Long non-coding RNA PVT1, a molecular sponge of miR-26b, is involved in the progression of hyperglycemia-induced collagen degradation in human chondrocytes by targeting CTGF/TGF- signal ways.

The current study was conducted to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA PVT1 in hyperglycemia-triggered human osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. Cartilage from knee OA patients with and without diabetes, as well as normal cartilage, was obtained. Isolated human chondrocytes were treated with 30 nM of Glc with or without pioglitazone.

Synthesis of the Hemoglobin-Conjugated Polymer Micelles by Thiol Michael Addition Reactions.

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers mPEG-b-PMAC-b-PCL are synthesized using methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol), cyclic carbonic ester monomer including acryloyl group, and ε-caprolactone. Copolymers are self-assembled into core-shell micelles in aqueous solution. Thiolated hemoglobin (Hb) is conjugated with micelles sufficiently through thiol Michael addition reaction to form hemoglobin nanoparticles (HbNs) with 200 nm in diameter.

Regulation of conjugated hemoglobin on micelles through copolymer chain sequences and the protein's isoelectric aggregation.

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers with carbonyl groups located either in the middle segment or in the third side block are synthesized by adjusting feeding sequence of the comonomers. The conjugation of hemoglobin (Hb) on the copolymer micelles is realized by condensation reactions of carbonyl with the amino groups of Hb, and the gas-binding capacity of Hb is well preserved. Interestingly, the reassembly behavior of Hb-conjugated micelles (HbM) is explored by adjusting the pH.

PEGylation of bovine serum albumin using click chemistry for the application as drug carriers.

Monomethyl poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)-modified bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates (BSA-mPEG) were obtained by the mild Cu(I)-mediated cycloaddition reaction of azided BSA (BSA-N(3) ) and alkyne-terminated mPEG. The structure and characteristics of BSA-mPEG conjugates were thoroughly investigated. There were about two PEG chains conjugated onto each BSA molecule as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis.

Fusiform micelles from nonlinear poly(ethylene glycol)/polylactide copolymers as biodegradable drug carriers.

PEG-PLA copolymers with dumbbell- and Y-shaped structures are prepared. They can self-assemble from nanoparticles to micro-sized fusiform micellar particles in aqueous solution. In particular the micelles formed by the (PLA)2-PEG-(PLA)2 particles show a better drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency than those formed by linear MPEG-PLA.

Polymer/hemoglobin assemblies: biodegradable oxygen carriers for artificial red blood cells.

In routine clinical procedures, blood transfusion is now suffering from the defects of the blood products, like cross-matching, short storage time and virus infection. Various blood substitutes have been designed by researchers through continual efforts. With recent progress in nanotechnology, new types of artificial red blood cells with cellular structure are available.