Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A最新文献

{"title":"Morin-Loaded Chitosan-Poloxamer Hydrogel as an Osteoinductive Delivery System for Endodontic Applications","authors":"Jesse Augusto Pereira,&nbsp;Victor Martin,&nbsp;Rita Araújo,&nbsp;Liliana Grenho,&nbsp;Pedro Gomes,&nbsp;Joana Marto,&nbsp;Maria Helena Fernandes,&nbsp;Catarina Santos,&nbsp;Cristiane Duque","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37895","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Considering the search for new biocompatible intracanal medicaments that can preserve remaining cells and stimulate bone tissue repair in the periapical region, this study aimed to synthesize and characterize the physicochemical properties of morin-loaded chitosan-poloxamer hydrogel (MCP) as well as to evaluate its osteogenic potential. Morin hydrate (M) was loaded into chitosan-poloxamer (CP) hydrogel and the resulting particles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–vis spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Biological assays evaluated the metabolic activity, cell morphology and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human bone marrow stem cells (HBMSC) in three different settings, such as the exposure to dissolved morin, hydrogel's leachates and assembled particles by indirect contact. Cells cultured in standard culture conditions were used as control. The effect of CP and MCP particles on the formation of collagenous and mineralized tissues was also assessed within the organotypic model of segmented embryonic chick femora. Datasets were assessed for one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post hoc test (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Morin at 50 μg/mL was cytocompatible and increased ALP activity. CP and MCP particles showed stability, and morin was entrapped in the hydrogel matrix without changing its chemical structure. Cultures treated with 30-min CP and MCP hydrogel leachates presented significantly higher metabolic activity compared to control. By indirect contact, CP particles increased metabolic activity, but only MCP particles induced an upregulation of ALP activity in comparison to control. The amount of collagenous tissue and mineralized area on the fractured embryonic chick femora was greater in MCP particles compared to CP counterparts. Chitosan-poloxamer platforms are suitable systems to delivery morin, enhancing cell proliferation and bone mineralization, which upholds its application as intracanal medication for endodontic purposes.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143622584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In Vitro Bioactivity Evaluation of IL-4 and SDF-1 Mimicking Peptides Engineered to Enhance Skeletal Muscle Reconstruction","authors":"Zuzanna Michalska,&nbsp;Anna Ostaszewska,&nbsp;Martyna Fularczyk,&nbsp;Maria Dzierżyńska,&nbsp;Kacper Bielak,&nbsp;Justyna Morytz,&nbsp;Adam K. Sieradzan,&nbsp;Karolina Archacka,&nbsp;Edyta Brzoska,&nbsp;Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło,&nbsp;Maria A. Ciemerych","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37898","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37898","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Skeletal muscle regeneration depends on satellite cells, which, in response to injury, activate, proliferate, and reconstruct damaged tissue. However, under certain conditions, such as large injuries or myopathies, this process may not be properly executed, and muscle function may be affected. Thus, pro-regenerative actions, such as the use of various factors or cells, are widely tested as a tool to improve muscle regeneration. In the current study, we designed peptides derived from the IL-4 and SDF-1 proteins, namely IL-4-X, IL-4-Y, SDF-1-X, and SDF-1-Y. We showed that these peptides can bind to appropriate receptors and can adopt proper structure in solution. Importantly, we documented, using in vitro culture, that they do not negatively affect the cells that are present and active in skeletal muscles, such as myoblasts and fibroblasts, bone marrow stromal cells, as well as induced pluripotent stem cells, which can serve as a source of myoblasts. The presence of peptides did not affect cell proliferation compared to untreated cells. In vitro culture and differentiation protocols documented that selected IL-4 and SDF-1 peptides increased cell migration and inhibited undesirable adipogenic differentiation. Thus, we proved that these peptides are safe to use in in vivo studies aimed at improving skeletal muscle regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jbm.a.37898","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143629877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supercritical CO2 With Enzymatic Posttreatment Enhances Mechanical and Biological Properties of Cancellous Bovine Bone Block Grafts","authors":"Asrar Elahi,&nbsp;Warwick Duncan,&nbsp;Kai Chun Li,&nbsp;Tanmoy Bhattacharjee,&nbsp;Dawn Coates","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37896","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37896","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Bone loss resulting in large bony defects presents a significant challenge for surgeons. In cases requiring reconstruction, bone “block” grafts that have the key attributes of both physical robustness and biocompatibility are required to facilitate bone healing and regeneration. Current technologies employed for the development of block grafts often result in constructs with suboptimal strength and integration. This study aimed to develop a bovine-derived bone block graft using the process of supercritical fluid (SCF) extraction to maintain mechanical strength and biocompatibility. Bone blocks were prepared from the condyles of bovine femurs. After optimization, the blocks were divided into six groups; Group 1: Raw bone, Group 2: SCF–CO₂, Groups 3: SCF–CO₂–H₂O₂, and Group 4: SCF–CO₂–H₂O₂ + Pepsin. Characterization of the constructs included analysis of organic material (thermogravimetric analysis, TGA), crystallinity using x-ray diffraction (XRD), surface topography with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemical composition using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Mechanical strength was assessed using compression testing, and clinically relevant handling was investigated with a bench-top drill test. Biological testing was carried out in vitro using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). The SCF-treated bone blocks showed promising results with enhanced mechanical strength (raw bone [mean = 23.01 8.9 MPa], SCF–CO₂–H₂O₂ [mean = 48.9 ± 11.6 MPa], <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001) reduced organic content (raw bone = 17.6%, SCF–CO₂–H₂O₂ + Pepsin = 12.4%), and significantly higher hBMSCs' metabolic activity on the SCF–CO₂ and SCF–CO₂ + H₂O₂ compared to Bio-Oss at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). SEM photomicrographs showed reduced debris in trabecular structures with open pores after SCF–CO₂ treatment, especially in SCF–CO₂–H₂O₂ + Pepsin blocks. Moreover, the bench-top clinical handling test demonstrated the ease of block fixation with surgical screws. Overall, the SCF–CO₂ and posttreatments of bovine block grafts showed potential for clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jbm.a.37896","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143622532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cell-Derived Basal Membrane-Like Extracellular Matrix Promotes Endothelial Cell Expansion and Functionalization","authors":"Jiangwei Xiao,&nbsp;Kai You,&nbsp;Daohuan Lu,&nbsp;Shuwen Guan,&nbsp;Hengpeng Wu,&nbsp;Jing Gao,&nbsp;Yadong Tang,&nbsp;Shan Yu,&nbsp;Botao Gao","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37893","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37893","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Engineering cellular microenvironments with biomaterials is an effective strategy for endothelial cell expansion and functionality in vascular tissue engineering. The basement membrane (BM) is a natural vascular endothelium microenvironment that plays an important role in promoting rapid expansion and function of endothelial cells. However, mimicking the crucial function of BM with an ideal biomaterial remains challenging. In this study, we developed a cell-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (c-dECM) paper to mimic the role of BM in endothelial cell expansion and function. The results showed that c-dECM paper was a stable, biocompatible, and biodegradable scaffold that significantly promoted endothelial cell expansion by modulating cell migration, adhesion, and proliferation both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the biomimetic c-dECM paper can profoundly promote endothelial cell function by increasing the synthesis and release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and upregulating the expression of anticoagulant and vascularized genes, including <i>thrombomodulin</i> (<i>THBD</i>), <i>tissue factor pathway inhibitor</i> (<i>TFPI</i>), <i>endothelial growth factor</i> (<i>VEGF</i>) and <i>endoglin</i> (<i>CD105</i>). These data indicate that the c-dECM is a potential biomaterial for constructing vascular tissue engineering scaffolds or developing in vitro models to study the functional mechanisms of endothelial cells.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143581811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Keratin Rich PCL Blended Nano-Microfibrous Sheet as a Bioactive Immunomodulatory ECM Analog Toward Dermal Wound Healing—In Vitro and In Vivo Responses","authors":"Krishna Dixit,&nbsp;Hema Bora,&nbsp;Gaurav Kulkarni,&nbsp;Nantu Dogra,&nbsp;Tamal Kanti Sengupta,&nbsp;Gayatri Mukherjee,&nbsp;Santanu Dhara","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37888","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37888","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Being an excretory scleroprotein, human hair-derived keratin with inherent bioactive peptide cues may actively participate in an immunomodulatory role in the wound microenvironment. In the current study, nano-microfibrous structural attributes mimicking the extracellular matrix were prepared using a polymer blend containing a high loading of keratin as a bioactive matrix by electrospinning, where polycaprolactone (PCL) was used as an electrospinnable aid. The FESEM analysis showed smooth fibers with diameters ranging from 100 to 220 nm. High keratin loading facilitated improved cellular affinity due to the presence of bioactive peptide cues. Physico-chemical characterization confirmed the presence of protein within the PCL matrix, and the modulus of the material (~25 MPa) was found to be similar to that of native skin. Furthermore, keratin-rich matrices evidenced the potential to modulate macrophages toward M2 macrophages. In vitro assessment with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) demonstrated enhanced cytocompatibility-like cellular activity and cell proliferation. In vivo studies evidenced the proactive role of the KPCL matrix in supporting full-thickness wound healing and balancing macrophage activity (CD68 and CD206 immunostaining). Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR studies showed increased COLI and COLIII expression, evidencing dermal reconstruction within 18 days. Enhanced P63 and K14 expression supported the synergistic role of reepithelialization by the matrix enriched with keratin. Overall, the study showed that the keratin-based matrix facilitates skin wound healing.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143571300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication of 3D Hemispherical PCL-Based Scaffolds Through Far-Field Electrospinning Method for Their Potential Use as Contact Lenses","authors":"Hamed Hosseinian,&nbsp;Aida Rodriguez-Garcia,&nbsp;Samira Hosseini","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37874","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37874","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Maintaining precise control over fiber alignment during the electrospinning process is a significant challenge in material science. Various techniques have been explored to enhance fiber alignment, including the use of rotating collectors, patterned electrodes, and magnetic fields. However, these methods are typically complex, expensive, and involve multiple procedural steps, which can hinder their practical application in industrial settings. In this work, polycaprolactone (PCL) was used to electrospun scaffolds characterized by meshed, aligned, and grid fiber structures. A cost-effective approach for fabricating grid fibers, offering enhanced control over the scaffold, and potentially beneficial for medical applications was developed in this study. Using previously fabricated aligned fibers served as a foundation for developing ocular contact lenses incorporating the newly designed grid and meshed fibers. A comparative proof-of-concept study was conducted, utilizing three distinct fiber orientations to evaluate the efficacy and potential use in ocular drug delivery of each fiber type within the scaffolds. The morphology, light transmittance, mechanical properties, and wettability of the contact lenses were systematically assessed. The PCL-based ocular contact lenses, specifically tailored to conform to the anatomical shape of the eye, demonstrated a significant extension in Rhodamine B residence time, achieving an increase of up to two hours compared to conventional eye drops on the porcine cornea. Among the fiber types analyzed, grid fibers emerged as the most promising, followed by aligned fibers, both exhibiting superior Rhodamine B retention compared to meshed fibers. In conclusion, the innovative advancements in fiber alignment techniques and the use of PCL in the fabrication of ocular contact lenses underscore the potential for enhanced medical applications.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143571394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pirfenidone Delivery by Blow-Molded PCL Nanofiber Mat to Reduce Collagen Synthesis by Fibroblasts","authors":"Maximilian Zernic,&nbsp;Maryo Kohen,&nbsp;Faruk H. Orge,&nbsp;Amel Ahmed,&nbsp;Ozan Akkus","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37884","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) during glaucoma is sometimes mitigated by insertion of glaucoma drainage devices (GDD). Excessive fibrosis around GDD plates may confine drainage and requiring revision surgeries in some patients. Pirfenidone (PFD) is an FDA approved drug to treat lung fibrosis, and it may be effective in limiting capsule formation around the GDD. To enable this, we aimed to develop a polymeric GDD encasement sheath that can sustainably release PFD to reduce fibrous capsule formation. The PFD-doped sheath was manufactured by blow molding of (poly)caprolactone (PCL). We investigated the effects of PCL concentration, spray distance, and molecular weight on the morphology of nanofibers as well as the release rate of PFD. The effects of PFD delivery on viability, number of living cells and collagen production by L-929 fibroblasts were measured in vitro. It was found that concentrations of 6%, 8%, and 10% PCL resulted in average fiber diameters of 277 ± 134, 436 ± 176, and 689 ± 297 nm, respectively. With increasing fiber diameter, the blow-spun nanofiber matrix displayed reduced burst release of PFD; ~75%, ~60%, and 45% respectively. Lower molecular weight PCL (25 kDa) demonstrated a slower release than higher molecular weight PCL (80 kDa). PCL loaded with PFD reduced collagen synthesis by L929 fibroblasts in vitro. The materials were also placed in a preliminary capacity as a proof of concept in the extraorbital space in rabbits and scored histologically to infer the severity of the inflammatory reaction. Assessment of in vivo response to blow-spun nanofibrous forms of PCL indicated a notably high inflammatory reaction to PCL. Therefore, while PFD can be integrated in PCL during blow-spinning and demonstrates antifibrotic effect in vitro, in vivo response to nanofibrous PCL by and itself suggests that this material platform does not appear to be suitable for drug delivery in the extraocular milieu.</p>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jbm.a.37884","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143533560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing Tissue-Engineered Periosteum Biochemical Cues to Hasten Bone Allograft Healing","authors":"Alyson March,&nbsp;Hao Wu,&nbsp;Regine Choe,&nbsp;Danielle S. W. Benoit","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37890","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Although allografts remain the gold standard for treating critical-size bone defects, ~60% fail within 10 years of implantation. To emulate periosteum-mediated healing of live autografts, we have developed a tissue-engineered periosteum (TEP) to improve allograft healing. The TEP comprises cell-degradable poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels encapsulating mouse mesenchymal stem cells and osteoprogenitor cells to mimic the periosteal cell population. Despite improvements in allograft healing, several limitations were observed using the TEP, specifically the modulation of host tissue infiltration and remodeling to support graft-localized vascular volume and callus bridging. Therefore, hydrogel biochemical cues were incorporated into TEP to enable cell–matrix interactions and remodeling critical for tissue infiltration. Adhesive peptide functionalization (RGD, YIGSR, and GFOGER) and enzymatic degradation rate (GPQGIWGQ, IPESLRAG, and VPLSLYSG) were screened using an in vitro 3D cell spheroid assay and design of experiments (DOE) to identify hydrogels that best supported tissue infiltration and integration. DOE analysis of various adhesive peptide combinations was used to optimize functionalization, revealing that individual RGD-functionalization and GFOGER-functionalization maximized in vitro cell infiltration. RGD and GFOGER hydrogels were then investigated in vivo as TEP (RGD-TEP and GFOGER-TEP, respectively) to evaluate the effect of hydrogel functionalization on TEP-mediated allograft healing in a murine femur defect model. RGD- and GFOGER-TEP promoted bone graft healing, with both groups exhibiting a 1.9-fold increase in bone callus volume over unmodified allografts at 3 weeks post-implantation. RGD-TEP promoted more significant bone tissue development, but GFOGER-TEP promoted greater torsional biomechanics over time. The few differences observed between TEP groups suggest hydrogel functionalization has a limited effect on TEP-mediated healing, with cell delivery via the TEP enough to improve bone regeneration. Future studies aim to investigate additional adhesive peptides with diverse combinations to identify potential synergies between adhesive peptides to promote TEP-mediated bone allograft healing.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143533465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement and Comparison of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel Mechanics Across Length Scales","authors":"Aina Solsona-Pujol,&nbsp;Nikolas Di Caprio,&nbsp;Hannah M. Zlotnick,&nbsp;Matthew D. Davidson,&nbsp;Morgan B. Riffe,&nbsp;Jason A. Burdick","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37889","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37889","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Hydrogels are an important class of biomaterials that are being developed for use in medicine, such as in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. To improve properties (e.g., injectability, nutrient transport, cell invasion), hydrogels are often processed as hydrogel microparticles (microgels) that can be used as suspensions or jammed into granular hydrogels. The mechanical properties of microgels are important across length scales, from macroscale bulk properties of granular assemblies to microscale interactions with cells; however, microgel mechanics are rarely reported due to challenges in their measurement. To address this, we report here a cost-effective, easy-to-use do-it-yourself (DIY) active feedback micropipette aspiration device to quantify the mechanics of individual microgels. Using norbornene-modified hyaluronic acid (NorHA) synthesized via an environmentally friendly, aqueous reaction as an exemplary hydrogel, we compare hydrogel mechanics across scales at various macromer concentrations. Hydrogels tested via uniaxial compression exhibit similar moduli values, trends of increasing modulus with increasing macromer concentration, and mechanical stability over time to the same formulations processed as microgels via batch emulsions (~170 μm) and tested via micropipette aspiration. Moduli range from ~50 to ~100 kPa as the NorHA macromer concentration increases from 3 wt% to 5 wt%. These findings are validated by testing with spherical nanoindentation, with similar moduli measured. Collectively, this work provides an accessible device that allows for the rapid testing of microgel mechanical properties, while also improving our understanding of hydrogel mechanics across scales for use in the design of microgels for biomedical applications.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143533464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Layer-By-Layer Functionalized Gauze With Designed α-Sheet Peptides Inhibits E. coli and S. aureus Biofilm Formation","authors":"Sarah E. Nick,&nbsp;James D. Bryers,&nbsp;Valerie Daggett","doi":"10.1002/jbm.a.37879","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37879","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Microbial biofilms on wounds lead to longer hospital stays, mechanical debridement, and higher mortality. Amyloid fibrils stabilize the bacterial biofilm's extracellular matrix (ECM) and represent a potential anti-biofilm target. As previously reported, <i>de novo</i> α-sheet peptides inhibit amyloid fibrillization and reduce biofilm formation in several bacterial species. Alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CH) are widely used in wound dressings due to their adhesive and antimicrobial activity. Here, we describe a layer-by-layer (LbL) functionalized gauze with alternating layers of ALG and CH loaded with α-sheet peptides for controlled release and biofilm inhibition at a wound site. Material analysis indicated successful LbL polyelectrolyte deposition and peptide incorporation. The LbL gauze facilitated controlled peptide release for 72 h with an initial burst delivery and demonstrated good biocompatibility with no toxicity towards human fibroblasts. The LbL gauze was assessed against <i>Escherichia coli</i> biofilms and reduced colony forming units (CFUs) of adherent bacteria by 81% and 96% as compared to the plain gauze for non-antibiotic and antibiotic (+gentamicin) conditions, respectively. A similar reduction in biofilm formation and increase in antibiotic susceptibility was observed for tests with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and vancomycin. Thus, LbL gauze with incorporated α-sheet peptides demonstrated anti-biofilm properties for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and presents an alternative wound dressing for the prevention of biofilm-associated infections.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":15142,"journal":{"name":"Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A","volume":"113 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143533466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}