Functional interleukin-4 releasing microparticles impact THP-1 differentiated macrophage phenotype.

Introduction: Macrophage cell therapies offer potential treatment in inflammatory diseases due to their ability to mobilize and stimulate their environment. However, successful treatment requires a pro-regenerative macrophage phenotype to be retained . Polymeric microparticles may provide a potential route to direct and sustain macrophage phenotype.

Microparticles for controlled growth differentiation factor 6 delivery to direct adipose stem cell-based nucleus pulposus regeneration.

Currently, there is no effective long-term treatment for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, making it an attractive candidate for regenerative therapies. Hydrogel delivery of adipose stem cells (ASCs) in combination with controlled release of bioactive molecules is a promising approach to halt IVD degeneration and promote regeneration. Growth differentiation factor 6 (GDF6) can induce ASC differentiation into anabolic nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and hence holds promise for IVD regeneration.