RESUMEN

Hydrogels can be considered as mimics of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Through integrins, the cytoskeleton is connected to the ECM, and cytoskeleton tension depends on ECM stiffness. A number of age-related diseases depend on cellular processes related to cytoskeleton function. Some examples of cancer initiation and progression and heart disease in relation to ECM stiffness have been analyzed. The incorporation of rigid particles into the ECM can increase ECM stiffness and promote the formation of internal residual stresses. Water migration, changes in water binding energy to biomactomolecules, and changes in the state of water from tightly bound water to free and loosely bound water lead to changes in the stiffness of the ECM. Cardiac tissue engineering, ECM stiffness and cancer, the equivalence of ECM stiffness, oxidative stress, inflammation, multi-layer polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels and bioprinting, residual internal stresses, viscoelastic hydrogels, hydrogel nanocomposites, and the effect of water have been reported. Special attention has been paid to the role of bound water and internal stresses in ECM stiffness. The risks related to rigid particle incorporation into the ECM have been discussed. The potential effect of polyphenols, chitosan, and chitosan oligosaccharide on ECM stiffness and the potential for anti-TNF-α and anti-NF-κB therapies have been discussed.

RESUMEN

The severity of COVID-19 commonly depends on age-related tissue stiffness. The aim was to review publications that explain the effect of microenvironmental extracellular matrix stiffness on cellular processes. Platelets and endothelial cells are mechanosensitive. Increased tissue stiffness can trigger cytokine storm with the upregulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin IL-6, and tissue integrity disruption, leading to enhanced virus entry and disease severity. Increased tissue stiffness in critically ill COVID-19 patients triggers platelet activation and initiates plague formation and thrombosis development. Cholesterol content in cell membrane increases with aging and further enhances tissue stiffness. Membrane cholesterol depletion decreases virus entry to host cells. Membrane cholesterol lowering drugs, such as statins or novel chitosan derivatives, have to be further developed for application in COVID-19 treatment. Statins are also known to decrease arterial stiffness mitigating cardiovascular diseases. Sulfated chitosan derivatives can be further developed for potential use in future as anticoagulants in prevention of severe COVID-19. Anti-TNF-α therapies as well as destiffening therapies have been suggested to combat severe COVID-19. The inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathway must be considered as a therapeutic target in the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients. The activation of mechanosensitive platelets by higher matrix stiffness increases their adhesion and the risk of thrombus formation, thus enhancing the severity of COVID-19.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An essential effect of environmental stiffness on biological processes in cells at present is generally accepted. An increase in arterial stiffness with advanced age has been reported in many publications. The aim of the present review is to summarize current information about possible chemical reactions and physical processes that lead to tissue stiffening and result in age-related diseases in order to find methods that can prevent or retard time-dependent tissue stiffening. The analysis of published data shows that bound water acts as a plasticizer of biological tissues, a decrease in bound water content results in an increase in biological tissue stiffness, and increased tissue stiffness leads to NF-kB activation and triggered actin polymerization-NF-kB activation is associated with age-related diseases. It can be suggested that changes in bound water content through changing tissue stiffness can affect cellular processes and the development of pathologies related to aging. Both age-related diseases and COVID-19 may be associated with tight-junction disruption and increased tissue stiffness and permeability.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Neoatherosclerosis represents an accelerated manifestation of atherosclerosis in nascent neointima after stenting, associated with adverse events. We investigated whether improved reendothelialization using RGD-coated stents results in diminished vascular permeability and reduced foam cell formation compared to standard DES in atherosclerotic rabbits. METHODS AND RESULTS: Neointimal foam cell formation was induced in rabbits (n = 7). Enhanced endothelial integrity in RGD-coated stents resulted in decreased vascular permeability relative to DES, which was further confirmed by SEM and TEM. Cell culture experiments examined the effect of everolimus on endothelial integrity. Increasing concentrations of everolimus resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of endothelial cell junctions and foam cell transformation of monocytes, confirming the relevance of endothelial integrity in preventing permeability of LDL. CONCLUSION: Incomplete endothelial integrity was confirmed as a key factor of neointimal foam cell formation following stent implantation. Pro-healing stent coatings may facilitate reendothelialization and reduce the risk of neoatherosclerosis.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Chitosan is obtained from chitin, which could be considered to be the most abundant polymer after cellulose. Owing to these properties, chitosan alone or chitosan-based composite film production is attaining huge attention in terms of applications from researchers and industrialists coming from divergent fields. To enhance the biological (mainly antimicrobial and antioxidant) and physiological (mainly mechanical, thermal and barrier) attributes of the chitosan-based films, a vast medley of plant extracts and supporting polymers has been blended into chitosan films. Considering the up to date literature reports based on chitosan film production and applications, it can be stated that still, the research ratio is low in this field. Chitosan blend/composite films with specific properties (superhydrophobicity, excellent mechanical strength, acceptable barrier properties) can be produced only for specific applications in food technology. In the current review, we tried to summarize the advancements made in the last 5-7 years in the field of chitosan film technology for its application in the food industry.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The direct and indirect (by changing mechanical properties) effects of hydration at interfaces on cellular processes and tissue diseases are reviewed. The essential effect of substrate stiffness on cellular processes was demonstrated in the last decade. The combined effect of surface stiffness and hydration at interfaces has garnered much less attention, though hydration and dehydration play important roles in biological processes. This review focuses on the studies that demonstrate how hydration affects biological processes at interfaces. Elevated sodium and dehydration stimulate inflammatory signaling in endothelial cells and promote atherosclerosis. Various types of implant and blood contacting device coatings with varied surface stiffness and hydration have been reported. Effect of hydration on polymer modulus of elasticity and viscoelasticity was discussed taking into account cells adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation on surfaces with various degree of hydration. Future directions of research were considered, including the use of nanotechnology to regulate the hydration degree.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Age-related, diet-related and protein conformational diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases are common in the elderly population. The potential of chitosan, chitooligosaccharides and their derivatives in prevention and treatment of age-related dysfunctions is reviewed and discussed in this paper. The influence of oxidative stress, low density lipoprotein oxidation, increase of tissue stiffness, protein conformational changes, aging-associated chronic inflammation and their pathobiological significance have been considered. The chitosan-based functional food also has been reviewed.

Asunto(s)