Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Amirreza Malekanfard, Zhijian Liu, Hui Zhao, Yongxin Song, Xiangchun Xuan
Summary: Insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) is a emerging technique for particle manipulation in microfluidic devices, where induced charge electroosmisis (ICEO) and electrothermal flow (ETF) exhibit different strength vortex patterns in low and high electric conductivity fluids, but become marginal in moderate-concentration buffers due to opposing effects of ICEO and ETF.
PHYSICAL REVIEW FLUIDS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wenpan Li, Yanhao Jiang, Jianqin Lu
Summary: Tumor immunotherapy, specifically tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD), has shown great potential for cancer therapy. Nanoparticles, such as liposomes, nanostructured lipid carriers, and inorganic nanoparticles, have been widely studied as vehicles for delivering ICD inducers. This review summarizes the strategies of different nanoparticles for ICD-induced cancer immunotherapy and discusses their advantages, disadvantages, and potential solutions. It aims to provide insights into the design of effective nanoparticulate systems for the therapeutic delivery of ICD inducers, ultimately promoting the development of ICD-mediated cancer immunotherapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jungho Ahn, Da-Hyun Kim, Dong-Jun Koo, Jungeun Lim, Tae-Eun Park, Jungseub Lee, Jihoon Ko, Seongchan Kim, Minjae Kim, Kyung-Sun Kang, Dal-Hee Min, Sung-Yon Kim, YongTae Kim, Noo Li Jeon
Summary: This study established a vascularized tumor spheroid (VTS) model to recapitulate the pathological features of solid tumors. The tumor-EC hybrid spheroids with self-assembled intratumoral vessels showed improved uniformity and peritumoral angiogenic capacity compared to spheroids composed only of cancer cells. The blood vessels sprouting around the hybrid spheroids on the VTS chip displayed the distinctive characteristics of leaky tumor vessels. The study validated the suppressive effects of axitinib on tumor growth and angiogenesis in the VTS model.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammad Jalili-Nik, Farzaneh Abbasinezhad-moud, Sajad Sahab-Negah, Abolfazl Maghrouni, Mohammad Etezad Razavi, Maryam Khaleghi Ghadiri, Walter Stummer, Ali Gorji
Summary: The study showed that 5-aminolevulinic acid has cytotoxic effects on GBM cells, inducing apoptosis, altering gene expressions, increasing ROS production, and reducing migration ability. Further research is needed to explore the full spectrum of its antitumor activity on GBM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu-Qiang Yu, Veronika Thonn, Jay Patankar, Oana-Maria Thoma, Maximilian Waldner, Marta Zielinska, Li-li Bao, Miguel Gonzalez-Acera, Stefan Wallmueller, Felix B. Engel, Michael Stuerzl, Markus F. Neurath, Eva Liebing, Christoph Becker
Summary: This study reveals that SMYD2 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer and plays a crucial role in tumor growth while inhibiting TNF-induced apoptosis and necroptosis.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mihaela Turtoi, Maria Anghelache, Sanda-Maria Bucatariu, Mariana Deleanu, Geanina Voicu, Florentina Safciuc, Ileana Manduteanu, Gheorghe Fundueanu, Maya Simionescu, Manuela Calin
Summary: The newly developed hyaluronic acid-based 3D model is suitable for chemotherapeutic drug testing on hepatocellular carcinoma, showing improved cellular functions and sensitivity compared to 2D cultures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Suainibhe Kelly, Maria H. Byrne, Susan J. Quinn, Jeremy C. Simpson
Summary: The pre-clinical evaluation of nanomaterials as therapeutic delivery vehicles requires careful assessment of cellular toxicity, often necessitating advanced in vitro cell models. An automated high-content screening microscopy approach allows for quantifying nanoparticle-induced toxicity in a three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroid cell model, revealing individual cell responses within the spheroid structure. Subcellular resolution using fluorescent reporters can provide detailed information on nanoparticle-induced toxicity at the cellular level.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joo-Won Kim, Dong Wha Min, Dasom Kim, Joohee Kim, Min Jung Kim, Hyangsoon Lim, Ji-Yun Lee
Summary: Ferroptosis can be induced through various mechanisms such as inhibiting antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation. This study focused on investigating the effects of ferroptosis inducers on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and found that RSL3 was more effective than erastin in inducing cell death. The sensitivity of NSCLC cells to RSL3-induced death was dependent on GPX4 expression levels and was reversed by a ferroptosis inhibitor. RSL3 induced ferroptosis by promoting lipid peroxidation and disrupting the GSH conversion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Jacopo Lidonnici, Massimo M. Santoro, Roxana E. Oberkersch
Summary: Angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis, and understanding the metabolic characteristics and interactions of tumor endothelial cells (TECs) with tumor cells is crucial. The metabolic differences between normal and tumor vasculature provide a basis for developing targeted therapies with higher specificity and fewer side effects, improving patient outcomes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Seung Mo Jin, Sang Nam Lee, Jung Eun Kim, Yeon Jeong Yoo, Chanyoung Song, Hong Sik Shin, Hathaichanok Phuengkham, Chang Hoon Lee, Soong Ho Um, Yong Taik Lim
Summary: A novel immune modulating suspension containing inducers of cell death and supra-adjuvants can effectively increase cytotoxic T lymphocytes and alleviate immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment, leading to enhanced T cell infiltration and inhibition of tumor metastasis. This approach shows promise in increasing the response rate of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, presenting a new nanotheranostic strategy in cancer immunotherapy.
Review
Immunology
Songxin Zhu, Yuming Wang, Jun Tang, Min Cao
Summary: This review investigates the impact of radiotherapy on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and the potential of remodeling TIME to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Understanding the causes of immune escape in tumor cells is crucial for the treatment of drug-resistant tumors.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengwen Huang, Songrong Wang, Senbiao Chen, Jilong Wang, Congfei Xu, Jing Liu, Zhexiong Lian, Xiaojiao Du, Jun Wang
Summary: In this study, the effects of pegylated liposomal mitoxantrone (PL-MIT) on tumor immune landscape were investigated. PL-MIT was found to enhance multiple damage-associated molecule patterns (DAMPs) signals in tumors, promote dendritic cells maturation and T cells infiltration, and induce high expression of PD-L1 on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), which negatively impacts antitumor immunity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthias Knoedler, Katharina Frank, Lucy Kerpen, Johannes Felix Buyel
Summary: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have higher therapeutic indices compared to plain monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), but are more complex and costly to synthesize. Recombinant immunotoxins (RITs) consisting of antibody derivatives, linkers, and proteinaceous toxins can be produced more easily in plants. In this study, effective RITs targeting CD64 for the treatment of myelomonocytic leukemia were produced in Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum plants and tobacco BY-2 cell-based plant cell packs (PCPs). The accumulation of RITs was optimized to a high yield using a design of experiments approach and an optimized affinity chromatography method. One RIT candidate targeting CD64 was characterized for storage stability and cytotoxicity. Bottlenecks in the plant-based expression platform were identified and critical process parameters for plant-made RITs were assessed.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yifan Zhao, Bai Lv, Guanghe Xue, Yong Sun, Jie Cao
Summary: In this study, a nanosystem (named CyI & Met-Liposome, LCM) was designed to co-encapsulate the photosensitizer CyI and mitochondrial respiration inhibitor metformin (Met) for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency. The results showed that LCM alleviated tumor hypoxia, enhanced PDT efficiency, and promoted antitumor immunity through oxygen-boosted PDT.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Liting You, Zhaodan Xin, Xiaohan Zhou, Feifei Na, Juan Zhou, Binwu Ying
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the integrated action modes of regulated cell death in lung adenocarcinoma and establishes a scoring system. The study finds that high regulated cell death scores are associated with poorer prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients and are closely correlated with molecular subtypes. Additionally, significant differences are observed in the tumor microenvironment. This study provides evidence for the importance of regulated cell death scores in personalized treatment plans.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qiang Zhang, Ho-Pan Bei, Mengna Zhao, Zhifei Dong, Xin Zhao
Summary: This article provides an overview of recent advances in the promising development of photo-crosslinkable materials for 3D printing, with a focus on their biomedical applications for repairing damaged organs and developing in vitro tissue models. By selecting appropriate ink combinations or modulating the photo-crosslinking printing parameters, the structures and properties of the printed scaffolds can be finely tailored to meet practical application requirements.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jinghan Fang, Huaqian Liu, Wei Qiao, Tianpeng Xu, Yuhe Yang, Huizhi Xie, Chun-Hei Lam, Kelvin W. K. Yeung, Xin Zhao
Summary: Hierarchical vasculature reconstruction is crucial for tissue regeneration, and a leaf-vein mimetic membrane can provide a running track for blood vessels, accelerating their formation and maturation. It also promotes differentiation of endothelial cells and upregulates angiogenesis-related gene expression, providing proper directional guidance for tissue regeneration.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianpeng Xu, Yuhe Yang, Elton Hau-Lam Yeung, Qunchao Chen, Ho-Pan Bei, Qiang Yang, Mo Yang, Yuefeng Hao, Bin Li, Xin Zhao
Summary: An injectable hydrophobic laminous adhesive that forms robust bi-layered structure has been developed, which stimulates osteochondral repair by providing biophysical-chemical cues. The adhesive overcomes the limitations faced by current approaches using premade scaffolds.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yao Ding, Bailong Tao, Ruichen Ma, Xin Zhao, Peng Liu, Kaiyong Cai
Summary: Bone injury and implantation operation often lead to microenvironment damage of bone tissue. In this study, a coating composed of MnO2 nanoenzyme and Sr ions was developed to improve the microenvironment of damaged bone tissue and promote bone rescue and reconstruction. The modified Ti implant showed significant potential in accelerating bone tissue reconstruction in vivo.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chi Ho Wong, Yan Ming Yeung, Xin Zhao, Wing Cheung Law, Chak Yin Tang, Chee Leung Mak, Chi Wah Leung, Lei Shi, Rolf Lortz
Summary: Transistors made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have better current-voltage characteristics than some high-grade silicon-based transistors. To improve the robustness of CNT-based transistors, it is desired to have a continuously tunable energy barrier across the semiconductor interfaces. However, the size of the carbyne inside CNTs cannot be easily controlled. To address this issue, a Monte Carlo model was developed to predict the optimal chain length of carbyne in different molecular environments, encapsulated by a CNT at finite temperatures. The simulation results provide valuable insights for optimizing the carbyne length and synthesizing strained carbyne@(6,5)CNT for CNT-based transistors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiuna Zhuang, Kuanming Yao, Mengge Wu, Zhuogui Lei, Fan Chen, Jiyu Li, Quanjing Mei, Yingying Zhou, Qiyao Huang, Xin Zhao, Ying Li, Xinge Yu, Zijian Zheng
Summary: Implantable bioelectronics provide opportunities for real-time and continuous monitoring of physiological signals, but their long-term compatibility is hampered by low permeability and high modulus. We present a patternable strategy for the fabrication of supersoft and permeable liquid metal microelectrodes on porous substrates. These microelectrodes have high patterning density and demonstrate chronic biocompatibility in neural mapping experiments over eight months.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qi Gan, Lina Chen, Ho-Pan Bei, Sze-Wing Ng, Han Guo, Guoqiang Liu, Hao Pan, Changsheng Liu, Xin Zhao, Zijian Zheng
Summary: A stable and soft surface modification strategy is developed in this study to covalently immobilize bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) onto poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) polymer brushes, enhancing its bioactivity and facilitating its application in tissue engineering scaffolds. The immobilized BMP-2 exhibits excellent bioactivity, preserving conformation and secondary structure after covalent immobilization and sterilization. The use of PGMA polymer brushes outperforms conventional protein covalent immobilization strategies in terms of bioactivity preservation and therapeutic efficacy.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fei Wang, Yupeng Shi, Po-Yu Ho, Engui Zhao, Chuen Kam, Qiang Zhang, Xin Zhao, Yue Pan, Sijie Chen
Summary: Photodynamic therapy is a popular method for combating bacteria. In this study, researchers have developed an aggregating-induced-emission-active bacterial inhibitor and photosensitizer called OTM, which can efficiently bind to and kill Gram-positive bacteria. OTM is also an efficient photosensitizer that enhances the production of reactive oxygen species, thereby increasing its killing effect on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, OTM exhibits excellent biocompatibility with normal mammalian cells and can promote the healing of bacteria-infected wounds in mice models without affecting their organs and blood parameters, making it a promising candidate for clinical applications.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fan Chen, Qiuna Zhuang, Yichun Ding, Chi Zhang, Xian Song, Zijian Chen, Yaokang Zhang, Quanjin Mei, Xin Zhao, Qiyao Huang, Zijian Zheng
Summary: A wet-adaptive electronic skin (WADE-skin) has been developed, which can stably adhere to wet skin and offers superb stretchability, permeability, and waterproof property. It can be used for electrocardiogram recording and human-machine interactions.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jingdong Rao, Xiaohui Mou, Yongyi Mo, Ho-Pan Bei, Li Wang, Chuyang Y. Tang, Kai-Hang Yiu, Zhilu Yang, Xin Zhao
Summary: Stenting is the primary treatment for vascular obstruction-related cardiovascular diseases, but it causes endothelial injury. The DA-Cu-Arg-Hep coating can effectively reconstruct the damaged endothelium and prevent thrombosis and restenosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiongfa Ji, Ho-Pan Bei, Guoqing Zhong, Hongwei Shao, Xuecheng He, Xin Qian, Yu Zhang, Xin Zhao
Summary: Primary cancer influences the bone microenvironment to induce dormancy and metastasis in tumor cells, leading to organ metastasis and death. In this study, a bone-on-a-chip (BOC) platform is created using 3D printing technology to mimic the pre-metastatic niches (PMNs), allowing investigation of the interactions between bone-resident cells and metastatic tumor cells under the influence of primary cancer. The platform utilizes a photocrosslinkable gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel for 3D cell culture, combined with circulating tumor culture medium (CM) to examine the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoclasts (RAW264.7s). Three niches representing dormancy, perivascular, and vicious cycle are designed to simulate bone metastasis on a single chip with high cell viability and nutrient exchange. The platform is demonstrated to be functional and practical, providing insights into PMN formation and potential drug discovery.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Shang Lyu, Zhifei Dong, Xiaoxiao Xu, Ho-Pan Bei, Ho-Yin Yuen, Chung-Wai James Cheung, Man-Sang Wong, Yong He, Xin Zhao
Summary: Microneedles have gained widespread attention as a novel drug delivery system due to their non-invasiveness, painless administration, controllable drug delivery, and versatile cargo loading capacity. In addition to transdermal drug delivery, microneedles have shown promising results in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration. This review provides an overview of microneedle systems, including potential cargos, structural designs, material selection, and drug release mechanisms. It also summarizes different fabrication methods and the recent progress of microneedle-assisted wound healing and tissue regeneration in various tissues and organs.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Liangbin Zhou, Jietao Xu, Andrea Schwab, Wenxue Tong, Jiankun Xu, Lizhen Zheng, Ye Li, Zhuo Li, Shunxiang Xu, Ziyi Chen, Li Zou, Xin Zhao, Gerjo J. V. M. van Osch, Chunyi Wen, Ling Qin
Summary: As a highly specialized connective tissue, articular cartilage has limited self-repair capacity after traumatic injuries, resulting in significant socioeconomic burden. Current clinical therapies for cartilage defects often lead to mechanically inferior fibrocartilage and have limited cost-effectiveness and durability. Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to create a proregenerative microenvironment and regenerate hyaline-like cartilage. Acellular regenerative biomaterials provide a promising solution by creating a favorable local environment for repair without the concerns of cell-based treatments. This review summarizes the current understanding of endogenous cartilage repair, discusses the challenges of using regenerative biomaterials for cartilage repair, and highlights recent advances in their design and application.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xin Peng, Yuan Li, Menghui Liu, Zhuo Li, Xuemei Wang, Kunyu Zhang, Xin Zhao, Gang Li, Liming Bian
Summary: We report a hydrogel derived from polyethyleneimine/thioctic acid/titanium dioxide (PEI/TA/TiO2) coacervate, which exhibits robust and reversible wet bioadhesion as well as effective UV light-shielding ability. The hydrogel can protect the skin from UV-induced damage in wet and underwater environments.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ho-Yin Yuen, Wai-Sze Yip, Suet To, Xin Zhao
Summary: Tissue curvature is a crucial anatomical parameter that affects cell behaviors. This study demonstrates that microcurvature substrates can significantly enhance neural polarity and differentiation, leading to various improvements in neural markers and properties. These findings provide new insights into the design of biomaterials for neural tissue engineering.
BIO-DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
(2023)
