Novel inulin-based mucoadhesive micelles loaded with corticosteroids as potential transcorneal permeation enhancers

In this work a new copolymer of inulin (INU) derivatized with ethylendiamine (EDA) and retinoic acid (RA), named INU-EDA-RA, was synthetized, characterized and employed to produce micelles as carriers for topical administration of corticosteroids for the potential treatment of diseases of posterior eye segment. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed a molar derivatization degree of 11.30 and 4.30% in EDA and RA, respectively. INU-EDA-RA micelles are capable of strong mucoadhesive interactions which result time-independent and stable over time but concentration depending. Moreover micelles are able to encapsulate efficiently from 3 to 13% (w/w) of lipophilic drugs, as dexamethasone, triamcinolone …

Ruolo di enzimi proteolitici nella neoangiogenesi tumorale. "Cross-talk" tra cellule endoteliali, tumorali e matrice extracellulare.

Use of recombinant collagenases class I and II in optimization of cell purification for tissue engineering applications

3D Collagen matrix improves islets of Langerhans differentiation and function

The importance of preserve cell-cell contact and cell-matrix interaction are both fundamental for maintain the differentiation state. We use both standardized method of isolation and culture in 3D matrix which improves islet cell survival and function for more than one week in colture.

Tissue Dissociation and Primary Cells Isolation Using Recombinant Collagenases Class I and II

Collagenases class I (Col G) and class II (Col H) currently available for tissue dissociation are produced from Clostridium histolyticum (human pathogen) strains. In the processes of extraction of the cells from the tissue, combined activity of both classes of enzymes is required. CI and CII are complementary in degrading collagen. ABIEL recently produced the collagenase class I and II using the recombinant DNA technologies (PCT WO 2011/073925 A9). The enzymes were produced in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. The method of production adopted allows absolute control of the final composition of these enzymes, as well as their stability, purity, activity, absence of toxicity an…

Mucoadhesive micelles based on inulin derivative for ocular release of corticosteroids

MDA-MB-231 and 8701BC breast cancer lines promote the migration and invasiveness of ECV304 cells on 2D and 3D type-I collagen matrix

Tumor angiogenesis is a multiphasic process, having the extracellular matrix remodeling as critical step. Different classes of proteolytic enzymes in matrix digestion/remodeling are involved. The role of lytic enzymes and their activation mode have not been completely elucidated. Herein, the crosstalk between endothelia and tumor cells, by realization of bi- and three-dimensional endothelial and breast cancer cells co-cultures, were studied in vitro. Particularly, the effects of two tumor conditioned media (TCM) were assessed about endothelial proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. An increase in expression of pro-MMP9 was detected when endothelial cells were cultured in the presence o…

Proteomic profiling of vesicles released by 8701-bc cells

8701-BC cells were shown to release “membrane vesicles” playing a role in tumor progression mechanisms. On the other hand, production of “exosomes”, smaller vesicles known to be involved in immune response activation, had not been revealed. The first goal of this study was to separate different vesicle populations from 8701-BC cell conditioned medium. To this aim, the medium was differentially centrifuged. Western analysis revealed that the 15,000xg pelletted fraction contains β1-integrin, which had been shown to be clustered in membrane vesicles shed by 8701-BC cells, but not Hsc70, a protein found in exosomes. On the contrary, Hsc70 is detectable while β1-integrin is not present in the fr…