Antibacterial Activity of Rose Bengal Entrapped in Organically Modified Silica Matrices

Photosensitizers (PSs) are known as powerful antibacterial agents that are activated by direct exposure to visible light. PSs can be noncovalently entrapped into the silica gel network for their controlled release into a contaminated area. The immobilization of PS-containing gel matrices on a polymer support expands their possible applications, such as antibacterial surfaces and coatings, which can be used for the disinfection of liquids. In the current study, we report the use of Rose Bengal (RB) incorporated into organically modified silica matrices (RB@ORMOSIL matrices) by the sol-gel technique. The RB matrices exhibit high activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria under illumination by white light. The amount and timing of solidifier addition to the matrix affected the interaction of the latter with the RB, which in turn could affect the antibacterial activity of RB. The most active specimen against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells was the RB6@ORMOSIL matrix immobilized on a linear low-density polyethylene surface, which was prepared by an easy, cost-effective, and simple thermal adhesion method. This specimen, RB6@OR@LLDPE, showed the low release of RB in an aqueous environment, and exhibited high long-term antibacterial activity in at least 14 rounds of recycled use against S. aureus and in 11 rounds against E. coli.     

Differential Responses to Bioink-Induced Oxidative Stress in Endothelial Cells and Fibroblasts

A hydrogel system based on oxidized alginate covalently crosslinked with gelatin (ADA-GEL) has been utilized for different biofabrication approaches to design constructs, in which cell growth, proliferation and migration have been observed. However, cell–bioink interactions are not completely understood and the potential effects of free aldehyde groups on the living cells have not been investigated. In this study, alginate, ADA and ADA-GEL were characterized via FTIR and NMR, and their effect on cell viability was investigated. In the tested cell lines, there was a concentration-dependent effect of oxidation degree on cell viability, with the strongest cytotoxicity observed after 72 h of culture. Subsequently, primary human cells, namely fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs) were grown in ADA and ADA-GEL hydrogels to investigate the molecular effects of oxidized material. In ADA, an extremely strong ROS generation resulting in a rapid depletion of cellular thiols was observed in ECs, leading to rapid necrotic cell death. In contrast, less pronounced cytotoxic effects of ADA were noted on human fibroblasts. Human fibroblasts had higher cellular thiol content than primary ECs and entered apoptosis under strong oxidative stress. The presence of gelatin in the hydrogel improved the primary cell survival, likely by reducing the oxidative stress via binding to the CHO groups. Consequently, ADA-GEL was better tolerated than ADA alone. Fibroblasts were able to survive the oxidative stress in ADA-GEL and re-entered the proliferative phase. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that shows in detail the relationship between oxidative stress-induced intracellular processes and alginate di-aldehyde-based bioinks.     

Novel allene oxide synthase products formed via Favorskii-type rearrangement: mechanistic implications for 12-oxo-10,15-phytodienoic acid biosynthesis

The allene oxide synthase (AOS) pathway is widespread in plants. Its products, such as cyclopentenone 12-oxo-10,15-phytodienoic acid (12-oxo-PDA) and related jasmonates, play important biological roles in plants. We found that 12-oxo-PDA in some plant tissues co-occur with an unknown minor oxylipin 1. In vitro incubations of AOSs with α-linolenic acid 13(S)-hydroperoxide reliably afforded 1 along with 12-oxo-PDA and α-ketol. A similar oxylipin 3 was formed during the AOS conversions of γ-linolenic acid 9(S)-hydroperoxide. Linoleic acid hydroperoxides formed neither products similar to 1 and 3 nor cyclopentenones. Oxylipins 1 and 3 were purified and identified as the products of Favorskii-type rearrangement, (2'Z,4Z)-2-(2'-pentenyl)-4-tridecene-1,13-dioic acid and (2'Z,4Z)-2-(2'-octenyl)-4-decene-1,10-dioic acid, respectively. Detection of Favorskii products 1 and 3 demonstrates that cyclopropanones are short-lived AOS products along with allene oxides. The observed parallels between the Favorskii product 1 and 12-oxo-PDA formation suggests that cyclopropanone is either a byproduct or a precursor of 12-oxo-PDA.