A5082511224- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Cell Adhesion Molecules Research
- Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
- Protease and Inhibitor Mechanisms
- Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
- Periodontal Regeneration and Treatments
- Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms
- Collagen: Extraction and Characterization
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Tendon Structure and Treatment
- Barrier Structure and Function Studies
- S100 Proteins and Annexins
- Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation
- Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Cancer Cells and Metastasis
- Connective tissue disorders research
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research
University of Glasgow
2016-2025
Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia
2012-2024
Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology
2024
University of York
2023
Glasgow Life
2017
Universitat Politècnica de València
2011-2013
Politecnico di Milano
2008-2013
Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine
2012
Cell response to matrix rigidity has been explained by the mechanical properties of actin-talin-integrin-fibronectin clutch. Here molecular clutch model is extended account for cell interactions with purely viscous surfaces (i.e., without an elastic component). Supported lipid bilayers present idealized and controllable system through which study this concept. Using lipids different diffusion coefficients, mobility surface viscosity) presented ligands (in case RGD) was altered order...
Surface nanotopography is widely employed to control cell behavior and in particular controlled disorder has been shown be important differentiation/maturation. However, extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin (FN), initially adsorbed on a biomaterial surface are known mediate the interaction of synthetic materials with cells. In this work, we examine effect through layer adhesive proteins using nanostructured polycarbonate comprising 150 nm-diameter pits originally defined...
Researchers develop a simple technique to enhance the activity of growth factors during tissue healing.
Rationale: Despite increasing understanding of the prognostic importance vascular stiffening linked to perivascular fibrosis in hypertension, molecular and cellular regulation this process is poorly understood. Objectives: To study functional role microRNA-214 (miR-214) induction endothelial dysfunction driving stiffening. Methods Results: Out 381 miRs screened tissues response Ang II (angiotensin II)-mediated miR-214 showed highest (8-fold, P =0.0001). MiR-214 was pronounced circulating T...
Abstract While new biomaterials for regenerative therapies are being reported in the literature, clinical translation is slow. Some existing approaches rely on high doses of growth factors, such as bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) regeneration, which can cause serious side effects. An ultralow‐dose factor technology described yielding bioactivity based a simple polymer, poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), and mechanisms to drive stem cell differentiation regeneration critical‐sized murine defect...
Bone marrow and adipose tissue human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded in highly performing 3D gelatin–chitosan hybrid hydrogels of varying chitosan content the presence platelet lysate evaluated for their proliferation osteogenic differentiation. Both bone hydrogel 1 (chitosan 8.1%) or 2 14.9%) showed high levels viability (80%–90%), differentiation was significantly higher with compared to fetal bovine serum, particularly 1. Mineralization detected early, after 21 days culture, when used...
We have engineered polymer-based microenvironments that promote vasculogenesis both in vitro and vivo through synergistic integrin-growth factor receptor signalling. Poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) triggers spontaneous organization of fibronectin (FN) into nanonetworks which provide availability critical binding domains. Importantly, the growth (FNIII12-14) integrin (FNIII9-10) regions are simultaneously available on FN fibrils assembled PEA. This material platform promotes integrin/VEGF...
The design of hydrogels as mimetics tissues' matrices typically disregards the viscous nature native tissues and focuses only on their elastic properties. In case stem cell chondrogenesis, this has led to contradictory results, likely due unreported changes in matrices' modulus. Here, by employing isoelastic with Young's modulus ≈12 kPa, variations properties alone (i.e., loss tangent between 0.1 0.25) are demonstrated be sufficient drive efficient growth factor-free chondrogenesis human...
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) interact with their surroundings via integrins, which link to the actin cytoskeleton and translate physical cues into biochemical signals through mechanotransduction. N-cadherins enable cell-cell communication are also linked cytoskeleton. This crosstalk between integrins cadherins modulates MSC mechanotransduction fate. Here we show role of this in mechanosensing viscosity using supported lipid bilayers as substrates varying viscosity. We functionalize these...
Here we report on the development of a new type hybrid fibrinogen–polylactic acid (FBG–PLA) nanofibres (NFs) with improved stiffness, combining good mechanical properties PLA excellent cell recognition native FBG. We were particularly interested in dorsal and ventral response to nanofibres' organization (random or aligned), using human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) as model system. Upon contact random NFs, developed stellate-like morphology multiple projections. The well-developed...
Abstract The blood–brain barrier (BBB) tightly regulates substance transport between the bloodstream and brain. Models for study of physiological processes affecting BBB, as well predicting permeability therapeutic substances neurological neurovascular pathologies, are highly desirable. Existing models, such Transwell utilizing‐models, do not mimic extracellular environment BBB with their stiff, semipermeable, non‐biodegradable membranes. To help overcome this, we engineered electrospun...
We present a detailed characterization of fibronectin (FN) adsorption and cell adhesion on poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) poly(methyl (PMA), two polymers with very similar physicochemical properties chemical structure, which differ in one single methyl group the lateral chain polymer. The globular solution conformation FN was retained following onto PMA, whereas spontaneous organization into protein (nano) networks occurred PEA. This distinct distribution at material interface promoted different...
Abstract Extracellular matrix (ECM) viscoelasticity has emerged as a potent regulator of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer progression. Spatial confinement within the ECM is also known to influence cell behavior in these contexts. However, interplay between spatial driving epithelial mechanotransduction not well understood, it relies on experiments employing purely elastic hydrogels. This work presents an innovative approach fabricate micropattern viscoelastic...
Plasma polymerization was used to produce novel nanometric coatings able direct fibronectin adsorption and cell response. Using ethyl acrylate as a monomer, we obtain whose chemical composition maintains some of the characteristic functionalities photo-initiated polymer, while water contact angle increases monotonically with duration plasma discharge. Enhanced surface mobility polymer chains due decrease thickness coating justifies this increase in wettability at lower treatment times. The...
Cells, by interacting with surfaces indirectly through a layer of extracellular matrix proteins, can respond to variety physical properties, such as topography or stiffness. Polymer surface mobility is another property that less well understood but has been indicated hold the potential modulate cell behavior. related glass-transition temperature (Tg) system, point at which polymer transitions from an amorphous solid more liquid-like state. This work shows changes in translate interfacial...
Silanization has emerged in recent years as a way to obtain stronger and more stable attachment of biomolecules metallic substrates. However, its impact on protein conformation, key aspect that influences cell response, hardly been studied. In this work, we analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) the distribution conformation type I collagen plasma-treated surfaces before after silanization. Subsequently, investigated effect different conformations fibroblasts adhesion fibronectin...
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are key mediators of cell/material interactions. The surface density and conformation these adsorbed on the material influence cell adhesion cellular response. We have previously shown that subtle variations in chemistry lead to drastic changes fibronectin (FN). On poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), FN unfolds displays domains for FN-FN interaction, whereas poly(methyl (PMA) - with only one methyl group less remains globular as it is solution. effect strength...
Cell migration depends on the physical state of fibronectin, fibrillar<italic>vs.</italic>globular, which can be controlled by engineering biomaterials.
Abstract In recent years, matrix viscoelasticity has emerged as a potent regulator of fundamental cellular processes and been implicated in promoting cancer progression. Alongside viscoelasticity, additional ECM cues have shown to influence migration decision-making cells, spatial confinement is now considered potential metastasis. However, our understanding these complex predominantly relies on purely elastic hydrogels, the exact relationship between driving epithelial cell...
Genetic variants in COL4A1 and COL4A2 (encoding collagen IV alpha chain 1/2) occur genetic sporadic forms of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), a leading cause stroke, dementia intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the molecular mechanisms CSVD with ICH COL4A1/COL4A2 remain obscure. Vascular function investigations mice Col4a1 missense mutation heterozygous Col4a2 knock-out were combined analysis human brain endothelial cells harboring mutations, tissue patients ICH. mutations...