Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Alcinesio, Idil Cazimoglu, Gabriella Raye Kimmerly, Vanessa Restrepo Schild, Ravinash Krishna Kumar, Hagan Bayley
Summary: The authors applied modular design to construct modular synthetic tissues, assembling different functional 3D-printed building blocks for storing and releasing reagents, performing logic operations, responding to magnetic fields, and encapsulating living cells. They successfully built synthetic tissues capable of transmitting electrical signals and assembled hybrid tissues composed of both synthetic modules and modules containing living cells. By incorporating mutant protein nanopores within the building blocks, they created modular synthetic tissues with electrical outputs modulated by chemical inputs.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Priyadarshi Chakraborty, Moran Aviv, Francesca Netti, Dana Cohen-Gerassi, Lihi Adler-Abramovich
Summary: Co-assembly of two different building blocks can harness both of their attributes and produce nanostructured macro-scale objects with improved physical properties and desired functional complexity.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zaiwang Zhao, Yujuan Zhao, Runfeng Lin, Yuzhu Ma, Lipeng Wang, Liangliang Liu, Kun Lan, Jie Zhang, Hanxing Chen, Mengli Liu, Fanxing Bu, Pengfei Zhang, Liang Peng, Xingmiao Zhang, Yupu Liu, Chin-Te Hung, Angang Dong, Wei Li, Dongyuan Zhao
Summary: We report on the fabrication of three-dimensional hierarchical core-satellite SiO2@monomicelle spherical superstructures through a previously unexplored monomicelle interfacial super-assembly route. The ultrathin single layer of monomicelle subunits with hexagon-like regular discontinuous distribution on solid spherical interfaces can be achieved, and the number of monomicelles on colloidal SiO2 interfaces can be quantitatively controlled. This strategy provides a controllable way for building multiscale hierarchical regular micro- and/or macroscale materials and devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dan Hua, Lida Tang, Weiting Wang, Shengan Tang, Lin Yu, Xuexia Zhou, Qian Wang, Cuiyun Sun, Cuijuan Shi, Wenjun Luo, Zhendong Jiang, Huining Li, Shizhu Yu
Summary: A novel dual-functional nanocomplex drug delivery system, SynB3-PVGLIG-PTX, was developed based on the strategy of peptide-drug conjugates. It exhibited specific inhibition on proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cells in vitro through the cleavage of MMP-2 to release PTX.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Gabriel Perli, Celso Yassuo Okada, Charlotte Michelin, Younes El Omari, Jean-Francois Gerard, Jannick Duchet-Rumeau, Sebastien Livi
Summary: The increasing demand for recycling and reusing carbon fiber reinforced polymers in various industries prompted the design and synthesis of a tetra-epoxidized imidazolium ionic liquid (Tetra-IL) monomer. This monomer, when incorporated into conventional epoxy-amine networks, improved the physical properties and end-of-life of the resulting networks. The introduction of only 10% of IL-based comonomers significantly reduced gel time and opened up possibilities for fast-cure epoxy resins.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Daniel Lasanyi, Daniel Math, Gergely L. Tolnai
Summary: This paper presents a one-pot procedure for the synthesis of various BCP molecules, showcasing the versatility of these stable intermediates.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matthew R. Crawley, Daoyang Zhang, Amanda N. Oldacre, Christine M. Beavers, Alan E. Friedman, Timothy R. Cook
Summary: This study focused on assembling eight cofacial porphyrin prisms using MTPyP and functionalized ruthenium-based molecular clips, demonstrating significant improvement in catalytic rate constant k(s) and selectivity for the 4e(-)/4H* reduction of O-2 to H2O. The role of steric bulk of the clip in the structural dynamics of these prisms, which modulates the ORR reactivity with respect to selectivity and kinetics, was highlighted.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongwei Zhao, Edward Marschall, Maxine Treisman, Alasdair McKay, Leo Padva, Max Crusemann, David R. Nelson, David L. Steer, Ralf B. Schittenhelm, Julien Tailhades, Max J. Cryle
Summary: This study investigates the use of peptide crosslinking cytochrome P450 enzymes in generating cyclic tripeptides from simple synthons. The enzymes produced both tyrosine-histidine and tyrosine-tryptophan crosslinked tripeptides, the latter being a rare example of phenolic crosslinking to an indole moiety. The tripeptides can be easily isolated after removing the leader peptide and can include a wide range of amino acids. This research suggests that P450 enzymes have the potential to play a significant role in the synthesis of high-value cyclic tripeptides, which can be further diversified using selective chemical techniques.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jimin Guo, Yunlong Yu, Wei Zhu, Rita E. Serda, Stefan Franco, Lu Wang, Qi Lei, Jacob Ongudi Agola, Achraf Noureddine, Evelyn Ploetz, Stefan Wuttke, C. Jeffrey Brinker
Summary: Armored red blood cells are a new type of hybrid biomaterials with native red blood cells assembled within and protected by a functional exoskeleton of interconnected MOF nanoparticles. The formation of exoskeletons is rapid and based on metal-phenolic coordination and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Armored RBCs retain the original properties of RBCs and demonstrate enhanced resistance against external stressors, offering potential applications in blood nitric oxide sensing or multimodal imaging.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fabian Stuck, Martin C. Dietl, Maximilian Meissner, Finn Sebastian, Matthias Rudolph, Frank Rominger, Petra Kraemer, A. Stephen. K. Hashmi
Summary: Efficient synthetic approaches for the incorporation of nitrogen into polyaromatic compounds (PACs) in different patterns as stabilising moiety for pi-extended systems and modification tool for optoelectronic properties remain a challenge. The study developed a new versatile pathway to napthyridine-based PACs as non-symmetric and regioisomeric pendant to pyrazine-based PACs. The key steps involve a gold-catalysed synthesis of 2-aminoquinolines and in situ desulfonation, highlighting the influence of attached substituents on the electronic properties.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Erica Scarel, Ottavia Bellotto, Petr Rozhin, Slavko Kralj, Mariagrazia Tortora, Attilio V. Vargiu, Rita De Zorzi, Barbara Rossi, Silvia Marchesan
Summary: Dipeptides are versatile building blocks for supramolecular gels that can be used in various applications. This study demonstrates that by substituting the aromatic side-chain of phenylalanine with fluorine or iodine, supramolecular diversity can be achieved through self-assembly at neutral pH, resulting in hydrogels or crystals. The supramolecular behavior is characterized using a range of techniques, revealing key differences among the halogenated analogues.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Ju, Haotian Liao, Joseph J. Richardson, Junling Guo, Frank Caruso
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the use of natural building blocks in advanced therapeutics, specifically focusing on nanostructured particles. The review summarizes the key scientific and preclinical milestones of these nanoparticles in advanced therapies and compares the advantages and disadvantages of different natural building blocks. Furthermore, it discusses current challenges and future research directions in the field.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Hongwei Zheng, Solmaz Hajizadeh, Haiyue Gong, Hong Lin, Lei Ye
Summary: Composite cryogels containing boronic acid ligands were synthesized for efficient separation and isolation of bacteria. The bacterial binding is controlled through reversible boronate ester bonds, which can be regulated by pH and simple monosaccharides. The composite cryogel shows promising potential as an affinity medium for rapid separation and isolation of bacteria.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lisa Myrseth Hemmingsen, Virginia Panzacchi, Lloyd Mbugua Kangu, Barbara Giordani, Barbara Luppi, Natasa Skalko-Basnet
Summary: The focus when treating non-healing and infected wounds is often on bacterial burden, but recognition of fungal contributions in the wound microbiome highlights the need to address all participants. This study developed lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles loaded with clotrimazole to eradicate C. albicans in wounds. The nanoparticles showed compatibility with keratinocytes and preserved the antifungal activity of clotrimazole. This research suggests that these novel carriers could serve as an alternative treatment for fungal-infected wounds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian Swanson, Venkatesh Sivaraman, Gevorg Grigoryan, Amy E. Keating
Summary: Despite the challenges in de novo design of small proteins or peptides that bind to a desired target, this study presents a method that utilizes tertiary motifs (TERMs) mined from known structures to construct custom peptide structures that complement a target surface. The results demonstrate that TERM-based seeds can accurately describe known binding structures and known peptide structures can be reconstructed with high accuracy from peptide-covering seeds. This method has potential in efficiently designing novel target-complementing binders.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Martin Ullrich, Susan Richter, Josephine Liers, Stephan Drukewitz, Markus Friedemann, Joerg Kotzerke, Christian G. Ziegler, Svenja Noelting, Klaus Kopka, Jens Pietzsch
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of epigenetic drugs on SSTR2 levels and sensitivity to [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in mouse pheochromocytoma models, and found that epigenetic drugs have a therapeutic benefit, although the exact mechanism is unknown.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rosa Nickl, Sandra Hauser, Jens Pietzsch, Torsten Richter
Summary: The endothelium has a crucial role in maintaining the balance of hemodynamic, humoral, and inflammatory processes in the human body. Dysfunction of the pulmonary endothelium can lead to severe consequences for gas exchange and oxygenation, potentially resulting in multiple organ failure. This review provides a medical context for understanding the dysfunction of the pulmonary endothelium caused by various infections, ventilator-related injury, and aspiration. Emphasis is placed on the interaction between endothelial cells and alveolar macrophages, as well as the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 and related signaling pathways.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sebastian Braun, Svetlana Paskas, Markus Laube, Sven George, Bettina Hofmann, Peter Loennecke, Dieter Steinhilber, Jens Pietzsch, Sanja S. Mijatovic, Danijela Maksimovic-Ivanic, Evamarie Hey-Hawkins
Summary: In this study, carborane-containing dual COX-2/5-LO inhibitors were designed by incorporating metabolically stable, sterically demanding, and hydrophobic carboranes into existing inhibitors. Five carborane-containing derivatives showed high inhibitory activities towards COX-2 and 5-LO, with meta-carborane derivative 3 demonstrating higher anticancer activity compared to RWJ-63556. The accumulation of lipid droplets in cells indicated the blockage of COX-2 and 5-LO pathways, suggesting a promising approach for the design of potent dual COX-2/5-LO inhibitors.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yong Xu, Rebecca Rothe, Dagmar Voigt, Ahmed Sayed, Can Huang, Sandra Hauser, Pao-Wan Lee, Meiying Cui, James P. Saenz, Aldo R. Boccaccini, Kai Zheng, Jens Pietzsch, Yixin Zhang
Summary: By incorporating polyphosphate-modified hyaluronic acid and bioactive glass nano-fibril, we can create synthetic hydrogels that mimic the functions of extracellular matrix (ECM). These ECM-like hydrogels can be used for surface modification, 3D cell culture, and in vivo degradation. The system provides a versatile platform for investigating cell-biomatrix interactions.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xuan Peng, Zeljko Janicijevic, Sandy Lemm, Markus Laube, Jens Pietzsch, Michael Bachmann, Larysa Baraban
Summary: The functional interaction between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment is not well understood, leading to the development of various in vitro tumor models. Factors such as nutrient transport, space availability, and confinement affect the size, shape, and metabolism of tumoroids. A low-cost method based on fluidics is presented to generate alginate and alginate-chitosan microcapsules for growing human hepatoma (HepG2) spheroids of different dimensions and geometries. The composition and thickness of the hydrogel shell are selectively tuned to control the permeability of the microcapsules. The diffusion of benchmark molecules through the shell is systematically investigated using experiments and simulations, ensuring efficient mass transfer and filtering of biochemical species. The metabolic activity of spheroids in microcapsules is confirmed through chromatography studies. Different phenotypic 3D cell assemblies are observed inside capsules based on available space, varying in cell aggregation tightness and shape. Overall, the system with tunable shell thickness and permeability provides a promising platform for studying cancer spheroid formation and their interaction with the surrounding microenvironment.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sebastian Braun, Svetlana Paskas, Markus Laube, Sven George, Bettina Hofmann, Peter Loennecke, Dieter Steinhilber, Jens Pietzsch, Sanja Mijatovic, Danijela Maksimovic-Ivanic, Evamarie Hey-Hawkins
Summary: The presence of inflammatory mediators in the tumor microenvironment indicates cancer-related inflammatory processes, and targeting these mediators and related signal pathways may provide a rational strategy for cancer treatment. This study focuses on incorporating carboranes into dual COX-2/5-LO inhibitors, key enzymes in eicosanoid biosynthesis. The results show that carborane-based tebufelone analogs exhibit no COX inhibition but 5-LO inhibitory activity, and structural modifications enhance their anticancer activity. Thus, this strategy is promising for designing potent 5-LO inhibitors with potential application as cytostatic agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Franziska Striese, Christin Neuber, Sandy Graessel, Claudia Arndt, Martin Ullrich, Joerg Steinbach, Jens Pietzsch, Ralf Bergmann, Hans-Juergen Pietzsch, Wiebke Sihver, Marcus Frenz, Anja Feldmann, Michael P. Bachmann
Summary: Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a promising target for imaging and treatment of prostate carcinoma (PCa), but alternative targets are needed. Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is highly overexpressed in most PCa cells and correlates with tumor progression, making it a potential alternative target for theranostics. The radiolabeled antibody [Lu-177]Lu-CHX-A ''-DTPA-7F5 showed high tumor uptake and specificity in mice bearing PSCA-positive tumors, indicating its potential for imaging and radioimmunotherapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alessa Fischer, Simon Kloos, Umberto Maccio, Juliane Friemel, Hanna Remde, Martin Fassnacht, Christina Pamporaki, Graeme Eisenhofer, Henri J. L. M. Timmers, Mercedes Robledo, Stephanie M. J. Fliedner, Katharina Wang, Julian Maurer, Astrid Reul, Kathrin Zitzmann, Nicole Bechmann, Gintare Zygiene, Susan Richter, Constanze Hantel, Diana Vetter, Kuno Lehmann, Hermine Mohr, Natalia S. Pellegata, Martin Ullrich, Jens Pietzsch, Christian G. Ziegler, Stefan R. Bornstein, Matthias Kroiss, Martin Reincke, Karel Pacak, Ashley B. Grossman, Felix Beuschlein, Svenja Noelting
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between SSTR2 immunoreactivity and SDHB immunoreactivity, mutational status, and clinical behavior of PPGLs. It also evaluated SSTR-based therapies in metastatic PPGLs. The results showed that SSTR2 expression was associated with SDHB/SDHx mutations and metastatic disease. Somatostatin receptor-based therapies had a high disease control rate in metastatic PPGLs.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Haidy A. Saleh, Nicola Mitwasi, Martin Ullrich, Manja Kubeil, Magali Toussaint, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Christin Neuber, Claudia Arndt, Liliana R. Loureiro, Alexandra Kegler, Karla Elizabeth Gonzalez Soto, Birgit Belter, Claudia Roessig, Jens Pietzsch, Marcus Frenz, Michael Bachmann, Anja Feldmann
Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a difficult-to-cure tumor, and current treatment regimes have limited effectiveness. Immunotherapies, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells, show promise for targeted therapy of GBM. However, CAR T cells can have serious side effects. In this study, the authors used the switchable RevCAR system to simultaneously target EGFR and GD2, which are expressed in GBM, providing specific and controlled activation of CAR T cells for killing tumor cells. The authors also demonstrated the potential of Dual-RevCAR T cells for gated targeting of GBM.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diana Isabel Sandoval Bojorquez, Zeljko Janicijevic, Brenda Palestina Romero, Eduardo Sergio Oliveros Mata, Markus Laube, Anja Feldmann, Alexandra Kegler, Laura Drewitz, Ciaran Fowley, Jens Pietzsch, Juergen Fassbender, Torsten Tonn, Michael Bachmann, Larysa Baraban
Summary: Detection of COVID-19-associated antigens and respective antibodies is achieved using an interdigitated gold nanowire-based impedance nanobiosensor. The sensor devices demonstrate high sensitivity and a low limit of detection for the antibodies and virus antigen. Clinical plasma samples analysis shows the applicability of this platform in determining the infection or immunity status of patients.
Article
Cell Biology
Wonphorn Kandhavivorn, Hannes Glass, Thomas Herrmannsdoerfer, Tobias M. Boeckers, Marc Uhlarz, Jonas Gronemann, Richard H. W. Funk, Jens Pietzsch, Arun Pal, Andreas Hermann
Summary: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motoneuron disease characterized by loss of neuromuscular junctions, degeneration of motoneurons and muscle paralysis. Magnetic stimulation has been found to significantly improve axonal trafficking and regenerative sprouting of motoneurons in vitro, indicating the therapeutic potential of magnetic stimulations in ALS. However, further long-term in vivo studies are needed for validation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martin Ullrich, Florian Brandt, Reik Loser, Jens Pietzsch, Robert Wodtke
Summary: The development of novel ligands for G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) involves the characterization of their binding affinity, typically using radioligands in competition or saturation binding assays. GPCRs, being transmembrane proteins, require preparation of receptor samples from tissue sections, cell membranes, cell homogenates, or intact cells for binding assays. In this study, we characterized a series of Cu-64-labeled [Tyr(3)]octreotate (TATE) derivatives in vitro using saturation binding assays to investigate the binding parameters of the somatostatin receptor sub-type 2 (SST2) towards intact mouse pheochromocytoma cells and corresponding cell homogenates. We discuss the observed differences, considering the physiology of SST2 and GPCRs in general, and highlight the advantages and limitations of the methods used.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Liridona Useini, Teodora Komazec, Markus Laube, Peter Loennecke, Jonas Schaedlich, Sanja Mijatovic, Danijela Maksimovic-Ivanic, Jens Pietzsch, Evamarie Hey-Hawkins
Summary: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain, fever, and inflammation, and have reported antitumor properties. Selectivity for the COX-2 isoform of NSAIDs is of high interest to reduce off-target effects. Modified NSAIDs using carborane clusters show altered selectivity profile and isonimesulide and its carborane derivatives exhibit stronger antitumor potential compared to nimesulide and isonimesulide. Additionally, replacement of the phenyl ring with a carborane moiety shifts the COX activity from nonactive to active compounds.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Reik Loeser, Manuela Kuchar, Robert Wodtke, Christin Neuber, Birgit Belter, Klaus Kopka, Lakshmi Santhanam, Jens Pietzsch
Summary: The understanding of the contribution of the tumour microenvironment to cancer progression and metastasis, in particular the interplay between tumour cells, fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix has grown tremendously over the last years. Lysyl oxidases are increasingly recognised as key players in this context, in addition to their function as drivers of fibrotic diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Anne Krueger-Genge, Susanne Koehler, Markus Laube, Vanessa Haileka, Sandy Lemm, Karolina Majchrzak, Sarah Kammerer, Christian Schulz, Joachim Storsberg, Jens Pietzsch, Jan-Heiner Kuepper, Friedrich Jung
Summary: Cancer patients have a high risk of thrombotic events, possibly due to tumor cell detachment or the effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a commonly used drug that requires activation by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP). We hypothesize that CPA could induce thrombosis by damaging endothelial cells (EC) through metabolization or direct damage. In our study, HUVECs were treated with CPA and showed DNA damage, reduced EC layer formation, and increased release of prothrombotic substances. This suggests that CPA treatment may contribute to the risk of thrombus formation.