Acta biomaterialia最新文献

{"title":"Research progress on piezoelectric biomaterials.","authors":"Entong Dong, Huafang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.031","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Piezoelectric biomaterials have attracted increasing attention in biomedicine because they can convert mechanical stimuli into localized electrical signals, providing a self-powered and dynamically responsive strategy for regulating biological behaviors and tissue microenvironments. With the development of tissue engineering, flexible electronics, minimally invasive therapy, and implantable medical devices, piezoelectric materials have been widely explored for bone repair, nerve regeneration, anti-infective therapy, biosensing, medical diagnosis, and tumor treatment. This review summarizes recent progress in piezoelectric biomaterials from a material-oriented perspective, focusing on their piezoelectric mechanisms, structural characteristics, activation conditions, and biomedical applications. Representative piezoelectric bioceramics generally exhibit high piezoelectric output and strong electromechanical coupling, making them suitable for bone regeneration, antibacterial therapy, tumor treatment, ultrasonic transducers, and implantable sensing. In contrast, piezoelectric polymers show better flexibility, processability, biocompatibility, and degradability, offering advantages in tissue engineering scaffolds, wound repair, flexible sensors, and implantable devices. However, clinical translation remains limited by unclear bioelectrical mechanisms, insufficient in vivo stimulation verification, and multifunctional design complexity. Future studies should emphasize mechanism clarification, standardized characterization, in vivo validation, and long-term biosafety assessment to promote the reliable biomedical application of piezoelectric biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Piezoelectric biomaterials have emerged as promising platforms for tissue regeneration, anti-infective therapy, biosensing, and tumor treatment because they convert mechanical stimuli into localized electrical or piezocatalytic signals. However, differences in activation conditions, measurement methods, and biological responses hinder the reliable comparison and translation of reported findings. This review examines how different classes of piezoelectric biomaterials, including ceramics, synthetic and natural polymers, and ceramic-polymer composites, contribute to biomedical functions through their distinct electromechanical properties. In addition to summarizing recent advances, this review highlight unresolved issues related to physiological activation, standardized characterization, and the safety of multifunctional systems. This review aims to facilitate the development of more reliable and clinically relevant piezoelectric biomaterials.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149217618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A natural neuronal receptor-derived MRI probe targets β-amyloid oligomers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.","authors":"Hanrun Zheng, Wei Meng, Jianting Han, Maerziya Muhetaer, Qin Cao, Xiangdong Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early-to-mid detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains challenging because clinically used amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) probes primarily visualize fibrillar β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits and require radioactive isotopes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a radiation-free alternative, but its application in molecular AD diagnosis is limited by insufficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and poor specificity toward early-to-mid Aβ species. Here, we developed a BBB-crossing liposomal MRI probe, Lipo@D1D2-Gd, by integrating a natural Aβ oligomer-binding receptor domain with a gadolinium chelator. The extracellular D1D2 domains of human leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B2 (LilrB2), a neuronal receptor that recognizes neurotoxic Aβ oligomers, were recombinantly produced and bioorthogonally conjugated with a gadolinium chelator. The resulting D1D2-Gd retained its Aβ-binding capability and MRI contrast activity. To enable brain delivery, D1D2-Gd was encapsulated within maltose-functionalized PEGylated liposomes designed to facilitate BBB transport. After intravenous administration to 4-month-old 5xFAD mice, Lipo@D1D2-Gd crossed the BBB, accumulated in Aβ-rich brain regions, and generated MRI contrast enhancement that differentiated 5xFAD mice from wild-type controls. Systemic safety evaluation showed no obvious hematological, biochemical, or histological toxicity. This study establishes a receptor-derived, BBB-crossing biomaterial platform for radiation-free molecular imaging of early-to-mid AD-associated Aβ pathology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1) Promising Targeting Strategy: We repurposed a human-derived natural receptor domain (LilrB2 D1D2) as a targeting module for β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers, a key pathogenic species in Alzheimer's disease (AD). 2) Non-invasive MRI Approach: We constructed a liposomal probe designed to deliver the Gd-labeled targeting agent to the brain, enabling the detection of Aβ-associated pathology in 4-month-old 5xFAD mice via non-radioactive MRI, well before overt cognitive decline. 3) Experimental Validation: We demonstrate the probe's association with Aβ oligomers/plaques, effective BBB crossing, differences in MRI signals between AD model and wild-type mice, and an initially favorable biosafety profile, with no observed toxicity under the tested conditions. 4) Clinical Translation Potential: Our work presents a promising pathway toward a safe, accessible, and early-to-mid-stage AD screening tool, with the potential to facilitate population-wide screening and earlier therapeutic intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149217523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatially Defined Latrunculin A-Eluting Intraocular Lenses Attenuate Posterior Capsule Opacification via Cytoskeletal Disruption.","authors":"Shicheng Sun, Liming Xu, Dandan Wang, Man Hu, Zhixuan Hu, Juncheng Li, Xixia Ding, Yun-E Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), driven by the aberrant proliferation, migration, and fibrotic transformation of residual lens epithelial cells (LECs), remains the most common long-term complication of cataract surgery. Given that intraocular lenses (IOLs) are precision optical implants, anti-PCO surface modifications should balance localized therapeutic delivery with preservation of a clear central optical zone. Here, we developed spatially defined Latrunculin A (LatA)-eluting IOLs using a mask-assisted spin-coating strategy to deposit a concentric annular poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coating on the IOL periphery while leaving the central optical zone uncoated. We characterized the in vitro LatA release profile from the annular coating over a 28-day period. At concentrations of 100-200 nM, LatA suppressed LEC proliferation, migration, and fibrotic marker expression. LatA treatment disrupted F-actin organization and was associated with transcriptomic changes enriched in cytoskeletal remodeling and mechanotransduction pathways. In a rabbit cataract surgery model, LatA-functionalized IOLs significantly attenuated postoperative PCO during a 28-day follow-up period compared with unmodified and PLGA-coated IOL controls, with an aqueous humor LatA concentration of 129.85 ± 8.11 nM at day 28 and no detectable adverse intraocular responses over the follow-up period. These findings provide preliminary support for spatially defined LatA-eluting IOLs as a cytoskeleton-targeting approach to attenuate PCO while preserving an uncoated central optical zone. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A precisely defined concentric annular LatA-eluting PLGA coating was fabricated on IOL surfaces using mask-assisted spin coating to achieve localized drug delivery while preserving the central optical zone. Low-dose LatA attenuates the fibrotic phenotype of LECs by disrupting actin cytoskeletal remodeling. A rabbit PCO model provides preliminary in vivo evidence that this strategy attenuates PCO development. These findings suggest that functionalized IOLs may have potential translational value for the prevention of PCO.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149217560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficient Generation of Definitive-like Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells through Optimized Lateral Plate Mesoderm Induction and a Supportive Endothelial-Stromal Microenvironment.","authors":"Yu-Ying Chen, Qi-Lin Li, Sha Hao, Jin-Ju Yang, Shang-Ping Tian, Yan-Hua Luo, Ming-Hao Xiong, Jing Yu, Di Ye, Jian-Yun Ge, Hai-Bo Cai, Yun-Wen Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.032","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The generation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with definitive features from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) requires coordinated lineage specification together with a supportive hematopoietic microenvironment. Although 3D and aggregate-based systems can recapitulate endothelial and stromal niche features, their self-organizing architecture can introduce structural heterogeneity and batch-to-batch variability, complicating experimental standardization and process control. Here, we developed a chemically defined, feeder-free, lateral plate mesoderm (LPM)-directed 2D multicellular system that combines controlled hematopoietic specification with the spontaneous formation of an endothelial-stromal microenvironment. Through sequential differentiation from LPM to hemogenic endothelium, this system generated CD34&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;CD43&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;CD45&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; HSPCs at frequencies of up to 86% across three hPSC lines within 10 days. Notably, an endothelial-stromal microenvironment formed spontaneously without aggregate formation, and disruption experiments implicated Notch and CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in hematopoietic progenitor development. Transcriptomic benchmarking revealed HSC-associated molecular features in the generated cells while also identifying residual transcriptional differences from primary cord blood LT-HSCs. The resulting HSPCs exhibited clonogenic activity and multilineage differentiation potential, giving rise to enucleated erythrocytes, cytotoxic natural killer cells, and phenotypically identified monocyte-like and T-lineage cells, with erythroid enucleation reaching approximately 80%. In addition, day-10 suspension-derived CD34&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; cells showed detectable bone marrow engraftment in vivo. Collectively, this study shows that key microenvironmental features can be retained within a simplified 2D multicellular system, providing a framework for studying hematopoiesis and refining hPSC-derived HSPC generation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Recent three-dimensional and organoid-based approaches have highlighted the importance of multicellular microenvironments in hPSC-derived hematopoiesis, but their structural complexity can complicate culture handling and standardization. Here, we established a chemically defined, feeder-free planar system that directed lateral plate mesoderm toward hemogenic endothelium while supporting spontaneous emergence of endothelial, stromal, and hematopoietic populations. The resulting HSPCs exhibited features of definitive hematopoiesis, including clonogenic activity, multilineage differentiation, and evidence of bone marrow engraftment in vivo. Disruption experiments targeting DLL4/Notch and CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling supported a role for this multicellular microenvironment in progenitor output. This work shows that key multicellular microenvironmental features can be retained within a simplified planar culture, providing a framework for studying hematopoiesis and refining hPSC-derived","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149217535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Inflammation-Responsive baicalin-delivering glycocalyx-mimetic hydrogel-functionalized bioprosthetic valve for antithrombosis and immunomodulation.","authors":"Lepeng Chen, Yanchang Feng, Xueyu Huang, Daisong Jiang, Cheng Zheng, Yunbing Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.028","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Valvular heart disease (VHD), a prevalent age-associated condition associated with high mortality, is primarily treated by prosthetic valve replacement. Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are increasingly preferred in clinical practice owing to their favorable hemodynamic performance and compatibility with transcatheter delivery. However, current glutaraldehyde crosslinking fails to confer antithrombotic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, leaving BHVs prone to thrombosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and calcification, all of which accelerate structural valve deterioration (SVD) and shorten their lifespan. Herein, an inflammation-responsive, glycocalyx-mimetic hydrogel-functionalized BHV (BA@ALG-PP) was constructed using mussel-inspired catechol chemistry, which integrated a vascular glycocalyx-like layer with baicalin-loaded, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanoparticles. With the introduction of a biocompatible glycocalyx-mimetic layer on the xenogeneic collagenous matrix, BA@ALG-PP exhibited improved antithrombotic and endothelialization performance, which was further confirmed in vivo by the rabbit intravascular implantation experiment. Moreover, the ROS-responsive nanoparticles effectively scavenged oxidative species and enabled stimulus-responsive on-demand release of anti-inflammatory molecule baicalin, thereby modulating local inflammatory responses. Transcriptional analysis of macrophages indicated that BA@ALG-PP regulated the expression of key inflammatory-related genes (Tnfaip3, Hmox1, Stat1, and Saa3) as well as suppressed pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK-STAT. Furthermore, BA@ALG-PP demonstrated improved anti-calcification property in the subcutaneous implantation experiments in rats. Collectively, this multifunctional strategy endows BHVs with synergistic antithrombotic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-calcification capabilities, thereby offering a potential strategy for improving BHV performance that warrants further investigation in large animal models and potentially mitigating factors contributing to SVD. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Glutaraldehyde-crosslinked bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) suffer from structural valve deterioration driven by thrombosis, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, yet current surface engineering strategies remain functionally limited. This study reports an inflammatory-responsive glycocalyx-mimetic hydrogel functionalized BHV (BA@ALG-PP) engineered via mussel-inspired catechol chemistry. The system integrates non-glutaraldehyde crosslinking, ROS-responsive baicalin release, and endothelial glycocalyx mimicry into a multifunctional platform. BA@ALG-PP demonstrates enhanced antithrombotic performance, accelerated endothelialization, effective ROS scavenging, and macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype through NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK-STAT pathway modulation. Furthermore, it significantly reduces calcification in vivo. Thi","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polymeric Nanoparticle Gene Delivery to Reprogram the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer for an Anti-Tumor Response.","authors":"Joanna Yang, Yeongseo Lim, Elizabeth Schmitzer, Amanda I Rakoski, Yimin Huang, Zoe Hsieh, Ethan Idnani, Ethan Zhou, Manav Jain, Joshua C Doloff, Jordan J Green, Stephany Y Tzeng","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in ovarian cancer is highly immunosuppressive, and existing immunotherapies are not effective in 85-90% of patients. To address this, we fabricated nanoparticles (NPs) composed of biodegradable poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) complexed with plasmids encoding 4-1BB ligand and interleukin-12, for delivery into ovarian cancer cells. Collectively with the intrinsic major histocompatibility complex (MHC):antigen signals in tumor cells, these NPs generate tumor-associated antigen-presenting cells (tAPCs), leading to a T-cell-mediated anti-tumor response in an antigen-agnostic manner. Ovarian cancer-bearing mice treated with tAPC NPs + anti-PD1 result in over 13% of long-term survivors and a significantly longer median survival compared to the control. In the spleen, we observe a significant (over half) reduction in FOXP3+ Tregs and over a 4X increase in the percentage of double-positive CD4+ CD8+ T cells in the tAPC NPs + anti-PD1 group compared to the control group. Depletion of T cells eliminates the therapeutic efficacy of tAPC NPs, suggesting that the anti-tumor response generated by tAPC NPs is T-cell-dependent. This work demonstrates the ability of the tAPC NP platform to be used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors to reduce immunosuppressive TIME and represents an effective, personalized yet off-the-shelf immunotherapy for ovarian cancer. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study reports the development and administration of non-viral nanoparticle DNA delivery via the intraperitoneal route, aiming to overcome the immunosuppression in ovarian cancer that prevents effective activation of the large number of T cells that are normally found in the tumor microenvironment. By supplying co-stimulation and immunostimulatory cytokines directly to tumor cells, our polymeric nanoparticles reprogram tumor cells to act like antigen-presenting cells, allowing them to directly activate T cells in an antigen-agnostic manner for enhanced T-cell activation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Macrophage-Integrated 3D Spheroid Model Inoculated with Bacteria for Simultaneous Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy, Cytotoxicity, and Immunomodulation.","authors":"Xiaoyan Yang, Ke Ning, Yuanyuan Xie, Bowen Ran, Mingzhu Wang, Liqun Xu, Ling Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.030","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Conventional antimicrobial-material testing typically relies on separate bacterial assays and two-dimensional (2D) mammalian cell cultures. Although essential as first-line screening tools, these approaches do not capture the three-dimensional (3D) tissue architecture, diffusion constraints, extracellular-matrix remodeling, and innate immune interactions encountered by host-contacting antimicrobial materials. Herein, this study introduces a macrophage-containing 3D spheroid model designed for the simultaneous evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy, host-cell cytotoxicity, and immune responses. The tripartite spheroids comprised DU 145 epithelial cells, THP-1-derived M0 macrophages, and E. coli. The influence of macrophage integration on spheroid architecture was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and scanning ion conductance microscopy, revealing significant biophysical remodeling marked by enhanced matrix compaction and surface densification. These structural alterations were further supported by changes in electrostatic properties and reduced FITC-dextran penetration, indicating enhanced barrier function. Following E. coli challenge, resident macrophages exhibited functional plasticity, polarizing toward an M1-like phenotype to suppress bacterial colonization. The platform was then used to evaluate PA-PQ-37, a cationic antimicrobial coating. In contrast to 2D monolayers, macrophage-containing spheroids retained structural integrity and live-cell esterase activity on the coating while exhibiting reduced recoverable bacterial burden. The model further differentiated the macrophage-associated responses elicited by a cationic polymer, ampicillin, and azithromycin, including inflammatory and pro-resolution-like marker profiles. This animal-free platform complements conventional antibacterial and cytotoxicity assays by supporting integrated evaluation of host-contacting antimicrobial biomaterials in a tissue-like, immune-responsive microenvironment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Antimicrobial biomaterials are typically evaluated using simplified bacterial assays and 2D mammalian cell cultures, which do not reproduce the tissue architecture, diffusion barriers, extracellular matrix remodeling, or immune surveillance encountered in vivo. This limitation can lead to inaccurate assessment of both antimicrobial efficacy and host-cell compatibility. In this study, we developed a macrophage-integrated 3D infected spheroid model that incorporates resident immune cells into a tissue-like microenvironment for biomaterial evaluation. The model captures macrophage-driven spheroid compaction, matrix remodeling, bacterial restriction, and infection-responsive immune polarization. Using this platform, we demonstrate that cationic PA-PQ-37 coatings appear highly cytotoxic in 2D assays but are well tolerated by macrophage-competent 3D spheroids while retaining antibacterial activity. The model also distinguishes antimicrobial agents with different immu","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facile fabrication of hierarchically structured, stimulus-responsive sea cucumber collagen fibers and films.","authors":"Adaline Farrow, Nathalie R H Singh, Broderick J House, Alexandre Poulhazan, Matthew J Harrington","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Collagen-based materials including fibers, gels, and films are widely used in biomedical applications as well as cosmeceutical applications. Current collagen material formation methods are well developed but use complex methodologies that seldom combine all desirable properties: biocompatibility, mechanical tunability, and eco-friendly fabrication. In this study, inspired by the stiffness-altering abilities of sea cucumbers, collagen is extracted from mutable collagenous tissue (MCT) and a facile method for generating highly oriented, pH tunable, and environmentally friendly collagen based fibrous gels, fibers, and films is developed. Despite a lack of covalent cross-linking, these collagenous materials present desirable properties including a high degree of molecular anisotropy, pH tunable assembly and mechanics, and tensile properties similar to skin. Taking advantage of the slightly acidic environment of human skin, we demonstrate that the pH dependent assembly of MCT collagen (MCTC) can be harnessed for creating mechanically robust films that adhere firmly to the skin's surface. Beyond cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications, this shows the clear potential of MCTC as a bio-sourced and sustainable building block for the simple fabrication of advanced materials relevant for tissue engineering, soft robotics, and more. Statement of Significance: Collagen materials are central to biomedical engineering, cosmetics, and regenerative medicine, but many fabrication methods require complex processing, chemical cross-linking, or environmentally harmful conditions. This work harnesses collagen extracted from sea cucumber mutable collagenous tissue (MCT) as a bio-sourced building block for forming aligned fibers and organized films through a simple, pH-responsive process. Unlike many conventional collagen materials, these materials exhibit mechanical tunability, a high degree of structural organization, and skin-like tensile properties without covalent cross-linking. Their ability to assemble and strengthen under mildly acidic conditions enables formation of films that adhere robustly to human skin, highlighting relevance for cosmeceutical applications. More broadly, this study establishes MCT-based materials as versatile, bio-sourced platforms for advanced biomaterials design.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149198297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emerging Chiral Nanozymes: Enantioselective Catalysis and Biomedical Applications.","authors":"Jian Zheng, Ruining Zhao, Hongxia Li, Yan Li, Xing Yang, Hongfang Zhao, Kunjie Wang, Xiaohui Niu","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chiral nanozymes are biomimetic materials that combine nanomaterials' unique physicochemical properties with enzyme-like catalytic functions. Their chiral microenvironments enable selective recognition and catalysis of substrate enantiomers, with demonstrated applications in biosensing, disease diagnosis/treatment, and antibacterial/anti-inflammatory therapies. This article provides a systematic review of the design and synthesis strategies, catalytic types, mechanisms of action, and biomedical application research progress of chiral nanozymes. In terms of design and synthesis, four strategies are emphasized, namely chiral ligand modification, the chiral template method, chiral self-assembly, and chiral defect engineering. In catalytic performance and mechanism, the redox activities such as peroxidase, oxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, as well as esterase-/protease-like hydrolysis activity, were summarized. An in-depth exploration was conducted of the molecular mechanism by which chiral microenvironments synergistically regulate substrate binding and electron transfer through steric hindrance effects and multiple weak interactions. In addition, the latest research progress of chiral nanozymes in enantiomer recognition and detection, tumor chemodynamic/photodynamic/sonodynamic combination therapy, neurodegenerative disease protein aggregation intervention, and selective antibacterial and inflammatory regulation is also reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future development directions faced by chiral nanozymes in precise regulation of catalytic selectivity, long-term biological safety in vivo, and clinical translation are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1. Four strategies for constructing chiral nanozymes: ligand modification, template induction, self-assembly, and defect engineering. 2. Mechanistic insights into how chiral microenvironments regulate oxidoreductase-like and hydrolase-like catalysis. 3. Biomedical applications, including chiral biosensing, tumor therapy, neurodegenerative disease intervention, and antibacterial treatment. 4. Critical evaluation of chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS), the hurdles to clinical translation, and future directions for the intelligent design of chiral nanozymes.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149198357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vivo membrane engineering: An approach to remodeling cell interfaces.","authors":"Jiadai Jin, Jianqing Gao, Xinchi Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.026","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.actbio.2026.10.026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The cell membrane is a crucial interface that maintains cellular homeostasis and facilitates intercellular communication, playing a key role in regenerative medicine and immune regulation. To improve cell-targeting ability, immune evasion, therapeutic efficacy, and durability, membrane engineering has modified cells using physical, chemical, or biological techniques. Recent research on in vivo membrane engineering has highlighted approaches that avoid the complex steps of cell extraction and re-injection in cell therapy. Thus, by performing modifications directly within the physiological environment, this strategy preserves cellular activity and minimizes variability in in vivo adaptability, enabling more efficient cellular remodeling. This review systematically summarizes and forecasts the latest advances in in vivo membrane engineering strategies, including bioorthogonal chemistry, genetic engineering, in vivo membrane fusion, DNA nanotechnology, and trogocytosis. For each strategy, we discuss its underlying mechanisms, unique advantages, and current technical limitations. Furthermore, we evaluate the major challenges hindering clinical translation and propose potential directions for future research, aiming to provide a perspective for more precise, controllable, and safe cell therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The cell membrane serves as a crucial interface for maintaining cellular homeostasis and facilitating intercellular communication, and thus plays a key role in regenerative medicine and immune regulation. In vivo membrane engineering enables direct cellular modification within physiological environments, avoiding cell extraction and reinfusion while preserving cellular activity and adaptability. This review summarizes recent advances in five in vivo membrane engineering strategies: bioorthogonal chemistry, genetic engineering, in vivo membrane fusion, DNA nanotechnology, and trogocytosis. Beyond summarizing recent advances, we compare their distinct strengths, limitations, and suitability for different biomedical applications, providing a framework for strategy selection. We further identify key challenges in targeting, controllability, and clinical translation. This review offers a perspective on developing more precise, controllable, and safe in vivo membrane engineering technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":93848,"journal":{"name":"Acta biomaterialia","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":9.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149198310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}