Advanced Nanobiomed Research最新文献

Lanthanide-based luminescence nanothermometry has demonstrated unprecedented advantages in the development of nanotheranostic platforms for potential medical applications, yet despite exponential research progress and great enthusiasm across various related disciplines, a swift bench-to-bedside translation seems to be still out of reach. This is predominantly related to fundamental research issues at the preclinical stage, such as complex nanomaterials design, incomplete optimization, fragmented characterization, and insufficient validation of nanothermometer performance in physiological environments. The main impediments currently are important biophysicochemical issues that must be addressed comprehensively, first and foremost in available in vitro systems, before going on to in vivo investigations. This review outlines a critical perspective, as well as a route of suggestions and underexplored aspects to address and significantly minimize the existing translational gap.

This study investigates the effects of piezo-catalysts on sterilizing surfaces. The memory effects in three piezo-catalysts, ZnO, CuO, and SiO₂ are discovered, which are produced by a calcination process. After applying mechanical force to these materials, they retain an antibacterial effect for a period of days. With this discovery, it is possible to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by using piezo materials on hospital floors or operating rooms that can kill bacteria just by walking on them. The results show that ZnO, CuO, and SiO₂ are capable of killing bacteria even after being subjected to mechanical force for 9 days. The memory effect duration can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the calcination temperature, the storage condition after ultrasonication, the drying temperature after ultrasonication, and the solvent in which the piezo-catalyst is ultrasonicated. When ZnO, CuO, and SiO₂ are kept under a vacuum in a dark environment, the piezo effect remains almost constant for 11 days after sonication.

Breast cancer, a prevalent malignancy worldwide, includes the triple-negative subtype (TNBC) characterized by poor treatment outcomes. TNBC has been shown to be sensitive to ferroptotic cell death, an iron-dependent cell death mechanism involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Herein, biodegradable tetraphenylchlorin-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles (TPC-CS NPs) in combination with the free ferroptosis inducer RSL3 is used in MCF7 (hormone receptor-positive, epithelial) and MDA-MB-231 (hormone receptor-negative, mesenchymal-like) breast cancer cell lines. The results show that RSL3 treatment has no cytotoxic effect in MCF7 and there is no enhanced sensitivity when combined with TPC-CS NPs, while the combination sensitizes MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blot analysis reveals that the combined treatment decreases and differently affects GPX4 levels and the ratio between the two GPX isoforms in the two cell lines. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the combined treatment shows enhanced effects on lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial potential, and basal and maximal respiration, as compared to single treatments. Finally, ferroptosis expression signatures distinguish breast cancer cell lines with an increasing score in mesenchymal-like cells. Moreover, the signatures correlate with breast cancer subtypes, exhibiting the highest scores in subtypes rich in mesenchymal-like cells, particularly basal-like and claudin-low tumors, suggesting their susceptibility to ferroptosis induction.

Longitudinally monitoring biomedical devices postimplantation can improve patient outcomes by allowing targeted intervention during healing. Most polymeric devices are not visible via biomedical imaging technologies. Incorporation of nanoparticle contrast agents into polymer matrices creates imageable devices, but understanding and controlling nanoparticle clearance from the implant site after polymer degradation is needed for clinical translation. To achieve homogeneous distribution throughout biomedical devices, nanoparticle surface chemistry, particularly hydrophobicity, is often manipulated to generate stable suspensions during manufacture. As nanoparticle surface chemistry is a key parameter determining blood circulation, the effects of nanoparticle hydrophilicity on tissue clearance of nanoparticles from implant sites following polymeric device degradation are investigated. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic radiopaque tantalum oxide (TaO_x) nanoparticles are incorporated at 10 wt% tantalum into gelatin phantoms. In vitro, the diffusion coefficient of released hydrophilic nanoparticles after phantom degradation is significantly greater than hydrophobic nanoparticles, 1.29 ± 0.26 × 10⁻⁵ and 0.40 ± 0.16 × 10⁻⁵cm²s⁻¹, respectively. After subcutaneous implantation in mouse and subsequent phantom degradation, hydrophilic nanoparticles clear skin and muscle tissue within 24 h, whereas hydrophobic nanoparticles remained at the implant site >14 days without change in radiopacity. This clearly demonstrates that nanoparticle surface chemistry must be balanced for initial device manufacturing and final excretion.

Nanoparticles represent a powerful class of materials for drug delivery, leveraging their small size for passive targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention effect in tumors. This universal approach in tumor targeting offers several advantages over free therapeutics, particularly when combined with imaging capabilities. While a plethora of nanoparticles exist for various imaging techniques, the number of nanoparticles with therapeutic functions is much smaller, due to the synthetic challenges present for incorporation and release of an active drug. Herein, a strategy to transform the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lenvatinib into a polymerizable prodrug monomer is presented, enabling its incorporation into biodegradable polyimidazole-based particles. This drug monomer is then polymerized and thus incorporated into the nanoparticles via direct arylation in a dispersion polymerization approach. The polyimidazole backbone allows for high drug loads of up to 90 wt%. Additionally, the photoacoustic properties of the polyimidazole nanoparticles are preserved after drug incorporation. Moreover, the backbone remains degradable upon exposure to hydrogen peroxide, facilitating drug release. This approach enables packaging of a drug, for which no prodrug approaches exist and which is therefore challenging to incorporate into particles due to limited functional groups. The result is a new theranostic nanoagent.

The microbial repellence of some spider silk-based materials makes them interesting candidates for biomedical applications. This study investigates the microbial repellent properties of recombinant spider silk coatings on orthopedic metal implants, specifically targeting the prevention of biofilm-related implant infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Utilizing Galleria mellonella as an in vivo model, stainless steel and titanium implants coated with films made of three different recombinant spider silk proteins are analyzed concerning biofilm formation and its impact on animal survival. Amongst the tested spider silk variants, the polyanionic eADF4(C16) demonstrates superior bacterial-repellent properties and improved larval survivability. Scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals reduced bacterial presence on eADF4(C16)-coated wires compared to uncoated controls, correlating with survival data. Based on the results, the potential of recombinant spider silk coatings to enhance implant functionality and longevity is highlighted, presenting a novel solution to combat biofilm-related implant infections and address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, employing Galleria mellonella as an in vivo model underscores a commitment to ethical research practices in studying biofilm infections.

MXenes

MXenes, novel 2D materials, enhance cell adhesion and guide stem cell fate. In article 2400100, Kisuk Yang, Hwan D. Kim, and co-workers show MXenes promote rapid spheroid formation and differentiation of human stem cells in 3D microenvironments, advancing tissue regeneration in bone and nerve repair. These findings demonstrate MXenes’ potential to enhance spheroid growth and differentiation, offering valuable applications for tissue regeneration.

Acoustic patterning is a noncontact method to manipulate the spatial distribution of small particles using the forces generated in an ultrasound standing wave field. The technique has found applications in fields such as cell sorting, microfabrication, and tissue engineering. For tissue engineering, acoustic patterning enables remote cell and tissue manipulation, even in clinical settings. Conventional axial patterning strategies rely on reflector-based or dual-probe approaches, limiting their application to controlled setups incompatible with in vivo conditions. In contrast, single-sided lateral patterning approaches, exploiting the transmit beamforming capabilities and tunability of a clinical ultrasound transducer array, can bridge the gap to in vivo applications. For the first time, a clinical-phased array is used to acoustically pattern microscale particles in both axial and lateral directions, with dynamic control over pattern shape and orientation by adjusting electronic transducer delays. The data are used to validate a numerical model designed to predict acoustic forces and particle displacement in current and future experiments. Finally, acoustic patterning is successfully applied to living cells, demonstrating the potential translation of the proof of concept toward living tissues. In conclusion, clinical transducer arrays can pattern particles and living cells, augmenting patterning flexibility and advancing acoustic patterning for tissue engineering.

Explosions cause 79% of combat-related injuries, often leading to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhage. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, aids neuroprotection and wound healing. In this work, we sought to investigate the fabrication and characterization of polyurethane nanocapsules encapsulating EGCG, demonstrating controlled, on-demand release, and highlighting their potential for targeted therapeutic delivery in trauma care.

Chronic osteomyelitis poses a significant clinical challenge in orthopedic care, contributing to substantial socioeconomic burdens. To address this issue, we engineered three-dimensional porous gelatin/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composite scaffolds incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), designed to combine antimicrobial efficacy with osteoconductive potential. The AgNP-loaded scaffolds were synthesized and characterized. Biocompatibility and antibacterial activity were systematically evaluated. Results indicated that AgNP incorporation preserved the scaffolds’ interconnected porous architecture while improving hydrophilicity, water absorption capacity, and mechanical resilience. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays revealed no statistically significant inhibition of cell proliferation relative to AgNP-free controls (P > 0.05), with scanning electron microscopy confirming robust cellular adhesion and proliferation. Osteogenic marker expression was markedly elevated in composite scaffolds compared to controls, with these enhancements remaining unaffected by optimal AgNP loading. Sustained Ag⁺ ion release persisted for six weeks, correlating with prolonged antibacterial efficacy against common pathogens. Collectively, the AgNP-loaded gelatin/β-TCP scaffolds demonstrated synergistic antibacterial activity, cytocompatibility, and osteogenic promotion. These properties position the composite as a promising biomaterial for addressing infection-related bone defects, offering a dual therapeutic strategy to mitigate microbial colonization while supporting tissue regeneration.