Biomaterials Translational最新文献

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is a potent cytokine that promotes bone formation in orthopedic procedures. However, the delivery of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) with sustained release kinetics, while maximizing osteogenic potential, remains a challenge. In this study, we constructed a novel rhBMP-2-engineered piezoplatform for sustained release of rhBMP-2 and synergistic enhancement of osteoinductive activity. The piezoelectric signals are capable of initiating rapid biomineralization and promoting the early adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), as well as enabling efficient immobilization and sustained release of rhBMP-2 through electrostatic interactions. Notably, piezoelectric stimulation synergizing with rhBMP-2 enhances osteogenesis-related protein production. This is achieved by amplifying the expression of BMP-2 receptors (Bmpr1a and Bmpr2) in BMSCs by approximately three-fold, which in turn reinforces the regenerative capacity of rhBMP-2. The rat femur defect model further confirms the osteogenic efficacy of the rhBMP-2-engineered piezoplatform. These findings are expected to advance the development of biopiezoelectric implants incorporating growth factor therapy for tissue engineering.

Fractures are a common category of diseases in the field of orthopaedics with a high incidence in archaeologically obtained bones. These diseases may occur in various human activities. In the context of technological advancement, the annual incidence of fractures is increasing due to traffic accidents, sports injuries, and ageing. Besides, the classification of fracture diseases is also changing, making them one of the main orthopaedic diseases that affect the quality of life of patients and national medical expenditure. There are some basic principles in the treatment of fractures, and the understanding of the causes, types, and pathogenesis of fractures is constantly improved with technological development. Hence, there are sustained efforts to explore fracture treatment methods and examine even widely popular concepts, such as Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesis (AO) and biological osteosynthesis (BO) principles. However, nonhealing fractures, fracture infections, and other treatment problems can still not be eliminated based on these concepts. In addition, some new perspectives on the treatment principles of fractures have been proposed by surgeons based on their clinical experience. In this paper, the latest research results on fracture healing are summarised, and our views and opinions on the application of AO or other new concepts in fracture treatment are also elucidated. During the investigation of the advantages and disadvantages of fracture treatment concepts, the shortcomings of current fracture treatment strategies or theories are also reviewed. These findings may provide clinicians with theoretical support for fracture treatment and inspire scholars to delve into fracture treatment principles.

Cold sintering has recently emerged as a promising approach for preparing dense ceramic materials and composites at low temperatures. It relies on utilizing transient, typically externally introduced, liquid phases to accelerate material diffusion and densification under applied pressure. Cold-sintered bioceramics, especially those prepared at temperatures below 100°C, may open up numerous possibilities, not only in producing dense ceramics with refined microstructural properties and reduced time/energy costs, but also in developing multifunctional platforms containing bioactive compounds, therapeutics, growth factors, and signaling molecules for enhanced and targeted biological responses. Cold sintering in the presence of liquids inherently involves dissolution and nucleation, which become particularly intricate under applied pressures and elevated temperatures. Pseudo bio-mineralization, an auspicious approach for tailoring synthetic bone grafts toward targeted mechanics, may serve as a viable route for enhancing the densification mechanisms inherent to cold sintering. We have carefully analyzed the current state of the art in cold-sintered bioceramics and the results achieved, with a focus on the chemistry of the employed liquids and the corresponding changes upon sintering, the selection of transient phases, and mineral nucleation, while also addressing the potential for developing new biomaterials. Despite the widely accepted classical dissolution-precipitation strategy, no clear roadmap can yet be defined regarding the type and amount of liquid phase that should be applied, at least in the case of hydroxyapatite (HAp) densification-the most important representative of calcium phosphates. We strongly advocate the use of water as the transient liquid of choice in the cold sintering of HAp-based bioceramics, instead of strong acids/bases, and emphasize the importance of understanding the various processes and parameters that govern and connect solution chemistry to mineral nucleation. This understanding will enable the advancement of cold sintering protocols in a target-oriented manner, and we provide perspectives on future developments, including practical advice.

The effective delivery of therapeutic drugs is fundamental to modern medical practice. However, conventional administration methods, primarily oral and parenteral injection, exhibit numerous limitations, including the suboptimal bioavailability of macromolecules and challenges related to patient compliance. The advent of microneedle (MN) technology is reshaping strategies in the biomedical field, effectively overcoming the constraints of traditional drug delivery and diagnostic approaches. Research indicates that MNs can penetrate the stratum corneum to form transient microchannels, facilitating the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents while bypassing gastrointestinal and hepatic barriers. This customizable and personalized drug delivery system holds significant potential for clinical application. Beyond drug delivery, MNs also have the capacity to transform healthcare models through real-time biomarker monitoring enabled by contact with interstitial fluid. This technology demonstrates considerable promise in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, while also opening avenues for applications in vaccination, tissue regeneration, and cancer therapy. Recent innovations include the development of stimulus-responsive MNs for precision medicine and their integration with wearable devices to achieve closed-loop therapeutic diagnostics. Despite the substantial promise of this field, challenges remain regarding clinical translation, particularly in relation to biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and drug stability. This review outlines MN classifications, design principles, and applications, emphasizing their expanding role not only in healthcare but also in precision medicine, global health, and food safety. By overcoming current barriers and integrating emerging technologies, MNs have the potential to transform diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms, delivering scalable, patient-centered solutions to a broad range of biomedical challenges.

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems provide a more physiological environment than traditional two-dimensional cultures by better mimicking the complex interactions within the extracellular matrix (ECM). Among the key properties of the ECM, viscoelasticity is essential for regulating cell behaviors, such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration. However, many present 3D culture systems are complex and technically demanding, which limits their broad application. In this study, we developed two hydrogel systems with identical stiffness but distinct viscoelastic properties, designed to serve as ECM-based 3D culture platforms. These hydrogels were constructed through the cross-linking reaction between type I collagen and functionalized polyethylene glycol derivatives, resulting in either reversible (dynamic) or stable (static) network structures. This platform effectively simulated ECM-like mechanical cues, enabling the investigation of viscoelastic effects on both neural and cancer cell responses. Our results demonstrated that dynamic hydrogels, characterized by rapid stress relaxation, enhanced PC12 cell elongation, promoted neural stem cell differentiation, and significantly facilitated the invasiveness and tumorigenic capacity of DU145 cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings highlight the critical importance of matrix viscoelasticity in modulating cell behavior and underscore the potential of this hydrogel-based system as a versatile and accessible tool for applications in neural tissue engineering, cancer research, and mechanobiology.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide. Owing to late diagnosis, the mortality rate associated with prostate cancer remains relatively high. Traditional diagnostic methods are, in most cases, unfriendly to patients or have diagnostic lag defects. Further diagnosis requires prostate biopsy. The most common biomarker is prostate-specific antigen, which is quantified as the content of the prostate health index to describe the risk of prostate cancer. Traditional biochemical analysis methods are costly, time-consuming, and lack specificity. They are also limited by the detection range, preventing high sensitivity. The exploration of novel biomarkers has identified several promising alternatives. The development of integrated nanomaterial technology provides a feasible potential method for the rapid, sensitive and non-invasive determination of these biological markers and assists in the optimisation of imaging diagnosis, which is expected to solve the current challenges in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. This paper reviews the advances in the diagnostic screening and imaging of prostate cancer using nanostructure-based biofunctional sensors, probes and contrast agents such as gold nanoparticles, upconversion nanoparticles, quantum dots, and magnetic nanoparticles. It also highlights the potential of emerging paradigms in nanoarchitectonics to definitive cancer diagnosis.