Cetuximab-decorated and NIR-activated Nanoparticles Based on Platinum(IV)-prodrug: Preparation, Characterization and In-vitro Anticancer Activity in Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells.

Platinum-based drugs are the mainstay of chemotherapy regimens in a clinic, but their use is seriously limited by severe side effects and drug resistance. A cetuximab-decorated drug delivery system can selectively deliver drugs into EGFR-highexpressing cancer cells to prevent the shortcomings of platinum-based chemotherapy. Here, cetuximab-decorated and near-infrared (NIR)-activated nanoparticles based on Pt(IV)-prodrug (abbreviated as Cetuximab-Pt-INPs) was constructed. First, PEGylated Pt(IV)-prodrug was synthesized by a condensation reaction between c,c,t-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2(OOCCH2CH2COOH)(OH)] and MPEG-PLA. Then, Pt(IV)-prodrug and indocyanine green co-encapsulated nanoparticles (Pt-INPs) were prepared through an ultrasonic emulsification method. Finally, Cetuximab-Pt-INPs were obtained by decorating Pt-INPs with cetuximab as a targeting vector. The optimized Cetuximab-Pt-INPs exhibited a spherical core-shell shape of 138.5 ± 0.96 nm. In-vitro cellular uptake and cytotoxicity assays revealed that more Cetuximab-Pt-INPs with NIR irradiation were selectively taken up by A431 cells, thereby leading to higher cytotoxicity. These multifunctional nanoparticles may have promising potential for targeted and effective therapy against EGFR-highexpressing cells of epidermoid carcinoma.

Effects of Chinese herbal formula Biminne in regulating endocrine-immune function in mice with airway allergy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Biminne, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, in regulating the endocrine-immune function in mice with airway allergy. METHODS: Forty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, untreated group, Biminne group, and dexamethasone (Dex) group. The murine model of airway allergy was established by intraperitoneal injection sensitization and intranasal challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). On day 28, the mice were sacrificed and the sera were collected. The lung tissue of mice was removed for haematoxylin-eosin staining and the pathological changes were observed. The spleen cells of mice were isolated and the ratio of Th2/Th1 was determined by flow cytometry. The isolated spleen cells were also cultured in 24-well plates in the presence of concanavalin A and the supernatants were collected after 72-hour culture. Levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the supernatants and the corticosterone level in sera were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Biminne significantly relieved the inflammatory reaction in the lung tissue of airway allergic mice. Compared with the control group, the Th2 cells in the untreated group increased, while the IFN-gamma level decreased and the ratio of Th2/Th1 increased significantly, showing a Th2 response priority. Biminne treatment could down-regulate the Th2 cells and their cytokines IL-4 and IL-5, and up-regulate the Th1 cells and their cytokine IFN-gamma. So the ratio of Th2/Th1 decreased significantly, shifting to the control level. In addition, Biminne also inhibited the reduction of the serum corticosterone of sensitized mice. CONCLUSION: The Chinese herbal formula Biminne can reverse the functional disorder of the endocrine-immune system, which may explain its therapeutic effects on airway allergic disease.

[Research on slit lamp bio-microscope image analysis system].

Slit lamp bio-microscope image analysis system can provide objective and quantitative diagnosis evidences for ophthalmologists and make available efficient storing, management and intercourse of sufferer information and diagnosis results. In this paper, the system is discussed on its devices, software structure, analysis process and algorithm.