Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zahra Bashiri, Ali Moghaddaszadeh, Reza Falak, Farnaz Khadivi, Azita Afzali, Mehdi Abbasi, Ali Mohammad Sharifi, Hamid Reza Asgari, Farid Ghanbari, Morteza Koruji
Summary: In this study, a biocompatible porous scaffold based on a triad mixture of silk fibroin (SF), alginate (Alg), and laminin (LM) is developed to facilitate the differentiation of mouse spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs). The composite scaffolds showed improved structural stability and mechanical properties compared to homogenous structures, and the cells developed in the composite scaffolds exhibited significantly higher expression of differentiation-related proteins.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haojiang Xie, Qiao Bai, Fankai Kong, Yang Li, Xiaoying Zha, Lingqin Zhang, Yiming Zhao, Shasha Gao, Ping Li, Qifeng Jiang
Summary: The study has successfully developed a transparent bio-functionalized cutaneous scaffold with excellent biocompatibility and wound healing promotion, showing great potential for clinical treatment of cutaneous wounds.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Kuo Dong, Xinyu Wang, Ying Shen, Yiyu Wang, Binbin Li, Cuiling Cai, Linyi Shen, Yajin Guo
Summary: Severe skin damage often requires the transplantation of artificial skin substitutes, but these repaired parts may not be able to regenerate accessory organs like hair follicles. Research on artificial skin substitutes that can promote hair follicle regeneration is crucial. Through the use of dermal papilla cells cultured on a biomimetic silk fibroin/sodium alginate scaffold, it was found that this scaffold can effectively promote skin repair and induce hair follicle regeneration in animal models.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ying Shen, Xinyu Wang, Yiyu Wang, Xiaodong Guo, Keda Yu, Kuo Dong, Yajin Guo, Cuiling Cai, Binbin Li
Summary: An ideal wound dressing for full-thickness wound regeneration should have desirable biocompatibility, mechanical properties, barrier function, and cellular regulation. In this study, a bilayer scaffold resembling the hierarchical structure of human skin was developed. The combination of a nonporous upper membrane and a porous lower scaffold improved the tensile strength and protected the wound from dehydration. The bilayer scaffold facilitated wound closure, granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, and skin component transition. This off-the-shelf and cell-free wound dressing is promising for full-thickness wound regeneration.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jiachen Sun, Lang Li, Fei Xing, Yun Yang, Min Gong, Guoming Liu, Shuang Wu, Rong Luo, Xin Duan, Ming Liu, Min Zou, Zhou Xiang
Summary: The study developed a graphene oxide-modified silk fibroin/nanohydroxyapatite scaffold loaded with urine-derived stem cells for immunomodulation and bone regeneration. Results showed that the scaffold containing 0.1% graphene oxide exhibited the best capacity for promoting M2-type differentiation of macrophages and accelerating bone regeneration.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fatemeh Sabet Sarvestani, Ali-Mohammad Tamaddon, Ramin Yaghoobi, Bita Geramizadeh, Samira Sadat Abolmaali, Maryam Kaviani, Somayeh Keshtkar, Sara Pakbaz, Negar Azarpira
Summary: Diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by insufficient insulin production. Islet isolation using biocompatible scaffolds is a potential treatment strategy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of transfected BM-MSCs with angiomiR-126 and -210 on islet survival and functionality in a 3D scaffold with laminin. The results showed increased islet proliferation, viability, and insulin gene expression in the laminin-containing scaffolds, particularly in the miRNA-126 treated group.
CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Zhaona Dou, Tong Qiu, Yimeng Ren, Xinyu Wang, Quan Wen, Ying Shen, Lin Wu, Lei Han, Tao Jiang, Xinke Xia
Summary: Efficient local delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is essential for their use in tissue regeneration. In this study, a biomimetic bilayer silk fibroin/sodium alginate (SF/SA) scaffold was developed to deliver human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) for wound healing. The scaffold demonstrated favorable properties in vitro and the hUC-MSCs exhibited good viability and stemness. In vivo evaluation showed that the SF/SA scaffolds loaded with hUC-MSCs promoted scarless skin healing and hair follicle regeneration by regulating various biological processes and suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress. This study highlights the potential of the bilayer SF/SA scaffold as an effective delivery platform for hUC-MSCs and its therapeutic application in tissue regeneration.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Anis Taherpour, Zahra Hosseini-Khah, Mehryar Zargari, Seyed Ehsan Enderami
Summary: This study investigates the differentiation of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells on silk/gelatin nanofiber scaffolds as a 3D culture system. The results indicate successful differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells, as well as enhanced insulin and C-peptide secretion in response to glucose stimulation in the 3D culture group compared to the 2D culture group.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Anis Taherpour, Zahra Hosseini-khah, Mehryar Zargari, Seyed Ehsan Enderami
Summary: The study demonstrated that the use of silk/gelatin scaffold with WJ-MSCs cultured on 3D scaffolds successfully differentiated into IPCs, with significant increases in pancreatic gene expression and insulin/C-peptide secretion compared to 2D culture.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Megan K. DeBari, Xiaodan Niu, Jacqueline V. Scott, Mallory D. Griffin, Sean R. Pereira, Keith E. Cook, Bin He, Rosalyn D. Abbott
Summary: The study reveals that therapeutic ultrasound can noninvasively trigger enhanced degradation of silk fibroin scaffolds by removing microbubbles on the scaffold surface. This ultrasound-responsive biomaterial is proven safe for human cells and effectively triggers scaffold degradation through human skin, increasing clinical relevance. The degradation profile can be adjusted noninvasively to improve regenerative outcomes.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nianji Yang, Matthew J. Moore, Praveesuda L. Michael, Miguel Santos, Yuen Ting Lam, Shisan Bao, Martin K. C. Ng, Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina, Richard P. Tan, Steven G. Wise
Summary: The study demonstrates that scaffold architecture can modulate immune responses to drive BM-MNC engraftment, with higher porosity scaffold enhancing the homing and engraftment of BM-MNCs. Histological analysis shows that HP scaffolds lead to thicker fibrous capsule formation and increased collagen deposition, with more native immune cells present compared to LP scaffolds. Different scaffold structures impact local inflammation and drive differential engraftment and remodeling behavior of infused BM-MNCs.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Onur Hasturk, Jordan A. Smiley, Miles Arnett, Jugal Kishore Sahoo, Cristian Staii, David L. Kaplan
Summary: The susceptibility of mammalian cells to harsh processing conditions limits their use in cell transplantation and tissue engineering. In this study, a method for fabricating Alg templated silk and silk/gelatin composite hydrogel microspheres using centrifugation-based droplet processing is demonstrated. The composite microspheres show improved structural stability and mechanical properties compared to ionically crosslinked Alg microspheres. Human mesenchymal stem and neural progenitor cells can be successfully encapsulated in these composite microspheres and protected from environmental factors.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shadab Abadpour, Essi M. Niemi, Linnea Strid Orrhult, Carolin Hermanns, Rick de Vries, Liebert Parreiras Nogueira, Havard Jostein Haugen, Dag Josefsen, Stefan Krauss, Paul Gatenholm, Aart van Apeldoorn, Hanne Scholz
Summary: This study reports the manufacturing of a 3D bioprinted double-layered scaffold using alginate/nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) bioink to combine islets and adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) for beta cell replacement therapy. The results demonstrate that ASCs improve islet viability, glucose sensing, insulin secretion, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Diabetic mice transplanted with islet-ASC scaffolds achieve normoglycemia and show elevated levels of C-peptide.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
I-Hsuan Yang, Yo-Shen Chen, Jia-Jing Li, Ya-Jyun Liang, Tzu-Chieh Lin, Subhaini Jakfar, Minal Thacker, Shinn-Chih Wu, Feng-Huei Lin
Summary: The study developed laminin-modified alginate microspheres mixed with ADSCs and Rg1 for breast reconstruction after lumpectomy, achieving sustained release of Rg1 to enhance cell survival and tissue repair, with adequate rate of angiogenesis in in vivo study for successful integration into host adipose tissue.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Dermatology
Jared M. John, Rodney D. Sinclair
Summary: Topical minoxidil has long been used to treat adult alopecia, and there is increasing evidence supporting the off-label use of low-dose oral minoxidil for this condition. However, little is known about its use in pediatric patients, and there are no established treatment guidelines. A retrospective review of 63 pediatric patients aged 0-12 years who were treated with low-dose oral or sublingual minoxidil showed that both treatments were generally well-tolerated, with mild hypertrichosis being the most commonly reported adverse event. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness and optimal dosage of systemic minoxidil for treating alopecia in children.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Dermatology
Dmitri Wall, Huw Rees, Laita Bokhari, Nekma Meah, Katherine York, Rodney Sinclair
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vivek Kumar, Jennifer S. Lin, Natalia Molchanova, John A. Fortkort, Carolin Reckmann, Stefan Braese, Havard Jenssen, Annelise E. Barron, Archana Chugh
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease and the use of cell-permeating peptides as potential drug candidates to treat VL is limited due to their limited biological stability. In this study, peptoids, which are peptide mimics with good biostability, were tested against Leishmania donovani. The addition of N-alkyl hydrophobic chains and bromination yielded compounds with good antileishmanial activity against both intracellular amastigotes and promastigotes, indicating the potential of these peptoids as drug candidates for VL.
Article
Microbiology
Laura Louise Lindqvist, Scott A. Jarmusch, Eva C. Sonnenschein, Mikael Lenz Strube, Janie Kim, Maike Wennekers Nielsen, Paul J. Kempen, Erwin M. Schoof, Sheng-Da Zhang, Lone Gram
Summary: The antibiotic tropodithietic acid (TDA) produced by bacteria affects multiple phenotypes and plays a key role in coordinating the colonization process of the producer. TDA has diverse effects on motility, cell morphology, metal metabolism, and horizontal gene transfer systems. This study broadens our understanding of the ecological role that secondary metabolites have in microbial community dynamics.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Leila Asfour, Ahmed Kazmi, Rodney Sinclair
Summary: Hirsutism is a common condition in women characterized by excessive body hair in a male pattern distribution. It can cause significant psychological and social distress. Treatment options include combined oral contraceptive pills as first-line therapy, with the addition of oral antiandrogens for severe cases. Physical therapies and psychological support are important components of the management.
EXPERT OPINION ON PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Cheng Zhou, Xiumin Yang, Bin Yang, Guofu Yan, Xiuqin Dong, Yangfeng Ding, Weixin Fan, Linfeng Li, Dingquan Yang, Hong Fang, Chao Ji, Hao Cheng, Shoumin Zhang, Aik Han Goh, Rongjun Liu, Xiaoyu Gu, Zaili Weng, Peter Foley, Rodney Sinclair, Jianzhong Zhang
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ivarmacitinib in patients with AA. The results showed that ivarmacitinib at doses of 4 and 8 mg was effective and generally well-tolerated in patients with moderate and severe AA for 24 weeks.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Brett King, Xingqi Zhang, Walter Gubelin Harcha, Jacek C. Szepietowski, Jerry Shapiro, Charles Lynde, Natasha A. Mesinkovska, Samuel H. Zwillich, Lynne Napatalung, Dalia Wajsbrot, Rana Fayyad, Amy Freyman, Debanjali Mitra, Vivek Purohit, Rodney Sinclair, Robert Wolk
Summary: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of Ritlecitinib, an oral medication, in patients with alopecia areata. The findings showed that Ritlecitinib had good efficacy and tolerability in patients aged 12 years and older with alopecia areata, making it a suitable treatment option for those who require systemic therapy.
Article
Neurosciences
Shirin Shamloo, Erwin Defensor, Peter Ciari, Gaku Ogawa, Laura Vidano, Jennifer S. Lin, John A. Fortkort, Mehrdad Shamloo, Annelise E. Barron
Summary: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a safe therapeutic approach using specific wavelengths of light to prevent or limit neuroinflammatory processes and neuronal degeneration. In a study on mice, PBM was found to have anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines and upregulating anti-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in reducing LPS-induced peripheral and central inflammation. This study demonstrates the potential of PBM as an effective anti-inflammatory treatment.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minsang Kim, Yeongmi Cheon, Dongmin Shin, Jieun Choi, Josefine Eilso Nielsen, Myeong Seon Jeong, Ho Yeon Nam, Sung-Hak Kim, Reidar Lund, Havard Jenssen, Annelise E. Barron, Seongsoo Lee, Jiwon Seo
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria, and peptoids with N-substituted glycine backbone have also shown promise as antimicrobials. This study investigates the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a library of peptoids and demonstrates that both membrane disruption and intracellular biomass flocculation are important mechanisms of bacterial killing.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Liuyan Gu, Xinxin Xiao, Ge Zhao, Paul Kempen, Shuangqing Zhao, Jianming Liu, Sang Yup Lee, Christian Solem
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time that Lactococcus lactis, a lactic acid bacterium, can use ferricyanide as an alternative electron acceptor to support growth. By analyzing mutants and conducting electrochemical analysis, the essential role of NADH dehydrogenase and 2-amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphtoquinone in extracellular electron transfer is identified and the underlying pathway is systematically uncovered. The study also reveals the unexpected effects of ferricyanide respiration on L. lactis, including changes in morphology and increased acid resistance.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
R. Sinclair, S. Eisman, W. Song, B. Heung, C. Surian, C. M. Y. Lee, D. Witcombe
Summary: This study provides the first description of the epidemiology (incidence and point prevalence) and management of alopecia areata (AA) in the Australian primary health-care population through large-scale database analysis. The incidence and prevalence findings were consistent with earlier estimates from other regions.
AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Brett King, Jerry Shapiro, Manabu Ohyama, Alexander Egeberg, Bianca Maria Piraccini, Brittany Craiglow, Rodney Sinclair, Yun-Fei Chen, Wen-Shuo Wu, Yuxin Ding, Najwa Somani, Yves Dutronc
Summary: Different clinical response subgroups can be identified in baricitinib-treated patients with severe alopecia areata, and these subgroups are influenced by baseline characteristics. The findings from these analyses will help in understanding treatment expectations for scalp hair regrowth.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Brett King, Xingqi Zhang, Walter Gubelin Harcha, Jacek C. Szepietowski, Jerry Shapiro, Charles Lynde, Natasha A. Mesinkovska, Samuel H. Zwillich, Lynne Napatalung, Dalia Wajsbrot, Rana Fayyad, Amy Freyman, Debanjali Mitra, Vivek Purohit, Rodney Sinclair, Robert Wolk
Summary: This is a summary of the results of the ALLEGRO-2b/3 clinical trial, which investigated the effectiveness and safety of ritlecitinib in treating alopecia areata. The study found that ritlecitinib promoted hair regrowth in AA patients and demonstrated good tolerability over the course of 48 weeks.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Patrick M. Tate, Vincent Mastrodomenico, Christina Cunha, Joshua McClure, Annelise E. Barron, Gill Diamond, Bryan C. Mounce, Kent Kirshenbaum
Summary: The development of durable new antiviral therapies is challenging due to rapid virus evolution and resistance. Peptoids, a family of AMP mimetics, show direct antiviral activity against enveloped viruses by disrupting viral membrane constituents. These findings suggest that peptoids have the potential to be a new family of therapeutics capable of preventing resistance.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
B. King, P. Mirmirani, K. Lo Sicco, Y. Ramot, R. Sinclair, R. Edwards, U. Kerkmann, D. Wajsbrot, S. Zwillich, A. Lejeune
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
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.
