Patterned glycopeptide-based supramolecular hydrogel promotes the alignment and contractility of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.

The functional restoration of a damaged cardiac tissue relies on a synchronized contractile capacity of exogenous and/or endogenous cardiomyocytes, which is challenging to achieve. Here, we explored the potential of the short glycopeptide diphenylalanine glucosamine-6-sulfate (FFGlcN6S) conjugated with an aromatic moiety, namely fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), to enhance cardiac tissue regeneration. At physiological conditions, Fmoc-FFGlcN6S assembles into nanofibrous hydrated meshes, i.

Antibacterial properties of photo-crosslinked chitosan/methacrylated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles loaded with bacitracin.

The current treatments for wounds often fail to induce adequate healing, leaving wounds vulnerable to persistent infections and development of drug-resistant microbial biofilms. New natural-derived nanoparticles were studied to impair bacteria colonization and hinder the formation of biofilms in wounds. The nanoparticles were fabricated through polyelectrolyte complexation of chitosan (CS, polycation) and hyaluronic acid (HA, polyanion).

Cooling rate uncovers epimer-dependent supramolecular organization of carbohydrate amphiphiles.

We show distinct CH-π interactions and assembly pathways for the amphiphile -(fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-galactosamine and its epimer -(fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-glucosamine. These differences result in the formation of supramolecular nanofibrous systems with opposite chirality. Our results showcase the importance of the carbohydrates structural diversity for their specific biointeractions and the opportunity that their ample interactome offers for synthesis of versatile and tunable supramolecular (bio) materials.

The Potential of the Fibronectin Inhibitor Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser in the Development of Therapies for Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. An important feature that supports GBM aggressiveness is the unique composition of its extracellular matrix (ECM). Particularly, fibronectin plays an important role in cancer cell adhesion, differentiation, proliferation, and chemoresistance.

Fucoidan-Coated Silica Nanoparticles Promote the Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into the Osteogenic Lineage.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in biomedical applications, such as cancer therapy/diagnosis or tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Herein, we synthesized SiNPs and modified them with sulfonic acid groups (by organosilylation followed by oxidation) or a sulfated polysaccharide (i.e.

Glycopeptide-Based Supramolecular Hydrogels Induce Differentiation of Adipose Stem Cells into Neural Lineages.

We applied a bottom-up approach to develop biofunctional supramolecular hydrogels from an aromatic glycodipeptide. The self-assembly of the glycopeptide was induced by either temperature manipulation (heating-cooling cycle) or solvent (DMSO to water) switch. The sol-gel transition was salt-triggered in cell culture media and resulted in gels with the same chemical compositions but different mechanical properties.

The Influence of Feeder Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Density on Thymic Epithelial Cell Culture.

The thymus is responsible for the selection and development of T cells, having an essential role in the establishment of adaptive immunity. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are key players in T cell development interacting with thymocytes in the thymic 3D environment. Feeder-layer cells have been frequently used as platforms for the successful establishment of TEC cultures.

Efficacy of molecular and nano-therapies on brain tumor models in microfluidic devices.

The three-dimensional (3D) organization of cells affects their mobility, proliferation, and overall response to treatment. Spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips are used in cancer research to reproduce in vitro the complex and dynamic malignant microenvironment. Herein, single- and double-channel microfluidic devices are used to mimic the spatial organization of brain tumors and investigate the therapeutic efficacy of molecular and nano anti-cancer agents.

Hyaluronic Acid Oligomer Immobilization as an Angiogenic Trigger for the Neovascularization of TE Constructs.

Tissue engineered (TE) substitutes of clinically relevant sizes need an adequate vascular system to ensure function and proper tissue integration after implantation. However, the predictable vascularization of TE substitutes is yet to be achieved. Molecular weight variations in hyaluronic acid (HA) have been pointed to trigger angiogenesis.

Functional Gallic Acid-Based Dendrimers as Synthetic Nanotools to Remodel Amyloid-β-42 into Noncytotoxic Forms.

The self-assembly of amyloid-β (Aβ) generates cytotoxic oligomers linked to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As many fundamental molecular pathways that control Aβ aggregation are yet to be unraveled, an important strategy to control Aβ cytotoxicity is the development of bioactive synthetic nanotools capable of interacting with the heterogeneous ensemble of Aβ species and remodel them into noncytotoxic forms. Herein, the synthesis of nanosized, functional gallic acid (Ga)-based dendrimers with a precise number of Ga at their surface is described.

Expanding the Conformational Landscape of Minimalistic Tripeptides by Their -Glycosylation.

We report on the supramolecular self-assembly of tripeptides and their -glycosylated analogues, in which the carbohydrate moiety is coupled to a central serine or threonine flanked by phenylalanine residues. The substitution of serine with threonine introduces differential side-chain interactions, which results in the formation of aggregates with different morphology. -glycosylation decreases the aggregation propensity because of rebalancing of the π interactions.

Micropatterned gellan gum-based hydrogels tailored with laminin-derived peptides for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.

The efficacy of current therapies for skeletal muscle disorders/injuries are limited urging the need for new treatments. Skeletal muscle tissue engineered platforms represent a promising tool to shed light on the pathophysiology of skeletal muscle disorders/injuries and to investigate the efficacy of new therapies. Herein, we developed a skeletal muscle platform composed of aligned and differentiated myoblasts on micropatterned gellan gum (GG)-based hydrogels tailored with a laminin-derived peptide.

Hyaluronic acid hydrogels reinforced with laser spun bioactive glass micro- and nanofibres doped with lithium.

The repair of articular cartilage lesions in weight-bearing joints remains as a significant challenge due to the low regenerative capacity of this tissue. Hydrogels are candidates to repair lesions as they have similar properties to cartilage extracellular matrix but they are unable to meet the mechanical and biological requirements for a successful outcome. Here, we reinforce hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels with 13-93-lithium bioactive glass micro- and nanofibres produced by laser spinning.

Glucosamine and Its Analogues as Modulators of Amyloid-β Toxicity.

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers are considered key mediators of synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. These unstable intermediate Aβ species can interfere with different cellular organelles, leading to neuronal cell death, through the formation of Ca-permeable membrane pores, impairment in the levels of acetylcholine neurotransmitters, increased insulin resistance, promotion of pro-inflammatory cascades, among others. Based on a series of evidences that indicate the key role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in amyloid plaque formation, we evaluated the capacity of four monosaccharides, i.

Correction: Vescalagin and castalagin reduce the toxicity of amyloid-beta42 oligomers through the remodelling of its secondary structure.

Correction for 'Vescalagin and castalagin reduce the toxicity of amyloid-beta42 oligomers through the remodelling of its secondary structure' by Ana R. Araújo et al., Chem.

Vescalagin and Castalagin Present Bactericidal Activity toward Methicillin-Resistant Bacteria.

Polyphenols have been extensively exploited in the biomedical field because of their wide range of bioactive properties and historical use as traditional medicines. They typically present antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiamyloidogenic, and/or antitumor activities. In particular, cork water extracts and their components, have been previously reported to present antioxidant and antiamyloidogenic properties.

Multilayer platform to model the bioactivity of hyaluronic acid in gastric cancer.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has a key role in cancer progression. The HA's molecular weight (M) is altered in this pathological state: increased concentration of shorter fragments due to the overexpressed hyaluronidases and ROS. Aiming to mimic this microenvironment, we developed a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) platform presenting HA of different Ms, namely 6.

Fibronectin-Functionalized Fibrous Meshes as a Substrate to Support Cultures of Thymic Epithelial Cells.

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the main regulators of T lymphocyte development and selection, requiring a three-dimensional (3D) environment to properly perform these biological functions. The aim of this work was to develop a 3D culture substrate that allows the survival and proliferation of TECs. Thus, electrospun fibrous meshes (eFMs) were functionalized with fibronectin, one of the major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins of the thymus.

3D hydrogel mimics of the tumor microenvironment: the interplay among hyaluronic acid, stem cells and cancer cells.

The present work reports on a 3D model of the tumor microenvironment that contains hyaluronic acid (HA) and alginate, and demonstrates the utility of this model to study the effect of HA size on the crosstalk between cancer cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The system incorporates a core that contains HA of specific size (i.e.

Hyaluronic Acid of Low Molecular Weight Triggers the Invasive "Hummingbird" Phenotype on Gastric Cancer Cells.

The overproduction and deposition of hyaluronic acid (HA) of different sizes in the tumor microenvironment is associated with cancer metastasis. Here, the development of layer-by-layer (LbL) constructs containing HA of different molecular weights (i.e.

Aromatic carbohydrate amphiphile disrupts cancer spheroids and prevents relapse.

Spheroids recapitulate the organization, heterogeneity and microenvironment of solid tumors. Herein, we targeted spatiotemporally the accelerated metabolism of proliferative cells located on the spheroid surface that ensure structure maintenance and/or growth. We demonstrate that phosphorylated carbohydrate amphiphile acts as a potent antimetabolite due to glycolysis inhibition and to in situ formation of supramolecular net around spheroid surface where alkaline phosphatase is overexpressed.

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics.

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae.

Tubular Fibrous Scaffolds Functionalized with Tropoelastin as a Small-Diameter Vascular Graft.

Cardiovascular disorders are a healthcare problem in today's society. The clinically available synthetic vascular grafts are thrombogenic and could induce intimal hyperplasia. Rapid endothelialization and matched mechanical properties are two major requirements to be considered when designing functional vascular grafts.