnology is a unique field that has revolutionised the industry and is paving the way for new treatments for oral cancer. It can help with a better diagnosis with less harmful substances and is setting current guidelines for treatment. The use of nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis, therapy, and care improves clinical practise dramatically. The different types of nanoparticles that have been developed for the diagnosis and therapy of oral cancers will be covered in this study. The difficulties and potential uses of nanoparticles in the treatment and diagnosis of oral cancer are then highlighted. In order to emphasise existing difficulties and potential remedies for oral cancer, a prospective view of the future is also provided.

The development of carbohydrate polymer- and protein-based biomaterials and their role in environmental health and hygiene: A review

Biological macromolecules have been significantly used in the medicine due to their certain therapeutic values. Macromolecules have been employed in medical filed in order to enhance, support, and substitute damaged tissues or any other biological function. In the past decade, the biomaterial field has developed considerably because of vast innovations in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, etc. Different types of biological macromolecules such as natural protein and polysaccharide etc. and synthetic molecules such as metal based, polymer based, and ceramic based etc. have been discussed. These materials can be modified by coatings, fibres, machine parts, films, foams, and fabrics for utilization in biomedical products and other environmental applications. At present, the biological macromolecules can used in different areas like medicine, biology, physics, chemistry, tissue engineering, and materials science. These materials have been used to promote the healing of human tissues, medical implants, bio-sensors and drug delivery, etc. These materials also considered as environmentally sustainable as they are prepared in association with renewable natural resources and living organisms in contrast to non-renewable resources (petrochemicals). In addition, enhanced compatibility, durability and circular economy of biological materials make them highly attractive and innovative for current research.The present review paper summarizes a brief about biological macromolecules, their classification, methods of synthesis, and their role in biomedicine, dyes and herbal products.

High-Content Screening Discovers Microplastics Released by Contact Lenses under Sunlight

The widespread use of plastic products leads to the ubiquity of microplastics in daily life, while the release of microplastics from long-used contact lenses has not been reported due to the limitations of conventional detection methods. Here, we established a new and rapid method to capture and count microplastics by using a high-content screening system. This method can simultaneously measure the diameter, area, and shape of each plastic particle, and the reliability and applicability of this method were verified with commercial microplastics. It is estimated that 90,698 particles of microplastics could be released from a pair of contact lenses during a year of wearing. The microplastics in the leachates were confirmed to be released from the contact lenses by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy fingerprint analysis. Our study reveals an undiscovered pathway of microplastic direct exposure to humans, highlighting the urgent need to assess the potential health risks caused by eye exposure to microplastics.

A User's Guide to Machine Learning for Polymeric Biomaterials

The development of novel biomaterials is a challenging process, complicated by a design space with high dimensionality. Requirements for performance in the complex biological environment lead to difficult a priori rational design choices and time-consuming empirical trial-and-error experimentation. Modern data science practices, especially artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML), offer the promise to help accelerate the identification and testing of next-generation biomaterials. However, it can be a daunting task for biomaterial scientists unfamiliar with modern ML techniques to begin incorporating these useful tools into their development pipeline. This Perspective lays the foundation for a basic understanding of ML while providing a step-by-step guide to new users on how to begin implementing these techniques. A tutorial Python script has been developed walking users through the application of an ML pipeline using data from a real biomaterial design challenge based on group's research. This tutorial provides an opportunity for readers to see and experiment with ML and its syntax in Python. The Google Colab notebook can be easily accessed and copied from the following URL: www.gormleylab.com/MLcolab.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Analysis of Uric Acid and Hypoxanthine Analysis in Fractionated Bodily Fluids

In recent years, the disease burden of hyperuricemia has been increasing, especially in high-income countries and the economically developing world with a Western lifestyle. Abnormal levels of uric acid and hypoxanthine are associated with many diseases, and therefore, to demonstrate improved methods of uric acid and hypoxanthine detection, three different bodily fluids were analysed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gold nanostar suspensions were mixed with series dilutions of uric acid and hypoxanthine, 3 kDa centrifugally filtered human blood serum, urine and saliva. The results show that gold nanostars enable the quantitative detection of the concentration of uric acid and hypoxanthine in the range 5-50 μg/mL and 50-250 ng/mL, respectively. The peak areas of HPLC and maximum peak intensity of SERS have strongly correlated, notably with the peaks of uric acid and hypoxanthine at 1000 and 640 cm^-1, respectively. The r² is 0.975 and 0.959 for uric acid and hypoxanthine, respectively. Each of the three body fluids has a number of spectral features in common with uric acid and hypoxanthine. The large overlap of the spectral bands of the SERS of uric acid against three body fluids at spectra peaks were at 442, 712, 802, 1000, 1086, 1206, 1343, 1436 and 1560 cm^-1. The features at 560, 640, 803, 1206, 1290 and 1620 cm^-1 from hypoxanthine were common to serum, saliva and urine. There is no statistical difference between HPLC and SERS for determination of the concentration of uric acid and hypoxanthine (p > 0.05). For clinical applications, 3 kDa centrifugal filtration followed by SERS can be used for uric acid and hypoxanthine screening is, which can be used to reveal the subtle abnormalities enhancing the great potential of vibrational spectroscopy as an analytical tool. Our work supports the hypnosis that it is possible to obtain the specific concentration of uric acid and hypoxanthine by comparing the SER signals of serum, saliva and urine. In the future, the analysis of other biofluids can be employed to detect biomarkers for the diagnosis of systemic pathologies.

Tuning Water-Resistant Networks in Mussel-Inspired Hydrogels for Robust Wet Tissue and Bioelectronic Adhesion

Hydrogels with robust wet adhesion are desirable for applications in aqueous environments. Wet adhesion arising from synergy between hydrophobic and catechol components in mussel foot proteins has been highlighted. However, optimizing hydrogels with multiple components is challenging because of their complex structure-property relationships. Herein, high-throughput screening of a series of hydrophobic alkyl monomers and adhesive catechol derivatives was used to systematically develop wet adhesive hydrogels. Short alkyl chains promote wet adhesion by repelling water at the adhesive interface, whereas long alkyl chains form strong hydrophobic interactions inside the hydrogel network that impede or dissipate energy for wet adhesion. The optimized wet adhesive hydrogel, containing short alkyl chain, was applied for rapid hemostasis and wound healing because of the synergistic effect of catechol and alkyl groups and its immunomodulation ability, which is revealed through a transcriptomic analysis. Conductive nanocomponents were incorporated into the optimized hydrogel to produce a wearable device, which was used for continuous monitoring human electrocardiogram (ECG) during swimming, and in situ epicardial ECG on a porcine living and beating heart. This study demonstrated an efficient and generalized molecular design strategy for multifunctional wet adhesive hydrogels.

Computational Biomaterials: Computational Simulations for Biomedicine

With the flourishing development of material simulation methods (quantum chemistry methods, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, phase field, etc.), extensive adoption of computing technologies (high-throughput, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.), and the invention of high-performance computing equipment, computational simulation tools have sparked the fundamental mechanism-level explorations to predict the diverse physicochemical properties and biological effects of biomaterials and investigate their enormous application potential for disease prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Herein, the term "computational biomaterials" is proposed and the computational methods currently used to explore the inherent properties of biomaterials, such as optical, magnetic, electronic, and acoustic properties, and the elucidation of corresponding biological behaviors/effects in the biomedical field are summarized/discussed. The theoretical calculation of the physiochemical properties/biological performance of biomaterials applied in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, disease therapeutics, and specific paradigms such as biomimetic biomaterials is discussed. Additionally, the biosafety evaluation applications of theoretical simulations of biomaterials are presented. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of such computational simulations for biomaterials development are clarified. It is anticipated that these simulations would offer various methodologies for facilitating the development and future clinical translations/utilization of versatile biomaterials.

Recent advances in regenerative biomaterials

Nowadays, biomaterials have evolved from the inert supports or functional substitutes to the bioactive materials able to trigger or promote the regenerative potential of tissues. The interdisciplinary progress has broadened the definition of 'biomaterials', and a typical new insight is the concept of tissue induction biomaterials. The term 'regenerative biomaterials' and thus the contents of this article are relevant to yet beyond tissue induction biomaterials. This review summarizes the recent progress of medical materials including metals, ceramics, hydrogels, other polymers and bio-derived materials. As the application aspects are concerned, this article introduces regenerative biomaterials for bone and cartilage regeneration, cardiovascular repair, 3D bioprinting, wound healing and medical cosmetology. Cell-biomaterial interactions are highlighted. Since the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, the review particularly mentions biomaterials for public health emergency. In the last section, perspectives are suggested: (i) creation of new materials is the source of innovation; (ii) modification of existing materials is an effective strategy for performance improvement; (iii) biomaterial degradation and tissue regeneration are required to be harmonious with each other; (iv) host responses can significantly influence the clinical outcomes; (v) the long-term outcomes should be paid more attention to; (vi) the noninvasive approaches for monitoring in vivo dynamic evolution are required to be developed; (vii) public health emergencies call for more research and development of biomaterials; and (viii) clinical translation needs to be pushed forward in a full-chain way. In the future, more new insights are expected to be shed into the brilliant field-regenerative biomaterials.

Multifunctional 3D platforms for rapid hemostasis and wound healing: Structural and functional prospects at biointerfaces

354Fabrication of multifunctional hemostats is indispensable against chronic blood loss and accelerated wound healing. Various hemostatic materials that aid wound repair or rapid tissue regeneration has been developed in the last 5 years. This review provides an overview of the three-dimensional (3D) hemostatic platforms designed through the latest technologies like electrospinning, 3D printing, and lithography, solely or in combination, for application in rapid wound healing. We critically discuss the pivotal role of micro/nano-3D topography and biomaterial properties in mediating rapid blood clots and healing at the hemostat-biointerface. We also highlight the advantages and limitations of the designed 3D hemostats. We anticipate that this review will guide the fabrication of smart hemostats of the future for tissue engineering applications.

Microparticles Decorated with Cell-Instructive Surface Chemistries Actively Promote Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving close crosstalk between various cell types. Dysregulation in any of these processes, such as in diabetic wounds, results in chronic nonhealing wounds. Fibroblasts are a critical cell type involved in the formation of granulation tissue, essential for effective wound healing. 315 different polymer surfaces are screened to identify candidates which actively drive fibroblasts toward either pro- or antiproliferative functional phenotypes. Fibroblast-instructive chemistries are identified, which are synthesized into surfactants to fabricate easy to administer microparticles for direct application to diabetic wounds. The pro-proliferative microfluidic derived particles are able to successfully promote neovascularization, granulation tissue formation, and wound closure after a single application to the wound bed. These active novel bio-instructive microparticles show great potential as a route to reducing the burden of chronic wounds.

Synthesis and Characterization of PU/PLCL/CMCS Electrospun Scaffolds for Skin Tissue Engineering

As tissue regeneration material, electrospun fibers can mimic the microscale and nanoscale structure of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides a basis for cell growth and achieves organic integration with surrounding tissues. At present, the challenge for researchers is to develop a bionic scaffold for the regeneration of the wound area. In this paper, polyurethane (PU) is a working basis for the subsequent construction of tissue-engineered skin. poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL)/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) composite fibers were prepared via electrospinning and cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The effect of CMCS content on the surface morphology, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, swelling degree, and cytocompatibility were explored, aiming to assess the possibility of composite scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The results showed that randomly arranged electrospun fibers presented a smooth surface. All scaffolds exhibited sufficient tensile strength (5.30-5.60 MPa), Young's modulus (2.62-4.29 MPa), and swelling degree for wound treatment. The addition of CMCS improved the hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds.

Synthetic biodegradable polyesters for implantable controlled-release devices

INTRODUCTION

: Implantable devices can be designed to release drugs to localized regions of tissue at sustained and reliable rates. Advances in polymer engineering have led to the design and development of drug-loaded implants with predictable, desirable release profiles. Biodegradable polyesters exhibit chemical, physical, and biological properties suitable for developing implants for pain management, cancer therapy, contraception, antiviral therapy, and other applications.

AREAS COVERED

: This article reviews the use of biodegradable polyesters for drug-loaded implants by discussing the properties of commonly used polymers, techniques for implant formulation and manufacturing, mechanisms of drug release, and clinical applications of implants as drug delivery devices.

EXPERT OPINION

: Drug delivery implants are unique systems for safe and sustained drug release, providing high bioavailability and low toxicity. Depending on the implant design and tissue site of deployment, implants can offer either localized or systemic drug release. Due to the long history of use of degradable polyesters in medical devices, polyester-based implants represent an important class of controlled release technologies. Further, polyester-based implants are the largest category of drug delivery implants to reach the point of testing in humans or approval for human use.

Encapsulation and sustained release of curcumin by hawthorn pectin and Tenebrio Molitor protein composite hydrogel

In this study, the effects of pH value, mixing ratio and the Ca²⁺ concentration on the complex gelation of hawthorn pectin (HP) and Tenebrio Molitor protein (TMP) were investigated. The turbidity results showed that the composite gel had the maximum polymer concentration when the mixing ratio was 2:1 and the pH value was 3.35. The rheological measurement results showed that TMP/HP (15 mmol/L) hydrogel (THIH) had the highest storage modulus and loss modulus, indicating that the properties of the hydrogel at this Ca²⁺ concentration had been significantly improved. The results of scanning electron microscope and pore size also proved that the network structure prepared under this condition was compact and uniform, the pore size was small, which was beneficial to the entrapment of active components. Subsequently, in order to explore the storage stability and antioxidant activity of THIH-loaded curcumin in simulated gastrointestinal environment, in vitro simulated digestion experiment was carried out and satisfactory results were obtained. To sum up, THIH was a promising delivery system with broad application prospects, which was expected to provide a novel idea for the entrapment and delivery of active components.

High-Content Screening and Analysis of Stem Cell-Derived Neural Interfaces Using a Combinatorial Nanotechnology and Machine Learning Approach

A systematic investigation of stem cell-derived neural interfaces can facilitate the discovery of the molecular mechanisms behind cell behavior in neurological disorders and accelerate the development of stem cell-based therapies. Nevertheless, high-throughput investigation of the cell-type-specific biophysical cues associated with stem cell-derived neural interfaces continues to be a significant obstacle to overcome. To this end, we developed a combinatorial nanoarray-based method for high-throughput investigation of neural interface micro-/nanostructures (physical cues comprising geometrical, topographical, and mechanical aspects) and the effects of these complex physical cues on stem cell fate decisions. Furthermore, by applying a machine learning (ML)-based analytical approach to a large number of stem cell-derived neural interfaces, we comprehensively mapped stem cell adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation, which allowed for the cell-type-specific design of biomaterials for neural interfacing, including both adult and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with varying genetic backgrounds. In short, we successfully demonstrated how an innovative combinatorial nanoarray and ML-based platform technology can aid with the rational design of stem cell-derived neural interfaces, potentially facilitating precision, and personalized tissue engineering applications.

A 3D Bioprinted in vitro Model of Neuroblastoma Recapitulates Dynamic Tumor-Endothelial Cell Interactions Contributing to Solid Tumor Aggressive Behavior

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial tumor in children resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. A deeper understanding of the NB tumor microenvironment (TME) remains an area of active research but there is a lack of reliable and biomimetic experimental models. This study utilizes a 3D bioprinting approach, in combination with NB spheroids, to create an in vitro vascular model of NB for exploring the tumor function within an endothelialized microenvironment. A gelatin methacryloyl (gelMA) bioink is used to create multi-channel cubic tumor analogues with high printing fidelity and mechanical tunability. Human-derived NB spheroids and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are incorporated into the biomanufactured gelMA and cocultured under static versus dynamic conditions, demonstrating high levels of survival and growth. Quantification of NB-EC integration and tumor cell migration suggested an increased aggressive behavior of NB when cultured in bioprinted endothelialized models, when cocultured with HUVECs, and also as a result of dynamic culture. This model also allowed for the assessment of metabolic, cytokine, and gene expression profiles of NB spheroids under varying TME conditions. These results establish a high throughput research enabling platform to study the TME-mediated cellular-molecular mechanisms of tumor growth, aggression, and response to therapy.

Smart active-targeting of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for therapeutic applications: Recent advances and challenges

The advances in producing multifunctional lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNs) by combining the biomimetic behavior of liposomes and architectural advantages of polymers have provided great opportunities for selective and efficient therapeutics delivery. The constructed LPHNs exhibit different therapeutic efficacies for special uses based on characteristics of different excipients. However, the high mechanical/structural stability of hybrid nano-systems could be viewed as both a negative property and a positive feature, where the concomitant release of drug molecules in a controllable manner is required. In addition, difficulties in scaling up the LPHNs production, due to involvement of several criteria, limit their application for biomedical fields, especially in monitoring, bioimaging, and drug delivery. To address these challenges bio-modifications have exhibited enormous potential to prepare reproducible LPHNs for site-specific therapeutics delivery, diagnostic and preventative applications. The ever-growing surface bio-functionality has provided continuous vitality to this biotechnology and has also posed desirable biosafety to nanoparticles (NPs). As a proof-of-concept, this manuscript provides a crucial review of coated lipid and polymer NPs displaying excellent surface functionality and architectural advantages. We also provide a description of structural classifications and production methodologies, as well as the biomedical possibilities and translational obstacles in the development of surface modified nanocarrier technology.

Porous gelatin microsphere-based scaffolds containing MC3T3-E1 cells and calcitriol for the repair of skull defect

There is an increasing demand for biomaterials with skull regeneration for clinical application. However, most of the current skull repair materials still have limitations, such as inadequate sources, poor cell adherence, differentiation, tissue infiltration, and foreign body sensation. Therefore, this study developed porous microsphere-based scaffolds containing mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1 cells) and calcitriol (Cal) using gelatin and gelatin/hydroxyapatite through green freeze-crosslinking and freeze-drying. Gelatin was employed to prepare porous microspheres with a particle size of 100-300 μm, containing open pores of 2-70 μm and interconnected paths. Furthermore, the addition of Cal to porous gelatin microsphere-based scaffolds containing MC3T3-E1 cells (PGMSs-MC) and porous gelatin/hydroxyapatite composite microspheres containing MC3T3-E1 cells (HPGMSs-MC) improved their osteoinductivity and cell proliferation and promoted the formation of mature and well-organized bone. The developed Cal-HPGMSs-MC and Cal-PGMSs-MC displayed a good porous structure and cytocompatibility, histocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and osteoinduction. Thus, the designed scaffolds provide a promising prospect for tissue-engineered constructs with skull growth and integration, laying a foundation for further research on the reconstruction of skull defects.

miR-564: A potential regulator of vascular smooth muscle cells and therapeutic target for aortic dissection

BACKGROUND

Aortic dissection (AD) is a lethal cardiac disorder and one of the most concerning cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Increasing evidence indicates that human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD, especially related to phenotypic transformation. And notablely, the development of AD is also accompanied by inflammation.

METHODS

By using quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), we detected the expression levels of miR-564 in vitro and in vivo. The effects of miR-564 proliferation and migration were investigated in VSMCs. The downstream targets of miR-564 were found by bioinformatics analyse, and verified in the regulation on VSMCs. An AD murine model was constructed and clinical evaluation was performed to explore the critical roles of miR-564 in vivo. At the same time, the level of inflammation was detected using quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Overexpression of miR-564 inhibited cell proliferation and migration, as well as phenotype switch, with or without platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) treatment, whereas downregulation of miR-564 led to opposite results. Mechanistically, miR-564 directly interacted with the target genes proto-oncogene (SKI) and neurogranin (NRGN) to regulate the biological functions of VSMCs. In particular, animal experiments demonstrated that miR-564 can alleviate the progression of AD mainly through mediating phenotypic swithing and inflammation which was consistent with clinical evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified miR-564 as a significant molecule that attenuates AD progression by inhibiting inflammation and VSMCs proliferation, migration and phenotypic transformation, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic target for AD.

The tendon microenvironment: Engineered in vitro models to study cellular crosstalk

Tendinopathy is a multi-faceted pathology characterized by alterations in tendon microstructure, cellularity and collagen composition. Challenged by the possibility of regenerating pathological or ruptured tendons, the healing mechanisms of this tissue have been widely researched over the past decades. However, so far, most of the cellular players and processes influencing tendon repair remain unknown, which emphasizes the need for developing relevant in vitro models enabling to study the complex multicellular crosstalk occurring in tendon microenvironments. In this review, we critically discuss the insights on the interaction between tenocytes and the other tendon resident cells that have been devised through different types of existing in vitro models. Building on the generated knowledge, we stress the need for advanced models able to mimic the hierarchical architecture, cellularity and physiological signaling of tendon niche under dynamic culture conditions, along with the recreation of the integrated gradients of its tissue interfaces. In a forward-looking vision of the field, we discuss how the convergence of multiple bioengineering technologies can be leveraged as potential platforms to develop the next generation of relevant in vitro models that can contribute for a deeper fundamental knowledge to develop more effective treatments.

The lncRNA Punisher Regulates Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Homeostasis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Targeting miR-664a-5p and OPA1

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators of various cellular functions. Recent studies have shown that a novel lncRNA termed Punisher is highly expressed in cardiovascular progenitors and has potential role in cardiovascular diseases. However, its role, especially in molecular mechanism, is unclear. In our present study, we observed that Punisher was obviously downregulated in atherosclerotic plaques. Further research proved that it can suppress the apoptosis of VSMCs potentially contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis. Intriguingly, Punisher revealed to regulate mitochondria fission as well as mitochondrial functions induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in VSMCs. Mechanistically, Punisher was further proved to serve as a ceRNA which directly binds to miR-664a-5p and consequently regulates its target OPA1, and finally contributes to the biological function of VSMCs. Particularly, Punisher overexpression distinctly suppressed neointima formation and VSMC apoptosis in vivo. Encouragingly, these results were in accordance with findings obtained with the clinical evaluation of patients with atherosclerosis. Our data provides the significant relationship among OPA1, mitochondrial homeostasis, VSMC apoptosis, and atherosclerosis. And lncRNA Punisher and miR-664a-5p could serve as the novel and potential targets in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

DNA Functionalized Spider Silk Nanohydrogels for Specific Cell Attachment and Patterning

Nucleated protein self-assembly of an azido modified spider silk protein was employed in the preparation of nanofibrillar networks with hydrogel-like properties immobilized on coatings of the same protein. Formation of the networks in a mild aqueous environment resulted in thicknesses between 2 and 60 nm, which were controlled only by the protein concentration. Incorporated azido groups in the protein were used to "click" short nucleic acid sequences onto the nanofibrils, which were accessible to specific hybridization-based modifications, as proved by fluorescently labeled DNA complements. A lipid modifier was used for efficient incorporation of DNA into the membrane of nonadherent Jurkat cells. Based on the complementarity of the nucleic acids, highly specific DNA-assisted immobilization of the cells on the nanohydrogels with tunable cell densities was possible. Addressability of the DNA cell-to-surface anchor was demonstrated with a competitive oligonucleotide probe, resulting in a rapid release of 75-95% of cells. In addition, we developed a photolithography-based patterning of arbitrarily shaped microwells, which served to spatially define the formation of the nanohydrogels. After detaching the photoresist and PEG-blocking of the surface, DNA-assisted immobilization of the Jurkat cells on the nanohydrogel microstructures was achieved with high fidelity.

Chitosan-CaP microflowers and metronidazole loaded calcium alginate sponges with enhanced antibacterial, hemostatic and osteogenic properties for the prevention of dry socket after tooth removal

Tooth removal, particularly for patients with severe periodontitis, can frequently cause massive bleeding, postoperative infection, and bone resorption, resulting in a dry socket. Thus, developing bio-multifunctional materials with excellent antibacterial, hemostatic, and osteogenic characteristics for the prevention of dry sockets after tooth removal is highly desirable in clinical applications. Herein, chitosan-CaP microflowers (CM) and metronidazole (MD) loaded calcium alginate (CA) sponges (CA@CM/MD) with enhanced antibacterial, hemostatic, and osteogenic properties were developed via Ca²⁺ crosslinking, lyophilization, and electrostatic interaction for the prevention of dry socket after tooth removal. The fabricated CM particles display 3-dimensional, relatively homogeneous, and flower-shaped architectures. The CA@CM/MD composite sponges were facilely shaped into the tooth root as well as exhibit interconnected porous and lamellar structures with remarkable porosity, suitable maximum swelling ratio, as well as excellent compressive and hemostatic performance. Besides, the in vitro cellular assessment demonstrates that the prepared CA@CM/MD composite sponges possess satisfactory cytocompatibility. Importantly, the designed sponges significantly suppress the growth of S. aureus and E. coli, as well as promote cellular osteogenic differentiation by upregulating the formation of alkaline phosphatase. Our findings indicate that the tooth root-shaped composite sponges hold great promise for wound management after tooth removal.

Interactions Between Immunomodulatory Biomaterials and Immune Microenvironment: Cues for Immunomodulation Strategies in Tissue Repair

The foreign body response (FBR) caused by biomaterials can essentially be understood as the interaction between the immune microenvironment and biomaterials, which has severely impeded the application of biomaterials in tissue repair. This concrete interaction occurs via cells and bioactive substances, such as proteins and nucleic acids. These cellular and molecular interactions provide important cues for determining which element to incorporate into immunomodulatory biomaterials (IMBs), and IMBs can thus be endowed with the ability to modulate the FBR and repair damaged tissue. In terms of cellular, IMBs are modified to modulate functions of immune cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. In terms of bioactive substances, proteins and nucleic acids are delivered to influence the immune microenvironment. Meanwhile, IMBs are designed with high affinity for spatial targets and the ability to self-adapt over time, which allows for more efficient and intelligent tissue repair. Hence, IMB may achieve the perfect functional integration in the host, representing a breakthrough in tissue repair and regeneration medicine.

Recent Advances in Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching for Decoupling Transport and Kinetics of Biomacromolecules in Cellular Physiology

Among the new molecular tools available to scientists and engineers, some of the most useful include fluorescently tagged biomolecules. Tools, such as green fluorescence protein (GFP), have been applied to perform semi-quantitative studies on biological signal transduction and cellular structural dynamics involved in the physiology of healthy and disease states. Such studies focus on drug pharmacokinetics, receptor-mediated endocytosis, nuclear mechanobiology, viral infections, and cancer metastasis. In 1976, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), which involves the monitoring of fluorescence emission recovery within a photobleached spot, was developed. FRAP allowed investigators to probe two-dimensional (2D) diffusion of fluorescently-labelled biomolecules. Since then, FRAP has been refined through the advancements of optics, charged-coupled-device (CCD) cameras, confocal microscopes, and molecular probes. FRAP is now a highly quantitative tool used for transport and kinetic studies in the cytosol, organelles, and membrane of a cell. In this work, the authors intend to provide a review of recent advances in FRAP. The authors include epifluorescence spot FRAP, total internal reflection (TIR)/FRAP, and confocal microscope-based FRAP. The underlying mathematical models are also described. Finally, our understanding of coupled transport and kinetics as determined by FRAP will be discussed and the potential for future advances suggested.