ACS Applied Bio Materials最新文献

Supramolecular complexes (SMCs) based on cholesterol, menadione, and redox-active ceria nanoparticles (NPs) with a pronounced antitumor effect triggered by the addition of ascorbic acid were obtained. Ascorbic acid plays the role of electron donor, increasing sufficiently the ability of ceria NPs in SMCs to oxidize thiol-containing biological molecules including glutathione and cysteine. The mechanism of the enhanced oxidizing ability of SMCs is based on the redox cycling of both ceria NPs and menadione with superoxide anions formed as an intermediate product. As a result of strong prooxidant activity, SMCs provide significant cytotoxicity toward mouse fibrosarcoma cells in 2D and 3D models accompanied by reduced cell viability, a decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell shrinkage. The absence of such an effect on murine fibroblasts indicates that the cytotoxic action of an ascorbate–nanoceria pair is highly selective, targeting tumor cells but not nontumor ones.

Precise remote control of skeletal muscle contraction could be beneficial to the study and treatment of muscular dysfunction. Recently, we reported a method regulating intracellular calcium signaling using molecular motors (MMs), molecules that rotate submolecular components unidirectionally upon absorption of light. Here, we explore the application of this methodology to skeletal muscle tissue. Our results demonstrate that MMs induce intracellular calcium release in C2C12 myoblasts and differentiated myotubes via IP₃-mediated signaling in a fashion that depends on their fast unidirectional rotation. Inhibition of proteins involved in the cAMP pathway such as adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A also reduced the magnitude of the elicited calcium responses. We further show that, in differentiated C2C12 myotubes, the calcium signaling events driven by MM activation cause localized myotube contraction. This work demonstrates the use of a molecular mechanical technique to directly control skeletal muscle contraction, expanding the scope of available tools to study muscle contraction in a single-cell regime and treat a range of myopathies.

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of the cancer biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a key indicator of cancer. This sensor utilizes the enhanced electrochemical current response generated by a composite material consisting of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) decorated on a metal–organic framework (MOF) containing iron and cobalt (FeCo). The Au NP-decorated FeCo-based MOF labeled with primary antibodies (Ab₁) significantly enhances the electrochemical response, enabling accurate detection of AFP. Similarly, HRP–Au nanoprism (Au NPR) nanocomposites were prepared via a one-pot assembly, where horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and the secondary antibody (Ab₂) were coimmobilized on Au NPRs to form a stable nanocomposite. The immunosensor was fabricated by assembling Au NPs@ FeCo-MOF and capture antibodies (Ab₁) onto a glassy carbon electrode. The MOF served as a conductive matrix, AuNPs enhanced electron transfer, and Ab₁ ensured specific antigen recognition. When the AFP antigen is present, labeled Ab₂ binds to the Au NP-decorated FeCo-MOF via specific antigen–antibody interactions, leading to enhanced electrochemical signals for sensitive detection. The immunosensor response was measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) containing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Under controlled conditions, the immunosensor exhibited a linear response to AFP over the range of 0.0001 to 100 ng mL^–1, with a detection limit of 1.2 pg mL^–1 (S/N = 3), indicating high sensitivity. The immunosensor’s performance was validated by detecting AFP in human serum samples, demonstrating its potential for ultrasensitive detection of AFP and other biomarkers.

Long investigated for its physiological functions, glutamic acid (Glu) is a crucial amino acid implicated in plant development and stress responses. However, there is still limited in vivo monitoring of Glu. Here, we report the design of a “turn-on” fluorescence nanosensor for the selective detection of Glu: a nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot (N-CQD)/Cu²⁺ complex. Cu²⁺ ions quenched the fluorescence of N-CQDs, which was then selectively recovered when Glu was added. This allowed for sensitive detection via a fluorescence recovery mechanism. The sensing technology showed outstanding selectivity, biocompatibility, and quick response. Dynamic quenching was verified as the underlying mechanism by characterization using FT-IR, XPS, DLS, and TCSPC. The uptake of N-CQDs and N-CQDs/Cu²⁺ complexes in Vigna radiata stem tissues was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), with preferential accumulation in the interfascicular, vascular bundle, and epidermal areas. Notably, Glu pretreatment affected the internalization of nanoparticles by modulating fluorescence intensity in a concentration-dependent manner. Remarkably, N-CQDs alone enhanced plant growth under LED light stress, indicating that they may function as regulators of plant development. These results offer a platform that can be used for the biological manipulation of glutamic acid in plants as well as real-time monitoring.

The rising incidence of biliary diseases, driven by an aging population and lifestyle changes, has elevated the importance of biliary stenting. This review aimed to systematically evaluate recent advancements in biliary stent materials and coatings, assessing their role in treating biliary stenosis and obstruction, with an emphasis on multifunctional coatings to enhance stent safety, efficacy, and patient outcomes while minimizing complications. Antimicrobial coatings, such as those with silver ions or chitosan, reduce infection risk; drug-eluting coatings, incorporating antibiotics or paclitaxel, mitigate infection and tumor progression; antiadhesion coatings extend stent patency. Furthermore, 3D printing enables patient-specific stent designs for optimal fit, while smart stents with integrated sensors enhance therapeutic precision by monitoring biliary parameters in real time. Multifunctional coatings and advanced materials substantially improve biliary stent performance, offering safer and more effective treatment options for biliary diseases. This review synthesizes the advantages and challenges of current technologies and recommends that future research should prioritize smart stents, biodegradable materials, and multifunctional coatings, validating their long-term safety and efficacy through clinical trials to optimize patient outcomes and advance clinical applications.

Food packaging films containing biobased fillers can offer improved functional properties while meeting current environmental sustainability requirements for a circular and sustainable society. In this work, biocomposites based on chitin nanofibers and PVA have been developed in order to improve the mechanical performance and water barrier properties, performing for the first time a life cycle assessment. The biocolloids employed are chitin nanofibrils (ChNFs) from fungi, an underutilized renewable carbon feedstock in packaging, which are more environmentally friendly than conventional ChNFs obtained from crustaceans. Free-standing nanocomposite films are obtained by solvent casting, using water as the sole solvent. The incorporation of ChNFs results in a mechanical reinforcing effect of PVA that increases the Young modulus. The water vapor barrier character of PVA is significantly enhanced by the presence of ChNFs, which is decreased by 70% upon the incorporation of 10% ChNFs, overcoming one of the most significant drawbacks of PVA. The nanocomposites maintain an excellent oxygen barrier character under high relative humidity. Life cycle assessment (LCA) reveals a global warming potential of 5.0–5.2 kg·CO₂ equiv·kg^–1 for PVA/ChNFs films, demonstrating clear environmental benefits of the incorporation of ChNFs when considering the final properties. Overall, this work highlights the potential of fungal ChNFs to improve the mechanical properties and significantly improve the water barrier character of PVA, overcoming one of the limitations of this material in a sustainable way, as demonstrated by LCA.

Cisplatin (CDDP), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, is limited by severe ototoxicity side effects. Local drug delivery via the middle ear represents the most effective approach for treating inner ear disease. However, therapeutic efficacy is constrained by poor middle ear retention and limited permeability across the round window membrane (RWM). Quercetin (QU) exhibits potent activity against CDDP-induced cytotoxicity but suffers from delivery challenges. To address this, we developed amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NH₂-MSNs) loaded with QU (QU-N-MSNs), leveraging the permselective properties of the RWM. This system was noninvasively administered to the cochlea via trans-tympanic delivery. The synthesized QU-N-MSNs demonstrated a uniform particle size of approximately 116–124 nm, positive charge, and sustained drug release properties. Compared to free QU, QU-N-MSNs demonstrated significantly enhanced antiapoptotic and cytoprotective activities in vitro. In vivo studies confirmed nanoparticle retention within the inner ear for ≥14 days post administration and efficient RWM penetration. Pretreatment with QU-N-MSNs prior to CDDP exposure in murine models substantially mitigated ototoxicity, as evidenced by reduced hearing threshold shifts across multiple frequencies, preservation of hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), and attenuation of mitochondrial-mediated SGN apoptosis. These findings establish QU-N-MSNs as an effective RWM-penetrating delivery platform, offering a promising strategy to enhance hydrophobic drug bioavailability in the inner ear and prevent CDDP-induced ototoxicity.

The present work focuses on the development of a disposable electrochemical biosensor for simultaneous dual cancer biomarker detection onto a single-sensing platform. For this, an indigenously designed four-electrode system having two working areas of electrodes on a single screen-printed electrode (SPE) substrate was coated by graphite-based conductive ink. The first working electrode surface decorated by the prepared complex is composed of chitosan-functionalized 1T phase of tungsten disulfide-gold nanoparticles (f-WS₂@AuNPs) composite and activated antibodies of tagged Cancer Antigen 125 (ab-tg-CA-125), while the second working electrode contained f-WS₂@AuNPs and antibody of Human Epididymis protein 4 (ab-HE4). Further, both working electrodes were passivated by BSA to block nonspecific signals. Dual antibody-immobilized platforms of ab-tg-CA-125/f-WS₂@AuNPs/SPE and ab-HE4/f-WS₂@AuNPs/SPE were further used for simultaneous detection of two ovarian cancer biomarkers of CA-125 and HE4 using an electrochemical differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique. Fabricated electrochemical immunosensing platforms of ab-tg-CA-125/f-WS₂@AuNPs/SPE and ab-HE4/f-WS₂@AuNPs/SPE worked in the range of 0.001–25 μg mL^–1 for CA-125 detection and 0.001–10 ng mL^–1 for HE4 detection. The developed immunosensor showed a limit of detection of 0.001 μg mL^–1 for CA-125 and 0.001 ng mL^–1 for HE4. Also, the sensitivity of the developed electrochemical biosensor was calculated for CA-125 and HE4 and found to be 1.43 μA(log μg mL^–1)⁻¹ cm^–2 and 1.092 μA(log ng mL^–1)⁻¹ cm^–2, respectively. Both ab-CA-125 and ab-HE4 antibodies exhibit a larger value of association constant (K_a) and reveals strong binding affinity of antibodies toward respective cancer biomarkers. Moreover, the developed biosensors were tested with clinical ovarian patient serum samples, and the results were compared with the immunoassay kit. Therefore, these findings show the effective biosensor performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, and faster response for simultaneous ovarian biomarker detection in clinical samples.

Natural sodium alginate hydrogels have low active ingredient release rates and significant volumetric shrinkage. Usually, a stable skeletal structure needs to be introduced to maintain the stability of the gel. In this study, four types of environmentally friendly nanocellulose (prepared via mechanical, enzymatic, acid hydrolysis, and oxidation methods) were incorporated into sodium alginate matrices to modify the gel network structure. Leveraging the gelation mechanism of sodium alginate and the regulatory influence of nanocellulose, a calcium ion-nanocellulose interpenetrating network was established at the microscopic level. The compatibility and reinforcement effects of different nanocellulose types were compared systematically, discovering that when the addition of micronano cellulose MCNF, obtained through ultrafine grinding, was 0.8%, the gel mask achieved an antishrinking rate of over 50%, an encapsulation efficiency of 56.73%, a release rate of 45.90% at 15 min, and an effective release rate of 26.04%, laying the foundation for further expansion of the application of mmicronano cellulose and SA.