Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiying Lang, Yangrui Du, Li Ma, Yangjing Bai, Ying Ji, Gongyan Liu
Summary: This study develops a hemostatic powder from tricomponent GTP coacervates, which shows good potential for clinical translation. The coacervate powders rapidly form a cohesive layer with interconnected microporous structure when rehydrated, and have good hemostatic efficacy and antibacterial properties, making them suitable for treating irregular, noncompressible, or bacteria-infected wounds. Compared to commercial hemostats, GTP treatment significantly accelerates hemostasis.
Article
Microbiology
Courtney M. Klappenbach, Nicholas M. Negretti, Jesse Aaron, Teng-Leong Chew, Michael E. Konkel
Summary: Our study reveals that C. jejuni infection alters the size and topology of focal adhesions in epithelial cells, leading to changes in cell adhesion strength and motility. The increased phosphorylation of paxillin and altered turnover at focal adhesions may contribute to the effects on cell behavior. Additionally, inhibiting protein synthesis or using specific mutants of C. jejuni can partially reverse these effects, suggesting a potential mechanism for the observed restricted intestinal repair in infected animals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian F. Mause, Elisabeth Ritzel, Annika Deck, Felix Vogt, Elisa A. Liehn
Summary: EPCs and SMCs interact through the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis to establish an amplifying feedback loop, promoting regenerative processes and mediating SMC phenotype control to potentially maintain vascular homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonin Sedlar, Martina Travnickova, Roman Matejka, Simon Prazak, Zuzana Meszaros, Pavla Bojarova, Lucie Bacakova, Vladimir Kren, Kristyna Slamova
Summary: A new method for expressing and purifying VEGF-A(165) and FGF-2 has been developed. VEGF-A(165) stimulated proliferation in HUVECs, while FGF-2 stimulated proliferation in both cell types. The recombinant growth factors had slightly lower stimulatory effects compared to commercially available factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jana Slovakova, Mateusz Sikora, Feyza Nur Arslan, Silvia Caballero-Mancebo, S. F. Gabriel Krens, Walter A. Kaufmann, Jack Merrin, Carl-Philipp Heisenberg
Summary: The tension of the actomyosin cell cortex is crucial in determining the growth and size of cell-cell contact. This relationship increases proportionally within a certain range of tension, but inversely scales above a critical threshold. This switch is caused by cortical tension promoting the anchoring of E-cadherin to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, thereby increasing clustering and stability of E-cadherin at the contact.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Helen Parker, Alfredo Maria Gravagnuolo, Sandra Vranic, Livia Elena Crica, Leon Newman, Oliver Carnell, Cyrill Bussy, Rebecca S. Dookie, Eric Prestat, Sarah J. Haigh, Neus Lozano, Kostas Kostarelos, Andrew S. MacDonald
Summary: The study found that graphene oxide (GO), a carbon-based nanomaterial, can enhance the uptake and activation of dendritic cells (DCs), thereby improving their function in adaptive immune responses. Small GO flakes enhance DC's ability to induce T cell proliferation, while large GO flakes augment DC's ability to induce T cell cytokine production.
Article
Cell Biology
Elisa Teichmann, Elane Blessing, Burkhard Hinz
Summary: This study investigated the effects of non-psychoactive cannabinoids CBD and THCV on human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. The results show that CBD and THCV can regulate cell proliferation, migration, and inflammatory markers. However, their effects on monocyte adhesion induced by inflammation are limited.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tzu-Po Chuang, Wei-Yun Lai, Jonatan L. Gabre, Dan E. Lind, Ganesh Umapathy, Abdulmalik A. Bokhari, Bengt Bergman, Linnea Kristenson, Fredrik B. Thoren, Anh Le, Robert C. Doebele, Jimmy Van den Eynden, Ruth H. Palmer, Bengt Hallberg
Summary: Research on different fusion variants of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) suggests that the response to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) varies depending on the fusion variant present. Understanding the oncogenic signaling networks driven by different ALK fusion variants is important. By studying controlled cell models and patient-derived cell lines, researchers identified common and variant-specific responses downstream of these four ALK fusions. The upregulation of SERPINB4, an inflammatory marker, was observed in both controlled and patient-derived cells. Furthermore, STAT3, NF-kappa B, and AP1 were found to be major transcriptional regulators of SERPINB4 downstream of ALK fusions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jui-Chien Lien, Yu-li Wang
Summary: The reorientation of adherent cells upon uniaxial cyclic stretching is primarily driven by relaxation phase, during which rapid global retraction and extension transverse to the direction of stretching take place. Myosin II inhibition causes cells to orient along the direction of stretching, while disassembly of microtubules enhances transverse reorientation. This study highlights the distinct roles of stretching and relaxation in cell reorientation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Manali Tilak, Begum Alural, Sarah E. Wismer, Megan I. Brasher, Laura A. New, Steven D. Sheridan, Roy H. Perlis, Marc G. Coppolino, Jasmin Lalonde, Nina Jones
Summary: This study identified the upregulation of ShcD in malignant gliomas and its association with Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase to promote invasion. The expression of ShcD and Tie2 in glioma cells enhances invasion, with ShcD mutant disrupting the synergistic effect. The elevated expression of ShcD correlates with poor patient outcomes in advanced gliomas.
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Sheng-wen Zhou, Jing Wang, Sheng-yu Chen, Ke-feng Ren, You-xiang Wang, Jian Ji
Summary: Changes in cellular microenvironment stiffness play a crucial role in pathological processes of blood vessels. This study constructed hydrogel substrates with physiological stiffness and found that an increase in stiffness within the physiological range significantly enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation behaviors.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dusadee Ospondpant, Xiong Gao, Tina Tingxia Dong, Karl Wah Keung Tsim
Summary: This study found that the extracts of Dracaena cochinchinensis stemwood can block the formation of A beta fibrils, prevent A beta-induced cell toxicity, and promote neuronal differentiation. These results suggest that the extracts of Dracaena cochinchinensis stemwood may have potential for Alzheimer's disease treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hidekazu Maruyama, Satoshi Sakai, Laurence Dewachter, Celine Dewachter, Benoit Rondelet, Robert Naeije, Masaki Ieda
Summary: This study found that the p38MAPK/DUSP1 negative feedback loop is impaired in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), leading to excessive activation of p38MAPK and hyperplasia of PA-SMCs. The IP receptor agonist MRE-269 increases DUSP1 expression and inhibits p38MAPK-mediated PA-SMC proliferation. Further elucidation of the mechanism underlying reduced DUSP1 expression would be informative for PAH treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feng-Yen Lin, Yi-Wen Lin, Chun-Ming Shih, Shing-Jong Lin, Yu-Tang Tung, Chi-Yuan Li, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Cheng-Yen Lin, Yi-Ting Tsai, Chun-Yao Huang
Summary: Therapeutic elevation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is believed to reduce atherosclerosis in patients with dyslipidemia. However, clinical practice shows that the concentration of HDL does not determine its function, which is instead influenced by specific structural components. The relative HDL (rHDL) index has been identified as a predictor of HDL functionality, with dysfunctional HDL failing to protect damaged endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), highlighting the importance of HDL structure in its function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Johannes U. Mayer, Kerry L. Hilligan, Jodie S. Chandler, David A. Eccles, Samuel Old, Rita G. Domingues, Jianping Yang, Greta R. Webb, Luis Munoz-Erazo, Evelyn J. Hyde, Kirsty A. Wakelin, Shiau-Choot Tang, Sally C. Chappell, Sventja von Daake, Frank Brombacher, Charles R. Mackay, Alan Sher, Roxane Tussiwand, Lisa M. Connor, David Gallego-Ortega, Dragana Jankovic, Graham Le Gros, Matthew R. Hepworth, Olivier Lamiable, Franca Ronchese
Summary: The study demonstrates that IL-13 secreted by dermal innate lymphoid cells plays a crucial role in promoting the differentiation of a CD11b(lo) type 2 dendritic cell subset in the skin of mice and humans, supporting the development of T(H)2 cells and inhibiting T(H)17 cells. This homeostatic IL-13 fosters a noninflammatory skin environment conducive to allergic sensitization.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yong Wu, Tianqi Chang, Weiqian Chen, Xiaoyu Wang, Jingjing Li, Yueqiu Chen, You Yu, Zhenya Shen, Qian Yu, Yanxia Zhang
Summary: Myocardial infarction is a serious cardiovascular disease with complex pathophysiology. Treatment with injectable composite hydrogel for dual-release of VEGF and BMP9 shows a collaborative effect in promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting myocardial fibrosis, demonstrating significant potential for cardiac clinical application.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tianqi Chang, Chunxia Liu, Kunyan Lu, Yong Wu, Mingzhu Xu, Qian Yu, Zhenya Shen, Tingbo Jiang, Yanxia Zhang
Summary: Myocardial infarction, a life-threatening cardiovascular disease, can be treated effectively by using cardiac patches to support the infarction site and improve cardiac function through the delivery of bioactive factors or cells. Biomaterial-based cardiac patches, categorized into natural and synthetic materials, have advantages and challenges that need to be addressed for future research directions.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kunyan Lu, Yangcui Qu, Yuancheng Lin, Luohuizi Li, Yan Wu, Yi Zou, Tianqi Chang, Yanxia Zhang, Qian Yu, Hong Chen
Summary: Intracellular delivery of functional molecules is crucial in biomedical and biotechnology applications. Photothermal poration using nanoparticle-based systems has gained attention for its efficient and transient permeabilization of cells. However, safety concerns remain regarding the nanoparticles. This study developed a nanoplatform called M-PBA, which combines photothermal property and sugar-triggered cleaning ability for intracellular delivery. The M-PBA particles effectively bound to target cells through specific interactions and delivered exogenous molecules into cells efficiently using a photothermal poration mechanism. After delivery, the particles could be easily cleaned from the cell surface using sugar treatment, preventing potential side effects. This method is short, effective, and does not compromise cell viability and proliferation, making M-PBA particles promising intracellular delivery agents with efficiency, safety, and flexibility.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yangcui Qu, Kunyan Lu, Yanjun Zheng, Chaobo Huang, Guannan Wang, Yanxia Zhang, Qian Yu
Summary: Regulation of cell behaviors is crucial for various biomedical applications. Photothermal scaffolds/surfaces, which contain photothermal agents, have shown great potential in regulating cell behaviors through methods such as hyperthermia, intracellular delivery of exogenous molecules, and modulation of surface properties.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yangcui Qu, Xiaolong Zhu, Ran Kong, Kunyan Lu, Tiantang Fan, Qian Yu, Guannan Wang
Summary: This study successfully develops a dual-functional antibacterial film with antifouling and photothermal bactericidal activity, which effectively limits bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Compared to single-functional antibacterial surfaces, this dual-functional surface demonstrates superior antibacterial performance and antibiofilm ability, and has wide applicability in various healthcare applications.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kui Wu, Yuanyuan Wang, Hong Yang, Yihuan Chen, Kunyan Lu, Yong Wu, Chunxia Liu, Haixin Zhang, Hanyu Meng, Qian Yu, Yanxia Zhang, Zhenya Shen
Summary: An injectable hydrogel based on a decellularized porcine extracellular matrix (dECM) is developed to encapsulate and deliver cardiomyocytes locally to the infarct area of the heart. This hydrogel exhibits good biocompatibility and chemotactic effects for endogenous cells and endothelial cells, improving cardiac function through promoting angiogenesis.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Tianqi Chang, Chunxia Liu, Hong Yang, Kunyan Lu, Yanchao Han, Yu Zheng, Haoyue Huang, Yong Wu, Yumeng Song, Qian Yu, Zhenya Shen, Tingbo Jiang, Yanxia Zhang
Summary: Cardiac patch loaded with neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation, reduced cell apoptosis, promoted angiogenesis, and inhibited fibrosis, leading to improved cardiac function.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuancheng Lin, Haixin Zhang, Yi Zou, Kunyan Lu, Luohuizi Li, Yan Wu, Jingjing Cheng, Yanxia Zhang, Hong Chen, Qian Yu
Summary: In this study, a superhydrophobic photothermal coating was developed to prevent biofilm formation. The coating demonstrated both anti-adhesive and photothermal bactericidal properties, and could be deposited on various substrates, showing great potential for diverse practical applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jianping Yuan, Hong Yang, Chunxia Liu, Lianbo Shao, Haixin Zhang, Kunyan Lu, Jingjing Wang, Yuanyuan Wang, Qian Yu, Yanxia Zhang, Yunsheng Yu, Zhenya Shen
Summary: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a severe cardiovascular disease that leads to uncontrolled and excessive cardiac fibrosis. A biocompatible microneedle patch loaded with exosomes containing miR-29b mimics is developed to prevent fibrosis after MI. The patch effectively delivers the exosomes to cardiac fibroblasts, upregulating miR-29b expression and downregulating fibrosis-related proteins, resulting in reduced inflammation, infarct size, fibrosis, and improved cardiac function in a mouse MI model.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunxia Liu, Yong Wu, Hong Yang, Kunyan Lu, Haixin Zhang, Yuanyuan Wang, Jingjing Wang, Linan Ruan, Zhenya Shen, Qian Yu, Yanxia Zhang
Summary: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common cardiovascular disease and a major cause of global mortality. Transplantation of exogenous cardiomyocytes (CMs) has emerged as a promising treatment option due to the limited regenerative capacity of endogenous CMs. In this study, an injectable hydrogel composed of alginate and fibrin was developed for localized delivery of neonatal CMs and the angiogenesis agent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to the infarcted area of the heart. The hydrogel exhibited good biocompatibility, enabling the retention and integration of transplanted CMs in the host myocardium. Additionally, the delivered VEGF promoted blood recovery, mitigating the ischemic microenvironment and improving the survival of transplanted CMs. Intramyocardial injection of this hydrogel resulted in angiogenesis, inhibition of fibrosis, and improved cardiac function, highlighting its potential for MI treatment.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongxu Jia, Yuancheng Lin, Yi Zou, Yanxia Zhang, Qian Yu
Summary: Bioinspired superhydrophobic antibacterial surfaces with both bacteria-repelling and bacteria-killing properties have been developed to overcome the limitations of conventional superhydrophobic surfaces. This review summarizes the recent advancements, including fabrication strategies, bacteria-repelling mechanism, and classification of these dual-function surfaces based on the bacteria-killing mechanism. The limitations, challenges, and future perspectives in this promising area are also discussed.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kunyan Lu, Yuancheng Lin, Haixin Zhang, Jingjing Cheng, Yangcui Qu, Yan Wu, Yuheng Zhang, Yi Zou, Yanxia Zhang, Qian Yu, Hong Chen
Summary: This research develops a multifunctional platform based on candle soot modification, which can efficiently deliver bioactive macromolecules into cells and nondestructively harvest engineered cells through temperature and sugar-responsive components.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yi Zou, Haixin Zhang, Yuheng Zhang, Yan Wu, Jingjing Cheng, Dongxu Jia, Chunxia Liu, Hong Chen, Yanxia Zhang, Qian Yu
Summary: A near-infrared light-triggered nano-domino system has been proposed for efficient eradication of bacterial biofilms and promoting the healing of MRSA biofilm-infected wounds.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Wei Sun, Xinyi Liang, Jiao Lei, Chi Jiang, Denghai Sheng, Sulei Zhang, Xiaoli Liu, Hong Chen
Summary: Molecular patterning on biomaterial surfaces is an effective strategy to regulate biomaterial properties. In this study, HLP-distributed regional patterned surfaces were prepared to regulate the behavior of HUVECs and HUVSMCs. The introduction of the regional pattern enhanced the promotion effect of certain polymers and slightly weakened the inhibition effect of others on cell growth. The patterned surface significantly promoted cell spreading compared to flat surfaces.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuanyuan Wang, Jingjing Wang, Chunxia Liu, Jingjing Li, Kunyan Lu, Qian Yu, Yanxia Zhang, Zhenya Shen
Summary: An injectable composite hydrogel, composed of natural biomaterials, exosomes, and bioactive molecules, was developed to prevent or alleviate cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction. The encapsulation of curcumin, a natural molecule with antifibrotic activity, in exosomes derived from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells was shown to enhance its solubility and bioavailability. The composite exosomes effectively inhibited the transition of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vitro. The delivery of these composite exosomes using decellularized porcine cardiac extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogel not only improved exosome retention but also provided mechanical support and structural protection. Injection of this hydrogel into a mouse myocardial infarction model resulted in decreased collagen deposition, alleviation of fibrosis, reduction of infarct size, and improvement in cardiac function. This study demonstrates the potential of the dECM hydrogel as a suitable platform for local delivery of antifibrotic biomolecule-encapsulating exosomes to prevent myocardial fibrosis and for the treatment of myocardial infarction in clinical settings.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Izabela Stupka, Artur P. Biela, Bernard Piette, Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Karolina Majsterkiewicz, Kinga Borzecka-Solarz, Antonina Naskalska, Jonathan G. Heddle
Summary: Artificial protein cages, such as TRAP-cages, have potential applications in vaccines and drug delivery. TRAP-cages have the ability to control the disassembly conditions by modifying the interface between their building blocks. By using TRAP rings with different numbers of monomers, it is possible to predict the formation of other cages.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Guo Zhang, Yu Wang, Hua Qiu, Lei Lu
Summary: This study presents a one-pot synthesis method for flower-like AMPs@EAMP particles by combining antimicrobial peptides with ellagic acid, offering enlarged surface area, excellent biocompatibility, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. In vivo studies indicate their potential for tissue repair and immune barrier reconstruction.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jiamei Zhang, Lingshuang Wang, Cheng Xu, Yingui Cao, Shengsheng Liu, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu, Xiao Yang, Bo Xiao, Lian Duan
Summary: Pluronic F127 modified silk fibroin film with different types of antibacterial agents could accelerate wound recovery by promoting fibroblast adhesion, eradicating bacteria, and facilitating angiogenesis and re-epithelialization.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yinsheng Liu, Mingyue Wang, Yinfei Hui, Lei Sun, Yanrui Hao, Henlong Ren, Hao Guo, Wu Yang
Summary: In this study, a rare-earth hybrid luminescent material was developed for the detection of a biomarker for anthrax. The material showed excellent selectivity and high sensitivity, allowing for the determination of the biomarker in saliva and urine. Additionally, a convenient point-of-care testing method using fluorescent test paper and a smartphone was established for the initial diagnosis of anthrax.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Wenshuai Yang, Jingsi Chen, Ziqian Zhao, Meng Wu, Lu Gong, Yimei Sun, Charley Huang, Bin Yan, Hongbo Zeng
Summary: Injectable hydrogels with shear-thinning and/or in situ formation properties offer distinct advantages in bioengineering applications, as they can be directly delivered to target sites, possess self-healing abilities, and simplify the implantation process.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2024)