1
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Pu Z, Wu Y, Zhu Z, Zhao H, Cui D. A new horizon for neuroscience: terahertz biotechnology in brain research. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:309-325. [PMID: 38819036 PMCID: PMC11317941 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-00872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Terahertz biotechnology has been increasingly applied in various biomedical fields and has especially shown great potential for application in brain sciences. In this article, we review the development of terahertz biotechnology and its applications in the field of neuropsychiatry. Available evidence indicates promising prospects for the use of terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging techniques in the diagnosis of amyloid disease, cerebrovascular disease, glioma, psychiatric disease, traumatic brain injury, and myelin deficit. In vitro and animal experiments have also demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of terahertz technology in some neuropsychiatric diseases. Although the precise underlying mechanism of the interactions between terahertz electromagnetic waves and the biosystem is not yet fully understood, the research progress in this field shows great potential for biomedical noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic applications. However, the biosafety of terahertz radiation requires further exploration regarding its two-sided efficacy in practical applications. This review demonstrates that terahertz biotechnology has the potential to be a promising method in the field of neuropsychiatry based on its unique advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengping Pu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangci Hospital of Jiaxing, Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongjie Zhu
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Donghong Cui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wu Y, Zhu Z, Yang J, Wang J, Ji T, Zhu H, Peng W, Chen M, Zhao H. Insights into the terahertz response of L-glutamic acid and its receptor. Analyst 2024. [PMID: 39037577 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00697f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
L-Glutamic acid (L-Glu) is a basic unit of proteins and also serves as an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Its structural properties are critical for biological functions and selective receptor recognition. Although this molecule has been extensively studied, the low frequency vibrational behavior that is closely related to conformational changes and the intermolecular interactions between L-Glu and its receptors are still unclear. In this study, we acquired the fingerprint spectrum of L-Glu by using air plasma terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy in the 0.5-18 THz range. The low frequency vibrational characteristics of L-Glu were investigated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The THz responses of the ligand binding domain of the NMDAR-L-Glu complex were studied by the ONIOM method, with a focus on discussing the normal modes and interactions of ligand L-Glu and water molecules. The results illustrate that THz spectroscopy exhibits a sensitive response to the influence of L-Glu on the structure of the NMDAR. The water molecules in proteins have various strong vibration modes in the THz band, showing specificity, diversity and complexity of vibrational behavior. There is potential for influencing and regulating the structural stability of the NMDAR-L-Glu complex through water molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongjie Zhu
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Jinrong Yang
- East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Te Ji
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Huachun Zhu
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Weiwei Peng
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Min Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China.
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.
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3
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Yang Z, Li D, Chen L, Qiu F, Yan S, Tang M, Wang C, Wang L, Luo Y, Sun F, Han J, Fan C, Li J, Wang H. Near-Field Terahertz Morphological Reconstruction Nanoscopy for Subsurface Imaging of Protein Layers. ACS NANO 2024; 18:10104-10112. [PMID: 38527229 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Protein layers formed on solid surfaces have important applications in various fields. High-resolution characterization of the morphological structures of protein forms in the process of developing protein layers has significant implications for the control of the layer's quality as well as for the evaluation of the layer's performance. However, it remains challenging to precisely characterize all possible morphological structures of protein in various forms, including individuals, networks, and layers involved in the formation of protein layers with currently available methods. Here, we report a terahertz (THz) morphological reconstruction nanoscopy (THz-MRN), which can reveal the nanoscale three-dimensional structural information on a protein sample from its THz near-field image by exploiting an extended finite dipole model for a thin sample. THz-MRN allows for both surface imaging and subsurface imaging with a vertical resolution of ∼0.5 nm, enabling the characterization of various forms of proteins at the single-molecule level. We demonstrate the imaging and morphological reconstruction of single immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules, their networks, a monolayer, and a heterogeneous double layer comprising an IgG monolayer and a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-IgG layer. The established THz-MRN presents a useful approach for the label-free and nondestructive study of the formation of protein layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbo Yang
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Ligang Chen
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Fucheng Qiu
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Shihan Yan
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Mingjie Tang
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Chunlei Wang
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Center for Biological Imaging, Core Facilities for Protein Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jiaguang Han
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Processing, School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200024, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Institute of Materiobiology, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Huabin Wang
- Center of Super-Resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
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Zhao X, Ding W, Wang H, Wang Y, Liu Y, Li Y, Liu C. Structural Insights and Influence of Terahertz Waves in Midinfrared Region on Kv1.2 Channel Selectivity Filter. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:9702-9713. [PMID: 38434859 PMCID: PMC10905694 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Potassium ion channels are the structural basis for excitation transmission, heartbeat, and other biological processes. The selectivity filter is a critical structural component of potassium ion channels, whose structure is crucial to realizing their function. As biomolecules vibrate and rotate at frequencies in the terahertz band, potassium ion channels are sensitive to terahertz waves. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate how the terahertz wave influences the selectivity filter of the potassium channels. In this study, we investigate the structure of the selectivity filter of Kv1.2 potassium ion channels using molecular dynamics simulations. The effect of an electric field on the channel has been examined at four different resonant frequencies of the carbonyl group in SF: 36.75 37.06, 37.68, and 38.2 THz. As indicated by the results, 376GLY appears to be the critical residue in the selectivity filter of the Kv1.2 channel. Its dihedral angle torsion is detrimental to the channel structural stability and the transmembrane movement of potassium ions. 36.75 THz is the resonance frequency of the carbonyl group of 376GLY. Among all four frequencies explored, the applied terahertz electric field of this frequency has the most significant impact on the channel structure, negatively impacting the channel stability and reducing the ion permeability by 20.2% compared to the absence of fields. In this study, we simulate that terahertz waves in the mid-infrared frequency region can significantly alter the structure and function of potassium ion channels and that the effects of terahertz waves differ greatly based on frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zhao
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Wen Ding
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Hongguang Wang
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Yize Wang
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Yanjiang Liu
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Yongdong Li
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
| | - Chunliang Liu
- Key Laboratory
for Physical
Electronics and Devices of the Ministry of Education, School of Electronic
and Information Engineering, Xi’an
Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
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5
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Chen C, Yan ZS, Ma YQ, Ding HM. Effect of Terahertz Waves on the Structure of the Aβ42 Monomer, Dimer, and Protofibril: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4128-4138. [PMID: 37983764 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) and its assemblies play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies conducted by experimental and computational researchers have extensively explored the structure, assembly, and influence of biomolecules and cell membranes on Aβ. However, the impact of terahertz waves on the structures of Aβ monomers and aggregates remains largely unexplored. In this study, we systematically investigate the molecular mechanisms by which terahertz waves affect the structure of the Aβ42 monomer, dimer, and tetramer through all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our findings indicate that terahertz waves at a specific frequency (42.55 THz) can enhance intramolecular and intermolecular interactions in the Aβ42 monomer and dimer, respectively, by resonating with the symmetric stretching mode of the -COO- groups and the symmetric bending/stretching mode of -CH3 groups. Consequently, the β-structure content of the Aβ42 monomer is greatly increased, and the binding energy between the monomers in the Aβ42 dimer is significantly enhanced. Additionally, our observations suggest that terahertz waves can mildly stabilize the structure of tetrameric protofibrils by enhancing the interactions among peripheral peptides. Furthermore, we also investigated the effect of the frequency of terahertz waves on the structure of Aβ42. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of external fields on the biobehavior of Aβ42 peptides and may shed some light on the potential risks associated with electromagnetic field radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zeng-Shuai Yan
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ma
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Hong-Ming Ding
- Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, School of Physical Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
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6
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Tang M, Zhang M, Fu Y, Chen L, Li D, Zhang H, Yang Z, Wang C, Xiu P, Wilksch JJ, Luo Y, Han J, Yang H, Wang H. Terahertz label-free detection of nicotine-induced neural cell changes and the underlying mechanisms. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 241:115697. [PMID: 37751650 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine exposure can lead to neurological impairments and brain tumors, and a label-free and nondestructive detection technique is urgently required by the scientific community to assess the effects of nicotine on neural cells. Herein, a terahertz (THz) time-domain attenuated total reflection (TD-ATR) spectroscopy approach is reported, by which the effects of nicotine on normal and cancerous neural cells, i.e., HEB and U87 cells, are successfully investigated in a label/stain-free and nondestructive manner. The obtained THz absorption coefficients of HEB cells exposed to low-dose nicotine and high-dose nicotine are smaller and larger, respectively, than the untreated cells. In contrast, the THz absorption coefficients of U87 cells treated by nicotine are always smaller than the untreated cells. The THz absorption coefficients can be well related to the proliferation properties (cell number and compositional changes) and morphological changes of neural cells, by which different types of neural cells are differentiated and the viabilities of neural cells treated by nicotine are reliably assessed. Collectively, this work sheds new insights on the effects of nicotine on neural cells, and provides a useful tool (THz TD-ATR spectroscopy) for the study of chemical-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Tang
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Mingkun Zhang
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Ligang Chen
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Zhongbo Yang
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China
| | - Chunlei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Peng Xiu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Jonathan J Wilksch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yang Luo
- Center of Smart Laboratory and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Jiaguang Han
- Center for Terahertz Waves and College of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Haijun Yang
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201204, China.
| | - Huabin Wang
- Research Center of Super-Resolution Optics & Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China.
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Song X, Li H, Liu X, Pang M, Wang Y. Calcium Imaging Characterize the Neurobiological Effect of Terahertz Radiation in Zebrafish Larvae. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7689. [PMID: 37765745 PMCID: PMC10537331 DOI: 10.3390/s23187689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
(1) Objective: To explore the neurobiological effects of terahertz (THz) radiation on zebrafish larvae using calcium (Ca2+) imaging technology. (2) Methods: Zebrafish larvae at 7 days post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to THz radiation for 10 or 20 min; the frequency was 2.52 THz and the amplitude 50 mW/cm2. The behavioral experiments, neural Ca2+ imaging, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of the dopamine-related genes were conducted following the irradiation. (3) Results: Compared with the control group, the behavioral experiments demonstrated that THz radiation significantly increased the distance travelled and speed of zebrafish larvae. In addition, the maximum acceleration and motion frequency were elevated in the 20 min radiation group. The neural Ca2+ imaging results indicated a substantial increase in zebrafish neuronal activity. qPCR experiments revealed a significant upregulation of dopamine-related genes, such as drd2b, drd4a, slc6a3 and th. (4) Conclusion: THz radiation (2.52 THz, 50 mW/cm2, 20 min) upregulated dopamine-related genes and significantly enhanced neuronal excitability, and the neurobiological effect of THz radiation can be visualized using neural Ca2+ imaging in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Song
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Haibin Li
- School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Xiuyun Liu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.S.); (X.L.)
- School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Meijun Pang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (X.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Yuye Wang
- School of Precision Instruments and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
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Terahertz Waves Enhance the Permeability of Sodium Channels. Symmetry (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/sym15020427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
With the help of molecular dynamics simulations and an artificial sodium channel model, we corroborated that the application of terahertz stimulation at a characteristic frequency can largely increase the permeability of the sodium channel by a factor of 33.6. The mechanism is that the carboxylate groups in the filter region transfer the absorbed terahertz photon energy to the sodium ions, which increase the ions’ kinetic energy; this results in breaking the hydrated hydrogen bonding network between the hydrosphere layer of the ions and the carboxylate groups, thereby increasing their diffusion and reducing the energy barrier for them to cross the channel. This study on terahertz-driven particle transmembrane transport offers new ideas for targeted therapy of channel diseases and for developing novel integrated engineering systems in energy conversion and storage.
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9
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Zhang Z, Li Y, Xiang Z, Huang Y, Wang R, Chang C. Dielectric dispersion characteristics of the phospholipid bilayer with subnanometer resolution from terahertz to mid-infrared. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:984880. [PMID: 36118579 PMCID: PMC9470958 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.984880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in whether the myelinated nerve fiber acts as a dielectric waveguide to propagate terahertz to mid-infrared electromagnetic waves, which are presumed stable signal carrier for neurotransmission. The myelin sheath is formed as a multilamellar biomembrane structure, hence insights into the dielectric properties of the phospholipid bilayer is essential for a complete understanding of the myelinated fiber functioning. In this work, by means of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayer in water and numerical calculations of carefully layered molecules along with calibration of optical dielectric constants, we for the first time demonstrate the spatially resolved (in sub-nm) dielectric spectrum of the phospholipid bilayer in a remarkably wide range from terahertz to mid-infrared. More specifically, the membrane head regions exhibit both larger real and imaginary permittivities than that of the tail counterparts in the majority of the 1–100 THz band. In addition, the spatial variation of dielectric properties suggests advantageous propagation characteristics of the phospholipid bilayer in a relatively wide band of 55–85 THz, where the electromagnetic waves are well confined within the head regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Zhang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yangmei Li
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zuoxian Xiang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yindong Huang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixing Wang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Chang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing, China
- School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Chang,
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10
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Meng Q, Ding J, Peng B, Zhang B, Qian S, Su B, Zhang C. Terahertz modulation characteristics of three nanosols under external field control based on microfluidic chip. iScience 2022; 25:104898. [PMID: 36043051 PMCID: PMC9420507 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, with the widespread application of metamaterials in the terahertz (THz) modulation field, solid-state THz modulators have made breakthrough progress; however, there are still challenges in preparing flexible THz modulators with wide modulation bandwidths. In this study, a THz microfluidic chip was fabricated using cycloolefin copolymers with high transmission (90%) of THz waves. The THz modulation characteristics of TiO2, Ag, and Fe3O4 nanosols under the control of an optical field, electric field, and magnetic field, respectively, were investigated. Under the action of photogenerated carrier migration, colloidal electrophoresis, and magneto-optical effect, all three nanosols exhibit broadband modulation performance in the frequency range of 0.3–2.4 THz, and the maximum modulation depth is 24%, 33%, and 54%, respectively. Contrary to previous studies based on traditional solid-state materials, this study innovatively explores the possibility of modulating THz waves with liquid materials, laying the foundation for the application of flexible liquid-film THz modulators. THz broadband amplitude modulation of liquid nanosols under external fields Using a microfluidic chip to reduce the absorption of THz waves by hydrogen bonds The experimental results lay a foundation for liquid-film THz modulators
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Sun L, Li Y, Yu Y, Wang P, Zhu S, Wu K, Liu Y, Wang R, Min L, Chang C. Inhibition of Cancer Cell Migration and Glycolysis by Terahertz Wave Modulation via Altered Chromatin Accessibility. Research (Wash D C) 2022. [DOI: 10.34133/2022/9860679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis and metabolic disorders contribute to most cancer deaths and are potential drug targets in cancer treatment. However, corresponding drugs inevitably induce myeloid suppression and gastrointestinal toxicity. Here, we report a nonpharmaceutical and noninvasive electromagnetic intervention technique that exhibited long-term inhibition of cancer cells. Firstly, we revealed that optical radiation at the specific wavelength of 3.6 μm (i.e., 83 THz) significantly increased binding affinity between DNA and histone via molecular dynamics simulations, providing a theoretical possibility for THz modulation- (THM-) based cancer cell intervention. Subsequent cell functional assays demonstrated that low-power 3.6 μm THz wave could successfully inhibit cancer cell migration by 50% and reduce glycolysis by 60%. Then, mRNA sequencing and assays for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) indicated that low-power THM at 3.6 μm suppressed the genes associated with glycolysis and migration by reducing the chromatin accessibility of certain gene loci. Furthermore, THM at 3.6 μm on HCT-116 cancer cells reduced the liver metastasis by 60% in a metastatic xenograft mouse model by splenic injection, successfully validated the inhibition of cancer cell migration by THM in vivo. Together, this work provides a new paradigm for electromagnetic irradiation-induced epigenetic changes and represents a theoretical basis for possible innovative therapeutic applications of THM as the future of cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Sun
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yangmei Li
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yun Yu
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Peiliang Wang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
- Aerospace Information Research Institute, School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Illumination and Sensing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shengquan Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing 100171, China
| | - Kaijie Wu
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ruixing Wang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Li Min
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing 100171, China
| | - Chao Chang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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