The effect of a polyurethane coating incorporating both a thrombin inhibitor and nitric oxide on hemocompatibility in extracorporeal circulation

Nitric oxide (NO) releasing (NORel) materials have been extensively investigated to create localized increases in NO concentration by the proton driven diazeniumdiolate-containing polymer coatings and demonstrated to improve extracorporeal circulation (ECC) hemocompatibility. In this work, the NORel polymeric coating composed of a diazeniumdiolated dibutylhexanediamine (DBHD-N₂O₂)-containing hydrophobic Elast-eon™ (E2As) polyurethane was combined with a direct thrombin inhibitor, argatroban (AG), and evaluated in a 4 h rabbit thrombogenicity model without systemic anticoagulation. In addition, the immobilizing of argatroban to E2As polymer was achieved by either a polyethylene glycol-containing (PEGDI) or hexane methylene (HMDI) diisocyanate linker. The combined polymer film was coated on the inner walls of ECC circuits to yield significantly reduced ECC thrombus formation compared to argatroban alone ECC control after 4 h blood exposure (0.6 ± 0.1 AG/HMDI/NORel vs 1.7 ± 0.2 cm² AG/HMDI control). Platelet count (2.8 ± 0.3 AG/HMDI/NORel vs 1.9 ± 0.1 × 10⁸/ml AG/HMDI control) and plasma fibrinogen levels were preserved after 4 h blood exposure with both the NORel/argatroban combination and the AG/HMDI control group compared to baseline. Platelet function as measured by aggregometry remained near normal in both the AG/HMDI/NORel (63 ± 5%) and AG/HMDI control (58 ± 7%) groups after 3 h compared to baseline (77 ± 1%). Platelet P-selectin mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) as measured by flow cytometry also remained near baseline levels after 4 h on ECC to ex vivo collagen stimulation (16 ± 3 AG/HMDI/NORel vs 11 ± 2 MFI baseline). These results suggest that the combined AG/HMDI/NORel polymer coating preserves platelets in blood exposure to ECCs to a better degree than AG/PEGDI/NORel, NORel alone or AG alone. These combined antithrombin, NO-mediated antiplatelet effects were shown to improve thromboresistance of the AG/HMDI/NORel polymer-coated ECCs and move potential nonthrombogenic polymers closer to mimicking vascular endothelium.     

The hemocompatibility of a nitric oxide generating polymer that catalyzes S-nitrosothiol decomposition in an extracorporeal circulation model

Nitric oxide (NO) generating (NOGen) materials have been shown previously to create localized increases in NO concentration by the catalytic decomposition of blood S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) via copper (Cu)-containing polymer coatings and may improve extracorporeal circulation (ECC) hemocompatibility. In this work, a NOGen polymeric coating composed of a Cu?-nanoparticle (80 nm)-containing hydrophilic polyurethane (SP-60D-60) combined with the intravenous infusion of an RSNO, S- nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), is evaluated in a 4 h rabbit thrombogenicity model and the anti-thrombotic mechanism is investigated. Polymer films containing 10 wt.% Cu?-nanoparticles coated on the inner walls of ECC circuits are employed concomitantly with systemic SNAP administration (0.1182 μmol/kg/min) to yield significantly reduced ECC thrombus formation compared to polymer control + systemic SNAP or 10 wt.% Cu NOGen + systemic saline after 4 h blood exposure (0.4 ± 0.2 NOGen/SNAP vs 4.9 ± 0.5 control/SNAP or 3.2 ± 0.2 pixels/cm2 NOGen/saline). Platelet count (3.9 ± 0.7 NOGen/SNAP vs 1.8 ± 0.1 control/SNAP or 3.0 ± 0.2 × 10?/ml NOGen/saline) and plasma fibrinogen levels were preserved after 4 h blood exposure with the NOGen/SNAP combination vs either the control/SNAP or the NOGen/saline groups. Platelet function as measured by aggregometry (51 ± 9 NOGen/SNAP vs 49 ± 3% NOGen/saline) significantly decreased in both the NOGen/SNAP and NOGen/saline groups while platelet P-selectin mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) as measured by flow cytometry was not decreased after 4 h on ECC to ex vivo collagen stimulation (26 ± 2 NOGen/SNAP vs 29 ± 1 MFI baseline). Western blotting showed that fibrinogen activation as assessed by Aγ dimer expression was reduced after 4 h on ECC with NOGen/SNAP (68 ± 7 vs 83 ± 3% control/SNAP). These results suggest that the NOGen polymer coating combined with SNAP infusion preserves platelets in blood exposure to ECCs by attenuating activated fibrinogen and preventing platelet aggregation. These NO-mediated platelet changes were shown to improve thromboresistance of the NOGen polymer-coated ECCs when adequate levels of RSNOs are present.     

Immobilization of heparin on polylactide for application to degradable biomaterials in contact with blood

The poly-(D, L-lactide) RESOMER® R208 (Boehringer-Ingelheim, Germany) was modified with heparin to improve the blood contacting properties of the material. The immobilization of herapin was carried out by covalent binding with glutaraldehyde as the coupling agent. The reaction conditions, such as temperature and time, were varied to optimize the binding of herapin. The efficiency of the immobilization was monitored with respect to the total amount of coupled herapin with a toluidine blue assay and the anticoagulant activity of immobilized heparin with a factor Xa assay. The hemocompatibility of the modified polylactide was estimated after blood-material contact by the activation of platelets measured with an enzyme immuno assay for GMP140. Immobilization at ambient temperature and a reaction time of 2 h resulted in maximal heparin binding, high anticoagulant activity, and low thrombogenicity. Since the remaining unsaturated aldehyde groups of the coupling agent may cause a low hemocompatibility of the material, washing of the heparinized polylactide was carried out with ethanol. However, it was shown that washing diminished the anticoagulant activity of heparin and increased the thrombogenicity. The prolonged storage of heparinized polylactide in phosphate buffered saline for 8 days demonstrated that small quantities of herapin were released but the hemocompatibility was further improved, indicated by an increasing anticoagulant potential and a decrease in platelet activiation with incubation time. A comparison of polylactide, heparinized polylactide, polypropylene, and Pellethane® with respect to platelet activation by GMP140 assay and scanning electron microscopy, revealed that the heparinization of polylactide substantially improved the hemocompatibility of RESOMER® R208, making the material comparable to Pellethane®.     

Effect of biopassive and bioactive surface-coatings on the hemocompatibility of membrane oxygenators

Postoperative complications associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery and extracorporeal circulation (ECC) procedures are still a major clinical issue. Improving the hemocompatibility of blood contacting devices used for ECC procedures may ameliorate various postpump syndromes. In a simulated CPB model using human blood, we investigated the hemocompatibility, fibrinogen adsorption, and platelet receptor (GPIIb-IIIa) binding capacity of surface-modified membrane oxygenators (Jostra Quadrox). Three groups were compared: (i) biopassive protein coatings (SafeLine), (ii) bioactive heparin coatings (BioLine), and (iii) noncoated controls. During the 2 h recirculation period, plasma concentrations of activation markers for platelets (beta-thromboglobulin), inflammation (elastase), complement (C5a), and coagulation (prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin-antithrombin III) were lower in the groups with biopassive and bioactive coatings compared to the noncoated group (p < 0.01). These parameters did not significantly differ between the two surface-coated groups, except for complement activation: C5a levels were higher in the biopassive group compared to the bioactive group (p < 0.01). Moreover, surface-coated oxygenators showed less fibrinogen adsorption, GPIIb-IIIa binding, and platelet/leukocyte adhesion (p < 0.01). We assume that fewer fibrinogen and platelet receptor molecules bound to the surface-coated oxygenator surfaces results in fewer platelet adhesion and activation, which will significantly contribute to the improved hemocompatibility of the biopassive and bioactive oxygenators. Our results suggest that the application of bioactive oxygenators (BioLine) during CPB surgery may reduce postoperative complications for the patient more effectively than biopassive oxygenators (SafeLine).     

In vivo visualization of nitric oxide and interactions among platelets, leukocytes, and endothelium following hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion

Objectives  We examined changes in nitric oxide (NO) distribution in the mesenteric microcirculation after hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion (H/R), and correlated NO production to leukocyte and platelet behavior. Materials and methods  The behavior of leukocytes and platelets in mesenteric venules was observed by intravital microscopy at 0.5 and 24 h after H/R in male Wistar rats. Transvascular leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin was assessed by epi-illumination. The NO-sensitive dye, 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate, was used for imaging NO release. Results  H/R significantly increased vascular albumin leakage and adhesion of leukocytes and platelets (P < 0.05). In H/R 0.5 h rats, NO production in the venular endothelium declined. However, NO production was elevated in H/R 24 h rats in mast cells (P < 0.05). Leukocyte adherence, platelet adherence, and venular permeability were attenuated by iNOS inhibition. Conclusion  Mesenteric endothelial cell dysfunction after H/R 0.5 h is associated with reduced NO, whereas after H/R 24 h is related to increase NO in mast cells.     

柚皮素通过环核苷酸通路拮抗血小板聚集的体外研究

目的:探讨柚皮素拮抗二磷酸腺苷(ADP)诱导血小板聚集的作用机制。方法:采用ELISA检测柚皮素对ADP诱导的大鼠血小板内环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)、环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP)水平的影响。采用高效液相法检测柚皮素对血小板磷酸二酯酶(PDE)活性影响。采用Western blot检测柚皮素对ADP刺激的血小板内血管扩张刺激磷蛋白(VASP)磷酸化形式p-VASP(Ser157)、p-VASP(Ser239)的蛋白水平的影响。分别给予蛋白激酶A(PKA)抑制剂H89、蛋白激酶G(PKG)抑制剂Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS和蛋白激酶C(PKC)抑制剂GF109203X预先孵育血小板后,再用柚皮素处理,然后给予ADP刺激,Western blot检测p-VASP(Ser239)蛋白水平。采用血小板聚集仪进一步观察PKA抑制剂、PKG抑制剂预先孵育血小板是否影响柚皮素对ADP诱导血小板聚集的抑制作用。结果:柚皮素剂量依赖性地升高ADP抑制的血小板内cGMP水平,而并不改变cAMP水平。柚皮素还能显著升高血小板PDE活性。Western blot结果显示,柚皮素可明显升高由ADP抑制的p-VASP(Ser239)水平,但不影响p-VASP(Ser157)的蛋白水平,预先孵育PKG或PKC抑制剂并不影响柚皮素对p-VASP(Ser239)蛋白表达的作用,而预先孵育PKA抑制剂后,则能抑制柚皮素对p-VASP(Ser239)蛋白表达的作用。PKA抑制剂能阻断柚皮素对血小板聚集的拮抗作用,而PKG抑制剂并不影响其作用。结论:柚皮素可能通过升高血小板内cGMP水平和激活PKA依赖的信号通路来介导VASP的磷酸化,从而发挥抗血小板聚集的作用。     

Nitric oxide producing coating mimicking endothelium function for multifunctional vascular stents

The continuous release of nitric oxide (NO) by the native endothelium of blood vessels plays a substantial role in the cardiovascular physiology, as it influences important pathways of cardiovascular homeostasis, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, inhibits platelet activation and aggregation, and prevents atherosclerosis. In this study, a NO-catalytic bioactive coating that mimics this endothelium functionality was presented as a hemocompatible coating with potential to improve the biocompatibility of vascular stents. The NO-catalytic bioactive coating was obtained by covalent conjugation of 3,3-diselenodipropionic acid (SeDPA) with glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like catalytic activity to generate NO from S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) via specific catalytic reaction. The SeDPA was immobilized to an amine bearing plasma polymerized allylamine (PPAam) surface (SeDPA-PPAam). It showed long-term and continuous ability to catalytically decompose endogenous RSNO and generate NO. The generated NO remarkably increased the cGMP synthesis both in platelets and human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs). The surface exhibited a remarkable suppression of collagen-induced platelet activation and aggregation. It suppressed the adhesion, proliferation and migration of HUASMCs. Additionally, it was found that the NO catalytic surface significantly enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion, proliferation and migration. The in vivo results indicated that the NO catalytic surface created a favorable microenvironment of competitive growth of HUVECs over HUASMCs for promoting re-endothelialization and reducing restenosis of stents in vivo.     

Role of nitric oxide in muscle regeneration following eccentric muscle contractions in rat skeletal muscle

We examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in muscle repair and regeneration following repetitive eccentric contractions (ECC). A standardized exercise protocol was used to create eccentric contraction-induced injury to the left tibialis anterior muscle of 48 male Wistar rats (body wt 250–350 g), using a customized isokinetic test device and a bout of 40 ECCs under electrical stimulation. A nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (l-NAME; 35 mg kg^?1 day^?1), was included in the diet for half the animals (n = 24) beginning 3 days prior to the ECC and continuing throughout the experiment, whereas the other half (n = 24) received a control diet. ECC/+l-NAME and ECC/?l-NAME were killed after the ECC protocol at 0, 1, 3 and 7 days (n = 6 on each day). An unexercised contralateral limb with and without l-NAME infusion served as a respective control muscle at each time point. Muscle NO content, skeletal muscle damage, leukocyte infiltration, calpain activity, and MyoD and myogenin expression were assessed. NO has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties, and several possible roles for NO in skeletal muscle damage have been postulated. NO content was greater in the ECC/?l-NAME group at all time points (p < 0.05) compared to ECC/+l-NAME. Additionally, significant differences in NO content were observed on day 0 (p < 0.05), and day 3 (p < 0.05), ECC/+l-NAME versus ECC/?l-NAME. One day following the bout of ECC, and NO levels were increased in the ECC/?l-NAME group. Three days following ECC, there was greater myofiber damage (measured by β-glucuronidase activity) and leukocyte invasion in the ECC/?l-NAME group as compared to the ECC/+l-NAME group. One day after ECC, calpain activity was significantly increased in ECC/?l-NAME compared with control muscles (p < 0.05). On days 3 and 7, Myo-D and myogenin gene expression was increased in both groups; however, the degree of regeneration was less in the ECC/+l-NAME-treated animals. These data suggest that NO dynamics have important implications in the regulation of various factors during skeletal muscle regeneration following damaging eccentric muscle contractions.     

Effect of uncoupling NO/cGMP pathways on carbachol- and CCK-stimulated Ca2+ entry and amylase secretion from the rat pancreas

 Nitric oxide (NO) production reportedly regulates guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) formation and Ca²⁺ influx in pancreatic acini. We have investigated the functional roles of the NO/cGMP messenger system in rat pancreatic acini. In dispersed acini, the levels of amylase secretion, cytosolic [Ca²⁺]([Ca²⁺]_i), NO synthase, and cGMP were measured. The NO synthase inhibitor N ^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 0.01–100 μM) had no effect on amylase secretion induced by various concentrations of carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) or the high affinity CCK agonist, JMV-180. Similarly, L-NAME up to 100 μM did not affect the changes in Ca²⁺ spiking evoked by these secretagogues; nor was Ca²⁺ entry, refilling or oscillation altered by L-NAME. Sub- and supramaximal concentrations of these secretagogues did not change NO synthase activities compared with basal levels. While sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, caused a 9.4-fold increase in cGMP levels compared with basal levels, carbachol, CCK-8 and JMV-180 had no effect. In addition, the guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY 83583 (10 nM to 10 μM) altered neither amylase secretion nor Ca²⁺ signaling induced by these secretagogues. These findings indicate that the stimulatory action of carbachol or CCK-8 is not mediated by NO or cGMP. To investigate whether cGMP stimulates pancreatic secretion we showed that both SNP and a cell-permeant cGMP analog at 0.1–1 mM stimulated amylase secretion and Ca²⁺ transients to a level equal to 10–15% and 13–24%, respectively, of those observed with maximal concentrations of secretagogues. The guanylate cyclase activator guanylin (1–10 μM), which increased cGMP levels 2.4-fold compared with basal levels, elicited a small amount of amylase secretion and a small Ca²⁺ transient. In conclusion, exogenous NO is capable of increasing endogenous cGMP, which results in a modest increase in the [Ca²⁺]_i transient and pancreatic amylase secretion. However, the NO/cGMP system does not appear to be involved significantly in the mediation of Ca²⁺ signaling and amylase secretion stimulated by carbachol and CCK-8. Received: 30 October 1996 / Received after revision and accepted: 13 January 1997     

含氟聚醚聚氨酯与聚醚聚氨酯共混的表面结构及血液相容性的研究

为了获得一种高氟聚氨酯表面 ,进一步改善聚醚聚氨酯的生物相容性和生物稳定性 ,将侧链含氟聚氨酯与聚醚聚氨酯共混而实现这一目的。通过 XPS、AFM、接触角和血小板黏附对含氟聚醚聚氨酯和聚醚聚氨酯共混物表面结构和血液相容性进行研究发现 ,在聚醚聚氨酯共混入极少量的氟 (0 .342 wt% )就能具有与含氟聚醚聚氨酯相同的表面结构和良好的血液相容性 ,而且共混物表面的强疏水性和对血小板的黏附与体系中混入的含氟聚醚聚氨酯的量无关 ,与表面 CF3的含量有关     

Thrombogenicity is not reduced when heparin and phospholipid bonded circuits are used in a rabbit model of extracorporeal circulation

In an effort to better mimic the thromboresistive nature of vascular endothelium, extracorporeal circuits bonded with heparin or phospholipids were developed. Using no systemic heparinization, these circuits were compared with standard poly(vinyl)chloride (PVC) (Tygon) in a rabbit model of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Control circuits were run with and without systemic heparinization and used as comparison groups against the test circuits. Two New Zealand White rabbits were used per study: One was used as the platelet donor for 111Indium platelet labeling; the other animal was placed on bicaval ECC for 4 hours. Circuits (heparin coated n = 6, phospholipid coated n = 8, nonheparinized controls n = 14, heparinized controls n = 18) consisted of 1 m of tubing, two downsizing connectors, and two venous cannulae. ECC blood flow was at least 75 ml/min. Platelet and fibrinogen measurements were made hourly, and circuit dosimetry was performed at the end of the study or on circuit thrombosis. Thrombosis of the circuit occurred in one heparin coated, two phospholipid coated, and eight nonheparinized control circuits. None of the heparinized control circuits thrombosed. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to platelet count or platelet adhesion. Test circuits exhibited preservation of fibrinogen levels. In this rabbit model of ECC, circuits coated with heparin or phospholipids appeared to preserve fibrinogen levels but did not reduce platelet adhesion or consumption.     

Surface modification of poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS) elastomer via covalent immobilization of nonionic sugar-based Gemini surfactants

Gemini surfactants (GS) with sugar-containing head-groups and different alkyl chains were successfully prepared. Poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS) elastomer was grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by means of UV-induced graft polymerization, and then the pGMA-grafted film was chemically immobilized with the GS. The surface graft polymerization was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and XPS. The wettability and hemocompatibility of the modified surface were characterized by means of water contact angle, protein adsorption, and platelet adhesion assays. The results showed that amphiphilic surfactant-containing polymer surfaces presented protein-resistant behavior and anti-platelet adhesion after functionalization with GS, GS1 and GS2. Besides, the hemocompatibility of the modified surface deteriorated as the length of hydrophobic chain of GS increased.     

Multilayer hydrogel coatings to combine hemocompatibility and antimicrobial activity

While silver-loaded catheters are widely used to prevent early-onset catheter-related infections [1], long term antimicrobial protection of indwelling catheters remains to be achieved [2] and antiseptic functionalization of coatings often impairs their hemocompatibility characteristics. Therefore, this work aimed to capitalize on the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles, incorporated in anticoagulant poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-heparin hydrogel coatings [3] on thermoplastic polyurethane materials. For prolonged antimicrobial activity, the silver-containing starPEG-heparin hydrogel layers were shielded with silver-free hydrogel layers of otherwise similar composition. The resulting multi-layered gel coatings showed long term antiseptic efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains in vitro, and similarly performed well when incubated with freshly drawn human whole blood with respect to hemolysis, platelet activation and plasmatic coagulation. The introduced hydrogel multilayer system thus offers a promising combination of hemocompatibility and long-term antiseptic capacity to meet an important clinical need.     

In vitro hemocompatibility of self-assembled monolayers displaying various functional groups

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols with various terminating groups (-OH, -CH3, -COOH) and binary mixtures of these alkanethiols were studied with respect to their hemocompatibility in vitro by means of freshly taken human whole blood. The set of smooth monomolecular films with graded surface characteristics was applied to scrutinize hypotheses on the impact of surface chemical-physical properties on distinct blood activation cascades, i.e. to analyze -OH surface groups vs. complement activation, acidic surface sites vs. contact activation/coagulation and surface hydrophobicity vs. thrombogenicity. Blood and model surfaces were analyzed after incubation for the related hemocompatibility parameters. Our results show that the adhesion of leukocytes is abolished on a -CH3 surface and greatly enhanced on surfaces with -OH groups. The opposite was detected for the adhesion of platelets. A strong correlation between the activation of the complement system and the adhesion of leukocytes with the content of -OH groups could be observed. The contact activation for hydrophilic surfaces was found to scale with the amount of acidic surface sites. However, the coagulation and platelet activation did not simply correlate with any surface property and were therefore concluded to be determined by a superposition of contact activation and platelet adhesion.     

CNP/NPR-B/cGMP信号通路调控雌性生殖过程

C型利钠肽(C-type natriuretic peptide,CNP)与其特异性受体利钠肽受体B(natriuretic peptide receptor B,NPR-B)结合并催化下游第二信使环磷酸鸟苷(cyclic guanosinc monophosphate,cGMP)生成,形成CNP/NPR-B/cGMP信号通路,从而介导多种生物学效应.近年来大量研究证实,CNP/NPR-B/cGMP信号通路与卵泡发育、卵母细胞减数分裂与成熟及胚胎着床和发育关系密切,提示此信号通路可能在雌性生殖过程中发挥显著作用.     

The role of valvular endothelial cell paracrine signaling and matrix elasticity on valvular interstitial cell activation

The effects of valvular endothelial cell (VlvEC) paracrine signaling on VIC phenotype and nodule formation were tested using a co-culture platform with physiologically relevant matrix elasticities and diffusion distance. 100 μm thin poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels of 3–27 kPa Young's moduli were fabricated in transwell inserts. VICs were cultured on the gels, as VIC phenotype is known to change significantly within this range, while VlvECs lined the underside of the membrane. Co-culture with VlvECs significantly reduced VIC activation to the myofibroblast phenotype on all gels with the largest percent decrease on the 3 kPa gels (∼70%), while stiffer gels resulted in approximately 20–30% decrease. Additionally, VlvECs significantly reduced αSMA protein expression (∼2 fold lower) on both 3 and 27 kPa gels, as well as the number (∼2 fold lower) of nodules formed on the 27 kPa gels. Effects of VlvECs were prevented when nitric oxide (NO) release was inhibited with l-NAME, suggesting that VlvEC produced NO inhibits VIC activation. Withdrawal of l-NAME after 3, 5, and 7 days with restoration of VlvEC NO production for 2 additional days led to a partial reversal of VIC activation (∼25% decrease). A potential mechanism by which VlvEC produced NO reduced VIC activation was studied by inhibiting initial and mid-stage cGMP pathway molecules. Inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) with ODQ or protein kinase G (PKG) with RBrcGMP or stimulation of Rho kinase (ROCK) with LPA, abolished VlvEC effects on VIC activation. This work contributes substantially to the understanding of the valve endothelium's role in preventing VIC functions associated with aortic valve stenosis initiation and progression.     

Transport Limitations of Nitric Oxide Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation under Flow

Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits platelet aggregation at and near the site of a vascular injury by upregulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which reduces the dimerization of the integrin α _IIb β ₃. The magnitude of NO flux from the vessel wall and the NO concentration that is necessary to inhibit platelet aggregation under physiological flow conditions is unknown. In this study, a NO releasing polymer, diazeniumdiolated dibutylhexanediamine, was integrated into a microfluidic flow assay to determine the relationship between NO wall flux and collagen mediated platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation. A NO flux equal to or greater than 2.5 × 10^?10 mol cm^?2 min^?1 was found to abrogate aggregation, but not initial platelet adhesion, on collagen at 200 and 500 s^?1 as effectively as the α _IIb β ₃ antagonist abciximab. The dynamic range of NO fluxes found to induce measurable inhibition of platelet aggregation spanned from 0.33 × 10^?10 to 2.5 × 10^?10 mol cm^?2 min^?1 at 200–500 s^?1. These fluxes correspond to near-wall NO concentrations of 3–90 nM based on a computational model of NO transport. The model predicts that NO concentration in the platelet rich layer near the wall is kinetically limited, while NO penetration into the lumen is mass transfer limited.     

Calcitonin protects chondrocytes from lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response through MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways

Calcitonin (CT) is an anti-absorbent, which has long been used for treatment of osteoporosis. However, little information is available about the effects of CT on osteoarthritis (OA). This study was mainly aimed to explore the effects of CT on the treatment of OA, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Chondrocytes were isolated from immature mice and then were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), CT, small interfering (si) RNA against bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, and/or the inhibitors of MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathway. Thereafter, cell viability, apoptosis, nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory factors productions, and expression levels of cartilage synthesis protein key factors, cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein (CDMP) 1, SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 9 protein (SOX9), and MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways key factors were determined. CT significantly reversed LPS-induced cell viability decrease, apoptosis increase, the inflammatory factors and NO secretion, the abnormally expression of cartilage synthesis proteins and the activation of MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways (P < 0.05). In addition, we observed that administration of the inhibitors of MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways statistically further increased the levels of CDMP1 and SOX9 (P < 0.05). Suppression of BMP-2 decreased the levels of CDMP1 and SOX9 and activated MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways, and could partially abolish CT-modulated the expression changes in CDMP1 and SOX9, and MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways key factors (P < 0.05). The results showed that CT protects chondrocytes from LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammatory response by regulating BMP-2 and thus blocking MAPK/Wnt/NF-κB pathways.     

Polysaccharide-based biomaterials with on-demand nitric oxide releasing property regulated by enzyme catalysis

The regulatory role of nitric oxide (NO) in cell signaling has been well recognized. Clinically, NO deficiency is known to be associated with severe vascular disorders, especially in patients with long-term diabetes. Exogenous compensation of NO is a promising therapeutic strategy, although the lack of stable NO compounds often lead to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. In the present study, we report a stable comb-shaped polymer (CS–NO) using glycosylated NO compound as pendent chains and chitosan (CS) as backbone for controlled NO release. The on-demand release of NO is achieved by controlling the decomposition process of the CS–NO polymer, which is blocked by galactose and only occurs in the presence of glycosidase, making the NO releasing kinetic closely correlate with the glycosidase concentration. In addition, due to its high stability, the CS–NO polymers can also be processed into supportive membrane or injectable hydrogel, further demonstrating its clinical potential. Indeed, we report that the NO-releasing membrane inhibited platelet adhesion, prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) as shown in the platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) assay. We also observe enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell growth yet suppressed vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation on the NO-contained membrane in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo administration of CS–NO solution significantly enhanced angiogenesis in diabetic mice with hind-limb ischemia. Protective effect of CS–NO was also observed against limb necrosis. Given the physiological importance of NO, the CS–NO polymer may be considered a promising option in therapeutic development against vascular disorders and diabetic feet.