ACS Applied Bio Materials最新文献

Understanding structure-property relationships is essential for designing multifunctional biopolymer composites that integrate mechanical robustness, barrier performance, and antimicrobial activity in sustainable materials. Chitosan (CS) exhibits excessive hydrophilicity, limited mechanical strength, and poor moisture stability, which restrict its long-term performance in packaging applications. With the aim to enhance the mechanical strength, moisture absorption, and overall performance of CS, an organic aromatic polymer, poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD), was introduced into the matrix through in situ oxidative polymerization. Incorporation of PoPD improved the properties of CS by introducing aromaticity and electron delocalization, thereby limiting water uptake and molecular diffusion without relying on petroleum-derived additives. Remarkably, a low filler concentration (0.15 wt % of PoPD) produced drastic enhancement, in a tensile strength of 27.98 ± 1.40 MPa (as compared to 9.28 ± 0.46 MPa in neat CS) and an elongation at break value of 5.44 ± 0.27%. Moisture absorption studies confirmed a marked reduction at low filler levels, whereas higher PoPD contents generated compact morphologies that further restricted diffusion. Antibacterial evaluations revealed pronounced inhibition of Bacillus subtilis across all filler concentrations. Molecular docking analyses attributed this behavior to π-π-stacking, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions between PoPD and bacterial residues. The properties can be tuned by adjusting the filler content, producing multifunctional composites suitable for smart, sustainable packaging applications.

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are key enabling technologies for next-generation wireless telecommunication systems, offering dynamic control over electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation. However, most existing RIS demonstrations rely on conventional electronic or metallic platforms, raising concerns about resource availability, recyclability, and environmental sustainability. In this study, hybrid nanostructured RIS prototypes (Prototypes I-III) were designed and fabricated using sustainable, wood-derived materials, namely, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), suberin, and biocarbon, in combination with thermoresponsive vanadium dioxide (VO₂) nanoparticles. The EM performance of these RIS architectures was first optimized through full-wave simulations and then validated experimentally by the cast-layer deposition of VO₂/CNF-suberin functional layers onto printed circuit board (PCB) substrates. Among the tested designs, Prototype I, comprising a functional layer of 95 wt % VO₂, 2.5 wt % nonderivatized CNF, and 2.5 wt % suberin, exhibited the most pronounced thermal response, showing resonance frequency shifts of up to 19 MHz at a 5 GHz center frequency and phase shifts of 83° with temperature variation. Prototype II, containing cationic CNFs, demonstrated improved mechanical stability but reduced electrical continuity due to microstructural cracking, whereas Prototype III, modified with biocarbon, displayed diminished conductivity arising from its lower VO₂ content. Degree of linear polarization (DOLP) analysis revealed early stage phase transitions that occurred prior to complete conductive pathway formation. Overall, the hybrid RIS architectures developed from VO₂ and wood-derived materials through a sustainable processing route exhibited highly tunable, temperature-triggered EM modulation, with sensitivity ranging from low to high, depending on the material composition and assembly configuration.

Rising numbers of organ failures have intensified the demand for high-performance biomaterials to support the development of bioartificial organs and advanced bioreactors. Hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) are particularly well-suited for such applications, including bioartificial kidney, liver, and 3D cell culture systems, due to their unique architecture and functional versatility. In this study, we engineered HFMs by blending amphiphilic Pluronic F127 (PF127) with poly(ether sulfone) (PES), aiming to enhance both separation efficiency and cellular attachment and proliferation. Physicochemical characterization revealed that PF127 incorporation resulted in a concentric, porous membrane structure with significantly improved porosity as compared to that of plain PES HFMs. Biocompatibility was assessed using human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and hepatocellular carcinoma liver (HepG2) cell lines. Confocal microscopy, MTT cell viability assays, flow-cytometry-based live/dead assays, and calcein AM/propidium iodide staining demonstrated that PF127/PES HFMs strongly support the attachment and proliferation of viable cells. The attached cells exhibited high metabolic activity and formed three-dimensional spheroids, indicating the bioactive influence of PF127. Hemocompatibility evaluation by hemolysis and terminal complement complex (SC5b9) showed that the HFMs fabricated were hemocompatible, suggesting a diminished inflammatory response. Additionally, separation performance evaluation demonstrated a high ultrafiltration coefficient, highest for 2.5 PF127 (173.83 ± 7.31 mL m^-2 h^-1 mmHg^-1) and efficient removal of a broad range of uremic toxins, including urea, creatinine, macroglobulin analogs, and protein-bound toxins such as indoxyl sulfate. Collectively, the enhanced cytocompatibility with kidney and liver cells, hemocompatibility, and separation capability of PF127/PES HFMs make them promising scaffolds for bioartificial kidney and liver applications.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are extensively utilized in nucleic acid delivery for therapeutic applications because of their biocompatibility and protection of the nucleic acid cargo from degradation during in vivo transport. The nanoscale DNA-based fluoropyrimidine polymer CF10 shows strong efficacy advantages relative to conventional fluoropyrimidine drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In principle, LNP-mediated delivery of CF10 could further enhance its efficacy advantage relative to 5-FU by increasing plasma stability and promoting cell uptake. However, the anticancer activity of CF10 relies on the release of active nucleotides, and it is not clear that LNP-mediated delivery of CF10 preserves dual targeting of thymidylate synthase (TS) and DNA topoisomerase 1 (Top1). This study proposes the incorporation of CF10 into LNPs using chaotic mixing of lipid compositions in a microfluidic chip. Biophysical characterization revealed homogeneous LNP formation with size 80-200 nm in diameter and a zeta-potential of -15 mV, dependent on CF10 concentration. LNPs were stable (tested in PBS) over 4 weeks. In vitro studies showed that LNP formulation increased CF10 uptake specifically into cancer cells, while an immortalized nonmalignant intestinal cell line did not show increased uptake of CF10:LNPs. CF10:LNPs initially colocalized with endosomes, followed by primarily lysosome colocalization at 48 h. CF10:LNPs displayed increased cytotoxicity to cancer cells relative to free CF10, proportional to increased cell uptake. Potent inhibition of TS was achieved consistently with nuclease-mediated release of FdUMP from CF10 in lysosomes. CF10:LNPs also efficiently induced Top1 cleavage complex formation, consistent with perturbation of cellular dNTP pools similar to free CF10. These findings indicate that CF10:LNPs display enhanced anticancer activity relative to free CF10 and preserve CF10's unique TS/Top1 dual targeting mechanism.

Developing peroxidase-like nanomaterials of high activity, low cost, and eco-friendliness remains a key challenge for effective and efficient antibacterial applications. Herein, of the reducibility and molecular simplicity, cysteine (Cys) was introduced into a zinc-iron-layered double hydroxide (ZnFe-LDH) to build the valence-regulated nanozyme (Cys-ZnFe-LDH). Via the reduction and intercalation, Cys-ZnFe-LDH was facile and mildly acquired with valence regulation and interlayer space enlargement, promoting the mass transfer rate and redox cycle, so as to enhance the catalytic performance. Significantly, intercalated with cysteine, the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio increased from 1.42 to 3.27 in Cys-ZnFe-LDH, and also the specific surface areas enlarged from 48.989 to 79.445 m²/g. Notably, Cys-ZnFe-LDH remarkably enhanced H₂O₂ decomposition into hydroxyl radicals, with the maximum reaction velocity of 25.80 × 10^-8 M·s^-1, as well as an extremely high affinity, favoring efficient •OH generation. However, leveraging such superior enzyme-mimicking activity, Cys-ZnFe-LDH possessed the potential broad-spectrum antibacterial performance, respectively, achieving 99% elimination of Escherichia coli (0.5 mM H₂O₂, 50 μg·mL^-1) and Staphylococcus aureus (0.1 mM H₂O₂, 100 μg·mL^-1), as well as a remarkable hemolysis rate and cell survival rate. Prospectively, Cys-ZnFe-LDH was a synergistic antibacterial "nanoknife" of the enhanced interfacial enrichment, Fe valence-state regulation, and •OH-driven oxidative damage.

Fluorescence imaging-based combined photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) therapy strategies have presented as an attractive technique for cancer diagnosis and treatment, offering advantages such as noninvasiveness, real-time monitoring and high antitumor efficiency. However, conventional synergistic PDT/PTT platforms often rely on complex multicomponent nanosystems, which face challenges such as batch-to-batch variability, inefficient energy transfer, and the need for multiple excitation sources. To overcome these limitations and achieve a streamlined yet multifunctional system, we rationally designed and synthesized a donor-acceptor conjugated polymer CPBTT, and further developed conjugated polymer nanoparticles CPBTT-NPs. Upon irradiation with a single 808 nm laser, the CPBTT-NPs exhibited a remarkable multifunctional response: (1) strong NIR-II fluorescence for high-resolution imaging of deep tissues; (2) generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (via type-I PDT pathway); (3) generating substantial localized heat for PTT. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that CPBTT-NPs effectively achieve deep-tissue tumor visualization, precise tumor accumulation and potent tumor ablation with minimal systemic toxicity. This all-in-one phototherapeutic platform thus provides a simple, reproducible, and efficient strategy for advanced imaging-guided cancer theranostics.

The rise of drug-resistant microbes has made antimicrobial therapy increasingly challenging, and despite several reports on peptide-functionalized silver nanoparticles, their efficacy against Mycobacterium species remains largely unexplored. In this study, we synthesized short peptide functionalized silver nanoparticles to develop an effective antimycobacterial agent, where peptides acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents for the one-pot synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The developed nanoparticles were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). The positively charged peptide-capped silver nanoparticles exhibited significant antimycobacterial activity against acid-fast mycobacterial strains, including Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium marinum, compared to peptides alone, which could be due to the integrated effect of the peptide-functionalized AgNPs. Among the synthesized nanoparticles, linear peptide 2 (LP 2) functionalized AgNP exhibited the highest antimycobacterial efficacy against the Mycobacterium strains, with the lowest MIC (5 μM). AgNP LP 2 was found to be efficient to penetrate the mycobacterial cell wall, inducing membranolytic activity, triggering oxidative stress and degrading DNA, which led to the death of mycobacterial cells. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the peptides with key enzyme FadD32 (MsmFadD32), Mycobacterium smegmatis, demonstrated strong interactions near the active site cleft, indicating potential inhibition of the mycolic acid biosynthesis pathway by the LP 2 peptide. This disruption likely challenges the organism's pathogenicity and supports the peptides' role in contributing to membranolytic activity. Additionally, AgNP LP 2 demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation and effectively disrupt preformed mycobacterial biofilms while exhibiting negligible cytotoxicity toward human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. In summary, our results suggest that newly developed AgNPs exhibit antimycobacterial activity without compromising the cell viability of normal cells, making them highly potent as prospective antimycobacterial agents.

Multifunctional magneto-theranostic nanoplatform, with integrate imaging and therapy in simple platform offer transformative potential for precision cancer management due to their strong magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and versatile theranostic capabilities. Here, we report for the first time the theranostic application of in situ mesoporous core-shell MIL-88A@CuFe₂O₄ nanohybrid, as an interesting smart platform for dual-mode T1-T2MRI and optical imaging with quantitative analysis, combined with pH-sensitive targeted drug delivery. The nanohybrid was fabricated via a simple in situ synthesis, where Fe (0) from the CuFe₂O₄ core serves as a Fe³⁺ source for MIL-88A shell crystallization in the presence of fumaric acid, producing a mesoporous structure with high porosity and strong magnetism. Fe³⁺ centers in the MIL-88A shell provide T1 contrast, while the CuFe₂O₄ core enhances both T1 and T2 signals, achieving robust dual-mode MRI (r₁ = 73.0 mM^-1 s^-1, r₂ = 700.9 mM^-1 s^-1). The mesoporous shell allows pH-sensitive controlled release of doxorubicin, and folate conjugation ensures active tumor targeting, while intrinsic doxorubicin fluorescence enables optical tracking of biodistribution in vivo. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated high biocompatibility, selective cancer cell uptake, effective pH-responsive drug release, dual-modal MRI and fluorescence contrast, and significant tumor growth inhibition in a triple-negative breast cancer (4T1) mouse model. The nanohybrid's combination of high porosity, strong magnetism, dual T1-T2MRI contrast, targeted drug delivery, and therapeutic efficacy distinguish it from existing theranostic agents. This work highlights a theranostic application of MIL-88A@CuFe₂O₄ nanohybrids, demonstrating their potential as a unique multifunctional platform for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment.

This study investigates the molecular interactions of two mycotoxins, ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT), with globular proteins, such as human serum albumin (HSA) and lysozyme (LYS), using an integrated spectroscopic, computational, and machine learning (ML) approach. Fluorescence and UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that OTA binds strongly to HSA through static quenching, with binding constants of 1.12 × 10⁵ M^-1 at 298 K and 1.33 × 10⁴ M^-1 at 323 K, indicating enthalpy-driven stabilization via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. In contrast, CIT displayed weaker polarity-driven interactions with both proteins. ML models, particularly random forest and Gaussian process regression, achieved near-perfect prediction of quenching behavior (R² ≈ 0.985), surpassing traditional methods. Molecular docking corroborated spectroscopic findings, highlighting stronger OTA-HSA affinity compared to that of OTA-LYS and CIT complexes. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining spectroscopy, ML, and docking offers quantitative and mechanistic insights into mycotoxin-protein binding, with implications for toxicity assessment and detoxification strategies.

The global rise in obesity rates presents a pressing international challenge. Despite substantial investments and research endeavors in pharmaceutical treatments for obesity, the use of high doses over extended periods has resulted in a spectrum of difficult-to-manage side effects. In this study, we introduce a novel photothermal-pharmacotherapy approach that combines a near-infrared absorbing aggregation-induced emissive (AIE) photothermal agent with the Chinese herbal medicine, morin. The AIE photothermal agent generates heat upon laser exposure to target and eliminate adipocytes, while morin reduces reactive oxygen species levels in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), the injection site, exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that mitigate potential heat-induced inflammation. Our findings reveal that morin can act as a synergistic photothermal codriving agent, enhancing adipocyte destruction. Remarkably, compared to the control group, the photothermal-pharmacotherapy group shows a 20% reduction in body weight, along with decreases of 17.9% in liver weight, 44.1% in epididymal white fat, 38.9% in mesenteric white fat, 45.7% in retroperitoneal white fat, and 68.4% in subcutaneous white fat in mice. Overall, this research underscores the efficacy of combining AIE photothermal agents with natural Chinese herbal compounds as a promising strategy for anti-inflammatory interventions and offers insights into combating obesity.