Integrated oral microgel system ameliorates renal fibrosis by hitchhiking co-delivery and targeted gut flora modulation

BACKGROUND

Renal fibrosis is a progressive process associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to impaired kidney function. Active constituents in traditional Chinese herbs, such as emodin (EMO) and asiatic acid (AA), exhibit potent anti-fibrotic properties. However, the oral administration of EMO and AA results in low bioavailability and limited kidney accumulation. Additionally, while oral probiotics have been accepted for CKD treatment through gut microbiota modulation, a significant challenge lies in ensuring their viability upon administration. Therefore, our study aims to address both renal fibrosis and gut microbiota imbalance through innovative co-delivery strategies.

RESULTS

In this study, we developed yeast cell wall particles (YCWPs) encapsulating EMO and AA self-assembled nanoparticles (NPYs) and embedded them, along with Lactobacillus casei Zhang, in chitosan/sodium alginate (CS/SA) microgels. The developed microgels showed significant controlled release properties for the loaded NPYs and prolonged the retention time of Lactobacillus casei Zhang (L. casei Zhang) in the intestine. Furthermore, in vivo biodistribution showed that the microgel-carried NPYs significantly accumulated in the obstructed kidneys of rats, thereby substantially increasing the accumulation of EMO and AA in the impaired kidneys. More importantly, through hitchhiking delivery based on yeast cell wall and positive modulation of gut microbiota, our microgels with this synergistic strategy of therapeutic and modulatory interactions could regulate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and thus effectively ameliorate renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our work provides a new strategy for the treatment of renal fibrosis based on hitchhiking co-delivery of nanodrugs and probiotics to achieve synergistic effects of disease treatment and targeted gut flora modulation.

Biomimetic MicroRNAs-Selenium-Nanocomposites for Targeted and Combined Hyperlipidemia Therapy

Hyperlipidemia is considered as a high-risk factor for leading to coronary heart disease. MicroRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a-3p) inhibitor is a potential therapeutic target to bind low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors (LDLR) for decreasing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma. However, the therapeutic effects are not ideal in the clinical translation of nucleic acids treatment, owing to the short circulation time in vivo. Therefore, a platelet membrane (PM) cloaks Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) delivery system with chitosan (CS) modifies and miR-148a-3p inhibitors encapsulated is designed (PM/CS-SeNPs/miR). The PM/CS-SeNPs/miR shows a uniform shell-core structure with a particle size of ≈90 nm. Co-delivering miR-148a-3p inhibitors and Se effectively alleviate hyperlipidemia via LDLR pathway and Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR-4)/NF-κB signaling pathway, respectively. Furthermore, coated by PM, PM/CS-SeNPs/miR successfully prolong circulation time to 48 h in vivo and quickly target to liver with no toxicity. This dual combination therapy with miRNAs and Se based on nanoparticles targeted delivery presents a high-performance strategy for precise hyperlipidemia treatment.

Proteomic profiling of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: Impact of isolation methods on protein cargo

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized vesicles with a lipid bilayer that are secreted by cells and play a critical role in cell-to-cell communication. Despite the promising reports regarding their diagnostic and therapeutic potential, the utilization of EVs in the clinical setting is limited due to insufficient information about their cargo and a lack of standardization in isolation and analysis methods. Considering protein cargos in EVs as key contributors to their therapeutic potency, we conducted a tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics analysis of three subpopulations of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs obtained through three different isolation techniques: ultracentrifugation (UC), high-speed centrifugation (HS), and ultracentrifugation on sucrose cushion (SU). Subsequently, we checked EV marker expression, size distribution, and morphological characterization, followed by bioinformatic analysis. The bioinformatic analysis of the proteome results revealed that these subpopulations exhibit distinct molecular and functional characteristics. The choice of isolation method impacts the proteome of isolated EVs by isolating different subpopulations of EVs. Specifically, EVs isolated through the high-speed centrifugation (HS) method exhibited a higher abundance of ribosomal and mitochondrial proteins. Functional apoptosis assays comparing isolated mitochondria with EVs isolated through different methods revealed that HS-EVs, but not other EVs, induced early apoptosis in cancer cells. On the other hand, EVs isolated using the sucrose cushion (SU) and ultracentrifugation (UC) methods demonstrated a higher abundance of proteins primarily involved in the immune response, cell-cell interactions and extracellular matrix interactions. Our analyses unveil notable disparities in proteins and associated biological functions among EV subpopulations, underscoring the importance of meticulously selecting isolation methods and resultant EV subpopulations based on the intended application.

Marginal zone lymphoma international prognostic index: a unifying prognostic index for marginal zone lymphomas requiring systemic treatment

Background

Marginal zone lymphomas (MZL), comprised of three unique but related subtypes, lack a unifying prognostic score applicable to all the patients in need for systemic chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.

Methods

Patients from the prospective NF10 study (NCT02904577) with newly diagnosed MZL and receiving frontline systemic therapy at diagnosis or after observation were used to train a prognostic model. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) from start of treatment. The model was externally validated in a pooled analysis of two independent cohorts from the University of Iowa and Mayo Clinic Molecular Epidemiology Resource and the University of Miami.

Findings

We identified 501 eligible patients. After multivariable modeling, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) above upper normal limit, hemoglobin <12 g/dL, absolute lymphocyte count <1 × 109/L, platelets <100 × 109/L, and MZL subtype (nodal or disseminated) were independently associated with inferior PFS. The proposed MZL International Prognostic index (MZL-IPI) combined these 5 factors, and we defined low (LRG, 0 factors, 27%), intermediate (IRG, 1-2 factors, 57%) and high (HRG, 3+ factors, 16%) risk groups with 5-y PFS of 85%, 66%, and 37%, respectively (c-Harrell = 0.64). Compared to the LRG, the IRG (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2.30, 95% CI 1.39-3.80) and HRG (HR = 5.41, 95% CI 3.12-9.38) had inferior PFS. Applying the MZL-IPI to the pooled US cohort (N = 353), 94 (27%), 192 (54%), and 67 (19%) patients were classified as LRG, IRG, and HRG, respectively, and the model was validated for PFS (log-rank test p = 0.0018; c-Harrell = 0.578, 95% CI 0.54-0.62). The MZL-IPI was also prognostic for OS in both the training and the external validation sets.

Interpretation

MZL-IPI is a new prognostic score for use in all patients with MZL considered for systemic treatment.

Funding

The MER was supported by P50 CA97274 and U01 CA195568.

Robot-assisted biopsy sampling for online Raman spectroscopy cancer confirmation in the operating room

PURPOSE

Cancer confirmation in the operating room (OR) is crucial to improve local control in cancer therapies. Histopathological analysis remains the gold standard, but there is a lack of real-time in situ cancer confirmation to support margin confirmation or remnant tissue. Raman spectroscopy (RS), as a label-free optical technique, has proven its power in cancer detection and, when integrated into a robotic assistance system, can positively impact the efficiency of procedures and the quality of life of patients, avoiding potential recurrence.

METHODS

A workflow is proposed where a 6-DOF robotic system (optical camera + MECA500 robotic arm) assists the characterization of fresh tissue samples using RS. Three calibration methods are compared for the robot, and the temporal efficiency is compared with standard hand-held analysis. For healthy/cancerous tissue discrimination, a 1D-convolutional neural network is proposed and tested on three ex vivo datasets (brain, breast, and prostate) containing processed RS and histopathology ground truth.

RESULTS

The robot achieves a minimum error of 0.20 mm (0.12) on a set of 30 test landmarks and demonstrates significant time reduction in 4 of the 5 proposed tasks. The proposed classification model can identify brain, breast, and prostate cancer with an accuracy of 0.83 (0.02), 0.93 (0.01), and 0.71 (0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Automated RS analysis with deep learning demonstrates promising classification performance compared to commonly used support vector machines. Robotic assistance in tissue characterization can contribute to highly accurate, rapid, and robust biopsy analysis in the OR. These two elements are an important step toward real-time cancer confirmation using RS and OR integration.

Cancer stem cell-immune cell crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment for liver cancer progression

Crosstalk between cancer cells and the immune microenvironment is determinant for liver cancer progression. A tumor subpopulation called liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly accounts for the initiation, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence of liver cancer. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the interaction between liver CSCs and immune cells plays a crucial role in shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment and determining immunotherapy responses. This review sheds light on the bidirectional crosstalk between liver CSCs and immune cells for liver cancer progression, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms after presenting an overview of liver CSCs characteristic and their microenvironment. Finally, we discuss the potential application of liver CSCs-targeted immunotherapy for liver cancer treatment.

Arginine methylation of caspase-8 controls life/death decisions in extrinsic apoptotic networks

Procaspase-8 is a key mediator of death receptor (DR)-mediated pathways. Recently, the role of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of procaspase-8 in controlling cell death has received increasing attention. Here, using mass spectrometry screening, pharmacological inhibition and biochemical assays, we show that procaspase-8 can be targeted by the PRMT5/RIOK1/WD45 methylosome complex. Furthermore, two potential methylation sites of PRMT5 on procaspase-8, R233 and R435, were identified in silico. R233 and R435 are highly conserved in mammals and their point mutations are among the most common mutations of caspase-8 in cancer. The introduction of mutations at these positions resulted in inhibitory effects on CD95L-induced caspase-8 activity, effector caspase activation and apoptosis. In addition, we show that procaspase-8 can undergo symmetric di-methylation. Finally, the pharmacological inhibition of PRMT5 resulted in the inhibitory effects on caspase activity and apoptotic cell death. Taken together, we have unraveled the additional control checkpoint in procaspase-8 activation and the arginine methylation network in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway.

Sulfonium-Stapled Peptides-Based Neoantigen Delivery System for Personalized Tumor Immunotherapy and Prevention

Neoantigen peptides hold great potential as vaccine candidates for tumor immunotherapy. However, due to the limitation of antigen cellular uptake and cross-presentation, the progress with neoantigen peptide-based vaccines has obviously lagged in clinical trials. Here, a stapling peptide-based nano-vaccine is developed, comprising a self-assembly nanoparticle driven by the nucleic acid adjuvant-antigen conjugate. This nano-vaccine stimulates a strong tumor-specific T cell response by activating antigen presentation and toll-like receptor signaling pathways. By markedly improving the efficiency of antigen/adjuvant co-delivery to the draining lymph nodes, the nano-vaccine leads to 100% tumor prevention for up to 11 months and without tumor recurrence, heralding the generation of long-term anti-tumor memory. Moreover, the injection of nano-vaccine with signal neoantigen eliminates the established MC-38 tumor (a cell line of murine carcinoma of the colon without exogenous OVA protein expression) in 40% of the mice by inducing potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor microenvironment without substantial systemic toxicity. These findings represent that stapling peptide-based nano-vaccine may serve as a facile, general, and safe strategy to stimulate a strong anti-tumor immune response for the neoantigen peptide-based personalized tumor immunotherapy.

A new strategy based on a cascade amplification strategy biosensor for on-site eDNA detection and outbreak warning of crown-of-thorns starfish

Population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) seriously threaten the sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. However, traditional ecological monitoring techniques cannot provide early warning before the outbreaks, thus preventing timely intervention. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a more accurate and faster technology to predict the outbreaks of COTS. In this work, we developed an electrochemical biosensor based on a programmed catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) and hybridization chain reaction (HCR) cyclic amplification strategy for sensitive and selective detection of COTS environmental DNA (eDNA) in water bodies. This biosensor exhibited excellent electrochemical characteristics, including a low limit of detection (LOD = 18.4 fM), low limit of quantification (LOQ = 41.1 fM), and wide linear range (50 fM - 10 nM). The biosensing technology successfully allowed the detection of COTS eDNA in the aquarium environment, and the results also demonstrated a significant correlation between eDNA concentration and COTS number (r = 0.990; P < 0.001). The reliability and accuracy of the biosensor results have been further validated through comparison with digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Moreover, the applicability and accuracy of the biosensor were reconfirmed in field tests at the COTS outbreak site in the South China Sea, which has shown potential application in dynamically monitoring the larvae before the COTS outbreak. Therefore, this efficient electrochemical biosensing technology offers a new solution for on-site monitoring and early warning of the COTS outbreak.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes and Their MicroRNAs in Heart Repair and Regeneration

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated into cardiac, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells. Therefore, MSC-based therapeutic approaches have the potential to deal with the aftermaths of cardiac diseases. However, transplanted stem cells rarely survive in damaged myocardium, proposing that paracrine factors other than trans-differentiation may involve in heart regeneration. Apart from cytokines/growth factors, MSCs secret small, single-membrane organelles named exosomes. The MSC-secreted exosomes are enriched in lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and microRNA (miRNA). There has been an increasing amount of data that confirmed that MSC-derived exosomes and their active molecule microRNA (miRNAs) regulate signaling pathways involved in heart repair/regeneration. In this review, we systematically present an overview of MSCs, their cardiac differentiation, and the role of MSC-derived exosomes and exosomal miRNAs in heart regeneration. In addition, biological functions regulated by MSC-derived exosomes and exosomal-derived miRNAs in the process of heart regeneration are reviewed.

Adipose-derived stem cells can alleviate RHDV2 induced acute liver injury in rabbits

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) can cause fatal fulminant hepatitis, which is very similar to human acute liver failure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) could alleviate RHDV2-induced liver injury in rabbits. Twenty 50-day-old rabbits were divided randomly into two groups (RHDV2 group, ADSCs + RHDV2 group). Starting from the 1st day, two groups of rabbits were given 0.5 ml of viral suspensions by subcutaneous injection in the neck. Meanwhile, the ADSCs + RHDV2 group was injected with ADSCs cell suspension (1.5 × 107 cells/ml) via a marginal ear vein, and the RHDV2 group was injected with an equal amount of saline via a marginal ear vein. At the end of the 48 h experiment, the animals were euthanized and gross hepatic changes were observed before liver specimens were collected. Histopathological analysis was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid schiff (PAS) and Masson's trichrome staining. For RHDV2 affected rabbits, HE staining demonstrated disorganized hepatic cords, loss of cellular detail, and severe cytoplasmic vacuolation within hepatocytes. Glycogen was not observed with PAS staining, and Masson's Trichrome staining showed increased hepatic collagen deposition. For rabbits treated with ADSCs at the time of inoculation, hepatic pathological changes were significantly less severe, liver glycogen synthesis was increased, and collagen fiber deposition was decreased. For RHDV2 affected rabbits, Tunel and immunofluorescence staining showed that the number of apoptotic cells, TGF-β, and MMP-9 protein expression increased. And that in the ADSC treated group there was less hepatocyte apoptosis. In addition, RHDV2 induces liver inflammation and promotes the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In rabbits administered ADSCs at time of inoculation, the expression of inflammatory factors in liver tissue decreased significantly. Our experiments show that ADSCs can protect rabbits from liver injury by RHDV2 and reduce the pathological and inflammatory response of liver. However, the specific protective mechanism needs further study.

Time and Space Dual-Blockade Strategy for Highly Invasive Nature of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Enhanced Sonodynamic Therapy Based on Fe-MOF Nanoplatforms

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), due to its high malignant degree and strong invasion ability, leads to poor prognosis and easy recurrence, so effectively curbing the invasion of TNBC is the key to obtaining the ideal therapeutic effect. Herein, a therapeutic strategy is developed that curbs high invasions of TNBC by inhibiting cell physiological activity and disrupting tumor cell structural function to achieve the time and space dual-blockade. The time blockade is caused by the breakthrough of the tumor-reducing blockade based on the ferroptosis process and the oxidation-toxic free radicals generated by enhanced sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Meanwhile, alkyl radicals from 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIPH) and 1O2 attacked the organelles of tumor cells under ultrasound (US), reducing the physiological activity of the cells. The attack of free radicals on the cytoskeleton, especially on the proteins of F-actin and its assembly pathway, achieves precise space blockade of TNBC. The damage to the cytoskeleton and the suppression of the repair process leads to a significant decline in the ability of tumor cells to metastasize and invade other organs. In summary, the FTM@AM nanoplatforms have a highly effective killing and invasion inhibition effect on invasive TNBC mediated by ultrasound, showcasing promising clinical transformation potential.

Semiconducting polymer dots for multifunctional integrated nanomedicine carriers

The expansion applications of semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) among optical nanomaterial field have long posed a challenge for researchers, promoting their intelligent application in multifunctional nano-imaging systems and integrated nanomedicine carriers for diagnosis and treatment. Despite notable progress, several inadequacies still persist in the field of Pdots, including the development of simplified near-infrared (NIR) optical nanoprobes, elucidation of their inherent biological behavior, and integration of information processing and nanotechnology into biomedical applications. This review aims to comprehensively elucidate the current status of Pdots as a classical nanophotonic material by discussing its advantages and limitations in terms of biocompatibility, adaptability to microenvironments in vivo, etc. Multifunctional integration and surface chemistry play crucial roles in realizing the intelligent application of Pdots. Information visualization based on their optical and physicochemical properties is pivotal for achieving detection, sensing, and labeling probes. Therefore, we have refined the underlying mechanisms and constructed multiple comprehensive original mechanism summaries to establish a benchmark. Additionally, we have explored the cross-linking interactions between Pdots and nanomedicine, potential yet complete biological metabolic pathways, future research directions, and innovative solutions for integrating diagnosis and treatment strategies. This review presents the possible expectations and valuable insights for advancing Pdots, specifically from chemical, medical, and photophysical practitioners' standpoints.

Rational Design of Lipid-Based Vectors for Advanced Therapeutic Vaccines

Recent advancements in vaccine delivery systems have seen the utilization of various materials, including lipids, polymers, peptides, metals, and inorganic substances, for constructing non-viral vectors. Among these, lipid-based nanoparticles, composed of natural, synthetic, or physiological lipid/phospholipid materials, offer significant advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and safety, making them ideal for vaccine delivery. These lipid-based vectors can protect encapsulated antigens and/or mRNA from degradation, precisely tune chemical and physical properties to mimic viruses, facilitate targeted delivery to specific immune cells, and enable efficient endosomal escape for robust immune activation. Notably, lipid-based vaccines, exemplified by those developed by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna against COVID-19, have gained approval for human use. This review highlights rational design strategies for vaccine delivery, emphasizing lymphoid organ targeting and effective endosomal escape. It also discusses the importance of rational formulation design and structure-activity relationships, along with reviewing components and potential applications of lipid-based vectors. Additionally, it addresses current challenges and future prospects in translating lipid-based vaccine therapies for cancer and infectious diseases into clinical practice.

Melatonin pretreatment improves endometrial regenerative cell-mediated therapeutic effects in experimental colitis

BACKGROUND

Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) have been proven to be an effective strategy for attenuating experimental colitis, but the complex in vivo microenvironment such as oxidative stress may largely limit and weaken ERC efficacy. Melatonin (MT) works as an anti-oxidative agent in a variety of preclinical diseases, and has been identified to promote mesenchymal stem cell-mediated therapeutic effects in different diseases. However, the ability of MT to enhance ERC-mediated effects in colitis is currently poorly understood.

METHODS

Menstrual blood was collected from healthy female volunteers to obtain ERCs and identified. In vitro, H2O2-induced oxidative stress was introduced to test if MT could prevent ERCs from damage through detection of intracellular reactive oxidative species (ROS) and apoptosis assay. In vivo, dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis was treated by ERCs and MT-primed ERCs, therapeutic effects were assayed by the disease activity index (DAI), histological features, and macrophage and CD4+ T cell in the spleen and colon, and cytokine profiles in the sera and colon were also measured.

RESULTS

In vitro, ERCs that underwent MT-precondition were found to possess more anti-oxidative potency in comparison to naïve ERCs, which were characterized by decreased apoptosis rate and intracellular ROS under H2O2 stimulation. In vivo, MT pretreatment can significantly enhance the therapeutic effects of ERCs in the attenuation of experimental colitis, including decreased DAI index and damage score. In addition, MT pretreatment was found to promote ERC-mediated inhibition of Th1, Th17, and M1 macrophage and pro-inflammatory cytokines, increase of Treg, and immunomodulation of cytokines in the spleen and colon.

CONCLUSIONS

MT pretreatment facilitates the promotion of cell viability under oxidative stress in vitro, while also enhancing ERC-mediated therapeutic effects in experimental colitis.

NIR-II Fluorescent Probes for Fluorescence-Imaging-Guided Tumor Surgery

Second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging is the most advanced imaging fidelity method with extraordinary penetration depth, signal-to-background ratio, biocompatibility, and targeting ability. It is currently booming in the medical realm to diagnose tumors and is being widely applied for fluorescence-imaging-guided tumor surgery. To efficiently execute this modern imaging modality, scientists have designed various probes capable of showing fluorescence in the NIR-II window. Here, we update the state-of-the-art NIR-II fluorescent probes in the most recent literature, including indocyanine green, NIR-II emissive cyanine dyes, BODIPY probes, aggregation-induced emission fluorophores, conjugated polymers, donor-acceptor-donor dyes, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots for imaging-guided tumor surgery. Furthermore, we point out that the new materials with fluorescence in NIR-III and higher wavelength range to further optimize the imaging results in the medical realm are a new challenge for the scientific world. In general, we hope this review will serve as a handbook for researchers and students who have an interest in developing and applying fluorescent probes for NIR-II fluorescence-imaging-guided surgery and that it will expedite the clinical translation of the probes from bench to bedside.

FeS2-modified MXene nanocomposite platform for efficient PTT/CDT/TDT integration through enhanced GSH consumption

Hypoxic microenvironment and glutathione (GSH) accumulation in tumours limit the efficacy of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) anti-tumour therapy. To address this challenge, we increased the consumption of GSH and the production of ROS through a novel nanoplatform with the action of inorganic nanoenzymes. In this study, we prepared mesoporous FeS2 using a simple template method, efficiently loaded AIPH, and assembled Ti3C2/FeS2-AIPH@BSA (TFAB) nanocomposites through self-assembly with BSA and 2D Ti3C2. The constructed TFAB nanotherapeutic platform enhanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT) by generating toxic hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) via FeS2, while consuming GSH to reduce the loss of generated ˙OH via glutathione oxidase-like (GSH-OXD). In addition, TFAB is able to stimulate the decomposition of AIPH under 808 nm laser irradiation to produce oxygen-independent biotoxic alkyl radicals (˙R) for thermodynamic therapy (TDT). In conclusion, TFAB represents an innovative nanoplatform that effectively addresses the limitations of free radical-based treatment strategies. Through the synergistic therapeutic strategy of photothermal therapy (PTT), CDT, and TDT within the tumor microenvironment, TFAB nanoplatforms achieve controlled AIPH release, ROS generation, intracellular GSH consumption, and precise temperature elevation, resulting in enhanced intracellular oxidative stress, significant apoptotic cell death, and notable tumor growth inhibition. This comprehensive treatment strategy shows great promise in the field of tumor therapy.

Polyphenols-based intelligent oral barrier membranes for periodontal bone defect reconstruction

Periodontitis-induced periodontal bone defects significantly impact patients' daily lives. The guided tissue regeneration and guided bone regeneration techniques, which are based on barrier membranes, have brought hope for the regeneration of periodontal bone defects. However, traditional barrier membranes lack antimicrobial properties and cannot effectively regulate the complex oxidative stress microenvironment in periodontal bone defect areas, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes in promoting periodontal bone regeneration. To address these issues, our study selected the collagen barrier membrane as the substrate material and synthesized a novel barrier membrane (PO/4-BPBA/Mino@COL, PBMC) with an intelligent antimicrobial coating through a simple layer-by-layer assembly method, incorporating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging components, commercial dual-functional linkers and antimicrobial building blocks. Experimental results indicated that PBMC exhibited good degradability, hydrophilicity and ROS-responsiveness, allowing for the slow and controlled release of antimicrobial drugs. The outstanding antibacterial, antioxidant and biocompatibility properties of PBMC contributed to resistance to periodontal pathogen infection and regulation of the oxidative balance, while enhancing the migration and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells. Finally, using a rat periodontal bone defect model, the therapeutic effect of PBMC in promoting periodontal bone regeneration under infection conditions was confirmed. In summary, the novel barrier membranes designed in this study have significant potential for clinical application and provide a reference for the design of future periodontal regenerative functional materials.

Cell therapy in the cornea: The emerging role of microenvironment

The cornea is an ideal testing field for cell therapies. Its highly ordered structure, where specific cell populations are sequestered in different layers, together with its accessibility, has allowed the development of the first stem cell-based therapy approved by the European Medicine Agency. Today, different techniques have been proposed for autologous and allogeneic limbal and non-limbal cell transplantation. Cell replacement has also been attempted in cases of endothelial cell decompensation as it occurs in Fuchs dystrophy: injection of cultivated allogeneic endothelial cells is now in advanced phases of clinical development. Recently, stromal substitutes have been developed with excellent integration capability and transparency. Finally, cell-derived products, such as exosomes obtained from different sources, have been investigated for the treatment of severe corneal diseases with encouraging results. Optimization of the success rate of cell therapies obviously requires high-quality cultured cells/products, but the role of the surrounding microenvironment is equally important to allow engraftment of transplanted cells, to preserve their functions and, ultimately, lead to restoration of tissue integrity and transparency of the cornea.

Recent advances in hepatocellular carcinoma-targeted nanoparticles

In the field of medicine, we often brave the unknown like interstellar explorers, especially when confronting the formidable opponent of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The global burden of HCC remains significant, with suboptimal treatment outcomes necessitating the urgent development of novel drugs and treatments. While various treatments for liver cancer, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have emerged in recent years, improving their transport and therapeutic efficiency, controlling their targeting and release, and mitigating their adverse effects remains challenging. However, just as we grope through the darkness, a glimmer of light emerges-nanotechnology. Recently, nanotechnology has attracted attention because it can increase the local drug concentration in tumors, reduce systemic toxicity, and has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of precision therapy for HCC. However, there are also some challenges hindering the clinical translation of drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs). Just as interstellar explorers must overcome interstellar dust, we too must overcome various obstacles. In future researches, the design and development of nanodelivery systems for novel drugs treating HCC should be the first attention. Moreover, researchers should focus on the active targeting design of various NPs. The combination of the interventional therapies and drug-loaded NPs will greatly advance the process of precision HCC therapy.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: New Generation Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which has a high recurrence rate and is incurable due to a lack of effective treatment. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a class of pluripotent stem cells that have recently received a lot of attention due to their strong self-renewal ability and immunomodulatory effects, and a large number of experimental and clinical models have confirmed the positive therapeutic effect of MSCs on IBD. In preclinical studies, MSC treatment for IBD relies on MSCs paracrine effects, cell-to-cell contact, and its mediated mitochondrial transfer for immune regulation. It also plays a therapeutic role in restoring the intestinal mucosal barrier through the homing effect, regulation of the intestinal microbiome, and repair of intestinal epithelial cells. In the latest clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of MSCs in the treatment of IBD have been confirmed by transfusion of autologous or allogeneic bone marrow, umbilical cord, and adipose MSCs, as well as their derived extracellular vesicles. However, regarding the stable and effective clinical use of MSCs, several concerns emerge, including the cell sources, clinical management (dose, route and frequency of administration, and pretreatment of MSCs) and adverse reactions. This article comprehensively summarizes the effects and mechanisms of MSCs in the treatment of IBD and its advantages over conventional drugs, as well as the latest clinical trial progress of MSCs in the treatment of IBD. The current challenges and future directions are also discussed. This review would add knowledge into the understanding of IBD treatment by applying MSCs.

Regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers

Immune evasion contributes to cancer growth and progression. Cancer cells have the ability to activate different immune checkpoint pathways that harbor immunosuppressive functions. The programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligands (PD-Ls) are considered to be the major immune checkpoint molecules. The interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 negatively regulates adaptive immune response mainly by inhibiting the activity of effector T cells while enhancing the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), largely contributing to the maintenance of immune homeostasis that prevents dysregulated immunity and harmful immune responses. However, cancer cells exploit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to cause immune escape in cancer development and progression. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 by neutralizing antibodies restores T cells activity and enhances anti-tumor immunity, achieving remarkable success in cancer therapy. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers have attracted an increasing attention. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the roles of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in human autoimmune diseases and cancers. We summarize all aspects of regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression and activity of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancers, including genetic, epigenetic, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we further summarize the progress in clinical research on the antitumor effects of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies alone and in combination with other therapeutic approaches, providing new strategies for finding new tumor markers and developing combined therapeutic approaches.

Split activator of CRISPR/Cas12a for direct and sensitive detection of microRNA

CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assays have been increasingly used for molecular diagnostics. However, most current CRISPR/Cas12a-based RNA assays require the conversion of RNA into DNA by preamplification strategies, which increases the complexity of detection. Here, we found certain chimeric DNA-RNA hybrid single strands could activate the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a, and then discovered the activating effect of split ssDNA and RNA when they are present simultaneously. As proof of concept, split nucleic acid-activated Cas12a (SNA-Cas12a) strategy was developed for direct detection of miR-155. By adding a short ssDNA to the proximal end of the crRNA spacer sequence, we realized the direct detection of RNA targets using Cas12a. With the assistance of ssDNA, we extended the limitation that CRISPR/Cas12a cannot be activated by RNA targets. In addition, by taking advantage of the programmability of crRNA, the length of its binding to DNA and RNA was optimized to achieve the optimal efficiency in activating Cas12a. The SNA-Cas12a method enabled sensitive miR-155 detection at pM level. This method was simple, rapid, and specific. Thus, we proposed a new Cas12a-based RNA detection strategy that expanded the application of CRISPR/Cas12a.

A TME-enlightened protein-binding photodynamic nanoinhibitor for highly effective oncology treatment

The efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is greatly dependent on intrinsic features of photosensitizers (PSs), but most PSs suffer from narrow diffusion distances and short life span of singlet oxygen (1O2). Here, to conquer this issue, we propose a strategy for in situ formation of complexes between PSs and proteins to deactivate proteins, leading to highly effective PDT. The tetrafluorophenyl bacteriochlorin (FBC), a strong near-infrared absorbing photosensitizer, can tightly bind to intracellular proteins to form stable complexes, which breaks through the space-time constraints of PSs and proteins. The generated singlet oxygen directly causes the protein dysfunction, leading to high efficiency of PSs. To enable efficient delivery of PSs, a charge-conversional and redox-responsive block copolymer POEGMA-b-(PAEMA/DMMA-co-BMA) (PB) was designed to construct a protein-binding photodynamic nanoinhibitor (FBC@PB), which not only prolongs blood circulation and enhances cellular uptake but also releases FBC on demand in tumor microenvironment (TME). Meanwhile, PDT-induced destruction of cancer cells could produce tumor-associated antigens which were capable to trigger robust antitumor immune responses, facilitating the eradication of residual cancer cells. A series of experiments in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that this multifunctional nanoinhibitor provides a promising strategy to extend photodynamic immunotherapy.

Bioinformatics analysis and validation of mesenchymal stem cells related gene MT1G in osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor arising from mesenchymal cells. The standard clinical treatment for OS involves extensive tumor resection combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy. OS's invasiveness, lung metastasis, and drug resistance contribute to a low cure rate and poor prognosis with this treatment. Metallothionein 1G (MT1G), observed in various cancers, may serve as a potential therapeutic target for OS.

METHODS

OS samples in GSE33382 and TARGET datasets were selected as the test cohorts. As the external validation cohort, 13 OS tissues and 13 adjacent cancerous tissues from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were collected. Patients with OS were divided into high and low MT1G mRNA-expression groups; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified as MT1G-related genes. The biological function of MT1G was annotated using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Gene expression correlation analysis and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network construction were used to determine potential biological regulatory relationships of DEGs. Survival analysis assessed the prognostic value of MT1G.

RESULTS

MT1G expression increased in OS samples and presented higher in metastatic OS compared with non-metastatic OS. Functional analyses indicated that MT1G was mainly associated with spliceosome. A ceRNA network with DEGs was constructed. MT1G is an effective biomarker predicting survival and correlated with increased recurrence rates and poorer survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This research identified MT1G as a potential biomarker for OS prognosis, highlighting its potential as a therapy target.

Aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs) for therapeutic management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the deadliest cancers globally, making the search for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches particularly crucial. Aptamer-functionalized nanomaterials (AFNs), an innovative nanotechnology, have paved new pathways for the targeted diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Initially, we outline the epidemiological background of HCC and the current therapeutic challenges. Subsequently, we explore in detail how AFNs enhance diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency and reduce side effects through the specific targeting of HCC cells and the optimization of drug delivery. Furthermore, we address the challenges faced by AFNs in clinical applications and future research directions, with a particular focus on enhancing their biocompatibility and assessing long-term effects. In summary, AFNs represent an avant-garde therapeutic approach, opening new avenues and possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Construction of ferroptosis-related prediction model for pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dangerous cardiovascular disease, which often brings great psychological burden and economic pressure to patients. If AAA rupture occurs, it is a serious threat to patients' lives. Therefore, it is of clinical value to actively explore the pathogenesis of ruptured AAA and prevent its occurrence. Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death dependent on lipid peroxidation, which plays an important role in many cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we used online data and analysis of ferroptosis-related genes to uncover the formation of ruptured AAA and potential therapeutic targets. We obtained ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (Fe-DEGs) from GSE98278 dataset and 259 known ferroptosis-related genes from FerrDb website. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG). Receiver Operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to evaluate the diagnostic abilities of Fe-DEGs. Transcription factors and miRNAs of Fe-DEGs were identified through PASTAA and miRDB, miRWalk, TargetScan respectively. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to observe immune infiltration between the stable group and the rupture group. DGIdb database was performed to find potential targeted drugs of DEGs. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis found that DEGs mainly enriched in "cellular divalent inorganic cation homeostasis," "cellular zinc ion homeostasis," "divalent inorganic cation homeostasis," "Mineral absorption," "Cytokine - cytokine receptor interaction," "Coronavirus disease - COVID-19." Two up-regulated Fe-DEGs MT1G and DDIT4 were found to further analysis. Both single and combined applications of MT1G and DDIT4 showed good diagnostic efficacy (AUC = 0.8254, 0.8548, 0.8577, respectively). Transcription factors STAT1 and PU1 of MT1G and ARNT and MAX of DDIT4 were identified. Meanwhile, has_miR-548p-MT1G pairs, has_miR-53-3p/has_miR-181b-5p/ has_miR-664a-3p-DDIT4 pairs were found. B cells, NK cells, Th2 cells were high expression in the rupture group compared with the stable group, while DCs, Th1 cells were low expression in the rupture group. Targeted drugs against immunity, GEMCITABINE and INDOMETHACIN were discovered. We preliminarily explored the clinical significance of Fe-DEGs MT1G and DDIT4 in the diagnosis of ruptured AAA, and proposed possible upstream regulatory transcription factors and miRNAs. In addition, we also analyzed the immune infiltration of stable and rupture groups, and found possible targeted drugs for immunotherapy.

Role of immunotherapies and stem cell therapy in the management of liver cancer: A comprehensive review

Liver cancer (LC) is the sixth most common disease and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. The WHO predicts that more than 1 million deaths will occur from LC by 2030. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common form of primary LC. Today, the management of LC involves multiple disciplines, and multimodal therapy is typically selected on an individual basis, considering the intricate interactions between the patient's overall health, the stage of the tumor, and the degree of underlying liver disease. Currently, the treatment of cancers, including LC, has undergone a paradigm shift in the last ten years because of immuno-oncology. To treat HCC, immune therapy approaches have been developed to enhance or cause the body's natural immune response to specifically target tumor cells. In this context, immune checkpoint pathway inhibitors, engineered cytokines, adoptive cell therapy, immune cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors, and therapeutic cancer vaccines have advanced to clinical trials and offered new hope to cancer patients. The outcomes of these treatments are encouraging. Additionally, treatment using stem cells is a new approach for restoring deteriorated tissues because of their strong differentiation potential and capacity to release cytokines that encourage cell division and the formation of blood vessels. Although there is no proof that stem cell therapy works for many types of cancer, preclinical research on stem cells has shown promise in treating HCC. This review provides a recent update regarding the impact of immunotherapy and stem cells in HCC and promising outcomes.

Ex vivo Anti-Senescence Activity of N-Acetylcysteine in Visceral Adipose Tissue of Obese Volunteers

INTRODUCTION

Excessive visceral adiposity is known to drive the onset of metabolic derangements, mostly involving oxidative stress, prolonged inflammation, and cellular senescence. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic form of l-cysteine with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-senescence properties. This ex-vivo study aimed to determine the effect of NAC on some markers of senescence including β-galactosidase activity and p16, p53, p21, IL-6, and TNF-α gene expressions in visceral adipose tissue in obese adults.

METHODS

This ex-vivo experimental study involved 10 obese participants who were candidates for bariatric surgery. Duplicate biopsies from the abdominal visceral adipose tissue were obtained from the omentum. The biopsies were treated with or without NAC (5 and 10 mm). To evaluate adipose tissue senescence, beta-galactosidase (β-gal) activity and the expression of P16, P21, P53, IL-6, and TNF-α were determined. ANOVA test was employed to analyze the varying markers of cellular senescence and inflammation between treatment groups.

RESULTS

The NAC at concentrations of 5 mm and 10 mm resulted in a noteworthy reduction β-gal activity compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the expression of P16, P21, and IL-6 was significantly reduced following treatment with NAC (5 mm) and NAC (10 mm) compared to the control group (All p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Taken together, these data suggest the senotherapeutic effect of NAC, as it effectively reduces the activity of SA-β-gal and the expression of IL-6, P16, and P21 genes in the visceral adipose tissue of obese individuals.

Cell membrane coated nanoparticles as a biomimetic drug delivery platform for enhancing cancer immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy, a burgeoning modality for cancer treatment, operates by activating the autoimmune system to impede the growth of malignant cells. Although numerous immunotherapy strategies have been employed in clinical cancer therapy, the resistance of cancer cells to immunotherapeutic medications and other apprehensions impede the attainment of sustained advantages for most patients. Recent advancements in nanotechnology for drug delivery hold promise in augmenting the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, the efficacy is currently constrained by the inadequate specificity of delivery, low rate of response, and the intricate immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this context, the investigation of cell membrane coated nanoparticles (CMNPs) has revealed their ability to perform targeted delivery, immune evasion, controlled release, and immunomodulation. By combining the advantageous features of natural cell membranes and nanoparticles, CMNPs have demonstrated their unique potential in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. This review aims to emphasize recent research progress and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CMNPs as an innovative drug delivery platform for enhancing cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the current immunotherapeutic strategies involving different cell membrane types of CMNPs, with the intention of further exploration and optimization.

CXCL9 Overexpression Predicts Better HCC Response to Anti-PD-1 Therapy and Promotes N1 Polarization of Neutrophils

Background

Anti-programmed death-1 (PD1) antibodies have changed the treatment landscape for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and exhibit promising treatment efficacy. However, the majority of HCCs still do not respond to anti-PD-1 therapy.

Methods

We analyzed the expression of CXCL9 in blood samples from patients who received anti-PD-1 therapy and evaluated its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes. Based on the results of Cox regression analysis, a nomogram was established for predicting HCC response to anti-PD-1 therapy. qRT‒PCR and multiple immunofluorescence assays were utilized to analyze the proportions of N1-type neutrophils in vitro and in tumor samples, respectively.

Results

The nomogram showed good predictive efficacy in the training and validation cohorts and may be useful for guiding clinical treatment of HCC patients. We also found that HCC cell-derived CXCL9 promoted N1 polarization of neutrophils in vitro and that AMG487, a specific CXCR3 inhibitor, significantly blocked this process. Moreover, multiple immunofluorescence (mIF) showed that patients with higher serum CXCL9 levels had greater infiltration of the N1 phenotype of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs).

Conclusion

Our study highlights the critical role of CXCL9 as an effective biomarker of immunotherapy efficacy and in promoting the polarization of N1-type neutrophils; thus, targeting the CXCL9-CXCR3 axis could represent a novel pharmaceutical strategy to enhance immunotherapy for HCC.

Construction of lymph nodes-targeting tumor vaccines by using the principle of DNA base complementary pairing to enhance anti-tumor cellular immune response

Tumor vaccines, a crucial immunotherapy, have gained growing interest because of their unique capability to initiate precise anti-tumor immune responses and establish enduring immune memory. Injected tumor vaccines passively diffuse to the adjacent draining lymph nodes, where the residing antigen-presenting cells capture and present tumor antigens to T cells. This process represents the initial phase of the immune response to the tumor vaccines and constitutes a pivotal determinant of their effectiveness. Nevertheless, the granularity paradox, arising from the different requirements between the passive targeting delivery of tumor vaccines to lymph nodes and the uptake by antigen-presenting cells, diminishes the efficacy of lymph node-targeting tumor vaccines. This study addressed this challenge by employing a vaccine formulation with a tunable, controlled particle size. Manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles were synthesized, loaded with ovalbumin (OVA), and modified with A50 or T20 DNA single strands to obtain MnO2/OVA/A50 and MnO2/OVA/T20, respectively. Administering the vaccines sequentially, upon reaching the lymph nodes, the two vaccines converge and simultaneously aggregate into MnO2/OVA/A50-T20 particles through base pairing. This process enhances both vaccine uptake and antigen delivery. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that, the combined vaccine, comprising MnO2/OVA/A50 and MnO2/OVA/T20, exhibited robust immunization effects and remarkable anti-tumor efficacy in the melanoma animal models. The strategy of controlling tumor vaccine size and consequently improving tumor antigen presentation efficiency and vaccine efficacy via the DNA base-pairing principle, provides novel concepts for the development of efficient tumor vaccines.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of folic acid-rotenol conjugate as a potent targeted anticancer prodrug

Rotenone, a plant-based agricultural insecticide, has been shown to have anti-tumor activity through targeting mitochondrial complex I in cancer cells. However, off-target toxic side effect on nervous systems have greatly restricted the application of rotenone as anticancer drugs. Here, a folic acid-rotenol (FA-rotenol) conjugate was prepared by covalent coupling of the tumor-targeting ligand folic acid with rotenone derivative-rotenol to enhance its accumulation at tumor site. FA-rotenol conjugates present high in vitro cytotoxicties against several cell lines by inducing mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and increasing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) to activate the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis and enhance the G2/M cell cycle arrest. Because of the high affinity with over-expressed folate receptors, FA-rotenol conjugate demonstrated more effective in vivo therapeutic outcomes in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice than rotenone and rotenol. In addition, FA-rotenol conjugate can markedly inhibit the cell migration and invasion of HepG-2 cells. These studies confirm the feasibility of tumor-targeted ligand conjugated rotenone derivatives for targeted antitumor therapy; likewise, they lay the foundations for the development of other rotenol-conjugates with antitumor potential.

A GMP-compliant manufacturing method for Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

BACKGROUND

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) hold great therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant methodology for the isolation and culture of WJ-MSCs. Through comprehensive research, encompassing laboratory-scale experiments to pilot-scale studies, we aimed to develop standardized protocols ensuring the high yield and quality of WJ-MSCs manufacturing.

METHODS

Firstly, optimization of parameters for the enzymatic digestion method used to isolate WJ-MSCs was conducted. These parameters included enzyme concentrations, digestion times, seeding densities, and culture media. Additionally, a comparative analysis between the explant method and the enzymatic digestion method was performed. Subsequently, the consecutive passaging of WJ-MSCs, specifically up to passage 9, was evaluated using the optimized method. Finally, manufacturing processes were developed and scaled up, starting from laboratory-scale flask-based production and progressing to pilot-scale cell factory-based production. Furthermore, a stability study was carried out to assess the storage and use of drug products (DPs).

RESULTS

The optimal parameters for the enzymatic digestion method were a concentration of 0.4 PZ U/mL Collagenase NB6 and a digestion time of 3 h, resulting in a higher yield of P0 WJ-MSCs. In addition, a positive correlation between the weight of umbilical cord tissue and the quantities of P0 WJ-MSCs has been observed. Evaluation of different concentrations of human platelet lysate revealed that 2% and 5% concentrations resulted in similar levels of cell expansion. Comparative analysis revealed that the enzymatic digestion method exhibited faster outgrowth of WJ-MSCs compared to the explant method during the initial passage. Passages 2 to 5 exhibited higher viability and proliferation ability throughout consecutive passaging. Moreover, scalable manufacturing processes from the laboratory scale to the pilot scale were successfully developed, ensuring the production of high-quality WJ-MSCs. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles of the DPs led to reduced cell viability and viable cell concentration. Subsequent thawing and dilution of the DPs resulted in a significant decrease in both metrics, especially when stored at 20-27 °C.

CONCLUSION

This study offers valuable insights into optimizing the isolation and culture of WJ-MSCs. Our scalable manufacturing processes facilitate the large-scale production of high-quality WJ-MSCs. These findings contribute to the advancement of WJ-MSCs-based therapies in regenerative medicine.

Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapies for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) significantly increase morbidity and mortality, presenting a formidable challenge in healthcare. Traditional interventions such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, despite their widespread use, are limited in addressing the secondary effects of vertebral fractures in adjacent areas and do not facilitate bone regeneration. This review paper explores the emerging domain of regenerative therapies, spotlighting stem cell therapy's transformative potential in OVCF treatment. It thoroughly describes the therapeutic possibilities and mechanisms of action of mesenchymal stem cells against OVCFs, relying on recent clinical trials and preclinical studies for efficacy assessment. Our findings reveal that stem cell therapy, particularly in combination with scaffolding materials, holds substantial promise for bone regeneration, spinal stability improvement, and pain mitigation. This integration of stem cell-based methods with conventional treatments may herald a new era in OVCF management, potentially improving patient outcomes. This review advocates for accelerated research and collaborative efforts to translate laboratory breakthroughs into clinical practice, emphasizing the revolutionary impact of regenerative therapies on OVCF management. In summary, this paper positions stem cell therapy at the forefront of innovation for OVCF treatment, stressing the importance of ongoing research and cross-disciplinary collaboration to unlock its full clinical potential.

Spatiotemporally-controlled hydrophobic drug delivery via photosensitizer-driven assembly-disassembly for enhanced triple-negative breast cancer treatment

Therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have been continuously advancing, but inadequate control over release behavior, insufficient tumor selectivity, and limited drug availability continue to impede therapeutic outcomes in nanodrug systems. In this study, we propose a general hydrophobic antineoplastic delivery system, termed spatiotemporally-controlled hydrophobic antineoplastic delivery system (SCHADS) for enhanced TNBC treatment. The key feature of SCHADS is the formation of metastable photosensitive-antineoplastic complexes (PACs) through the self-assembly of hydrophobic drugs driven by photosensitive molecules. With the further decoration of tumor-targeting peptides coupled with the EPR effect, the PACs tend to accumulate in the tumor site tremendously, promoting drug delivery efficiency. Meanwhile, the disassembly behavior of the metastable PACs could be driven by light on demand to achieve in situ drug release, thus promoting chemotherapeutics availability. Furthermore, the abundant ROS generated by the photosensitizer could effectively kill tumor cells, ultimately realizing an effective combination of photodynamic and chemotherapeutic therapy. As an exemplary presentation, chlorin e6 has been chosen to drive the formation of PACs with the system xc- inhibitor sorafenib. Compared with pure drug treatment, the PACs with the above-described preponderances exhibit superior therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo and circumvent the side effects due to off-target. By manipulating the laser irradiation, the PACs-treated cell death mechanism could be dynamically regulated, thus providing the potential to remedy intrinsic/acquired resistance of tumor. Collectively, this SCHADS achieves spatio-temporal control of the drug that greatly enhances the availability of anticarcinogen and realizes synergistic antitumor effect in TNBC treatment, even ultimately being extended to the treatment of other types of tumors.

Engineering and Targeting Neutrophils for Cancer Therapy

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells in the circulation and act as the first line of defense against infections. Increasing evidence suggests that neutrophils possess heterogeneous phenotypes and functional plasticity in human health and diseases, including cancer. Neutrophils play multifaceted roles in cancer development and progression, and an N1/N2 paradigm of neutrophils in cancer is proposed, where N1 neutrophils exert anti-tumor properties while N2 neutrophils display tumor-supportive and immune-suppressive functions. Selective activation of beneficial neutrophil population and targeted inhibition or re-polarization of tumor-promoting neutrophils has shown an important potential in tumor therapy. In addition, due to the natural inflammation-responsive and physical barrier-crossing abilities, neutrophils and their derivatives (membranes and extracellular vesicles (EVs)) are regarded as advanced drug delivery carriers for enhanced tumor targeting and improved therapeutic efficacy. In this review, the recent advances in engineering neutrophils for drug delivery and targeting neutrophils for remodeling tumor microenvironment (TME) are comprehensively presented. This review will provide a broad understanding of the potential of neutrophils in cancer therapy.

Engineered Bio-Based Hydrogels for Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy represents a revolutionary paradigm in cancer management, showcasing its potential to impede tumor metastasis and recurrence. Nonetheless, challenges including limited therapeutic efficacy and severe immune-related side effects are frequently encountered, especially in solid tumors. Hydrogels, a class of versatile materials featuring well-hydrated structures widely used in biomedicine, offer a promising platform for encapsulating and releasing small molecule drugs, biomacromolecules, and cells in a controlled manner. Immunomodulatory hydrogels present a unique capability for augmenting immune activation and mitigating systemic toxicity through encapsulation of multiple components and localized administration. Notably, hydrogels based on biopolymers have gained significant interest owing to their biocompatibility, environmental friendliness, and ease of production. This review delves into the recent advances in bio-based hydrogels in cancer immunotherapy and synergistic combinatorial approaches, highlighting their diverse applications. It is anticipated that this review will guide the rational design of hydrogels in the field of cancer immunotherapy, fostering clinical translation and ultimately benefiting patients.

The Intellectual Landscape of Nanovaccines: A Bibliometric Perspective on Scientific Progress and Future Directions

This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis of the burgeoning field of nanovaccine research, leveraging data sourced from Scopus and employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart for the meticulous screening, inclusion, and exclusion of relevant studies. Utilizing sophisticated bibliometric tools, such as Biblioshiny and CiteSpace, we dissected the expansive literature to unearth critical insights into the annual scientific output, identifying key contributors and pivotal publications that have shaped the domain. The analysis delineates the most influential authors, sources, and globally cited documents, offering a macroscopic view of the field's intellectual structure and growth trajectory. Trend topics and thematic mapping underscored the evolution of research foci, from fundamental immunological mechanisms to cutting-edge nanomaterial applications. Factorial analysis and keyword co-occurrence networks revealed the intricate associations and thematic concentrations within the literature. The study's robust methodology also pinpointed the keywords exhibiting the strongest citation bursts, signifying emergent areas of intense academic interest. Networks of cited authors illuminated collaborative patterns among scholars, while timeline network visualizations of country collaborations depicted the global interplay in nanovaccine development. Crucially, this study identified notable research gaps and practical implications, suggesting directions for future investigation and highlighting the translational potential of nanovaccines in public health and personalized medicine. This bibliometric investigation not only maps the current landscape but also charts a course for the trajectory of nanovaccine research, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone of innovative immunotherapeutic strategies.

Evolving Tumor Characteristics and Smart Nanodrugs for Tumor Immunotherapy

Typical physiological characteristics of tumors, such as weak acidity, low oxygen content, and upregulation of certain enzymes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), provide survival advantages when exposed to targeted attacks by drugs and responsive nanomedicines. Consequently, cancer treatment has significantly progressed in recent years. However, the evolution and adaptation of tumor characteristics still pose many challenges for current treatment methods. Therefore, efficient and precise cancer treatments require an understanding of the heterogeneity degree of various factors in cancer cells during tumor evolution to exploit the typical TME characteristics and manage the mutation process. The highly heterogeneous tumor and infiltrating stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular components collectively form a unique TME, which plays a crucial role in tumor malignancy, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and immune escape. Therefore, the development of new treatment methods that can adapt to the evolutionary characteristics of tumors has become an intense focus in current cancer treatment research. This paper explores the latest understanding of cancer evolution, focusing on how tumors use new antigens to shape their "new faces"; how immune system cells, such as cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, help tumors become "invisible", that is, immune escape; whether the diverse cancer-associated fibroblasts provide support and coordination for tumors; and whether it is possible to attack tumors in reverse. This paper discusses the limitations of targeted therapy driven by tumor evolution factors and explores future strategies and the potential of intelligent nanomedicines, including the systematic coordination of tumor evolution factors and adaptive methods, to meet this therapeutic challenge.

TLR3 activation enhances abscopal effect of radiotherapy in HCC by promoting tumor ferroptosis

Radiotherapy (RT) has been reported to induce abscopal effect in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but such phenomenon was only observed in sporadic cases. Here, we demonstrated that subcutaneous administration of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist poly(I:C) could strengthen the abscopal effect during RT through activating tumor cell ferroptosis signals in bilateral HCC subcutaneous tumor mouse models, which could be significantly abolished by TLR3 knock-out or ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1. Moreover, poly(I:C) could promote the presentation of tumor neoantigens by dendritic cells to enhance the recruitment of activated CD8+ T cells into distant tumor tissues for inducing tumor cell ferroptosis during RT treatment. Finally, the safety and feasibility of combining poly(I:C) with RT for treating advanced HCC patients were further verified in a prospective clinical trial. Thus, enhancing TLR3 signaling activation during RT could provide a novel strategy for strengthening abscopal effect to improve the clinical benefits of advanced HCC patients.

Near-Infrared Light-Driven Nanoparticles for Cancer Photoimmunotherapy by Synergizing Immune Cell Death and Epigenetic Regulation

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a class of epigenetic enzymes that are closely related to tumorigenesis and suppress the expression of tumor suppressor genes. Whereas the HDACs inhibitors can release DNA into the cytoplasm and trigger innate immunity. However, the high density of chromatin limits DNA damage and release. In this study, suitable nanosized CycNHOH NPs (150 nm) and CypNHOH NPs (85 nm) efficiently accumulate at the tumor site due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In addition, robust single-linear oxygen generation and good photothermal conversion efficiency under NIR laser irradiation accelerated the DNA damage process. By effectively initiating immune cell death, CypNHOH NPs activated both innate and adaptive immunity by maturing dendritic cells, infiltrating tumors with natural killer cells, and activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which offer a fresh perspective for the development of photo-immunotherapy.

Enzyme-responsive design combined with photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive cancer treatment that has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, its application is still hampered by certain limitations, such as the hydrophobicity and low targeting of photosensitizers (PSs) and the hypoxia of the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, the fusion of enzyme-responsive drugs with PDT offers novel solutions to overcome these challenges. Utilizing the attributes of enzyme-responsive drugs, PDT can deliver PSs to the target site and selectively release them, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we spotlight recent advances in enzyme-responsive materials for cancer treatment and primarily delineate their application in combination with PDT.

RBM39 is a potential prognostic biomarker with functional significance in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

RNA-binding motif protein 39 (RBM39) is a well-known RNA-binding protein involved in tumorigenesis; however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of RBM39 in HCC.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to analyze the differential expression of RBM39 in HCC and normal tissues. The prognostic and diagnostic value of RBM39 in HCC was accessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to validate the mRNA and protein expression of RBM39 in HCC. Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify key pathways related to RBM39. The correlation between RBM39 expression and immune cell infiltration was evaluated using a single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). CCK8 and wound healing assays were performed to investigate the proliferation and migration abilities of HCC cells with RBM39 knockdown.

Results

RBM39 expression was upregulated in the HCC tissues. High RBM39 expression was significantly associated with advanced T stage, histological grade, and pathological stage and predicted poor overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progress-free interval (PFI) in HCC patients. The upregulation of RBM39 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Moreover, GSEA enrichment analysis indicated that RBM39 was functionally involved in pathways associated with the cell cycle, DNA replication, the p53 signaling pathway, and primary immunodeficiency. RBM39 expression was associated with infiltration of Th2 cells and dendritic cells (DC). RBM39 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that high RBM39 expression is associated with poor prognosis and promotes HCC cell proliferation and migration. Based on these results, RBM39 is a promising prognostic biomarker with functional significance for HCC.

Tumor-Derived Antigenic Peptides as Potential Cancer Vaccines

Peptide antigens derived from tumors have been observed to elicit protective immune responses, categorized as either tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or tumor-specific antigens (TSAs). Subunit cancer vaccines incorporating these antigens have shown promise in inducing protective immune responses, leading to cancer prevention or eradication. Over recent years, peptide-based cancer vaccines have gained popularity as a treatment modality and are often combined with other forms of cancer therapy. Several clinical trials have explored the safety and efficacy of peptide-based cancer vaccines, with promising outcomes. Advancements in techniques such as whole-exome sequencing, next-generation sequencing, and in silico methods have facilitated the identification of antigens, making it increasingly feasible. Furthermore, the development of novel delivery methods and a deeper understanding of tumor immune evasion mechanisms have heightened the interest in these vaccines among researchers. This article provides an overview of novel insights regarding advancements in the field of peptide-based vaccines as a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment. It summarizes existing computational methods for tumor neoantigen prediction, ongoing clinical trials involving peptide-based cancer vaccines, and recent studies on human vaccination experiments.

Emerging nanoparticle platforms for CpG oligonucleotide delivery

Unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), which were therapeutic DNA with high immunostimulatory activity, have been applied in widespread applications from basic research to clinics as therapeutic agents for cancer immunotherapy, viral infection, allergic diseases and asthma since their discovery in 1995. The major factors to consider for clinical translation using CpG motifs are the protection of CpG ODNs from DNase degradation and the delivery of CpG ODNs to the Toll-like receptor-9 expressed human B-cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Therefore, great efforts have been devoted to the advances of efficient delivery systems for CpG ODNs. In this review, we outline new horizons and recent developments in this field, providing a comprehensive summary of the nanoparticle-based CpG delivery systems developed to improve the efficacy of CpG-mediated immune responses, including DNA nanostructures, inorganic nanoparticles, polymer nanoparticles, metal-organic-frameworks, lipid-based nanosystems, proteins and peptides, as well as exosomes and cell membrane nanoparticles. Moreover, future challenges in the establishment of CpG delivery systems for immunotherapeutic applications are discussed. We expect that the continuously growing interest in the development of CpG-based immunotherapy will certainly fuel the excitement and stimulation in medicine research.

Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and prospectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern worldwide, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. In recent years, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the systemic treatment of HCC. The combination treatments based on ICIs have been the major trend in this area. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective treatment for advanced HCC. However, the majority of HCC patients obtain limited benefits. Understanding the immunological rationale and exploring novel ways to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy has drawn much attention. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in this area, the ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies, as well as novel immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, personalized neoantigen vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and bispecific antibodies.

The Adaptive Immune Response in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is Characterized by Dysfunctional and Exhausted HBV-Specific T Cells

This systematic review investigates the immunosuppressive environment in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by dysfunctional and exhausted HBV-specific T cells alongside an increased infiltration of HBV-specific CD4+ T cells, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs). Heightened expression of checkpoint inhibitors, notably PD-1, is linked with disease progression and recurrence, indicating its potential as both a prognostic indicator and a target for immunotherapy. Nevertheless, using PD-1 inhibitors has shown limited effectiveness. In a future perspective, understanding the intricate interplay between innate and adaptive immune responses holds promise for pinpointing predictive biomarkers and crafting novel treatment approaches for HBV-associated HCC.

A mesoporous superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle as a generic drug delivery system for tumor ferroptosis therapy

As a famous drug delivery system (DDS), mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MON) are degraded slowly in vivo and the degraded components are not useful for cell nutrition or cancer theranostics, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are not mesoporous with low drug loading content (DLC). To overcome the problems of MON and SPION, we developed mesoporous SPIONs (MSPIONs) with an average diameter of 70 nm and pore size of 3.9 nm. Sorafenib (SFN) and/or brequinar (BQR) were loaded into the mesopores of MSPION, generating SFN@MSPION, BQR@MSPION and SFN/BQR@MSPION with high DLC of 11.5% (SFN), 10.1% (BQR) and 10.0% (SNF + BQR), demonstrating that our MSPION is a generic DDS. SFN/BQR@MSPION can be used for high performance ferroptosis therapy of tumors because: (1) the released Fe2+/3+ in tumor microenvironment (TME) can produce •OH via Fenton reaction; (2) the released SFN in TME can inhibit the cystine/glutamate reverse transporter, decrease the intracellular glutathione (GSH) and GSH peroxidase 4 levels, and thus enhance reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxide levels; (3) the released BQR in TME can further enhance the intracellular oxidative stress via dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibition. The ferroptosis therapeutic mechanism, efficacy and biosafety of MSPION-based DDS were verified on tumor cells and tumor-bearing mice.

Enhancing Persistent Luminescence through Synergy between Optimal Electron Traps and Dye Sensitization

Due to their unique afterglow ability, long-wavelength-light rechargeable persistent luminescence (PersL) nanoparticles (PLNPs) have been emerging as an important category of imaging probes. Among them, ZnGa2O4:0.6% Cr3+ (ZGC) PLNPs have gained widespread recognition due to the ease of synthesis and uniform morphology. Unfortunately, the limited absorption arising from the low molar extinction coefficient of Cr3+ results in relatively low afterglow intensity and rapid decay after long-wavelength LED light irradiation. Herein, we discovered a strategy that boosting dye-sensitization performance was able to effectively amplify the PersL signal under white LED light. Specifically, Dil served as a highly efficient sensitizer for Cr3+, promoting the absorption of the excitation light. By adjusting the Pr dopant concentrations, ZGCP0.5 PLNPs with optimal trap densities were obtained, which showed the highest PersL intensity and dye-sensitized performance. Strikingly, ZGCP0.5-Dil PLNPs exhibited a 24.3-fold enhancement in intensity and a 2-fold prolongation of decay time over bare ZGC PLNPs through the synergy effect of optimal electron traps and dye sensitization. Photostable ZGCP0.5-Dil PLNPs enabled imaging of the HepG2 tumor and effectively guided tumor surgical resection verified by the H&E staining analysis. This strategy could be a significant reference in other dye-sensitization PLNPs to enhance longer-wavelength rechargeable PersL.