Antioxidative nanofullerol inhibits macrophage activation and development of osteoarthritis in rats

Reactive oxygen species-scavenging nanomaterials for the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases

With increasing proportion of the elderly in the population, age-related diseases (ARD) lead to a considerable healthcare burden to society. Prevention and treatment of ARD can decrease the negative impact of aging and the burden of disease. The aging rate is closely associated with the production of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-mediated oxidative stress in aging triggers aging-related changes through lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA oxidation. Antioxidants can control autoxidation by scavenging free radicals or inhibiting their formation, thereby reducing oxidative stress. Benefiting from significant advances in nanotechnology, a large number of nanomaterials with ROS-scavenging capabilities have been developed. ROS-scavenging nanomaterials can be divided into two categories: nanomaterials as carriers for delivering ROS-scavenging drugs, and nanomaterials themselves with ROS-scavenging activity. This study summarizes the current advances in ROS-scavenging nanomaterials for prevention and treatment of ARD, highlights the potential mechanisms of the nanomaterials used and discusses the challenges and prospects for their applications.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activities of two new N-acetyl glucosamine derivatives

N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) is a natural amino sugar found in various human tissues with previously described anti-inflammatory effects. Various chemical modifications of NAG have been made to promote its biomedical applications. In this study, we synthesized two bi-deoxygenated NAG, BNAG1 and BNAG2 and investigated their anti-inflammatory properties, using an in vivo and in vitro inflammation mouse model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among the parent molecule NAG, BNAG1 and BNAG2, BNAG1 showed the highest inhibition against serum levels of IL-6 and TNF α and the leukocyte migration to lungs and peritoneal cavity in LPS challenged mice, as well as IL-6 and TNF α production in LPS-stimulated primary peritoneal macrophages. BNAG2 displayed an anti-inflammatory effect which was comparable to NAG. These findings implied potential application of these novel NAG derivatives, especially BNAG1, in treatment of certain inflammation-related diseases.

Alleviation of Photoreceptor Degeneration Based on Fullerenols in rd1 Mice by Reversing Mitochondrial Dysfunction via Modulation of Mitochondrial DNA Transcription and Leakage

Poor therapeutic outcomes of antioxidants in ophthalmologic clinical applications, including glutathione during photoreceptor degeneration in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), are caused by limited anti-oxidative capacity. In this study, fullerenols are synthesized and proven to be highly efficient in vitro radical scavengers. Fullerenol-based intravitreal injections significantly improve the flash electroretinogram and light/dark transition tests performed for 28 days on rd1 mice, reduce the thinning of retinal outer nuclear layers, and preserve the Rhodopsin, Gnat-1, and Arrestin expressions of photoreceptors. RNA-sequencing, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting validate that mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA)-encoded genes of the electron transport chain (ETC), such as mt-Nd4l, mt-Co1, mt-Cytb, and mt-Atp6, are drastically downregulated in the retinas of rd1 mice, whereas nuclear DNA (n-DNA)-encoded genes, such as Ndufa1 and Atp5g3, are abnormally upregulated. Fullerenols thoroughly reverse the abnormal mt-DNA and n-DNA expression patterns of the ETC and restore mitochondrial function in degenerating photoreceptors. Additionally, fullerenols simultaneously repress Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1)-mediated mt-DNA cleavage and mt-DNA leakage via voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) pores by downregulating the transcription of Fen1 and Vdac1, thereby inactivating the downstream pro-inflammatory cGAS-STING pathway. These findings demonstrate that fullerenols can effectively alleviate photoreceptor degeneration in rd1 mice and serve as a viable treatment for RP.

Carbon Nanomaterial-Based Hydrogels as Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering: A Comprehensive Review

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) are a category of nanomaterials with various systems based on combinations of sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon bonds, morphologies, and functional groups. CBNs can exhibit distinguished properties such as high mechanical strength, chemical stability, high electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility. These desirable physicochemical properties have triggered their uses in many fields, including biomedical applications. In this review, we specifically focus on applying CBNs as scaffolds in tissue engineering, a therapeutic approach whereby CBNs can act for the regeneration or replacement of damaged tissue. Here, an overview of the structures and properties of different CBNs will first be provided. We will then discuss state-of-the-art advancements of CBNs and hydrogels as scaffolds for regenerating various types of human tissues. Finally, a perspective of future potentials and challenges in this field will be presented. Since this is a very rapidly growing field, we expect that this review will promote interdisciplinary efforts in developing effective tissue regeneration scaffolds for clinical applications.

Water-soluble pristine C60 fullerenes attenuate isometric muscle force reduction in a rat acute inflammatory pain model

BACKGROUND

Being a scavenger of free radicals, C₆₀ fullerenes can influence on the physiological processes in skeletal muscles, however, the effect of such carbon nanoparticles on muscle contractility under acute muscle inflammation remains unclear. Thus, the aim of the study was to reveal the effect of the C₆₀ fullerene aqueous solution (C₆₀FAS) on the muscle contractile properties under acute inflammatory pain.

METHODS

To induce inflammation a 2.5% formalin solution was injected into the rat triceps surae (TS) muscle. High-frequency electrical stimulation has been used to induce tetanic muscle contraction. A linear motor under servo-control with embedded semi-conductor strain gauge resistors was used to measure the muscle tension.

RESULTS

In response to formalin administration, the strength of TS muscle contractions in untreated animals was recorded at 23% of control values, whereas the muscle tension in the C₆₀FAS-treated rats reached 48%. Thus, the treated muscle could generate 2-fold more muscle strength than the muscle in untreated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The attenuation of muscle contraction force reduction caused by preliminary injection of C₆₀FAS is presumably associated with a decrease in the concentration of free radicals in the inflamed muscle tissue, which leads to a decrease in the intensity of nociceptive information transmission from the inflamed muscle to the CNS and thereby promotes the improvement of the functional state of the skeletal muscle.

Brij® integrated bilosomes for improving the transdermal delivery of niflumic acid for effective treatment of osteoarthritis: In vitro characterization, ex vivo permeability assessment, and in vivo study

Bilosomes are innovative vesicular carriers containing bile salt with a non-ionic surfactant. Being highly flexible, bilosomes can squeeze themselves through the skin carrying the drug to the action site and improving its skin penetration. The objective of this research was to encapsulate niflumic acid (NA), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug into Brij® integrated bilosomes (BIBs) for effective treatment of osteoarthritis through transdermal delivery. BIBs were formulated using 100 mg of Span 20 with different amounts of sodium cholate (NaC), sodium taurocholate (NaTC), or sodium glycocholate (NaGC) as bile salt, with the addition of 5 mg of Brij-93 or Brij-35. BIBs were prepared utilizing ethanol injection method with the application of (3¹×2²) complete factorial design using Design-Expert® software. The optimal BIBs formulation determined was (B5) which contains 5 mg of NaTC used as bile salt and 5 mg of Brij-93. B5 exhibited entrapment efficiency% = 95.21 ± 0.00%, particle size = 373.05 ± 0.07 nm, polydispersity index = 0.27 ± 0.01, and zeta potential = -32.00 ± 0.00 mV. It also had a high elasticity with a spherical shape. B5 gel displayed a sustained release profile with a significantly 2.3 folds' higher drug permeation percent across rat skin than that permeated from NA gel. Moreover, in vivo anti-osteoarthritic and histopathological studies assured the efficacy and safety of B5 gel and its superiority over NA gel. Generally, the outcomes confirmed the great efficacy of NA loaded BIBs for the topical treatment of osteoarthritis.

Anti-inflammatory activities of two new deoxygenated N-acetyl glucosamines in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells

Background

Glucosamine and N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) are amino sugars found in human extracellular matrix with previously described anti-inflammatory effects. Despite mixed results from clinical studies, these molecules have been used extensively in supplements.

Objective

We investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of two synthesized derivatives of N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), bi-deoxy-N-acetyl-glucosamine (BNAG) 1 and 2.

Methods

Using mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, the effects of NAG, BNAG 1, and BNAG 2 on the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and COX-2 were studied using ELISA, Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR. Cell toxicity and nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated using WST-1 assay and the Griess reagent, respectively.

Results

Among the three tested compounds, BNAG1 shows the highest inhibition of iNOS, IL-6, TNF α and IL-1β expression and NO production. All three tested compounds show slight inhibition on cell proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, except that BNAG1 displays a remarkable toxicity at the tested maximum dose of 5 mM.

Conclusion

BNAG 1 and 2 exhibit notable anti-inflammatory effects compared to the parent NAG molecule.

Nanomedicine is more than a supporting role in rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints. Various medications successfully alleviate the symptoms of RA in clinical. Still, few therapy strategies can cure RA, especially when joint destruction begins, and there is currently no effective bone-protective treatment to reverse the articular damage. Furthermore, the RA medications now used in clinical practice accompany various adverse side effects. Nanotechnology can improve the pharmacokinetics of traditional anti-RA drugs and therapeutic precision through targeting modification. Although the clinical application of nanomedicines for RA is in its infancy, preclinical research is rising. Current anti-RA nano-drug studies mainly focus on the following: drug delivery systems, nanomedicines with anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties, biomimetic design with better biocompatibility and therapeutic features, and nanoparticle-dominated energy conversion therapies. These therapies have shown promising therapeutic benefits in animal models, indicating that nanomedicines are a potential solution to the current bottleneck in RA treatment. This review will summarize the present state of anti-RA nano-drug research.

Nanomaterial-based Reactive Oxygen Species Scavengers for Osteoarthritis Therapy

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play distinct but important roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recent studies on osteoarthritis (OA) have suggested that ROS plays a crucial role in its development and progression, serving as key mediators in the degradation of the extracellular matrix, mitochondrial dysfunction, chondrocyte apoptosis, and OA progression. With the continuous development of nanomaterial technology, the ROS-scavenging ability and antioxidant effects of nanomaterials are being explored, with promising results already achieved in OA treatment. However, current research on nanomaterials as ROS scavengers for OA is relatively non-uniform and includes both inorganic and functionalized organic nanomaterials. Although the therapeutic efficacy of nanomaterials has been reported to be conclusive, there is still no uniformity in the timing and potential of their use in clinical practice. This paper reviews the nanomaterials currently used as ROS scavengers for OA treatment, along with their mechanisms of action, with the aim of providing a reference and direction for similar studies, and ultimately promoting the early clinical use of nanomaterials for OA treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Nanomaterials serving as promising ROS scavengers have gained increasing attention in recent years. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ROS production and regulation, as well as their role in OA pathogenesis. Furthermore, this review highlights the applications of various types of nanomaterials as ROS scavengers in OA treatment and their mechanisms of action. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of nanomaterial-based ROS scavengers in OA therapy are discussed.

Novel antidepressant-like properties of the fullerenol in an LPS-induced depressive mouse model

Depression is a common mental disease and is highly prevalent in populations. Dysregulated neuroinflammation and concomitant-activated microglia are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Experimental evidence has indicated that fullerenol exerts anti-neuroinflammation and protective effects against neurological diseases. Here, we evaluated fullerenol's effects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse depressive-like behaviors. Fullerenol treatment produced an antidepressant-like effect, as indicated by preventing the LPS-induced reduction in the sucrose preference and shortening the immobility durations in both the tail suspension test and the forced swim test. We found that fullerenol treatment mitigated LPS-induced hippocampal microglia activation and released proinflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile, fullerenol promoted hippocampus neurogenesis, evidenced by increased DCX-positive cells in LPS-treated mice. Hippocampal RNA-Seq analysis revealed proinflammatory cytokine and neurogenesis involved in fullerenol's antidepressant-like effects. Our data indicate that fullerenol exerts antidepressant effects, which might be due to beneficial functions in reducing neuroinflammatory processes and promoting neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

Fullerenol inhibits tendinopathy by alleviating inflammation

Tendinopathy is a common disease in orthopaedics, seriously affecting tendon functions. However, the effects of non-surgical treatment on tendinopathy are not satisfactory and surgical treatments possibly impair the function of tendons. Biomaterial fullerenol has been proved to show good anti-inflammatory effects on various inflammatory diseases. For in vitro experiments, primary rat tendon cells (TCs) were treated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) combined with aqueous fullerenol (5, 1, 0.3 μg/mL). Then inflammatory factors, tendon-related markers, migration and signaling pathways were detected. For in vivo experiments, rat tendinopathy model was constructed by local injection of collagenase into Achilles tendons of rats and fullerenol (0.5, 1 mg/mL) was locally injected 7 days after collagenase injection. Inflammatory factors and tendon-related markers were also investigated. Fullerenol with good water-solubility showed excellent biocompatibility with TCs. Fullerenol could increase expression of tendon-related factors (Collagen I and tenascin C) and decrease expression of inflammatory factors (matrix metalloproteinases-3, MMP-3, and MMP-13) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Simultaneously, fullerenol slowed the migration of TCs and inhibited activation of Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Fullerenol also attenuated tendinopathy in vivo, including reduction of fiber disorders, decrease of inflammatory factors and increase of tendon markers. In summary, fullerenol is a promising biomaterial that can be used to treat tendinopathy.

Targeting Inflammation and Regeneration: Scaffolds, Extracellular Vesicles, and Nanotechnologies as Cell-Free Dual-Target Therapeutic Strategies

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 250 million people worldwide and despite various existing treatment strategies still has no cure. It is a multifactorial disease characterized by cartilage loss and low-grade synovial inflammation. Focusing on these two targets together could be the key to developing currently missing disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs). This review aims to discuss the latest cell-free techniques applied in cartilage tissue regeneration, since they can provide a more controllable approach to inflammation management than the cell-based ones. Scaffolds, extracellular vesicles, and nanocarriers can be used to suppress inflammation, but they can also act as immunomodulatory agents. This is consistent with the latest tissue engineering paradigm, postulating a moderate, controllable inflammatory reaction to be beneficial for tissue remodeling and successful regeneration.

Nitidine Chloride Alleviates Inflammation and Cellular Senescence in Murine Osteoarthritis Through Scavenging ROS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, representing a major source of disability, pain and socioeconomic burden. Yet the effective pharmaceutical treatments applied in the clinical works are merely symptomatic management with uncertainty around their long-term safety and efficacy, namely no drugs currently are capable of modulating the biological progression of OA. Here, we identified the potent anti-inflammatory as well as anti-oxidative properties of Nitidine Chloride (NitC), a bioactive phytochemical alkaloid extracted from natural herbs, in IL-1β-treated rat articular chondrocytes (RACs), LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 and rat osteoarthritic models in vivo. We demonstrated NitC remarkably inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators including COX2 and iNOS, suppressed the activation of MAPK and NF-κB cell signaling pathway and reduced the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) degrading enzymes including MMP3, MMP9 and MMP13 in IL-1β-treated RACs. Several emerging bioinformatics tools were performed to predict the underlying mechanism, the result of which indicated the potential reactive oxygen species (ROS) clearance potential of NitC. Further, NitC exhibited its anti-oxidative potential through ameliorating cellular senescence in IL-1β-treated RACs and decreasing NLRP3 inflammasomes activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 via scavenging ROS. Additionally, X-ray, micro-CT and other experiments in vivo demonstrated that intra-articular injection of NitC significantly alleviated the cartilage erosion, ECM degradation and subchondral alterations in OA progression. In conclusion, the present study reported the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of NitC in OA biological process, providing a promising therapeutic agent for OA management.

Fullerenol Quantum Dots-Based Highly Sensitive Fluorescence Aptasensor for Patulin in Apple Juice

A highly selective and sensitive aptasensor for detecting patulin (PAT) was constructed based on the fluorescence quenching of fullerenol quantum dots (FOQDs) towards carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) through PET mechanism. The π-π stacking interaction between PAT aptamer and FOQDs closed the distance between TAMRA and FOQDs and the fluorescence of TAMRA was quenched with maximum quenching efficiency reaching 85%. There was no non-specific fluorescence quenching caused by FOQDs. In the presence of PAT, the PAT aptamer was inclined to bind with PAT and its conformation was changed. Resulting in the weak π-π stacking interaction between PAT aptamer and FOQDs. Therefore, the fluorescence of TAMRA recovered and was linearly correlated to the concentration of PAT in the range of 0.02–1 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.01 ng/mL. This PAT aptasensor also performed well in apple juice with linear dynamic range from 0.05–1 ng/mL. The homogeneous fluorescence aptasensor shows broad application prospect in the detection of various food pollutants.

Cell-free fat extract attenuates osteoarthritis via chondrocytes regeneration and macrophages immunomodulation

Background

The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing, yet clinically effective and economical treatments are unavailable. We have previously proposed a cell-free fat extract (CEFFE) containing multiple cytokines, which possessed antiapoptotic, anti-oxidative, and proliferation promotion functions, as a “cell-free” strategy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CEFFE in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

In vivo study, sodium iodoacetate-induced OA rats were treated with CEFFE by intra-articular injections for 8 weeks. Behavioral experiments were performed every two weeks. Histological analyses, anti-type II collagen, and toluidine staining provided structural evaluation. Macrophage infiltration was assessed by anti-CD68 and anti-CD206 staining. In vitro study, the effect of CEFFE on macrophage polarization and secretory factors was evaluated by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The effect of CEFFE on cartilage regeneration was accessed by cell counting kit-8 assay and qRT-PCR. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and levels of ROS-related enzymes were investigated by qRT-PCR and western blotting.

Results

In rat models with sodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA, CEFFE increased claw retraction pressure while decreasing bipedal pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, CEFFE promoted cartilage structure restoration and increased the proportion of CD206⁺ macrophages in the synovium. In vitro, CEFFE decreased the proportion of CD86⁺ cells and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors in LPS + IFN-γ induced Raw 264.7. In addition, CEFFE decreased the expression of interleukin-6 and ADAMTs-5 and promoted the expression of SOX-9 in mouse primary chondrocytes. Besides, CEFFE reduced the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species in both in vitro models through regulating ROS-related enzymes.

Conclusions

CEFFE inhibits the progression of OA by promoting cartilage regeneration and limiting low-grade joint inflammation.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02813-3.

Mechanism of Action of Flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata on the Alleviation of Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury

Oxytropis falcata Bunge is a plant used in traditional Tibetan medicine, with reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidants effects and alleviation of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI). However, the underlying mechanism against MIRI and the phytochemical composition of O. falcata are vague. One fraction named OFF1 with anti-MIRI activity was obtained from O. falcata, and the chemical constituents were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS). The potential targets and signaling pathways involved in the action of O. falcata against MIRI were predicted by network pharmacology analysis, and its molecular mechanism on MIRI was determined by in vitro assays. The results revealed that flavonoids are the dominant constituents of OFF1. A total of 92 flavonoids reported in O. falcata targeted 213 potential MIRI-associated factors, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), and the NF-κB signaling pathway. The in vitro assay on H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation injury confirmed that the flavonoids in OFF1 reduced myocardial marker levels, apoptotic rate, and the inflammatory response triggered by oxidative stress. Moreover, OFF1 attenuated MIRI by downregulating the ROS-mediated JNK/p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of O. falcata in alleviating MIRI, being a potential therapeutic candidate.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Based Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering Applications

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), acting as essential mediators in biological system, play important roles in the physiologic and pathologic processes, including cellular signal transductions and cell homeostasis interference. Aberrant expression of ROS in tissue microenvironment can be caused by the internal/external stimuli and tissue injury, which may leads to an elevated level of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cellular damage as well as disruption in the tissue repair process. To prevent the formation of excess ROS around the injury site, advanced biomaterials can be remodeled or instructed to release their payloads in an injury microenvironment-responsive fashion to regulate the elevated levels of the ROS, which may also help downregulate the oxidative stress and promote tissue regeneration. A multitude of scaffolds and bioactive cues have been reported to promote the regeneration of damaged tissues based on the scavenging of free radicals and reactive species that confer high protection to the cellular activity and tissue function. In this review, we outline the underlying mechanism of ROS generation in the tissue microenvironment and present a comprehensive review of ROS-scavenging biomaterials for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications, including soft tissues regeneration, bone and cartilage repair as well as wound healing. Additionally, we highlight the strategies for the regulation of ROS by scaffold design and processing technology. Taken together, developing ROS-based biomaterials may not only help develop advanced platforms for improving injury microenvironment but also accelerate tissue regeneration.

Antioxidant and antiviral activity of fullerol against Zika virus

Neglected for years, Zika virus (ZIKV) has become one of the most relevant arboviruses in current public health. The recent Zika fever epidemic in the Americas generated a worldwide alert due to the association with diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and congenital syndromes. Among the pathogenesis of ZIKV, recent studies suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role during infection and that compounds capable of modulating oxidative stress are promising as therapeutics. Furthermore, so far there are no specific and efficient antiviral drug or vaccine available against ZIKV. Thus, fullerol was evaluated in the context of infection by ZIKV, since it is a carbon nanomaterial known for its potent antioxidant action. In this study, fullerol did not alter cell viability at the concentrations tested, proving to be inert, beyond to presenting high antioxidant power at low concentrations. ZIKV infection of human glioblastoma increased the production of reactive oxygen species by 60% and modulated the Nrf-2 pathway activity negatively. After treatment with fullerol, both conditions were restored to baseline levels. Additionally, fullerol was able to reduce viral production by up to 90%. Therefore, our results suggest that fullerol as a promising candidate in the control of ZIKV infections, presenting both antioxidant and antiviral action.

In Vivo Investigation of the Ameliorating Effect of Tempol against MIA-Induced Knee Osteoarthritis in Rats: Involvement of TGF-β1/SMAD3/NOX4 Cue

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease characterized by structural, functional, and metabolic deteriorations of the whole joint and periarticular tissues. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the possible effects of tempol on knee OA induced by the chemical chondrotoxic monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) which closely mimics both the pain and structural changes associated with human OA. Rats were administrated oral tempol (100 mg/kg) one week post-MIA injection (3 mg/50 μL saline) at the right knee joints for 21 consecutive days. Tempol improved motor performance and debilitated the MIA-related radiological and histological alterations. Moreover, it subsided the knee joint swelling. Tempol decreased the cartilage degradation-related biomarkers as matrix metalloproteinase-13, bone alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP), and fibulin-3. The superoxide dismutase mimetic effect of tempol was accompanied by decreased NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), inflammatory mediators, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), over-released transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Tempol decreased the expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). On the molecular level, tempol reduced the phosphorylated protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and small mother against decapentaplegic 3 homologs (SMAD3). These findings suggest the promising role of tempol in ameliorating MIA-induced knee OA in rats via collateral suppression of the catabolic signaling cascades including TGF-β1/SMAD3/NOX4, and NOX4/p38MAPK/NF-κB and therefore modulation of oxidative stress, catabolic inflammatory cascades, chondrocyte metabolic homeostasis.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Bone and Cartilage Regeneration: A Review

As the main load-bearing structure in the human body, bone and cartilage are susceptible to damage in sports and other activities. The repair and regeneration of bone and articular cartilage have been extensively studied in the past decades. Traditional approaches have been widely applied in clinical practice, but the effect varies from person to person and may cause side effects. With the rapid development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, various biomaterials show great potential in the regeneration of bone and cartilage. Carbon-based nanomaterials are solid materials with different structures and properties composed of allotropes of carbon, which are classified into zero-, one-, and two-dimensional ones. This Review systemically summarizes the different types of carbon-based nanomaterials, including zero-dimensional (fullerene, carbon dots, nanodiamonds), one-dimensional (carbon nanotubes), and two-dimensional (graphenic materials) as well as their applications in bone, cartilage, and osteochondral regeneration. Current limitations and future perspectives of carbon-based nanomaterials are also discussed.

Clinical Values of miR-23a-3p in Oral Lichen Planus and Its Role in Keratinocyte Proliferation and Inflammatory Response

Purpose

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease occurring in the oral cavity, and several miRNAs have been identified to be involved in the disease progression and malignant transformation. This study investigated the expression changes of miR-23a-3p in OLP patients, and further explored its functional role in keratinocyte cell proliferation and inflammatory response.

Patients and Methods

Fifty buccal mucosal tissue samples were collected from OLP patients. HaCaT cells were cultured with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to mimic the condition of OLP in vitro. RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used for the measurement of miR-23a-3p levels. The cell viability and inflammation were detected by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The target gene of miR-23a-3p was verified by using luciferase reporter assay.

Results

Compared with the control group, miR-23a-3p was significantly downregulated in the buccal mucosal tissues of OLP patients, and a remarkably decreased level of miR-23a-3p was detected in patients with erosive OLP. ROC curve demonstrated the diagnostic value of miR-23a-3p for OLP with the AUC of 0.908, it can also distinguish erosive OLP from the non-erosive ones. MiR-23a-3p level was negatively associated with RAE (reticular, atrophic, erosive) score in OLP patients (r = -0.790, P < 0.001). The in vitro experiments indicated that overexpression of miR-23a-3p reversed the promotive effect of LPS on HaCaT cell proliferation and reduced the protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6. The cyclin D1 (CCND1) was a direct target gene of miR-23a-3p, it was overexpressed in OLP cell models.

Conclusion

MiR-23a-3p was at the low expression in OLP patients and showed close association with the disease severity. Overexpression of miR-23a-3p might inhibit keratinocyte proliferation and inflammatory response via targeting CCND1.

Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies

Many efforts have been made in the field of nanotechnology to improve the local and sustained release of drugs, which may be helpful to overcome the present limitations in the treatment of knee OA. Nano-/microparticles and/or hydrogels can be now engineered to improve the administration and intra-articular delivery of specific drugs, targeting molecular pathways and pathogenic mechanisms involved in OA progression and remission. In order to summarize the current state of this field, a systematic review of the literature was performed and 45 relevant studies were identified involving both animal models and humans. We found that polymeric nanoparticles loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., dexamethasone or celecoxib) are the most frequently investigated drug delivery systems, followed by microparticles and hydrogels. In particular, the nanosystem most frequently used in preclinical research consists of PLGA-nanoparticles loaded with corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Overall, improvement in histological features, reduction in joint inflammation, and improvement in clinical scores in patients were observed. The last advances in the field of nanotechnology could offer new opportunities to treat patients affected by knee OA, including those with previous meniscectomy. New smart drug delivery approaches, based on nanoparticles, microparticles, and hydrogels, may enhance the therapeutic potential of intra-articular agents by increasing the permanence of selected drugs inside the joint and better targeting specific receptors and tissues.

Fullerene C60 Protects Against Intestinal Injury from Deoxynivalenol Toxicity by Improving Antioxidant Capacity

Oxidative stress is involved in a wide variety of pathologies, and fullerene has been shown to have an antioxidant ability. Mycotoxins exert toxic effects through induction of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we evaluated water-soluble fullerene C60 for its anti-mycotoxin and antioxidant effects in vitro and in vivo. Intestinal epithelial cells were cultured with fullerene during deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure. The results revealed that fullerene C60 significantly promoted cell viability, decreased apoptosis and necrotic cell number, and significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels during DON exposure (p < 0.05). To investigate the role of fullerene in antioxidant capacity in vivo further, 40 three-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups. There were no significant differences between the control and fullerene groups (p > 0.05). In mice exposed to DON, supplementation with fullerene C60 significantly improved growth performance, and enhanced the total antioxidant status and the activities of SOD and GPX in the intestine and liver (p < 0.05). In addition, fullerene C60 supplementation improved intestinal morphology, as indicated by a higher villus height and tight junction protein expression (p < 0.05). Furthermore, fullerene supplementation decreased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a penetrability marker) compared to the DON-challenged group (p < 0.05). The current study suggests that fullerene C60 improves intestinal antioxidant status against DON-induced oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo.

Anti-Leishmania activity of extracts from Piper cabralanum C.DC. (Piperaceae)

Species of Piperaceae are known by biological properties, including antiparasitic such as leishmanicidal, antimalarial and in the treatment of schistosomiasis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antileishmania activity, cytotoxic effect, and macrophage activation patterns of the methanol (MeOH), hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract fractions from the leaves of Piper cabralanum C.DC. The MeOH, HEX and DCM fractions inhibited Leishmanina amazonensis promastigote-like forms growth with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 144.54, 59.92, and 64.87 μg/mL, respectively. The EtOAc fraction did not show any relevant activity. The half maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) for macrophages were determined as 370.70, 83.99, 113.68 and 607 μg/mL for the MeOH, HEX and DCM fractions, respectively. The macrophage infectivity was concentration-dependent, especially for HEX and DCM. MeOH, HEX and DCM fractions showed activity against L. amazonensis with low cytotoxicity to murine macrophages and lowering infectivity by the parasite. Our results provide support for in vivo studies related to a potential application of P. cabralanum extract and fractions as a promising natural resource in the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Hsa_circ_0032131 knockdown inhibits osteoarthritis progression via the miR-502-5p/PRDX3 axis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease characterized by progressive loss of cartilage and failure of the diarthrodial joint. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to participate in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including OA. We investigated the functions of hsa_circ_0032131, a circRNA upregulated in OA, using CHON-001 cells and an in vivo OA rat model. CHON-001 cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β to mimic OA in vitro. IL-1β-induced inhibition of CHON-001 growth was reversed by silencing hsa_circ_0032131. In addition, hsa_circ_0032131 knockdown reversed IL-1β-induced activation of Trx1, Cyclin D and PRDX3, whereas overexpression of PRDX3, a direct target of miR-502-5p, reversed this effect. Hsa_circ_0032131 served as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-502-5p. Moreover, knockdown of hsa_circ_0032131 attenuated OA symptoms in vivo by inactivating the STAT3 signaling pathway. Thus, silencing of hsa_circ_0032131 inhibited the progression of OA by inactivating the miR-502-5p/PRDX3/Trx1/STAT3 axis, which highlights its potential as a therapeutic target for OA.

Detection of Osteoarthritis Inflammation by Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Based on an Inflammation-Targeting Peptide cFLFLF

PURPOSE

Although inflammation has been recognized as a key process in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), there remains no clinical noninvasive imaging modality that can specifically diagnose inflammatory activity of OA. In this study, a formyl peptide receptor 1 (Fpr1) targeting probe cFLFLF-PEG-HYNIC-^99mTc and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging was used to detect inflammatory activity by targeting macrophages involved in the pathogenesis of OA.

PROCEDURES

In vitro experiments were performed to evaluate Fpr1 expression during macrophage inflammatory response. In the in vivo studies, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) surgery was performed, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological data were assessed to analyze the OA model in both mice and rats. The radioactive probe cFLFLF-PEG-HYNIC-^99mTc and SPECT imaging were used to corroborate OA-related inflammation and compare ACLT vs sham knees.

RESULTS

In vitro macrophage activation resulted in a remarkable increase in Fpr1 expression. In vivo experiments in mice and rats produced similar results. MRI and histological analysis demonstrated significant joint degeneration in the ACLT knee. The ACLT knee produced a much stronger signal from the probe when compared to the sham knee. It is important to note that the ratio of ACLT/sham knee signal intensity decreased with OA progression, indicating greater differences earlier in the progression of OA.

CONCLUSION

The radioactive probe cFLFLF-PEG-HYNIC-^99mTc and SPECT imaging are effective for detecting and monitoring inflammation during OA progression by targeting Fpr1 expression in the knee joint.

Antileishmanial activity of fullerol and its liposomal formulation in experimental models of visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a systemic parasitic disease that leads to high rates of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. There is a great need to develop new drugs and novel strategies to make chemotherapy for this disease more efficacious and well tolerated. Recent reports on the immunomodulatory effects and the low toxicity of the spherical carbon nanostructure fullerol led us to investigate in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity in free and encapsulated forms in liposomes. When assayed against intramacrophagic Leishmania amastigotes, fullerol showed a dose-dependent reduction of the infection index with IC50 of 0.042 mg/mL. When given daily by i.p. route for 20 days (0.05 mg/kg/d) in a murine model of acute VL, fullerol promoted significant reduction in the liver parasite load. To improve the delivery of fullerol to the infection sites, liposomal formulations were prepared by the dehydration-rehydration method. When evaluated in the acute VL model, liposomal fullerol (Lip-Ful) formulations given i.p. at 0.05 and 0.2 mg/kg with 4-days intervals were more effective than the free form, with significant parasite reductions in both liver and spleen. Lip-Ful at 0.2 mg/kg promoted complete parasite elimination in the liver. The antileishmanial activity of Lip-Ful was further confirmed in a chronic model of VL. Lip-Ful was also found to induce secretion of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β cytokines. In conclusion, this work reports for the first time the antileishmanial activity of fullerol and introduces an innovative approach for treatment of VL based on the association of this nanostructure with liposomes.

Circular RNAs in osteoarthritis: indispensable regulators and novel strategies in clinical implications

Over the past decades, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as a hot spot and sparked intensive interest. Initially considered as the transcriptional noises, further studies have indicated that circRNAs are crucial regulators in multiple cellular biological processes, and thus engage in the development and progression of many diseases including osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a prevalent disease that mainly affects those aging, obese and post-traumatic population, posing as a major source of socioeconomic burden. Recently, numerous circRNAs have been found aberrantly expressed in OA tissues compared with counterparts. More importantly, circRNAs have been demonstrated to interplay with components in OA microenvironments, such as chondrocytes, synoviocytes and macrophages, by regulation of their proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, or extracellular matrix reorganization. Herein, in this review, we extensively summarize the roles of circRNAs in OA microenvironment, progression, and putative treatment, as well as envision the future directions for circRNAs research in OA, with the aim to provide a novel insight into this field.

The emerging landscape of nanotheranostic-based diagnosis and therapy for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease involving numerous joint tissues and cells, with a growing rate in prevalence that ultimately results in a negative social impact. Early diagnosis, OA progression monitoring and effective treatment are of significant importance in halting OA process. However, traditional imaging techniques lack sensitivity and specificity, which lead to a delay in timely clinical intervention. Additionally, current treatments only slow the progression of OA but have not meet the largely medical need for disease-modifying therapy. In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and improve clinical efficacy, nanotheranostics has been proposed on OA remedy, which has confirmed success in animal models. In this review, different imaging targets-based nanoprobe for early and timely OA diagnosis is first discussed. Second, therapeutic strategies delivered by nanosystem are summarized as much as possible. Their advantages and the potential for clinical translation are detailed discussed. Third, nanomedicine simultaneously combined with the imaging for OA treatment is introduced. Nanotheranostics dynamically tracked the OA treatment outcomes to timely and individually adjust therapy. Finally, future prospects and challenges of nanotechnology-based OA diagnosis, imaging and treatment are concluded and predicted. It is believed that nanoprobe and nanomedicine will become prospective in OA therapeutic revolution.

Therapeutic Manipulation of Macrophages Using Nanotechnological Approaches for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint pathology causing severe pain and disability. Macrophages play a central role in the pathogenesis of OA. In the joint microenvironment, macrophages with an M1-like pro-inflammatory phenotype induce chronic inflammation and joint destruction, and they have been correlated with the development and progression of the disease, while the M2-like anti-inflammatory macrophages support the recovery of the disease, promoting tissue repair and the resolution of inflammation. Nowadays, the treatment of OA in the clinic relies on systemic and/or intra-articular administration of anti-inflammatory and pain relief drugs, as well as surgical interventions for the severe cases (i.e., meniscectomy). The disadvantages of the pharmacological therapy are related to the chronic nature of the disease, requiring prolonged treatments, and to the particular location of the pathology in joint tissues, which are separated anatomical compartments with difficult access for the drugs. To overcome these challenges, nanotechnological approaches have been investigated to improve the delivery of drugs toward macrophages into the diseased joint. This strategy may offer advantages by reducing off-target toxicities and improving long-term therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we describe the nanomaterial-based approaches designed so far to directly or indirectly manipulate macrophages for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Erythropoietin prevents LPS-induced preterm birth and increases offspring survival

Problem

Preterm delivery is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and contributes to delayed physical and cognitive development in children. At present, there is no efficient therapy to prevent preterm labor. A large body of evidence suggests that infections might play a significant and potentially preventable cause of premature birth. This work assessed the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) in a murine model of inflammation‐associated preterm delivery, which mimics central features of preterm infections in humans.

Method of study

BALB/c mice were injected i.p. with 20 000 IU/kg EPO or normal saline twice on gestational day (GD) 15, with a 3 hours time interval between injections. An hour after the first EPO or normal saline injection, all mice received two injections of 50 μg/kg LPS, also given 3 hours apart.

Results

EPO significantly prevented preterm labor and increased offspring survival in an LPS induced preterm delivery model. EPO prevented LPS‐induced leukocyte infiltration into the placenta. Moreover, EPO inhibited the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in maternal serum and amniotic fluid. EPO also prevented LPS‐induced increase in placental prostaglandin (PG)E2 and uterine inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production, while decreasing nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κβ) activity in the myometrium. EPO also increased the gene expression of placental programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in LPS‐treated mice.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that EPO could be a potential novel therapeutic strategy to tackle infection‐related preterm labor.

Nitroxide-Modified Protein-Incorporated Nanoflowers with Dual Enzyme-Like Activities

Purpose

Combined superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase mimetics have attracted much attention because of their efficacy against reactive oxygen species-associated diseases; however, their application is often limited owing to their poor stability and the absence of favorable grafting sites. To address this, we developed a new class of SOD/catalase mimetics based on hybrid nanoflowers, which exhibit superior stability and possess the desired grafting sites for drugs and endogenous molecules.

Methods

In this work, for the first time, we used polynitroxylated human serum albumin (PNA) to mediate the formation of hybrid copper-based nanoflowers. H₂O₂ depletion and O₂ evolution assays were first performed to determine the catalase-like activity of the hybrid nanoflowers. Next, the xanthine oxidase/cytochrome c method was used to assay the SOD-like activity of the nanoflowers. Further characteristics of the nanoflowers were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Operational stability was assessed via the reusability assay.

Results

The H₂O₂ depletion and O₂ evolution assays indicated that PNA-incorporated nanoflowers have genuine catalase-like activity. Kinetic analysis revealed that the reactions of the incorporated nanoflowers with H₂O₂ not only obey Michaelis-Menton kinetics, but that the nanoflowers also possess a higher affinity for H₂O₂ than that of native catalase. The FTIR spectra corroborated the presence of PNA in the hybrid nanoflowers, while the EPR spectra confirmed the intermolecular interaction of nitroxides bound to the human serum albumin incorporated into the nanoflowers. The remarkable operational reproducibility of the hybrid nanoflowers in catalase-like and SOD-like reactions was verified across successive batches.

Conclusion

Herein, a comparison of Michaelis constants showed that the hybrid nanoflower, a catalase mimetics, outperforms the native catalase. Acting as a "better-than-nature" enzyme mimetics, the hybrid nanoflower with superior stability and desired ligand grafting sites will find widespread utilization in the medical sciences.

Inhibition of Synovial Macrophage Pyroptosis Alleviates Synovitis and Fibrosis in Knee Osteoarthritis

Increasing evidence has shown that macrophage pyroptosis in different tissues participates in chronic aseptic inflammation and is related to tissue fibrosis. Our last studies also revealed the vital role of synovial fibroblast pyroptosis in the onset and development of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether synovial macrophage pyroptosis did occur and whether this form of cell death should be related to synovitis and fibrosis of KOA. In the synovial tissue of KOA model rats, we observed a decrease of caspase1, NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD caused by macrophage depletion in both the mRNA and protein expressions. Besides, rats treated with the specific caspase1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK showed less inflammatory reaction and fibrosis, not only in the expression of proinflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-18, and HMGB1 and fibrosis markers TGF-β, PLOD2, COL1A1, and TIMP1 but also in the observation of HE staining, Sirius Red staining, and the transverse diameters of the right knees. Subsequently, we established an LPS+ATP-induced model in macrophages mimicking the inflammatory environment of KOA and inducing macrophage pyroptosis. Macrophages transfected with caspase1 siRNA showed reduced cell death; meanwhile, the relative expression of pyroptosis-related proteins were also downregulated. In addition, the level of fibrotic markers in synovial fibroblasts were significantly decreased after coculture with siRNA GSDMD-transfected macrophages. To conclude, synovial macrophage pyroptosis may occur in the pathological processes of KOA and inhibition of synovial macrophage pyroptosis alleviates synovitis and fibrosis in KOA model rats.