Engineered microenvironments for synergistic VEGF - Integrin signalling during vascularization

We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability of critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth factor binding (FNIII12-14) and integrin binding (FNIII9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled on PEA. This material platform promotes synergistic integrin/VEGF signalling which is highly effective for vascularization events in vitro with low concentrations of VEGF. VEGF specifically binds to FN fibrils on PEA compared to …

Boron Ions: Simultaneous Boron Ion‐Channel/Growth Factor Receptor Activation for Enhanced Vascularization (Adv. Biosys. 1/2019)

The Use of Atomic Force Microscopy in Determining the Stiffness and Adhesion Force of Human Dentin After Exposure to Bleaching Agents

Introduction: Oxidant bleaching agents may induce several alterations on mineralized teeth tissues. Our aim is to study,at the ultrastructurallevel,mechanicalmodifications induced on dentin after exposure to different bleaching agents.Methods: Nanoindentation performed with atomic force microscopy was used to measure changes in dentin stiffness as well as the adhesion force between the tip and the tissue both in intertubular and peritubulardentin.Foreachspecimen,dentinlocalization, and bleaching agent, 100 independent nanoindentations were performed. Carbamide peroxide (30%) and hydrogenperoxide(35%) wereusedasbleaching agents. Results: A significant reduction of both stiffness and adhesion…

Simultaneous Boron Ion‐Channel/Growth Factor Receptor Activation for Enhanced Vascularization

[EN] Boron ion is essential in metabolism and its concentration is regulated by ion-channel NaBC1. NaBC1 mutations cause corneal dystrophies such as Harboyan syndrome. Here we propose a 3D molecular model for NaBC1 and show that simultaneous stimulation of NaBC1 and vascular growth factor receptors (VEGFR) promote angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo with ultra-low concentrations of VEGF. We show Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) organization into tubular structures indicative of vascularization potential. Enhanced cell sprouting was found only in the presence of VEGF and boron, effect abrogated after blocking NaBC1. We demonstrate that stimulated NaBC1 promotes angiogenesis via P…

Material-driven fibronectin assembly rescues matrix defects due to mutations in collagen IV in fibroblasts

Basement membranes (BMs) are specialised extracellular matrices that provide structural support to tissues as well as influence cell behaviour and signalling. Mutations in COL4A1/COL4A2, a major BM component, cause a familial form of eye, kidney and cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, while common variants in these genes are a risk factor for intracerebral haemorrhage in the general population. These phenotypes are associated with matrix defects, due to mutant protein incorporation in the BM and/or its absence by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention. However, the effects of these mutations on matrix stiffness, the contribution of the matrix to the disease mechanism(s) and its effects…

Nanostructural changes in dentine caused by endodontic irrigants

Objective: To study nanostructural dentinal changes produced by endodontic irrigants. Study Design: Experimental study. Nanoindentations were performed on peritubular (PD) and intertubular dentine (ID) with an atomic force microscopy. Stiffness and adhesion force were determined before and after application of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Normalized differences before and after treatment for stiffness and adhesion forces were calculated. A paired T-test was used to compare stiffnes and adhesion force before and after irrigants application. Results: After treatment with EDTA there was a 29.80% reduction in stiffness in ID and a 63.53% redu…