Aberrant expression of CD43 in malignant tumors of nonhematopoietic origin such as those from lung, cervix, colon, and breast has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis, providing tumor cells ...with enhanced motility, anchorage‐independent growth, and in vivo tumor size, while protecting the cells of NK lysis and apoptosis. To further characterize the role of CD43 in cell transformation, we tested whether interfering its expression modified the capacity of the A549 non‐small cell lung cancer cells to secrete molecules contributing to malignancy. The proteomic analysis of the secretome of serum‐starved A549 cells revealed that cells expressing normal levels of CD43 released significantly high levels of molecules involved in extracellular matrix organization, angiogenesis, platelet degranulation, collagen degradation, and inflammation, as compared to CD43 RNAi cells. This data reveals a novel and unexpected role for CD43 in lung cancer development, mainly in remodeling the tumor microenvironment.
Proteomic analysis of A549 cells secretome reveals a novel role of CD43 in lung cancer development, mainly in the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. Our study shows that cells expressing normal levels of CD43 released significantly higher levels of molecules involved in the extracellular matrix organization, angiogenesis, platelet degranulation, collagen degradation, and inflammation.
In this work, hydrogels based on semi‐interpenetrating polymeric networks (semi‐IPN) based on collagen‐polyurethane‐alginate were studied physicochemically and from different approaches for ...biomedical application. It was determined that the matrices in the hydrogel state are crosslinked by the formation of urea and amide bonds between the biopolymer chains and the polyurethane crosslinker. The increment in alginate content (0–40 wt%) significantly increases the swelling capacity, generating semi‐crystalline granular structures with improved storage modulus and resistance to thermal, hydrolytic, and proteolytic degradation. The in vitro bioactivity results indicated that the composition of these novel hydrogels stimulates the metabolic activity of monocytes and fibroblasts, benefiting their proliferation; while in cancer cell lines, it was determined that the composition of these biomaterials decreases the metabolic activity of breast cancer cells after 48 h of stimulation, and for colon cancer cells their metabolic activity decreases after 72 h of contact for the hydrogel with 40 wt% alginate. The matrices show a behavior of multidose release of ketorolac, and a higher concentration of analgesic is released in the semi‐IPN matrix. The inhibition capacity of Escherichia coli is higher if the polysaccharide concentration is low (10 wt%). The in vitro wound closure test (scratch test) results indicate that the hydrogel with 20 wt% alginate shows an improvement in wound closure at 15 days of contact. Finally, the bioactivity of mineralization was evaluated to demonstrate that these hydrogels can induce the formation of carbonated apatite on their surface. The engineered hydrogels show biomedical multifunctionality and they could be applied in soft and hard tissue healing strategies, anticancer therapies, and drug release devices.
Basement membrane (BM) is a complex network of interacting proteins, including type IV collagen (Col IV) that acts as a scaffold that stabilizes the physical structures of tissues and regulates ...cellular processes. In the mammary gland, BM is a continuous deposit that separates epithelial cells from stroma, and its degradation is related with an increased potential for invasion and metastasis. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process by which epithelial cells are transdifferentiated to one mesenchymal state, and is a normal process during embryonic development, tissue remodeling and wound healing, as well as it has been implicated during cancer progression. In breast cancer cells, native Col IV induces migration and gelatinases secretion. However, the role of native Col IV on the EMT process in human mammary epithelial cells remains to be investigated. In the present study, we demonstrate that native Col IV induces down-regulation of E-cadherin expression, accompanied with an increase of Snail1, Snail2 and Sip1 transcripts. Native Col IV also induces an increase in N-cadherin and vimentin expression, an increase of MMP-2 secretion, the activation of FAK and NFκB, cell migration and invasion in MCF10A cells. In summary, these findings demonstrate, for the first time, that native Col IV induces an EMT-like process in MCF10A human mammary non-tumorigenic epithelial cells.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in developed countries have a prevalence of 11% with diabetic foot infections as the most common cause of hospitalization and amputation. To achieve healing of the diabetic foot ...ulcer wounds, appropriate dressings are essential and their effectiveness can be enhanced with nanoparticles, nevertheless ideal combinations of dressing composition and nanodrugs require further testing in humans. We have developed a calcium alginate dressings with ZnO nanoparticles (CAZnODs) for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in human patients. To test the efficacy of CAZnODs we designed a randomized controlled clinical experiment on 26 T2D patients with foot ulcers. The patients were randomized into two groups: G1 treatment with calcium alginate with NPs (G1; n = 16), and group 2 received the treatment without NPs (G2, n = 10). The bandage change was performed every 48 h The duration of the protocol was established at 10 weeks. Here, we report healing was achieved in patients, with 75% wound closure in G1 under treatment with NPs of calcium alginate versus 71% in G2 (calcium alginate without NPs) (p = 0.011). The average healing time was 48 days in G1 and 72 days in G2. Our data shows that CAZnODs were well tolerated and did not interfere with the wound healing process. The final wound area and time of healing support the hypothesis that the use of calcium alginate dressings with nanoparticles may induce better tissue regeneration while avoiding T2D complications such as secondary infections.
Epidemiological studies and animal models suggest an association between high levels of dietary fat intake and an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Epithelial–mesenchymal-transition (EMT) ...is a process, by which epithelial cells are transdifferentiated to a mesenchymal state, and it has been implicated in cancer progression, including invasion and metastasis. Linoleic acid (LA) induces proliferation and invasion in breast cancer cells. However, the role of LA on the EMT process in human mammary epithelial cells remains to be studied. In the present study, we demonstrate that LA induces a transient down-regulation of E-cadherin expression, accompanied with an increase of Snail1, Snail2, Twist1, Twist2 and Sip1 expressions. Furthermore, LA induces FAK and NFκB activation, MMP-2 and -9 secretions, migration and invasion. In summary, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that LA promotes an EMT-like process in MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells.
Transdermal delivery systems offer a controlled and targeted environment for releasing drugs compared to other delivery systems. This study presents the fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers ...with a multivitamin complex (MV) using the electrospinning technique (ES). The research focuses on understanding how various fiber structures, such as core/shell, simple fibers, and ES parameters, affect the MC release mechanism and cell viability behavior.
The vitamin complexes were uniformly encapsulated within the polymeric chains in all structure fibers. PVA simple fibers with and without the vitamin complex don't significantly differ in diameter size. However, the core/Shell fiber has a notable decrease in fiber diameter of 45 %.
The fiber with a core/shell structure resulted in a slower release rate of the vitamin complex than simple fiber. According to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, the release mechanism observed in our study for the simple fibers is classical Fickian diffusion. Instead, core/shell fibers indicate a more anomalous or non-Fickian behavior.
The structural configurations of the fibers do not result in statistically significant differences in cell viability. This could be attributed to the identical nature of materials used, including the polymer and MV, across all cases.
Finally, a computational chemistry study was used to examine the interaction between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and vitamins K3 and B3, like a model of MV. The analysis showed four strong hydrogen bonds between PVA and vitamin B3, whereas the interaction between PVA and vitamin K3 only had one hydrogen bond. Furthermore, the PVA and vitamin B3 interaction had higher energy and was more exothermic and spontaneous than the PVA-vitamin K3 interaction. On the other hand, the PVA-vitamin K4 interaction displayed higher reactivity due to its lower separation energy. In contrast, the PVA-vitamin B3 interaction was more stable.
Display omitted
This study takes a novel approach by exploring the potential of starch/polyethylene glycol core/shell particles, where folic acid was encapsulated, as effective gastrointestinal drug delivery ...systems. The results demonstrate the successful encapsulation of folic acid within the starch/PEG particles, with sizes ranging from 18 to 45 μm depending on the type of starch used (corn, potato, rice). Importantly, applying PEG coating had no negative impact on cell viability and did not induce alterations in fibroblast morphology. The investigation of stability in gastric and intestinal fluids revealed that the particles underwent different degrees of degradation. In simulated gastric fluid, a partial degradation of the PEG layer by 30–37% was observed, while the starch-folic acid core remained intact. However, the PEG layer underwent a 50% degradation in simulated intestinal fluid. This degradation of the PEG layer allowed the controlled and gradual release of folic acid. These findings underscore the role of fluid composition in influencing the stability and degradation behavior of the particles, with significant implications for their functionality as drug delivery systems in the gastrointestinal tract.
Display omitted
•The amylose content and crystalline nature of starch influence the particle size in the starch-folic acid complex.•PEG coating on starch-folic acid particles acts as a protective layer, preventing damage caused by stomach acids and enzymes and enabling effective payload delivery.•In starch-folic acid/PEG core/shell particles, the PEG degrades in gastric fluids, reducing its size and exposing the starch-folic acid core for release in the intestinal environment.
In this research, generic surgical face masks were sprayed with a solution of chitosan (CHT) containing ZnO or CuO nanoparticles to improve its performance against pathogens. The modified face masks ...were studied by infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis and electronic microscopy. The analysis confirmed the face masks are made of polypropylene, and the formation of microfilms of CHT containing either ZnO or CuO over the fibers was also observed. The modified face masks were immersed in water, and the extracts were analyzed by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Traces of metallic ions were not detected, showing thus that the interaction nanoparticle/polymeric matrix-fiber is stable as the generated microfilms remain over the fiber even in highly humid environment. The ZnO/CHT and CuO/CHT exhibited good performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with CuO/CHT being the most promising additive. Finally, the modification of face masks did not produce any adverse effect in the biocompatibility of face masks. Therefore, this method is easy and can be applied to commercial face masks to improve the performance against pathogens.
•Modification of commercial face masks are a fast route to obtain antibacterial personal protection equipment.•ZnO and CuO were deposited onto face masks by using a chitosan polymeric matrix.•The generated microfilms show good adhesion to fiber surface.•This method confers antibacterial properties to commercial face masks without sacrificing the biocompatibility.
This study aimed to develop and evaluate resin-based antibacterial materials incorporating carvone for restorative dentistry. The objectives included assessing antimicrobial activity, conversion ...degree, mechanical properties, hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior, cytotoxicity, among others.
Carvone was incorporated into resin-based materials following established protocols. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against S. Aureus. Conversion degree, polimerization kinetics, mechanical properties, hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior, cytotoxicity, and other properties were assessed using standardized tests and methodologies.
Carvone-incorporated materials demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, minimal changes in conversion degree, comparable mechanical properties, improved hydrolytic and hygroscopic behavior, and lack of cytotoxicity. Antimicrobial resins were obtained due to the hydrophobic nature of carvone and its ability to diffuse through the cell walls of microorganisms, causing membrane damage. The polymerization process yielded successful conversion, ensuring adequate material performance.
This study showcases that incorporating carvone into methacrylate-based resins can confer antimicrobial properties while preserving key material attributes. Antimicrobial activity against S. aureus is achieved without cytotoxicity in human fibroblasts. While flexural properties are affected only at carvone concentrations exceeding 9%, conversion degree and polymerization kinetics remain stable, except for a specific experimental formulation. These findings highlight the balanced integration of carvone. However, further work, including assessing antimicrobial performance against specific strains like S. Mutans and/or C. Albicans, and evaluating long-term effectiveness, is essential to establish the potential of these materials for dental restorations.
