Biogenic Carbon Quantum Dots as a Neoteric Inducer in the Game of Directing Chondrogenesis

Abstract

The journey into the field of stem cell biology has been an endeavor of paramount advancement in biomedicine, establishing new horizons in the avenue of materiobiology. The creative drive of the scientific community focuses on ameliorating the utilization of stem cells, which is currently untapped on a large scale. With similar motivation, we present a nascent strategy of maneuvering biogenic carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to eclipse the toxic hurdles of chemical synthesis of carbon allotropes to serve as a biocompatible trident in stem cell biology employing a three-prong action of stem cell differentiation, imaging, and migration. The derivation of CQDs from garlic peels as a biogenic precursor abets in realizing the optophysical features of CQDs to image mesenchymal stem cells without hampering the biological systems with cytotoxicity. We report the versatility of biogenic CQDs to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to robustly influence stem cell migration and concomitantly chondrocyte differentiation from human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs). This was orchestrated without the use of chondrogenic induction factors, which was confirmed from the expression of chondrogenic markers (Col II, Col X, ACAN). Even the collagen content of cells incubated with CQDs was quite comparable with that of chondrocyte-induced cells. Thus, we empirically propose garlic peel-derived CQDs as a tangible advancement in stem cell biology from a materiobiological frame of reference to hone significant development in this arena.

Injectable organo-hydrogels influenced by click chemistry as a paramount stratagem in the conveyor belt of pharmaceutical revolution

“…Consequently, the strategy of hydrogel preparation modifies the innate characteristics of hydrogels, which thereby influences their clinical applicability in drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, cancer therapy, gene delivery, wound dressing/healing and so on. 3–22 Along these lines, physically engineered organo-hydrogels are developed by reversible physical interactions and their solubility can be tuned according to ambient conditions. 4 Contrastingly, chemically prepared gels are more stable in physiological environments due to covalent bonds formed by means of chemical reactions, such as Schiff base reactions, click chemistry, enzyme-mediation, Diels–Alder reactions, thiol exchange/disulfide crosslinking, and Michael-type addition.…”

Carbon quantum dots in bioimaging and biomedicines

“…Stem cell biology is a significant advancement in biomedicine, with researchers exploring the use of untapped stem cells. Mukherjee et al propose a strategy using biogenic carbon quantum dots (CQDs) out of garlic peels as a biogenic precursor ( Figure 10 ) ( Majood et al, 2023 ). These CQDs can image mesenchymal stem cells without cytotoxicity and can form reactive oxygen species (ROS) to influence stem cell migration and chondrocyte differentiation without chondrogenic induction factors.…”

“… CQDs as a biogenic precursor for stem cell biology, demonstrating their ability to mesenchymal stem cell imaging without cytotoxicity and generate reactive oxygen species. Reprinted (adapted) with permission from Majood et al, 2023 (ACS Appl. Mater.…”