Effect of surface morphology and charge on the amount and conformation of fibrinogen adsorbed onto alginate/chitosan microcapsules

Postbiotic characterization of a potential probiotic yeast isolate, and its microencapsulation in alginate beads coated layer-by-layer with chitosan

Considering biosafety concerns and survivability limitations of probiotics (PRO) under different stresses, application of postbiotics and encapsulated PRO has received considerable attentions. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to investigate the postbiotic capabilities of a potential PRO yeast isolate and the effect of encapsulation with alginate (Alg) and chitosan (Ch) on its survival under SGI conditions. Sequencing results of the PCR products led to the identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the selected potential PRO yeast isolated from wheat germ sourdough. High survival of the isolate under simulated gastrointestinal (SGI) conditions (95.74%), its proper adhesion abilities, as well as its potent inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes (75.84%) and Aspergillus niger (77.35%) were approved. Interestingly, the yeast cell-free supernatant (CFS) showed the highest antioxidant (84.35%) and phytate-degrading (56.19%) activities compared to the viable and heat-dead cells of the isolate. According to the results of the HPLC-based assay, anti-ochratoxin A (OTA) capability of the dead cells was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the viable cell. Meanwhile, the yeast CFS had no anti-OTA and antimicrobial activities against the foodborne bacteria and fungi tested. Further, microencapsulation of the yeast isolate in Alg beads coated layer-by-layer with Ch (with 77.02% encapsulation efficacy and diameter of 1059 μm based on the field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis) significantly enhanced its survivability under SGI conditions in comparison with the free cells. In addition, electrostatic cross-linking between negatively charged carboxylic groups of Alg and positively charged amino groups of Ch was verified in accordance with Fourier transform infrared and zeta potential data. Human and/or industrial food trials in future are needed for practical applications of these emerging ingredients.

Thermoresponsive and Conductive Chitosan-Polyurethane Biocompatible Thin Films with Potential Coating Application

Conductive thin films have great potential for application in the biomedical field. Herein, we designed thermoresponsive and conductive thin films with hydrophilicity, strain sensing, and biocompatibility. The crosslinked dense thin films were synthesized and prepared through a Schiff base reaction and ionic interaction from dialdehyde polyurethane, N-carboxyethyl chitosan, and double-bonded chitosan grafted polypyrrole. The thin films were air-dried under room temperature. These thin films showed hydrophilicity and conductivity (above 2.50 mS/cm) as well as responsiveness to the deformation. The tensile break strength (9.72 MPa to 15.07 MPa) and tensile elongation (5.76% to 12.77%) of conductive thin films were enhanced by heating them from 25 °C to 50 °C. In addition, neural stem cells cultured on the conductive thin films showed cell clustering, proliferation, and differentiation. The application of the materials as a conductive surface coating was verified by different coating strategies. The conductive thin films are potential candidates for surface modification and biocompatible polymer coating.

Orienting proteins by nanostructured surfaces: evidence of a curvature-driven geometrical resonance

Experimental and theoretical reports have shown that nanostructured surfaces have a dramatic effect on the amount of protein adsorbed and the conformational state and, in turn, on the performances of the related devices in tissue engineering strategies. Here we report an innovative method to prepare silica-based nanostructured surfaces with a reproducible, well-defined local curvature, consisting of ordered hexagonally packed arrays of curved hemispheres, from nanoparticles of different diameters (respectively 147 nm, 235 nm and 403 nm). The nanostructured surfaces have been made chemically homogeneous by partially embedding silica nanoparticles in poly(hydroxymethylsiloxane) films, further modified by means of UV-O3 treatments. This paper has been focused on the experimental and theoretical study of laminin, taken as a model protein, to study the nanocurvature effects on the protein configuration at nanostructured surfaces. A simple model, based on the interplay of electrostatic interactions between the charged terminal domains of laminin and the nanocurved charged surfaces, closely reproduces the experimental findings. In particular, the model suggests that nanocurvature drives the orientation of rigid proteins by means of a "geometrical resonance" effect, involving the matching of dimensions, charge distribution and spatial arrangement of both adsorbed molecules and adsorbent nanostructures. Overall, the results pave the way to unravel the nanostructured surface effects on the intra- and inter-molecular organization processes of proteins.

S. S, Agarwal T, Pradhan S, Pal K, Giri S, Maiti TK, Banerjee I. Gum tragacanth–alginate beads as proangiogenic–osteogenic cell encapsulation systems for bone tissue engineering

The presence of gum tragacanth in calcium alginate beads makes them more osteo-conductive and proangiogenic.

Surface characteristics determining the cell compatibility of ionically cross-linked alginate gels

In this study we investigated differences in the characteristics determining the suitability of five types of ion (Fe(3+), Al(3+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+) and Sr(2+))-cross-linked alginate films as culture substrates for cells. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured on each alginate film to examine the cell affinity of the alginates. Since cell behavior on the surface of a material is dependent on the proteins adsorbed to it, we investigated the protein adsorption ability and surface features (wettability, morphology and charge) related to the protein adsorption abilities of alginate films. We observed that ferric, aluminum and barium ion-cross-linked alginate films supported better cell growth and adsorbed higher amounts of serum proteins than other types. Surface wettability analysis demonstrated that ferric and aluminum ion-cross-linked alginates had moderate hydrophilic surfaces, while other types showed highly hydrophilic surfaces. The roughness was exhibited only on barium ion-cross-linked alginate surface. Surface charge measurements revealed that alginate films had negatively charged surfaces, and showed little difference among the five types of gel. These results indicate that the critical factors of ionically cross-linked alginate films determining the protein adsorption ability required for their cell compatibility may be surface wettability and morphology.

Improving stability and biocompatibility of alginate/chitosan microcapsule by fabricating bi-functional membrane

Cell encapsulation technology holds promise for the cell-based therapy. But poor mechanical strength and biocompatibility of microcapsule membrane are still obstacles for the clinical applications. A novel strategy is presented to prepare AC₁ C₂ A microcapsules with bi-functional membrane (that is, both desirable biocompatibility and membrane stability) by sequentially complexing chitosans with higher deacetylation degree (C₁) and lower deacetylation degree (C₂) on alginate (A) gel beads. Both in vitro and in vivo evaluation of AC₁C₂ A microcapsules demonstrate higher membrane stability and less cell adhesion, because the introduction of C₂ increases membrane strength and decreases surface roughness. Moreover, diffusion test of AC₁C₂ A microcapsules displays no inward permeation of IgG protein suggesting good immunoisolation function. The results demonstrate that AC₁C₂ A microcapsules with bi-functional membrane could be a promising candidate for microencapsulated cell implantation with cost effective usage of naturally biocompatible polysaccharides.

Modulating the behaviors of C3A cells via surface charges of polyelectrolyte multilayers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro how the modulating surface charges of materials influenced the behaviors of hepatocytes. Cells of a human hepatocyte cell line, C3A, which have been used in a clinically tested bioartificial liver, were conducted as cell models. Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) of poly-L-lysine and alginate biopolymers were fabricated and then the zeta potential was assessed. Protein adsorption study showed that fibrinogen deposition could be modulated via tuning the terminal layer and the surface charges of PEMs. Furthermore, through observing the cellular morphology, viability, functional protein analysis and gene expression, we found that the behavior of C3A cells could be modulated via tuning of surface charges on PEMs, which was different from that via grafting functional groups on PEMs. It suggested that the PEMs with different charges could be used in vitro to manipulate cell behaviors to improve upon the design of tissue engineering.

Preparation of superparamagnetic Fe3O4@alginate/chitosan nanospheres for Candida rugosa lipase immobilization and utilization of layer-by-layer assembly to enhance the stability of immobilized lipase

Superparamagnetic alginate nanospheres with diameter of 50 nm were prepared by self-assembly of alginate in the Ca(2+) solution; and then superparamagnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres, which have positive charge and could adsorb lipase directly, were obtained with a following assembly of chitosan based on the electrostatic interaction between alginate and chitosan. Subsequently, oxidic poly (ethylene glycol) was used to functionalize the magnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres. Thus, the magnetic nanospheres with aldehyde groups and a brushlike structure were formed. With various characterizations, it was verified that the magnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres held small diameters (around 60 nm) and displayed superparamagnetism with high saturation magnetization. The Candida rugosa lipase (CRL), meanwhile, was immobilized onto the magnetic alginate/chitosan nanospheres by electrostatic adsorption and covalent bonding, respectively. Afterward, a layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly process was utilized to coat the immobilized CRL (ICRL) with covering layers made up of alginate and chitosan. After studying the properties of ICRL such as activity, kinetic behaviors, stability and reusability, it was proved that the ICRL prepared with two methods displayed more excellent properties than that prepared with electrostatic adsorption only. Additionally, coating ICRL with covering layers showed good effect on improving the stability of ICRL.

Enhancement of surface graft density of MPEG on alginate/chitosan hydrogel microcapsules for protein repellency

Alginate/chitosan/alginate (ACA) hydrogel microcapsules were modified with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) to improve protein repellency and biocompatibility. Increased MPEG surface graft density (n(S)) on hydrogel microcapsules was achieved by controlling the grafting parameters including the buffer layer substrate, membrane thickness, and grafting method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) model was employed to quantitatively analyze n(S) on this three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel network structure. Our results indicated that neutralizing with alginate, increasing membrane thickness, and in situ covalent grafting could increase n(S) effectively. ACAC(PEG) was more promising than ACC(PEG) in protein repellency because alginate supplied more -COO(-) negative binding sites and prevented MPEG from diffusing. The n(S) increased with membrane thickness, showing better protein repellency. Moreover, the in situ covalent grafting provided an effective way to enhance n(S), and 1.00 ± 0.03 chains/nm(2) was achieved, exhibiting almost complete immunity to protein adsorption. This antifouling hydrogel biomaterial is expected to be useful in transplantation in vivo.

Surface functionalization of thin-film diamond for highly stable and selective biological interfaces

Carbon is an extremely versatile family of materials with a wide range of mechanical, optical, and mechanical properties, but many similarities in surface chemistry. As one of the most chemically stable materials known, carbon provides an outstanding platform for the development of highly tunable molecular and biomolecular interfaces. Photochemical grafting of alkenes has emerged as an attractive method for functionalizing surfaces of diamond, but many aspects of the surface chemistry and impact on biological recognition processes remain unexplored. Here we report investigations of the interaction of functionalized diamond surfaces with proteins and biological cells using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence methods. XPS data show that functionalization of diamond with short ethylene glycol oligomers reduces the nonspecific binding of fibrinogen below the detection limit of XPS, estimated as > 97% reduction over H-terminated diamond. Measurements of different forms of diamond with different roughness are used to explore the influence of roughness on nonspecific binding onto H-terminated and ethylene glycol (EG)-terminated surfaces. Finally, we use XPS to characterize the chemical stability of Escherichia coli K12 antibodies on the surfaces of diamond and amine-functionalized glass. Our results show that antibody-modified diamond surfaces exhibit increased stability in XPS and that this is accompanied by retention of biological activity in cell-capture measurements. Our results demonstrate that surface chemistry on diamond and other carbon-based materials provides an excellent platform for biomolecular interfaces with high stability and high selectivity.

Chitosan-g-MPEG-modified alginate/chitosan hydrogel microcapsules: a quantitative study of the effect of polymer architecture on the resistance to protein adsorption

The chemical modification of the alginate/chitosan/alginate (ACA) hydrogel microcapsule with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) was investigated to reduce nonspecific protein adsorption and improve biocompatibility in vivo. The graft copolymer chitosan-g-MPEG (CS-g-MPEG) was synthesized, and then alginate/chitosan/alginate/CS-g-MPEG (ACAC(PEG)) multilayer hydrogel microcapsules were fabricated by the layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte self-assembly method. A quantitative study of the modification was carried out by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technique, and protein adsorption on the modified microcapsules was also investigated. The results showed that the apparent graft density of the MPEG side chain on the microcapsules decreased with increases in the degree of substitution (DS) and the MPEG chain length. During the binding process, the apparent graft density of CS-g-MPEG showed rapid growth-plateau-rapid growth behavior. CS-g-MPEG was not only bound to the surface but also penetrated a certain depth into the microcapsule membranes. The copolymers that penetrated the microcapsules made a smaller contribution to protein repulsion than did the copolymers on the surfaces of the microcapsules. The protein repulsion ability decreased with the increase in DS from 7 to 29% with the same chain length of MPEG 2K. CS-g-MPEG with MPEG 2K was more effective at protein repulsion than CS-g-MPEG with MPEG 550, having a similar DS below 20%. In this study, the microcapsules modified with CS-g-MPEG2K-DS7% had the lowest IgG adsorption of 3.0 ± 0.6 μg/cm(2), a reduction of 61% compared to that on the chitosan surface.