No abstract

Nanoassemblies were developed from the natural polyphenol chlorogenic acid (CGA) to create targeted drug delivery vehicles for the antitumor drug Topotecan. To specifically target tumor cells, we functionalized the formed assemblies with a tumor targeting peptide. Release profiles showed an initial burst release followed by sustained release up to 140 minutes for the fibrillar assemblies. Nanovesicles released the drug slower. Cell proliferation studies indicated that while chondrocytes continued to grow, tumor cells showed blebbing and their proliferation was significantly reduced in the presence of the drug loaded assemblies. Thus, we have developed new nanoassemblies for selective targeting of tumor cells.

No abstract

We have developed a new biomimetic scaffold for potential applications in tendon tissue engineering (TE). The scaffold template was synthesised by conjugating polygalacturonic acid with the dipeptide leucyl-leucine to mimic the leucine rich proteoglycans found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tenocytes. To the template, type I collagen and an elastin derived peptide were incorporated in order to form the final PG-Leu-Leu-Col-El scaffold. Results indicated the formation of gelatinous, fibrous scaffolds. DSC analysis showed phase changes that included crystallisation and thermal melting due to re-organisation of the scaffold components. Young's modulus was determined to be 832 2 MPa. Rheology studies showed that the scaffold maintained a constant G / G ratio over a wide range of angular frequency. Cell studies with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) indicated that the scaffolds promoted cell proliferation and formed three dimensional cell-scaffold matrices. This newly developed scaffold may open new opportunities for tissue engineering applications.

We have developed a new biomimetic scaffold for potential applications in tendon tissue engineering (TE). The scaffold template was synthesised by conjugating polygalacturonic acid with the dipeptide leucyl-leucine to mimic the leucine rich proteoglycans found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tenocytes. To the template, type I collagen and an elastin derived peptide were incorporated in order to form the final PG-Leu-Leu-Col-El scaffold. Results indicated the formation of gelatinous, fibrous scaffolds. DSC analysis showed phase changes that included crystallisation and thermal melting due to re-organisation of the scaffold components. Young's modulus was determined to be 832 2 MPa. Rheology studies showed that the scaffold maintained a constant G / G ratio over a wide range of angular frequency. Cell studies with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) indicated that the scaffolds promoted cell proliferation and formed three dimensional cell-scaffold matrices. This newly developed scaffold may open new opportunities for tissue engineering applications.