The evaluation of the interaction of cells with biomaterials is fundamental to establish the suitability of the biomaterial for a specific application. In this study, the properties of bacterial nanocellulose/acrylic acid (BNC/AA) hydrogels fabricated with varying BNC to AA ratios and electron-beam irradiation doses were determined. The manner these hydrogel properties influence the behavior of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) at the cellular and molecular levels was also investigated, relating it to its application both as a cell carrier and wound dressing material. Swelling, hardness, adhesive force (wet), porosity, and hydrophilicity (dry) of the hydrogels were dependent on the degree of cross-linking and the amount of AA incorporated in the hydrogels. However, water vapor transmission rate, pore size, hydrophilicity (semidry), and topography were similar between all formulations, leading to a similar cell attachment and proliferation profile. At the cellular level, the hydrogel demonstrated rapid cell adhesion, maintained HDFs viability and morphology, restricted cellular migration, and facilitated fast transfer of cells. At the molecular level, the hydrogel affected nine wound-healing genes (IL6, IL10, MMP2, CTSK, FGF7, GM-CSF, TGFB1, COX2, and F3). The findings indicate that the BNC/AA hydrogel is a potential biomaterial that can be employed as a wound-dressing material to incorporate HDFs for the acceleration of wound healing.
Dendrimers are hyperbranched nanoparticle structures along with its surface modifications can to be used in dental biomaterials for biomimetic remineralisation of enamel and dentin. The review highlights the therapeutic applications of dendrimers in the field of dentistry. It addresses the possible mechanisms of enhancement of mechanical properties of adhesives and resins structure. Dendrimers due to its unique construction of possessing inner hydrophobic and outer hydrophilic structure can act as drug carrier for delivery of antimicrobial drugs for treatment of periodontal diseases and at peripheral dental implant areas. Dendrimers due to its hyperbranched structures can provides a unique drug delivery vehicle for delivery of a drug at specific site for sustained release for therapeutic effects. Thus, dendrimers can be one of the most important constituents which can be incorporated in dental biomaterials for better outcomes in dentistry.
With the advancement of nanotechnology, many different forms of nanoparticles (NPs) are created, which specifically enhance anticancer drug delivery to tumour cells. Albumin bio-macromolecule is a flexible protein carrier for the delivery of drugs that is biodegradable, biocompatible, and non-toxic. As a result, it presents itself as an ideal material for developing nanoparticles for anticancer drug delivery. Toxicological investigations demonstrated that this novel drug delivery technique is safe for use in the human population. Furthermore, drug compatibility with the albumin nanoparticle is remarkable. The robust structure of the nanoparticle, high drug encapsulation, and customisable drug release make it a promising carrier option for the treatment of lung cancer. In this review, we summarise human serum albumin and bovine serum albumin in the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs to lung cancer cells.
The cluster-determinant 44 (CD44) receptor has a high affinity for hyaluronic acid (HA) binding and is a desirable receptor for active targeting based on its overexpression in cancer cells compared with normal body cells. The nanocarrier affinity can be increased by conjugating drug-loaded carriers with HA, allowing enhanced cancer cell uptake via the HA-CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. In this review, we discuss recent advances in HA-based nanocarriers and micelles for cancer therapy. In vitro and in vivo experiments have repeatedly indicated HA-based nanocarriers to be a target-specific drug and gene delivery platform with great promise for future applications in clinical cancer therapy.
The global COVID-19 pandemic arising from SARS-CoV-2 has impacted many lives, gaining interest worldwide ever since it was first identified in December 2019. Till 2023, 752 million cumulative cases and 6.8 million deaths were documented globally. COVID-19 has been rapidly evolving, affecting virus transmissibility and properties and contributing to increased disease severity. The Omicron is the most circulating variant of concern. Although success in its treatment has indicated progress in tackling the virus, limitations in delivering the current antiviral agents in battling emerging variants remain remarkable. With the latest advancements in nanotechnology for controlling infectious diseases, liposomes have the potential to counteract SARS-CoV-2 because of their ability to employ different targeting strategies, incorporating monoclonal antibodies for the active and passive targeting of infected patients. This review will present a concise summary of the possible strategies for utilizing immunoliposomes to improve current treatment against the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Breast cancer (BC) is the commonest cause of cancer deaths among Women. It is known to be caused due to mutations in certain receptors, viz. estrogens or progesterones. The most frequently used conventional treatment strategies against BC include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and partial or entire mastectomy, however, these strategies are often associated with multiple adverse effects, thus reducing patient compliance. Advancement of nanotechnology in the medical application has been made to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness with a significant reduction in the unintended side-effects associated with incorporated anticancer drugs against cancer. The surface engineering technology of the nanocarriers is more pronounced in delivering the therapeutics specifically to target cells. Consequently, folic acid, a small molecular ligand for the folate receptor overexpressed cells, has shown immense response in treating BC cells. Folic acid conjugated nanocarriers have shown remarkable efficiency in targeting overexpressed folate receptors on the surface of BC cells. Binding of these target-specific folate-conjugated nanocarriers substantially improves the internalization of chemotherapeutics in BC cells, without much exposing the other parts of the body. Simultaneously, these folate-- conjugated nanocarriers provide imaging for regular monitoring of targeted drug delivery systems and their responses to an anticancer therapy. Therefore, this review demonstrates the potential of folate-conjugated nanotherapeutics for the treatment and theranostic approaches against BC along with the significant challenges to anticancer therapy, and the prospective insights into the clinical importance and effectiveness of folate conjugate nanocarriers.