Regulation of polyamine synthesis and transport by fibroblast growth factor in aortic smooth muscle cells

Muscle transcriptome analysis identifies genes involved in ciliogenesis and the molecular cascade associated with intramuscular fat content in Large White heavy pigs

Intramuscular fat content (IMF) is a complex trait influencing the technological and sensorial features of meat products and determining pork quality. Thus, we aimed at analyzing through RNA-sequencing the Semimembranosus muscle transcriptome of Italian Large White pigs to study the gene networks associated with IMF deposition. Two groups of samples were used; each one was composed of six unrelated pigs with extreme and divergent IMF content (0.67 ± 0.09% in low IMF vs. 6.81 ± 1.17% in high IMF groups) that were chosen from 950 purebred individuals. Paired-end RNA sequences were aligned to Sus scrofa genome assembly 11.1 and gene counts were analyzed using WGCNA and DeSeq2 packages in R environment. Interestingly, among the 58 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), several were related to primary cilia organelles (such as Lebercilin 5 gene), in addition to the genes involved in the regulation of cell differentiation, in the control of RNA-processing, and G-protein and ERK signaling pathways. Together with cilia-related genes, we also found in high IMF pigs an over-expression of the Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) gene, which in other animal species was found to be a regulator of ciliogenesis. Four WGCNA gene modules resulted significantly associated with IMF deposition: grey60 (P = 0.003), darkturquoise (P = 0.022), skyblue1 (P = 0.022), and lavenderblush3 (P = 0.030). The genes in the significant modules confirmed the results obtained for the DEGs, and the analysis with “cytoHubba” indicated genes controlling RNA splicing and cell differentiation as hub genes. Among the complex molecular processes affecting muscle fat depots, genes involved in primary cilia may have an important role, and the transcriptional reprogramming observed in high IMF pigs may be related to an FGF-related molecular cascade and to ciliogenesis, which in the literature have been associated with fibro-adipogenic precursor differentiation.

Synthesis, characterization and cytocompatibility of polyurethaneurea elastomers with designed elastase sensitivity

In designing a synthetic scaffold for engineering soft, mechanically active tissues, desirable properties include elasticity, support of cell adhesion and growth, ease of processability, and responsiveness to in vivo remodeling. To achieve these properties, we have developed a family of thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethaneureas (PUs), that possess enzymatic remodeling capabilities in addition to simple hydrolytic lability. PUs were synthesized using either polycaprolactone or triblock copolymer polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polycaprolactone as the soft segment, 1,4-butanediisocyanate as the hard segment, and the peptide Ala-Ala-Lys as a chain extender. The synthesized PUs had high molecular weights, low glass transition temperatures (< -54 degrees C), and were flexible with breaking strains of 670-890% and tensile strengths of 15-28 MPa. Incubation in buffered saline without elastase for 8 weeks resulted in mass loss from 12% to 18% depending on soft segment composition. The degradation significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the presence of elastase, ranging from 19% to 34% with degradation products showing no cytotoxicity. To encourage cell adhesion, PUs were surface-modified with radio frequency glow discharge followed by coupling of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS). Endothelial cell adhesion was >140% of tissue culture polystyrene on PU surfaces and >200% on RGDS-modified surfaces. The synthesized PUs thus combine mechanical, chemical, and bioresponsive properties that might be employed in soft-tissue engineering applications.

Preparation and characterization of highly porous, biodegradable polyurethane scaffolds for soft tissue applications

In the engineering of soft tissues, scaffolds with high elastance and strength coupled with controllable biodegradable properties are necessary. To fulfill such design criteria we have previously synthesized two kinds of biodegradable polyurethaneureas, namely poly(ester urethane)urea (PEUU) and poly(ether ester urethane)urea (PEEUU) from polycaprolactone, polycaprolactone-b-polyethylene glycol-b-polycaprolactone, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane and putrescine. PEUU and PEEUU were further fabricated into scaffolds by thermally induced phase separation using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a solvent. The effect of polymer solution concentration, quenching temperature and polymer type on pore morphology and porosity was investigated. Scaffolds were obtained with open and interconnected pores having sizes ranging from several mum to more than 150 microm and porosities of 80-97%. By changing the polymer solution concentration or quenching temperature, scaffolds with random or oriented tubular pores could be obtained. The PEUU scaffolds were flexible with breaking strains of 214% and higher, and tensile strengths of approximately 1.0 MPa, whereas the PEEUU scaffolds generally had lower strengths and breaking strains. Scaffold degradation in aqueous buffer was related to the porosity and polymer hydrophilicity. Smooth muscle cells were filtration seeded in the scaffolds and it was shown that both scaffolds supported cell adhesion and growth, with smooth muscle cells growing more extensively in the PEEUU scaffold. These biodegradable and flexible scaffolds demonstrate potential for future application as cell scaffolds in cardiovascular tissue engineering or other soft tissue applications.

Biodegradable poly(ether ester urethane)urea elastomers based on poly(ether ester) triblock copolymers and putrescine: synthesis, characterization and cytocompatibility

Polymers with elastomeric mechanical properties, tunable biodegradation properties and cytocompatibility would be desirable for numerous biomedical applications. Toward this end a series of biodegradable poly(ether ester urethane)urea elastomers (PEEUUs) based on poly(ether ester) triblock copolymers were synthesized and characterized. Poly(ether ester) triblock copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone with polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEEUUs were synthesized from these triblock copolymers and butyl diisocyanate, with putrescine as a chain extender. PEEUUs exhibited low glass transition temperatures and possessed tensile strengths ranging from 8 to 20MPa and breaking strains from 325% to 560%. Increasing PEG length or decreasing poly(caprolactone) length in the triblock segment increased PEEUU water absorption and biodegradation rate. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in a medium supplemented with PEEUU biodegradation solution suggested a lack of degradation product cytotoxicity. Endothelial cell adhesion to PEEUUs was less than 60% of tissue culture polystyrene and was inversely related to PEEUU hydrophilicity. Surface modification of PEEUUs with ammonia gas radio-frequency glow discharge and subsequent immobilization of the cell adhesion peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser increased endothelial adhesion to a level equivalent to tissue culture polystyrene. These biodegradable PEEUUs thus possessed properties that would be amenable to applications where high strength and flexibility would be desirable and exhibited the potential for tuning with appropriate triblock segment selection and surface modification.

Synthesis, characterization, and cytocompatibility of elastomeric, biodegradable poly(ester-urethane)ureas based on poly(caprolactone) and putrescine

The engineering of tissue for mechanically demanding applications in the cardiovascular system is likely to require mechanical conditioning of cell-scaffold constructs prior to their implantation. Scaffold properties amenable to such an application include high elasticity and strength coupled with controllable biodegradative and cell-adhesive properties. To fulfill such design criteria, we have synthesized a family of poly(ester-urethane)ureas (PEUUs) from polycaprolactone and 1,4-diisocyanatobutane. Lysine ethyl ester (Lys) or putrescine was used as chain extenders. To encourage cell adhesion, PEUUs were surface modified with radio-frequency glow discharge followed by coupling of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS). The synthesized PEUUs were highly flexible, with breaking strains of 660-895% and tensile strengths from 9.2-29 MPa. Incubation in aqueous buffer for 8 weeks resulted in mass loss, from >50% (Lys chain extender) to 10% (putrescine chain extender). Human endothelial cells cultured for 4 days with medium containing the degradation products from PEUUs with either the Lys or putrescine chain extender showed no toxic effects. Cell adhesion was 85% of that measured on tissue-culture polystyrene for unmodified PEUU surfaces (p < 0.01) and >160% (p < 0.001) of polystyrene on RGDS-modified PEUUs. These biodegradable PEUUs demonstrate potential for future application as cell scaffolds in cardiovascular tissue-engineering or other soft-tissue applications.