ABSTRACT
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important regulatory role in the development and progression of tumoral tissue. Its functions and properties are crucial in determining tumor cell behavior such as invasion, migration, and malignancy development. Our study explores the role of collagen type I in cancer development and spread using engineered tumor models like multicellular spheroids grown in collagen-based hydrogels to simulate early tumor formation. We employ microfluidic techniques to test the hypothesis that (i) adding Laponite nanoclay to collagen hydrogels modifies mechanical and rheological properties and (ii) changing the stiffness of the collagen microenvironment affects tumor spheroid growth. Our findings support our theories and suggest the use of ECM components and engineered tumor models in cancer research, offering a biocompatible and biomimetic method to tailor the mechanical properties of conventional collagen hydrogels.
Subject(s)
Collagen , Hydrogels , Hydrogels/pharmacology , Hydrogels/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Collagen/metabolism , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Spheroids, Cellular/metabolism , Tumor MicroenvironmentABSTRACT
Intravitreal injection is the gold standard therapeutic option for posterior segment pathologies, and long-lasting release is necessary to avoid reinjections. There is no effective intravitreal treatment for glaucoma or other optic neuropathies in daily practice, nor is there a non-invasive method to monitor drug levels in the vitreous. Here we show that a glaucoma treatment combining a hypotensive and neuroprotective intravitreal formulation (IF) of brimonidine-Laponite (BRI/LAP) can be monitored non-invasively using vitreoretinal interface imaging captured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) over 24 weeks of follow-up. Qualitative and quantitative characterisation was achieved by analysing the changes in vitreous (VIT) signal intensity, expressed as a ratio of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) intensity. Vitreous hyperreflective aggregates mixed in the vitreous and tended to settle on the retinal surface. Relative intensity and aggregate size progressively decreased over 24 weeks in treated rat eyes as the BRI/LAP IF degraded. VIT/RPE relative intensity and total aggregate area correlated with brimonidine levels measured in the eye. The OCT-derived VIT/RPE relative intensity may be a useful and objective marker for non-invasive monitoring of BRI/LAP IF.
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a novel nanoformulation for sustained-release delivery of dexamethasone (DEX) to the ocular posterior segment using a Laponite (LAP) carrier-DEX/LAP 1:10 w w-1 formulation; 10 mg ml-1. In vivo ocular feasibility and pharmacokinetics after intravitreal (IV) and suprachoroidal (SC) administration in rabbit eyes are compared against IV administration of a DEX solution (1 mg ml-1). Thirty rabbit eyes were injected with the DEX/LAP formulation (15 suprachoroid/15 intravitreous). Ophthalmological signs were monitored at day 1 and at weeks 1-4-12-24 post-administration. Three eyes per sample time point were used to quantify DEX concentration using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ocular tissues' pharmacokinetic parameters (lens, vitreous humour, choroid-retina unit and sclera) were studied. DEX/LAP was well tolerated under both administration methods. Peak intraocular DEX levels from the DEX/LAP were detected in the vitreous humour after both deliveries soon after administration. The vitreous area under the curve was significantly greater after both DEX/LAP deliveries (IV: 205 968.47; SC: 11 442.22 ng g-1 d-1) than after IV administration of the DEX solution (317.17 ng g-1 d-1). Intravitreal DEX/LAP delivery extended higher vitreous DEX levels up to week 24 (466.32 ± 311.15 ng g-1). With SC delivery, DEX levels were detectable in the choroid-retina unit (12.04 ± 20.85 ng g-1) and sclera (25.46 ± 44.09 ng g-1) up to week 24. This study demonstrated the intraocular feasibility of both SC and IV administration of the DEX/LAP formulation. The LAP increased the intraocular retention time of DEX when compared with conventional solutions. DEX/LAP could be considered a biocompatible and useful sustained-release formulation for treating posterior-pole eye diseases.
Subject(s)
Dexamethasone/administration & dosage , Drug Delivery Systems , Silicates/chemistry , Animals , Choroid/chemistry , Choroid/drug effects , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Chromatography, Liquid , Eye/drug effects , Female , Mass Spectrometry , Ophthalmic Solutions/therapeutic use , Rabbits , Retina/drug effects , Vitreous BodyABSTRACT
The mechanisms of the BF3-catalyzed Meinwald rearrangement reactions of five epoxides in dichloromethane solution have been studied at the M062X/6-311++G(2df,2pd) level. Accordingly, the Lewis acid-epoxide complex can react through several alternative pathways, though three phases (ring opening, C-C bond rotation, and hydrogen or alkyl group migration) are required in any path. In some cases, a concerted pathway (involving all three successive phases) is found. Otherwise, the reaction takes place through a reaction mechanism involving a zwitterion or a BF3 addition compound (formed by fluoride transfer from the BF3 moiety to the incipient carbocationic center generated by C-O bond rupture) or both as reaction intermediate(s). The BF2-bound fluorohydrin yields the reaction product through a concerted process involving fluoride transfer from the C-F bond to the OBF2 group and hydrogen or alkyl group migration, as first demonstrated in this work. Effects of a number of features (solvent effects, concurrent hydrogen/alkyl group migration, carbocation substitution, benzylic conjugation) are also discussed.
ABSTRACT
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