Macromolecular bioscience最新文献

Flexible conductive hydrogel-based electrodes are promising for biomedical use, combining enhanced wound healing, bioelectrical signaling, and real-time motion sensing, with broad potential in personalized medicine, wearable electronics, and smart prosthetics. In this study, electrically conductive hydrogels with dual functionality were developed for accelerated wound healing and motion sensing applications. The hydrogel electrodes were synthesized via a freeze-thaw cross-linking method using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), crystalline nanocellulose (CNC), Laponite (LAP), and polyaniline (PANI). The influence of CNC and LAP content on the electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation behavior of the hydrogels was systematically investigated. The PVA-CNC-LAP/PANI hydrogel optimized for electrical conductivity (1.5 wt.% CNC and 1.25 wt.% LAP) demonstrated outstanding multifunctional performance, combining robust mechanical strength (490 kPa tensile strength, 2.57 mm/mm elongation, 162 kPa elastic modulus, and 656 kJ/m³ toughness) with excellent electrical properties, including high conductivity (33.65 S/m), reliable sensitivity (gauge factor = 1.74), and remarkable durability (>500 cycles at 20% strain). Biocompatibility and cell migration potential of this hydrogel electrode were assessed through scratch assays using human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Additionally, the hydrogel's performance was evaluated in flexible sensor, smart finger actuator, and electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode applications. The biocompatible PVA/CNC/PANI-LAP hydrogel electrodes exhibited satisfactory electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical integrity, and electroresponsive behavior, thereby effectively supporting HDF proliferation, directed migration, and motion detection capabilities.

Antimicrobial materials are essential for the development of coatings for high traffic surfaces to prevent the adhesion and proliferation of microorganisms, playing a crucial role in infection control. In this study, different magnetoelectric nanocomposites exhibiting antimicrobial activity upon magnetic stimulation were developed by solvent casting. The nanocomposites, composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] with different contents (10 and 20% wt) of CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) or Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, were developed to respond to a variable magnetic field, mechanically stimulating the piezoelectric component of the material and inducing surface potential variations. The antimicrobial properties of these materials were evaluated by exposing them to different magnetic frequencies (0.3 and 1 Hz) in a custom-made magnetic bioreactor. The growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was significantly inhibited, particularly in the P(VDF-TrFE) nanocomposite with 20% CFO NPs, under magnetic stimulation at 1 Hz (bacterial cell viability ≈15%) compared to static conditions (bacterial cell viability ≈35%). This study highlights the potential of magnetic stimulation, in combination with magnetoelectric materials, as an effective strategy for the development of antimicrobial surfaces.

The skin plays a vital role in protection, hydration, and thermoregulation; however, its integrity can be compromised by injury. Jellyfish skin polysaccharides (JSP), extracted from Rhizostoma pulmo, have shown promise in promoting wound healing by enhancing cell migration and offering protection against oxidative stress. This study investigates the effect of JSP incorporation into wound dressings based on acrylate-endcapped urethane-based precursor (AUP); which are already known for their favorable swelling capacity and mechanical strength. AUP+JSP composites were processed into both hydrogel sheets and electrospun fibers (ESFs) and characterized in terms of morphological, mechanical, physicochemical, and biological properties. JSP incorporation preserved the UV-crosslinking capability of AUP, as well as the mechanical and swelling properties of the resulting hydrogels. Notably, JSP addition induced a unique branched and homogeneous 3D architecture in the ESFs, characterized by raised fiber structures interrupting the otherwise typical flat fibrous network. Biological evaluations on murine fibroblasts included cytocompatibility assays, assessments of oxidative stress resistance, and in vitro scratch assays. The results confirmed the biocompatibility of the AUP+JSP formulations and demonstrated significantly enhanced scratch closure in JSP-containing dressings, particularly in the ESFs. These findings support the potential of JSP-functionalized hydrogel sheets and electrospun fibers as advanced wound dressing platforms.

Psoriasis is promoted by signaling through the IL-23/IL-17 pathway. Existing oral or topical treatment regimens can hardly balance acute flare-ups with long-term maintenance. A dual-layer soluble microneedle (MN) that combines methylprednisolone (MP) and upadacitinib (UPA) was developed using an immediate-release-controlled-release spatiotemporal program to achieve rapid anti-inflammatory effects and sustained immunosuppression. The outer layer contains mechanically robust gelatin-polyvinyl alcohol (Gel-PVA) hydrogel loaded with MP, while the inner layer contains light-curable methyl acrylate hyaluronic acid (MeHA) to encapsulate UPA (UPA/SBA-15)-loaded mesoporous silica. The results revealed that the MNs penetrated the thickened stratum corneum, releasing 70% of MP within 2 h, and UPA release was sustained via SBA-15 mesopores over the next 48 h, significantly inhibiting IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. In a psoriasis mouse model, the patch group revealed an approximately 90% Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reduction, with normal pathological epidermal thickness achieved. Compared with those in the tacrolimus group (positive control group), serum and skin inflammatory factor levels were significantly lower, with no systemic toxicity. This MN platform achieves pain-free, precise, and low-toxicity transdermal glucocorticoid and JAK1 inhibitor delivery through synergistic effects of mechanical penetration and mesoporous sustained release, offering translational potential for personalized psoriasis treatment.

Diabetic wound healing remains a serious clinical challenge, especially with chronic ulcers that heal slowly and are prone to infection. These wounds are characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), persistent microbial colonization, impaired angiogenesis, and reduced cellular proliferation, all of which delay tissue repair. In this work, an electrospun wound healing patch based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is developed, engineered to combine antioxidant and antimicrobial functions along with in vitro glucose sensing. The patch is loaded with rosemary extract, known for its ROS scavenging ability, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for broad-spectrum antimicrobial action. A fluorescent probe made from phenylboronic acid and Alizarin Red S (PBA-ARS) is also incorporated for glucose detection. Characterization via SEM reveals well-aligned nanofibers, while FTIR, EDS, and UV-vis spectroscopy confirm successful encapsulation of the active agents. Biological evaluations show prolonged antioxidant activity and strong antimicrobial effects, supported by zone of inhibition studies, CFU analysis, and antibiofilm assays. The embedded PBA-ARS sensor shows a clear fluorescence response to glucose levels in vitro, highlighting its potential for biochemical monitoring. Altogether, this multifunctional PDMS-based patch brings together therapeutic and sensing features on a single platform, offering a promising strategy for improving the management of chronic diabetic wounds.

Polyurethanes and their composites are versatile materials widely used in numerous medical applications. However, limited information is available regarding their copper composites. Copper is a trace element in the human body that functions as an enzyme cofactor in both normal and pathological angiogenesis, as well as in muscle and brain formation. Considering this, copper complexes of D-penicillamine (DP), L-cysteine (LC), and dopamine (DOP) were incorporated into segmented polyurethanes (SPU) synthesized with either a semi-crystalline (poly-ε-caprolactone, PCL) or an amorphous (polytetramethylene ether glycol, PTMEG) soft segment. FTIR and Raman revealed new absorptions and peak shifts, confirming the presence of the complexes within the matrix of all composites. XPS further corroborated the presence of copper and sulfur. The crystallinity of the PCL-based polyurethanes was influenced by the addition of the filler, as observed through DSC and DRX. Furthermore, TGA analysis indicated the emergence of new decomposition temperatures following the incorporation of copper complexes. In general, no significant reduction in Young's modulus was observed, except for certain composites containing DPENCUII as filler, which exhibited a slight increase compared to pristine SPU´s. Finally, the composites demonstrated neither hemolytic nor procoagulating behavior (hemolysis < 5% and BCI > 20), although they exhibited some degree of impairment in cytocompatibility compared to their respective pristine SPUs. Collectively, these findings suggest that some composites possess promising properties for potential cardiovascular applications.

Bigels are semi-solid, biphasic systems fabricated by the combination of hydrogel and oleogel via high-speed shearing. These systems are characterized by interpenetrating network structures and biphasic continuity. They effectively integrate the biocompatibility and high water content of hydrogels with the mechanical strength and hydrophobic loading capacity of oleogels, thereby surmounting the limitations of single-phase gels. This review systematically delineates the composition (comprising gelling agents, preparation methods, and properties of both hydrogels and oleogels), structural types (oil-in-water, water-in-oil, and bicontinuous), and formation mechanisms of bigels. The key factors influencing the performance of bigels, such as the type and concentration of gelators, water-to-oil ratio, preparation conditions, storage time, and pH, are analyzed. Moreover, the applications in the delivery of bioactive compounds, cosmetics, and food are discussed. The results indicate that bigels display tunable rheological behavior, high stability, and multi-functionality, presenting extensive potential in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Future research ought to concentrate on enhancing long-term stability, reducing costs, and expanding applications in smart materials and bionic engineering.

The medicinal benefits of Cremastra appendiculata include antipyretic effects, detoxification, the elimination of phlegm and masses, and it is extensively used for the treatment of various cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms for the antitumor effects of C. appendiculata polysaccharide (CAP; one of the primary substances of its water-soluble components) remain unknown. This study involved CAP preparation and characterization as well as the investigation of its anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activities. Structural analysis revealed that CAP (Mw = 8,058 Da) is a linear glucomannan that is composed of → 4) -β-D-Glcp- (1 → 4) -β-D-Manp- (1 →. In an anti-HCC trial, the use of the CAP-mediated mediated macrophage-conditioned medium significantly inhibited Hepa1-6 cell migration and proliferation. CAP inhibits tumor growth in mice, and at high-doses, mitigated 5-fluorouracil-induce immune-organ damage. CAP enhances the immune-organ index of mice, increased the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and improve their immune functions, whereby it indirectly eliminated tumors. This study provides theoretical and experimental evidence in support of the use of CAP for the treatment of HCC and thereby promotes the development of natural polysaccharides from traditional medicines.

Antimicrobial peptides are increasingly being recognized as a promising solution for antibiotic resistance owing to their membranolytic properties. The Lasioglossin-III (LL-III) peptide in this regard is known to be a highly potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial and has shown its potential for diversified applications. Hence, to support its cost-effective recombinant production, in this paper, we rationally evaluated the therapeutic potential of the latter through experimental and molecular simulation-based approaches. We first evaluated the structural and functional mechanisms of the peptide using computation-based approaches; thereafter, the safety and efficacy of the target peptide was confirmed through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results indicated that the recombinant peptide rapidly and stably binds to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial membranes, leading to significant membrane perturbations whilst retaining its biocompatibility. Upon confirming the in vitro activity of the peptide under physiologically relevant conditions, the same was further tested upon local infection on mice. The peptide was found to exhibit remarkable healing effects, comparable to those of a commercially available antimicrobial product. Hence, overall, it can be said that the recombinant LL-III can be used as a potent antimicrobial molecule and can be further used for diversified therapeutic applications.