Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wei Mao, Eunbee Lee, Wanho Cho, Byung-Jae Kang, Hyuk Sang Yoo
Summary: This paper reports the fabrication of cell-mixable rGO-decorated polycaprolactone nanofibrils (NFs) for promoting peripheral nerve repair. The rGO-coated NFs demonstrate spontaneous cell assembly and neurogenic differentiation. Transplantation of the rGO-coated NFs with adipose-derived stem cells significantly improves animal movement and reduces autotomy in peripheral nerve injuries.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luke Juckett, Tiam Mana Saffari, Benjamin Ormseth, Jenna-Lynn Senger, Amy M. M. Moore
Summary: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) often result in lifelong disability with rare complete functional recovery. Intraoperative electrical stimulation (ES) is a promising surgical adjunct that can augment the intrinsic molecular pathways of nerve regeneration. Clinical trials have shown that ES can be an efficacious therapy to improve patient outcomes following PNIs.
Review
Cell Biology
Jingxin Zhang, Binjing Zhang, Jinglan Zhang, Weimin Lin, Shiwen Zhang
Summary: Magnesium as a suitable material for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration has both challenges and potentials, but there is currently limited research on this topic, requiring further exploration to address the shortcomings and challenges identified.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yangnan Hu, Zhuoyue Chen, Hongyang Wang, Jiahui Guo, Jiaying Cai, Xiaoyan Chen, Hao Wei, Jieyu Qi, Qiuju Wang, Huisheng Liu, Yuanjin Zhao, Renjie Chai
Summary: Inspired by the structures of peripheral nerves, researchers have developed a conductive topological scaffold for nerve repair using modified butterfly wings. The scaffold showed increased neurite length and guided cellular orientation, and successfully repaired nerve defects in rats.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaolan Li, Xiang Zhang, Ming Hao, Dongxu Wang, Ziping Jiang, Liqun Sun, Yongjian Gao, Ye Jin, Peng Lei, Yue Zhuo
Summary: This review summarizes the importance of collagen in peripheral nerve regeneration, focusing on its characteristics, role, and optimization methods. Collagen, as a biomaterial, plays a crucial role in peripheral nerve repair and can be further optimized by adjusting its structure and physical properties, as well as combining it with bioactive components.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vahid Zolfagharzadeh, Jafar Ai, Hadi Soltani, Sajad Hassanzadeh, Mehdi Khanmohammadi
Summary: We developed injectable biomimetic microspheres for repairing sciatic tissue using a microfluidic device. The microspheres, loaded with insulin, were fabricated using laccase-mediated crosslinking. The physical properties of the microspheres, such as swelling rate and release rate, showed that they were suitable for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. The microspheres also demonstrated cytocompatibility and promoted nerve regeneration in a rat model, resulting in improved functional characteristics of the sciatic tissue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Binghui Jin, Yunru Yu, Xiangxiang Chen, Yanhong Yang, Yushan Xiong, Young Jun Im, Yuanjin Zhao, Jian Xiao
Summary: The study proposes a novel microtube for sciatic nerve regeneration using gradient decellularized porcine sciatic nerve extracellular matrix hydrogel (pDScNM-gel). The pDScNM is shown to enhance cell proliferation and migration, improve axon growth, and these effects can also be achieved through coculture in a gradient pDScNM microtube. In vivo sciatic nerve regeneration and functional recovery are demonstrated by assembling the gradient pDScNM microtubes with a medical silicon tube.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Simon C. Kellaway, Victoria Roberton, Joshua N. Jones, Rabea Loczenski, James B. Phillips, Lisa J. White
Summary: Incorporating dECMh derived from bone, liver, and small intestinal tissues can promote neurite extension and axonal regeneration, providing an alternative to current collagen I hydrogel.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max Y. Y. Jin, Tristan E. Weaver, Adam Farris, Mayank Gupta, Alaa Abd-Elsayed
Summary: While denervation can occur with aging, peripheral nerve injuries often result in loss of function and neuropathic pain. Neuromodulation has shown promise in enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration, but additional interventions are needed to control the direction of reinnervation. More human studies are required to validate findings from animal studies and optimize neuromodulation for functional restoration.
Article
Cell Biology
Su-Long Wang, Xi-Lin Liu, Zhi-Chen Kang, Yue-Shu Wang
Summary: The effect of platelet-rich plasma on nerve regeneration in a rabbit model of sciatic nerve small-gap defects with preserved epineurium was investigated. Results showed that platelet-rich plasma with specific concentrations of whole blood platelets promoted repair of sciatic nerve injury. Proteomics analysis revealed that platelet-rich plasma affects angiogenesis and intracellular ubiquitin levels in the regeneration process.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Young Jun Kim, Kyu Jin Kim, Jae Hoon Lee, Seong-Uk Park, Seung-Yeon Cho
Summary: Experimental studies using herbal extracts in a rat sciatic nerve injury model showed that Coptis japonica extract increased nerve conduction velocity, Aconitum carmichaelii extract increased proximal and distal amplitudes, while decreasing neuroma and scar tissue formation.
BMC COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND THERAPIES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sergey O. Solomevich, Carlo M. Oranges, Daniel F. Kalbermatten, Anna Schwendeman, Srinivas Madduri
Summary: Peripheral nerve repair is a serious problem in neurosurgery, with poor clinical outcomes and significant socioeconomic burden. Biodegradable polysaccharides show great potential for improving nerve regeneration. This review focuses on the promising therapeutic strategies involving different types of polysaccharides and their composites for promoting nerve regeneration, highlighting their applications in nerve guidance conduits, hydrogels, nanofibers, and films. The ease of therapeutic implementation, drug release properties, therapeutic outcomes, and future research directions are also discussed.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ane Escobar, Rui Luis Reis, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira
Summary: Peripheral nerve injuries are a common cause of disabilities, and treatment with long nerve gap autografts is currently considered the best method. However, due to limited availability and potential issues at the donor site, research is focusing on developing regenerative strategies using artificial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs). These NGCs can be optimized through various methods to enhance nerve regeneration, and recent advancements in using different types of nanoparticles to introduce growth factors to NGCs are discussed in depth.
Article
Surgery
Akira Ikumi, Anne Gingery, Yoichi Toyoshima, Chunfeng Zhao, Steven L. Moran, Christopher Livia, Tyler Rolland, Timothy Peterson, Michael S. Sabbah, Soulmaz Boroumand, Tiam M. Saffari, Atta Behfar, Alexander Y. Shin, Peter C. Amadio
Summary: The study demonstrated improved functional motor recovery and nerve regeneration profiles in a rat sciatic nerve reverse autograft model with the local administration of purified exosome product. This suggests beneficial effects on nerve regeneration, gene profiles, and motor outcomes.
PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanna Pitarresi, Fabio Salvatore Palumbo, Calogero Fiorica, Flavia Bongiovi, Annalisa Martorana, Salvatore Federico, Cinzia Maria Chinnici, Gaetano Giammona
Summary: An alkyl functionalized gellan gum derivative was used to create hydrogels containing hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles for injectable nanostructured scaffolds in bone regeneration. The presence of inorganic nanoparticles reinforced the 3D hydrated polymeric networks without affecting injectability, and improved the physicochemical properties of ionotropic crosslinked hydrogels. Loading and release experiments demonstrated the drug delivery features of the injectable systems.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Somoza, Ramon Rial, Zhen Liu, Iago F. Llovo, Rui L. Reis, Jesus Mosqueira, Juan M. Ruso
Summary: This study successfully created doped Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles with magnetic properties using microfluidics and Gadolinium as a contrast agent for medical applications. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to ensure the system worked in the laminar regime and nanoparticles diffused uniformly. The biomaterials were characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, confocal Raman microscopy, and FT-IR, confirming the successful incorporation of Gadolinium. Magnetic characterization confirmed the paramagnetic behavior of the nanoparticles, showing the potential for advanced nanomaterials in theragnostic applications.
Article
Oncology
Sara Monteiro-Reis, Joao P. S. Ferreira, Ricardo A. Pires, Joao Lobo, Joao A. Carvalho, Rui L. Reis, Renato Natal Jorge, Carmen Jeronimo
Summary: This study found that the presence of a tumor can alter the stiffness of the bladder wall, which may affect the progression of bladder cancer. Using atomic force microscopy, the researchers measured the micromechanical properties of the bladder wall layers and observed that tumors promote the development of muscle-like structures in the mucosa.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xuelian Yin, Lin Zhan, Lin Ding, Xuerui Chen, Junfeng Zhang, Chenchen Li, Yuxi Zhang, Murad Khan, Rui L. Reis, Yanli Wang
Summary: We report a facile synthesis method for mitochondria-specific anchored nano-complexes (AG-C-NP) comprised of a skeleton of gold and carbon atoms for cancer therapy. Compared to gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), AG-C-NP showed enhanced fluorescence imaging effects, which can be used for tumor monitoring. AG-C-NP targeted the mitochondria and increased ROS damage in cancer cells, leading to a significant inhibition of tumor growth.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
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
Chemistry, Physical
Andreas S. Croft, Slavko Corluka, Janine Fuhrer, Michael Woeltje, Joana Silva-Correia, Joaquim M. Oliveira, Georg F. Erbach, Rui L. Reis, Benjamin Gantenbein
Summary: Intervertebral disc herniation often causes severe pain and is associated with disc degeneration. We propose an annulus fibrosus repair approach using GG-MA and silk fibroin. The repaired discs showed no significant differences compared to the damaged discs, indicating the repair approach was successful.
Article
Polymer Science
Ines Machado, Catarina F. Marques, Eva Martins, Ana L. Alves, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: Marine-origin gelatin, a safe alternative to mammalian-origin materials, has the benefits of structural similarity and low production cost. Gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogels have shown excellent capacity for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering. In this study, fish gelatin was extracted from Greenland halibut skins and functionalized with methacrylation to develop a photosensitive GelMA. By combining GelMA with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), biomechanically stable hydrogels with tunable physicochemical features were produced. These hybrid hydrogels, tested as a matrix for chondrocyte culture, showed improved cell viability and have potential for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hajer Radhouani, Cristiana Goncalves, F. Raquel Maia, Eduarda P. Oliveira, Rui L. Reis, Joaquim M. Oliveira
Summary: Hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides can be customized for various applications, but their fragile structure and weak mechanical properties pose limitations. Cryogels made of kefiran-CS conjugates were successfully prepared using freeze-thawing and lyophilization techniques, demonstrating good stability, high porosity, and suitability for biomedical applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Aleksandra Serafin, Mario Culebras, J. Miguel Oliveira, Jacob Koffler, Maurice N. N. Collins
Summary: Electrically conductive Gel:HA:PPy-NP scaffolds were synthesized by combining polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy NP) with a gelatin/hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel. These scaffolds have excellent mechanical properties and conductive capabilities, making them a promising option for tissue engineering in nervous tissue regeneration.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ane Escobar, Aleksandra Serafin, Mariana R. Carvalho, Mario Culebras, Andres Cantarero, Anne Beaucamp, Rui L. Reis, J. Miguel Oliveira, Maurice N. Collins
Summary: Novel PEDOT nanoparticles combined with silk fibroin are promising biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration, showing excellent mechanical and conductivity properties and avoiding scar tissue formation.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Silvia Vieira, Paulina Strymecka, Luiza Stanaszek, Joana Silva-Correia, Katarzyna Drela, Michal Fiedorowicz, Izabela Malysz-Cymborska, Miroslaw Janowski, Rui Luis Reis, Barbara Lukomska, Piotr Walczak, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira
Summary: This study aims to develop a stable injectable Mn-based methacrylated gellan gum (Mn/GG-MA) hydrogel for real-time monitored cell delivery into the central nervous system. By supplementing GG-MA solutions with paramagnetic Mn2+ ions, the hydrogel can be visualized under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Cell-laden hydrogels prepared using the Mn/GG-MA formulations remained viable after 7 days of culture. In vivo tests on immunocompromised mice showed that the injection of Mn/GG-MA solutions resulted in a continuous and traceable hydrogel visible on MRI scans. Overall, the developed formulations are suitable for non-invasive cell delivery techniques and image-guided neurointerventions.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara Gimondi, Helena Ferreira, Rui L. L. Reis, Nuno M. M. Neves
Summary: The use of nanoparticles in nanomedicine has great potential in overcoming the limitations of conventional therapies and improving early diagnosis and follow-up of diseases. Microfluidic systems offer an efficient and cost-effective method for nanoparticle synthesis and screening by simulating dynamic fluid flows and specific microenvironments. Microfluidic devices allow for controlled synthesis of nanoparticles, enhancing batch-to-batch reproducibility, and provide versatile platforms for rapid and efficient in vitro and in vivo screening. This review summarizes the major microfluidic platforms for controlled nanoparticle synthesis, discusses innovative platforms for mimicking in vitro environments and organism-on-a-chip, and evaluates the current challenges and future directions of microfluidic systems in nanomedicine.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
David Caballero, Rui L. Reis, Subhas C. Kundu
Summary: Researchers have developed a cancer trap based on mechanical ratchet structures to capture metastatic cells. The trap exhibits high efficiency in capturing invasive cancer cells and may have therapeutic implications for cancer treatment and controlling cell motility in biological processes.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lara Pierantoni, Rui L. Reis, Joana Silva-Correia, Joaquim M. Oliveira, Susan Heavey
Summary: The fields of tissue bioengineering, -omics, and spatial biology offer the opportunity for a paradigm shift in breast cancer research. However, collaboration between these fields has not reached its full potential. This review discusses the latest 3D breast cancer models, their biomaterials and technological platforms, as well as their biological evaluation, highlighting the potential for better microphysiological systems, improved drug development success rates, and personalized medicine approaches.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Mariana R. Carvalho, Le-Ping Yan, Bo Li, Chang-Hua Zhang, Yu-Long He, Rui L. Reis, Joaquim M. Oliveira
Summary: Microfluidic organs and organoids-on-a-chip models have been established to study the physiology and pathophysiology of the human gastrointestinal system. These models have the potential to be cost-effective alternatives for drug screening and fundamental studies. The review focuses on various organoid models, such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and colorectal cancer, and discusses their design, microfluidic features, cell sources, and applications in drug testing. Furthermore, the authors explore the contribution of these models in drug development, precision medicine, FDA-approved models, and their impact on pharmaceutical research and development costs.