Image-Guided Cardiac Regeneration via a 3D Bioprinted Vascular Patch with Built-in CT Visibility.

Cardiac patch-based regenerative therapies have shown great promise in the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). The clinical applications of patch devices, however, face major limitations mainly due to the inadequate integration of typically nonvascular implanted grafts with the recipient heart muscle tissue, the lack of patient and damage specificity, and insufficient perfusion. Here we present a new generation of cardiac patch devices with customized geometry and vasculature to closely correspond to those of the recipient heart tissue, while providing imaging properties.

Mass spectrometry-based top-down proteomics for proteoform profiling of protein coronas.

The protein corona is a layer of biomolecules-primarily proteins-that adsorbs to nanoparticle (NP) surfaces in biological fluids. If the purpose of the NP is therapeutic, this can have a profound effect on its biological activity and function in vivo. Protein corona formation can also be exploited for diagnostic purposes and to differentially enrich proteins for biomarker discovery.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Protein Coronas for Nanoscale Biomolecular Sensing.

The unique benefits of sub-picomolar and single-molecule detection for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases and therapeutic efficacy monitoring have been driving the development of nanoscale biomolecular sensors. Nanoscale sensors can be attached to the surface or dispersed in solution, enabling the rapid detection of analytes with high sensitivity and specificity by overcoming concentration-driven diffusion limits. In biological fluids, however, nanoscale objects are surrounded by biomolecules, mostly proteins, that form an evolving encapsulating surface layer, commonly known as the protein corona.

Protein corona composition modulates uptake of polymeric micelles by colorectal cancer cells.

Protein corona formation on nanoparticles affects their biological interactions and fate. Polymeric micelles (PMs), preferred nanocarriers for poorly water-soluble drugs, have unclear behaviors in biological environments. This study examines the protein corona compositions of PMs formed from poly(ethylene oxide)--poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-PCL) and PEO--poly(α-benzyl carboxylate-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-PBCL) copolymers with varying degrees of polymerization after incubation in human plasma, and explores their relationship with cellular uptake by colorectal cancer cells.

Improving accuracy and reproducibility of mass spectrometry characterization of protein coronas on nanoparticles.

Accurate and robust proteomics characterization of the protein corona is crucial for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanomedicine technologies. This Perspective focuses on mass spectrometry-based characterization of the protein corona, emphasizing its role in identifying and quantifying the proteins associated with it. The discussion encompasses three major steps: protein corona formation, protein corona isolation and mass spectrometry-based characterization.

Bioengineering solutions to improve women's health.

In recognition of The International Day of Action for Women's Health on May 28, we bring together a collection of Voices highlighting the need for innovative solutions to tackle long-standing women's health challenges from a bioengineering perspective. Many common diseases manifest differently in women, and an insufficient understanding of the underlying mechanisms as well as a lack of tailored treatment strategies continue to impact health outcomes. Bioengineered organoids, organ-on-chip systems, and biomaterials hold promise as tools to dissect pathological mechanisms in reproductive health, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and musculoskeletal health, while tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies can enhance the efficacy of clinical interventions.

Protocol for 3D bioprinting of a 3D in vitro model of neuroblastoma.

Here, we present a protocol for developing an in vitro 3D model of neuroblastoma through bioprinting, incorporating key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including vasculature and cancer cell line spheroids. We describe steps for the preparation, bioprinting, and evaluation of tumor models and their use to assess the impact of TME on solid tumor behavior. We report procedures for bioink preparation, bioprinting, the measurement of mechanical properties and fidelity, as well as the viability of different cell types and their interactions.

Beyond Correlation: Establishing Causality in Protein Corona Formation for Nanomedicine.

In contemporary studies on the role of the protein corona in specific biological applications, identifying is widely used to draw conclusions from observations and statistical methods, yet it merely identifies associations without establishing a direct influence between variables. This over reliance on observation can lead to spurious connections where co-occurrence does not imply causation. In contrast, a -focused approach asserts the direct impact of one variable on another, offering a more robust framework for inference and the drawing of scientific conclusions.

AI-Driven Prediction of Cardio-Oncology Biomarkers Through Protein Corona Analysis.

Protein corona, a layer predominantly composed of proteins and other biomolecules that forms on nanoparticle surfaces upon interaction with biological fluids, has recently been extensively utilized to enhance the depth of plasma proteomics and biomarker discovery. In this study, we integrate protein corona profiling with mass spectrometry (MS)-based bottom-up proteomics (BUP), machine learning, and causality analysis to identify potential biomarkers in the field of cardio-oncology. We selected prostate cancer (PC) and atherosclerosis as model cardio-oncology diseases, given that PC is the most prevalent cancer among men in the United States and frequently coexists with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which contributes to the progression of metastatic PC (mPC).

Top-Down Proteomic Profiling of Protein Corona by High-Throughput Capillary Isoelectric Focusing-Mass Spectrometry.

In the rapidly evolving field of nanomedicine, understanding the interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and biological systems is crucial. A pivotal aspect of these interactions is the formation of a protein corona when NPs are exposed to biological fluids (e.g.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Cardio-Oncology: A Comprehensive Review.

Purpose Of Review: This review explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardio-oncology, focusing on its latest application across problems in diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification, and management of cardiovascular (CV) complications in cancer patients. It also highlights multi-omics analysis, explainable AI, and real-time decision-making, while addressing challenges like data heterogeneity and ethical concerns.

Recent Findings: AI can advance cardio-oncology by leveraging imaging, electronic health records (EHRs), electrocardiograms (ECG), and multi-omics data for early cardiotoxicity detection, stratification and long-term risk prediction.

The hidden impact of bullying and harassment in biotechnology and biomedical engineering.

The adverse effects of academic bullying and harassment, which are longstanding issues within academic environments, on industry sectors have been inadequately addressed. This commentary explores the detrimental impacts of bullying and harassment in the biotech and biomedical engineering industries, including reduced employee morale, increased turnover, impaired collaboration, and hindered innovation.

Tailored bioengineering and nanomedicine strategies for sex-specific healing of chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds, defined by their prolonged healing process, significantly impair patients' quality of life and impose a hefty financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Sex- and gender-specific mechanisms regulate inflammation and infection, angiogenesis, matrix synthesis and cell recruitment. All of these processes contribute to cutaneous wound healing but remain largely understudied.

Small molecule modulation of protein corona for deep plasma proteome profiling.

The protein corona formed on nanoparticles (NPs) has potential as a valuable diagnostic tool for improving plasma proteome coverage. Here, we show that spiking small molecules, including metabolites, lipids, vitamins, and nutrients into plasma can induce diverse protein corona patterns on otherwise identical NPs, significantly enhancing the depth of plasma proteome profiling. The protein coronas on polystyrene NPs when exposed to plasma treated with an array of small molecules allows for the detection of 1793 proteins marking an 8.

Deciphering nanoparticle protein coronas by capillary isoelectric focusing-mass spectrometry-based top-down proteomics.

The nanoparticle (NP) protein corona significantly influences the outcome of nanomedicine. We present the first example of top-down proteomics (TDP) measurement of the protein corona using capillary isoelectric focusing-mass spectrometry, identifying seventy proteoforms of 16 cancer-related genes. This technique has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the protein corona and advance nanomedicine.

Identification of Pristine and Protein Corona Coated Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles with a Colorimetric Sensor Array.

A colorimetric sensor array has been developed to differentiate various micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs), both pristine and those coated with a protein corona, in buffered water. This array utilizes five distinct cross-reactive chemo-responsive dyes, which exhibit changes in visible optical absorbance upon interaction with MNPs. Although no single dye responds exclusively to either pristine or protein-corona-coated MNPs, the collective shifts in color across all dyes create a unique molecular fingerprint for each type of MNP.

Analysis of Biogenic Amines and Small Molecule Metabolites in Human Diabetic Wound Ulcer Exudate.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a significant challenge in wound care due to their chronic nature and impaired healing processes. This study examines the biogenic amines and small molecule metabolites present in DFU wound exudates to identify their potential roles in wound healing. Under an IRB-approved protocol, wound fluid samples were collected from 25 diabetic patients and analyzed using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

Mass Spectrometry-Based Top-Down Proteomics in Nanomedicine: Proteoform-Specific Measurement of Protein Corona.

Conventional mass spectrometry (MS)-based bottom-up proteomics (BUP) analysis of the protein corona [i.e., an evolving layer of biomolecules, mostly proteins, formed on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs) during their interactions with biomolecular fluids] enabled the nanomedicine community to partly identify the biological identity of NPs.

The role of protein corona in advancing plasma proteomics.

The protein corona, a layer of biomolecules forming around nanoparticles in biological environments, critically influences nanoparticle interactions with biosystems, affecting pharmacokinetics and biological outcomes. Initially, the protein corona presented challenges for nanomedicine and nanotoxicology, such as nutrient depletion in cell cultures and masking of nanoparticle-targeting species. However, recent advancements have highlighted its potential in environmental toxicity, proteomics, and immunology.

Standardizing Protein Corona Characterization in Nanomedicine: A Multicenter Study to Enhance Reproducibility and Data Homogeneity.

We recently revealed significant variability in protein corona characterization across various proteomics facilities, indicating that data sets are not comparable between independent studies. This heterogeneity mainly arises from differences in sample preparation protocols, mass spectrometry workflows, and raw data processing. To address this issue, we developed standardized protocols and unified sample preparation workflows, distributing uniform protein corona digests to several top-performing proteomics centers from our previous study.