Collagen-chitosan 3-D nano-scaffolds effects on macrophage phagocytosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine release

Macrophages are effector cells in the innate and adaptive immune systems and in situ exist within three-dimensional (3-D) microenvironments. As there has been an increase in interest in the use of 3-D scaffolds to mimic natural microenvironments in vitro, this study examined the impact on cultured mice peritoneal macrophages using standard 2-D plates as compared to 3-D collagen-chitosan scaffolds. Here, 2-D and 3-D cultured macrophages were evaluated for responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), dexamethasone (Dex), BSA (bovine serum albumin), safranal (herbal component isolated from safranal [Saf]) and Alyssum homolocarpum mucilage (A. muc: mixed herbal components). After treatments, cultured macrophages were evaluated for viability, phagocytic activity and release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β pro-inflammatory cytokines. Comparison of 2-D vs 3-D cultures showed that use of either system – with or without any exogenous agent – had no effect on cell viability. In the case of cell function, macrophages cultured on scaffolds had increases in phagocytic activity relative to that by cells on 2-D plates. In general, the test herbal components Saf and A. muc. had more impact than any of the other exogenous agents on nanoparticle uptake. With respect to production of TNFα and IL-1β, compared to the 2-D cells, scaffold cells tended to have significantly different levels of production of each cytokine, with the effect varying (higher or lower) depending on the test agent used. However, unlike with particle uptake, here, while Saf and A. muc. led to significantly greater levels of cytokine formation by the 3-D culture cells vs that by the 2-D plate cells, there was no net effect (stimulatory) vs control cultures. These results illustrated that collagen-chitosan scaffolds could provide a suitable 3-D microenvironment for macrophage phagocytosis and could also impact on the formation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.     

Extraction of instantaneous changes in arterial walls with sequential ultrasound images

Purpose  

Many structural and dynamic properties of the arterial wall, e.g., lumen diameter and wall thickness, can be measured with non-invasive ultrasound techniques. We present a new computerized analysis method for measurement of instantaneous changes in far and near arterial walls in sequential ultrasound images.     

Evaluation of Statin Therapy on Endothelial Function in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits by Automatic Measurement of Arterial Wall Movement Using Ultrasound Images

The aim of this study was to evaluate arterial endothelial function, assessed as acetylcholine-mediated dilation (AMD), in a hypercholesterolemic atherosclerotic rabbit model to investigate the effects of atorvastatin in the atherosclerotic process, using a new computerized analysis model and ultrasound images. Twenty-seven rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol (2%) diet for 6 wk and then divided into three groups for an additional 9 wk: Group A received regular chow food, group B received a 2% cholesterol-rich diet plus atorvastatin drug, and group C received regular chow food plus atorvastatin. Ultrasound examinations of endothelial function of the rabbit abdominal aorta artery were performed immediately after the 6 weeks (0 wk) and then 3, 6 and 9 wk after that. For off-line analysis, a computerized analysis method for evaluating instantaneous changes in the wall of the rabbit abdominal aorta was used. As parameters of improvement resulting from treatment, endothelium-dependent acetylcholine-induced dilation and endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-induced dilation were evaluated in treated rabbits. Differences among groups were tested using analysis of variance. On histopathology, intima-media thickness decreased after treatment in all groups. There were no significant differences in arterial diameter and blood velocity changes among treated rabbits at 0, 3, 6 and 9 wk of treatment in all groups, except in end-diastolic velocity, radial strain percentage, pulse index and resistance index in group C. In group A, AMD did not significantly improve after 3, 6 and 9 wk, as compared with 0 wk. Atorvastatin treatment significantly increased AMD (18%) at 3 wk in group B, compared with week 0. AMD significantly increased after 3 (26%), 6 (124%) and 9 (182%) wk in group C, compared with 0 wk. It is concluded that the new automatic method enables accurate and repeated evaluation of endothelial function during the progression and regression of atherosclerosis. Also, the results obtained in this study indicate that short-term administration of atorvastatin can improve endothelial function in cholesterol-fed rabbits.