Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Przemyslaw Jurczak, Slawomir Lach
Summary: Tissue engineering is a promising field for treating bone diseases and defects. While autografts have been the gold standard, issues with grafting have led to the exploration of alternatives, including hydrogels. Hydrogels mimic the bone extracellular matrix and provide mechanical support and a basis for cell growth and tissue regeneration.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiwen Chen, Xinyun Su, Dominic Esmail, Emily Buck, Simon D. Tran, Thomas Szkopek, Marta Cerruti
Summary: A dual-templating method is developed to fabricate graphene oxide (GO) scaffolds with interconnected hierarchical porosity for bone tissue engineering. The method involves freezing and drying high internal phase emulsions stabilized by GO sheets, resulting in the templating of large and small pores by oil droplets and ice crystals, respectively. This approach enables the synthesis of complex hierarchical architectures in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and GO composite scaffolds.
Article
Polymer Science
Denisa-Maria Radulescu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Alexandru-Mihai Grumezescu, Ecaterina Andronescu
Summary: In recent years, the development and characterization of biomaterials for regenerative medicine and controlled release have posed significant challenges. Hydrogels are considered optimal applications in the biomedical field, particularly in tissue engineering. However, their delicate nature and low mechanical strength limit their use. Therefore, developing stronger and more stable hydrogels with increased biocompatibility is essential. Natural and synthetic polymers both have limitations, but the development of hydrogels based on mixtures of these materials can optimize their properties. Incorporating different nanoparticles can improve stability and yield various biological effects. Essential oils and drug molecules can facilitate desired biological effects and even produce a synergistic effect. The main purpose of this study is to identify the key properties required to develop sustainable polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering without adverse environmental effects.
Article
Biophysics
J. L. Aparicio-Collado, N. Garcia-San-Martin, J. Molina-Mateo, C. Torregrosa Cabanilles, V Donderis Quiles, A. Serrano-Aroca, R. Sabater i Serra
Summary: This study reports the development of a new type of semi-interpenetrated polymer network using sodium alginate, polycaprolactone, and rGO nanosheets for biomedical applications. The resulting electroactive nanohybrid hydrogels exhibit excellent electrical conductivity and biocompatibility, making them promising for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kou Yang, Musen Chen, Qian Wang, Sergey Grebenchuk, Siyu Chen, Xuanye Leng, Kostya S. Novoselov, Daria Andreeva
Summary: A novel 2D hydrogel with coupled electro-thermoregulation for water transport is constructed through self-assembly of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) with graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO). The hydrogel demonstrates a large swelling rate, excellent mechanical properties, and superior electrical conductivity. The ability of HPC domains to switch conformation in response to Joule heating enables the hydrogel to function as a low footprint water switcher with optical control in smart membranes.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zain Siddiqui, Biplab Sarkar, Ka Kyung Kim, Arjun Kumar, Reshma Paul, Aryan Mahajan, Jonathan M. Grasman, Jian Yang, Vivek A. Kumar
Summary: The study demonstrates the ability of self-assembling peptide hydrogels to promote angiogenic sprouting into polymeric scaffolds; the two-component scaffold structure helps to improve the biocompatibility and vascular integration of polymeric scaffolds; the functional difference of the peptide hydrogels can be predicted by the bioactive moieties inserted into the peptide monomers.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chen Gao, Yulin Lai, Liang Cheng, Yifan Cheng, Anqi Miao, Jialong Chen, Runhuai Yang, Fei Xiong
Summary: This study aims to determine the differential causes of stem cell proliferation and differentiation on aligned-random fibers with different elastic modulus, and to change the differential levels through a regulatory mechanism mediated by B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (BCL-6) and miRNA-126-5p (miR-126-5p). The results showed that aligned fibers have phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate alterations, excellent cytocompatibility, regular cytoskeleton, and high differentiation potential. The level of proliferative differentiation genes in cells is altered by BCL-6 and miR-126-5p mediated regulatory mechanisms. This study provides insights for understanding the gene-level regulation of cell growth in tissue engineering.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Grazia Tupone, Michele d'Angelo, Vanessa Castelli, Mariano Catanesi, Elisabetta Benedetti, Annamaria Cimini
Summary: Exploring and developing multifunctional intelligent biomaterials is crucial for improving next-generation therapies in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These biomaterials can mimic the in situ microenvironment and provide specialized bioactive signals to regulate the surrounding biological habitat, contributing to wound healing and biomaterial integration. The connection between stem cells and biomaterials can stimulate specific modifications in cell properties and fate, influencing processes such as self-renewal, adhesion, and differentiation.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hang Zhou, Kexiao Yu, Haitao Jiang, Rui Deng, Lei Chu, Youde Cao, Yuanyi Zheng, Weizhong Lu, Zhongliang Deng, Bing Liang
Summary: The study successfully synthesized injectable PMM hydrogels that can accelerate bone regeneration and form porous scaffolds, significantly promoting bone cell proliferation, differentiation, and deposition by controlling Mg2+ release. Micro-CT imaging and histological analysis demonstrated that PMM hydrogels effectively stimulated in situ bone regeneration in rat calvarial defects.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Christopher J. Brown, Thomas Simon, Chiara Cilibrasi, Peter J. Lynch, Rhiannon W. Harries, Aline Amorim Graf, Matthew J. Large, Sean P. Ogilvie, Jonathan P. Salvage, Alan B. Dalton, Georgios Giamas, Alice A. K. King
Summary: This study has developed a scaffold with good biocompatibility and mechanical properties that can promote cell proliferation. Additionally, it was found that this scaffold has a unique growth-promoting effect on an aggressive form of brain cancer in experiments without the addition of growth factors.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Xiangyun Yao, Zhiwen Yan, Xu Wang, Huiquan Jiang, Yun Qian, Cunyi Fan
Summary: Graphene and its derivatives have extraordinary electrochemical and mechanical properties, leading to extensive research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) shares structural and functional similarities with graphene, influencing neurogenic differentiation of stem cells.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Xia, Hua Yang, Shuang Li, Suqiong Zhou, Liyun Wang, Yuanjiao Tang, Chong Cheng, Rainer Haag
Summary: This study focuses on utilizing modified scaffolds to enhance the neural differentiation of IPS cells, decrease the lineage specification towards astrocytes, and improve the maintenance of stemness and maturity of neural cells. The results suggest that the modified scaffolds can serve as an ideal interface to promote targeted neural differentiation of IPS cells, providing a novel pathway for regenerative therapies.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arun Koyyada, Prabhakar Orsu
Summary: Nanofiber scaffolds can promote fibroblast proliferation and accelerate wound healing. The study demonstrates the potential of rGO/CMGG/PVA nanofibers in enhancing cell growth and wound closure, with excellent biocompatibility and healing effects shown in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Shuang Xia, Shi Feng, Zejiang Deng, Qiuyu Liang, Xu Xiang, Hongyan Xie
Summary: The mechanical properties of composite hydrogels with different additives were compared, and it was found that rGO as a 2D material had a beneficial effect on the mechanical strength of the hydrogels.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Xiao-Pei Li, Kai-Yun Qu, Bin Zhou, Feng Zhang, Yin-Ying Wang, Oluwatosin David Abodunrin, Zhen Zhu, Ning-Ping Huang
Summary: The study demonstrated that the combination of GelMA-PDA-rGO based conductive hydrogels and electrical stimulation had synergistic effects, which could be used for engineering a more functional and mature myocardium layer, as well as for further application in drug screening and disease modeling in vitro.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Giulia Blasi, Enrico Bortoletto, Matteo Gasparotto, Francesco Filippini, Chang-Ming Bai, Umberto Rosani, Paola Venier
Summary: ZNFX1 is an interferon-stimulated protein found in the outer mitochondrial membrane, capable of binding dsRNAs and interacting with MAVS proteins to stimulate the early antiviral response. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a diverse distribution of ZNFX1 in metazoans, with structural conservation in the helicase region and presence of intrinsically disordered regions in selected proteins. Over-expression of ZNFX1 in bivalve and gastropod mollusks during dsDNA virus infection highlights its antiviral role, while functional diversification in other metazoan proteins remains to be determined.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Gasparotto, Pietro Bellet, Giorgia Scapin, Rebecca Busetto, Chiara Rampazzo, Libero Vitiello, Dhvanit Indravadan Shah, Francesco Filippini
Summary: This study developed a reliable and economical 3D-printed scaffold for tissue engineering applications. The results demonstrate that the scaffold's micro-topography and graphene properties synergistically control cell alignment and differentiation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Gasparotto, Yuriko Suemi Hernandez Gomez, Daniele Peterle, Alessandro Grinzato, Federica Zen, Giulia Pontarollo, Laura Acquasaliente, Giorgia Scapin, Elisabetta Bergantino, Vincenzo De Filippis, Francesco Filippini
Summary: Homo- and heterophilic binding mediated by the immunoglobulin (Ig)-like repeats of cell adhesion molecules play a crucial role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. L1CAM is vital for neuronal differentiation in both mature and developing nervous systems, and its functional interactions are mainly mediated by Ig2-Ig2 binding. X-linked mutations in the human L1CAM gene result in L1 diseases, including the commonly diagnosed CRASH neurodevelopmental syndrome. In silico simulations have provided a molecular rationale for CRASH phenotypes caused by specific mutations in the homophilic binding region of Ig2. Synthetic peptides reproducing this region can mimic the neuritogenic capacity of L1CAM and rescue neuritogenesis in a cellular model of the CRASH syndrome, where the full L1CAM ectodomain is ineffective.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina Simona Robescu, Giovanni Loprete, Matteo Gasparotto, Filippo Vascon, Francesco Filippini, Laura Cendron, Elisabetta Bergantino
Summary: This study aimed to expand the application scope of Old Yellow Enzymes (OYEs) and explore new enzymes from filamentous fungi. Four new members of the OYE superfamily were discovered from the genomes of Aspergillus niger and Botryotinia fuckeliana. The properties and crystal structures of these new enzymes revealed their unique features and conservation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Gasparotto, Yi-Shin Lee, Alessandra Palazzi, Marcella Vacca, Francesco Filippini
Summary: Aberrant mitochondrial phenotypes are common in central nervous system disorders, and their function and homeostasis are influenced by chromatin remodeling, transcriptional control, subcellular trafficking, fusion, and morphogenesis. Mutations or impaired regulation of these processes can disrupt cellular and mitochondrial dynamics, contributing to neurological disorders. Understanding the functional relationship between chromatin players and mitochondria, as well as the impact of impaired subcellular trafficking processes, may lead to new therapeutic approaches for CNS disorders.
Article
Virology
Giulia Baggio, Francesco Filippini, Irene Righetto
Summary: Influenza A viruses are more dangerous to poultry and mammals than to wild birds, and H5 and H7 subtypes are of particular concern due to their ability to spread from poultry to mammals, including humans. Identifying molecular fingerprints for pathogenicity can aid surveillance and early warning systems to prevent potential pandemics. Recent research has shown that electrostatic fingerprints can be found in both low and highly pathogenic H7N7 strains, highlighting their significance in understanding and preventing the spread of influenza viruses.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Righetto, Matteo Gasparotto, Laura Casalino, Marcella Vacca, Francesco Filippini
Summary: Billions of years of co-evolution have made mitochondria central to eukaryotic cell life, acting as cellular power plants and playing important roles in regulatory pathways. Impaired mitochondrial function or homeostasis due to endogenous factors or viral pathogens can lead to neurological disorders. In recent studies, the gut microbiota has been found to influence brain structure and function through sensory neurons, potentially affecting mitochondrial functions and contributing to CNS diseases, including those associated with viral infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Fortunato, Rafael Cintra Hensel, Stefano Casalini, Miriam Mba
Summary: The conjugation of small-molecule semiconductors with self-assembling peptides facilitates the fabrication of supramolecular soft materials for organic electronics and bioelectronics. In this study, the benchmark organic semiconductor benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene (BTBT) was introduced into a self-assembling amphipathic peptide structure. The resulting hydrogels exhibited a fibrillar structure, and spectroscopic studies confirmed that hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking were responsible for the observed 3D fibrillar network. The hydrogel showed conductivity when deposited on gold interdigitated electrodes, with a measured value of 1.6 (+/- 0.1) x 10(-5) S cm(-1).
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Monica Chinellato, Matteo Gasparotto, Santina Quarta, Mariagrazia Ruvoletto, Alessandra Biasiolo, Francesco Filippini, Luca Spiezia, Laura Cendron, Patrizia Pontisso
Summary: In recent years, studies on the inflammatory signaling pathways have identified new targets for novel therapies. This research reveals that the small molecule 1-PPA can bind to PAR2 and exhibit antagonistic effects on its activity, potentially providing a promising new approach for the treatment of PAR2-related diseases.
Article
Polymer Science
Anna Fortunato, Miriam Mba
Summary: The removal of dyes and pharmaceuticals from water is a critical issue due to freshwater scarcity. In this study, a tetrapeptide-pyrene conjugate was designed to form hydrogels, which efficiently adsorbed methylene blue and diclofenac. The concentration was found to affect the adsorption efficiency.
