Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tiantang Fan, Jingwen Qin, Xiao Meng, Jiafeng Li, Qing Liu, Guannan Wang
Summary: PLPG membranes with sc-PLA improved the crystallizing behavior of PLLA segments, increased thermal stability and degradation ability, and showed low cytotoxicity.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Prasong Srihanam, Wiriya Thongsomboon, Yodthong Baimark
Summary: The aim of this study was to modify PLLA-b-PEG-b-PLLA copolymer using low-cost CaCO3 filler to improve its material properties. The addition of CaCO3 enhanced the crystallinity and thermal stability of PLLA-b-PEG-b-PLLA matrix. SEM analysis showed stronger interfacial adhesion between PLLA-b-PEG-b-PLLA and CaCO3 compared to PLLA and CaCO3. Tensile testing revealed increased stress and modulus for PLLA-b-PEG-b-PLLA matrix with CaCO3, while these properties significantly decreased for PLLA matrix. Therefore, CaCO3 shows promise as an inexpensive filler for improving PLLA-b-PEG-b-PLLA bioplastics.
Article
Polymer Science
Prasong Srihanam, Yaowalak Srisuwan, Theeraphol Phromsopha, Apirada Manphae, Yodthong Baimark
Summary: In this study, the phase compatibility and mechanical properties of flexible poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were improved by adding citric acid (CA) as a compatibilizer. The crystallinity of PLLA-PEG-PLLA matrix was suppressed and the thermal stability was enhanced by CA modification of TPS. The compatibility between TPS and PLLA-PEG-PLLA phases was improved, and the blends exhibited increased tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus with higher CA content.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lucy Geddes, Efrosyni Themistou, James F. Burrows, Fraser J. Buchanan, Louise Carson
Summary: This study aimed to develop an in vitro protocol for assessing the long-term cytotoxicity of bioresorbable polymers. Results showed that PDLLGA samples exhibited increasing cytotoxicity at later degradation stages, while PLLGA samples demonstrated significantly less cytotoxic behavior. Additionally, a new dynamic flow culture methodology was developed and validated to test the cytotoxicity of these degradable materials, along with profiling of inflammatory cytokines released by cells in response to degraded PDLLGA and PLLGA.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiantang Fan, Jingwen Qin, Jiafeng Li, Jifa Liu, Ying Wang, Qing Liu, Tianyun Fan, Fengzhen Liu
Summary: The study introduces flexible p-dioxanone (PDO) and highly reactive glycolide (GA) units into poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) to prepare poly(L-lactide-ran-p-dioxanone-ran-glycolide) (PLPG) copolymers. The copolymers are then processed into PLPG scaffolds using 3D printing technology. The results show that introducing PDO and GA units improves the mechanical and degradation properties of the PLLA scaffolds, and the PLPG scaffolds support cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. The controllable degradation rates and mechanical performance of the PLPG scaffolds make them potentially useful in bone tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rami Hador, Michael Shuster, Vincenzo Venditto, Moshe Kol
Summary: This study proposes a new approach to tolerate stereoerrors in the polymer by crowding them in a stereogradient copolymer. A zirconium complex of an amine tris(phenolate) ligand is used as a catalyst for the ring opening polymerization of meso-lactide at room temperature, and stereogradient copolymers are formed in the polymerization of mixtures of meso-lactide/L-lactide at 180 degrees C. These stereogradient copolymers exhibit enhanced crystallinities compared to stereorandom copolymers obtained with tin octanoate.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Lidong Feng, Xinchao Bian, Gao Li, Xuesi Chen
Summary: The study shows that the compatibility between PLLA and PLDLA-m decreases as the L-lactate unit content in PLDLA-m decreases, impacting the crystallization and compatibility of the blends.
Article
Polymer Science
Lidong Feng, Xinchao Bian, Gao Li, Xuesi Chen
Summary: By investigating the thermal properties, morphology, and thermal stability of PLLA/PDLA blends, a new stereoamorphous mesophase (sam-PLA) structure was discovered, and the relationship between different phases in the PLLA/PDLA blends was explored.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xianyue Zhou, Qiuyang Liu, Guangqiang Xu, Rulin Yang, Hongguang Sun, Qinggang Wang
Summary: Chemical upcycling of end-of-life poly(lactide) plastics to lactide, lactate ester and new poly(lactide) has been achieved using magnesium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amide] [Mg(HMDS)2] as a promoter. Mg(HMDS)2 demonstrated high efficiency in L-lactide polymerization and poly(lactide) depolymerization. A new depolymerization-repolymerization strategy was proposed to directly transform poly(lactide) into new poly(lactide), providing a theoretical basis for catalyst design and promoting the development of degradable polymers.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fen Ma, Chenguang Jiang, Wenyuan Xie, Defeng Wu
Summary: Using polysaccharide nanocrystals, such as chitin nanocrystals, as nanofillers for biodegradable aliphatic polymers is an attractive method for developing fully degradable nanocomposites. The incorporation of chitin nanocrystals in poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blends promotes the formation of stereocomplex crystallites and accelerates overall crystallization kinetics. The nanocomposites exhibit higher stereocomplex crystallization temperatures and lower activation energy compared to the blend. However, the presence of chitin nanocrystals reduces the fraction of stereocomplex crystallites due to the nucleation effect, despite an increased rate of homocrystallization. This study provides valuable information for the use of chitin nanocrystals as nucleators for polylactide stereocomplexes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yulia A. Kadina, Ekaterina V. Razuvaeva, Dmitry R. Streltsov, Nikita G. Sedush, Eleonora V. Shtykova, Alevtina I. Kulebyakina, Alexander A. Puchkov, Dmitry S. Volkov, Alexey A. Nazarov, Sergei N. Chvalun
Summary: Nanoparticles based on biocompatible mPEG(113)-b-P(D,L)LA(n) copolymers were prepared for the delivery of the anticancer agent oxaliplatin via a nanoprecipitation technique. It was found that an increase in the hydrophobic PLA block length resulted in larger nanoparticle size and decreased oxaliplatin loading content.
Article
Polymer Science
Selin Kyuchyuk, Dilyana Paneva, Nevena Manolova, Iliya Rashkov, Daniela Karashanova, Nadya Markova
Summary: This study reports the preparation of nanofibrous composites with core/double-sheath structure using single-spinneret electrospinning. The produced materials showed improved mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity, making them promising for wound healing applications.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yaowalak Srisuwan, Yodthong Baimark
Summary: This paper reports a study on flexible polymer blends made from PLLA-PEG-PLLA and TPS. The addition of TPS suppressed crystallizability of PLLA and PLLA-PEG-PLLA matrices, while greatly increasing the thermal stability of PLLA-PEG-PLLA. The PEG middle-blocks enhanced phase compatibility between PLLA-PEG-PLLA and TPS, resulting in ductile and flexible blend films.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Lei Hua, Xiaodong Wang
Summary: New biodegradable aliphatic PLLA-PBA-PLLA copolymers with different PLLA block lengths showed different structures and crystallization behaviors of PBA-mid, which were studied using various analytical techniques.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuhan Wei, Zhengyue Wang, Shuaining Zhou, Zhibo Li
Summary: A tough and transparent film of poly(L-lactic acid)/poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(butadiene)-b-poly(D-lactide) (PLLA/PDLA-PB-PDLA) with balanced strength was obtained. The film was achieved by synthesizing PDLA-PB-PDLA triblock copolymer using ring-opening polymerization and then blending it with PLLA. The blended films exhibited good transparency even with a high loading of PDLA-PB-PDLA. The enhanced mechanical properties were attributed to the synergistic effect of flexible PB chains and stereocomplex crystals formed between PLLA matrix and PDLA chains.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Yang, Yi-Tung Lu, Kui Zeng, Thomas Heinze, Thomas Groth, Kai Zhang
Summary: Glycans play crucial roles in various organisms, with cellulose being the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth, predominantly providing mechanical stability in plants and finding wide applications. Advanced soluble cellulose derivatives and modified nanocellulose with diverse functional groups have made biomedical applications of cellulose feasible. Further development of bioactive compounds from glycans is inspired by native glycosaminoglycans and versatile biomaterials synthesized from cellulose derivatives and nanocellulose for diverse biomedical applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yasmine Hachemi, Anna E. Rapp, Sooyeon Lee, Ann-Kristin Dorn, Benjamin T. Krueger, Kathrin Kaiser, Anita Ignatius, Jan Tuckermann
Summary: Effective GR dimerization plays a role in trauma-induced compromised fracture healing, as revealed by a study on mice with decreased GR dimerization ability. GR(dim) mice were found to be protected from the impairment of fracture healing caused by additional thorax trauma.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sooyeon Lee, Peng Liu, Mubashir Ahmad, Jan P. Tuckermann
Summary: The study reveals that treatment with LIF can rescue the decreased early osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts induced by GCs, and in vivo LIF treatment protects against GC-mediated trabecular bone loss. This protection is attributed to LIF rescuing the decreased activity of Stat3, MAPK, and Akt signaling pathways caused by GCs, suggesting a potential new therapeutic strategy to prevent GC-induced bone loss.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shiva Kamini Divakarla, Theerthankar Das, Chandralekha Chatterjee, Mihail Ionescu, Zeljko Pastuovic, Jun-Hyeog Jang, Hala Al-khoury, Harald Loppnow, Seiji Yamaguchi, Thomas Groth, Wojciech Chrzanowski
Summary: Emerging and re-emerging infections pose a global threat, driven by antimicrobial resistance and poor infection control practices. This study combines gallium (Ga) and defensin (De) to enhance antimicrobial activity and reduce inflammation in polymer-based implantable devices. The treated surfaces effectively kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, making them promising for implantable device integration.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin Thilo Krueger, Lena Steppe, Sabine Vettorazzi, Melanie Haffner-Luntzer, Sooyeon Lee, Ann-Kristin Dorn, Anita Ignatius, Jan Tuckermann, Mubashir Ahmad
Summary: Long-term use of glucocorticoids can lead to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and current drugs for treating bone loss are expensive or have major side effects. Therefore, finding cost-effective small-molecule inhibitors is necessary. This study found that inhibition of Cdk5 improves glucocorticoid-induced bone loss, but does not reverse compromised fracture healing.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yi-Tung Lu, Kui Zeng, Bodo Fuhrmann, Christian Woelk, Kai Zhang, Thomas Groth
Summary: This study explores the integration of PNIPAM with chitosan to fabricate PNIPAM-modified polyelectrolyte multilayers (PNI-PAM-PEMs) and investigates the effects on cell adhesion and growth. The results show that cross-linked PNIPAM-PEMs exhibit higher cell adhesion and spreading abilities, demonstrating their potential in thermally uploading and controlled release of growth factors for tissue regeneration.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kui Zeng, Falko Doberenz, Yi-Tung Lu, Johanna Phuong Nong, Steffen Fischer, Thomas Groth, Kai Zhang
Summary: In this study, PNIPAM-grafted cellulose sulfates (PCSs) with different degrees of sulfation were successfully synthesized. Biocompatible polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) composed of PCSs as polyanions in combination with polycations were fabricated using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique. The results showed that higher sulfated PCSs displayed greater stability and lower cytotoxicity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Thomas Groth, Bernd G. Stegmayr, Stephen R. Ash, Janna Kuchinka, Fokko P. Wieringa, William H. Fissell, Shuvo Roy
Summary: Chronic kidney disease is a leading cause of early mortality worldwide, but access to kidney replacement therapy is limited due to various factors. Researchers from different fields are collaborating to develop wearable and/or implantable artificial kidneys that can provide long-term effective kidney functions. The goal is to create easily accessible and affordable options that can improve the quality of life and life expectancy for CKD patients.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Husnia Kindi, Christian Willems, Mingyan Zhao, Matthias Menzel, Christian E. H. Schmelzer, Martin Herzberg, Bodo Fuhrmann, Gloria Gallego-Ferrer, Thomas Groth
Summary: Metal ions can significantly affect protein and cell functions. In this study, polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) made of chitosan and alginate were doped with different metal ions (Ca2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+), resulting in changes in surface properties, such as zeta potentials and water contact angles. Metal ions, especially Cu2+ and Fe3+, had a positive effect on cell adhesion and differentiation, indicating the importance of bioactivity. These metal ion-doped coatings have the potential to promote the differentiation of multipotent cells on implants, without the need for additional growth factors.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Reema Anouz, Tamaradobra Selekere, Adrian Hautmann, Catharina Husteden, Matthias Menzel, Christian Woelk, Christian E. H. Schmelzer, Thomas Groth
Summary: Surface coatings prepared by layer-by-layer technique using oxidized chondroitin sulfate (oCS) show better control of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) release compared to native chondroitin sulfate (nCS). oCS polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) have enhanced stiffness, promote collagen I fibrillization, and present BMP-2 in a matrix-bound manner, making them more stable and superior in supporting cell adhesion and spreading.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Raquel Naranjo-Alcazar, Sophie Bendix, Thomas Groth, Gloria Gallego Ferrer
Summary: Hydrogels have been developed for various biomedical applications, including in vitro culture platforms, drug delivery, bioprinting, and tissue engineering. Enzymatic cross-linking is a highly biocompatible method that allows for the in situ formation of gels, making it suitable for minimally invasive surgery and adapting to the shape of defects. It also enables the harmless encapsulation of cytokines and cells, unlike chemically or photochemically induced cross-linking processes. This review provides an overview of different cross-linking mechanisms and explores in detail the application of enzymatic cross-linking to both natural and synthetic hydrogels. It also includes a comprehensive analysis of their specifications for bioprinting and tissue engineering applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tobias Hedtke, Mathias Mende, Heiko Steenbock, Jurgen Brinckmann, Matthias Menzel, Wolfgang Hoehenwarter, Markus Pietzsch, Thomas Groth, Christian E. H. Schmelzer
Summary: A method for fabricating artificial elastin with molecular and mechanical properties similar to natural elastin is described. This is achieved through coacervation and allysine-mediated cross-linking induced by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ). The engineered elastin-like material possesses high resistance against proteolysis and exhibits similar Young's modulus as natural elastin.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanying Wang, Jiayan Zhu, Jing Chen, Ruojiao Xu, Thomas Groth, Haitong Wan, Guoying Zhou
Summary: Impaired healing of diabetic wounds is a significant problem that affects patients' quality of life and can lead to disabilities and death. Developing effective treatment options for diabetic wounds remains a global challenge. Exosomes have emerged as promising candidates for diabetic wound healing due to their involvement in immune response, cell migration, tumor invasion, and other processes. This mini-review summarizes the progress of research on various exosomes derived from different cell types and their role in promoting diabetic wound healing. The review also focuses on the classical signaling pathways that exosomes can regulate, providing insights into the mechanisms by which exosomes contribute to diabetic wound healing.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Mubashir Ahmad, Benjamin Thilo Krueger, Torsten Kroll, Sabine Vettorazzi, Ann-Kristin Dorn, Florian Mengele, Sooyeon Lee, Sayantan Nandi, Dilay Yilmaz, Miriam Stolz, Naveen Kumar Tangudu, David Carro Vazquez, Johanna Pachmayr, Ion Cristian Cirstea, Maja Vujic Spasic, Aspasia Ploubidou, Anita Ignatius, Jan Tuckermann
Summary: This study identified Cdk5 as a suppressor of osteoblast differentiation through unbiased kinome RNAi screening. Cdk5 knockdown or inhibition enhanced osteoblastogenesis in vitro, and it was found to regulate osteoblast differentiation through the MAPK pathway. These findings suggest that Cdk5 may be a potential therapeutic target for treating osteoporosis and improving fracture healing.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alexandra N. Romanova, Alexander A. Pugovkin, Maxim Denisov, Ivan A. Ephimov, Dmitry Gusev, Marian Walter, Thomas Groth, Olga L. Bockeria, Tatyana G. Le, Anna S. Satyukova, Sergey Selishchev, Dmitry Telyshev
Summary: This study compared the performance of Sputnik LVADs in terms of blood damage and evaluated the improvements in the Sputnik 2 LVAD. The results showed significant improvements in hemocompatibility and miniaturization for the Sputnik 2 LVAD.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mehlika Karamanlioglu, Serap Yesilkir-Baydar
Summary: This study determined the influence and ideal ratios of different amounts of coconut oil in gelatin-based films as wound dressings. Increasing coconut oil content improved the mechanical properties, thermal stability, cell viability, and wound healing ability of the films. CO-2 and CO-4 showed the best performance among the samples.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yu-Min Chen, Chihoko Tokoda, Yasuhiko Tabata
Summary: The objective of this study is to establish strategies to uniformly proliferate cells in a three-dimensional nonwoven PET/EVOH scaffold by simple adjustments in seeding and culture methods and the scaffold design. The combination of dynamic and static seeding methods resulted in the highest seeding efficiency. Stirring culture allowed cells to proliferate to a greater extent, while opening holes in the scaffold improved cell distribution. Two 1-mm holes were found to be optimal for homogeneous cell proliferation. Different cell types showed similar behavior in the scaffold, indicating the applicability of the established procedure. The nonwoven PET/EVOH scaffold serves as a potential cell culture substrate for efficient cell proliferation.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Majid Saeedi, Katayoun Morteza-Semnani, Jafar Akbari, Seyyed Mobin Rahimnia, Fatemeh Ahmadi, Hanieh Choubdari, Amir Lotfi, Seyyed Mohammad Hassan Hashemi
Summary: In this study, kojic acid loaded chitosan/collagen nanoparticles were produced using an ionic gelation and ultrasonic approach to enhance dermal delivery and anti-pigmentation effects. Increasing the amount of collagen in the nanoparticles led to larger particle size and higher entrapment efficiency of kojic acid. The nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape and kojic acid was in an amorphous form. Skin permeability tests showed that the nanoparticles delivered more kojic acid to the dermal layers compared to plain gel. The nanoparticles were non-toxic and non-irritating, and exhibited stronger inhibition of melanin formation compared to free kojic acid. These findings suggest that the produced nanoparticles have potential as a nano-vehicle for dermal administration of kojic acid, providing new options for managing hyper-melanogenesis problems.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hue Thi Nguyen, Anh-Tuan Le, Thanh Thuy Nguyen, Tran Quang Huy, Thuy Thi Thu Nguyen
Summary: In this study, a chitosan and emodin formulation was prepared to enhance the solubility of emodin and exhibited synergic antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacterial strains. The enhanced solubility of the formulation suggests its potential as a candidate for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by drug-resistant bacterial pathogens.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiu Ge, Mengting Li, Jiahui Fan, Christian Celia, Yijun Xie, Qing Chang, Xiaoyong Deng
Summary: Bacterial infections pose a significant threat to human health, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has reduced the effectiveness of antibacterial treatments. In this study, chitosan/silver nanoparticle complexes were developed to inhibit bacterial proliferation and induce membrane damage. The results demonstrated that increasing the chitosan concentration enhanced the antibacterial impact, and the nanoparticles showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The study provides valuable insights into the development of nano-antibacterial agents as a potential substitute for traditional antibiotics in medical applications.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2024)
