A prophylactic effect of aluminium-based adjuvants against respiratory viruses via priming local innate immunity.

Infection caused by respiratory viruses can lead to a severe respiratory disease and even death. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the disease, but it cannot be quickly applied when facing an emerging infectious disease. Here, we demonstrated that immunization with an aluminium-zinc hybrid particulate adjuvant (FH-001) alone, bearing great resemblance in morphology with commonly used aluminium-based adjuvants in vaccines, could quickly induce mice to generate a broadly protective immune response to resist the lethal challenge of influenza B viruses. Furthermore, a multi-omics-based analysis revealed that the alveolar macrophage and type I interferon pathway, rather than adaptive immunity and type II interferon pathway, were essential for the observed prophylactic effect of FH-001. More importantly, a similar protective effect was observed against influenza A virus strain A/Shanghai/02/2013(H7N9), A/California/04/2009(H1N1) and respiratory syncytial virus. Therefore, we introduced here a new and promising strategy that can be quickly applied during the outbreak of emerging respiratory viruses.

Antitumoural hydroxyapatite nanoparticles-mediated hepatoma-targeted trans-arterial embolization gene therapy: in vitro and in vivo studies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Absence of curative treatment creates urgent need for new strategies for unresectable hepatoma. Based on former discoveries of good liver cell compatibility, safety and tumour-specific inhibition of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAP), this work tries to make nHAP serve as gene vector in the hepatoma-targeted trans-arterial embolization (TAE) gene therapy to elevate and synergize the therapeutic efficacy of TAE and target gene therapy. METHOD: Following dosage and ratio optimization, polypolex formed by surface modified nHAP and p53 expressing plasmid was applied in vitro for human hepatoma HePG2 cell, and then in vivo for rabbit hepatic VX2 tumour by injection of polypolex/lipodoil emulsion to the hepatic artery in a tumour-target manner. RESULTS: In vitro, the polypolex transfected only about 5% HepG2 cells, but can elevate the inhibition of its growth and apoptosis in a much more degree while keeping safe to the normal hepatocyte line, L02. In vivo, the emulsion, with better dispersion than the polypolex and more specific tumour-target than lipiodol, mediated specific 4% p53 expression and antitumoural nanoparticle retention in the target tumour site, also significantly reduced tumour growth and prolonged the animal survival times more than the lipiodol (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In all, this new treatment based on nHAP can enhance therapeutic effect of HCC safely both in vitro and in vivo.

Hepatic and biliary damage after transarterial chemoembolization for malignant hepatic tumors: incidence, diagnosis, treatment, outcome and mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of recent studies on transarterial chemoembolization-related hepatic and biliary damage (TRHBD) in patients with malignant hepatic tumors (MHT) and to explore the reasons for TRHBD. METHODS: Literature on the treatments for MHT by TACE was sought in PubMed and the related information was summarized. RESULTS: TRHBD is found to occur in the hepatic parenchymal cells, biliary tree and blood-vascular system. The damage is mainly due to ischemia resulting from embolic materials such as gelatin sponge and lipiodol. In addition, clinicians' skill levels in non-superselective catheterization, the health condition of the patients, and the chemical agents used may also be related to the damage. Most of the deterioration can be reversed if the patients are diagnosed and treated properly and promptly. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the mechanisms of TRHBD more comprehensively is helpful in developing effective methods for prevention and treatment.