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Nejati S, Mongeau L. In Vitro Investigation of Vocal Fold Cellular Response to Variations in Hydrogel Porosity and Elasticity. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:3909-3922. [PMID: 38783819 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration is intricately influenced by the dynamic interplay between the physical attributes of tissue engineering scaffolds and the resulting biological responses. A tunable microporous hydrogel system was engineered using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), with polyethylene glycol (PEG) serving as a porogen. Through systematic variation of PEGDA molecular weights, hydrogels with varying mechanical and architectural properties were obtained. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the impact of substrate mechanics and architecture on the immunological and reparative activities of vocal fold tissues. Mechanical characterization of the hydrogels was performed using tensile strength measurements and rheometry. Their morphological properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy. A series of biological assays were conducted. Cellular morphology, differentiation, and collagen synthesis of human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFFs) were evaluated using immunostaining. Fibroblast proliferation was studied using the WST-1 assay, and cell migration was investigated via the Boyden chamber assay. Macrophage polarization and secretions were also examined using immunostaining and ELISA. The results revealed that increasing the molecular weight of PEGDA from 700 Da to 10,000 Da resulted in decreased hydrogel stiffness, from 62.6 to 8.8 kPa, and increased pore dimensions from approximately 64.9 to 137.4 μm. Biological evaluations revealed that hydrogels with a higher stiffness promoted fibroblast proliferation and spreading, albeit with an increased propensity for fibrosis, as indicated by a surge in myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis. In contrast, hydrogels with greater molecular weights had a softer matrix with expanded pores, enhancing cellular migration and promoting an M2 macrophage phenotype conducive to tissue healing. The findings show that the hydrogels formulated with a PEGDA molecular weight of 6000 Da are best among the hydrogels considered for vocal fold repair. The microporous hydrogels could be tuned to serve in other tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nejati
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Luc Mongeau
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C3, Canada
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Pramanik S, Alhomrani M, Alamri AS, Alsanie WF, Nainwal P, Kimothi V, Deepak A, Sargsyan AS. Unveiling the versatility of gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels: a comprehensive journey into biomedical applications. Biomed Mater 2024; 19:042008. [PMID: 38768611 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ad4df7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels have gained significant recognition as versatile biomaterials in the biomedical domain. GelMA hydrogels emulate vital characteristics of the innate extracellular matrix by integrating cell-adhering and matrix metalloproteinase-responsive peptide motifs. These features enable cellular proliferation and spreading within GelMA-based hydrogel scaffolds. Moreover, GelMA displays flexibility in processing, as it experiences crosslinking when exposed to light irradiation, supporting the development of hydrogels with adjustable mechanical characteristics. The drug delivery landscape has been reshaped by GelMA hydrogels, offering a favorable platform for the controlled and sustained release of therapeutic actives. The tunable physicochemical characteristics of GelMA enable precise modulation of the kinetics of drug release, ensuring optimal therapeutic effectiveness. In tissue engineering, GelMA hydrogels perform an essential role in the design of the scaffold, providing a biomimetic environment conducive to cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Incorporating GelMA in three-dimensional printing further improves its applicability in drug delivery and developing complicated tissue constructs with spatial precision. Wound healing applications showcase GelMA hydrogels as bioactive dressings, fostering a conducive microenvironment for tissue regeneration. The inherent biocompatibility and tunable mechanical characteristics of GelMA provide its efficiency in the closure of wounds and tissue repair. GelMA hydrogels stand at the forefront of biomedical innovation, offering a versatile platform for addressing diverse challenges in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing. This review provides a comprehensive overview, fostering an in-depth understanding of GelMA hydrogel's potential impact on progressing biomedical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheersha Pramanik
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Majid Alhomrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulhakeem S Alamri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Walaa F Alsanie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pankaj Nainwal
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 248001, India
| | - Vishwadeepak Kimothi
- Himalayan Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Rajawala, Dehradun, Uttrakhand, India
| | - A Deepak
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha School of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600128, India
| | - Armen S Sargsyan
- Scientific and Production Center 'Armbiotechnology' NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., Yerevan 0056, Armenia
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Chen T, Wang Z, Gong X, Zhang J, Zhang N, Yang J, Zhu Y, Zhou Y. Preparation of Compound Salvia miltiorrhiza- Blumea balsamifera Nanoemulsion Gel and Its Effect on Hypertrophic Scars in the Rabbit Ear Model. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2298-2314. [PMID: 38527915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars (HS) still remain an urgent challenge in the medical community. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of HS. However, due to the natural barrier of the skin, it is difficult for the natural active components of TCM to more effectively penetrate the skin and exert therapeutic effects. Therefore, the development of an efficient drug delivery system to facilitate enhanced transdermal absorption of TCM becomes imperative for its clinical application. In this study, we designed a compound Salvia miltiorrhiza-Blumea balsamifera nanoemulsion gel (CSB-NEG) and investigated its therapeutic effects on rabbit HS models. The prescription of CSB-NEG was optimized by single-factor, pseudoternary phase diagram, and central composite design experiments. The results showed that the average particle size and PDI of the optimized CSB-NE were 46.0 ± 0.2 nm and 0.222 ± 0.004, respectively, and the encapsulation efficiency of total phenolic acid was 93.37 ± 2.56%. CSB-NEG demonstrated excellent stability and skin permeation in vitro and displayed a significantly enhanced ability to inhibit scar formation compared to the CSB physical mixture in vivo. After 3 weeks of CSB-NEG treatment, the scar appeared to be flat, pink, and flexible. Furthermore, this treatment also resulted in a decrease in the levels of the collagen I/III ratio and TGF-β1 and Smad2 proteins while simultaneously promoting the growth and remodeling of microvessels. These findings suggest that CSB-NEG has the potential to effectively address the barrier properties of the skin and provide therapeutic benefits for HS, offering a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of HS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
- Nano-drug Technology Research Center of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zuhua Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
- Nano-drug Technology Research Center of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xingchu Gong
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiaojiao Zhang
- College of Food and Health, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jing Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yue Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
- Nano-drug Technology Research Center of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
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Gao Y, Wang K, Wu S, Wu J, Zhang J, Li J, Lei S, Duan X, Men K. Injectable and Photocurable Gene Scaffold Facilitates Efficient Repair of Spinal Cord Injury. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:4375-4394. [PMID: 38185858 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
RNA interference-based gene therapy has led to a strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI) therapy. However, there have been high requirements regarding the optimal gene delivery vector for siRNA-based SCI gene therapy. Here, we developed an injectable and photocurable lipid nanoparticle GelMA (PLNG) hydrogel scaffold for controlled dual siRNA delivery at the SCI wound site. The prepared PLNG scaffold could efficiently protect and retain the bioactivity of the siRNA nanocomplex. It facilitated sustainable siRNA release along with degradation in 7 days. After loading dual siRNA targeting phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) simultaneously, the locally administered siRNAs/PLNG scaffold efficiently improved the Basso mouse scale (BMS) score and recovered ankle joint movement and plantar stepping after treatment with only three doses. We further proved that the siRNAs/PLNG scaffold successfully regulated the activities of neurons, microglia, and macrophages, thus promoting neuron axon regeneration and remyelination. The protein array results suggested that the siRNAs/PLNG scaffold could increase the expression of growth factors and decrease the expression of inflammatory factors to regulate neuroinflammation in SCI and create a neural repair environment. Our results suggested that the PLNG scaffold siRNA delivery system is a potential candidate for siRNA-based SCI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kaiyu Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shan Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jieping Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jingmei Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Sibei Lei
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xingmei Duan
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Ke Men
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Zhong Y, Zhang Y, Lu B, Deng Z, Zhang Z, Wang Q, Zhang J. Hydrogel Loaded with Components for Therapeutic Applications in Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:883-899. [PMID: 38293605 PMCID: PMC10824614 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s448667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are common fibroproliferative diseases following injury. Patients with pathologic scars suffer from impaired quality of life and psychological health due to appearance disfiguration, itch, pain, and movement disorders. Recently, the advancement of hydrogels in biomedical fields has brought a variety of novel materials, methods and therapeutic targets for treating hypertrophic scars and keloids, which exhibit broad prospects. This review has summarized current research on hydrogels and loaded components used in preventing and treating hypertrophic scars and keloids. These hydrogels attenuate keloid and hypertrophic scar formation and progression by loading organic chemicals, drugs, or bioactive molecules (such as growth factors, genes, proteins/peptides, and stem cells/exosomes). Among them, smart hydrogels (a very promising method for loading many types of bioactive components) are currently favoured by researchers. In addition, combining hydrogels and current therapy (such as laser or radiation therapy, etc.) could improve the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Then, the difficulties and limitations of the current research and possible suggestions for improvement are listed. Moreover, we also propose novel strategies for facilitating the construction of target multifunctional hydrogels in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiu Zhong
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Youfan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Beibei Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenjun Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianglin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
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Mbituyimana B, Bukatuka CF, Qi F, Ma G, Shi Z, Yang G. Microneedle-mediated drug delivery for scar prevention and treatment. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103801. [PMID: 37858631 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Scars are an inevitable natural outcome of most wound healing processes and affect skin functions, leading to cosmetic, psychological and social problems. Several strategies, including surgery, radiation, cryotherapy, laser therapy, pressure therapy and corticosteroids, can be used to either prevent or treat scars. However, these strategies are ineffective, have side effects and are typically expensive. Microneedle (MN) technology is a powerful, minimally invasive platform for transdermal drug delivery. This review discusses the most recent progress in MN-mediated drug delivery to prevent and treat pathological scars (hypertrophic and keloids). A comprehensive overview of existing challenges and future perspectives is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bricard Mbituyimana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Clemence Futila Bukatuka
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fuyu Qi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Guangrui Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhijun Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
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