Correlative Fluorescent Scanning Probe Nanotomography Used to Study the Intracellular Distribution of Doxorubicin in MCF-7 Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Developing technologies for efficient targeted drug delivery for oncotherapy requires new methods to analyze the features of micro- and nanoscale distributions of antitumor drugs in cells and tissues. A new approach to three-dimensional analysis of the intracellular distribution of cytostatics was developed using fluorescence scanning optical-probe nanotomography. A correlative analysis of the nanostructure and distribution of injected doxorubicin in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells revealed the features of drug penetration and accumulation in the cell. The technology is based on the principles of scanning optical probe nanotomography and is applicable to studying the distribution patterns of various fluorescent or fluorescence-labelled substances in cells and tissues.

Hydrogels Based on Recombinant Spidroin Stimulate Proliferation and Migration of Human Corneal Cells.

The effect of recombinant spidroin (RS) hydrogel (HG) on anterior epithelial cells and keratocytes of the human cornea was studied in vitro. Corneal injuries are highly prevalent in developing countries according to the World Health Organization. Various technologies have recently been proposed to restore the damaged surface of the cornea. Use of biodegradable silk-based materials, including recombinant analogs of the spider silk protein spidroin, is an important avenue of research in the field of wound healing and corneal regeneration. Spidroins are well known for their optimal balance of strength and elasticity. Given their biological compatibility, lack of immunogenicity, and biodegradability, spidroins provide a biomaterial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. HGs based on RS rS2/12-RGDS were therefore tested for cytotoxicity toward isolated corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes with regard to possible changes in cell phenotype and migratory activity. A promising outlook and therapeutic potential were demonstrated for RS-based HGs.

Identification of Ultrastructural Details of the Astrocyte Process System in Nervous Tissue of the Brain Using Correlative Scanning Probe and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Nanoscale morphological features of branched processes of glial cells may be of decisive importance for neuron-astrocyte interactions in health and disease. The paper presents the results of a correlation analysis of images of thin processes of astrocytes in nervous tissue of the mouse brain, which were obtained by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with high spatial resolution. Samples were prepared and imaged using a unique hardware combination of ultramicrotomy and SPM. Astrocyte details with a thickness of several tens of nanometers were identifiable in the images, making it possible to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of astrocytic processes by integrating a series of sequential images of ultrathin sections of nervous tissue in the future.

Investigation of the Distribution of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Tumor Tissues by the Method of Scanning Magnetic Force Nanotomography.

The development of effective biomedical technologies using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for the tasks of oncotherapy and nanodiagnostics requires the development and implementation of new methods for the analysis of micro- and nanoscale distributions of MNPs in the volume of cells and tissues. The paper presents a new approach to three-dimensional analysis of MNP distributions - scanning magnetic force nanotomography as applied to the study of tumor tissues. Correlative reconstruction of MNP distributions and nanostructure features of the studied tissues made it possible to quantitatively estimate the parameters of three-dimensional distributions of composite nanoparticles based on silicon and iron oxide obtained by femtosecond laser ablation and injected intravenously and intratumorally into tumor tissue samples of B16/F1 mouse melanoma. The developed technology based on the principles of scanning probe nanotomography is applicable for studying the features of three-dimensional micro- and nanoscale distributions of magnetic nanoparticles in biomaterials, cells and tissues of various types.

Scanning Optical Probe Nanotomography for Investigation of the Structure of Biomaterials and Cells.

Creation of new effective bio-artificial structures for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine requires development and implementation of new technological approaches for analysis of micro- and nanostructural features of constructs based on biomaterials and their interaction with cells. A new method of three-dimensional multiparametric analysis of nanostructure, scanning optical probe nanotomography, is presented in this paper, applied to the analysis of cells and biomaterials. Correlative reconstruction of fluorescent marker distributions and nanostructure features allows quantitative evaluation of a number of parameters of three-dimensional nanomorphology of fibroblasts and human hepatocarcinoma cells Hep-G2, adhered to biodegradable scaffolds based on silk fibroin. The developed technology with use of scanning optical probe nanotomography is applicable to investigation of three-dimensional micro- and nanostructure features of biomaterials and cells of different types.

Surface Modification of Alginate Microcarriers for Improvement of Their Biological Properties.

The obtaining of microcarriers for the cell culture and delivery is an urgent task of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The novel method of surface modification of alginate microcarriers in the form of microspheres with a diameter of 200-300 µm was developed. The described method consists in covalent crosslinking between collagen and surface of alginate microcarriers. It was shown that the method makes it possible to completely modify the surface of the alginate microcarrier, which can be used to improve the biological properties of the microcarrier. Such microcarriers with improved biological properties can be considered as effective systems for cell delivery and culture.

The effect of biodegradable silk fibroin-based scaffolds containing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on the corneal regeneration process.

Corneal injury due to ocular trauma or infection is one of the most challenging vision impairing pathologies. The aim of the work was to study the effect of biodegradable silk fibroin-based scaffolds containing GDNF on the corneal regeneration process. During cultivate the highest keratocytes proliferative activity was registered with scaffolds containing 250 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml GDNF. In mice with an experimental model of epithelial-stromal damage to the cornea, silk fibroin-based scaffolds containing GDNF in various concentrations were used (in groups 1, 2 and 3 silk fibroin-based scaffolds containing GDNF in a concentration of 50 ng/ml, 250 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml, respectively; in group 4 - silk fibroin-based scaffolds without GDNF; in group 5 - a solution of GDNF with concentration of 500 ng/ml; group 6- control). The area of the corneal epithelial defect in groups 2, 3, and 5 was less than in the other groups. The most pronounced positive immunohistochemical reaction with antibodies to Bcl2, Bax, phosphoERK1/2 and phospho-JNK1/2, Ki67, Gap43 was observed in groups 2 and 3. Thus, silk fibroin-based scaffolds with GDNF stimulate the epithelialization process, proliferative activity of epithelial cells and keratocytes, accelerate the formation of the stromal nerve plexus and exhibit anti-apoptotic activity.

Micro- and nanostructural characteristics of 3D porous carriers ElastoPHB-3D.

Microstructure of the surface and micro- and nanostructure of the internal surface of 3D porous carrier ElastoPHB-3D were studied by methods of electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Biological properties of ElastoPHB-3D samples were evaluated using culture of L929 mouse fibroblasts. High porosity and pore size of biodegradable matrixes ElastoPHB-3D and their good biofunctional properties as the substrate for cell culturing allow us to recommend ElastoPH-3D as a promising carrier for cell transplantation and creation of artificial organs.