Concanavalin A for in vivo glucose sensing: a biotoxicity review

Rational design of multifunctional hydrogels targeting the microenvironment of diabetic periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease and is the primary contributor to adult tooth loss. Diabetes exacerbates periodontitis, accelerates periodontal bone resorption. Thus, effectively managing periodontitis in individuals with diabetes is a long-standing challenge. This review introduces the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontitis, and analyzes the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the four pathological microenvironments influenced by diabetic periodontitis: high glucose microenvironment, bacterial infection microenvironment, inflammatory microenvironment, and bone loss microenvironment. The hydrogel design strategies and latest research development tailored to the four microenvironments of diabetic periodontitis are mainly focused on. Finally, the challenges and potential solutions in the treatment of diabetic periodontitis are discussed. We believe this review will be helpful for researchers seeking novel avenues in the treatment of diabetic periodontitis.

3D-Printed Phenylboronic Acid-Bearing Hydrogels for Glucose-Triggered Drug Release

Diabetes is a major health concern that the next-generation of on-demand insulin releasing implants may overcome via personalized therapy. Therein, 3D-printed phenylboronic acid-containing implants with on-demand glucose-triggered drug release abilities are produced using high resolution stereolithography technology. To that end, the methacrylation of phenylboronic acid is targeted following a two-step reaction. The resulting photocurable phenylboronic acid derivative is accordingly incorporated within bioinert polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate-based hydrogels at varying loadings. The end result is a sub-centimeter scaled 3D-printed bioinert implant that can be remotely activated with 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols such as glucose for on-demand drug administration such as insulin. As a proof of concept, varying glucose concentration from hypoglycemic to hyperglycemic levels readily allow the release of pinacol, i.e., a 1,2-diol-containing model molecule, at respectively low and high rates. In addition, the results demonstrated that adjusting the geometry and size of the 3D-printed part is a simple and suitable method for tailoring the release behavior and dosage.

Recent Progress in Glucose-Responsive Insulin

Insulin replacement therapy is indispensable in the treatment of type 1 and advanced type 2 diabetes. However, insulin's clinical application is challenging due to its narrow therapeutic index. To mitigate acute and chronic risks of glucose excursions, glucose-responsive insulin (GRI) has long been pursued for clinical application. By integrating GRI with glucose-sensitive elements, GRI is capable of releasing or activating insulin in response to plasma or interstitial glucose levels without external monitoring, thereby improving glycemic control and reducing hypoglycemic risk. In this Perspective, we first introduce the history of GRI development and then review major glucose-responsive components that can be leveraged to control insulin delivery. Subsequently, we highlight the recent advances in GRI delivery carriers and insulin analogs. Finally, we provide a look to the future and the challenges of clinical application of GRI.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Anti-inflammatory Fucoidan-ConA oral insulin nanosystems for smart blood glucose regulation

The smart oral administration Insulin device has the potential to improve glycemic management. It can reduce the risk of hypoglycemia associated with exogenous Insulin (INS) therapy while also avoiding many of the disadvantages associated with subcutaneous injections. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine illness characterized by inflammation, and it is critical to minimize the amount of inflammatory markers in diabetic patients while maintaining average blood glucose. In this study, a responsive nanosystem vitamin B12-Fucoidan-Concanavalin A (VB12-FU-ConA NPs) with anti-inflammatory action was developed for smart oral delivery of Insulin. Con A has high sensitivity and strong specificity as a glucose-responsive material. Fucoidan has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and hypoglycemic functions, and it can bind to Con A to form a reversible complex. Under high glucose conditions, free glucose competitively binds to Con A, which swells the nanocarrier and promotes Insulin release. Furthermore, in the low pH environment of the gastrointestinal tract, positively charged VB12 and anionic fucoidan bind tightly to protect the Insulin wrapped in the carrier, and VB12 can also bind to intestinal epithelial factors to improve transit rate, thereby promoting INS absorption. In vitro tests showed that the release of nanoparticles in hyperglycemic solutions was significantly higher than the drug release in normoglycemic conditions. Oral delivery of the nanosystems dramatically lowered blood glucose levels in type I diabetic mice (T1DM) during in vivo pharmacodynamics, minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose levels reached a minimum of 8.1 ± 0.4 mmol/L after 8 h. Administering the nanosystem orally notably decreased the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in diabetic mice. The nano delivery system can be degraded and metabolized in the intestinal tract after being taken orally, demonstrating good biodegradability and biosafety. In conclusion, the present study showed that VB12-FU-ConA nanocarriers are expected to be a novel system for rationalizing blood glucose.

A protocol to isolate, identify, and verify glucose- or carbohydrate-binding receptors

Sensing, transport, and utilization of glucose is pivotal to the maintenance of energy homeostasis in animals. Although transporters involved in mobilizing glucose across different cellular compartments are fairly well known, the receptors that bind glucose to mediate its effects independently of glucose metabolism remain largely unrecognized. Establishing precise and reproducible methods to identify glucose receptors in the brain or other peripheral organs will pave the way for comprehending the role of glucose signaling pathways in maintaining, regulating, and reprogramming cellular metabolic needs. Identification of such potential glucose receptors will also likely lead to development of effective therapeutics for treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Commercially available biotin or radiolabeled glucose conjugates have low molecular weight; therefore, they do not provide enough sensitivity and density to isolate glucose receptors. Here, we describe a protocol to isolate, identify, and verify glucose-binding receptor/s using high molecular weight glucose (or other carbohydrate) conjugates. We have produced 30 kDa glucose- (or other carbohydrate-) biotin-polyacrylamide (PAA) conjugates with mole fractions of 80:5:15% respectively. These conjugates are used with biotin-streptavidin biochemistry, In-cell ELISA, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) methods to isolate, identify, and verify glucose- or carbohydrate-binding receptors. We first demonstrate how streptavidin-coated magnetic beads are employed to immobilize glucose-biotin-PAA conjugates. Then, these beads are used to enrich and isolate glucose-binding proteins from tissue homogenates or from single-cell suspensions. The enriched or isolated proteins are subjected to mass spectrometry/proteomics to reveal the identity of top candidate proteins as potential glucose receptors. We then describe how the In-cell ELISA method is used to verify the interaction of glucose with its potential receptor through stable expression of the receptor in-vitro. We further demonstrate how a highly sensitive SPR method can be used to measure the binding kinetics of glucose with its receptor. In summary, we describe a protocol to isolate, identify, and verify glucose- or carbohydrate-binding receptors using magnetic beads, In-cell ELISA, and SPR. This protocol will form the future basis of studying glucose or carbohydrate receptor signaling pathways in health and in disease.

Glycan-directed SARS-CoV-2 inhibition by leek extract and lectins with insights into the mode-of-action of Concanavalin A

Four years after its outbreak, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a global challenge for human health. At its surface, SARS-CoV-2 features numerous extensively glycosylated spike proteins. This glycan coat supports virion docking and entry into host cells and at the same time renders the virus less susceptible to neutralizing antibodies. Given the high genetic plasticity of SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid emergence of immune escape variants, targeting the glycan shield by carbohydrate-binding agents emerges as a promising strategy. However, the potential of carbohydrate-targeting reagents as viral inhibitors remains underexplored. Here, we tested seven plant-derived carbohydrate-binding proteins, called lectins, and one crude plant extract for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in two types of human lung cells: A549 cells ectopically expressing the ACE2 receptor and Calu-3 cells. We identified three lectins and an Allium porrum (leek) extract inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in both cell systems with selectivity indices (SI) ranging between >2 and >299. Amongst these, the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) exerted the most potent and broad activity against a panel of SARS-CoV-2 variants. We used multiplex super-resolution microscopy to address lectin interactions with SARS-CoV-2 and its host cells. Notably, we discovered that Con A not only binds to SARS-CoV-2 virions and their host cells, but also causes SARS-CoV-2 aggregation. Thus, Con A exerts a dual mode-of-action comprising both, antiviral and virucidal, mechanisms. These results establish Con A and other plant lectins as candidates for COVID-19 prevention and basis for further drug development.

Recent Insights into Glucose-Responsive Concanavalin A-Based Smart Hydrogels for Controlled Insulin Delivery

Many efforts are continuously undertaken to develop glucose-sensitive biomaterials able of controlling glucose levels in the body and self-regulating insulin delivery. Hydrogels that swell or shrink as a function of the environmental free glucose content are suitable systems for monitoring blood glucose, delivering insulin doses adapted to the glucose concentration. In this context, the development of sensors based on reversible binding to glucose molecules represents a continuous challenge. Concanavalin A (Con A) is a bioactive protein isolated from sword bean plants (Canavalia ensiformis) and contains four sugar-binding sites. The high affinity for reversibly and specifically binding glucose and mannose makes Con A as a suitable natural receptor for the development of smart glucose-responsive materials. During the last few years, Con A was used to develop smart materials, such as hydrogels, microgels, nanoparticles and films, for producing glucose biosensors or drug delivery devices. This review is focused on Con A-based materials suitable in the diagnosis and therapeutics of diabetes. A brief outlook on glucose-derived theranostics of cancer is also presented.

Millimeter-scale magnetic implants paired with a fully integrated wearable device for wireless biophysical and biochemical sensing

Implantable sensors can directly interface with various organs for precise evaluation of health status. However, extracting signals from such sensors mainly requires transcutaneous wires, integrated circuit chips, or cumbersome readout equipment, which increases the risks of infection, reduces biocompatibility, or limits portability. Here, we develop a set of millimeter-scale, chip-less, and battery-less magnetic implants paired with a fully integrated wearable device for measuring biophysical and biochemical signals. The wearable device can induce a large amplitude damped vibration of the magnetic implants and capture their subsequent motions wirelessly. These motions reflect the biophysical conditions surrounding the implants and the concentration of a specific biochemical depending on the surface modification. Experiments in rat models demonstrate the capabilities of measuring cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viscosity, intracranial pressure, and CSF glucose levels. This miniaturized system opens the possibility for continuous, wireless monitoring of a wide range of biophysical and biochemical conditions within the living organism.

Selective interactions of Co2+-Ca2+-concanavalin A with high mannose N-glycans

Concanavalin A (ConA) has an intrinsic binding affinity to carbohydrates. Here, we obtained Co2+-Ca2+-ConA (2.83 Å, PDB: 8I7Q) via X-ray crystallography by substituting native ConA (Mn2+-Ca2+); it has binding selectivity for high-mannose N-glycan similar to native ConA. Our findings may thus inform antiviral reagent design.

Construction of Biosensing System for Glycated Albumin Using an Electron Transfer Peptide-Modified Protein Probe

Glycated albumin (GA) is one of the proteins that replaces several sugar moieties and can be used as an indicator of diabetes mellitus. We developed a sensing system that uses GA in the early detection of diabetes mellitus. In this study, H6Y4C acetylated (Ac-) at the N-terminals of the peptide was combined with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) to recognize glucose moieties. The Ac-H6Y4C-WGA was constructed as a GA-sensing probe. The tyrosine residues of Y4C exhibited an oxidation peak, and His-tag moieties were introduced to separate Ac-H6Y4C-WGA in the synthesis of the probe. The Ac-H6Y4C-WGA probe binds with the 1-2 molecules of Ac-H6Y4C per WGA using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF)-MS. Next, the functions of Ac-H6Y4C-WGA were evaluated using voltammetry. The number of electron-transfers was calculated based on the relationship between the peak potential and logarithm of scan rate and was 3.03. In the electrochemical measurements with mannose and bovine serum albumin, the peak currents were similar to that of GA alone. By contrast, a decrease in the peak current was suppressed when glucose was added to the solution containing the probe. As a result, Ac-H6Y4C-WGA was selectively bound to the glucose moieties of GA. The calibration curve via differential pulse voltammetry was proportional to the concentrations of GA and ranged from 1.0 × 10-12 to 2.0 × 10-11 M with a detection limit of 3.3 × 10-13 M.

Intelligent Insulin vs. Artificial Intelligence for Type 1 Diabetes: Will the Real Winner Please Stand Up?

Research in the treatment of type 1 diabetes has been addressed into two main areas: the development of "intelligent insulins" capable of auto-regulating their own levels according to glucose concentrations, or the exploitation of artificial intelligence (AI) and its learning capacity, to provide decision support systems to improve automated insulin therapy. This review aims to provide a synthetic overview of the current state of these two research areas, providing an outline of the latest development in the search for "intelligent insulins," and the results of new and promising advances in the use of artificial intelligence to regulate automated insulin infusion and glucose control. The future of insulin treatment in type 1 diabetes appears promising with AI, with research nearly reaching the possibility of finally having a "closed-loop" artificial pancreas.

Progress in the preparation and evaluation of glucose-sensitive microneedle systems and their blood glucose regulation

Glucose-sensitive microneedle systems (GSMSs) as an intelligent strategy for treating diabetes can well solve the problems of puncture pain, hypoglycemia, skin damage, and complications caused by the subcutaneous injection of insulin. According to the various functions of each component, herein, therapeutic GSMSs are reviewed based on three parts (glucose-sensitive models, diabetes medications, and microneedle body). Moreover, the characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of three types of typical glucose-sensitive models (phenylboronic acid based polymer, glucose oxidase, and concanavalin A) and their drug delivery models are reviewed. In particular, phenylboronic acid-based GSMSs can provide a long-acting drug dose and controlled release rate for the treatment of diabetes. Moreover, their painless, minimally invasive puncture also greatly improves patient compliance, treatment safety, and potential application prospects.

A Polarity-Sensitive Far-Red Fluorescent Probe for Glucose Sensing through Skin

The field of glucose biosensors for diabetes management has been of great interest over the past 60 years. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is important to continuously track the glucose level to provide better management of the disease. Concanavalin A (ConA) can reversibly bind to glucose and mannose molecules and form a glucose biosensor via competitive binding. Here, we developed a glucose biosensor using ConA and a fluorescent probe, which generated a fluorescent intensity change based on solvatochromism, the reversible change in the emission spectrum dependent on the polarity of the solvent. The direction in which the wavelength shifts as the solvent polarity increases can be defined as positive (red-shift), negative (blue-shift), or a combination of the two, referred to as reverse. To translate this biosensor to a subcutaneously implanted format, Cyanine 5.5 (Cy5.5)-labeled small mannose molecules were used, which allows for the far-red excitation wavelength range to increase the skin penetration depth of the light source and returned emission. Three Cy5.5-labeled small mannose molecules were synthesized and compared when used as the competing ligand in the competitive binding biosensor. We explored the polarity-sensitive nature of the competing ligands and examined the biosensor's glucose response. Cy5.5-mannotetraose performed best as a biosensor, allowing for the detection of glucose from 25 to 400 mg/dL. Thus, this assay is responsive to glucose within the physiologic range when its concentration is increased to levels needed for an implantable design. The biosensor response is not statistically different when placed under different skin pigmentations when comparing the percent increase in fluorescence intensity. This shows the ability of the biosensor to produce a repeatable signal across the physiologic range for subcutaneous glucose monitoring under various skin tones.

Biomaterial-mediated strategies for accurate and convenient diagnosis, and effective treatment of diabetes: advantages, current progress and future perspectives

As a kind of widespread chronic disease, diabetes potentially triggers serious complications, thereby severely threatening patients' life and health. To achieve the goal of more accurate and convenient diagnosis, and effective treatment of diabetes that what could be achieved based on traditional methods, many biomaterial-mediated strategies have been launched in recent studies, and have shown promising application potentials. In this review, we have systematically summarized the biomaterial-mediated diagnosis strategies in three parts including combined use of biomedical nanomaterials or organometallic compounds and Raman spectroscopy, utilization of gas sensors made of biomedical metal-oxides to detect glucose in exhaled gas, and detection of glucose by wearable sensors made of biomaterials with high sensitivity and conductivity, and the biomaterial-mediated treatment strategies in four parts including antidiabetic drug delivery by nanoparticles, transdermal drug delivery systems, gels and vesicles, and achieving insulin secretion by transplantation of pancreatic endocrine cells or tissue engineered islets. In particular, advantages of every strategy, current research progress, as well as the challenges and perspectives are elaborated. This review will certainly help to spark new ideas and possibilities for accurate and convenient diagnosis, and effective treatment of diabetes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Enabled by Fluorescent Nanodiamond Boronic Hydrogel

Continuous monitoring of glucose allows diabetic patients to better maintain blood glucose level by altering insulin dosage or diet according to prevailing glucose values and thus to prevent potential hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. However, current continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) relies mostly on enzyme electrodes or micro-dialysis probes, which suffer from insufficient stability, susceptibility to corrosion of electrodes, weak or inconsistent correlation, and inevitable interference. A fluorescence-based glucose sensor in the skin will likely be more stable, have improved sensitivity, and can resolve the issues of electrochemical interference from the tissue. This study develops a fluorescent nanodiamond boronic hydrogel system in porous microneedles for CGM. Fluorescent nanodiamond is one of the most photostable fluorophores with superior biocompatibility. When surface functionalized, the fluorescent nanodiamond can integrate with boronic polymer and form a hydrogel, which can produce fluorescent signals in response to environmental glucose concentration. In this proof-of-concept study, the strategy for building a miniatured device with fluorescent nanodiamond hydrogel is developed. The device demonstrates remarkable long-term photo and signal stability in vivo with both small and large animal models. This study presents a new strategy of fluorescence based CGM toward treatment and control of diabetes.

Recent advances in responsive hydrogels for diabetic wound healing

Poor wound healing after diabetes mellitus remains a challenging problem, and its pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Persistent bleeding, disturbed regulation of inflammation, blocked cell proliferation, susceptible infection and impaired tissue remodeling are the main features of diabetic wound healing. Conventional wound dressings, including gauze, films and bandages, have a limited function. They generally act as physical barriers and absorbers of exudates, which fail to meet the requirements of the whol diabetic wound healing process. Wounds in diabetic patients typically heal slowly and are susceptible to infection due to hyperglycemia within the wound bed. Once bacterial cells develop into biofilms, diabetic wounds will exhibit robust drug resistance. Recently, the application of stimuli-responsive hydrogels, also known as "smart hydrogels", for diabetic wound healing has attracted particular attention. The basic feature of this system is its capacities to change mechanical properties, swelling ability, hydrophilicity, permeability of biologically active molecules, etc., in response to various stimuli, including temperature, potential of hydrogen (pH), protease and other biological factors. Smart hydrogels can improve therapeutic efficacy and limit total toxicity according to the characteristics of diabetic wounds. In this review, we summarized the mechanism and application of stimuli-responsive hydrogels for diabetic wound healing. It is hoped that this work will provide some inspiration and suggestions for research in this field.

Concanavalin A promotes angiogenesis and proliferation in endothelial cells through the Akt/ERK/Cyclin D1 axis

CONTEXT

Concanavalin A (Con A) exhibited multiple roles in cancer cells. However, the role of Con A in endothelial cells was not reported.

OBJECTIVE

Our present study investigated the potential angiogenic role of Con A in endothelial cells and ischaemic hind-limb mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and Ea.hy926 cells were employed to determine the effect of Con A (0.3, 1, and 3 μg/mL) or vehicle on angiogenesis and cell proliferation with tube formation, ELISA, flow cytometry, EdU, and western blot. Hind-limb ischaemic mice were conducted to determine the pro-angiogenic effect of Con A (10 mg/kg) for 7 days.

RESULTS

Con A promoted tube formation to about three-fold higher than the control group and increased the secretion of VEGFa, PDGFaa, and bFGF in the medium. The cell viability was promoted to 1.3-fold by Con A 3 μg/mL, and cell cycle progression of G0G1 phase was decreased from 77% in the vehicle group to 70% in Con A 3 μg/mL, G2M was promoted from 15 to 19%, and S-phase was from 7 to 10%. Con A significantly stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 and expression of cyclin D1 and decreased the expression of p27. These effects of Con A were antagonised by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (10 μM) and MEK pathway antagonist PD98059 (10 μM). Moreover, Con A (10 mg/kg) exhibited a repair effect in ischaemic hind-limb mice.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study will provide a new option for treating ischaemic disease by local injection with Con A.

Construction of a double-responsive modified guar gum nanoparticles and its application in oral insulin administration

The use of intelligent insulin delivery systems has become more important for treating diabetes. In this study, a dual-responsive oral insulin delivery nanocarrier that responds to glucose and pH has been developed. First, the oleic acid hydrophobic modified guar gum (GG) was synthesized by the esterification reaction, and the γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) was coupled with GG by the amidation reaction. The obtained pH-responsive copolymer (γ-PGA-GG) was cross-linked by concanavalin A to obtain pH/glucose dual-responsive nanocarriers, and insulin was effectively loaded into the dual-responsive nanocarriers. The insulin-loaded nanoparticles can achieve effective pH and glucose responses, releasing insulin on demand. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the dual-responsive nanoparticles can protect insulin against the pH changes in the digestive tract and deliver insulin into the body to exert a hypoglycemic effect. Moreover, the dual-responsive nanoparticles have significant potential to be employed for oral insulin delivery.

Recent Advances in Glucose Responsive Insulin Delivery Systems: Novel Hydrogels and Future Applications

Over the past several decades, there have been major advancements in the field of glucose sensing and insulin delivery for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus. The introduction of closed-loop insulin delivery systems that deliver insulin in response to specific levels of glucose in the blood has shifted significantly the research in this field. These systems consist of encapsulated glucose-sensitive components such as glucose oxidase or phenylboronic acid in hydrogels, microgels or nanoparticles. Since our previous evaluation of these systems in a contribution in 2004, new systems have been developed. Important improvements in key issues, such as consistent insulin delivery over an extended period of time have been addressed. In this contribution, we discuss recent advancements over the last 5 years and present persisting issues in these technologies that must be overcome in order for these systems to be applicable in patients.

Advanced wearable biosensors for the detection of body fluids and exhaled breath by graphene

Given the huge economic burden caused by chronic and acute diseases on human beings, it is an urgent requirement of a cost-effective diagnosis and monitoring process to treat and cure the disease in their preliminary stage to avoid severe complications. Wearable biosensors have been developed by using numerous materials for non-invasive, wireless, and consistent human health monitoring. Graphene, a 2D nanomaterial, has received considerable attention for the development of wearable biosensors due to its outstanding physical, chemical, and structural properties. Moreover, the extremely flexible, foldable, and biocompatible nature of graphene provide a wide scope for developing wearable biosensor devices. Therefore, graphene and its derivatives could be trending materials to fabricate wearable biosensor devices for remote human health management in the near future. Various biofluids and exhaled breath contain many relevant biomarkers which can be exploited by wearable biosensors non-invasively to identify diseases. In this article, we have discussed various methodologies and strategies for synthesizing and pattering graphene. Furthermore, general sensing mechanism of biosensors, and graphene-based biosensing devices for tear, sweat, interstitial fluid (ISF), saliva, and exhaled breath have also been explored and discussed thoroughly. Finally, current challenges and future prospective of graphene-based wearable biosensors have been evaluated with conclusion. Graphene is a promising 2D material for the development of wearable sensors. Various biofluids (sweat, tears, saliva and ISF) and exhaled breath contains many relevant biomarkers which facilitate in identify diseases. Biosensor is made up of biological recognition element such as enzyme, antibody, nucleic acid, hormone, organelle, or complete cell and physical (transducer, amplifier), provide fast response without causing organ harm.

Acacetin attenuates diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy by inhibiting oxidative stress and energy metabolism via PPAR-α/AMPK pathway

Diabetic cardiomyopathy seriously affects the life quality of diabetic patients and can lead to heart failure and death in severe cases. Acacetin was reported to be an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in several cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of acacetin on diabetic cardiomyopathy was not understood. This study was designed to explore the therapeutic effect of acacetin on diabetic cardiomyopathy and the potential mechanism with in vitro and in vivo experimental techniques. In cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and H9C2 cardiac cells, acacetin (0.3, 1, 3 μM) showed effective protection against high glucose-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Acacetin countered high glucose-induced increase of Bax and decrease of Bcl-2, SOD1, and SOD2. In streptozotocin-induced rat diabetic cardiomyopathy model, treatment with acacetin prodrug (10 mg/kg, s.c., b.i.d.) significantly improved the cardiac function and reduced myocardial injury, and reversed the increase of serum MDA, Ang Ⅱ, and IL-6 levels and myocardial Bax and IL-6, and the decrease of serum SOD, indicating that acacetin plays a cardioprotective effect by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. In addition, both in vitro and in vivo experimental results showed that acacetin increased the expression of PPAR-α and pAMPK, indicating that PPAR-α and pAMPK are potential targets of acacetin for the protection against diabetic cardiomyopathy. This study demonstrates the new application of acacetin for treating diabetic cardiomyopathy.

An Insight into Skeletal Networks Analysis for Smart Hydrogels

Hydrogels are 3D cross‐linked polymer networks. Benefiting from the flexible designs and reasonable constructions of these networks, a large number of smart hydrogels with response characteristics to specific stimuli have received widespread attention and developed rapidly. The skeletal networks composed of the skeletal polymer chains and effectual cross‐links are the soul of such soft materials, and the response behaviors fundamentally depend on the dynamic characteristics of skeletal networks. Herein, the novel concepts of skeletal networks analysis to describe, understand, and guide the advanced designs and applications of smart hydrogels are proposed. Representative glucose‐sensitive hydrogels and DNA‐based smart hydrogels are reviewed to demonstrate the principle of skeletal networks analysis and clarify its practical guidance. Summarizing and classifying the characterizations and conversions of skeletal networks dynamics based on different response mechanisms provides a realistic solution. On this basis, advanced applications of smart hydrogels guided by skeletal networks dynamics including biochemical detection, cell mechanics sensing, drug delivery systems, and dynamic complex soft materials are typically reviewed. The skeletal networks analysis for smart hydrogels is of great significance for understanding the microstructures of hydrogels and guiding the designs of soft materials and their smart applications in the fields of analytical science and advanced materials.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel schisanhenol derivatives as potential hepatoprotective agents

Twenty-one new schisanhenol derivatives were synthesized, and their hepatoprotective effects against liver injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A) were evaluated in vitro using an MTT assay. The data indicated that most derivatives exhibited equivalent or better protective activity than the positive control (dimethyl dicarboxylate biphenyl, DDB) under the same conditions. Among them, compound 1b showed the most potent hepatoprotective activity against Con A-induced immunological injury. Mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that 1b inhibited cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses caused by Con A treatment via IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Consistently, it also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity in mice with Con A-induced immunological liver injury. These results clearly indicated that 1b might be a highly potent hepatoprotective agent targeting IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Concanavalin A: coordination diversity to xenobiotic metal ions and biological consequences

The binding ability of lectins has gained attention owing to the carbohydrate-specific interactions of these proteins. Such interactions can be applied to diverse fields of biotechnology, including the detection, isolation, and concentration of biological target molecules. The physiological aspects of the lectin concanavalin A (ConA) have been intensively studied through structural and functional investigations. X-ray crystallography studies have proven that ConA has two β-sheets and a short α-helix and that it exists in the form of a metalloprotein containing Mn²⁺ and Ca²⁺. These heterometals are coordinated with side chains located in a metal-coordinated domain (MCD), and they affect the structural environment in the carbohydrate-binding domain (CBD), which interacts with carbohydrates through hydrogen bonds. Recent studies have shown that ConA can regulate biophysical interactions with glycoproteins in virus envelopes because it specifically interacts with diverse polysaccharides through its CBD (Tyr, Asn, Asp, and Arg residues positioned next to the MCD). Owing to their protein-protein interaction abilities, ConA can form diverse self-assembled complexes including monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers, thus affording unique results in different applications. In this regard, herein, we present a review of the structural modifications in ConA through metal-ion coordination and their effect on complex formation. In recent approaches, ConA has been applied for viral protein detection, on the basis of the interactions of ConA. These aspects indicate that lectins should be thoroughly investigated with respect to their biophysical interactions, for avoiding unexpected changes in their interaction abilities.

Wearable patch delivery system for artificial pancreas health diagnostic-therapeutic application: A review

The advanced stimuli-responsive approaches for on-demand drug delivery systems have received tremendous attention as they have great potential to be integrated with sensing and multi-functional electronics on a flexible and stretchable single platform (all-in-one concept) in order to develop skin-integration with close-loop sensation for personalized diagnostic and therapeutic application. The wearable patch pumps have evolved from reservoir-based to matrix patch and drug-in-adhesive (single-layer or multi-layer) type. In this review, we presented the basic requirements of an artificial pancreas, surveyed the design and technologies used in commercial patch pumps available on the market and provided general information about the latest wearable patch pump. We summarized the various advanced delivery strategies with their mechanisms that have been developed to date and representative examples. Mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, acoustic and glucose-responsive approaches on patch form have been successfully utilized in the controllable transdermal drug delivery manner. We highlighted key challenges associated with wearable transdermal delivery systems, their research direction and future development trends.

'Smart' insulin-delivery technologies and intrinsic glucose-responsive insulin analogues

Insulin replacement therapy for diabetes mellitus seeks to minimise excursions in blood glucose concentration above or below the therapeutic range (hyper- or hypoglycaemia). To mitigate acute and chronic risks of such excursions, glucose-responsive insulin-delivery technologies have long been sought for clinical application in type 1 and long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Such 'smart' systems or insulin analogues seek to provide hormonal activity proportional to blood glucose levels without external monitoring. This review highlights three broad strategies to co-optimise mean glycaemic control and time in range: (1) coupling of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to delivery devices (algorithm-based 'closed-loop' systems); (2) glucose-responsive polymer encapsulation of insulin; and (3) mechanism-based hormone modifications. Innovations span control algorithms for CGM-based insulin-delivery systems, glucose-responsive polymer matrices, bio-inspired design based on insulin's conformational switch mechanism upon insulin receptor engagement, and glucose-responsive modifications of new insulin analogues. In each case, innovations in insulin chemistry and formulation may enhance clinical outcomes. Prospects are discussed for intrinsic glucose-responsive insulin analogues containing a reversible switch (regulating bioavailability or conformation) that can be activated by glucose at high concentrations.

Glucose-Responsive Gene Delivery at Physiological pH through Tertiary-Amine Stabilized Boronate-PVA Particles Synthesized by One-Pot Reaction

We report a physiologically stable and cytocompatible glucose-responsive nonviral gene delivery system made up of boronate functionalized polymeric material. Herein, we utilize boronate cis-diol interactions to develop a glucose-responsive submicron particle (SMP) system. The stability of the boronate interaction at a physiological pH was achieved by copolymerization of dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) with acrylamidophenylboronic acid (AAPBA) and the formation of a complex with polyvinylalcohol (PVA) which is governed by cis-diol interactions. The shift in hydrodynamic diameter of SMPs was observed and correlated with increasing glucose concentrations at a physiological pH. Optimal transfection was observed for a 5 µg dose of the gaussia luciferase reporter gene in NIH3T3 cells without any adverse effect on cellular viability. The destabilization of the AAPBA–PVA complex by interacting with glucose allowed the release of encapsulated bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a glucose-responsive manner. In total, 95% of BSA was released from SMPs at a 50 mM glucose concentration after 72 h. A two-fold increase in transfection was observed in 50 mM glucose compared to that of 10 mM glucose.

Developing Insulin Delivery Devices with Glucose Responsiveness

Individuals with type 1 and advanced type 2 diabetes require daily insulin therapy to maintain blood glucose levels in normoglycemic ranges to prevent associated morbidity and mortality. Optimal insulin delivery should offer both precise dosing in response to real-time blood glucose levels as well as a feasible and low-burden administration route to promote long-term adherence. A series of glucose-responsive insulin delivery mechanisms and devices have been reported to increase patient compliance while mitigating the risk of hypoglycemia. This review discusses currently available insulin delivery devices, overviews recent developments towards the generation of glucose-responsive delivery systems, and provides commentary on the opportunities and barriers ahead regarding the integration and translation of current glucose-responsive insulin delivery designs.

Recent Advances in Insulin Therapy

Insulin therapy has advanced remarkably over the past few decades. Ultra-rapid-acting and ultra-long-acting insulin analogs are now commercially available. Many additional insulin formulations are in development. This review outlines recent advances in insulin therapy and novel therapies in development.

Emerging Nano- and Micro-Technologies Used in the Treatment of Type-1 Diabetes

Type-1 diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels due to a failure of insulin secretion from beta cells within pancreatic islets. Current treatment strategies consist of multiple, daily injections of insulin or transplantation of either the whole pancreas or isolated pancreatic islets. While there are different forms of insulin with tunable pharmacokinetics (fast, intermediate, and long-acting), improper dosing continues to be a major limitation often leading to complications resulting from hyper- or hypo-glycemia. Glucose-responsive insulin delivery systems, consisting of a glucose sensor connected to an insulin infusion pump, have improved dosing but they still suffer from inaccurate feedback, biofouling and poor patient compliance. Islet transplantation is a promising strategy but requires multiple donors per patient and post-transplantation islet survival is impaired by inflammation and suboptimal revascularization. This review discusses how nano- and micro-technologies, as well as tissue engineering approaches, can overcome many of these challenges and help contribute to an artificial pancreas-like system.

ISFET and Dex-AgNPs based portable sensor for reusable and real-time determinations of concanavalin A and glucose on smartphone

In this paper, a portable real-time sensing device was built for Concanavalin A (Con A) and glucose detection using a smartphone. The ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) functioning at a low working point was selected as a small-size, low-power transducer, and dextran-capped silver nanoparticles (Dex-AgNPs) served as sensitive nanoprobes on the ISFET gate. Using the affinity between Con A and carbohydrates, Con A can be captured, and thus directly detected by the ISFET/Dex-AgNPs unit; then glucose can be determined indirectly by removing Con A from the ISFET/Dex-AgNPs/Con A unit via competition with dextran. The mechanism of this competition does less harm to the sensor, allows the reusability of the sensing device, and overcomes the Debye screening of the FET device in saline solutions. Powered by a button cell, the handheld device attains excellent Con A (0.16 ng mL^-1) and glucose (10 nM) detection limit, and can practically be used for at least 20 days.

Electrochemical biosensing of mosquito-borne viral disease, dengue: A review

Dengue virus is a mosquito-borne, single positive-stranded RNA virus that spread human being through infected female Aedes mosquito bite and causes dengue fever. The demand for early detection of this virus has increased to control the widespread of infectious diseases and protect humankind from its harmful effects. Recently, biosensors are found to the potential tool to detect and quantify the virus with fast detection, relatively cost-effective, high sensitivity and selectivity than the conventional diagnostic methods such as immunological and molecular techniques. Mostly, the biosensors employ electrochemical detection technique with transducers, owing to its easy construction, low-cost, ease of use, and portability. Here, we review the current trends and advancement in the electrochemical diagnosis of dengue virus and discussed various types of electrochemical biosensing techniques such as; amperometric, potentiometric, impedometric, and voltammetric sensing. Apart from these, we discussed the role of biorecognition molecules such as nucleic acid, antibodies, and lectins in electrochemical sensing of dengue virus. In addition, the review highlighted the benefits of the electrochemical approach in comparison with traditional diagnostic methods. We expect that these dengue virus diagnostic techniques will continue to evolve and grow in future, with exciting new possibilities stemming from advancement in the rational design of electrochemical biosensors.

Recent Advances in Phenylboronic Acid-Based Gels with Potential for Self-Regulated Drug Delivery

Glucose-sensitive drug platforms are highly attractive in the field of self-regulated drug delivery. Drug carriers based on boronic acid (BA), especially phenylboronic acid (PBA), have been designed for glucose-sensitive self-regulated insulin delivery. The PBA-functionalized gels have attracted more interest in recent years. The cross-linked three-dimensional (3D) structure endows the glucose-sensitive gels with great physicochemical properties. The PBA-based platforms with cross-linked structures have found promising applications in self-regulated drug delivery systems. This article summarizes some recent attempts at the developments of PBA-mediated glucose-sensitive gels for self-regulated drug delivery. The PBA-based glucose-sensitive gels, including hydrogels, microgels, and nanogels, are expected to significantly promote the development of smart self-regulated drug delivery systems for diabetes therapy.

Preclinical Safety Evaluation of HIV-1 gp120 Responsive Microbicide Delivery System in C57BL/6 Female Mice

Many novel vaginal/rectal microbicide formulations failed clinically due to safety concerns, indicating the need for the early investigation of lead microbicide formulations. In this study, the preclinical safety of an HIV-1 gp120 and mannose responsive microbicide delivery system (MRP) is evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. MRP was engineered through the layer-by-layer coating of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) with Canavalia ensiformis lectin (Con A) and glycogen. MRP mean particle diameter and zeta potential were 857.8 ± 93.1 nm and 2.37 ± 4.12 mV, respectively. Tenofovir (TFV) encapsulation and loading efficiencies in MRP were 70.1% and 16.3% w/w, respectively. When exposed to HIV-1 rgp120 (25 μg/mL), MRP released a significant amount of TFV (∼5-fold higher) in vaginal and seminal fluid mixture compared to the control (pre-exposure) level (∼59 μg/mL) in vaginal fluid alone. Unlike the positive control treated groups (e.g., nonoxynol-9), no significant histological damages and CD45+ cells infiltration were observed in the vaginal and major reproductive organ epithelial layers. This was probably due to MRP biocompatibility and its isosmolality (304.33 ± 0.58 mOsm/kg). Furthermore, compared to negative controls, there was no statistically significant increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL1α, Ilβ, IL7, IP10, and TNFα. Collectively, these data suggest that MRP is a relatively safe nanotemplate for HIV-1 gp120 stimuli responsive vaginal microbicide delivery system.

The Characterisation and Quantification of Immobilised Concanavalin A on Quartz Surfaces Based on The Competitive Binding to Glucose and Fluorescent Labelled Dextran

The competition between various carbohydrates in the binding to Concanavalin A (Con A) can be exploited in gravimetric microsensors that detect changes in mass or viscoelasticity as a function of glucose concentration. Such sensors are based on the immobilisation of Con A as the ligand specific element, and a successful application requires that the binding property of Con A is retained. This paper presents a simplified immobilisation procedure of Con A on a quartz surface, a common material for gravimetric microsensors. Structural assessment with atomic force microscopy confirmed that the surface was covered with a layer of macromolecules. This layer shows the presence of entities of various sizes, presumably monomers, dimers and tetramers among which dimers of the Con A are the most dominant structure. Functional assessment using fluorescent labelled dextran (FITC and Alexa 488) suggests a surface coverage ranging from 1.8 × 1011 to 2.1 × 1012 immobilised fluorescent molecules per cm2. The assay was responsive to glucose over a concentration range from 0–40 mM, but became gradually saturated above 20 mM. Hence, the immobilised Con A is able to bind dextran, which is displaced by glucose in a concentration dependent manner, thus triggering a mass change proportional to the MW of dextran.

Ultrabright Polymer-Dot Transducer Enabled Wireless Glucose Monitoring via a Smartphone

Optical methods such as absorptiometry, fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance have long been explored for sensing glucose. However, these schemes have not had the clinical success of electrochemical methods for point-of-care testing because of the limited performance of optical sensors and the bulky instruments they require. Here, we show that an ultrasensitive optical transducer can be used for wireless glucose monitoring via a smartphone. The optical transducer combines oxygen-sensitive polymer dots (Pdots) with glucose oxidase that sensitively detect glucose when oxygen is consumed in the glucose oxidation reaction. By judicious design of the Pdots with ultralong phosphorescence lifetime, the transducer exhibited a significantly enhanced sensitivity by 1 order of magnitude as compared to the one in a previous study. As a result, the optical images of subcutaneous glucose level obtained with the smartphone camera could be utilized to clearly distinguish between euglycemia and hyperglycemia. We further developed an image processing algorithm and a software application that was installed on a smartphone. Real-time dynamic glucose monitoring in live mice was demonstrated with the smartphone and the implanted Pdot transducer.

Development of glucose-responsive 'smart' insulin systems

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The complexity of modern insulin-based therapy for type I and type II diabetes mellitus and the risks associated with excursions in blood-glucose concentration (hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia) have motivated the development of 'smart insulin' technologies (glucose-responsive insulin, GRI). Such analogs or delivery systems are entities that provide insulin activity proportional to the glycemic state of the patient without external monitoring by the patient or healthcare provider. The present review describes the relevant historical background to modern GRI technologies and highlights three distinct approaches: coupling of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to deliver devices (algorithm-based 'closed-loop' systems), glucose-responsive polymer encapsulation of insulin, and molecular modification of insulin itself.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advances in GRI research utilizing each of the three approaches are illustrated; these include newly developed algorithms for CGM-based insulin delivery systems, glucose-sensitive modifications of existing clinical analogs, newly developed hypoxia-sensitive polymer matrices, and polymer-encapsulated, stem-cell-derived pancreatic β cells.

SUMMARY

Although GRI technologies have yet to be perfected, the recent advances across several scientific disciplines that are described in this review have provided a path towards their clinical implementation.

Micro-Electromechanical Affinity Sensor for the Monitoring of Glucose in Bioprocess Media

An affinity-viscometry-based micro-sensor probe for continuous glucose monitoring was investigated with respect to its suitability for bioprocesses. The sensor operates with glucose and dextran competing as binding partner for concanavalin A, while the viscosity of the assay scales with glucose concentration. Changes in viscosity are determined with a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) in the measurement cavity of the sensor probe. The study aimed to elucidate the interactions between the assay and a typical phosphate buffered bacterial cultivation medium. It turned out that contact with the medium resulted in a significant long-lasting drift of the assay's viscosity at zero glucose concentration. Adding glucose to the medium lowers the drift by a factor of eight. The cglc values measured off-line with the glucose sensor for monitoring of a bacterial cultivation were similar to the measurements with an enzymatic assay with a difference of less than ±0.15 g·L-1. We propose that lectin agglomeration, the electro-viscous effect, and constitutional changes of concanavalin A due to exchanges of the incorporated metal ions may account for the observed viscosity increase. The study has demonstrated the potential of the MEMS sensor to determine sensitive viscosity changes within very small sample volumes, which could be of interest for various biotechnological applications.

Mechanical Stimulation of Piezo1 Receptors Depends on Extracellular Matrix Proteins and Directionality of Force

Piezo receptors convert mechanical forces into electrical signals. In mammals, they play important roles in basic physiological functions including proprioception, sensation of touch, and vascular development. However, basic receptor properties like the gating mechanism, the interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, and the response to mechanical stimulation, remain poorly understood. Here, we establish an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based assay to mechanically stimulate Piezo1 receptors in living animal cells, while monitoring receptor activation in real-time using functional calcium imaging. Our experiments show that in the absence of ECM proteins Piezo1 receptors are relatively insensitive to mechanical forces pushing the cellular membrane, whereas they can hardly be activated by mechanically pulling the membrane. Yet, if conjugated with Matrigel, a mix of ECM proteins, the receptors become sensitized. Thereby, forces pulling the cellular membrane activate the receptor much more efficiently compared to pushing forces. Finally, we found that collagen IV, a component of the basal lamina, which forms a cohesive network and mechanical connection between cells, sensitizes Piezo1 receptors to mechanical pulling.

Nanostructured biosensor for detecting glucose in tear by applying fluorescence resonance energy transfer quenching mechanism

In this paper, a nanostructured biosensor is developed to detect glucose in tear by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) quenching mechanism. The designed FRET pair, including the donor, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), and the acceptor, dextran-binding malachite green (MG-dextran), was conjugated to concanavalin A (Con A), an enzyme with specific affinity to glucose. In the presence of glucose, the quenched emission of QDs through the FRET mechanism is restored by displacing the dextran from Con A. To have a dual-modulation sensor for convenient and accurate detection, the nanostructured FRET sensors were assembled onto a patterned ZnO nanorod array deposited on the synthetic silicone hydrogel. Consequently, the concentration of glucose detected by the patterned sensor can be converted to fluorescence spectra with high signal-to-noise ratio and calibrated image pixel value. The photoluminescence intensity of the patterned FRET sensor increases linearly with increasing concentration of glucose from 0.03mmol/L to 3mmol/L, which covers the range of tear glucose levels for both diabetics and healthy subjects. Meanwhile, the calibrated values of pixel intensities of the fluorescence images captured by a handhold fluorescence microscope increases with increasing glucose. Four male Sprague-Dawley rats with different blood glucose concentrations were utilized to demonstrate the quick response of the patterned FRET sensor to 2µL of tear samples.

Monitoring interfacial lectin binding with nanomolar sensitivity using a plasmon field effect transistor

By immobilizing glycopolymers onto the surface of the recently developed plasmonic field effect transistor (FET), the recognition between lectins and surface-immobilized glycopolymers can be detected over a wide dynamic range (10^-10 to 10^-4 M) in an environment that resembles the glycocalyx. The binding to the sensor surface by various lectins was tested, and the selectivities and relative binding affinity trends observed in solution were maintained on the sensor surface, and the significantly higher avidities are attributed to cluster-glycoside effects that occur on the surface. The combination of polymer surface chemistry and optoelectronic output in this device architecture produces amongst the highest reported detection sensitivity for ConA. This work demonstrates the benefits that arise from combining emerging device architectures and soft-matter systems to create cutting edge nanotechnologies that lend themselves to fundamental biological studies and integration into point-of-use diagnostics and sensors.