Publications
495 results found
Quinlan E, Partap S, Azevedo MM, et al., 2015, Hypoxia-mimicking bioactive glass/collagen glycosaminoglycan composite scaffolds to enhance angiogenesis and bone repair, BIOMATERIALS, Vol: 52, Pages: 358-366, ISSN: 0142-9612
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 177
Campagnolo P, Tsai TN, Hong X, et al., 2015, c-Kit+ progenitors generate vascular cells for tissue-engineered grafts through modulation of the Wnt/Klf4 pathway., Biomaterials, Vol: 60, Pages: 53-61, ISSN: 1878-5905
The development of decellularised scaffolds for small diameter vascular grafts is hampered by their limited patency, due to the lack of luminal cell coverage by endothelial cells (EC) and to the low tone of the vessel due to absence of a contractile smooth muscle cells (SMC). In this study, we identify a population of vascular progenitor c-Kit+/Sca-1- cells available in large numbers and derived from immuno-privileged embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We also define an efficient and controlled differentiation protocol yielding fully to differentiated ECs and SMCs in sufficient numbers to allow the repopulation of a tissue engineered vascular graft. When seeded ex vivo on a decellularised vessel, c-Kit+/Sca-1-derived cells recapitulated the native vessel structure and upon in vivo implantation in the mouse, markedly reduced neointima formation and mortality, restoring functional vascularisation. We showed that Krüppel-like transcription factor 4 (Klf4) regulates the choice of differentiation pathway of these cells through β-catenin activation and was itself regulated by the canonical Wnt pathway activator lithium chloride. Our data show that ESC-derived c-Kit+/Sca-1-cells can be differentiated through a Klf4/β-catenin dependent pathway and are a suitable source of vascular progenitors for the creation of superior tissue-engineered vessels from decellularised scaffolds.
Fuhrmann G, Serio A, Mazo M, et al., 2015, Active loading into extracellular vesicles significantly improves the cellular uptake and photodynamic effect of porphyrins, Journal of Controlled Release, Vol: 205, Pages: 35-44, ISSN: 1873-4995
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid-based particles endogenously produced by cells. Their natural composition and selective cell interactions make them promising drug carriers. However, in order to harness their properties, efficient exogenous drug encapsulation methods need to be investigated. Here, EVs from various cellular origins (endothelial, cancer and stem cells) were produced and characterised for size and composition. Porphyrins of different hydrophobicities were employed as model drugs and encapsulated into EVs using various passive and active methods (electroporation, saponin, extrusion and dialysis). Hydrophobic compounds loaded very efficiently into EVs and at significantly higher amounts than into standard liposomes composed of phosphocholine and cholesterol using passive incubation. Moreover, loading into EVs significantly increased the cellular uptake by > 60% and the photodynamic effect of hydrophobic porphyrins in vitro compared to free or liposome encapsulated drug. The active encapsulation techniques, with the saponin-assisted method in particular, allowed an up to 11 fold higher drug loading of hydrophilic porphyrins compared to passive methods. EVs loaded with hydrophilic porphyrins induced a stronger phototoxic effect than free drug in a cancer cell model. Our findings create a firm basis for the development of EVs as smart drug carriers based on straightforward and transferable methods.
Fuhrmann G, Herrman IK, Stevens MM, 2015, Cell-derived vesicles for drug therapy and diagnostics: Opportunities and challenges, Nano Today, Vol: 10, Pages: 397-409, ISSN: 1748-0132
Extracellular vesicles are small lipid-based membrane-bound entities shed by cells under both physiological and pathological conditions. Their discovery as intercellular communicators through transfer of nucleic acid- and protein-based cargos between cells locally and at distance in a highly specific manner has created recent excitement. The information they transport and their composition may vary depending on the cell of origin as well as the eliciting stimulus. Such sensitive changes in vesicle characteristics hold significant promise for the improved diagnosis of pathological conditions, including infections and neoplastic lesions in a minimally invasive way. Similarly, these cell-derived vesicles exhibit promising characteristics that could enhance drug targeting efficiencies. Recent developments in the field have aimed at studying EVs as novel drug carriers due to their natural composition, biological function and selective cell interaction. In this review, we discuss new research avenues in diagnostics and drug therapy based on extracellular vesicles. We show how cell-derived vesicles can be harvested and engineered to meet application-specific design requirements. We finally discuss potential risks encountered when translating extracellular vesicle based approaches into (pre)clinical applications.
Danz N, Sinibaldi A, Munzert P, et al., 2015, Biosensing platform combining label-free and labelled analysis using Bloch surface waves, Proceedings of SPIE, Vol: 9506, ISSN: 1996-756X
Chiappini C, De Rosa E, Martinez JO, et al., 2015, Biodegradable silicon nanoneedles delivering nucleic acids intracellularly induce localized in vivo neovascularization., Nature Materials, Vol: 14, Pages: 532-539, ISSN: 1476-1122
The controlled delivery of nucleic acids to selected tissues remains an inefficient process mired by low transfection efficacy, poor scalability because of varying efficiency with cell type and location, and questionable safety as a result of toxicity issues arising from the typical materials and procedures employed. High efficiency and minimal toxicity in vitro has been shown for intracellular delivery of nuclei acids by using nanoneedles, yet extending these characteristics to in vivo delivery has been difficult, as current interfacing strategies rely on complex equipment or active cell internalization through prolonged interfacing. Here, we show that a tunable array of biodegradable nanoneedles fabricated by metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon can access the cytosol to co-deliver DNA and siRNA with an efficiency greater than 90%, and that in vivo the nanoneedles transfect the VEGF-165 gene, inducing sustained neovascularization and a localized sixfold increase in blood perfusion in a target region of the muscle.
Chiappini C, Martinez JO, De Rosa E, et al., 2015, Biodegradable nanoneedles for localized delivery of nanoparticles in vivo: Exploring the biointerface, ACS Nano, Vol: 9, Pages: 5500-5509, ISSN: 1936-0851
Volk H-D, Stevens MM, Mooney DJ, et al., 2015, Key elements for nourishing the translational research environment, Science Translational Medicine, Vol: 7, ISSN: 1946-6242
Autefage H, Gentleman E, Littmann E, et al., 2015, Sparse feature selection methods identify unexpected global cellular response to strontium-containing materials, PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Vol: 112, Pages: 4280-4285, ISSN: 0027-8424
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 52
Chapman R, Lin Y, Burnapp M, et al., 2015, Multivalent nanoparticle networks enable point-of-care detection of human phospholipase-A2 in serum, ACS Nano, Vol: 9, Pages: 2565-2573, ISSN: 1936-086X
Hembury M, Chiappini C, Bertazzo S, et al., 2015, Gold-silica quantum rattles for multimodal imaging and therapy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol: 112, Pages: 1959-1964, ISSN: 1091-6490
Gold quantum dots exhibit distinctive optical and magnetic behaviors compared with larger gold nanoparticles. However, their unfavorable interaction with living systems and lack of stability in aqueous solvents has so far prevented their adoption in biology and medicine. Here, a simple synthetic pathway integrates gold quantum dots within a mesoporous silica shell, alongside larger gold nanoparticles within the shell’s central cavity. This “quantum rattle” structure is stable in aqueous solutions, does not elicit cell toxicity, preserves the attractive near-infrared photonics and paramagnetism of gold quantum dots, and enhances the drug-carrier performance of the silica shell. In vivo, the quantum rattles reduced tumor burden in a single course of photothermal therapy while coupling three complementary imaging modalities: near-infrared fluorescence, photoacoustic, and magnetic resonance imaging. The incorporation of gold within the quantum rattles significantly enhanced the drug-carrier performance of the silica shell. This innovative material design based on the mutually beneficial interaction of gold and silica introduces the use of gold quantum dots for imaging and therapeutic applications.
Azevedo MM, Tsigkou O, Nair R, et al., 2015, Hypoxia Inducible Factor-Stabilizing Bioactive Glasses for Directing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Behavior, TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol: 21, Pages: 382-389, ISSN: 1937-3341
- Author Web Link
- Open Access Link
- Cite
- Citations: 52
Ji L, Wang W, Stevens MM, et al., 2015, A general strategy for the preparation of aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube/inorganic nanocomposites and aligned nanostructures, MATERIALS RESEARCH BULLETIN, Vol: 61, Pages: 453-458, ISSN: 0025-5408
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 5
von Erlach TC, Hedegaard MAB, Stevens MM, 2015, High resolution Raman spectroscopy mapping of stem cell micropatterns, ANALYST, Vol: 140, Pages: 1798-1803, ISSN: 0003-2654
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 11
Jumeaux C, Chapman R, Chandrawati R, et al., 2015, Synthesis and self-assembly of temperature-responsive copolymers based on <i>N</i>-vinylpyrrolidone and triethylene glycol methacrylate, POLYMER CHEMISTRY, Vol: 6, Pages: 4116-4122, ISSN: 1759-9954
- Author Web Link
- Open Access Link
- Cite
- Citations: 14
Chan WCW, Gogotsi Y, Hafner JH, et al., 2014, A year for nanoscience., ACS Nano, Vol: 8, Pages: 11901-11903
Chapman R, Gormley AJ, Herpoldt K-L, et al., 2014, Highly controlled open vessel RAFT polymerizations byenzyme degassing, Macromolecules, Vol: 47, Pages: 8541-8547, ISSN: 0024-9297
Duda GN, Grainger DW, Frisk ML, et al., 2014, Changing the Mindset in Life Sciences Toward Translation: A Consensus, SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, Vol: 6, ISSN: 1946-6234
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 34
Gormley AJ, Chapman R, Stevens MM, 2014, Polymerization amplified detection for nanoparticle-based biosensing, Nano Letters, Vol: 14, Pages: 6368-6373, ISSN: 1530-6992
Howes PD, Chandrawati R, Stevens MM, 2014, Colloidal nanoparticles as advanced biological sensors, Science, Vol: 346, ISSN: 0036-8075
Colloidal nanoparticle biosensors have received intense scientific attention and offer promising applications in both research and medicine. We review the state of the art in nanoparticle development, surface chemistry, and biosensing mechanisms, discussing how a range of technologies are contributing toward commercial and clinical translation. Recent examples of success include the ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarkers in human serum and in vivo sensing of methyl mercury. We identify five key materials challenges, including the development of robust mass-scale nanoparticle synthesis methods, and five broader challenges, including the use of simulations and bioinformatics-driven experimental approaches for predictive modeling of biosensor performance. The resultant generation of nanoparticle biosensors will form the basis of high-performance analytical assays, effective multiplexed intracellular sensors, and sophisticated in vivo probes.
Smith EL, Kanczler JM, Gothard D, et al., 2014, Evaluation of skeletal tissue repair, Part 1: Assessment of novel growth-factor-releasing hydrogels in an ex vivo chick femur defect model, ACTA BIOMATERIALIA, Vol: 10, Pages: 4186-4196, ISSN: 1742-7061
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 47
Smith EL, Kanczler JM, Gothard D, et al., 2014, Evaluation of skeletal tissue repair, Part 2: Enhancement of skeletal tissue repair through dual-growth-factor-releasing hydrogels within an ex vivo chick femur defect model, ACTA BIOMATERIALIA, Vol: 10, Pages: 4197-4205, ISSN: 1742-7061
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 44
de la Rica R, Chow LW, Horejs C-M, et al., 2014, A designer peptide as a template for growing Au nanoclusters, CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, Vol: 50, Pages: 10648-10650, ISSN: 1359-7345
Xie H-N, Lin Y, Mazo M, et al., 2014, Identification of intracellular gold nanoparticles using surface-enhanced Raman scattering, Nanoscale, Vol: 6, Pages: 12403-12407, ISSN: 2040-3364
The identification of intracellular distributions of noble metal nanoparticles is of great utility for many biomedical applications. We present an effective method to distinguish intracellular from extracellular nanoparticles by selectively quenching the SERS signals from dye molecules adsorbed onto star-shaped gold nanoparticles that have not been internalized by cells.
Su L, Cloyd KL, Arya S, et al., 2014, Raman spectroscopic evidence of tissue restructuring in heat-induced tissue fusion, Journal of Biophotonics, Vol: 7, Pages: 713-723, ISSN: 1864-063X
Heat-induced tissue fusion via radio-frequency (RF) energy has gained wide acceptance clinically and here we present the first optical-Raman-spectroscopy study on tissue fusion samples in vitro. This study provides direct insights into tissue constituent and structural changes on the molecular level, exposing spectroscopic evidence for the loss of distinct collagen fibre rich tissue layers as well as the denaturing and restructuring of collagen crosslinks post RF fusion. These findings open the door for more advanced optical feedback-control methods and characterization during heat-induced tissue fusion, which will lead to new clinical applications of this promising technology. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chow LW, Armgarth A, St-Pierre JP, et al., 2014, Biomimetic materials: Peptide-directed spatial organization of biomolecules in dynamic gradient scaffolds (adv. Healthcare mater. 9/2014)., Adv Healthc Mater, Vol: 3
Peptide-polymer conjugates that specifically and dynamically bind glycosaminoglycans are used to functionalize the surface of biodegradable electrospun fiber scaffolds. The versatile platform presented by L. W. Chow, M. M. Stevens, and colleagues on page 1381 can be used to recreate gradients of ECM-like biomolecule organization within scaffolds to achieve more functional and clinically relevant tissue-engineered constructs.
Ren J, Blackwood KA, Doustgani A, et al., 2014, Melt-electrospun polycaprolactone strontium-substituted bioactive glass scaffolds for bone regeneration, JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A, Vol: 102, Pages: 3140-3153, ISSN: 1549-3296
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 62
Todorova N, Chiappini C, Mager M, et al., 2014, Surface presentation of functional peptides in solution determines cell internalization efficiency of TAT conjugated nanoparticles, Nano Letters, Vol: 14, Pages: 5229-5237, ISSN: 1530-6984
Functionalizing nanoparticles with cell-penetrating peptides is a popular choice for cellular delivery. We investigated the effects of TAT peptide concentration and arrangement in solution on functionalized nanoparticles’ efficacy for membrane permeation. We found that cell internalization correlates with the positive charge distribution achieved prior to nanoparticle encountering interactions with membrane. We identified a combination of solution based properties required to maximize the internalization efficacy of TAT-functionalized nanoparticles.
Cecchin D, de la Rica R, Bain RES, et al., 2014, Plasmonic ELISA for the detection of gp120 at ultralow concentrations with the naked eye, NANOSCALE, Vol: 6, Pages: 9559-9562, ISSN: 2040-3364
- Author Web Link
- Cite
- Citations: 39
Andresen H, Mager M, Griessner M, et al., 2014, Single-step homogeneous immunoassays utilizing epitope-tagged gold nanoparticles: on the mechanism, feasibility, and limitations, Chemistry of Materials, Vol: 26, Pages: 4696-4704, ISSN: 0897-4756
A single-step gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based immunoassay is demonstrated in which the nanoparticle surface is tagged with short viral peptide epitopes. Antiviral antibodies with monoclonal specificity trigger nanoparticle aggregation yielding a colorimetric response that enables detection of antibodies in the low-nanomolar range within a few minutes. In silico insights into the interactions at the epitope–gold interface demonstrate that the conformational landscape exhibited by the epitopes is strongly influenced by the amino acid sequence and location of particular residues within the peptides. The conformation, orientation, and linker chemistry of the peptides affect the immune complex formation in nonintuitive ways that are, nevertheless, explained by a unique sterically kinetically driven aggregation mechanism. The rapid and specific performance of the AuNP immunoassay may have generic potential in point of care diagnostics and other laboratory routines.
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.