@article{krissanaprasit_mihalko_meinhold_simpson_sollinger_pandit_dupont_kjems_brown_labean_2024, title={A Functional RNA-Origami as Direct Thrombin Inhibitor with Fast-acting and Specific Single-Molecule Reversal Agents in vivo model}, volume={32}, ISSN={1525-0016}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.002}, DOI={10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.002}, abstractNote={Injectable anticoagulants are widely used in medical procedures to prevent unwanted blood clotting. However, many lack safe, effective reversal agents. Here, we present new data on a previously described RNA origami-based, direct thrombin inhibitor (HEX01). We describe a new, fast-acting, specific, single-molecule reversal agent (antidote) and present in vivo data for the first time, including efficacy, reversibility, preliminary safety, and initial biodistribution studies. HEX01 contains multiple thrombin-binding aptamers appended on an RNA origami. It exhibits excellent anticoagulation activity in vitro and in vivo. The new single-molecule, DNA antidote (HEX02) reverses anticoagulation activity of HEX01 in human plasma within 30 s in vitro and functions effectively in a murine liver laceration model. Biodistribution studies of HEX01 in whole mice using ex vivo imaging show accumulation mainly in the liver over 24 h and with 10-fold lower concentrations in the kidneys. Additionally, we show that the HEX01/HEX02 system is non-cytotoxic to epithelial cell lines and non-hemolytic in vitro. Furthermore, we found no serum cytokine response to HEX01/HEX02 in a murine model. HEX01 and HEX02 represent a safe and effective coagulation control system with a fast-acting, specific reversal agent showing promise for potential drug development.}, number={7}, journal={Molecular Therapy}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Krissanaprasit, Abhichart and Mihalko, Emily and Meinhold, Katherine and Simpson, Aryssa and Sollinger, Jennifer and Pandit, Sanika and Dupont, Daniel M. and Kjems, Jørgen and Brown, Ashley C. and LaBean, Thomas H.}, year={2024}, month={May}, pages={2286–2298} }
 @article{sheridan_nellenbach_pandit_byrnes_hardy_lutz_moiseiwitsch_scull_mihalko_levy_et al._2024, title={Clot-Targeted Nanogels for Dual-Delivery of AntithrombinIII and Tissue Plasminogen Activator to Mitigate Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Complications}, volume={6}, ISSN={["1936-086X"]}, DOI={10.1021/acsnano.4c00162}, abstractNote={Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a pathologic state that follows systemic injury and other diseases. Often a complication of sepsis or trauma, DIC causes coagulopathy associated with paradoxical thrombosis and hemorrhage. DIC upregulates the thrombotic pathways while simultaneously downregulating the fibrinolytic pathways that cause excessive fibrin deposition, microcirculatory thrombosis, multiorgan dysfunction, and consumptive coagulopathy with excessive bleeding. Given these opposing disease phenotypes, DIC management is challenging and includes treating the underlying disease and managing the coagulopathy. Currently, no therapies are approved for DIC. We have developed clot-targeted therapeutics that inhibit clot polymerization and activate clot fibrinolysis to manage DIC. We hypothesize that delivering both an anticoagulant and a fibrinolytic agent directly to clots will inhibit active clot polymerization while also breaking up pre-existing clots; therefore, reversing consumptive coagulopathy and restoring hemostatic balance. To test this hypothesis, we single- and dual-loaded fibrin-specific nanogels (FSNs) with antithrombinIII (ATIII) and/or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and evaluated their clot preventing and clot lysing abilities in vitro and in a rodent model of DIC. In vivo, single-loaded ATIII-FSNs decreased fibrin deposits in DIC organs and reduced blood loss when DIC rodents were injured. We also observed that the addition of tPA in dual-loaded ATIII-tPA-FSNs intensified the antithrombotic and fibrinolytic mechanisms, which proved advantageous for clot lysis and restoring platelet counts. However, the addition of tPA may have hindered wound healing capabilities when an injury was introduced. Our data supports the benefits of delivering both anticoagulants and fibrinolytic agents directly to clots to reduce the fibrin load and restore hemostatic balance in DIC.}, journal={ACS NANO}, author={Sheridan, Anastasia and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Pandit, Sanika and Byrnes, Elizabeth and Hardy, Grace and Lutz, Halle and Moiseiwitsch, Nina and Scull, Grant and Mihalko, Emily and Levy, Jerrold and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jun} }
 @article{nellenbach_mihalko_nandi_koch_shetty_moretti_sollinger_moiseiwitsch_sheridan_pandit_et al._2024, title={Ultrasoft platelet-like particles stop bleeding in rodent and porcine models of trauma}, volume={16}, ISSN={["1946-6242"]}, DOI={10.1126/scitranslmed.adi4490}, abstractNote={Uncontrolled bleeding after trauma represents a substantial clinical problem. The current standard of care to treat bleeding after trauma is transfusion of blood products including platelets; however, donated platelets have a short shelf life, are in limited supply, and carry immunogenicity and contamination risks. Consequently, there is a critical need to develop hemostatic platelet alternatives. To this end, we developed synthetic platelet-like particles (PLPs), formulated by functionalizing highly deformable microgel particles composed of ultralow cross-linked poly ( N -isopropylacrylamide) with fibrin-binding ligands. The fibrin-binding ligand was designed to target to wound sites, and the cross-linking of fibrin polymers was designed to enhance clot formation. The ultralow cross-linking of the microgels allows the particles to undergo large shape changes that mimic platelet shape change after activation; when coupled to fibrin-binding ligands, this shape change facilitates clot retraction, which in turn can enhance clot stability and contribute to healing. Given these features, we hypothesized that synthetic PLPs could enhance clotting in trauma models and promote healing after clotting. We first assessed PLP activity in vitro and found that PLPs selectively bound fibrin and enhanced clot formation. In murine and porcine models of traumatic injury, PLPs reduced bleeding and facilitated healing of injured tissue in both prophylactic and immediate treatment settings. We determined through biodistribution experiments that PLPs were renally cleared, possibly enabled by ultrasoft particle properties. The performance of synthetic PLPs in the preclinical studies shown here supports future translational investigation of these hemostatic therapeutics in a trauma setting.}, number={742}, journal={SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE}, author={Nellenbach, Kimberly and Mihalko, Emily and Nandi, Seema and Koch, Drew W. and Shetty, Jagathpala and Moretti, Leandro and Sollinger, Jennifer and Moiseiwitsch, Nina and Sheridan, Ana and Pandit, Sanika and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Apr} }
 @article{chee_mihalko_nellenbach_sollinger_huang_hon_pandit_cheng_brown_2023, title={Wound‐triggered shape change microgels for the development of enhanced biomimetic function platelet‐like particles}, volume={112}, ISSN={1549-3296 1552-4965}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.37625}, DOI={10.1002/jbm.a.37625}, abstractNote={AbstractPlatelets play a pivotal role in hemostasis and wound healing and conditional shape change is an important component of platelet functionality. In normal circumstances, platelets travel through the circulatory system in an inactive rounded state, which enables platelets to easily move to vessel walls for attachment. When an injury occurs, platelets are prompted by molecules, such as thrombin, to shift into a stellate shape and increase exposure of fibrin‐binding receptors. When active, platelets promote hemostasis and clot retraction, which enhances clot stability and promotes healing. However, in conditions where platelets are depleted or hyporeactive, these functions are diminished and lead to inhibited hemostasis and healing. To treat platelet depletion, our group developed platelet‐like particles (PLPs) which consist of highly deformable microgels coupled to fibrin binding motif. However, first generation PLPs do not exhibit wound‐triggered shape change like native platelets. Thus, the objective of these studies was to develop a PLP formulation that changes shape when prompted by thrombin. To create thrombin‐sensitive PLPs (TS‐PLPs), we incorporated a thrombin‐cleavable peptide into the microgel body and then evaluated PLP properties before and after exposure to thrombin including morphology, size, and in vitro clot retraction. Once thrombin‐prompted shape change ability was confirmed, the TS‐PLPs were tested in vivo for hemostatic ability and subsequent wound healing outcomes in a murine liver trauma model. We found that TS‐PLPs exhibit a wound‐triggered shape change, induce significant clot retraction following exposure to thrombin and promote hemostasis and healing in vivo after trauma.}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Chee, Eunice and Mihalko, Emily and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Sollinger, Jennifer and Huang, Ke and Hon, Mason and Pandit, Sanika and Cheng, Ke and Brown, Ashley}, year={2023}, month={Oct}, pages={613–624} }
 @article{mihalko_sandry_mininni_nellenbach_deal_daniele_ghadimi_levy_brown_2021, title={Fibrin-modulating nanogels for treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation}, volume={5}, ISSN={2473-9529 2473-9537}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003046}, DOI={10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003046}, abstractNote={AbstractDisseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a pathological coagulopathy associated with infection that increases mortality. In DIC, excessive thrombin generation causes symptoms from formation of microthrombi to multiorgan failure; bleeding risks can also be a concern because of clotting factor consumption. Different clinical events lead to DIC, including sepsis, trauma, and shock. Treatments for thrombotic episodes or bleeding presentation in DIC oppose each other, thus creating therapeutic dilemmas in management. The objective of this study was to develop fibrin-specific core-shell nanogels (FSNs) loaded with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) to treat the microcirculatory complications of DIC, which would facilitate targeted clot dissolution to manage microthrombi and the potential consumptive coagulopathy that causes bleeding. FSNs enhance formation of actively polymerizing clots by crosslinking fibrin fibers, but they can also target preexisting microthrombi and, when loaded with tPA, facilitate targeted delivery to lyse the microthrombi. We hypothesized that this dual action would simultaneously address bleeding and microthrombi with DIC to improve outcomes. In vivo, tPA-FSNs decreased the presentation of multiorgan microthrombi, recovered platelet counts, and improved bleeding outcomes in a DIC rodent model. When incorporated with human DIC patient plasma, tPA-FSNs restored clot structure and clot growth under flow. Together, these data demonstrate that a fibrinolytic agent loaded into fibrin-targeting nanogels could improve DIC outcomes.}, number={3}, journal={Blood Advances}, publisher={American Society of Hematology}, author={Mihalko, Emily P. and Sandry, Megan and Mininni, Nicholas and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Deal, Halston and Daniele, Michael and Ghadimi, Kamrouz and Levy, Jerrold H. and Brown, Ashley C.}, year={2021}, month={Jan}, pages={613–627} }
 @article{mihalko_nellenbach_krishnakumar_moiseiwitsch_sollinger_cooley_brown_2021, title={Fibrin‐specific <scp>poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)</scp> nanogels for targeted delivery of tissue‐type plasminogen activator to treat thrombotic complications are well tolerated in vivo}, volume={7}, ISSN={2380-6761 2380-6761}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/btm2.10277}, DOI={10.1002/btm2.10277}, abstractNote={AbstractTargeted drug delivery for maintaining blood fluidity can reduce the risks associated with systemic anticoagulants that can lead to off‐target bleeding. Recently, there has been much interest in targeted delivery of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) for treating thrombotic complications. The work presented here characterizes a fibrin‐specific nanogel (FSN) design for targeted delivery of tPA to treat thrombotic complications. Fibrin binding and clot degradation were characterized in vitro, and animal models of thrombosis were used to examine nanogel effects on coagulation parameters. In vitro assays showed tPA‐FSNs attach to fibrin in a dose‐dependent manner independent of tPA loading. In animal models of thrombosis, including an electrolytic injury to monitor clot properties in real time, and a lipopolysaccharide‐induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) animal model, tPA‐FSNs modulated fibrin/fibrinogen and platelet incorporation into clots and at optimized dosing could recover consumptive coagulopathy in DIC. Distribution of unloaded and tPA‐loaded FSNs showed potential clearance of tPA‐FSNs after 24 h, although unloaded FSNs may be retained at sites of fibrin deposits. Maximum tolerated dose studies showed tPA‐FSNs have minimal toxicity up to 20 times the optimized therapeutic dose. Overall, these studies demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of targeted fibrinolysis for systemic microthrombi and begin to evaluate key translational parameters for tPA‐FSN therapeutics, including optimal tPA‐FSN dosage in a DIC rodent model and safety of intravenous tPA‐FSN therapeutics.}, number={2}, journal={Bioengineering & Translational Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Mihalko, Emily P. and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Krishnakumar, Manasi and Moiseiwitsch, Nina and Sollinger, Jennifer and Cooley, Brian C. and Brown, Ashley C.}, year={2021}, month={Dec} }
 @article{krissanaprasit_key_froehlich_pontula_mihalko_dupont_andersen_kjems_brown_labean_2021, title={Multivalent Aptamer‐Functionalized Single‐Strand RNA Origami as Effective, Target‐Specific Anticoagulants with Corresponding Reversal Agents}, volume={10}, ISSN={2192-2640 2192-2659}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202001826}, DOI={10.1002/adhm.202001826}, abstractNote={AbstractAnticoagulants are commonly utilized during surgeries and to treat thrombotic diseases like stroke and deep vein thrombosis. However, conventional anticoagulants have serious side‐effects, narrow therapeutic windows, and lack safe reversal agents (antidotes). Here, an alternative RNA origami displaying RNA aptamers as target‐specific anticoagulant is described. Improved design and construction techniques for self‐folding, single‐molecule RNA origami as a platform for displaying pre‐selected RNA aptamers with precise orientational and spatial control are reported. Nuclease resistance is added using 2′‐fluoro‐modified pyrimidines during in vitro transcription. When four aptamers are displayed on the RNA origami platform, the measured thrombin inhibition and anticoagulation activity is higher than observed for free aptamers, ssRNA‐linked RNA aptamers, and RNA origami displaying fewer aptamers. Importantly, thrombin inhibition is immediately switched off by addition of specific reversal agents. Results for single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) and single‐stranded peptide nucleic acid (PNA) antidotes show restoration of 63% and 95% coagulation activity, respectively. To demonstrate potential for practical, long‐term storage for clinical use, RNA origami is freeze‐dried, and stored at room temperature. Freshly produced and freeze‐dried RNA show identical levels of activity in coagulation assays. Compared to current commercial intravenous anticoagulants, RNA origami‐based molecules show promise as safer alternatives with rapid activity switching for future therapeutic applications.}, number={11}, journal={Advanced Healthcare Materials}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Krissanaprasit, Abhichart and Key, Carson M. and Froehlich, Kristen and Pontula, Sahil and Mihalko, Emily and Dupont, Daniel M. and Andersen, Ebbe S. and Kjems, Jørgen and Brown, Ashley C. and LaBean, Thomas H.}, year={2021}, month={Apr} }
 @article{todd_bharadwaj_nellenbach_nandi_mihalko_copeland_brown_stabenfeldt_2021, title={Platelet‐like</scp> particles reduce <scp>coagulopathy‐related</scp> and neuroinflammatory pathologies <scp>post‐experimental</scp> traumatic brain injury}, volume={109}, ISSN={1552-4973 1552-4981}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34888}, DOI={10.1002/jbm.b.34888}, abstractNote={AbstractCoagulopathy may occur following traumatic brain injury (TBI), thereby negatively affecting patient outcomes. Here, we investigate the use of platelet‐like particles (PLPs), poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic‐acid) microgels conjugated with a fibrin‐specific antibody, to improve hemostasis post‐TBI. The objective of this study was to diminish coagulopathy in a mouse TBI model (controlled cortical impact) via PLP treatment, and subsequently decrease blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and neuroinflammation. Following an acute intravenous injection of PLPs post‐TBI, we analyzed BBB permeability, ex vivo coagulation parameters, and neuroinflammation at 24 hr and 7 days post‐TBI. Both PLP‐treatment and control particle‐treatment had significantly decreased BBB permeability and improved clot structure 24 hr post‐injury. Additionally, no significant change in tissue sparing was observed between 24 hr and 7 days for PLP‐treated cohorts compared to that observed in untreated cohorts. Only PLP‐treatment resulted in significant reduction of astrocyte expression at 7 days and percent difference from 24 hr to 7 days. Finally, PLP‐treatment significantly reduced the percent difference from 24 hr to 7 days in microglia/macrophage density compared to the untreated control. These results suggest that PLP‐treatment addressed acute hypocoagulation and decreased BBB permeability followed by decreased neuroinflammation and fold‐change tissue loss by 7 days post‐injury. These promising results indicate that PLPs could be a potential therapeutic modality for TBI.}, number={12}, journal={Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Todd, Jordan and Bharadwaj, Vimala N. and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Nandi, Seema and Mihalko, Emily and Copeland, Connor and Brown, Ashley C. and Stabenfeldt, Sarah E.}, year={2021}, month={Jun}, pages={2268–2278} }
 @article{nandi_mihalko_nellenbach_castaneda_schneible_harp_deal_daniele_menegatti_barker_et al._2021, title={Synthetic Platelet Microgels Containing Fibrin Knob B Mimetic Motifs Enhance Clotting Responses}, volume={4}, ISSN={2366-3987 2366-3987}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adtp.202100010}, DOI={10.1002/adtp.202100010}, abstractNote={AbstractNative platelets are crucial players in wound healing. Key to their role is the ability of their surface receptor GPIIb/IIIa to bind fibrin at injury sites, thereby promoting clotting. When platelet activity is impaired as a result of traumatic injury or certain diseases, uncontrolled bleeding can result. To aid clotting and tissue repair in cases of poor platelet activity, synthetic platelet‐like particles capable of promoting clotting and improving wound healing responses have been previously developed in the lab. These are constructed by functionalizing highly deformable hydrogel microparticles (microgels) with fibrin‐binding ligands including a fibrin‐specific whole antibody or a single‐domain variable fragment. To improve the translational potential of these clotting materials, the use of fibrin‐binding peptides as cost‐effective, robust, high‐specificity alternatives to antibodies are explored. Herein, the development and characterization of soft microgels decorated with the peptide AHRPYAAK that mimics fibrin knob “B” and targets fibrin hole “b” are presented. These “fibrin‐affine microgels with clotting yield” (FAMCY) are found to significantly increase clot density in vitro and decrease bleeding in a rodent trauma model in vivo. These results indicate that FAMCYs are capable of recapitulating the platelet‐mimetic properties of previous designs while utilizing a less costly, more translational design.}, number={5}, journal={Advanced Therapeutics}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Nandi, Seema and Mihalko, Emily and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Castaneda, Mario and Schneible, John and Harp, Mary and Deal, Halston and Daniele, Michael and Menegatti, Stefano and Barker, Thomas H. and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Mar} }
 @article{chee_nandi_nellenbach_mihalko_snider_morrill_bond_sproul_sollinger_cruse_et al._2020, title={Nanosilver composite pNIPAm microgels for the development of antimicrobial platelet‐like particles}, volume={108}, ISSN={1552-4973 1552-4981}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34592}, DOI={10.1002/jbm.b.34592}, abstractNote={AbstractPlatelets crucially facilitate wound healing but can become depleted in traumatic injury or chronic wounds. Previously, our group developed injectable platelet‐like particles (PLPs) comprised of highly deformable, ultralow crosslinked pNIPAm microgels (ULCs) coupled to fibrin binding antibodies to treat post‐trauma bleeding. PLP fibrin‐binding facilitates homing to sites of injury, promotes clot formation, and, due to high particle deformability, induces clot retraction. Clot retraction augments healing by increasing clot stability, enhancing clot stiffness, and promoting cell migration into the wound bed. Because post‐traumatic healing is often complicated by infection, the objective of these studies was to develop antimicrobial nanosilver microgel composite PLPs to augment hemostasis, fight infection, and promote healing post‐trauma. A key goal was to maintain particle deformability following silver incorporation to preserve PLP‐mediated clot retraction. Clot retraction, antimicrobial activity, hemostasis after trauma, and healing after injury were evaluated via confocal microscopy, colony‐forming unit assays, a murine liver trauma model, and a murine full‐thickness injury model in the absence or presence of infection, respectively. We found that nanosilver incorporation does not affect base PLP performance while bestowing significant antimicrobial activity and enhancing infected wound healing outcomes. Therefore, Ag‐PLPs have great promise for treating hemorrhage and improving healing following trauma.}, number={6}, journal={Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Chee, Eunice and Nandi, Seema and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Mihalko, Emily and Snider, Douglas B. and Morrill, Landon and Bond, Andrew and Sproul, Erin and Sollinger, Jennifer and Cruse, Glenn and et al.}, year={2020}, month={Feb}, pages={2599–2609} }
 @article{nandi_sommerville_nellenbach_mihalko_erb_freytes_hoffman_monroe_brown_2020, title={Platelet-like particles improve fibrin network properties in a hemophilic model of provisional matrix structural defects}, volume={577}, ISSN={0021-9797}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2020.05.088}, DOI={10.1016/j.jcis.2020.05.088}, abstractNote={Following injury, a fibrin-rich provisional matrix is formed to stem blood loss and provide a scaffold for infiltrating cells, which rebuild the damaged tissue. Defects in fibrin network formation contribute to impaired healing outcomes, as evidenced in hemophilia. Platelet-fibrin interactions greatly influence fibrin network structure via clot contraction, which increases fibrin density over time. Previously developed hemostatic platelet-like particles (PLPs) are capable of mimicking platelet functions including binding to fibrin fibers, augmenting clotting, and inducing clot retraction. In this study, we aimed to apply PLPs within a plasma-based in vitro hemophilia B model of deficient fibrin network structure to determine the ability of PLPs to improve fibrin structure and wound healing responses within hemophilia-like abnormal fibrin network formation. PLP impact on structurally deficient clot networks was assessed via confocal microscopy, a micropost deflection model, atomic force microscopy and an in vitro wound healing model of early cell migration within a provisional fibrin matrix. PLPs improved clot network density, force generation, and stiffness, and promoted fibroblast migration within an in vitro model of early wound healing under hemophilic conditions, indicating that PLPs could provide a biomimetic platform for improving wound healing events in disease conditions that cause deficient fibrin network formation.}, journal={Journal of Colloid and Interface Science}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Nandi, Seema and Sommerville, Laura and Nellenbach, Kimberly and Mihalko, Emily and Erb, Mary and Freytes, Donald O. and Hoffman, Maureane and Monroe, Dougald and Brown, Ashley C.}, year={2020}, month={Oct}, pages={406–418} }
 @article{mihalko_brown_2019, title={Clot Structure and Implications for Bleeding and Thrombosis}, volume={46}, ISSN={0094-6176 1098-9064}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1696944}, DOI={10.1055/s-0039-1696944}, abstractNote={AbstractThe formation of a fibrin clot matrix plays a critical role in promoting hemostasis and wound healing. Fibrin dynamics can become disadvantageous in the formation of aberrant thrombus development. Structural characteristics of clots, such as fiber diameter, clot density, stiffness, or permeability, can determine overall clot integrity and functional characteristics that have implications on coagulation and fibrinolysis. This review examines known factors that contribute to changes in clot structure and the presence of structural clot changes in various disease states. These insights provide valuable information in forming therapeutic strategies for disease states where alterations in clot structure are observed. Additionally, the implications of structural changes in clot networks on bleeding and thrombus development in terms of disease states and clinical outcomes are also examined in this review.}, number={01}, journal={Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis}, publisher={Georg Thieme Verlag KG}, author={Mihalko, Emily and Brown, Ashley C.}, year={2019}, month={Oct}, pages={096–104} }
 @article{tang_su_huang_dinh_wang_vandergriff_hensley_cores_allen_li_et al._2018, title={Targeted repair of heart injury by stem cells fused with platelet nanovesicles}, volume={2}, ISSN={2157-846X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41551-017-0182-x}, DOI={10.1038/s41551-017-0182-x}, abstractNote={Stem cell transplantation, as used clinically, suffers from low retention and engraftment of the transplanted cells. Inspired by the ability of platelets to recruit stem cells to sites of injury on blood vessels, we hypothesized that platelets might enhance the vascular delivery of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) to sites of myocardial infarction injury. Here, we show that CSCs with platelet nanovesicles fused onto their surface membranes express platelet surface markers that are associated with platelet adhesion to injury sites. We also find that the modified CSCs selectively bind collagen-coated surfaces and endothelium-denuded rat aortas, and that in rat and porcine models of acute myocardial infarction the modified CSCs increase retention in the heart and reduce infarct size. Platelet-nanovesicle-fused CSCs thus possess the natural targeting and repairing ability of their parental cell types. This stem cell manipulation approach is fast, straightforward and safe, does not require genetic alteration of the cells, and should be generalizable to multiple cell types. The attachment of platelet nanovesicles to the surface of cardiac stem cells increases the retention of the cells delivered to the heart and reduces infarct size in rat and pig models of acute myocardial infarction.}, number={1}, journal={Nature Biomedical Engineering}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Tang, Junnan and Su, Teng and Huang, Ke and Dinh, Phuong-Uyen and Wang, Zegen and Vandergriff, Adam and Hensley, Michael T. and Cores, Jhon and Allen, Tyler and Li, Taosheng and et al.}, year={2018}, month={Jan}, pages={17–26} }
 @article{mihalko_brown_2017, title={Material Strategies for Modulating Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transitions}, volume={4}, ISSN={2373-9878 2373-9878}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00751}, DOI={10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00751}, abstractNote={Epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT) involve the phenotypic change of epithelial cells into fibroblast-like cells. This process is accompanied by the loss of cell-cell contacts, increased extracellular matrix (ECM) production, stress fiber alignment, and an increase in cell mobility. While essential for development and wound repair, EMT has also been recognized as a contributing factor to fibrotic diseases and cancer. Both chemical and mechanical cues, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, NF-κB, Wnt, Notch, interleukin-8, metalloproteinase-3, ECM proteins, and ECM stiffness can determine the degree and duration of EMT events. Additionally, transforming growth factor beta is a primary driver of EMT and, interestingly, can be activated through cell-mediated mechanoactivation. In this review, we highlight recent findings demonstrating the contribution of mechanical stimuli, such as tissue and material stiffness, in driving EMT. We then highlight material strategies for controlling EMT events. Finally, we discuss drivers of the similar process of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and corresponding material strategies for controlling EndoMT.}, number={4}, journal={ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering}, publisher={American Chemical Society (ACS)}, author={Mihalko, Emily P. and Brown, Ashley C.}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={1149–1161} }