Inhibition of cancer cell migration with CuS@ mSiO2-PEG nanoparticles by repressing MMP-2/MMP-9 expression

pH/glutathione dual-responsive copper sulfide-coated organic mesoporous silica for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy

Nanodrug delivery systems (NDSs), such as mesoporous silica, have been widely studied because of their high specific surface area, high loading rate, and easy modification; however, they are not easily metabolized and excreted by the human body and may be potentially harmful. Hence, we aimed to examine the synergistic anti-tumor effects of ex vivo chemo-photothermal therapy to develop a rational and highly biocompatible treatment protocol for tumors. We constructed a biodegradable NDS using organic mesoporous silica with a tetrasulfide bond structure, copper sulfide core, and folic acid-modified surface (CuS@DMONs-FA-DOX-PEG) to target a tumor site, dissociate, and release the drug. The degradation ability, photothermal conversion ability, hemocompatibility, and in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of the CuS@DMONs-FA-DOX-PEG nanoparticles were evaluated. Our findings revealed that the nanoparticles encapsulated in copper sulfide exhibited significant photothermal activity and optimal photothermal conversion rate. Further, the drug was accurately delivered and released into the target tumor cells, annihilating them. This study demonstrated the successful preparation, safety, and synergistic anti-tumor effects of chemo-photothermal therapeutic nanomaterials.

In vivo synergistic tumor therapies based on copper sulfide photothermal therapeutic nanoplatforms

Tumor cells may be eliminated by increasing their temperature. This is achieved via photothermal therapy (PTT) by penetrating the tumor tissue with near-infrared light and converting light energy into heat using photothermal agents. Copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) are commonly used as PTAs in PTT. In this review, we aimed to discuss the synergism between tumor PTT with CuS NPs and other therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, dynamic therapies (photodynamic, chemodynamic, and sonodynamic therapy), immunotherapy, gene therapy, gas therapy, and magnetic hyperthermia. Furthermore, we summarized the results obtained with a combination of two treatments and at least two therapies, with PTT as one of the included therapies. Finally, we summarized the benefits and drawbacks of various therapeutic options and state of the art CuS-based PTT and provided future directions for such therapies.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as the potential biomarkers for gastric cancer

To explore serum amyloid A (SAA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as potential diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer (GCa) and the application value of the combined diagnosis of SAA, IL6, and Cancer embryonic antigen. Serum samples were collected before the initial surgery from 159 patients comprising samples from 122 patients with GCa and 37 patients with benign gastric disease. All patients were hospitalized at Beijing Aerospace General Hospital in China between 2018 and 2020. The IL-6 and SAA levels were assessed using standard laboratory protocols. The levels of SAA and IL-6 were significantly higher in patients with GCa than in controls. Compared with the healthy group, the concentration of SAA and IL-6 in FIGO III-IV group were significantly higher and the difference were statistically significant. In addition, significant differences were observed between the FIGO III-IV group and FIGO I-II groups. The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the combined detection of SAA, IL-6, and Cancer embryonic antigen showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.948, sensitivity of 91.0%, and specificity of 89.2%. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated obvious correlations among the levels of serum SAA, IL-6, advanced FIGO stage, lymphatic invasion, and distant metastasis. AA and IL-6 may serve as useful biomarkers for poor prognosis of GCa. Clinical diagnosis combined with SAA and IL-6 may help assess therapeutic outcomes.

Combining Mg–Zn–Ca Bulk Metallic Glass with a Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite for Bone Tissue Engineering

Mg–Zn–Ca bulk metallic glass (BMG) is a promising orthopedic fixation implant because of its biodegradable and biocompatible properties. Structural supporting bone implants with osteoinduction properties for effective bone regeneration have been highly desired in recent years. Osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) can increase the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and enhance the mineralization of osteoblast cells. However, the short half-life and non-specificity to target areas limit applications of OGP. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as nanocarriers possess excellent properties, such as easy surface modification, superior targeting efficiency, and high loading capacity of drugs or proteins. Accordingly, we propose a system of combining the OGP-containing MSNs with Mg–Zn–Ca BMG materials to promote bone regeneration. In this work, we conjugated cysteine-containing OGP (cgOGP, 16 a.a.) to interior walls of channels in MSNs and maintained the dispersity of MSNs via PEGylation. An in vitro study showed that metal ions released from Mg–Zn–Ca BMG promoted cell proliferation and migration and elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. On treating cells with both BMG ion-containing Minimum Essential Medium Eagle-alpha modification (α-MEM) and OGP-conjugated MSNs, enhanced focal adhesion turnover and promoted differentiation were observed. Hematological analyses showed the biocompatible nature of this BMG/nanocomposite system. In addition, in vivo micro-computed tomographic and histological observations revealed that our system stimulated osteogenesis and new bone formation around the implant site.

Juxtamembrane 2 mimic peptide competitively inhibits mitochondrial trafficking and activates ROS-mediated apoptosis pathway to exert anti-tumor effects

Our previous study demonstrates that a juxtamembrane 2 (JM2) mimic peptide can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, JM2 is found to suppress the growth of 4T1 breast tumors by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation of 4T1 tumor cells. Further study indicates that JM2 can stimulate the mitochondria to gather near the microtubule-organizing center of tumor cells and subsequently induce ROS-induced ROS release responses, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In addition, JM2 can arrest cell cycle in S phase by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and consequently inhibit proliferation of tumor cells. Then, a previously designed JM2 grafted hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable hydrogel system (HA-JM2) is injected in a breast tumor-resected model and the HA-JM2 hydrogel can inhibit the malignant proliferation of residual tumor cells and suppress the breast tumor recurrence. These findings not only confirm the application potentials of JM2 in anti-tumor therapy and tumor post-surgery treatments but also provide greater understanding on the mechanisms by which JM2 inhibits tumor growth.

Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy and In Vivo Bioimaging

In the current communication, a simple, environmentally compatible, non-toxic green chemistry process is used for the development of silver nanoparticles (AgZE) by the reaction between silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and the ethanolic leaf extract of Zinnia elegans (ZE). The optimization of AgZE is carried out using a series of experiments. Various physico-chemical techniques are utilized to characterize the nanomaterials. The cell viability assay of AgZE in normal cells (CHO, HEK-293T, EA.hy926, and H9c2) shows their biocompatible nature, which is supported by hemolytic assay using mouse RBC. Interestingly, the nanoparticles exhibited cytotoxicity towards different cancer cell lines (U-87, MCF-7, HeLa, PANC-1 and B16F10). The detailed anticancer activity of AgZE on human glioblastoma cell line (U-87) is exhibited through various in vitro assays. In vivo the AgZE illustrates anticancer activity by inhibiting blood vessel formation through CAM assay. Furthermore, the AgZE nanoparticles when intraperitoneally injected in C57BL6/J mice (with and without tumor) exhibit fluorescence properties in the NIR region (excitation: 710 nm, emission: 820 nm) evidenced by bioimaging studies. The AgZE biodistribution through ICPOES analysis illustrates the presence of silver in different vital organs. Considering all the results, AgZE could be useful as a potential cancer therapeutic agent, as well as an NIR based non-invasive imaging tool in near future.

Development of Brain Targeting Peptide Based MMP-9 Inhibiting Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Brain Diseases with Elevated MMP-9 Activity

Latent and active levels of cerebral matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) are elevated in neurological diseases and brain injuries, contributing to neurological damage and poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed developing peptide-based nanoparticles with ability to cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and inhibit MMP-9. Three amphiphilic peptides were synthesised containing brain-targeting ligands (HAIYPRH or CKAPETALC) conjugated with MMP-9 inhibiting peptide (CTTHWGFTLC) linked by glycine (spacer) at the N-terminus, and the peptide sequences were conjugated at the N- terminus to cholesterol. ¹⁹F NMR assay was developed to measure MMP-9 inhibition. Cell toxicity was evaluated by the LDH assay, and dialysis studies were conducted with/without fetal bovine serum. An in vitro model was employed to evaluate the ability of nanoparticles crossing the BBB. The amphiphilic peptide (Cholesterol-GGGCTTHWGFTLCHAIYPRH) formed nanoparticles (average size of 202.8 nm) with ability to cross the BBB model. MMP-9 inhibiting nanoparticles were non-toxic to cells, and reduced MMP-9 activity from kobs of 4.5 × 10^-6s^-1 to complete inhibition. Dialysis studies showed that nanoparticles did not disassemble by extreme dilution (40 folds), but gradually hydrolysed by serum enzymes. In conclusion, the MMP-9 inhibiting nanoparticles reduced the activity of MMP-9, with acceptable serum stability, minimal cell toxicity and ability to cross the in vitro BBB model.

Harnessing nanomedicine to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment

Cancer immunotherapy has received extensive attention due to its ability to activate the innate or adaptive immune systems of patients to combat tumors. Despite a few clinical successes, further endeavors are still needed to tackle unresolved issues, including limited response rates, development of resistance, and immune-related toxicities. Accumulating evidence has pinpointed the tumor microenvironment (TME) as one of the major obstacles in cancer immunotherapy due to its detrimental impacts on tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Nanomedicine has been battling with the TME in the past several decades, and the experience obtained could be exploited to improve current paradigms of immunotherapy. Here, we discuss the metabolic features of the TME and its influence on different types of immune cells. The recent progress in nanoenabled cancer immunotherapy has been summarized with a highlight on the modulation of immune cells, tumor stroma, cytokines and enzymes to reverse the immunosuppressive TME.

Serum amyloid a, a potential biomarker both in serum and tissue, correlates with ovarian cancer progression

Background

Ovarian cancer is the most fatal gynecologic malignancy worldwide due to its vagueness, delay in diagnosis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Therefore, a new type of ovarian cancer treatment prediction biomarker is urgently needed to supplement existing tools. A total of 230 people participated in this study. Out of this figure, 100 participants were patients who underwent an ovarian tumor operation, another 100 participants were ovarian benign patients, and the remaining 30 participants were healthy women. Cancer (experimental) group were 100 patients who underwent ovarian tumor operation, while the control groups were 130 participants consisting of 100 ovarian benign patients and 30 healthy women. Levels of SAA, carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125), and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) were assessed using standard laboratory protocols. A total of 5 ovarian cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues were collected and then stored at − 80 °C until the qRT-PCR assay was conducted.

Results

The ROC curve of SAA concentration in ovarian cancer was plotted to obtain the area under the curve AUC = 0.889, the cut-off value 17.05 mg/L, the sensitivity 78.4% and specificity 86.5%. Compared with pretreatment, the level of serum SAA decreased significantly after treatment. The results revealed that there was a significant correlation between the level of serum SAA and advanced FIGO stage, histology subtype, lymphatic invasion, and distant metastasis (p = 0.003,0.002,0.000 and 0.001). The quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay revealed that the Messenger RNA (mRNA) of SAA-1 and SAA-4 was much higher in cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues, and MMPs was up-regulation including MMP-1, MMP-9 and MMP- 12 in OVCAR-3 cell stimulated by SAA. The transwell assay revealed that SAA could promote OVCAR-3 cell migration. Moreover, SAA can regulate EMT markers and promote AKT pathway activation.

Conclusions

In summary, our results demonstrated that SAA may be a potential diagnosis and treatment prediction biomarker. The SAA promotes OVCAR-3 cell migration by regulating MMPs and EMT which may correlate with AKT pathway activation.

Knockdown of Linc00511 inhibits TGF-β-induced cell migration and invasion by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and down-regulating MMPs expression

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step in cancer metastasis. Some evidences have been provided to verify up-regulation of linc00511 in multiple cancers and oncogenic roles during cancer malignant process. But, the roles of linc00511 on the metastasis of lung cancer are still largely unclear. Our study aims to reveal the functional effects of linc00511 on TGF-β1-induced EMT in lung cancer. Our results showed that knockdown of linc00511 significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced migration and invasion and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of MMP2, MMP9 and MMP12 in TGF-β1 treated SPCA1 and H1975 cells. Also, western blotting results showed that inhibition of linc00511 remarkably suppressed TGF-β1-induced N-cadherin, Vimentin and snail and increased E-cadherin expression in SPCA1 and H1975 cells. Noteworthy, we further found that inhibition of linc00511 could down-regulate TGF-β1-induced ZEB2 mRNA and protein levels by sponging miR-183-5p in SPCA1 and H1975 cells. Taken together, our findings suggested knockdown linc00511 suppressed TGF-β1-induced migration and invasion via inhibiting EMT and MMPs in lung cancer cells.

Picroside II, an iridoid glycoside from Picrorhiza kurroa, suppresses tumor migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The development of novel anti-cancer agents from natural products is a promising approach to reduce cancer mortality. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic activities of picroside II (PII) in human breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that PII significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. With the treatment of PII, the activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells was significantly inhibited both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, PII showed effective anti-metastatic activity in an experimental lung metastasis model. Interestingly, cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), a marker of angiogenesis, was significantly downregulated in the PII-treated tumor samples, indicating the anti-angiogenic activity of PII. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PII significantly inhibited the migration, invasion, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The inhibition of MMP-9 activity in PII-treated HUVECs was also demonstrated. Finally, the suppression of angiogenesis by PII in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was observed. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that PII effectively inhibited the metastasis and angiogenesis of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and thus, might be a novel candidate for cancer therapy.

Aberrant miRNAs Regulate the Biological Hallmarks of Glioblastoma

GBM is the highest incidence in primary intracranial malignancy, and it remains poor prognosis even though the patient is gave standard treatment. Despite decades of intense research, the complex biology of GBM remains elusive. In view of eight hallmarks of cancer which were proposed in 2011, studies related to the eight biological capabilities in GBM have made great progress. From these studies, it can be inferred that miRs, as a mode of post-transcriptional regulation, are involved in regulating these malignant biological hallmarks of GBM. Herein, we discuss state-of-the-art research on how aberrant miRs modulate the eight hallmarks of GBM. The upregulation of 'oncomiRs' or the genetic loss of tumor suppressor miRs is associated with these eight biological capabilities acquired during GBM formation. Furthermore, we also discuss the applicable clinical potential of these research results. MiRs may aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of GBM. Moreover, miRs are also therapeutic targets of GBM. These studies will develop and improve precision medicine for GBM in the future.