Cross-Linked Fluorescent Supramolecular Nanoparticles as Finite Tattoo Pigments with Controllable Intradermal Retention Times

Hyaluronic acid-FGF2-derived peptide bioconjugates for suppression of FGFR2 and AR simultaneously as an acne antagonist

Acne is a chronic skin condition that has serious consequences for mental and social well-being because it frequently occurs on the face. Several acne treatment approaches have commonly been used but have been hampered by side effects or weak activity. Thus, the investigation of the safety and efficacy of anti-acne compounds is of considerable medical importance. Herein, an endogenous peptide (P5) derived from fibroblast growth factors 2 (FGF2) was conjugated to the polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) to generate the bioconjugate nanoparticle HA-P5, which suppresses fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) to significantly rehabilitate acne lesions and reduce sebum accumulation in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, our results show that HA-P5 inhibits both fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) and androgen receptor (AR) signalling in SZ95 cells, reverses the acne-prone transcriptome, and decreases sebum secretion. Furthermore, the cosuppression mechanism revealed that HA-P5 blocks FGFR2 activation, as well as the YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein F3 (YTHDF3) downstream molecules, including an N6-methyladenosine (m6A) reader that facilitates AR translation. More importantly, a significant difference between HA-P5 and the commercial FGFR inhibitor AZD4547 is that HA-P5 does not trigger the overexpression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), which blocks acne treatment by catalyzing the synthesis of testosterone. Overall, we demonstrate that a polysaccharide-conjugated and naturally derived oligopeptide HA-P5 can alleviate acne and act as an optimal FGFR2 inhibitor and reveal that YTHDF3 plays a crucial role in signalling between FGFR2 and AR.

Supramolecular Nanosubstrate-Mediated Delivery for CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Disruption and Deletion

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) is an efficient and precise gene-editing technology that offers a versatile solution for establishing treatments directed at genetic diseases. Currently, CRISPR/Cas9 delivery into cells relies primarily on viral vectors, which suffer from limitations in packaging capacity and safety concerns. These issues with a nonviral delivery strategy are addressed, where Cas9•sgRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes can be encapsulated into supramolecular nanoparticles (SMNP) to form RNP⊂SMNPs, which can then be delivered into targeted cells via supramolecular nanosubstrate-mediated delivery. Utilizing the U87 glioblastoma cell line as a model system, a variety of parameters for cellular-uptake of the RNP-laden nanoparticles are examined. Dose- and time-dependent CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption is further examined in a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing U87 cell line (GFP-U87). The utility of an optimized SMNP formulation in co-delivering Cas9 protein and two sgRNAs that target deletion of exons 45-55 (708 kb) of the dystrophin gene is demonstrated. Mutations in this region lead to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe genetic muscle wasting disease. Efficient delivery of these gene deletion cargoes is observed in a human cardiomyocyte cell line (AC16), induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells.

Nanomaterials with Supramolecular Assembly Based on AIE Luminogens for Theranostic Applications

One of the major pursuits of biomedical science is to develop advanced strategies for theranostics, which is expected to be an effective approach for achieving the transition from conventional medicine to precision medicine. Supramolecular assembly can serve as a powerful tool in the development of nanotheranostics with accurate imaging of tumors and real-time monitoring of the therapeutic process upon the incorporation of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) ability. AIE luminogens (AIEgens) will not only enable fluorescence imaging but will also aid in improving the efficacy of therapies. Furthermore, the fluorescent signals and therapeutic performance of these nanomaterials can be manipulated precisely owing to the reversible and stimuli-responsive characteristics of the supramolecular systems. Inspired by rapid advances in this field, recent research conducted on nanotheranostics with the AIE effect based on supramolecular assembly is summarized. Here, three representative strategies for supramolecular nanomaterials are presented as follows: a) supramolecular self-assembly of AIEgens, b) the loading of AIEgens within nanocarriers with supramolecular assembly, and c) supramolecular macrocycle-guided assembly via host-guest interactions. Meanwhile, the diverse applications of such nanomaterials in diagnostics and therapeutics have also been discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges of this field are listed in this review.

Solar Freckles: Long-Term Photochromic Tattoos for Intradermal Ultraviolet Radiometry

While tattooable nanotechnology for in-skin sensing and communication has been a popular concept in science fiction since the 1990s, the first tattooable intradermal nanosensors have only emerged in the past few years, and none have been demonstrated in human skin. We developed a photochromic tattoo that serves as an intradermal ultraviolet (UV) radiometer that provides naked-eye feedback about UV exposure in real time. These small tattoos, or "solar freckles", comprise dermally implanted colorimetric UV sensors in the form of nanoencapsulated leuco dyes that become more blue in color with increasing UV irradiance. We demonstrate the tattoos' functionality for both quantitative and naked-eye UV sensing in porcine skin ex vivo, as well as in human skin in vivo. Solar freckles offer an alternative and complementary approach to self-monitoring UV exposure for the sake of skin cancer prevention. Activated solar freckles provide a visual reminder to protect the skin, and their color disappears rapidly upon removal of UV exposure or application of topical sunscreen. The sensors are implanted in a minimally invasive procedure that lasts only a few seconds, yet remain functional for months to years. These semipermanent tattoos provide an early proof-of-concept for long-term intradermal sensing nanomaterials that provide users with biomedically relevant information in the form of an observable color change.

Biocompatible near-infrared quantum dots delivered to the skin by microneedle patches record vaccination

Accurate medical recordkeeping is a major challenge in many low-resource settings where well-maintained centralized databases do not exist, contributing to 1.5 million vaccine-preventable deaths annually. Here, we present an approach to encode medical history on a patient using the spatial distribution of biocompatible, near-infrared quantum dots (NIR QDs) in the dermis. QDs are invisible to the naked eye yet detectable when exposed to NIR light. QDs with a copper indium selenide core and aluminum-doped zinc sulfide shell were tuned to emit in the NIR spectrum by controlling stoichiometry and shelling time. The formulation showing the greatest resistance to photobleaching after simulated sunlight exposure (5-year equivalence) through pigmented human skin was encapsulated in microparticles for use in vivo. In parallel, microneedle geometry was optimized in silico and validated ex vivo using porcine and synthetic human skin. QD-containing microparticles were then embedded in dissolvable microneedles and administered to rats with or without a vaccine. Longitudinal in vivo imaging using a smartphone adapted to detect NIR light demonstrated that microneedle-delivered QD patterns remained bright and could be accurately identified using a machine learning algorithm 9 months after application. In addition, codelivery with inactivated poliovirus vaccine produced neutralizing antibody titers above the threshold considered protective. These findings suggest that intradermal QDs can be used to reliably encode information and can be delivered with a vaccine, which may be particularly valuable in the developing world and open up new avenues for decentralized data storage and biosensing.

Dual Supramolecular Nanoparticle Vectors Enable CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockin of Retinoschisin 1 Gene-A Potential Nonviral Therapeutic Solution for X-Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis

The homology-independent targeted integration (HITI) strategy enables effective CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockin of therapeutic genes in nondividing cells in vivo, promising general therapeutic solutions for treating genetic diseases like X-linked juvenile retinoschisis. Herein, supramolecular nanoparticle (SMNP) vectors are used for codelivery of two DNA plasmids-CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing system and a therapeutic gene, Retinoschisin 1 (RS1)-enabling clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) knockin of the RS1 gene with HITI. Through small-scale combinatorial screenings, two SMNP vectors, with Cas9 and single guide RNA (sgRNA)-plasmid in one and Donor-RS1 and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-plasmid in the other, with optimal delivery performances are identified. These SMNP vectors are then employed for CRISPR/Cas9 knockin of RS1/GFP genes into the mouse Rosa26 safe-harbor site in vitro and in vivo. The in vivo study involves intravitreally injecting the two SMNP vectors into the mouse eyes, followed by repeated ocular imaging by fundus camera and optical coherence tomography, and pathological and molecular analyses of the harvested retina tissues. Mice ocular organs retain their anatomical integrity, a single-copy 3.0-kb RS1/GFP gene is precisely integrated into the Rosa26 site in the retinas, and the integrated RS1/GFP gene is expressed in the retinas, demonstrating CRISPR/Cas9 knockin of RS1/GFP gene.

Multi-functional self-assembled nanoparticles for pVEGF-shRNA loading and anti-tumor targeted therapy

Although RNA interference (RNAi) technology shows great potential in cancer treatment, the tumor target delivery and sufficient cytosolic transport of RNAi agents are still the main obstacles for its clinical applications. Herein, we report a functional supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticle vector for RNAi agent loading and tumor target therapy. Molecular block adamantane-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) (Ad-PEG) was modified with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-specific binding ligand GE11 or pH-sensitive fusogenic peptide GALA and then used for self-assembly with cyclodextrin-grafted branched polyethylenimine (CD-PEI), adamantane-grafted polyamidoamine dendrimer (Ad-PAMAM), and plasmid DNA containing a small hairpin RNA expression cassette against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into functional DNA-loaded supramolecular nanoparticles (GE11&GALA-pshVEGF@SNPs) based on molecular recognition and charge interaction. These functional peptides facilitated the target cell binding, internalization, and endosomal escape of GE11&GALA-pshVEGF@SNPs, resulting in increased reporter gene expression and efficient targeted gene silencing. The systemic delivery of the GE11&GALA-pshVEGF@SNPs can efficiently downregulate the intratumoral VEGF protein levels, reduce blood vessel formation, and significantly inhibit A549 xenograft tumor growth. These results reveal the potential of these multifunctional self-assembled nanoparticles as a nucleic acid drug delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer.

Cross-Linked Fluorescent Supramolecular Nanoparticles for Intradermal Controlled Release of Antifungal Drug-A Therapeutic Approach for Onychomycosis

The existing approaches to onychomycosis demonstrate limited success since the commonly used oral administration and topical cream only achieve temporary effective drug concentration at the fungal infection sites. An ideal therapeutic approach for onychomycosis should have (i) the ability to introduce antifungal drugs directly to the infected sites; (ii) finite intradermal sustainable release to maintain effective drug levels over prolonged time; (iii) a reporter system for monitoring maintenance of drug level; and (iv) minimum level of inflammatory responses at or around the fungal infection sites. To meet these expectations, we introduced ketoconazole-encapsulated cross-linked fluorescent supramolecular nanoparticles (KTZ⊂c-FSMNPs) as an intradermal controlled release solution for treating onychomycosis. A two-step synthetic approach was adopted to prepare a variety of KTZ⊂c-FSMNPs. Initial characterization revealed that 4800 nm KTZ⊂c-FSMNPs exhibited high KTZ encapsulation efficiency/capacity, optimal fluorescent property, and sustained KTZ release profile. Subsequently, 4800 nm KTZ⊂c-FSMNPs were chosen for in vivo studies using a mouse model, wherein the KTZ⊂c-FSMNPs were deposited intradermally via tattoo. The results obtained from (i) in vivo fluorescence imaging, (ii) high-performance liquid chromatography quantification of residual KTZ, (iii) matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging mapping of KTZ distribution in intradermal regions around the tattoo site, and (iv) histology for assessment of local inflammatory responses and biocompatibility, suggest that 4800 nm KTZ⊂c-FSMNPs can serve as an effective treatment for onychomycosis.

Triflic Acid Promoted Decarboxylation of Adamantane-oxazolidine-2-one: Access to Chiral Amines and Heterocycles

We have developed a one-step procedure to a variety of chiral lipophilic and conformationally rigid amines and heterocycles by decarboxylation of adamantane-oxazolidine-2-one. Triflic acid or aluminum triflate promote the addition of diverse nucleophiles to the oxazolidine-2-one moiety accompanied by the release of carbon dioxide. The resulting amine or heterocycle is then protonated/metalated by the catalyst (promotor). Additionally, the starting racemic material, adamantane-oxazolidine-2-one, was resolved into single enantiomers using a chiral auxiliary to access enantio-enriched products and to study the racemization pathway of chiral 1,2-disubstituted adamantane derivatives.