Biomaterials Science最新文献

Osteochondral (OC) tissue faces significant challenges in defect repair due to its unique gradient characteristics. Bionic gradient scaffolds have been developed to address this issue, whose anisotropic three-dimensional structures can achieve gradual transitions in physical and chemical properties, providing innovative solutions for tissue regeneration. This review first focuses on the multidimensional gradient characteristics of natural OC tissue, including its composition, structure, performance, and metabolism, and provides an in-depth discussion of its significance for the design of biomimetic scaffolds. Second, it summarizes the current research progress on the construction strategy of gradient scaffolds. On this basis, this review innovatively proposes a systematic interface optimization strategy for discrete gradient scaffolds and summarizes the latest research progress on the gradient characterization and controllability of continuous gradient scaffolds. Finally, based on the current advances of research, this paper evaluates the main challenges facing this field and reviews the prospects in future development directions, providing new theoretical perspectives and technical routes for OC tissue engineering research.

Ferroptosis, a regulated cell death pathway characterized by iron dysregulation and lipid peroxide accumulation, has emerged as a pivotal target in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. As a natural iron storage protein in organisms, ferritin (Fn) is involved in regulating intracellular iron homeostasis through processes such as iron transport, storage, and ferritinophagy, which in turn significantly influence the Fenton reaction, making it closely related to the occurrence of ferroptosis. Additionally, due to the unique cavity structure of ferritin nanocages, their excellent biocompatibility and their specific binding ability for the highly expressed transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) on the surface of tumor cells, ferritin nanocages have been extensively explored in the design and development of drug delivery systems (DDS). Given the above background, this paper reviews the novel mechanisms of ferroptosis and the research advancements in the related diseases and drugs. It further explores the structure and application of ferritin (including DDS design and vaccine development) and emphasizes the construction of DDSs regulating ferroptosis through utilizing ferritin nanocages as carriers or by targeting the disruption of endogenous ferritin, with the expectation of providing a reference for the development of safer and more effective nanoformulations.

Catechol-based surface functionalization has emerged as a powerful strategy for tailoring material properties and enabling diverse applications, owing to its robust adhesive capabilities and broad substrate compatibility. Inspired by mussel foot proteins and popularized by dopamine-derived polydopamine coatings, catechol grafting has evolved into a versatile platform for anchoring molecules of interest (MOI) onto surfaces. This review focuses on the synthetic strategies for direct covalent modification of active compounds-such as polymers, peptides, and small molecules-with catechol moieties, bypassing the limitations of traditional bottom-up and co-deposition approaches. By examining the reactivity profiles of catechol precursors and their coupling chemistries, we aim to provide a comprehensive framework for designing functional coatings with enhanced performance and simplified processing. This work fills a critical gap in the literature by offering practical guidelines for researchers seeking to harness catechol chemistry in advanced material engineering.

Cancer immunotherapy has attracted tremendous attention. To improve the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor antigens in immunosuppressive cancer, the induction of piezoelectric-triggered cancer cell death can increase antigenicity. Herein, we construct a piezoelectric poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/MXene hydrogel loaded with a biomimetic cancer cell membrane (CCM) that incorporates TLR7/8a/anti-PD-L1. The CCM surface proteins act as tumor-specific antigens. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is used to enhance the stability and attachment of the MXene. After adding the MXene, the hydrogel exhibits a higher piezoelectric coefficient, greater electrical signal yield with superior stability, and excellent mechanical strength. Ultrasound (US) enhances the piezoelectric effect of the PVA/PVDF/MXene-CCM hydrogel. This is confirmed through in vitro reduction and oxidation catalysis reactions. The US-stimulated electrical signal inhibits cancer cells via apoptosis induction, endoplasmic stress, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. It leads to the secretion of danger-associated molecular patterns into the cytoplasm, which promotes dendritic cell maturation and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte infiltration, thereby reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In vivo studies show that the hydrogel offers great therapeutic efficacy to control tumor growth due to the combined effects of the piezoelectric effect and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. It improves dendritic cell maturation and increases cytotoxic T-cells. Therefore, our work presents a novel piezoelectric hydrogel and new therapeutic strategies with great potential and versatility for treating breast cancers.

Atopic dermatitis is a typical chronic inflammatory disease with pathological characteristics of persistent immune activation and oxidative stress. Combined anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatment can effectively block the inflammatory cascade while reducing oxidative damage. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are the main components of the traditional Chinese medicine "Chishizhi", which shows the medicinal functions of hemostasis and astringency. However, the efficacy of HNTs alone in treating diseases is relatively weak, and their therapeutic effect can be improved by surface modification and drug loading. Herein, CuO-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized on the outer surfaces of HNTs by a hydrothermal reaction. CuO-Fe₃O₄@HNTs have high SOD and CAT enzyme activities under neutral conditions. Then, the nanozyme-modified HNT powder was prepared into sprayable hydrogels by introduction of sodium alginate (SA) and aloe vera extracts. Cell experiments confirmed that the hydrogel can promote HacaT cell proliferation within 0-200 μg mL^-1 concentration. Through the mouse dermatitis model, it was seen that a CuO-Fe₃O₄@HNTs-SA composite hydrogel has a good therapeutic effect on atopic dermatitis. Compared with the positive drug halcinonide solution, the CuO-Fe₃O₄ nanozyme-incorporated hydrogel showed an enhanced therapeutic effect, which shows promising prospects for the clinical treatment of atopic dermatitis.

The development of effective vaccines against tumor-associated MUC1 (taMUC1) glycopeptide antigens remains a significant challenge due to their poor intrinsic immunogenicity. A key limitation in conjugate vaccine design lies in the structural alterations that occur upon carrier protein functionalization, which can reduce the accessibility of surface-conjugated antigens, ultimately compromising antigen presentation. In this study, we present a semi-synthetic vaccine platform in which taMUC1 glycopeptides are displayed on synthetic cyclopeptide scaffolds-configured either as monovalent or clustered tetravalent platforms-and subsequently grafted onto solvent-exposed amine residues of the CRM₁₉₇ protein via squaramide linkages. These conjugates were purified under denaturing conditions via reverse phase HPLC and evaluated in vivo through mouse immunization studies. Despite differences in antigen valency and glycopeptide loading per protein, both conjugates induced comparable levels of antigen-specific IgGs and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T-cell activation when co-administered with the QS-21 adjuvant. Notably, although antibody titers were similar, post-immunization sera from mice immunized with the tetravalent conjugate plus the QS-21 adjuvant showed enhanced reactivity toward native taMUC1 expressed on MCF7 cancer cells, suggesting improved epitope recognition. These results highlight the impact of scaffold design, antigen display and adjuvantation on vaccine efficacy and establish a promising platform for the development of conjugate vaccines targeting weak tumor-associated antigens.

Correction for ‘TPP-coated Mo-doped W₁₈O₄₉ biodegradable nanomaterials with mitochondria-targeting and pH-responsive properties for synergistic photothermal therapy/chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy’ by Yingjuan Ren et al., Biomater. Sci., 2025, 13, 6138–6155, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5BM00833F.

A graphical abstract is available for this content

Driven by changes in modern lifestyles and growing health awareness, obesity has become a significant global public health concern. It not only impacts physical appearance and psychological well-being but also constitutes a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and hypertension. Microneedle-based delivery of anti-obesity drugs, a novel and non-invasive technology, has attracted considerable attention in recent years. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of microneedle types, materials, fabrication techniques, recent advancements in their application to anti-obesity drug delivery, underlying mechanisms of action, and therapeutic outcomes. The challenges and future directions of microneedle-based weight loss strategies are also discussed. As an innovative approach to obesity management, microneedle therapy holds promising prospects for application and market potential, offering a safer, more effective, and convenient solution for individuals with obesity.

Infections triggered by bacteria in diabetic wounds continue to pose a significant challenge, primarily due to the inflammatory microenvironment induced by high glucose levels, which favor bacterial growth. Hence, developing dressings tailored for diabetic wound treatment has become particularly crucial. Here, we prepared a composite hydrogel derived from natural polymers as a wound dressing. This composite hydrogel was fabricated by the cross-linking of hyaluronic acid (HA) grafted with chlorogenic acid (CA) and phenylboronic acid (PBA) and the incorporation of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs). The hydrogels exhibited adequate adhesive properties and self-healing capabilities. By releasing the natural polyphenol CA, the hydrogel showed promising antioxidant performance, excellent promotion of cell proliferation, and angiogenesis properties, thereby effectively promoting tissue repair. The treatment on an in vivo diabetes wound model indicated that the dressing contributed to wound closure, re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and the downregulation of inflammatory factors. This multifunctional hydrogel presented a potent strategy for managing infected diabetic wounds and showed significant promise for clinical translation.