International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Research

554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Osteogenic Potential of Titanium- and Modified Zirconia-Based Bioceramics

by Young-Dan Cho, Ji-Cheol Shin, Hye-Lee Kim, Myagmar Gerelmaa, Hyung-In Yoon, Hyun-Mo Ryoo, Dae-Joon Kim and Jung-Suk Han

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(3), 4442-4452; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15034442 - 13 Mar 2014

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7570

Abstract

Zirconia is now favored over titanium for use in dental implant materials because of its superior aesthetic qualities. However, zirconia is susceptible to degradation at lower temperatures. In order to address this issue, we have developed modified zirconia implants that contain tantalum oxide [...] Read more.

Zirconia is now favored over titanium for use in dental implant materials because of its superior aesthetic qualities. However, zirconia is susceptible to degradation at lower temperatures. In order to address this issue, we have developed modified zirconia implants that contain tantalum oxide or niobium oxide. Cells attached as efficiently to the zirconia implants as to titanium-based materials, irrespective of surface roughness. Cell proliferation on the polished surface was higher than that on the rough surfaces, but the converse was true for the osteogenic response. Cells on yttrium (Y)/tantalum (Ta)- and yttrium (Y)/niobium (Nb)-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) discs ((Y, Ta)-TZP and (Y, Nb)-TZP, respectively) had a similar proliferative potential as those grown on anodized titanium. The osteogenic potential of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells on (Y, Ta)-TZP and (Y, Nb)-TZP was similar to that of cells grown on rough-surface titanium. These data demonstrate that improved zirconia implants, which are resistant to temperature-induced degradation, retain the desirable clinical properties of structural stability and support of an osteogenic response. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

1214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Physical and Chemical Cues on Hepatocellular Function and Morphology

by Shimaa A. Abdellatef, Akihiko Ohi, Toshihide Nabatame and Akiyoshi Taniguchi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(3), 4299-4317; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15034299 - 11 Mar 2014

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 8043

Abstract

Physical topographical features and/or chemical stimuli to the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide essential cues that manipulate cell functions. From the physical point of view, contoured nanostructures are very important for cell behavior in general, and for cellular functions. From the chemical point of [...] Read more.

Physical topographical features and/or chemical stimuli to the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide essential cues that manipulate cell functions. From the physical point of view, contoured nanostructures are very important for cell behavior in general, and for cellular functions. From the chemical point of view, ECM proteins containing an RGD sequence are known to alter cell functions. In this study, the influence of integrated physical and chemical cues on a liver cell line (HepG2) was investigated. To mimic the physical cues provided by the ECM, amorphous TiO₂ nanogratings with specific dimensional and geometrical characteristics (nanogratings 90 nm wide and 150 nm apart) were fabricated. To mimic the chemical cues provided by the ECM, the TiO₂ inorganic film was modified by immobilization of the RGD motif. The hepatic cell line morphological and functional changes induced by simultaneously combining these diversified cues were investigated, including cellular alignment and the expression of different functional proteins. The combination of nanopatterns and surface modification with RGD induced cellular alignment and expression of functional proteins, indicating that physical and chemical cues are important factors for optimizing hepatocyte function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

898 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Bonding Strength of Hydrophobically Modified Gelatin Films on Wet Blood Vessels

by Keiko Yoshizawa and Tetsushi Taguchi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(2), 2142-2156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15022142 - 29 Jan 2014

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7393

Abstract

The bonding behavior between hydrophobically modified alkaline-treated gelatin (hm-AlGltn) films and porcine blood vessels was evaluated under wet conditions. Hexanoyl (Hx: C₆), decanoyl (Dec: C₁₀), and stearyl (Ste: C₁₈) chlorides were introduced into the amino groups of [...] Read more.

The bonding behavior between hydrophobically modified alkaline-treated gelatin (hm-AlGltn) films and porcine blood vessels was evaluated under wet conditions. Hexanoyl (Hx: C₆), decanoyl (Dec: C₁₀), and stearyl (Ste: C₁₈) chlorides were introduced into the amino groups of AlGltn to obtain HxAlGltn, DecAlGltn, and SteAlGltn, respectively, with various modification percentages. The hm-AlGltn was fabricated into films and thermally crosslinked to obtain water-insoluble films (t-hm-AlGltn). The 42% modified t-HxAlGltn (t-42HxAlGltn) possessed higher wettability than the 38% modified t-DecAlGltn (t-38DecAlGltn) and the 44% modified t-SteAlGltn (t-44SteAlGltn) films, and the t-42HxAlGltn film showed a high bonding strength with the blood vessel compared with all the hm-AlGltn films. Histological observations indicated that t-42HxAlGltn and t-38DecAlGltn remained on the blood vessel even after the bonding strength measurements. From cell culture experiments, the t-42HxAlGltn films showed significant cell adhesion compared to other films. These findings indicate that the Hx group easily interpenetrated the surface of blood vessels and effectively enhanced the bonding strength between the films and the tissue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cellular Behavior of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Wettable Gradient Polyethylene Surfaces

by Hyun Hee Ahn, Il Woo Lee, Hai Bang Lee and Moon Suk Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(2), 2075-2086; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15022075 - 28 Jan 2014

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 7410

Abstract

Appropriate surface wettability and roughness of biomaterials is an important factor in cell attachment and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the correlation between surface wettability and roughness, and biological response in human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). We prepared wettable and rough gradient [...] Read more.

Appropriate surface wettability and roughness of biomaterials is an important factor in cell attachment and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the correlation between surface wettability and roughness, and biological response in human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). We prepared wettable and rough gradient polyethylene (PE) surfaces by increasing the power of a radio frequency corona discharge apparatus with knife-type electrodes over a moving sample bed. The PE changed gradually from hydrophobic and smooth surfaces to hydrophilic (water contact angle, 90° to ~50°) and rough (80 to ~120 nm) surfaces as the power increased. We found that hADSCs adhered better to highly hydrophilic and rough surfaces and showed broadly stretched morphology compared with that on hydrophobic and smooth surfaces. The proliferation of hADSCs on hydrophilic and rough surfaces was also higher than that on hydrophobic and smooth surfaces. Furthermore, integrin beta 1 gene expression, an indicator of attachment, and heat shock protein 70 gene expression were high on hydrophobic and smooth surfaces. These results indicate that the cellular behavior of hADSCs on gradient surface depends on surface properties, wettability and roughness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cell-Based in Vitro Blood–Brain Barrier Model Can Rapidly Evaluate Nanoparticles’ Brain Permeability in Association with Particle Size and Surface Modification

by Sanshiro Hanada, Kouki Fujioka, Yuriko Inoue, Fumihide Kanaya, Yoshinobu Manome and Kenji Yamamoto

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(2), 1812-1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15021812 - 24 Jan 2014

Cited by 150 | Viewed by 13740

Abstract

The possibility of nanoparticle (NP) uptake to the human central nervous system is a major concern. Recent reports showed that in animal models, nanoparticles (NPs) passed through the blood–brain barrier (BBB). For the safe use of NPs, it is imperative to evaluate the [...] Read more.

The possibility of nanoparticle (NP) uptake to the human central nervous system is a major concern. Recent reports showed that in animal models, nanoparticles (NPs) passed through the blood–brain barrier (BBB). For the safe use of NPs, it is imperative to evaluate the permeability of NPs through the BBB. Here we used a commercially available in vitro BBB model to evaluate the permeability of NPs for a rapid, easy and reproducible assay. The model is reconstructed by culturing both primary rat brain endothelial cells and pericytes to support the tight junctions of endothelial cells. We used the permeability coefficient (P_app) to determine the permeability of NPs. The size dependency results, using fluorescent silica NPs (30, 100, and 400 nm), revealed that the P_app for the 30 nm NPs was higher than those of the larger silica. The surface charge dependency results using Qdots^® (amino-, carboxyl-, and PEGylated-Qdots), showed that more amino-Qdots passed through the model than the other Qdots. Usage of serum-containing buffer in the model resulted in an overall reduction of permeability. In conclusion, although additional developments are desired to elucidate the NPs transportation, we showed that the BBB model could be useful as a tool to test the permeability of nanoparticles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

1066 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magnetic Nanoparticles as Intraocular Drug Delivery System to Target Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE)

by Martina Giannaccini, Marianna Giannini, M. Pilar Calatayud, Gerardo F. Goya, Alfred Cuschieri, Luciana Dente and Vittoria Raffa

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(1), 1590-1605; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15011590 - 22 Jan 2014

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 9052

Abstract

One of the most challenging efforts in drug delivery is the targeting of the eye. The eye structure and barriers render this organ poorly permeable to drugs. Quite recently the entrance of nanoscience in ocular drug delivery has improved the penetration and half-life [...] Read more.

One of the most challenging efforts in drug delivery is the targeting of the eye. The eye structure and barriers render this organ poorly permeable to drugs. Quite recently the entrance of nanoscience in ocular drug delivery has improved the penetration and half-life of drugs, especially in the anterior eye chamber, while targeting the posterior chamber is still an open issue. The retina and the retinal pigment epithelium/choroid tissues, located in the posterior eye chamber, are responsible for the majority of blindness both in childhood and adulthood. In the present study, we used magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a nanotool for ocular drug delivery that is capable of specific localization in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) layer. We demonstrate that, following intraocular injection in Xenopus embryos, MNPs localize specifically in RPE where they are retained for several days. The specificity of the localization did not depend on particle size and surface properties of the MNPs used in this work. Moreover, through similar experiments in zebrafish, we demonstrated that the targeting of RPE by the nanoparticles is not specific for the Xenopus species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

1154 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temperature-Responsive Poly(ε-caprolactone) Cell Culture Platform with Dynamically Tunable Nano-Roughness and Elasticity for Control of Myoblast Morphology

by Koichiro Uto, Mitsuhiro Ebara and Takao Aoyagi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(1), 1511-1524; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15011511 - 21 Jan 2014

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 7911

Abstract

We developed a dynamic cell culture platform with dynamically tunable nano-roughness and elasticity. Temperature-responsive poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) films were successfully prepared by crosslinking linear and tetra-branched PCL macromonomers. By optimizing the mixing ratios, the crystal-amorphous transition temperature (T_m) of the crosslinked [...] Read more.

We developed a dynamic cell culture platform with dynamically tunable nano-roughness and elasticity. Temperature-responsive poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) films were successfully prepared by crosslinking linear and tetra-branched PCL macromonomers. By optimizing the mixing ratios, the crystal-amorphous transition temperature (T_m) of the crosslinked film was adjusted to the biological relevant temperature (~33 °C). While the crosslinked films are relatively stiff (50 MPa) below the T_m, they suddenly become soft (1 MPa) above the T_m. Correspondingly, roughness of the surface was decreased from 63.4–12.4 nm. It is noted that the surface wettability was independent of temperature. To investigate the role of dynamic surface roughness and elasticity on cell adhesion, cells were seeded on PCL films at 32 °C. Interestingly, spread myoblasts on the film became rounded when temperature was suddenly increased to 37 °C, while significant changes in cell morphology were not observed for fibroblasts. These results indicate that cells can sense dynamic changes in the surrounding environment but the sensitivity depends on cell types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrastructural Interactions and Genotoxicity Assay of Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Mouse Oocytes

by Blandine Courbiere, Mélanie Auffan, Raphaël Rollais, Virginie Tassistro, Aurélie Bonnefoy, Alain Botta, Jérôme Rose, Thierry Orsière and Jeanne Perrin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2013, 14(11), 21613-21628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms141121613 - 31 Oct 2013

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 7613

Abstract

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (C_eO₂ ENPs) are on the priority list of nanomaterials requiring evaluation. We performed in vitro assays on mature mouse oocytes incubated with C_eO₂ ENPs to study (1) physicochemical biotransformation of ENPs in culture medium; [...] Read more.

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (C_eO₂ ENPs) are on the priority list of nanomaterials requiring evaluation. We performed in vitro assays on mature mouse oocytes incubated with C_eO₂ ENPs to study (1) physicochemical biotransformation of ENPs in culture medium; (2) ultrastructural interactions with follicular cells and oocytes using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM); (3) genotoxicity of C_eO₂ ENPs on follicular cells and oocytes using a comet assay. DNA damage was quantified as Olive Tail Moment. We show that ENPs aggregated, but their crystal structure remained stable in culture medium. TEM showed endocytosis of C_eO₂ ENP aggregates in follicular cells. In oocytes, C_eO₂ ENP aggregates were only observed around the zona pellucida (ZP). The comet assay revealed significant DNA damage in follicular cells. In oocytes, the comet assay showed a dose-related increase in DNA damage and a significant increase only at the highest concentrations. DNA damage decreased significantly both in follicular cells and in oocytes when an anti-oxidant agent was added in the culture medium. We hypothesise that at low concentrations of C_eO₂ ENPs oocytes could be protected against indirect oxidative stress due to a double defence system composed of follicular cells and ZP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Cellular Uptake and Inflammatory Response via Toll-Like Receptor 4 to Lipopolysaccharide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

by Sharmy Saimon Mano, Koki Kanehira and Akiyoshi Taniguchi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2013, 14(7), 13154-13170; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms140713154 - 26 Jun 2013

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 7998

Abstract

The innate immune response is the earliest cellular response to infectious agents and mediates the interactions between microbes and cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in these interactions. We have already shown that TLRs are involved with the uptake of titanium [...] Read more.

The innate immune response is the earliest cellular response to infectious agents and mediates the interactions between microbes and cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in these interactions. We have already shown that TLRs are involved with the uptake of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) and promote inflammatory responses. In this paper, we compared role of cellular uptake and inflammatory response via TLR 4 to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TiO₂ NPs. In the case of LPS, LPS binds to LPS binding protein (LBP) and CD 14, and then this complex binds to TLR 4. In the case of TiO₂ NPs, the necessity of LBP and CD 14 to induce the inflammatory response and for uptake by cells was investigated using over-expression, antibody blocking, and siRNA knockdown experiments. Our results suggested that for cellular uptake of TiO₂ NPs, TLR 4 did not form a complex with LBP and CD 14. In the TiO₂ NP-mediated inflammatory response, TLR 4 acted as the signaling receptor without protein complex of LPS, LBP and CD 14. The results suggested that character of TiO₂ NPs might be similar to the complex of LPS, LBP and CD 14. These results are important for development of safer nanomaterials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Interaction between Nano-Structure Materials and Cells

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI