Journal of Biomaterials Applications最新文献

Purpose: Cartilage tissue has a very limited self-repairing capacity due to its aneural and avascular nature, and current clinical strategies fail to consistently regenerate normal hyaline cartilage for effective chondrogenic repair. This study aims to explore the potential of 3D bioprinting, particularly through hybrid constructs of cell-embedded soft and synthetic materials, as a solution for enhancing the mechanical and biological properties of tissue-engineered scaffolds. Methods: We developed and implemented optimization protocols for melt-extrusion bioprinting to fine-tune mechanical properties by adjusting strand distance and pattern shapes. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) hybrid constructs were fabricated to investigate the synergy between materials in achieving improved mechanical strength while preserving biological compatibility. Results: The optimized printing parameters yielded scaffolds with compressive modulus values aligning closely with the target, demonstrating the clinical applicability of the method. The hybrid GelMA-PCL constructs exhibited enhanced mechanical properties and retained a high biological fraction, validating their potential for chondrogenic applications. Conclusion: This study presents an innovative approach to improving the mechanical strength of tissue-engineered constructs through architectural optimization. These findings represent a significant step toward advancing tissue-engineered cartilaginous products from laboratory research to clinical applications, addressing a critical challenge in cartilage repair.

Osteoarthritis is confronted with a multifaceted pathological microenvironment, and the implementation of palliative pharmacological strategies facilitates the continued progression of osteoarthritis. In this study, a dynamic hydrogel composed of oxidized hyaluronic acid and gelatin was devised for encapsulating and dispensing EGCG to combat inflammation and oxidative stress in the initial phase, stimulating the differentiation of BMSCs to preserve the metabolic equilibrium of the extracellular matrix through the gradual release of KGN-loaded PLGA microspheres. Subsequently, accomplished adhesion and in-situ delivery were achieved through minimally invasive injection into the joint cavity. These hydrogels possess excellent shear-thinning properties and biocompatibility. The design of double-loaded hydrogel is capable of eradicating intracellular reactive oxygen species while fostering cartilage differentiation via controlled release of EGCG and KGN. A double-loaded injectable hydrogel may provide a new idea for early minimally invasive treatment of osteoarthritis.

Skeletal tissues possess complicated structures and thereby their regeneration confronts considerable challenges. The final objective of skeletal tissue engineering is the development of efficient engineered substitutes in order to promote tissue regeneration. Numerous efforts have been made to develop functional biomimetic constructs with superior functions and characteristics to create advanced biomaterials for skeletal regeneration. One of the efficient approaches for designing bioinspired materials is mimicking the microstructure and architecture of natural living organisms and applying them in developing biomaterials with relevant functionality. Moreover, bioinspired complex structures which are developed by mimicking natural or synthetic architectures provide a crucial role in tissue engineering. Since the traditional approaches can not fulfill the demands to design intricate biomimetic materials, employing novel technologies may be satisfying. 3D bioprinting is a rapidly evolving technology which offers accurate multi-material and multi-scale manufacturing of biomimetic constructs for the patient-specific tissue regeneration. Numerous attempts such as mimicking the hierarchical structure and function of bone tissue, resembling the zonal architecture of cartilage tissue and imitating the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of natural osteochondral tissue, can suggest clinically desirable candidates for skeletal reconstruction. Here, 3D bioprinting technology for creating bioinspired constructs for use in skeletal tissue regeneration is discussed. We review various types of bioinspired constructs developed by mimicking the endogenous structure and function of skeletal tissues. Next, biomimetic constructs that are designed by imitating other natural and synthetic structures are discussed. Clinical trials utilizing 3D-printed constructs for skeletal tissue regeneration is discussed as the final part of the story. Different strategies such as mimicking strong adhesion to different surfaces, imitating the morphology of different architectures and resembling the hierarchical structure of natural and synthetic structures can expand the opportunity to develop realistic and effective constructs for clinical regeneration of skeletal tissue.

Respiratory diseases remain a major global health burden, motivating the need for improved experimental lung models that capture both anatomical geometry and mechanical compliance. Traditional three-axis 3D printers face limitations in replicating the lung's curving, branching structures, often resulting in pore collapse or loss of fidelity. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a six-axis robotic extrusion bioprinter to fabricate anatomically inspired airway structures using hybrid hydrogels composed of Alginate (A) and CarboxyMethyl Cellulose (CMC). By systematically tuning hydrogel formulations, we identified a blend (5% Alginate-7% CMC, i.e., A₅C₇) that provides a balance of viscosity, shear-thinning, and diffusion resistance, resulting in enhanced print fidelity and structural stability compared to single-polymer inks. Using this formulation, the robotic platform successfully printed tubular and bifurcating airway constructs that retained lumen geometry, withstanding axial and diametral compression within ranges relevant to lung tissue mechanics. Printability (Pr ≈ 0.92-1.08) analysis confirmed consistent pore fidelity, while mechanical testing demonstrated elastic recovery under loading. A preliminary aerosol deposition test highlighted the feasibility of coupling these constructs with drug delivery studies, though more sensitive measurement methods will be required. Collectively, this work establishes a proof-of-concept fabrication platform for anatomically accurate and mechanically compliant airway models, which can be adapted in future studies to represent both healthy and pathological respiratory states through targeted modifications in geometry, material composition, and cellular integration.

Introduction: Non-healing diabetic foot ulcers often result in amputation and reduced quality of life. The study objective was to develop and evaluate a novel fish skin-derived acellular dermal matrix (FSADM) for diabetic wound-healing applications, addressing these challenges. Methods: FSADM was fabricated from yellow fin tuna (Thunnus albacares) skin using a decellularization and lyophilization process. The matrix was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays with L929 fibroblasts and hemocompatibility tests. In vivo, biocompatibility was evaluated through subcutaneous implantation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Wound-healing efficacy was assessed in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model with full-thickness excisional wounds, comparing FSADM with commercial alternatives and untreated controls. Results: FTIR analysis confirmed the preservation of collagen structure in FSADM. In vitro studies demonstrated cytocompatibility with L929 cells and minimal haemolytic activity (0.68 ± 0.034%). Subcutaneous implantation demonstrated good biocompatibility, with a progressive reduction in the inflammatory response. In the diabetic wound model, FSADM-treated wounds exhibited significantly faster closure rates than commercial controls (p < 0.05), achieving 100% closure by day 21, compared to 90% closure in commercial controls. Histological analysis revealed enhanced epithelialization, hair follicle formation, and angiogenesis in FSADM-treated wounds. Conclusion: FSADM demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and superior wound-healing in diabetic conditions compared to commercial alternatives. It presents a promising, sustainable biomaterial for diabetic wound care. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in clinical settings and optimize their therapeutic potential.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in establishing a tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME) by inducing a phenotypic shift in macrophage from the pro-inflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. This polarization facilitates tumor growth, progression, metastasis, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. Consequently, reprogramming the TIME by repolarizing TAMs has emerged as a promising approach in cancer therapy. In this study, we synthesized core-shell structured nanoparticles (UCNPs@CB-Zol-Pt) utilizing host-guest interactions between NaYF₄:Yb/Er (UCNPs) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB). These nanoparticles were designed to polarize M2-like macrophages into M1-like macrophages and release tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), thereby potentially inducing the release of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, the M1-type macrophages could ingest, process, and present TAAs generated from platinum-based chemotherapy through MHC class II molecules. This process simultaneously enhances the infiltration of helper and effector T cells into the TIME, thereby potentiating the efficacy of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is resistant to many of the antibiotics used in clinical settings, has emerged as a significant concern in healthcare and the treatment options for MRSA infections are becoming increasingly limited. There is an urgent need for novel systems to combating MRSA. Nanotechnology inspired interventions might possibly overcome the defense mechanisms used by MRSA, resulting in more successful treatment techniques. A unique strategy involved the fabrication of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) derived from Urginea indica and combined with chitosan. The resulting Ag-chitosan hydrogel was assessed using UV and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as zeta potential measurement. The hydrogel's efficacy against targeted bacteria and biofilms was investigated, revealing its method of action. Furthermore, the biological compatibility of the material with cell lines was analyzed for potential uses. These studies were supplemented by in vitro infection trials and in vivo assessments utilizing a Balb/c mouse model. Overall, the comprehensive analysis confirmed the Ag-chitosan hydrogel's ability to promote wound healing. Notably, adding U. indica-derived Ag NPs and chitosan significantly increased the hydrogel's therapeutic potential.

Immune engineering is a vast and rapidly developing field with a strong focus on polymeric materials. The importance of these biomaterials in immune engineering revolves around their ability to provide bioactive molecules to the target site, which influences the immune system. Their functional performance depends on various structural and functional properties of the biomaterial, which are also influenced by the host immune microenvironment. This work focuses on the current state of the art, the attributes of polymer-based biomaterials, and their limitations in immune engineering applications. This review not only elaborates on the advantages of polymeric biomaterials in immune engineering but also critically analyses the potential of these biomaterials in this field. The current work begins with the identification of key characteristics of polymer-based biomaterials for immune engineering, then explores different aspects of various polymeric materials and their importance in immune engineering applications. One of the key advantages of polymeric materials is that they can be efficiently designed to deliver bioactive molecules that significantly influence the host immune system. On the other hand, a notable limitation of these materials involves the development of adverse immune responses that can often occur due to the incompatibility of polymeric biomaterials with the host immune system. Finally, the review delves into the future perspectives and potential of these materials in immune engineering based personalized medicine and/or engineering living material (ELM) specific applications.

Porous microneedles (PMNs) can efficiently load drugs via capillary action within their porous structure and enable controlled drug release in deep wound layers, thereby significantly promoting wound healing. However, increasing the porosity of PMNs typically compromises mechanical strength, leading to needle tip deformation during skin penetration. To overcome this limitation, a mechanically robust porous microneedle (PMN) was fabricated by lyophilizing a chemically and physically dual-crosslinked hyaluronic acid/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel formed in situ within a microneedle mold. The resulting PMN exhibited a single-needle bearing force exceeding the minimum threshold for skin penetration (>0.1 N) while maintaining a relatively high porosity (28.7%). Furthermore, a curcumin-loaded PMN (PMN@Cur) was easily prepared by adsorbing a curcumin/β-cyclodextrin complex solution into the abundant pores of PMN. The PMN@Cur showed sustained drug release, along with superior antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In infected wounds models, the PMN@Cur attained a wound contraction rate of up to 87.2% by day 14, demonstrating its high therapeutic efficacy in wound healing. These findings suggest that PMN@Cur, which combines high porosity with favorable mechanical properties, holds significant promise as a drug delivery system for advanced wound care.

Wound healing is a complex physiological process involving coordinated phases of inflammation, tissue repair, and scar formation to restore tissue integrity. Recently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been investigated for their potential to promote wound healing; however, their application is limited by concerns over cytotoxicity and the development of bacterial resistance. To address these limitations, this study presents the development of a silver-alginate hydrogel (AgSACip) incorporating ciprofloxacin, synthesized using green tea extract act as a biogenic reducing and stabilizing agent. Sodium alginate, a naturally derived macromolecule, serves as a biocompatible matrix to stabilize AgNPs, reduce cytotoxicity, and enhance therapeutic efficacy. The wound healing potential of AgSACip was evaluated in diabetic and burn wound models, and its antibacterial activity, cytotoxic effects, and pharmacokinetics were analyzed using in silico methods. The results demonstrate that AgSACip significantly accelerates wound healing compared to AgNPs and ciprofloxacin alone, particularly in diabetic and burn wounds. Furthermore, AgSACip exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against bacterial strains isolated from wound pus samples and showed no cytotoxicity toward NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. These findings highlight the potential of AgSACip, a macromolecule-based hydrogel, as a safe and effective alternative to conventional wound dressings, offering improved wound healing outcomes.