A biomimetic nanoplatform mediates hypoxia-adenosine axis disruption and PD-L1 knockout for enhanced MRI-guided chemodynamic-immunotherapy.

Malignant melanoma is an extremely aggressive and fatal form of skin cancer due to the limited efficacy of conventional therapies. While immune checkpoint blockade therapy and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) have emerged as promising strategies for melanoma treatment, their effectiveness is compromised by the immunosuppressive and complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, cancer cell membrane-camouflaged nanoplatforms (PPMC@CM) were developed to co-deliver the CRISPR/Cas9-PD-L1 system and manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO NPs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided CDT and enhanced immunotherapy.

Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes Loaded with Phosphorus Dendrimers and Quercetin Treat Parkinson's Disease by Modulating Inflammatory Immune Microenvironment.

The intricate pathologic features of Parkinson's disease (PD) coupled with the obstacle posed by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) significantly limit the efficacy of most medications, leading to difficulties in PD treatments. Herein, we have developed a nanomedicine based on stem-cell-derived exosomes coloaded with hydroxyl-terminated phosphorus dendrimers (AK76) and quercetin (Que) for combined therapeutic intervention of PD. The engineered nanocomplexes (for short, QAE NPs) exhibit an optimal size of 269.

Dendrimer-Entrapped CuPt Bimetallic Nanozymes for Tumor Microenvironment-Regulated Photothermal/Catalytic Therapy.

Noble metal nanozymes have attracted extensive attention in tumor therapy due to their multiple enzyme-like activities for catalytic therapy and unique optical properties for photothermal therapy (PTT). However, their therapeutic efficiency may be compromised by the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, copper-platinum (CuPt) bimetallic nanozymes were synthesized and entrapped by poly(amidoamine) dendrimers, with -carboxybenzenesulfonamide (BS, a carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) inhibitor) modified on the surface and lonidamine (Lon) loaded inside to regulate TME for enhanced catalytic therapy and PTT.

Boron-doped silica/chitosan-based elastic three-dimensional sponge scaffold for bone regeneration.

Bone regeneration is crucial for repairing irregular bone defects, restoring skeletal structure and function, and promoting healing following injury. Sponge scaffolds, characterized by their high porosity and mechanical strength, are considered as effective biomaterials for bone tissue repair. In this study, we fabricated flexible silica (SiO) nanofiber membranes using electrospinning, which contained different concentrations of boron ions (B).

Development of MgO-loaded PLA/dECM antibacterial nanofibrous membranes for enhanced gingival regeneration.

Clinically, gingival tissue repair is challenging due to the complex oral microbial environment and inflammation. The development of gingival membranes using tissue engineering techniques offers a promising solution to this issue. This study focuses on developing a nanofibrous gingival membrane, combining polylactic acid (PLA), decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM), and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles.

A Multifunctional Hydrogel Microneedle Patch for Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition caused by immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and bacterial invasion in the pathogenesis. Currently, oral administration of immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and the topical application of corticosteroids are the primary treatment approaches for alleviating AD symptoms. However, these treatments have limitations associated with therapeutic efficacy and side effects.

A BiO-TiO Heterojunction for Triple-Modality Cancer Theranostics.

Purpose: Owing to the limitations of single-mode cancer treatments, combination therapies have attracted much attention. However, constructing a platform for combination therapies in a simple and effective way and improving the overall treatment effect remains a challenge. Our aim was to combine sonodynamic therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy together and improve therapeutic outcomes within one nanoplatform.

A triple-cascade nanoreactor for potent anti-tumor chemodynamic and immunotherapy.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has shown promising effects in the treatment of malignant tumors, especially in inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, the therapeutic efficacy of CDT is much weakened due to limitations in tumor oxidative stress response, and intracellular HO and catalyst levels. In order to solve these challenges, we have designed an intracellular acid-activated cascade nanoreactor (Sal/FeO@SiO-NaCN) which induces ICD by accelerating the process of CDT-mediated ferroptosis.

Simultaneous Improvement of Mechanical Strength, Toughness, and Self-healability of Elastomers Enabled by F─H-Bond-Based Nanoconfinement.

There are often trade-offs among high mechanical strength, high toughness, and efficient self-healing. Herein, we present a biomimetic strategy utilizing F─H bonds for nanoconfinement to achieve the simultaneous enhancement of these conflicting properties. The mechanical strength, toughness, and self-healing efficiency of a fluorinated crosslinked poly(urethane-urea) (CPUU-FA) elastomer are improved 1.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endogenous calcium-capturing gelatin methacrylate hydrogels promote bone tissue regeneration.

The regeneration of irregular-shaped bone defects remains a perpetuating challenge. Scaffolds with osteogenesis and angiogenesis dual capabilities hold considerable promise for bone tissue repair. The objective of this study was to delineate the synergistic effect of calcium ions (Ca)-recruiting peptide (FVDVT, abbreviated as CP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-binding prominin-1-derived peptide (DRVQRQTTTVVA, abbreviated as BP) in gelatin methacrylate (GM)-based hydrogels (GM@BCP).

Effects of protein conformational transition accompanied with crosslinking density cues in silk fibroin hydrogels on the proliferation and chondrogenesis of encapsulated stem cells.

Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels possess excellent biocompatibility and biomimetic properties of the extracellular matrix. Among them, the mild chemical crosslinked SF hydrogels show great application potential in the fields of 3D cell culture and tissue repairing and thus have attracted widespread attention. However, the mobility of hydrophobic chain segments of SF molecules in these chemical crosslinked hydrogels can easily cause the molecules to undergo a self-assembly process from random coil to -sheet conformation due to its lower energy state, thus inducing an inevitable conformational transition process.

Phosphorous dendrimer-mediated biomineralization for synergistic blockade therapy and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy of tumors.

Blockade therapy involving the artificial induction of biomineralization in tumor tissues has emerged as a promising strategy for treating malignant tumors. However, standalone blockade therapy which merely obstructs tumor growth rather than directly destroying the tumors is quite limited in therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report the phosphite-terminated phosphorus dendrimers (AK176)/fibronectin (FN) nanocomplexes (NCs) with tumor-targeting and biomineralization-inducing properties to encapsulate a hypoxia-activated tirapazamine (TPZ) to achieve synergistic blockade therapy/chemotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

A biomimetic therapeutic nanovaccine based on dendrimer-drug conjugates coated with metal-phenolic networks for combination therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an investigation.

Developing a minimally invasive and potent therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is still challenging. In this study, we report a photothermal nanovaccine based on phenylboronic acid (PBA)-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimers of generation 5 (G5) attached with indocyanine green (ICG) as a photothermal agent, toyocamycin (Toy) as an endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) drug, and Mn-coordinated metal-phenolic networks. The developed nanocomplexes are camouflaged with homologous apoptotic cancer cell membranes, leveraging membrane proteins as an antigenic reservoir and incorporating the immune adjuvant cytosine-guanine (CpG) oligonucleotide to obtain the final nanovaccine formulation.

Nano-Enabled Effective Tuberculosis Treatments: A Concise Overview.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a severe respiratory infectious disease caused by (), which puts enormous pressure on public health and economic systems worldwide. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and timely intervention of TB are critical for interrupting disease transmission and reducing mortality among TB patients. However, the low bioavailability, inadequate targeting, and significant adverse side effects of conventional antibiotics and the emergence of the multidrug-resistant strain result in limited TB treatment efficacy or even the development of multidrug-resistant TB.

Developing an anticoagulant microfibrous vascular graft with enhanced kink resistance and self-sealing capabilities.

For clinical treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, the development of vascular grafts possessing both puncture resistance and anticoagulant properties remains crucial for arteriovenous fistula establishment. In this study, small-diameter vascular conduits were engineered through electrospinning of polyurethane (PU) microfibers, incorporating polyethylene coil reinforcement within the graft wall architecture to confer kink resistance. The microporous structure of the grafts demonstrated effective self-sealing capabilities following needle perforation.

Zn ion-incorporated injected hydrogels with reactive oxygen species and glucose scavenging capacity for diabetic wound healing.

Background: Patients with diabetic wounds often experience challenges in the repair process, owing to increased concentration of glucose and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, high glucose levels usually result in bacterial infections, which in turn worsen wound healing. This study aims to develop a multifunctional hydrogel with integrated antibacterial activity, ROS scavenging, and glucose-responsive properties to accelerate healing of infected diabetic wounds.

Osteogenic surgical sutures for tendon traction and fixation: A model of achilles tendon sleeve avulsion.

Currently, the repair of Achilles tendon sleeve avulsion is a challenge due to their limited research and particularly difficult treatment. In tendon repair surgery, the construction of bone tunnels is required for the suspensory fixation of ruptured tendon by sutures. However, due to the biologically inert of commonly used tendon sutures, postoperative fixation instability, bone tunnel enlargement, and even tendon reconstruction failure can easily occur under stressful conditions.

Dynamic cross-linked topological network reconciles the longstanding contradictory properties of polymers.

There is usually a trade-off between high-tensile properties and processability in polymers because the mechanisms of these properties are mutually exclusive. Here, we design a chemically coupled four-arm dynamic polymer cross-link site to overcome this challenge. By concurrently increasing cross-link sites and dynamic bond contents, this approach fabricates polymer networks with high cross-link density yet low processing temperature, challenging the conventional structure-property relationship where cross-linking inherently limits plasticity.

Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell-seeded regenerated silk fibroin scaffolds reverse liver fibrosis in mice.

Liver fibrosis (LF) is an important process in the progression of chronic liver disease to cirrhosis. We have previously demonstrated that a regenerated silk fibroin scaffold loaded with adipose-derived stem cells (RSF + ADSCs) can repair acute liver injury. In this study, we established a chronic LF animal model using carbon tetrachloride (CCl) and a high-fat diet.

Combination of Dendrimers and Exosomes: Implications for Biomedical Applications.

The rapid development of nanotechnology enables wide exploration of biomimetic nanoplatforms, which can combine traditional nanoparticles and bio-derived materials to have a better performance. Exosomes work as a messenger between cells and specific biomarkers and are also involved in the developmental process of diseases. Dendrimers with high physical stability and unique structure are always used as carriers for drugs or genes, thereby realizing enhanced delivery and precise theranostics.

A natural biological adhesive from slug mucus for wound repair.

Slugs could secrete mucus with multifunctional characteristics, such as reversible gelation, mucoadhesiveness, and viscoelasticity, which can be harnessed for multifaceted biotechnological and healthcare applications. The dried mucus (DM) was prepared using slug, which can be adhered to the tissue surface through different types of interactions (lap-shear force, 1.1 N for DM-3 group).

Flexible Short Silica Fibers and Tricalcium Phosphate Synergistically Promote Bone Fracture Healing in Composite Cryogel Scaffolds.

Bone tissue engineering is a critical area of research focused on enhancing the regeneration of bone tissue, particularly in cases of complex defects. Despite inherent self-healing capabilities of bone, irregularly-shaped defects pose significant challenges for complete regeneration, thereby necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. This study addresses these challenges by exploring the development of advanced tissue regeneration scaffolds.

Inflammation-modulating elastic decellularized extracellular matrix scaffold promotes meniscus regeneration.

Scaffold-guided meniscus repair and regeneration show promise for meniscus injuries. Desirable scaffold properties are key to promoting proper tissue remodeling and effective regeneration. Herein, we report an inflammation-modulating elastic decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold and evaluate its biological performance on meniscus repair in a rabbit model.

Regional-Specific Decellularized Meniscus Extracellular Matrix Elastic Nanofiber Aerogels Regulate Meniscal Regeneration and Vascularization.

The meniscus is a heterogeneous structure with spatial distribution of cells and vessels. Promoting meniscus healing remains challenging, especially in its avascular inner region. The ideal repair mode shall promote meniscus repair while maintaining local avascularity to prevent pathological changes from vascular invasion.

Acid-Unlocked Two-Layer Ca-Loaded Nanoplatform to Interfere With Mitochondria for Synergistic Tumor Therapy.

Background: The development of selective formulations able to target and kill tumor cells without the application of external energy has shown great promise for anti-tumor therapy.

Methods: Here, we report a "nanobomb" that explosively increases Ca content within cells. It can selectively release Ca and generate HO in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by acid-triggered degradation of the two-layer protective shell (ie, unlocking the "double-lock").