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This paper reports a new bioactive surface based on magnetic microspheres with an average size up to 500 nm. Magnetic microspheres consisting of 8 nm magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with Melissa officinalis essential oil, poly lactic acid and chitosan were prepared using a solvent evaporation method and pelliculized by MAPLE. The as prepared surface was characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared and scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro experiments revealed a good compatibility with eukaryotic cells a significant inhibitory activity of the prokaryotic cells adherence properties. This approach could be a successful method to control and prevent microbial biofilms associated infections and may be also used as an alternative strategy to limit the consumption of synthetic antimicrobial drugs in order to decrease the rates of microbial resistance to antibiotics. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promise of cell therapy has advanced the use of adult stem cells towards the development of novel approaches to promote regeneration of injured endothelium. The aim of this study was to stimulate endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) with lectin isolated from Solanum tuberosum ( potato) shoot and Calendula officinalis ( marigold) extracts, in order to increase EPCs proliferation and gene expression of molecules with roles in chemotaxis and adhesion for a better attachment to injured vascular tissue. EPCs were differentiated from umbilical cord blood-derived mononuclear cells and characterized by light microscopy, flow cytometry, and vascular tube-like structures formation on Matrigel. Cell proliferation was determined by MTS assay, and gene expression of molecules involved in EPCs adhesion (VCAM-1, VE-cadherin, ICAM-1, PECAM-1, P-selectin) and chemotaxis was determined (CXCR4, Tie-2) by RT-PCR. For the assessment of cell motility, wound-healing assay was employed. Both potato shoot lectin and marigold extracts stimulated EPCs proliferation in a concentration dependent manner and were able to increase expression of adhesion and chemotactic molecules. Marigold flower extract proved to be more efficient. This study demonstrates the usefulness of potato lectin and marigold extracts to increase EPCs proliferation and modulate gene expression of chemotactic and adhesion molecules, which may facilitate EPCs attachment to injured endothelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aims of this study were the development, characterization and bioevaluation of a novel biocompatible, resorbable and bio-active wound dressing prototype, based on anionic polymers (sodium alginate – AlgNa, carboximethylcellulose – CMC) and magnetic nanoparticles loaded with usnic acid (Fe3O4@UA). The antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus grown in biofilms. The biocompatibility testing model included an endothelial cell line from human umbilical vein and human foetal progenitor cells derived from the amniotic fluid, that express a wide spectrum of surface molecules involved in different vascular functions and inflammatory response, and may be used as skin regenerative support. The obtained results demonstrated that CMC/Fe3O4@UA and AlgNa/Fe3O4@UA are exhibiting structural and functional properties that recommend them for further applications in the biomedical field. They could be used alone or coated with different bio-active compounds, such as Fe3O4@UA, for the development of novel, multifunctional porous materials used in tissues regeneration, as antimicrobial substances releasing devices, providing also a mechanical support for the eukaryotic cells adhesion, and exhibiting the advantage of low cytotoxicity on human progenitor cells. The great antimicrobial properties exhibited by the newly synthesized nano-bioactive coatings are recommending them as successful candidates for improving the implanted devices surfaces used in regenerative medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality or disabled quality of life for people over the world. The necessity of neovascularization is essential for re-establishing the tissue functions after a major lesion that occurs in patients with cardiovascular disorders, such as ischemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and burn wounds. This review focuses on the recent data regarding the polymers and scaffolds that are used for improving neovascularization with emphasis on the biocompatibility and mechanisms involved in stem cells proliferation, migration, adherence, differentiation and organization in vascular networks. The newly emerging techniques used in conjugation of synthetic polymers with polysaccharides or proteins attempt to improve the biocompatibility of scaffolds, but the complex structures of blood vessels make their construction to remain a major challenge for the vascular tissue engineering., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)