applsci-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Nanomaterials for Cell Signaling and Proliferation/Differentiation

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 5701

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Aquatic Research Network (ARNET) Associate Laboratory, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
2. Institute of Science and Innovation for Sustainability (IB-S), Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: controlled delivery system; liposomes; antioxidants; anti-inflammatory; sustainable production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: nanoparticles; self-assembly particles; recombinant proteins; functional materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the increasing knowledge on the molecules responsible for not only cell proliferation and differentiation, but also for cell signaling in general, it has become plausible to identify potential therapeutic targets. Cytokines and hormones have an important role in the treatment of specific pathologies, while cell adhesion motifs (CAM) are being used in several materials in order to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, or even differentiation. While the exploitation of both natural and recombinant versions of these molecules is appealing, problems regarding their stability and toxicity need to be overcome.

Nanomaterials of different sources are a viable alternative to effectively deliver these compounds, maintaining these active molecules, protecting them from degradation until their target is reached. Several biomolecules and elements can be used to produce nanocarriers such as polysaccharides, polypeptides, lipids, or metals.

The aim of this Special Issue is to attract leading researchers in the areas of nanoparticles and nanomaterials for the delivery of biomedical-relevant molecules that will promote different types of cell signaling, proliferation, or differentiation. Researchers are welcome to submit contributions addressing a specific therapeutic problem, as well as work reporting on the creation of materials that promote cell proliferation or differentiation.

Prof. Dr. Andreia Gomes
Dr. André da Costa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Cytokines
  • Hormones
  • Cell adhesion molecules
  • Matrix adhesion domains
  • Nanocarriers
  • Liposomes
  • Inorganic particles
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Dendrimers
  • Polymeric particles

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

14 pages, 1236 KiB  
Review
Nanotechnology Solutions for Controlled Cytokine Delivery: An Applied Perspective
by Anabela Gonçalves, Raul Machado, Andreia C. Gomes and André da Costa
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(20), 7098; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207098 - 13 Oct 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2887
Abstract
Around 200 cytokines with roles in cell signaling have been identified and studied, with the vast majority belonging to the four-α-helix bundle family. These proteins exert their function by binding to specific receptors and are implicated in many diseases. The use of several [...] Read more.
Around 200 cytokines with roles in cell signaling have been identified and studied, with the vast majority belonging to the four-α-helix bundle family. These proteins exert their function by binding to specific receptors and are implicated in many diseases. The use of several cytokines as therapeutic targets has been approved by the FDA, however their rapid clearance in vivo still greatly limits their efficacy. Nano-based drug delivery systems have been widely applied in nanomedicine to develop safe, specific and controlled delivery techniques. Nevertheless, each nanomaterial has its own specifications and their suitability towards the biochemical and biophysical properties of the selected drug needs to be determined, weighing in the final choice of the ideal nano drug delivery system. Nanoparticles remain the most used vehicle for cytokine delivery, where polymeric carriers represent the vast majority of the studied systems. Liposomes and gold or silica nanoparticles are also explored and discussed in this review. Additionally, surface functionalization is of great importance to facilitate the attachment of a wide variety of molecules and modify features such as bioavailability. Since the monitoring of cytokine levels has an important role in early clinical diagnosis and for assessing therapeutic efficacy, nanotechnological advances are also valuable for nanosensor development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Cell Signaling and Proliferation/Differentiation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 433 KiB  
Review
Hydroxyapatite Particles—Directing the Cellular Activity in Bone Regeneration Processes: An Up-To-Date Review
by Denisa Alexandra Florea, Cristina Chircov and Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(10), 3483; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10103483 - 18 May 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2516
Abstract
Tissue engineering has evolved quickly over the years and provided three generations of scaffolds for bone tissue applications. Numerous materials have been used to induce the desired effect at cellular levels. Mechano-transduction is a phenomenon which is now gaining the attention and focus [...] Read more.
Tissue engineering has evolved quickly over the years and provided three generations of scaffolds for bone tissue applications. Numerous materials have been used to induce the desired effect at cellular levels. Mechano-transduction is a phenomenon which is now gaining the attention and focus of tissue engineering researchers. The idea of controlling the cellular fate and inducing a proper response of the human body in contact with different tissue-engineered systems is now under investigation. Moreover, in order to avoid the appearance of on-site infections and the need for a second surgery, scaffolds with dual functionality are now being developed. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is an intensively studied material in this field and various combinations are under examination for the development of such scaffolds. Various techniques were exploited over the years for HA scaffold production, in order to obtain the most accurate matrix which can mimic the native bone tissue and restore its function. Biomimetic scaffolds aim to direct the cellular fate by imitating the natural structure of the bone tissue in terms of porosity, topography, composition, and surface properties. HA particles are exploited in bone tissue engineering in many forms, such as pure or composite scaffolds or reinforcement agents. In this regard, the aim of this review is to offer a current state of art about the use and synthesis of hydroxyapatite particles and their interaction with the physiological media under certain circumstances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Cell Signaling and Proliferation/Differentiation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop