Identification and validation of a hub gene prognostic index for hepatocellular carcinoma

Aims: We aim to provide new insights into the mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identify key genes as biomarkers for the prognosis of HCC. Materials & methods: Differentially expressed genes between HCC tissues and normal tissues were identified via the Gene Expression Omnibus tool. The top ten hub genes screened by the degree of the protein nodes in the protein-protein interaction network also showed significant associations with overall survival in HCC patients. Results: A prognostic model containing a five-gene signature was constructed to predict the prognosis of HCC via multivariate Cox regression analysis. Conclusion: This study identified a novel five-gene signature (CDK1, CCNB1, CCNB2, BUB1 and KIF11) as a significant independent prognostic factor.

Development of MOF "Armor-Plated" Phycocyanin and Synergistic Inhibition of Cellular Respiration for Hypoxic Photodynamic Therapy in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models

Significant progress has been made in the use of phycocyanin (PC) as a photosensitizer (PS) agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The clinical use of PC, however, has been limited by its poor stability, unfavorable pharmacokinetics, limited tumor cell uptake, and the hypoxic nature of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, a novel biomimetic mineralization approach is described for encapsulating PC using zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), after which MPEG₂₀₀₀ -COOH is further utilized as an anchor on the ZIF/PC complex in order to yield MPEG₂₀₀₀ -ZIF/PC composites (PMs). These PMs are then used as a stable reinforced PS for PDT, effectively improving the intracellular delivery of this protein PS. In contrast to prior studies that have sought to overcome intratumoral hypoxia via increasing oxygen delivery to the tumor site, the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor papaverine (PPV) is instead utilized to reduce intratumor oxygen consumption in an effort to augment the PDT efficacy of the PMs. It is found that this combination treatment strategy markedly improves the antitumor properties of these PMs both in vitro and in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models without inducing significant side effects. It is therefore proposed that the "armor-plating" of protein PS agents with ZIF-8 in combination with PPV may be a promising approach to precision medicine-mediated tumor treatment.

Z-Ligustilide Selectively Targets AML by Restoring Nuclear Receptors Nur77 and NOR-1-mediated Apoptosis and Differentiation

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a devastating hematologic malignancy with a high mortality. The nuclear receptors Nur77 and NOR-1 are commonly downregulated in human AML blasts and have emerged as key therapeutic targets for AML.

METHODS

This study aimed to identify Z-ligustilide (Z-LIG), the main phthalide of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, as a potential agent that can selectively target AML. The anti-AML activity of Z-LIG was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, and the effect and underlying mechanisms of Z-LIG on the restoration of Nur77 and NOR-1 was determined. Moreover, the role of Nur77 and NOR-1 in the regulation of Z-LIG-induced apoptosis and differentiation of AML cells was explored.

RESULTS

Z-LIG preferentially inhibited the viability of human AML cells, as well as suppressed the proliferation and colony formation ability. Notably, a concentration-dependent dual effect of Z-LIG was observed in AML cells: inducing apoptosis at relatively high concentrations (25 μM to 100 μM) and promoting differentiation at relatively low concentrations (10 μM and 25 μM). Importantly, Z-LIG restored Nur77 and NOR-1 expression in AML cells by increasing Ace-H3 (lys9/14) enrichment in their promoters. Meanwhile, Z-LIG enhanced the recruitment of p300 and reduced the recruitment of HDAC1, HDAC4/5/7, and MTA1 in the Nur77 promoter and enhanced the recruitment of p-CREB and reduced HDAC1 and HDAC3 in the NOR-1 promoter. Furthermore, Z-LIG-induced apoptosis was shown to be correlated with the mitochondria localization of Nur77/NOR-1 and subsequent Bcl-2 conformational change, converting Bcl-2 from a cyto-protective phenotype into a cyto-destructive phenotype. Z-LIG-promoted differentiation was found to be related to Nur77/NOR-1-mediated myeloid differentiation-associated transcription factors Jun B, c-Jun, and C/EBPβ. Finally, silencing of Nur77 and NOR-1 attenuated anti-AML activity of Z-LIG in NOD/SCID mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that Z-LIG may serve as a novel bifunctional agent for AML by restoring Nur77/NOR-1-mediated apoptosis and differentiation.

Chol-Dex nanomicelles: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation as efficient drug carriers for colon targeting

Core-shell structures obtained from amphiphilic molecules on self-assembly in a medium have emerged as an important tool in the area of biomedical sciences. Here, we have synthesized cholesteryl-dextran (Chol-Dex) amphiphiles in sufficiently high yields via conjugation of cholesteryl hemisuccinate to dextran in two different concentrations (5 and 10%). After physicochemical and spectral analysis, the nanomicelles were subjected to size measurements. DLS and TEM confirmed the formation of core-shell type of nanomicelles. Hydrophobic drug-entrapped formulations (Metronidazole and Rifampicin) displayed sustained release behaviour of drugs from them. Sustained release at neutral pH demonstrated usefulness of the non-toxic delivery system for colon specific diseases.

Exploration of Bioengineered Scaffolds Composed of Thermo-Responsive Polymers for Drug Delivery in Wound Healing

Innate and adaptive immune responses lead to wound healing by regulating a complex series of events promoting cellular cross-talk. An inflammatory response is presented with its characteristic clinical symptoms: heat, pain, redness, and swelling. Some smart thermo-responsive polymers like chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginate, and poly(ε-caprolactone) can be used to create biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds. These processed thermo-responsive biomaterials possess 3D architectures similar to human structures, providing physical support for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, these structures are used as novel drug delivery systems. Locally heated tumors above the polymer lower the critical solution temperature and can induce its conversion into a hydrophobic form by an entropy-driven process, enhancing drug release. When the thermal stimulus is gone, drug release is reduced due to the swelling of the material. As a result, these systems can contribute to the wound healing process in accelerating tissue healing, avoiding large scar tissue, regulating the inflammatory response, and protecting from bacterial infections. This paper integrates the relevant reported contributions of bioengineered scaffolds composed of smart thermo-responsive polymers for drug delivery applications in wound healing. Therefore, we present a comprehensive review that aims to demonstrate these systems' capacity to provide spatially and temporally controlled release strategies for one or more drugs used in wound healing. In this sense, the novel manufacturing techniques of 3D printing and electrospinning are explored for the tuning of their physicochemical properties to adjust therapies according to patient convenience and reduce drug toxicity and side effects.

Lignin-Incorporated Nanogel Serving As an Antioxidant Biomaterial for Wound Healing

Oxidative phosphorylation is an important biological process in the body to produce energy, during which oxygen free radicals are generated as byproduct. Excessive oxygen free radicals cause cell death and reduce the rate of tissue regeneration and healing in a wound. Lignin is a natural antioxidant derived from plants, but its biomedical application is restricted because of the uncertain biocompatibility. In this work, we developed a lignin-incorporated nanogel and explored its application for wound healing. Lignin was extracted from coconut husks and determined to have strong antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 25.7 ppm). Various amounts of lignin were incorporated into thermoresponsive nanogels, which were produced from polyurethane copolymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). It was shown that the addition of lignin had minimal effects on the gelation and rheological properties of the nanogel but slightly increased the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of poly(PEG/PPG/PDMS urethane) copolymer from 3.38 × 10^-4 g mL^-1 to 4.61 × 10^-4 g mL^-1. The lignin-incorporated nanogels did not display detectable cytotoxicity. The lignin-incorporated nanogel possessed antioxidant activity, as it reduced the active oxygen level, protecting the LO2 cells from apoptosis caused by oxidative stress. More importantly, in vivo studies demonstrated that the lignin-incorporated nanogels accelerated the healing of burn wounds in mice as proved by the increased expression of Ki67, one marker of cell proliferation. The present work demonstrates that lignin-incorporated nanogel could serve as an antioxidant wound-dressing material and facilitate the wound healing.

High-Contrast Dynamic Reflecting System Based on Pneumatic Micro/Nanoscale Surface Morphing

Cephalopods offer a fascinating dynamic reflecting system to create desired colors and patterns through contracting and releasing their soft skins in response to environmental stimuli. Inspired by this natural display strategy, we designed a novel dynamic reflecting system based on pneumatic micro/nanoscale surface morphing. This system consists of a thin metal skin/elastomer bilayer modulated by a microfluidic-based gas injector. Benefited from the "wrinkled-specular" transition of the metal's surface under a small pneumatic actuation (4 kPa), an unprecedented reflectance contrast of 93 for broad-band (500-750 nm) modulation is achieved. This remarkable response also has excellent cycle stability (>2500 times) and fast response time (∼0.2 s). These advantages enable a robust and ultrasensitive optical gas pressure sensor with a sensitivity of 178 kPa^-1, which is 3-4 orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional optical gas pressure sensors based on either a Fabry-Pérot interferometer or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Moreover, as proof-of-concept applications, we also experimentally demonstrated a curvature-variable convex mirror and noniridescent dynamic display, suggesting that our pneumatically dynamic reflecting system will potentially broaden the applications in adaptive optical devices, sensors, and displays.

Versatile Types of Cyclodextrin-Based Nucleic Acid Delivery Systems

Nowadays, nucleic acid therapy has become a promising way for the treatment of various malignant diseases. Cyclodextrin (CD)-based nucleic acid delivery systems have attracted widespread attention due to the favorable chemical structures and excellent biological properties of CD. Recently, a variety of CD-based nucleic acid delivery systems has been designed according to the different functions of CD for flexible gene therapies. In this review, the construction strategies and biomedical applications of CD-based nucleic acid delivery systems are mainly focused on. The review begins with an introduction to the synthesis and properties of simple CD-grafted polycations. Thereafter, CD-related supramolecular assemblies based on different guest components are discussed in detail. Finally, different CD-based organic/inorganic nanohybrids and their relevant functions are demonstrated. It is hoped that this brief review will motivate the delicate design of CD-based nucleic acid delivery systems for potential clinical applications.

The role of coordination compounds in virus research. Different approaches and trends

This article aims to provide an overview of the studies focused on using coordination compounds as antiviral agents against different types of viruses. We present various strategies so far used to this end. This article is divided into two sections. The first collects the series of designed antiviral drugs based on coordination compounds. This approach has been developed for many years, starting from the 70s with the discovery of cis-platin (cis-DDP). It has been mainly focused on studying the synergistic effect of a wide variety of new compounds obtained by combining metal ions with organic antiviral ligands. Then, we collect various strategies analyzing the coordination compounds interacting with viruses using different processes such as wrapping viruses, rapid detection of RNA or DNA virus, or nanocarriers. These recent and novel insights help to study viruses from other points of view, allowing to measure their physical and chemical properties. We also highlight a section in which the issue of viruses from a disinfection viewpoint is addressed, using coordination compounds as a tool able to control the release of antiviral and biocide agents. This is an emerging and promising field but this approach is actually little developed. We finally provide a section with a general conclusion and perspectives.

BMP-6 carrying metal organic framework-embedded in bioresorbable electrospun fibers for enhanced bone regeneration

Biomolecule carrier structures have attracted substantial interest owing to their potential utilizations in the field of bone tissue engineering. In this study, MOF-embedded electrospun fiber scaffold for the controlled release of BMP-6 was developed for the first time, to enrich bone regeneration efficacy. The scaffolds were achieved by first, one-pot rapid crystallization of BMP-6 encapsulated ZIF-8 nanocrystals-as a novel carrier for growth factor molecules- and then electrospinning of the blending solution composed of poly (ε-caprolactone) and BMP-6 encapsulated ZIF-8 nanocrystals. BMP-6 molecule encapsulation efficiency for ZIF-8 nanocrystals was calculated as 98%. The in-vitro studies showed that, the bioactivity of BMP-6 was preserved and the release lasted up to 30 days. The release kinetics fitted the Korsmeyer-Peppas model exhibiting a pseudo-Fickian behavior. The in-vitro osteogenesis studies revealed the superior effect of sustained release of BMP-6 towards osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. In-vivo studies also revealed that the sustained slow release of BMP-6 was responsible for the generation of well-mineralized, new bone formation in a rat cranial defect. Our results proved that; MOF-carriers embedded in electrospun scaffolds can be used as an effective platform for bone regeneration in bone tissue engineering applications. The proposed approach can easily be adapted for various growth factor molecules for different tissue engineering applications.

Cell penetrating peptides: A versatile vector for co-delivery of drug and genes in cancer

Biological barriers hamper the efficient delivery of drugs and genes to targeted sites. Cell penetrating peptides (CPP) have the ability to rapidly internalize across biological membranes. CPP have been effective for delivery of various chemotherapeutic agents used to combat cancer. CPP can enhance delivery of drugs to a targeted site when combined with tumor targeting peptides. CPP can be linked with various cargos like nanoparticles, micelles and liposomes to deliver drugs and genes to the cancer cell. Here, we focus on CPP mediated delivery of drugs to the tumor sites, delivery of genes (siRNA,pDNA) and co-delivery of drugs and genes to combat drug resistance.

Polymeric hydrogels as a vitreous replacement strategy in the eye

Vitreous endo-tamponades are commonly used in the treatment of retinal detachments and tears. They function by providing a tamponading force to support the retina after retina surgery. Current clinical vitreous endo-tamponades include expansile gases (such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and perfluoropropane (C₃F₈)) and also sislicone oil (SiO). They are effective in promoting recovery but are disadvantaged by their lower refractive indices and lower densities as compared to the native vitreous, resulting in immediate blurred vision after surgery and necessitating patients to assume prolonged face-down positioning respectively. While the gas implants diffuse out over time, the SiO implants are non-biodegradable and require surgical removal. Therefore, there is much demand to develop an ideal vitreous endo-tamponade that can combine therapeutic effectiveness with patient comfort. Polymeric hydrogels have since attracted much attention due to their favourable properties such as high water content, high clarity, suitable refractive indices, suitable density, tuneable rheological properties, injectability, and biocompatibility. Many design strategies have been employed to design polymeric hydrogel-based vitreous endo-tamponades and they can be classified into four main strategies. This review seeks to analyse these various strategies and evaluate their effectiveness and also propose the key criteria to design successful polymeric hydrogel vitreous endo-tamponades.

Paying attention to tumor blood vessels: Cancer phototherapy assisted with nano delivery strategies

Cancer phototherapy has attracted increasing attention for its promising effectiveness and relative non-invasiveness. Over the past years, tremendous efforts have been made to develop better phototherapy strategies with various nano delivery systems. This review introduces cancer phototherapy strategies based on tumor blood vessels for improved therapeutic outcomes from the angle of direct tumor destruction and improved delivery process assisted with nano delivery designs. Latest directions and ideas of cancer phototherapy with translation potential are also discussed. Focusing on the double role of tumor vessels not only as an anti-tumor target but also as part of the delivery process, we highlight the crosstalk between photo-induced extensive effects and the complicated drug delivery process. Due to the heterogeneity of tumors, deeper investigations about the interconnection between tumor vessels and cancer phototherapy remain to be carried out. More delicate and intelligent nano delivery systems are expected to help realize the full potential of this therapeutic strategy.

Recent Development of Copolymeric Nano-Drug Delivery System for Paclitaxel

Background:

Paclitaxel (PTX) has been clinically used for several years due to its good therapeutic effect against cancers. Its poor water-solubility, non-selectivity, high cytotoxicity to normal tissue and worse pharmacokinetic property limit its clinical application.

Objective:

To review the recent progress on the PTX delivery systems.

Methods:

In recent years, the copolymeric nano-drug delivery systems for PTX are broadly studied. It mainly includes micelles, nanoparticles, liposomes, complexes, prodrugs and hydrogels, etc. They were developed or further modified with target molecules to investigate the release behavior, targeting to tissues, pharmacokinetic property, anticancer activities and bio-safety of PTX. In the review, we will describe and discuss the recent progress on the nano-drug delivery system for PTX since 2011.

Results:

The water-solubility, selective delivery to cancers, tissue toxicity, controlled release and pharmacokinetic property of PTX are improved by its encapsulation into the nano-drug delivery systems. In addition, its activities against cancer are also comparable or high when compared with the commercial formulation.

Conclusion:

Encapsulating PTX into nano-drug carriers should be helpful to reduce its toxicity to human, keeping or enhancing its activity and improving its pharmacokinetic property.

Biomineralization: An Opportunity and Challenge of Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

Biomineralization is a common process in organisms to produce hard biomaterials by combining inorganic ions with biomacromolecules. Multifunctional nanoplatforms are developed based on the mechanism of biomineralization in many biomedical applications. In the past few years, biomineralization-based nanoparticle drug delivery systems for the cancer treatment have gained a lot of research attention due to the advantages including simple preparation, good biocompatibility, degradability, easy modification, versatility, and targeting. In this review, the research trends of biomineralization-based nanoparticle drug delivery systems and their applications in cancer therapy are summarized. This work aims to promote future researches on cancer therapy based on biomineralization. Rational design of nanoparticle drug delivery systems can overcome the bottleneck in the clinical transformation of nanomaterials. At the same time, biomineralization has also provided new research ideas for cancer treatment, i.e., targeted therapy, which has significantly better performance.

Drug Delivery Systems of Natural Products in Oncology

In recent decades, increasing interest in the use of natural products in anticancer therapy field has been observed, mainly due to unsolved drug-resistance problems. The antitumoral effect of natural compounds involving different signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms has been largely demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The encapsulation of natural products into different delivery systems may lead to a significant enhancement of their anticancer efficacy by increasing in vivo stability and bioavailability, reducing side adverse effects and improving target-specific activity. This review will focus on research studies related to nanostructured systems containing natural compounds for new drug delivery tools in anticancer therapies.

Structure-guided discovery of a luminescent theranostic toolkit for living cancer cells and the imaging behavior effect

Dual-functional theranostics are powerful tools that can allow for the in-field understanding of cancer pathology, yet their use is held back by the paucity of suitable theranostics for living systems. Moreover, typical in vitro screening conditions for probe molecules do not necessarily generate candidates that can function effectively in the natural in cellulo environment, limiting their follow-up use in living systems. We introduce herein a general strategy for the development of an iridium(iii) theranostic by grafting a well-known inhibitor as a "binding unit" onto an iridium(iii) complex precursor as a "signaling unit". To further optimize their emissive properties, we explored the effect of imaging behavior by incorporating different substituents onto the parental "signaling unit". This design concept was validated by a series of tailored iridium(iii) theranostics 2a-2h for the visualization and inhibition of EGFR in living cancer cells. By comprehensively assessing the theranostic potency of 2a-2h in both in vitro and in cellulo contexts, probe 2f containing electron-donating methoxy groups on the "signaling unit" was discovered to be the most promising candidate theranostic with desirable photophysical/chemical properties. Probe 2f selectively bound to EGFR in vitro and in cellulo, enabling it to selectively discriminate living EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells from normal cells that express low levels of EGFR with an "always-on" luminescence signal output. In particular, its long-lived lifetime enabled its luminescence signal to be readily distinguished from the interfering fluorescence of organic dyes by using time-resolved techniques. Complex 2f simultaneously visualized and inhibited EGFR in a dose-dependent manner, leading to a reduction in the phosphorylation of downstream proteins ERK and MEK, and inhibition of the activity of downstream transcription factor AP1. Notably, complex 2f is comparable to the parental EGFR inhibitor 1b, in terms of both inhibitory activity against EGFR and cytotoxicity against EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells. This tailored dual-functional iridium(iii) theranostic toolkit provides an alternative strategy for the personalized diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Nanostructured manganese dioxide for anticancer applications: preparation, diagnosis, and therapy

Nanostructured manganese dioxide (MnO₂) has attracted extensive attention in the field of anticancer applications. As we all know, the tumor microenvironment is usually characterized by a high glutathione (GSH) concentration, overproduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), acidity, and hypoxia, which affect the efficacy of many traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Fortunately, as one kind of redox-active nanomaterial, nanostructured MnO₂ has many excellent properties such as strong oxidation ability, excellent catalytic activity, and good biodegradability. It can be used effectively in diagnosis and treatment when it reacts with some harmful substances in the tumor site. It can not only enhance the therapeutic effect but also adjust the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, it is necessary to present the recent achievements and progression of nanostructured MnO₂ for anticancer applications, including preparation methods, diagnosis, and treatment. Special attention was paid to photodynamic therapy (PDT), bioimaging and cancer diagnosis (BCD), and drug delivery systems (DDS). This review is expected to provide helpful guidance on further research of nanostructured MnO₂ for anticancer applications.

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1 is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1 (P-Rex1) was reported to be a risk factor in several cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma, but its expression and role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not yet been fully studied.

AIM

To explore the expression of P-Rex1 in HCC, and further evaluate its potential application in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, especially in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related patients.

METHODS

P-Rex1 expression in HCC was evaluated by real-time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression of P-Rex1 was subjected to correlation analysis with clinical features, such as lymph node invasion, distant metastasis, HBV infection, patient's age and gender. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to examine the potential role of P-Rex1 as a diagnostic biomarker in HCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the association between P-Rex1 expression and overall survival, progression-free survival and relapse-free survival. Bioinformatic analysis was used to validate the clinical findings.

RESULTS

P-Rex1 expression was significantly increased in HCC tumors than adjacent tissues. The expression of P-Rex1 was higher in HCC patients with lymph node invasion, distant metastasis, HBV infection and positive alpha-fetoprotein, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that P-Rex1 was a diagnostic biomarker with a higher area under the curve value, especially in patients with HBV infection. Survival analysis showed that patients with higher P-Rex1 expression had a favorable survival rate, even in early-stage patients.

CONCLUSION

P-Rex1 expression was highly increased in HCC, and the expression level of P-Rex1 was positively correlated with tumor progression. P-Rex1 has a higher efficiency in the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC, and could also be used as a favorable prognostic factor for HCC patients.

A Nanomedicine Fabricated from Gold Nanoparticles-Decorated Metal-Organic Framework for Cascade Chemo/Chemodynamic Cancer Therapy

The incorporation of new modalities into chemotherapy greatly enhances the anticancer efficacy combining the merits of each treatment, showing promising potentials in clinical translations. Herein, a hybrid nanomedicine (Au/FeMOF@CPT NPs) is fabricated using metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as building blocks for cancer chemo/chemodynamic therapy. MOF NPs are used as vehicles to encapsulate camptothecin (CPT), and the hybridization by Au NPs greatly improves the stability of the nanomedicine in a physiological environment. Triggered by the high concentration of phosphate inside the cancer cells, Au/FeMOF@CPT NPs effectively collapse after internalization, resulting in the complete drug release and activation of the cascade catalytic reactions. The intracellular glucose can be oxidized by Au NPs to produce hydrogen dioxide, which is further utilized as chemical fuel for the Fenton reaction, thus realizing the synergistic anticancer efficacy. Benefitting from the enhanced permeability and retention effect and sophisticated fabrications, the blood circulation time and tumor accumulation of Au/FeMOF@CPT NPs are significantly increased. In vivo results demonstrate that the combination of chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy effectively suppresses the tumor growth, meantime the systemic toxicity of this nanomedicine is greatly avoided.

Acacetin, a flavone with diverse therapeutic potential in cancer, inflammation, infections and other metabolic disorders

BACKGROUND

Acacetin is a di-hydroxy and mono-methoxy flavone present in various plants, including black locust, Damiana, Silver birch. Literature information revealed that acacetin exhibits an array of pharmacological potential including chemopreventive and cytotoxic properties in cancer cell lines, prevents ischemia/reperfusion/myocardial infarction-induced cardiac injury, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ion (MPP+) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced neuroinflammation, LPS and sepsis-induced lung injury, rheumatoid and collagen-induced arthritis, inhibit the microbial growth, obesity, viral-mediated infections as well as hepatic protection.

PURPOSE

This review highlights the therapeutic potential of acacetin, with updated and comprehensive information on the biological sources, chemistry, and pharmacological properties along with the possible mechanism of action, safety aspects, and future research opportunities.

STUDY DESIGN

The information was retrieved from various search engines, including Pubmed, SciFinder, Science direct, Inxight:drugs, Google scholar, and Meta cyc.

RESULT

The first section of this review focuses on the detailed biological source of acacetin, chromatographic techniques used for isolation, chemical characteristics, the method for the synthesis of acacetin, and the available natural and synthetic derivatives. Subsequently, the pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, have been discussed. The pharmacokinetics data and toxicity profile of acacetin are also discussed.

CONCLUSION

Acacetin is a potent molecule reported for its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity, however further scientific evidence is essential to validate its potency in disease models associated with inflammation and cancer. There is limited information available for toxicity profiling of acacetin; therefore, further studies would aid in establishing this natural flavone as a potent candidate for research studies at clinical setup.

Sorting and gene mutation verification of circulating tumor cells of lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor peptide lipid magnetic spheres

Background

This study aimed to identify an efficient, simple, and specific method of detecting mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in isolated lung cancer circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and to improve the ability to obtain tumor tissue clinically.

Methods

EGFR peptide lipid magnetic spheres (EG‐P‐LMB) were prepared by reverse evaporation, and characterization and cell capture efficiency assessed. The peripheral blood samples of 30 lung cancer patients were isolated and identified with the EG‐P‐LMB using 20 healthy volunteers as controls. Finally, the isolated CTCs were tested for EGFR gene mutations, and the tissue samples selected for comparison.

Results

The prepared magnetic spheres had a smaller particle size and higher stability according to the particle size potential test. Their morphology was homogeneous by atomic force observation, and the UV test showed that there were peptides on the surface. The separation efficiency of EG‐P‐LMB was greater than 90% in PBS and greater than 80% in the blood simulation system. Compared with the tissue sample results, the positive rate of EGFR gene mutations was 94%. The CTC test results of 27 patients were consistent with the tissue test results of the corresponding patients, and the consistency with the tissue comparison test results was 90% (27/30).

Conclusions

EG‐P‐LMB can effectively capture CTCs in the peripheral blood of patients with lung cancer. CTC detection can accurately identify mutations in the EGFR gene and improve the ability to obtain tumor tissue in clinical practice.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

EG‐P‐LMB can effectively capture CTCs in the peripheral blood of patients with lung cancer. CTC detection can accurately identify mutations in the EGFR gene and improve the ability to obtain tumor tissue in clinical practice.

What this study adds

This study added EGFR peptide lipid magnetic spheres to capture CTCs in the blood. Genetic testing was performed and compared with tissues. It solves the problem of clinically difficult tumor tissue sampling.

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy and Its Role in Overcoming Drug Resistance

Nanotechnology has been extensively studied and exploited for cancer treatment as nanoparticles can play a significant role as a drug delivery system. Compared to conventional drugs, nanoparticle-based drug delivery has specific advantages, such as improved stability and biocompatibility, enhanced permeability and retention effect, and precise targeting. The application and development of hybrid nanoparticles, which incorporates the combined properties of different nanoparticles, has led this type of drug-carrier system to the next level. In addition, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have been shown to play a role in overcoming cancer-related drug resistance. The mechanisms of cancer drug resistance include overexpression of drug efflux transporters, defective apoptotic pathways, and hypoxic environment. Nanoparticles targeting these mechanisms can lead to an improvement in the reversal of multidrug resistance. Furthermore, as more tumor drug resistance mechanisms are revealed, nanoparticles are increasingly being developed to target these mechanisms. Moreover, scientists have recently started to investigate the role of nanoparticles in immunotherapy, which plays a more important role in cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the roles of nanoparticles and hybrid nanoparticles for drug delivery in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy and describe the targeting mechanism of nanoparticle-based drug delivery as well as its function on reversing drug resistance.

Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy and Its Role in Overcoming Drug Resistance

Nanotechnology has been extensively studied and exploited for cancer treatment as nanoparticles can play a significant role as a drug delivery system. Compared to conventional drugs, nanoparticle-based drug delivery has specific advantages, such as improved stability and biocompatibility, enhanced permeability and retention effect, and precise targeting. The application and development of hybrid nanoparticles, which incorporates the combined properties of different nanoparticles, has led this type of drug-carrier system to the next level. In addition, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have been shown to play a role in overcoming cancer-related drug resistance. The mechanisms of cancer drug resistance include overexpression of drug efflux transporters, defective apoptotic pathways, and hypoxic environment. Nanoparticles targeting these mechanisms can lead to an improvement in the reversal of multidrug resistance. Furthermore, as more tumor drug resistance mechanisms are revealed, nanoparticles are increasingly being developed to target these mechanisms. Moreover, scientists have recently started to investigate the role of nanoparticles in immunotherapy, which plays a more important role in cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the roles of nanoparticles and hybrid nanoparticles for drug delivery in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy and describe the targeting mechanism of nanoparticle-based drug delivery as well as its function on reversing drug resistance.

Identification of APEX2 as an oncogene in liver cancer

BACKGROUND

DNA damage is one of the critical contributors to the occurrence and development of some cancers. APEX1 and APEX2 are the most important molecules in the DNA damage, and APEX1 has been identified as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). However, the expression of APEX2 and its functional mechanisms in LIHC are still unclear.

AIM

To examine the expression of APEX2 and the potential mechanism network in LIHC.

METHODS

We conducted a pan-cancer analysis of the expression of APEX1 and APEX2 using the interactive TIMER tool. GEO datasets, including GSE14520, GSE22058, and GSE64041, were used to compare the APEX2 expression level in tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Then, we calculated the 5-year survival rate according to the web-based Kaplan-Meier analysis. We included the TCGA liver cancer database in GSEA analysis based on the high and low APEX2 expression, showing the potential mechanisms of APEX2 in LIHC. After that, we conducted Pearson correlation analysis using GEPIA2. Next, we performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to examine the APEX2 levels in normal liver cell line LO2 and several liver cancer cell lines, including HepG2, Huh7, SMMC7721, and HCCLM3. APEX2 in HCCLM3 cells was knocked down using small interfering RNA. The role of APEX2 in cell viability was confirmed using CCK-8. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to examine the promoter activity of CCNB1 and MYC.

RESULTS

APEX1 and APEX2 are both highly expressed in the tumor tissues of BLCA, BRCA, CHOL, COAD, ESCA, HNSC, LIHC, LUAD, LUSC, READ, and STAD. APEX2 overexpression in LIHC was validated using GSE14520, GSE22058, and GSE64041 datasets. The survival analysis showed that LIHC patients with high expression of APEX2 had a lower overall survival rate, even in the AJCC T1 patients. High level of APEX2 could indicate a lower overall survival rate in patients with or without viral hepatitis. The GSEA analysis identified that kinetochore and spindle microtubules are the two main cellular components of APEX2 in GO Ontology. APEX2 was also positively associated with molecular function regulation of chromosome segregation and DNA replication. The results of KEGG analysis indicated that APEX2 expression was positively correlated with cell cycle pathway and pro-oncogenic MYC signaling. Pearson correlation analysis showed that APEX2 had a significant positive correlation with CCNB1 and MYC. APEX2 level was higher in liver cancer cell lines than in normal liver LO2 cells. Small interfering RNA could knock down the APEX2 expression in HCCLM3 cells. Knockdown of APEX2 resulted in a decrease in the viability of HCCLM3 cells as well as the expression and promoter activity of CCNB1 and MYC.

CONCLUSION

APEX2 is overexpressed in LIHC, and the higher APEX2 level is associated with a worse prognosis in overall survival. APEX2 is closely involved in the biological processes of chromosome segregation and DNA replication. APEX2 expression is positively correlated with the pro-oncogenic pathways. Knockdown of APEX2 could inhibit the cell viability and CCNB1 and MYC pathways, suggesting that APEX2 is an oncogene in LIHC, which could be a potential pharmaceutic target in the anti-tumor therapy.

CLEC4M overexpression inhibits progression and is associated with a favorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the most common malignant cancer worldwide. Numerous studies have indicated that C-type lectin domain family 4 member M (CLEC4M) is associated with tumor progression; however, the biological functions of CLEC4M in HCC have not been investigated. In the present study, CLEC4M overexpression was observed to be associated with a favorable patient overall, relapse-free, progression-free and disease-specific survival by using the KMplot™ database. The present study then concentrated specifically on the functions of CLEC4M by performing cell counting kit-8 proliferation, 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and flow cytometric assays. CLEC4M overexpression inhibited proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in Huh7 and PLC/PRF/5 cells. Furthermore, the results demonstrated by using western blotting that CLEC4M overexpression inhibited the Janus kinase 1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway, which is involved in various types of tumors including HCC. In conclusion, the present study reported that CLEC4M may be considered as a novel indicator of HCC and may provide a theoretical basis for improving the survival of patients with HCC.

Histoepigenetic analysis of the mesothelin network within pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells reveals regulation of retinoic acid receptor gamma and AKT by mesothelin

To enable computational analysis of regulatory networks within the cancer cell in its natural tumor microenvironment, we develop a two-stage histoepigenetic analysis method. The first stage involves iterative computational deconvolution to estimate sample-specific cancer-cell intrinsic expression of a gene of interest. The second stage places the gene within a network module. We validate the method in simulation experiments, show improved performance relative to differential expression analysis from bulk samples, and apply it to illuminate the role of the mesothelin (MSLN) network in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The network analysis and subsequent experimental validation in a panel of PDAC cell lines suggests AKT activation by MSLN through two known activators, retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARG) and tyrosine kinase non receptor 2 (TNK2). Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of histoepigenetic analysis to reveal cancer-cell specific molecular interactions directly from patient tumor profiles.

Inorganic Porous Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Antitumoral Therapy

The use of nanoparticles in oncology to deliver chemotherapeutic agents has received considerable attention in the last decades due to their tendency to be passively accumulated in solid tumors. Besides this remarkable property, the surface of these nanocarriers can be decorated with targeting moieties capable to recognize malignant cells which lead to selective nanoparticle uptake mainly in the diseased cells, without affecting the healthy ones. Among the different nanocarriers which have been developed with this purpose, inorganic porous nanomaterials constitute some of the most interesting due to their unique properties such as excellent cargo capacity, high biocompatibility and chemical, thermal and mechanical robustness, among others. Additionally, these materials can be engineered to present an exquisite control in the drug release behavior placing stimuli-responsive pore-blockers or sensitive hybrid coats on their surface. Herein, the recent advances developed in the use of porous inorganic nanomedicines will be described in order to provide an overview of their huge potential in the look out of an efficient and safe therapy against this complex disease. Porous inorganic nanoparticles have been designed to be accumulated in tumoral tissues; once there to recognize the target cell and finally, to release their payload in a controlled manner.

Metal-Organic Frameworks: A Potential Platform for Enzyme Immobilization and Related Applications

Enzymes, as natural catalysts with remarkable catalytic activity and high region-selectivities, hold great promise in industrial catalysis. However, applications of enzymatic transformation are hampered by the fragility of enzymes in harsh conditions. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), due to their high stability and available structural properties, have emerged as a promising platform for enzyme immobilization. Synthetic strategies of enzyme-MOF composites mainly including surface immobilization, covalent linkage, pore entrapment and in situ synthesis. Compared with free enzymes, most immobilized enzymes exhibit enhanced resistance against solvents and high temperatures. Besides, MOFs serving as matrixes for enzyme immobilization show extraordinary superiority in many aspects compared with other supporting materials. The advantages of using MOFs to support enzymes are discussed. To obtain a high enzyme loading capacity and to reduce the diffusion resistance of reactants and products during the reaction, the mesoporous MOFs have been designed and constructed. This review also covers the applications of enzyme-MOF composites in bio-sensing and detection, bio-catalysis, and cancer therapy, which is concerned with interdisciplinary nano-chemistry, material science and medical chemistry. Finally, some perspectives on reservation or enhancement of bio-catalytic activity of enzyme-MOF composites and the future of enzyme immobilization strategies are discussed.

Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Relevance of Genetic Heterogeneity

Despite advances in biomedicine, the incidence and the mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain high. The majority of HCC cases are diagnosed in later stages leading to the less than optimal outcome of the treatments. Molecular targeted therapy with sorafenib, a dual-target inhibitor targeting the serine-threonine kinase Raf and the tyrosine kinases VEGFR/PDGFR, is at present the main treatment for advanced-stage HCC, either in a single or combinatory regimen. However, it was observed in a large number of patients that its effectiveness is hampered by drug resistance. HCC is highly heterogeneous, within the tumor and among individuals, and this influences disease progression, classification, prognosis, and naturally cellular susceptibility to drug resistance. This review aims to provide an insight on how HCC heterogeneity influences the different primary mechanisms of chemoresistance against sorafenib including reduced drug intake, enhanced drug efflux, intracellular drug metabolism, alteration of molecular targets, activation/inactivation of signaling pathways, changes in the DNA repair machinery, and negative balance between apoptosis and survival of the cancer cells. The diverse variants, mutations, and polymorphisms in molecules and their association with drug response can be a helpful tool in treatment decision making. Accordingly, the existence of heterogeneous biomarkers in the tumor must be considered to strengthen multi-target strategies in patient-tailored treatment.

Biomineralization of Bacteria by a Metal-Organic Framework for Therapeutic Delivery

Biomimetic mineralization of live organisms shows extraordinary promise in biotechnology. However, their therapeutic applications have been insufficiently explored. Herein, it is demonstrated that metal-organic framework (MOF)-engineered bacteria are powerful carriers for tumor-targeted therapeutic delivery. Specifically, Escherichia coli (MG1655) is coated with a zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 layer coloaded with a photosensitizer and chemical drug through a one-step in situ method. The as-prepared bacteria@MOF hybrid preserves its viability and tumor selectivity. It exhibits high therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in vivo in a combined chemo-photodynamic manner. To the best of knowledge, this is the first report of engineered bacteria@MOFs for in vivo tumor treatment. This study opens a new horizon for the bioapplications of biomineralized organisms and may provide novel strategies against tumors.

An On-Skin Electrode with Anti-Epidermal-Surface-Lipid Function Based on a Zwitterionic Polymer Brush

On-skin flexible devices provide a noninvasive approach for continuous and real-time acquisition of biological signals from the skin, which is essential for future chronic disease diagnosis and smart health monitoring. Great progress has been achieved in flexible devices to resolve the mechanical mismatching between conventional rigid devices and human skin. However, common materials used for flexible devices including silicon-based elastomers and various metals exhibit no resistance to epidermal surface lipids (skin oil and grease), which restricts the long-term and household usability. Herein, an on-skin electrode with anti-epidermal-surface-lipid function is reported, which is based on the grafting of a zwitterionic poly(2-methacryl-oyloxyethyl, methacryloyl-oxyethyl, or meth-acryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) brush on top of gold-coated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (Au/PDMS). Such an electrode allows the skin-lipids-fouled surface to be cleaned by simple water rinsing owing to the superhydrophilic zwitterionic groups. As a proof-of-concept, the PMPC-Au/PDMS electrodes are employed for both electrocardiography (ECG) and electromyography (EMG) recording. The electrodes are able to maintain stable skin-electrode impedance and good signal-to noise ratio (SNR) by water rinsing alone. This work provides a material-based solution to improve the long-term reusability of on-skin electronics and offers a unique prospective on developing next generation wearable healthcare devices.

Metal-Organic Framework Composites for Theragnostics and Drug Delivery Applications

Among a plethora of nano-sized therapeutics, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been some of the most investigated novel materials for, predominantly, cancer drug delivery applications. Due to their large drug uptake capacities and slow-release mechanisms, MOFs are desirable drug delivery vehicles that protect and transport sensitive drug molecules to target sites. The inclusion of other guest materials into MOFs to make MOF-composite materials has added further functionality, from externally triggered drug release to improved pharmacokinetics and diagnostic aids. MOF-composites are synthetically versatile and can include examples such as magnetic nanoparticles in MOFs for MRI image contrast and polymer coatings that improve the blood-circulation time. From synthesis to applications, this review will consider the main developments in MOF-composite chemistry for biomedical applications and demonstrate the potential of these novel agents in nanomedicine. It is concluded that, although vast synthetic progress has been made in the field, it requires now to develop more biomedical expertise with a focus on rational model selection, a major comparative toxicity study, and advanced targeting techniques.

Stanniocalcin 2 contributes to aggressiveness and is a prognostic marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Stanniocalcin 2 (STC2), a glycoprotein that regulates calcium and phosphate homeostasis during mineral metabolism, appears to display multiple roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. This study aimed to access the prognostic value of STC2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its implications in oral tumorigenesis. STC2 expression was examined in 2 independent cohorts of OSCC tissues by immunohistochemistry. A loss-of-function strategy using shRNA targeting STC2 was employed to investigate STC2 in vitro effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and possible activation of signaling pathways. Moreover, STC2 effects were assessed in vivo in a xenograft mouse cancer model. High expression of STC2 was significantly associated with poor disease-specific survival (HR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.37-5.21, p = 0.001) and high rate of recurrence with a hazard ratio of 2.80 (95% CI: 1.07-5.71, p = 0.03). In vitro downregulation of STC2 expression in OSCC cells attenuated proliferation, migration and invasiveness while increased apoptotic rates. In addition, the STC2 downregulation controlled EMT phenotype of OSCC cells, with regulation on E-cadherin, vimentin, Snail1, Twist and Zeb2. The reactivation of STC2 was observed in the STC2 knockdown cells in the in vivo xenograft model, and no influence on tumor growth was observed. Modulation of STC2 expression levels did not alter consistently the phosphorylation status of CREB, ERK, JNK, p38, p70 S6K, STAT3, STAT5A/B and AKT. Our findings suggest that STC2 overexpression is an independent marker of OSCC outcome and may contribute to tumor progression via regulation of proliferation, survival and invasiveness of OSCC cells.

Advanced biomimetic nanoreactor for specifically killing tumor cells through multi-enzyme cascade

Although the enzyme catalytic nanoreactors reported so far have achieved excellent therapeutic efficacy, how to accurately exert enzyme activity in the tumor microenvironment to specifically kill tumor cells and avoid systemic oxidative damage would be an inevitable challenge for catalytic nanomedicine. At the present study, we fabricate an advanced biomimetic nanoreactor, SOD-Fe⁰@Lapa-ZRF for tumor multi-enzyme cascade delivery that combined specifically killing tumor cells and protect cells from oxidative stress.

Methods: We first synthesized the FeNP-embedded SOD (SOD-Fe⁰) by reduction reaction using sodium borohydride. Next, SOD-Fe⁰ and Lapa cargo were encapsulated in ZIF-8 by self-assembly. In order to protect the cargo enzyme from digestion by protease and prolong blood circulating time, SOD-Fe⁰@Lapa-Z was further cloaked with RBC membrane and functionalized with folate targeting, resulting in the final advanced biomimetic nanoreactor SOD-Fe⁰@Lapa-ZRF.

Results: Once internalized, ZIF-8 achieves pH-triggered disassembly in weakly acidic tumor microenvironment. The released SOD-Fe⁰ and Lapa were further endocytosed by tumor cells and the Lapa produces superoxide anion (O₂^-•) through the catalysis of NQO1 that is overexpressed in tumor cells, while O₂^-• is converted to H₂O₂ via SOD. At this time, the released ferrous ions from SOD-Fe⁰ and H₂O₂ are further transformed to highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) for specifically killing tumor cells, and there was no obvious toxicological response during long-term treatment. Importantly, SOD-Fe⁰@Lapa-ZRF enhanced the normal cell's anti-oxidation ability, and thus had little effect on the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β pro-inflammatory cytokines, while effectively reversed the decreased activity of T-SOD and GSH-Px and remained stable MDA content after tumor treatment. In vitro and in vivo results indicate that the tumor microenvironment-responsive release multi-enzyme cascade have high tumor specificity and effective anti-tumor efficacy, and can protect cells from oxidative stress damage.

Conclusion: The biomimetic nanoreactor will have a great potential in cancer nanomedicine and provide a novel strategy to regulate oxidative stress.