Bioresponsive immune-booster-based prodrug nanogel for cancer immunotherapy

The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy motivates a potent immune system by triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD), showing great potential in inhibiting tumor growth and improving the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM). However, the therapeutic effectiveness has been restricted by inferior drug bioavailability. Herein, we reported a universal bioresponsive doxorubicin (DOX)-based nanogel to achieve tumor-specific co-delivery of drugs. DOX-based mannose nanogels (DM NGs) was designed and choosed as an example to elucidate the mechanism of combined chemo-immunotherapy. As expected, the DM NGs exhibited prominent micellar stability, selective drug release and prolonged survival time, benefited from the enhanced tumor permeability and prolonged blood circulation. We discovered that the DOX delivered by DM NGs could induce powerful anti-tumor immune response facilitated by promoting ICD. Meanwhile, the released mannose from DM NGs was proved as a powerful and synergetic treatment for breast cancer in vitro and in vivo, via damaging the glucose metabolism in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Overall, the regulation of tumor microenvironment with DOX-based nanogel is expected to be an effectual candidate strategy to overcome the current limitations of ICD-based immunotherapy, offering a paradigm for the exploitation of immunomodulatory nanomedicines.

A comparative study on effects of static electric field and power frequency electric field on hematology in mice

With the development of the ultra high voltage transmission technology, the voltage level of transmission line rised. Accordingly, the strength of electric field in the vicinity of transmission line increased, thus possible health effects from electric field have caused many public attentions. In this study, in order to compare effects induced by static electric field (SEF) and power frequency electric field (PFEF) on immune function, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were exposed to 35 kV/m SEF (0 Hz) and PFEF (50 Hz),respectively. Several indicators of white blood cell, red blood cell as well as hemoglobin in peripheral blood were tested after exposure of 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. There was no significant difference in any indicators under SEF exposure of 35 kV/m for 7d, 14d and 21d between experimental group and control group. Under the PFEF exposure of 35 kV/m, white blood cell count significantly reduced after exposure of 7d, 14d and 21d. Meanwhile, red blood cell count significantly reduced after exposure of 7d, and returned to normal level through the compensatory response of organism after exposure of 14d and 21d. Hemoglobin concentration significantly decreased only after exposure of 21d. Based on tested results of hematological indicators, SEF exposure of 35 kV/m did not affect immune functions in mice but PFEF exposure of 35 kV/m could cause a decline of immune function. This difference of effects from SEF and PFEF on immune function was possibly caused by the difference of the degree of molecular polarization and ion migration in organism under exposure of two kinds of electric fields.

28-day inhalation toxicity of 3-methoxybutyl chloroformate in rats

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3-MBCF up to 6 ppm induced mortality in 28-day inhalation study of rats.

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The NOAEL of 3-MBCF in 28 day inhalation toxicity study, was less than 3 ppm.

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3-MBCF under 12 ppm did not induce micronucleus formation in the bone marrow of rats.

The 28-day repeated inhalation study was applied for hazard assessment of 3-methoxybutyl chloroformate (3-MBCF) in Sprague Dawley rats. Groups of five rats per sex were exposed 6 h/day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks to test substance concentration (ranging from 3 to 12 ppm) using a whole-body exposure system. At the terminal sacrifice, following blood collection and gross pathological examination, organ weights were determined and fixed organs were examined. The micronucleus test was performed using bone marrow cells. Exposure of 3-MBCF induced mortality at concentrations above 6 ppm. Decreases in body weight and food intake, hematologic alterations, organ weight changes, and gross and microscopic findings were seen even at the lowest concentrations of 3 ppm. Histopathology revealed principal test substance exposure correlated with lesions in the respiratory tract in both male and female rats above 3 ppm. Groups of male rats exposed above 6 ppm show microscopic lesions in spleens, livers, testes and epididymides; however, the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes frequency in bone marrow cells was not changed. Based on histopathology of the respiratory tract and other organs, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 3-MBCF in the present study was less than 3 ppm.