Immunologic comparisons of strain and induction method in an improved mouse model of intrauterine fibrosis.

Intrauterine adhesions are growths of fibrotic tissue within the uterine cavity and can arise from a variety of tissue-damaging stimuli. Immune cells are known to mediate fibrotic responses, but specific mechanisms require further elucidation. Here, we compared intrauterine fibrosis development and immune responses across different mouse strains and induction methods.

Antiretroviral (ARV) Properties Dictate Long-Acting Release and Tissue Partitioning Behaviors in Multidrug Subcutaneous Implants.

Subcutaneous implants can provide patients with long-acting, compliance-independent drug dosing. For this reason, subcutaneous implants have shown emerging interest in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. However, any successful long-acting HIV-prevention device will require multidrug dosing, which poses a challenge for formulation considering the physicochemically diverse selection of antiretroviral (ARV) candidates.

Fostering Community and Inclusion in a Team-Based Hybrid Bioengineering Lab Course.

Unlabelled: As cornerstones of biomedical engineering and bioengineering undergraduate programs, hands-on laboratory experiences promote key skill development and student engagement. Lab courses often involve team-based activities and close communication with instructors, allowing students to build connection and community. Necessitated by the pandemic, changes to class delivery format presented unprecedented challenges to student inclusion and engagement, especially for students from underrepresented minority backgrounds.

Characterization of Immune Cells in Oral Tissues of Non-human Primates.

The oral mucosa contains distinct tissue sites with immune niches capable of either immunogenic or tolerogenic responses. However, immune cell compositions within oral mucosal tissues at homeostasis have not been well-characterized in human relevant tissues. Non-human primates (NHP) are a major model for the human immune system and oral anatomy, and therefore improved understanding of NHP oral immune cell populations can provide important insights for studying disease pathologies and developing therapies.

Medical Applications of Porous Biomaterials: Features of Porosity and Tissue-Specific Implications for Biocompatibility.

Porosity is an important material feature commonly employed in implants and tissue scaffolds. The presence of material voids permits the infiltration of cells, mechanical compliance, and outward diffusion of pharmaceutical agents. Various studies have confirmed that porosity indeed promotes favorable tissue responses, including minimal fibrous encapsulation during the foreign body reaction (FBR).

Effect of tissue microenvironment on fibrous capsule formation to biomaterial-coated implants.

Within tissue exposed to the systemic immune system, lymphocytes and fibroblasts act against biomaterials via the development of a fibrous capsule, known as the foreign body reaction (FBR). Inspired by the natural tolerance that the uterine cavity has to foreign bodies, our study explores the role of microenvironment across classical (subcutaneous) and immune privileged (uterine) tissues in the development of the FBR. As a model biomaterial, we used electrospun fibers loaded with sclerosing agents to provoke scar tissue growth.