Sarcoidosis: can a murine model help define a role for silica?

Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the etiology of sarcoidosis. An association of the condition with exposure to environmental microbes has been recognized for many years, and has become stronger in the last 10-15 years with the advent of newer investigative techniques. A body of literature now is accumulating suggesting that silica may be yet another trigger in genetically predisposed persons.

Poly(ester amide) co-polymers promote blood and tissue compatibility.

A family of biodegradable poly(ester amide) (PEA) co-polymers based on naturally occurring alpha-amino acids has been developed for applications ranging from biomedical device coatings to delivery of therapeutic biologics. An important feature of PEA co-polymer coatings may be their ability to promote a natural healing response. To gain insight into this process, representative elastomeric PEAs designed for a cardiovascular stent coating were compared to non-degradable and biodegradable polymers in a series of in vitro assays to examine blood and cellular responses.

Anisotropic stretch-induced hypertrophy in neonatal ventricular myocytes micropatterned on deformable elastomers.

Because cell shape and alignment, cell-matrix adhesion, and cell-cell contact can all affect growth, and because mechanical strains in vivo are multiaxial and anisotropic, we developed an in vitro system for engineering aligned, rod-shaped, neonatal cardiac myocyte cultures. Photolithographic and microfluidic techniques were used to micropattern extracellular matrices in parallel lines on deformable silicone elastomers. Confluent, elongated, aligned myocytes were produced by varying the micropattern line width and collagen density.