Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Benilde Adriano, Nycol M. Cotto, Neeraj Chauhan, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan, Murali M. Yallapu
Summary: Exosomes are unique extracellular vesicles that can carry a variety of substances and facilitate long-distance communication between cells. Milk exosomes, rich in nature and possessing favorable nanocarrier characteristics, show potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danyang Chen, Zhaokui Jin, Bin Zhao, Yingshuai Wang, Qianjun He
Summary: A new type of MBene, zirconium boride nanosheet (ZBN), was developed as a versatile nanoplatform to achieve near-infrared (NIR)-controlled intratumoral retention and drug release. Surface borate esterfication allowed efficient and stable conjugation of polyol chemotherapeutic drug and NO prodrug, leading to high-efficacy tumor-targeted drug delivery and controlled drug release.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Hardev Singh, Divya Sareen, Jiya Mary George, Vineet Bhardwaj, Saehee Rha, Suk Joong Lee, Sheetal Sharma, Amit Sharma, Jong Seung Kim
Summary: Mitochondria, as the most critical target in cell physiology, have attracted substantial attention in cancer therapy due to their structural and functional discrepancies between normal and cancerous cells. Various synthetic strategies are used to deliver cytotoxins exclusively to mitochondria, achieving significant mitochondrial accumulations by proper selection of cell types and targeting unit. This review article addresses different strategies for targeting cancerous mitochondria with small molecule-based theranostics for diagnostic and potential therapeutic purposes since 2015.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ming-Ming Chen, Hai-Li Hao, Wei Zhao, Xueli Zhao, Hong-Yuan Chen, Jing-Juan Xu
Summary: In this study, a multifunctional nanoplatform, DOX-Pt-tipped Au@ZIF-8, was successfully fabricated by integrating an anticancer drug and plasmonic bimetal heterostructures. This nanoplatform exhibited outstanding synergistic plasmon-enhanced chemo-phototherapy, providing a rational approach for PT/CT imaging-guided cancer treatment.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Guodong Ren, ZiCheng Wang, Yafei Tian, Jinyao Li, Yingyu Ma, Liang Zhou, Chengwu Zhang, Lixia Guo, Haipeng Diao, Lihong Li, Li Lu, Sufang Ma, Zhifang Wu, Lili Yan, Wen Liu
Summary: Esophageal cancer, as the sixth leading cause of cancer death globally, poses a significant threat to human life. The traditional treatments for this type of cancer face numerous challenges, including invasion, multidrug resistance, and off-target toxicity. Chemo & Photodynamic synergistic therapy has emerged as a promising approach for more effective treatment. However, its success is hindered by the lack of tumor targeting, deleterious side effects, and unfavorable microenvironment for photodynamic therapy. To overcome these obstacles, a theranostic nano-assembly drug, GCDs-Ce6/Pt-EGF, was developed. It demonstrated enhanced tumor cell killing capacity and improved biosafety, especially for EGFR bearing tumors, paving the way for the development of novel theranostic agents for potential clinical applications.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiangjun Chen, Mingyi Hou, Xinzhong Zhang, Haixin Liu, Wenting Li, Wei Hong
Summary: Nanoscale structures have been developed for various functions in cancer therapy, including diagnosis, biomedical visualization, tissue regeneration, and drug delivery. By using biocompatible chitosan oligosaccharides and gold nanorods, a drug delivery system was designed that effectively delivered drugs to tumor sites and selectively targeted cancer cells. The system also had drug release capability and magnetic resonance imaging functionality, showing promising outcomes for tumor diagnosis and treatment.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qishu Jiao, Yaxin Zheng, Qinqing Xie, Xuan Luo, Shuyao Zhou, Shicheng Pei, Tingting Zhang, Xiaoxing Wu, Keming Xu, Wenying Zhong
Summary: This study develops an enzyme-responsive nanoplatform using a lonidamine (LND)-derived self-assembling peptide for self-delivery of LND and GSH-activated photosensitizer PSD. This nanoplatform not only enhances the precision of PDT but also mitigates the risk of side effects associated with nonspecific photosensitizer accumulation, and also has a significant positive impact on patient outcomes and the overall field of cancer nanomedicine.
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Goeun Choi, Jin-Ho Choy
Summary: LDH, as a nanomaterial, can serve as a biocompatible drug delivery vehicle for cancer chemotherapy and also as diagnostic and imaging agents. This article summarizes the theranostic functions of drug-LDH hybrid nanoparticles, including their synthetic methods, physico-chemical and biological properties, and unique mechanisms for overcoming drug resistance and targeting properties based on in vitro and in vivo results.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lan Yang, Huijie Ma, Ye Liu, Rumeng Cao, Shaofeng Chen, Jiajia Wang, Ling Xiang, Jiumeng Zhang, Xuli Feng, Chenhui Wang
Summary: A nucleus-targeted enzyme prodrug nanocomposite, assembled from β-cyclodextrin-lysine (CL), catalase (CAT), Pt(iv) and chlorin e6 (Ce6), was developed for self-augmenting cascade photo-chemo therapy of tumors. It can effectively transport through the cytoplasm and accumulate in the nucleus, thereby significantly inhibiting tumor growth and lung metastasis.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wantao Tang, Lin Han, Xuehe Lu, Zhaoran Wang, Fengsong Liu, Yan Li, Shengbo Liu, Shaoli Liu, Run Tian, Jianbing Liu, Baoquan Ding
Summary: A facile strategy for constructing an sgRNA/Cas9 complex co-assembled nanoplatform for targeted gene editing and combined tumor therapy was reported. The multifunctional nanoplatform with active cell targeting group and nuclear targeting peptide efficiently internalized and targeted transported, achieving endogenous gene editing of tumor-associated gene PLK1. This multifunctional nanocarrier provides a new strategy for the development of combined tumor therapy.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Erhan Demirel, Yasemin Yuksel Durmaz
Summary: Combination therapy involving anticancer drugs and gene therapy agents has been proven effective in treating different types of cancer. In this study, a modified strategy was developed to enhance the use of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a carrier for delivering drugs and nucleotides. The newly designed copolymer allowed for the conjugation of a targeting peptide and the loading of hydrophobic drugs, resulting in a multifunctional nanoplatform with controlled drug release and high transfection efficiency. The experiments demonstrated the potential of this nanoplatform in selectively delivering different cargoes to tumor sites.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Mengqin Gu, Li Jiang, Liying Hao, Junzhuo Lu, Zhenqi Liu, Zixue Lei, Yijun Li, Chengge Hua, Wei Li, Xiyu Li
Summary: The study introduced a terbium ion-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticle for imaging-guided chemo-photothermal therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The nanoplatform showed promising antitumor effects and the ability to track drug release content.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yan Zhang, Caiyun Liu, Weimin Sun, Ziwen Yu, Meijun Su, Xiaodi Rong, Xin Wang, Kun Wang, Xiwei Li, Hanchuang Zhu, Miaohui Yu, Wenlong Sheng, Baocun Zhu
Summary: The study focuses on the development of simple and efficient theranostic agents for cancer diagnosis and therapy. A theranostic probe (HAPQ-NBD) was successfully constructed, which can specifically target tumor cells based on the high levels of biothiol. The probe releases a higher level of precipitated fluorophore HAPQ in tumor cells, achieving selective high toxicity to tumor cells.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Zhang, Ziqing Xu, Yang Li, Yongzhi Hu, Jiajia Tang, Jiaqi Xu, Yafei Luo, Feiyun Wu, Xiaolian Sun, Yuxia Tang, Shouju Wang
Summary: In this study, a theranostic nanoplatform was designed to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) in breast cancer through combination treatment. The platform effectively loaded Halofuginone (HF) and enhanced anti-cancer efficacy through photothermal therapy and anti-TGF beta effect.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ruolan Liu, Qiong Li, Siyuan Qin, Ling Qiao, Mei Yang, Shanshan Liu, Edouard C. Nice, Wei Zhang, Canhua Huang, Shaojiang Zheng, Wei Gao
Summary: A drug-repurposed nanoplatform was prepared to enhance the anti-tumor efficiency against lung cancer. The nanoplatform improved the solubility and accumulation of sertaconazole in tumor cells. Mechanistically, the nanoplatform achieved excellent anti-tumor effects through ROS-mediated apoptosis and pro-apoptotic autophagy. Furthermore, it showed strong inhibitory ability in a xenograft lung cancer model without significant side effects.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Margherita Alfonsetti, Vanessa Castelli, Michele d'Angelo
Summary: Parkinson's disease is characterized by bidirectional communication between the gut and brain, and diet can influence this communication. Restoring gut microbiota has the potential to slow PD progression and improve symptoms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandro Soloperto, Deborah Quaglio, Paola Baiocco, Isabella Romeo, Mattia Mori, Matteo Ardini, Caterina Presutti, Ida Sannino, Silvia Ghirga, Antonia Iazzetti, Rodolfo Ippoliti, Giancarlo Ruocco, Bruno Botta, Francesca Ghirga, Silvia Di Angelantonio, Alberto Boffi
Summary: Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between the number of neurofibrillary tangles of the tau protein and Alzheimer's disease progression, making the quantitative detection of tau very promising from a clinical point of view. However, the lack of highly reliable fluorescent probes for selective imaging of tau neurofibrillary tangles is a major challenge. In this study, a small-size library of fluorescent probes was designed and evaluated in silico. The synthesized probe BT1 showed excellent photophysical properties and high selectivity for imaging hyperphosphorylated tau protein filaments in vitro.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Anna Gorsky, Molly Monsour, Hung Nguyen, Vanessa Castelli, Jea-Young Lee, Cesar Borlongan
Summary: This study found that transferring healthy mitochondria from mesenchymal stem cells to ischemic neurons can be an effective treatment for stroke. Cells grown under a metabolic switching paradigm displayed higher energy production and ATP production, as well as decreased proton leak. Co-culturing ischemic neurons with these cells resulted in improved cell viability, enhanced cell metabolism, and reduced mitochondrial reactive oxidative species mRNA.
NEUROMOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Fortugno, Rosanna Monetta, Valeria Cinquina, Chiara Rigon, Francesca Boaretto, Chiara De Luca, Nicoletta Zoppi, Luana Di Leandro, Emanuela De Domenico, Arianna Di Daniele, Rodolfo Ippoliti, Francesco Angelucci, Ernesto Di Cesare, Ruggero De Paulis, Leonardo Salviati, Marina Colombi, Francesco Brancati, Marco Ritelli
Summary: Pathogenic variants in TGFBR1 are a common cause of Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) characterized by life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. In this study, two novel variants in TGFBR1 were identified in LDS patients, resulting in truncated TGFBR1 proteins. These variants escaped nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and exhibited enhanced TGF beta signaling. The findings emphasize the importance of functional studies for accurate clinical diagnosis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Margherita Alfonsetti, Michele d'Angelo, Vanessa Castelli
Summary: Aging is a complex process that increases the risk of various aging-related diseases, and research has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these diseases. Neurotrophic factors play a crucial role in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, and therapies that modulate their levels have gained interest in preventing and treating neurological diseases. This article discusses the involvement of different neurotrophic factors in common brain aging-related diseases and the latest therapeutic approaches that provide neurotrophic support.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulia Caioni, Carmine Merola, Cristiano Bertolucci, Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato, Beste Basak Savasci, Mara Massimi, Martina Colasante, Giulia Fioravanti, Nunzio Antonio Cacciola, Rodolfo Ippoliti, Michele d'Angelo, Monia Perugini, Elisabetta Benedetti
Summary: This study investigates the effects of early-life exposure to Triclocarban (TCC) on eye development and visual function in zebrafish. The results show that TCC exposure disrupts retinal architecture and impairs visual perception, suggesting potential long-term effects on zebrafish visual function.
Article
Cell Biology
Michele d'Angelo, Laura Brandolini, Mariano Catanesi, Vanessa Castelli, Cristina Giorgio, Margherita Alfonsetti, Mara Tomassetti, Mara Zippoli, Elisabetta Benedetti, Maria Candida Cesta, Sandro Colagioia, Pasquale Cocchiaro, Annamaria Cimini, Marcello Allegretti
Summary: Intestinal barrier disruption can lead to leaky gut, characterized by loss of epithelial integrity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to have harmful effects on intestinal and gastric epithelial integrity. This study compared the effects of different classes of NSAIDs in an in vitro model of leaky gut. The results showed that ketoprofen and ketoprofen lysine salt counteracted oxidative stress and morphological changes in the intestinal barrier, while ibuprofen and its salts had similar effects.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco D'Egidio, Vanessa Castelli, Annamaria Cimini, Michele d'Angelo
Summary: Huntington's Disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG triplet repeat in the HTT gene, resulting in the production of an aberrant huntingtin (Htt) protein. The accumulation of mutant protein leads to neuronal dysfunction and cell death, primarily through oxidative damage, excitotoxicity, inflammation, and mitochondrial impairment. This review aims to provide an overview of the cell's response to stress in HD, with a focus on the role of oxidative stress and its interaction with the antioxidant system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
C. Cristiano, C. Giorgio, P. Cocchiaro, S. Boccella, M. C. Cesta, V. Castelli, F. M. Liguori, M. R. Cuozzo, L. Brandolini, R. Russo, M. Allegretti
Summary: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of antitumor agents, causing progressive nerve damage. Recent research has shown that C5aR1 inhibition can prevent and reduce CIPN, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic option for treating CIPN-associated neuropathic pain and inflammation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jea-Young Lee, Vanessa Castelli, Paul R. Sanberg, Cesar V. Borlongan
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests the critical role of the gut-brain axis (GBA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology and treatment. Recent studies have shown that intravenous transplantation of human umbilical-cord-blood-derived stem/progenitor cells and plasma can reduce motor deficits and improve neuronal survival in PD models. However, contrary to expectations, intragut transplantation of stem cells worsened motor deficits and inflammation in the gut and brain of transgenic PD mice. These findings suggest that minimally invasive intravenous transplantation may be a more optimal cell delivery route for ameliorating PD symptoms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Vanessa Castelli, Michele d'Angelo, Francesca Zazzeroni, Davide Vecchiotti, Edoardo Alesse, Daria Capece, Laura Brandolini, Franca Cattani, Andrea Aramini, Marcello Allegretti, Annamaria Cimini
Summary: Hearing loss affects quality of life and communication, leading to social isolation and reduced well-being. Currently, there are no available therapies for age-related hearing loss. Studies in birds have shown that the regeneration of mechanosensory hair cells is a potential focus for hearing regeneration research. This study focuses on the administration of the neurotrophin NGF through intranasal delivery, and the results suggest that NGF can effectively counteract hearing loss.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
