FUNCTIONALIZATION OF 3D FIBROUS SCAFFOLDS PREPARED USING CENTRIFUGAL SPINNING WITH LIPOSOMES AS A SIMPLE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

3D materials supporting cell adhesion, infiltration and proliferation are crucial for bone tissue engineering. In the current study we combined PCL fibers prepared using centrifugal spinning with adhered liposomes filled with platelet lysate as a natural source of growth factors. The scaffold was seeded with MG-63 cells and tested in vitro as a potential drug delivery system for bone tissue engineering

Bone Turnover in Wild Type and Pleiotrophin-Transgenic Mice Housed for Three Months in the International Space Station (ISS)

Bone is a complex dynamic tissue undergoing a continuous remodeling process. Gravity is a physical force playing a role in the remodeling and contributing to the maintenance of bone integrity. This article reports an investigation on the alterations of the bone microarchitecture that occurred in wild type (Wt) and pleiotrophin-transgenic (PTN-Tg) mice exposed to a near-zero gravity on the International Space Station (ISS) during the Mice Drawer System (MDS) mission, to date, the longest mice permanence (91 days) in space. The transgenic mouse strain over-expressing pleiotrophin (PTN) in bone was selected because of the PTN positive effects on bone turnover. Wt and PTN-Tg control animals were maintained on Earth either in a MDS payload or in a standard vivarium cage. This study revealed a bone loss during spaceflight in the weight-bearing bones of both strains. For both Tg and Wt a decrease of the trabecular number as well as an increase of the mean trabecular separation was observed after flight, whereas trabecular thickness did not show any significant change. Non weight-bearing bones were not affected. The PTN-Tg mice exposed to normal gravity presented a poorer trabecular organization than Wt mice, but interestingly, the expression of the PTN transgene during the flight resulted in some protection against microgravity’s negative effects. Moreover, osteocytes of the Wt mice, but not of Tg mice, acquired a round shape, thus showing for the first time osteocyte space-related morphological alterations in vivo. The analysis of specific bone formation and resorption marker expression suggested that the microgravity-induced bone loss was due to both an increased bone resorption and a decreased bone deposition. Apparently, the PTN transgene protection was the result of a higher osteoblast activity in the flight mice

Stem Cell Tracking by Nanotechnologies

Advances in stem cell research have provided important understanding of the cell biology and offered great promise for developing new strategies for tissue regeneration. The beneficial effects of stem cell therapy depend also by the development of new approachs for the track of stem cells in living subjects over time after transplantation. Recent developments in the use of nanotechnologies have contributed to advance of the high-resolution in vivo imaging methods, including positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and X-Ray computed microtomography (microCT). This review examines the use of nanotechnologies for stem cell tracking

Morphological, physiological and behavioural evaluation of a ‘Mice in Space’ housing system

Environmental conditions likely affect physiology and behaviour of mice used for life sciences research on Earth or in Space. Here, we analysed the effects of cage confinement on the weightbearing musculoskeletal system, behaviour and stress of wild-type mice (C57BL/6JRj, 30 g b.wt., total n = 24) housed for 25 days in a prototypical ground-based and fully automated life support habitat device called “Mice in Space” (MIS). Compared with control housing (individually ventilated cages) the MIS mice revealed no significant changes in soleus muscle size and myofiber distribution (type I vs. II) and quality of bone (3-D microarchitecture and mineralisation of calvaria, spine and femur) determined by confocal and micro-computed tomography. Corticosterone metabolism measured non-invasively (faeces) monitored elevated adrenocortical activity at only start of the MIS cage confinement (day 1). Behavioural tests (i.e., grip strength, rotarod, L/D box, elevated plus-maze, open field, aggressiveness) performed subsequently revealed only minor changes in motor performance (MIS vs. controls). The MIS habitat will not, on its own, produce major effects that could confound interpretation of data induced by microgravity exposure during spaceflight. Our results may be even more helpful in developing multidisciplinary protocols with adequate scenarios addressing molecular to systems levels using mice of various genetic phenotypes in many laboratories

Innovative Technological Materials: Structural Properties by Neutron Scattering, Synchrotron Radiation and Modeling

This book provides at first ideas on the answers that neutrons and Synchrotron Radiation could give in innovative materials science and technology. In particular, non-conventional, unusual or innovative neutron and x-ray scattering experiments (from both the scientific and the instrumental point of view) will be described which either have novel applications or provide a new insight into material science and technology. Moreover, a capability of the existing and the enhanced constitutive models and numerical procedures to predict complex behaviour of the novel multifunctional materials is examined

From nano to macro biomaterials (design, processing, characterization, modeling) and applications to stem cells regenerative orthopedic and dental medicine (NAMABIO).

From nano to macro biomaterials (design, processing, characterization, modeling) and applications to stem cells regenerative orthopedic and dental medicine (NAMABIO). Descriptions are provided by the Actions directly via e-COST. Regenerative medicine is a new discipline based on biomaterial development and increasing knowledge in cell science. NAMABIO will be focused only in the interdisciplinary research related to biomaterials and stem cells of interest for the regenerative medicine of bones and teeth. The aim of NAMABIO is to coordinate research efforts (very often loosely correlated) of several actors belonging to different disciplines necessary in order to obtain a real breakthrough in these areas. In particular the partners of the present project are scientists involved in the following activities: (a)processing of innovative biomaterials (b) chemical, physical and mechanical characterization (c) modeling of physical and mechanical properties (d) stem cells loading on biomaterials, implantation on animals, and histological and molecular evaluation (e) 3D structural characterization of tissue engineered bones and teeth by X-ray synchrotron microtomography (or holotomography) (f) Biomedical evaluation of the results obtained in (e). The networking action will be carried out by meetings, workshops and seminars, STSMs, schools conferences and common publications

From nano to macro biomaterials (design, processing, characterization, modeling) and applications to stem cells regenerative orthopedic and dental medicine (NAMABIO).

From nano to macro biomaterials (design, processing, characterization, modeling) and applications to stem cells regenerative orthopedic and dental medicine (NAMABIO). Descriptions are provided by the Actions directly via e-COST. Regenerative medicine is a new discipline based on biomaterial development and increasing knowledge in cell science. NAMABIO will be focused only in the interdisciplinary research related to biomaterials and stem cells of interest for the regenerative medicine of bones and teeth. The aim of NAMABIO is to coordinate research efforts (very often loosely correlated) of several actors belonging to different disciplines necessary in order to obtain a real breakthrough in these areas. In particular the partners of the present project are scientists involved in the following activities: (a)processing of innovative biomaterials (b) chemical, physical and mechanical characterization (c) modeling of physical and mechanical properties (d) stem cells loading on biomaterials, implantation on animals, and histological and molecular evaluation (e) 3D structural characterization of tissue engineered bones and teeth by X-ray synchrotron microtomography (or holotomography) (f) Biomedical evaluation of the results obtained in (e). The networking action will be carried out by meetings, workshops and seminars, STSMs, schools conferences and common publications