Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Geometry-driven immunomodulation in 3D-printed bioceramics: Negative curvature promotes macrophage M2 polarization via Ras-MAPK/HIF-1α signaling for vascularized osteogenesis

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.01.001

Figure Lengend Snippet: Macrophage polarization analysis of Raw264.7 on structures with different gaussian curvature: (A, B) Chord Diagram for qPCR analysis of CCR7, IL6, iNOS-inflammatory and M1 marker genes, and Arg-1, CD206, IL10-M2 related protein genes in different Gaussian curvature groups. (C) Protein content of Arg-1 in different Gaussian curvature groups at 1 and 3 days. (D) Integral plots of the five experimental groups. IL4 group is the positive control for CD206 expression and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group is the negative control.

Article Snippet: The reagents used in the experiment included: H-DMEM(11965118, Gibco, USA.), α-DMEM medium(12571063, Gibco, USA.), TritonX-100(ST1723, Beyotime, China), 4 % paraformaldehyde (BL539A, Biosharp, China),FBS(A5256701, Gibco, USA.),ECM medium (Science Cell, USA.),and DAPI staining solution (C1006, Beyotime, China),BCIP/NBT(C3206, Beyotime, China), reactive oxygen species kit (S0033S, Beyotime, China), BSA (B2064, ≥98 %, Sigma-Aldrich, USA.),CD31 antibody (ab28364, Abcam, USA.), secondary anti-IGg (ab175773, Alexa Fluor® 680, Abcam, USA.), Phalloidin-iFluor 488(ab176753, Abcam, USA.), CCR7(AF5293, Bioss, China), CD206 (bsm-60761R, Bioss, China), iNOS (bs-22924R, Bioss, China), RIPA (P0013, Beyotime, China), p-ERK1/2 (AF3687, Affinity, USA.) and ERK1/2 (#AF0155, Affinity, USA), luminol detection reagent (sc-2048, Santa Cruz, USA.), GAPDH (Cat#KC-5G5, Kangchen Biotechnology, China), Trizol(15596026CN, Invitrogen, USA.), DEPC(R0601, Thermo Scientific, USA.), TBST(R017R.0000, Thermo Scientific, USA.), HIF-1a(GTX127309, GeneTex, USA.), β-Tubulin(10094-1-AP, Proteintech, UK) Adezmapimod (SB 203580, MCE, USA.) medium and Paclitaxel (99.88 %, HY-B0015R, MCE), ELISA Arg-1(E-EL-M3092, ELabSci@, China), TNF-α (E-EL-M3063, ELabSci@, China), OPN(22952-1-AP, Proteintech, UK.), F4/80 (GB11027-100, Servicebio, China) Alkaline phosphatase activity kit (P0321S, Beyotime, China), Matrigel (CLS356234, Corning, USA), Microfill MV120 (Flow tech, USA), EDTA(17892, Thermo Scientific, USA.) xylene(X112051, AR,99 %, Aladdin, China), ethanol (107-21-1, AR,99 %, Aladdin, China).

Techniques: Marker, Positive Control, Expressing, Negative Control

Journal: Neural Regeneration Research

Article Title: Small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells enhance perineurial cell proliferation and migration via the TGF-β/SMAD/HAS2 pathway

doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00127

Figure Lengend Snippet: hfNCSC-sEVs are taken up by PCs in vitro and enhance their proliferation and migration. (A) Primary cultures of hfNCSCs were established from male Sprague–Dawley rats. (B) Immunofluorescence staining of the neural crest cell marker p75 (red) and the stem cell marker nestin (green) in hfNCSCs, with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining indicating the nuclei. (C) Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of surface markers (cluster of differentiation [CD]9, CD81, and tumor susceptibility gene 101 protein [TSG101]) and the absence of an endoplasmic reticulum marker (calnexin) in hfNCSC-sEVs. (D) Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to quantify the concentration and size distribution of hfNCSC-sEVs. (E) Transmission electron microscopy was used to visualize the characteristic morphology of hfNCSC-sEVs. (F) Immunofluorescence staining indicated that the third-generation PCs cultured in vitro were positive for claudin-1, zonula occludens 1 (ZO1), and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) but negative for S100, with DAPI staining marking the nuclei. (G) The internalization of PKH26-labeled hfNCSC-sEVs (red) by ZO1-positive PCs (green) was visualized using immunofluorescence staining, with DAPI staining to mark the nuclei. (H) The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to evaluate the cell viability of PCs across concentrations of 0, 2 × 10 8 , 5 × 10 8 , and 10 × 10 8 particles/mL hfNCSC-sEVs at 3, 5, and 7 days of in vitro culture ( n = 5 per group). (I) The Transwell assay was used to quantify the number of migrating PCs at 6, 12, and 18 hours post-treatment with the aforementioned concentrations of hfNCSC-sEVs, in in vitro culture ( n = 6 per group). (J) Western blot and (K) statistical analyses revealed the relative protein expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vimentin in PCs from the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and hfNCSC-sEVs groups on day 5 of in vitro culture (normalized to β-actin, n = 3 per group). Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 (one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test for H and I; Student’s t -test for K). The data were from at least three separate and independent studies. CCK-8: Cell counting kit-8; GLUT1: glucose transporter 1; hfNCSCs: hair follicle neural crest stem cells; ns: not significant; PCNA: proliferating cell nuclear antigen; PCs: perineurial cells; sEVs: small extracellular vesicles; ZO1: zonula occludens 1.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used: rabbit polyclonal anti-p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) antibody (1:100, Cat# 55014-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-nestin antibody (1:100, Cat# MAB353, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-claudin-1 antibody (1:250, Cat# 13050-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-ZO1 antibody (1:200, Cat# 21773-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) antibody (1:500, Cat# 21829-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit monoclonal anti-S100 antibody (1:800, Cat# MAB353, Abcam), mouse monoclonal anti-neurofilament 200 (NF200) antibody (1:800, Cat# N5389, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody (1:400, Cat# 10458-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-β-tubulin antibody (1:1000, Cat# M20005 , Abmart), and rabbit polyclonal anti-HAS2 antibody (1:200, Cat# DF13702, Affinity).

Techniques: In Vitro, Migration, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Marker, Western Blot, Concentration Assay, Transmission Assay, Electron Microscopy, Cell Culture, Labeling, Cell Counting, Transwell Assay, Expressing, Saline, Comparison, CCK-8 Assay

Journal: Neural Regeneration Research

Article Title: Small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells enhance perineurial cell proliferation and migration via the TGF-β/SMAD/HAS2 pathway

doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00127

Figure Lengend Snippet: hfNCSC-sEVs enhance tube formation and barrier function in PCs and promote tight junction protein expression. (A) Optical micrographs of the tube formation assay and (B) statistical analyses demonstrated the number of junctions and total length of tubes in PCs in both the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and hfNCSC-sEVs groups ( n = 5 per group). (C) Measurements of transmembrane resistance ( n = 3 per group) and (D) cell monolayer permeability assays ( n = 9 per group) indicated the barrier formation ability of PCs in both the PBS and hfNCSC-sEVs groups. (E) Western blot and (F) statistical analyses revealed the relative protein expression levels of the tight junction proteins zonula occludens 1 (ZO1) and claudin-1 in PCs from the PBS and hfNCSC-sEVs groups on day 7 of in vitro culture (normalized to β-actin, n = 3 per group). (G, H) Immunofluorescence staining (G) and statistical analyses (H) showed the integrated optical density (IOD) of ZO1 (green) and the expression of β-tubulin (red) in PCs from the PBS and hfNCSC-sEVs groups on day 7 of in vitro culture ( n = 3 per group). (I) Schematic illustration of the rat sciatic nerve defect model: a 5-mm defect was surgically created in the rat sciatic nerve, which was then bridged using a silicon tube, followed by an orthotopic injection procedure. (J) Immunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of claudin-1 (red) in the proximal end of regenerated tissue in both the PBS and hfNCSC-sEVs groups on day 7 post-operation, with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining indicating the nuclei. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. * P < 0.05, *** P < 0.001 (Student’s t -test for B, C, D, F, and H). The data were from at least three separate and independent studies. hfNCSCs: Hair follicle neural crest stem cells; IOD: integrated optical density; PCs: perineurial cells; sEVs: small extracellular vesicles; ZO1: zonula occludens 1.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used: rabbit polyclonal anti-p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) antibody (1:100, Cat# 55014-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-nestin antibody (1:100, Cat# MAB353, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-claudin-1 antibody (1:250, Cat# 13050-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-ZO1 antibody (1:200, Cat# 21773-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) antibody (1:500, Cat# 21829-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit monoclonal anti-S100 antibody (1:800, Cat# MAB353, Abcam), mouse monoclonal anti-neurofilament 200 (NF200) antibody (1:800, Cat# N5389, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody (1:400, Cat# 10458-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-β-tubulin antibody (1:1000, Cat# M20005 , Abmart), and rabbit polyclonal anti-HAS2 antibody (1:200, Cat# DF13702, Affinity).

Techniques: Expressing, Tube Formation Assay, Saline, Permeability, Western Blot, In Vitro, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Injection

Journal: Neural Regeneration Research

Article Title: Small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells enhance perineurial cell proliferation and migration via the TGF-β/SMAD/HAS2 pathway

doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00127

Figure Lengend Snippet: miR-21-5p in hfNCSC-sEVs augments cell proliferation and migration by enhancing HAS2 expression in PCs. (A, B) Western blot (A) and statistical analyses (B) revealed the relative protein expression levels of HAS2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and vimentin in PCs across the –/–, –/si- Has2 , hfNCSC-sEVs/–, and hfNCSC-sEVs/si- Has2 groups on day 5 of in vitro culture (normalized to β-actin, n = 3 per group). (C, D) The wound healing assay (C) and statistical analysis (D) demonstrated the migration rates of PCs in the aforementioned groups ( n = 3 per group). (E) The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to assess cell viability in PCs across the same groups on day 5 of in vitro culture ( n = 5 per group). (F, G) Western blot (F) and statistical analyses (G) indicated the relative protein expression levels of HAS2, PCNA, and vimentin in PCs treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), hfNCSC-sEVs, or hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor on day 5 of in vitro culture (normalized to β-actin, n = 3 per group). (H–J) Immunofluorescence staining visualized the expression of HAS2 (red) and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU; green) in PCs (H), and statistical analysis revealed the integrated optical density (IOD) of zonula occludens 1 (ZO1; I) and the cell proliferation rates (J) in the PBS, hfNCSC-sEVs, and hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor groups on day 5 of in vitro culture ( n = 3 per group). (K, L) Western blot (K) and statistical analyses (L) showed the relative protein expression levels of HAS2, PCNA, and vimentin in regenerated tissue from the PBS, hfNCSC-sEVs, and hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor groups on day 5 post-operation (normalized to β-tubulin, n = 3 per group). Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 (one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test for B, D, E, G, I, J, and L). The data were from at least three separate and independent studies. CCK-8: Cell counting kit-8; EdU: 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine; HAS2: hyaluronan synthase 2; hfNCSCs: hair follicle neural crest stem cells; IOD: integrated optical density; PCNA: proliferating cell nuclear antigen; PCs: perineurial cells; sEVs: small extracellular vesicles; ZO1: zonula occludens 1.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used: rabbit polyclonal anti-p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) antibody (1:100, Cat# 55014-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-nestin antibody (1:100, Cat# MAB353, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-claudin-1 antibody (1:250, Cat# 13050-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-ZO1 antibody (1:200, Cat# 21773-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) antibody (1:500, Cat# 21829-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit monoclonal anti-S100 antibody (1:800, Cat# MAB353, Abcam), mouse monoclonal anti-neurofilament 200 (NF200) antibody (1:800, Cat# N5389, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody (1:400, Cat# 10458-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-β-tubulin antibody (1:1000, Cat# M20005 , Abmart), and rabbit polyclonal anti-HAS2 antibody (1:200, Cat# DF13702, Affinity).

Techniques: Migration, Expressing, Western Blot, In Vitro, Wound Healing Assay, Cell Counting, Saline, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Comparison, CCK-8 Assay

Journal: Neural Regeneration Research

Article Title: Small extracellular vesicles derived from hair follicle neural crest stem cells enhance perineurial cell proliferation and migration via the TGF-β/SMAD/HAS2 pathway

doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00127

Figure Lengend Snippet: miR-21-5p in hfNCSC-sEVs enhances tight junction protein expression in PCs. (A, B) Immunofluorescence staining (A) and statistical analysis (B) demonstrated IOD of ZO1 (green) and the expression of β-tubulin (red) in PCs across the PBS, hfNCSC-sEVs, and hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor groups on day 7 of in vitro culture ( n = 3 per group). (C) Western blot and (D) statistical analyses revealed the relative protein expression levels of the tight junction proteins ZO1 and claudin-1 in PCs from the PBS, hfNCSC-sEVs, and hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor groups on day 7 of in vitro culture (normalized to β-actin, n = 3 per group). (E) Immunofluorescence staining depicted the expression of claudin-1 (red) at the proximal end of regenerated tissue in the PBS, hfNCSC-sEVs, and hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor groups on day 7 post-operation, with DAPI staining highlighting the nuclei. (F, G) Western blot (F) and statistical analyses (G) indicated the relative protein expression levels of ZO1 and claudin-1 in regenerated tissue across the PBS, hfNCSC-sEVs, and hfNCSC-sEVs + miR-21-5p inhibitor groups on day 7 post-operation (normalized to β-actin, n = 3 per group). Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 (one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test for B, D, and G). The data were from at least three separate and independent studies. DAPI: 4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole; hfNCSCs: hair follicle neural crest stem cells; IOD: integrated optical density; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PCs: perineurial cells; sEVs: small extracellular vesicles; ZO1: zonula occludens 1.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used: rabbit polyclonal anti-p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) antibody (1:100, Cat# 55014-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-nestin antibody (1:100, Cat# MAB353, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-claudin-1 antibody (1:250, Cat# 13050-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-ZO1 antibody (1:200, Cat# 21773-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit polyclonal anti-glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) antibody (1:500, Cat# 21829-1-AP, Proteintech), rabbit monoclonal anti-S100 antibody (1:800, Cat# MAB353, Abcam), mouse monoclonal anti-neurofilament 200 (NF200) antibody (1:800, Cat# N5389, Sigma), rabbit polyclonal anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody (1:400, Cat# 10458-1-AP, Proteintech), mouse monoclonal anti-β-tubulin antibody (1:1000, Cat# M20005 , Abmart), and rabbit polyclonal anti-HAS2 antibody (1:200, Cat# DF13702, Affinity).

Techniques: Expressing, Immunofluorescence, Staining, In Vitro, Western Blot, Comparison, Saline

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A promising magnesium-related alloy with metabolic reprogramming and antitumor effects in hepatocellular and pancreatic cancer

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.12.039

Figure Lengend Snippet: Mg and Al-Mg Inhibit Migration and Invasion of Hepatocellular and Pancreatic Cancer Cells In Vitro . (A) Schematic diagram of scratch assays with tumor cells treated by Mg rods and Al-Mg rods. (B) Scratch assays showing reduced migration abilities of hepatocellular cancer cells (Huh7, PLC/PRF/5) and pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1, Capan-2) after Mg and Al-Mg treatments. (C) Schematic diagram of Transwell assays with tumor cells treated by Mg rods and Al-Mg rods. (D) Transwell migration assays demonstrating decreased migration of hepatocellular cancer cells (Huh7, PLC/PRF/5) and pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1, Capan-2) following Mg and Al-Mg treatments. (E) Transwell invasion assays showing reduced invasion capabilities of hepatocellular cancer cells (Huh7, PLC/PRF/5) and pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1, Capan-2) after Mg and Al-Mg treatments. (F) Immunofluorescence analysis showing decreased N-cadherin expression in PANC-1 and Huh7 cells after Mg and Al-Mg treatments. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: Subsequently, diluted primary antibody N-cadherin (1:500, Proteintech, 22018-1-AP) was added, and cells were incubated overnight at 4 °C.

Techniques: Migration, In Vitro, Immunofluorescence, Expressing

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Ultrasound-responsive CPS piezoelectric hydrogel synergistically repairs annulus fibrosus defects through immune reprogramming and cell recruitment

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102825

Figure Lengend Snippet: Assessment of the anti-inflammatory capacity of CPS gel in vitro . A Schematic of the co-culture of hydrogel with RAW 264.7. B Quantification of the relative fluorescence intensity of TNF-α. C Quantification of the relative fluorescence intensity of IL-1β. D Immunofluorescence image of TNF-α expression in RAW 264.7 (Scale bar = 50 μm). E Immunofluorescence image of IL-1β expression in RAW 264.7 (Scale bar = 50 μm). F-H The protein expression level of TNF-α and IL-1β was evaluated by WB and quantified by ImageJ. Data are mean ± SD (n = 3). ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Staining was performed using IL-1β (Bioss, BS-0812R) and TNF-α (Santa, SC-52746) probes, and the staining was observed under a fluorescent inverted microscope.

Techniques: In Vitro, Co-Culture Assay, Fluorescence, Immunofluorescence, Expressing

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Ultrasound-responsive CPS piezoelectric hydrogel synergistically repairs annulus fibrosus defects through immune reprogramming and cell recruitment

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102825

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo study of CPS gel for AF repair. A H&E, S&O staining sections of rat IVD at 4W and 8W post-operation (scale bar = 1 mm). B Col-1, IL-1β IHC staining sections of rat IVD at 4W and 8W post-operation (Scale bar = 50 μm). C Postoperative 4W Col-1 quantitative analysis. D Postoperative 8W Col-1 quantitative analysis. E. Postoperative 4W IL-1β quantitative analysis. F Postoperative 8W IL-1β quantitative analysis. Data are mean ± SD (n = 3). ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Staining was performed using IL-1β (Bioss, BS-0812R) and TNF-α (Santa, SC-52746) probes, and the staining was observed under a fluorescent inverted microscope.

Techniques: In Vivo, Staining, Immunohistochemistry