Near-infrared-emitting nanoparticles activate collagen synthesis via TGFβ signaling

Synergistic Enhancement of Targeted Wound Healing by Near-Infrared Photodynamic Therapy and Silver Metal-Organic Frameworks Combined with S- or N-Doped Carbon Dots

The literature data emphasize that nanoparticles might improve the beneficial effects of near-infrared light (NIR) on wound healing. This study investigates the mechanisms of the synergistic wound healing potential of NIR light and silver metal-organic frameworks combined with nitrogen- and sulfur-doped carbon dots (AgMOFsN-CDs and AgMOFsS-CDs, respectively), which was conducted by testing the fibroblasts viability, scratch assays, biochemical analysis, and synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) cell spectroscopy and imaging. Our findings reveal that the combined treatment of AgMOFsN-CDs and NIR light significantly increases cell viability to nearly 150% and promotes cell proliferation, with reduced interleukin-1 levels, suggesting an anti-inflammatory response. SR-FTIR spectroscopy shows this combined treatment results in unique protein alterations, including increased α-helix structures and reduced cross-β. Additionally, protein synthesis was enhanced upon the combined treatment. The likely mechanism behind the observed changes is the charge-specific interaction of N-CDs from the AgMOFsN-CDs with proteins, enhanced by NIR light due to the nanocomposite's optical characteristics. Remarkably, the complete wound closure in the in vitro scratch assay was achieved exclusively with the combined NIR and AgMOFsN-CDs treatment, demonstrating the promising application of combined AgMOFsN-CDs with NIR light photodynamic therapy in regenerative nanomedicine and tissue engineering.

Nanozyme-Engineered Hydrogels for Anti-Inflammation and Skin Regeneration

Inflammatory skin disorders can cause chronic scarring and functional impairments, posing a significant burden on patients and the healthcare system. Conventional therapies, such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are limited in efficacy and associated with adverse effects. Recently, nanozyme (NZ)-based hydrogels have shown great promise in addressing these challenges. NZ-based hydrogels possess unique therapeutic abilities by combining the therapeutic benefits of redox nanomaterials with enzymatic activity and the water-retaining capacity of hydrogels. The multifaceted therapeutic effects of these hydrogels include scavenging reactive oxygen species and other inflammatory mediators modulating immune responses toward a pro-regenerative environment and enhancing regenerative potential by triggering cell migration and differentiation. This review highlights the current state of the art in NZ-engineered hydrogels (NZ@hydrogels) for anti-inflammatory and skin regeneration applications. It also discusses the underlying chemo-mechano-biological mechanisms behind their effectiveness. Additionally, the challenges and future directions in this ground, particularly their clinical translation, are addressed. The insights provided in this review can aid in the design and engineering of novel NZ-based hydrogels, offering new possibilities for targeted and personalized skin-care therapies.

Janus Micromotors for Photophoretic Motion and Photon Upconversion Applications Using a Single Near-Infrared Wavelength

External stimuli can trigger changes in temperature, concentration, and momentum between micromotors and the medium, causing their propulsion and enabling them to perform different tasks with improved kinetic efficiencies. Light-activated micromotors are attractive systems that achieve improved motion and have the potential for high spatiotemporal control. Photophoretic swarming motion represents an attractive means to induce micromotor movement through the generation of temperature gradients in the medium, enabling the micromotors to move from cold to hot regions. The micromotors studied herein are assembled with Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+/NaGdF4:Yb3+ and LiYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ upconverting nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were localized to one hemisphere to produce a Janus architecture that facilitates improved upconversion luminescence with the upconverting nanoparticles distributed throughout. Under 976 nm excitation, Fe3O4 nanoparticles generate the temperature gradient, while the upconverting nanoparticles produce visible light that is used for micromotor motion tracking and triggering of reactive oxygen species generation. As such, the motion and application of the micromotors are achieved using a single excitation wavelength. To demonstrate the practicality of this system, curcumin was adsorbed to the micromotor surface and degradation of Rhodamine B was achieved with kinetic rates that were over twice as fast as the static micromotors. The upconversion luminescence was also used to track the motion of the micromotors from a single image frame, providing a convenient means to understand the trajectory of these systems. Together, this system provides a versatile approach to achieving light-driven motion while taking advantage of the potential applications of upconversion luminescence such as tracking and detection, sensing, nanothermometry, particle velocimetry, photodynamic therapy, and pollutant degradation.

The effects of infrared radiation on the human skin

BACKGROUND

Infrared radiation (IR) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light (VL) and microwaves, with wavelengths between 700 nm and 1 mm. Humans are mainly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR) and IR through the sun. Unlike UVR which is well known for its carcinogenic properties, the relationship between IR and skin health has not been as extensively studied; as such, we gather the available published evidence here to better elucidate this relationship.

METHODS

Several databases including Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Embase were searched for articles relating to infrared radiation and the skin. Articles were selected for their relevance and novelty.

RESULTS

Detrimental effects such as thermal burns, photocarcinogenesis, and photoaging have been reported, though evidence suggests that these may be due to the thermal effects produced secondary to IR exposure rather than the isolated effect of IR. There are currently no chemical or physical filters specifically available for protection against IR, and existing compounds are not known to have IR-filtering capacity. Interestingly, IR may have some photoprotective properties against the carcinogenic effects of UVR. Furthermore, IR has been used with encouraging results in skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and hair restoration when given at an appropriate therapeutic dose.

CONCLUSION

A better understanding of the current landscape of research surrounding IR can help illuminate its effects on the skin and highlight areas for further research. Here, we review relevant data on IR to assess its deleterious and beneficial effects on human skin, along with possible means for IR photoprotection.

Drug Resistance Reversal Potential of Nanoparticles/Nanocomposites via Antibiotic's Potentiation in Multi Drug Resistant P. aeruginosa

Bacteria employ numerous resistance mechanisms against structurally distinct drugs by the process of multidrug resistance. A study was planned to discover the antibacterial potential of a graphene oxide nanosheet (GO), a graphene oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposite (GO/ZnO), a graphene oxide-chitosan nanocomposite (GO-CS), a zinc oxide decorated graphene oxide-chitosan nanocomposite (GO-CS/ZnO), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) alone and in a blend with antibiotics against a PS-2 isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These nanocomposites reduced the MIC of tetracycline (TET) from 16 folds to 64 folds against a multidrug-resistant clinical isolate. Efflux pumps were interfered, as evident by an ethidium bromide synergy study with nanocomposites, as well as inhibiting biofilm synthesis. These nanoparticles/nanocomposites also decreased the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of TET. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on nanomaterials as a synergistic agent via inhibition of efflux and biofilm synthesis.

Manually curated transcriptomics data collection for toxicogenomic assessment of engineered nanomaterials

Toxicogenomics (TGx) approaches are increasingly applied to gain insight into the possible toxicity mechanisms of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Omics data can be valuable to elucidate the mechanism of action of chemicals and to develop predictive models in toxicology. While vast amounts of transcriptomics data from ENM exposures have already been accumulated, a unified, easily accessible and reusable collection of transcriptomics data for ENMs is currently lacking. In an attempt to improve the FAIRness of already existing transcriptomics data for ENMs, we curated a collection of homogenized transcriptomics data from human, mouse and rat ENM exposures in vitro and in vivo including the physicochemical characteristics of the ENMs used in each study.