Scientists at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a revolutionary technology that can heal burns without leaving scars. Dubbed “skin in a syringe,” this innovative approach uses 3D-printed skin transplants made from gel containing live cells.

The study, led by researchers Johan Junker and Daniel Aili, aimed to create new skin that doesn’t become scar tissue but a functioning dermis. The dermis is the thicker layer of skin beneath the epidermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and other essential structures for skin function and elasticity.

To achieve this, the researchers used click chemistry to connect gelatine beads with hyaluronic acid, creating a liquid that can be applied to wounds using a syringe. The gel becomes gel-like again once applied, making it possible to 3D-print the cells in it.

In the current study, small pucks made from this technology were placed under the skin of mice, showing promising results. The cells survived and produced substances needed to create new dermis, with blood vessels forming in the grafts. This breakthrough has significant implications for burn patients, who often suffer from severe scarring due to traditional transplant methods.

The LiU researchers also developed a method to make threads from hydrogels, which can be used to build mini-tubes or perfusable channels. These tubes can be used to pump fluid through or have blood vessel cells grow in them, potentially solving the problem of blood vessel supply in tissue models.

This research has received funding from various organizations, including the Erling-Persson Foundation and the European Research Council (ERC). The study’s findings were published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.

The article’s core idea is that a single bout of either resistance or high intensity interval training could help in the cancer battle by increasing levels of myokines, a protein produced by muscles which have anti-cancer effects. Here’s the rewritten article:

A groundbreaking study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has shed light on the potential benefits of exercise for cancer patients. Researchers found that a single bout of either resistance or high intensity interval training could help reduce cancer cell growth by 20 to 30 per cent.

PhD student Mr Francesco Bettariga led the research, which measured myokine levels in breast cancer survivors before, immediately after, and 30 minutes post-exercise. The results showed that both types of exercise increased myokine levels, a protein produced by muscles with anti-cancer effects.

“The results from this study are excellent motivators to add exercise as standard care in the treatment of cancer,” Mr Bettariga said. His research aimed to investigate whether breast cancer survivors would see similar benefits compared to a healthy population, given the impact that cancer treatments and cancer itself often has on the body.

Further research by Mr Bettariga investigated how changes in body composition, following consistent exercise, could impact inflammation, which plays a key role in breast cancer recurrence and mortality. The study found that reducing fat mass and increasing lean mass through exercise could help decrease inflammation, making it a more supportive environment for cancer survivors.

“Strategies are needed to reduce inflammation which may provide a less supportive environment for cancer progression,” Mr Bettariga said. He stressed the importance of consistent exercise, stating that quick fixes to reduce fat mass would not have the same beneficial effects.

“You never want to reduce your weight without exercising, because you need to build or preserve muscle mass and produce these chemicals that you can’t do through just diet alone.” The long-term implications of elevated myokine levels should be further investigated, particularly in relation to cancer recurrence.

Breaking Barriers in Diabetic Wound Healing: A Revolutionary “Smart” Gel Accelerates Blood Flow and Restores Tissue Repair

Chronic diabetic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers, pose a significant burden for patients due to impaired blood vessel growth and subsequent tissue repair issues. A groundbreaking study has unveiled a novel approach by combining small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) loaded with miR-221-3p and a GelMA hydrogel to target thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a protein that suppresses angiogenesis. This innovative bioactive wound dressing not only accelerates healing but also promotes blood vessel formation, offering a promising new approach to treating one of the most challenging complications of diabetes.

The study explores a new method to stimulate angiogenesis and speed up the healing process by targeting TSP-1 with miR-221OE-sEVs encapsulated in GelMA. This engineered hydrogel has shown significant enhancement in wound healing and blood vessel formation in diabetic mice, offering hope for more effective treatments in the future.

Researchers discovered that high glucose conditions commonly found in diabetic wounds lead to increased levels of TSP-1 in endothelial cells, impairing their ability to proliferate and migrate – key processes for angiogenesis. By utilizing miR-221-3p, a microRNA that targets and downregulates TSP-1 expression, they restored endothelial cell function. The engineered miR-221OE-sEVs were encapsulated within a GelMA hydrogel, ensuring a controlled release at the wound site.

In animal trials, this composite dressing dramatically accelerated wound healing, with a notable increase in vascularization and a 90% wound closure rate within just 12 days, compared to slower healing in control groups. This breakthrough has significant implications for diabetic wound care, offering patients more efficient and lasting wound healing solutions.

As further research and clinical trials progress, the promise of combining miRNA-based therapies with biocompatible hydrogels could become a cornerstone in regenerative medicine, opening up possibilities beyond diabetic foot ulcers. The technology could be adapted for use in treating other chronic wounds, such as those caused by vascular diseases, or even in regenerating tissues like bone and cartilage.