Microvesicle-eluting nano-engineered implants influence inflammatory response of keratinocytes

Besides enhancing osseo- and soft tissue integration, modulating inflammation at the implant site is also crucial for dental implant success. Uncontrolled peri-implant inflammation can cause significant loss of surrounding tissue and implant failure. It was recently shown that microvesicles (MVs), a less-studied type of extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication and may modulate angiogenesis and inflammatory response. The effect of MVs on regulating inflammation at an implant site, however, remains unexplored. In the current study, MVs were isolated and characterised from human primary gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and loaded within titania nanotubes (TNTs, fabricated via anodisation on 3D Ti wire implants) towards their local release. The modified implants were characterised using SEM and confocal imaging to confirm the loading and local release of MVs from TNTs. In vitro studies demonstrated the internalisation of hGFs-MVs by human gingival keratinocytes (OKF6/TERT2 cell line), which caused a significant reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The results support MVs-releasing TNTs as a promising implant surface modification strategy to reduce inflammation, paving the way for further advancements in therapeutic dental implants.

Advancing dental implants: Bioactive and therapeutic modifications of zirconia

Zirconium-based implants have gained popularity in the dental implant field owing to their corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, attributed to the formation of a native zirconia (ZrO₂) film. However, enhanced bioactivity and local therapy from such implants are desirable to enable the earlier establishment and improved long-term maintenance of implant integration, especially in compromised patient conditions. As a result, surface modification of zirconium-based implants have been performed using various physical, chemical and biological techniques at the macro-, micro-, and nano-scales. In this extensive review, we discuss and detail the development of Zr implants covering the spectrum from past and present advancements to future perspectives, arriving at the next generation of highly bioactive and therapeutic nano-engineered Zr-based implants. The review provides in-depth knowledge of the bioactive/therapeutic value of surface modification of Zr implants in dental implant applications focusing on clinical translation.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of lemon grass and ginger formulation assisted copper-oxide nanoparticles

Background: Copper nanoparticles are widely used as antioxidant, antimicrobial , anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic agents. Being more biocompatible, eliminates the risk for toxicity, ginger has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels and help regulate insulin response in people. Lemongrass tea is more effective and helps to maintain optimum levels of insulin and improve the glucose tolerance in the body and also helps in preventing the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Aim: The aim of the study is to identify the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of lemon grass and ginger formulation assisted copper-oxide nanoparticles Method: Anti-microbial assay is done by testing the sample with certain main microorganisms and for the Cytotoxic effect, Lethal test is done using brine shrimps. Results: Copper nanoparticles synthesized using lemon grass and ginger extract can act as a potential cytotoxic agent and antimicrobial activity. However, the antimicrobial activity of the extract varied with the different bacterial samples. The cytotoxicity of nano- materials and nanocomposites tested against brine shrimps showed minimal lethality. Copper nanoparticles are previously reported to show potent antibacterial and to show cytotoxic activities in-vivo/in-vitro and our results are in accordance with their results. Conclusion: For the first time it is concluded that lemon-grass and ginger mediated Copper nanoparticles are potent therapeutic agents to be used in biomedical applications both in-vivo/in-vitro. Biologically synthesized copper-oxide nanoparticles show exhibitory diverse therapeutic potential which gains more importance currently.

Bioengineered Braided Micro-Nano (Multiscale) Fibrous Scaffolds for Tendon Reconstruction

A braided multiscale fibrous scaffold consisting of aligned PCL micro/collagen-bFGFnano fibers was fabricated (mPCL-nCol-bFGF) to mimic native tendon tissue architecture which was further coated with alginate to aid in prevention of peritendinous adhesion. The bFGF release kinetics showed a sustained release of growth factors for a period of 20 days. Further, in vitro cell viability, attachment, and proliferation were performed using rabbit tenocytes under static and dynamic conditions. mPCL-nCol-bFGF showed a higher cell proliferation and enhanced expression of tenogenic markers compared to mPCL-nCol (braided scaffold without bFGF). When subjected to dynamic stimulation in a bioreactor, mPCL-nCol-bFGF-DS (braided scaffold with bFGF after dynamic stimulation) showed enhanced cellular proliferation and tenogenic marker expression, compared to mPCL-nCol-bFGF. The in vivo studies of the cell seeded scaffold after dynamic stimulation in Achilles tendon defect model showed tendon tissue regeneration with aligned collagen morphology within 12 weeks of implantation.