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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Integrated experimental and bioinformatics analysis reveals ECM-integrin and redox signaling associated with PMMA/NiO nanocomposites for craniofacial applications.

BACKGROUND: Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used in dental and craniofacial applications; however, its clinical performance is limited by poor surface wettability, moderate mechanical strength, and restricted biological activity. Integrating nanomaterial engineering with computational biology offers an opportunity to better understand biomaterial-cell interactions and support the rational design of functional biomaterials. METHODS: Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation and incorporated into PMMA to fabricate nanocomposites. Physicochemical characterization included contact angle measurements, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Vickers hardness testing. Biocompatibility was evaluated using zebrafish embryo developmental assays. To explore biological processes potentially associated with biomaterial-cell interactions, bioinformatics analyses including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and STRING protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed. RESULTS: Incorporation of NiO nanoparticles improved the surface and mechanical properties of PMMA, reducing the contact angle from 105.35° to 90.46° and increasing Vickers hardness compared with unmodified PMMA. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed successful synthesis and homogeneous nanoparticle incorporation. Zebrafish embryo studies demonstrated minimal developmental toxicity, supporting the biocompatibility of the nanocomposite. Bioinformatics analyses identified significant enrichment of pathways related to extracellular matrix organization, cell adhesion, focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling, and oxidative stress regulation. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed highly interconnected networks associated with ECM-integrin signaling and redox homeostasis, highlighting biological processes potentially associated with biomaterial-cell communication. CONCLUSIONS: PMMA/NiO nanocomposites exhibited improved physicochemical performance and favorable biocompatibility characteristics. The integration of experimental characterization with bioinformatics and network-based analyses provides a systems-level perspective on biomaterial-associated cellular processes and identifies ECM-integrin signaling and oxidative stress-related pathways as candidate biological processes for future experimental validation. These findings support the continued development of PMMA/NiO nanocomposites for oral and craniofacial biomedical applications.

Nanocomposites↗

PubMed2026

Ultrasound-driven mechanophore activation in living plants.

This study presents a biocompatible, ultrasound-responsive platform for remotely activating mechanochemical reactions within live plant tissue. Fluorogenic Mechanophore-embedded silica NanoParticles (FMNPs) that are thermally stable were engineered to emit blue fluorescence at 440 nm upon mechanical activation. In Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) leaves, activation was achieved through the synergistic combination of gas vesicles (GVs) and high-frequency focused ultrasound (FUS, 550 kHz), enabling spatially localized and minimally invasive stimulation. Low-frequency ultrasound (25 kHz) triggered activation but caused extensive tissue damage, while high-frequency FUS alone was biocompatible yet insufficient to activate FMNPs. Incorporation of GVs as a cavitation amplifier significantly boosted activation efficiency under mild acoustic conditions without observable tissue disruption. In planta fluorescence imaging confirmed that FMNPs retained their functionality after injection into leaf vasculature, and only the combination of GV and FUS produced a statistically significant fluorescence increase, indicating successful mechanochemical activation. This represents a demonstration of noninvasive and biocompatible ultrasound-induced mechanophore activation in live plants. This modular and noninvasive strategy opens possibilities for programmable release of regulatory and metabolic chemicals, biosensing, and synthetic molecular control in plant systems.

Plant Leaves↗

PubMed2025

Retinal hypoxia reversal with PLGA-oxygen nanobubbles.

Pathologies associated with retinal hypoxia, including diabetic retinopathy, central/branch retinal artery occlusion (CRAO/BRAO), central/branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO/BRVO), retinopathy of prematurity, sickle cell retinopathy, etc., have limited effective therapeutic intervention strategies. To address this shortcoming, herein we propose a biocompatible and biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) shell-based oxygen nanobubbles (PLGA-ONBs) platform, formulated with PLGA, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and NaHCO3. The formulation of a novel PLGA-ONBs was proposed, and the synthesis process was optimized with respect to dependent (sonication power, PVA, and NaHCO3 concentrations) and response (hydrodynamic diameter and oxygen capacity) variables. The optimized formulation has a concentration of (13.8 ± 0.01) × 1010 particles per ml with a hydrodynamic diameter of 142.83 ± 11.46 nm, and oxygen loading capacity of 47.2 ± 2.4 mg L-1. After 4 weeks of storage, the ONBs were found to have an oxygen concentration of 38.9 ± 2.9 mg L-1, indicating excellent oxygen retention capability. The PLGA-ONBs tested in vitro in Muller and R28 retinal cell lines demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and potential to mitigate hypoxia. In addition, the PLGA-ONBs treatment on hypoxic cells demonstrated restoration of mRNA expression of three key hypoxic genes (HIF-1α, PAI-1, and VEGF-A) to normoxic states, indicating hypoxia reversal potential. Biosafety of the PLGA-ONBs was demonstrated in a rabbit model, demonstrating promise in clinical translation. The PLGA-ONBs developed exhibited excellent oxygen loading and retention, potential in hypoxia mitigation, and a safety profile that could be a promising route to treating ischemic diseases of the eye.

Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer↗

PubMed2026

The hidden threat from food-derived carbon dots: Formation, biodistribution, and potential health risks.

Food-derived carbon dots (CDs) are a new class of carbon-based nanoparticles generated during the thermal processing of food matrices. These nanomaterials have been extensively studied for their unique fluorescence, good biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry in food detection, intelligent packaging, and biomedical applications. However, their nanoscale size and high surface activity have raised safety concerns regarding biological interactions, in vivo biodistribution, and potential long-term health hazards. Although CDs have traditionally been regarded as low-toxicity materials due to their favorable biocompatibility, the potential hidden risks of CDs have not received sufficient attention. CDs exhibit dose-dependent toxicity, not only accumulating in various tissues and organs but also potentially inducing oxidative stress and interfering with cellular metabolic functions. Therefore, this review summarizes the advances in sources, synthetic strategies, and core properties of CDs, with a special focus on in vivo biological interactions, fates, and potential safety challenges. In addition, it is proposed that the standardized detection and risk assessment system should be established to further explore the long-term health effects of CDs under real dietary exposure, thereby ensuring their safety and sustainable application.

Carbon Quantum Dots↗

PubMed2026

Identification and characterization of a wet adhesive protein extracted from Dreissena bugensis, the freshwater quagga mussel.

Mechanisms of wet adhesion have evolved in several aquatic organisms over millions of years. Yet, the repertoire of synthetic biocompatible wet adhesive materials is still limited. The byssus is a well-studied proteinaceous bioadhesive structure utilized by several bivalves to support sessile lifestyles in turbulent conditions. The quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) is a freshwater byssate and a notorious invasive species in the Great Lakes region. To identify adhesive proteins in the quagga mussel byssus, we utilized quantitative proteomics and found several proteins enriched at the byssus-substrate interface. Among the identified proteins was the Dbfp7 protein family. Dbfp7 is a small, polymorphic, and mostly disordered protein that lacks significant amounts of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), a modified amino acid found in several marine mussel byssal proteins. Atomic force microscopy nanomechanical mapping of Dbfp7 films demonstrates that this protein exhibits adhesive ability in aqueous conditions. While DOPA is critical for marine mussel adhesion, interfacial electrochemistry of freshwater adhesive plaques suggests that freshwater byssates circumvent catechol-based adhesion. The functional characterization of Dbfp7 as a freshwater mussel adhesive protein advances the understanding of fundamental requirements for biocompatible wet adhesion, a crucial step for the development of bioinspired wet adhesive materials, such as improved medical adhesives.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Seed-derived mucilage polysaccharides as biomaterials for in vivo tissue regeneration: A systematic review.

Chronic wounds, bone defects, and cartilage injuries represent persistent clinical challenges requiring biomaterial platforms that actively regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Conventional synthetic dressings often provide limited biological activity in these contexts. Seed-derived mucilages - polysaccharide-rich hydrocolloids obtained from chia (Salvia hispanica), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), psyllium (Plantago ovata), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), quince (Cydonia oblonga) etc. - have emerged as biocompatible, biodegradable, and chemically versatile platforms for tissue engineering. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesized in vivo evidence on seed-derived mucilage-based biomaterials across wound healing, bone repair, cartilage regeneration, and related applications. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched for original in vivo experimental studies published in English between 2020 and 2026. Eligible studies reported at least one measurable regenerative outcome. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, and methodological quality was assessed using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool. Forty-three studies were included. Hydrogels were the dominant biomaterial format, followed by films, scaffolds, sponges, nanoparticle systems, and bilayer or Janus composites. Included systems generally improved wound closure, re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory regulation. However, most studies used small animals with short follow-up periods, and many incorporated nanoparticles or bioactive agents, limiting attribution of efficacy to the mucilage matrix alone. Risk of bias was predominantly unclear due to insufficient reporting of randomization and blinding. Blank mucilage controls, standardized characterization, long-term biosafety data, and clinically relevant models are essential prerequisites for translational progress.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A Biomimetic Dual-Targeting Nano-APA-Editor Reprograms the 3'UTR Landscape for Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Therapy.

Targeting post-transcriptional dysregulation of tumor suppressors represents a new frontier in cancer therapy. Here, we identify the alternative polyadenylation (APA) regulator NUDT21 as a pivotal therapeutic target in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). NUDT21 is highly upregulated, correlating strongly with poor survival and advanced clinical stage. We outline a pathogenic mechanism whereby NUDT21 drives this phenotype by forcing a network of tumor suppressor transcripts, notably PTEN, into translationally-repressed, long-3'UTR isoforms. To therapeutically "re-engineer" this APA switch, we design a "Nano-APA-editor." This platform features an HMSN core with an sgRNA-NUDT21 payload and a hierarchical targeting strategy: a cancer-educated dendritic cell (DC) membrane for biomimetic camouflage and homotypic affinity, "gated" by a TA-aptamer for final precision. This system enables potent and selective NUDT21 silencing, driving a shift toward short-3'UTR isoforms. Consequently, the Nano-APA-editor effectively reinstates PTEN and associated suppressors and inhibits multiple malignant phenotypes in vitro. In an orthotopic OSCC model, it demonstrates profound tumor regression, outperforming conventional chemotherapy (PTX) with excellent biocompatibility. In vivo analysis confirmed target engagement (NUDT21-down) and functional restoration (PTEN-, WEE1-, TGF-β-up). This work validates a "post-transcriptional re-engineering" strategy, executed by a logically designed nanoplatform, as a powerful and safe modality for precision gene therapy.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Bovine Colostrum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Impair Cancer Cell Proliferation Through Transcriptional Dysregulation.

Milk-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a promising source of molecules with therapeutic potential. Bovine colostrum is particularly enriched in EVs, which carry cargo of proteins involved in immune regulation, development and cellular signalling. Some studies have explored their role as bioactive anti-cancer agents, however, their mechanistic effects remain underexplored. Here, we show that colostrum-derived EVs (Col-EVs) exert anti-proliferative effects in gastrointestinal cancer models, including cell lines and patient-derived organoids, which is independent of apoptosis induction. Using a multi-modal approach combining proteomics, imaging and functional assays, we demonstrate that Col-EVs induce a reversible growth-arrest state, characterized by widespread transcriptional and RNA-processing dysregulation, chromatin compaction, nuclear reorganization and cytoskeletal remodelling. Proteomic analyses reveal that Col-EV treatment disrupts key components of the transcriptional machinery and cell cycle regulatory pathways, effects that are reversible upon EV withdrawal and can be rescued pharmacologically using an EZH2 inhibitor. Col-EVs enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells as well to DNA-targeting chemotherapies such as 5-fluorouracil, indicating their potential as modulatory adjuvants rather than cytotoxic agents. Overall, our findings reveal that Col-EVs can reversibly suppress cancer cell proliferation by reprogramming transcriptional and nuclear architecture, offering a natural, biocompatible strategy for modulating tumour growth and sensitizing cancer cells to conventional therapies.

Extracellular Vesicles↗

PubMed2026

Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles from the Cell-Free Supernatant of Mychonastes sp. B1: Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Effects, and Wound Healing Activity Supported by Gene and Protein Expression Analysis.

The biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using microalgae provides a sustainable alternative to conventional physicochemical methods. In this study, AgNPs were synthesized from the cell-free supernatant of the freshwater microalga Mychonastes sp. B1 and characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDS). The nanoparticles were predominantly spherical (15-55 nm), highly stable (ζ =  - 42.8 mV), and appeared to be capped by extracellular polymeric substances. The biogenic AgNPs (GS-AgNPs) exhibited potent antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2.0 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 2.5 µg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited biofilm formation. Fibroblast viability remained at or above 80% at AgNP concentrations up to 1.5 µg/mL, which promoted cell migration and increased wound closure by 8.1% at 24 h (p < 0.05). Exposure to 1.5 µg/mL AgNPs significantly upregulated extracellular matrix markers (Col1a1 2.3-fold, Fn1 3.3-fold at mRNA level; COL1A1 2.1-fold, FN1 2.7-fold at the protein level). These findings indicate that GS-AgNPs possess antimicrobial and wound healing properties, highlighting their potential as biocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

Silver↗

PubMed2026

Cationic porphyrin covalent organic framework reinforced hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films for photodynamic-photothermal sterilization and food preservation.

Microbial contamination in food necessitates effective antimicrobial packaging. While cellulose-based packaging materials suffer from limited antimicrobial efficacy, lack of active functionality, and susceptibility to inducing microbial resistance. To address these challenges, this study synthesized a cationic porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (Por-ICOF) as a multimodal photosensitizer. Por-ICOF was uniformly dispersed via non-covalent interaction within hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), creating an HPMC/Por-ICOF composite film. This integration enhanced mechanical strength (increased by 26%), hydrophobicity (WCA 71°), and gas barrier properties (OP reduced by 42%, WVP reduced by 36%). Under visible light, the HPMC/Por ICOF film superior absorption generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and photothermal effects, inactivating 99.2% of Escherichia coli and 99.95% of Staphylococcus aureus within 20 min. The composite film exhibited excellent biocompatibility and effectively extended the shelf life of strawberries. This cationic modification strategy for cellulose-based films offers a novel avenue for the design of high-performance antimicrobial food packaging materials.

Food Preservation↗

PubMed2026

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles as food-based nanocarriers: Mechanisms, functional applications, and future perspectives in food systems.

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are a promising type of postbiotic nanoparticle derived by fermentation of probiotics, and have gained growing interest as a potential application in food science and nutrition. These are lipid bilayer vesicles of nanoscale, which are naturally released by probiotic cells and contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Moreover, PDEVs are highly stable, biocompatible, and can be easily engineered to have surfaces with high functionality, which makes them good candidates in functional engineering. In contrast to traditional live probiotics, PDEVs overcome the difficulties of preserving microbial viability during processing and storage, thus providing superior safety, stability, and predictable biological performance. This is a systematic review of the various functions of PDEVs in food systems. We conclude on the processes through which PDEVs control intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and alter host immune responses, and their potential to enhance gut health when added to functional foods. In addition to their health-promoting effects, PDEVs have shown significant potential as natural antimicrobial agents to preserve food and as effective nanocarriers of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, including fucoxanthin, to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Moreover, PDEVs can be used as new regulators of microbial fermentation. However, it should be noted that a lot of the evidence that is available is still preliminary and the effectiveness of these applications in real food-processing and storage conditions has not been fully proven. Although they have potential, there are a number of challenges that still hinder the widespread use of PDEVs in the food industry. These involve the creation of scalable and cost-effective production processes, batch-to-batch consistency, vesicle stability in a variety of food matrices, and regulatory and safety considerations. Other emerging engineering approaches, such as surface functionalization and cargo loading, are also discussed in this review and could further increase the specificity, functionality, and application versatility of PDEVs in food systems. Moving forward, the incorporation of PDEVs into the next generation functional foods, novel food preservation methods, and customized nutrition plans should be prioritized in future studies. Further developments in these fields can make PDEVs useful platforms at the interface of food microbiology, nanotechnology, and human health.

Probiotics↗

PubMed2026

Food-derived extracellular vesicles as delivery platforms for medicine-food homology components in metabolic syndrome.

Diet-induced obesity and associated metabolic syndromes have become major global public health challenge, highlighting the urgent need for safe and effective strategies. Recently, food-derived extracellular vesicles (FDEVs) have garnered increasing attention as natural nanocarriers due to their excellent biocompatibility and specific targeted delivery capabilities. FDEVs can efficiently deliver medicine-food homology components (MFHCs) to precisely regulate lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and insulin sensitivity, thereby improving obesity and its metabolic abnormalities. This systematic review summarizes recent advances in the use of FDEVs as delivery vehicles for MFHCs to suppress diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome, with a particular focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms, including signaling pathway regulation and cellular metabolic remodeling. In addition, the clinical translational potential and industrial application prospects of FDEVs are evaluated, and key challenges related to preparation techniques, safety assessment, and large-scale production are discussed. By integrating current evidence, this review aims to provide theoretical framework and future perspectives for the development of FDEVs as a novel targeted delivery platform and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Extracellular Vesicles↗

PubMed2026

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Combined With 3-Dimensional Hyaluronan-Based Scaffold Promote Tendon-to-Bone Tunnel Healing.

PURPOSE: Tendon-to-bone healing remains a major clinical challenge due to poor regenerative capacity at the enthesis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes combined with a 3-dimensional hyaluronan-based scaffold on graft healing within bone tunnels. This study was conducted in accordance with the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines. METHODS: A total of 128 tendon-bone models were created in 64 Sprague-Dawley rats, randomized into four groups: control, exosome-only, scaffold-only, and exosome-loaded scaffold. At weeks 4 and 8 postoperatively, samples were analyzed histologically (hematoxylin-eosin, Masson Trichrome), immunohistochemically (fibroblast growth factor 2, bone morphogenetic protein 2), and biomechanically (maximum failure load). RESULTS: At both time points, the exosome-loaded scaffold group demonstrated significantly enhanced vascularization, cellular activity, and collagen fiber continuity and parallelism compared to all other groups (P < .05). Fibroblast growth factor 2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 expression levels were highest in the exosome-loaded scaffold group, indicating early activation of proregenerative pathways. Biomechanically, this group also exhibited the greatest maximum failure load (15.64 ± 0.86 N at week 4; 22.97 ± 2.86 N at week 8), suggesting superior tendon-to-bone integration. The exosome-only group showed delayed but comparable improvements by week 8. CONCLUSIONS: Combining mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes with a 3-dimensional hyaluronan-based polycaprolactone/tricalcium phosphate scaffold enhances early and sustained healing at the tendon-bone interface. This cell-free, biocompatible strategy significantly improves vascularization, growth factor expression, collagen organization, and mechanical strength. These findings support its potential as a clinically translatable approach for improving tendon-to-bone healing outcomes. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic V.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Engineering extracellular vesicles for targeted siRNA delivery: Advances, therapeutic applications, and clinical translation.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics have emerged as a transformative approach for sequence-specific gene silencing, offering the potential to treat a broad spectrum of diseases by selectively suppressing disease-associated genes. However, the clinical translation of siRNA remains limited by rapid enzymatic degradation, poor cellular uptake, inadequate endosomal escape, and off-target effects, necessitating the development of efficient delivery systems. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained considerable attention as natural nanocarriers owing to their excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, intrinsic targeting capability, and ability to protect therapeutic cargo while traversing complex biological barriers. This review comprehensively discusses the biological characteristics of EVs, the molecular basis of RNA interference, and the major challenges associated with siRNA delivery [Fig. 1]. Recent advances in EV engineering, including cargo-loading strategies such as electroporation, sonication, extrusion, parent-cell engineering, and microfluidic approaches, together with surface functionalization using peptides, antibodies, aptamers, and hybrid nanoplatforms, are critically evaluated for improving targeting specificity and intracellular delivery. Furthermore, the therapeutic applications of engineered EV-mediated siRNA delivery in cancer, neurological disorders, liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, and infectious diseases are systematically summarized, highlighting their potential to enhance gene silencing while minimizing systemic toxicity. Current challenges related to large-scale manufacturing, cargo-loading efficiency, standardization, quality control, regulatory approval, and clinical translation are also discussed, together with emerging technologies involving synthetic biology, genome engineering, artificial intelligence, and multifunctional hybrid vesicles. Overall, engineered extracellular vesicles represent a highly versatile and biologically inspired platform for targeted siRNA delivery, providing a promising foundation for the development of next-generation precision RNA therapeutics and accelerating the clinical translation of gene-silencing strategies.

Extracellular vesicle engineering↗

PubMed2026

Development of Dual-Cross-Linked AlgMA/HAMA Hybrid Hydrogels for Traumatic Wound Healing.

Traumatic injuries and uncontrolled, intense bleeding caused by surgery remain among today's leading medical problems. Traumatic wounds are not only observed on the skin but also result from internal organ ruptures caused by explosions and firearms. At this point, severe hemorrhaging can lead to hypothermia, hemorrhagic shock, organ failure, and even death due to the loss of more than 40% of blood volume. Therefore, it is crucial to halt bleeding rapidly. In this study, an alginate derivative that supports platelet aggregation and a hyaluronic acid derivative that adheres to wet tissues and induces angiogenesis, thereby promoting vascularization, have been prepared. The derivatives of alginate and hyaluronic acid were subjected to free radical photopolymerization, allowing them to cross-link in the presence of visible light. The study aims to introduce a new biomaterial featuring sodium alginate and hyaluronic acid groups that demonstrates good mechanical strength, a high swelling capacity to stabilize bleeding in the environment, and effective hemostatic properties. The chemical characterization of biopolymers was analyzed using FTIR and NMR techniques. The mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and degradation profiles of visible light cross-linked hybrid hydrogels were systematically characterized. The biocompatibility of the produced hydrogels was also evaluated using MTT and scratch wound healing tests. In addition, hemolysis and blood coagulation tests were performed to investigate the hemocompatibility and hemostatic potential of visible light cross-linked hybrid hydrogels.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2025

Strain-Promoted mRNA Transdermal Delivery by Lipoic Lipid Nanoparticles for Therapeutic Skin Genome Editing.

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mRNA formulations have revolutionized the field of nucleic acid therapeutics, yet their broader clinical application is constrained by inflammatory side effects and oxidative stress, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases. Herein, we report the rational design and synthesis of a lipoic acid-based ionizable lipid library to address these limitations. By leveraging the antioxidant properties and thiol-mediated uptake potential of lipoic acid, we identified LA-A2B2CD3 as an optimal candidate through a structure-activity relationship study and design of experiment (DOE) optimization. LA-A2B2CD3 LNPs exhibited superior reactive oxygen species scavenging, enhanced mRNA translation, and reduced inflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that the efficient cellular uptake and the transdermal delivery capacity of LA-A2B2CD3 heavily rely on the reducible disulfide ring of lipoic acid. Application of LA-A2B2CD3 LNPs for the localized transdermal delivery of Cas9 mRNA and CD93 sgRNA in a murine model of psoriasis resulted in effective CD93 genome editing and the inhibition of the CD93-p38 MAPK-AKT-SMAD2/3 pathway, leading to significant therapeutic improvement. This work presents a robust, biocompatible LNP platform with minimized immunogenicity and strong potential for genome-editing therapies in inflammatory conditions, offering a transformative approach for the mRNA-based treatment of skin and other inflammation-related disorders.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Evaluation of methacrylic resin-modified calcium silicate cements for pulpal healing using an experimental pulpitis model.

Recently, vital pulp treatment (VPT), including direct pulp capping, which preserves pulp vitality and extends the functional lifespan of teeth, has garnered significant attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of calcium silicate cement, the gold standard for VPT, alongside hydraulic calcium silicate cement (Pro-MTA), a material with extensive evidence of effectiveness, Bis-GMA resin-modified calcium silicate cement (TH), and a newly developed material, methacrylate resin-modified calcium silicate cement (RM-MTA), in a model of pulpitis induced by caries progression. Additionally, the calcium ion (Ca2+) release capacity of these materials and their comprehensive effects on pulpal wound healing were assessed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). In both sound pulp models and caries-induced pulpitis models, RM-MTA and Pro-MTA exhibited similar performances. Unlike TH, they induced significant tertiary dentin formation within the dental pulp beneath the material, without any residual inflammatory cells. Inflammation was specifically assessed with a focus on M1/M2 macrophages. While the timing of Ca2+ ion release differed among the materials, the total amount released was comparable, although the release of calcium ions (Ca2+) from TH was significantly lower compared to that observed for the above materials. Moreover, comprehensive genetic analysis revealed that the expression of cell proliferation-related genes was selectively reduced in TH, suggesting that differences in resin composition may account for these variations in behavior. These findings suggest that RM-MTA induces tertiary dentin and demonstrates biocompatibility comparable to that of Pro-MTA. This makes it suitable for the treatment of both sound and mildly inflamed pulp tissues. Additionally, its resin properties are expected to enhance both mechanical performance and clinical handling.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Engineering strategies and translational progress in targeted nanoparticle drug delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has emerged as a transformative approach in modern therapeutics, offering improved targeting efficiency, enhanced pharmacokinetics, and reduced systemic toxicity compared to conventional drug delivery systems. AREAS COVERED: This review comprehensively examines major nanocarrier platforms, including lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid systems, with emphasis on their structural design and functional properties. It further explores current advancements in targeting strategies, including passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and active targeting through ligand-receptor interactions involving antibodies, peptides, aptamers, and small molecules. Key biological and technological barriers to clinical translation are also discussed, such as tumor heterogeneity, abnormal vasculature, dense extracellular matrix, immune clearance, and limited cellular uptake. Additionally, emerging stimuli-responsive systems, including pH-, redox-, and enzyme-sensitive nanocarriers, are highlighted for their role in controlled and site-specific drug release. EXPERT OPINION/COMMENTARY: Despite significant progress, the clinical translation of nanomedicine remains constrained by biological complexities and scalability challenges. Future advancements integrating biomimetic strategies, multifunctional design, and artificial intelligence-driven modeling are expected to enhance targeting precision, biocompatibility, and translational success.

Humans↗