Advanced Nanobiomed Research最新文献

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.

2D characterization of organoids by light microscopy with live cell imaging systems provides a powerful, rapid approach toward characterizing organoid growth patterns and behavior under different conditions with high temporal resolution. However, current conventional analysis methods display critical flaws in their approximations, including inaccurate assumptions of linear light absorption kinetics and inappropriate normalization of organoid darkness. Organoid darkness represents cellular shedding and debris accumulation in the lumen of organoids and is thus proportional to the surface area, rather than to a 2D organoid projection as is conventionally used. This novel model and image processing pipeline accounts for these shortcomings by incorporating logarithmic light absorption parameters, a noncumulative measure of darkness, and surface area-normalized darkness values which yield accurate and highly reproducible representation of organoid growth kinetics.

Treatment of critical-sized bone defects remains challenging despite bone's regenerative capacity. Herein, a combination of a biodegradable polymer possessing bone-bonding properties with bioactive β-tricalcium phosphate (βTCP) particles coated with osteogenic (Zinc) and angiogenic (copper or cobalt) ions has been proposed. βTCP was coated with zinc and copper (Zn/Cu) or zinc and cobalt (Zn/Co) using 15 mM (low) or 45 mM (high) metallic ion solutions. Composites were obtained by a combination of the βTCP with poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate)/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEOT/PBT) copolymer in a 50:50 ratio. Composites were additively manufactured into 3D porous scaffolds and their osteogenic and angiogenic properties evaluated using a direct culture with human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) as well as an indirect coculture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We hypothesized that the combination of Zn/Cu or Zn/Co in the form of a coating of the βTCP particles would stimulate both osteogenic and angiogenic properties of PEOT/PBT-βTCP scaffolds. In addition, we investigated whether the resulting biomaterials influenced the paracrine function of hMSCs. Zn/Cu or Zn/Co were successfully co-incorporated into the ceramic without changing its chemistry. Scaffolds containing low concentrations of Zn/Co increased the expression of RUNX2, OCN, and OPN, while scaffolds with low concentrations of Zn/Cu enhanced the expression of ALPL. On the protein level, high Zn/Co concentrations elevated ALP and collagen production. Angiogenic properties improved with increased VEGFA expression by hMSCs and branching of tubules formed by HUVECs, particularly with low concentrations of Zn/Co. Scaffolds with high ion concentrations also increased cytokine and chemokine secretion, suggesting enhanced paracrine effects.

The virulence of a pathogen is tied to the successful interaction between the pathogen, or its toxins, and the host cell. Polarized epithelial cells, constituting highly specialized cell monolayers, possess apical and basolateral membrane regions with distinct functions and structural compositions. Preserving these intricacies in cell membrane-on-a-chip platforms is important for retaining physiological relevance for investigating host–pathogen interactions. Consequently, a method for obtaining distinct populations of cell membrane vesicles representing the apical and basolateral membranes is presented here, in addition to the formation of their respective supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) on PEDOT:PSS conducting polymer electrodes. The apical localization of the A metalloprotease and disintegrin (ADAM10) receptor in Caco-2 cells is shown to correlate with the increased response of the Staphylococcus aureus alpha hemolysin toxin on membrane-on-a-chip platforms compared to the basolateral membrane model where the ADAM10 receptor is absent. The interaction between SLBs and the alpha hemolysin-containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by S. aureus confirm the direct effect of toxin-containing EVs on reducing the resistance of plasma membrane. This technique could find use in quantifying relative toxicity to the cell membrane, screening for cognate receptors and inhibitors, and probing toxin mechanism of action.

Eggshell-Based Biomaterials

Eggshell-based biomaterials provide a sustainable and versatile platform for medical applications, including hard and soft tissue regeneration, drug delivery technologies, and biosensing applications. With their biomimetic mineralization ability, excellent biocompatibility, and a unique combination of bioactive components and structural properties, eggshells hold transformative potential to address critical unmet needs in the healthcare industry. More details can be found in article 2400120 by Gulden Camci-Unal and co-workers.

The native structure of tissues and organs is characterized by a hierarchical architecture, where various cell types and extracellular matrix components are closely interconnected. The precise organization of these entities is crucial for ensuring the proper functionality of tissues and organs. Therefore, engineering the spatial complexity of living systems is essential not only to mimic in vivo architecture but also to govern the microenvironments where embedded cells reside. Bioassembly is an innovative toolset for in vitro modeling and regenerative medicine. It enables the precise assembly and patterning of cells, biomaterials, and bioactive substances into 3D structures using automated and cell-friendly fabrication methods. In this review, the focus is centered on three contactless bioassembly approaches that are driven by sound, optical, and magnetic field. These technologies are thoroughly discussed, with a particular emphasis on their mechanism of action and their applications.

Ischemia-induced hypoxia is a critical complication in retinal diseases, leading to significant vision impairment and blindness due to disrupted blood flow and oxygen delivery. Currently, there is no effective method to assess oxygen levels in extravascular retinal tissue. Traditional hypoxia detection methods, such as oxygen-sensitive microelectrodes, magnetic resonance imaging, and retinal oximetry, have limitations including invasiveness, low spatial resolution, and lack of real-time monitoring. Herein, a noninvasive hypoxia detection method is proposed by utilizing lipid-polymer nanoparticles (NPs) with purely organic room-temperature phosphorescence materials for real-time detection with high spatial and temporal resolution. To enhance biocompatibility and efficacy, NPs were fabricated using biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and SeCO as a phosphor. PLGA degrades into nontoxic by-products, while the excitation wavelength of SeCO at 393 nm minimizes damage from short wavelengths and enhances tissue penetration. Furthermore, the NPs’ size is optimized to improve cellular uptake and reduce bodily accumulation, as smaller NPs are preferred for biocompatibility. Herein, synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of these PLGA-based phosphorescent NPs in rabbit models of retinal vein occlusion and choroidal vascular occlusion are involved. This approach represents a significant advancement in noninvasive biomedical imaging, improving the diagnosis and management of ischemic retinal diseases.

Implantable neural electrode arrays can be inserted in the brain to provide single-cell electrophysiology recording for neuroscience research and brain–machine interface applications. However, maintaining signal quality over time is complicated by inflammatory tissue responses and degradation of electrode materials. Organic electrode coatings offer a solution by enhancing recording and stimulation capabilities, including reduced impedance, increased charge injection capacity, and the ability to incorporate and release anti-inflammatory drugs. Herein, acid-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) loaded with dexamethasone (Dex) are incorporated into poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as electrode coatings. The electrochemical stability and recording performance of the PEDOT/CNT/Dex coating over an extended period of ≈18 months are investigated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) stimulation is used to release Dex in half of the recording sites during the first 11 days of implantation to reduce the acute inflammation. The PEDOT/CNT/Dex-coated floating microelectrode arrays demonstrate stable in vivo electrode impedance and successful detection of visually evoked neural activity from the rat visual cortex even at chronic time points. Additionally, the CV-stimulated sites exhibit higher single-unit (SU) recording yield, amplitudes, and signal-to-noise ratio compared to unstimulated sites. These results highlight the potential of anti-inflammatory treatments to improve the quality and longevity of chronic neural recordings.

The rapid advancement of nanotweezers for wireless manipulation of artificial micro- and nanoparticles has unlocked unprecedented possibilities in biomedicine. This review delves into optical, electric, and magnetic tweezers, emphasizing their roles in controlling single particles with micro/nanoscale features as miniaturized tools. Instead of providing a comprehensive review, this work highlights a select number of representative historical and contemporary examples of each type of tweezer, covering their rudimental working mechanisms, experimental setups, performance characteristics, and niche biomedical applications. Particularly, the focus lies in providing a quantitative comparison of the performances in spatial precision and degrees of freedom in controlling single particles, along with associated challenges and prospects.