Yashaswini Premjit, Merin Lawrence, Abhishek Goyal, Célia Ferreira, Elena A Jones, Payal Ganguly
{"title":"Biomimetic Three-Dimensional (3D) Scaffolds from Sustainable Biomaterials: Innovative Green Medicine Approach to Bone Regeneration.","authors":"Yashaswini Premjit, Merin Lawrence, Abhishek Goyal, Célia Ferreira, Elena A Jones, Payal Ganguly","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070238","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bone repair and regeneration following an injury still present challenges worldwide. Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds made from various materials are used for bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. Polymers, minerals and nanotechnology are now being used in combination to achieve specific goals for BTE, including the delivery of antimicrobials through the scaffolds to prevent post-surgical infection. While several materials are utilised for BTE, natural polymers present a unique set of materials that can be manipulated to formulate scaffolds for BTE applications. They have been found to demonstrate higher biocompatibility, biodegradability and lower toxicity. Some even naturally mimic the bone microarchitecture, providing inherent structural support for BTE. Natural polymers may be simply classified as those from plant and animal sources. From both sources, there are different types of proteins, polysaccharides and other specialised materials that are already in use for research in BTE. Interestingly, these have the potential to revolutionise the field of BTE with a sustainable approach. In this review, we first discuss the different natural polymers used in BTE from plant sources, followed by animal sources. We then explore novel materials that are aimed at sustainable approaches, focusing on innovation from the last decade. In these sections, we outline studies of these materials with different types of bone cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which are the progenitors of bone. We finally outline the limitations, conclusions and future directions from our perspective in this dynamic field of polymers in BTE. With this review, we hope to bring together the updated existing knowledge and the potential future of innovation and sustainability in natural polymers for biomimetic BTE applications for fellow scientists, researchers and surgeons in the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707679","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}
Carlo Mangano, Nicole Riberti, Giulia Orilisi, Simona Tecco, Michele Furlani, Christian Giommi, Paolo Mengucci, Elisabetta Giorgini, Alessandra Giuliani
{"title":"Morphometric, Biomechanical and Macromolecular Performances of β-TCP Macro/Micro-Porous Lattice Scaffolds Fabricated via Lithography-Based Ceramic Manufacturing for Jawbone Engineering.","authors":"Carlo Mangano, Nicole Riberti, Giulia Orilisi, Simona Tecco, Michele Furlani, Christian Giommi, Paolo Mengucci, Elisabetta Giorgini, Alessandra Giuliani","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective bone tissue regeneration remains pivotal in implant dentistry, particularly for edentulous patients with compromised alveolar bone due to atrophy and sinus pneumatization. Biomaterials are essential for promoting regenerative processes by supporting cellular recruitment, vascularization, and osteogenesis. This study presents the development and characterization of a novel lithography-printed ceramic β-TCP scaffold, with a macro/micro-porous lattice, engineered to optimize osteoconduction and mechanical stability. Morphological, structural, and biomechanical assessments confirmed a reproducible microarchitecture with suitable porosity and load-bearing capacity. The scaffold was also employed for maxillary sinus augmentation, with postoperative evaluation using micro computed tomography, synchrotron imaging, histology, and Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging analysis, demonstrating active bone regeneration, scaffold resorption, and formation of mineralized tissue. Advanced imaging supported by deep learning tools revealed a well-organized osteocyte network and high-quality bone, underscoring the scaffold's biocompatibility and osteoconductive efficacy. These findings support the application of these 3D-printed β-TCP scaffolds in regenerative dental medicine, facilitating tissue regeneration in complex jawbone deficiencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707695","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":"<i>Artemisia argyi</i>-Mediated Synthesis of Monodisperse Silver Nanoparticles as Components of Bioactive Nanofibrous Dressings with Dual Antibacterial and Regenerative Functions.","authors":"Jiale Wang, Jiawei Guan, Xingyu Ma, Dongyang Zhao, Yongqiang Han, Dongdong Guo, Jialin Bai, Zisheng Guo, Xiaojun Zhang","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070236","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070236","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effective healing of chronic wounds requires balancing antimicrobial activity with tissue regeneration. In this study, we developed a novel, eco-friendly synthesis method using <i>Artemisia argyi</i> extract to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), addressing toxicity concerns associated with conventional chemical synthesis methods. Through optimization of multiple synthesis parameters, monodisperse spherical AgNPs with an average diameter of 6.76 ± 0.27 nm were successfully obtained. Plant-derived compounds from <i>Artemisia argyi</i> extract acted as efficient mediators for both reduction and stabilization, yielding nanoparticles with high crystallinity. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 8 μg/mL against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and 32 μg/mL against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, while maintaining high biocompatibility with L929 fibroblasts at concentrations ≤ 8 μg/mL. When integrated into polylactic acid/collagen type I (PLA/Col1) nanofibrous matrices, the optimized 0.03% AgNPs/PLA/Col1 dressing significantly accelerated wound healing in a diabetic rat model, achieving 94.62 ± 2.64% wound closure by day 14 compared to 65.81 ± 1.80% observed in untreated controls. Histological analyses revealed a dual-functional mechanism wherein controlled silver ion release provided sustained antibacterial protection, while concurrently promoting tissue regeneration characterized by enhanced collagen deposition, reduced inflammation, and increased neovascularization. This innovative approach effectively addresses critical challenges in diabetic wound care by providing simultaneous antimicrobial and regenerative functions within a single biomaterial platform.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707672","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}
Xuli Li, Yuqing Qu, Yong Zhang, Pei Chen, Siyu Ding, Miaomiao Nie, Kun Yan, Shefeng Li
{"title":"One-Pot Anodic Electrodeposition of Dual-Cation-Crosslinked Sodium Alginate/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Interpenetrating Hydrogel with Vessel-Mimetic Heterostructures.","authors":"Xuli Li, Yuqing Qu, Yong Zhang, Pei Chen, Siyu Ding, Miaomiao Nie, Kun Yan, Shefeng Li","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study develops a one-pot anodic templating electrodeposition strategy using dual-cation-crosslinking and interpenetrating networks, coupled with pulsed electrical signals, to fabricate a vessel-mimetic multilayered tubular hydrogel. Typically, the anodic electrodeposition is performed in a mixture of sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), with the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid calcium disodium salt hydrate (EDTA·Na<sub>2</sub>Ca) incorporated to provide a secondary ionic crosslinker (i.e., Ca<sup>2+</sup>) and modulate the cascade reaction diffusion process. The copper wire electrodes serve as templates for electrochemical oxidation and enable a copper ion (i.e., Cu<sup>2+</sup>)-induced tubular hydrogel coating formation, while pulsed electric fields regulate layer-by-layer deposition. The dual-cation-crosslinked interpenetrating hydrogels (CMC/SA-Cu/Ca) exhibit rapid growth rates and tailored mechanical strength, along with excellent antibacterial performance. By integrating the unique pulsed electro-fabrication with biomimetic self-assembly, this study addresses challenges in vessel-mimicking structural complexity and mechanical compatibility. The approach enables scalable production of customizable multilayered hydrogels for artificial vessel grafts, smart wound dressings, and bioengineered organ interfaces, demonstrating broad biomedical potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707698","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}
Robert Dłucik, Marcel Firlej, Katarzyna Bogus, Daniel Dłucik, Bogusława Orzechowska-Wylęgała
{"title":"Histological Analysis of Sticky Tooth and Sticky Bone.","authors":"Robert Dłucik, Marcel Firlej, Katarzyna Bogus, Daniel Dłucik, Bogusława Orzechowska-Wylęgała","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070233","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Sticky Tooth (ST) derived from ground teeth and Sticky Bone (SB) based on equine bone and human allograft in maxillary bone defect regeneration through histological examination.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Forty patients underwent maxillary alveolar ridge regeneration using four different biomaterials: Sticky Tooth processed with the BonMaker device (<i>n</i> = 10), Sticky Tooth prepared with the Smart Dentin Grinder (<i>n</i> = 10) Sticky Bone derived from an equine xenograft (<i>n</i> = 10), and Sticky Bone derived from human allografts (<i>n</i> = 10). CBCT imaging was performed preoperatively, post-regeneration, and during follow-up. Histological and quantitative statistical evaluation was conducted on biopsy samples obtained four months post-regeneration at the time of implant placement.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Successful alveolar ridge regeneration was achieved in all 40 patients. Histological analyses confirmed good integration between the biomaterials and bone tissue without signs of inflammation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Histological comparisons demonstrated that both ST and SB are effective biomaterials for bone regeneration. However, ST exhibited a faster bone healing process compared to xenograft and allograft SB.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707689","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}
Sun Woo Kim, Nathan W Fedak, Eleanor Love, Alexander Tam, Ali Fatehi Hassanabad, Jeannine Turnbull, Guoqi Teng, Darrell Belke, Justin Deniset, Paul W M Fedak
{"title":"Evaluation of the Bioinductive Effects of a Novel Antibiotic Eluting Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Envelope.","authors":"Sun Woo Kim, Nathan W Fedak, Eleanor Love, Alexander Tam, Ali Fatehi Hassanabad, Jeannine Turnbull, Guoqi Teng, Darrell Belke, Justin Deniset, Paul W M Fedak","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Subcutaneous pocket infection is a common morbidity associated with the integration of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). A new antibiotic-eluting CIED bioenvelope has been developed as a prophylactic measure to mitigate infection and skin erosion caused by device migration. This study investigated the envelope's regulatory properties in scar formation and vascularization.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fibroblasts were seeded on either plastic (n = 6) or small intestine submucosal extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) (n = 6) for 24 h. The culture media were analyzed for proangiogenic and proinflammatory proteins with multiplex. Sham (n = 8) or SIS-ECM (n = 8) was randomly implanted into the dorsal subcutaneous pocket of mice. The implants were excised on day 7, cultured for 24 h, and the media analyzed. Rabbit models were implanted with either synthetic polymer HDPE (n = 12) or SIS-ECM (n = 11). The treatments were excised at weeks 2, 10, and 26 and then stained for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SIS-ECM significantly increased the fibroblasts' paracrine release of proangiogenic and proinflammatory factors like VEGF-A (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and IL-6 (<i>p</i> < 0.05) compared with plastic. The murine tissue interacting with SIS-ECM released significantly more angiogenic proteins like VEGF-A (<i>p</i> < 0.05) than the sham. The histology analysis of rabbit subcutaneous tissue revealed a decreasing level of inflammation and fibrosis over time with SIS-ECM.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The CIED bioenvelope elicited proangiogenic paracrine signaling and reduced fibrotic response in fibroblasts and animal models. Clinical translation of the CIED bioenvelope as an adjunct to regular prophylactic practice may be warranted in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707684","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}
Natalia L Paul, Rahela Carpa, Rodica Elena Ionescu, Catalin Ovidiu Popa
{"title":"The Biomedical Limitations of Magnetic Nanoparticles and a Biocompatible Alternative in the Form of Magnetotactic Bacteria.","authors":"Natalia L Paul, Rahela Carpa, Rodica Elena Ionescu, Catalin Ovidiu Popa","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nanotechnology has an increasing impact and a great potential in various biological and medical applications. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) stand out for their unique properties, a reason why they have a varied spectrum of applicability in different sectors of activity; in this paper we focus on the medical field. Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a group of Gram-negative prokaryotes that migrate in one direction or another under the influence of an external magnetic field and are a category of microorganisms that constitutively perform the biomineralization of magnetic nanoparticles in the cytoplasm. This review focuses on the general and particular characteristics of magnetotactic bacteria in close correlation with their utility in the medical field, starting with the medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles and arriving at the potential role in nanomedicine of MNPs extracted from MTB.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707634","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}
Muhammad Hassan Razzaq, Olugbenga Ayeni, Selin Köklü, Kagan Berk, Muhammad Usama Zaheer, Tim Tjardts, Franz Faupel, Salih Veziroglu, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Mehmet Fatih Aycan, O Cenk Aktas, Tayebeh Ameri, Sinan Sen
{"title":"The Impact of As-Built Surface Characteristics of Selective-Laser-Melted Ti-6Al-4V on Early Osteoblastic Response for Potential Dental Applications.","authors":"Muhammad Hassan Razzaq, Olugbenga Ayeni, Selin Köklü, Kagan Berk, Muhammad Usama Zaheer, Tim Tjardts, Franz Faupel, Salih Veziroglu, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Mehmet Fatih Aycan, O Cenk Aktas, Tayebeh Ameri, Sinan Sen","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070230","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the potential of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) to tailor the surface characteristics of Ti6Al4V directly during fabrication, eliminating the need for post-processing treatments potentially for dental implants. By adjusting the Volumetric Energy Density (VED) through controlled variations in the laser scanning speed, we achieved customized surface textures at both the micro- and nanoscale levels. SLM samples fabricated at moderate VED levels (50-100 W·mm<sup>3</sup>/s) exhibited optimized dual-scale surface roughness-a macro-roughness of up to 25.5-27.6 µm and micro-roughness of as low as 58.8-64.2 nm-resulting in significantly enhanced hydrophilicity, with water contact angles (WCAs) decreasing to ~62°, compared to ~80° on a standard grade 5 machined Ti6Al4V plate. The XPS analysis revealed that the surface oxygen content remains relatively stable at low VED values, with no significant increase. The surface topography plays a significant role in influencing the WCA, particularly when the VED values are low (below 200 W·mm<sup>3</sup>/s) during SLM, indicating the dominant effect of surface morphology over chemistry in these conditions. Biological assays using osteoblast-like MG-63 cells demonstrated that these as-built SLM surfaces supported a 1.5-fold-higher proliferation and improved cytoskeletal organization relative to the control, confirming the enhanced early cellular responses. These results highlight the capability of SLM to engineer bioactive implant surfaces through process-controlled morphology and chemistry, presenting a promising strategy for the next generation of dental implants suitable for immediate placement and osseointegration.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707636","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":"Next-Generation Biomaterials for Load-Bearing Tissue Interfaces: Sensor-Integrated Scaffolds and Mechanoadaptive Constructs for Skeletal Regeneration.","authors":"Rahul Kumar, Kyle Sporn, Pranay Prabhakar, Phani Paladugu, Akshay Khanna, Alex Ngo, Chirag Gowda, Ethan Waisberg, Ram Jagadeesan, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070232","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advancements in load-bearing tissue repair increasingly demand biomaterials that not only support structural integrity but also interact dynamically with the physiological environment. This review examines the latest progress in smart biomaterials designed for skeletal reconstruction, with emphasis on mechanoresponsive scaffolds, bioactive composites, and integrated microsensors for real-time monitoring. We explore material formulations that enhance osseointegration, resist micromotion-induced loosening, and modulate inflammatory responses at the bone-implant interface. Additionally, we assess novel fabrication methods-such as additive manufacturing and gradient-based material deposition-for tailoring stiffness, porosity, and degradation profiles to match host biomechanics. Special attention is given to sensor-augmented platforms capable of detecting mechanical strain, biofilm formation, and early-stage implant failure. Together, these technologies promise a new class of bioresponsive, diagnostic-capable constructs that extend beyond static support to become active agents in regenerative healing and post-operative monitoring. This multidisciplinary review integrates insights from materials science, mechanobiology, and device engineering to inform the future of implantable systems in skeletal tissue repair.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707696","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}
Tianlun Shen, Kaiwei Lv, Zhenyan Chen, Songyi Xu, Guangyao Li, Guocan Han, Yì Xiáng J Wáng, Jun Ling, Jihong Sun
{"title":"Fe(III)-Based Nanomicelles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Colorectal Cancer with Hepatic Metastasis.","authors":"Tianlun Shen, Kaiwei Lv, Zhenyan Chen, Songyi Xu, Guangyao Li, Guocan Han, Yì Xiáng J Wáng, Jun Ling, Jihong Sun","doi":"10.3390/jfb16070229","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16070229","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global malignancy with a poor prognosis in advanced stages. Early and accurate diagnosis remains challenging due to the overlapping of clinical manifestations between early-stage CRC and inflammatory bowel diseases. Although dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is a critical imaging modality for the diagnosis of CRC and colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), conventional gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have the limitations of rapid clearance and potential toxicity risks. In this study, we report a gadolinium-free T1-weighted nanocontrast agent based on Fe(III)-coordinated poly(α-amino acid)s (Fe@POS) nanomicelles. Fe@POS nanomicelles exhibit a high longitudinal relaxivity (r<sub>1</sub> = 5.56 mM<sup>-1</sup>s<sup>-1</sup>) and prolonged blood circulation time with selective CRC tumor accumulation via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In vivo MRI studies revealed long-period MRI of CRC. In CRLM lesions, normal hepatic tissue demonstrates greater Fe@POS uptake compared to tumor tissue, which enables clear delineation of tumor margins on MRI. Histological and biochemical analysis confirmed the biocompatibility of Fe@POS nanomicelles, with no acute toxicity observed, highlighting their potential as alternatives to GBCAs for clinical diagnostic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":15767,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Functional Biomaterials","volume":"16 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144707686","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}