Exploring the Interplay between Polyphenols and Lysyl Oxidase Enzymes for Maintaining Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis

Gelatin methacryloyl bioinks for bioprinting nasal cartilage: Balancing mechanical integrity and extracellular matrix formation

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is widely recognized as a versatile hydrogel, though few studies have examined its role in nasal cartilage engineering. In this study, we investigated how variations in GelMA concentration and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) supplementation would affect mechanical properties, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and human nasoseptal chondrocyte remodeling in 3D bioprinted constructs. Using human serum-supplemented media to enhance clinical feasibility, we evaluated a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-grade GelMA at 5, 10, and 15 % w/v. To improve mechanical properties, we investigated LOXL2's potential to enhance crosslinking of newly synthesized collagen, an approach not previously evaluated in gelatin biomaterials. After six weeks, higher GelMA concentrations increased stiffness, as demonstrated by suture pull-out, three-point bending, and compressive equilibrium moduli. However, improved mechanical performance accompanied a reduction in ECM deposition and elevated catabolic gene expression. These findings suggest that cells encapsulated in stiffer, more densely crosslinked constructs exhibited an altered anabolic-catabolic balance and chondrocyte behavior These results underscore the need to balance mechanical integrity with a microenvironment conducive to collagen synthesis and remodeling. By examining how GelMA concentration, crosslinking, and human serum-based conditions influence ECM deposition, this work advances macromolecular interactions in GelMA-based constructs in the development of clinically translatable cartilage grafts.

Dietary polyphenols as geroprotective compounds: From Blue Zones to hallmarks of ageing

Following the demographic shift towards an ageing population over the past century, particularly in developed countries, the concept of healthspan has gained increasing acceptance as a key framework for understanding the drivers of healthy ageing. Accordingly, long-lived individuals, such as nonagenarians and centenarians, who remain free from chronic diseases, provide a valuable model to investigate the complex interplay of biological, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to exceptional longevity. Although there are other longevity hotspots worldwide, five regions, known as Blue Zones, are widely recognized for their exceptionally long-lived populations. Among the various determinants of healthy ageing, the eating patterns of long-lived individuals in Blue Zones include a variety of polyphenol-rich foods, which may contribute to their healthy phenotype. A significant body of evidence suggests that polyphenols, a large family of compounds ubiquitously found in plant-based foods, may exhibit geroprotective activity by influencing underlying biological mechanisms of ageing and promoting optimal longevity. While identifying several knowledge gaps that future investigations should address, the goal of this review is to provide an overview of how specific polyphenols found in foods commonly consumed by long-lived individuals residing in the Blue Zones may mitigate the risk of age-related diseases. Additionally, we discuss how these compounds, by acting on evolutionarily conserved mechanisms associated with ageing, have the potential to modulate the intricate network of the hallmarks of ageing.

Promising LOX proteins for cartilage-targeting osteoarthritis therapy

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most affected joint disease worldwide, touching millions of people every year. It is caused by a progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, causing pain and limited mobility. Among the pathways involved in cartilage homeostasis, "LOX" proteins (referring to three distinct protein families, very often confused in the literature) play a prominent role. The lipoxygenase enzyme family is involved in the inflammatory process of OA by inducing the production of several pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein family are receptors located at the surface of chondrocytes, which interact with their ligand, ox-LDL, activating several catabolic pathways involved in OA pathophysiology. Finally, lysyl oxidase and lysyl oxidase-like are enzymes expressed intracellularly (in chondrocytes' cytoplasm) involved in elastin biosynthesis and collagen cross-linking in cartilage extracellular matrix. EMA and FDA have not yet approved any drug targeting the LOX proteins. In particular, today lysyl oxidase-like 2 is considered as a new promising target for OA modifying therapy. This review clarifies the main roles of different LOX proteins involved in the progression of OA. Potential LOX inhibitoion strategies for drug development in advanced OA therapy, particularly for local intraarticular delivery, were listed and discussed for each target type. This review, therefore, proposes promising strategies for future drug development in OA treatment.

Polymer- and Lipid-Based Nanostructures Serving Wound Healing Applications: A Review

Management of hard-to-heal wounds often requires specialized care that surpasses the capabilities of conventional treatments. Even the most advanced commercial products lack the functionality to meet the needs of hard-to-heal wounds, especially those complicated by active infection, extreme bleeding, and chronic inflammation. The review explores how supramolecular nanovesicles and nanoparticles-such as dendrimers, micelles, polymersomes, and lipid-based nanocarriers-can be key to introducing advanced wound healing and monitoring properties to address the complex needs of hard-to-heal wounds. Their potential to enable advanced functions essential for next-generation wound healing products-such as hemostatic functions, transdermal penetration, macrophage polarization, targeted delivery, and controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (antibiotics, gaseous products, anti-inflammatory drugs, growth factors)-is discussed via an extensive overview of the recent reports. These studies highlight that the integration of supramolecular systems in wound care is crucial for advancing toward a new generation of wound healing products and addressing significant gaps in current wound management practices. Current strategies and potential improvements regarding personalized therapies, transdermal delivery, and the promising critically evaluated but underexplored polymer-based nanovesicles, including polymersomes and proteinosomes, for wound healing.

Enhancement of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of Fomitopsis pinicola mycelium extract

BACKGROUND

Fomitopsis pinicola is one of the most common fungi found in temperate zone of Europe, widely distributed spread in Asia and North America. Fungus has a wide range of therapeutic activity: antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antifungal, hepatoprotective, hemostatic action. A number of studies have confirmed the significant antioxidant activity of F. pinicola fruiting bodies. However, the controlled cultivation conditions that influence fungal growth and metabolite production of F. pinicola, particularly the mycelial growth and biosynthesis of metabolites in its culture broth, as well as the antioxidant activity of its mycelium, remain poorly understood.

RESULTS

This study investigated the impact of cultivation conditions on F. pinicola mycelium growth, phenols synthesis and antioxidant activity. Difference in the biosynthetic activity of F. pinicola under tested cultivation conditions was established. A highest value of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•) inhibition (78.2 ± 0.9%) was found for a mycelium cultivated at 30 ºC, while cultivation at a lower temperature (20 ºC) was suitable for biomass growth (8.5 ± 0.3 g/L) and total phenolic content (TPC) 11.0 ± 0.6 mg GAE/g. Carbon and nitrogen sources in a cultivation broth significantly influenced the studied characteristics. Xylose supported the highest DPPH• inhibition (89.91 ± 0.5%) and TPC (16.55 ± 0.4 mg GAE/g), while galactose yielded the best biomass (4.0 ± 0.3 g/L). Peptone was the most effective nitrogen source for obtaining the mycelium with high potential of DPPH• radical inactivation (90.42 ± 0.5%) and TPC (17.41 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g), while the maximum biomass yield (7.8 ± 0.6 g/L) was found with yeast extract in cultivation medium. F. pinicola demonstrated the ability to grow and produce bioactive metabolites across a wide pH range from 2.5 to 7.5. Shaking cultivation resulted in the highest TPC (21.44 ± 0.10 mg GAE/g), though the same level of antioxidant activity (93%) was achieved under both shaking and static cultivation on the 7th and 28th days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Controlling cultivation parameters makes it possible to regulate the metabolic and biochemical processes of F. pinicola, facilitating the balance needed to obtain optimal biomass, phenols and antioxidant activity. The findings show the potential to increase phenol production by 2.25 and 2.23 times under shaking and static conditions, respectively, while maintaining a high level of activity.

Exploiting Matrix Stiffness to Overcome Drug Resistance

Drug resistance is arguably one of the biggest challenges facing cancer research today. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance in tumor progression and metastasis are essential in developing better treatment modalities. Given the matrix stiffness affecting the mechanotransduction capabilities of cancer cells, characterization of the related signal transduction pathways can provide a better understanding for developing novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aimed to summarize the recent advancements in tumor matrix biology in parallel to therapeutic approaches targeting matrix stiffness and its consequences in cellular processes in tumor progression and metastasis. The cellular processes governed by signal transduction pathways and their aberrant activation may result in activating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stemness, and autophagy, which can be attributed to drug resistance. Developing therapeutic strategies to target these cellular processes in cancer biology will offer novel therapeutic approaches to tailor better personalized treatment modalities for clinical studies.

Generation and Accumulation of Various Advanced Glycation End-Products in Cardiomyocytes May Induce Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiomyocyte dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) can be classified as ischemic or non-ischemic. We consider the induction of cardiac tissue dysfunction by intracellular advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in cardiomyocytes as a novel type of non-ischemic CVD. Various types of AGEs can be generated from saccharides (glucose and fructose) and their intermediate/non-enzymatic reaction byproducts. Recently, certain types of AGEs (Nε-carboxymethyl-lycine [CML], 2-ammnonio-6-[4-(hydroxymetyl)-3-oxidopyridinium-1-yl]-hexanoate-lysine [4-hydroxymethyl-OP-lysine, hydroxymethyl-OP-lysine], and Nδ-(5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolone-2-yl)-ornithine [MG-H1]) were identified and quantified in the ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) and F-actin-tropomyosin filament in the cardiomyocytes of mice or patients with diabetes and/or heart failure. Under these conditions, the excessive leakage of Ca2+ from glycated RyR2 and reduced contractile force from glycated F-actin-tropomyosin filaments induce cardiomyocyte dysfunction. CVDs are included in lifestyle-related diseases (LSRDs), which ancient people recognized and prevented using traditional medicines (e.g., Kampo medicines). Various natural compounds, such as quercetin, curcumin, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, in these drugs can inhibit the generation of intracellular AGEs through mechanisms such as the carbonyl trap effect and glyoxalase 1 activation, potentially preventing CVDs caused by intracellular AGEs, such as CML, hydroxymethyl-OP, and MG-H1. These investigations showed that bioactive herbal extracts obtained from traditional medicine treatments may contain compounds that prevent CVDs.

The effects of advanced glycation end-products on skin and potential anti-glycation strategies

The advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are produced through non-enzymatic glycation between reducing sugars and free amino groups, such as proteins, lipids or nucleic acids. AGEs can enter the body through daily dietary intake and can also be generated internally via normal metabolism and external stimuli. AGEs bind to cell surface receptors for AGEs, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation responses that lead to skin ageing and various diseases. Evidence shows that AGEs contribute to skin dysfunction and ageing. This review introduces the basic information, the sources, the metabolism and absorption of AGEs. We also summarise the detrimental mechanisms of AGEs to skin ageing and other chronic diseases. For the potential strategies for counteracting AGEs to skin and other organs, we summarised the pathways that could be utilised to resist glycation. Chemical and natural-derived anti-glycation approaches are overviewed. This work offers an understanding of AGEs to skin ageing and other chronic diseases and may provide perspectives for the development of anti-glycation strategies.

Cnicus benedictus extract-loaded electrospun gelatin wound dressing for treating diabetic wounds: An in vitro and in vivo study

In the current study, Cnicus benedictus extract was loaded into electrospun gelatin scaffolds for diabetic wound healing applications. Scaffolds were characterized in vitro by mechanical testing, cell culture assays, electron microscopy, cell migration assay, and antibacterial assay. In vivo wound healing study was performed in a rat model of diabetic wound. In vitro studies revealed fibrous architecture of our developed dressings and their anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, Cnicus benedictus extract-loaded wound dressings prevented bacterial penetration. In vivo study showed that wound size reduction, collagen deposition, and epithelial thickness were significantly greater in Cnicus benedictus extract-loaded scaffolds than other groups. Gene expression studies showed that the produced wound dressings significantly upregulated VEGF and IGF genes expression in diabetic wounds.