Effects of Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Degradation on the Proliferation and Chondrogenesis of Encapsulated Stem Cells.

Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels are widely used in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture and tissue repair. Despite their importance, few studies have focused on regulating their degradation and further revealing the effects of the degradation process on encapsulated cell behaviors. Herein, SF hydrogels with equivalent initial properties and different degradation rates were prepared by adjusting the ratios between the hydrogel-encapsulated normal SF microspheres (MS) and enzyme-loaded SF microspheres (MS).

One-step fabrication of ultrathin porous Janus membrane within seconds for waterproof and breathable electronic skin.

It remains a challenge for a simple and scalable method to fabricate ultrathin porous Janus membranes for stretchable on-skin electronics. Here, we propose a one-step droplet spreading phase separation strategy to prepare an ultrathin and easily collected Janus thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane within seconds. The metal-ion solvation structure mitigated migration kinetics to delay TPU solution demixing, promoting the further penetration of the coagulating solvent.

Electrospun meshes for abdominal wall hernia repair: Potential and challenges.

Surgical meshes are widely used in abdominal wall hernia repairs. However, consensus on mesh treatment remains elusive due to varying repair outcomes, especially with the introduction of new meshes, posing a substantial challenge for surgeons. Addressing these issues requires communicating the features of emerging candidates with a focus on clinical considerations.

The immunoglobulin of yolk and cerium oxide-based fibrous poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/gelatin dressings enable skin regeneration in an infectious wound model.

The bacterial infection and oxidative wound microenvironment delay skin repair and necessitate intelligent wound dressings to enable scarless wound healing. The immunoglobulin of yolk (IgY) exhibits immunotherapeutic potential for the potential treatment of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, while cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO NPs) could scavenge superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inflammation. The overarching objective of this study was to incorporate IgY and CeO NPs into poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/gelatin (PLGA/Gel)-based dressings (P/G@IYCe) for infected skin repair.

Dendrimer-Mediated Generation of a Metal-Phenolic Network for Antibody Delivery to Elicit Improved Tumor Chemo/Chemodynamic/Immune Therapy.

To simplify the composition and improve the efficacy of metal-phenolic network (MPN)-based nanomedicine, herein, we designed an MPN platform to deliver programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody (anti-PD-L1) for combined tumor chemo/chemodynamic/immune therapy. Here, generation 5 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers conjugated with gossypol (Gos) through boronic ester bonds were used as a synthetic polyphenol to coordinate Mn, and then complexed with anti-PD-L1 to obtain the nanocomplexes (for short, DPGMA). The prepared DPGMA exhibited good water dispersibility with a hydrodynamic size of 166.

A smart responsive NIR-operated chitosan-based nanoswitch to induce cascade immunogenic tumor ferroptosis via cytokine storm.

In this work we present a near-infrared (NIR)-operated nanoswitch based on chitosan nanoparticles (EpCAM-CS-co-PNVCL@IR780/IMQ NPs) that induces cascade immunogenic tumor ferroptosis via cytokine storm. The formulation was prepared by loading a photosensitiser (IR780) and an immunotherapeutic drug (imiquimod; IMQ) into temperature- and pH-responsive chitosan-based NPs functionalized with tumor-targeting aptamers. The EpCAM aptamer can chaperone the NPs selectively into cancer cells, and allow them to enter the cell nucleus.

An Antibacterial Hemostasis Sponge of Gelatin/ε-Poly-L-Lysine Composite.

Massive bleeding and bacterial infection of wounds may be life-threatening or even lead to death. Nowadays, gelatin-based hemostatic sponges have been widely used, but gelatin is not antibacterial and has poor structural stability. In this study, we mixed an antibacterial polypeptide, ε-poly-L-lysine (EPL), into gelatin.

Low-Cost Intrinsic Flame-Retardant Bio-Based High Performance Polyurethane and its Application in Triboelectric Nanogenerators.

Flammability is a significant challenge in polymer-based electronics. In this regard, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have enabled a safe means for harvesting mechanical energy for conversion into electrical energy. However, most existing polymers used for TENGs are sourced from petroleum-based raw materials and are highly flammable, which can further accelerate the spread of fire and harm the ecological environment.

Non-Viral Systems Based on PAMAM-Calix-Dendrimers for Regulatory siRNA Delivery into Cancer Cells.

Cancer is one of the most common diseases in developed countries. Recently, gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach to cancer treatment and has already entered clinical practice worldwide. RNA interference-based therapy is a promising method for cancer treatment.

Enhanced osteo-angiogenic coupling by a bioactive cell-free fat extract (CEFFE) delivered through electrospun fibers.

Regeneration of functional bone tissue relies heavily on achieving adequate vascularization in engineered bone constructs following implantation. This process requires the close integration of osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Cell-free fat extract (CEFFE or FE), a recently emerging acellular fat extract containing abundant growth factors, holds significant potential for regulating osteo-angiogenic coupling and promoting regeneration of vascularized bone tissue.

Dendrimer/Copper(II) Complex-Mediated siRNA Delivery Disrupts Lactate Metabolism to Reprogram the Local Immune Microenvironment against Tumor Growth and Metastasis.

Solid tumors reprogram metabolic pathways to meet their biosynthesis demands, resulting in elevated levels of metabolites in the tumor microenvironment (TME), including lactate. Excessive accumulation and active transportation of lactate within the TME drives tumor progression, metastasis, and immunosuppression. Interruption of TME lactate metabolism is expected to restore antitumor responses and sensitize tumor immunotherapy.

Hydrogen sulfide-generating semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for amplified radiodynamic-ferroptosis therapy of orthotopic glioblastoma.

A variety of therapeutic strategies are available to treat glioblastoma (GBM), but the tumor remains one of the deadliest due to its aggressive invasiveness, restrictive blood-brain barrier (BBB), and exceptional resistance to drugs. In this study, we present a hydrogen sulfide (HS)-generating semiconducting polymer nanoparticle (PFeD@Ang) for amplified radiodynamic-ferroptosis therapy of orthotopic glioblastoma. Our results show that in an acidic tumor microenvironment (TME), HS donors produce large amounts of HS, which inhibits mitochondrial respiration and alleviates cellular hypoxia, thus enhancing the radiodynamic effect during X-ray irradiation; meanwhile, Fe is reduced to Fe by tannic acid in an acidic TME, which promotes an iron-dependent cell death process in tumors.

One-Step Gas Foaming Strategy for Constructing Strontium Nanoparticle Decorated 3D Scaffolds: a New Platform for Repairing Critical Bone Defects.

The management of critical-sized bone defects poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in the battlefield and trauma-related injuries. However, bone tissue engineering scaffolds that satisfy high porosity and good angiogenic and osteogenic functions are scarce. In this study, 3D nanofiber scaffolds decorated with strontium nanoparticles (3DS-Sr) were fabricated by combining electrospinning and gas foaming.

Biomimetic polymeric nanoreactors with photooxidation-initiated therapies and reinvigoration of antigen-dependent and antigen-free immunity.

Immune cell-mediated anticancer modalities usually suffer from immune cell exhaustion and limited efficacy in solid tumors. Herein, the oxygen-carrying biomimetic nanoreactors (BNR2(O)) have been developed with photooxidation-driven therapies and antigen-dependent/antigen-free immune reinvigoration against xenograft tumors. The BNR2(O) composes polymeric nanoreactors camouflaged with cancer cell membranes can efficiently target homotypic tumors.

A polymer nanogel-based therapeutic nanovaccine for prophylaxis and direct treatment of tumors a full-cycle immunomodulation.

Construction of a cancer nanovaccine that can simultaneously activate immune cells and exert efficient tumor treatment still remains a challenge. Herein, we showcase a proof-of-concept demonstration of an advanced therapeutic nanovaccine formulation based on poly(-vinylcaprolactam) nanogels (NGs) which were loaded with manganese dioxide (MnO), the sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6), and the immune adjuvant cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP). The gels were furthermore coated with apoptotic cancer cell membranes (AM).

Three-dimensional gas-foamed scaffolds decorated with metal phenolic networks for cartilage regeneration.

Inflammation is a major impediment to the healing of cartilage injuries, yet bioactive scaffolds suitable for cartilage repair in inflammatory environments are extremely rare. Herein, we utilized electrospinning to fabricate a two-dimensional nanofiber scaffold (2DS), which was then subjected to gas foaming to obtain a three-dimensional scaffold (3DS). 3DS was modified with metal phenolic networks (MPNs) composed of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and strontium ions (Sr) to afford a MPNs-modified 3D scaffold (3DS-E).

Dipyridamole-grafted copolymer electrospun nanofiber membranes for suppression of peritendinous adhesions.

Post-traumatic tendon adhesions significantly affect patient prognosis and quality of life, primarily stemming from the absence of effective preventive and curative measures in clinical practice. Current treatment modalities, including surgical excision and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, frequently exhibit limited efficacy or result in severe side effects. Consequently, the use of anti-adhesive barriers for drug delivery and implantation at the injury site to address peritendinous adhesion (PA) has attracted considerable attention.

Biomimetic copper-containing nanogels for imaging-guided tumor chemo-chemodynamic-immunotherapy.

Developing multifunctional nanoplatforms to comprehensively modulate the tumor microenvironment and enhance diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes still remains a great challenge. Here, we report the facile construction of a multivariate nanoplatform based on cancer cell membrane (CM)-encapsulated redox-responsive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) nanogels (NGs) co-loaded with Cu(II) and chemotherapeutic drug toyocamycin (Toy) for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided combination tumor chemodynamic therapy/chemoimmunotherapy. We show that redox-responsive PVCL NGs formed through precipitation polymerization can be aminated, conjugated with 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid for Cu(II) complexation, physically loaded with Toy, and finally camouflaged with CMs.

Flexible Neural Interface From Non-Transient Silk Fibroin With Outstanding Conformality, Biocompatibility, and Bioelectric Conductivity.

Silk fibroin (SF) with good biocompatibility can enable an efficient and safe implementation of neural interfaces. However, it has been difficult to achieve a robust integration of patterned conducting materials (multichannel electrodes) on flexible SF film substrates due to the absence of some enduring interactions. In this study, a thermo-assisted pattern-transfer technique is demonstrated that can facilely transfer a layer of pre-set poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) onto the flexible SF substrate through an interpenetrating network of 2 polymer chains, achieving a desired substrate/conductor intertwined interface with good flexibility (≈33 MPa), conductivity (386 S cm) and stability in liquid state over 4 months simultaneously.