The function of MSCs is also influenced by the method of their delivery, concurrently. Alginate hydrogel encapsulates MSCs to enhance cell survival and retention within the in vivo environment, thereby maximizing their efficacy. When mesenchymal stem cells, encapsulated and co-cultured in three dimensions with dendritic cells, they effectively inhibit dendritic cell maturation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Alginate hydrogel-encapsulated MSCs, when utilized in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, display a notably greater expression of CD39+CD73+ on the cells' surfaces. ATP hydrolysis by these enzymes yields adenosine, activating A2A/2B receptors on immature dendritic cells (DCs), thereby further stimulating the phenotypic conversion of DCs into tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) and influencing naive T-cell differentiation towards regulatory T cells (Tregs). Accordingly, encapsulated mesenchymal stem cells undeniably lessen the inflammatory response and prevent the development of chronic inflammatory arthritis. The mechanism of immune modulation by MSCs interacting with DCs is revealed by this finding, which also sheds light on the potential of hydrogel-supported stem cell treatments for autoimmune disorders.
With high mortality and morbidity rates, pulmonary hypertension (PH), an insidious pulmonary vasculopathy, has its underlying pathogenetic processes still largely unknown. The downregulation of fork-head box transcriptional factor O1 (FoxO1) and caspase 3 (Cas-3), coupled with hyperproliferation and resistance to apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), plays a critical role in the pulmonary vascular remodeling characteristic of pulmonary hypertension. By co-delivering a FoxO1 stimulus (paclitaxel, PTX) and Cas-3, which targets PA, pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline was alleviated. To create the co-delivery system, active protein is initially incorporated into paclitaxel-crystal nanoparticles, subsequently coated with glucuronic acid, enabling targeting of the glucose transporter-1 on PASMCs. Chronic circulation of the co-loaded system (170 nm) within the bloodstream results in its accumulation within the lungs, enabling precise targeting of pulmonary arteries (PAs). This process substantially reduces pulmonary artery remodeling, enhancing hemodynamics, and ultimately decreasing pulmonary arterial pressure and Fulton's index. Our investigation into the mechanism of action of the targeted co-delivery system reveals its effectiveness in mitigating experimental pulmonary hypertension, largely by suppressing PASMC proliferation through the inhibition of cell-cycle progression and the induction of apoptosis. The targeted, concurrent delivery approach represents a promising avenue to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension's intractable vasculopathy and potentially offer a cure.
Due to its ease of use, lower cost, high precision, and efficiency, CRISPR, a burgeoning gene-editing technology, has seen widespread use in various fields. Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented and surprising surge in the advancement of biomedical research, thanks to this robust and effective device. The imperative for gene therapy's clinical translation hinges on the development of controllable and safe, intelligent and precise CRISPR delivery systems. This review initially examined the therapeutic use of CRISPR delivery systems and the potential for gene editing in practice. The study further explored the crucial obstacles to in vivo CRISPR system delivery and the inadequacies of the CRISPR system. Intelligent nanoparticles' substantial potential in CRISPR delivery has led to this study primarily concentrating on stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. Strategies for delivering the CRISPR-Cas9 system via intelligent nanocarriers, capable of responding to a variety of endogenous and exogenous signals, were also summarized. Also analyzed were new genome editors, specifically when paired with nanotherapeutic vectors for gene therapy. Ultimately, we explored the future applications of genome editing techniques within existing nanocarriers, particularly in clinical settings.
The current approach to targeted drug delivery in cancer treatment fundamentally relies on cancer cell surface receptors. The binding affinity between protein receptors and homing ligands often proves to be relatively low, and the expression levels in cancer cells and healthy cells typically display a minor difference. Departing from conventional targeting approaches, we've designed a comprehensive cancer targeting platform by introducing artificial receptors onto cancer cell surfaces through a chemical remodeling of their surface glycans. A metabolic glycan engineering approach has been employed to effectively install a novel tetrazine (Tz) functionalized chemical receptor onto the overexpressed biomarker present on the surface of cancer cells. Mediation effect The reported bioconjugation method for drug targeting contrasts with the observed behavior of tetrazine-labeled cancer cells, which not only activate TCO-caged prodrugs locally but also release active drugs through a unique bioorthogonal Tz-TCO click-release reaction. Studies have shown that the local activation of prodrug, achieved through a novel drug targeting strategy, results in safe and effective cancer therapy.
A profound lack of understanding surrounds the mechanisms responsible for autophagic defects in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Medicament manipulation To understand the involvement of hepatic cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) in autophagy and the progression of diet-induced steatohepatitis, we conducted studies in mice. For the purpose of examining COX1 protein expression and autophagy, liver samples from human cases of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were selected for study. Wild-type littermates of Cox1hepa mice were concurrently generated and collectively fed different NASH models. Hepatic COX1 expression levels were significantly higher in NASH patients and diet-induced NASH mice, and this elevation was observed alongside impaired autophagy function. COX1's presence was essential for basal autophagy within hepatocytes, and the targeted removal of COX1 in the liver compounded steatohepatitis through the suppression of autophagy. Mechanistically, WD repeat domain, phosphoinositide interacting 2 (WIPI2) was directly interacted with COX1, which was crucial for autophagosome maturation. AAV-mediated rescue of WIPI2 in Cox1hepa mice resulted in the reversal of impaired autophagic flux and improved NASH characteristics, suggesting that COX1 deficiency-induced steatohepatitis partially depends on WIPI2-mediated autophagy. In closing, our study established a novel role of COX1 in hepatic autophagy, affording protection against NASH by associating with WIPI2. A novel therapeutic strategy for NASH could be developed by targeting the interaction between COX1 and WIPI2.
Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), although not frequent, constitute 10% to 20% of all EGFR mutations observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The uncommon EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents with poor clinical outcomes and generally unsatisfactory responses to the standard EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like afatinib and osimertinib. Thus, there is a critical requirement to devise more groundbreaking EGFR-TKIs for the treatment of rare EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Aumolertinib, a third-generation EGFR-TKI, has been authorized in China for the treatment of advanced NSCLC cases, where common EGFR mutations are present. While the potential of aumolertinib exists, its efficacy in uncommon EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients remains to be definitively proven. Employing engineered Ba/F3 cells and patient-derived cells exhibiting various rare EGFR mutations, this research investigated the in vitro anticancer effects of aumolertinib. Aumolertinib displayed a more potent effect in hindering the survival of diverse, uncommon EGFR-mutated cell lines as compared to their wild-type EGFR counterparts. Aumolertinib's in vivo impact on tumor development was considerable, demonstrating significant inhibition in two mouse allograft models (V769-D770insASV and L861Q mutations) and a patient-derived xenograft model (H773-V774insNPH mutation). Principally, aumolertinib is effective against tumors in advanced NSCLC patients displaying less common EGFR genetic mutations. The results indicate aumolertinib's potential as a valuable therapeutic agent in the treatment of uncommon EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.
Insufficient data standardization, integrity, and precision in existing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases urgently require rectification. Version 20 of the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM v20) can be accessed at the following website: http//www.tcmip.cn/ETCM2/front/#/ . Constructed as a definitive database of ancient Chinese medical knowledge, it houses 48,442 TCM formulas, 9,872 Chinese patent drugs, 2,079 medicinal materials, and 38,298 listed ingredients. We improved the methodology of target identification to aid in mechanistic studies and the development of new drugs. This was accomplished using a two-dimensional ligand similarity search module, which provides both confirmed and possible targets for each compound, along with their binding affinities. Notably, ETCM v20 showcases five TCM formulas/Chinese patent drugs/herbs/ingredients with the highest Jaccard similarity scores to the submitted drugs, providing important leads for prescriptions/herbs/ingredients with similar clinical efficacy. These findings also help to encapsulate principles of prescription usage and potentially uncover alternatives for threatened Chinese medicinal materials. Furthermore, ETCM version 20 integrates an enhanced JavaScript-based network visualization tool supporting the creation, alteration, and exploration of multi-scale biological networks. this website Potential applications of ETCM v20 include comprehensive data warehousing for identifying quality markers within traditional Chinese medicines, enabling the subsequent discovery and repurposing of TCM-derived drugs, and meticulously investigating the pharmacological mechanisms of these medicines in relation to diverse human illnesses.