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Application of Nanomaterials in Stem Cell Based Therapies

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2023) | Viewed by 7630

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; biomaterials; drug delivery; stem cells; stem cell differentiation; molecular biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 91-95 Spl. Independentei, 050095, Bucharest 5, Romania
Interests: stem cells; biomaterials; regenerative medicine; exosomes; miRNAs; molecular biology; regenerative therapies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of regenerative medicine, stem cell based therapies are gaining an increasing interest. Stem cell therapy employ the use of stem cells from different sources (i.e. adult, embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells) in order to promote repair of affected tissues or organs. In certain cases, the effect of stem cell therapy can be enhanced with the use of nanotechnology, specifically, the use of nanomaterials. These can be used as substrates that modulate and promote cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation. Depending on the application, nanomaterials can mimic the in vivo environment needed for stem cells attachment. Moreover, nanomaterials have the potential to induce cell differentiation towards specific lineages, according to their composition. This Special Issue addresses ”Application of Nanomaterials in Stem Cell Based Therapies”, with a special focus on nanomaterials used to improve the effect of stem cell based therapies. This special issue in International Journal of Molecular Sciences aims to publish original articles, short communications and reviews from scientists working in the field of nanomaterials with application for regenerative medicine based on stem cells, including, but not limited to: • Nanomaterials designed for regenerative medicine applications based on stem cells • Nanomaterials used for stem cell therapies • Nanomaterials used to promote stem cell attachment and proliferation • Nanomaterials used to promote stem cell differentiation • Advances in stem cell therapy applications and nanomaterials We very much look forward to your valuable contribution!

 

Prof. Dr. Marieta Costache
Dr. Sorina Dinescu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • stem cells
  • nanomaterials
  • regenerative medicine
  • cell differentiation
  • stem cell behavior
  • tissue engineering
  • cell-material interaction

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 1910 KiB  
Communication
Magnetic Ion Channel Activation (MICA)-Enabled Screening Assay: A Dynamic Platform for Remote Activation of Mechanosensitive Ion Channels
by Afeesh Rajan Unnithan, Michael Rotherham, Hareklea Markides and Alicia J. El Haj
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3364; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043364 - 8 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1802
Abstract
This study reports results of a mechanical platform-based screening assay (MICA) to evaluate the remote activation of mechanosensitive ion channels. Here, we studied ERK pathway activation and the elevation in intracellular Ca2+ levels in response to the MICA application using the Luciferase [...] Read more.
This study reports results of a mechanical platform-based screening assay (MICA) to evaluate the remote activation of mechanosensitive ion channels. Here, we studied ERK pathway activation and the elevation in intracellular Ca2+ levels in response to the MICA application using the Luciferase assay and Fluo-8AM assay, respectively. Functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) targeting membrane-bound integrins and mechanosensitive TREK1 ion channels were studied with HEK293 cell lines under MICA application. The study demonstrated that active targeting of mechanosensitive integrins via RGD (Arginylglycylaspartic acid) motifs or TREK1 (KCNK2, potassium channel subfamily K member 2) ion channels can stimulate the ERK pathway and intracellular calcium levels compared to non-MICA controls. This screening assay offers a powerful tool, which aligns with existing high-throughput drug screening platforms for use in the assessment of drugs that interact with ion channels and influence ion channel-modulated diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Stem Cell Based Therapies)
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10 pages, 4140 KiB  
Article
Prussian Blue Nanoparticle-Entrapped GelMA Gels Laden with Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Prospective Biomaterials for Pelvic Floor Tissue Repair
by Jirui Wen, Zhiwei Zhao, Fei Fang, Jingyue Xiao, Ling Wang, Juan Cheng, Jiang Wu and Yali Miao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2704; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032704 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571
Abstract
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) seriously affects elderly patients’ quality of life, and new repair materials are urgently needed. To solve this problem, we synthesized methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogels and incorporated photothermally active Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) to synthesize PBNP@GelMA. Then, MSCs were encapsulated [...] Read more.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) seriously affects elderly patients’ quality of life, and new repair materials are urgently needed. To solve this problem, we synthesized methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogels and incorporated photothermally active Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) to synthesize PBNP@GelMA. Then, MSCs were encapsulated in the PBNP@GelMA and exposed to a 1.0 W/cm2 of 808 nm laser for 10 min to perform heat shock pretreatment for the implantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Next, we tested the repair efficacy of scaffold–cell complexes both in vitro and in vivo. Our results reveal that the heat shock treatment induced by PBNP@GelMA improved the viability of MSCs, and the underlying mechanism may be related to HSP70. Furthermore, 2 weeks after implantation in the SD rat model, the collagen content increased in the MSC implantation group and PBNP@GelMA implantation group. However, the muscle regeneration at the implanting position was mostly enhanced after the implantation of the heat-shock-pretreated MSCs, which illustrates that heat shock treatment can further promote the MSC-mediated muscle regeneration. Therefore, manipulating the cell environment and providing proper heat stimulus by using PBNP@GelMA with NIR is a novel strategy to enhance the regenerative potential of MSCs and to promote pelvic tissue repair. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Stem Cell Based Therapies)
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21 pages, 3681 KiB  
Article
Gelatin Meshes Enriched with Graphene Oxide and Magnetic Nanoparticles Support and Enhance the Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
by Aida Șelaru, Alexandra-Elena Mocanu-Dobranici, Elena Olăreț, Raluca-Elena Ginghină, Izabela-Cristina Stancu, Marieta Costache and Sorina Dinescu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(1), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010555 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1588
Abstract
The field of tissue engineering is constantly evolving due to the fabrication of novel platforms that promise to stimulate tissue regeneration in the scenario of accidents. Here, we describe the fabrication of fibrous nanostructured substrates based on fish gelatin (FG) and enriched with [...] Read more.
The field of tissue engineering is constantly evolving due to the fabrication of novel platforms that promise to stimulate tissue regeneration in the scenario of accidents. Here, we describe the fabrication of fibrous nanostructured substrates based on fish gelatin (FG) and enriched with graphene oxide (GO) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and demonstrate its biological properties in terms of cell viability and proliferation, cell adhesion, and differentiation. For this purpose, electrospun fibers were fabricated using aqueous precursors containing either only GO and only MNP nanospecies, or both of them within a fish gelatin solution. The obtained materials were investigated in terms of morphology, aqueous media affinity, tensile elasticity, and structural characteristics. The biological evaluation was assessed against adipose-derived stem cells by MTT, LDH, Live/Dead assay, cytoskeleton investigation, and neuronal trans-differentiation. The results indicate an overall good interaction and show that these materials offer a biofriendly environment. A higher concentration of both nanospecies types induced some toxic effects, thus 0.5% GO, MNPs, and GO/MNPs turned out to be the most suitable option for biological testing. Moreover, a successful neuronal differentiation has been shown on these materials, where cells presented a typical neuronal phenotype. This study demonstrates the potential of this scaffold to be further used in tissue engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Stem Cell Based Therapies)
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Review

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19 pages, 7322 KiB  
Review
α-Gal Nanoparticles Mediated Homing of Endogenous Stem Cells for Repair and Regeneration of External and Internal Injuries by Localized Complement Activation and Macrophage Recruitment
by Uri Galili, Josef W. Goldufsky and Gary L. Schaer
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11490; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911490 - 29 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2078
Abstract
This review discusses a novel experimental approach for the regeneration of original tissue structure by recruitment of endogenous stem-cells to injured sites following administration of α-gal nanoparticles, which harness the natural anti-Gal antibody. Anti-Gal is produced in large amounts in all humans, and [...] Read more.
This review discusses a novel experimental approach for the regeneration of original tissue structure by recruitment of endogenous stem-cells to injured sites following administration of α-gal nanoparticles, which harness the natural anti-Gal antibody. Anti-Gal is produced in large amounts in all humans, and it binds the multiple α-gal epitopes (Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R) presented on α-gal nanoparticles. In situ binding of anti-Gal to α-gal nanoparticles activates the complement system and generates complement cleavage chemotactic-peptides that rapidly recruit macrophages. Macrophages reaching anti-Gal coated α-gal nanoparticles bind them via Fc/Fc receptor interaction and polarize into M2 pro-reparative macrophages. These macrophages secrete various cytokines that orchestrate regeneration of the injured tissue, including VEGF inducing neo-vascularization and cytokines directing homing of stem-cells to injury sites. Homing of stem-cells is also directed by interaction of complement cleavage peptides with their corresponding receptors on the stem-cells. Application of α-gal nanoparticles to skin wounds of anti-Gal producing mice results in decrease in healing time by half. Furthermore, α-gal nanoparticles treated wounds restore the normal structure of the injured skin without fibrosis or scar formation. Similarly, in a mouse model of occlusion/reperfusion myocardial-infarction, near complete regeneration after intramyocardial injection of α-gal nanoparticles was demonstrated, whereas hearts injected with saline display ~20% fibrosis and scar formation of the left ventricular wall. It is suggested that recruitment of stem-cells following anti-Gal/α-gal nanoparticles interaction in injured tissues may result in induction of localized regeneration facilitated by conducive microenvironments generated by pro-reparative macrophage secretions and “cues” provided by the extracellular matrix in the injury site. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Stem Cell Based Therapies)
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