The effects of dynamic compressive loading on human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis in the stiff layer of a bilayer hydrogel

Bilayer hydrogels with a soft cartilage‐like layer and a stiff bone‐like layer embedded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are promising for osteochondral tissue engineering. The goals of this work were to evaluate the effects of dynamic compressive loading (2.5% applied strain, 1 Hz) on osteogenesis in the stiff layer and spatially map local mechanical responses (strain, stress, hydrostatic pressure, and fluid velocity). A bilayer hydrogel was fabricated from soft (24 kPa) and stiff (124 kPa) poly (ethylene glycol) hydrogels. With hMSCs embedded in the stiff layer, osteogenesis was delayed under loading evident by lower OSX and OPN expressions, alkaline phosphatase activity, and collagen content. At Day 28, mineral deposits were present throughout the stiff layer without loading but localized centrally and near the interface under loading. Local strains mapped by particle tracking showed substantial equivalent strain (~1.5%) transferring to the stiff layer. When hMSCs were cultured in stiff single‐layer hydrogels subjected to similar strains, mineralization was inhibited. Finite element analysis revealed that hydrostatic pressures ≥~600 Pa correlated to regions lacking mineralization in both hydrogels. Fluid velocities were low (~1–10 nm/s) in the hydrogels with no apparent correlation to mineralization. Mineralization was recovered by inhibiting ERK1/2, indicating cell‐mediated inhibition. These findings suggest that high strains (~1.5%) combined with higher hydrostatic pressures negatively impact osteogenesis, but in a manner that depends on the magnitude of each mechanical response. This work highlights the importance of local mechanical responses in mediating osteogenesis of hMSCs in bilayer hydrogels being studied for osteochondral tissue engineering.     

Stimuli-responsive graphene-incorporated multifunctional chitosan for drug delivery applications: a review

Introduction: Recently, the use of chitosan (CS) in the drug delivery has reached an acceptable maturity. Graphene-based drug delivery is also increasing rapidly due to its unique physical, mechanical, chemical, and electrical properties. Therefore, the combination of CS and graphene can provide a promising carrier for the loading and controlled release of therapeutic agents.

Area covered: In this review, we will outline the advantages of this new drug delivery system (DDS) in association with CS and graphene alone and will list the various forms of these carriers, which have been studied in recent years as DDSs. Finally, we will discuss the application of this hybrid composite in other fields.

Expert opinion: The introducing the GO amends the mechanical characteristics of CS, which is a major problem in the use of CS-based carriers in drug delivery due to burst release in a CS-based controlled release system through the poor mechanical strength of CS. Many related research on this area are still not fully unstated and occasionally they seem inconsistent in spite of the intent to be complementary. Therefore, a sensitive review may be needed to understand the role of graphene in CS/graphene carriers for future drug delivery applications.     

Chitosan-Gelatin Hydrogel Crosslinked With Oxidized Sucrose for the Ocular Delivery of Timolol Maleate

Ocular hypertension due to increased intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Rapid clearance and low ocular bioavailability are drawbacks of conventional ocular treatments. This requires frequent and long-term application of antiglaucoma drugs which in turn cause local side effects and are a major cause of therapeutic failure due to loss of persistence in using glaucoma therapy. In this study, a semisynthetic, biocompatible, oxidized sucrose crosslinker was developed and used in the formulation of chitosan-gelatin hydrogel for the sustained release of timolol to control ocular hypertension. The swelling properties of the hydrogel showed a strong relationship with the oxidized sucrose concentration. Mucoadhesive properties of the hydrogel were studied and the in vitro release profiles demonstrated that crosslinking with oxidized sucrose reduced the release rate of the entrapped timolol. The results of both in vitro and in vivo studies supported that the formulated hydrogel maintained the release and in turn the efficacy of timolol for a longer period of time compared to the conventional eye drops. This is expected to reduce the frequency of drug application onto the eye surface and in turn enhances patients’ convenience. In conclusion, the developed formulation represents a promising platform for an effective and compliant treatment of ocular hypertension.     

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of melatonin-loaded HA/PVA gel formulations

Melatonin-loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels were prepared by using freeze–thaw technique and an emulsion method followed by freeze–thaw technique to produce a new synergistic system for topical application. Freeze–thaw hydrogels and emulgels were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, rheology and swelling tests. The porous structure of the hydrogels was shown by scanning electron microscopy observations and thermal properties were tested by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Bioadhesion and in vitro release characterization of formulations were performed by texture profile analysis and dialysis bag method, respectively. The pore size of both formulations was ranging from 900?nm to 30?μm. Melatonin showed a good compatibility with the polymeric matrices as the pores were smaller for the drug-loaded systems. In vitro release studies showed that the release was improved by emulgel formulations. After 24?h, the release percentage was found to be 13.240%?±?1.094 and 15.192%?±?2.270 for hydrogel and emulgel, respectively. Emulgels had better bioadhesion properties than simple freeze–thaw samples. As a conclusion, regarding the in vitro characterization studies HA and PVA hydrogel and emulgel formulations and their lyophilized forms could be promising systems for topical application of melatonin.     

可注射水凝胶治疗眼科疾病的研究进展

眼部结构的特殊性使眼科疾病的治疗面临很多阻碍。水凝胶作为一种具备多维应用潜能的高分子材料,有着可控的力学性能及生物性能,是组织工程、生物工程等领域的研究热点。水凝胶良好的透明性、安全性、兼容性也提示了水凝胶在眼科领域广阔的研究前景。目前已应用于眼科的水凝胶有人工泪液、药物载体、黏附剂等。本综述介绍了可注射水凝胶在制作、性能及应用方面的特点,概述了可注射水凝胶作为药物载体、组织黏附剂、空间填充剂以及细胞载体在眼科疾病中的应用进展及挑战,特别介绍了可注射水凝胶近年来在角膜外伤、青光眼、白内障、视网膜脱离及年龄相关性黄斑变性等疾病治疗方面的研究。     

聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶注射隆乳后的并发症及治疗

目的探讨聚丙烯酰胺水凝胶（polyacrylamide hydrogel,PAHG）注射隆乳后的并发症及治疗方法。方法对l74例术前行乳房超声或磁共振成像（MRI）检查以确定PAHG分布范围。采用乳晕切口行组织分离,生理盐水灌洗,清除PAHG,切除异常组织;其中对继发乳房畸形者选择性地以胸大肌后间隙假体置人进行修复87例（50％,48例I期,39例Ⅱ期）。结果术后随访3～6个月,绝大部分症状得到缓解。77例（44．3％）对乳房外形、手感满意;10例（5．7％）对手感不太满意;79例（45．4％）出现乳房下垂或扁平胸;8例（4．6oA）出现较重的乳房畸形。结论PAHG注射隆乳术后出现并发症者,应尽早清除,治疗方法得当可取得较好疗效,但完全满意者较少。穿刺盲视抽吸的方法不可取,以开放式手术为佳,有强烈要求及条件允许者可行乳房假体置人重建术。     

新型壳聚糖基引导骨再生膜的蛋白缓释性能研究

目的：制备负载牛血清白蛋白的壳聚糖/β-甘油磷酸钠(CS/β-GP)可吸收性膜,探讨其缓释蛋白的性能。方法：利用CS/β-GP体系的温敏相转变特性,同时向其中添加蛋白制成新型生物膜。进行膜厚度及拉伸强度等力学性能测试。利用BCA蛋白浓度试剂盒（加强型）检测不同时点的蛋白浓度,绘制膜的蛋白缓释曲线。结果：利用SPSS16.0统计分析软件进行分析,负载蛋白后复合膜的理化性能均未发生明显变化（P>0.05）。不同浓度的复合膜可缓慢释放蛋白12天以上,并且随着β-GP浓度的升高,蛋白缓释总量增大。结论：新型壳聚糖温敏凝胶膜可以作为蛋白缓释的载体,是在引导骨再生领域具有应用潜力的生物膜材料。     

Bone-derived MSCs encapsulated in alginate hydrogel prevent collagen-induced arthritis in mice through the activation of adenosine A2A/2B receptors in tolerogenic dendritic cells

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) facilitate the suppression of autoimmune responses by differentiating regulatory T cells (Treg). The dysfunction of immunotolerance results in the development of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As multipotent progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can regulate dendritic cells (DCs) to restore their immunosuppressive function and prevent disease development. However, the underlying mechanisms of MSCs in regulating DCs still need to be better defined. Simultaneously, the delivery system for MSCs also influences their function. Herein, MSCs are encapsulated in alginate hydrogel to improve cell survival and retention in situ, maximizing efficacy in vivo. The three-dimensional co-culture of encapsulated MSCs with DCs demonstrates that MSCs can inhibit the maturation of DCs and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model, alginate hydrogel encapsulated MSCs induce a significantly higher expression of CD39⁺CD73⁺ on MSCs. These enzymes hydrolyze ATP to adenosine and activate A_2A/2B receptors on immature DCs, further promoting the phenotypic transformation of DCs to tolDCs and regulating naïve T cells to Tregs. Therefore, encapsulated MSCs obviously alleviate the inflammatory response and prevent CIA progression. This finding clarifies the mechanism of MSCs-DCs crosstalk in eliciting the immunosuppression effect and provides insights into hydrogel-promoted stem cell therapy for autoimmune diseases.