To evaluate the impact of previously unrecognized negative interaction between the Wnt and interleukin (IL) 6 signaling pathways in skeletal tissues as a possible major mechanism leading to age- and inflammation-related destruction of bone and joints.Luciferase ...

A capability for effective tissue reparation is a living requirement for all multicellular organisms. Bone exits as a precisely orchestrated balance of bioactivities of bone forming osteoblasts and bone resorbing osteoclasts. The main feature of osteoblasts is their capability to produce massive extracellular matrix enriched with calcium phosphate minerals. Hydroxyapatite and its composites represent the most common form of bone mineral providing mechanical strength and significant osteoinductive properties. Herein, hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite functionalized composite scaffolds based on electrospun polycaprolactone have been successfully fabricated. Physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and osteoinductivity of generated matrices have been validated. Both the hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite containing polycaprolactone composite scaffolds demonstrated good biocompatibility towards mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, the presence of both hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite nanoparticles increased scaffolds’ wettability. Furthermore, incorporation of fluorapatite nanoparticles enhanced the ability of the composite scaffolds to interact and support the mesenchymal stem cells attachment to their surfaces as compared to hydroxyapatite enriched composite scaffolds. The study of osteoinductive properties showed the capacity of fluorapatite and hydroxyapatite containing composite scaffolds to potentiate the stimulation of early stages of mesenchymal stem cells’ osteoblast differentiation. Therefore, polycaprolactone based composite scaffolds functionalized with fluorapatite nanoparticles generates a promising platform for future bone tissue engineering applications.

In this paper we describe the synthesis of poly(ester ether urethane)s (PEEURs) by using selected raw materials to reach a biocompatible polyurethane (PU) for biomedical applications. PEEURs were synthesized by using aliphatic 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), α,ω-dihydroxy(ethylene-butylene adipate) (Polios), 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as a chain extender and calcium glycerolphosphate salt (GPCa) as a modifier used to stimulate bone tissue regeneration. The obtained unmodified (PURs) and modified with GPCa (PURs-M) PEEURs were studied by various techniques. It was confirmed that urethane prepolymer reacts with GPCa modifier. Further analysis of the obtained PURs and PURs-M by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy revealed the chemical composition typical for PUs by the confirmed presence of urethane bonds. Moreover, the FTIR and Raman spectra indicated that GPCa was incorporated into the main PU chain at least at one-side. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the PURs-M surface was in good agreement with the FTIR and Raman analysis due to the fact that inclusions were observed only at 20% of its surface, which were related to the non-reacted GPCa enclosed in the PUR matrix as filler. Further studies of hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, short term-interactions, and calcification study lead to the final conclusion that the obtained PURs-M may by suitable candidate material for further scaffold fabrication. Scaffolds were prepared by the solvent casting/particulate leaching technique (SC/PL) combined with thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS). Such porous scaffolds had satisfactory pore sizes (36–100 μm) and porosity (77–82%) so as to be considered as suitable templates for bone tissue regeneration.

Correction of inherited skeletal abnormalities, traumas affecting wide bone areas and non-healing fractures require efficient bone formation and regeneration. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are signa­ling molecules that play a crucial role in bone and cartilage formation and regeneration. Osteoinductive properties of existing hydroxyapatite-based osteoplastic materials are frequently insufficient for efficient bone regeneration, thus raising a requirement for novel matrices involving BMPs for highly efficient local induction of bone formation at the area of the bone defect. The aim of this study was conducting in vitro optimization of osteoinductive properties of recombinant BMPs preparations to be used in bone regenerative practice. Recombinant BMPs were produced in human embryonic kidney 293 cells upon their transfection or co-transfection with plasmids expressing BMP2 and BMP7 at different ratios. A quality of BMP preps was validated based on their ability to induce in vitro osteoblast differentiation of C2C12 cells. Alkaline phosphatase that is widely used as a marker of osteoblast differentiation was measured spectrophotometrically. We found that the most effective inducer of osteoblast differentiation was recombinant BMP preparation produced upon cotransfection of 85% of BMP2 and 15% of BMP7 plasmids, that is most likely due to generation of conditions most favorable for formation of BMP2/7 heterodimers. Frozen BMP2/7 preparations stored for 3 h in experimental setup and for several weeks in routine work do not lose their osteoinductive properties compared with freshly prepared BMP2/7 preparations and can be successfully used for generation of highly efficient bone regenerative matrices.

Bìol. Tvarin, 2016, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 61–68 https://doi.org/10.15407/animbiol18.01.061 THE PTTG1 IS A NOVEL INHIBITOR OF OSTEOGENIC DIFFERENTIATION OF MO...

Rabies is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by the neurotropic Rabies virus (RABV), a member of the Lyssavirus genus. This review focuses on the pathogenesis, diagnostics, and epidemiological trends of rabies, with a particular emphasis on the Lviv region of Ukraine. The RABV exhibits remarkable pathogenicity, driven by its structural and functional genomic characteristics, immune evasion strategies, and ability to persist in diverse ecological conditions. Rabies pathogenesis involves local replication in muscle cells, followed by retrograde axonal transport to the central nervous system, leading to severe neurological symptoms and inevitable fatality without timely intervention. Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) remain the primary global reservoir of rabies, responsible for over 99% of human cases, particularly in resource-limited regions. In Ukraine, domestic dogs and cats (Felis catus), alongside wildlife such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) contribute significantly to the disease's epidemiology. Epidemiological data from the Lviv region between 2021 and 2024 indicate a sharp rise in rabies cases, with infections increasing fivefold over the study period. The ongoing large-scale war of russia against Ukraine has exacerbated the situation by disrupting vaccination campaigns and veterinary services, further amplifying the spread of the virus among wild and domestic animals. Molecular diagnostics, including DFA test, PCR, and vaccination programs targeting wildlife and domestic animals are critical for rabies control. This review highlights the need for integrated strategies, including vaccination, surveillance, wildlife population management, and public education, to mitigate rabies transmission. The findings underscore the importance of collaborative efforts to address the escalating challenges of rabies in the Lviv region and provide a foundation for future preventive measures in Ukraine and beyond.