3D silicon doped hydroxyapatite scaffolds decorated with Elastin-like Recombinamers for bone regenerative medicine

The current study reports on the manufacturing by rapid prototyping technique of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds based on silicon substituted hydroxyapatite with Elastin-like Recombinamers (ELRs) functionalized surfaces. Silicon doped hydroxyapatite (Si-HA), with Ca-10(PO4)(5.7)(SiO4)(0.3)(OH)(1.7)h(0.3) nominal formula, was surface functionalized with two different types of polymers designed by genetic engineering: ELR-RGD that contain cell attachment specific sequences and ELR-SNA15/RGD with both hydroxyapatite and cells domains that interact with the inorganic phase and with the cells, respectively. These hybrid materials were subjected to in vitro assays in order to clarify if the ELRs coating improved the well-known biocompatible and bone regeneration properties of calcium phosphates materials. The in vitro tests showed that there was a total and homogeneous colonization of the 3D scaffolds by Bone marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (BMSCs). In addition, the BMSCs were viable and able to proliferate and differentiate into osteoblasts. Statement of Significance Bone tissue engineering is an area of increasing interest because its main applications are directly related to the rising life expectancy of the population, which promotes higher rates of several bone pathologies, so innovative strategies are needed for bone tissue regeneration therapies. Here we use the rapid prototyping technology to allow moulding ceramic 3D scaffolds and we use different bio-polymers for the functionalization of their surfaces in order to enhance the biological response. Combining the ceramic material (silicon doped hydroxyapatite, Si-HA) and the Elastin like Recombinamers (ELRs) polymers with the presence of the integrin-mediate adhesion domain alone or in combination with SNAI 5 peptide that possess high affinity for hydroxyapatite, provided an improved Bone marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (BMSCs) differentiation into osteoblastic linkage. (C) 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

L’imitation des tissus précieux sur quelques sculptures valdôtaines, entre XVe et XVIe siècle

En Vallée d’Aoste, la recherche sur le brocart appliqué, notamment dans le cadre de la sculpture polychrome de la fin du Moyen Âge, n’en est encore qu’à ses premiers pas. Sur les exemples présentés, qui datent tous entre la deuxième moitié du XVe et le début du XVIe siècle, l’on observe que le rendu matériel des tissus a fait l’objet d’une attention spécifique et que, sur certains d’entre eux, la technique du brocart appliqué fait son apparition. Il s’agit d’une technique importée, qui semble originaire des régions limitrophes de la Savoie ou qui s’est diffusée le long des axes commerciaux reliant la partie plus à l’ouest de la Vallée d’Aoste aux zones de culture germanophone.In the Aosta Valley, research on applied brocade, especially on late medieval polychrome sculptures, is still at an early stage. On the examples presented, which all date back to the second half of the XVth century and early XVIth century, we can see that a lot of attention went into the material rendering of the cloths and that the pressbrokat appears on some of them. It is an imported technique, that seems to originate from the neighboring areas of Savoy or that spread along the commercial routes, connecting the westerner part of the Aosta Valley to the german-speaking cultural areas

Copper-containing mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles as multifunctional agent for bone regeneration

none10sihe application of mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) containing controllable amount of different ions, with the aim to impart antibacterial activity, as well as stimulation of osteogenesis and angiogenesis, is attracting an increasing interest. In this contribution, in order to endow nano-sized MBG with additional biological functions, the framework of a binary SiO2-CaO mesoporous glass was modified with different concentrations of copper ions (2 and 5% mol.), through a one-pot ultrasound-assisted sol-gel procedure. The Cu-containing MBG (2% mol.) showed high exposed surface area (550 m2 g-1), uniform mesoporous channels (2.6 nm), remarkable in vitro bioactive behaviour and sustained release of Cu2+ ions. Cu-MBG nanoparticles and their ionic dissolution extracts exhibited antibacterial effect against three different bacteria strains, E. coli, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and the ability to inhibit and disperse the biofilm produced by S. epidermidis. The obtained results suggest that the developed material, which combines in single multifunctional agent excellent bioactivity and antimicrobial ability, offers promising opportunities for the prevention of infectious diseases and the effective treatment of bone defects. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In order to endow mesoporous bioactive glass, characterized by excellent bioactive properties, with additional biological functions, Cu-doped mesoporous SiO2-CaO glass (Cu-MBG) in the form of nanoparticles was prepared by an ultra-sound assisted one pot synthesis. The analysis of the bacterial viability, using different bacterial strains, and the morphological observation of the biofilm produced by the Staphylococcus epidermidis, revealed the antimicrobial effectiveness of the Cu-MBG and the relative ionic extracts against both the bacterial growth and the biofilm formation/dispersion, providing a true alternative to traditional antibiotic systemic therapies. The proposed multifunctional agent represents a promising and versatile platform for bone and soft tissues regeneration.noneBari, A; Bloise, N; Fiorilli, S; Novajra, G; Vallet-Regí, M; Bruni, G; Torres-Pardo, A; González-Calbet, Jm; Visai, L; Vitale-Brovarone, CBari, A; Bloise, Nora; Fiorilli, S; Novajra, G; Vallet Regí, M; Bruni, Giovanna; Torres Pardo, A; González Calbet, Jm; Visai, Livia; Vitale Brovarone, C

3D silicon doped hydroxyapatite scaffolds decorated with Elastin-like Recombinamers for bone regenerative medicine

The current study reports on the manufacturing by rapid prototyping technique of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds based on silicon substituted hydroxyapatite with Elastin-like Recombinamers (ELRs) functionalized surfaces. Silicon doped hydroxyapatite (Si-HA), with Ca10(PO4)5.7(SiO4)0.3(OH)1.7h0.3 nominal formula, was surface functionalized with two different types of polymers designed by genetic engineering: ELR-RGD that contain cell attachment specific sequences and ELR-SNA15/RGD with both hydroxyapatite and cells domains that interact with the inorganic phase and with the cells, respectively. These hybrid materials were subjected to in vitro assays in order to clarify if the ELRs coating improved the well-known biocompatible and bone regeneration properties of calcium phosphates materials. The in vitro tests showed that there was a total and homogeneous colonization of the 3D scaffolds by Bone marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (BMSCs). In addition, the BMSCs were viable and able to proliferate and differentiate into osteoblasts.Peer Reviewe