Comprehensive characterizations of nanoparticle biodistribution following systemic injection in mice.

Various nanoparticle (NP) properties such as shape and surface charge have been studied in an attempt to enhance the efficacy of NPs in biomedical applications. When trying to undermine the precise biodistribution of NPs within the target organs, the analytical method becomes the determining factor in measuring the precise quantity of distributed NPs. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) represents a more powerful tool in quantifying NP biodistribution compared to conventional analytical methods such as an in vivo imaging system (IVIS).

Treatment of acute thromboembolism in mice using heparin-conjugated carbon nanocapsules.

The unsurpassed properties in electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, strength, and surface area-to-volume ratio allow for many potential applications of carbon nanomaterials in various fields. Recently, studies have characterized the potential of using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a biomaterial for biomedical applications and as a drug carrier via intravenous injection. However, most studies show that unmodified CNTs possess a high degree of toxicity and cause inflammation, mechanical obstruction from high organ retention, and other biocompatibility issues following in vivo delivery.

Biosafety of non-surface modified carbon nanocapsules as a potential alternative to carbon nanotubes for drug delivery purposes.

Background: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have found wide success in circuitry, photovoltaics, and other applications. In contrast, several hurdles exist in using CNTs towards applications in drug delivery. Raw, non-modified CNTs are widely known for their toxicity.

The enhancement of endothelial cell therapy for angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia using hyaluronan.

Growing evidence shows that injection of hyaluronan (HA) benefits ischemic injury in animals. On the other hand, cell therapy is an emerging approach to treat occlusive arterial diseases, although the low retention rate of cells after direct injection remains a major concern. Here, we tested whether injection of HA along with endothelial cells promotes the retention and growth of transplanted cells, thus improving therapeutic angiogenesis in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia (HI).

Intramyocardial peptide nanofiber injection improves postinfarction ventricular remodeling and efficacy of bone marrow cell therapy in pigs.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that intramyocardial biomaterial injection improves cardiac functions after myocardial infarction (MI) in rodents. Cell therapy is another promising approach to treat MI, although poor retention of transplanted cells is a major challenge. In this study, we hypothesized that intramyocardial injection of self-assembling peptide nanofibers (NFs) thickens the infarcted myocardium and increases transplanted autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (MNC) retention to attenuate cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in a pig MI model.