Guest editorial: special issue on bone tissue engineering

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Synergistic growth factor microenvironments

Growth factors (GF) are remarkably powerful signalling molecules that orchestrate developmental biology. GFs are currently used in medjcal applications with limited success but it is clear that if their potential can be harnessed for biomedicine then they could underpin the discipline of regenerative medicine. However, while we understand that biology uses cell-secreted growth factors tethered to the ECM, biologists typically employ GFs in soluble format at high concentrations. When used in vivo, this causes off-target, unwanted effects, which severely limits their use. There is a vast amount of literature dealing with material systems that control the delivery of GFs. However, it was soon observed that GFs could be more effectively presented bound to surfaces from a solid-phase state rather than in soluble form, recapitulating the way the extracellular matrix (ECM) binds GFs. In parallel, evidence was found that within the ECM, GFs can actually work in cooperation with integrins and that this produced ehnaced GF signalling due to the crosstalk between both receptors. Recently this knowledge was used to engineer microenvironments that target simultaneous integrin and GF receptor engagement seeking to maximise GF effects in vitro (e.g. in terms of stem cell differentiation) but also tissue repair in vivo (e.g. bone regeneration and wound healing). This feature article introduces the concept of synergistic GF/integrin signalling and then introduces GF delivery systems that were key in the development of more advanced synergistic growth factor microenvironments

Designing stem cell niches for differentiation and self-renewal

Mesenchymal stem cells, characterized by their ability to differentiate into skeletal tissues and self-renew, hold great promise for both regenerative medicine and novel therapeutic discovery. However, their regenerative capacity is retained only when in contact with their specialized microenvironment, termed the stem cell niche. Niches provide structural and functional cues that are both biochemical and biophysical, stem cells integrate this complex array of signals with intrinsic regulatory networks to meet physiological demands. Although, some of these regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood or difficult to harness with traditional culture systems. Biomaterial strategies are being developed that aim to recapitulate stem cell niches, by engineering microenvironments with physiological-like niche properties that aim to elucidate stem cell-regulatory mechanisms, and to harness their regenerative capacity in vitro. In the future, engineered niches will prove important tools for both regenerative medicine and therapeutic discoveries

Cellular response to low adhesion nanotopographies

This review focuses on how cells respond to low-adhesion nanotopographies. In order to do this, fabrication techniques, how cells may locate nanofeatures through the use of filopodia and possible mechanotransductive mechanisms are discussed. From this, examples of low-adhesion topographies and sizes and arrangements that may lead to low-adhesion are discussed. Finally, it is hypothesized as to how specifically low-adhesion materials may fit into the outlined mechanotransductive mechanisms

Dyslipidaemia, diet and drugs

When considering dyslipidaemia, the cardiologist’s predominant concern is the relationship between serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, ASCVD is a multifactorial condition with its roots in our physical environment, the lifestyle we choose, our exposure to tobacco smoke, the diet to which we have become accustomed from a young age, the presence of specific morbidities: hypertension, diabetes, adiposity and elevated cholesterol levels, male sex and individual genetic propensities. Frequently these risk factors are found clustering in susceptible individuals. They ultimately find their expression as ASCVD and its complications as we age. Accepting the complexity of its origins, it is unsurprising that a multifaceted approach to the prevention of ASCVD, or its containment once it has emerged, is mandatory

Dietary Uncoupling of Gut Microbiota and Energy Harvesting from Obesity and Glucose Tolerance in Mice

The authors gratefully acknowledge Doctoral Training Partnership funding from the BBSRC (M.J.D.) and funding from the Scottish Government (P.J.M., A.W.R., and A.W.W.). We also thank the Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine for help with next-generation sequencing and Karen Garden and the Rowett’s Analytical Services for SCFA analysis. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Supplemental Information includes four figures and two tables and can be found with this article online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2017.10.056.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Foundations of the South African Heart Association: The South African Society of Cardiac Practitioners 1985 - 1999

The South African Heart Association (SA Heart®) was established in 1999. Prior to 1999, 2 professional societies represented the interests of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in South Africa – the South African Cardiac Society and the South African Society of Cardiac Practitioners. The latter was formed in 1985 by cardiologists in private practice to serve the interests of private practitioners. At the time, the South African Cardiac Society was based mainly in the academic training institutions and the need arose to have a representative body addressing the needs of private practice.In the late 1990s it became clear that the 2 societies were competing for the same support from industry and were diluting each other’s influence. The realisation that strength lay in unity led to an amalgamation of the 2 societies in 1999 – to form the SA Heart® Association.In this commentary, Dr Tony Dalby provides us with a personal reflection of the history of the South African Society of Cardiac Practitioners. In future issues of the SA Heart® Journal, we will feature similar personal reflections to document the history of the South African Cardiac Society and the South African Heart Association

Statin-induced Myopathy

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. HMGCoA reductase inhibitors or “statins” reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce the risks of myocardial infarction, stroke and death in the presence of dyslipidaemia. In consequence, statins are prescribed to a large number of patients requiring primary or secondary prevention. A variety of side-effects may arise during the course of statin treatment which interfere with the quality of patients’ lives and reduce their compliance with therapy. Muscle symptoms constitute the most common of these side-effects and are the most frequent reason for discontinuing treatment. This review defi nes the muscle, tendon and joint disorders encountered by patients on statin treatment, their possible relationship to statin use, and the factors that facilitate the emergence of symptoms. The subtypes of statin myopathy are discussed and a general defi nition of statin myopathy is offered. Expert advice on managing statin myopathy is summarised

Current approaches for modulation of the nanoscale interface in the regulation of cell behavior

Regulation of cell behavior in response to nanoscale features has been the focus of much research in recent years and the successful generation of nanoscale features capable of mimicking the natural nanoscale interface has been of great interest in the field of biomaterials research. In this review, we discuss relevant nanofabrication techniques and how they are combined with bioengineering applications to mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and create valuable nanoscale interfaces

Mrs. E.J. Dalby to Mr. Meredith (2 October 1962)

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/mercorr_anti/1127/thumbnail.jp