NIR-II light-powered core-shell prodrug nanomotors enhance cancer therapy through synergistic oxidative stress-photothermo modulation.

Near-infrared-II (NIR-II) photothermal therapy is emerging as a cutting-edge modality for tumor ablation due to its good biosafety, high penetration ability and spatiotemporal controllability. Despite efforts, establishing a link between cellular metabolic regulation and photothermal performance is still promising in synergistic cancer therapy. Herein, we developed a core-shell semiconducting polymer@metal-phenolic network (SP@GFP) nanomotor by assembling diphenol-terminated cisplatin prodrug ligand (cPt-DA) and iron (III) (Fe3+) through metal coordination on SP particles in the presence of GOx and DSPE-PEG-cRGD, for NIR-II-propelled self-propulsion and synergistic cancer therapy. Remotely driving the SP@GFP nanomotor with an NIR-II laser through a thermophoresis mechanism would allow for in-depth penetration and accumulation. The synergistic photothermal effect and continuous Fe2+-mediated ROS generation of SP@GFP nanomotor could activate photothermal, chemotherapeutic effects and ferroptosis pathway for cancer cells through reshaping cellular metabolic pathways (HSP and GPX4). By combining the concepts of chemotherapeutic prodrugs, catalytic ROS generation, photothermal response and cellular metabolic regulation, the NIR-II laser-controlled core-shell SP@GFP nanomotor displayed improved outcomes for enhanced cancer therapy through synergistic oxidative stress-photothermo modulation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.

Fighting bacteria with bacteria: A biocompatible living hydrogel patch for combating bacterial infections and promoting wound healing.

Bacterial infections are among the most critical global health challenges that seriously threaten the security of human. To address this issue, a biocompatible engineered living hydrogel patch was developed by co-embedding engineered photothermal bacteria (EM), photosensitizer (porphyrin) and reactive oxygen species amplifier (laccase) in a protein hydrogel. Remarkably, the genetice engineered bacteria can express melanin granules in vivo and this allows them to exhibit photothermal response upon being exposed to NIR-II laser (1064 nm) irradiation. Besides, electrostatically adhered tetramethylpyridinium porphyrin (TMPyP) on the bacterial surface and encapsulated laccase (Lac) in protein gel can generate highly toxic singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) in the presence of visible light and lignin, respectively. Interestingly, the engineered bacteria hydrogel patch (EMTL@Gel) was successfully applied in synergistic photothermal, photodynamic and chemodynamic therapy, in which it was able to efficiently treat bacterial infection in mouse wounds and enhance wound healing. This work demonstrates the concept of "fighting bacteria with bacteria" combining bacterial engineering and material engineering into an engineered living hydrogel path that can synergistically boost the therapeutic outcome. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Genetically engineered bacteria produce melanin granules in vivo, exhibiting remarkable photothermal properties. These bacteria, along with a photosensitizer (TMPyP) and a reactive oxygen species amplifier (laccase), are incorporated into a biocompatible protein hydrogel patch. Under visible light, the patch generates toxic singlet oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radical (·OH), demonstrates outstanding synergistic effects in photothermal, photodynamic, and chemodynamic therapy, effectively treating bacterial infections and promoting wound healing in mice.

[Retracted] Rotenone restrains colon cancer cell viability, motility and epithelial­mesenchymal transition and tumorigenesis in nude mice via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the immunofluorescence staining data shown in Fig. 3C, and the migration and invasion assay data shown in Figs. 4C and 4D were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other research articles written by different authors at different research institutes that had either already been published, or were submitted for publication at around the same time, one of which has been retracted. In addition, the western blotting data shown for the E­cadherin and AKT protein bands in Fig. 5 were strikingly similar, albeit the bands had been flipped vertically. Owing to the fact that contentious data in the above article had already been submitted for publication elsewhere prior to its submission to International Journal of Molecular Medicine, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 44: 700­708, 2020; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4637].