Radiation-induced curcumin release from curcumin–chitosan polymer films

The probability of human exposure to damaging radiation is increased in activities associated with long-term space flight, medical radiation therapies, and responses to nuclear accidents. However, the development of responsive countermeasures to combat radiation damage to biological tissue is lagging behind rates of human exposure. Herein, we report a radiation-responsive drug delivery system that releases doses of curcumin from a chitosan polymer/film in response to low level gamma radiation exposure. As a fibrous chitosan–curcumin polymer, 1 Gy gamma irradiation (¹³⁷Cs) released 5 ± 1% of conjugated curcumin, while 6 Gy exposure releases 98 ± 1% of conjugated curcumin. The same polymer was formed into a film through solvent casting. The films showed similar, albeit attenuated behavior in water (100% released) and isopropyl alcohol (32% released) with statistically significant drug release following 2 Gy irradiation. ATR FT-IR studies confirmed glycosidic bond cleavage in the chitosan–curcumin polymer in response to gamma radiation exposure. Similar behavior was noted upon exposure of the polymer to 20 cGy (1 GeV amu⁻¹, at 20 cGy min⁻¹) high linear energy transfer (LET) ⁵⁶Fe radiation based on FTIR studies. Density Functional Theory calculations indicate homolytic bond scission as the primary mechanism for polymer disintegration upon radiation exposure. Films did not change in thickness during the course of radiation exposure. The successful demonstration of radiation-triggered drug release may lead to new classes of radio-protective platforms for developing countermeasures to biological damage from ionizing radiation.

The probability of human exposure to damaging radiation is increased in activities associated with long-term space flight, medical radiation therapies, and responses to nuclear accidents.

Oriented matrix promotes directional tubulogenesis

Detailed control over the structural organization of scaffolds and engineered tissue constructs is a critical need in the quest to engineer functional tissues using biomaterials. This work presents a new approach to spatially direct endothelial tubulogenesis. Micropatterned fibronectin substrates were used to control lung fibroblast adhesion and growth and the subsequent deposition of fibroblast-derived matrix during culture. The fibroblast-derived matrix produced on the micropatterned substrates was tightly oriented by these patterns, with an average variation of only 8.5°. Further, regions of this oriented extracellular matrix provided directional control of developing endothelial tubes to within 10° of the original micropatterned substrate design. Endothelial cells seeded directly onto the micropatterned substrate did not form tubes. A metric for matrix anisotropy showed a relationship between the fibroblast-derived matrix and the endothelial tubes that were subsequently developed on the same micropatterns with a resulting aspect ratio over 1.5 for endothelial tubulogenesis. Micropatterns in "L" and "Y" shapes were used to direct endothelial tubes to turn and branch with the same level of precision. These data demonstrate that anisotropic fibroblast-derived matrices instruct the alignment and shape of endothelial tube networks, thereby introducing an approach that could be adapted for future design of microvascular implants featuring organ-specific natural matrix that patterns microvascular growth.

Curcumin encapsulation in submicrometer spray-dried chitosan/Tween 20 particles

Optimal curcumin delivery for medicinal applications requires a drug delivery system that both solubilizes curcumin and prevents degradation. To achieve this, curcumin has been encapsulated in submicrometer chitosan/Tween 20 particles via a benchtop spray-drying process. Spray-drying parameters have been optimized using a Taguchi statistical approach to minimize particle size and to favor spheroid particles with smooth surfaces, as evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Nearly spherical particles with 285 ± 30 nm diameter and 1.21 axial ratio were achieved. Inclusion of curcumin in the spray-drying solution results in complete encapsulation of curcumin within the chitosan/Tween 20 particles. Release studies confirm that curcumin can be released completely from the particles over a 2 h period.

Microelastic properties of lung cell-derived extracellular matrix

The mechanical properties of the extracellular microenvironment regulate cell behavior, including migration, proliferation and morphogenesis. Although the elastic moduli of synthetic materials have been studied, little is known about the properties of naturally produced extracellular matrix. Here we have utilized atomic force microscopy to characterize the microelastic properties of decellularized cell-derived matrix from human pulmonary fibroblasts. This heterogeneous three-dimensional matrix had an average thickness of 5 ± 0.4 μm and a Young's modulus of 105 ± 14 Pa. Ascorbate treatment of the lung fibroblasts prior to extraction produced a twofold increase in collagen I content, but did not affect the stiffness of the matrices compared with matrices produced in standard medium. However, fibroblast-derived matrices that were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde demonstrated a 67% increase in stiffness. This work provides a microscale characterization of fibroblast-derived matrix mechanical properties. An accurate understanding of native three-dimensional extracellular microenvironments will be essential for controlling cell responses in tissue engineering applications.

Single exposure to radiation produces early anti-angiogenic effects in mouse aorta

Radiation exposure can increase the risk for many non-malignant physiological complications, including cardiovascular disease. We have previously demonstrated that ionizing radiation can induce endothelial dysfunction, which contributes to increased vascular stiffness. In this study, we demonstrate that gamma radiation exposure reduced endothelial cell viability or proliferative capacity using an in vitro aortic angiogenesis assay. Segments of mouse aorta were embedded in a Matrigel-media matrix 1 day after mice received whole-body gamma irradiation between 0 and 20 Gy. Using three-dimensional phase contrast microscopy, we quantified cellular outgrowth from the aorta. Through fluorescent imaging of embedded aortas from Tie2GFP transgenic mice, we determined that the cellular outgrowth is primarily of endothelial cell origin. Significantly less endothelial cell outgrowth was observed in aortas of mice receiving radiation of 5, 10, and 20 Gy radiation, suggesting radiation-induced endothelial injury. Following 0.5 and 1 Gy doses of whole-body irradiation, reduced outgrowth was still detected. Furthermore, outgrowth was not affected by the location of the aortic segments excised along the descending aorta. In conclusion, a single exposure to gamma radiation significantly reduces endothelial cell outgrowth in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, radiation exposure may inhibit re-endothelialization or angiogenesis after a vascular injury, which would impede vascular recovery.