Matrix-Mediated Delivery of Silver Nanoparticles for Prevention of and Biofilm Formation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic health condition affecting the sinonasal cavity. CRS-associated mucosal inflammation leads to sinonasal epithelial cell death and epithelial cell barrier disruption, which may result in recurrent bacterial infections and biofilm formation. For patients who fail medical management and elect endoscopic sinus surgery for disease control, bacterial biofilm formation is particularly detrimental, as it reduces the efficacy of surgical intervention.

Protein-based polymer liquid embolics for cerebral aneurysms.

Cerebral aneurysms (CA), an abnormal bulge in the arteries that supply blood to the brain, are prone to rupture and can cause hemorrhagic stroke. Physicians can treat CA by blocking blood flow to the aneurysmal sac via clipping of the aneurysm neck via open procedure, or endovascular occlusion of the aneurysm with embolic materials to promote thrombus formation to prevent further inflow of blood into the aneurysm. Endovascular treatment options for CA still have significant limitations in terms of safety, usability in coagulopathic patients, and risks of device migration.

Development of Thermoresponsive Protein Complexes for Targeting CD20 Receptors.

Therapeutics targeting cell receptors can elicit biological responses in situ. However, the ability to dictate when and where these responses occur is a current challenge. Therapeutic proteins can be combined with stimuli-responsive peptides to increase targeting and stimuli responsive behavior.

Liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy for imaging of thermosensitive recombinant polymers.

Various polymers used in controlled release applications exhibit solution-based thermal responses. Unfortunately, very few characterization and imaging techniques permit resolution of individual polymers during their thermally-triggered phase transitions. Here, we demonstrate the use of temperature-ramp liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) for real-time evaluation of the solution and interfacial behavior of elastinlike polypeptides (ELPs) and their self-assembled nanostructures over a temperature range incorporating their intrinsic lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs).

An Oligomeric Sulfated Hyaluronan and Silk-Elastinlike Polymer Combination Protects against Murine Radiation Induced Proctitis.

Semisynthetic glycosaminoglycan ethers (SAGEs) are short, sulfated hyaluronans which combine the natural properties of hyaluronan with chemical sulfation. In a murine model, SAGEs provide protection against radiation induced proctitis (RIP), a side effect of lower abdominal radiotherapy for cancer. The anti-inflammatory effects of SAGE have been studied in inflammatory diseases at mucosal barrier sites; however, few mechanisms have been uncovered necessitating high throughput methods.

Translational Development of a Silk-Elastinlike Protein Polymer Embolic for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization.

Locally blocking blood flow to tumors with embolic materials is the key to transcatheter arterial embolization for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. Current microparticle agents do not deeply penetrate target tissues and are compatible with a very limited selection of therapeutic agents. Silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) combine the solubility of elastin and the strength of silk to create an easily injected liquid embolic that transition into a solid depot amenable to loading with drugs, gene therapy agents, or biologics.

Location of stimuli-responsive peptide sequences within silk-elastinlike protein-based polymers affects nanostructure assembly and drug-polymer interactions.

Silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) self-assemble into nanostructures when designed with appropriate silk-to-elastin ratios. Here, we investigate the effect of insertion of a matrix metalloproteinase-responsive peptide sequence, GPQGIFGQ, into various locations within the SELP backbone on supramolecular self-assembly. Insertion of the hydrophilic, enzyme-degradable sequence into the elastin repeats allows the formation of dilution-stable nanostructures, while insertion into the hydrophobic silk motifs inhibited self-assembly.

A dual-functional Embolization-Visualization System for Fluorescence image-guided Tumor Resection.

: Intraoperative bleeding impairs physicians' ability to visualize the surgical field, leading to increased risk of surgical complications and reduced outcomes. Bleeding is particularly challenging during endoscopic-assisted surgical resection of hypervascular tumors in the head and neck. A tool that controls bleeding while marking tumor margins has the potential to improve gross tumor resection, reduce surgical morbidity, decrease blood loss, shorten procedure time, prevent damage to surrounding tissues, and limit postoperative pain.

Temperature-responsive silk-elastinlike protein polymer enhancement of intravesical drug delivery of a therapeutic glycosaminoglycan for treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a debilitating chronic condition with many patients failing to respond to current treatment options. Rapid clearance, mucosal coating, and tight epithelium create strong natural barriers that reduce the effectiveness of many pharmacological interventions in the bladder. Intravesical drug delivery (IDD) is the administration of therapeutic compounds or devices to the urinary bladder via a urethral catheter.

Matrix Mediated Viral Gene Delivery: A Review.

Polymeric matrices inherently protect viral vectors from pre-existing immune conditions, limit dissemination to off-target sites, and can sustain vector release. Advancing methodologies in development of particulate based vehicles have led to improved encapsulation of viral vectors. Polymeric delivery systems have contributed to increasing cellular transduction, responsive release mechanisms, cellular infiltration, and cellular signaling.