A controlled double-duration inducible gene expression system for cartilage tissue engineering

Directed osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via sustained release of BMP4 from PBVHx-based nanoparticles

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) is crucial for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration, essential in medical tissue engineering, cosmetology, and aerospace. However, its cost and degradation susceptibility pose significant clinical challenges. To enhance its osteogenic activity while reducing dosage and administration frequency, we developed a novel long-acting BMP4 delivery system using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PBVHx) nanoparticles with soybean lecithin-modified BMP4 (sBP-NPs). These nanoparticles promote directed osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) through sustained BMP4 release. sBP-NPs exhibited uniform size (100-200 nm) and surface charges, with higher BMP4 entrapment efficiency (82.63 %) compared to controls. After an initial burst release within 24 h, sBP-NPs achieved 80 % cumulative BMP4 release within 20 days, maintaining levels better than control BP-NPs with unmodified BMP4. Co-incubation and nanoparticle uptake experiments confirmed excellent biocompatibility of sBP-NPs, promoting hBMSC differentiation towards osteogenic lineage with increased expression of type I collagen, calcium deposition, and ALP activity (> 20,000 U/g protein) compared to controls. Moreover, hBMSCs treated with sBP-NPs exhibited heightened expression of osteogenic genetic markers, surpassing control groups. Hence, this innovative strategy of sustained BMP4 release from sBP-NPs holds potential to revolutionize bone regeneration in minimally invasive surgery, medical cosmetology or space environments.

New Dual Inducible Cellular Model to Investigate Temporal Control of Oncogenic Cooperating Genes

The study of cooperating genes in cancer can lead to mechanistic understanding and identifying potential therapeutic targets. To facilitate these types of studies, we developed a new dual-inducible system utilizing the tetracycline- and cumate-inducible systems driving HES3 and the PAX3::FOXO1 fusion-oncogene, respectively, as cooperating genes from fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma. With this new model, we can independently induce expression of either HES3 or PAX3::FOXO1, as well as simultaneously induce expression of both genes. This new model will allow us to further investigate the cooperation between HES3 and PAX3::FOXO1 including the temporal requirements for genetic cooperation. This dual-inducible model can be adapted for any cooperating genes, allowing for independent, simultaneous, or temporally controlled gene expression.

Osteogenic differentiation system based on biopolymer nanoparticles for stem cells in simulated microgravity

An efficient long-term intracellular growth factor release system in simulated microgravity for osteogenic differentiation was prepared based on polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) nanoparticles for loading of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) (defined as sB2-PLA-NP and sB7-PHA-NP), respectively, associated with osteogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs). On account of soybean lecithin (SL) as biosurfactants, sB2-PLA-NPs and sB7-PHA-NPs had a high encapsulation efficiency (>80%) of BMPs and uniform small size (<100 nm), and showed different slow-release to provide BMP2 in early stage and BMP7 in late stages of osteogenic differentiation within 20 days, due to degradation rate of PLA and PHA in cells. After uptake into hADSCs, by comparison with single sB2-PLA-NP or sB7-PHA-NP, the Mixture NPs, compound of sB2-PLA-NP and sB7-PHA-NP with a mass ratio of 1:1, can well-promote ALP activity, expression of OPN and upregulated related osteo-genes. Directed osteo-differentiation of Mixture NPs was similar to result of sustained free-BMP2 and BMP7-supplying (sFree-B2&B7) in simulated microgravity, which demonstrated the reliability and stability of Mixture NPs as a long-term osteogenic differentiation system in space medicine and biology in future.

Master regulator genes and their impact on major diseases

Master regulator genes (MRGs) have become a hot topic in recent decades. They not only affect the development of tissue and organ systems but also play a role in other signal pathways by regulating additional MRGs. Because a MRG can regulate the concurrent expression of several genes, its mutation often leads to major diseases. Moreover, the occurrence of many tumors and cardiovascular and nervous system diseases are closely related to MRG changes. With the development in omics technology, an increasing amount of investigations will be directed toward MRGs because their regulation involves all aspects of an organism’s development. This review focuses on the definition and classification of MRGs as well as their influence on disease regulation.

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Achievements, Future, and Sustainability in Asia

Exploring innovative solutions to improve the healthcare of the aging and diseased population continues to be a global challenge. Among a number of strategies toward this goal, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) has gradually evolved into a promising approach to meet future needs of patients. TERM has recently received increasing attention in Asia, as evidenced by the markedly increased number of researchers, publications, clinical trials, and translational products. This review aims to give a brief overview of TERM development in Asia over the last decade by highlighting some of the important advances in this field and featuring major achievements of representative research groups. The development of novel biomaterials and enabling technologies, identification of new cell sources, and applications of TERM in various tissues are briefly introduced. Finally, the achievement of TERM in Asia, including important publications, representative discoveries, clinical trials, and examples of commercial products will be introduced. Discussion on current limitations and future directions in this hot topic will also be provided.

Nanomagnetite-embedded PLGA Spheres for Multipurpose Medical Applications

We report on the synthesis and evaluation of biopolymeric spheres of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) containing different amounts of magnetite nanoparticles and Ibuprofen (PLGA-Fe₃O₄-IBUP), but also chitosan (PLGA-CS-Fe₃O₄-IBUP), to be considered as drug delivery systems. Besides morphological, structural, and compositional characterizations, the PLGA-Fe₃O₄-IBUP composite microspheres were subjected to drug release studies, performed both under biomimetically-simulated dynamic conditions and under external radiofrequency magnetic fields. The experimental data resulted by performing the drug release studies evidenced that PLGA-Fe₃O₄-IBUP microspheres with the lowest contents of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are optimal candidates for triggered drug release under external stimulation related to hyperthermia effect. The as-selected microspheres and their chitosan-containing counterparts were biologically assessed on macrophage cultures, being evaluated as biocompatible and bioactive materials that are able to promote cellular adhesion and proliferation. The composite biopolymeric spheres resulted in inhibited microbial growth and biofilm formation, as assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans microbial strains. Significantly improved antimicrobial effects were reported in the case of chitosan-containing biomaterials, regardless of the microorganisms' type. The nanostructured composite biopolymeric spheres evidenced proper characteristics as prolonged and controlled drug release platforms for multipurpose biomedical applications.

Gene Therapy: A Paradigm Shift in Dentistry

Gene therapy holds a promising future for bridging the gap between the disciplines of medicine and clinical dentistry. The dynamic treatment approaches of gene therapy have been advancing by leaps and bounds. They are transforming the conventional approaches into more precise and preventive ones that may limit the need of using drugs and surgery. The oral cavity is one of the most accessible areas for the clinical applications of gene therapy for various oral tissues. The idea of genetic engineering has become more exciting due to its advantages over other treatment modalities. For instance, the body is neither subjected to an invasive surgery nor deep wounds, nor is it susceptible to systemic effects of drugs. The aim of this article is to review the gene therapy applications in the field of dentistry. In addition, therapeutic benefits in terms of treatment of diseases, minimal invasion and maximum outcomes have been discussed.