Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anh Tong, Roman Voronov
Summary: In 2020, the demand for organ transplants in the U.S was high, but only a limited number of donors resulted in a low transplantation rate. Microfluidic scaffolds offer a promising solution to the challenges faced in generating viable tissues and organs. However, there are still challenges in developing the appropriate biomaterials for these scaffolds.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yanyan Cao, Peng Cheng, Shengbo Sang, Chuan Xiang, Yang An, Xiaochun Wei, Yayun Yan, Pengcui Li
Summary: Cartilage injury is difficult to self-repair, but a biphasic scaffold consisting of cells-encapsulated GelMA hydrogel and macroporous PCL scaffold filled with cells-encapsulated GelMA hydrogel shows promising results for cartilage regeneration, especially when co-cultured with BMSCs and chondrocytes. The synergistic effect of the two cell types induces chondrogenesis and TGF-beta(3) supplement further enhances cartilage regeneration. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, the PCL/GelMA biphasic scaffold demonstrates excellent cartilage regenerative capability, paving a new way for clinical cartilage repair.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Huiming Jiang, Jun Lu, Jiawei Li, Zizheng Liu, Fufei Chen, Rui Wu, Xingquan Xu, Yuan Liu, Yiqiu Jiang, Dongquan Shi
Summary: A novel acellular cartilage matrix scaffold (ACS) was designed for cartilage regeneration and hyaline-like cartilage formation. The results showed that ACS implantation promoted cartilage repair in full-thickness cartilage defects and osteochondral defects, forming more hyaline-like cartilage at the 6-month follow-up.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Koichiro Hayashi, Toshiki Yanagisawa, Ryo Kishida, Kunio Ishikawa
Summary: This study investigates the effects of scaffold shape on tissue generation. The results show that even tiny protuberances on the scaffold surface can affect the percentage of interscaffold space, thereby exerting dominant effects on osteogenesis.
Article
Biophysics
Fahimeh Tabatabaei, Alexandra Gelin, Morteza Rasoulianboroujeni, Lobat Tayebi
Summary: This study demonstrates a new collagen coating process that optimizes the hydrophilic property and cell attachment of scaffolds. The coated scaffolds show higher cell proliferation, water absorption, protein absorption, and bioactivity compared to non-coated samples.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhen Wang, Yichuan Wang, Jiaqi Yan, Keshi Zhang, Feng Lin, Lei Xiang, Lianfu Deng, Zhenpeng Guan, Wenguo Cui, Hongbo Zhang
Summary: Bone regenerative engineering encompasses scaffold design and applications based on electrospinning and 3D bioprinting technologies, aiming to achieve bone tissue regeneration. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and 3D bioprinted scaffolds play crucial roles in bone regeneration, with promising prospects for future development.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Andrea Schwab, Marinus A. Wesdorp, Jietao Xu, Florencia Abinzano, Claudia Loebel, Marc Falandt, Riccardo Levato, David Eglin, Roberto Narcisi, Martin J. Stoddart, Jos Malda, Jason A. Burdick, Matteo D'Este, Gerjo J. V. M. Van Osch
Summary: This study investigates the influence of various physicochemical properties of hydrogels on cell migration and related tissue formation using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC TRANSLATION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kavitha Ganesan Nathan, Krishnamurithy Genasan, Tunku Kamarul
Summary: Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) offers hope for innovative therapies and relies on various strategies. The development of a scaffold, specifically the Polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan (PVA-CS) scaffold, has shown promise in supporting cell growth and tissue regeneration. It can be tailored to fit different tissues and organs and can be combined with other materials and technologies to enhance its regenerative capabilities. This review summarizes the potential role and functions of PVA-CS in TERM applications.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pengren Huang, Peng Yang, Keming Liu, Wei Tao, Jun Tao, Fanrong Ai
Summary: A solvent method was used to add high concentration bioglass into polycaprolactone to prepare 70% BG/PCL composite scaffolds with high ductility by 3D printing technology. The scaffold showed good mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and osteogenic activity, making it a promising option for personalized repair of bone defects.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Abbas Shafiee, Amanda S. Cavalcanti, Navid T. Saidy, Dominik Schneidereit, Oliver Friedrich, Akhilandeshwari Ravichandran, Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo, Dietmar W. Hutmacher
Summary: The biomimetically designed mPCL dressings, combined with human cell seeding, promote wound healing, reduce scar formation, and enhance skin regeneration.
Review
Engineering, Manufacturing
Amitava Bhattacharyya, Gopinathan Janarthanan, Insup Noh
Summary: The complexity of biological architectures has led to extensive use of additive manufacturing techniques for tissue engineering scaffolding, with a current focus on cell-laden 3D bioprinting for tissue or organ regeneration. Nanocomposite bioinks have gained attention for their ability to improve structural stability, shape fidelity, and induce differentiation and cell growth through controlled use of nano-biomaterials. The review emphasizes the significant importance of bioactive nanomaterials in bioinks for 3D bioprinting processes, highlighting recent advances and future possibilities in the field.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhen Wang, Wasim Kapadia, Cuidi Li, Feng Lin, Ruben F. Pereira, Pedro L. Granja, Bruno Sarmento, Wenguo Cui
Summary: The human body is composed of four basic tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues, each consisting of cells with similar functions. Three-dimensional bioprinting, based on histological categories, is a versatile technology that can form functional organ structures simply. This technology shows remarkable regenerative power and novel breakthroughs in specific tissues like muscle and nerve tissues.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Danni Gong, Fei Yu, Meng Zhou, Wei Dong, Dan Yan, Siyi Zhang, Yan Yan, Huijing Wang, Yao Tan, Ying Chen, Bei Feng, Wei Fu, Yao Fu, Yang Lu
Summary: dcECM hydrogels derived from porcine ears through enzymatic digestion show good biocompatibility for delivering chondrocytes and forming subcutaneous cartilage in vivo. The structural and gelation kinetics of the hydrogels vary with ECM concentrations, with 10 mg/ml hydrogels supporting adhesion and proliferation of chondrocytes in vitro. In vivo, 10 mg/ml dcECM hydrogel grafts exhibit similar qualities to native cartilage, indicating their potential for tissue engineering applications in ear cartilage regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valeria Mastrullo, Daan R. van der Veen, Priyanka Gupta, Rolando S. Matos, Jonathan D. Johnston, John H. McVey, Paolo Madeddu, Eirini G. Velliou, Paola Campagnolo
Summary: Pericytes play a critical role in regulating circadian rhythms in endothelial cells and silencing this system disproportionately affects their pro-angiogenic function. Considering the effect of circadian rhythms is important for the development of mature vascular structures and to obtain the maximal reparative effect in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhanqi Wei, Ganlin Zhang, Qing Cao, Tianhao Zhao, Yixin Bian, Wei Zhu, Xisheng Weng
Summary: Nanomaterials, especially organic nanocomposites, hold great promise for the repair and regeneration of cartilage tissue due to their ability to mimic the microstructure and properties of natural cartilage, enhancing scaffold-cell interactions and improving the functionality of engineered tissue constructs.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Eleni Stamoula, Alexandra Ainatzoglou, Ioannis Dardalas, Theofanis Vavilis, Vasileios-Periklis Stamatellos, Spyridon Siafis, Thomas Psathas, Ioanna Boskou, Georgios Papazisis
Summary: This review focuses on the potential benefits of GABA agonists and modulators in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) using an in vivo model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The results showed that these drugs can regulate the immune response, reduce inflammation, protect nerve fibers, and improve clinical symptoms. Therefore, GABA agonists and modulators may be suitable therapeutic candidates for the treatment of MS.
CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS
(2023)
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
A. Matsas, T. Vavilis, D. Chrysikos, G. Komninos, V. Protogerou, T. Troupis
Summary: The aim of this study was to detect and highlight the anatomical structures of interest and their variations to the surgeon performing abdominal hysterectomy. The results showed that the ureters and uterine arteries are the most vulnerable anatomical structures during abdominal hysterectomy. Knowledge of these variations can minimize the risk of complications.
FOLIA MORPHOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
F. Machla, V Sokolova, V Platania, O. Prymak, K. Kostka, B. Kruse, M. Agrymakis, S. Pasadaki, A. Kritis, K. Alpantaki, M. Vidaki, M. Chatzinikolaidou, M. Epple, A. Bakopoulou
Summary: Tissue engineering provides new treatment approaches for regenerating lost dental tissues, and this study investigated the characteristics of EDTA-treated, freeze-dried dentin matrices (HTFD scaffolds) conditioned with calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NPs) bearing dentinogenesis-inducing factors. The synthesized NPs showed efficient transfection of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and HTFD/NPs constructs induced odontogenic shift of DPSCs, preserving cell viability and leading to the reconstruction of the ortho-dentin/odontoblastic layer barrier.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Malamatenia Lamprinou, Athanasios Sachinidis, Eleni Stamoula, Theofanis Vavilis, Georgios Papazisis
Summary: COVID-19 is a global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the pharmaceutical industry has developed vaccines using different technologies to combat this virus. Although these vaccines have been approved by WHO, they can cause rare adverse effects, especially those based on mRNA and non-replicating viral vector technology.
IMMUNOLOGIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Theofanis Vavilis, Eleni Stamoula, Alexandra Ainatzoglou, Athanasios Sachinidis, Malamatenia Lamprinou, Ioannis Dardalas, Ioannis S. Vizirianakis
Summary: Protein replacement therapy refers to medical treatments that aim to substitute or replenish specific protein deficiencies caused by absence or dysfunction due to mutations. The traditional approach involves complex and expensive protein production procedures, while the use of mRNA-based pharmaceuticals enables rapid in vivo production of antigens. This review presents the applications of mRNA as a tool for protein replacement therapy and discusses the manufacture of modified mRNA and its delivery methods.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Theofanis Vavilis, Eleni Stamoula, Athanasios Sachinidis, Malamatenia Lamprinou, Ioannis Dardalas, Georgios Papazisis
Summary: This review examines the use of biopharmaceuticals in the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). Biopharmaceutical approaches include active and passive immunization, metabolic enhancers, and genetic/epigenetic modulation. These approaches hold promise as next generation treatments for SUD.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Konstantinos Theodoridis, Eleni Aggelidou, Maria-Eleni Manthou, Aristeidis Kritis
Summary: This study examined the effects of oxygen tension on ADMSCs expansion and their differentiation into a chondrocytic phenotype, with the aim of regenerating high-quality cartilaginous tissue. Previous studies on MSCs cultured under different hypoxic levels prompted our team to investigate the role of hypoxia on MSCs chondrogenic differentiation within a 3D environment. The use of 3D-printed honeycomb-like PCL matrices seeded with ADMSCs, along with the presence of TGF and a prototype 3D cell culture device, resulted in uniformly distributed hyaline cartilage with superior molecular and biomechanical properties. However, hypoxia alone was not enough to fully differentiate ADMSCs or promote cell expansion within the 3D scaffolds.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nupur Kohli, Konstantinos Theodoridis, Thomas A. G. Hall, Inigo Sanz-Pena, David C. A. Gaboriau, Richard J. van Arkel
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate a lab-based bioreactor model for assessing bone remodelling onto, into or around new implant technologies. The results showed that the samples cultured in the bioreactor exhibited greater tissue ongrowth, ingrowth and remodelling compared to those in static culture conditions. In addition, the mechanically tested samples from the bioreactor had approximately three times greater fixation strength.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Paschalis Theotokis, Maria Eleni Manthou, Theodora-Eleftheria Deftereou, Dimosthenis Miliaras, Soultana Meditskou
Summary: Embryogenesis and fetal development are vulnerable to stress-associated factors such as space radiation and altered gravity, which can compromise normal physiological organogenesis. However, the effects of cosmic exposures on mammalian embryonic development are poorly understood. This review explores the impact of extraterrestrial conditions on histological level developmental adaptations observed in space simulations or actual expeditions, including the role of the vestibular system and the potential influence of the gut microbiome.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iasonas Dermitzakis, Paschalis Theotokis, Paschalis Evangelidis, Efthymia Delilampou, Nikolaos Evangelidis, Anastasia Chatzisavvidou, Eleni Avramidou, Maria Eleni Manthou
Summary: The central nervous system (CNS) is immune privileged and contains unique macrophages known as microglia and border-associated macrophages (BAMs). BAMs, found in specific locations such as the choroid plexus and meningeal spaces, play crucial roles in maintaining CNS homeostasis and are distinct from microglial cells. Recent advances in technology have led to a better understanding of BAMs, including their cellular diversity and origin from yolk sac progenitors. The study of BAMs is important as they are implicated in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana Schaufler, Maria Eleni Manthou, Paschalis Theotokis, Svenja Rink-Notzon, Doychin. N. N. Angelov
Summary: Microglial cells play a crucial role in neuroinflammation and secondary damages after spinal cord injury. Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is involved in neuronal survival, synaptic function, neurotransmitter release, axon plasticity, and growth. Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy initiated at day 14 resulted in the best functional recovery, with decreased Iba1 expression and increased NT-3 expression. This suggests that increased expression of NT-3, especially in the dorsal horn, may mediate the favorable therapeutic outcome.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iasonas Dermitzakis, Maria Eleni Manthou, Soultana Meditskou, Marie-eve Tremblay, Steven Petratos, Lida Zoupi, Marina Boziki, Evangelia Kesidou, Constantina Simeonidou, Paschalis Theotokis
Summary: Microglia are tissue-resident macrophages of the CNS and play a vital role in homeostasis and pathophysiology of the brain. Their unique characteristics and origin have been a subject of intense research. This review presents recent evidence on the birthplace of microglia and the molecular factors involved in their development. The data collected can potentially provide insights into the therapeutic potential of microglia for CNS disorders.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Lantzanaki, Theofanis Vavilis, Vikentia C. Harizopoulou, Helen Bili, Dimitrios G. Goulis, Dimitrios Vavilis
Summary: This review presents the role of ceramides during pregnancy and obstetrical adverse outcomes, as well as their potential as biomarkers in such conditions.