Sestrin2 (SESN2) is a stress-inducible protein known for its cytoprotective functions, but its role in diabetic vascular complications remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of SESN2 on methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Human endothelial cells were transfected with SESN2 siRNA duplexes to silence SESN2 expression, followed by MGO treatment. SESN2 knockdown significantly exacerbated MGO-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by the reduced expression of antioxidant markers. Furthermore, SESN2 silencing enhanced the inflammatory response to MGO, demonstrated by the increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Notably, SESN2 deficiency promoted EndMT, a key process in diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications, as shown by the increased expression of mesenchymal markers and the decreased expression of endothelial markers. These findings suggest that SESN2 plays a critical protective role in endothelial cells against MGO-induced damage. The study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic cardiovascular complications and identifies SESN2 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Our results indicate that SESN2 downregulation may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications by promoting EndMT, increased oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Biodegradable electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds (BENS) have emerged as a highly advanced class of wound dressings owing to their close structural and morphological resemblance to the native extracellular matrix and their tunable physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. However, the successful translation of electrospun wound-healing platforms from laboratory concepts to clinically viable products necessitates a quantitative understanding of how formulation and processing variables dictate scaffold architecture, mechanical performance, and antibacterial functionality. In this study, hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG35000) were blended at different weight ratios and fabricated into electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds, with amoxicillin trihydrate (AMX) incorporated as a model antibacterial agent. Blank and drug-loaded systems were systematically characterized with respect to solution rheology, fiber morphology, thermal behavior, crystallinity, mechanical performance, surface wettability, and antibacterial activity. Quantitative correlation analyses and statistical comparisons revealed that solution viscosity is a strong predictor of mechanical response, while PEG fraction governs baseline stiffness and crystallinity in a non-linear manner. AMX loading acted as a secondary structural modifier, producing statistically significant increases in stiffness and wettability, accompanied by reduced crystallinity and concentration-dependent antibacterial efficacy. Among the investigated formulations, a PCL: PEG ratio of 3:1 provided the most balanced mechanophysical profile for effective drug incorporation. These findings establish validated structure–property–function relationships that support the rational design of electrospun antibacterial wound dressings.