Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roghayeh Najafi, Hadi Chahsetareh, Mohamad Pezeshki-Modaress, Mina Aleemardani, Sara Simorgh, Seyed Mohammad Davachi, Rafieh Alizadeh, Alimohamad Asghari, Sajad Hassanzadeh, Zohreh Bagher
Summary: Stem cell therapy combined with polycaprolactone/gelatin nanofibers and extracellular matrix (ECM) powders was used to develop composite hydrogel scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. The optimal composition was achieved with 4% w/v ECM powder, which showed favorable mechanical properties and cell viability. A 3-layered composite scaffold consisting of alginate sulfate/ECM and electrospun nanofibrous layers was selected as the optimum structure for cartilage regeneration based on cell viability, mechanical properties, and chondrogenesis potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenguang Wang, Yanbin Shi, Guimei Lin, Bingtao Tang, Xuelin Li, Jing Zhang, Xinbing Ding, Guangzhen Zhou
Summary: This paper discusses the application of hydrogels in cartilage repair, including their mechanical properties and materials used. The challenges faced by hydrogels and future research directions are also discussed.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
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
Engineering, Environmental
Payam Baei, Hamed Daemi, Farhad Mostafaei, Forough Azam Sayahpour, Hossein Baharvand, Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad
Summary: The study developed three types of hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering purposes, designed to mimic the features of the native extracellular matrix. The chemical double-network hydrogel showed high mechanical stability and dynamic repairability, suitable for load-bearing tissues like cartilage. The incorporation of sulfate and catechol groups in these hydrogels enabled sustained release of chondrogenic agents and promoted proper chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cristina Antich, Gema Jimenez, Juan de Vicente, Elena Lopez-Ruiz, Carlos Chocarro-Wrona, Carmen Grinan-Lison, Esmeralda Carrillo, Elvira Montanez, Juan A. Marchal
Summary: The development of a novel biomimetic hydrogel based on decellularized extracellular matrix derived from mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage tissue engineering has shown excellent biocompatibility and the ability to induce chondrogenesis without supplemental factors. This hydrogel also demonstrated the potential to form hyaline cartilage-like tissue after in vivo implantation, highlighting its promise for cartilage repair and regeneration applications.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vadym Burchak, Fritz Koch, Leonard Siebler, Sonja Haase, Verena K. Horner, Xenia Kempter, G. Bjoern Stark, Ute Schepers, Alisa Grimm, Stefan Zimmermann, Peter Koltay, Sandra Strassburg, Gunter Finkenzeller, Filip Simunovic, Florian Lampert
Summary: This study evaluated the printability and biocompatibility of a semi-synthetic hydrogel system (GelNB/GelS) for bioprinting of adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The results showed that GelNB/GelS hydrogels supported ASCs viability, proliferation and differentiation. The mechanical properties of GelNB/GelS system influenced the differentiation fate of ASCs. The hydrogel system may have potential applications in in vivo tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gen Li, Yin Zhang, Jiezhou Wu, Renhao Yang, Qi Sun, Yidong Xu, Bo Wang, Ming Cai, Yang Xu, Chengyu Zhuang, Lei Wang
Summary: This study explores the effects and mechanism of adipose stem cells-derived exosomes (ADSCs-Exos) and ADSCs-Exos modified tissue engineering scaffold on bone defect repair. The results demonstrate that ADSCs-Exos promote the proliferation, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and ADSCs-Exos modified scaffold enhances the repair of BMSCs and bone defects both in vitro and in vivo.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lara Milian, Pilar Molina, Maria Oliver-Ferrandiz, Carlos Fernandez-Sellers, Ana Monzo, Rafael Sanchez-Sanchez, Aitana Braza-Boils, Manuel Mata, Esther Zorio
Summary: This study found the feasibility of isolating and characterizing adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from cadaveric samples, and confirmed their ability to differentiate into chondrocytes and osteocytes. This discovery provides potential applications in tissue engineering and research fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuangpeng Jiang, Guangzhao Tian, Zhen Yang, Xiang Gao, Fuxin Wang, Juntan Li, Zhuang Tian, Bo Huang, Fu Wei, Xinyu Sang, Liuqi Shao, Jian Zhou, Zhenyong Wang, Shuyun Liu, Xiang Sui, Quanyi Guo, Weimin Guo, Xu Li
Summary: This study confirms that hWJMSC-Exos can enhance the effect of the ACECM scaffold and promote osteochondral regeneration. The promoting effect may be related to the polarization of macrophages and inhibition of inflammatory response by hWJMSC-Exos. Additionally, hWJMSC-Exos contain miRNAs that can promote hyaline cartilage regeneration.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
R. Tevlin, H. desJardins-Park, J. Huber, S. E. DiIorio, M. T. Longaker, D. C. Wan
Summary: Osteoarthritis is a global burden that affects joints and bones. Tissue engineering, specifically adipose-derived stromal cells, shows promise as a treatment option. Advancements in material science allow for improved engraftment of these cells and activation of biophysical signals through designed microstructures.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kenny Man, Mathieu Y. Brunet, Angelica S. Federici, David A. Hoey, Sophie C. Cox
Summary: This study developed an injectable hydrogel that mimics the extracellular matrix and controls the release of osteoblast-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) to promote bone repair. The results showed that chitosan hydrogel enhanced compressive modulus and osteogenic differentiation, while reducing gelation times and proliferation compared to collagen gel. Furthermore, EVs released from chitosan hydrogel enhanced the proliferation, migration, and mineralisation of human bone marrow stromal cells. Importantly, EV-functionalised chitosan-collagen composites promoted extracellular matrix mineralisation.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xue Yang, Shuai Li, Ya Ren, Lei Qiang, Yihao Liu, Jinwu Wang, Kerong Dai
Summary: Three-dimensional printed hydrogel is a promising approach in cartilage tissue engineering due to its similarity to the extracellular matrix and its ability to fabricate 3D cell culture scaffolds. Various hydrogels, both natural and synthetic, have been tested for 3D printing in vitro articular cartilage tissues. The advancement in materials and printing techniques allows for the fabrication of delicate cartilage structures on multiple scales. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels and their application prospects in tissue engineering are also discussed in this review. The development of novel composite hydrogels that meet the requirements of native articular cartilage is crucial for further advancement in the field.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Arman Jafari, Mojtaba Farahani, Mahsa Sedighi, Navid Rabiee, Houman Savoji
Summary: Biomaterials play a crucial role in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery, with polymeric biomaterials being the most promising candidates. Carrageenan, derived from red seaweed, possesses unique properties and various biological activities, making it highly attractive for tissue engineering and drug delivery research.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Danli Zhu, Wanting Bao, Boxuan Wei, Hao Wei, Jinwu Wang, Guangdong Zhou, Xiansong Wang, Shanyu Guo
Summary: In this study, a strategy for the construction of vascularized tissue-engineered adipose tissue was proposed. By integrating a gas-foamed method (soil) and three-dimensional cell spheroids (seeds), adipose tissue regeneration was achieved. The prepared soil significantly enhanced the vascularization of the regenerated tissue, while optimizing the seed cells promoted adipogenesis. This study provides a solution for the regeneration of vascularized adipose tissue and establishes a general research model for the reconstruction of breast defects.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parisa Khayambashi, Janaki Iyer, Sangeeth Pillai, Akshaya Upadhyay, Yuli Zhang, Simon D. Tran
Summary: Tissue engineering has a long history in regenerative medicine, and methods such as cell-encapsulated hydrogels and exosomes can enhance the regenerative potential of various tissues, with hydrogels being the most user-friendly, economical, and accessible material for encapsulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Diana I. Meira, Ana I. Barbosa, Joel Borges, Rui L. Reis, Vitor M. Correlo, Filipe Vaz
Summary: Global population growth has a significant impact on the global food industry, posing a threat to food safety and quality. Mycotoxins, particularly Ochratoxin-A (OTA), are produced by fungus that contaminates various food species and products. OTA not only endangers food production but also poses potential toxicological risks to humans, leading to carcinogenic and neurological diseases. Therefore, the development of a selective, sensitive, and reliable OTA biodetection approach is crucial for ensuring food safety.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Prithwish Kola, Prasanth Kumar Bhusetty Nagesh, Pritam Kumar Roy, K. Deepak, Rui Luis Reis, Subhas C. Kundu, Mahitosh Mandal
Summary: The increasing number of breast cancer cases globally and the rising death rate indicate the inadequacy of traditional and current treatments. Nanoparticle-based therapies such as photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and sonodynamic therapy show promise in combating breast cancer through accurate drug delivery and elimination of cancer stem cells. These innovative therapies have fewer side effects compared to standard chemotherapy and address the stability issues associated with cancer immunotherapy. This review discusses various nanotheranostic systems and smart nanoparticles, their mechanisms of action, and their relevance in the current era.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Ana M. Carvalho, Rui L. Reis, Iva Pashkuleva
Summary: The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic and complex environment shaped by heterogenous cancer and cancer-associated cells present at the tumor site. Hyaluronan (HA), a major component of TME, plays a role in promoting tumor growth and carcinogenesis. The interaction of different hyaladherins with HA triggers downstream signaling pathways, determining cell fate and contributing to TME progression towards a carcinogenic state.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Francisca Frias, Beatriz Matos, Mariana Jarnalo, Sara Freitas-Ribeiro, Rui L. Reis, Rogerio P. Pirraco, Ricardo Horta
Summary: This study investigates the correlation between age, body mass index (BMI), history of obesity and massive weight loss, and harvest site with the expression of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cell markers in human adipose tissue. The results indicate that ex-obese patients have a higher percentage of SVF cells expressing CD90. BMI, harvest site, and age do not appear to be associated with SVF subpopulations.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lingzhi Wang, Catarina Oliveira, Qiu Li, Andreia S. Ferreira, Claudia Nunes, Manuel A. Coimbra, Rui L. Reis, Albino Martins, Chunming Wang, Tiago H. Silva, Yanxian Feng
Summary: This study characterized a pharmaceutical-grade fucoidan extracted from Fucus vesiculosus and investigated its anti-inflammatory potential. The extract contained mainly fucose, followed by uronic acids, galactose, and xylose, with a molecular weight of 70 kDa and a sulfate content of around 10%. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the ability of the fucoidan extract to modulate cytokine expression and reverse inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lara L. Reys, Simone S. Silva, Diana Soares da Costa, Luisa C. Rodrigues, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: The study aimed to create agarose/fucoidan hydrogels as a potential biomaterial for diabetes therapeutics. The hydrogels were produced by combining fucoidan and agarose, marine polysaccharides derived from seaweeds, and a thermal gelation process. Rheological tests showed a non-Newtonian and viscoelastic behavior, and the mechanical behavior indicated that increasing agarose concentrations resulted in hydrogels with higher Young's modulus. Encapsulating pancreatic cells in the hydrogels showed the ability to sustain cell viability and promote self-organization of pancreatic beta cells into pseudo-islets.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina V. Rodrigues, Rita O. Sousa, Ana C. Carvalho, Ana L. Alves, Catarina F. Marques, Mariana T. Cerqueira, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: The potential of Atlantic codfish skin collagen for skincare was evaluated in this study. The extracted collagen showed similar characteristics to bovine skin collagen and was not cytotoxic to keratinocytes. Collagen membranes developed from the extract exhibited smooth surfaces, good water absorption capacity, and improved metabolic activity and proliferation of keratinocytes. Therefore, these membranes have potential applications in the biomedical and cosmeceutical fields.
Article
Polymer Science
Duarte Nuno Carvalho, Flavia C. M. Lobo, Luisa C. Rodrigues, Emanuel M. M. Fernandes, David S. S. Williams, Andrew Mearns-Spragg, Carmen G. G. Sotelo, Ricardo I. I. Perez-Martin, Rui L. L. Reis, Michael Gelinsky, Tiago H. H. Silva
Summary: The self-repair capacity of human tissue is limited, leading to the development of tissue engineering for tissue regeneration. This study proposes the development and characterization of innovative polymeric membranes formed by blending marine origin polymers as biomaterials for tissue regeneration. The polymeric membranes demonstrated promising chemical and physical properties, suitable for tissue engineering approaches, particularly for the regeneration of damaged articular cartilage.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Graca Silva, Pedro S. S. Babo, Jorge Azevedo, Manuela E. E. Gomes, Carlos Viegas, Joao F. Requicha
Summary: This study used mCT technology to determine the relative mineral density (MD) of feline teeth. The results showed that the mean MD of root tissues was 1.374 +/- 0.040 g·cm(-3), and the mean MD of hard root tissues was 1.402 +/- 0.035 g·cm(-3). The study suggests that the measurement of MD through mCT could be a useful method for diagnosing and characterizing dental pathology.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Simone S. Silva, Luisa C. Rodrigues, Emanuel M. Fernandes, Diana Soares da Costa, Denise G. Villalva, Watson Loh, Rui L. Reis
Summary: This study reports on an emulsion system combining chitosan (CHT) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) to develop structures with potential for biomedical applications. The scaffolds produced through freezing and freeze-drying possessed a porous structure, high swelling ability, and suitable stiffness. Moreover, the sustained release of the encapsulated drug from the cubosomes into the CHT/VCO-based system was achieved. Overall, this approach provides a new avenue for designing porous biomaterials for drug delivery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Magda Silva, Susana Gomes, Catia Correia, Daniela Peixoto, Adriana Vinhas, Marcia T. Rodrigues, Manuela E. Gomes, Jose A. Covas, Maria C. Paiva, Natalia M. Alves
Summary: This study investigated the use of biocompatible and biodegradable 3D-printed scaffolds to assist tendon and ligament regeneration. The scaffolds, reinforced with functionalized graphite nanoplatelets decorated with silver nanoparticles, exhibited antibacterial properties and were shown to be suitable for regeneration. The scaffolds also maintained the expression of tendon/ligament-related markers. These findings demonstrate the potential application of these nanocomposite scaffolds for tendon and ligament regeneration.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dilip Kumar Chandra, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu, Awanish Kumar, Chinmaya Mahapatra
Summary: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer significant potential in antifungal drug delivery. Their unique physicochemical properties and the development of functionalized CNTs and CNT-based hybrid materials (CNT-HMs) enable precise drug delivery, bio-barrier penetration, controlled release, and improved antifungal efficacy against fungal cells. This review examines CNTs and CNT-HMs in antifungal drug delivery, covering functionalization, drug loading, efficacy, and toxicity mitigation.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rui R. Costa, David Caballero, Diana Soares da Costa, Romen Rodriguez-Trujillo, Subhas C. Kundu, Rui L. Reis, Iva Pashkuleva
Summary: Anisotropy plays a crucial role in the organization and healing of neural tissues, and holds great potential for developing regeneration strategies. The study demonstrates the fabrication of microfibers from charged ECM components using interfacial polyelectrolyte complexation, which can mimic the mechanical properties of neural tissues. These fibers are biocompatible and promote the formation of neural processes, enabling the development of neural cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ana M. Martins, Alexandra Brito, Maria Grazia Barbato, Alessia Felici, Rui L. Reis, Ricardo A. Pires, Iva Pashkuleva, Paolo Decuzzi
Summary: The 3D organization of cells plays a significant role in their behavior and response to treatment. In cancer research, spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips are used to mimic the complex microenvironment of tumors. This study utilized microfluidic devices to replicate the spatial organization of brain tumors and evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer agents. The results showed that brain tumor cells were more sensitive to treatment in the microfluidic device compared to traditional cell cultures. The proposed microfluidic chips can effectively reproduce the 3D structure of tumors and assess the effectiveness of therapeutic compounds.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Fatemeh Soltanzadeh, Ali Edalat-Behbahani, Kasra Hosseinmostofi, Ibrahim Fatih Cengiz, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira, Rui L. Reis
Summary: This study investigated the bond durability characteristics of basalt-fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebars in fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) structures. The influence of environmental conditions, reinforcement type, and loading type on the bond strength of the specimens was explored. The results were used to estimate the bond strength retention between BFRP and FRSCC after 50 years of exposure to seawater.
