MicroRNA-223 is involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis by affecting histamine-N-methyltransferase.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent skin diseases around the world. Excessive histamine plays a critical role as an inflammatory factor in the pathogenesis of AD. Deregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) were involved in atopic dermatitis by targeting various genes. MiR-223 had been reported to play a vital role in hematopoiesis. In this study, we identified upregulated miR-223 in the whole blood cells of a large group of AD patients. What's more, we found for the first time that one of the major histamine degradation enzymes, histamine-N-methyltransferase (HNMT), was increased in AD patients and AD model mice. Although there was one miR-223 binding site in the 3'- untranslated region of the HNMT gene, HNMT were not inhibited by miR-223. Taken together, it suggested that miR-223 participates in AD through upregulating HNMT indirectly to degrade the excessive histamine.

Bioinspired Nano-Prodrug with Enhanced Tumor Targeting and Increased Therapeutic Efficiency.

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery has a great potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by enhancing anticancer drug efficacy and reducing drug toxicity. Here, a bioinspired nano-prodrug (BiNp) assembled by an antineoplastic peptidic derivative (FA-KLA-Hy-DOX), a folate acid (FA)-incorporated proapoptotic peptide (KLAKLAK)(2) (KLA) to doxorubicin (DOX) via an acid-labile hydrozone bond (Hy) is constructed. The hydrophobic antineoplastic agent DOX is efficiently shielded in the core of nano-prodrug. With FA targeting moieties on the surface, the obtained BiNp shows significant tumor-targeting ability and enhances the specific uptake of cancer cells. Upon the trigger by the intracellular acidic microenvironment of endosomes, the antineoplastic agent DOX is released on-demand and promotes the apoptosis of cancer cells. Simultaneously, the liberated FA-KLA can induce the dysfunction of mitochondria and evoke mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. In vitro and in vivo results show that the nano-prodrug BiNp with integrated programmed functions exhibits remarkable inhibition of tumor and achieves a maximized therapeutic efficiency with a minimized side effect.

Dual-pH Sensitive Charge-Reversal Polypeptide Micelles for Tumor-Triggered Targeting Uptake and Nuclear Drug Delivery.

A novel dual-pH sensitive charge-reversal strategy is designed to deliver antitumor drugs targeting to tumor cells and to further promote the nuclei internalization by a stepwise response to the mildly acidic extracellular pH (≈6.5) of a tumor and endo/lysosome pH (≈5.0). Poly(L-lysine)-block-poly(L-leucine) diblock copolymer is synthesized and the lysine amino residues are amidated by 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride to form ß-carboxylic amide, making the polypeptides self-assemble into negatively charged micelles. The amide can be hydrolyzed when exposed to the mildly acidic tumor extracellular environment, which makes the micelles switch to positively charged and they are then readily internalized by tumor cells. A nuclear targeting Tat peptide is further conjugated to the polypeptide via a click reaction. The Tat is amidated by succinyl chloride to mask its positive charge and cell-penetrating function and thus to inhibit nonspecific cellular uptake. After the nanoparticles are internalized into the more acidic intracellular endo/lysosomes, the Tat succinyl amide is hydrolyzed to reactivate the Tat nuclear targeting function, promoting nanoparticle delivery into cell nuclei. This polypeptide nanocarrier facilitates tumor targeting and nuclear delivery simultaneously by simply modifying the lysine amino residues of polylysine and Tat into two different pH-sensitive ß-carboxylic amides.

A dual-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticle for tumor-triggered targeting drug delivery.

A novel pH- and redox- dual-responsive tumor-triggered targeting mesoporous silica nanoparticle (TTTMSN) is designed as a drug carrier. The peptide RGDFFFFC is anchored on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles via disulfide bonds, which are redox-responsive, as a gatekeeper as well as a tumor-targeting ligand. PEGylated technology is employed to protect the anchored peptide ligands. The peptide and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG) with benzoic-imine bond, which is pH-sensitive, are then connected via "click" chemistry to obtain TTTMSN. In vitro cell research demonstrates that the targeting property of TTTMSN is switched off in normal tissues with neutral pH condition, and switched on in tumor tissues with acidic pH condition after removing the MPEG segment by hydrolysis of benzoic-imine bond under acidic conditions. After deshielding of the MPEG segment, the drug-loaded nanoparticles are easily taken up by tumor cells due to the exposed peptide targeting ligand, and subsequently the redox signal glutathione in tumor cells induces rapid drug release intracellularly after the cleavage of disulfide bond. This novel intelligent TTTMSN drug delivery system has great potential for cancer therapy.

Theranostic GO-based nanohybrid for tumor induced imaging and potential combinational tumor therapy.

Graphene oxide (GO)-based theranostic nanohybrid is designed for tumor induced imaging and potential combinational tumor therapy. The anti-tumor drug, Doxorubicin (DOX) is chemically conjugated to the poly(ethylenimine)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEI-PEG) grafted GO via a MMP2-cleavable PLGLAG peptide linkage. The therapeutic efficacy of DOX is chemically locked and its intrinsic fluorescence is quenched by GO under normal physiological condition. Once stimulated by the MMP2 enzyme over-expressed in tumor tissues, the resulting peptide cleavage permits the unloading of DOX for tumor therapy and concurrent fluorescence recovery of DOX for in situ tumor cell imaging. Attractively, this PEI-bearing nanohybrid can mediate efficient DNA transfection and shows great potential for combinational drug/gene therapy. This tumor induced imaging and potential combinational therapy will open a window for tumor treatment by offering a unique theranostic approach through merging the diagnostic capability and pathology-responsive therapeutic function.

[Hypoxia-responsive factor PHD2 and angiogenic diseases].

Prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHDs) family is one of the most important regulatory factors in hypoxic stress. PHD2 plays a critical role in cells and tissues adaptation to the low oxygen environment. Its hydroxylation activity regulates the stability and transcriptional activity of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), which is the key factor in response to hypoxic stress. Subsequently, PHD2 acts as an important factor in oxygen homeostasis. Studies have shown that PHD2, through its regulation on HIF-1, plays an important role in the post-ischemic neovascularization. Furthermore, under hypoxic condition, PHD2 also regulates other pathways that positively regulate angiogenesis factors HIF-1 independently. Moreover, recently, several evidences have also shown that PHD2 also affects tumor growth and metastasis in a tumor microenvironment. Based on these facts, PHD2 have been considered as a potential therapeutic target both in treating ischemic diseases and tumors. Here, we review the molecular regulation mechanism of PHD2 and its physiological and pathological functions. We focus on the role of PHD2 in both therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic disease and tumor angiogenesis, and the current progress in utilizing PHD2 as a therapeutic target.

A peptide nanofibrous indicator for eye-detectable cancer cell identification.

A unique peptide nanofibrous indicator (NFI) is fabricated by mixing a borono-peptide with alizarin red S, followed by subsequent binding and self-assembly. The NFI thus obtained exhibits an intense response to sialyl Lewis X tetrasaccharide, which is overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Importantly, this NFI has the capability of specifically recognizing human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells through the eye-detectable color change resulting from strong binding-induced displacement. This novel technique for cancer cell identification through direct unaided eye judgment will open up an innovative platform for cancer cell detection.

Graphene-based anticancer nanosystem and its biosafety evaluation using a zebrafish model.

In this paper, a facile strategy to develop graphene-based delivery nanosystems for effective drug loading and sustained drug release was proposed and validated. Specifically, biocompatible naphthalene-terminated PEG (NP) and anticancer drugs (curcumin or doxorubicin (DOX)) were simultaneously integrated onto oxidized graphene (GO), leading to self-assembled, nanosized complexes. It was found that the oxidation degree of GO had a significant impact on the drug-loading efficiency and the structural stability of nanosystems. Interestingly, the nanoassemblies resulted in more effective cellular entry of DOX in comparison with free DOX or DOX-loaded PEG-polyester micelles at equivalent DOX dose, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy studies. Moreover, the nanoassemblies not only exhibited a sustained drug release pattern without an initial burst release, but also significantly improved the stability of formulations which were resistant to drug leaking even in the presence of strong surfactants such as aromatic sodium benzenesulfonate (SBen) and aliphatic sodium dodecylsulfonate (SDS). In addition, the nanoassemblies without DOX loading showed negligible in vitro cytotoxicity, whereas DOX-loaded counterparts led to considerable toxicity against HeLa cells. The DOX-mediated cytotoxicity of the graphene-based formulation was around 20 folds lower than that of free DOX, most likely due to the slow DOX release from complexes. A zebrafish model was established to assess the in vivo safety profile of curcumin-loaded nanosystems. The results showed they were able to excrete from the zebrafish body rapidly and had nearly no influence on the zebrafish upgrowth. Those encouraging results may prompt the advance of graphene-based nanotherapeutics for biomedical applications.

PEG-stabilized micellar system with positively charged polyester core for fast pH-responsive drug release.

PURPOSE: To design functional drug carriers for fast pH-responsive drug release. METHODS: Functional diblock terpolymers of monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block- copoly(6,14-dimethyl-1,3,9,11-tetraoxa-6,14-diaza-cyclohexadecane-2,10-dione-co-ε-caprolactone) [mPEG-b-poly(ADMC-co-CL)] were fabricated via biosynthetic pathway. The self-assembled nanosphere and drug-loaded micelles of the copolymers were further prepared by dialysis method. The pH-tunable morphology variation and drug release pattern were observed at different pH. RESULTS: A collection of three PEGylated terpolymers with varied compositions in poly(ADMC-co-CL) block was designed with high cell-biocompatibility. The copolymers could readily self-assemble into nanoscale micelles (~ 100 nm) in aqueous medium and exhibit high stability over 80-h incubation in different mediums including deionized water, neutral NaCl solution, and heparin sodium solution. Due to the protonation-deprotonation of tertiary amine groups in ADMC units, acid-induced structural deformation of micelles was disclosed in terms of the variation in CAC value and hydrodynamic size at different pH. Drug loading efficiency was comparable to that of reported PEG-polyester micelles with specifically designed structures purposed for drug-loading improvement. Remarkably accelerated drug release triggered by acidity was distinctly detected for ibuprofen-loaded mPEG-b-poly(ADMC-co-CL) micelle system, suggesting a fast pH-responsive characteristic. CONCLUSION: Functional PEG-stabilized micellar carriers with positively charged polyester core were successfully developed for fast pH-responsive drug release.

Aspidopterys obcordata vine inulin fructan affects urolithiasis by modifying calcium oxalate crystallization.

Aspidopterys obcordata vine is a Chinese Dai ethnic herb used to treat urolithiasis. However, the material basis and underlying mechanisms remain undefined. In this study, a 2.3 kD inulin-like A. obcordata fructan (AOFOS) was isolated by size exclusion column chromatography and characterized by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-IT-TOF-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance gel permeation chromatography (HGPC). In addition, AOFOS showed unique anti-urolithiasis activity in Drosophila kidney stone models. Mechanism study indicated that AOFOS reduced the size of calcium oxalate crystals by inhibiting the formation of large size crystals and the generation rate of calcium oxalate crystals as well as the crystal form conversion from calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) to calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD).

[Study on the DL-homocysteic acid interacting with metal ions].

The complexes of DL-homocysteic acid (DLH) with Na+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ were synthesized and elemental analyses were used to detect the compositions of these complexes. FTIR spectroscopy was employed to study these coordination structures. The results indicated that all the amino, carboxyl and sulfonate groups of DLH may have direct or indirect interactions with Na+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+. The bond strength between metal ions and oxygen of the carboxyl as well as that between metal ions and the amino group are in the order of Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+, where carboxyl with different ions may take different coordination modes in these complexes, as indicated from the difference between its asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibration.

LncRNA H19 regulates ID2 expression through competitive binding to hsa-miR-19a/b in acute myelocytic leukemia.

Acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia. Long non­coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve an important role in regulating gene expression through chromatin modification, transcription and post­transcriptional processing. LncRNA H19 was considered as an independent prognostic marker for patients with tumors. The expression of lncRNA H19 was identified to be significantly upregulated in bone marrow samples from patients with AML­M2. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the knockdown of lncRNA H19 resulted in increased expression of hsa­microRNA (miR)­19a/b and decreased expression of inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) in AML cells. The knockdown of lncRNA H19 inhibited the proliferation of AML cells in vitro, which could be partially reversed by ID2 overexpression. Furthermore, the results of the bioinformatic analysis revealed potential hsa­miR­19a/b­3p binding sites in lncRNA H19 and ID2. Altogether, the results of the present study suggest that lncRNA H19 regulates the expression of ID2 through competitive binding to hsa­miR­19a and hsa­miR­19b, which may serve a role in AML cell proliferation.

Mitochondria-Targeted Chimeric Peptide for Trinitarian Overcoming of Drug Resistance.

In this report, an amphiphilic mitochondria-targeted chimeric peptide-based drug delivery system (DDS) was designed to overcome drug resistance. In vitro studies revealed that chimeric peptide could encapsulate doxorubicin (DOX) with high efficacy and target tumor mitochondria, realizing controlled release of DOX and in situ photodynamic therapy (PDT) in mitochondria. Importantly, reactive oxygen species (ROS) during PDT significantly disrupted mitochondria, leading to a dramatic decrease of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphophate (ATP). As a result, ATP-dependent efflux of DOX was remarkably inhibited. Trinitarian therapeutic strategy was developed to ablation of drug-resistant cells, that is, (1) enhanced cellular uptake of hydrophobic DOX via encapsulation in DDS, (2) combined chemo-/photodynamic therapies, and (3) suppressed generation of intracellular ATP as well as drug efflux via in situ PDT in mitochondria. This trinitarian strategy may open a new window in the fabrication of subcellular organelle destructive DDS in overcoming drug resistance.

Acidity-Induced Destabilization of Nano-Sized Supramolecular Linear-Hyperbranched Polymersome for Controlled Release of Encapsulated Cargoes.

This study reports a linear-hyperbranched supramolecular amphiphile and its vesicular nanoassembly with acidity-sensitive susceptibility including volume extension and membrane rupture. Involvement of a host-guest interaction in the amphiphilic construction allows not only facile control of the assembly types (solid and hollow nanoparticles), but also the one-step achievement of both polymersome fabrication and drug encapsulation. The pH-dependency of assembly stability leads to the controlled release of encapsulated hydrophilic agents in an acidity-accelerated manner. By blocking the endosomal acidification progression using NH4 Cl treatment, the lysosomal acid environment is suggested to play an important role in the drug release behavior inside cells and contributes much to nuclei-tropic drug transport.

Acidity-responsive gene delivery for "superfast" nuclear translocation and transfection with high efficiency.

In principle, not only efficient but rapid transfection is required since it can maximize the bioavailability of vector-carried gene prior to the cellular excretion. However, the "rapid" goal has been paid few attentions so far in the research field of vector-aided transfection. As a pioneering attempt, the present study designed a lysosome-targeting acidity-responsive nanoassembly as gene vectors, which proved the amazing potency to mediate the "Superfast" transnuclear gene transport and gene transfection with high efficiency in vitro and in vivo. The nanoassembly was constructed on the pH-reversible covalent boronic acid-diol coupling between 1,3-diol-rich oligoethylenimine (OEI-EHDO) and phenylboronic acid modified cholesterol (Chol-PBA). The rapid and efficient nuclei-tropic delivery and transfection was demonstrated to highly rely on the lysosome-acidity induced assembly destruction followed by the easy liberation of gene payloads inside cells. The nanoassembly-mediated transfection at 8 h can afford the outcome even comparable to that achieved at 48 h by the golden standard of PEI25k, and the transfection efficiency can still remain at a high level during 48 h. In contrast, time-dependent efficiency enhancement was identified for the transfections using PEI25k and OEI-EHDO as delivery vectors. Moreover, owing to the hydroxyl-rich surface, this delivery nanosystem presented strong tolerance to the serum-induced transfection inhibition that frequently occurred for the polycationic gene vectors such as PEI25k. The in vitro and in vivo results manifested the low toxicity of this bio-decomposable nanoassembly.

Multifunctional Nanotherapeutics with All-in-One Nanoentrapment of Drug/Gene/Inorganic Nanoparticle.

It is challenging but imperative to merge together specific inorganic nanomaterials with macromolecular and small-molecule therapeutics into one nanoentity for all-in-one theranostic/remedy. We establish a versatile nanotechnology to nanoentrap magnetic nanoparticles, doxorubicin, and DNA, thus allowing the combination of magnetic targeting, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, gene transport, and bioresponsive chemotherapy. We hope this nanotechnology can prompt the development of complex inorganic/organic nanosystems for various applications.

Fabrication of dual responsive co-delivery system based on three-armed peptides for tumor therapy.

Introducing drugs into gene delivery systems to fabricate co-delivery systems for synergy therapy has become a promising strategy for tumor therapy. In this study, a dual responsive co-delivery system RHD/p53 was fabricated to enhance the antitumor efficacy with a low dose of doxorubicin (DOX). The reducible branched cationic polypeptide (RBCP), which was cross-linked via the thiol groups of two three-armed cationic peptides (CRR)2KRRC and (CHH)2KHHC, was designated as RH. Then, DOX was immobilized on RH via pH-sensitive hydrazone bonds to obtain RHD. The positively charged RHD could compress p53 plasmid to form RHD/p53 complexes. After RHD/p53 complexes accumulated in tumor sites, the ability of cell penetrating by cationic peptide (CRR)2KRRC would facilitate the cellular internalization of complexes. Then, the complexes would be trapped in endosome, and the cleavage of hydrazone bonds in the intracellular acidic endosome could lead to pH-induced release of DOX. Additionally, the ability of protonation by (CHH)2KHHC could promote the escape of complexes from endosome to cytoplasm. Due to the cleavage of disulfide bonds triggered by the high-content GSH in cytoplasm, the complexes would be degraded and released p53 for co-therapy to improve antitumor efficacy. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that dual responsive co-delivery system RHD/p53 could enhance antitumor efficacy, which provides a useful strategy for co-delivery of different therapeutic agents in tumor treatment.

Rational design of multifunctional magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticle for tumor-targeted magnetic resonance imaging and precise therapy.

In this paper, a multifunctional theranostic magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MMSN) with magnetic core was developed for magnetic-enhanced tumor-targeted MR imaging and precise therapy. The gatekeeper ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) was immobilized on the surface of mesoporous silica shell via platinum(IV) prodrug linking for reduction-triggered intracellular drug release. Then Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide ligand was further introduced onto the gatekeeper ß-CD via host-guest interaction for cancer targeting purpose. After active-targeting endocytosis by cancer cells, platinum(IV) prodrug in MMSNs would be restored to active platinum(II) drug in response to the innative reducing microenvironment in cancer cells, resulting in the detachment of ß-CD gatekeeper and thus simultaneously triggering the in situ release of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) entrapped in the MMSNs to kill cancer cells. It was found that with the aid of an external magnetic field, drug loaded MMSNs showed high contrast in MR imaging in vivo and exhibited magnetically enhanced accumulation in the cancer site, leading to significant inhibition of cancer growth with minimal side effects. This multifunctional MMSN will find great potential as a theranostic nanoplatform for cancer treatment.

A surface charge-switchable and folate modified system for co-delivery of proapoptosis peptide and p53 plasmid in cancer therapy.

To improve the tumor therapeutic efficiency and reduce undesirable side effects, ternary FK/p53/PEG-PLL(DA) complexes with a detachable surface shielding layer were designed. The FK/p53/PEG-PLL(DA) complexes were fabricated by coating the folate incorporated positively charged FK/p53 complexes with charge-switchable PEG-shield (PEG-PLL(DA)) through electrostatic interaction. At the physiological pH 7.4 in the bloodstream, PEG-PLL(DA) could extend the circulating time by shielding the positively charged FK/p53 complexes. After the accumulation of the FK/p53/PEG-PLL(DA) complexes in tumor sites, tumor-acidity-triggered charge switch led to the detachment of PEG-PLL(DA) from the FK/p53 complexes, and resulted in efficient tumor cell entry by folate-mediated uptake and electrostatic attraction. Stimulated by the high content glutathione (GSH) in cytoplasm, the cleavage of disulfide bond resulted in the liberation of proapoptosis peptide C-KLA(TPP) and the p53 gene, which exerted the combined tumor therapy by regulating both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that the ternary detachable complexes FK/p53/PEG-PLL(DA) could enhance antitumor efficacy and reduce adverse effects to normal cells. These findings indicate that the tumor-triggered decomplexation of FK/p53/PEG-PLL(DA) supplies a useful strategy for targeting delivery of different therapeutic agents in synergetic anticancer therapy.

A redox-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticle capped with amphiphilic peptides by self-assembly for cancer targeting drug delivery.

A redox-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticle (RRMSN) was developed as a drug nanocarrier by noncovalent functionalization of MSNs with amphiphilic peptides containing the RGD ligand. The alkyl chain stearic acid (C18) with a thiol terminal group was anchored on the surface of MSNs via a disulfide bond, and the amphiphilic peptide (AP) C18-DSDSDSDSRGDS was coated by self-assembly through hydrophobic interactions between the octadecyl groups of MSNs and alkyl chains of AP, which played the role of a gatekeeper collectively. In vitro drug release profiles demonstrated that the anticancer drug (DOX) could be entrapped with nearly no leakage in the absence of dithiothreitol (DTT) or glutathione (GSH). With the addition of DTT or GSH, the entrapped drug released quickly due to the cleavage of the disulfide bond. It was found that after the internalization of MSNs by cancer cells via the receptor-mediated endocytosis, the surface amphiphilic peptides and alkyl chain of RRMSN/DOX were removed to induce rapid drug release intracellularly after the cleavage of the disulfide bond, triggered by GSH secreted in cancer cells. This novel intelligent RRMSN/DOX drug delivery system using self-assembly of amphiphilic peptides around the MSNs provides a facile, but effective strategy for the design and development of smart drug delivery for cancer therapy.