Commentary on "Peptide-Conjugated Nanoparticles as Targeted Anti-angiogenesis Therapeutic and Diagnostic in Cancer" by Shaker A. Mousa, Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States - Peptide-Conjugated Nanoparticles for Multimodal Nanomedicine

Targeting and repolarizing M2-like tumor-associated macrophage-mediated MR imaging and tumor immunotherapy by biomimetic nanoparticles

Anti-tumor M1-like and pro-tumor M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) coexist in tumor microenvironments (TME). The adverse effects of these M1/M2 subsets on tumors directly affect the current strategies to improve anti-tumor immune response. Therefore, it has attracted great attention to change the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment by reprogramming TAMs. In this paper, we constructed biomimetic nanoparticles (HMMDN-Met@PM) targeting M2-like TAMs for macrophage re-polarization. In detail, the core of the biomimetic nanoparticles is metformin-loaded hollow mesoporous manganese dioxide nanoparticles (HMMDN-Met). Benefited from the hollow and porous structure of HMMDN, metformin, the regulator of M1/M2 adopted in this work, can be easily and widely loaded into HMMDN. Moreover, macrophage membranes were utilized for HMMDN-Met coating (HMMDN-Met@MM) to prevent the premature drug leakage and provide specific molecular recognition/TME targeting. In addition, M2 macrophage targeting peptide (M2pep) was modified on the surface of macrophage membrane to specifically deliver the drug to M2-like TAMs to promote the polarization of M2 to M1 macrophages. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, we found that the expression of surface markers and inflammatory factors CD206, Arg-1 and IL-10 of type M2 macrophages decreased, while the surface markers of type M1 macrophages and the expression of inflammatory factors CD80, TNF-α and iNOS increased, indicating the successful re-polarization of M2 macrophages and finally realizing the inhibition of tumor growth. At the same time, under the acidic and GSH conditions of tumor, HMMDN was decomposed into Mn2+, which is a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging, thus realizing the tracking of tumor. This work practices biomimetic nanosystem in targeted imaging and immunotherapy, paving the way for strategy designing for tumor inhibition.

Integrative toxicogenomics: Advancing precision medicine and toxicology through artificial intelligence and OMICs technology

More information about a person's genetic makeup, drug response, multi-omics response, and genomic response is now available leading to a gradual shift towards personalized treatment. Additionally, the promotion of non-animal testing has fueled the computational toxicogenomics as a pivotal part of the next-gen risk assessment paradigm. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to provid new ways analyzing the patient data and making predictions about treatment outcomes or toxicity. As personalized medicine and toxicogenomics involve huge data processing, AI can expedite this process by providing powerful data processing, analysis, and interpretation algorithms. AI can process and integrate a multitude of data including genome data, patient records, clinical data and identify patterns to derive predictive models anticipating clinical outcomes and assessing the risk of any personalized medicine approaches. In this article, we have studied the current trends and future perspectives in personalized medicine & toxicology, the role of toxicogenomics in connecting the two fields, and the impact of AI on personalized medicine & toxicology. In this work, we also study the key challenges and limitations in personalized medicine, toxicogenomics, and AI in order to fully realize their potential.

Specific Binding of Novel SPION-Based System Bearing Anti-N-Cadherin Antibodies to Prostate Tumor Cells

Purpose

Epithelial–mesenchymal (EMT) transition plays an important role in metastasis and is accompanied by an upregulation of N-cadherin expression. A new nanoparticulate system (SPION/CCh/N-cad) based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, stabilized with a cationic derivative of chitosan and surface-modified with anti-N-cadherin antibody, was synthetized for the effective capture of N-cadherin expressing circulating tumor cells (CTC).

Methods

The morphology, physicochemical, and magnetic properties of the system were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescence spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used to study the interaction of our nanoparticulate system with N-cadherin expressed in prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3 and DU 145). A purpose-built cuvette was used in the cancer cell capture experiments.

Results

The obtained nanoparticles were a spherical, stable colloid, and exhibited excellent magnetic properties. Biological experiments confirmed that the novel SPION/CCh/N-cad system interacts specifically with N-cadherin present on the cell surface. Preliminary studies on the magnetic capture of PC-3 cells using the obtained nanoparticles were successful. Incubation times as short as 1 minute were sufficient for the synthesized system to effectively bind to the PC-3 cells.

Conclusion

Results obtained for our system suggest a possibility of using it to capture CTC in the flow conditions.

Recent Progresses in Conjugation with Bioactive Ligands to Improve the Anticancer Activity of Platinum Compounds

Platinum (Pt) drugs, including cisplatin, are widely used for the treatment of solid tumors. Despite the clinical success, side effects and occurrence of resistance represent major limitations to the use of clinically available Pt drugs. To overcome these problems, a variety of derivatives have been designed and synthetized. Here, we summarize the recent progress in the development of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with bioactive ligands. The development of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with targeting molecules, clinically available agents, and other bioactive molecules is an active field of research. Even if none of the reported Pt derivatives has been yet approved for clinical use, many of these compounds exhibit promising anticancer activities with an improved pharmacological profile. Thus, planning hybrid compounds can be considered as a promising approach to improve the available Pt-based anticancer agents and to obtain new molecular tools to deepen the knowledge of cancer progression and drug resistance mechanisms.

Transcending toward Advanced 3D-Cell Culture Modalities: A Review about an Emerging Paradigm in Translational Oncology

Cancer is a disorder characterized by an uncontrollable overgrowth and a fast-moving spread of cells from a localized tissue to multiple organs of the body, reaching a metastatic state. Throughout years, complexity of cancer progression and invasion, high prevalence and incidence, as well as the high rise in treatment failure cases leading to a poor patient prognosis accounted for continuous experimental investigations on animals and cellular models, mainly with 2D- and 3D-cell culture. Nowadays, these research models are considered a main asset to reflect the physiological events in many cancer types in terms of cellular characteristics and features, replication and metastatic mechanisms, metabolic pathways, biomarkers expression, and chemotherapeutic agent resistance. In practice, based on research perspective and hypothesis, scientists aim to choose the best model to approach their understanding and to prove their hypothesis. Recently, 3D-cell models are seen to be highly incorporated as a crucial tool for reflecting the true cancer cell microenvironment in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies, in addition to the intensity of anticancer drug response in pharmacogenomics trials. Hence, in this review, we shed light on the unique characteristics of 3D cells favoring its promising usage through a comparative approach with other research models, specifically 2D-cell culture. Plus, we will discuss the importance of 3D models as a direct reflector of the intrinsic cancer cell environment with the newest multiple methods and types available for 3D-cells implementation.

Hydroxyapatite/NELL-1 Nanoparticles Electrospun Fibers for Osteoinduction in Bone Tissue Engineering Application

Background

As commonly bone defect is a disease of jaw that can seriously affect implant restoration, the bioactive scaffold can be used as potential systems to provide effective repair for bone defect.

Purpose

A osteoinductive bone tissue engineering scaffold has been prepared in order to explore the effect of bioactive materials on bone tissue engineering.

Methods

In this study, NELL-1 nanoparticles (Chi/NNP) and nano hydroxyapatite were incorporated in composite scaffolds by electrospinning and characterized using TEM, SEM, contact angle, tensile tests and in vitro drug release. In vitro biological activities such as MC3T3-E1 cell attachment, proliferation and osteogenic activity were studied.

Results

With the addition of nHA and nanoparticles, the fiber diameter of PCL/BNPs group, PCL/NNPs group and PCL/nHA/NNPs group was significantly increased. Moreover, the hydrophilic hydroxyl group and amino group presented in nHA and nanoparticles had improved the hydrophilicity of the composite fibers. The composite electrospun containing Chi/NNPs can form a double protective barrier which can effectively prolong the release time of NELL-1 growth factor. In addition, the hydroxyapatite/NELL-1 nanoparticles electrospun fibers can promote attachment, proliferation, differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and good cytocompatibility, indicating better ability of inducing osteogenic differentiation.

Conclusion

A multi-functional PCL/nHA/NNPs composite fiber with long-term bioactivity and osteoinductivity was successfully prepared by electrospinning. This potential composite could be used as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering application after in vivo studies.

Smart Stimuli-Responsive and Mitochondria Targeting Delivery in Cancer Therapy

Dysfunction in the mitochondria (Mc) contributes to tumor progression. It is a major challenge to deliver therapeutic agents specifically to the Mc for precise treatment. Smart drug delivery systems are based on stimuli-responsiveness and active targeting. Here, we give a whole list of documented pathways to achieve smart stimuli-responsive (St-) and Mc-targeted DDSs (St-Mc-DDSs) by combining St and Mc targeting strategies. We present the formulations, targeting characteristics of St-Mc-DDSs and clarify their anti-cancer mechanisms as well as improvement in efficacy and safety. St-Mc-DDSs usually not only have Mc-targeting groups, molecules (lipophilic cations, peptides, and aptamers) or materials but also sense the surrounding environment and correspondingly respond to internal biostimulators such as pH, redox changes, enzyme and glucose, and/or externally applied triggers such as light, magnet, temperature and ultrasound. St-Mc-DDSs exquisitely control the action site, increase therapeutic efficacy and decrease side effects of the drug. We summarize the clinical research progress and propose suggestions for follow-up research. St-Mc-DDSs may be an innovative and sensitive precision medicine for cancer treatment.

Leveraging hallmark Alzheimer's molecular targets using phytoconstituents: Current perspective and emerging trends

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a type of dementia, severely distresses different brain regions. Characterized by various neuropathologies, it interferes with cognitive functions and neuropsychiatrical controls. This progressive deterioration has negative impacts not only on an individual's daily activity but also on social and occupational life. The pharmacological approach has always remained in the limelight for the treatment of AD. However, this approach is condemned with several side effects. Henceforth, a change in treatment approach has become crucial. Plant-based natural products are garnering special attention due to lesser side effects associated with their use. The current review emphasizes the anti-AD properties of phytoconstituents, throws light on those under clinical trials, and compiles information on their specific mode of actions against AD-related different neuropathologies. The phytoconstituents alone or in combinations will surely help discover new potent drugs for the effective treatment of AD with lesser side effects than the currently available pharmacological treatment.

Naphthoquinones and Their Derivatives: Emerging Trends in Combating Microbial Pathogens

In the current era, an ever-emerging threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens pose serious health challenges to mankind. Researchers are uninterruptedly putting their efforts to design and develop alternative, innovative strategies to tackle the antibiotic resistance displayed by varied pathogens. Among several naturally derived and chemically synthesized compounds, quinones have achieved a distinct position to defeat microbial pathogens. This review unleashes the structural diversity and promising biological activities of naphthoquinones (NQs) and their derivatives documented in the past two decades. Further, realizing their functional potentialities, researchers were encouraged to approach NQs as lead molecules. We have retrieved information that is dedicated on biological applications (antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic) of NQs. The multiple roles of NQs offer them a promising armory to combat microbial pathogens including MDR and the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) group. In bacteria, NQs may exhibit their function in the following ways (1) plasmid curing, (2) inhibiting efflux pumps (EPs), (3) generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), (4) the inhibition of topoisomerase activity. Sparse but meticulous literature suggests the mechanistic roles of NQs. We have highlighted the possible mechanisms of NQs and how the targeted drug synthesis can be achieved via molecular docking analysis. This bioinformatics-oriented approach will explicitly lead to the development of effective and most potent drugs against targeted pathogens. The mechanistic approaches of emerging molecules like NQs might prove a milestone to defeat the battle against microbial pathogens.

Rapid Quantum Dot Nanobead-mAb Probe-Based Immunochromatographic Assay for Antibody Monitoring of Trichinella spiralis Infection

Purpose

Sensitive and selective point-of-care biosensor is an urgent pursuit of serological antibody detection to control parasite pathogen. For specific, quantitative and on-site screening of Trichinella spiralis infection in livestock, a quantum dot nanobead-monoclonal antibody (QB-mAb) probe-based immunochromatographic assay (ICA) was developed by introducing a competitive sandwich strategy (QB-CICA).

Methods

In the QB-CICA, QB-mAb probes competed with serum antibody for a particular epitope, followed by immunocomplexes binding to capture antibody on the test line. With the accumulation of target antibody, captured probes served as signal elements for fluorescent readout in a "turn off" mode, along with the fluorescence gradually weakened. The sensitivity and standard calibration curve of the QB-CICA were quantified using swine sera as negative control (n = 200) and artificial infected swine sera (n = 80) compared with a commercial ELISA kit. Besides, Trichinella spiralis-antibody targeting test ability of the QB-CICA, instead of other parasites or viruses antibodies (n = 10), was evaluated.

Results

The QB-CICA exhibited a good linear range, a low detection limit of 189.92 ng mL^-1 and 100% selectivity that was higher than commercial ELISA kit (90%), as well as the same serological positive rate (100%) with commercial ELISA kit in different infection dose models.

Conclusion

Taking advantage of its simplicity, short response time (25 min), sensitivity and specificity, the proposed QB-CICA has potential applications for parasite-related antibody monitoring in food safety and clinical diagnosis fields.

Enhanced exosome-mediated delivery of black bean phytochemicals (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for cancer treatment applications

Exosomes are a subpopulation of membrane-derived cellular vesicles (30-150 nm) that play an important role in intercellular communication. Because of their natural function as nanocarriers, several applications have been developed for these nanovesicles, including drug delivery. Here we loaded saponins and flavonoids obtained from a black bean extract (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with antiproliferative activity into exosomes extracted from different cell lines to induce an enhanced response in vitro. We demonstrated that exosomes can be loaded with at least three different phytochemicals in a one-step process to deliver these compounds to recipient cells. Moreover, we found that the bioactivity of the exosomal extract is greater than those observed in other formulations of the same extract. Our results suggest that exosomes are a promising alternative for improved delivery of complex mixtures of bioactive compounds, such as plant extracts. Therefore, future applications for these nanovesicles may include the development of new products for human use with enhanced nutraceutical properties.

Targeted MRI and chemotherapy of ovarian cancer with clinic available nano-drug based nanoprobe

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and chemotherapy, as its main treatment, has side effects in clinical application due to lack of targeting selectivity to tumor tissues. Theranostic nanomaterials have shown wonderful functions for the diagnosis and therapy of disease benefitting from the controllability of nanomaterials. However, there is still little available for clinical transformation due to the uncertain biocompatibility. It is urgent to develop nanoprobes possessing bright transformation potentials. This study reports a facile biomineralization route to synthesize the theranostic nanoprobe using the clinic available nano-drug (trademark Abraxane). Further profiting from the binding ability of albumin to metal cations, we successfully prepared biocompatible nanoprobe, BSA-Gd₂O₃/PTX@Anti-HE4 mAb, for the targeted magnetic resonance imaging and chemotherapy of ovarian carcinoma. The obtained nanoprobe has the advantages of uniform particle size, good dispersibility and favorable stability. In vivo and in vitro experiment results showed that the nanoprobe can realize targeted magnetic resonance imaging and chemotherapy of ovarian carcinoma. Such a novel multifunctional nanoprobe based on clinic nano-drug might be promising for clinic transformation.