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Background: Inflammation contributes to cancer pathobiology through different mechanisms. Higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines can lead to hyperinflammation and promote cancer development and metastasis. For cancer treatment, Doxorubicin (DOX) can be encapsulated into the poly-lactic-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. This study aimed to investigate the impact of doxorubicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (DOX-PLGA NP) on the expression of pro-inflammatory genes TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-1β in the MCF-7 cells. Methods: The DOX-PLGA NP was prepared by loading doxorubicin into PLGA and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles was determined by the MTT assay, and their impacts on the expression of pro-inflammatory genes were assessed by qRT-PCR. Results: The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were 60±1.5 and 1.13±0.21 percent, respectively. The zeta potential and mean DOX-PLGA nanoparticle size were -18±0.550 mV and 172±55.6 nm, respectively. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the DOX-PLGA NP on MCF-7 cell viability was 24.55 μg/mL after 72 hours of treatment. The qRT-PCR results revealed that the 20 μg/mL concentration of the DOX-PLGA NP significantly suppressed the expression of the pro-inflammatory genes TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-1β compared to DOX alone (20 μg/mL). Additionally, the suppression effect of DOX-PLGA NP on the expression of these pro-inflammatory genes was dose-dependent. Conclusion: These results show that DOX-PLGA NP efficiently suppressed the expression of proinflammatory genes. Furthermore, encapsulation of DOX into PLGA nanoparticles significantly improved the effectiveness of DOX in suppressing pro-inflammatory genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic-assisted particle fabrication provides a route to circumvent the disadvantages associated with traditional methods of polymeric particle generation, such as low drug loading efficiency, challenges in controlling encapsulated drug release rates, batch-to-batch variability in particle physical properties and formulation instability. However, this approach primarily produces particles with nanometer size dimensions, which limits drug delivery modalities. Herein, we systematically studied parameters for the generation of micron-sized poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) particles using a microfluidic system, the NanoAssemblr benchtop. Initially, we used two organic solvents that have been reported suitable for the fabrication of PLGA nanoparticles - acetone and acetonitrile. Subsequently, we methodically manipulated polymer concentration, organic: aqueous flow rate ratios, total flow rate, organic phase composition, and surfactant concentration to develop a route for the fabrication of micron-sized PLGA particles. Further, we incorporated hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a clinically approved drug for malaria and lymphoma, and measured how its incorporation impacted particle physicochemical properties. Briefly, altering the organic phase composition by including ethyl acetate (less polar solvent), resulted in micron-scale particles, as well as increased polydispersity indexes (PDIs). Adjusting the surfactant concentration of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) after the addition of these solvent mixtures rendered large particles with lower PDI variability. Moreover, encapsulation of HCQ influenced particle hydrodynamic diameter and PDI in a PVA concentration dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrated that unloaded and HCQ-loaded microparticles did not affect the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages. This study provides an itinerary for fabricating biocompatible, drug-loaded, micron-sized polymeric particles, particularly when the drug of interest is not readily soluble in conventional organic solvents.

A critical component of tissue engineering is the ability to functionally replace native tissue stroma. Electrospinning is a technique capable of forming fibrous constructs with a high surface area for increased cell-material interaction and enhanced biocompatibility. However, physical and biological properties of electrospun scaffolds are limited by design controllability on a macroscale. We developed a methodology for generating electrospun scaffolds with defined patterns and topographic features to influence physical properties and biological interactions. Five unique design electrospinning target collectors were fabricated to allow for generation of defined polymeric scaffold patterns including lines, sinusoids, squares, zigzags, and solid. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid was electrospun under identical conditions utilizing these varied targets, and constructs generated were examined as to their physical configuration, mechanical and chemical properties, and their ability to foster vascular smooth muscle cell adhesion and retention at 24 h. Modifying collector designs led to significant differences in fiber target coverage ranging from 300 mm2 for solid (100% of the target area) to 217.8 mm2 for lines (72.6% of the target area). Measured fiber excess, residual open area, and contact angle (hydrophobicity) followed the same trend as fiber target coverage with respect to the collector pattern: lines > sinusoids > squares > zigzags > solid. Similarly, the line design allowed for the greatest cell adhesion and retention (258 ± 31 cells), whereas solid exhibited the lowest (150 ± 15 cells); p < 0.05. There was a strong direct correlation of cell adhesion to construct residual open area (R2 = 0.94), normalized fiber excess (R2 = 0.99), and fiber grammage (R2 = 0.72), with an inverse relationship to fiber target coverage (R2 = 0.94). Our results demonstrate the ability to utilize patterned collectors for modifying macroscopic and microscopic electrospun scaffold features, which directly impact cell adhesion and retention, offering translational utility for designing specific tissue constructs.

This study evaluated the effect of anodized titanium implants coated with submicron-sized poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/recombinant human transforming growth factor-β2 (rhTGF-β2) particles via electrospray on osseointegration in an in vivo model. Materials and Methods: An experimental group of anodized titanium implants coated with submicron PLGA/rhTGF-β2 particles by electrospray was compared topographically and histomorphometrically to noncoated anodized implants. Forty-eight anodized titanium implants were inserted into the tibias of 12 New Zealand rabbits. The histomorphometric specimens were prepared after sacrificing at 3 and 6 weeks after implant placement. Bone-to-implant contact percentage (BIC%) and bone area percentage (BA%) were calculated. The surface roughness and histomorphometric values were statistically analyzed, with a P value < .05 defined as statistically significant. Results: The implant surfaces showed a uniform submicron-sized coating of PLGA/rhTGF-β2 particles. There was no significant difference in surface roughness between the groups. Both BIC% and BA% of the three best consecutive threads in the experimental group (3 weeks postplacement) were significantly higher than those of the control group (P = .045 and P = .048, respectively), whereas only the BIC% of the three best consecutive threads of the experimental group (6 weeks postplacement) was higher than that of the control group (P = .033). None of the groups tested showed any statistically significant differences in these metrics along the total length of the implant. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, coating rhTGF-β2 on implants with the help of PLGA carriers by electrospray may have enhanced osseointegration during the early stage of implant healing period in in-vivo rabbit tibia model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of these studies was to develop and characterize B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-specific peptide-encapsulated nanoparticle formulations to efficiently evoke BCMA-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) with poly-functional immune activities against multiple myeloma (MM). Heteroclitic BCMA72-80 [YLMFLLRKI] peptide-encapsulated liposome or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles displayed uniform size distribution and increased peptide delivery to human dendritic cells, which enhanced induction of BCMA-specific CTL. Distinct from liposome-based nanoparticles, PLGA-based nanoparticles demonstrated a gradual increase in peptide uptake by antigen-presenting cells, and induced BCMA-specific CTL with higher anti-tumor activities (CD107a degranulation, CTL proliferation, and IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α production) against primary CD138+ tumor cells and MM cell lines. The improved functional activities were associated with increased Tetramer+/CD45RO+ memory CTL, CD28 upregulation on Tetramer+ CTL, and longer maintenance of central memory (CCR7+ CD45RO+) CTL, with the highest anti-MM activity and less differentiation into effector memory (CCR7- CD45RO+) CTL. These results provide the framework for therapeutic application of PLGA-based BCMA immunogenic peptide delivery system, rather than free peptide, to enhance the induction of BCMA-specific CTL with poly-functional Th1-specific anti-MM activities. These results demonstrate the potential clinical utility of PLGA nanotechnology-based cancer vaccine to enhance BCMA-targeted immunotherapy against myeloma.

Background. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid and zinc oxide (PLGA-ZnO) nanocomposite has been investigated for its antibacterial properties, which could be beneficial for adding to wound dressings after periodontal surgery. However, its cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) remains unclear and should be evaluated. Methods. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the hydrothermal method. These metallic nanoparticles were incorporated into the PLGA matrix by the solvent/non-solvent process. The nanomaterial was evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. HGF cells were acquired from the National Cell Bank and categorized into four groups: ZnO, PLGA, ZnO-PLGA, and control. The cells were exposed to different ZnO (1, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL) and PLGA (0.2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 µg/mL) concentrations for 24 and 48 hours. The cytotoxicity was tested using the MTT assay. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. ZnO nanoparticles exhibited significant toxicity at = 40 µg/mL concentrations after 24 hours. Cell viability decreased significantly at all the tested concentrations after 48 hours of exposure. PLGA-ZnO cell viability in 24 hours was similar to the control group for all the concentrations up to 80 µg/mL. Conclusion. ZnO nanoparticles could be toxic against HGF in high concentrations and with prolonged exposure. Therefore, incorporating ZnO nanoparticles into a biocompatible polymer such as PLGA could be a beneficial strategy for reducing their toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic primary spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis below the level of injury and is associated with infiltration of hematogenous innate immune cells into the injured cord. Methylprednisolone has been applied to reduce inflammation following SCI, yet was discontinued due to an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio associated with off-target effects. In this study, i.v. administered poly(lactide-coglycolide) nanoparticles were internalized by circulating monocytes and neutrophils, reprogramming these cells based on their physicochemical properties and not by an active pharmaceutical ingredient, to exhibit altered biodistribution, gene expression, and function. Approximately 80% of nanoparticle-positive immune cells were observed within the injury, and, additionally, the overall accumulation of innate immune cells at the injury was reduced 4-fold, coinciding with down-regulated expression of proinflammatory factors and increased expression of antiinflammatory and proregenerative genes. Furthermore, nanoparticle administration induced macrophage polarization toward proregenerative phenotypes at the injury and markedly reduced both fibrotic and gliotic scarring 3-fold. Moreover, nanoparticle administration with the implanted multichannel bridge led to increased numbers of regenerating axons, increased myelination with about 40% of axons myelinated, and an enhanced locomotor function (score of 6 versus 3 for control group). These data demonstrate that nanoparticles provide a platform that limits acute inflammation and tissue destruction, at a favorable risk-benefit ratio, leading to a proregenerative microenvironment that supports regeneration and functional recovery. These particles may have applications to trauma and potentially other inflammatory diseases.

Ligand-dependent Cre recombinases are pivotal tools for the generation of inducible somatic mutants. This method enables spatial and temporal control of gene activity through tamoxifen administration, providing new avenues for studying gene function and establishing animal models of human diseases. While this paved the way for developmental studies previously deemed impractical, the generation of tissue-specific transgenic mouse lines can be time-consuming and costly. Herein, we design a smart, biocompatible, and biodegradable nanoparticle system encapsulated with tamoxifen that is actively targeted to specific cell types in vivo through surface conjugation of antibodies. We demonstrate that these nanoparticles bind to cells of interest and activate Cre recombinase, resulting in tissue-specific Cre activation. This system provides a versatile, yet powerful approach to induce recombination in a ubiquitious Cre system for various biomedical applications and sets the stage for a time- and cost-effective strategy of generating new transgenic mouse lines.

Ligand-dependent Cre recombinases are pivotal tools for the generation of inducible somatic mutants. This method enables spatial and temporal control of gene activity through tamoxifen administration, providing new avenues for studying gene function and establishing animal models of human diseases. While this paved the way for developmental studies previously deemed impractical, the generation of tissue-specific transgenic mouse lines can be time-consuming and costly. Herein, we design a 'smart', biocompatible, and biodegradable nanoparticle system encapsulated with tamoxifen that is actively targeted to specific cell types in vivo through surface conjugation of antibodies. We demonstrate that these nanoparticles bind to cells of interest and activate Cre recombinase, resulting in tissue-specific Cre activation. This system provides a versatile, yet powerful approach to induce recombination in a ubiquitious Cre system for various biomedical applications and sets the stage for a time- and cost-effective strategy of generating new transgenic mouse lines.

Intraocular infections are prevalent after traumatic injuries or after common ocular surgeries. Infections cause inflammation that can damage the retina and architecture of the eye, often resulting in poor visual outcomes. Severe cases may result in blindness or require enucleation of the eye. Treatments for intraocular infections include intravitreal antibiotics and corticosteroids or surgical vitrectomy in serious cases. The increase in multidrug-resistant infections calls for novel treatment options. In the present study, a biomimetic erythrocyte-derived nanosponge was tested for the ability to neutralize pore-forming toxins from the most frequent Gram-positive bacterial causes of intraocular infections (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus cereus). Nanosponge pretreatment of supernatants reduced hemolytic activity in vitro. In a murine sterile endophthalmitis model, nanosponge pretreatment of injected supernatants resulted in greater retinal function and less ocular pathology compared to that in eyes injected with untreated supernatants from all pathogens except methicillin-resistant S. aureus In a murine bacterial endophthalmitis model, treatment with gatifloxacin and gatifloxacin-nanosponges reduced intraocular bacterial burdens, except in the case of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus For all pathogens, eyes in both treatment groups showed decreased ocular pathology and inflammation. Overall, reductions in retinal function loss afforded by gatifloxacin-nanosponge treatment were significant for E. faecalis, S. pneumoniae, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus but not for B. cereus and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus These results suggest that clinical improvements in intraocular infections following nanosponge treatment were dependent on the complexity and types of toxins produced. Nanosponges might serve as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of ocular infections.IMPORTANCE Endophthalmitis is a blinding consequence of bacterial invasion of the interior of the eye. Because of increases in the numbers of ocular surgeries and intraocular injections, the incidence of endophthalmitis is steadily increasing. Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus cereus are leading causes of infection following ocular procedures and trauma and are increasingly more difficult to treat due to multidrug resistance. Each of these pathogens produces pore-forming toxins that contribute to the pathogenesis of endophthalmitis. Treatment of these infections with antibiotics alone is insufficient to prevent damage to the retina and vision loss. Therefore, novel therapeutics are needed that include agents that neutralize bacterial pore-forming toxins. Here, we demonstrate that biomimetic nanosponges neutralize pore-forming toxins from these ocular pathogens and aid in preserving retinal function. Nanosponges may represent a new form of adjunct antitoxin therapy for serious potentially blinding intraocular infections.

Nanoparticles (NPs) can be used to accomplish antigen-specific immune tolerance in allergic and autoimmune disease. The available options for custom-designing tolerogenic NPs include the use of nanocarriers that introduce antigens into natural tolerogenic environments, such as the liver, where antigen presentation promotes tolerance to self- or foreign antigens. Here, we demonstrate the engineering of a biodegradable polymeric poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocarrier for the selective delivery of the murine allergen, ovalbumin (OVA), to the liver. This was accomplished by developing a series of NPs in the 200-300 nm size range as well as decorating particle surfaces with ligands that target scavenger and mannose receptors on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). LSECs represent a major antigen-presenting cell type in the liver capable of generating regulatory T-cells (Tregs).  In vitro exposure of LSECs to NPOVA induced abundant TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 production, which was further increased by surface ligands. Animal experiments showed that, in the chosen size range, NPOVA was almost exclusively delivered to the liver, where the colocalization of fluorescent-labeled particles with LSECs could be seen to increase by surface ligand decoration. Moreover, prophylactic treatment with NPOVA in OVA-sensitized and challenged animals (aerosolized inhalation) could be seen to significantly suppress anti-OVA IgE responses, airway eosinophilia, and TH2 cytokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The suppression of allergic airway inflammation was further enhanced by attachment of surface ligands, particularly for particles decorated with the ApoB peptide, which induced high levels of TGF-β production in the lung along with the appearance of Foxp3+ Tregs. The ApoB-peptide-coated NPs could also interfere in allergic airway inflammation when delivered postsensitization. The significance of these findings is that liver and LSEC targeting PLGA NPs could be used for therapy of allergic airway disease, in addition to the potential of using their tolerogenic effects for other disease applications.

ObjectiveInflammation is a key driver of excessive neointimal hyperplasia within vein grafts. Recent work demonstrates that specialized proresolving lipid mediators biosynthesized from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as resolvin D1 (RvD1), actively orchestrate the process of inflammation resolution. We investigated the effects of local perivascular delivery of RvD1 in a rabbit vein graft model.MethodsIpsilateral jugular veins were implanted as carotid interposition grafts through an anastomotic cuff technique in New Zealand white rabbits (3-4 kg; N = 80). RvD1 (1 μg) was delivered to the vein bypass grafts in a perivascular fashion, using either 25% Pluronic F127 gel (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo) or a thin bilayered poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) film. No treatment (bypass only) and vehicle-loaded Pluronic gels or PLGA films served as controls. Delivery of RvD1 to venous tissue was evaluated 3 days later by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Total leukocyte infiltration, macrophage infiltration, and cell proliferation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Elastin and trichrome staining was performed on grafts harvested at 28 days after bypass to evaluate neointimal hyperplasia and vein graft remodeling.ResultsPerivascular treatments did not influence rates of graft thrombosis (23%), major wound complications (4%), or death (3%). Leukocyte (CD45) and macrophage (RAM11) infiltration was significantly reduced in the RvD1 treatment groups vs controls at 3 days (60%-72% reduction; P < .01). Cellular proliferation (Ki67 index) was also significantly lower in RvD1-treated vs control grafts at 3 days (40%-50% reduction; P < .01). Treatment of vein grafts with RvD1-loaded gels reduced neointimal thickness at 28 days by 61% vs bypass only (P < .001) and by 63% vs vehicle gel (P < .001). RvD1-loaded PLGA films reduced neointimal formation at 28 days by 50% vs bypass only (P < .001). RvD1 treatment was also associated with reduced collagen deposition in vein grafts at 28 days.ConclusionsLocal perivascular delivery of RvD1 attenuates vein graft hyperplasia without associated toxicity in a rabbit carotid bypass model. This effect appears to be mediated by both reduced leukocyte recruitment and decreased cell proliferation within the graft. Perivascular PLGA films may also impart protection through biomechanical scaffolding in this venous arterialization model. Our studies provide further support for the potential therapeutic role of specialized proresolving lipid mediators such as D-series resolvins in modulating vascular injury and repair.

Evidence shows that metformin is an antidiabetic drug, which can exert favorable anti-inflammatory effects and decreased bone loss. The development of nanoparticles for metformin might be useful for increased therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metformin hydrochloride-loaded Poly (d,l-Lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/(MET-loaded PLGA) on a ligature-induced periodontitis model in diabetic rats. MET-loaded PLGA were characterized by mean diameter, particle size, polydispensity index, and entrapment efficiency. Maxillae were scanned using Microcomputed Tomography (µCT) and histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay. Quantitative RT-PCR was used (AMPK, NF-κB p65, HMGB1, and TAK-1). The mean diameter of MET-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was in a range of 457.1 ± 48.9 nm (p < 0.05) with a polydispersity index of 0.285 (p < 0.05), Z potential of 8.16 ± 1.1 mV (p < 0.01), and entrapment efficiency (EE) of 66.7 ± 3.73. Treatment with MET-loaded PLGA 10 mg/kg showed low inflammatory cells, weak staining by RANKL, cathepsin K, OPG, and osteocalcin, and levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (p < 0.05), increased AMPK expression gene (p < 0.05) and decreased NF-κB p65, HMGB1, and TAK-1 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that MET-loaded PLGA decreased inflammation and bone loss in periodontitis in diabetic rats.

Recent studies in cancer research have focused intensely on the antineoplastic effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors. While the development of these inhibitors has progressed successfully, strategies to further improve their efficacy and reduce their toxicity are still needed. We hypothesized that the delivery of anti-PD-1 antibody encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles (anti-PD-1 NPs) to the spleen would improve the antitumor effect of this agent. Unexpectedly, we found that mice treated with a high dose of anti-PD-1 NPs exhibited significantly higher mortality compared with those treated with free anti-PD-1 antibody, due to the overactivation of T cells. Administration of anti-PD-1 NPs to splenectomized LT-α-/- mice, which lack both lymph nodes and spleen, resulted in a complete reversal of this increased mortality and revealed the importance of secondary lymphoid tissues in mediating anti-PD-1-associated toxicity. Attenuation of the anti-PD-1 NPs dosage prevented toxicity and significantly improved its antitumor effect in the B16-F10 murine melanoma model. Furthermore, we found that anti-PD-1 NPs undergo internalization by DCs in the spleen, leading to their maturation and the subsequent activation of T cells. Our findings provide important clues that can lead to the development of strategies to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Simvastatin embedded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based scaffolds can stimulate bone regeneration in preclinical models. However, the ideal pharmacological dose has not been evaluated. This systematic review reports on the simvastatin doses used in preclinical studies and evaluates the regeneration of critical-sized bone defects. References were selected in a two-phase process. Electronic databases (Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) and grey literature databases (Google Scholar, Open Grey, and ProQuest) were searched until September 2022. The risk of bias was considered to be low based on the SYRCLE tool. We identified four studies in rat, two in parietal and two in calvaria bone, one in mouse parietal bone, and one in rabbit femur bone. Simvastatin, ranging from 8 to 100 µg, significantly increased bone formation in five studies, as compared to the scaffold alone based on µ-computed tomography, histomorphometric, and radiography analysis. The median increase in bone formation caused by simvastatin was 2.1-fold compared to the PLGA-based scaffold alone. There was, however, no significant correlation between the relative bone gain and the doses of simvastatin (p = 0.37). The data suggest that relatively lower doses of simvastatin can consistently promote preclinical bone regeneration. However, the interpretation of these data must consider the heterogenicity of the PLGA-scaffolds, the defect anatomy, the observation period, and the evaluation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particle carriers of synthetic DNA have recently received increased attention for environmental applications due to their biodegradability, customizability, and nearly limitless number of uniquely identifiable "labels". In this paper, we present methodologies for the preparation of DNA-labeled particles, control of particle size, extraction of DNA-labels, and analysis via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Characterization and analysis of the DNA-labeled particles reveal spherical particles of diameters ranging from 60 to 1000 nm, with consistent zeta potentials around -45 mV, that are stable to aggregation, even in the presence of concentrated mono- and divalent cations. A highly correlated and consistent relationship between particle concentration and DNA-label count was observed, with a detection range spanning 7 orders of magnitude, from 0.01 to 10,000 mg/L (10-107 particles/μL). The results of two environmental applications of the DNA-labeled particles are also presented, highlighting their feasibility for use in environmental studies. Whether exploring size-dependent transport phenomena or identifying potential pathogen transport pathways, the DNA-labeled particle approach presented here provides a powerful tool for the identification of overlapping particle signals at a range of concentrations.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is widely used as a vehicle for delivery of pharmaceutically relevant payloads. PLGA is readily fabricated as a nano- or microparticle (MP) matrix to load both hydrophobic and hydrophilic small molecular drugs as well as biomacromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. However, targeting such payloads to the cell cytosol is often limited by MP entrapment and degradation within acidic endolysosomes. Poly(propylacrylic acid) (PPAA) is a polyelectrolyte polymer with the membrane disruptive capability triggered at low pH. PPAA has been previously formulated in various carrier configurations to enable cytosolic payload delivery, but requires sophisticated carrier design. Taking advantage of PPAA functionality, we have incorporated PPAA into PLGA MPs as a simple polymer mixture to enhance cytosolic delivery of PLGA-encapsulated payloads. Rhodamine loaded PLGA and PPAA/PLGA blend MPs were prepared by a modified nanoprecipitation method. Incorporation of PPAA into PLGA MPs had little to no effect on the size, shape, or loading efficiency, and evidenced no toxicity in Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cells. Notably, incorporation of PPAA into PLGA MPs enabled pH-dependent membrane disruption in a hemolysis assay, and a three-fold increased endosomal escape and cytosolic delivery in dendritic cells after 2 h of MP uptake. These results demonstrate that a simple PLGA/PPAA polymer blend is readily fabricated into composite MPs, enabling cytosolic delivery of an encapsulated payload. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1022-1033, 2018.

Evidence shows that metformin is an antidiabetic drug, which can exert favorable anti-inflammatory effects and decreased bone loss. The development of nanoparticles for metformin might be useful for increased therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metformin hydrochloride-loaded Poly (d,l-Lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/(MET-loaded PLGA) on a ligature-induced periodontitis model in diabetic rats. MET-loaded PLGA were characterized by mean diameter, particle size, polydispensity index, and entrapment efficiency. Maxillae were scanned using Microcomputed Tomography (µCT) and histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay. Quantitative RT-PCR was used (AMPK, NF-κB p65, HMGB1, and TAK-1). The mean diameter of MET-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was in a range of 457.1 ± 48.9 nm (p < 0.05) with a polydispersity index of 0.285 (p < 0.05), Z potential of 8.16 ± 1.1 mV (p < 0.01), and entrapment efficiency (EE) of 66.7 ± 3.73. Treatment with MET-loaded PLGA 10 mg/kg showed low inflammatory cells, weak staining by RANKL, cathepsin K, OPG, and osteocalcin, and levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (p < 0.05), increased AMPK expression gene (p < 0.05) and decreased NF-κB p65, HMGB1, and TAK-1 (p < 0.05). It is concluded that MET-loaded PLGA decreased inflammation and bone loss in periodontitis in diabetic rats.

The engineering of living plants for visible light emission and sustainable illumination is compelling because plants possess independent energy generation and storage mechanisms and autonomous self-repair. Herein, we demonstrate a plant nanobionic approach that enables exceptional luminosity and lifetime utilizing four chemically interacting nanoparticles, including firefly luciferase conjugated silica (SNP-Luc), d-luciferin releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA-LH2), coenzyme A functionalized chitosan (CS-CoA) and semiconductor nanocrystal phosphors for longer wavelength modulation. An in vitro kinetic model incorporating the release rates of the nanoparticles is developed to maximize the chemiluminescent lifetimes to exceed 21.5 h. In watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and other species, the nanoparticles circumvent limitations such as luciferin toxicity above 400 μM and colocalization of enzymatic reactions near high adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Pressurized bath infusion of nanoparticles (PBIN) is introduced to deliver a mixture of nanoparticles to the entire living plant, well described using a nanofluidic mathematical model. We rationally design nanoparticle size and charge to control localization within distinct tissues compartments with 10 nm nanoparticles localizing within the leaf mesophyll and stomata guard cells, and those larger than 100 nm segregated in the leaf mesophyll. The results are mature watercress plants that emit greater than 1.44 × 1012 photons/sec or 50% of 1 μW commercial luminescent diodes and modulate "off" and "on" states by chemical addition of dehydroluciferin and coenzyme A, respectively. We show that CdSe nanocrystals can shift the chemiluminescent emission to 760 nm enabling near-infrared (nIR) signaling. These results advance the viability of nanobionic plants as self-powered photonics, direct and indirect light sources.

Background: Conventional periodontal therapy relies on bone regeneration strategies utilizing scaffolds made of diverse materials, among which collagen, to promote cell adhesion and growth. Objective: To evaluate periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPdLF) cell adhesion and viability for periodontal regeneration purposes on hydroxyapatite scaffolds containing collagen (HAp-egg shell) combined with polylactic acid–polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF). Methods: Four variations of the HAp-egg shell were used to seed HPdLF for 24 h and evaluate cell viability through a live/dead assay: (1) (HAp-egg shell/PLGA), (2) (HAp-egg shell/PLGA + collagen), (3) (HAp-egg shell/PLGA + PRF) and (4) (HAp-egg shell/PLGA + PRF + collagen). Cell adhesion and viability were determined using confocal microscopy and quantified using central tendency and dispersion measurements; significant differences were determined using ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: Group 1 presented low cell viability and adhesion (3.70–10.17%); groups 2 and 3 presented high cell viability and low cell adhesion (group 2, 59.2–11.1%, group 3, 58–4.6%); group 4 presented the highest cell viability (82.8%) and moderate cell adhesion (45%) (p = 0.474). Conclusions: The effect of collagen on the HAp-egg shell/PLGA scaffold combined with PRF favored HPdLF cell adhesion and viability and could clinically have a positive effect on bone defect resolution and the regeneration of periodontal ligament tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to create resorbable nanoparticles (NPs) using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to develop novel antibacterial therapeutics for the treatment of chronic wound infections that are susceptible to recurrent infections. By first performing a release study, it was possible to predict the behavior of the different PLGA NP formulations and assess the efficacy of the nanocomposite drug delivery system. These PLGA NP formulations consisted of varying ratios of PLGA without polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and PLGA with PVA (PLGA-PVA) (i.e., 25:75[PLGA25], 50:50[PLGA50], and 75:25[PLGA75]). Then, different antibiotics (i.e., ciprofloxacin and gentamicin) were incorporated into the PLGA NP formulations to test the antibacterial efficacy of these antimicrobial NPs against different pathogens (i.e., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 [MRSA], Pseudomonas aeruginosa FRD1, and Acinetobacter baumannii BAA1605). Of particular interest was testing against the MRSA strain USA300 and the P. aeruginosa strain FRD1. This was possible by measuring the zone of inhibition. A 3-day period was used to monitor the antibacterial efficacy of the different PLGA NP formulations (i.e., PLGA25, PLGA50, and a 1:1 combination of PLGA25:PLGA50) against A. baumannii BAA1605, MRSA, and P aeruginosa FRD1. Throughout the study, A. baumannii was a negative control and was resistant to all the PLGA NP formulations loaded with ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. At the end of the 3-day period, the PLGA and PLGA50 ciprofloxacin-loaded formulations produced zones of inhibition of 27 mm and 23 mm, respectively, against P. aeruginosa FRD1. This indicated that P. aeruginosa FRD1 was susceptible to both formulations. The mixed formulations with equal parts PLGA25:PLGA50 loaded with ciprofloxacin produced a zone of inhibition (i.e., 25 mm). This again indicated that P. aeruginosa FRD1 was susceptible to ciprofloxacin. The formulations tested against MRSA showed that only gentamicin-loaded formulations produced intermediate results, and that ciprofloxacin-loaded formulations were ineffective. The PLGA25 and the PLGA50 NP formulations loaded with gentamicin both produced zones of inhibition of 13 mm. This indicated that MRSA was intermediate to both the formulations. The PLGA25:PLGA50 loaded with gentamicin produced a zone of inhibition of 14 mm, which again showed that MRSA was intermediate to this formulation. Overall, these PLGA NP formulations showed the sustained antibacterial potential of a burst release, followed by a sustained release of antibiotics from antibiotics loaded PLGA NPs in a controlled manner. In the future, this can help prevent the emergence of recurrent infections in the treatment of chronic wounds and reduce the number of medical dressing changes., (© The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2024. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site–for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Development of natural protein-based fibrous scaffolds with tunable physical properties and biocompatibility is highly desirable to construct three-dimensional (3D), fully cellularized scaffolds for wound healing. Herein, we demonstrated a simple and effective technique to construct electrospun 3D fibrous scaffolds for accelerated wound healing using a photocrosslinkable hydrogel based on gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). We found that the physical properties of the photocrosslinkable hydrogel including water retention, stiffness, strength, elasticity and degradation can be tailored by changing the light exposure time. We further observed that the optimized hydrogel fibrous scaffolds which were soft and elastic could support cell adhesion, proliferation and migration into the whole scaffolds, facilitating regeneration and formation of cutaneous tissues within two weeks. Such tunable characteristics of the fibrous GelMA scaffolds distinguished them from other reported substrates developed for reconstruction of wound defects including glutaraldehyde-crosslinked gelatin or poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), whose physical and chemical properties were difficult to modify to allow cell infiltration into the 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration. We anticipate that the ability to become fully cellularized will make the engineered GelMA fibrous scaffolds suitable for widespread applications as skin substitutes or wound dressings.Statement of significanceIn present study, we generate three-dimensional photocrosslinkable gelatin (GelMA)-based fibrous scaffolds with tunable physical and biological properties by using a combined photocrosslinking/electrospinning approach. The developed GelMA fibrous scaffolds can not only support cell viability and cell adhesion, but also facilitate cell migration and proliferation, accelerating regeneration and formation of cutaneous tissues. In addition, the physical properties of the engineered fibrous GelMA hydrogel including water retention capability, mechanical properties and biodegradability can be tuned to accommodate different patients' needs, making it a promising candidate for skin tissue engineering.

ObjectiveLipid mediators derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as resolvin D1 (RvD1) accelerate the resolution of inflammation and have potential as vascular therapeutics. The objective of this study was to evaluate local perivascular delivery of RvD1 as a means to attenuate neointimal hyperplasia in a rat model of arterial injury.MethodsSmooth muscle cells were harvested from rat aortas to study the effects of RvD1 on rat arterial vascular smooth muscle cell responses in vitro, with focus on inflammation, proliferation, migration, cytoskeletal changes, and cytotoxicity. The safety and efficacy of perivascular delivery of RvD1 through thin biodegradable three-layered poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) wraps or 25% Pluronic F127 gels were studied in a rat model of carotid angioplasty. A total of 200 ng of RvD1 was loaded into each construct for perivascular delivery after injury. Morphometric and histologic analyses were performed 3 and 14 days after injury.ResultsRvD1 attenuated rat arterial vascular smooth muscle cell inflammatory pathways, proliferation, migration, and mitogen-induced cytoskeletal changes in vitro, without evidence of cytotoxicity. RvD1-loaded wraps reduced neointimal formation after carotid angioplasty by 59% vs no-wrap controls (P = .001) and by 45% vs vehicle-wrap controls (P = .002). RvD1-loaded Pluronic gels similarly reduced neointimal formation by 49% vs no-gel controls (P = .02) and by 52% vs vehicle-gel controls (P = .02). No group was associated with infection, thrombosis, or negative vessel remodeling. Wraps were found to be easier to apply than gel constructs. Ki67 proliferation index was significantly lower in RvD1-loaded wrap-treated arteries compared with both no-wrap and vehicle-wrap controls at both 3 and 14 days after injury (65% vs no-wrap group and 70% vs vehicle-wrap group at day 3, 49% vs both control groups at day 14; P < .05). Similarly, oxidative stress (30% and 29%; P < .05) and nuclear factor κB activation (42% and 45%; P < .05) were significantly lower in the RvD1-loaded wrap group compared with both no-wrap and vehicle-wrap controls at 3 days after injury.ConclusionsLocal perivascular delivery of RvD1 attenuates formation of neointimal hyperplasia without associated toxicity in a rat model of carotid angioplasty. This effect is likely due to attenuation of inflammatory pathways as well as decreased arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration.

Resolvin D1 (RvD1) belongs to a family of endogenously derived proresolving lipid mediators that have been shown to attenuate inflammation, activate proresolution signaling, and promote homeostasis and recovery from tissue injury. In this study we present a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) based thin-film device composed of layers of varying ratios of lactic and glycolic acid that elutes RvD1 unidirectionally to target tissues. The device demonstrated sustained release in vitro for 56 days with an initial burst of release over 14 days. The asymmetric design of the device released 98% of RvD1 through the layer with the lowest molar ratio of lactic acid to glycolic acid, and the remainder through the opposite side. We validated structural integrity of RvD1 released from the device by mass spectrometry and investigated its bioactivity on human vascular endothelial (EC) and smooth muscle cells (VSMC). RvD1 released from the device attenuated VSMC migration, proliferation, and TNF-α induced NF-κB activation, without evidence of cytotoxicity. Delivery of RvD1 to blood vessels was demonstrated ex vivo in a flow chamber system using perfused rabbit aortas and in vivo in a rat carotid artery model, with the devices applied as an adventitial wrap. Our results demonstrate a novel approach for sustained, local delivery of Resolvin D1 to vascular tissue at therapeutically relevant levels. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 31-41, 2017.

Background: Excessive inflammation in the periodontal tissue after tooth replantation can lead to inflammatory root resorption and interrupt periodontal tissue regeneration. We tested the hypothesis that nuclear factor-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotide-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanospheres (NF-PLGA) inhibit excessive inflammation and promote healing of periodontal tissue after replantation in rats.Methods: The upper right incisors of rats were extracted, immersed in different specific solutions, and replanted. The rats were euthanized at 7, 14, and 28 days after replantation. Morphological evaluation with micro-CT and histological assessment with hematoxylin and eosin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was performed. Additionally, we examined the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the periodontal ligament (PDL) by performing immunohistological assessment.Results: The NF-PLGA group showed significantly greater dental root thickness than the other experimental groups. Root resorption was not observed after the application of NF-PLGA on day 7. The application of NF-PLGA also resulted in a significantly lower number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts on days 7 and 14 after replantation. Significantly lower expression of IL-1β and IL-6 and higher expression of TGF-β1 and FGF-2 were observed under the application of NF-PLGA in the PDL.Conclusions: NF-PLGA promoted the healing process by inhibiting the initial excessive inflammatory response in the PDL, preventing root resorption, and promoting periodontal tissue regeneration. The findings also suggested that the PLGA nanospheres-mediated transfection of the decoy oligodeoxynucleotides can be useful for the clinical application of replanted tooth root surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating event with multiple mechanisms of degeneration leading to life-long paralysis. Biomaterial strategies, including bridges that span the injury and provide a pathway to reconnect severed regions of the spinal cord, can promote partial restoration of motor function following SCI. Axon growth through the bridge is essential to characterizing regeneration, as recovery can occur via other mechanisms such as plasticity. Quantitative analysis of axons by manual counting of histological sections can be slow, which can limit the number of bridge designs evaluated. In this study, we report a semi-automated process to resolve axon numbers in histological sections, which allows for efficient analysis of large data sets.New methodAxon numbers were estimated in SCI cross-sections from animals implanted with poly(lactide co-glycolide) (PLG) bridges with multiple channels for guiding axons. Immunofluorescence images of histological sections were filtered using a Hessian-based approach prior to threshold detection to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and filter out background staining associated with PLG polymer.ResultsSemi-automated counting successfully recapitulated average axon densities and myelination in a blinded PLG bridge implantation study.Comparison with existing methodsAxon counts obtained with the semi-automated technique correlated well with manual axon counts from blinded independent observers across sections with a wide range of total axons.ConclusionsThis semi-automated detection of Hessian-filtered axons provides an accurate and significantly faster alternative to manual counting of axons for quantitative analysis of regeneration following SCI.

Burn wound healing involves a complex set of overlapping processes in an environment conducive to ischaemia, inflammation and infection costing $7.5 billion/year in the U.S.A. alone, in addition to the morbidity and mortality that occur when the burns are extensive. We previously showed that insulin, when topically applied to skin excision wounds, accelerates re-epithelialization and stimulates angiogenesis. More recently, we developed an alginate sponge dressing (ASD) containing insulin encapsulated in PLGA [poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)] microparticles that provides a sustained release of bioactive insulin for >20 days in a moist and protective environment. We hypothesized that insulin-containing ASD accelerates burn healing and stimulates a more regenerative, less scarring healing. Using heat-induced burn injury in rats, we show that burns treated with dressings containing 0.04 mg insulin/cm(2) every 3 days for 9 days have faster closure, a higher rate of disintegration of dead tissue and decreased oxidative stress. In addition, in insulin-treated wounds, the pattern of neutrophil inflammatory response suggests faster clearing of the burned dead tissue. We also observe faster resolution of the pro-inflammatory macrophages. We also found that insulin stimulates collagen deposition and maturation with the fibres organized more like a basket weave (normal skin) than aligned and cross-linked (scar tissue). In summary, application of ASD-containing insulin-loaded PLGA particles on burns every 3 days stimulates faster and more regenerative healing. These results suggest insulin as a potential therapeutic agent in burn healing and, because of its long history of safe use in humans, insulin could become one of the treatments of choice when repair and regeneration are critical for proper tissue function.

IntroductionCancer vaccines have the potential to induce curative anti-tumor immune responses and better adjuvants may improve vaccine efficacy. We have previously shown that Hp91, a peptide derived from the B box domain in high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), acts as a potent immune adjuvant.MethodIn this study, Hp91 was tested as part of a therapeutic vaccine against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer.ResultsFree peptide did not significantly augment immune responses but, when delivered in poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs), robust activation of dendritic cells (DCs) and increased activation of HER2-specific T cells was observed in vitro. Vaccination of HER2/neu transgenic mice, a mouse breast cancer model that closely mimics the immune modulation and tolerance in some breast cancer patients, with Hp91-loaded PLGA-NPs enhanced the activation of HER2-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, delayed tumor development, and prolonged survival.ConclusionsTaken together these findings demonstrate that the delivery of the immunostimulatory peptide Hp91 inside PLGA-NPs enhances the potency of the peptide and efficacy of a breast cancer vaccine.

Simvastatin embedded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based scaffolds can stimulate bone regeneration in preclinical models. However, the ideal pharmacological dose has not been evaluated. This systematic review reports on the simvastatin doses used in preclinical studies and evaluates the regeneration of critical-sized bone defects. References were selected in a two-phase process. Electronic databases (Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) and grey literature databases (Google Scholar, Open Grey, and ProQuest) were searched until September 2022. The risk of bias was considered to be low based on the SYRCLE tool. We identified four studies in rat, two in parietal and two in calvaria bone, one in mouse parietal bone, and one in rabbit femur bone. Simvastatin, ranging from 8 to 100 µg, significantly increased bone formation in five studies, as compared to the scaffold alone based on µ-computed tomography, histomorphometric, and radiography analysis. The median increase in bone formation caused by simvastatin was 2.1-fold compared to the PLGA-based scaffold alone. There was, however, no significant correlation between the relative bone gain and the doses of simvastatin (p = 0.37). The data suggest that relatively lower doses of simvastatin can consistently promote preclinical bone regeneration. However, the interpretation of these data must consider the heterogenicity of the PLGA-scaffolds, the defect anatomy, the observation period, and the evaluation method.

Tissue regeneration is the procedure of renewal, restoration and growth of injured tissues and defective organs including nerve, bone, tooth, cartilage and blood vessels. Repair process of damaged tissues needs non-invasive methods; so, the scientists have recently focused on alternative treatment pathways. Nano gels based on Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid have been designed for different purposes in medicine. It is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer composite. Also, human dental pulp stem cells embedded in the Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid scaffold have proliferation ability and differentiation potential. They can differentiate into different cell lineages, including bone, cartilage, nerve, tooth and other tissues. So, this treatment technology can be used for tissue engineering in regenerative medicine. On the other hand, this structure is a promising application for targeted cancer therapy. Therefore, this review studied tissue, especially tooth regeneration based on the new designed Nano composite scaffolds embedded with Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid hydrogel and dental pulp stem cells., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2024.)

Background: Open reduction with internal fixation is the preferred treatment option for displaced facial bone fractures. The superior mechanical properties of metallic plates have made them the most widely used material in existing bone fixation systems. However, after the healing period, these permanent plates can cause various problems. Alternative bioresorbable materials are being investigated to reduce these potential problems. This study compares bone stability and viability by using graphene oxide (GO)-doped poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanofiber plates and titanium plates for rats with fractured mandibles., Materials and Methods: The study included 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into four groups: a control group (Group I), a mandibular fracture group with no additional application (Group II), a mandibular fracture group repaired with titanium plates (Group III), and a mandibular fracture group repaired with GO-PLGA plates (Group IV). After 2 months, all of the rats were euthanized. A bone compression test was performed to assess bone stability, and a histological examination was performed to evaluate bone healing., Results: The osteocyte lacunae, Haversian ducts, canaliculi, and vascular structures of Group IV were found to be higher. In the compression test, vertical compression was applied to the bone axis, and Group IV had a higher maximum load and maximum stretch. GO-PLGA plates were found to be statistically superior to titanium plates in terms of both bone stability and bone healing (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: The present study found that GO-PLGA plates are more effective than titanium plates for the treatment of mandibular corpus fractures., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None declared., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Controlled degradation of biodegradable poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) trauma implants may increase interfragmentary loading which is known to accelerate fracture healing. Additive manufacturing allows us to tune the mechanical properties of PLGA scaffolds; however, little is known about this novel approach. The purpose of this study was to use in vitro and in vivo models to determine the degradative kinetics of additively manufactured test coupons fabricated with PLGA. We hypothesized that 1) increases in infill density would lead to improved initial mechanical properties, and 2) loss of mechanical properties would be constant as a function of time, regardless of implant design. Porous and solid test coupons were fabricated using 85:15 PLGA filament. Coupons were either incubated in serum or implanted subcutaneously in rats for up to 16 weeks. Samples were tested in tension, compression, torsion, and bending on a universal test frame. Variables of interest included, but were not limited to: stiffness, and ultimate force for each unique test. Infill density was the driving factor in test coupon mechanical properties, whereas differences in lattice architecture led to minimal changes. We observed moderate levels of degradation after 8 weeks, and significant decreases for all specimens after 16 weeks. Results from this study suggest substantial degradation of 3-D printed PLGA implants occurs during the 8- to 16-week window, which may be desirable for bone fracture repair applications. This study represents initial findings that will help us better understand the complicated interactions between overall implant design, porosity, and implant biodegradation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-osteoclastic activity of calcium hydroxide-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles [Ca(OH) 2 -loaded PLGA NPs] in comparison to calcium hydroxide nanoparticles [Ca(OH) 2 NPs]., Methods: RAW 264.7 cell lines (third-fifth passage) were cultured and incubated with soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand in triplicate. Subsequently, Ca(OH) 2 -loaded PLGA NPs and Ca(OH) 2 NPs were added for 7 days to evaluate their effects on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity. Additionally, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was conducted to confirm the cytotoxicity of treatments to cells., Results: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining showed a significant reduction in the osteoclast number when treated with Ca(OH) 2 -loaded PLGA NPs compared with Ca(OH) 2 NPs (P < .01). In comparison to the control, the number of osteoclasts significantly reduced upon treatment with Ca(OH) 2 -loaded PLGA NPs (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in Ca(OH) 2 NPs. Furthermore, osteoclast morphology in both treatment groups exhibited smaller sizes than the control group. Neither Ca(OH) 2 -loaded PLGA NPs nor Ca(OH) 2 NPs demonstrated cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells., Conclusions: Both Ca(OH) 2 NPs with and without poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) have the ability to inhibit osteoclast differentiation. However, Ca(OH) 2 -loaded PLGA NPs exhibit greater potential than Ca(OH) 2 NPs, making them a promising intracanal medicament for cases of root resorption., (Copyright © 2024 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: With the global increase in antibacterial resistance, the challenge faced by developing countries is to utilize the available antibiotics, alone or in combination, against resistant bacterial strains. We aimed to encapsulate the levofloxacin (LVX) into polymeric nanoparticles using biodegradable polymers i.e. Chitosan and PLGA, estimating their physicochemical characteristics followed by functional assessment as nanocarriers of levofloxacin against the different resistant strains of bacteria isolated from biological samples collected from tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan., Methods: LVX-NPs were synthesized using ion gelation and double emulsion solvent-evaporation method employing chitosan (CS) and poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), characterized via FTIR, XRD, SEM, and invitro drug release studies, while antibacterial activity was assessed using Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method., Results: Data revealed that the levofloxacin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles showed entrapment efficiency of 57.14% ± 0.03 (CS-I), 77.30% ± 0.08(CS-II) and 87.47% ± 0.08 (CS-III). The drug content, particle size, and polydispersity index of CS-I were 52.22% ± 0.2, 559 nm ± 31 nm, and 0.030, respectively, whereas it was 66.86% ± 0.17, 595 nm ± 52.3 nm and 0.057, respectively for CS-II and 82.65% ± 0.36, 758 nm ± 24 nm and 0.1, respectively for CS-III. The PLGA-levofloxacin nanoparticles showed an entrapment efficiency of 42.80% ± 0.4 (PLGA I) and 23.80% ± 0.4 (PLGA II). The drug content, particle size and polydispersity index of PLGA-I were 86% ± 0.21, 92 nm ± 10 nm, and 0.058, respectively, whereas it was 52.41% ± 0.45, 313 nm ± 32 nm and 0.076, respectively for PLGA-II. The XRD patterns of both polymeric nanoparticles showed an amorphous nature. SEM analysis reflects the circular-shaped agglomerated nanoparticles with PLGA polymer and dense spherical nanoparticles with chitosan polymer. The in-vitro release profile of PLGA-I nanoparticles showed a sustained release of 82% in 120 h and it was 58.40% for CS-III. Both types of polymeric nanoparticles were found to be stable for up to 6 months without losing any major drug content. Among the selected formulations, CS-III and PLGA-I, CS-III had better antibacterial potency against gram+ve and gram-ve bacteria, except for K. pneumonia, yet, PLGA-I demonstrated efficacy against K. pneumonia as per CSLI guidelines. All formulations did not exhibit any signs of hemotoxicity, nonetheless, the CS-NPs tend to bind on the surface of RBCs., Conclusion: These data suggested that available antibiotics can effectively be utilized as nano-antibiotics against resistant bacterial strains, causing severe infections, for improved antibiotic sensitivity without compromising patient safety., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The degradation of peptide drugs limits the application of peptide drug microspheres. Structural changes of peptides at the water-oil interface and the destruction of their spatial structure in the complex microenvironment during polymer degradation can affect drug release and in vivo biological activity. This study demonstrates that adding hydroxyethyl starch (HES) to the internal aqueous phase (W 1 ) significantly enhances the stability of semaglutide and optimizes its release behavior in PLGA microspheres. The results showed that this improvement was due to a spontaneous exothermic reaction (ΔH = -132.20 kJ mol -1 ) facilitated by hydrogen bonds. Incorporating HES into the internal aqueous phase using the water-in-oil-in-water (W 1 /O/W 2 ) emulsion method yielded PLGA microspheres with a high encapsulation rate of 94.38 %. Moreover, microspheres with HES demonstrated well-controlled drug release over 44 days, unlike the slower and incomplete release in microspheres without HES. The optimized h-MG2 formulation achieved a more complete drug release (83.23 %) and prevented 30.65 % of drug loss compared to the HES-free microspheres within the same period. Additionally, the optimized semaglutide microspheres provided nearly three weeks of glycemic control with adequate safety. In conclusion, adding HES to the internal aqueous phase improved the in-situ drug stability and release behavior of semaglutide-loaded PLGA microspheres, effectively increasing the peptide drug payload in PLGA microspheres., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The challenges in the treatment of extensive bone defects are infection control and bone regeneration. Bone tissue engineering is currently one of the most promising strategies. In this study, a short biopeptide with specific osteogenic ability is designed by fusion peptide technology and encapsulated with chitosan-modified poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres. The fusion peptide (FP) mainly consists of an osteogenic functional sequence (P-15) and a bone-specific binding sequence (Asp-6), which can regulate bone formation accurately and efficiently. Chitosan-modified PLGA with antimicrobial and pro-healing effects is used to achieve the sustained release of fusion peptides. In the early stage, the antimicrobial and soft tissue healing effects can stop the wound infection as soon as possible, which is relevant for the subsequent bone regeneration process. Our data show that CS-PLGA@FP microspheres have antibacterial and pro-cell migration effects in vitro and excellent pro-wound-healing effects in vivo. In addition, CS-PLGA@FP microspheres promote the expression of osteogenic-related factors and show excellent bone regeneration in a rat defect model. Therefore, CS-PLGA@FP microspheres are an efficient biomaterial that can accelerate the recovery of bone defects.

Biodegradable polyesters are widely employed in the development of controlled release systems for peptide drugs. However, one of the challenges in developing a polyester-based delivery system for peptides is the acylation reaction between peptides and polymers. Peptide acylation is an important factor that affects formulation stability and can occur during storage, in vitro release, and after drug administration. This review focuses on the mechanisms and parameters that influence the rate of peptide acylation within polyesters. Furthermore, it discusses reported strategies to minimize the acylation reaction., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

In an effort to overcome the nasal mucus barrier and epithelial barrier, as well as reduce entry into the bloodstream, we designed RWrNM and DLPC-modified PLGA nanoparticles (PDR-NPs). These nanoparticles were further encapsulated with dexamethasone acetate (Dexac) to form Dexac/PDR-NPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed their spherical shape with an outer lipid layer. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) determined their particle size to be 125.77 ± 2.01 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.139 ± 0.029. The experimental results demonstrate that DLPC-modified PLGA nanoparticles can effectively reduce interactions with mucin at different concentrations, decrease aggregation, and facilitate their crossing of the mucus barrier. Additionally, results from the cellular uptake assay revealed a significantly greater uptake of PDR-NPs by inflammatory RAW 264.7 cells (2.99-fold higher than that of free C6, p < 0.0001) and inflammatory HUVECs (7.20-fold higher than that of free C6, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, Dexac/PDR-NPs effectively reduced the levels of inflammatory factors nitric oxide (NO) (p < 0.001) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p < 0.05) in the supernatant of inflammatory RAW 264.7 cells. Intravital imaging of rats revealed that PDR-NPs had a longer residence time in inflamed nasal tissue compared to PD-NPs. Furthermore, in vivo pharmacodynamic experiments showed that Dexac/PDR-NPs effectively reduced the symptoms of nasal inflammation, lowered the pH of nasal secretions, decreased serum inflammatory factor levels (TNF-α and IL-6), and reduced nasal mucosal inflammatory factor levels (IL-1β), while also reducing the degree of inflammation in the nasal mucosa. Both cytotoxicity assays and in vivo results indicate that PDR-NPs have a good safety profile. PDR-NPs not only overcome the nasal mucus barrier but also reduce the systemic toxicities associated with drug entry into the circulation by enhancing the targeting of inflammatory macrophages and inflammatory vascular endothelial cells. PDR-NPs allow for an "open sources and cut costs" treatment strategy to increase drug retention in the inflamed nasal tissues, reducing toxicity and increasing efficacy. In conclusion, PDR-NPs can be a promising drug delivery system for the local treatment of acute rhinosinusitis., (© 2023. Controlled Release Society.)

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (CH-loaded PLGA NPs) on multi-species biofilms. Human root blocks were prepared (n = 40), and multi-species suspensions of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus gordonii were incubated within the root canals for 21 days. Canals (n = 10/group) were then medicated with saline solution (negative control), chlorhexidine (positive control), calcium hydroxide and CH-loaded PLGA NPs for 7 days. Samples taken from the 0.1 mm root canal dentin were collected, and cell growth was detected by culture on BHI agar. The viable cell count of the Ca(OH) 2 , chlorhexidine gel and CH-loaded PLGA NPs group was significantly lower than the normal saline group (p < 0.001). CH-loaded PLGA NPs demonstrated a significant lower viable cell than Ca(OH) 2 (p < 0.001); it has potential as a medicament for endodontic therapy., (© 2023 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc.)

Objective: The study evaluated physicochemical properties of eight different polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and their interaction with lung barrier and their suitability for pulmonary drug delivery., Methods: Eight physiochemically different NPs were fabricated from Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA, PL) and Poly glycerol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone (PGA-co-PDL, PG) via emulsification-solvent evaporation. Pulmonary barrier integrity was investigated in vitro using Calu-3 under air-liquid interface. NPs internalization was investigated using a group of pharmacological inhibitors with subsequent microscopic visual confirmation., Results: Eight NPs were successfully formulated from two polymers using emulsion-solvent evaporation; 200, 500 and 800 nm, negatively-charged and positively-charged. All different NPs did not alter tight junctions and PG NPs showed similar behavior to PL NPs, indicating its suitability for pulmonary drug delivery. Active endocytosis uptake mechanisms with physicochemical dependent manner were observed. In addition, NPs internalization and co-localization with lysosomes were visually confirmed indicating their vesicular transport., Conclusion: PG and PL NPs had shown no or low harmful effects on the barrier integrity, and with effective internalization and vesicular transport, thus, prospectively can be designed for pulmonary delivery applications.

Targeted delivery of self-antigens to the immune system in a mode that stimulates a tolerance-inducing pathway has proven difficult. To address this hurdle, we developed a vaccine based-approach comprised of two synthetic controlled-release biomaterials, poly(lactide-co-glycolide; PLGA) microparticles (MPs) encapsulating denatured insulin (key self-antigen in type 1 diabetes; T1D), and PuraMatrix(TM) peptide hydrogel containing granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and CpG ODN1826 (CpG), which were included as vaccine adjuvants to recruit and activate immune cells. Although CpG is normally considered pro-inflammatory, it also has anti-inflammatory effects, including enhancing IL-10 production. Three subcutaneous administrations of this hydrogel (GM-CSF/CpG)/insulin-MP vaccine protected 40% of NOD mice from T1D. In contrast, all control mice became diabetic. In vitro studies indicate CpG stimulation increased IL-10 production, as a potential mechanism. Multiple subcutaneous injections of the insulin containing formulation resulted in formation of granulomas, which resolved by 28 weeks. Histological analysis of these granulomas indicated infiltration of a diverse cadre of immune cells, with characteristics reminiscent of a tertiary lymphoid organ, suggesting the creation of a microenvironment to recruit and educate immune cells. These results demonstrate the feasibility of this injectable hydrogel/MP based vaccine system to prevent T1D.

ObjectiveCorticosteroids may be beneficial in treating vocal fold scarring. Current drug delivery methods do not permit controlled corticosteroid release. Here we investigate the effects of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles loaded with the corticosteroid dexamethasone in reducing collagen synthesis and inflammation in vocal fold fibroblasts treated with and without TGF-β1.Study designExperimental, in vitro study.MethodsPLGA microparticles of differing molecular weight and terminating moieties were synthesized using a hydrogel template method. The release of dexamethasone was characterized from these microparticles over 4 days. Based on the release studies, ester-terminated low molecular weight PLGA microparticles were loaded with dexamethasone and applied to TGF-β1 treated vocal fold fibroblasts for 4 days. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to assess the effects of released dexamethasone on collagen synthesis and inflammatory mediators.ResultsCOL3A1 and COL1A2 were significantly down-regulated after exposure to ester-terminated low molecular weight PLGA microparticles loaded with dexamethasone. The loaded microparticles also reduced interleukin-6 synthesis.ConclusionThese data show promise in using a PLGA microparticle-based delivery system to control dexamethasone release over 4 days. Our findings lay the groundwork for developing more effective treatments for vocal fold scarring.

Chemical tools that can report radioactive isotopes would be of interest to the defense community. Here we report ∼250 nm polymeric nanoparticles containing porphyrinoid macrocycles with and without pre-complexed depleted uranium and demonstrate that the latter species may be detected easily and with high sensitivity via photoacoustic imaging. The porphyrinoid macrocycles used in the present study are non-aromatic in the absence of the uranyl cation, but aromatic after cation complexation. We solubilized both the freebase and metalated forms of the macrocycles in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and found a peak in the photoacoustic spectrum at 910 nm excitation in the case of the uranyl complex. The signal was stable for at least 15 minutes and allowed detection of uranium concentrations down to 6.2 ppb (5.7 nM) in vitro and 0.57 ppm (19 fCi; 0.52 μM) in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a nanoparticle that detects an actinide cation via photoacoustic imaging.

Within the past two decades polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) has gained considerable attention as a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that is suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this present study, we have investigated the potential of PLGA, collagen I (ColI), and polyurethane (PU) scaffolds for ligament tissue regeneration. Two different ratios of PLGA (50:50 and 85:15) were used to determine the effects on mechanical tensile properties and cell adhesion. The Young's modulus, tensile stress at yield, and ultimate tensile strain of PLGA(50:50)-ColI-PU scaffolds demonstrated similar tensile properties to that of ligaments found in the knee. Whereas, scaffolds composed of PLGA(85:15)-ColI-PU had lower tensile properties than that of ligaments. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of fiber orientation on mechanical properties and our results indicate that aligned fiber scaffolds demonstrate higher tensile properties than scaffolds with random fiber orientation. Also, human fibroblasts attached and proliferated with no need for additional surface modifications to the presented electrospun scaffolds in both categories. Collectively, our investigation demonstrates the effectiveness of electrospun PLGA scaffolds as a suitable candidate for regenerative medicine, capable of being manipulated and combined with other polymers to create three-dimensional microenvironments with adjustable tensile properties to mimic native tissues.

Peripheral nerve injuries can result in lifelong disability. Primary coaptation is the treatment of choice when the gap between transected nerve ends is short. Long nerve gaps seen in more complex injuries often require autologous nerve grafts or nerve conduits implemented into the repair. Nerve grafts, however, cause morbidity and functional loss at donor sites, which are limited in number. Nerve conduits, in turn, lack an internal scaffold to support and guide axonal regeneration, resulting in decreased efficacy over longer nerve gap lengths. By comparison, peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are molecules that can self-assemble into nanofibers, which can be aligned to mimic the native architecture of peripheral nerve. As such, they represent a potential substrate for use in a bioengineered nerve graft substitute. To examine this, we cultured Schwann cells with bioactive PAs (RGDS-PA, IKVAV-PA) to determine their ability to attach to and proliferate within the biomaterial. Next, we devised a PA construct for use in a peripheral nerve critical sized defect model. Rat sciatic nerve defects were created and reconstructed with autologous nerve, PLGA conduits filled with various forms of aligned PAs, or left unrepaired. Motor and sensory recovery were determined and compared among groups. Our results demonstrate that Schwann cells are able to adhere to and proliferate in aligned PA gels, with greater efficacy in bioactive PAs compared to the backbone-PA alone. In vivo testing revealed recovery of motor and sensory function in animals treated with conduit/PA constructs comparable to animals treated with autologous nerve grafts. Functional recovery in conduit/PA and autologous graft groups was significantly faster than in animals treated with empty PLGA conduits. Histological examinations also demonstrated increased axonal and Schwann cell regeneration within the reconstructed nerve gap in animals treated with conduit/PA constructs. These results indicate that PA nanofibers may represent a promising biomaterial for use in bioengineered peripheral nerve repair.

A water-soluble anthracycline antibiotic drug (daunorubicin, DNR) was loaded into oxidized porous silicon (pSiO2) microparticles and then encapsulated with a layer of polymer (poly lactide-co-glycolide, PLGA) to investigate their synergistic effects in control of DNR release. Similarly fabricated PLGA-DNR microspheres without pSiO2, and pSiO2 microparticles without PLGA were used as control particles. The composite microparticles synthesized by a solid-in-oil-in-water emulsion method have mean diameters of 52.33±16.37μm for PLGA-pSiO2_21/40-DNR and the mean diameter of 49.31±8.87μm for PLGA-pSiO2_6/20-DNR. The mean size, 26.00±8μm, of PLGA-DNR was significantly smaller, compared with the other two (P

Near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered release from polymeric capsules could make a major impact on biological research by enabling remote and spatiotemporal control over the release of encapsulated cargo. The few existing mechanisms for NIR-triggered release have not been widely applied because they require custom synthesis of designer polymers, high-powered lasers to drive inefficient two-photon processes, and/or coencapsulation of bulky inorganic particles. In search of a simpler mechanism, we found that exposure to laser light resonant with the vibrational absorption of water (980 nm) in the NIR region can induce release of payloads encapsulated in particles made from inherently non-photo-responsive polymers. We hypothesize that confined water pockets present in hydrated polymer particles absorb electromagnetic energy and transfer it to the polymer matrix, inducing a thermal phase change. In this study, we show that this simple and highly universal strategy enables instantaneous and controlled release of payloads in aqueous environments as well as in living cells using both pulsed and continuous wavelength lasers without significant heating of the surrounding aqueous solution.

This study addresses the challenging task of quantitatively investigating drug release from PLGA microspheres after in vivo administration. The objective is to employ Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to visualize drug-encapsulated microspheres in both in vitro and in vivo settings. The primary goal is to establish a quantitative correlation between FRET fluorescence changes and microsphere drug release. The study selects drugs with diverse structures and lipid solubility to explore release mechanisms, using PLGA as the matrix material. Clozapine and risperidone serve as model drugs. FRET molecules, Cy5 and Cy5.5, along with Cy7 derivatives, create FRET donor-acceptor pairs. In vitro results show that FRET fluorescence changes align closely with microsphere drug release, particularly for the Cy5.5-Cy7 pair. In vivo experiments involve subcutaneous administration of microspheres to rats, tracking FRET fluorescence changes while collecting blood samples. Pharmacokinetic studies on clozapine and risperidone reveal in vivo absorption fractions using the Loo-Riegelman method. Correlating FRET and in vivo absorption data establishes an in vitro-in vivo relationship (IVIVR). The study demonstrates that FRET-based fluorescence changes quantitatively link to microsphere drug release, offering an innovative method for visualizing and monitoring release in both in vitro and in vivo settings, potentially advancing clinical applications of such formulations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Ping Hu reports financial support was provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China. Ping Hu reports financial support was provided by Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, China. Ping Hu reports financial support was provided by Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered to be one of the most difficult subtypes of breast cancer (BC) to treat. The sheer absence of certain receptors makes it very tough to target, leaving high-dose chemotherapy as probably the sole therapeutic option at the cost of nonspecific toxic effects. Carnosic acid (CA) has been established as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against a range of cancer cells. However, its in vivo chemotherapeutic potential is significantly challenged due to its poor pharmacokinetic attributes. In this study, poly(lactic- co -glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) were formulated to circumvent the biopharmaceutical limitations of CA. CA-loaded polymeric NPs (CA-PLGA NPs) have been evaluated as a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of TNBC. Different in vitro studies exhibited that CA-PLGA NPs significantly provoked oxidative-stress-mediated apoptotic death in MDA-MB-231 cells. The improved anticancer potential of CA-PLGA NPs over CA was found to be associated with improved cellular uptake of the nanoformulation by TNBC cells. In vivo studies also established the improvement in the chemotherapeutic efficacy of CA-nanoformulation over that of free CA without showing any sign of systemic toxicity. Thus, CA-PLGA NPs emerge as a promising candidate to fix two bugs with a single code, resolving biopharmaceutical attributes of CA as well as introducing a treatment option for TNBC.

Functionally active aligned fibers are a promising approach to enhance neuro adhesion and guide the extension of neurons for peripheral nerve regeneration. Therefore, the present study developed poly(lactic- co -glycolic acid) (PLGA)-aligned electrospun mats and investigated the synergic effect with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Choline Bitartrate ionic liquid (Bio-IL) on PLGA fibers. Morphology, thermal, and mechanical performances were determined as well as the hydrolytic degradation and the cytotoxicity. Results revealed that electrospun mats are composed of highly aligned fibers, and CNTs were aligned and homogeneously distributed into the fibers. Bio-IL changed thermal transition behavior, reduced glass transition temperature ( T g ), and favored crystal phase formation. The mechanical properties increased in the presence of CNTs and slightly decreased in the presence of the Bio-IL. The results demonstrated a decrease in the degradation rate in the presence of CNTs, whereas the use of Bio-IL led to an increase in the degradation rate. Cytotoxicity results showed that all the electrospun mats display metabolic activity above 70%, which demonstrates that they are biocompatible. Moreover, superior biocompatibility was observed for the electrospun containing Bio-IL combined with higher amounts of CNTs, showing a high potential to be used in nerve tissue engineering.