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Terranova ML. Prominent Roles and Conflicted Attitudes of Eumelanin in the Living World. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097783. [PMID: 37175490 PMCID: PMC10178024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Eumelanin, a macromolecule widespread in all the living world and long appreciated for its protective action against harmful UV radiation, is considered the beneficial component of the melanin family (ευ means good in ancient Greek). This initially limited picture has been rather recently extended and now includes a variety of key functions performed by eumelanin in order to support life also under extreme conditions. A lot of still unexplained aspects characterize this molecule that, in an evolutionary context, survived natural selection. This paper aims to emphasize the unique characteristics and the consequent unusual behaviors of a molecule that still holds the main chemical/physical features detected in fossils dating to the late Carboniferous. In this context, attention is drawn to the duality of roles played by eumelanin, which occasionally reverses its functional processes, switching from an anti-oxidant to a pro-oxidant behavior and implementing therefore harmful effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Terranova
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Roma, Italy
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Agrawal L, Vimal SK, Barzaghi P, Shiga T, Terenzio M. Biodegradable and Electrically Conductive Melanin-Poly (3-Hydroxybutyrate) 3D Fibrous Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering Applications. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200315. [PMID: 36114714 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the severity of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) and spinal cord injuries (SCI), treatment options for patients are limited. In this context, biomaterials designed to promote regeneration and reinstate the lost function are being explored. Such biomaterials should be able to mimic the biological, chemical, and physical cues of the extracellular matrix for maximum effectiveness as therapeutic agents. Development of biomaterials with desirable physical, chemical, and electrical properties, however, has proven challenging. Here a novel biomaterial formulation achieved by blending the pigment melanin and the natural polymer Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is proposed. Physio-chemical measurements of electrospun fibers reveal a feature rich surface nano-topography, a semiconducting-nature, and brain-tissue-like poroviscoelastic properties. Resulting fibers improve cell adhesion and growth of mouse sensory and motor neurons, without any observable toxicity. Further, the presence of polar functional groups positively affect the kinetics of fibers degradation at a pH (≈7.4) comparable to that of body fluids. Thus, melanin-PHB blended scaffolds are found to be physio-chemically, electrically, and biologically compatible with neural tissues and could be used as a regenerative modality for neural tissue injuries. A biomaterial for scaffolds intended to promote regeneration of nerve tissue after injury is developed. This biomaterial, obtained by mixing the pigment melanin and the natural polymer PHB, is biodegradable, electrically conductive, and beneficial to the growth of motor and sensory neurons. Thus, it is believed that this biomaterial can be used in the context of healthcare applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Agrawal
- Molecular Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0412, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Sunil Kumar Vimal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, P. R. China.,Universidad Integral del Caribe y América Latina, Kaminda Cas Grandi #79, Willemstad, Curacao
| | - Paolo Barzaghi
- Scientific Imaging Section, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0412, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiga
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences Kansei, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan.,Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Marco Terenzio
- Molecular Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, 904-0412, Japan
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Chiera S, Koch VM, Bleyer G, Walter T, Bittner C, Bachmann J, Vogel N. From Sticky to Slippery: Self-Functionalizing Lubricants for In Situ Fabrication of Liquid-Infused Surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:16735-16745. [PMID: 35353481 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c02390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-infused surfaces offer a versatile approach to create self-cleaning coatings. In such coatings, a thin film of a fluid lubricant homogeneously coats the substrate and thus prevents direct contact with a second, contaminating liquid. For stable repellency, the interfacial energies need to be controlled to ensure that the lubricant is not replaced by the contaminating liquid. Here, we introduce the concept of self-functionalizing lubricants. Functional molecular species that chemically match the lubricant but possess selective anchor groups are dissolved in the lubricant and self-adhere to the surface, forming the required surface chemistry in situ from within the applied lubricant layer. To add flexibility to the self-functionalizing concept, the substrate is first primed with a thin polydopamine base layer, which can be deposited to nearly any substrate material from aqueous solutions and retains reactivity toward electron-donating groups such as amines. The temporal progression of the in situ functionalization is investigated by ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance and correlated to macroscopic changes in contact angle and contact angle hysteresis. The flexibility of the approach is underlined by creating repellent coatings with various substrate/lubricant combinations. The prepared liquid-infused surfaces significantly reduce cement adhesion and provide easy-to-clean systems under real-world conditions on shoe soles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Chiera
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstraße 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Vanessa M Koch
- Chair 'Chemistry of Thin Film Materials' (CTFM), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), IZNF, Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gudrun Bleyer
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstraße 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Teresa Walter
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstraße 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Carina Bittner
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstraße 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Julien Bachmann
- Chair 'Chemistry of Thin Film Materials' (CTFM), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), IZNF, Cauerstraße 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Vogel
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Cauerstraße 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
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4
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Understanding the way eumelanin works: A unique example of properties and skills driven by molecular heterogeneity. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Galeb HA, Wilkinson EL, Stowell AF, Lin H, Murphy ST, Martin‐Hirsch PL, Mort RL, Taylor AM, Hardy JG. Melanins as Sustainable Resources for Advanced Biotechnological Applications. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2000102. [PMID: 33552556 PMCID: PMC7857133 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature and have diverse origins, chemical compositions, and functions. Their chemical, electrical, optical, and paramagnetic properties offer opportunities for applications in materials science, particularly for medical and technical uses. This review focuses on the application of analytical techniques to study melanins in multidisciplinary contexts with a view to their use as sustainable resources for advanced biotechnological applications, and how these may facilitate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa A. Galeb
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Department of ChemistryScience and Arts CollegeRabigh CampusKing Abdulaziz UniversityJeddah21577Saudi Arabia
| | - Emma L. Wilkinson
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Alison F. Stowell
- Department of Organisation, Work and TechnologyLancaster University Management SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YXUK
| | - Hungyen Lin
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - Samuel T. Murphy
- Department of EngineeringLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
| | - Pierre L. Martin‐Hirsch
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustRoyal Preston HospitalSharoe Green LanePrestonPR2 9HTUK
| | - Richard L. Mort
- Department of Biomedical and Life SciencesLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YGUK
| | - Adam M. Taylor
- Lancaster Medical SchoolLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YWUK
| | - John G. Hardy
- Department of ChemistryLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
- Materials Science InstituteLancaster UniversityLancasterLA1 4YBUK
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Cavallini C, Vitiello G, Adinolfi B, Silvestri B, Armanetti P, Manini P, Pezzella A, d’Ischia M, Luciani G, Menichetti L. Melanin and Melanin-Like Hybrid Materials in Regenerative Medicine. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1518. [PMID: 32756369 PMCID: PMC7466405 DOI: 10.3390/nano10081518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a group of dark insoluble pigments found widespread in nature. In mammals, the brown-black eumelanins and the reddish-yellow pheomelanins are the main determinants of skin, hair, and eye pigmentation and play a significant role in photoprotection as well as in many biological functions ensuring homeostasis. Due to their broad-spectrum light absorption, radical scavenging, electric conductivity, and paramagnetic behavior, eumelanins are widely studied in the biomedical field. The continuing advancements in the development of biomimetic design strategies offer novel opportunities toward specifically engineered multifunctional biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Melanin and melanin-like coatings have been shown to increase cell attachment and proliferation on different substrates and to promote and ameliorate skin, bone, and nerve defect healing in several in vivo models. Herein, the state of the art and future perspectives of melanins as promising bioinspired platforms for natural regeneration processes are highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Barbara Adinolfi
- Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy;
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Paola Manini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Marco d’Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
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A Melanin-Related Phenolic Polymer with Potent Photoprotective and Antioxidant Activities for Dermo-Cosmetic Applications. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9040270. [PMID: 32218123 PMCID: PMC7222206 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9040270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Eumelanins, the dark variant of skin pigments, are endowed with a remarkable antioxidant activity and well-recognized photoprotective properties that have been ascribed to pigment components derived from the biosynthetic precursor 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Herein, we report the protective effect of a polymer obtained starting from the methyl ester of DHICA (MeDHICA-melanin) against Ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced oxidative stress in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT). MeDHICA-melanin was prepared by aerial oxidation of MeDHICA. At concentrations as low as 10 µg/mL, MeDHICA-melanin prevented reactive oxygen species accumulation and partially reduced glutathione oxidation in UVA-irradiated keratinocytes. Western blot experiments revealed that the polymer is able to induce the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf-2) to the nucleus with the activation of the transcription of antioxidant enzymes, such as heme-oxygenase 1. Spectrophotometric and HPLC analysis of cell lysate allowed to conclude that a significant fraction (ca. 7%), consisting mainly of the 4,4′-dimer of MeDHICA (ca. 2 μM), was internalized in the cells. Overall these data point to the potential use of MeDHICA-melanin as an antioxidant for the treatment of skin damage, photoaging and skin cancers.
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Alfe M, Gargiulo V, Di Capua R. An Old but Lively Nanomaterial: Exploiting Carbon Black for the Synthesis of Advanced Materials. EURASIAN CHEMICO-TECHNOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.18321/ectj861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon black (CB) is an old-concept but versatile carbonaceous material prone to be structurally and chemically modified under quite mild wet conditions. Recently, we exploited the potentiality of CB for the production of a highly varied array of advanced materials with applications in energetics, water remediation and sensoristic. The proposed approaches are devised to meet specific needs: low production costs, scalable synthetic approaches, flexibility i.e. easy tuning of chemico-physical properties of the carbon-based advanced materials. Two main approaches have been exploited: modification of CB at the surface and highly CB de-structuration. The former approach allows obtaining highly homogenous CB-modified nanoparticles (around 160 nm) with tunable surface properties (hydrophilicity, typology of functional groups and surface charge density, pore size distribution), supports for ionic liquid (SILP) and composites (carbon-iron oxide). The latter approach exploiting a top-down demolition of CB produces a highly versatile graphene related material (GRM), made up by stacked short graphene-like layers (GL) particularly suitable for advanced composites synthesis and ultrathin carbon-based films production.
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Di Capua R, Gargiulo V, Alfè M, De Luca GM, Skála T, Mali G, Pezzella A. Eumelanin Graphene-Like Integration: The Impact on Physical Properties and Electrical Conductivity. Front Chem 2019; 7:121. [PMID: 30937300 PMCID: PMC6432792 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent development of eumelanin pigment-based blends integrating "classical" organic conducting materials is expanding the scope of eumelanin in bioelectronics. Beyond the achievement of high conductivity level, another major goal lays in the knowledge and feasible control of structure/properties relationship. We systematically investigated different hybrid materials prepared by in situ polymerization of the eumelanin precursor 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) in presence of various amounts of graphene-like layers. Spectroscopic studies performed by solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ss-NMR), x-ray photoemission, and absorption spectroscopies gave a strong indication of the direct impact that the integration of graphene-like layers into the nascent polymerized DHI-based eumelanin has on the structural organization of the pigment itself, while infrared, and photoemission spectroscopies indicated the occurrence of negligible changes as concerns the chemical units. A tighter packing of the constituent units could represent a strong factor responsible for the observed improved electrical conductivity of the hybrid materials, and could be possible exploited as a tool for electrical conductivity tuning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Di Capua
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples “Federico II” and Superconducting and Other Innovative Materials and Devices Institute (SPIN), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Michela Alfè
- Institute for Research on Combustion (IRC), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Maria De Luca
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples “Federico II” and Superconducting and Other Innovative Materials and Devices Institute (SPIN), CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Tomáš Skála
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Gregor Mali
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy
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The Potential for Convergence between Synthetic Biology and Bioelectronics. Cell Syst 2018; 7:231-244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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