Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology最新文献

Cartilage repair remains challenging due to limited self-healing, poor biocompatibility, and insufficient mechanical properties of current materials. To overcome these issues, we developed a multifunctional composite hydrogel by integrating gelatine methacrylate (GelMA) with magnesium-doped bioactive glass (Mg-BG) and icariin (ICA). SEM analysis revealed that pure GelMA exhibited a highly porous yet loosely organized structure, whereas the addition of Mg-BG and ICA produced a denser, more interconnected porous network that enhances cell adhesion and nutrient diffusion. In vitro, the ICA/Mg-BG/GelMA hydrogel achieved a swelling ratio up to 430% and maintained cell viability above 80% over 5 days. Moreover, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that the composite hydrogel upregulated chondrogenic markers (SOX9, ACAN, and COL2A1) compared with GelMA alone. Specifically, it downregulates M1 pro-inflammatory markers (CCR7, iNOS, CD86) and upregulates M2 anti-inflammatory markers (ARG1, CD163, CD206), thereby creating a regenerative microenvironment. These results indicate that the synergistic combination of GelMA, Mg-BG, and ICA not only improves the scaffold's mechanical support but also enhances its biological functionality, offering a promising strategy for cartilage repair. Future studies will focus on in vivo validation to further assess its clinical potential.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-mediated disease characterized by synovitis and joint cartilage destruction. Although many studies have shown that mitophagy is crucial in the development of bone metabolism disorders, its exact function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still not well understood. This study analysed the GSE77298 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls. Mitophagy-related genes (MRGs) were extracted from the literature and screened using bioinformatics techniques, resulting in differentially expressed MRGs (DE-MRGs). The diagnostic value of these genes was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and an ANN model was constructed. In the GSE77298 dataset, 267 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 2191 key module genes, leading to 63 DE-MRGs. Two MRGs, TMEM45A and ZBTB25, were identified as hub genes with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.991 and 0.911, respectively. The nomogram model demonstrated high diagnostic value. Mitophagy plays a critical role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Identifying two genes associated with mitophagy may aid in the early diagnosis, mechanistic understanding, and treatment of RA.

A total of 208 metabolites and 223 targets were initially extracted from the gutMGene v1.0 database. In addition, 1,630 and 1,321 targets were identified using the Similarity Ensemble Approach and Swiss Target Prediction databases, respectively, resulting in 921 overlapping targets. By integrating data from gutMGenev1.0, 13 core targets were finally identified. A microbiota-metabolite-target-signal pathway-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1, revealing 15 metabolites associated with the IL-17, TLR, and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways. Among these, five metabolites exhibited favourable drug similarity and acceptable toxicological profiles. Molecular docking confirmed the stable binding of two key metabolites-succinate and phenylacetylglutamine-to their respective targets. The results showed that succinate and phenylacetylglutamine demonstrated strong binding affinities to IL-1β and GSK3B, both involved in the IL-17, TLR, and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways. IL-17 and TLR4, as important pro-inflammatory cytokines, are closely associated with the development of depression, while the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway plays a key role in its pathogenesis. The present study reveals the potential mechanisms by which gut microbiota influence MDD and provides a scientific basis and a comprehensive research framework for future investigations.

Membrane composition is a critical factor for electroporation. Although existing research focuses on pore formation driven by local phospholipid headgroup clusters, the large-scale membrane dynamics post-pore formation remain underexplored. In this study, coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the effects of phospholipid headgroups (PC, PE and PS), tail characteristics (DLPC, DPPC, POPC and DOPC) and cholesterol (CHOL) content (0 mol%-50 mol%) on membrane electroporation. The results demonstrate that membrane structural parameters, such as area per lipid, hydrophobic layer thickness and interfacial water penetration depth, significantly influence the electroporation threshold electric field and transmembrane substance flux. Phospholipid headgroups can modulate the area per lipid and hydrophobic layer thickness through their size, hydrogen bonding and charge. Regarding phospholipid tails, increasing their length and unsaturation strengthens the hydrophobic layer, and thereby inhibits electroporation. The incorporation of CHOL into the membrane leads to tighter lipid packing, increased layer thickness and restricted water penetration, all of which elevate the threshold electric field. After electroporation, CHOL reduces transmembrane flux by enhancing line tension, although this inhibitory effect is limited at higher concentrations. The simulation results align well with existing experimental data, suggesting our approach can guide protocol design and highlight membrane composition's critical role in electroporation efficiency.

This study investigates the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Rosa damascena extract. . The objective is to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the biosynthesized AuNPs and to evaluate their inhibitory effects on proteins associated with Parkinson's disease and experimental study incorporating in vitro biological assays, physicochemical characterization techniques and molecular docking analysis was also performed. Characterization tests were performed via UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay, while antimicrobial efficacy was tested against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity was evaluated the MTT assay. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, along with reduced cytotoxicity in neuronal models. Molecular docking revealed favourable binding affinities of key phytoconstituents (such as quercetin, kaempferol and geranyl acetate) with neurodegenerative disease-associated proteins, supporting their potential therapeutic relevance. Rosa damascena-mediated green synthesis of AuNPs yields nanoparticles with promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective properties and the bioactive compounds of this plant demonstrate a highly significant impact on the inhibition of deleterious proteins and the preservation of neuronal integrity. These findings suggest the potential utility in treating neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease. .