Activatable interpolymer complex-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as magnetic resonance contrast agents sensitive to oxidative stress.

Magnetic resonance contrast agents that can be activated in response to specific triggers hold potential as molecular biosensors that may be of great utility in non-invasive disease diagnosis. We developed an activatable agent based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) that is sensitive to oxidative stress, a factor in the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. SPIOs were coated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and complexed with poly(gallol), a synthetic tannin.

Microfabrication technologies for oral drug delivery.

Micro-/nanoscale technologies such as lithographic techniques and microfluidics offer promising avenues to revolutionalize the fields of tissue engineering, drug discovery, diagnostics and personalized medicine. Microfabrication techniques are being explored for drug delivery applications due to their ability to combine several features such as precise shape and size into a single drug delivery vehicle. They also offer to create unique asymmetrical features incorporated into single or multiple reservoir systems maximizing contact area with the intestinal lining.

Hydrogels in regenerative medicine.

Hydrogels, due to their unique biocompatibility, flexible methods of synthesis, range of constituents, and desirable physical characteristics, have been the material of choice for many applications in regenerative medicine. They can serve as scaffolds that provide structural integrity to tissue constructs, control drug and protein delivery to tissues and cultures, and serve as adhesives or barriers between tissue and material surfaces. In this work, the properties of hydrogels that are important for tissue engineering applications and the inherent material design constraints and challenges are discussed.

Polybasic Nanomatrices Prepared By UV-initiated Photopolymerization.

A novel method for synthesizing nanoscale polymer networks that swell in acidic media is described here using photoinitiated emulsion polymerization. These nanomatrices consist of a crosslinked core of poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] surface grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PDGP) with an average diameter of 50-150 nm. Control over mesh size, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro biocompatibility was obtained by varying crosslinking density.

Bioinspired materials for controlling stem cell fate.

Although researchers currently have limited ability to mimic the natural stem cell microenvironment, recent work at the interface of stem biology and biomaterials science has demonstrated that control over stem cell behavior with artificial microenvironments is quite advanced. Embryonic and adult stem cells are potentially useful platforms for tissue regeneration, cell-based therapeutics, and disease-in-a-dish models for drug screening. The major challenge in this field is to reliably control stem cell behavior outside the body.

Enhanced core hydrophobicity, functionalization and cell penetration of polybasic nanomatrices.

Purpose: In this work a novel pH-responsive nanoscale polymer network was investigated for potential applications in nanomedicine. These consisted of a polybasic core surface stabilized with poly(ethylene glycol) grafts. The ability to control swelling properties via changes in core hydrophobicity and crosslinking feed density was assessed.

Quantifying Tight Junction Disruption Caused by Biomimetic pH-Sensitive Hydrogel Drug Carriers.

Facilitation of protein transport across biomimetic polymers and carriers used in drug delivery is a subject of major importance in the field of oral delivery. Quantitative immunofluorescence of epithelial tight junctions can be a valuable tool in the evaluation of paracellular permeation enhancement and macromolecular drug absorption. The tight junctional space is composed of transmembrane protein networks that provide both mechanical support and a transport barrier.

Placental growth factor provides a novel local angiogenic therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Heart failure occurs predominantly due to coronary artery disease and may be amenable to novel revascularization therapies. This study evaluated the effects of placental growth factor (PlGF), a potent angiogenic agent, in a rat model of ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Wistar rats underwent high proximal ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and direct injection of PlGF (n = 10) or saline as a control (n = 10) into the myocardium bordering the ischemic area.

Stromal cell-derived factor and granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor form a combined neovasculogenic therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Ischemic heart failure is an increasingly prevalent global health concern with major morbidity and mortality. Currently, therapies are limited, and novel revascularization methods might have a role. This study examined enhancing endogenous myocardial revascularization by expanding bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells with the marrow stimulant granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and recruiting the endothelial progenitor cells with intramyocardial administration of the potent endothelial progenitor cell chemokine stromal cell-derived factor.

Targeted overexpression of leukemia inhibitory factor to preserve myocardium in a rat model of postinfarction heart failure.

Objective: Myocardial infarction leads to cardiomyocyte loss. The cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor regulates the differentiation and growth of embryonic and adult heart tissue. This study examined the effects of gene transfer of leukemia inhibitory factor in infarcted rat hearts.

Mechanically engineered hydrogel scaffolds for axonal growth and angiogenesis after transplantation in spinal cord injury.

Object: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex pathological entity, the treatment of which requires a multipronged approach. One way to integrate different therapeutic strategies for SCI is to develop implantable scaffolds that can deliver therapies in a synergistic manner. Many investigators have developed implantable "bridges," but an important property of such scaffolds--that is, mechanical compatibility with host tissues--has been neglected.