Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yufang Luo, Fang Liang, Xinxing Wan, Shengping Liu, Lanfang Fu, Jiake Mo, Xubiao Meng, Zhaohui Mo
Summary: The study found that hyaluronic acid, when combined with human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial colony forming cells and human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cells, can promote angiogenesis and improve severe limb ischemia. This positive effect may be associated with activation of the CD44/miR-139-5p pathway.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cody O. Crosby, Alex Hillsley, Sachin Kumar, Brett Stern, Sapun H. Parekh, Adrianne Rosales, Janet Zoldan
Summary: The IPN hydrogel composed of collagen and NorHA is highly tunable, compaction-resistant, and capable of supporting vasculogenesis. By varying the cross-linker concentration, the stiffness and degradability of the hydrogel can be modulated, showing potential in promoting vascular growth in tissue engineering.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kirstene A. Gultian, Roshni Gandhi, Tae Won B. Kim, Sebastian L. Vega
Summary: Hyaluronic acid (HA) macromers modified with norbornene (Nor) or tetrazine (Tet) form covalently crosslinked Nor-Tet hydrogels via a Diels-Alder reaction, allowing for versatile control of elastic moduli and gelation times. Peptide-functionalized Nor-Tet hydrogels can be achieved without altering their physical properties by pre-coupling methacrylated HANor macromers with thiolated peptides. These hydrogels have fluid properties that enable injection and localized delivery of viable cells and peptides through narrow syringe needles.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Hyunsook Lee, Yang-Hoon Huh, Kyu-Tae Kang
Summary: This study investigated the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in enhancing the vasculogenic capacity of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) under high-glucose conditions. The researchers found that the combination of ECFCs and MSCs restored the decreased tube formation ability of ECFCs in high-glucose conditions. In vivo experiments using diabetic mice showed that the combined delivery of ECFCs and MSCs led to the formation of perfused blood vessels in diabetic ischemic regions.
Article
Polymer Science
Sheila Maiz-Fernandez, Leyre Perez-Alvarez, Unai Silvan, Jose Luis Vilas-Vilela, Senentxu Lanceros-Mendez
Summary: This study successfully developed an in situ, biodegradable, and self-healing hydrogel. The swelling, mechanical stability, rheological properties, and biodegradation kinetics of the hydrogel can be controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of S-CHI and A-HA. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrated rapid self-repairing ability and low cytotoxicity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kana Marunaka, Shokoku Shu, Mao Kobayashi, Makiko Goto, Yuji Katsuta, Yuta Yoshino, Akira Ikari
Summary: The expression of HAS2/3 is up-regulated by magnesium supplementation in HaCaT cells mediated through the activation of GSK3 and CREB. This indicates that magnesium may play a pivotal role in maintaining the skin barrier function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eshaan Patnaik, Matthew Lyons, Kimberly Tran, Debendra Pattanaik
Summary: Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular abnormalities, autoimmunity, and multiorgan fibrosis. Endothelial damage and activation occur early, possibly triggered by various factors, leading to defective angiogenesis and fibrosis. The aim of this review is to discuss the molecular aspect of endothelial dysfunction that contributes to the development of systemic sclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Diana Kim, Alexander Grath, Yao Wei Lu, Karl Chung, Max Winkelman, John J. Schwarz, Guohao Dai
Summary: Sox17 plays a critical role in regulating arterial identity during embryonic vascular development. Its impact on adult endothelial cells (ECs) is examined in this study. It is found that Sox17-induced ECs exhibit gene profile favoring arterial and tip cell identity, and they demonstrate greater adaptability in response to fluid shear stress. Sox17-mediated ECs also display distinct morphogenic behaviors during vessel formation.
Article
Hematology
Gregoire Detriche, Nicolas Gendron, Aurelien Philippe, Maxime Gruest, Paul Billoir, Elisa Rossi, Coralie L. Guerin, Anna Lokajczyk, Severine Brabant, Dominique Prie, Tristan Mirault, David M. Smadja
Summary: Gonadotropins increase ECFC-related angiogenesis and may be involved in thrombin generation in cardiovascular disease. Gonadotropins may act as biomarkers; moreover, we hypothesize that gonadotropin-blocking strategies may be a novel interesting therapeutic approach in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Huijun Ye, Yiwen Xian, Shurong Li, Chong Zhang, Decheng Wu
Summary: Novel injectable adhesive hydrogels based on NHS-modified γ-PGA-NHS and Tetra-PEG-NH2 were developed, showing excellent physical and adhesive properties, as well as significant reduction in hemostasis time and blood loss, indicating great potential for applications.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zi Guo, Zhaohui Mo
Summary: During vertebrate development, the cardiovascular system becomes functional earlier than other organs. Endothelial cells play a crucial role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, with cellular biology and epigenetics being important factors in these processes. There is growing interest in the role of proteins and signaling molecules in controlling embryonic vascular development, and the transplantation of iPSC-ECs shows promise in treating cardiovascular diseases. However, challenges in maintaining cell viability and function limit the clinical application of iPSC-ECs in regenerative medicine.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jeddah Marie Vasquez, Ayesha Idrees, Irene Carmagnola, Aa Sigen, Sean McMahon, Lennart Marlinghaus, Gianluca Ciardelli, Udo Greiser, Hongyun Tai, Wenxin Wang, Jochen Salber, Valeria Chiono
Summary: This study aimed to mimic the antibacterial effect of medicinal honey by preparing an injectable hydrogel using hyperbranched polyethylene glycol and thiolated hyaluronic acid, with the addition of glucose oxidase to release hydrogen peroxide for antibacterial purposes. The hydrogel exhibited promising fast-forming properties, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial efficacy, making it a potential formulation for future investigations in bacterial infection treatment, particularly in wound care.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Weiwei Tan, Tao Long, Yanzhuo Wan, Bingchen Li, Zhilang Xu, Lei Zhao, Changdao Mu, Liming Ge, Defu Li
Summary: Diabetic chronic wound healing is a clinical challenge due to disorders in the healing processes caused by persistent inflammation, microbial infection, and impaired angiogenesis. In this study, dual-drug loaded nanocomposite polysaccharide-based self-healing hydrogels were developed to promote diabetic wound healing. The hydrogels exhibited good physical properties and various functions, including tissue adhesiveness, compression strength, self-recovery capacity, hemostatic ability, and antibacterial activity. The hydrogels released metformin rapidly and curcumin sustainedly, showing potential in scavenging free radicals and accelerating wound healing. Overall, the multifunctional synergy of the hydrogels greatly contributed to diabetic wound healing, showing promising application in regenerative medicine.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Niranjan G. Kotla, Isma Liza Mohd Isa, Aitor Larranaga, Balaji Maddiboyina, Samantha K. Swamy, Gandhi Sivaraman, Praveen K. Vemula
Summary: In recent years, there has been a significant expansion in the research and clinical applications of hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds, medical devices, and bioconjugate systems. These developments are driven by the abundance of hyaluronic acid in mammalian tissues and its potential for chemical modifications. This review summarizes the importance of chemical modifications of hyaluronic acid, various advancements in bioconjugate derivatives, and their potential advantages in terms of physicochemical and pharmacological properties.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuan Zhong, Xiaoqiang Zhao, Guichen Li, Dan Zhang, Dandan Wang
Summary: The newly developed HA-CA/4-arm-PEG-SH hydrogel exhibits excellent wet adhesion and outstanding mechanical strength, making it a promising hemostatic material for biomedical applications. It also has self-healing properties and good cell compatibility, which allows it to withstand high strain and deformation while maintaining effective hemostasis.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John J. Jamieson, YingYu Lin, Nora A. Malloy, Daniel Soto, Peter C. Searson, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: In this study, the researchers used a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model to investigate the effect of hypoxia on barrier function. They found that hypoxia-induced barrier dysfunction is dependent upon increased actomyosin contractility and is associated with increased fibronectin fibrillogenesis. The findings suggest that pericytes may protect brain microvascular endothelial cells from hypoxic stresses and pericyte-derived factors could be candidates for treatment of pathological barrier-forming tissues.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rahel Schnellmann, Dimitris Ntekoumes, Mohammad Ikbal Choudhury, Sean Sun, Zhao Wei, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: Aging is a major risk factor for microvascular dysfunction, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. This study demonstrates that changes in the mechanical properties of tissue collagen may contribute to endothelial cell dysfunction. Using a hydrogel model, the researchers found that increasing matrix stiffness led to the disruption of vascular networks. Inhibiting cell contractility prevented this disruption, partially rescuing the age-related vascular phenotype.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Bria L. Macklin, Ying-Yu Lin, Kevin Emmerich, Emily Wisniewski, Brian M. Polster, Konstantinos Konstantopoulos, Jeff S. Mumm, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iECs) have angiogenic potential and their phenotype is regulated by epigenetics, indicating their potential therapeutic applications.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Morgan B. Elliott, Hiroshi Matsushita, Jessica Shen, Jaeyoon Yi, Takahiro Inoue, Travis Brady, Lakshmi Santhanam, Hai-Quan Mao, Narutoshi Hibino, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: This study presents a method for preparing small-diameter vascular grafts using fibrin hydrogel as a scaffold and successfully conjugating an antithrombotic drug to the fibrin scaffold. The study also demonstrates the application of these grafts in animal experiments.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitris Ntekoumes, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: Endothelial cell dysfunction is crucial in various pathologies, and tissue engineering provides a platform to study its underlying mechanisms through hydrogel biomaterials, three-dimensional bioprinting, and organs-on-a-chip technology. Understanding endothelial dysfunction can lead to potential therapeutics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rihana S. Bokhari, Afshin Beheshti, Sarah E. Blutt, Dawn E. Bowles, David Brenner, Robert Britton, Lawrence Bronk, Xu Cao, Anushree Chatterjee, Delisa E. Clay, Colleen Courtney, Donald T. Fox, M. Waleed Gaber, Sharon Gerecht, Peter Grabham, David Grosshans, Fada Guan, Erin A. Jezuit, David G. Kirsch, Zhandong Liu, Mirjana Maletic-Savatic, Kyle M. Miller, Ruth A. Montague, Prashant Nagpal, Sivan Osenberg, Luke Parkitny, Niles A. Pierce, Christopher Porada, Susan M. Rosenberg, Paul Sargunas, Sadhana Sharma, Jamie Spangler, Daniel Naveed Tavakol, Dilip Thomas, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Chunbo Wang, Luke Whitcomb, Damian W. Young, Dorit Donoviel
Summary: This paper describes three approaches for reducing the risk to humans from radiation exposure in deep space, including identifying new therapeutic targets, designing innovative countermeasure development methods, and testing countermeasures in a human model system. These approaches will provide future space explorers with more options to safeguard their health.
LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ariel Isser, Aliyah B. Silver, Hawley C. Pruitt, Michal Mass, Emma H. Elias, Gohta Aihara, Si-Sim Kang, Niklas Bachmann, Ying-Yu Chen, Elissa K. Leonard, Joan G. Bieler, Worarat Chaisawangwong, Joseph Choy, Sydney R. Shannon, Sharon Gerecht, Jeffrey S. Weber, Jamie B. Spangler, Jonathan P. Schneck
Summary: ACT using artificial antigen-presenting cells can expand both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, showing potential therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eugenia Volkova, Linda Procell, Lingyang Kong, Lakshmi Santhanam, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: This study explores the sex difference in the progression of hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a mouse model. Female mice with a gain-of-function mutation in HIF2A showed increased systemic arterial stiffening (SAS), decreased ability to withstand physiological strain, and poor survival compared to male mice. Additionally, female mice exhibited thickening of the adventitial intima and increased collagen content in the thoracic aorta. The findings suggest that aortic stiffening can be used as a prognostic indicator for poor outcomes in PAH, especially in females.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taylor Chavez, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: Blood vessels play a crucial role in tissue development, functionality, and homeostasis, as well as in the healing and regeneration process. The microenvironment of tissues provides cues that affect cellular function, and engineering approaches can help us study and mimic different aspects of this microenvironment. This review focuses on the vascular niche, specifically the roles of oxygen and the extracellular matrix (ECM), and how vascular engineering approaches enhance our understanding of the microenvironment's impact on vascular regeneration. The limitations and future directions towards clinical utilization are also discussed.
TRENDS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Hematology
Jiyeon Song, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a 3-dimensional network that supports cellular responses and maintains tissue integrity. Hydrogel biomaterials, with their high swelling capacity and versatility, are being used to mimic the ECM and provide cues for vascularization. This review focuses on natural hydrogel platforms that modulate vascular cell behavior and interactions in the microvasculature.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Farnaz Hemmati, Ayuba Akinpelu, Jiyeon Song, Farshad Amiri, Anya McDaniel, Collins McMurray, Alexandros Afthinos, Stelios T. T. Andreadis, Andrew V. V. Aitken, Vinicia C. C. Biancardi, Sharon Gerecht, Panagiotis Mistriotis
Summary: Cell migration through confining 3D topographies can lead to detrimental effects such as loss of nuclear envelope integrity and DNA damage. However, cells exposed to long-term confinement do not usually die. This study utilizes photopatterning and microfluidics to develop a high-throughput device for prolonged culture of single cells in microchannels. The results show that continuous exposure to tight confinement can trigger nuclear envelope rupture events and promote cell apoptosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hawley C. Pruitt, Ya Guan, Hudson Liu, Alexis E. Carey, W. Nathaniel Brennen, Jiayun Lu, Corrine Joshu, Ashani Weeraratna, Tamara L. Lotan, T. S. Karin Eisinger-Mathason, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: The deposition of Collagen VI (Col VI) in prostate cancer specimens correlates with stromal T cell density. CD4+ T cell motility is completely abolished on purified Col VI surfaces compared to Fibronectin and Collagen I. Lack of integrin a1 expression in CD4+ T cells in the prostate tumor microenvironment, coupled with blockade of a1b1 integrin heterodimers, inhibits CD8+ T cell motility, while re-expression of ITGA1 improves motility.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ya Guan, Luigi Racioppi, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: Macrophages and endothelial cells play crucial roles in physiological and pathological conditions by regulating inflammation, vascularization, and tissue remodeling. However, the role of the extracellular matrix in the intercellular interactions between macrophages and endothelial cells is less understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge on how microenvironmental cues influence macrophage-endothelium crosstalk in different diseases and highlights the use of biomaterials as extracellular matrix to manipulate cell fate and restore homeostasis in tissue homeostasis and disease progression.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Danielle Yarbrough, Sharon Gerecht
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cells play a vital role in regulating blood pressure and maintaining cardiovascular health. Changes in their surrounding environment can lead to alterations in phenotype and secretory profile, causing pathological conditions. Understanding the interaction between smooth muscle cells and the extracellular matrix is crucial for treating vascular diseases.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Ashley M. Fuller, Hawley C. Pruitt, Hoogeun Song, Ying Liu, Ann Devine, Rohan S. Katti, Samir Devalaraja, Gabrielle E. Ciotti, Michael Gonzalez, Erik F. Williams, Ileana Murazzi, Nicolas Skuli, Hakon Hakonarson, Kristy Weber, Malay Haldar, Joseph A. Fraietta, Sharon Gerecht, T. S. Karin Eisinger-Mathason
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lin-Lin Luo, Jie Xu, Bing-Qiao Wang, Chen Chen, Xi Chen, Qiu-Mei Hu, Yu-Qiu Wang, Wan-Yun Zhang, Wan-Xiang Jiang, Xin-Ting Li, Hu Zhou, Xiao Xiao, Kai Zhao, Sen Lin
Summary: A novel AAV serotype, AAVYC5, introduced in this study, showed more efficient transduction into multiple retinal layers compared to AAV2, and enabled successful delivery of anti-angiogenic molecules in mice and non-human primates.