ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5758-4412
Current Organisation
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-09-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-017-11253-6
Abstract: Magnetotherapy has been receiving increased attention as an attractive strategy for modulating cell physiology directly at the site of injury, thereby providing the medical community with a safe and non-invasive therapy. Yet, how magnetic field influences tendon cells both at the cellular and molecular levels remains unclear. Thus, the influence of a low-frequency static magnetic field (2 Hz, 350 mT) on human tendon-derived cells was studied using different exposure times (4 and 8 h short-term studies) and different regimens of exposure to an 8h-period of magnetic stimulation (continuous, every 24 h or every 48 h long-term studies). Herein, 8 h stimulation in short-term studies significantly upregulated the expression of tendon-associated genes SCX , C OL1A1 , TNC and DCN ( p 0.05) and altered intracellular Ca 2+ levels ( p 0.05). Additionally, every 24 h regimen of stimulation significantly upregulated COL1A1 , COL3A1 and TNC at day 14 in comparison to control (p 0.05), whereas continuous exposure differentially regulated the release of the immunomodulatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-10 (p 0.001) but only at day 7 in comparison to controls. Altogether, these results provide new insights on how low-frequency static magnetic field fine-tune the behaviour of tendon cells according to the magnetic settings used, which we foresee to represent an interesting candidate to guide tendon regeneration.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACTBIO.2018.01.006
Abstract: Platelet-derived biomaterials are widely explored as cost-effective sources of therapeutic factors, holding a strong potential for endogenous regenerative medicine. Particularly for tendon repair, treatment approaches that shift the injury environment are explored to accelerate tendon regeneration. Herein, genipin-crosslinked platelet lysate (PL) patches are proposed for the delivery of human-derived therapeutic factors in patch augmentation strategies aiming at tendon repair. Developed PL patches exhibited a controlled release profile of PL proteins, including bFGF and PDGF-BB. Additionally, PL patches exhibited an antibacterial effect by preventing the adhesion, proliferation and biofilm formation by S. aureus, a common pathogen in orthopaedic surgical site infections. Furthermore, these patches supported the activity of human tendon-derived cells (hTDCs). Cells were able to proliferate over time and an up-regulation of tenogenic genes (SCX, COL1A1 and TNC) was observed, suggesting that PL patches may modify the behavior of hTDCs. Accordingly, hTDCs deposited tendon-related extracellular matrix proteins, namely collagen type I and tenascin C. In summary, PL patches can act as a reservoir of biomolecules derived from PL and support the activity of native tendon cells, being proposed as bioinstructive patches for tendon regeneration. Platelet-derived biomaterials hold great interest for the delivery of therapeutic factors for applications in endogenous regenerative medicine. In the particular case of tendon repair, patch augmentation strategies aiming at shifting the injury environment are explored to improve tendon regeneration. In this study, PL patches were developed with remarkable features, including the controlled release of growth factors and antibacterial efficacy. Remarkably, PL patches supported the activity of native tendon cells by up-regulating tenogenic genes and enabling the deposition of ECM proteins. This patch holds great potential towards simultaneously reducing post-implantation surgical site infections and promoting tendon regeneration for prospective in vivo applications.
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 15-06-2018
Abstract: Gravity influences physical and biological processes, especially during development and homeostasis of several tissues in the human body. Studies under altered gravity have been receiving great attention toward a better understanding of microgravity-, hypogravity ( 1 g)-induced alterations. In this work, the influence of simulated hypergravity over human tendon-derived cells (hTDCs) was studied at 5, 10, 15, and 20 g for 4 or 16 h, using a large diameter centrifuge. Main results showed that 16 h of simulated hypergravity limited cell proliferation. Cell area was higher in hTDCs cultured at 5, 10, and 15 g for 16 h, in comparison to 1 g control. Actin filaments were more pronounced in hTDCs cultured at 5 and 10 g for 16 h. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was mainly expressed in focal adhesion sites upon hypergravity stimulation, in comparison to perinuclear localization in control cells after 16 h and FAK number/cell increased with increasing g-levels. A tendency toward an upregulation of tenogenic markers was observed scleraxis (SCX), tenascin C (TNC), collagen type III (COL3A1), and decorin (DCN) were significantly upregulated in hTDCs cultured at 15 g and COL3A1 and DCN were significantly upregulated in hTDCs cultured at 20 g. Overall, simulated hypergravity affected the behavior of hTDCs, with more pronounced effects in the long-term period (16 h) of stimulation.
Publisher: Future Medicine Ltd
Date: 05-2016
Abstract: Aim: To expand our understanding on the effect of magnetically actuated biomaterials in stem cells, inflammation and fibrous tissue growth. Materials & methods: Magnetic biomaterials were obtained by doping iron oxide particles into starch poly-ϵ-caprolactone (SPCL) to create two formulations, magSPCL-1.8 and 3.6. Stem cell behavior was assessed in vitro and the inflammatory response, subcutaneously in Wistar rats. Results: Metabolic activity and proliferation increased significantly overtime in SPCL and magSPCL-1.8. Electromagnetic fields attenuated the presence of mast cells and macrophages in tissues surrounding SPCL and magSPCL-1.8, between weeks 1 and 9. Macrophage reduction was more pronounced for magSPCL-1.8, which could explain why this material prevented growth of fibrous tissue overtime. Conclusion: Magnetically actuated biomaterials have potential to modulate inflammation and the growth of fibrous tissue.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-05-2018
DOI: 10.1002/JCP.26637
Abstract: Tendons are mechanosensitive tissues that connect and transmit the forces generated by muscles to bones by allowing the conversion of mechanical input into biochemical signals. These physical forces perform the fundamental work of preserving tendon homeostasis assuring body movements. However, overloading causes tissue injuries, which leads us to the field of tendon regeneration. Recently published reviews have broadly shown the use of biomaterials and different strategies to attain tendon regeneration. In this review, our focus is the use of magnetic fields as an alternative therapy, which has demonstrated clinical relevance in tendon medicine because of their ability to modulate cell fate. Yet the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms still need to be elucidated. While providing a brief outlook about specific signalling pathways and intracellular messengers as framework in play by tendon cells, application of magnetic fields as a subcategory of physical forces is explored, opening up a compelling avenue to enhance tendon regeneration. We outline here useful insights on the effects of magnetic fields both at in vitro and in vivo levels, particularly on the expression of tendon genes and inflammatory cytokines, ultimately involved in tendon regeneration. Subsequently, the potential of using magnetically responsive biomaterials in tendon tissue engineering is highlighted and future directions in magnetotherapy are discussed.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1039/C7TB02035J
Abstract: Magnetic biomaterials are a key focus in medical research.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1039/D0SM00876A
Abstract: Starch-based layer-by-layer (LbL) nanofilms are formed and enzymatically degraded on in idual Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a highly cytocompatible fashion. Their enzymatic degradation by α-amylase is also exploited for the controlled release of DNA.
Start Date: 2017
End Date: 2020
Funder: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2020
End Date: 2022
Funder: “la Caixa” Foundation call, CaixaImpulse Consolidate 2020
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 2016
End Date: 2016
Funder: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
View Funded Activity