Shouyuan Jiang, Anyu Zhang, Behnam Akhavan, John Whitelock, Marcela M Bilek, Steven G Wise, Megan S Lord, Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
{"title":"Biofunctionalization of electrospun silk scaffolds with perlecan for vascular tissue engineering.","authors":"Shouyuan Jiang, Anyu Zhang, Behnam Akhavan, John Whitelock, Marcela M Bilek, Steven G Wise, Megan S Lord, Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina","doi":"10.1039/d5bm00364d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5bm00364d","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Electrospun silk fibroin scaffolds have garnered significant interest in vascular tissue engineering due to their biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and tunable degradation. However, their lack of intrinsic cell-binding domains limits endothelialization, a critical factor for vascular graft success. This study explores the biofunctionalization of electrospun silk scaffolds with recombinant perlecan domain V (rDV) using plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) treatment, a surface modification method enabling robust covalent immobilization without the use of reagents. The biofunctionalized scaffolds enhanced endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, and retention under physiological flow conditions while inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation. Additionally, the functionalized scaffolds demonstrated angiogenic potential <i>in vivo</i>. These findings underscore the potential of rDV-functionalized silk scaffolds as a promising candidate for small-diameter vascular grafts, addressing key challenges of endothelialization and vascular cell modulation in clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144092182","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>In vitro</i> senescence and senolytic functional assays.","authors":"Patrick Ryan, Jungwoo Lee","doi":"10.1039/d4bm01684j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d4bm01684j","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A detailed understanding of aging biology and the development of anti-aging therapeutic strategies remain imperative yet inherently challenging due to the protracted nature of aging. Cellular senescence arises naturally through replicative exhaustion and is accelerated by clinical treatments or environmental stressors. The accumulation of senescent cells-defined by a loss of mitogenic potential, resistance to apoptosis, and acquisition of a pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype-has been implicated as a key driver of chronic disease, tissue degeneration, and organismal aging. Recent studies have highlighted the therapeutic promise of senolytic drugs, which selectively eliminate senescent cells. Compelling results from preclinical animal studies and ongoing clinical trials underscore this potential. However, the clinical translation of senolytics requires further pharmacological validation to refine selectivity, minimize toxicity, and determine optimal dosing. Equally important is the evaluation of senolytics' potential to restore tissue structure and function by reducing the senescent cell burden. In vitro tissue culture models offer a powerful platform to advance these efforts. This review summarizes the current landscape of <i>in vitro</i> systems used for inducing cellular senescence-referred to as \"senescence assays\"-and for screening senolytic drugs-referred to as \"senolytic assays\". We conclude by discussing key challenges to improving mechanistic insight, predictive accuracy, and clinical relevance in senolytic drug development, as well as emerging applications of senolytic therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144074973","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}
Micah Mallory, Emma Grace Johnson, Soumen Saha, Sanika Pandit, Joshua T McCune, Mengnan Dennis, Jessica M Gluck, Craig L Duvall, Ashley C Brown, Ashutosh Chilkoti, Yevgeny Brudno
{"title":"From saccharides to synthetics: exploring biomaterial scaffolds as cell transduction enhancers.","authors":"Micah Mallory, Emma Grace Johnson, Soumen Saha, Sanika Pandit, Joshua T McCune, Mengnan Dennis, Jessica M Gluck, Craig L Duvall, Ashley C Brown, Ashutosh Chilkoti, Yevgeny Brudno","doi":"10.1039/d4bm01588f","DOIUrl":"10.1039/d4bm01588f","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dry, transduction biomaterial scaffolds (Drydux) represent a novel platform for enhancing viral transduction, achieving drastic improvements in transduction efficiency (from ∼10% to >80%) while simplifying production of potent genetically engineered cells. This technology addresses a critical bottleneck in cell therapy manufacturing, where conventional methods require complex protocols and often yield suboptimal results. However, the underlying material science driving Drydux-enhanced transduction remains unclear. Here, we comprehensively assess biomaterial properties that influence viral transduction enhancement through systematic testing of polysaccharides, proteins, elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs), and synthetic polymers. Our findings reveal that surface porosity and liquid absorption are primary drivers of transduction enhancement, while polymer charge and flexibility play secondary roles. Negatively charged and flexible materials-particularly gelatin, hyaluronan, and alginate-demonstrated superior performance. Notably, despite promising material characteristics, synthetic polymers failed to enhance transduction, highlighting the unique advantages of specific biomaterial compositions. By elucidating these structure-function relationships, this work establishes design principles for optimizing biomaterial-enhanced transduction and expands the Drydux platform's potential for transforming cell therapy manufacturing, regenerative medicine, and beyond.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12082391/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144074976","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":"Advances in oxygenation nanozymes for overcoming diabetic ulcers.","authors":"Sumi Choi, Minjeong Kim, Minjin Kim, Su-Hwan Kim","doi":"10.1039/d5bm00340g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5bm00340g","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetic ulcers, affecting 15-25% of diabetes patients worldwide, are characterized by localized hypoxia that impedes healing. This review explores the emerging field of <i>in situ</i> oxygen-generating nanozymes as a promising approach to diabetic ulcer treatment. Nanozymes, synthetic nanoparticles mimicking natural enzyme activities, have shown potential in generating oxygen <i>in situ</i>, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and modulating the wound microenvironment. Materials such as manganese dioxide, cerium dioxide, platinum nanoparticles, and molybdenum-based quantum dots have demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies, often exhibiting multiple enzyme-like activities. These nanozymes have shown accelerated wound closure, enhanced angiogenesis, and improved tissue regeneration in animal models. However, challenges remain, including optimizing nanozyme-hydrogel interactions, addressing the potential toxicity of metal-based nanomaterials, and determining optimal oxygen concentrations for various wound conditions. Future research directions include developing biocompatible nanozymes, enhancing delivery systems, and exploring combination therapies. This review underscores the potential of nanozyme-based therapies to revolutionize the treatment of diabetic ulcers and potentially other hypoxia-related conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144074974","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}
Mateo Dallos Ortega, Jenny Aveyard, Raghda Magdy Abdelgawad, Reem El-Gendy, Alexander Ciupa, David Whetnall, Julia Behnsen, Robert J Poole, Raechelle A D'Sa
{"title":"Antimicrobial 3D printed gelatin scaffolds for root canal disinfection in regenerative endodontics procedures.","authors":"Mateo Dallos Ortega, Jenny Aveyard, Raghda Magdy Abdelgawad, Reem El-Gendy, Alexander Ciupa, David Whetnall, Julia Behnsen, Robert J Poole, Raechelle A D'Sa","doi":"10.1039/d5bm00440c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5bm00440c","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) which aim to promote root development and pulp tissue regeneration in necrotic immature teeth, have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. A critical determinant of REP success hinges on effective disinfection of the root canal system, which must eliminate microbial contaminants whilst preserving the microenvironment necessary for dental pulp stem cell tissue regeneration. This study reports on the fabrication of biocompatible 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds designed for root canal disinfection. The scaffolds incorporate benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (BDMDAC) a broad-spectrum quaternary ammonium compound characterised by low cytotoxicity and minimal risk of resistance development. BDMDAC loaded gelatin biomaterial inks were systematically evaluated for rheology properties, mechanical stability and drug release properties. Scaffolds containing 150 μg mL<sup>-1</sup> and 250 μg mL<sup>-1</sup> BDMDAC exhibited excellent antimicrobial efficacy against 5 bacterial pathogens (including 3 endodontic bacteria-<i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>, <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>, and <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>). Cytocompatibility assays using primary human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) derived from 3 donors confirmed over 70% of cell viability. Furthermore, freeze-dried scaffolds demonstrated excellent shelf-life stability for at least six months. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of 3D printed BDMDAC-loaded 3D printed gelatin scaffolds as an effective and cytocompatible platform for root canal disinfection in REPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144074975","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":"Functionalization of viscoelastic gels with decellularized extracellular matrix microparticles enhances tissue adhesion, cell spreading, and tissue regeneration.","authors":"Debabrata Palai, Hana Yasue, Shima Ito, Hiyori Komatsu, Tetsushi Taguchi, Akihiro Nishiguchi","doi":"10.1039/d5bm00394f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5bm00394f","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The natural extracellular matrix (ECM) is viscoelastic and fibrous, which are crucial characteristics for controlling cellular responses. In contrast, synthetic gels are mostly elastic and less effective at promoting mechanotransduction. Thus, the design of gels that provide mechanical and biochemical cues for tissue regeneration needs to be explored. In this study, we aimed to develop viscoelastic gels functionalized with decellularized ECM (dECM) microparticles for tissue regeneration. The incorporation of dECM microparticles into gels improved not only the tissue adhesive properties of the gels but also their viscoelasticity. The modulation of the mechanical properties of the gels elicited cell adhesion and spreading. Moreover, the functionalization of viscoelastic gels with dECM microparticles promoted tissue regeneration in volumetric muscle-loss models. This approach would be a powerful method because functional scaffolds with sufficient mechanical and biological properties facilitate tissue regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143953033","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}
Nishant Singh, Manuel Romero, Alessandra Travanut, Patricia F. Monteiro, Elena Jordana-Lluch, Kim R. Hardie, Paul Williams, Morgan R. Alexander and Cameron Alexander
{"title":"Correction: Dual bioresponsive antibiotic and quorum sensing inhibitor combination nanoparticles for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in vitro and ex vivo","authors":"Nishant Singh, Manuel Romero, Alessandra Travanut, Patricia F. Monteiro, Elena Jordana-Lluch, Kim R. Hardie, Paul Williams, Morgan R. Alexander and Cameron Alexander","doi":"10.1039/D5BM90038G","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5BM90038G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Correction for ‘Dual bioresponsive antibiotic and quorum sensing inhibitor combination nanoparticles for treatment of <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> biofilms <em>in vitro</em> and <em>ex vivo</em>’ by Nishant Singh <em>et al.</em>, <em>Biomater. Sci.</em>, 2019, <strong>7</strong>, 4099–4111, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9BM00773C.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" 11","pages":" 3093-3094"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12068423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143953043","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}
Chayanika Saha, Ahmed Elkashif, Elaine J. Gilmore, Binyumeng Jiang, Ying Sun, Raj Kumar Duary, Niamh Buckley, Nicholas J. Dunne and Helen O. McCarthy
{"title":"Development of a nano-vaccine for high-grade serous ovarian cancer†","authors":"Chayanika Saha, Ahmed Elkashif, Elaine J. Gilmore, Binyumeng Jiang, Ying Sun, Raj Kumar Duary, Niamh Buckley, Nicholas J. Dunne and Helen O. McCarthy","doi":"10.1039/D4BM01696C","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4BM01696C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >High-Grade Serous Carcinoma (HGSC) is characterised by aggressive malignant tumours and poor prognosis accounting for 75% of ovarian cancer. Conventional treatments often result in relapse, with a need for innovative therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a DNA vaccine targeting the preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma, PRAME, a cancer tumour antigen (CTA) overexpressed in HGSC. PRAME demonstrated the highest differential gene expression between normal fallopian tubes and HGSC tumour tissues in a range of patient datasets. The PRAME DNA was condensed by the cationic cell-penetrating peptide RALA to form nanoparticles (NPs). These self-assembling NPs exhibited a mean hydrodynamic size <150 nm and zeta potential >10 mV at N : P ratios ≥4 with ≤3% free DNA. The NPs successfully transfected NCTC-929 and DC 2.4 cells with PRAME overexpression, with negligible cytotoxicity. Vaccination with the NPs <em>in vivo</em> elevated CD4<small><sup>+</sup></small> and CD8<small><sup>+</sup></small> T-cell activation with increased expression of INF-γ and IL-2 cytokines. Vaccination also significantly improved survival rates in a PRAME-expressing tumour model <em>in vivo.</em> This study demonstrated the utility of a PRAME-targeted DNA vaccine for HGSC treatment which warrants further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" 11","pages":" 2908-2924"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/bm/d4bm01696c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143951270","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}
Aldaly Pineda-Hernandez, David A. Castilla-Casadiego, Logan D. Morton, Sebastian A. Giordano-Nguyen, Kathleen N. Halwachs and Adrianne M. Rosales
{"title":"Tunable hydrogel networks by varying secondary structures of hydrophilic peptoids provide viable 3D cell culture platforms for hMSCs†","authors":"Aldaly Pineda-Hernandez, David A. Castilla-Casadiego, Logan D. Morton, Sebastian A. Giordano-Nguyen, Kathleen N. Halwachs and Adrianne M. Rosales","doi":"10.1039/D5BM00433K","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D5BM00433K","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Hydrogels have excellent ability to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) during 3D cell culture, yet it remains difficult to tune their mechanical properties without also changing network connectivity. Previously, we developed 2D culture platforms based on tunable hydrogels crosslinked by peptoids with various secondary structures: helical, non-helical, and unstructured, which allowed control over hydrogel mechanics independent of network connectivity. Here, we extend our strategy to 3D matrices by modifying the peptoids with piperazine and homopiperazine residues to enhance water solubility without altering their secondary structure. Hydrogels crosslinked with helical peptoids exhibited significantly higher stiffness compared to hydrogels crosslinked with non-helical or unstructured peptoids. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) encapsulated within these hydrogels were assessed for viability, proliferation, and immunomodulatory potential. The stiffest hydrogels promoted the highest rates of proliferation and increased yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear localization. Softer hydrogels, however, showed enhanced production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), both with and without interferon gamma (IFN-γ) stimulation, highlighting their potential in immunomodulatory applications. The biomimetic platform developed here enables the study of how matrix mechanics influence stem cell behavior without confounding factors from network connectivity, leading to insights for hMSC-mediated immunomodulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":65,"journal":{"name":"Biomaterials Science","volume":" 12","pages":" 3380-3394"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12068446/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143956430","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}