Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinqi Huang, Yumei An, Shengye Yuan, Chen Chen, Haiyan Shan, Mingyang Zhang
Summary: Neurological diseases, such as traumatic brain injury, cerebral ischemia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease, often cause dysfunction in the central and peripheral nervous system. Neural stem cell transplantation has made progress in clinical intervention, but there are still risks involved. Sustained drug delivery using natural polymers like silk fibroin has the potential to improve therapeutic efficiency and overcome side effects in treating neurological diseases.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sushma Indrakumar, Akshat Joshi, Tapan Kumar Dash, Vivek Mishra, Bharat Tandon, Kaushik Chatterjee
Summary: The future of burn wound treatment lies in developing bioactive dressings for faster and more effective healing and regeneration. Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels have proven regenerative abilities and are being explored as a burn wound dressing. A white light-responsive photopolymerization technique was adapted for gelation via photooxidation of tyrosine. The SF gel-incorporated dressing (SFD) fabricated using this technique showed moisture balance ability, cytocompatibility, and scarless healing in an in vivo test.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Long Ye, Yichao Lv, Yuanjiang Zhao, Zhuxian Zhou, Youqing Shen, Liming Jiang
Summary: Coaxial electrostatic atomization technology was successfully used to encapsulate volatile fragrances in silk fibroin matrices with l-menthol as a model compound. The fragrance-loaded core-shell fibers and capsules were fabricated with controllable structural characteristics. The fragrance release profile and rate were influenced by the degree of crystallinity of SF matrix and the shell thickness.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Niping Deng, Jinghang Li, Hao Lyu, Ruochuan Huang, Haoran Liu, Chengchen Guo
Summary: This study fabricates protein-based soft actuators with magnetic responsiveness using naturally occurring silk proteins and synthesized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles. The results show that the soft actuators have good stretchability, mechanical properties matching soft tissues, degradability, biocompatibility, and in vivo X-ray visibility. The soft actuators can be actuated and used for localized drug delivery by attaching a magnet. These degradable silk-based soft actuators provide significant opportunities for improving current therapeutic strategies in biomedicine.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xuchen Wang, Peixin Liu, Qinting Wu, Zhaozhu Zheng, Maobin Xie, Guoqiang Chen, Jia Yu, Xiaoqin Wang, Gang Li, David Kaplan
Summary: Silk sutures with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory functions were developed for sustained dual-drug delivery to prevent surgical site infections. The silk sutures demonstrated both rapid and sustained release of drugs, inhibiting biofilm formation and promoting wound healing. These sutures exhibited favorable biocompatibility and potential for surgical applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zijian Gao, Muhamad Hawari Mansor, Natalie Winder, Secil Demiral, Jordan Maclnnes, Xiubo Zhao, Munitta Muthana
Summary: In this paper, microfluidic-assisted core-shell ZIF-8 nanoparticles modified with silk fibroin and polydopamine were designed to achieve sustained release of zinc ions and curcumin. Microfluidic rapid mixing was found to be an efficient method to control the proportion of different components in the nanoparticles. The designed CUR@ZIF-SF-PDA nanoparticles demonstrated high cellular uptake efficiency, cytotoxicity, and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cell lines.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yusheng Sun, Peng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Mengyang Pu, Wentao Zhong, Yu Zhang, Yingchao Shen, Baoqi Zuo
Summary: In this study, silk fibroin nanofiber hydrogels mimicking the extracellular matrix structure were prepared and characterized. The nanofiber solution was processed into an injectable hydrogel and loaded with the antibiotic vancomycin, exhibiting superior antibacterial properties. This study demonstrates the potential of silk fibroin nanofiber hydrogels in tissue engineering applications.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Chunqing Niu, Xinyu Liu, Yiyu Wang, Xiang Li, Jian Shi
Summary: NIR-responsive hydrogels can remotely regulate drug release, providing a new option for developing delivery vehicles based on natural polymers. These hydrogels exhibit desirable stability and swelling properties, and demonstrate good cellular compatibility in vitro.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher R. Gough, Xiao Hu
Summary: The study utilized air-spraying to create silk micro-/nanofibers and compared the drug release effects of different geometries. It was found that fibers could better protect drugs from thermal degradation and have more controlled release compared to films. Additionally, a trend was observed where hydrophobic drugs were better protected and had slower release rates than hydrophilic drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Ahmed Al Saqr, Shahid Ud Din Wani, H. V. Gangadharappa, Mohammed F. Aldawsari, El-Sayed Khafagy, Amr S. Abu Lila
Summary: Despite the challenges in breast cancer therapy, the study successfully developed docetaxel (DXL)-loaded silk-fibroin-based nanoparticles (SF-NPs) with improved anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines. The DXL-loaded SF-NPs showed enhanced cytotoxic potential and cellular uptake compared to free DXL, suggesting the potential of silk fibroin nanoparticles as a promising delivery vehicle for breast cancer treatment.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mahsa Haghighattalab, Abdolmohammad Kajbafzadeh, Mostafa Baghani, Ziba Gharehnazifam, Bahareh Mohammadi Jobani, Majid Baniassadi
Summary: The study developed magnetic silk fibroin hydrogel for controlled drug release, showing great potential for future applications in noninvasive and remotely controlled drug delivery systems.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Shen, Xinyu Wang, Binbin Li, Yajin Guo, Kuo Dong
Summary: This study incorporated nanoparticles into a scaffold to improve hemostatic properties and stimulate cell adhesion. The scaffold loaded with nanoparticles exhibited higher blood clotting index and promoted platelets adhesion. In addition, the scaffold loaded with nanoparticles showed stimulation effects on cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Therefore, the scaffold loaded with nanoparticles has great potential as a wound dressing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ya Wang, Giovanni Boero, Xiaosheng Zhang, Juergen Brugger
Summary: Researchers have demonstrated a fully biodegradable composite membrane made from silk fibroin and magnetic nanoparticles. The membrane's porosity can be remotely modified using an alternating magnetic field, allowing for controlled drug release.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ting-Ting Li, Li Sun, Yanqin Zhong, Hao-Kai Peng, Hai-Tao Ren, Ying Zhang, Jia-Horng Lin, Ching-Wen Lou
Summary: This paper proposes a multifunctional medical dressing that can prevent wound infection and inflammatory reactions and accelerate wound healing. By constructing a composite nanofiber membrane and preparing mesoporous silica nanoparticles with high adsorption properties, drug loading and release are achieved, and good antibacterial effect and biocompatibility are demonstrated. This study stimulates the use of wound healing biomaterials in clinical medicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Phimchanok Sakunpongpitiporn, Witthawat Naeowong, Anuvat Sirivat
Summary: This study investigates the release and permeation mechanism of insulin using silk fibroin hydrogels as a matrix. Results show that the diffusion coefficient and release rate of insulin are affected by the concentration of silk fibroin and electric field. The time required to generate aqueous pathways through the skin is longer, leading to relatively lower release and permeation rates of insulin.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ayna Yazdanpanah, Zahra Madjd, Mohamad Pezeshki-Modaress, Zahra Khosrowpour, Paniz Farshi, Leila Eini, Jafar Kiani, Morteza Seifi, Subhas C. Kundu, Roya Ghods, Mazaher Gholipourmalekabadi
Summary: In this study, a composite of polycaprolactone and gelatin was surface modified with gelatin coating or plasma treatment, and then cultured with fibroblast 3T3 and decellularized to fabricate a fibroblast ECM-conditioned scaffold. The results showed that the plasma-treated scaffold had better cell attachment and ECM secretion, and the conditioned scaffold exhibited improved biocompatibility and angiogenic properties in vivo.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
David Caballero, Catarina M. Abreu, Ana C. Lima, Nuno N. Neves, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu
Summary: Traditional cancer treatment approaches are becoming obsolete, leading to more patients failing to respond to treatments. Personalized genetic profiling offers a more accurate method of treatment, but still faces issues like low local drug efficacy. Efforts are now focused on developing precision medicine-based strategies to improve cancer treatment efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zahra Khosrowpour, Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi, Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh, Mehdi Moghtadaei, Peiman Brouki Milan, Lorenzo Moroni, Subhas C. Kundu, Mazaher Gholipourmalekabadi
Summary: The decellularized placental sponge shows potential as a bone substitute and provides a platform for communication between macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells, guiding the differentiation of stem cells towards bone cells.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Carlos F. Guimaraes, Daniela Cruz-Moreira, David Caballero, Rogerio P. Pirraco, Luca Gasperini, Subhas C. Kundu, Rui L. Reis
Summary: Microfluidic platforms provide a powerful approach to miniaturize important characteristics of cancers and enhance physiological relevance in vitro testing. Photonics plays a crucial role in microfluidic 3D cancer modeling and biosensing, enabling precise manipulation of biomaterials and living cells and offering a broad toolbox for quantifying critical biological phenomena.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanaz Alizadeh, Paniz Farshi, Navid Farahmandian, Zahra Aliakbar Ahovan, Ali Hashemi, Mohammad Majidi, Abdolnaser Azadbakht, Mahsa Darestanifarahani, Koushan Sineh Sepehr, Subhas C. Kundu, Mazaher Gholipourmalekabadi
Summary: A nanofibrous chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA) mat was designed for controlled delivery of antibiotics to treat wound infections. The material showed excellent antibacterial activity against resistant strains and demonstrated good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(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
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhenzhen Qi, Zheng Yan, Guohongfang Tan, Tianshuo Jia, Yiyu Geng, Huiyan Shao, Subhas C. C. Kundu, Shenzhou Lu
Summary: Silk fibroin microneedles have advantages in terms of biocompatibility, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and control via genetic engineering. This review summarizes the research progress, structure, properties, applications, and clinical trials of silk fibroin microneedles, and discusses the future development trends.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anita Akbarzadeh Solbu, David Caballero, Spyridon Damigos, Subhas C. Kundu, Rui L. Reis, Oyvind Halaas, Aman S. Chahal, Berit L. Strand
Summary: Cell migration plays a crucial role in various biological processes, and recent advancements in materials science have allowed for the development of biomimetic in vitro assays to study cell migration. Three-dimensional hydrogels have been particularly useful in mimicking the extracellular environment and studying cell migration in a more physiologically relevant manner. This article provides an overview of the different types of hydrogels and their characteristics, as well as established methods for cell migration assays and tracking in three-dimensional environments.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ilenia Iaia, Virginia Brancato, David Caballero, Rui L. Reis, Massimo Aglietta, Dario Sangiolo, Subhas C. Kundu
Summary: Little is known about the role of fibroblasts in solid tumors such as melanoma and the mechanism behind it due to the lack of relevant pre-clinical models. In this report, a melanoma-on-a-chip model was proposed to evaluate the essential role of fibroblasts in the antitumor activity of lymphocytes. The presence of fibroblasts was observed to inhibit immune effector recruitment in a 3D pre-clinical tumor model.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Guohongfang Tan, Fujian Jiang, Tianshuo Jia, Zhenzhen Qi, Tieling Xing, Subhas C. Kundu, Shenzhou Lu
Summary: This study reports the use of polylysine-modified cationized silk fibroin (SF) to prepare microneedles (MNs) for responsive transdermal insulin delivery. The MNs were well arranged and formed an array with 0.5 mm pitch, and had a length of approximately 430 μm. They exhibited pH and glucose-responsive properties, rapidly releasing insulin as pH decreased and glucose concentration increased. In vivo experiments showed that the insulin release from cationized SF MNs was significantly lower in diabetic rats compared to normal rats. Therefore, cationized SF MNs hold promise as a new modality for diabetes treatment, replacing subcutaneous injections of insulin.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Lara Pierantoni, Virginia Brancato, Joao B. Costa, Subhas C. Kundu, Rui L. Reis, Joana Silva-Correia, Joaquim M. Oliveira
Summary: A 3D breast cancer model based on collagen protein has opened up new avenues for studying cancer progression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenjing Yang, Ya Ma, Haiting Xu, Zhenhua Zhu, Jiaxue Wu, Cheng Xu, Wei Sun, Erhu Zhao, Min Wang, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu, Xiaoxiao Shi, Bo Xiao
Summary: A fluorinated nanoparticle has been developed to improve the therapeutic outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC). The results showed that the nanoparticles efficiently delivered drugs to the colon, promoted mucosal penetration, and had anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In animal models, the nanoparticles significantly improved the therapeutic efficacy, reduced inflammation, and restored intestinal microbiota balance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Juan Du, Yue You, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu, Jingliang Li
Summary: Gels are self-supporting soft materials widely used in various fields. The design of gels for specific applications requires fast, controllable gelation, desired micro/nano structure, and suitable rheological properties. Surfactants, although widely used in controlling material formation, are less understood in their effects on gelation. This review summarizes the studies on using different surfactants to control the formation, structure, and properties of molecular and silk fibroin gels. The mechanisms of surfactants, interfacial and non-interfacial effects, are classified and discussed. This review is expected to inspire further research on using surfactants for designing and fabricating gels with desired kinetics, structure, properties, and functionalities.
ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(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
Zhanghong Gu, Suna Fan, Subhas C. Kundu, Xiang Yao, Yaopeng Zhang
Summary: Due to the innate extracellular matrix mimicking features, fibrous materials have great potential in biomedicine. A unique material platform with a non-fouling background and parallel-arranged polycaprolactone fibers is designed to eliminate interference cell adhesions and investigate the effects of fiber diameter on stem cell behaviors. The results show that the fiber diameter can significantly affect cell proliferation and osteogenesis, and the dense fiber arrangement may play a role in inducing different cell behavior trends.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
