Article
Polymer Science
Qiuyi Chen, Sa Liu, Zhongrun Yuan, Hai Yang, Renjian Xie, Li Ren
Summary: In this study, biomimetic cartilage-lubricating hydrogels were synthesized to achieve lower friction and wear through boundary lubrication and fluid film lubrication mechanisms, offering a potential new solution for the treatment of early osteoarthritis.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cheng Li, Peiwei Gong, Mianran Chao, Juan Li, Liyan Yang, Yan Huang, Dandan Wang, Jianxi Liu, Zhe Liu
Summary: This study develops a biomimetic nanosystem that combines enhanced lubrication and stimuli-responsive drug release through bioinspiration from the ultralow friction of natural articular synovial fluid and mussel adhesion chemistry. The modified polymer-coated graphene sheets show efficient near-infrared absorption and steady lubrication under various working conditions, reducing the coefficient of friction by 75% compared to water. The nanosystem has a high loading capacity for diclofenac sodium and its drug release can be controlled by near-infrared light. Cell experiments and anti-inflammatory results confirm the effectiveness of this lubricating nanosystem in inhibiting osteoarthritis deterioration and proposing a promising biomimetic approach for synergistic therapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Haoming An, Yubo Liu, Jiafeng Yi, Hongbin Xie, Chao Li, Xing Wang, Wei Chai
Summary: Understanding the mechanism of cartilage lubrication is crucial for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This essay summarizes recent research on cartilage lubrication and biomimetic cartilage, providing insights into the pathophysiology of cartilage lubrication and advancements in bio-inspired lubrication applications.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yubin Yao, Gang Wei, Lianfu Deng, Wenguo Cui
Summary: Researchers developed nanomaterials for monitoring tissue regeneration in cartilage repair. They used click chemistry to link sulfhydryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-SH), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), Kartogenin (KGN), hydrogenated soya phosphatidylcholine (HSPC), and fluorescein together to construct nanomaterials with fluorescence visualization. These nanomaterials were encapsulated in hyaluronic acid methacryloyl microspheres and injected into joint cavities using microfluidic technology. The material promoted cartilage regeneration and allowed monitoring of the repair process through fluorescence signals.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Adriano P. Pontes, Tim J. M. Welting, Jaap Rip, Laura B. Creemers
Summary: This review examines the use of polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) as drug carriers for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). PNPs have shown promise due to their biodegradability, nanoscale structure, functional versatility, and reproducible manufacturing. The article discusses the current development of natural and synthetic PNPs for drug delivery and OA treatment, providing evidence from in vitro and pre-clinical in vivo studies on how these nanoparticle-based therapies modulate disease pathology and key cellular pathways. Additionally, the biodegradability and surface modification of the nanocarriers are compared in relation to drug release profile and tissue targeting, and the challenges of delivering nanoparticles to the cartilage are discussed.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Guillermo Bauza-Mayol, Marcos Quintela, Ava Brozovich, Michael Hopson, Shazad Shaikh, Fernando Cabrera, Aaron Shi, Federica Banche Niclot, Francesca Paradiso, Emma Combellak, Tom Jovic, Paul Rees, Ennio Tasciotti, Lewis W. Francis, Patrick Mcculloch, Francesca Taraballi
Summary: The use of biomimetic scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering shows promising results in enhancing cartilaginous tissue formation and suppressing host cartilage degeneration. This approach may provide a clinical solution for cartilage tissue repair by modulating the immune environment to favor regenerative processes and suppress cartilage degeneration.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilona Uzieliene, Daiva Bironaite, Paulius Bernotas, Arkadij Sobolev, Eiva Bernotiene
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease that leads to bone and cartilage deterioration, causing symptoms like joint stiffness and pain. Research is focusing on using various methods, including stem cells and chondrocytes, to improve cartilage tissue repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Fei Cao, Yang Chen, Xing Wang, Li-Min Wu, Mei Tian, Han-Yu Li, Hai-Bo Si, Bin Shen
Summary: MicroRNAs have received significant attention in recent years for their potential role in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. A study on rats showed that intra-articular injections of miR-140-5p can effectively alleviate early-stage OA progression by modulating various biological processes and pathways. In particular, multiple injections of miR-140-5p demonstrated better therapeutic effects compared to single injections in alleviating early-stage OA.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hailong Hu, Xiaopeng Song, Yue Li, Tianwen Ma, Hui Bai, Mingchao Zhao, Xinyu Wang, Lin Liu, Li Gao
Summary: The study showed that emodin effectively reduced the expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and iNOS in chondrocytes and cartilage, protected knee joint cartilage, and significantly decreased blood levels of COX-2 and PGE2. Emodin at 5 μmol/L was found to be the best concentration for treating chondrocytes, while emodin at 80 mg/kg had a protective effect comparable to Celecoxib.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yanzhi Liu, Liuqi Peng, Lingli Li, Cuishan Huang, Keda Shi, Xiangbo Meng, Pinpin Wang, Mingming Wu, Ling Li, Huijuan Cao, Kefeng Wu, Qingqiang Zeng, Haobo Pan, William Weijia Lu, Ling Qin, Changshun Ruan, Xinluan Wang
Summary: This study developed a BMSC-laden scaffold capable of inhibiting joint inflammation and promoting cartilage defect repair simultaneously. In animal experiments, the scaffold was found to enhance chondrogenesis and significantly improve joint function in the injured leg.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mathaeus Tschaikowsky, Tanja Neumann, Sofia Brander, Heiko Haschke, Bernd Rolauffs, Bizan N. Balzer, Thorsten Hugel
Summary: Understanding the function and dysfunction of hierarchically organized biomaterials or tissues requires studying different length scales. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with fluorescence microscopy can provide detailed information from millimeter to nanometer scales. This approach is not only applicable to cartilage but also useful for characterizing native biological tissues from macro- to nanoscale.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Yu, Sang-Min Kim, Kyeongsoon Park, Hak Jun Kim, Jae Gyoon Kim, Sung Eun Kim
Summary: In this study, ICA/TA-NDs were prepared and their anti-inflammatory and cartilage protective effects were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that ICA/TA-NDs could release ICA in a sustained manner and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors while increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory factors. Animal experiments demonstrated that ICA/TA-NDs could suppress the inflammation and protect the cartilage in an OA rat model. Therefore, ICA/TA-NDs have the potential to improve inflammation and defend against cartilage disorder.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Mario Cesar Burigo Filho, Daniela Pacheco dos Santos Haupenthal, Rubya Pereira Zaccaron, Gustavo de Bem Silveira, Laura de Roch Casagrande, Fernando Silva Lupselo, Naiara Alves, Samara de Sousa Mariano, Fernando Russo Costa do Bomfim, Thiago Antonio Moretti de Andrade, Ricardo Andrez Machado-de-Avila, Paulo Cesar Lock Silveira
Summary: This study found that the combination of gold nanoparticles with hyaluronic acid in the treatment of osteoarthritis can effectively inhibit oxidative stress, reduce levels of proinflammatory markers, and promote levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Combined treatment can also help restore joint cartilage thickness and reduce damage, showing promise as a potential approach for treating osteoarthritis.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pengfei Wang, Qingpeng Liu
Summary: This study explored the effect of curcumin nanoparticles combined with dexmedetomidine on cartilage injury in posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) rats. The results showed that the combination therapy reduced IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels, inhibited MMP activation, and exerted anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Dexmedetomidine also reduced pain response and inflammatory factor release. The combination of these two treatments can protect cartilage and delay the progression of PTOA.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ke Ren, Miguel Alejandro Reina Mahecha, Maike Hubner, Zhiwei Cui, Hans J. Kaper, Hugo C. van der Veen, Prashant K. Sharma
Summary: The objective of this research is to observe the level of cartilage damage present in knee arthroplasty patients and to understand the friction and creep behavior of enzymatically degraded bovine cartilage in vitro. The results showed that enzymatic treatment significantly decreased the coefficient of friction at 4 N, while higher coefficient of friction was observed from chondroitinase ABC degraded cartilage at 40 N.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Meimei Zhang, Runlin Zhang, Hui Chen, Xiaofeng Zhang, Yilei Zhang, Haining Liu, Chen Li, Yunhua Chen, Qing Zeng, Guozhi Huang
Summary: In this study, a thermosensitive injectable supra-molecular hybrid hydrogel was developed to deliver interleukin-1β-stimulated exosomes derived from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) for neuroinflammation inhibition and neurological recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). The hydrogel showed self-healing and injectable properties, as well as high biocompatibility and softness similar to tissue. The released exosomes effectively reduced inflammatory responses in microglia cells and improved retention in the ischemic core area, leading to reduced glial scar formation and neuronal loss in vivo.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Min Jin, Chao Tao, Xu Hu, Bangheng Liu, Cheng Ma, Zhonglian Wu, Hang Yao, Dong-An Wang
Summary: Due to safety concerns and poor underwater adhesion, current bioadhesives are not suitable for in vivo physiological environments and diverse medical uses. In this study, a novel bioadhesive, PcC, is developed based on electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, using catechin as an adhesion provider. PcC demonstrates superior underwater adhesion on cartilage in mechanical tests and shows potential in various medical applications such as closing surgical incisions and reducing seroma formation.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Caihong Lin, Huan Liu, Wen Huang, Zhifeng Shi, Lin Wang, Yunhua Chen, Junzhong Yang, Gang Wu, Yong-Guang Jia
Summary: Sustainable self-healing polyurethanes have been developed using bile acid units and oligo(ethylene glycol)s as hard and soft segments, respectively. These polyurethanes exhibit similar mechanical performance to soft tissues and achieve a high self-healing efficiency of 90% in tensile strength. Multiple hydrogen bonds from bile acid hydroxyl groups and urethane bonds contribute to the self-healing ability, making them the first reported elastomers with quadruple hydrogen bonds from sustainable molecules. With their desirable biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, these metal-free self-healing polyurethane elastomers are expected to find practical applications in soft tissue repair.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
XiaoHui Zhao, JinPing Cheng, Shushu Gui, Meng Jiang, Dawei Qi, Jianghua Huang, Liren Fu, Shijie Liu, Yujia Ma, Juntian Shi, Zairui Wang, Weike Zeng, Xiumei Li, Kejia Liu, Yamei Tang
Summary: Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a severe complication of radiotherapy for head and neck tumors with no effective prevention or treatment. This study developed a nanoparticle platform for targeted delivery of the free radical scavenger, AMF, to the brain. The results showed that the nanoparticles effectively crossed the blood-brain barrier and significantly reduced brain necrosis and neuronal damage in a mouse model of brain injury.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zunwei Ma, Huaiming Wang, Zhifeng Shi, Fengying Yan, Qingtao Li, Junjian Chen, Zhong-Kai Cui, Yunjiao Zhang, Xin Jin, Yong-Guang Jia, Lin Wang
Summary: We demonstrated that mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with DOX and AMP can effectively kill bacteria and tumor cells, modulate the tumor microenvironment, treat bacterial infections, and eliminate lung tumors. The MSN@DOX-AMP system can be inhaled and accumulate in the lung, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. This platform holds promise for treating bacterial infections in tumors and advancing the clinical treatment of lung cancer.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Haiyan Zhou, Silin Ye, Mingjian Xu, Lihui Hao, Junjian Chen, Zhou Fang, Kunzhong Guo, Yunhua Chen, Lin Wang
Summary: In this study, a smart titanium surface was developed by incorporating a thermoresponsive polymer and antimicrobial peptide. This surface was able to adapt to different stages of implantation, including surgical implantation, normal physiological stage, and bacterial infection stage. The optimized surface inhibited bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation during surgical implantation and promoted osteogenesis in the physiological stage. In the bacterial infection stage, the temperature increase induced polymer chain collapse, exposing antimicrobial peptides to protect adhered cells from the hostile environment of infection. The engineered surface demonstrated its ability to inhibit infection and promote tissue healing in experimental models.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Biomedical
Kang Sun, Bangheng Liu, Dong-An Wang
Summary: Traditional joint replacement surgery carries risks of trauma and revision, while medication may cause undesirable side effects. Medical research has focused on minimally invasive tissue-engineered scaffolds for cartilage repair. Challenges include cell seeding, scaffold construction, mechanical properties, and regulating the transplant environment. This issue explores cartilage repair development, cutting-edge discoveries, manufacturing technologies, and current technological queries in regenerative medicine.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Zhen Zhang, Yulei Mu, Huiqun Zhou, Hang Yao, Dong-An Wang
Summary: This review focuses on the advances in cartilage tissue engineering, particularly in preclinical trials and clinical applications, prospects, and challenges. Articular cartilage defects significantly impact the global population's quality of life. Despite various strategies for repair, the therapeutic effects remain suboptimal. However, with the development of cartilage tissue engineering, scientists have made progress in therapeutic cells, biomaterial-based scaffolds, and biological factors, providing new possibilities for better cartilage lesion treatment.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Meng Ma, Jun Gu, Dong-An Wang, Siwei Bi, Ruiqi Liu, Xiaosheng Zhang, Jing Yang, Yi Zhang
Summary: In this paper, various 3D printing technologies commonly used in the biomedical field are briefly introduced, with a focus on their application in aging research and aging care. The aging-related health conditions of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, and digestive system are closely examined in relation to the application of 3D printing, including the creation of in vitro models and implants, production of drugs and drug delivery systems, and fabrication of rehabilitation and assistive medical devices. The opportunities, challenges, and prospects of 3D printing in the field of aging are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOPRINTING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Caihong Lin, Zunwei Ma, Yunpeng Gao, Mengqi Le, Zhifeng Shi, Dawei Qi, Jian-Chao Ma, Zhong-Kai Cui, Lin Wang, Yong-Guang Jia
Summary: The use of antibacterial agents that do not contribute to antimicrobial resistance is in high demand due to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Inspired by the facially amphiphilic structures of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), bile acid (BA) skeletons are used to create a main-chain cationic bile acid polymer (MCBAP) with macromolecular facial amphiphilicity. MCBAP demonstrates effective activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and shows potential in treating MRSA infections without promoting drug resistance.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Yang, Yali Miao, Jinshui Luo, Yunhua Chen, Yingjun Wang
Summary: A dual nanoengineered DNA dynamic hydrogel was developed through the supramolecular coassembly of amyloid fibrils and clay nanosheets with DNA strands. This hydrogel demonstrated the ability to induce both osteogenesis and angiogenesis for vascularized bone regeneration. The hydrogel exhibited various tunable features and could release bioactive peptides and ions to promote blood vessel formation and osteogenic differentiation. In a rat cranial bone defect model, the hydrogel successfully enhanced vascularized bone regeneration.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Huan Yu, Runlin Zhang, Yong-Guang Jia, Yunhua Chen, Xuetao Shi
Summary: In this study, a branched supramolecular polymer was introduced to achieve adaptive dry and wet interfacial adhesion. The polymer showed strong adhesion to glass in dry conditions and stable adhesion to wet tissues through the formation of a wet crosslinking network. The study provides a promising approach for developing versatile supramolecular adhesives.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaojin Wang, Caizi Li, Limin Man, Meng Zhang, Yong-Guang Jia, X. X. Zhu
Summary: The demand for sustainable and environment-friendly materials has prompted the development of biodegradable polymers based on natural compounds. However, the use of metal-based catalysts in the polymerization process raises concerns about the toxicity of the resulting polymers. Therefore, the synthesis of polymers derived from natural compounds using green catalysts is highly desirable. Lipase-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) has emerged as a promising strategy for the design and synthesis of such polymers, and this review summarizes the use of ROP catalyzed by lipase for cyclic monomers derived from natural compounds.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yue Han, Jing Li, Lihua Zheng, Yunhua Chen, Yan Yang, Kai Liu, Yiyue Zhang, Meng Gao
Summary: Bacterial infections with emerging resistance to antibiotics require the development of new antibacterial agents. Researchers have reported a series of antibacterial agents based on positively charged organic groups that can selectively bind and destroy bacterial membranes. To achieve imaging-guided antibacterial therapy, these organic groups often need to be combined with imaging modalities. Researchers have successfully prepared positively charged and deep-red fluorescent supramolecular pyrrole radical cations, which can be used for selective imaging and killing of bacteria.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yali Miao, Xiao Liu, Jinshui Luo, Qian Yang, Yunhua Chen, Yingjun Wang
Summary: Recruiting endogenous BMSCs in vivo to bone defect sites is a promising approach for cell therapies in bone tissue engineering. The development of a synthetic macroporous double-network hydrogel presenting nucleic acid aptamer and nano-inducer enhances BMSCs recruitment and osteogenic differentiation, promoting augmented bone regeneration.
