Search Results
One Year Follow-Up Risk Assessment in SKH-1 Mice and Wounds Treated with an Argon Plasma Jet
2017-4-19, Schmidt, Anke, von Woedtke, Thomas, Stenzel, Jan, Lindner, Tobias, Polei, Stefan, Vollmar, Brigitte, Bekeschus, Sander
Multiple evidence in animal models and in humans suggest a beneficial role of cold physical plasma in wound treatment. Yet, risk assessment studies are important to further foster therapeutic advancement and acceptance of cold plasma in clinics. Accordingly, we investigated the long-term side effects of repetitive plasma treatment over 14 consecutive days in a rodent full-thickness ear wound model. Subsequently, animals were housed for 350 days and sacrificed thereafter. In blood, systemic changes of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α were absent. Similarly, tumor marker levels of α-fetoprotein and calcitonin remained unchanged. Using quantitative PCR, the expression levels of several cytokines and tumor markers in liver, lung, and skin were found to be similar in the control and treatment group as well. Likewise, histological and immunohistochemical analysis failed to detect abnormal morphological changes and the presence of tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, α-fetoprotein, or the neighbor of Punc 11. Absence of neoplastic lesions was confirmed by non-invasive imaging methods such as anatomical magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Our results suggest that the beneficial effects of cold plasma in wound healing come without apparent side effects including tumor formation or chronic inflammation.
A Neutrophil Proteomic Signature in Surgical Trauma Wounds
2018-3-7, Bekeschus, Sander, Lackmann, Jan-Wilm, Gümbel, Denis, Napp, Matthias, Schmidt, Anke, Wende, Kristian
Non-healing wounds continue to be a clinical challenge for patients and medical staff. These wounds have a heterogeneous etiology, including diabetes and surgical trauma wounds. It is therefore important to decipher molecular signatures that reflect the macroscopic process of wound healing. To this end, we collected wound sponge dressings routinely used in vacuum assisted therapy after surgical trauma to generate wound-derived protein profiles via global mass spectrometry. We confidently identified 311 proteins in exudates. Among them were expected targets belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, complement, and skin-derived proteins, such as keratins. Next to several S100 proteins, chaperones, heat shock proteins, and immune modulators, the exudates presented a number of redox proteins as well as a discrete neutrophil proteomic signature, including for example cathepsin G, elastase, myeloperoxidase, CD66c, and lipocalin 2. We mapped over 200 post-translational modifications (PTMs; cysteine/methionine oxidation, tyrosine nitration, cysteine trioxidation) to the proteomic profile, for example, in peroxiredoxin 1. Investigating manually collected exudates, we confirmed presence of neutrophils and their products, such as microparticles and fragments containing myeloperoxidase and DNA. These data confirmed known and identified less known wound proteins and their PTMs, which may serve as resource for future studies on human wound healing.
Treatment of Focal Cartilage Defects in Minipigs with Zonal Chondrocyte/Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Constructs
2019, Bothe, Friederike, Deubel, Anne-Kathrin, Hesse, Eliane, Lotz, Benedict, Groll, Jürgen, Werner, Carsten, Richter, Wiltrud, Hagmann, Sebastien
Despite advances in cartilage repair strategies, treatment of focal chondral lesions remains an important challenge to prevent osteoarthritis. Articular cartilage is organized into several layers and lack of zonal organization of current grafts is held responsible for insufficient biomechanical and biochemical quality of repair-tissue. The aim was to develop a zonal approach for cartilage regeneration to determine whether the outcome can be improved compared to a non-zonal strategy. Hydrogel-filled polycaprolactone (PCL)-constructs with a chondrocyte-seeded upper-layer deemed to induce hyaline cartilage and a mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-containing bottom-layer deemed to induce calcified cartilage were compared to chondrocyte-based non-zonal grafts in a minipig model. Grafts showed comparable hardness at implantation and did not cause visible signs of inflammation. After 6 months, X-ray microtomography (_CT)-analysis revealed significant bone-loss in both treatment groups compared to empty controls. PCL-enforcement and some hydrogel-remnants were retained in all defects, but most implants were pressed into the subchondral bone. Despite important heterogeneities, both treatments reached a significantly lower modified O’Driscoll-score compared to empty controls. Thus, PCL may have induced bone-erosion during joint loading and misplacement of grafts in vivo precluding adequate permanent orientation of zones compared to surrounding native cartilage. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Thermoresponsive Catechol Based-Polyelectrolyte Complex Coatings for Controlled Release of Bortezomib
2019, Reis, Berthold, Vehlow, David, Rust, Tarik, Kuckling, Dirk, Müller, Martin
To overcome the high relapse rate of multiple myeloma (MM), a drug delivery coating for functionalization of bone substitution materials (BSM) is reported based on adhesive, catechol-containing and stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). This system is designed to deliver the MM drug bortezomib (BZM) directly to the anatomical site of action. To establish a gradual BZM release, the naturally occurring caffeic acid (CA) is coupled oxidatively to form poly(caffeic acid) (PCA), which is used as a polyanion for complexation. The catechol functionalities within the PCA are particularly suitable to form esters with the boronic acid group of the BZM, which are then cleaved in the body fluid to administer the drug. To achieve a more thorough control of the release, the thermoresponsive poly(N-isoproplyacrylamide-co-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate) (P(NIPAM-co-DMAEMA)) was used as a polycation. Using turbidity measurements, it was proven that the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) character of this polymer was transferred to the PECs. Further special temperature dependent attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) showed that coatings formed by PEC immobilization exhibit a similar thermoresponsive performance. By loading the coatings with BZM and studying the release in a model system, via UV/Vis it was observed, that both aims, the retardation and the stimuli control of the release, were achieved. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Cold Atmospheric Plasma in the Treatment of Osteosarcoma
2017-9-19, Gümbel, Denis, Bekeschus, Sander, Gelbrich, Nadine, Napp, Matthias, Ekkernkamp, Axel, Kramer, Axel, Stope, Matthias B.
Human osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor occurring most commonly in adolescents and young adults. Major improvements in disease-free survival have been achieved by implementing a combination therapy consisting of radical surgical resection of the tumor and systemic multi-agent chemotherapy. However, long-term survival remains poor, so novel targeted therapies to improve outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma remains an area of active research. This includes immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, or treatment with nanoparticles. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a highly reactive (partially) ionized physical state, has been shown to inherit a significant anticancer capacity, leading to a new field in medicine called “plasma oncology.” The current article summarizes the potential of CAP in the treatment of human OS and reviews the underlying molecular mode of action.
Blood–Brain Barrier, Lymphatic Clearance, and Recovery: Ariadne’s Thread in Labyrinths of Hypotheses
2018, Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya, Oxana, Postnov, Dmitry, Kurths, Jürgen
The peripheral lymphatic system plays a crucial role in the recovery mechanisms after many pathological changes, such as infection, trauma, vascular, or metabolic diseases. The lymphatic clearance of different tissues from waste products, viruses, bacteria, and toxic proteins significantly contributes to the correspondent recovery processes. However, understanding of the cerebral lymphatic functions is a challenging problem. The exploration of mechanisms of lymphatic communication with brain fluids as well as the role of the lymphatic system in brain drainage, clearance, and recovery is still in its infancy. Here we review novel concepts on the anatomy and physiology of the lymphatics in the brain, which warrant a substantial revision of our knowledge about the role of lymphatics in the rehabilitation of the brain functions after neural pathologies. We discuss a new vision on the connective bridge between the opening of a blood–brain barrier and activation of the meningeal lymphatic clearance. The ability to stimulate the lymph flow in the brain, is likely to play an important role in developing future innovative strategies in neurorehabilitation therapy.
Viscoelastic Behavior of Embroidered Scaffolds for ACL Tissue Engineering Made of PLA and P(LA-CL) After In Vitro Degradation
2019, Hahn, Judith, Schulze-Tanzil, Schulze-Tanzil, Schröpfer, Michaela, Meyer, Michael, Gögele, Clemens, Hoyer, Mariann, Spickenheuer, Axel, Heinrich, Gert, Breier, Annette
A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most common knee ligament injury. Current applied reconstruction methods have limitations in terms of graft availability and mechanical properties. A new approach could be the use of a tissue engineering construct that temporarily reflects the mechanical properties of native ligament tissues and acts as a carrier structure for cell seeding. In this study, embroidered scaffolds composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-"-caprolactone) (P(LA-CL)) threads were tested mechanically for their viscoelastic behavior under in vitro degradation. The relaxation behavior of both scaffold types (moco: mono-component scaffold made of PLA threads, bico: bi-component scaffold made of PLA and P(LA-CL) threads) was comparable to native lapine ACL. Most of the lapine ACL cells survived 32 days of cell culture and grew along the fibers. Cell vitality was comparable for moco and bico scaffolds. Lapine ACL cells were able to adhere to the polymer surfaces and spread along the threads throughout the scaffold. The mechanical behavior of degrading matrices with and without cells showed no significant differences. These results demonstrate the potential of embroidered scaffolds as an ACL tissue engineering approach. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Isoquinolinamine FX-9 Exhibits Anti-Mitotic Activity in Human and Canine Prostate Carcinoma Cell Lines
2019, Schille, Jan Torben, Nolte, Ingo, Packeiser, Eva-Maria, Wiesner, Laura, Hein, Jens Ingo, Weiner, Franziska, Wu, Xiao-Feng, Beller, Matthias, Junghanss, Christian, Escobar, Hugo Murua
Current therapies are insufficient for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) in men and dogs. As human castrate-resistant PCa shares several characteristics with the canine disease, comparative evaluation of novel therapeutic agents is of considerable value for both species. Novel isoquinolinamine FX-9 exhibits antiproliferative activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines but has not been tested yet on any solid neoplasia type. In this study, FX-9's mediated effects were characterized on two human (PC-3, LNCaP) and two canine (CT1258, 0846) PCa cell lines, as well as benign solid tissue cells. FX-9 significantly inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis with concentrations in the low micromolar range. Mediated effects were highly comparable between the PCa cell lines of both species, but less pronounced on non-malignant chondrocytes and fibroblasts. Interestingly, FX-9 exposure also leads to the formation and survival of enlarged multinucleated cells through mitotic slippage. Based on the results, FX-9 acts as an anti-mitotic agent with reduced cytotoxic activity in benign cells. The characterization of FX-9-induced effects on PCa cells provides a basis for in vivo studies with the potential of valuable transferable findings to the benefit of men and dogs. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Reaction of 1-propanol with Ozone in Aqueous Media
2019, Reisz, Erika, Tekle-Röttering, Agnes, Naumov, Sergej, Schmidt, Winfried, Schmidt, Torsten C.
The main aim of this work is to substantiate the mechanism of 1-propanol oxidation by ozone in aqueous solution when the substrate is present in large excess. Further goals are assessment of the products, their formation yields as well as the kinetic parameters of the considered reaction. The reaction of ozone with 1-propanol in aqueous solution occurs via hydride transfer, H-abstraction and insertion. Of these three mechanisms, the largest share is for hydride transfer. This implies the extraction of an hydride ion from the activated C-H group by O3 according to reaction: (C2H5)(H)(HO)C-H + O3 ?[(C2H5)(H)(HO)C-H+O3?]cage ?(C2H5)(H)(HO)C+ + HO3 -. The experimentally determined products and their overall formation yields with respect to ozone are: propionaldehyde-(60 ± 3)%, propionic acid-(27.4 ± 1.0)%, acetaldehyde-(4.9 ± 0.3)%, acetic acid-(0.3 ± 0.1)%, formaldehyde-(1.0 ± 0.1)%, formic acid-(4.6 ± 0.3)%, hydrogen peroxide- (11.1 ± 0.3)% and hydroxyl radical-(9.8 ± 0.3)%. The reaction of ozone with 1-propanol in aqueous media follows a second order kinetics with a reaction rate constant of (0.64±0.02)M-1·s-1 atpH = 7 and 23 °C. The dependence of the second order rate constant on temperature is described by the equation: ln kII = (27.17 ± 0.38)-(8180 ± 120) × T-1, which gives the activation energy, Ea = (68 ± 1) kJ mol-1 and pre-exponential factor, A = (6.3 ± 2.4) × 1011 M-1 s-1. The nature of products, their yields and the kinetic data can be used in water treatment. The fact that the hydride transfer is the main pathway in the 1-propanol/ozone system can probably be transferred on other systems in which the substrate is characterized by C-H active sites only. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Thermo-responsive polymer brushes with side graft chains: Relationship between molecular architecture and underwater adherence
2019, Sidoli, Ugo, Tee, Hisaschi T., Raguzin, Ivan, Mühldorfer, Jakob, Wurm, Frederik R., Synytska, Alla
During the last few decades, wet adhesives have been developed for applications in various fields. Nonetheless, key questions such as the most suitable polymer architecture as well as the most suitable chemical composition remain open. In this article, we investigate the underwater adhesion properties of novel responsive polymer brushes with side graft chain architecture prepared using “grafting through” approach on flat surfaces. The incorporation in the backbone of thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) allowed us to obtain LCST behavior in the final layers. PNIPAm is co-polymerized with poly(methyl ethylene phosphate) (PMEP), a poloyphosphoester. The final materials are characterized studying the surface-grafted polymer as well as the polymer from the bulk solution, and pure PNIPAm brush is used as reference. PNIPAm-g-PMEP copolymers retain the responsive behavior of PNIPAm: when T > LCST, a clear switching of properties is observed. More specifically, all layers above the critical temperature show collapse of the chains, increased hydrophobicity and variation of the surface charge even if no ionizable groups are present. Secondly, effect of adhesion parameters such as debonding rate and contact time is studied. Thirdly, the reversibility of the adhesive properties is confirmed by performing adhesion cycles. Finally, the adhesive properties of the layers are studied below and above the LCST against hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.