Enhancing cancer cell adhesion with clay nanoparticles for countering metastasis

Topological polymeric glucosyl nanoaggregates in scaffold enable high-density piscine muscle tissue

Upon the pressure of conventional land agriculture and marine environment facing the future of human beings, the emerging of alternative proteins represented by cultured meat is expected with a breakthrough of efficient, safe and sustainable production. However, the cell proliferation efficiency and final myofiber density in current animal-derived scaffolds are still limited. Here, we incorporated five plant-derived edible polymeric glucosyl nanoparticles (GNPs) into gelatin/alginate hydrogels to spontaneously form nanoaggregates where nanotopographies were observed inside. The nanoscale topological morphology significantly enhances the adhesion and proliferation efficiencies of piscine satellite cells (PSCs) in the tailored extracellular matrix of as-prepared scaffold. Physically, the presence of GNP-induced nanoaggregate increases the interaction between ITG-A1 (membrane protein of PSCs) and hydrogel microenvironment, which activates the focal adhesion-integrin-cytoskeleton mechanotransduction signaling to promote cell proliferation. With a controlled diameter of hydrogel filament, these inner topological GNP nanoaggregates can also improve the density, alignment and differentiation efficiency of PSCs. When cultured in vitro for 15 days, the cell density, size and orientation of muscle fibers in the GNP-stimulated cultured fish fillet are very similar to the total cell mass in native fish muscle tissue.

Determination of Medicago orbicularis Antioxidant, Antihemolytic, and Anti-Cancerous Activities and Its Augmentation of Cisplatin-Induced Cytotoxicity in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

The anti-lung cancer properties of the plant Medicago orbicularis have not been explored yet. Therefore, we identified its phytochemical composition and investigated the antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, and anti-cancerous properties of extracts of this plant in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. The results show that all parts of M. orbicularis (stems, leaves, and fruits) exhibit remarkable hemolytic activities and modest antioxidant capacity. In addition, all extracts showed a dose-dependent anti-cancerous cytotoxic activity against A549 cells, with fruit extracts being the most potent. This cytotoxic effect could be related, at least partly, to the induction of apoptosis, where M. orbicularis fruit extracts reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic BCL-2/pro-apoptotic BAX, thereby promoting cellular death. Furthermore, the use of M. orbicularis, in combination with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, was assessed. Indeed, the combination of cisplatin and M. orbicularis fruit extracts was more cytotoxic and induced more aggregation of A549 cells than either treatment alone. GC-MS analysis and total polyphenol and flavonoid content determination indicated that M. orbicularis is rich in compounds that have anti-cancerous effects. We propose M. orbicularis as a potential source of anti-cancerous agents to manage the progression of lung cancer and its resistance to therapy.

FN1 mediated activation of aspartate metabolism promotes the progression of triple-negative and luminal a breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is regarded as one of the most common cancers diagnosed among the female population and has an extremely high mortality rate. It is known that Fibronectin 1 (FN1) drives the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers through metabolic reprogramming. Aspartic acid is considered to be an important substrate for nucleotide synthesis. However, the regulatory mechanism between FN1 and aspartate metabolism is currently unclear.

METHODS

We used RNA sequencing (RNA seq) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze the tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues of patients. MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were used to explore the effects of FN1-regulated aspartic acid metabolism on cell survival, invasion, migration and tumor growth. We used PCR, Western blot, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques to study it.

RESULTS

We found that FN1 was highly expressed in tumor tissues, especially in Lumina A and TNBC subtypes, and was associated with poor prognosis. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that silencing FN1 inhibits the activation of the YAP1/Hippo pathway by enhancing YAP1 phosphorylation, down-regulates SLC1A3-mediated aspartate uptake and utilization by tumor cells, inhibits BC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promotes apoptosis. In addition, inhibition of FN1 combined with the YAP1 inhibitor or SLC1A3 inhibitor can effectively inhibit tumor growth, of which inhibition of FN1 combined with the YAP1 inhibitor is more effective.

CONCLUSION

Targeting the "FN1/YAP1/SLC1A3/Aspartate metabolism" regulatory axis provides a new target for BC diagnosis and treatment. This study also revealed that intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity plays an important role in the progression of different subtypes of breast cancer.

Recent Advances in Kaolinite Nanoclay as Drug Carrier for Bioapplications: A Review

Advanced functional two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials offer unique advantages in drug delivery systems for disease treatment. Kaolinite (Kaol), a nanoclay mineral, is a natural 2D nanomaterial because of its layered silicate structure with nanoscale layer spacing. Recently, Kaol nanoclay is used as a carrier for controlled drug release and improved drug dissolution owing to its advantageous properties such as surface charge, strong biocompatibility, and naturally layered structure, making it an essential development direction for nanoclay-based drug carriers. This review outlines the main physicochemical characteristics of Kaol and the modification methods used for its application in biomedicine. The safety and biocompatibility of Kaol are addressed, and details of the application of Kaol as a drug delivery nanomaterial in antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer treatment are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of Kaol-based drug delivery nanomaterials in biomedicine are discussed. This review recommends directions for the further development of Kaol nanocarriers by improving their physicochemical properties and expanding the bioapplication range of Kaol.

Layered Clay Minerals in Cancer Therapy: Recent Progress and Prospects

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, and current treatment regimens suffer from limited efficacy, nonspecific toxicity, and chemoresistance. With the advantages of good biocompatibility, large specific surface area, excellent cation exchange capacity, and easy availability, clay minerals have been receiving ever-increasing interests in cancer treatment. They can act as carriers to reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, and some of their own properties can kill cancer cells, etc. Compared with other morphologies clays, layered clay minerals (LCM) have attracted more and more attention due to adjustable interlayer spacing, easier ion exchange, and stronger adsorption capacity. In this review, the structure, classification, physicochemical properties, and functionalization methods of LCM are summarized. The state-of-the-art progress of LCM in antitumor therapy is systematically described, with emphasis on the application of montmorillonite, kaolinite, and vermiculite. Furthermore, the property-function relationships of LCM are comprehensively illustrated to reveal the design principles of clay-based antitumor systems. Finally, foreseeable challenges and outlook in this field are discussed.

The extracellular matrix mechanics in the vasculature

Mechanical stimuli from the extracellular matrix (ECM) modulate vascular differentiation, morphogenesis and dysfunction of the vasculature. With innovation in measurements, we can better characterize vascular microenvironment mechanics in health and disease. Recent advances in material sciences and stem cell biology enable us to accurately recapitulate the complex and dynamic ECM mechanical microenvironment for in vitro studies. These biomimetic approaches help us understand the signaling pathways in disease pathologies, identify therapeutic targets, build tissue replacement and activate tissue regeneration. This Review analyzes how ECM mechanics regulate vascular homeostasis and dysfunction. We highlight approaches to examine ECM mechanics at tissue and cellular levels, focusing on how mechanical interactions between cells and the ECM regulate vascular phenotype, especially under certain pathological conditions. Finally, we explore the development of biomaterials to emulate, measure and alter the physical microenvironment of pathological ECM to understand cell-ECM mechanical interactions toward the development of therapeutics.

Clay microparticles for the enhancement of bone regeneration: in vitro studies

Humans develop osteoporosis as they age, a disease characterized by the slow and consistent reduction in bone mass and the subsequent risk of fractures. Due to aging, the mesenchymal stem cells within the bone marrow niche, show a shift in differentiation from osteogenesis to adipogenesis. The challenge of osteoporosis treatment is being met with advances in nanotechnology and tissue engineering. In this study , we evaluated the potential of palygorskite clay mineral microparticles for the promotion of the osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Alizarin red staining showed that osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs is enhanced in the presence of palygorskite clay. Although, gene expression analysis did not reveal upregulation of several osteogenic markers in the presence of the clay microparticles, another interaction mechanism resulted in the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. The charged surfaces of the palygorskite clay particles interact with the stem cells using their high adhesion characteristics, leading to complete bridging, adherence, and enveloping of the stem cells' cadherins and integrins with their environment. This restoration of the adhesion among the stem cells and their environment most probably promotes/restores the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. Therefore, palygorskite clay microparticles are a promising candidate for further in vivo studies on bone regeneration.

Investigation of Aggregation and Disaggregation of Self-Assembling Nano-Sized Clusters Consisting of Individual Iron Oxide Nanoparticles upon Interaction with HEWL Protein Molecules

In this paper, iron oxide nanoparticles coated with trisodium citrate were obtained. Nanoparticles self-assembling stable clusters were ~10 and 50-80 nm in size, consisting of NPs 3 nm in size. The stability was controlled by using multi-angle dynamic light scattering and the zeta potential, which was -32 ± 2 mV. Clusters from TSC-IONPs can be destroyed when interacting with a hen egg-white lysozyme. After the destruction of the nanoparticles and proteins, aggregates are formed quickly, within 5-10 min. Their sizes depend on the concentration of the lysozyme and nanoparticles and can reach micron sizes. It is shown that individual protein molecules can be isolated from the formed aggregates under shaking. Such aggregation was observed by several methods: multi-angle dynamic light scattering, optical absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, TEM, and optical microscopy. It is important to note that the concentrations of NPs at which the protein aggregation took place were also toxic to cells. There was a sharp decrease in the survival of mouse fibroblasts (Fe concentration ~75-100 μM), while the ratio of apoptotic to all dead cells increased. Additionally, at low concentrations of NPs, an increase in cell size was observed.

Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. Inhibits Cell Migration of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells (A549) by Downregulation of Integrin αvβ3, α5β1, and VEGF

Adenocarcinoma lung cancer is a type of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which accounts for 85% of lung cancer incidence globally. The therapies that are being applied, both conventional therapies and antibody-based treatments, are still found to have side effects. Several previous studies have demonstrated the ability of the ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (EEOS) as an ethnomedicine with anti-tumor properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. ethanolic extract in inhibiting the proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration of A549 cells (NSCLC). The adhesion as well as the migration assay was performed. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the expression of αvβ3 integrins, α5β1 integrins, and VEGF. The cells were divided into the following treatment groups: control (non-treated/NT), positive control (AP3/inhibitor β3 80 µg/mL), cisplatin (9 µg/mL), and EEOS at concentrations of 50, 70, 100, and 200 µg/mL. The results showed that EEOS inhibits the adhesion ability and migration of A549 cells, with an optimal concentration of 200 µg/mL. ELISA testing showed that the group of A549 cells given EEOS 200 µg/mL presented a decrease in the optimal expression of integrin α5β1, integrin αvβ3, and VEGF.

Nano-Clays for Cancer Therapy: State-of-the Art and Future Perspectives

To date, cancer continues to be one of the deadliest diseases. Current therapies are often ineffective, leading to the urgency to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve treatments. Conventional chemotherapeutics are characterized by a reduced therapeutic efficacy, as well as them being responsible for important undesirable side effects linked to their non-specific toxicity. In this context, natural nanomaterials such as clayey mineral nanostructures of various shapes (flat, tubular, spherical and fibrous) with adjustable physico-chemical and morphological characteristics are emerging as systems with extraordinary potential for the delivery of different therapeutic agents to tumor sites. Thanks to their submicron size, high specific surface area, high adsorption capacity, chemical inertia and multilayer organization of 0.7 to 1 nm-thick sheets, they have aroused considerable interest among the scientific community as nano systems that are highly biocompatible in cancer therapy. In oncology, the nano-clays usually studied are halloysite, bentonite, laponite, kaolinite, montmorillonite and sepiolite. These are multilayered minerals that can act as nanocarriers (with a drug load generally between 1 and 10% by weight) for improved stabilization, efficient transport and the sustained and controlled release of a wide variety of anticancer agents. In particular, halloysite, montmorillonite and kaolinite are used to improve the dissolution of therapeutic agents and to delay and/or direct their release. In this review, we will examine and expose to the scientific community the extraordinary potential of nano-clays as unique crystalline systems in the treatment of cancer.

Functional nanoemulsion and nanocomposite microparticles as an anticolorectal cancer and antimicrobial agent: applied in yogurt

Great concern for human health has led the food industry to focus on functional products. Microparticles based on nanoemulsions (M1) and nanocomposites (M2) were developed to deliver vital agents against colorectal cancer and microbial infection. The functional microparticles were prepared by coating extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), probiotics, and fig leaves extract with sodium alginate (SA) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) using the freeze drying technique. The antimicrobial, cytotoxic, apoptotic, encapsulation efficiency (EE %), release rate, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The yogurt was loaded with microparticles and evaluated microbiology, chemically, and sensory during storage. The results showed that the size of nanoemulsion and nanocomposite was between 476.1 and 517.7 nm, while the zeta potentials were −30.1 and −34.5 mV, respectively. M2 microparticles recorded the lowest IC50 values against human colorectal cancerous Caco-2 and HCT 116 cell lines: 1.10 μg/mL and 15.34 μg/mL, respectively. The inhibition zones were between 11 to 20 and 9 to 18 mm for M1 and M2, respectively. The highest EE% was 89.20% for EVOO and 91.34% for probiotics in M2 microparticles. The induction period of the EVOO from M1 and M2 microparticles was 15.37 h and 13.09 h, respectively. The antioxidant activity was between 78 and 65.8% for M1 and M2 microparticles, respectively. The probiotics in yogurt with microparticles were more than un-coated cells, and the taste of these samples was acceptable during storage. This study suggests that microencapsulation could be considered an interesting therapeutic tool when EVOO and probiotics are used in functional food.

Fibrous Clays in Dermopharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications: Traditional and Emerging Perspectives

Functionalization of natural clay minerals for high value-added pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications receives significant research attention worldwide attributable to a rising demand and ongoing search for green, efficient, economically sustainable and ecofriendly geomaterials. Fibrous clays, i.e. palygorskite and sepiolite, are naturally-occurring hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate clay minerals with 2:1 layer-chain microstructure and one-dimensional nanofibrous morphology. Due to their unique structural, textural and compatibility features, over the past decade, fibrous clays and their organic modified derivatives are increasingly used in the dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic fields as excipients, active agents or nanocarriers to develop novel skin delivery systems or to modify drug release profile for enhanced health effects. This comprehensive review presents the up-to-date information on fibrous clays used in topically-applied products for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes with the focus on their performance-related structural characteristics and the underlying mechanisms. The recent advancement of fibrous clay-based skin delivery systems was summarized in wide range of applications including pelotherapy, wound healing, antimicrobial action, coloration and UV protection. An overview of the commonly used topically-applied dosage forms (powders, hydrogels, films, peloids and Pickering emulsion) as well as the toxicological aspects was also included, which might provide guidance to the design and development of fibrous clay-based skin delivery systems.

Synergistic action of curcumin and cisplatin on spinel ferrite/hierarchical MCM-41 nanocomposite against MCF-7, HeLa and HCT 116 cancer cell line

Background

Platinum-based drugs are widely used in cancer therapy, but are known for toxic side effects and resistance. Combinational drug delivery represents an effective chemotherapeutic strategy, but often leads to an increased toxicity. Aim of this study is to test the co-delivery of cisplatin with natural antioxidants on hierarchial porous large surface area hexagonal nanocarriers for synergistic action.

Results

A series of structured mesoporous materials were impregnated with magnetic spinel ferrite (30% CuFe2O4) and then coated with curcumin (25% wt/wt). Mesosilicalite and MCM-41 with high curcumin release abilities were functionalized with cisplatin (5% wt/wt) for synergistic effect of combinational drugs. The cytotoxic efficiency of our nanocomposites was tested on cell viability of MCF7 (human breast cancer), human cervical cancer (HeLa), colorectal cancer (HCT116), and HFF (human foreskin fibroblasts) cell lines using the MTT cell viability assay. At a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, CuFe2O4/mesosilicalite/curcumin/cisplatin resulted in 89.53% reduction in viability in MCF7, 94.03% in HeLa, 64% in HCT116 and 87% in HFF; whereas, CuFe2O4/MCM-41/curcumin/cisplatin resulted in 76% reduction in viability in MCF7, 64.46% in HeLa, 64% in HCT116 and 24% in HFF. The EC50 for CuFe2O4/mesosilicalite/curcumin/cisplatin was 81.23 µg/ml in MCF7, 47.55 µg/ml in HeLa, 48.96 µg/ml in HCT116 and 76.83 µg/ml in HFF. The EC50 for CuFe2O4/MCM-41/curcumin/cisplatin was 72.51 µg/ml in MCF7, 58.6 µg/ml in HeLa, 62.58 µg/ml in HCT116 and 154.2 µg/ml in HFF. Furthermore, cells treated with both nanocomposites had a high number of cleaved Caspase 3-positive cells suggesting that the reduction in cell viability was triggered by activating the apoptotic signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Our results show that CuFe2O4/MCM-41/curcumin/cisplatin is a better candidate for combinational drug therapy due to its lowest EC50 value and the wider difference in EC50 (a fold change) between cancerous and non-cancerous cell line.

Clay Minerals as Bioink Ingredients for 3D Printing and 3D Bioprinting: Application in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

The adaptation and progress of 3D printing technology toward 3D bioprinting (specifically adapted to biomedical purposes) has opened the door to a world of new opportunities and possibilities in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this regard, 3D bioprinting allows for the production of tailor-made constructs and organs as well as the production of custom implants and medical devices. As it is a growing field of study, currently, the attention is heeded on the optimization and improvement of the mechanical and biological properties of the so-called bioinks/biomaterial inks. One of the strategies proposed is the use of inorganic ingredients (clays, hydroxyapatite, graphene, carbon nanotubes and other silicate nanoparticles). Clays have proven to be useful as rheological and mechanical reinforcement in a wide range of fields, from the building industry to pharmacy. Moreover, they are naturally occurring materials with recognized biocompatibility and bioactivity, revealing them as optimal candidates for this cutting-edge technology. This review deals with the use of clays (both natural and synthetic) for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine through 3D printing and bioprinting. Despite the limited number of studies, it is possible to conclude that clays play a fundamental role in the formulation and optimization of bioinks and biomaterial inks since they are able to improve their rheology and mechanical properties, thus improving printability and construct resistance. Additionally, they have also proven to be exceptionally functional ingredients (enhancing cellular proliferation, adhesion, differentiation and alignment), controlling biodegradation and carrying/releasing actives with tissue regeneration therapeutic activities.

Nano-bio surface interactions, cellular internalisation in cancer cells and e-data portals of nanomaterials: A review

Nanomaterials (NMs) have abundant applications in areas such as electronics, energy, environment industries, biosensors, nano devices, theranostic platforms, etc. Nanoparticles can increase the solubility and stability of drug-loaded materials, enhance their internalisation, protect them from initial destruction in the biological system, and lengthen their circulation time. The biological interaction of proteins present in the body fluid with NMs can change the activity and natural surface properties of NMs. The size and charge of NMs, properties of the coated and uncoated NMs, nature of proteins, cellular interactions direct their internalisation pathway in the cellular system. Thus, the present review emphasises the impact of coated, uncoated NMs, size and charge, nature of proteins on nano-bio surface interactions and on internalisation with specific focus on cancer cells. The increased activity of NPs may also result in toxicity on health and environment, thus emphasis should be given to assess the toxicity of NMs in the medical field. The e-data sharing portals of NMs have also been discussed in this review that will be helpful in providing the information about the chemical, physical, biological properties and toxicity of NMs.

Pancreatic Lineage Specifier PDX1 Increases Adhesion and Decreases Motility of Cancer Cells

Intercellular interactions involving adhesion factors are key operators in cancer progression. In particular, these factors are responsible for facilitating cell migration and metastasis. Strengthening of adhesion between tumor cells and surrounding cells or extracellular matrix (ECM), may provide a way to inhibit tumor cell migration. Recently, we demonstrated that PDX1 ectopic expression results in the reduction of pancreatic cancer line PANC-1 cell motility in vitro and in vivo, and we now provide experimental data confirming the hypothesis that suppression of migration may be related to the effect of PDX1 on cell adhesion. Cell migration analyses demonstrated decreased motility of pancreatic Colo357 and PANC-1 cell lines expressing PDX1. We observed decreased expression levels of genes associated with promoting cell migration and increased expression of genes negatively affecting cell motility. Expression of the EMT regulator genes was only mildly induced in cells expressing PDX1 during the simulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by the addition of TGFβ1 to the medium. PDX1-expressing cancer cell lines showed increased cell adhesion to collagen type I, fibronectin, and poly-lysine. We conclude that ectopic expression of PDX1 reduces the migration potential of cancer cells, by increasing the adhesive properties of cells and reducing the sensitivity to TGFβ1-induced EMT.

Emerging nanomedicine-based therapeutics for hematogenous metastatic cascade inhibition: Interfering with the crosstalk between "seed and soil"

Despite considerable progresses in cancer treatment, tumor metastasis is still a thorny issue, which leads to majority of cancer-related deaths. In hematogenous metastasis, the concept of “seed and soil” suggests that the crosstalk between cancer cells (seeds) and premetastatic niche (soil) facilitates tumor metastasis. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to inhibit the tumor metastatic cascade, which is a highly complicated process involving various pathways and biological events. Nonetheless, satisfactory therapeutic outcomes are rarely observed, since it is a great challenge to thwart this multi-phase process. Recent advances in nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have shown great potential in the field of anti-metastasis, especially compared with conventional treatment methods, which are limited by serious side effects and poor efficacy. In this review, we summarized various factors involved in each phase of the metastatic cascade ranging from the metastasis initiation to colonization. Then we reviewed current approaches of targeting these factors to stifle the metastatic cascade, including modulating primary tumor microenvironment, targeting circulating tumor cells, regulating premetastatic niche and eliminating established metastasis. Additionally, we highlighted the multi-phase targeted drug delivery systems, which hold a better chance to inhibit metastasis. Besides, we demonstrated the limitation and future perspectives of nanomedicine-based anti-metastasis strategies.

Linear and nonlinear investigations for the adsorption of paracetamol and metformin from water on acid-treated clay

Natural clays are considered a safe, low-cost, and sound sorbent for some pharmaceutical and body care products from water. Metformin (MF) and paracetamol (PA) are of the most consumable drugs worldwide. A portion of natural clay was treated with distilled water, and another part was treated with hydrochloric acid. The water-treated clay (WTC) and the acid-treated clay (ATC) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption isotherm. Batch experiments were employed to investigate the influence of contact time and solution parameters on the adsorption of PA and MF on WTC and ATC. 30 min attained the equilibrium for all sorbent-sorbate systems. Both sorbents fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a preference to the nonlinear fitting, and the mechanism of adsorption partially fitted the liquid-film diffusion model. The PA and MF adsorption on WTC and ATC fitted the Freundlich model in preference to nonlinear fitting. The adsorption of pollutants on both sorbents was spontaneous, exothermic, and physisorption in nature. Even at low concentrations, both WTC and ATC showed efficiency above 80% in removing PA and MF from tab water, groundwater, and Red seawater. These findings nominated natural clay as an alternative to the costly nanomaterials as sorbents for removing pharmaceutical contaminants from water.

Preclinical developments of natural-occurring halloysite clay nanotubes in cancer therapeutics

The natural world holds useful resources that can be exploited to design effective therapeutic approaches. Ready-to-use tubular nanoclays, such as halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs), are widely available, cost-effective, and sustainable submicron crystalline materials that have been showing great potential towards chronic multifactorial and malignant diseases, standing out as a promising anticancer nanotherapeutic strategy. Currently, several preclinical studies have reported the application of HNTs in cancer research, diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutics. This groundbreaking review highlights the preclinical knowledge hitherto collected concerning the application of HNTs towards cancer therapy. Despite their reproducibility issues, HNTs were used as nanoarchitectonic platforms for the delivery of conventional chemotherapeutic, natural-occurring, biopharmaceutical, and phototherapeutic anticancer agents in a wide range of in vitro and in vivo solid cancer models. Overall, in different types of cancer mice models, the intratumoral and intravenous administration of HNTs-based nanoplatforms induced tumor growth inhibition without causing significant toxic effects. Such evidence raises a relevant question: does the therapeutic benefit of the parenteral administration of HNTs in cancer outweigh their potential toxicological risk? To answer this question further long-term absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion studies in healthy and cancer animal models need to be performed. In cancer therapeutics, HNTs are envisaged as promising platforms for cancer multi-agent therapy, enabling the combination of different therapeutic modalities. Furthermore, HNTs might constitute suitable nanotheranostic platforms. Nevertheless, to confirm the potential and safety of the application of HNTs as nanodelivery systems for cancer therapy, it is necessary to perform in-depth in vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic studies to further the translation to clinical trials.

Melanoma treatment via non-specific adhesion of cancer cells using charged nano-clays in pre-clinical studies

The incidence of malignant melanoma has rapidly increased in the last two decades. There are many challenges associated with the current conventional therapies, including tumour size and location, the specificity of treatments, tumour resistance, non-mutually exclusive mutations, drug resistance, and many adverse side effects. Due to conventional therapies having several limitations, we have explored an alternative therapy such as nano-clays; nano-sized natural materials originating from clay fraction of the soil. Recently, clay nanoparticles have increasingly been used as a drug carrier for cancer treatment due to their high absorption, ability to engulf microbes, and low toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a nano-clays mix on melanoma cell proliferation and cell viability in vitro and melanoma growth in vivo xenograft animal model. The in vitro study revealed that nano-clay treatments significantly reduced melanoma cell proliferation and cell viability in a dosage-dependent manner. The in vivo tumour xenograft model demonstrated that nano-clay mix treatment led to significantly reduced tumour size and weight, decreased tumour cell mitosis, and induced tumour necrosis. These processes owe to the most probable changes in the membrane potential of the cancer cells once nano-clays bind with the former through the high non-specific adhesion characteristic of the cancer cells. As the data suggest an important role of nano-clays as an inhibitor of melanoma cell proliferation and survival, these prove to be a natural and effective medicine for the treatment of melanoma. The proven compatibility of nano-clays with the human cells with little side-effects makes them a highly preferred choice for the treatment of melanoma and probably other types of cancers.

KLF7 is associated with poor prognosis and regulates migration and adhesion in tongue cancer

OBJECTIVE

The present study was performed to determine the clinical relevance of KLF7 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and to characterize its potential function and mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

KLF7 expression was measured by RT-qPCR in 21 tongue cancer samples. The clinical relevance of KLF7 was analyzed in another cohort of 127 TSCC samples from a public database. Then, we performed RNA sequencing analysis in KLF7-overexpressing TSCC (SCC9 and CAL27) cells to define significantly altered pathways. The possible changes in migration and adhesion were then analyzed in KLF7-overexpressing and knockdown TSCC cells.

RESULTS

Our results showed that KLF7 mRNA expression was upregulated in TSCC and was significantly associated with the T and N stages. Patients with high-KLF7 expression had worse overall survival. RNA sequencing and KEGG enriched pathway analysis showed that altered genes were enriched in extracellular matrix-receptor interactions and focal adhesions in both cell lines. KLF7-overexpressing TSCC cell lines showed enhanced migration capacity and cell adhesion ability, and knockdown of KLF7 expression decreased TSCC migration and adhesion ability.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that KLF7 was overexpressed in TSCC and has prognostic value. KLF7 promoted TSCC migration and increased cell adhesion.

Identification of drivers of breast cancer invasion by secretome analysis: insight into CTGF signaling

An altered consistency of tumor microenvironment facilitates the progression of the tumor towards metastasis. Here we combine data from secretome and proteome analysis using mass spectrometry with microarray data from mesenchymal transformed breast cancer cells (MCF-7-EMT) to elucidate the drivers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell invasion. Suppression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) reduced invasion in 2D and 3D invasion assays and expression of transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI), Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and lysyl oxidase (LOX), while the adhesion of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) in mesenchymal transformed breast cancer cells is increased. In contrast, an enhanced expression of CTGF leads to an increased 3D invasion, expression of fibronectin 1 (FN1), secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (SPARC) and CD44 and a reduced cell ECM adhesion. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist Triptorelin reduces CTGF expression in a Ras homolog family member A (RhoA)-dependent manner. Our results suggest that CTGF drives breast cancer cell invasion in vitro and therefore could be an attractive therapeutic target for drug development to prevent the spread of breast cancer.

Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Hemolytic Effects of Crataegus aronia Leaves and Its Anti- Proliferative Effect Enhance Cisplatin Cytotoxicity in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

Objective:

For Arabian traditional medicine, Crataegus aronia syn. Azarolus (L) Bosc. ex DC (Rosaceae) is widely used to treat diabetes, sexual weakness, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The anti-cancerous and anti-hemolysis effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant have never been investigated before. The present study aims to evaluate the biological activities of the hydroalcoholic extract of Crataegus aronia leaves in combination with cisplatin, one of the most widely employed chemotherapeutics, on A549 human lung cancer cell line.

Methods:

The anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activities of leaves, fruits, seeds of C. aronia were investigated by DPPH method and MTT assay; respectively. Cell migration activity was investigated by wound healing and by cell aggregation assays. The effect of C. aronia in inducing cell cycle arrest along with activating cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot assays, respectively.

Results:

Our results showed that C. aronia leaves (C. aronia L.) had the highest anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activities. The leaves extract was potent against hemolysis of the human erythrocytes and showed elevated decrease in migration by reducing wound healing migration and by increasing cell aggregation. Finally, C. aronia L. treatment exhibited apoptotic activity on A549 cells by the down-regulation of PARP-1, caspase-3 and Bcl-2 proteins and by increasing the percentage of A549 cells in sub G0 cell cycle. Moreover, the co-treatment of C. aronia L. and cisplatin remarkably sensitised A549 cells to cisplatin.

Conclusion:

The results suggested that C. aronia L. could be used as a potential treatment against human lung cancer exhibiting minimal side effects on human health.

Nano-clays as Potential Pseudo-antibodies for COVID-19

Despite several efforts, the development of an effective vaccine for COVID-19 may take a much longer time. Traditional/natural medicine, already experienced by humans, could be an earlier solution. Considering the research team's experience in using nano-clays as high-affinity material for cancer metastasis, melanoma treatment, and bone regeneration, we propose to use these nano-clays for the prevention/treatment of COVID-19. Owing to high affinity, nano-clays would capture the viruses before the latter get engaged with human hACE2. In this study, molecular-level simulations and modeling of the interaction of coronavirus spike and hACE2 proteins were performed with and without nano-clays. The results showed a very high level of affinity/cohesiveness among SARS-CoV-2 spike and nano-clays as compared to the one between the former and hACE2. We premise that these nano-clays since already being used as drug carriers could also be injected as "clays-alone" medicine. Recommendations have also been provided for future in vitro and in vivo studies.

Soft Actuated Hybrid Hydrogel with Bioinspired Complexity to Control Mechanical Flexure Behavior for Tissue Engineering

Hydrogels exhibit excellent properties that enable them as nanostructured scaffolds for soft tissue engineering. However, single-component hydrogels have significant limitations due to the low versatility of the single component. To achieve this goal, we have designed and characterized different multi-component hydrogels composed of gelatin, alginate, hydroxyapatite, and a protein (BSA and fibrinogen). First, we describe the surface morphology of the samples and the main characteristics of the physiological interplay by using fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and confocal Raman microscopy. Then, their degradation and swelling were studied and mechanical properties were determined by rheology measurements. Experimental data were carefully collected and quantitatively analyzed by developing specific approaches and different theoretical models to determining the most important parameters. Finally, we determine how the nanoscale of the system influences its macroscopic properties and characterize the extent to which degree each component maintains its own functionality, demonstrating that with the optimal components, in the right proportion, multifunctional hydrogels can be developed.

Alvaxanthone, a Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitor with Nematocidal and Tumoricidal Activities

With the aim to identify novel inhibitors of parasitic nematode thymidylate synthase (TS), we screened in silico an in-house library of natural compounds, taking advantage of a model of nematode TS three-dimensional (3D) structure and choosing candidate compounds potentially capable of enzyme binding/inhibition. Selected compounds were tested as (i) inhibitors of the reaction catalyzed by TSs of different species, (ii) agents toxic to a nematode parasite model (C. elegans grown in vitro), (iii) inhibitors of normal human cell growth, and (iv) antitumor agents affecting human tumor cells grown in vitro. The results pointed to alvaxanthone as a relatively strong TS inhibitor that causes C. elegans population growth reduction with nematocidal potency similar to the anthelmintic drug mebendazole. Alvaxanthone also demonstrated an antiproliferative effect in tumor cells, associated with a selective toxicity against mitochondria observed in cancer cells compared to normal cells.

Wound Healing Activity of Nanoclay/Spring Water Hydrogels

BACKGROUND

hydrogels prepared with natural inorganic excipients and spring waters are commonly used in medical hydrology. Design of these clay-based formulations continues to be a field scarcely addressed. Safety and wound healing properties of different fibrous nanoclay/spring water hydrogels were addressed.

METHODS

in vitro biocompatibility, by means of MTT assay, and wound healing properties were studied. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy was used to study the morphology of fibroblasts during the wound healing process.

RESULTS

all the ingredients demonstrated to be biocompatible towards fibroblasts. Particularly, the formulation of nanoclays as hydrogels improved biocompatibility with respect to powder samples at the same concentration. Spring waters and hydrogels were even able to promote in vitro fibroblasts motility and, therefore, accelerate wound healing with respect to the control.

CONCLUSION

fibrous nanoclay/spring water hydrogels proved to be skin-biocompatible and to possess a high potential as wound healing formulations. Moreover, these results open new prospects for these ingredients to be used in new therapeutic or cosmetic formulations.

Natural Inorganic Ingredients in Wound Healing

Background:

One of the major clinical challenges is to achieve a rapid and efficient treatment of complex chronic wounds. Nowadays, most wound dressings currently available are unable to find a solution the challenges of resistance to bacterial infection, protein adsorption and increased levels of exudates. Natural inorganic ingredients (clay minerals, metal cations, zeolites, etc) could be the key to solve the problem satisfactorily. Some of these materials have shown biocompatibility and ability to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation and cellular differentiation and uptake. Besides, some natural inorganic ingredients effectively retain drugs, allowing the design of drug delivery matrices.

Objective:

possibilities of natural inorganic ingredients in wound healing treatments have been reviewed, the following sections have been included: 1. Introduction 2. Functions of Inorganic Ingredients in wound healing 2.1. Antimicrobial effects 2.2. Hemostatic effects 3. Clay minerals for wound healing 3.1. Clay minerals 3.2. Clay mineral semisolid formulations 3.3. Clay/polymer composites and nanocomposites 3.4. Clay minerals in wound dressings 4. Other inorganic materials for wound healing 4.1. Zeolites 4.2. Silica and other silicates 4.3. Other minerals 4.4. Transition metals 5. Conclusion

Conclusion:

inorganic ingredients possess useful features in the development of chronic wounds advanced treatments. They improve physical (mechanical resistance and water vapor transmission), chemical (release of drugs, hemostasis and/or adsorption of exudates and moisture) and biological (antimicrobial effects and improvement of healing) properties of wound dressings. In summary, inorganic ingredients have proved to be a promising and easily accessible products in the treatment of wounds and, more importantly, chronic wounds.

Anticancer properties of the fatty acid synthase inhibitor TVB-3166 on oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

OBJECTIVE

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is overexpressed in several human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). TVB-3166 is a recently described FASN inhibitor with antitumor effects and potential clinical relevance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of TVB-3166 on OSCC cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The OSCC cell line SCC-9 modified to express ZsGreen (ZsG) (SCC-9 ZsG) and its in vivo selected metastatic derivative LN-1A were used to evaluate anticancer properties of TVB-3166. Cell viability was determined using MTT assays and proliferation determined by cell counting in a Neubauer chamber. Cell death and cell cycle progression were analyzed by Annexin V-PE/7-ADD-PerCP labeling and PI staining, respectively. Cell migration was assayed by scratch assays and cell adhesion using myogel. Production of FASN, p-AKT, CPT1-α, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were examined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

TVB-3166 significantly reduced cell viability and proliferation, promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and increased adhesion to myogel in both OSCC cell lines. Finally, the drug reduced SCC-9 ZsG migration.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that TVB-3166 has anticancer effects on both SCC-9 ZsG and its metastatic version LN-1A, which are worthy of investigation in preclinical models for OSCC.

Biophysical changes caused by altered MUC13 expression in pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the United States. This is partly due to the difficulty in early detection of this disease as well as poor therapeutic responses to currently available regimens. Our previous reports suggest that mucin 13 (MUC13, a transmembrane mucin common to gastrointestinal cells) is aberrantly expressed in this disease state, and has been implicated with a worsened prognosis and an enhanced metastatic potential in PanCa. However, virtually no information currently exists to describe the biophysical ramifications of this protein.

METHODS

To demonstrate the biophysical effect of MUC13 in PanCa, we generated overexpressing and knockdown model cell lines for PanCa and subsequently subjected them to various biophysical experiments using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cellular aggregation studies.

RESULTS

AFM-based nanoindentation data showed significant biophysical effects with MUC13 modulation in PanCa cells. The overexpression of MUC13 in Panc-1 cells led to an expected decrease in modulus, and a corresponding decrease in adhesion. With MUC13 knockdown, HPAF-II cells exhibited an increased modulus and adhesion. These results were confirmed with altered cell-cell adhesion as seen with aggregation assays.

CONCLUSIONS

MUC13 led to significant biophysical changes in PanCa cells and which exhibited characteristic phenotypic changes in cells demonstrated in previous work from our lab. This work gives insight into the use of biophysical measurements that could be used to help diagnose or monitor cancers as well as determine the effects of genetic alterations at a mechanical level.

Benefits of Nanomedicine for Therapeutic Intervention in Malignant Diseases

Cancer remains one of the most difficult to manage healthcare problems. The last two decades have been considered the golden age of cancer research, with major breakthroughs being announced on a regular basis. However, the major problem regarding cancer treatment is the incapability to selectively target cancer cells, with certain populations of tumors still remaining alive after treatment. The main focus of researchers is to develop treatments that are both effective and selective in targeting malignant cells. In this regard, bioavailability can be increased by overcoming the biological barriers encountered in the active agent’s pathway, creating carrier vehicles that have the ability to target malignant cells and effectively release the active agent. Since its appearance, nanomedicine has provided many answers to these challenges, but still, some expectations were not satisfied. In this review, we focused on the most recent developments in targeted drug delivery. Furthermore, a summary of different types of nanoparticles used to deliver active therapeutic agents in oncology is presented, along with details on the nanodrugs that were clinically approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), until April 2019.