Raghav Soni

The plasticity of blood mononuclear cells (MCs) and their role in vascular remodeling have been the focus of many studies; however, their in vitro differentiation efficiency remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that the inflammatory response accelerates the efficiency of MCs differentiation into endothelial-like cells through chemical cues in vitro . RT-PCR and RNA sequencing revealed that the differentiated cells exhibited upregulated pathways associated with vascular remodeling and regeneration. In contrast, MCs collected from normal blood showed a differentiation bias toward macrophages. Notably, under inflammatory conditions, primarily monocytes transitioned into the CD14++/CD16+/CD163+ subset, which contributed significantly to vascular remodeling. This transition was triggered by inflammation, as confirmed by in vitro cytokine treatment.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a widely used material in diverse medical devices, particularly in the cardiovascular system, owing to its chemical stability and suitable mechanical properties. However, the chemical inertness makes surface modification difficult. In the present study, modification of ePTFE with a peptide was successfully achieved based on a unique photoreaction technique. We previously screened the hemocompatible peptide (HCP), histidine-glycine-glycine-valine-arginine-leucine-tyrosine (HGGVRLY), with high endothelial affinity and antiplatelet ability as modifying molecules. We synthesized a photoreactive peptide by combining a phenylazide group with the HCP, which was subsequently immobilized on the ePTFE surface through a short UV exposure time after argon plasma (Ar) treatment. Cross-sectional images of the surface modified with fluorescent-labeled photoreactive HCP showed efficient modification even within the pores of ePTFE. In vitro assessment revealed that modification improved the endothelial affinity of ePTFE approximately 5-fold while preventing platelet adhesion and aggregation. The ePTFE grafts were further implanted into an in situ porcine closed-circuit system for the blood contact assessment. Comparative investigations with untreated ePTFE grafts indicated that the modified ePTFE surface attracted more cells positive for CD14, CD16, CD34, and macrophage markers while concurrently exhibiting reduced platelet adhesion. In conclusion, photoreactive HCP proved to be a simple and effective strategy for modifying the ePTFE surface, resulting in enhanced hemocompatibility characterized by increased endothelial and monocyte recruitment as well as antiplatelet attachment on the modified ePTFE graft surface.

3D printing of a complex and irregular virtual defect using SiO ₂ nanoparticle and hydrogel composite ink for patient specific defect fabrication.

Sodium alginate/gelatin hydrogels are promising materials for 3D bio-printing due to its good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Gelatin is used for thermal crosslinking and its cell adhesion properties. Hence patient specific sodium alginate/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds can be bio-fabricated in a temperature range of 4-14 oC. In this study we made an attempt to introduce silica (SiO2) nanoparticles in the polymer network of sodium alginate (2.5%)/gelatin (8%) hydrogel at different concentrations (w/v) as 0%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%. The effect of silica nanoparticles on viscosity, swelling behavior, and degradation rate are analyzed. Hydrogels with 5% silica nanoparticles show significantly less swelling and degradation when compared to other concentrations. The viscosity of the hydrogels gradually increases up to 5% addition of silica nanoparticles enhancing the stability of 3D printed structures.