Affinity study of novel gelatin cell carriers for fibronectin

In the present work, the gelatin/fibronectin affinity was evaluated using SPR, QCM and radiolabelling. The results indicate that type A gelatin films possess a higher affinity for Fn compared to type B gelatin. This is due to a combined hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction between gelatin type A and Fn. In a second part, the affinity of Fn for porous gelatin scaffolds was evaluated. The scaffolds were prepared by a cryogenic treatment and subsequent freeze-drying yielding type I and type II scaffolds which possess different pore geometries/sizes. The results indicate that the Fn density on the scaffolds can be fine-tuned by varying the Fn concentration, the gelatin type (A vs. 13), the pore size/geometry (type I vs. type II scaffolds)

Surface functionalized titanium scaffolds for orthopaedic application: learning from nature

C

High mannose-specific lectin Msl mediates key interactions of the vaginal Lactobacillus plantarum isolate CMPG5300

To characterize the interaction potential of the human vaginal isolate Lactobacillus plantarum CMPG5300, its genome was mined for genes encoding lectin-like proteins. cmpg5300.05_29 was identified as the gene encoding a putative mannose-binding lectin. Phenotypic analysis of a gene knock-out mutant of cmpg5300.05_29 showed that expression of this gene is important for auto-aggregation, adhesion to the vaginal epithelial cells, biofilm formation and binding to mannosylated glycans. Purification of the predicted lectin domain of Cmpg5300.05_29 and characterization of its sugar binding capacity confirmed the specificity of the lectin for high-mannose glycans. Therefore, we renamed Cmpg5300.05_29 as a mannose-specific lectin (Msl). The purified lectin domain of Msl could efficiently bind to HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 and Candida albicans, and showed an inhibitory activity against biofilm formation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium. Thus, using a combination of molecular lectin characterization and functional assays, we could show that lectin-sugar interactions play a key role in host and pathogen interactions of a prototype isolate of the vaginal Lactobacillus microbiota

The major secreted protein Msp1/p75 is O-glycosylated in Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Peer reviewe

Implantable (bio)polymer coated titanium scaffolds : a review

In the current review we aim to give an overview of the state of the art of the research on (bio)polymer functionalised titanium implants for bone tissue engineering applications. After a short introduction on bone tissue engineering and the requirements the applied materials have to meet, an extensive discussion on titanium in bone tissue engineering will be given. Starting with a short description of both the titanium bulk and surface properties, the requirement for surface modified titanium will be highlighted. The discussion will encompass inorganic and organic chemical modifications and a combination thereof with a focus on the organic modifications. Within the latter type of modification, physical adsorption, physical incorporation and covalent immobilisation will be compared. In the final part of the review an overview will be given of the fabrication and characterisation of three-dimensional titanium scaffolds