MCP-1-Functionalized, Core-Shell Gold Nanorod@Iron-Based Metal-Organic Framework (MCP-1/GNR@MIL-100(Fe)) for Photothermal Therapy

Symbiotic defect-reinforced bimetallic MOF-derived fiber components for solar-assisted atmospheric water collection

Conversion of atmospheric water to sustainable and clean freshwater resources through MOF-based adsorbent has great potential for the renewable environmental industry. However, its daily water production is hampered by susceptibility to agglomeration, slow water evaporation efficiency, and limited water-harvesting capacity. Herein, a solar-assisted bimetallic MOF (BMOF)-derived fiber component that surmounts these limitations and exhibits both optimized water-collect capacity and short adsorption-desorption period is proposed. The proposed strategy involves utilizing bottom-up interface-induced assembly between carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube and hygroscopic BMOF on a multi-ply glass fiber support. The designed BMOF (MIL-100(Fe,Al)-3) skeleton constructed using bimetallic-node defect engineering exhibits a high specific surface area (1,535.28 m2/g) and pore volume (0.76 cm3/g), thereby surpassing the parent MOFs and other reported MOFs in capturing moisture. Benefiting from the hierarchical structure of fiber rods and the solar-driven self-heating interface of photothermal layer, the customized BMOF crystals realize efficient loading and optimized water adsorption-desorption kinetics. As a result, the resultant fiber components achieve six adsorption-desorption cycles per day and an impressive water collection of 1.45 g/g/day under medium-high humidity outdoor conditions. Therefore, this work will provide new ideas for optimizing the daily yield of atmospheric water harvesting techniques.

Pluronic-Based Nanoparticles for Delivery of Doxorubicin to the Tumor Microenvironment by Binding to Macrophages

The active targeting drug delivery system based on special types of endogenous cells such as macrophages has emerged as a promising strategy for tumor therapy, owing to its tumor homing property and biocompatibility. In this work, the active tumor-targeting drug delivery system carrying doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles (DOX@MPF127-MCP-1, DMPM) on macrophage (RAW264.7) surfaces via the mediation of interaction with the CCR2/MCP-1 axis was exploited. Initially, the amphiphilic block copolymer Pluronic F127 (PF127) was carboxylated to MPF127 at the hydroxyl terminus. Subsequently, MPF127 was modified with MCP-1 peptide to prepare MPF127-MCP-1 (MPM). The DOX was wrapped in MPM to form DMPM nanomicelles (approximately 100 nm) during the self-assembly process of MPM. The DMPM spontaneously bound to macrophages (RAW264.7), which resulted in the construction of an actively targeting delivery system (macrophage-DMPM, MA-DMPM) in vitro and in vivo. The DOX in MA-DMPM was released in the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) in a pH-responsive manner to increase DOX accumulation and enhance the tumor treatment effect. The ratio of MA-DMPM homing reached 220% in vitro compared with the control group, indicating that the MA-DMPM was excellently capable of tumor-targeting delivery. In in vivo experiments, nonsmall cell lung cancer cell (NCI-H1299) tumor models were established. The results of the fluorescence imaging system (IVIS) showed that MA-DMPM demonstrated tremendous tumor-targeting ability in vivo. The antitumor effects of MA-DMPM in vivo indicated that the proportion of tumor cell apoptosis in the DMPM-treated group was 63.33%. The findings of the tumor-bearing mouse experiment proved that MA-DMPM significantly suppressed tumor cell growth, which confirmed its immense potential and promising applications in tumor therapy.

Core-shell inorganic NP@MOF nanostructures for targeted drug delivery and multimodal imaging-guided combination tumor treatment

It is well known that metal-organic framework (MOF) nanostructures have unique characteristics such as high porosity, large surface areas and adjustable functionalities, so they are ideal candidates for developing drug delivery systems (DDSs) as well as theranostic platforms in cancer treatment. Despite the large number of MOF nanostructures that have been discovered, conventional MOF-derived nanosystems only have a single biofunctional MOF source with poor colloidal stability. Accordingly, developing core-shell MOF nanostructures with good colloidal stability is a useful method for generating efficient drug delivery, multimodal imaging and synergistic therapeutic systems. The preparation of core-shell MOF nanostructures has been done with a variety of materials, but inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are highly effective for drug delivery and imaging-guided tumor treatment. Herein, we aimed to overview the synthesis of core-shell inorganic NP@MOF nanostructures followed by the application of core-shell MOFs derived from magnetic, quantum dots (QDs), gold (Au), and gadolinium (Gd) NPs in drug delivery and imaging-guided tumor treatment. Afterward, we surveyed different factors affecting prolonged drug delivery and cancer therapy, cellular uptake, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect of core-shell MOFs. Last but not least, we discussed the challenges and the prospects of the field. We envision this article may hold great promise in providing valuable insights regarding the application of hybrid nanostructures as promising and potential candidates for multimodal imaging-guided combination cancer therapy.

Current status and prospects of MIL-based MOF materials for biomedicine applications

This article mainly reviews the biomedicine applications of two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Fe). These MOFs have advantages such as high specific surface area, adjustable pore size, and chemical stability, which make them widely used in drug delivery systems. The article first introduces the properties of these two materials and then discusses their applications in drug transport, antibacterial therapy, and cancer treatment. In cancer treatment, drug delivery systems based on MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Fe) have made significant progress in chemotherapy (CT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunotherapy (IT), nano-enzyme therapy, and related combined therapy. Overall, these MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Fe) materials have tremendous potential and diverse applications in the field of biomedicine.

Surface ligand-assisted synthesis and biomedical applications of metal-organic framework nanocomposites

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocomposites have recently gained intensive attention for biosensing and disease therapy applications owing to their outstanding physiochemical properties. However, the direct growth of MOF nanocomposites is usually hindered by the mismatched lattice in the interface between the MOF and other nanocomponents. Surface ligands, molecules with surfactant-like properties, are demonstrated to exhibit the robust capability to modify the interfacial properties of nanomaterials and can be utilized as a powerful strategy for the synthesis of MOF nanocomposites. Besides this, surface ligands also exhibit significant functions in the morphological control and functionalization of MOF nanocomposites, thus greatly enhancing their performance in biomedical applications. In this review, the surface ligand-assisted synthesis and biomedical applications of MOF nanocomposites are comprehensively reviewed. Firstly, the synthesis of MOF nanocomposites is discussed according to the diverse roles of surface ligands. Then, MOF nanocomposites with different properties are listed with their applications in biosensing and disease therapy. Finally, current challenges and further directions of MOF nanocomposites are presented to motivate the development of MOF nanocomposites with elaborate structures, enriched functions, and excellent application prospects.

Neuropeptide-Functionalized Gold Nanorod Enhanced Cellular Uptake and Improved In Vitro Photothermal Killing in LRP1-Positive Glioma Cells

The therapeutic modalities for glioblastoma multiforme fail badly due to the limitations of poor penetration through the blood–brain barrier and the lack of tumor targeting. In this study, we synthesized a neuropeptide (ANGIOPEP-2)-functionalized gold nanorod (GNR-ANGI-2) and systemically evaluated the cellular uptake and photothermal effects enhanced by the neuropeptide functionalization of the gold nanorod under laser or sham exposure. The expression of LRP1, the specific ligand for ANGIOPEP-2, was the highest in C6 cells among five studied glioma cell lines. The cellular internalization studies showed higher uptake of gold nanorods functionalized with ANGIOPEP-2 than of those functionalized with scrambled ANGIOPEP-2. The in vitro photothermal studies of C6 cells treated with GNR-ANGI-2 and laser showed a higher rate of apoptosis at early and late stages than cells treated with GNR-ANGI-2 without laser. Correspondingly, in vitro ROS evaluation showed a higher intensity of ROS production in cells treated with GNR-ANGI-2 under laser irradiation. The Western blotting results indicated that GNR-ANGI-2 with laser exposure activated the caspase pathway of apoptosis, and GNR-ANGI-2 with sham exposure induced autophagy in C6 cells. The current study provides in-depth knowledge on the effective time point for maximum cellular uptake of GNR-ANGI-2 to achieve a better anti-glioma effect. Moreover, by exploring the molecular mechanism of cell death with GNR-ANGI-2-mediated photothermal therapy, we could modify the nanoshuttle with multimodal targets to achieve more efficient anti-glioma therapy in the future.

Inflammation Self-Limiting Electrospun Fibrous Tape via Regional Immunity for Deep Soft Tissue Repair

Overexpression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines occurs at deep soft tissue injury sites impeding the inflammation self-limiting and impairing the tissue remodeling process. Inspired by the electrostatically extracellular matrix (ECM) binding property of the inflammatory signals, an inflammation self-limiting fibrous tape is designed by covalently modifying the thermosensitive methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) and negatively charged methacrylated heparin (HepMA) hydrogel mixture with proper ratio onto the electrospun fibrous membrane by mild alkali hydrolysis and carboxyl-amino condensation reaction to restore inflammation self-limiting and promote tissue repair via regional immunity regulation. While the GelMA guarantees cell compatibility, the negatively charged HepMA successfully adsorbs the inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by electrostatic interactions and inhibits immune cell migration in vitro. Furthermore, in vivo inflammation self-limiting and regional immunity regulation efficacy is evaluated in a rat abdominal hernia model. Reduced local inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the early stage and increased angiogenesis and ECM remodeling in the later phase confirm that the tape is an approach to maintain an optimal regional immune activation level after soft tissue injury. Overall, the reported electrospun fibrous tape will find its way into clinical transformation and solve the challenges of deep soft tissue injury.

Nanotechnology-Based Combinatorial Anti-Glioblastoma Therapies: Moving from Terminal to Treatable

Aggressive glioblastoma (GBM) has no known treatment as a primary brain tumor. Since the cancer is so heterogeneous, an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) exists, and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) prevents chemotherapeutic chemicals from reaching the central nervous system (CNS), therapeutic success for GBM has been restricted. Drug delivery based on nanocarriers and nanotechnology has the potential to be a handy tool in the continuing effort to combat the challenges of treating GBM. There are various new therapies being tested to extend survival time. Maximizing therapeutic effectiveness necessitates using many treatment modalities at once. In the fight against GBM, combination treatments outperform individual ones. Combination therapies may be enhanced by using nanotechnology-based delivery techniques. Nano-chemotherapy, nano-chemotherapy–radiation, nano-chemotherapy–phototherapy, and nano-chemotherapy–immunotherapy for GBM are the focus of the current review to shed light on the current status of innovative designs.

Pore engineering of biomolecule-based metal–organic framework nanocarriers for improving loading and release of paclitaxel

There has been growing interest in employing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporated with biomolecules, known as b-MOFs, in biomedical applications.

Bioinspired Multifunctional Cellulose Nanofibril-Based In Situ Liquid Wound Dressing for Multiple Synergistic Therapy of the Postoperative Infected Wound

A smart in situ-formed wound dressing with excellent antibacterial ability against drug-resistance bacterial, antitumor, and biofilm-eliminating activities to promote effective wound closure is highly desirable in therapeutic and clinical applications. Herein, we designed and developed a multifunctional; shape-adaptable; and pH, temperature, and near-infrared radiation (NIR) multiple responsive cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-based in situ liquid wound dressing, using a pH-sensitive CNF grafted with terminated amino hyperbranched polyamines (HBP-NH₂) as a substrate, along with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and indocyanine green (ICG) loaded as the temperature and NIR on/off switches, respectively. The 3D nanocage network structure of CNF and the nanocavities in the hyperbranched structure of HBP-NH₂ endow the dressing with a high loading capacity for active drugs (doxorubicin and ICG) simultaneously. Moreover, the responsiveness of the dressing to multiple stimuli enables controllable and efficient drug release to the wound area. The bioinspired dressing demonstrates excellent antibacterial activity against common bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, antitumor activity against A375 tumor cells, and biofilm-eliminating capability. In addition, the developed dressing synergistically combines multiple therapeutic strategies for effective wound healing, specifically photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and chemotherapy. The design provides an ideal clinical intervention strategy for irregular tumor postoperative infected wounds.