Journal: Non-coding RNA Research

Article Title: CircSMAD4 shapes matrix-remodeling TAMs in lung adenocarcinoma

doi: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2026.03.003

Figure Lengend Snippet: circSMAD4 drives tumor-educated M2-like polarization of macrophages and promotes tumor-cell aggressiveness. (A) Workflow for generating TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs, circSMAD4 knockdown, and downstream functional assays. (B) RT–qPCR analysis of M1-associated markers (MHC-II [HLA-DRA in TC-hMDMs; H2-Ab1 in TC-BMDMs], NOS2, and CD86) and M2-associated markers (CD163, CD206, and ARG1) in TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs. (C) Representative flow-cytometry histograms for HLA-DR, iNOS, CD86, CD163, CD206, and ARG1 in TC-hMDMs. Gating strategy and marker thresholds were defined based on FMO controls (see ). (D) Flow-cytometry quantification of marker-positive cells in TC-hMDMs and TC-BMDMs. (E) ELISA of IL-10, TGF-β, and iNOS in culture supernatants. (F) CCK-8 assays of A549 and LLC cells. (G) Colony-formation assays of A549 and LLC cells with quantification. (H) Bioluminescence-based growth readouts of patient-derived LUAD organoids (PDO #1 and PDO #2) after co-culture with TC-hMDMs. (I) Immunoblot analysis of EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin) in A549 and LLC cells. (J) Transwell migration and invasion assays of A549 and LLC cells with quantification. Scale bar, 50 μm. ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Sections were incubated with primary antibodies against Ki-67 (Servicebio, Cat# GB111499 ), E-cadherin (Proteintech, Cat# 20874-1-AP), and Vimentin (Proteintech, Cat# 10366-1-AP).

Techniques: Knockdown, Functional Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Flow Cytometry, Marker, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, CCK-8 Assay, Derivative Assay, Co-Culture Assay, Western Blot, Migration

Journal: Non-coding RNA Research

Article Title: CircSMAD4 shapes matrix-remodeling TAMs in lung adenocarcinoma

doi: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2026.03.003

Figure Lengend Snippet: circSMAD4 depletion in macrophages restrains LUAD growth and metastasis in vivo. (A) Schematic of orthotopic lung implantation and experimental metastasis models using LLC cells mixed with BMDMs expressing shNC or sh-circSMAD4. (B) Representative images of orthotopic lung tumors. (C) Tumor weight of orthotopic implants. (D) Overall survival of mice bearing orthotopic tumors. (E) Immunofluorescence showing F4/80 and circSMAD4 signals in tumor tissues. Scale bar, 50 μm. (F, G) Representative Ki-67 IHC staining and quantification in orthotopic tumors. Scale bar, 50 μm. (H) Representative bioluminescence images of lung tumor burden in the metastasis model. (I) Tumor weight in the metastasis model. (J) Overall survival of mice in the metastasis model. (K–M) Representative IHC staining and quantification of E-cadherin and vimentin in tumors. Scale bar, 50 μm. ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Sections were incubated with primary antibodies against Ki-67 (Servicebio, Cat# GB111499 ), E-cadherin (Proteintech, Cat# 20874-1-AP), and Vimentin (Proteintech, Cat# 10366-1-AP).

Techniques: In Vivo, Expressing, Immunofluorescence, Immunohistochemistry

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Targeting VEGFR2 inhibition within a spatially-confined conduit promotes nerve self-resolution and alleviates mechanical allodynia

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.009

Figure Lengend Snippet: Efficacy of GelMA MAVP MPs in promoting nerve end interface self-resolution. ( A ) Schematic of the peripheral sciatic nerve ligation (p-SNL) model with four experimental groups (i.e., MAVP, VAN, vehicle, and control) ( B ) Immunofluorescence (IF) staining of p-VEGFR2 and YAP (indicating mechanotransduction signaling). ( C ) The positive area percentage of p-VEGFR2 (n = 6). ( D ) Percentage of YAP in nuclear/cytoplasm (n = 6). ( E ) IF staining of proliferation signal (Ki-67) and vessel signal (CD31) for p-SNL animal. ( F ) Quantification of Ki-67/CD31 co-localization area percentage (n = 6). ( G ) IF co-staining of Ki-67 and macrophage marker F4/80. ( H ) Quantification of Ki-67/F4/80 co-localization area percentage (n = 6). ( I ) IF staining of scar marker α-SMA. ( J ) Quantification of α-SMA-positive area percentage (n = 6). Mean values are shown and error bars represent ± s.d., as analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer test in ( C , D , F , H and J ). Biological replicates were used for all experiments. ns, p > 0.05, ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used for the subsequent steps: anti-Yap (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-376830); anti-p-VEGFR2 (rabbit, 1:100 Invitrogen, PA5-105765); α-SMA (rabbit, 1:200, Proteintech 14395-1-AP); Reca-1 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-52665); anti-CD31 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-13537); anti-Ki67 (rabbit, 1:150, Cell Signaling 9129S); anti-NF-200 (mouse, 1:200, Sigma, SAB4200747); anti-MBP (rabbit, 1:200, Abcam ab218011); anti-F4/80 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-377009); Iba-1 (rabbit, 1:150, Abcam ab178846); anti-CGRP (rabbit, 1:400, Abcam ab283568); anti-TRPA1 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-376495); anti-CD86 (rabbit, 1:200, Proteintech 30691-1-AP); CD206 (rabbit, 1:200, Proteintech 18704-1-AP).

Techniques: Ligation, Control, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Marker

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Targeting VEGFR2 inhibition within a spatially-confined conduit promotes nerve self-resolution and alleviates mechanical allodynia

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.009

Figure Lengend Snippet: Expression of pain signal proteins in peripheral nerve locations. ( A ) Immunohistochemical (IHC) imaging of VEGFA and ( B ) quantification of VEGFA mean integrated density (n = 6). ( C ) IHC staining for NGF and ( D ) quantification of NGF mean integrated density (n = 6). ( E ) IF staining for macrophages (F4/80) and ( F ) quantification of macrophage number per 10 4 μm 2 (n = 6). ( G ) IF staining for scar tissue (α-SMA) and ( H ) quantification of α-SMA -positive area percentage (n = 6). ( I ) IF staining for myelin sheath (MBP) and axon (NF200) and ( J ) quantification of myelin sheath to axon area ratio (n = 6). ( K ) IF staining for pain-related mediators CGRP and TRPA1 and ( L ) quantification of CGRP (n = 6), and ( M ) TRPA1 (n = 6). Mean values are shown and error bars represent ± s.d., as analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer test in ( B , D , F , H , J , L and M ). Biological replicates were used for all experiments. ns, p > 0.05, ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: The following primary antibodies were used for the subsequent steps: anti-Yap (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-376830); anti-p-VEGFR2 (rabbit, 1:100 Invitrogen, PA5-105765); α-SMA (rabbit, 1:200, Proteintech 14395-1-AP); Reca-1 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-52665); anti-CD31 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-13537); anti-Ki67 (rabbit, 1:150, Cell Signaling 9129S); anti-NF-200 (mouse, 1:200, Sigma, SAB4200747); anti-MBP (rabbit, 1:200, Abcam ab218011); anti-F4/80 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-377009); Iba-1 (rabbit, 1:150, Abcam ab178846); anti-CGRP (rabbit, 1:400, Abcam ab283568); anti-TRPA1 (mouse, 1:200, Santa sc-376495); anti-CD86 (rabbit, 1:200, Proteintech 30691-1-AP); CD206 (rabbit, 1:200, Proteintech 18704-1-AP).

Techniques: Expressing, Immunohistochemical staining, Imaging, Immunohistochemistry, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Microenvironment-educated MSC-EVs loaded injectable smart hydrogel for targeting senescent nucleus pulposus cells and inhibiting ferroptosis against intervertebral disc degeneration

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.030

Figure Lengend Snippet: Senescent Microenvironment-Educated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Release High-Affinity Senescent NPC Domesticated Extracellular Vesicles. (A) Schematic diagram of the experimental setup for educating MSCs with SASP-CM to generate D-EVs versus N-EVs. (B) Confocal microscopy images showing different EVs internalization by senescent NPCs after 12 h in vitro. (C) Flow cytometry and quantification analysis of different EVs uptake by senescent NPCs. (D) In vivo validation of the senescent niche. Representative fluorescence images following injection of senescence-tracer (Red). (E) In vivo PKH26-labeled D-EVs tracking. (F) Representative SA-β-Gal images and quantification of MSCs treated with SASP-CM or not. (G) Gene Ontology (GO) analysis confirming enrichment of external encapsulating structure organization and cytokine production in Biological Process (BP) categories. (H) Heatmap indicating gene expression associated with EVs biogenesis within D-MSCs and N-MSCs. (I) Heatmap indicating gene expression associated with cytokine production within D-MSCs and N-MSCs. (J and L) Gene Ontology (GO) analysis confirming enrichment of terms related to vesicle organization and transport in the Cellular Component (CC) categories. (K) Western blot analysis confirmed core senescence markers p16 and p21 and DNA damage marker γ-H2AX in N-MSC and D-MSC. (M) Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of CD9, CD63, TSG101, Calnexin, and GM130 in MSC-EVs, N-EVs, or D-EVs. (N) TEM images showing the morphology and size of MSC-derived EVs, N-EVs, and D-EVs. (O) NTA shows size distribution in MSC-EVs, N-EVs, or D-EVs. The data were presented as mean ± SD. n = 3, ns, not significant; ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: After blocked with 5% non-fat milk for 2 h at room temperature, the membranes were incubated with primary antibodies against GAPDH (1:5000, 104941-AP, Proteintech), TSG101 (1:1000, DF8427, Affinity), CD9 (1:1000, AF5139, Affinity), CD63 (1:2000, 25682-1-AP, Proteintech), Calnexin (1:5000, 10427-2-AP, Proteintech), GM130 (1:20000, 11308-1-AP, Proteintech), CXCR3 (1:5000, 26756-1-AP, Proteintech), CXCL10 (1:2000, 10937-1-AP, Proteintech), MMP3 (1:2000, 17873-1-AP, Proteintech), ADAMTS5 (DF13268, Affinity), P16 (AF5484, Affinity), P21 (10355-1-AP, Proteintech), GPX4 (1:1000, 381958, Zen-bio), SLC7A11 (1:1000, 26864-1-AP, Proteintech), ACSL4 (1:5000, 22401-1-AP, Proteintech) and Tubulin (1:10000, T40103 , Abmart) overnight at 4 °C.

Techniques: Confocal Microscopy, In Vitro, Flow Cytometry, In Vivo, Biomarker Discovery, Fluorescence, Injection, Labeling, Gene Expression, Western Blot, Marker, Expressing, Derivative Assay

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A continuous adhesion-enhanced osteogenic pathway in artificial scaffold drives cellular infiltration and condensed mineralization for rapid bone regeneration

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.026

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vitro study of osteogenic capacity and mechanisms of the CPH/rGO-3/0.6 scaffold (a) Fluorescent staining of hMSCs grown on the surface of Blank, CPH/rGO-3/0 and CPH/rGO-3/0.6 scaffolds for 7, 14 and 21 days and intensity statistics of osteocalcin (OCN) on 21 days (Cell nuclei of hMSCs were visualized using DAPI (blue); Cytoskeleton was stained with Phalloidin-FITC (green); OCN proteins were stained with Alexa Fluor 594 (red)) (n = 16, 12, 15 for Blank, CPH/rGO-3/0 and CPH/rGO-3/0.6 groups respectively. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. ∗ for p < 0.05; ∗∗ for p < 0.01; ∗∗∗ for p < 0.001). (b) Fluorescent staining of MSCs grown on the surface of CPH/rGO-3/0.6 scaffold for 28 days. (c) Osteogenesis related genes expression of MSCs including alkaline phosphatase ( ALP ), type I collagen (COL-I), runt-related transcription factor 2 ( Runx2 ), SP7 transcription factor ( SP7 ), Bone sialoprotein ( BSP ), dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1( DMP1 ), OCN and osteopontin ( OPN ) after 7, 14 and 21 days' incubation on CPH/rGO-3/0, CPH/rGO-3/0.6 scaffolds and Blank (n = 3 per group. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. ∗ for p < 0.05; ∗∗ for p < 0.01; ∗∗∗ for p < 0.001). (d) OD value obtained from the ALP reagent of sample Blank, CPH/rGO-3/0 and CPH/rGO-3/0.6 scaffolds after osteogenic induction of hMSC for 4, 8 and 12 days (n = 3 per group. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. ∗ for p < 0.05; ∗∗ for p < 0.01; ∗∗∗ for p < 0.001). (e) Volcano map and (f) GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in hMSCs cultured on rGO/CS vs rGO and on CPH/rGO-3/0.6 vs CPH/rGO-3/0. (g) Hotmap of differentially expressed genes between rGO/CS and rGO samples, CPH/rGO-3/0.6 and CPH/rGO-3/0 scaffolds. (h) Western blot images of KCNN3 , Integrin β1 , ANK3 , FAK , MAPK , OCN , and BSP following 14 days of osteogenic induction co-culture of hMSCs with rGO, rGO/CS, Blank. (i) Schematic diagram of osteogenic gene pathways mediated by CPH/rGO-3/0.6.

Article Snippet: The staining of OCN was performed with polyclonal antibody to osteocalcin (Proteintech, USA) and goat anti-rabbit IgG H&L (Abcam, USA) after the blocking of bovine serum albumin (BSA, BioFroxx, Germany).

Techniques: In Vitro, Staining, Expressing, Incubation, Cell Culture, Western Blot, Co-Culture Assay

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Biodegradable Mg 2+ -releasing piezoelectric scaffold for segmental bone defect repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.017

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vitro evaluation of osteogenic differentiation on Mg 2+ -releasing piezoelectric scaffolds. A) ALP staining of BMSCs cultured with WH Gel and PWH Gel (Scale bar: 1 mm). B) ARS staining of BMSCs cultured with WH Gel and PWH Gel (Scale bar: 1 mm). C-F) RT-qPCR results showing the relative mRNA expression of OPN, RUNX2, OCN, and COL-I in BMSCs cultured with cryogels for 7 days and 14 days. CLSM images showing the expression of (G) OPN, (H) RUNX2, (I) OCN, and (J) COL-I in BMSCs co-cultured with WH Gel and PWH Gel (Scale bar: 50 μm). Data are presented as mean ± S.D. (n = 3 independent replicates). ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001; NS, not significant.

Article Snippet: Immunohistochemical staining was carried out for COL-I (Proteintech, 28083-1-AP, USA).

Techniques: In Vitro, Staining, Cell Culture, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Biodegradable Mg 2+ -releasing piezoelectric scaffold for segmental bone defect repair

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.017

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo assessments of large segmental bone defect regeneration using Mg 2+ -releasing piezoelectric scaffold. A-B) Schematic showing the surgical procedure for scaffold implantation in rat radial defects (Scale bar = 1 cm). C) Macroscopic images of the defect site at 6- and 12- weeks post-implantation. D) RUS scores for radial repair. E) 3D micro-CT images of the defects at 6- and 12- weeks post-implantation (Scale bar = 3 mm). F-G) Quantitative micro-CT analysis of BV/TV and trabecular number (Tb.N) in cryogel-treated regions at 6- and 12- weeks post-implantation. H) Representative H&E and Masson's trichrome staining images of defect tissues at 6- and 12-weeks post-implantation (Scale bar: 1 mm). I) Immunohistochemical staining for COL-I (Scale bar: 1 mm). J) Representative immunofluorescence staining of CD31 (Scale bar: 1 mm). Data are expressed as mean ± S.D. (n = 3 independent replicates). Statistical significance was determined as ∗P < 0.05; ∗∗P < 0.01; ∗∗∗P < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001; NS, not significant.

Article Snippet: Immunohistochemical staining was carried out for COL-I (Proteintech, 28083-1-AP, USA).

Techniques: In Vivo, Micro-CT, Staining, Immunohistochemical staining, Immunofluorescence

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Natural killer cell-inspired dendritic mesoporous rare-earth nanoparticles potentiate X-ray-triggered reactive oxygen generation for low-dose radiotherapy-radiodynamic therapy

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.011

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vitro targeted cell uptake and oxygen supply ability. (a) SDS-PAGE electrophoresis profiles and Western blot results of TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm, NKEV, and TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV. (b) Scheme of the tumor-targeting mechanism of TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV. (c) Western blot results of NK cells, NKEV, TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV, and TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm to indicate the presence of DNAM-1 and NKG2D. (d) CLSM images and quantification analysis of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm and TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV for 1, 3, and 9 h. (f) Flow cytometry profiles and (g) CLSM images of MDA-MB-231 cells pretreated with different antibodies and treated with TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV for 9 h. (h) CLSM images of MDA-MB-231 cells pretreated with H 2 O 2 and treated with different formulations via [Ru(dpp) 3 ]Cl 2 staining for hypoxia levels observation. ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Then, the membrane was blocked using 5% skim milk and incubated using primary antibody of anti -DNAM-1 (ABclonal, A23200), anti -NKG2D (Bioss, bs-0938R), anti -β-actin (Beijing Solarbio Science & Technology Co., Ltd.), anti-Na/K ATPase (Abcam, ab254025), respectively.

Techniques: In Vitro, SDS Page, Electrophoresis, Western Blot, Flow Cytometry, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Natural killer cell-inspired dendritic mesoporous rare-earth nanoparticles potentiate X-ray-triggered reactive oxygen generation for low-dose radiotherapy-radiodynamic therapy

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.011

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vitro targeted cell uptake and oxygen supply ability. (a) SDS-PAGE electrophoresis profiles and Western blot results of TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm, NKEV, and TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV. (b) Scheme of the tumor-targeting mechanism of TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV. (c) Western blot results of NK cells, NKEV, TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV, and TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm to indicate the presence of DNAM-1 and NKG2D. (d) CLSM images and quantification analysis of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm and TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV for 1, 3, and 9 h. (f) Flow cytometry profiles and (g) CLSM images of MDA-MB-231 cells pretreated with different antibodies and treated with TSSI-Ce 6 C-DMTm@NKEV for 9 h. (h) CLSM images of MDA-MB-231 cells pretreated with H 2 O 2 and treated with different formulations via [Ru(dpp) 3 ]Cl 2 staining for hypoxia levels observation. ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Then, the membrane was blocked using 5% skim milk and incubated using primary antibody of anti -DNAM-1 (ABclonal, A23200), anti -NKG2D (Bioss, bs-0938R), anti -β-actin (Beijing Solarbio Science & Technology Co., Ltd.), anti-Na/K ATPase (Abcam, ab254025), respectively.

Techniques: In Vitro, SDS Page, Electrophoresis, Western Blot, Flow Cytometry, Staining