A stage-specific cell-manipulation platform for inducing endothelialization on demand

Abstract Endothelialization is of great significance for vascular remodeling, as well as for the success of implanted vascular grafts/stents in cardiovascular disease treatment. However, desirable endothelialization on synthetic biomaterials remains greatly challenging owing to extreme difficulty in offering dynamic guidance on endothelial cell (EC) functions resembling the native extracellular matrix-mediated effects. Here, we demonstrate a bilayer platform with near-infrared-triggered transformable topographies, which can alter the geometries and functions of human ECs by tunable topographical cues in a remote-controlled manner, yet cause no damage to the cell viability. The migration and the adhesion/spreading of human ECs are respectively promoted by the temporary anisotropic and permanent isotropic topographies of the platform in turn, which appropriately meet the requirements of stage-specific EC manipulation for endothelialization. In addition to the potential of promoting the development of a new generation of vascular grafts/stents enabling rapid endothelialization, this stage-specific cell-manipulation platform also holds promise in various biomedical fields, since the needs for stepwise control over different cell functions are common in wound healing and various tissue-regeneration processes.

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Metabolic Regulation and Related Molecular Mechanisms in Various Stem Cell Functions

Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.2174/1574888x15666200512105347 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 531-546 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hwa-Yong Lee ◽

In-Sun Hong

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽

Metabolic Pathways ◽

Critical Role ◽

The Self ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Differentiation Potential ◽

Self Renewal ◽

Cell Functions

Recent studies on the mechanisms that link metabolic changes with stem cell fate have deepened our understanding of how specific metabolic pathways can regulate various stem cell functions during the development of an organism. Although it was originally thought to be merely a consequence of the specific cell state, metabolism is currently known to play a critical role in regulating the self-renewal capacity, differentiation potential, and quiescence of stem cells. Many studies in recent years have revealed that metabolic pathways regulate various stem cell behaviors (e.g., selfrenewal, migration, and differentiation) by modulating energy production through glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation and by regulating the generation of metabolites, which can modulate multiple signaling pathways. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of stem cell metabolism could allow us to establish optimal culture conditions and differentiation methods that would increase stem cell expansion and function for cell-based therapies. However, little is known about how metabolic pathways regulate various stem cell functions. In this context, we review the current advances in metabolic research that have revealed functional roles for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, anaerobic glycolysis, and oxidative stress during the self-renewal, differentiation and aging of various adult stem cell types. These approaches could provide novel strategies for the development of metabolic or pharmacological therapies to promote the regenerative potential of stem cells and subsequently promote their therapeutic utility.

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Minireview: The Neuroendocrine Regulation of Puberty: Is the Time Ripe for a Systems Biology Approach?

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2005-1136 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 147 (3) ◽

pp. 1166-1174 ◽

Cited By ~ 192

Author(s):

Sergio R. Ojeda ◽

Alejandro Lomniczi ◽

Claudio Mastronardi ◽

Sabine Heger ◽

Christian Roth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Global Analysis ◽

Single Gene ◽

Functional Integration ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Cell Interaction ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Gnrh Secretion ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Hierarchical Arrangement ◽

Cell Cell

The initiation of mammalian puberty requires an increase in pulsatile release of GnRH from the hypothalamus. This increase is brought about by coordinated changes in transsynaptic and glial-neuronal communication. As the neuronal and glial excitatory inputs to the GnRH neuronal network increase, the transsynaptic inhibitory tone decreases, leading to the pubertal activation of GnRH secretion. The excitatory neuronal systems most prevalently involved in this process use glutamate and the peptide kisspeptin for neurotransmission/neuromodulation, whereas the most important inhibitory inputs are provided by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and opiatergic neurons. Glial cells, on the other hand, facilitate GnRH secretion via growth factor-dependent cell-cell signaling. Coordination of this regulatory neuronal-glial network may require a hierarchical arrangement. One level of coordination appears to be provided by a host of unrelated genes encoding proteins required for cell-cell communication. A second, but overlapping, level might be provided by a second tier of genes engaged in specific cell functions required for productive cell-cell interaction. A third and higher level of control involves the transcriptional regulation of these subordinate genes by a handful of upper echelon genes that, operating within the different neuronal and glial subsets required for the initiation of the pubertal process, sustain the functional integration of the network. The existence of functionally connected genes controlling the pubertal process is consistent with the concept that puberty is under genetic control and that the genetic underpinnings of both normal and deranged puberty are polygenic rather than specified by a single gene. The availability of improved high-throughput techniques and computational methods for global analysis of mRNAs and proteins will allow us to not only initiate the systematic identification of the different components of this neuroendocrine network but also to define their functional interactions.

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Two-photon activated precision molecular photosensitizer targeting mitochondria

Communications Chemistry ◽

10.1038/s42004-021-00581-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Inês F. A. Mariz ◽

Sandra N. Pinto ◽

Ana M. Santiago ◽

José M. G. Martinho ◽

Javier Recio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anticancer Agents ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Blue Shift ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Animal Cells ◽

Mitochondrial Potential ◽

Live Animal ◽

Two Photon ◽

Mitochondria Targeting

AbstractMitochondria metabolism is an emergent target for the development of novel anticancer agents. It is amply recognized that strategies that allow for modulation of mitochondrial function in specific cell populations need to be developed for the therapeutic potential of mitochondria-targeting agents to become a reality in the clinic. In this work, we report dipolar and quadrupolar quinolizinium and benzimidazolium cations that show mitochondria targeting ability and localized light-induced mitochondria damage in live animal cells. Some of the dyes induce a very efficient disruption of mitochondrial potential and subsequent cell death under two-photon excitation in the Near-infrared (NIR) opening up possible applications of azonia/azolium aromatic heterocycles as precision photosensitizers. The dipolar compounds could be excited in the NIR due to a high two-photon brightness while exhibiting emission in the red part of the visible spectra (600–700 nm). Interaction with the mitochondria leads to an unexpected blue-shift of the emission of the far-red emitting compounds, which we assign to emission from the locally excited state. Interaction and possibly aggregation at the mitochondria prevents access to the intramolecular charge transfer state responsible for far-red emission.

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Tissue-engineered vascular grafts transform into mature blood vessels via an inflammation-mediated process of vascular remodeling

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.0911465107 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 107 (10) ◽

pp. 4669-4674 ◽

Cited By ~ 363

Author(s):

J. D. Roh ◽

R. Sawh-Martinez ◽

M. P. Brennan ◽

S. M. Jay ◽

L. Devine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Vessels ◽

Vascular Remodeling ◽

Vascular Grafts

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Biodegradable and elastomeric vascular grafts enable vascular remodeling

Biomaterials ◽

10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.08.063 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 183 ◽

pp. 306-318 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Meifeng Zhu ◽

Yifan Wu ◽

Wen Li ◽

Xianhao Dong ◽

Hong Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Remodeling ◽

Vascular Grafts

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Advanced Near‐Infrared Light for Monitoring and Modulating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cell Functions in Living Systems

Advanced Science ◽

10.1002/advs.201903783 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. 1903783 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Guangcun Chen ◽

Yuheng Cao ◽

Yanxing Tang ◽

Xue Yang ◽

Yongyang Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Near Infrared ◽

Spatiotemporal Dynamics ◽

Living Systems ◽

Infrared Light ◽

Near Infrared Light ◽

Cell Functions

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Potency of Fish Collagen as a Scaffold for Regenerative Medicine

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/302932 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Shizuka Yamada ◽

Kohei Yamamoto ◽

Takeshi Ikeda ◽

Kajiro Yanagiguchi ◽

Yoshihiko Hayashi

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Cell Adhesion ◽

Regenerative Medicine ◽

Collagen Molecule ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Natural Polymers ◽

Collagen Scaffolds ◽

Rgd Motif ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Fish Collagen

Cells, growth factors, and scaffold are the crucial factors for tissue engineering. Recently, scaffolds consisting of natural polymers, such as collagen and gelatin, bioabsorbable synthetic polymers, such as polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid, and inorganic materials, such as hydroxyapatite, as well as composite materials have been rapidly developed. In particular, collagen is the most promising material for tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Collagen contains specific cell adhesion domains, including the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif. After the integrin receptor on the cell surface binds to the RGD motif on the collagen molecule, cell adhesion is actively induced. This interaction contributes to the promotion of cell growth and differentiation and the regulation of various cell functions. However, it is difficult to use a pure collagen scaffold as a tissue engineering material due to its low mechanical strength. In order to make up for this disadvantage, collagen scaffolds are often modified using a cross-linker, such as gamma irradiation and carbodiimide. Taking into account the possibility of zoonosis, a variety of recent reports have been documented using fish collagen scaffolds. We herein review the potency of fish collagen scaffolds as well as associated problems to be addressed for use in regenerative medicine.

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Cell migration and antigen capture are antagonistic processes coupled by myosin II in dendritic cells

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/ncomms8526 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Mélanie Chabaud ◽

Mélina L. Heuzé ◽

Marine Bretou ◽

Pablo Vargas ◽

Paolo Maiuri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dendritic Cells ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Mhc Class Ii ◽

Myosin Ii ◽

General Mechanism ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Cell Functions ◽

Antigen Capture ◽

Cell Front ◽

Myosin Iia

Abstract The immune response relies on the migration of leukocytes and on their ability to stop in precise anatomical locations to fulfil their task. How leukocyte migration and function are coordinated is unknown. Here we show that in immature dendritic cells, which patrol their environment by engulfing extracellular material, cell migration and antigen capture are antagonistic. This antagonism results from transient enrichment of myosin IIA at the cell front, which disrupts the back-to-front gradient of the motor protein, slowing down locomotion but promoting antigen capture. We further highlight that myosin IIA enrichment at the cell front requires the MHC class II-associated invariant chain (Ii). Thus, by controlling myosin IIA localization, Ii imposes on dendritic cells an intermittent antigen capture behaviour that might facilitate environment patrolling. We propose that the requirement for myosin II in both cell migration and specific cell functions may provide a general mechanism for their coordination in time and space.

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Bioapplications and biotechnologies of upconversion nanoparticle-based nanosensors

The Analyst ◽

10.1039/c6an00150e ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 141 (12) ◽

pp. 3601-3620 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Chengli Wang ◽

Xiaomin Li ◽

Fan Zhang

Keyword(s):

Optical Properties ◽

High Resistance ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Upconversion Nanoparticles ◽

Signal To Noise ◽

Noise Ratio ◽

Auto Fluorescence ◽

New Generation ◽

Narrow Emission

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), which can emit ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) light under near-infrared (NIR) excitation, are regarded as a new generation of nanoprobes because of their unique optical properties, including a virtually zero auto-fluorescence background for the improved signal-to-noise ratio, narrow emission bandwidths and high resistance to photo-bleaching.

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A Palette of Efficient and Stable Far-Red and NIR Dye Lasers

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10186206 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (18) ◽

pp. 6206

Author(s):

Edurne Avellanal-Zaballa ◽

Leire Gartzia-Rivero ◽

Jorge Bañuelos ◽

Inmaculada García-Moreno ◽

Antonia R. Agarrabeitia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spectral Region ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Laser Emission ◽

Organic Dyes ◽

Infrared Region ◽

Dye Lasers ◽

Spectral Window ◽

Conformationally Restricted ◽

The One ◽

New Generation

The disposal of long-wavelength-emitting sources is of paramount relevance in technology and biophotonics due to the low interference with the surroundings that these kinds of far-red and near-infrared radiations hold. As a result of the continued efforts carried out during the last few years by our research group to design new boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes with improved photonic performance, two approaches were tested to develop a new generation of organic dyes able to display efficient and long-lasting laser emission in both target spectral regions. On the one hand, the annulation of aromatic benzofuran at the dipyrrin backbone leads to conformationally restricted dyes yielding photostable and bright laser emission beyond 600 nm at the far-red spectral region. On the other hand, a more pronounced shift to longer wavelengths reaching 725 nm at the near-infrared region is feasible, while keeping a reasonably high laser efficiency and tolerance to prolonged and intense pumping, based on aza-BODIPYs bearing peripheral aryl rings. These two complementary strategies yield a library of laser-emitting compounds comprising the 600–725 nm spectral region. Moreover, their laser performance is better than the commercially available dye lasers active in this spectral window.

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