Optoelectronic biomaterials have recently emerged as a potential treatment option for neurodegenerative diseases, such as optic macular degeneration. Though initial works in the field have involved bulk heterojunctions mimicking solar panels with photovoltaics (PVs) and conductive polymers (CPs), recent developments have considered abandoning CPs in such systems. Here, we developed a simple antioxidant, biocompatible, and fibrous membrane heterojunction composed of photoactive polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), polycaprolactone (PCL) and polypyrrole (PPY), to facilitate neurogenesis of PC-12 cells when photo-stimulated in vitro. The photoactive prototype, referred to as PCL-P3HT/PPY, was fabricated via polymerization of pyrrole on electro-spun PCL-P3HT nanofibers to form a membrane. Four experimental groups, namely PCL alone, PCL/PPY, PCL-P3HT and PCL-P3HT/PPY, were tested. In the absence of the CP, PCL-P3HT demonstrated lower cell survival due to increased intracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species photoactive polymer, P3HT, scaffold material PCL and conductive polymer PPY. Our heterojunction system improved cell survival via PPY quenching PCL-P3HT-generated cell-damaging reactive oxygen species. PPY also conducted electrons produced from light-stimulated P3HT to promote neurogenesis. This photoactive microfiber biomaterial has great potential as a highly biocompatible and efficient platform to wirelessly promote neurogenesis and survival. Our approach thus showed possibilities with respect to optical tissue engineering.Tissue engineered heart valves may one day offer an exciting alternative to traditional valve prostheses. Methods of construction vary, from decellularised animal tissue to synthetic hydrogels, but the goal is the same the creation of a 'living valve' populated with autologous cells that may persist indefinitely upon implantation. Previous failed attempts in humans have highlighted the difficulty in predicting how a novel heart valve will perform in vivo. A significant hurdle in bringing these prostheses to market is understanding the immune reaction in the short and long term. With respect to innate immunity, the chronic remodelling of a tissue engineered implant by macrophages remains poorly understood. Also unclear are the mechanisms behind unknown antigens and their effect on the adaptive immune system. No silver bullet exists, rather researchers must draw upon a number of in vitro and in vivo models to fully elucidate the effect a host will exert on the graft. Halofuginone chemical structure This review details the methods by which the immunogenicity of tissue engineered heart valves may be investigated and reveals areas that would benefit from more research. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Both academic and private institutions around the world are committed to the creation of a valve prosthesis that will perform safely upon implantation. To date, however, no truly non-immunogenic valves have emerged. This review highlights the importance of preclinical immunogenicity assessment, and summarizes the available techniques used in vitro and in vivo to elucidate the immune response. To the authors knowledge, this is the first review that details the immune testing regimen specific to a TEHV candidate.Transdermal delivery is an attractive strategy for treating superficial tumors. However, the applications of existing transdermal systems have been limited by low transdermal efficiency and poor therapeutic outcomes. Here, we develop a transdermal nanoplatform (+)T-SiDs, based on superparamagnetic iron oxide core, surface-modified with cationic lipids, transdermal enhanced peptide TD, and 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide (DiR), and loaded with doxorubicin. The (+)T-SiDs compositions enable MR/NIR dual-modal imaging guided synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy to superficial tumors treatment via transdermal delivery. The (+)T-SiDs exhibit good stability, efficient cellular uptake, pH/photothermal responsive drug release, and high photothermal conversion efficiency (47.45%). Importantly, the transdermal delivery of (+)T-SiDs is significantly enhanced by TD functionalization. In vivo MR/NIR imaging shows that the (+)T-SiDs exhibit high transdermal efficiency and specificity in lo and doxorubicin (DOX), which can achieve a synergistic enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy with NIR imaging ability. The transdermal nanoplatform achieved efficient tumor eradication and low systemic toxicity, thus offering strong potential for clinical adoption.Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) represents a viable approach to overcoming the limited ability of photodynamic therapy to penetrate biological barriers. However, pancreatic tumors contain a hypoxic microenvironment that limits the efficacy of oxygen-dependent type II SDT, complicating efforts to develop reliable, stable, and hypoxia-tolerant sonosensitizer. Herein, a tablet-like TiO2/C nanocomposite with a metal-organic-framework (MOF)-derived carbon structure was designed and found to be hypoxia-tolerant and stable in response to repeated ultrasound irradiation, enabling the TiO2/C-mediated generation of large quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby achieving efficacious type I SDT. Importantly, this nanocomposite continued to generate ROS in response to repeated ultrasound irradiation, and was able to induce tumor cell apoptosis via SDT-induced DNA damage in vitro and in vivo. This TiO2/C nanocomposite also exhibited good biocompatibility and did not induce any apparent toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Together, these data highlight TiO2/C as a valuable nanocomposite capable of facilitating repeated type I SDT, making it a promising tool for the treatment of hypoxic solid pancreatic tumors. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE In this research, a tablet-like TiO2/C nanocomposite with a metal-organic-framework (MOF)-derived carbon structure was designed, which exhibited great stability upon repeated ultrasound irradiation, hypoxic-tolerant ability and good biocompatibility. After ultrasound irradiation, TiO2/C could efficiently generate reactive oxygen species in an oxygen-independent manner, which overcame the limitation of pure TiO2 nanoparticles. Therefore, it was applied to repeated type I sonodynamic therapy of hypoxic pancreatic tumor.Halofuginone chemical structure
How is generative AI increasing efficiency?
Join AWS GenAI LIVE! to find out how gen AI is reshaping productivity, streamlining processes, and driving innovation.
For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse
Top comments (0)