Novel artificial nerve transplantation of human iPSC-derived neurite bundles enhanced nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.

Background: Severe peripheral nerve damage always requires surgical treatment. Autologous nerve transplantation is a standard treatment, but it is not sufficient due to length limitations and extended surgical time. Even with the available artificial nerves, there is still large room for improvement in their therapeutic effects.

Phosphorylcholine-modified chitosan films as effective promoters of cell aggregation: correlation between the films properties and cellular response.

This study describes chitosan-phosphorylcholine (CH-PC) films able to support the formation of cell aggregates (spheroids), which are important for tissue engineering and pharmacological studies. The surface topography, charge, thickness, and rheology of CH-PC thin films were characterized by AFM, zeta-potential measurements, SPR spectroscopy, and QCM-D measurements. The CH-PC films are highly hydrated gels, independently of the level of PC incorporation (15-40 mol-% PC/glucosamine units).

Tuning the properties and functions of 17β-estradiol-polysaccharide conjugates in thin films: impact of sample history.

In addition to its role in the regulation of sex-related processes, 17β-estradiol (E2) participates in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases via nongenomic pathways mediated by estrogen receptors (ER-α) located in the cell membrane. To achieve specific nongenomic activity of E2, we linked E2 (4.4 mol %) to chitosan-phosphorylcholine (CH-PC) (20 mol % PC).

Polysaccharide nanogel gene delivery system with endosome-escaping function: Co-delivery of plasmid DNA and phospholipase A2.

We developed a novel gene delivery system capable of endosome disruption using a polysaccharide-based cationic nanogel composed of a hexadecyl group-bearing cationic cycloamylose nanogel (C16-catCA nanogel) and phospholipaseA(2) (PLA(2)) to hydrolyze membrane phospholipids. C16-catCA nanogel formed nanoparticles with PLA(2) and pDNA by hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Both pDNA and PLA(2) were effectively internalized into cells by the C16-catCA nanogel.

DNA separation by cholesterol-bearing pullulan nanogels.

We present an application of a novel DNA separation matrix, cholesterol-bearing pullulan (CHP) nanogels, for microchip electrophoresis. The solution of the CHP showed a unique phase transition around 30 mg∕ml and formed gel phase over this critical concentration. This gel phase consists of the weak hydrophobic interactions between the cholesterols could be easily deformed by external forces, and thus, loading process of the CHP nanogels into microchannels became easier.

Functional cycloamylose as a polysaccharide-based biomaterial: application in a gene delivery system.

Cycloamylose (CA) exhibits differences in geometry and greater colloidal stability compared with amylose. Here we report the synthesis of a cationic CA derivative and its application for gene delivery. Cationic CA (catCA) and cationic amylose (catAmy) were synthesized by introducing spermine groups.

Protein-conjugated quantum dots effectively delivered into living cells by a cationic nanogel.

Quantum dots (QDs) have attracted attention for their potential as a cell imaging regent. However, the development of effective intracellular delivery system for QDs is needed to apply various cell lines without affecting cellular function. We reported here new QDs delivery system by using cationic nanogel consisting of cholesterol-bearing pullulan modified with an amino group (CHPNH2).