Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine最新文献

Virus-like particle (VLP) holds great promise for applications in vaccines and tumor immunotherapy. However, their clinical translation has been limited by a lack of comprehensive in vivo studies on immune responses and antigenic toxicity. In this study, we systematically evaluated the efficacy and safety of VLP as immunological agents. We administered Simian Virus 40 (SV40) VLP through subcutaneous injection and analyzed their effects on immune cell populations in key organs. In vivo imaging of mice demonstrated the migration of SV40 VLP between lymph nodes. Flow cytometry revealed that SV40 VLP significantly increased the numbers of CD4⁺ T cells and NK cells in the spleen, along with elevated levels of CD4⁺ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Moreover, SV40 VLP did not significantly affect immune cell populations in the lungs, liver, or kidneys, nor did they alter blood biochemistry or coagulation parameters. Although SV40 VLP alone did not exhibit tumor-treating effects, in vitro imaging suggest that SV40 VLP can target tumor tissues and and quantitative analysis showed SV40 VLP significantly increased TNF-α expression in spleen. These findings suggest that SV40 VLP represent a promising tumor immunotherapy vector with potential for further modification.

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This study focuses on the design, production and testing of a micropatterned PDMS surface, featuring micropillars and microchannels to study the regeneration of individual axons of PC12 nerve cells after injury. Micropillar organization on the surface was designed to restrict the PC12 cell bodies while axons were guided into microchannels, allowing observation of individual axons. Surfaces were coated with poly(L-lysine) to improve cell attachment and proliferation. Netrin-1, a chemoattractant molecule and axonal elongation enhancer, was introduced in a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel carrier at the opposite end of the channels. Schwann cells (SC) were co-cultured with PC12 cells to enhance axon extension. MTT and Live-Dead assays showed 90% viability of the PC12 and Schwann cells on surfaces. The average PC12 axon length in the channels was 51 ± 19 μm; which increased to 75 ± 16 μm and 177 ± 31 μm upon co-culture with Schwann cells and Netrin-1 incorporation along with co-culturing, respectively, showing their synergistic effect on axon elongation. To study axon damage and regeneration processes, PC12 axons extended into the microchannels were cut using a microtome blade. An increase in the expression of injury markers ATF3, GFAP and S100β was observed after the injury with confocal microscopy, and their decrease from days 14 to 21 indicated the initiation of axon regeneration. The platform consisting of patterned PDMS surface, Schwann cells and Netrin-1 holds potential as a valuable tool for nerve damage and repair studies, and for in vitro testing of novel nerve tissue engineering strategies.

Rib cage reconstruction is critical for maintaining chest rigidity, protecting intrathoracic organs, and preserving vital physiological functions. Although titanium has traditionally been used for reconstruction due to its mechanical strength and biocompatibility, its limitations have prompted the search for alternative materials. The finite element method (FEM) is widely used to assess implant performance through stress analysis, while advances in artificial intelligence (AI) now allow the integration of FEM with predictive modeling to efficiently estimate mechanical responses. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using PEEK and PEEK composites as alternatives to metallic implants for rib reconstruction and to develop AI models capable of predicting stresses, strains, and deformations. Customized 3D models of a defective chest were reconstructed with implants made from PEEK, carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFP), glass fiber-reinforced PEEK (GFP), and hydroxyapatite PEEK (HAP) as alternatives to titanium. FEM simulations were performed under lateral impact and sternal forces to extract mechanical responses, generating a comprehensive dataset used to train machine learning and deep learning regression models, including Linear Regression, Ridge Regression, Support Vector Regression, Decision Trees, Neural Networks, and LightGBM. Model performance was evaluated using R², MAE, MSE, RMSE, and computational efficiency. Results indicated that CFP 60% implants produced the lowest stress and strain levels on ribs and lungs, whereas pure PEEK and HAP 30% implants exhibited higher levels. GFP 30% and HAP 60% implants distributed tensile and compressive stresses similarly, though HAP 60% implants were prone to fracture due to excessive tensile stresses. AI models trained on FEM data achieved over 99.9% accuracy, demonstrating both predictive reliability and computational efficiency. These findings suggest that CFP (30% & 60%) and GFP (30% & 60%) composites are promising alternatives to titanium for rib reconstruction, and that integrating FEM with AI-based regression models can significantly optimize implant evaluation and design.

Transdermal drug delivery presents an appealing alternative to traditional administration methods like oral and injection routes, as it circumvents first-pass metabolism, minimizes pain and infection risks, and enhances patient compliance. Nonetheless, the skin barrier remains a significant obstacle to delivering most medications through the skin. Microneedles (MNs) represent an innovative technology that can address this issue by forming tiny pores in the skin, facilitating the transport of drugs or biomolecules. MNs are manufactured from various materials and come in different designs and classifications. They can also be activated by external stimuli, such as near-infrared (NIR) light, which excels over other light types for this application due to its deeper tissue penetration, allowing for on-demand and precise temporal drug delivery. This review primarily concentrates on NIR light-controlled MNs, which respond to NIR light exposure to release drugs. Here, the fundamental concepts and mechanisms behind NIR light-controlled MNs are introduced, which utilize NIR light-sensitive materials or devices that alter their properties or functions in response to NIR light exposure. Benefits and difficulties associated with NIR light-controlled MNs, such as their extensive penetration capability, low toxicity, and accurate control, are examined. The potential for integrating NIR light-controlled MNs with other therapeutic strategies to boost their efficacy will be investigated. Recent advancements and applications of NIR light-controlled MNs in diverse areas, including diabetes management, cancer therapy, and wound healing, are reviewed. Finally, the future directions for their application will be addressed.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition affecting the venous system of the lower limbs, characterized by venous hypertension and regurgitation resulting from congenital or acquired venous valve insufficiency. The global morbidity of CVD is as high as 69.94%. Prosthetic venous valve replacement provides a new therapeutic option. However, to mimic natural venous valves, the leaflets of prosthetic venous valves need to be as thin as ~200 μm, and better resistance to thrombosis is required due to the physiological characteristics of the venous system. Identifying suitable materials for the venous system is critical for the creation of prosthetic venous valves. Fish swim bladders have proper mechanical strength, durability and biocompatibility, making them one of the possible biomaterials for application in CVD. For the blood contact safety in the application of chronic venous disease, in vitro and in vivo studies were used to evaluate the blood compatibility, as specified in ISO 10993-4. The results showed that the swim bladder was comparable to the commercially available ePTFE material in the venous system and has the potential to be a raw material source for the development of medical devices for CVD.

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Vascularized osteogenesis is crucial for bone regeneration. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) includs many growth factors, of which VEGF plays the significant role in vascularization. No study has investigated the effect of lyophilized platelet-rich fibrin (Ly-PRF) combined with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) on the repair of bone defects. We first prepared fresh PRF by one-step centrifugation method. Then, we constructed Ly-PRF by lyophilization. Afterwards, GelMA was synthesized by chemical synthesis method and GelMA hydrogel was prepared by photo-crosslinking method. Finally, Ly-PRF was encapsulated into GelMA hydrogel to construct GelMA@Ly-PRF hydrogel and used in vitro and in vivo to explore its effect on calvarial regeneration of rats. The fresh PRF had good elasticity. GelMA was synthesized by chemical synthesis method and GelMA hydrogel was formed by blue light-irradiation of GelMA solution. After encapsulation of Ly-PRF into GelMA hydrogel, VEGF in Ly-PRF could slowly and sustainably release for continuous 21 days. In vitro, the GelMA@Ly-PRF hydrogel had high swelling property and porous structure. What’s more, it had good cytocompatibility and was capable of promoting angiopoiesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo, the GelMA@Ly-PRF hydrogel could facilitate to repair calvarial defects of rats by promoting formation of new blood vessel during the process of bone healing, evidenced by Micro-CT, H&E staining, Masson’s staining and immunohistochemical staining of CD31 and OPN. Encapsulation of Ly-PRF into a GelMA hydrogel could promote bone regeneration of rats.

In the treatment of severe burn injuries, autologous skin transplantation is increasingly being supplemented by synthetic dermis substitute materials. Novosorb® Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix (BTM) is a polyurethane foam used in a surgical procedure that currently requires a period of up to 21 days for successful neovascularization and integration, which is associated with a longer inpatient treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of the growth factors EPO, FGF, PDGF, VEGF and adipogenic stem cells (ASC) in shortening the time required for BTM grafting and vascularization. BTM containing growth factor and/or ASC was grafted onto to the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in different configurations. The average vascular growth of the BTM in 9 different experimental groups was analyzed in comparison to the control group. After 7 days, the experiment was terminated, and the vascularization of the BTM was evaluated by macroscopic image analysis with ImageJ/Fiji, along with histological HE staining and immunohistochemical staining for vascular-specific factors. Successful grafting and vascularization of the BTM in ovo were achieved for the first time. The addition of growth factors and ASC increased the average vascularization of the BTM and the entire CAM. All experimental groups showed promising vascularization patterns, with the BTM + ASC and BTM + PDGF + ASC groups excelling. Differentiation of ASC was not induced in combination with BTM or growth factors. BTM vascularization is improved by proangiogenic growth factors and ASC, which can form the basis for clinical strategies aimed at shortening the inpatient treatment of severely burned patients.

In this study, nanoimprint lithography was employed to fabricate micropillars on the surface of a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) film. In the next step, a hydrothermal method was used to grow zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures on the PVDF-HFP film. The antibacterial properties of the resulting films were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The sharp ZnO nanostructures exhibited strong antibacterial activity through both physical membrane disruption and chemical interactions, including ion release and oxidative stress. The effect of micropillar structures on the antibacterial behavior of PVDF-HFP films was also investigated. The results show that the presence of micropillars enhanced the antibacterial efficacy. The increase in surface area enabled a higher concentration growth of ZnO nanostructures, which contributed to more efficient bacterial inactivation. ZnO-coated PVDF-HFP films with micropillars outperformed ZnO nanostructures grown on neat PVDF-HFP films, particularly against E. coli. Viability assays revealed a substantial reduction in bacterial survival, with only 3.80% of S. aureus and 1.36% of E. coli cells remaining viable on PVDF-HFP films with surface micropillars and ZnO. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO-coated, microtextured PVDF-HFP films as effective antibacterial materials for future biomedical and food packaging applications.

Implantable materials based on titanium have been widely used in medical and dental care due to favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, when compared to ceramics, titanium surfaces are more susceptible to bacterial adhesion and colonization by periodontopathogenic species. Peri-implant infections are the major cause of implant failure and development of implantable materials with surface properties effective in minimizing bacterial colonization is still a challenge. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) provides porous ceramic coatings of high durability and stability on titanium. Incorporating metals with antimicrobial effects may contribute to minimizing microorganism adhesion on titanium. This study developed a novel zirconium-coated titanium surface using PEO and compared the composition of oral biofilm with machined or double acid etched surfaces in situ. SEM analysis showed pores and micro-pores, respectively for PEO and zirconium coatings, with surface roughness lower than acid etching while maintaining moderate levels (Ra/Sa: 1.0-2.0 µm). Chemical composition analysis showed predomination of TiO₂ on the most superficial layer of all groups with phosphorous and calcium incorporated into PEO coatings; calcium was replaced by a relevant amount of zirconium after anodization. Both PEO and zirconium coatings presented reduced values of surface free energy and less wettability than control and etched surfaces. DNA Checkerboard hybridization analysis showed that zirconium coatings significantly reduced the total microbial counts on the formed biofilms with lower counts of opportunistic and pathogenic species. In conclusion, PEO and zirconium coatings have substantially modified the microbial colonization pattern of biofilms, with preferential colonization by commensal Streptococci on zirconium surfaces.

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In recent years, the incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been steadily rising in our country. As a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), UC is primarily characterized by bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, hematochezia, weight loss, and acute or post-traumatic stress responses. In severe cases, it can lead to various complications, posing a significant threat to patients’ lives. The current treatment strategies for UC primarily include dietary management, pharmacological therapy, and surgical intervention. Among these, medication remains the most widely used approach. However, conventional drugs such as aminosalicylates and glucocorticoids suffer from poor target specificity and considerable toxic side effects. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop alternative anti-UC agents with higher efficacy and lower toxicity. Diosmetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid predominantly derived from citrus fruits, exhibits multiple pharmacological activities. Nevertheless, its clinical application in UC treatment has been severely limited due to inherent drawbacks, including poor structural stability and a tendency to precipitate in aqueous solutions, which hinders the formation of stable formulations. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel property modification strategy for diosmetin to enhance its therapeutic potential in UC management.