Stimuli-responsive hydrogels: smart state of-the-art platforms for cardiac tissue engineering

Advances in Functionalized Hydrogels in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction and Drug-Delivery Strategies

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality rates, posing a significant threat to patient's health and quality of life. Following a MI, the damaged myocardial tissue is typically not fully repaired, leading to permanent impairment of myocardial function. While traditional treatments can alleviate symptoms and reduce pain, their ability to repair damaged heart muscle tissue is limited. Functionalized hydrogels, a broad category of materials with diverse functionalities, can enhance the properties of hydrogels to cater to the needs of tissue engineering, drug delivery, medical dressings, and other applications. Recently, functionalized hydrogels have emerged as a promising new therapeutic approach for the treatment of MI. Functionalized hydrogels possess outstanding biocompatibility, customizable mechanical properties, and drug-release capabilities. These properties enable them to offer scaffold support, drug release, and tissue regeneration promotion, making them a promising approach for treating MI. This paper aims to evaluate the advancements and delivery methods of functionalized hydrogels for treating MI, while also discussing their potential and the challenges they may pose for future clinical use.

Emergence of graphene as a novel nanomaterial for cardiovascular applications

Cardiovascular diseases (CDs) are the foremost cause of death worldwide. Several promising therapeutic methods have been developed for this approach, including pharmacological, surgical intervention, cell therapy, or biomaterial implantation since heart tissue is incapable of regenerating and healing on its own. The best treatment for heart failure to date is heart transplantation and invasive surgical intervention, despite their invasiveness, donor limitations, and the possibility of being rejected by the patient's immune system. To address these challenges, research is being conducted on less invasive and efficient methods. Consequently, graphene-based materials (GBMs) have attracted a great deal of interest in the last decade because of their exceptional mechanical, electrical, chemical, antibacterial, and biocompatibility properties. An overview of GBMs' applications in the cardiovascular system has been presented in this article. Following a brief explanation of graphene and its derivatives' properties, the potential of GBMs to improve and restore cardiovascular system function by using them as cardiac tissue engineering, stents, vascular bypass grafts,and heart valve has been discussed.

Biomedical Trends in Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels with Emphasis on Chitosan-Based Formulations

Biomedicine is constantly evolving to ensure a significant and positive impact on healthcare, which has resulted in innovative and distinct requisites such as hydrogels. Chitosan-based formulations stand out for their versatile utilization in drug encapsulation, transport, and controlled release, which is complemented by their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immunogenic nature. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels, also known as smart hydrogels, have strictly regulated release patterns since they respond and adapt based on various external stimuli. Moreover, they can imitate the intrinsic tissues' mechanical, biological, and physicochemical properties. These characteristics allow stimuli-responsive hydrogels to provide cutting-edge, effective, and safe treatment. Constant progress in the field necessitates an up-to-date summary of current trends and breakthroughs in the biomedical application of stimuli-responsive chitosan-based hydrogels, which was the aim of this review. General data about hydrogels sensitive to ions, pH, redox potential, light, electric field, temperature, and magnetic field are recapitulated. Additionally, formulations responsive to multiple stimuli are mentioned. Focusing on chitosan-based smart hydrogels, their multifaceted utilization was thoroughly described. The vast application spectrum encompasses neurological disorders, tumors, wound healing, and dermal infections. Available data on smart chitosan hydrogels strongly support the idea that current approaches and developing novel solutions are worth improving. The present paper constitutes a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the currently evolving field.

Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis, progression, and drug resistance of oral cancer

Oral cancer (OC) is a widely observed neoplasm on a global scale. Over time, there has been an increase in both its fatality and incidence rates. Oral cancer metastasis is a complex process that involves a number of cellular mechanisms, including invasion, migration, proliferation, and escaping from malignant tissue through either lymphatic or vascular channels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a crucial class of short non-coding RNAs recognized as significant modulators of diverse cellular processes and exert a pivotal influence on the carcinogenesis pathway, functioning either as tumor suppressors or as oncogenes. It has been shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) have a role in metastasis at several stages, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, and colonization. This regulation is achieved by targeting key genes involved in these pathways by miRNAs. This paper aims to give a contemporary analysis of OC, focusing on its molecular genetics. The current literature and emerging advancements in miRNA dysregulation in OC are thoroughly examined. This project would advance OC diagnosis, prognosis, therapy, and therapeutic implications.

Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis, progression, and therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifaceted, advancing neurodegenerative illness that is responsible for most cases of neurological impairment and dementia in the aged population. As the disease progresses, affected individuals may experience cognitive decline, linguistic problems, affective instability, and behavioral changes. The intricate nature of AD reflects the altered molecular mechanisms participating in the affected human brain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miR) are essential for the intricate control of gene expression in neurobiology. miRNAs exert their influence by modulating the transcriptome of brain cells, which typically exhibit substantial genetic activity, encompassing gene transcription and mRNA production. Presently, comprehensive studies are being conducted on AD to identify miRNA-based signatures that are indicative of the disease pathophysiology. These findings can contribute to the advancement of our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this disorder and can inform the development of therapeutic interventions based on miRNA and related RNA molecules. Therefore, this comprehensive review provides a detailed holistic analysis of the latest advances discussing the emerging role of miRNAs in the progression of AD and their possible application as potential biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions in future studies.

Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis, progression, and therapeutic intervention of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by the impairment of the motor system, resulting in symptoms such as resting tremor, cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia, difficulty with gait, and postural instability. The occurrence of striatal dopamine insufficiency can be attributed to a notable decline in dopaminergic neurons inside the substantia nigra pars compacta. Additionally, the development of Lewy bodies serves as a pathological hallmark of PD. While current therapy approaches for PD aim to preserve dopaminergic neurons or replenish dopamine levels in the brain, it is important to acknowledge that achieving complete remission of the condition remains elusive. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miR) are a class of small, non-coding ribonucleic acids involved in regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The miRNAs play a crucial part in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of several neurodegenerative illnesses, including PD. The aim of this review is to explore the role of miRNAs in regulating genes associated with the onset and progression of PD, investigate the potential of miRNAs as a diagnostic tool, assess the effectiveness of targeting specific miRNAs as an alternative therapeutic strategy to impede disease advancement, and discuss the utilization of newly developed nanoparticles for delivering miRNAs as neurodegenerative therapies.

Decoding the role of miRNAs in oral cancer pathogenesis: A focus on signaling pathways

Oral cancer (OC) is the predominant type originating in the head and neck region. The incidence of OC is mostly associated with behavioral risk factors, including tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol intake. Additionally, there is a lower but still significant association with viral infections such as human papillomaviruses and Epstein-Barr viruses. Furthermore, it has been observed that heritable genetic variables are linked to the risk of OC, in addition to the previously mentioned acquired risk factors. The current absence of biomarkers for OC diagnosis contributes to the frequent occurrence of advanced-stage diagnoses among patients. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have been observed to exert a significant effect on the transcriptional control of target genes involved in cancer, either through direct or indirect mechanisms. miRNAs are a class of short ncRNAs that play a role in regulating gene expression by enabling mRNA degradation or translational repression at the post-transcriptional phase. miRNAs are known to play a fundamental role in the development of cancer and the regulation of oncogenic cell processes. Notch signaling, PTEN/Akt/mTOR axis, KRAS mutation, JAK/STAT signaling, P53, EGFR, and the VEGFs have all been linked to OC, and miRNAs have been shown to have a role in all of these. The dysregulation of miRNA has been identified in cases of OC and is linked with prognosis.

Adipose Stem Cell-Seeded Decellularized Porcine Pericardium: A Promising Functional Biomaterial to Synergistically Restore the Cardiac Functions Post-Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death globally. Hence, reconstruction of the cardiac tissue comes at the forefront of strategies adopted to restore heart functions following MI. In this investigation, we studied the capacity of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (r-AdMSCs) and decellularized porcine pericardium (DPP) to restore heart functions in MI animals. MI was induced in four different groups, three of which were treated either using DPP (MI-DPP group), stem cells (MI-SC group), or both (MI-SC/DPP group). Cardiac functions of these groups and the Sham group were evaluated using echocardiography, the intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) on weeks 2 and 4, and intraventricular hemodynamics on week 4. On day 31, the animals were euthanized for histological analysis. Echocardiographic, IVPG and hemodynamic findings indicated that the three treatment strategies shared effectively in the regeneration process. However, the MI-SC/DPP group had a unique synergistic ability to restore heart functions superior to the other treatment protocols. Histology showed that the MI-SC/DPP group presented the lowest (p < 0.05) degeneration score and fibrosis % compared to the other groups. Conclusively, stem cell-seeded DPP is a promising platform for the delivery of stem cells and restoration of heart functions post-MI.

Investigating the regulatory role of miRNAs as silent conductors in the management of pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has the greatest mortality rate of all the main malignancies. Its advanced stage and poor prognosis place it at the bottom of all cancer sites. Hence, emerging biomarkers can enable precision medicine where PC therapy is tailored to each patient. This highlights the need for new, highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for early PC diagnosis. Prognostic indicators are also required to stratify PC patients. To avoid ineffective treatment, adverse events, and expenses, biomarkers are also required for patient monitoring and identifying responders to treatment. There is substantial evidence that microRNAs (miRs, miRNAs) play a critical role in regulating mRNA and, as a consequence, protein expression in normal and malignant tissues. Deregulated miRNA profiling in PC can help with diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis. Furthermore, knowledge of the primary effector genes and downstream pathways in PC can help pinpoint potential miRNAs for use in treatment. Different miRNA expression profiles may serve as diagnostic, prognostic markers, and therapeutic targets across the spectrum of malignant pancreatic illness. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to the malignant pathophysiology of PC through affecting many cellular functions such as increasing invasive and proliferative prospect, supporting angiogenesis, cell cycle aberrance, apoptosis elusion, metastasis promotion, and low sensitivity to particular treatments. Accordingly, in the current review, we summarize the recent advances in the roles of oncogenic and tumor suppressor (TS) miRNAs in PC and discuss their potential as worthy diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PC, as well as their significance in PC pathogenesis and anticancer drug resistance.

The role of miRNAs in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic resistance

In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have gained increased attention from researchers around the globe. Although it is twenty nucleotides long, it can modulate several gene targets simultaneously. Their mal expression is a signature of various pathologies, and they provide the foundation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of each pathology. Among the debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders with a growing prevalence globally is the multiple sclerosis (MS). Moreover, the diagnosis of MS is challenging due to the lack of disease-specific biomarkers, and the diagnosis mainly depends on ruling out other disabilities. MS could adversely affect patients' lives through its progression, and only symptomatic treatments are available as therapeutic options, but an exact cure is yet unavailable. Consequently, this review hopes to further the study of the biological features of miRNAs in MS and explore their potential as a therapeutic target.

Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels for Protein Delivery

Proteins and peptides are potential therapeutic agents, but their physiochemical properties make their use as drug substances challenging. Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymeric networks that can swell and retain high amounts of water or biological fluids without being dissolved. Due to their biocompatibility, their porous structure, which enables the transport of various peptides and proteins, and their protective effect against degradation, hydrogels have gained prominence as ideal carriers for these molecules' delivery. Particularly, stimuli-responsive hydrogels exhibit physicochemical transitions in response to subtle modifications in the surrounding environment, leading to the controlled release of entrapped proteins or peptides. This review is focused on the application of these hydrogels in protein and peptide delivery, including a brief overview of therapeutic proteins and types of stimuli-responsive polymers.

The interplay between toxoplasmosis and host miRNAs: Mechanisms and consequences

Toxoplasmosis is one of the highly prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The infection with T. gondii could pass unidentified in immunocompetent individuals; however, latent cysts remain dormant in their digestive tract, but they could be shed and excreted with feces infesting the environment. However, active toxoplasmosis can create serious consequences, particularly in newborns and infected persons with compromised immunity. These complications include ocular toxoplasmosis, in which most cases cannot be treated. Additionally, it caused many stillbirths and miscarriages. Circulating miRNAs are important regulatory molecules ensuring that the normal physiological role of various organs is harmonious. Upon infection with T. gondii, the tightly regulated miRNA profile is disrupted to favor the parasite's survival and further participate in the disease pathogenesis. Interestingly, this dysregulated profile could be useful in acute and chronic disease discrimination and in providing insights into the pathomechanisms of the disease. Thus, this review sheds light on the various roles of miRNAs in signaling pathways regulation involved in the pathogenesis of T. gondii and provides insights into the application of miRNAs clinically for its diagnosis and prognosis.

Melodic maestros: Unraveling the role of miRNAs in the diagnosis, progression, and drug resistance of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly lethal form of pleural cancer characterized by a scarcity of effective therapeutic interventions, resulting in unfavorable prognoses for afflicted individuals. Besides, many patients experience substantial consequences from being diagnosed in advanced stages. The available diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options for MPM are restricted in scope. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a subset of small, noncoding RNA molecules that exert significant regulatory influence over several cellular processes within cell biology. A wide range of miRNAs have atypical expression patterns in cancer, serving specific functions as either tumor suppressors or oncomiRs. This review aims to collate, epitomize, and analyze the latest scholarly investigations on miRNAs that are believed to be implicated in the dysregulation leading to MPM. miRNAs are also discussed concerning their potential clinical usefulness as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for MPM. The future holds promising prospects for enhancing diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic modalities for MPM, with miRNAs emerging as a potential trigger for such advancements.

The emerging role of miRNAs in Merkel cell carcinoma pathogenesis: Signaling pathway crosstalk

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon invasive form of skin cancer that typically manifests as a nodule on the face, head, or neck that is flesh-colored or bluish-red in appearance. Rapid growth and metastasis are hallmarks of MCC. MCC has the second-greatest mortality rate among skin cancers after melanoma. Despite the recent cascade of molecular investigations, no universal molecular signature has been identified as responsible for MCC's pathogenesis. The microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Variations in the expression of these short, non-coding RNAs have been associated with various malignancies, including MCC. Although the incidence of MCC is very low, a significant amount of study has focused on the interaction of miRNAs in MCC. As such, the current survey is a speedy intensive route revealing the potential involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of MCC beyond their association with survival in MCC.

miRNAs driving diagnosis, prognosis and progression in Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive form of skin malignancy with a high recurrence commonly within two to three years of initial diagnosis. The incidence of MCC has nearly doubled in the past few decades. Options for diagnosing, assessing, and treating MCC are limited. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that play an important role in controlling many different aspects of cell biology. Many miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in distinct types of cancer, with some serving as tumor suppressors and others as oncomiRs. Therefore, the future holds great promise for the utilization of miRNAs in enhancing diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches for MCC. Accordingly, the goal of this article is to compile, summarize, and discuss the latest research on miRNAs in MCC, highlighting their potential clinical utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

miRNAs driving diagnosis, progression, and drug resistance in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a tumor of transformed plasma cells. It's the second most common hematologic cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. MM is a complex disease with many different risk factors, including ethnicity, race, and epigenetics. The microRNAs (miRNAs) are a critical epigenetic factor in multiple myeloma, influencing key aspects such as pathogenesis, prognosis, and resistance to treatment. They have the potential to assist in disease diagnosis and modulate the resistance behavior of MM towards therapeutic regimens. These characteristics could be attributed to the modulatory effects of miRNAs on some vital pathways such as NF-KB, PI3k/AKT, and P53. This review discusses the role of miRNAs in MM with a focus on their role in disease progression, diagnosis, and therapeutic resistance.