Multifunctional nanomaterial-mediated tumor therapeutics: enhancing efficacy and specificity.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and its burden is rapidly increasing with the aging population. Conventional treatment methods often cause side effects such as metastasis, multidrug resistance, and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. In recent years, with the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials have been explored for tumor treatment.

Human Bone-Derived Endothelial Cells Mediate Bone Regeneration via Distinct Expression of KIT Ligand.

Effective bone regeneration remains a significant challenge in surgical practice, particularly due to the limitations associated with autologous bone grafting, such as donor site morbidity and limited bone availability. This study investigated the potential of human bone-derived endothelial cells (b-ECs) in mediating bone regeneration, especially in conjunction with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (bm-MSCs). It is demonstrated that b-ECs retain unique osteoinductive properties post-isolation, crucial for promoting bone formation in vivo.

Engineering Osteogenic Spheroids: The Impact of Endothelial Cell Localization on Vascularization and Differentiation.

Bone tissue is highly vascularized, and robust blood flow is critical for successful bone regeneration. However, the intricate architecture of bone vascular networks and the mechanisms governing their development remain poorly understood, necessitating the development of in vitro models that replicate the native bone microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the influence of endothelial cell positioning within co-cultured spheroids on vascularization and osteogenic differentiation.

Optimizing the Surface Functionalization of Peptide-MXene Nanoplatforms to Amplify Tumor-Targeting Efficiency and Photothermal Therapy.

Energy storage and conversion extensively use MXenes, a class of 2-dimensional transition metals. Research is currently exploring MXenes in areas such as biomedical imaging, positioning them as a substantial contender in biomedical applications. Even though these biocompatible MXenes have many uses, it is challenging to make nanoparticles that are all the same size.

A microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor for detection of CEA and Ki67 in 3D tumor spheroids.

Microfluidic chip-based electrochemical sensors have been developed to detect cancer biomarkers and monitor changes in the tumor microenvironment. However, the limitation of detecting only a single biomarker restricts their utility as accurate diagnostic tools. Simultaneous detection of multiple tumor biomarkers is important for early diagnosis of cancer.

Unlocking the regenerative key: Targeting stem cell factors for bone renewal.

Stem cell factors (SCFs) are pivotal factors existing in both soluble and membrane-bound forms, expressed by endothelial cells (ECs) and fibroblasts throughout the body. These factors enhance cell growth, viability, and migration in multipotent cell lineages. The preferential expression of SCF by arteriolar ECs indicates that arterioles create a unique microenvironment tailored to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

Polyacrylamide/Gel-Based Self-Healing Artificial Tympanic Membrane for Drug Delivery of Otitis Treatment.

One of the bacterial infections caused by tympanic membrane perforation is otitis media (OM). Middle ear inflammation causes continuous pain and can be accompanied by aftereffects such as facial nerve paralysis if repeated chronically. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an artificial tympanic membrane (TM) that can effectively regenerate the eardrum due to the easy implantation and removal of OM inflammation.

Fabrication of innovative multifunctional dye using MXene nanosheets.

The increasing demand for natural and safer alternatives to traditional hair dyes has led to the investigation of nanomaterials as potential candidates for hair coloring applications. MXene nanosheets have emerged as a promising alternative in this context due to their unique optical and electronic properties. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of TiCT (T = -O, -OH, -F, ) MXene nanosheets as a hair dye.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids: A Promising Tool for Vascularized Tissue Regeneration.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into specific cell lineages when exposed to the right conditions. The ability of MSCs to differentiate into particular cells is considered very important in biological research and clinical applications. MSC spheroids are clusters of MSCs cultured in three dimensions, which play an important role in enhancing the proliferation and differentiation of MSCs.

Sprayable TiC MXene hydrogel for wound healing and drug release system.

Wound healing is a critical process that facilitates the body's recovery from injuries and helps prevent infections, thereby maintaining overall tissue and organ functionality. However, delayed wound healing owing to various factors can lead to bacterial infections and secondary complications. In this study, a ciprofloxacin (CIP)-loaded MXene/sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel was fabricated to inhibit bacterial infections and enhance wound healing.

Trends in mechanobiology guided tissue engineering and tools to study cell-substrate interactions: a brief review.

Sensing the mechanical properties of the substrates or the matrix by the cells and the tissues, the subsequent downstream responses at the cellular, nuclear and epigenetic levels and the outcomes are beginning to get unraveled more recently. There have been various instances where researchers have established the underlying connection between the cellular mechanosignalling pathways and cellular physiology, cellular differentiation, and also tissue pathology. It has been now accepted that mechanosignalling, alone or in combination with classical pathways, could play a significant role in fate determination, development, and organization of cells and tissues.

microenvironment remodeling using a dual-responsive system: photodegradable hydrogels and gene activation by visible light.

A 3D microenvironment with dynamic cell-biomaterial interactions was developed using a dual-responsive system for microenvironment remodeling and control of cellular function. A visible-light-responsive polymer was utilized to prepare a hydrogel with photodegradation properties, enabling microenvironment remodeling. Additionally, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene activation unit that was responsive to the same wavelength of light was incorporated to support the potential application of the system in regenerative medicine.

Enhanced Neovascularization Using Injectable and rhVEGF-Releasing Cryogel Microparticles.

Cryogels are gel networks or scaffolds with a large porous structure; they can be tailored for injectability and for possessing a shape-memory ability. Herein, a growth factor-releasing cryogel microparticle (CMP) system is fabricated, and the therapeutic efficacy of recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF)-loaded CMP (V-CMP) for neovascularization is investigated. To prepare the cryogels, both methacrylated chitosan (Chi-MA) and methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (CS-MA) are used, and crosslinking using a radical crosslinking reaction is established.

A cell surface-reducing microenvironment induces early osteogenic commitment.

Stem cell-based therapy has been highlighted as a potential avenue to promote tissue regeneration, where stimulation of stem cells to differentiate into the targeted cell type is essential. One of the factors that induce stem cells to differentiate is their surrounding microenvironment. In this study, the correlation between mild reductant and early osteogenic commitment was evaluated.

Graphene oxide film guided skeletal muscle differentiation.

Engineered muscle tissues can be used for the regeneration or substitution of irreversibly damaged or diseased muscles. Recently, graphene oxide (GO) has been shown to improve the adsorption of biomolecules through its biocompatibility and intrinsic π-π interactions. The possibility of producing various GO modifications may also provide additional functionality as substrates for cell culture.

A Biphasic Osteovascular Biomimetic Scaffold for Rapid and Self-Sustained Endochondral Ossification.

Regeneration of large bones remains a challenge in surgery. Recent developmental engineering efforts aim to recapitulate endochondral ossification (EO), a critical step in bone formation. However, this process entails the condensation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into cartilaginous templates, which requires long-term cultures and is challenging to scale up.

In Vivo Vascular Network Forming Assay.

The capability of forming functional blood vessel networks is critical for the characterization of endothelial cells. In this chapter, we will review a modified in vivo vascular network forming assay by replacing traditional mouse tumor-derived Matrigel with a well-defined collagen-fibrin hydrogel. The assay is reliable and does not require special equipment, surgical procedure, or a skilled person to perform.

Bioinspired inorganic nanoparticles and vascular factor microenvironment directed neo-bone formation.

Various strategies have been explored to stimulate new bone formation. These strategies include using angiogenic stimulants in combination with inorganic biomaterials. Neovascularization during the neo-bone formation provides nutrients along with bone-forming minerals.

Self-Healing and Adhesive Artificial Tissue Implant for Voice Recovery.

Loss of voice after vocal fold resection due to laryngeal cancer is a significant problem resulting in a low quality of life. Although there were many attempts to achieve a functional restoration of voice, challenges to regenerate vocal fold still remain due to its unique tissue mechanical characteristics such as pliability that produces phonation via vibration. In this study, we developed a mechanically compliant interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel based on polyacrylamide (PAAM) and gelatin that matches physical and functional properties with native vocal fold tissue.

Enhanced osteogenic commitment of murine mesenchymal stem cells on graphene oxide substrate.

Background: Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that attempts to restore or regenerate tissues and organs through biomimetic fabrication of scaffolds with specific functionality. In recent years, graphene oxide (GO) is considered as promising biomaterial due to its nontoxicity, high dispersity, and hydrophilic interaction, and these characteristics are key to stimulating the interactions between substrates and cells.

Method: In this study, GO substrates were fabricated via chemically immobilizing GO at 1.

General and Facile Coating of Single Cells via Mild Reduction.

Cell surface modification has been extensively studied to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy. Still, general accessibility and versatility are remaining challenges to meet the increasing demand for cell-based therapy. Herein, we present a facile and universal cell surface modification method that involves mild reduction of disulfide bonds in cell membrane protein to thiol groups.

Enzyme-mediated tissue adhesive hydrogels for meniscus repair.

Meniscus tissues have limited regenerative capacity once damaged. The treatment options for the meniscus tissue regeneration have been limited to arthroscopic meniscectomy or surgical interventions. The injectable hydrogels based system would provide an alternative to the conventional meniscus therapy by providing a minimally invasive treatment alternative.

Biomimetically Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Hybrid Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Articular cartilage has a very limited regeneration capacity. Therefore, injury or degeneration of articular cartilage results in an inferior mechanical stability, load-bearing capacity, and lubrication capability. Here, we developed a biomimetic scaffold consisting of macroporous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponges as a platform material for the incorporation of cell-embedded photocrosslinkable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), PEGDA-methacrylated chondroitin sulfate (PEGDA-MeCS; PCS), or PEGDA-methacrylated hyaluronic acid (PEGDA-MeHA; PHA) within its pores to improve in vitro chondrocyte functions and subsequent in vivo ectopic cartilage tissue formation.

Biomimetic Materials and Fabrication Approaches for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Various strategies have been explored to overcome critically sized bone defects via bone tissue engineering approaches that incorporate biomimetic scaffolds. Biomimetic scaffolds may provide a novel platform for phenotypically stable tissue formation and stem cell differentiation. In recent years, osteoinductive and inorganic biomimetic scaffold materials have been optimized to offer an osteo-friendly microenvironment for the osteogenic commitment of stem cells.

Enhanced Osteogenic Commitment of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Polyethylene Glycol-Based Cryogel with Graphene Oxide Substrate.

Graphene oxide (GO) is considered a comparatively recent biomaterial with enormous potential because of its nontoxicity, high dispersity, and enhanced interaction with biomolecules. These characteristics of GO can promote the interactions between the substrates and cell surfaces. In this study, we incorporated GO in a cryogel-based scaffold system to observe their influence on the osteogenic responses of human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hTMSCs).