Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tu Lu, Fangfang Xie, Chuangxin Huang, Lijun Zhou, Kunbei Lai, Yajun Gong, Zijing Li, Longhui Li, Jiandong Liang, Qifeng Cong, Weihua Li, Rong Ju, Sarah X. Zhang, Chenjin Jin
Summary: ERp29 attenuates nicotine-induced ER stress, regulates macrophage polarization, and inhibits the occurrence of CNV.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Lucia Gonzalez-Buendia, Santiago Delgado-Tirado, Miranda An, Michael O'Hare, Dhanesh Amarnani, Hannah A. B. Whitmore, Guannan Zhao, Jose M. Ruiz-Moreno, Joseph F. Arboleda-Velasquez, Leo A. Kim
Summary: This study demonstrates the expression of RUNX1 in a mouse model of CNV and shows the efficacy of the RUNX1 inhibitor Ro5-3335 in experimental CNV. Treatment with Ro5-3335 alone or in combination with aflibercept significantly decreases CNV area and reduces vascular leakage more effectively compared to aflibercept alone. These findings suggest that RUNX1 inhibition, either alone or in combination with anti-VEGF drugs, could be a promising therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration pending further clinical validation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kei Takahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, Wataru Otsu, Masamitsu Shimazawa, Hideaki Hara
Summary: The study indicates that PGRN deficiency activates lysosomal function in Iba-1(+) cells, leading to abnormal inflammation. This aberrant activation may contribute to the progression of CNV, and regulating these cells could be a novel therapeutic target for exudative AMD.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Abbadessa, Paulina Nunez Bernal, Giorgio Buttitta, Alfredo Ronca, Ugo D'Amora, Carla Zihlmann, Niklaus Stiefel, Luigi Ambrosio, Jos Malda, Riccardo Levato, Jose Crecente-Campo, Maria Jose Alonso
Summary: Pathological angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in chronic diseases such as cancer, age-related macular degeneration, and osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, 3D printing was used to functionalize medical grade collagen with BVZ-loaded PLGA microparticles to target pathological angiogenesis. The encapsulation and release of BVZ were controlled by adjusting formulation parameters, and the anti-angiogenic activity of released BVZ was confirmed in a 3D cell model. Moreover, the collagen ink with embedded BVZ microparticles demonstrated excellent shape fidelity in 3D printed structures, such as meniscus, nose, and auricle-like structures.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rawan Fitaihi, Shorooq Abukhamees, Mine Orlu, Duncan Q. M. Craig
Summary: A novel ocular drug delivery system was developed using dissolvable microneedles (MNs) containing dexamethasone-loaded PLGA microparticles for scleral drug deposition. The microparticles provided controlled transscleral delivery and significantly increased dexamethasone scleral permeation compared to topical instillation. The system distributed the drug throughout the eye, with a portion detected in the vitreous humor, and confirmed microparticle diffusion within the scleral matrix. This system has the potential to provide minimally invasive and self-administered dexamethasone delivery to the posterior of the eye, improving patient convenience.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Safa A. Damiati, Samar Damiati
Summary: The study combines microfluidic and artificial intelligence technologies, alongside biomaterials, to generate drug-loaded polymeric microparticles. By optimizing conditions, successfully produced IND-loaded PLGA particles were created. This technology offers a quick, low-cost method for producing particles with controlled shape and size.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Nana Xu, Tao Sun, Yulan Wang, Xiaowei Tong, Shiheng Lu, Fan Yang, Jing Wang, Qiyu Bo, Junran Sun, Xiaodong Sun
Summary: This study investigated the morphological changes in macrophages during choroidal neovascularization (CNV) formation using a mouse model. The results showed that macrophages transitioned from a branching morphology to a round shape as CNV progressed, indicating an M2 phenotypic shift which could promote neovascularization. These dynamic changes in macrophage morphology highlight their critical role in CNV progression and suggest a potential treatment target through manipulating macrophage polarity.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rapeepat Sangsuwan, Jasper H. N. Yik, Matthew Owen, Gang -Yu Liu, Dominik R. Haudenschild, Jamal S. Lewis
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles encapsulating flavopiridol as a strategy for sustained delivery of small molecule drugs to the knee joint. The microparticles showed good injectability, sustained release behavior, and reduced the severity of post-traumatic osteoarthritis in a rat model.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Viktoria Schreiner, Pascal Detampel, Paulin Jirkof, Maxim Puchkov, Jorg Huwyler
Summary: The study utilized a PLGA-based buprenorphine depot formulation, showing stability and feasibility but requiring aseptic manufacturing protocols. The findings indicate that this novel drug depot formulation has promising potential for industrial production and commercialization.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nunzia Gallo, Stefano Quarta, Marika Massaro, Maria Annunziata Carluccio, Amilcare Barca, Donato Cannoletta, Luisa Siculella, Luca Salvatore, Alessandro Sannino
Summary: Vascularization is a complex and precise process, but it can be slow and inadequate for tissue repair. Biomaterial-based strategies have been developed to enhance vasculogenesis. In this study, PLGA microparticles loaded with L-lysine were developed for controlled release. The optimized formulation showed biocompatibility and supported cell proliferation and angiogenesis. L-lysine encapsulated in PLGA microparticles has potential as a cost-effective system for angiogenesis enhancement and rapid healing.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marco A. Arriaga, Juan A. A. Amieva Jr, Jaqueline Quintanilla, Angela Jimenez, Julio Ledezma, Silverio Lopez, Karen S. Martirosyan, Sue Anne Chew
Summary: This study aimed to fabricate minocycline-loaded PLGA microparticles with high drug loading and loading efficiency using the electrospraying process, and to evaluate their cytotoxicity in human glioblastoma U87-MG cells. The results showed that the solvent mixture of DCM and methanol (70:30) was the optimal solvent combination for minocycline, producing spherical and smooth microparticles in the micron size range. The electrosprayed microparticles demonstrated a cytotoxic response in U87-MG glioblastoma cells at a lower drug concentration. This work suggests that electrosprayed minocycline-loaded PLGA microparticles may hold promise for the treatment of GBM and other cancer therapies.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Limo Gao, Wenmin Jiang, Haiying Liu, Zhiheng Chen, Yanhui Lin
Summary: Macrophage polarization plays a crucial role in the regulation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). IL-4 muteins have shown promising effects in reducing CNV by selectively activating macrophages and altering their polarization state. These findings suggest that IL-4 muteins, particularly AdIL-4/Q116E, may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for CNV, with the involvement of Dll4 signaling in regulating macrophage polarization.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
F. F. O. Sousa, J. S. Nojosa, C. A. A. Alencar, A. P. M. P. Alcantara, R. S. Araujo, M. Yamauti, L. K. A. Rodrigues
Summary: Chlorhexidine solutions are widely used in dentistry for caries prevention and disinfection. This study developed microparticles loaded with chlorhexidine for controlled release in oral health applications. The microparticles showed efficient antibacterial response against Streptococcus mutans, making them a promising alternative for new dental materials with anti-caries properties.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Carlos Rodriguez-Nogales, Joke Meeus, Gaby Thonus, Sam Corveleyn, Eric Allemann, Olivier Jordan
Summary: Nano- and micro-technologies offer a solution for drugs with low solubility, improving their chances of success in pre-clinical and clinical stages. This study presents a unique design approach using drug nanocrystals loaded in extended release polymeric microparticles for local treatment of osteoarthritis. The results demonstrate the successful development of a formulation with high drug encapsulation rates, allowing for continuous and controlled drug release over four months.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baiji Xue, Yanhua Yu, Guoqiang Peng, Mengmeng Sun, Peng Lv, Xuefeng Li
Summary: AMB/CM-PLGA MPs, co-loaded with AMB and CM, offer reduced hemolysis and nephrotoxicity compared to AMB alone. These MPs also exhibit better inhibitory effects on Candida albicans and improved therapeutic efficacy in vivo.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Mohammad Roky, John O. Trent, Donald R. Demuth
MOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert C. Monsen, Lynn DeLeeuw, William L. Dean, Robert D. Gray, T. Michael Sabo, Srinivas Chakravarthy, Jonathan B. Chaires, John O. Trent
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Matteo Ottolini, Zdravka Daneva, Yen-Lin Chen, Eric L. Cope, Ramesh B. Kasetti, Gulab S. Zode, Swapnil K. Sonkusare
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonathan B. Chaires, Robert D. Gray, William L. Dean, Robert Monsen, Lynn W. DeLeeuw, Vilius Stribinskis, John O. Trent
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Mohammad Roky, Jinlian Tan, Maryta N. Sztukowska, John O. Trent, Donald R. Demutha
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramesh B. Kasetti, Pinkal D. Patel, Prabhavathi Maddineni, Gulab S. Zode
Article
Immunology
John D. Belcher, Ping Zhang, Julia Nguyen, Zachary M. Kiser, Karl A. Nath, Jianjun Hu, John O. Trent, Gregory M. Vercellotti
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Prabhavathi Maddineni, Ramesh B. Kasetti, Pinkal D. Patel, J. Cameron Millar, Charles Kiehlbauch, Abbot F. Clark, Gulab S. Zode
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2020)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramesh B. Kasetti, Pinkal D. Patel, Prabhavathi Maddineni, Gulab S. Zode
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert C. Monsen, Srinivas Chakravarthy, William L. Dean, Jonathan B. Chaires, John O. Trent
Summary: The study used an integrated structural biology approach to characterize the structure of telomeric overhang, revealing that single-stranded sequences fold into multimeric structures with a maximum number of G4 units. The flexibility of these structures was investigated through molecular dynamics simulations, identifying unique sites for drug targeting.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lynn W. DeLeeuw, Robert C. Monsen, Vytautas Petrauskas, Robert D. Gray, Lina Baranauskiene, Daumantas Matulis, John O. Trent, Jonathan B. Chaires
Summary: The protein POT1 is a crucial component of the shelterin complex that protects human chromosome ends from degradation. Two separate fluorescent thermal shift assays were conducted to characterize POT1 stability and interactions. These assays provide detailed insights into POT1 structure, DNA binding, and mechanisms of inhibition.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert C. Monsen, Lynn W. DeLeeuw, William L. Dean, Robert D. Gray, Srinivas Chakravarthy, Jesse B. Hopkins, Jonathan B. Chaires, John O. Trent
Summary: In this study, we investigated higher-order G-quadruplex structures adopted by long promoter sequences using quantitative biophysical tools, modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations. We found that different sequences exhibited unique structures, which contained interfacial regions between stacked quadruplexes or novel loop geometries that could serve as potential drug targets.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert C. Monsen, Jon M. Maguire, Lynn W. DeLeeuw, Jonathan B. Chaires, John O. Trent
Summary: DNA G-quadruplexes are important targets in the development of anticancer therapies. However, the lack of specific ligands for G-quadruplexes is a challenge due to their small atomic models and difficulty in finding druggable pockets. Researchers have addressed these issues and successfully identified molecules with high selectivity for G-quadruplexes. These molecules downregulate hTERT transcription in breast cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert C. Monsen, Eugene Y. D. Chua, Jesse B. Hopkins, Jonathan B. Chaires, John O. Trent
Summary: Genomic regions rich in guanine can form G-quadruplexes (G4s), which are non-B form four-stranded structures. In this study, the structure and dynamics of a 28.5 kDa duplex-G4-duplex (DGD) model system were examined using cryo-EM, molecular dynamics, and SAXS. The results showed that the DGD model, with a 53-degree bend induced by a stacked duplex-G4 interaction, is a potential drug target and more druggable than the monomeric G4 structure alone.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Qingxian Lu, Yingnan Zhang, Ramesh Babu Kasetti, Subhash Gaddipati, Naresh C. V. M. Kumar, Douglas Borchman, Qiutang Li
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2020)