Nanoparticles transfected with plasmid-encoded lncRNA-OIP5-AS1 inhibit renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice via the miR-410-3p/Nrf2 axis

Nanostructures composed of liposomes and polydopamine (PDA) have demonstrated efficacy as carriers for delivering plasmids, effectively alleviating renal cell carcinoma. However, their role in acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the plasmid-encoded lncRNA-OIP5-AS1@PDA nanoparticles (POP-NPs) on renal ischemia/reperfusion (RI/R) injury and explore the underlying mechanisms. RI/R or OGD/R models were established in mice and HK-2 cells, respectively. In vivo, vector or POP-NPs were administered (10 nmol, IV) 48 h after RI/R treatment. In the RI/R mouse model, the OIP5-AS1 and Nrf2/HO-1 expressions were down-regulated, while miR-410-3p expression was upregulated. POP-NPs treatment effectively reversed RI/R-induced renal tissue injury, restoring altered levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, malondialdehyde, inflammatory factors (IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α), ROS, apoptosis, miR-410-3p, as well as the suppressed expression of SOD and Nrf2/HO-1 in the model mice. Similar results were obtained in cell models treated with POP-NPs. Additionally, miR-410-3p mimics could reverse the effects of POP-NPs on cellular models, partially counteracted by Nrf2 agonists. The binding relationship between OIP5-AS1 and miR-410-3p, alongside miR-410-3p and Nrf2, has been substantiated by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. The study revealed that POP-NPs can attenuate RI/R-induced injury through miR-410-3p/Nrf2 axis. These findings lay the groundwork for future targeted therapeutic approaches utilizing nanoparticles for RI/R-induced AKI.

Retracted article: The role of second generation sequencing technology and nanomedicine in the monitoring and treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis susceptibility genes

Rong Chang, Chunsheng Wang, Xiangqi Kong, Wenhui Li and Jinchun Wu. The role of second generation sequencing technology and nanomedicine in the monitoring and treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis susceptibility genes. Bioengineered. 2021 Nov. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2003926.Since publication, significant concerns have been raised about the compliance with ethical policies for human research and the integrity of the data reported in the article.When approached for an explanation, the authors provided some original data but were not able to provide all the necessary supporting information. As verifying the validity of published work is core to the scholarly record's integrity, we are retracting the article. All authors listed in this publication have been informed.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as 'Retracted.'

Hypoxia-accelerating pyroptosis nanoinducers for promoting image-guided cancer immunotherapy

Precise image-guided cancer immunotherapy holds immense potential in revolutionizing cancer treatment. The strategies facilitating activatable imaging and controlled therapeutics are highly desired yet to be developed. Herein, we report a new pyroptosis nanoinducer that integrates aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor with hypoxia-responsive covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for advanced image-guided cancer immunotherapy. We first synthesize and compare three donor-acceptor type AIEgens featuring varying numbers of electron-withdrawing units, and find that the incorporation of two acceptors yields the longest response wavelength and most effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) property, surpassing the performance of analogs with one or three acceptor groups. A COF-based nanoplatform containing AIEgen and pyroptosis drug is successfully constructed via the one-pot method. The intra-COF energy transfer significantly quenches AIEgen, in which both fluorescence and PDT properties greatly enhance upon hypoxia-triggered COF degradation. Moreover, the photodynamic process exacerbates hypoxia, accelerating pyroptosis drug release. The nanoagent enables sensitive delineation of tumor site through in situ activatable fluorescence signature. Thanks to the exceptional ROS production capabilities and hypoxia-accelerating drug release, the nanoagent not only inhibits primary tumor growth but also impedes the progression of distant tumors in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice through potent pyroptosis-mediated immune response. This research introduces a novel strategy for achieving activatable phototheranostics and self-accelerating drug release for synergetic cancer immunotherapy.

Autophagy inhibition mediated via an injectable and NO-releasing hydrogel for amplifying the antitumor efficacy of mild magnetic hyperthermia

While mild hyperthermia holds great potential in the treatment of solid tumors, the thermal stress-triggered self-repairing autophagy significantly compromises its efficacy. To circumvent this obstacle, an injectable hydrogel (NO-Gel) composed of thermosensitive poly(ethylene glycol)-polypeptide copolymers modified with abundant NO donors on their side chains is developed. Meanwhile, ferrimagnetic Zn0.5Fe2.5O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with high magnetic-heat conversion efficiency are synthesized and loaded into NO-Gel to obtain MNPs@NO-Gel. The MNPs@NO-Gel system exhibits a sol-gel transition upon heating, and has the ability to perform multiple magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) after only one administration due to the even distribution and strong immobilization of MNPs in NO-Gel. NO can be continuously liberated from NO-Gel and this process is markedly accelerated by MHT. Additionally, MNPs@NO-Gel maintains its integrity in vivo for over one month and the released MNPs are metabolized by the spleen. After a single administration of MNPs@NO-Gel at the tumor site, three mild MHT treatments with similar effects are fulfilled, and the sufficient supply of NO effectively inhibits MHT-induced autophagic flux via blocking the formation of autophagosomes and synchronously destroying lysosomes, thereby substantially boosting the efficacy of mild MHT. As a consequence, CT-26 colon tumors are completely eliminated without causing severe side-effects.

Reprogramming exosomes for immunity-remodeled photodynamic therapy against non-small cell lung cancer

Traditional treatments against advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with high morbidity and mortality continue to be dissatisfactory. Given this situation, there is an urgent requirement for alternative modalities that provide lower invasiveness, superior clinical effectiveness, and minimal adverse effects. The combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and immunotherapy gradually become a promising approach for high-grade malignant NSCLC. Nevertheless, owing to the absence of precise drug delivery techniques as well as the hypoxic and immunosuppressive characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME), the efficacy of this combination therapy approach is less than ideal. In this study, we construct a novel nanoplatform that indocyanine green (ICG), a photosensitizer, loads into hollow manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanospheres (NPs) (ICG@MnO2), and then encapsulated in PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies (anti-PD-L1) reprogrammed exosomes (named ICG@MnO2@Exo-anti-PD-L1), to effectively modulate the TME to oppose NSCLC by the synergy of PDT and immunotherapy modalities. The ICG@MnO2@Exo-anti-PD-L1 NPs are precisely delivered to the tumor sites by targeting specially PD-L1 highly expressed cancer cells to controllably release anti-PD-L1 in the acidic TME, thereby activating T cell response. Subsequently, upon endocytic uptake by cancer cells, MnO2 catalyzes the conversion of H2O2 to O2, thereby alleviating tumor hypoxia. Meanwhile, ICG further utilizes O2 to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) to kill tumor cells under 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Furthermore, a high level of intratumoral H2O2 reduces MnO2 to Mn2+, which remodels the immune microenvironment by polarizing macrophages from M2 to M1, further driving T cells. Taken together, the current study suggests that the ICG@MnO2@Exo-anti-PD-L1 NPs could act as a novel drug delivery platform for achieving multimodal therapy in treating NSCLC.

Immobilization-free and label-free electrochemical DNA biosensing based on target-stimulated release of redox reporter and its catalytic redox recycling

Herein, we demonstrate a simple, homogenous and label-free electrochemical biosensing system for sensitive nucleic acid detection based on target-responsive porous materials and nuclease-triggered target recycling amplification. The Fe(CN)63- reporter was firstly sealed into the pores of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by probe DNA. Target DNA recognition triggered the controllable release of Fe(CN)63- for the redox reaction with the electron mediator of methylene blue enriched in the dodecanethiol assembled electrode and thereby generating electrochemical signal. The exonuclease III (Exo III)-assisted target recycling and the catalytic redox recycling between Fe(CN)63- and methylene blue contributed for the enhanced signal response toward target recognition. The low detection limit toward target was obtained as 478 fM and 1.6 pM, respectively, by square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry methods. It also possessed a well-discrimination ability toward mismatched strands and high tolerance to complex sample matrix. The coupling of bio-gated porous nanoparticles, nuclease-assisted target amplification and catalytic redox recycling afforded the sensing system with well-controllable signal responses, sensitive and selective DNA detection, and good stability, reusability and reproducibility. It thus opens a new avenue toward the development of simple but sensitive electrochemical biosensing platform.

MMP13-targeted siRNA-loaded micelles for diagnosis and treatment of posttraumatic osteoarthritis

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) patients are often diagnosed by X-ray imaging at a middle-late stage when drug interventions are less effective. Early PTOA is characterized by overexpressed matrix metalloprotease 13 (MMP13). Herein, we constructed an integrated diagnosis and treatment micelle modified with MMP13 enzyme-detachable, cyanine 5 (Cy5)-containing PEG, black hole quencher-3 (BHQ3), and cRGD ligands and loaded with siRNA silencing MMP13 (siM13), namely ERMs@siM13. ERMs@siM13 could be cleaved by MMP13 in the diseased cartilage tissues to detach the PEG shell, causing cRGD exposure. Accordingly, the ligand exposure promoted micelle uptake by the diseased chondrocytes by binding to cell surface αvβ3 integrin, increasing intracellular siM13 delivery for on-demand MMP13 downregulation. Meanwhile, the Cy5 fluorescence was restored by detaching from the BHQ3-containing micelle, precisely reflecting the diseased cartilage state. In particular, the intensity of Cy5 fluorescence generated by ERMs@siM13 that hinged on the MMP13 levels could reflect the PTOA severity, enabling the physicians to adjust the therapeutic regimen. Finally, in the murine PTOA model, ERMs@siM13 could diagnose the early-stage PTOA, perform timely interventions, and monitor the OA progression level during treatment through a real-time detection of MMP13. Therefore, ERMs@siM13 represents an appealing approach for early-stage PTOA theranostics.

Tumour microenvironment-responded Fe-doped carbon dots-sensitized cubic Cu2O for Z-scheme heterojunction-enhanced sono-chemodynamic synergistic tumor therapy

The efficacy of electron-hole separation in a single sonosensitizer and the complexities of the tumor microenvironment (TME) present significant challenges to the effectiveness of sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Designing efficient sonosensitizers to enhance electron-hole separation and alleviate TME resistance is crucial yet challenging. Herein, we introduce a novel Z-scheme heterojunctions (HJs) sonosensitizer using Fe-doped carbon dots (CDs) as auxiliary semiconductors to sensitize cubic Cu2O (Fe-CDs@Cu2O) for the first time. Fe-CDs@Cu2O demonstrated enhanced SDT effects due to improved electron-hole separation. Additionally, the introduction of Fe ions in CDs synergistically enhances Fenton-like reactions with Cu ions in Cu2O, resulting in enhanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT) effects. Moreover, Fe-CDs@Cu2O exhibited rapid glutathione (GSH) depletion, effectively mitigating TME resistance. With high rates of 1O2 and OH generated by Fe-CDs@Cu2O, coupled with strong GSH depletion, single drug injection and ultrasound (US) irradiation effectively eliminate tumors. This innovative heterojunction sonosensitizer offers a promising pathway for clinical anti-tumor treatment.

Ultrasensitive upconverting nanoprobes for in situ imaging of drug-induced liver injury using miR-122 as the biomarker

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a frequent adverse drug reaction. The current clinical diagnostic methods are inadequate for accurate and early detection of DILI due to the lack of effective diagnostic biomarkers. Hepatocyte-specific miR-122 is released from injured hepatocytes promptly and its efflux is significantly correlated with the progression of DILI. Therefore, achieving precise in situ detection of miR-122 with high sensitivity is vital for early visualization of DILI. Herein, a new nanoprobe, consisting of miR-122 aptamer, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) was introduced for the early and sensitive detection of DILI in situ. As the nanoprobes reached in the liver, miR-122 aptamer-based entropy-driven strand displacement (ESDR) signal amplification reaction was triggered and luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) between UCNPs and PBNPs was responded to achieve the high-fidelity detection of DILI. A negative correlation was observed between the intensity of upconversion luminescence (UCL) and the concentration of miR-122. UCL imaging conducted both in vivo and ex vivo indicated that a reduction in miR-122 concentration led to an increase in UCL intensity, revealing a precise state of DILI. The detection technique demonstrated a positive correlation between signal intensity and severity, offering a more straightforward and intuitive method of visualizing DILI.

Ferroptosis in antitumor therapy: Unraveling regulatory mechanisms and immunogenic potential

Ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of non-apoptotic cell death, has the potential to revolutionize anti-tumor therapy. This review highlights the regulatory mechanisms and immunogenic properties of ferroptosis, and how it can enhance the effectiveness of radio and immunotherapies in overcoming tumor resistance. However, tumor metabolism and the impact of ferroptosis on the tumor microenvironment present challenges in completely realizing its therapeutic potential. A deeper understanding of the effects of ferroptosis on tumor cells and their associated immune cells is essential for developing more effective tumor treatment strategies. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the relationship between ferroptosis and tumor immunity, and sheds new light on its application in tumor immunotherapy.

Simultaneous Protonation and Metalation of a Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework Enhance Photodynamic Therapy

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been explored for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer, but their antitumor efficacy is limited by excited state quenching and low reactive oxygen species generation efficiency. Herein, we report a simultaneous protonation and metalation strategy to significantly enhance the PDT efficacy of a nanoscale two-dimensional imine-linked porphyrin-COF. The neutral and unmetalated porphyrin-COF (Ptp) and the protonated and metalated porphyrin-COF (Ptp-Fe) were synthesized via imine condensation between 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin and terephthalaldehyde in the absence and presence of ferric chloride, respectively. The presence of ferric chloride generated both doubly protonated and Fe3+-coordinated porphyrin units, which red-shifted and increased the Q-band absorption and disrupted exciton migration to prevent excited state quenching, respectively. Under light irradiation, rapid energy transfer from protonated porphyrins to Fe3+-coordinated porphyrins in Ptp-Fe enabled 1O2 and hydroxyl radical generation via type II and type I PDT processes. Ptp-Fe also catalyzed the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxy radical through a photoenhanced Fenton-like reaction under slightly acidic conditions and light illumination. As a result, Ptp-Fe-mediated PDT exhibited much higher cytotoxicity than Ptp-mediated PDT on CT26 and 4T1 cancer cells. Ptp-Fe-mediated PDT afforded potent antitumor efficacy in subcutaneous CT26 murine colon cancer and orthotopic 4T1 murine triple-negative breast tumors and prevented metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer to the lungs. This work underscores the role of fine-tuning the molecular structures of COFs in significantly enhancing their PDT efficacy.

Engineered biological nanoparticles as nanotherapeutics for tumor immunomodulation

Biological nanoparticles, or bionanoparticles, are small molecules manufactured in living systems with complex production and assembly machinery. The products of the assembly systems can be further engineered to generate functionalities for specific purposes. These bionanoparticles have demonstrated advantages such as immune system evasion, minimal toxicity, biocompatibility, and biological clearance. Hence, bionanoparticles are considered the new paradigm in nanoscience research for fabricating safe and effective nanoformulations for therapeutic purposes. Harnessing the power of the immune system to recognize and eradicate malignancies is a viable strategy to achieve better therapeutic outcomes with long-term protection from disease recurrence. However, cancerous tissues have evolved to become invisible to immune recognition and to transform the tumor microenvironment into an immunosuppressive dwelling, thwarting the immune defense systems and creating a hospitable atmosphere for cancer growth and progression. Thus, it is pertinent that efforts in fabricating nanoformulations for immunomodulation are mindful of the tumor-induced immune aberrations that could render cancer nanotherapy inoperable. This review systematically categorizes the immunosuppression mechanisms, the regulatory immunosuppressive cellular players, and critical suppressive molecules currently targeted as breakthrough therapies in the clinic. Finally, this review will summarize the engineering strategies for affording immune moderating functions to bionanoparticles that tip the tumor microenvironment (TME) balance toward cancer elimination, a field still in the nascent stage.

Research progress of nano-delivery systems for the active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine

INTRODUCTION

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for thousands of years in China, characterizing with novel pharmacological mechanisms, low toxicity, and limited side effects. However, the application of TCM active ingredients is often hindered by their physical and chemical properties, including poor solubility, low bioavailability, short half-life, toxic side effects within therapeutic doses, and instability in biological environments. Consequently, an increasing number of researchers are directing their attention towards the discovery of nano-delivery systems for TCM to overcome these clinical challenges.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to provide the latest knowledge and results concerning the studies on the nano-delivery systems for the active ingredients from TCM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Recent literature relating to nano-delivery systems for the active ingredients from TCM is summarized to provide a fundamental understanding of how such systems can enhance the application of phytochemicals.

RESULTS

The nano-delivery systems of six types of TCM monomers are summarized and categorized based on the skeletal structure of the natural compounds. These categories include terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, quinones, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. The paper analyzes the characteristics, types, materials used, and the efficacy achieved by TCM-nano systems. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of nano-drug delivery systems for TCM are summarized in this paper.

CONCLUSION

Nano-delivery systems represent a promising approach to overcoming clinical obstacles stemming from the physical and chemical properties of TCM active ingredients, thereby enhancing their clinical efficacy.

From ferroptosis to cuproptosis, and calcicoptosis, to find more novel metals-mediated distinct form of regulated cell death

Regulated cell death (RCD), also known as programmed cell death (PCD), plays a critical role in various biological processes, such as tissue injury/repair, development, and homeostasis. Dysregulation of RCD pathways can lead to the development of many human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining proper metal ion homeostasis is critical for human health. However, imbalances in metal levels within cells can result in cytotoxicity and cell death, leading to a variety of diseases and health problems. In recent years, new types of metal overload-induced cell death have been identified, including ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and calcicoptosis. This has prompted us to examine the three defined metal-dependent cell death types, and discuss other metals-induced ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis, as well as the roles of Zn2+ in metals' homeostasis and related RCD. We have reviewed the connection between metals-induced RCD and various diseases, as well as the underlying mechanisms. We believe that further research in this area will lead to the discovery of novel types of metal-dependent RCD, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and the development of new therapeutic strategies for human diseases.

Nanomaterials in crossroad of autophagy control in human cancers: Amplification of cell death mechanisms

Cancer is the result of genetic abnormalities that cause normal cells to grow into neoplastic cells. Cancer is characterized by several distinct features, such as uncontrolled cell growth, extensive spreading to other parts of the body, and the ability to resist treatment. The scientists have stressed the development of nanostructures as novel therapeutic options in suppressing cancer, in response to the emergence of resistance to standard medicines. One of the specific mechanisms with dysregulation during cancer is autophagy. Nanomaterials have the ability to specifically carry medications and genes, and they can also enhance the responsiveness of tumor cells to standard therapy while promoting drug sensitivity. The primary mechanism in this process relies on autophagosomes and their fusion with lysosomes to break down the components of the cytoplasm. While autophagy was initially described as a form of cellular demise, it has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in controlling metastasis, proliferation, and treatment resistance in human malignancies. The pharmacokinetic profile of autophagy modulators is poor, despite their development for use in cancer therapy. Consequently, nanoparticles have been developed for the purpose of delivering medications and autophagy modulators selectively and specifically to the cancer process. Furthermore, several categories of nanoparticles have demonstrated the ability to regulate autophagy, which plays a crucial role in defining the biological characteristics and response to therapy of tumor cells.

Targeted drug-loaded peptides induce tumor cell apoptosis and immunomodulation to increase antitumor efficacy

Immunotherapy is an emerging approach for the treatment of solid tumors. Although chemotherapy is generally considered immunosuppressive, specific chemotherapeutic agents can induce tumor immunity. In this study, we developed a targeted, acid-sensitive peptide nanoparticle (DT/Pep1) to deliver doxorubicin (DOX) and triptolide (TPL) to breast cancer cells via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and the breast cancer-targeting effect of peptide D8. Compared with administration of the free drugs, treatment with the DT/Pep1 system increased the accumulation of DOX and TPL at the tumor site and achieved deeper penetration into the tumor tissue. In an acidic environment, DT/Pep1 transformed from spherical nanoparticles to aggregates with a high aspect ratio, which successfully extended the retention of the drugs in the tumor cells and bolstered the anticancer effect. In both in vivo and in vitro experiments, DT/Pep1 effectively blocked the cell cycle and induced apoptosis. Importantly, the DT/Pep1 system efficiently suppressed tumor development in mice bearing 4T1 tumors while simultaneously promoting immune system activation. Thus, the results of this study provide a system for breast cancer therapy and offer a novel and promising platform for peptide nanocarrier-based drug delivery.

Advancements in the synthesis of carbon dots and their application in biomedicine

As a sort of fluorescent carbon nanomaterial with a particle size of less than 10 nm, carbon dots (CDs) have their own merits of good dispersibility in water, stable optical properties, strong chemical inertness, stable optical properties, and good biosecurity. These excellent peculiarities facilitated them like sensing, imaging, medicine, catalysis, and optoelectronics, making them a new star in the field of nanotechnology. In particular, the development of CDs in the fields of chemical probes, imaging, cancer therapy, antibacterial and drug delivery has become a hot topic in current research. Although the biomedical applications in CDs have been demonstrated in many research articles, a systematic summary of their role in biomedical applications is scarce. In this review, we introduced the basic information of CDs in detail, including synthesis approaches of CDs as well as their favorable properties including photoluminescence and low cytotoxicity. Subsequently, the application of CDs in the field of biomedicine was emphasized. Finally, the main challenges and research prospects of CDs in this field were proposed, which might provide some detailed information in designing new CDs in this promising biomedical field.

Gas-propelled nanomotors alleviate colitis through the regulation of intestinal immunoenvironment-hematopexis-microbiota circuits

The progression of ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with immunologic derangement, intestinal hemorrhage, and microbiota imbalance. While traditional medications mainly focus on mitigating inflammation, it remains challenging to address multiple symptoms. Here, a versatile gas-propelled nanomotor was constructed by mild fusion of post-ultrasonic CaO2 nanospheres with Cu2O nanoblocks. The resulting CaO2-Cu2O possessed a desirable diameter (291.3 nm) and a uniform size distribution. It could be efficiently internalized by colonic epithelial cells and macrophages, scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, and alleviate immune reactions by pro-polarizing macrophages to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. This nanomotor was found to penetrate through the mucus barrier and accumulate in the colitis mucosa due to the driving force of the generated oxygen bubbles. Rectal administration of CaO2-Cu2O could stanch the bleeding, repair the disrupted colonic epithelial layer, and reduce the inflammatory responses through its interaction with the genes relevant to blood coagulation, anti-oxidation, wound healing, and anti-inflammation. Impressively, it restored intestinal microbiota balance by elevating the proportions of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Odoribacter and Bifidobacterium) and decreasing the abundances of harmful bacteria (e.g., Prevotellaceae and Helicobacter). Our gas-driven CaO2-Cu2O offers a promising therapeutic platform for robust treatment of UC via the rectal route.

Fe3O4-Incorporated Metal-Organic Framework for Chemo/Ferroptosis Synergistic Anti-Tumor via the Enhanced Chemodynamic Therapy

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based drug delivery nanomaterials for cancer therapy have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Here, an enhanced chemodynamic anti-tumor therapy strategy by promoting the Fenton reaction by using core-shell zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)@Fe3O4 as a therapeutic platform is proposed. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is used as a stabilizer of Fe3O4, which is then decorated on the surface of ZIF-8 via the electrostatic interaction and serves as an efficient Fenton reaction trigger. Meanwhile, the pH-responsive ZIF-8 scaffold acts as a container to encapsulate the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX). The obtained DOX-ZIF-8@Fe3O4/CMC (DZFC) nanoparticles concomitantly accelerate DOX release and generate more hydroxyl radicals by targeting the lysosomes in cancer cells. In vitro and in vivo studies verify that the DZFC nanoparticles trigger glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4)-dependent ferroptosis via the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) signaling pathway, following to achieve the chemo/ferroptosis synergistic anti-tumor efficacy. No marked toxic effects are detected during DZFC treatment in a tumor-bearing mouse model. This composite nanoparticle remarkably suppresses the tumor growth with minimized systemic toxicity, opening new horizons for the next generation of theragnostic nanomedicines.

Metal-organic frameworks as candidates for tumor sonodynamic therapy: Designable structures for targeted multifunctional transformation

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), utilizing ultrasound (US) as the trigger, has gained popularity recently as a therapeutic approach with significant potential for treating various diseases. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by structural flexibility, are prominently emerging in the SDT realm as an innovative type of sonosensitizer, offering functional tunability and biocompatibility. However, due to the inherent limitations of MOFs, such as low reactivity to reactive oxygen species and challenges posed by the complex tumor microenvironment, MOF-based sonosensitizers with singular functions are unable to demonstrate the desired therapeutic efficacy and may pose risks of toxicity, limiting their biological applications to superficial tissues. MOFs generally possess distinctive crystalline structures and properties, and their controlled coordination environments provide a flexible platform for exploring structure-effect relationships and guiding the design and development of MOF-based nanomaterials to unlock their broader potential in biological fields. The primary focus of this paper is to summarize cases involving the modification of different MOF materials and the innovative strategies developed for various complex conditions. The paper outlines the diverse application areas of functionalized MOF-based sonosensitizers in tumor synergistic therapies, highlighting the extensive prospects of SDT. Additionally, challenges confronting SDT are briefly summarized to stimulate increased scientific interest in the practical application of MOFs and the successful clinical translation of SDT. Through these discussions, we strive to foster advancements that lead to early-stage clinical benefits for patients. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1. An overview for the progresses in SDT explored from a novel and fundamental perspective. 2. Different modification strategies to improve the MOFs-mediated SDT efficacy are provided. 3. Guidelines for the design of multifunctional MOFs-based sonosensitizers are offered. 4. Powerful tumor ablation potential is reflected in SDT-led synergistic therapies. 5. Future challenges in the field of MOFs-based SDT in clinical translation are suggested.

An AIEgen and Iodine Double-Ornamented Platinum(II) Complex for Bimodal Imaging-Guided Chemo-Photodynamic Combination Therapy

Real-time biodistribution monitoring and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of platinum(II)-based anticancer drugs are urgently required to elevate their clinical performance. Herein, a tetraphenylethene derivative (TP) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties and an iodine atom are selected as ligands to endow platinum (II) complex TP-Pt-I with real-time in vivo self-tracking ability by fluorescence (FL) and computerized tomography (CT) imaging, and improved anticancer efficacy by the combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Especially, benefiting from the formation of a donor-acceptor-donor structure between the AIE photosensitizer TP and Pt-I moiety, the heavy atom effects of Pt and I, and the presence of I, TP-Pt-I displayed red-shifted absorption and emission wavelengths, enhanced ROS generation efficiency, and improved CT imaging capacity compared with the pristine TP and the control agent TP-Pt-Cl. As a result, the enhanced intratumoral accumulation of TP-Pt-I loaded nanoparticles is readily revealed by dual-modal FL and CT imaging with high contrast. Meanwhile, the TP-Pt-I nanoparticles show significantly improved tumor growth-inhibiting effects on an MCF-7 xenograft murine model by combining the chemotherapeutic effects of platinum(II) and the photodynamic effects of TP. This self-tracking therapeutic complex thus provides a new strategy for improving the therapeutic outcomes of platinum(II)-based anticancer drugs.

Antibody Conjugated Nano-Enabled Drug Delivery Systems Against Brain Tumors

The use of antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for brain tumor treatment has gained significant attention in recent years. Nanoparticles functionalized with anti-transferrin receptor antibodies have shown promising results in facilitating nanoparticle uptake by endothelial cells of brain capillaries and post-capillary venules. This approach offers a potential alternative to the direct conjugation of biologics to antibodies. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated the potential of antibody-conjugated nanoparticles in targeting brain tumors, as evidenced by the specific binding of these nanoparticles to brain cancer cells. Additionally, the development of targeted nanoparticles designed to transcytoses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to deliver small molecule drugs and therapeutic antibodies to brain metastases holds promise for brain tumor treatment. While the use of nanoparticles as a delivery method for brain cancer treatment has faced challenges, including the successful delivery of nanoparticles to malignant brain tumors due to the presence of the BBB and infiltrating cancer cells in the normal brain, recent advancements in nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems have shown potential for enhancing the efficacy of brain cancer therapy. Moreover, the development of brain-penetrating nanoparticles capable of distributing over clinically relevant volumes when administered via convection-enhanced delivery presents a promising strategy for improving drug delivery to brain tumors. In conclusion, the use of antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for brain tumor treatment shows great promise in overcoming the challenges associated with drug delivery to the brain. By leveraging the specific targeting capabilities of these nanoparticles, researchers are making significant strides in developing effective and targeted therapies for brain tumors.

Global Guidelines in Dermatology Mapping Project (GUIDEMAP)-A systematic review of the methodological quality of contact dermatitis clinical practice guidelines

The Global Guidelines in Dermatology Mapping Project (GUIDEMAP) assesses the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for high-burden skin diseases. This review focuses on contact dermatitis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Emcare, Epistemonikos, PsycINFO and Academic Search Premier for CPGs published between 1 November 2018 and 1 November 2023. Prespecified guideline resources were hand searched. Two authors independently undertook screening, data extraction and quality assessments. Instruments used were the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II Reporting Checklist, the U.S. Institute of Medicine's (IOM) criteria of trustworthiness, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's National Guideline Clearinghouse Extent Adherence to Trustworthy Standards (NEATS) Instrument and Lenzer's Red Flags. Twenty five CPGs were included, exhibiting heterogeneity in both the topics they addressed and their methodological quality. Whereas the CPGs on management of hand eczema from Denmark, Europe and the Netherlands scored best, most CPGs fell short of being clear, unbiased, trustworthy and evidence-based. Disclosure of conflicts of interest scored well, and areas needing improvement include 'strength and wording of recommendations', 'applicability', 'updating' and 'external review'. Adhering to AGREE II and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) enhances methodological quality.

Engineering customized nanovaccines for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Nanovaccines have gathered significant attention for their potential to elicit tumor-specific immunological responses. Despite notable progress in tumor immunotherapy, nanovaccines still encounter considerable challenges such as low delivery efficiency, limited targeting ability, and suboptimal efficacy. With an aim of addressing these issues, engineering customized nanovaccines through modification or functionalization has emerged as a promising approach. These tailored nanovaccines not only enhance antigen presentation, but also effectively modulate immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, they are distinguished by their diverse sizes, shapes, charges, structures, and unique physicochemical properties, along with targeting ligands. These features of nanovaccines facilitate lymph node accumulation and activation/regulation of immune cells. This overview of bespoke nanovaccines underscores their potential in both prophylactic and therapeutic applications, offering insights into their future development and role in cancer immunotherapy.

Advances in local drug delivery technologies for improved rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by an inflammatory microenvironment and cartilage erosion within the joint cavity. Currently, antirheumatic agents yield significant outcomes in RA treatment. However, their systemic administration is limited by inadequate drug retention in lesion areas and non-specific tissue distribution, reducing efficacy and increasing risks such as infection due to systemic immunosuppression. Development in local drug delivery technologies, such as nanostructure-based and scaffold-assisted delivery platforms, facilitate enhanced drug accumulation at the target site, controlled drug release, extended duration of the drug action, reduced both dosage and administration frequency, and ultimately improve therapeutic outcomes with minimized damage to healthy tissues. In this review, we introduced pathogenesis and clinically used therapeutic agents for RA, comprehensively summarized locally administered nanostructure-based and scaffold-assisted drug delivery systems, aiming at improving the therapeutic efficiency of RA by alleviating the inflammatory response, preventing bone erosion and promoting cartilage regeneration. In addition, the challenges and future prospects of local delivery for clinical translation in RA are discussed.

Toxic effects of nanoplastics on biological nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands: Evidence from iron utilization and metabolism

Nanoplastics (NPs) in wastewaters may present a potential threat to biological nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands (CWs). Iron ions are pivotal in microbially mediated nitrogen metabolism, however, explicit evidence demonstrating the impact of NPs on nitrogen removal regulated by iron utilization and metabolism remains unclear. Here, we investigated how NPs disturb intracellular iron homeostasis, consequently interfering with the coupling mechanism between iron utilization and nitrogen metabolism in CWs. Results indicated that microorganisms affected by NPs developed a siderophore-mediated iron acquisition mechanism to compensate for iron loss. This deficiency resulted from NPs internalization limited the activity of the electron transport system and key enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. Microbial network analysis further suggested that NPs exposure could potentially trigger destabilization in microbial networks and impair effective microbial communication, and ultimately inhibit nitrogen metabolism. These adverse effects, accompanied by the dominance of Fe3+ over certain electron acceptors engaged in nitrogen metabolism under NPs exposure, were potentially responsible for the observed significant deterioration in nitrogen removal (decreased by 30 %). This study sheds light on the potential impact of NPs on intracellular iron utilization and offers a substantial understanding of the iron-nitrogen coupling mechanisms in CWs.

Interactions between nanoparticles and lymphatic systems: Mechanisms and applications in drug delivery

The lymphatic system has garnered significant attention in drug delivery research due to the advantages it offers, such as enhancing systemic exposure and enabling lymph node targeting for nanomedicines via the lymphatic delivery route. The journey of drug carriers involves transport from the administration site to the lymphatic vessels, traversing the lymph before entering the bloodstream or targeting specific lymph nodes. However, the anatomical and physiological barriers of the lymphatic system play a pivotal role in influencing the behavior and efficiency of carriers. To expedite research and subsequent clinical translation, this review begins by introducing the composition and classification of the lymphatic system. Subsequently, we explore the routes and mechanisms through which nanoparticles enter lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. The review further delves into the interactions between nanomedicine and body fluids at the administration site or within lymphatic vessels. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in lymphatic delivery systems, addressing the challenges and opportunities inherent in current systems for delivering macromolecules and vaccines.

NIR-II light in clinical oncology: opportunities and challenges

Novel strategies utilizing light in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II; 900-1,880 nm wavelengths) offer the potential to visualize and treat solid tumours with enhanced precision. Over the past few decades, numerous techniques leveraging NIR-II light have been developed with the aim of precisely eliminating tumours while maximally preserving organ function. During cancer surgery, NIR-II optical imaging enables the visualization of clinically occult lesions and surrounding vital structures with increased sensitivity and resolution, thereby enhancing surgical quality and improving patient prognosis. Furthermore, the use of NIR-II light promises to improve cancer phototherapy by enabling the selective delivery of increased therapeutic energy to tissues at greater depths. Initial clinical studies of NIR-II-based imaging and phototherapy have indicated impressive potential to decrease cancer recurrence, reduce complications and prolong survival. Despite the encouraging results achieved, clinical translation of innovative NIR-II techniques remains challenging and inefficient; multidisciplinary cooperation is necessary to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical practice, and thus accelerate the translation of technical advances into clinical benefits. In this Review, we summarize the available clinical data on NIR-II-based imaging and phototherapy, demonstrating the feasibility and utility of integrating these technologies into the treatment of cancer. We also introduce emerging NIR-II-based approaches with substantial potential to further enhance patient outcomes, while also highlighting the challenges associated with imminent clinical studies of these modalities.

Behavior of Microstrain in Nd3+-Sensitized Near-Infrared Upconverting Core-Shell Nanocrystals for Defect-Induced Tailoring of Luminescence Intensity

In an attempt to optimize the upconversion luminescence (UCL) output of a Nd3+-sensitized near-infrared (808 nm) upconverting core-shell (CS) nanocrystal through deliberate incorporation of lattice defects, a comprehensive analysis of microstrain both at the CS interface and within the core layer was performed using integral breadth calculation of high-energy synchrotron X-ray (λ = 0.568551 Å) diffraction. An atomic level interpretation of such microstrain was performed using pair distribution function analysis of the high-energy total scattering. The core NC developed compressive microstrain, which gradually transformed into tensile microstrain with the growth of the epitaxial shell. Such a reversal was rationalized in terms of a consistent negative lattice mismatch. Upon introduction of lattice defects into the CS systems upon incorporation of Li+, the corresponding UCL intensity was maximized at some specific Li+ incorporation, where the tensile microstrain of CS, compressive microstrain of the core, and atomic level disorders exhibited their respective extreme values irrespective of the activator ions.

Nanoscience and nanotechnology for water remediation: an earnest hope toward sustainability

Water pollution and the global freshwater crisis are the most alarming concerns of the 21st century, as they threaten the sustainability and ecological balance of the environment. The growth of global population, climate change, and expansion of industrial processes are the main causes of these issues. Therefore, effective remediation of polluted water by means of detoxification and purification is of paramount importance. To this end, nanoscience and nanotechnology have emerged as viable options that hold tremendous potential toward the advancement of wastewater treatment methods to enhance treatment efficiency along with augmenting water supply via utilization of unconventional water sources. Materials at the nano level have shown great promise toward water treatment applications owing to their unique physicochemical properties. In this focus article, we highlight the role of new fundamental properties at the nano scale and material properties that are drastically increased due to the nano dimension (e.g. volume-surface ratio) and highlight their impact and potential toward water treatment. We identify and discuss how nano-properties could improve the three main domains of water remediation: the identification of pollutants, their adsorption and catalytic degradation. After discussing all the beneficial aspects we further discuss the key challenges associated with nanomaterials for water treatment. Looking at the current state-of-the-art, the potential as well as the challenges of nanomaterials, we believe that in the future we will see a significant impact of these materials on many water remediation strategies.

Metal-Loaded Synthetic Melanin via Oxidative Polymerization of Neurotransmitter Norepinephrine Exhibiting High Photothermal Conversion

Polydopamine (PDA)-derived melanin-like materials exhibit significant photothermal conversion owing to their broad-spectrum light absorption. However, their low near-infrared (NIR) absorption and inadequate hydrophilicity compromise their utilization of solar energy. Herein, we developed metal-loaded poly(norepinephrine) nanoparticles (PNE NPs) by predoping metal ions (Fe3+, Mn3+, Co2+, Ca2+, Ga3+, and Mg2+) with norepinephrine, a neuron-derived biomimetic molecule, to address the limitations of PDA. The chelation between catechol and metal ions induces a ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) through the formation of donor-acceptor pairs, modulating the light absorption behavior and reducing the band gap. Under 1 sun illumination, the Fe-loaded PNE coated wood evaporator achieved a high seawater evaporation rate and efficiency of 1.75 kg m-2 h-1 and 92.4%, respectively, owing to the superior hydrophilicity and photothermal performance of PNE. Therefore, this study offers a comprehensive exploration of the role of metal ions in enhancing the photothermal properties of synthetic melanins.

In vivo phage display identifies novel peptides for cardiac targeting

Heart failure remains a leading cause of mortality. Therapeutic intervention for heart failure would benefit from targeted delivery to the damaged heart tissue. Here, we applied in vivo peptide phage display coupled with high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and identified peptides specifically targeting damaged cardiac tissue. We established a bioinformatics pipeline for the identification of cardiac targeting peptides. Hit peptides demonstrated preferential uptake by human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and immortalized mouse HL1 cardiomyocytes, without substantial uptake in human liver HepG2 cells. These novel peptides hold promise for use in targeted drug delivery and regenerative strategies and open new avenues in cardiovascular research and clinical practice.

A target-triggered strand displacement-assisted target recycling based on carbon dots-based fluorescent probe and MSNs@PDA nanoparticles for miRNA amplified detection and fluorescence imaging

A target-triggered strand displacement-assisted target recycling based on carbon dots-based fluorescent probe and mesoporous silica nanoparticles@polydopamine (MSNs@PDA) was established to detect miRNA. The surface of MSNs rich in mesopores was coated with a layer of PDA, which can adsorb and quench the fluorescence of single-stranded Fuel DNA with fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) modified at the end through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). After adding double-stranded DNA-gold nanoparticles (dsDNA-AuNPs) and target let-7a, it will trigger two toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions (TSDR), leading to the recovery of fluorescence and the recycling of target let-7a (excitation wavelength: 380 nm; emission wavelength: 458 nm). The recovery value of fluorescence is proportional to the logarithm of the target microRNA let-7a concentration, thus realizing the sensitivity amplification detection of disease markers. The MSNs@PDA@Fuel DNA-CDs/dsDNA-AuNPs nanoplatform based on the strategy of "on-off-on" and TSDR cyclic amplification may hold great potential as an effective and safe nanoprobe for accurate fluorescence imaging of diseases related to miRNA with low abundances.

Engineered coiled-coil HIF1α protein domain mimic

The development of targeted anti-cancer therapeutics offers the potential for increased efficacy of drugs and diagnostics. Utilizing modalities agnostic to tumor type, such as the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), may assist in the development of universal tumor targeting agents. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), in particular HIF1, plays a key role in tumor adaptation to hypoxia, and inhibiting its interaction with p300 has been shown to provide therapeutic potential. Using a multivalent assembled protein (MAP) approach based on the self-assembly of the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein coiled-coil (COMPcc) domain fused to the critical residues of the C-terminal transactivation domain (C-TAD) of the α subunit of HIF1 (HIF1α), we generate HIF1α-MAP (H-MAP). The resulting H-MAP demonstrates picomolar binding affinity to p300, the ability to downregulate hypoxia-inducible genes, and in vivo tumor targeting capability.

Bioactive microgel-coated electrospun membrane with cell-instructive interfaces and topology for abdominal wall defect repair

Current mesh materials used for the clinical treatment of abdominal defects struggle to balance mechanical properties and bioactivity to support tissue remodeling. Therefore, a bioactive microgel-coated electrospinning membrane was designed with the superiority of cell-instructive topology in guiding cell behavior and function for abdominal wall defect reconstruction. The electrostatic spinning technique was employed to prepare a bioabsorbable PLCL fiber membrane with an effective mechanical support. Additionally, decellularized matrix (dECM)-derived bioactive microgels were further coated on the fiber membrane through co-precipitation with dopamine, which was expected to endow cell-instructive hydrophilic interfaces and topological morphologies for cell adhesion. Moreover, the introduction of the dECM into the microgel promoted the myogenic proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells. Subsequently, in vivo experiments using a rat abdominal wall defect model demonstrated that the bioactive microgel coating significantly contributed to the reconstruction of intact abdominal wall structures, highlighting its potential for clinical application in promoting the repair of soft tissue defects associated with abdominal wall damage. This study presented an effective mesh material for facilitating the reconstruction of abdominal wall defects and contributed novel design concepts for the surface modification of scaffolds with cell-instructive interfaces and topology.

Cell-membrane engineering strategies for clinic-guided design of nanomedicine

Cells are the fundamental units of life. The cell membrane primarily composed of two layers of phospholipids (a bilayer) structurally defines the boundary of a cell, which can protect its interior from external disturbances and also selectively exchange substances and conduct signals from the extracellular environment. The complexity and particularity of transmembrane proteins provide the foundation for versatile cellular functions. Nanomedicine as an emerging therapeutic strategy holds tremendous potential in the healthcare field. However, it is susceptible to recognition and clearance by the immune system. To overcome this bottleneck, the technology of cell membrane coating has been extensively used in nanomedicines for their enhanced therapeutic efficacy, attributed to the favorable fluidity and biocompatibility of cell membranes with various membrane-anchored proteins. Meanwhile, some engineering strategies of cell membranes through various chemical, physical and biological ways have been progressively developed to enable their versatile therapeutic functions against complex diseases. In this review, we summarized the potential clinical applications of four typical cell membranes, elucidated their underlying therapeutic mechanisms, and outlined their current engineering approaches. In addition, we further discussed the limitation of this technology of cell membrane coating in clinical applications, and possible solutions to address these challenges.

A SU6668 pure nanoparticle-based eyedrops: toward its high drug Accumulation and Long-time treatment for corneal neovascularization

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is one of the common blinding factors worldwide, leading to reduced vision or even blindness. However, current treatments such as surgical intervention and anti-VEGF agent therapy still have some shortcomings or evoke some adverse effects. Recently, SU6668, an inhibitor targeting angiogenic tyrosine kinases, has demonstrated growth inhibition of neovascularization. But the hydrophobicity and low ocular bioavailability limit its application in cornea. Hereby, we proposed the preparation of SU6668 pure nanoparticles (NanoSU6668; size ~135 nm) using a super-stable pure-nanomedicine formulation technology (SPFT), which possessed uniform particle size and excellent aqueous dispersion at 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cell membrane vesicle (MSCm) was coated on the surface of NanoSU6668, and then conjugated with TAT cell penetrating peptide, preparing multifunctional TAT-MSCm@NanoSU6668 (T-MNS). The T-MNS at a concentration of 200 µg/mL was treated for CNV via eye drops, and accumulated in blood vessels with a high targeting performance, resulting in elimination of blood vessels and recovery of cornea transparency after 4 days of treatment. Meanwhile, drug safety test confirmed that T-MNS did not cause any damage to cornea, retina and other eye tissues. In conclusion, the T-MNS eye drop had the potential to treat CNV effectively and safely in a low dosing frequency, which broke new ground for CNV theranostics.

Disease-Related Internet Use and its Relevance to the Patient-Physician Relationship in Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Germany

Background: Health-related internet use presents both opportunities and challenges for patients and physicians and requires a comprehensive understanding to improve individual health care in atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: To explore differences between regular and irregular disease-related internet users, reasons for disease-related internet use, and its relevance to the patient-physician relationship in AD. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 221 adults with AD online and from a German university clinic between August 2021 and February 2022. The questionnaire queried sociodemographic and disease-related information, reasons for and against using the internet, types of channels used, and the impact on the patient-physician relationship. Participants were categorized as regular (≥once per month) and irregular ( Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

Fabian Wallnöfer From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Stefanie Ziehfreund From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Hannah Wecker From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Barbara Schuster From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Linda Tizek From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Alphina Kain From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Tilo Biedermann From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Alexander Zink From the Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

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3D microscaffolds with triple-marker sensitive nanoprobes for studying fatty liver disease in vitro

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a heterogeneous condition that encompasses a wide range of liver diseases that progresses from simple hepatic steatosis to the life-threatening state of cirrhosis. However, due to the heterogeneity of this disease, comprehensive analysis of several physicochemical and biological factors that drive its progression is necessary. Therefore, an in vitro platform is required that would enable real-time monitoring of these changes to better understand the progression of these diseases. The earliest stage of NAFLD, i.e. hepatic steatosis, is characterised by triglyceride accumulation in the form of lipid vacuoles in the cytosol of hepatocytes. This fatty acid accumulation is usually accompanied by hepatic inflammation, leading to tissue acidification and dysregulated expression of certain proteases such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Taking cues from the biological parameters of the disease, we report here a 3D in vitro GelMA/alginate microscaffold platform encapsulating a triple-marker (pH, MMP-3 and MMP-9) sensitive fluorescent nanoprobe for monitoring, and hence, distinguishing the fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis) from healthy livers on the basis of pH change and MMP expression. The nanoprobe consists of a carbon nanoparticle (CNP) core, which exhibits intrinsic pH-dependent fluorescence properties, decorated either with an MMP-3 (NpMMP3) or MMP-9 (NpMMP9) sensitive peptide substrate. These peptide substrates are flanked with a fluorophore-quencher pair that separates on enzymatic cleavage, resulting in fluorescence emission. The cocktail of these nanoprobes generated multiple fluorescence signals corresponding to slightly acidic pH (blue) and overexpression of MMP-3 (green) and MMP-9 (red) enzymes in a 3D in vitro fatty liver model, whereas no/negligible fluorescence signals were observed in a healthy liver model. Moreover, this platform enabled us to mimic fatty liver disease in a more realistic manner. Therefore, this 3D in vitro platform encapsulating triple-marker sensitive fluorescent nanoprobes would facilitate the monitoring of the changes in pH and MMP expression, thereby enabling us to distinguish a healthy liver from a diseased liver and to study liver disease stages on the basis of these markers.

Targeting pathogenic fibroblast-like synoviocyte subsets in rheumatoid arthritis

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a central role in RA pathogenesis and are the main cellular component in the inflamed synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). FLSs are emerging as promising new therapeutic targets in RA. However, fibroblasts perform many essential functions that are required for sustaining tissue homeostasis. Direct targeting of general fibroblast markers on FLSs is challenging because fibroblasts in other tissues might be altered and side effects such as reduced wound healing or fibrosis can occur. To date, no FLS-specific targeted therapies have been applied in the clinical management of RA. With the help of high-throughput technologies such as scRNA-seq in recent years, several specific pathogenic FLS subsets in RA have been identified. Understanding the characteristics of these pathogenic FLS clusters and the mechanisms that drive their differentiation can provide new insights into the development of novel FLS-targeting strategies for RA. Here, we discuss the pathogenic FLS subsets in RA that have been elucidated in recent years and potential strategies for targeting pathogenic FLSs.

Polydopamine Synergizes with Quercetin Nanosystem to Reshape the Perifollicular Microenvironment for Accelerating Hair Regrowth in Androgenetic Alopecia

Accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their resultant vascular dysfunction in androgenic alopecia (AGA) hinder hair follicle survival and cause permanent hair loss. However, safe and effective strategies to rescue hair follicle viability to enhance AGA therapeutic efficiency remain challenging. Herein, we fabricated a quercetin-encapsulated (Que) and polydopamine-integrated (PDA@QLipo) nanosystem that can reshape the perifollicular microenvironment to initial hair follicle regeneration for AGA treatment. Both the ROS scavenging and angiogenesis promotion abilities of PDA@QLipo were demonstrated. In vivo assays revealed that PDA@QLipo administrated with roller-microneedles successfully rejuvenated the "poor" perifollicular microenvironment, thereby promoting cell proliferation, accelerating hair follicle renewal, and facilitating hair follicle recovery. Moreover, PDA@QLipo achieved a higher hair regeneration coverage of 92.5% in the AGA mouse model than minoxidil (87.8%), even when dosed less frequently. The nanosystem creates a regenerative microenvironment by scavenging ROS and augmenting neovascularity for hair regrowth, presenting a promising approach for AGA clinical treatment.

From virus to immune system: Harnessing membrane-derived vesicles to fight COVID-19 by interacting with biological molecules

Emerging and re-emerging viral pandemics have emerged as a major public health concern. Highly pathogenic coronaviruses, which cause severe respiratory disease, threaten human health and socioeconomic development. Great efforts are being devoted to the development of safe and efficacious therapeutic agents and preventive vaccines to combat them. Nevertheless, the highly mutated virus poses a challenge to drug development and vaccine efficacy, and the use of common immunomodulatory agents lacks specificity. Benefiting from the burgeoning intersection of biological engineering and biotechnology, membrane-derived vesicles have shown superior potential as therapeutics due to their biocompatibility, design flexibility, remarkable bionics, and inherent interaction with phagocytes. The interactions between membrane-derived vesicles, viruses, and the immune system have emerged as a new and promising topic. This review provides insight into considerations for developing innovative antiviral strategies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. First, membrane-derived vesicles may provide potential biomimetic decoys with a high affinity for viruses to block virus-receptor interactions for early interruption of infection. Second, membrane-derived vesicles could help achieve a balanced interplay between the virus and the host's innate immunity. Finally, membrane-derived vesicles have revealed numerous possibilities for their employment as vaccines.

"Three Musketeers" Enhances Photodynamic Effects by Reducing Tumor Reactive Oxygen Species Resistance

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of tumors. Compared with other therapeutic methods, this treatment has the advantages of high efficiency, strong penetration, and controllable treatment range. PDT kills tumors by generating a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes oxidative stress in the tumor. However, this killing effect is significantly inhibited by the tumor's own resistance to ROS. This is because tumors can either deplete ROS by high concentration of glutathione (GSH) or stimulate autophagy to eliminate ROS-generated damage. Furthermore, the tumor can also consume ROS through the lactic acid metabolic pathway, ultimately hindering therapeutic progress. To address this conundrum, we developed a UCNP-based nanocomposite for enhanced PDT by reducing tumor ROS resistance. First, Ce6-doped SiO2 encapsulated UCNPs to ensure the efficient energy transfer between UCNPs and Ce6. Then, the biodegradable tetrasulfide bond-bridged mesoporous organosilicon (MON) was coated on the outer layer to load chloroquine (CQ) and α-cyano4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA). Finally, hyaluronic acid was utilized to modify the nanomaterials to realize an active-targeting ability. The obtained final product was abbreviated as UCNPs@MON@CQ/CHCA@HA. Under 980 nm laser irradiation, upconverted red light from UCNPs excited Ce6 to produce a large amount of singlet oxygen (1O2), thus achieving efficient PDT. The loaded CQ and CHCA in MON achieved multichannel enhancement of PDT. Specifically, CQ blocked the autophagy process of tumor cells, and CHCA inhibited the uptake of lactic acid by tumor cells. In addition, the coated MON consumed a high level of intracellular GSH. In this way, these three functions complemented each other, just as the "three musketeers" punctured ROS resistance in tumors from multiple angles, and both in vitro and in vivo experiments had demonstrated the elevated PDT efficacy of nanomaterials.

Utilizing red blood cell distribution width (RDW) as a reliable biomarker to predict treatment effects after chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy is an effective treatment for B cell malignancies. A certain fraction of patients, however, experience post-CAR-T relapse, and due to the difficulty of precise relapse prediction, biomarkers that can predict the strength and duration of CAR-T efficacy are needed before CAR-T infusion. Therefore, we performed a single-center cohort study including 91 diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with CAR-T in order to identify such a new prognostic biomarker. After confirming that each of the already reported prognostic parameters (disease status at leukapheresis, primary refractoriness, number of treatment lines, CD3+ cell counts at leukapheresis) has only limited predictive performance, we established a new composite parameter by integrating these four variables, and found that it predicts progression-free survival (PFS) after CAR-T infusion with statistical significance. Moreover, after comprehensive correlation analyses of this new composite parameter with all individual laboratory variables, we determined that the standard deviation of red blood cell distribution width (RDW-SD) at leukapheresis shows significant correlation with the composite parameter and may be a prognostic biomarker (R2 = 0.76, p = 0.02). Validation analysis indicated that a higher RDW-SD is significantly associated with poorer PFS after CAR-T cell therapy (HR, 3.46, P = 0.03). Thus, this study suggests that a single parameter, RDW-SD at leukapheresis, is a novel, useful biomarker that can be obtained early to predict therapeutic effects of CAR-T cell therapy. Post-CAR-T maintenance or re-induction therapies should be adopted for higher risk patients, who may relapse after CAR-T therapy.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Synergistic Chemoimmunotherapy for Cancer Treatment

Until now, there has been a lack of effective strategies for cancer treatment. Immunotherapy has high potential in treating several cancers but its efficacy is limited as a monotherapy. Chemoimmunotherapy (CIT) holds promise to be widely used in cancer treatment. Therefore, identifying their involvement and potential synergy in CIT approaches is decisive. Nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) are ideal delivery systems because they can simultaneously target immune cells and cancer cells, promoting drug accumulation, and reducing the toxicity of the drug. In this review, we first introduce five current immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blocking (ICB), adoptive cell transfer therapy (ACT), cancer vaccines, oncolytic virus therapy (OVT) and cytokine therapy. Subsequently, the immunomodulatory effects of chemotherapy by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD), promoting tumor killer cell infiltration, down-regulating immunosuppressive cells, and inhibiting immune checkpoints have been described. Finally, the NDDSs-mediated collaborative drug delivery systems have been introduced in detail, and the development of NDDSs-mediated CIT nanoparticles has been prospected.

Natural Polymer Encapsulated Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-12 Composite toward Electrochemical Sensing of Antitumor Agent

Encapsulation of natural polymer pectin (Pec) into a zeolitic imidazolate framework-12 (ZIF-12) matrix via a simple chemical method toward anticancer agent gallic acid (GA) detection is reported in this work. GA, a natural phenol found in many food sources, has gained attention by its biological effects on the human body, such as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately and rapidly determine the GA level in humans. The encapsulation of Pec inside the ZIF-12 has been successfully confirmed from the physiochemical studies such as XRD, Raman, FTIR, and XPS spectroscopy along with morphological FESEM, BET, and HRTEM characterization. Under optimized conditions, the Pec@ZIF-12 composite exhibits wide linear range of 20 nM-250 μM with a detection limit of 2.2 nM; also, it showed excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. Furthermore, the real sample analysis of food samples including tea, coffee, grape, and pomegranate samples shows exceptional recovery percentage in an unspiked manner. So far, there is little literature for encapsulating proteins, enzymes, metals, etc., that have been reported; here, we successfully encapsulated a natural polymer Pec inside the ZIF-12 cage. This encapsulation significantly enhanced the composite electrochemical performance, which could be seen from the overall results. All of these strongly suggest that the proposed Pec@ZIF-12 composite could be used for miniaturized device fabrication for the evaluation of GA in both home and industrial applications.

Activation of the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway by A-MPDA@Fe3O4@PVP via scavenging reactive oxygen species to alleviate hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common pathological process during hepatectomy and liver transplantation and the two primary reasons for hepatic IRI are reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory responses. Herein, a novel antioxidant nanodrug (A-MPDA@Fe3O4@PVP) is prepared by employing L-arginine-doped mesoporous polydopamine (A-MPDA) nanoparticles as the carrier for deposition of ultra-small ferric oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and further surface modification with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). A-MPDA@Fe3O4@PVP not only effectively reduces the aggregation of ultra-small Fe3O4, but also simultaneously replicates the catalytic activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). A-MPDA@Fe3O4@PVP with good antioxidant activity can rapidly remove various toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and effectively regulate macrophage polarization in vitro. In the treatment of hepatic IRI, A-MPDA@Fe3O4@PVP effectively alleviates ROS-induced oxidative stress, reduces the expression of inflammatory factors, and prevents apoptosis of hepatocytes through immune regulation. A-MPDA@Fe3O4@PVP can further protect liver tissue by activating the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway. This multiplex antioxidant enzyme therapy can provide new references for the treatment of IRI in organ transplantation and other ROS-related injuries such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and bacterial and hepatic viral infection.

Excellent Persistent Near-Infrared Room Temperature Phosphorescence from Highly Efficient Host-Guest Systems

Organic near-infrared (NIR) room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials become a hot topic in bioimaging and biosensing for the large penetration depth and high signal-to-background ratio (SBR). However, it is challenging to achieve persistent NIR phosphorescence for severe nonradiative transitions by energy-gap law. Herein, a universal system with persistent NIR RTP is built by visible (host) and NIR phosphorescence (guest) materials, which can efficiently suppress the nonradiative transitions by rigid environment of crystalline host materials with good matching, and further promote phosphorescence emission by the additional phosphorescence resonance energy transfer (≈100%) between them. The persistent NIR phosphorescence with ten-folds enhancement of RTP lifetimes, compared to those of guest luminogens, can be achieved by modulation of aggregated structures of host-guest systems. This work provides a convenient way to largely prolong the phosphorescence lifetimes of various NIR luminogens, promoting their application in afterglow imaging with deeper penetration and higher SBRs.

Drug carrier wonders: Synthetic strategies of zeolitic imidazolates frameworks (ZIFs) and their applications in drug delivery and anti-cancer activity

With the rapid advancement of nanotechnology, stimuli-responsive nanomaterials have emerged as a feasible choice for the designing of controlled drug delivery systems. Zeolitic imidazolates frameworks are a subclass of Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are recognized by their excellent porosity, structural tunability and chemical modifications make them promising materials for loading targeted molecules and therapeutics agents. The biomedical industry uses these porous materials extensively as nano-carriers in drug delivery systems. These MOFs not only possess excellent targeted imaging ability but also cause the death of tumor cells drawing considerable attention in the current framework of anticancer drug delivery systems. In this review, the outline of stability, porosity, mechanism of encapsulation and release of anticancer drug have been reported extensively. In the end, we also discuss a brief outline of current challenges and future perspectives of ZIFs in the biomedical world.

Revolutionizing rheumatoid arthritis therapy: harnessing cytomembrane biomimetic nanoparticles for novel treatment strategies

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune disease with severe implications for joint health. The issue of non-specific drug distribution potentially limits the therapeutic efficacy and increases the risk associated with RA treatment. Researchers employed cytomembrane-coated biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance the targeting delivery efficacy to meet the demand for drug accumulation within the affected joints. Furthermore, distinct cytomembranes offer unique functionalities, such as immune cell activation and augmented NP biocompatibility. In this review, the current strategies of RA treatments were summarized in detail, and then an overview of RA's pathogenesis and the methodologies for producing cytomembrane-coated biomimetic NPs was provided. The application of cytomembrane biomimetic NPs derived from various cell sources in RA therapy is explored, highlighting the distinctive attributes of individual cytomembranes as well as hybrid membrane configurations. Through this comprehensive assessment of cytomembrane biomimetic NPs, we elucidate the prospective applications and challenges in the realm of RA therapy, and the strategy of combined therapy is proposed. In the future, cytomembrane biomimetic NPs have a broad therapeutic prospect for RA.