Biology subjects

Pezzotti, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Pezzotti, G..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Silicon Nitride Induces Osteoconduction Via Activated Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation and Neovascularization

Silicon nitride (Si3N4: SiN) is a thermodynamically stable ceramic material with excellent mechanical properties, and wear and corrosion resistance for industrial applications. SiN has been proposed for orthopedic and dental implant applications owing to its enhanced osteoconduction. However, the biological mechanisms underlying SiN-induced bone formation have not been fully elucidated. In this study, SiN significantly increased in vitro mineralization of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) and in vivo peri-implant bone volume in mouse femurs compared to conventionally used titanium (Ti) implants. RNA sequencing of BM-MSC cultured on SiN disks revealed that functional gene clusters associated with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation were significantly elevated. SiN in an aqueous solution has been shown to release ammonium/ammonia, which may provide a source for glutamine-dependent energy production, and BM-MSC upregulated the expression of a key enzyme, glutamate-ammonia ligase under osteogenic conditions. Additionally, SiN increased the expression of functional gene clusters involved in vascular formation. The upregulation of HIF1a in vitro and increased VEGFR3-positive blanching vascular structures in vivo implied that SiN induced neovascularization. This study revealed an important mechanism through which SiN stimulated osteoconduction by unique glutamine-driven mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and established oxygen and nutrient supply by neovascularization, leading to stable osseointegration.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Lignin isolated by microwave-assisted acid-catalyzed solvolysis induced cell death on mammalian tumor cells by modulating apoptotic pathways

Lignin, the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer, has been shown to suppress the growth of mammalian tumor cells. Despite being a textbook example, there is little information on the biological activity of lignin in relation to its molecular structure or the molecular mechanisms by which lignin suppresses tumor cells in mammalian species. Here, we prepared Microwave-assisted Acid-catalyzed Solvolysis Lignin (MASL) and assessed its effects on human and mouse tumor cells. Our data showed MASL significantly reduced viability of tumor cells by modulating apoptotic pathways. MASL treatment upregulated TNF-, Fas, and FasL expression levels, while suppressing anti-apoptotic NF-{kappa}B and mTOR pathways in tumor cells. In-vivo experiments were also performed using tumor-bearing mice to confirm the anti-tumor effects of MASL. An administration of MASL significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice in association with elevation of caspase 3 expression. These findings strongly suggest the potential usefulness of low molecular weight lignin as an effective therapeutic against malignancies.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Antibacterial 3D-printed PMMA/ceramic composites

Following the rising interested on 3D-printed technologies, this research explores the possibility to use stereo-lithography to 3D print PMMA resins reinforced with up to 15% in weight of antibacterial ceramic powders. Three different reinforcements were tested, following previous literature data: aluminum nitride, titanium oxide and barium titanate. Between the three powders, the most uniform dispersion was achieved using aluminum nitride. Initial screenings with mixed and cured composite resins showed that between the three composite materials, only aluminum nitride or barium titanate PMMA showed a clear antibacterial effect when compared to the pristine reference, with aluminum nitride being the most effective against E. coli. When 3D printed using stereo-lithography, the composite containing aluminum nitride showed an even higher degree of dispersion and comparable antibacterial effects. Moreover, aluminum nitride reinforced PMMA resins showed good mechanical properties, comparable to the basic resin, and could be further strengthened by a standard post-curing process.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2020

Rapid Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Silicon Nitride, Copper, and Aluminum Nitride

IntroductionViral disease spread by contaminated commonly touched surfaces is a global concern. Silicon nitride, an industrial ceramic that is also used as an implant in spine surgery, has known antibacterial activity. The mechanism of antibacterial action relates to the hydrolytic release of surface disinfectants. It is hypothesized that silicon nitride can also inactivate the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. MethodsSARS-CoV-2 virions were exposed to 15 wt.% aqueous suspensions of silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and copper particles. The virus was titrated by the TCD50 method using VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells, while viral RNA was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Immunostaining and Raman spectroscopy were used as additional probes to investigate the cellular responses to virions exposed to the respective materials. ResultsAll three tested materials showed >99% viral inactivation at one and ten minutes of exposure. Degradation of viral RNA was also observed with all materials. Immunofluorescence testing showed that silicon nitride-treated virus failed to infect VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells without damaging them. In contrast, the copper-treated virus suspension severely damaged the cells due to copper ion toxicity. Raman spectroscopy indicated differential biochemical cellular changes due to infection and metal toxicity for two of the three materials tested. ConclusionsSilicon nitride successfully inactivated the SARS-CoV-2 in this study. The mechanism of action was the hydrolysis-mediated surface release of nitrogen-containing disinfectants. Both aluminum nitride and copper were also effective in the inactivation of the virus. However, while the former compound affected the cells, the latter compound had a cytopathic effect. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and investigate whether silicon nitride can be incorporated into personal protective equipment and commonly touched surfaces, as a strategy to discourage viral persistence and disease spread.

microbiology↗