Activation of autophagy by in situ Zn2+ chelation reaction for enhanced tumor chemoimmunotherapy

Metal nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels: the state-of-the-art of combining hard and soft materials to promote wound healing

Wounds represent a grave affliction that profoundly impacts human well-being. Establishing barriers, preventing infections, and providing a conducive microenvironment constitute the crux of wound therapy. Hydrogel, a polymer with an intricate three-dimensional lattice, serves as a potent tool in erecting physical barriers and nurturing an environment conducive to wound healing. This enables effective control over exudation, hemostasis, accelerated wound closure, and diminished scar formation. As a result, hydrogels have gained extensive traction in the realm of wound treatment. Metallic nanoparticle carriers, characterized by their multifaceted responses encompassing acoustics, optics, and electronics, have demonstrated efficacy in wound management. Nevertheless, these carriers encounter challenges associated with swift clearance and nonuniform effectiveness. The hybridization of metallic nanoparticle carriers with hydrogels overcomes the shortcomings inherent in metallic nanoparticle-based wound therapy. This amalgamation not only addresses the limitations but also augments the mechanical robustness of hydrogels. It confers upon them attributes such as environmental responsiveness and multifunctionality, thereby synergizing strengths and compensating for weaknesses. This integration culminates in the precise and intelligent management of wounds. This review encapsulates the structural classifications, design strategies, therapeutic applications, and underlying mechanisms of metal nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels in the context of acute and chronic wound treatment. The discourse delves into the generation of novel or enhanced attributes arising from hybridization and how the current paradigm of wound therapy leverages these attributes. Amidst this continually evolving frontier, the potential of metal nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels to revolutionize wound treatment is underscored.

Au Nanorods Activated the Zn/Ce Composites with Cancer Cell Specific Cytotoxicity for Enhanced Chemodynamic Therapy

Chemodynamic therapy based on the Fenton reaction has been developed as an extremely promising modality for cancer therapeutics. In this study, a core-shell structure nanoplatform was constructed by a Au nanorod externally encapsulating Ce/Zn-based composites (ACZO). The nanoparticles can catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under acidic conditions and effectively consume existing glutathione (GSH) to destroy the redox balance within the tumor. Moreover, the decomposition of the nanocomplexes under acidic conditions releases large amounts of zinc ions, leading to zinc overload in cancer cells. The photothermal effect generated by the Au nanorods not only provides photothermal therapy (PTT) but also augments the catalytic reaction and ions action mentioned above. This facile strategy to improve the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy by the photothermal enhancement of catalytic activity and zinc ion release provides a promising perspective for potential tumor treatment.