ACS Applied Bio Materials最新文献

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.

The incorporation of naturally derived bioactive compounds (BAC) into biodegradable polymer matrices presents a promising and sustainable approach to enhancing the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for next-generation self-powered electronic devices. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was added with bioactive constituents extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa - CL), garlic (Allium sativum - AS), and ginger (Zingiber officinale - ZO) through a solution casting technique to fabricate BAC@PVA composites. These plant-based additives, rich in functional groups and phytochemicals, significantly improved the triboelectric properties by enhancing surface roughness, dielectric behavior, and interfacial charge transfer. The structural, morphological, elemental, and chemical characteristics of the composites are thoroughly examined using XRD, SEM, EDS, and FTIR analyses. TENG devices are fabricated using the BAC@PVA composites as tribopositive layers and PVDF as the tribonegative counterpart. Among the fabricated devices, the CL@PVA-TENG demonstrated superior electrical output, achieving a peak voltage of 302 V and current of 62 μA, marking a notable improvement over pristine PVA-based TENGs. The harvested energy successfully powers capacitors and 57 blue LEDs, demonstrating practical viability. Additionally, the device functions as a self-powered sensor, capable of detecting a wide range of gestures and human interactions with high sensitivity and reliability. These multifunctional capabilities enable practical applications in wearable healthcare monitoring, interactive electronics, and smart human-machine interfaces, where precise detection of motion and touch provides real-time, user-centered benefits. Overall, this study demonstrates that reinforcing PVA with bioactive compounds offers an eco-friendly and efficient strategy for developing sustainable energy-harvesting and self-powered sensing devices.

Immunotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM) remains a major challenge due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, in which tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a key contributor. Repolarizing TAMs from the pro-tumor M2 phenotype to the antitumor M1 phenotype offers a promising therapeutic strategy. To promote M1 polarization of TAMs and achieve stimuli-responsive controlled drug release for GBM treatment, we developed a glutathione (GSH)/pH dual-responsive bionic transformable silica-based nanoparticle vSiO₂@JS-K/TDTCD-TA-Fe³⁺@Ang-2 which named as VTKFA. Within this nanoparticle, the nitric oxide (NO) prodrug JS-K serves as the pharmacological agent to induce TAMs repolarization. For real-time monitoring of JS-K release, we designed a NO-activated probe, TDTCD. Virus-like silica nanoparticles (vSiO₂) were then engineered to coload JS-K and TDTCD. A ferric-tannic network (TA-Fe³⁺) complexed with Angiopep-2 (Ang-2) was coated onto the vSiO₂ surface, masking its original morphology. This coating disassembles under the acidic tumor microenvironment, re-exposing the bionic virus-like structure to promote rapid cellular uptake and enhanced tumor penetration. Subsequently, intracellular GSH triggers vSiO₂ degradation and JS-K release, generating NO and simultaneously activating TDTCD fluorescence. The released NO acts synergistically with hydroxyl radicals (•OH) produced via the Fenton reaction during the reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ to drive TAMs reprogramming to the M1 phenotype. This multifunctional nanoparticle, enabling both stimuli-responsive drug release and effective TAMs repolarization, is expected to alleviate the immunosuppressive microenvironment and suppress GBM progression.

The use of plant extracts in green synthesis has opened avenues for the development of nanoparticles with unique biological properties. This study focuses on the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Ambrosia artemisiifolia (AA) leaf extract and evaluates their effectiveness in biomedical applications and catalysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), TEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies are used to characterize the developed NPs. Following initial characterization, biophysical techniques are used to confirm the DNA and protein binding ability of the developed nanoparticles. The results of UV-metric titration and fluorescence spectroscopic titration confirm the binding efficacy of the developed nanoparticles to DNA and protein, respectively. The anticancer activity of AA-AuNPs against HeLa cancer cells is evaluated using the MTT assay, alongside HEK-293 normal cells, demonstrating promising therapeutic potential with minimal toxicity toward normal cells. Concurrently, the developed nanoparticles exhibited effective phenoxazinone mimicking activity. Furthermore, these nanoparticles exhibit a remarkable ability to degrade toxic dyes, achieving over 90% degradation within an 80 min time frame. These dual functionalities position AA-AuNPs as viable candidates for both biomedical and environmental remediation applications.

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks have great potential in constructing a high-performance anticancer nanodrug delivery system (NDDS) for combining phototherapy and chemotherapy. However, their practical applications are still challenged by a limited antitumor effect and complex component. In this study, we proposed constructing a multifunctional NDDS via simply integrating positron-emitting radionuclide ⁸⁹Zr and chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) into the porous coordination network-222 (PCN-222) featuring intrinsic photoactivity and good guest accommodation ability. It has been demonstrated that the synthesized DOX@⁸⁹Zr-PCN-222 exhibits good stability, favorable nanoscale dimensions, and excellent biocompatibility. More importantly, the prepared DOX@⁸⁹Zr-PCN-222 can provide bioinformation on the constructed nanoformulation from the living cells to the whole body, able to achieve controlled release of cytotoxin as a response to low pH and reductive glutathione (GSH). The excellent tumor binding ability of DOX@⁸⁹Zr-PCN-222 has been confirmed by both fluorescence and nuclear imaging, particularly in vivo positron-emission tomography over 7 days. As a result, the prepared NDDS has exhibited remarkable anticancer efficacy to suppress tumor growth and prolong the median survival of a murine breast cancer model, highlighting its great potential for tumor chemo-PDT therapy.

In the field of wound care, the demand for effective materials that combine strong mechanical performance with bioactivity is crucial. This study presents a multifunctional, stretchable, and adhesive hydrogel film composed of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), punicalagin (PUN), glycerol (GLY), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), specifically designed for advanced wound healing applications. The hydrogel film exhibits high mechanical strength, elasticity, and reliable adhesion, making it suitable for dynamic wound environments. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were incorporated to enhance the hydrogel's bioactive properties. The SeNP-integrated hydrogel demonstrates antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antifungal activity, along with strong antioxidant capacity that supports cell proliferation. These attributes are essential for accelerating tissue repair, reducing infection, and mitigating oxidative stress, thereby improving the wound healing process. Overall, the SeNP-loaded hydrogel film represents a combination of mechanical robustness, effective adhesion, and multifunctional biological activity, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic platform for wound management.

Protein adsorption at interfaces is an important fundamental phenomenon that occurs in both natural and engineered systems. Despite recent advances in research on protein-interface adhesion, a lack of understanding persists regarding the interactions that occur on different surfaces and under various conditions, including pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Barnacle-inspired proteins are as promising biomolecules for investigating bioadhesive properties in wet conditions, since their natural adhesive mechanisms provide valuable insights into surface interactions. In this study, a recombinant protein called M19-2, inspired by the sequence of the barnacle protein Mrcp19, was produced in Escherichia coli and purified. The adsorption behavior of M19-2 on relevant self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces with various physicochemical properties was studied using surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). The present work investigated the effects of pH, temperature, and ionic strength on its binding characteristics. The results were then compared to those of model proteins, including human Fibrinogen, bovine serum albumin, and lysozyme. It was demonstrated that the M19-2 presented higher adsorption at an acidic pH compared to a neutral and basic pH, across various surfaces with different physicochemical properties. Moreover, temperature, ionic strength, pH, and protein concentration all affected the protein adsorption on different surfaces. Notably, the M19-2 exhibited stronger adsorption relative to its size compared to the selected model proteins. By addressing the existing gaps in the field of protein adsorption studies, this research provides valuable insights into protein-interface interactions, contributing significantly to the advancement of our understanding of bioinspired adhesive materials.

Chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a debilitating disease in which chronic ischemia causes skeletal muscle degeneration, fat infiltration, and metabolic dysregulation. This study aims to develop a biomaterials-based strategy for the localized, sustained delivery of sodium butyrate, a gut-derived short-chain fatty acid, using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. In vitro ischemic culture models demonstrated that butyrate improves cell viability and preserves mitochondrial membrane polarization in both myoblasts and myotubes. Butyrate was successfully encapsulated using a double emulsion method, achieving sustained release over 4 weeks. In a murine hindlimb ischemia model, treatment with butyrate-loaded microspheres improved muscle fiber architecture and reduced fat infiltration, despite no significant changes in limb perfusion. These findings highlight butyrate as a perfusion-independent therapeutic that preserves muscle quality under ischemic conditions and supports its potential as a regenerative strategy for CLTI. This research will serve as the basis for biomaterial-focused therapies for regeneration and provide another therapeutic target to study in CLTI.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide, with level of intraocular pressure (IOP) as the only modifiable risk factor. There is a critical need for a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting without a dedicated operating room. Suprachoroidal expansion has been explored as a method to lower IOP, but existing approaches face challenges with long-term stability and procedural complexity. Here, we developed a monolithic, photo-cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) suprachoroidal spacer implant, designed to remain in place long-term with minimal clearance or degradation, potentially enabling long-term IOP reduction. To facilitate safe and precise delivery, we also designed a custom microneedle injector system. The implant's composition, shape, and mechanics were optimized for suprachoroidal implantation. Ex vivo studies demonstrated precise control over implant location and volume within the suprachoroidal space, achieving an 89.5% successful delivery rate. In a pilot in vivo study using rabbits, the implantation procedure showed no signs of foreign body response, local toxicity, or adverse tissue reactions. Further preclinical studies are needed to evaluate its long-term stability and potential for sustained IOP reduction.