Biomimetic collagen biomaterial induces in situ lung regeneration by forming functional alveolar.

In situ restoration of severely damaged lung remains difficult due to its limited regeneration capacity after injury. Artificial lung scaffolds are emerging as potential substitutes, but it is still a challenge to reconstruct lung regeneration microenvironment in scaffold after lung resection injury. Here, a 3D biomimetic porous collagen scaffold with similar structure characteristics as lung is fabricated, and a novel collagen binding hepatocyte growth factor (CBD-HGF) is tethered on the collagen scaffold for maintaining the biomimetic function of HGF to improve the lung regeneration microenvironment. The biomimetic scaffold was implanted into the operative region of a rat partial lung resection model. The results revealed that vascular endothelial cells and endogenous alveolar stem cells entered the scaffold at the early stage of regeneration. At the later stage, inflammation and fibrosis were attenuated, the microvascular and functional alveolar-like structures were formed, and the general morphology of the injured lung was restored. Taken together, the functional 3D biomimetic collagen scaffold facilitates recovery of the injured lung, alveolar regeneration, and angiogenesis after acute lung injury. Particularly, this is the first study of lung regeneration in vivo guided by biomimetic collagen scaffold materials, which supports the concept that tissue engineering is an effective strategy for alveolar regeneration.

Functional Multichannel Poly(Propylene Fumarate)-Collagen Scaffold with Collagen-Binding Neurotrophic Factor 3 Promotes Neural Regeneration After Transected Spinal Cord Injury.

Many factors contribute to the poor axonal regrowth and ineffective functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Biomaterials have been used for SCI repair by promoting bridge formation and reconnecting the neural tissue at the lesion site. The mechanical properties of biomaterials are critical for successful design to ensure the stable support as soon as possible when compressed by the surrounding spine and musculature. Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) scaffolds with high mechanical strength have been shown to provide firm spatial maintenance and to promote repair of tissue defects. A multichannel PPF scaffold is combined with collagen biomaterial to build a novel biocompatible delivery system coated with neurotrophin-3 containing an engineered collagen-binding domain (CBD-NT3). The parallel-aligned multichannel structure of PPF scaffolds guide the direction of neural tissue regeneration across the lesion site and promote reestablishment of bridge connectivity. The combinatorial treatment consisting of PPF and collagen loaded with CBD-NT3 improves the inhibitory microenvironment, facilitates axonal and neuronal regeneration, survival of various types of functional neurons and remyelination and synapse formation of regenerated axons following SCI. This novel treatment strategy for SCI repair effectively promotes neural tissue regeneration after transected spinal injury by providing a regrowth-supportive microenvironment and eventually induces functional improvement.

Lung endothelial cell-targeted peptide-guided bFGF promotes the regeneration after radiation induced lung injury.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can protect the lung against radiation-induced pulmonary vascular endothelial apoptosis and subsequent radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). However, guiding bFGF to pulmonary vascular endothelial cells is a key determinant for the success of bFGF therapy. To improve the lung-targeting ability of bFGF, a lung endothelial cell-targeting peptide was fused to bFGF (LET-bFGF). An in vitro biological activity assay indicated that fusion of LET did not affect the bioactivity of bFGF. In addition, the fused protein showed superior lung-targeting ability following intravenous injection. Upon injecting LET-bFGF intravenously after thorax radiation, LET-bFGF could better protect against pulmonary vascular endothelial cell apoptosis as early as 4 h post-radiation. Compared with native bFGF, enhanced therapeutic effects of LET-bFGF were also observed in terms of decreased vascular abnormalities, disorganized lung structure, inflammatory cell migration, and lung density at 2 months post-radiation. Therefore, lung endothelial cell-targeted bFGF may represent a promising remedy for RILI.

Transdermal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Delivery with Surface Engineered Gold Nanoparticles.

Skin injuries caused by burns or radiation remain a serious concern in terms of clinical therapy. Because of the damage to the epidermis or dermis, angiogenesis is needed to repair the skin. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most effective factors for promoting angiogenesis and preventing injury progression, but the delivery of VEGF to lesion sites is limited by the skin barrier. Recently, gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-mediated drug delivery into or through the epidermis and dermis has attracted much attention. However, the efficacy of the AuNP-mediated transdermal drug delivery remains unknown. In this study, gold nanoparticles were conjugated with VEGF and generated a surface by carrying negative charges, showing an ideal transdermal delivery efficacy for VEGF in wound repair. Our findings may provide new avenues for the treatment of cutaneous injuries.