Oral Administration of Resveratrol-Selenium-Peptide Nanocomposites Alleviates Alzheimer's Disease-like Pathogenesis by Inhibiting Aß Aggregation and Regulating Gut Microbiota.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with amyloid-ß (Aß) deposition, leading to neurotoxicity (oxidative stress and neuroinflammation) and gut microbiota imbalance. Resveratrol (Res) has neuroprotective properties, but its bioavailability in vivo is very low. Herein, we developed a small Res-selenium-peptide nanocomposite to enable the application of Res for eliminating Aß aggregate-induced neurotoxicity and mitigating gut microbiota disorder in aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and d-galactose(d-gal)-induced AD model mice. Res functional selenium nanoparticles (Res@SeNPs) (8 ± 0.34 nm) were prepared first, after which the surface of Res@SeNPs was decorated with a blood-brain barrier transport peptide (TGN peptide) to generate Res-selenium-peptide nanocomposites (TGN-Res@SeNPs) (14 ± 0.12 nm). Oral administration of TGN-Res@SeNPs improves cognitive disorder through (1) interacting with Aß and decreasing Aß aggregation, effectively inhibiting Aß deposition in the hippocampus; (2) decreasing Aß-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing activity of antioxidation enzymes in PC12 cells and in vivo; (3) down-regulating Aß-induced neuroinflammation via the nuclear factor kappa B/mitogen-activated protein kinase/Akt signal pathway in BV-2 cells and in vivo; and (4) alleviating gut microbiota disorder, particularly with respect to oxidative stress and inflammatory-related bacteria such as Alistipes, Helicobacter, Rikenella, Desulfovibrio, and Faecalibaculum. Thus, we anticipate that Res-selenium-peptide nanocomposites will offer a new potential strategy for the treatment of AD.

Smart releasing electrospun nanofibers-poly: L.lactide fibers as dual drug delivery system for biomedical application.

An ongoing challenge in drug delivery systems for a variety of medical applications, including cardiovascular diseases, is the delivery of multiple drugs to address numerous phases of a treatment or healing process. Therefore, an extended dual drug delivery system (DDDS) based on our previously reported cardiac DDDS was generated. Here we use the polymer poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) as drug carrier with the cytostatic drug Paclitaxel (PTX) and the endothelial cell proliferation enhancing growth factor, human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), to overcome typical in-stent restenosis complications. We succeeded in using one solution to generate two separate DDDS via spray coating (film) and electrospinning (nonwoven) with the same content of PTX and the same post processing for VEGF immobilisation. Both processes are suitable as coating techniques for implants. The contact angle analysis revealed differences between films and nonwovens. Whereas, the morphological analysis demonstrated nearly no changes occurred after immobilisation of both drugs. Glass transition temperatures (Tg ) and degree of crystallinity (χ) show only minor changes. The amount of immobilised VEGF on nonwovens was over 300% higher compared to the films. Also, the nonwovens revealed a much faster and over three times higher PTX release over 70 d compared to the films. The almost equal physical properties of nonwovens and films allow the comparison of both DDDS independently of their fabrication process. Both films and nonwovens have significantly increased in vitro cell viability for human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EA.hy926) with dual loaded PTX and VEGF compared to PTX-only loaded samples.

Enhanced antitumor activity of bovine lactoferrin through immobilization onto functionalized nano graphene oxide: an in vitro/in vivo study.

This study aims to improve the anticancer activity of bovine lactoferrin through enhancing its stability by immobilization onto graphene oxide. Bovine lactoferrin was conjugated onto graphene oxide and the conjugation process was confirmed by FT-IR, SDS-PAGE, and UV spectrophotometry. Physical characterization was performed by DLS analysis and atomic force microscopy. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the final construct (CGO-PEG-bLF) was inspected on lung cancer TC-1 cells by MTT assay and flow cytometry/confocal microscopy. The anticancer mechanism of the CGO-PEG-bLF was studied by cell cycle analysis, apoptosis assay, and western blot technique. Finally, the anticancer activity of CGO-PEG-bLF was assessed in an animal model of lung cancer. Size and zeta potential of CGO-PEG-bLF was obtained in the optimum range. Compared with free bLF, more cytotoxic activity, cellular uptake and more survival time was obtained for CGO-PEG-bLF. CGO-PEG-bLF significantly inhibited tumor growth in the animal model. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were more induced by CGO-PEG-bLF. Moreover, exposure to CGO-PEG-bLF decreased the phospho-AKT and pro-Caspase 3 levels and increased the amount of cleaved caspase 3 in the treated cells. This study revealed the potential of CGO-PEG as a promising nanocarrier for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents.

Immobilization of BMP-2-derived peptides on 3D-printed porous scaffolds for enhanced osteogenesis.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies open up new perspectives for customizing the external shape and internal architecture of bone scaffolds. In this study, an oligopeptide (SSVPT, Ser-Ser-Val-Pro-Thr) derived from bone morphogenetic protein 2 was conjugated with a dopamine coating on a 3D-printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffold to enhance osteogenesis. Cell experiments in vitro showed that the scaffold was highly osteoconductive to the adhesion and proliferation of rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition, RT-PCR analysis showed that the scaffold was able to promote the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN). Images of the micro-CT 3D reconstruction from the rat cranial bone defect model showed that bone regeneration patterns occurred from one side edge towards the center of the area implanted with the prepared biomimetic peptide hydrogels, demonstrating significantly accelerated bone regeneration. This work will provide a basis to explore the application potential of bioactive scaffolds further.

Optimization of Surface Display of DENV2 E Protein on a Nanoparticle to Induce Virus Specific Neutralizing Antibody Responses.

The dengue virus (DENV) causes over 350 million infections, resulting in ∼25,000 deaths per year globally. An effective dengue vaccine requires generation of strong and balanced neutralizing antibodies against all four antigenically distinct serotypes of DENV. The leading live-attenuated tetravalent dengue virus vaccine platform has shown partial efficacy, with an unbalanced response across the four serotypes in clinical trials. DENV subunit vaccine platforms are being developed because they provide a strong safety profile and are expected to avoid the unbalanced immunization issues associated with live multivalent vaccines. Subunit vaccines often lack immunogenicity, requiring either a particulate or adjuvanted formulation. Particulate formulations adsorbing monomeric DENV-E antigen to the particle surface incite a strong immune response, but have no control of antigen presentation. Highly neutralizing epitopes are displayed by DENV-E quaternary structures. To control the display of DENV-E and produce quaternary structures, particulate formulations that covalently attach DENV-E to the particle surface are needed. Here we develop a surface attached DENV2-E particulate formulation, as well as analysis tools, using PEG hydrogel nanoparticles created with particle replication in nonwetting templates (PRINT) technology. We found that adding Tween-20 to the conjugation buffer controls DENV-E adsorption to the particle surface during conjugation, improving both protein stability and epitope display. Immunizations with the anionic but not the cationic DENV2-E conjugated particles were able to produce DENV-specific and virus neutralizing antibody in mice. This work optimized the display of DENV-E conjugated to the surface of a nanoparticle through EDC/NHS chemistry, establishing a platform that can be expanded upon in future work to fully control the display of DENV-E.

Novel approach for a PTX/VEGF dual drug delivery system in cardiovascular applications-an innovative bulk and surface drug immobilization.

The successive incorporation of several drugs into the polymeric bulk of implants mostly results in loss of considerable quantity of one drug, and/or the loss in quality of the coating and also in changes of drug release time points. A dual drug delivery system (DDDS) based on poly-L-lactide (PLLA) copolymers combining the effective inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation while simultaneously promoting re-endothelialization was successfully developed. To overcome possible antagonistic drug interactions and the limitation of the polymeric bulk material as release system for dual drugs, a novel concept which combines the bulk and surface drug immobilization for a DDDS was investigated. The advantage of this DDDS is that the bulk incorporation of fluorescein diacetate (FDAc) (model drug for paclitaxel (PTX)) via spray coating enhanced the subsequent cleavable surface coupling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via the crosslinker bissulfosuccinimidyl suberate (BS3). In the presence of the embedded FDAc, the VEGF loading and release are about twice times higher than in absence. Furthermore, the DDDS combines the diffusion drug delivery (FDAc or PTX) and the chemical controlled drug release, VEGF via hydrolysable ester bonds, without loss in quantity and quality of the drug release curves. Additionally, the performed in vitro biocompatibility study showed the bimodal influences of PTX and VEGF on human endothelial EA.hy926 cells. In conclusion, it was possible to show the feasibility to develop a novel DDDS which has a high potential for the medical application due to the possible easy and short modification of a polymer-based PTX delivery system.

Accelerated tissue integration into porous materials by immobilizing basic fibroblast growth factor using a biologically safe three-step reaction.

Soft tissue integration into a porous structure is important to prevent bacterial infection of percutaneous devices and improve tissue regeneration using porous scaffolds. Here, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was immobilized on porous polymer materials using a mild and biologically safe three-step reaction: (1) modification with a novel surface-modification peptide (penta-lysine-mussel adhesive sequence, which reacts with various matrices), (2) electrostatic binding of heparin with introduced penta-lysine, and (3) biologically specific binding of bFGF to heparin. Porous polyethylene specimens (PPSs) (D = 6.0 mm, H = 2.0 mm) with a good size for tissue integration were selected as a base material, immobilized with bFGF, and subcutaneously implanted into mice. Half of the unmodified PPSs extruded out of the body on day 112 postimplantation; however, the three-step reaction completely prevented sample rejection. Tissue integration was greatly accelerated by immobilizing bFGF. Direct physical coating of bFGF on PPS resulted in greater immobilization but lesser tissue integration than that after the three-step bFGF immobilization, indicating that heparin binds and enhances bFGF efficacy. This three-step bFGF immobilization reaction will be applicable to various polymeric, metallic, and ceramic materials and is a simple strategy to integrate tissue on porous medical devices or scaffolds for tissue regeneration.

Use of natural neural scaffolds consisting of engineered vascular endothelial growth factor immobilized on ordered collagen fibers filled in a collagen tube for peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.

The search for effective strategies for peripheral nerve regeneration has attracted much attention in recent years. In this study, ordered collagen fibers were used as intraluminal fibers after nerve injury in rats. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in nerve regeneration, but its very fast initial burst of activity within a short time has largely limited its clinical use. For the stable binding of VEGF to ordered collagen fibers, we fused a collagen-binding domain (CBD) to VEGF through recombinant DNA technology. Then, we filled the ordered collagen fibers-CBD-VEGF targeting delivery system in a collagen tube to construct natural neural scaffolds, which were then used to bridge transected nerve stumps in a rat sciatic nerve transection model. After transplantation, the natural neural scaffolds showed minimal foreign body reactions and good integration into the host tissue. Oriented collagen fibers in the collagen tube could guide regenerating axons in an oriented manner to the distal, degenerating nerve segment, maximizing the chance of target reinnervation. Functional and histological analyses indicated that the recovery of nerve function in the natural neural scaffolds-treated group was superior to the other grafted groups. The guiding of oriented axonal regeneration and effective delivery systems surmounting the otherwise rapid and short-lived diffusion of growth factors in body fluids are two important strategies in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. The natural neural scaffolds described take advantage of these two aspects and may produce synergistic effects. These properties qualified the artificial nerve conduits as a putative candidate system for the fabrication of peripheral nerve reconstruction devices.

Specific activity of electron-beam synthesis immobilized hyaluronidase on G-CSF induced mobilization of bone marrow progenitor cells.

The effects of nanotechnology (electron-beam) -PEGylated (or immobilized; Im) hyaluronidase (HD) on the state of the pool of bone marrow progenitor cells and their mobilization induced by granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) were studied. A high specific activity of the drug Im-HD on progenitor cells of different classes was demonstrated using parenteral and enteral administration. An increase in the content of erythroid (E), granulomonocytic (GM), fibroblast (F) colony-forming units (CFU) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in bone marrow was shown, as well as G-CSF-induced stimulation of mobilization of precursors into the peripheral blood under the influence of Im-HD. The detected activity of this novel drug on progenitor cells indicates the potential for a safe and highly effective treatment for hematology practice and regenerative medicine.

Immobilization strategy for optimizing VEGF's concurrent bioactivity towards endothelial cells and osteoblasts on implant surfaces.

Orthopedic implant failure is mainly due to defective osseointegration and bacterial infection. Hence, a promising strategy to overcome these two problems is to functionalize the implant surface with both growth factors (GFs) and anti-infective agents. Covalent immobilization is widely used for such functionalization, but few studies have investigated the possible decrease in the GF's bioactivity as a result of conformational changes upon immobilization. In our study, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was immobilized on titanium surface via either covalent binding or heparin-VEGF interaction, and its bioactivity on endothelial cells (ECs) was compared. Although a similar surface density of immobilized VEGF was achieved by these two strategies, the bioactivity of the covalently immobilized VEGF on EC functions is significantly lower than that of the heparin-bound VEGF. The heparin-bound VEGF also enhanced mineralization in an osteoblast/endothelial cell co-culture to a much greater extent than in an osteoblast monoculture, illustrating the importance of crosstalk between osteoblasts and endothelial cells. In addition, the surface of the substrates with heparin-bound VEGF is highly hydrophilic and negatively-charged, which significantly inhibits Staphylococcus aureus adhesion. These results suggest that our strategy of immobilizing VEGF on titanium via heparin-VEGF interaction can preserve the GF's bioactivity on both osseous and vascular components and concomitantly reduce bacterial infection, which is promising to enhance the long-term stability of implants.

Therapeutic effect of adipose-derived stem cells and BDNF-immobilized PLGA membrane in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernous nerve injury is the main reason for post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED). Stem cell and neuroprotection therapy are promising therapeutic strategy for ED. AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immobilized Poly-Lactic-Co-Glycolic (PLGA) membrane on the cavernous nerve in a rat model of post-prostatectomy ED. Methods. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury (BCNI) group, ADSC (BCNI group with ADSCs on cavernous nerve) group, BDNF-membrane (BCNI group with BDNF/PLGA membrane on cavernous nerve) group, and ADSC/BDNF-membrane (BCNI group with ADSCs covered with BDNF/PLGA membrane on cavernous nerve) group. BDNF was controlled-released for a period of 4 weeks in a BDNF/PLGA porous membrane system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Four weeks after the operation, erectile function was assessed by detecting the ratio of intra-cavernous pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP). Smooth muscle and collagen content were determined by Masson's trichrome staining. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the dorsal penile nerve was detected by immunostaining. Phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level of the corpus cavernosum were quantified by Western blotting and cGMP assay, respectively. RESULTS: In the ADSC/BDNF-membrane group, erectile function was significantly elevated, compared with the BCNI and other treated groups. ADSC/BDNF-membrane treatment significantly increased smooth muscle/collagen ratio, nNOS content, phospho-eNOS protein expression, and cGMP level, compared with the BCNI and other treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: ADSCs with BDNF-membrane on the cavernous nerve can improve erectile function in a rat model of post-prostatectomy ED, which may be used as a novel therapy for post-prostatectomy ED.

The impact of immobilization of BMP-2 on PDO membrane for bone regeneration.

Poly(dioxanone) (PDO) is colorless, crystalline, a biodegradable synthetic polymers that is used for biomedical applications, such as surgical sutures, cardiovascular applications, orthopedics, and plastic surgery. Recently, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is widely used for bone tissue engineering. For the first time we report here on the in vitro performance of an electrospun PDO membrane immobilized with BMP-2. Immobilized BMP-2 on PDO membrane enhanced ALPase activity, the osteogenic differentiation gene expressions as well as cell attachment, except cell proliferation when compared to that of PDO membrane alone. These results suggest that PDO membrane with BMP-2 is helpful to promote bone healing and regeneration.

The therapeutic potential of SA-sCD40L in the orthotopic model of superficial bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Intravesical administration is an important treatment against superficial bladder cancer and CD40L is essential for the protective anti-tumor immunity. In situ gene therapy with CD40L was demonstrated to successfully inhibit tumor cell growth in the orthotopic mouse model of bladder cancer. In the present study, we prepared streptavidin (SA)-tagged sCD40L and developed a novel immunotherapy for superficial bladder cancer based on the strong interaction between streptavidin and biotin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SA-sCD40L fusion protein was expressed in E. coli and purified on the Ni-NTA column. After refolding with dialysis, the bi-function of the fusion protein was determined by flow cytometric analysis for streptaidin-mediated surface modification of MB49 bladder cancer cells and a mouse B cell CD40L-dependent proliferation assay. The mouse orthotopic model of MB49 superficial bladder cancer was used to evaluate the efficacy of SA-sCD40L immunotherapy. RESULTS: The SA-sCD40L fusion protein exhibited both full biotin-binding property and CD40L bioactivity. After intravesical instillation, the SA-sCD40L bi-functional fusion protein was durably immobilized on the biotinylated mucosal surface of bladder wall for up to four days. The SA-sCD40L treatment significantly prolonged the survival of MB49 tumor-bearing mice and cured 50% of mice with MB49 superficial bladder cancer without significant adverse effects. In addition, more tumor-infiltrating CD4(+)or CD8(+) T cells were observed in SA-sCD40L-treated group. CONCLUSION: Intravesical immobilization of SA-sCD40L elicited a strong and long-lasting immunity against the MB49 bladder cancer.