Bio-functional textiles: Combining pharmaceutical nanocarriers with fibrous materials for innovative dermatological therapies

In the field of pharmaceutical technology, significant attention has been paid on exploiting skin as a drug administration route. Considering the structural and chemical complexity of the skin barrier, many research works focused on developing an innovative way to enhance skin drug permeation. In this context, a new class of materials called bio-functional textiles has been developed. Such materials consist of the combination of advanced pharmaceutical carriers with textile materials. Therefore, they own the possibility of providing a wearable platform for continuous and controlled drug release. Notwithstanding the great potential of these materials, their large-scale application still faces some challenges. The present review provides a state-of-the-art perspective on the bio-functional textile technology analyzing the several issues involved. Firstly, the skin physiology, together with the dermatological delivery strategy, is keenly described in order to provide an overview of the problems tackled by bio-functional textiles technology. Secondly, an overview of the main dermatological nanocarriers is provided; thereafter the application of these nanomaterial to textiles is presented. Finally, the bio-functional textile technology is framed in the context of the dierent dermatological administration strategies; a comparative analysis that also considers how pharmaceutical regulation is conducted

Preparation of bio-functional textiles by surface functionalization of cellulose fabrics with caffeine loaded nanoparticles

In recent years transdermal drug delivery has aroused significant interest as a sustained and non-invasive way of administering active substances. The development of nanotechnology allowed the development of novel pharmaceutical formulations overcoming skin barrier. Furthermore, such nano-system can be combined with conventional fabrics to pave the way to a new generation of wearable drug delivery devices: bio-functional garments. First the NP were produced by flash nanoprecipitation technique (FNP), the production process was optimized to produce particles with suitable size for transdermal applications. The nanoparticles were characterized in terms of drug content by UV-visible spectroscopy and in terms of antioxidant activity by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy (EPR) coupled with spin trapping technique. The NPs were used to functionalize cotton and viscose-micromodal fabrics and the transdermal release properties were tested in vitro by Franz’s Cell experiment. FNP was proven to be an effective technique to produce tunable size particles. Moreover, the nanoencapsulated drug exhibited antioxidant activity. The release test evidenced a controlled release behavior effect providing evidence that the bio-functional textile is suitable for applications where sustained release and antioxidant properties are required

Septin 9_i2 is downregulated in tumors, impairs cancer cell migration and alters subnuclear actin filaments

International audienceFunctions of septin cytoskeletal polymers in tumorigenesis are still poorly defined. Their role in the regulation of cytokinesis and cell migration were proposed to contribute to cancer associated aneuploidy and metastasis. Overexpression of Septin 9 (Sept9) promotes migration of cancer cell lines. SEPT9 mRNA and protein expression is increased in breast tumors compared to normal and peritumoral tissues and amplification of SEPT9 gene was positively correlated with breast tumor progression. However, the existence of multiple isoforms of Sept9 is a confounding factor in the analysis of Sept9 functions. In the present study, we analyze the protein expression of Sept9_i2, an uncharacterized isoform, in breast cancer cell lines and tumors and describe its specific impact on cancer cell migration and Sept9 cytoskeletal distribution. Collectively, our results showed that, contrary to Sept9_i1, Sept9_ i2 did not support cancer cell migration, and induced a loss of subnuclear actin filaments. These effects were dependent on Sept9_i2 specific N-terminal sequence. Sept9_i2 was strongly down-regulated in breast tumors compared to normal mammary tissues. Thus our data indicate that Sept9_i2 is a negative regulator of breast tumorigenesis. We propose that Sept9 tumorigenic properties depend on the balance between Sept9_i1 and Sept9_i2 expression levels

CV13016

Use the URI link below to search the Marine Institute Data Discovery Catalogue for datasets relevant to this report.This report provides the results of the second underwater television on the ‘Porcupine Bank Nephrops grounds’ ICES assessment area; Functional Unit 16. The survey was multi-disciplinary in nature collecting UWTV, CTD and other ecosystem data. In total 68 UWTV stations were successfully completed in a randomised 6 nautical mile isometric grid covering the full spatial extent of the stock. The mean burrow density observed in 2013, adjusted for edge effect, was 0.106 burrows/m². The final krigged abundance estimate was 768 million burrows with a relative standard error of 4% and an estimated stock area of 7,100km2. The abundance estimate was 2% lower than in 2012. Landings options at various different fishing mortalities were calculated in line with the recommendations of WKNEPH 2013. Fishing at Fmsy in 2014 implies a slight increase in the TAC from 1,800 t to 1,850 t. This increase is mainly due to an increase in average mean weight of the landings. The three species of sea-pen found on muddy habitat in Irish waters are Virgularia mirabilis, Funiculina quadrangularis and Pennatula phosphorea were all observed during the survey. Trawl marks were also observed on over half of the stations surveyed

Poly(I:C) induces intense expression of c-IAP2 and cooperates with an IAP inhibitor in induction of apoptosis in cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is increasing evidence that the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is an interesting target for anti-cancer therapy. Unfortunately, most laboratory investigations about the impact of TLR3 stimulation on human malignant cells have been performed with very high concentrations - 5 to 100 μg/ml - of the prototype TLR3 ligand, poly(I:C). In a previous study focused on a specific type of human carcinoma - nasopharyngeal carcinoma - we have shown that concentrations of poly(I:C) as low as 100 ng/ml are sufficient to induce apoptosis of malignant cells when combined to a pharmacological antagonist of the IAP family based on Smac mimicry.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This observation prompted us to investigate the contribution of the IAP family in cell response to poly(I:C) in a variety of human malignant cell types.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We report a rapid, intense and selective increase in c-IAP2 protein expression observed under stimulation by poly(I:C)(500 ng/ml) in all types of human malignant cells. In most cell types, this change in protein expression is underlain by an increase in c-IAP2 transcripts and dependent on the TLR3/TRIF pathway. When poly(I:C) is combined to the IAP inhibitor RMT 5265, a cooperative effect in apoptosis induction and/or inhibition of clonogenic growth is obtained in a large fraction of carcinoma and melanoma cell lines.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Currently, IAP inhibitors like RMT 5265 and poly(I:C) are the subject of separate therapeutic trials. In light of our observations, combined use of both types of compounds should be considered for treatment of human malignancies including carcinomas and melanomas.</p

Significance of Toll-like Receptors Expression in Tumor Growth and Spreading: A Short Review

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are considered now as crucial sensors of innate immunity. Their role in the recognition of pathogens and the initiation of adaptive immune responses against them is well known. However, in last years TLRs have been identified on several tumor cells, including human malignancies. Their expression in cancer was found to be twofold: either promoting or inhibiting tumor progression. It was also demonstrated that several TLRs agonists, either natural or synthetic ones, may have beneficial effect on tumor-mediated disease, leading to potentiation of immune response to tumor-associated antigens. TLR-agonist linked tumor immunotherapy is still in nascent state, but growing rapidly, also in the area of common human malignancies. To date, the most promising and the most frequently studied interaction in tumor immunotherapy trials seems to be TLR9 and its synthetic agonists