Featured
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Albumin-recruiting lipid nanoparticle potentiates the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines by avoiding liver accumulation
Ionizable lipids containing albumin-binding motifs are used in lipid-nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccines, facilitating lymph node enrichment and dendritic cell internalization to potentiate their efficacy and avoiding liver accumulation.
- Yunxuan Feng
- , Wanbo Tai
- & Guocan Yu
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News & Views |
BRIGHTening growth hormone delivery
Growth hormone delivery with a biomimetic and programmed microneedle patch enhances therapeutic efficacy while prioritizing patient comfort and convenience.
- Suman Pahal
- & Thanh Duc Nguyen
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News & Views |
A swelling probe for nitric oxide
Nanoparticles containing superparamagnetic iron oxides linked by nitric oxide-cleavable linkers enable highly sensitive, selective and specific magnetic resonance imaging of nitric oxide in living mice.
- Mark D. Pagel
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News & Views |
Tackling food allergies by microbiome modulation
An oral immunotherapy consisting of an inulin-based gel loaded with an allergen successfully suppresses food allergy in mice.
- Benjamin J. Marsland
- & Nicola L. Harris
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Article |
A DNA origami device spatially controls CD95 signalling to induce immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
A pH-responsive DNA origami device displays a precise geometric array of CD95 ligands to selectively induce activated immune cell death and elicit localized immune tolerance to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis.
- Ling Li
- , Jue Yin
- & Xiaoyuan Chen
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Article
| Open Access
Drinkable in situ-forming tough hydrogels for gastrointestinal therapeutics
Sequential drinks of crosslinker and polymer solutions form a tough hydrogel in the stomach, enabling delivery of drugs and biologics in this harsh chemical environment.
- Gary W. Liu
- , Matthew J. Pickett
- & Giovanni Traverso
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News & Views |
Taming CAR T cell therapy toxicity
Post-infusion poly(ethylene glycol) surface modification of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells and a subcutaneous chemokine-adsorbing hydrogel address cytokine release syndrome and the neurotoxicity side effects of CAR T cell therapy against tumours.
- Chuang Liu
- & Khalid Shah
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Research Briefing |
Designing air-entrapment interfaces for near-ideal pressure sensors
Pressure sensing is challenging in liquid environments, where typical solid-state sensors do not perform well. A sensor with solid–liquid–liquid–gas multiphasic interfaces — its design inspired by the lotus leaf, and in which a trapped air layer modulates capacitance changes with pressure — is shown to achieve near-ideal pressure sensing and is well suited to liquid environments.
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Review Article |
Hydrogels for RNA delivery
RNA-based therapeutics hold promise for the treatment of several diseases. This Review provides an overview of hydrogels for RNA delivery, discussing how the chemical nature and physical properties of hydrogels can be explored for tailored RNA loading and release, and highlighting the use of these materials in biomedical applications.
- Ruibo Zhong
- , Sepehr Talebian
- & Jinjun Shi
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Article |
An inhaled bioadhesive hydrogel to shield non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2 infection
A bioadhesive hydrogel delivered via inhalation efficiently coats the airway and restricts SARS-CoV-2 virus variant penetration in mice and non-human primates
- Xuan Mei
- , Junlang Li
- & Ke Cheng
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Article |
Species-agnostic polymeric formulations for inhalable messenger RNA delivery to the lung
Screening of hundreds of nanoparticle polymers identifies an effective and low-toxicity formulation for the functional delivery of RNA to the lungs of distinct animal species.
- Laura Rotolo
- , Daryll Vanover
- & Philip J. Santangelo
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Article |
Mechanical checkpoint regulates monocyte differentiation in fibrotic niches
Myelofibrosis causes a pathological remodelling of the bone marrow, which becomes stiffer and more elastic, thus promoting the proliferation of proinflammatory monocytes and their differentiation into dendritic cells.
- Kyle H. Vining
- , Anna E. Marneth
- & David J. Mooney
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Article |
Renal clearable polyfluorophore nanosensors for early diagnosis of cancer and allograft rejection
Early cancer detection typically involves invasive biopsies. Here the authors designed nanosensors that are depolymerized by disease-associated enzymes in vivo to produce fluorescent urinary signals for non-invasive early diagnosis.
- Jiaguo Huang
- , Xiaona Chen
- & Kanyi Pu
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Article |
Giant magnetoelastic effect in soft systems for bioelectronics
Micromagnets dispersed in a polymer matrix are used to realize a soft magnetoelastic generator with high magnetomechanical coupling factor, used for wearable and implantable power generation and sensing applications.
- Yihao Zhou
- , Xun Zhao
- & Jun Chen
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News & Views |
Nanocages for virus inhibition
Elaborately designed DNA icosahedral shells cage intact virions to effectively protect host cells from viral infections.
- Neha Chauhan
- & Xing Wang
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Article |
Photocurable bioresorbable adhesives as functional interfaces between flexible bioelectronic devices and soft biological tissues
A functional interfacial material has been developed for soft integration of bioelectronic devices with biological tissues. This has been applied in battery-free optoelectronic systems for deep-brain optogenetics and subdermal phototherapy as well as wireless millimetre-scale pacemakers and flexible multielectrode epicardial arrays.
- Quansan Yang
- , Tong Wei
- & John A. Rogers
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Article |
Basement membrane stiffness determines metastases formation
The basement membrane stiffness is shown to be a more dominant determinant than pore size in regulating cancer cell invasion, metastasis formation and patient survival. This stiffness is now known to be affected by the ratio of netrin-4 to laminin, with more netrin-4 leading to softer basement membranes.
- Raphael Reuten
- , Sina Zendehroud
- & Janine T. Erler
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Article |
Cellular extrusion bioprinting improves kidney organoid reproducibility and conformation
Extrusion-based bioprinting has been shown to rapidly and reproducibly generate kidney organoids from a cell-only paste, with the number and maturation of functional units within the kidney tissue capable of being further improved by bioprinting tissue sheets.
- Kynan T. Lawlor
- , Jessica M. Vanslambrouck
- & Melissa H. Little
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Comment |
Towards data-driven next-generation transmission electron microscopy
Electron microscopy touches on nearly every aspect of modern life, underpinning materials development for quantum computing, energy and medicine. We discuss the open, highly integrated and data-driven microscopy architecture needed to realize transformative discoveries in the coming decade.
- Steven R. Spurgeon
- , Colin Ophus
- & Mitra L. Taheri
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News & Views |
Long-acting antiretroviral therapy
Nanoformulations of cabotegravir prodrugs have been developed to prolong the pharmacokinetics of the antiretroviral agent. They can be present in the plasma of mice and non-human primates for a year following a single injection.
- Vicente Soriano
- , Pablo Barreiro
- & Carmen de Mendoza
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Comment |
Materials science approaches in the development of broad-spectrum antiviral therapies
The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited efforts to develop materials science innovations aimed at stopping viral infections. One of the greatest opportunities lies in developing broad-spectrum antiviral technologies that work against many viruses, which could be the key to thwarting outbreaks in the future.
- Nam Joon Cho
- & Jeffrey S. Glenn
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News & Views |
Materials modulate immunity and gut microbiome
In a murine model of acute colitis, hyaluronic acid–bilirubin-based nanomaterials have been shown to modulate immune response and the gut microbiome, as well as restore the epithelial barrier.
- Ankur Singh
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Article |
Mutant lamins cause nuclear envelope rupture and DNA damage in skeletal muscle cells
Lamin mutations responsible for muscular dystrophy are shown to reduce nuclear envelope stability, resulting in mechanically induced nuclear envelope rupture, DNA damage and activation of DNA damage response pathways that lead to muscle cell death. Preventing nuclear envelope damage by reducing cytoskeletal forces on the nucleus improves muscle fibre health and function.
- Ashley J. Earle
- , Tyler J. Kirby
- & Jan Lammerding
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Article |
Hyaluronic acid–bilirubin nanomedicine for targeted modulation of dysregulated intestinal barrier, microbiome and immune responses in colitis
Imbalance of the gut microbiome has been implicated in numerous human diseases. Nanoparticles have now been designed to target colitis by modulating the gut microbiome, local innate immune response and restoration of the intestinal barrier function.
- Yonghyun Lee
- , Kohei Sugihara
- & James J. Moon
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Article |
Long-term implant fibrosis prevention in rodents and non-human primates using crystallized drug formulations
Foreign body response can result in failure of biomaterials in vivo. Solvent-free crystals containing anti-fibrotic drugs now show the potential for long-term inhibition of fibrosis on a number of implantable devices in rodents and non-human primates.
- Shady Farah
- , Joshua C. Doloff
- & Daniel G. Anderson
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Article |
Local nascent protein deposition and remodelling guide mesenchymal stromal cell mechanosensing and fate in three-dimensional hydrogels
The extracellular matrix surrounding cells plays a significant role in their behaviour. The spreading, mechanosensing and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells are shown to be dependent on the early deposition and remodelling of local nascent proteins within degradable and viscoelastic hydrogels.
- Claudia Loebel
- , Robert L. Mauck
- & Jason A. Burdick
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Article |
Sterile particle-induced inflammation is mediated by macrophages releasing IL-33 through a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway
Microparticle wear debris from prosthetic implants following patient revision surgery is observed to induce a potent type 2 inflammatory response involving cytokine secretion by macrophages through a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase-dependent signalling pathway.
- Pankaj K. Mishra
- , Mark Palma
- & William C. Gause
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News & Views |
Targeting vesicle size
An amphipathic peptide has been engineered and is capable of penetrating the blood–brain barrier as well as possessing a potent antiviral activity against Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses.
- Jing Zou
- & Pei-Yong Shi
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Letter |
Therapeutic treatment of Zika virus infection using a brain-penetrating antiviral peptide
The Zika virus infects the central nervous system and results in severe brain malformation. An amphiphatic peptide is now shown to penetrate the blood–brain barrier, reducing viral loads due to its activity against Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses.
- Joshua A. Jackman
- , Vivian V. Costa
- & Nam-Joon Cho
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Article |
Local immunomodulation with Fas ligand-engineered biomaterials achieves allogeneic islet graft acceptance
Islet transplantation for diabetes treatment requires immunosuppression to control rejection. A microgel presenting Fas ligand with immunomodulatory properties is now shown to prolong the survival of allogeneic islet grafts in vivo.
- Devon M. Headen
- , Kyle B. Woodward
- & Haval Shirwan
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Review Article |
Designing natural and synthetic immune tissues
Immunotherapy offers a promising approach to treating a range of complications. This Review discusses strategies that employ bioengineering and immunological principles to develop engineered tissues for screening therapeutics and treating diseases.
- Emily A. Gosselin
- , Haleigh B. Eppler
- & Christopher M. Jewell
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Article |
Mechanics-guided embryonic patterning of neuroectoderm tissue from human pluripotent stem cells
Mechanical cues play critical roles in embryonic development. A micropatterned neuroectoderm developmental model based on human pluripotent stem cells now reveals how morophogenetic signals such as cell shape and contractility regulate neural tissue development.
- Xufeng Xue
- , Yubing Sun
- & Jianping Fu
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Article |
Quantitative self-assembly prediction yields targeted nanomedicines
Molecular simulations reveal the self-assembly of small molecules into nanoparticle drug carriers. Targeting of colon and liver cancer cells by the nanoparticles via kinase inhibitors is employed in anti-tumour therapy in vivo.
- Yosi Shamay
- , Janki Shah
- & Daniel A. Heller
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News & Views |
Broad-spectrum antivirals
Nanoparticle mimics of heparan sulfate proteoglycans offer a new strategy for the inhibition of a range of viral infections.
- Benson J. Edagwa
- & Howard E. Gendelman
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Article |
Broad-spectrum non-toxic antiviral nanoparticles with a virucidal inhibition mechanism
Antiviral nanoparticle-formulated mimics of heparan sulfate proteoglycans were developed and shown to permit strong viral association as well as inhibition of a range of viruses on in vitro and in vivo models of infection.
- Valeria Cagno
- , Patrizia Andreozzi
- & Francesco Stellacci
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Article |
The development of bioresorbable composite polymeric implants with high mechanical strength
Metallic stents have been widely used in coronary angioplasty. Here, the authors develop a resorbable self-expanding stent from polymeric elastomers with high mechanical strength for coronary applications.
- Upma Sharma
- , Danny Concagh
- & Maria Palasis
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News & Views |
Modelling polycystic kidney disease
Cysts were generated from organoids in vitro and the removal of adherent cues was shown to play a key role in polycystic kidney disease progression. These cysts resembled those of diseased tissue phenotypically and were capable of remodelling their microenvironment.
- Paola Romagnani
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Letter |
Organoid cystogenesis reveals a critical role of microenvironment in human polycystic kidney disease
Tissue mimics are of great interest in understanding diseases. Here, organoids were developed that resemble polycystic kidney disease cysts and it was demonstrated how material environment and adhesion can affect cystogenesis and disease progression.
- Nelly M. Cruz
- , Xuewen Song
- & Benjamin S. Freedman
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Article |
Colony stimulating factor-1 receptor is a central component of the foreign body response to biomaterial implants in rodents and non-human primates
By studying the immune responses of animals to different types of biomaterial implants, colony stimulating factor-1 receptor is revealed as an important mediator of the foreign body reaction and a possible target for fibrosis inhibition.
- Joshua C. Doloff
- , Omid Veiseh
- & Daniel G. Anderson
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Article |
A fully organic retinal prosthesis restores vision in a rat model of degenerative blindness
A retinal prosthesis fabricated from an organic photovoltaic polymer can restore degenerative blindness in vivo, and over long implantation periods.
- José Fernando Maya-Vetencourt
- , Diego Ghezzi
- & Fabio Benfenati
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Letter |
Single-platelet nanomechanics measured by high-throughput cytometry
A high-throughput hydrogel-based platelet-contraction cytometer is able to quantify single-platelet contraction forces and may function as a clinical diagnostic biophysical biomarker.
- David R. Myers
- , Yongzhi Qiu
- & Wilbur A. Lam
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News & Views |
Leukocyte-like carriers
Drug-loaded liposomes functionalized with proteins from the cell membrane of leukocytes target inflamed tissues without eliciting a substantial immune response.
- Kenneth A. Dawson
- & Yan Yan
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Article |
Local triple-combination therapy results in tumour regression and prevents recurrence in a colon cancer model
A hydrogel patch delivering a combination of gene, drug and phototherapy leads to complete tumour remission and the absence of tumour recurrence in a colon cancer mouse model.
- João Conde
- , Nuria Oliva
- & Natalie Artzi
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Article |
Biomimetic proteolipid vesicles for targeting inflamed tissues
Lipid nanoparticles incorporating proteins from the leukocyte plasma membrane retain the properties of liposomal formulations and enable delivery of drugs to inflamed tissues.
- R. Molinaro
- , C. Corbo
- & E. Tasciotti
Albumin-coated lipid nanoparticles are effective delivery systems for mRNA vaccines