Perivascular cells function as key mediators of mechanical and structural changes in vascular capillaries.

A hallmark of chronic and inflammatory diseases is the formation of a fibrotic and stiff extracellular matrix (ECM), typically associated with abnormal, leaky microvascular capillaries. Mechanisms explaining how the microvasculature responds to ECM alterations remain unknown. Here, we used a microphysiological model of capillaries on a chip mimicking the characteristics of healthy or fibrotic collagen to test the hypothesis that perivascular cells mediate the response of vascular capillaries to mechanical and structural changes in the human ECM.

IFN--Licensed Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are More Susceptible to Death when Exposed to Quorum-Sensing Signal Molecule OdDHL and Less Effective in Inhibiting the Growth of .

Currently, a series of licensing strategies has been investigated to enhance the functional properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Licensing with IFN- is one of the most investigated strategies for enhancing the immunosuppressive potential of such cells. However, it is not yet known whether this licensing strategy could interfere with the ability of MSCs to control bacterial growth, which may be relevant considering their clinical potential.

Senotherapeutic Peptide 14 Suppresses Th1 and M1 Human T Cell and Monocyte Subsets In Vitro.

Inflammation contributes to the onset and exacerbation of numerous age-related diseases, often manifesting as a chronic condition during aging. Given that cellular senescence fosters local and systemic inflammation, senotherapeutic interventions could potentially aid in managing or even reducing inflammation. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of the senotherapeutic Peptide 14 (Pep 14) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocytes, and macrophages.

Histologic and proteomic profile of two methods to decellularize human dental pulp tissue.

Objective: The present study compared the structural and proteomic architecture of extracellular matrices (ECM) of decellularized human dental pulp using two previously described protocols.

Design: Pulp tissue from 150 molars was extracted and three treatments took place, based on the Matoug-Elwerfelli Group (MG) and the Song Group (SG) protocols and an untreated pulp group (CG), to examine histoarchitecture and the effectiveness of the decellularization process, using histological analysis (n = 12) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n = 3). Protein extraction took place using 100 mg dry weight of pulp, in triplicates for each group, and the shotgun proteome analysis was performed by nanoUPLC-MS.

development and optimization of cell-laden injectable bioprinted gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) microgels mineralized on the nanoscale.

Bone defects may occur in different sizes and shapes due to trauma, infections, and cancer resection. Autografts are still considered the primary treatment choice for bone regeneration. However, they are hard to source and often create donor-site morbidity.

Opportunities and challenges to engineer 3D models of tumor-adaptive immune interactions.

Augmenting adaptive immunity is a critical goal for developing next-generation cancer therapies. T and B cells infiltrating the tumor dramatically influence cancer progression through complex interactions with the local microenvironment. Cancer cells evade and limit these immune responses by hijacking normal immunologic pathways.

A Survey on Remote Assistance and Training in Mixed Reality Environments.

The recent pandemic, war, and oil crises have caused many to reconsider their need to travel for education, training, and meetings. Providing assistance and training remotely has thus gained importance for many applications, from industrial maintenance to surgical telemonitoring. Current solutions such as video conferencing platforms lack essential communication cues such as spatial referencing, which negatively impacts both time completion and task performance.

Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory in vitro profile of double antibiotic paste.

Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity of double antibiotic paste (DAP) in an in vitro infection model.

Methodology: The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) and the antibiofilm activities (TTC assay) of DAP and its components (ciprofloxacin and metronidazole) were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis compared with triple antibiotic paste (TAP). The cellular viability of RAW 264.

Nanofibers as drug-delivery systems for antimicrobial peptides.

Microbial infections are a major worldwide public health problem because a number of microorganisms can show drug resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small biomolecules that present antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Despite their great potential, there are still many barriers to the formulation of these molecules.

Host defense peptide IDR-1002 associated with ciprofloxacin as a new antimicrobial and immunomodulatory strategy for dental pulp revascularization therapy.

Regenerative therapies such as dental pulpal revascularization appear as an option for traumatized immature permanent teeth. However, the triple antibiotic paste - TAP (metronidazole, minocycline, and ciprofloxacin), used for these therapies, can generate cytotoxicity and dentin discoloration. In contrast, host defense peptides (HDPs) are promising antimicrobial and immunomodulatory biomolecules for dentistry.

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) inhibits osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activation through calcium and aluminum activities.

Objective: To evaluate the effect(s) of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on in vitro RANKL-mediated osteoclast-dependent bone resorption events and the influence of Ca and Al on the osteoclastogenesis inhibition by MTA.

Materials And Methods: Two types of osteoclast precursors, RAW 264.7 (RAW) cell line or bone marrow cells (obtained from BALB/c mice and stimulated with recombinant (r) macrophage colony stimulation factor (M-CSF), were stimulated with or without recombinant (r) activator of nuclear kappa B ligand (RANKL), in the presence or absence of MTA for 6 to 8 days.

Nanofibers as drug-delivery systems for infection control in dentistry.

Introduction: Due to the complexity of different oral infections, new anti-infective nanotechnological approaches have been emerging for dentistry in recent years. These strategies may contribute to antimicrobial molecules delivery, tissue regeneration, and oral health maintenance by acting in a more specific site and not being cytotoxic. In this context, nanofibers appear as versatile structures and might act both in the release of antimicrobial molecules and as a scaffold for new tissue formation.

Magic Carpet: Interaction Fidelity for Flying in VR.

Locomotion in virtual environments is currently a difficult and unnatural task to perform. Normally, researchers tend to devise ground- or floor-based metaphors to constrain the degrees of freedom (DoFs) during motion. These restrictions enable interactions that accurately emulate the human gait to provide high interaction fidelity.

Antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity of host defense peptides, clavanins and LL-37, in vitro: An endodontic perspective.

Endodontic treatment is mainly based on root canal disinfection and its failure may be motivated by microbial resistance. Endodontic therapy can be benefitted by host defense peptides (HDPs), which are multifunctional molecules that act against persistent infection and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activity of several HDPs, namely clavanin A, clavanin A modified (MO) and LL-37, compared to intracanal medication Ca(OH).

Immune Response Profile against Persistent Endodontic Pathogens Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis In Vitro.

Introduction: Persistent microorganisms such as Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis might be directly related to endodontic treatment failure. The host response to these microorganisms impairs the reestablishment of intraradicular and periradicular health.

Methods: The present investigation evaluated the expression of inflammatory mediators produced by RAW 264.

Antimicrobial peptide-based treatment for endodontic infections--biotechnological innovation in endodontics.

The presence/persistence of microorganisms in the pulp and periapical area corresponds to the maintenance of an exacerbated immune response that leads to the start of periradicular bone resorption and its perpetuation. In endodontic treatment, the available intracanal medications do not have all the desirable properties in the context of endodontic infection and apical periodontitis; they need to include not only strong antimicrobial performance but also an immunomodulatory and reparative activity, without host damage. In addition, there are various levels of resistance to root canal medications.