Identification of prognostic biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma by combined analysis of molecular characteristics of clinical MVI subtypes and molecular subtypes.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is widely noted for its high degree of malignancy, rapid progression, and limited therapeutic options. This study was carried out on transcriptome data of 417 CCA samples from different anatomical locations. The effects of lipid metabolism related genes and immune related genes as CCA classifiers were compared. Key genes were derived from MVI subtypes and better molecular subtypes. Pathways such as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell cycle were significantly activated in MVI-positive group. CCA patients were classified into three (four) subtypes based on lipid metabolism (immune) related genes, with better prognosis observed in lipid metabolism-C1, immune-C2, and immune-C4. IPTW analysis found that the prognosis of lipid metabolism-C1 was significantly better than that of lipid metabolism-C2 + C3 before and after correction. KRT16 was finally selected as the key gene. And knockdown of KRT16 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of CCA cells.

From clinical variables to multiomics analysis: a margin morphology-based gross classification system for hepatocellular carcinoma stratification.

OBJECTIVE: Selecting interventions for patients with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenge. Despite gross classification being proposed as a potential prognostic predictor, its widespread use has been restricted due to inadequate studies with sufficient patient numbers and the lack of established mechanisms. We sought to investigate the prognostic impacts on patients with HCC of different gross subtypes and assess their corresponding molecular landscapes. DESIGN: A prospective cohort of 400 patients who underwent hepatic resection for solitary HCC was reviewed and analysed and gross classification was assessed. Multiomics analyses were performed on tumours and non-tumour tissues from 49 patients to investigate the mechanisms underlying gross classification. Inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) was used to control for confounding factors. RESULTS: Overall 3-year survival rates varied significantly among the four gross subtypes (type I: 91%, type II: 80%, type III: 74.6%, type IV: 38.8%). Type IV was found to be independently associated with poor prognosis in both the entire cohort and the IPTW cohort. The four gross subtypes exhibited three distinct transcriptional modules. Particularly, type IV tumours exhibited increased angiogenesis and immune score as well as decreased metabolic pathways, together with highest frequency of TP53 mutations. Patients with type IV HCC may benefit from adjuvant intra-arterial therapy other than the other three subtypes. Accordingly, a modified trichotomous margin morphological gross classification was established. CONCLUSION: Different gross types of HCC showed significantly different prognosis and molecular characteristics. Gross classification may aid in development of precise individualised diagnosis and treatment strategies for HCC.

Long non-coding RNA FOXP4-AS1 facilitates the biological functions of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via downregulating ZC3H12D by mediating H3K27me3 through recruitment of EZH2.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported the effect of long non-coding RNA forkhead box P4 antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA FOXP4-AS1) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we aimed to discuss the effects of FOXP4-AS1/enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)/trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3)/zinc finger CCCH-type containing 12D (ZC3H12D) axis on HCC. METHODS: The expression of FOXP4-AS1, EZH2, and ZC3H12D, and abundance of H3K27me3 in HCC tissues and cells were tested. The relationship between FOXP4-AS1 expression and prognosis of HCC patients was analyzed. The biological functions of HCC cells were detected via loss- and gain-of-function assays. The tumor weight and volume in vivo were tested. The interaction between FOXP4-AS1 and EZH2 as well as that between EZH2 and H3K27me3 was verified. RESULTS: FOXP4-AS1 and EZH2 expression and H3K27me3 abundance were enhanced while ZC3H12D expression was depressed in HCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of FOXP4-AS1 suppressed biological functions of HCC cells as well as the weight and volume of HCC transplanted tumor. Depleting ZC3H12D reversed the effect of downregulated FOXP4-AS1 on HCC cells. FOXP4-AS1 suppressed ZC3H12D expression via mediating H3K27me3 by recruitment of EZH2. CONCLUSION: The key findings of the present study demonstrate that FOXP4-AS1 suppresses ZC3H12D expression via mediating H3K27me3 by recruitment of EZH2, thus promoting the progression of HCC.

LncRNA NEAT1/microRNA-129-5p/SOCS2 axis regulates liver fibrosis in alcoholic steatohepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been reported to play an essential role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the role of NEAT1 in regulation of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) remains largely unknown. This study aims to explore the role of NEAT1 in ASH by mediating microRNA-129-5p (miR-129-5p) targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2). METHODS: NEAT1, miR-129-5p and SOCS2 expression in serum of ASH patients were assessed. In the in vitro cellular experiment, we transfected siRNAs, oligonucleotides or plasmids into ethanol-induced AML-12 mouse hepatocytes to alter NEAT1 and miR-129-5p expression, and inflammatory factors and lipid content were determined. In the in vivo animal experiment, we injected lentiviruses carrying siRNAs, oligonucleotides or plasmids onto ASH mice (ASH induced by feeding mice a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol diet) to alter NEAT1 and miR-129-5p expression through the tail vein. Serum liver function, blood lipids and inflammatory factors were detected; liver histopathology, liver cell apoptosis, and fibrosis were observed. The relationship between NEAT1 and miR-129-5p, or between miR-129-5p and SOCS2 was verified. RESULTS: MiR-129-5p was reduced while NEAT1 and SOCS2 were elevated in ASH. Inhibited NEAT1 or elevated miR-129-5p suppressed the elevated lipid metabolism and restrained inflammation reaction in ethanol-stimulated AML-12 cells. The promoted miR-129-5p and inhibited NEAT1 could improve the liver function and repress blood lipid, inflammation reaction, hepatocyte apoptosis and liver fibrosis in ethanol-induced ASH mice. Furthermore, NEAT1 could negatively regulate miR-129-5p to target SOCS2. CONCLUSION: We have found that the inhibited NEAT1 could suppress liver fibrosis in ASH mice by promoting miR-129-5p and restraining SOCS2, thereby decelerating the development of ASH.

LncRNA SNHG15 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by sponging miR-141-3p.

Small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), which promotes progression of multiple cancers. Its specific function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, is uncertain. The aims of our study were, therefore, to explore the role of SNHG15 in HCC. SNHG15 and miR-141-3p expression were assessed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in 58 paired HCC samples and adjacent matched adjacent normal tissues. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometric examination, and wound healing/invasion assays were used to respectively assess how SNHG15 influences cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and the migratory and invasive potential of HCC cells. MicroRNA (miRNAs) that targeted SNHG15 was screened by Starbase2.0 and identified by RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. SNHG15 expression was markedly increased, whereas miR-141-3p expression was substantially reduced in HCC cells and tissue samples relative to normal controls. When SNHG15 was knocked down, this resulted in a significant disruption to the proliferation, as well as the invasive and migratory ability of these HCC cells. miR-141-3p was also found to be an SNHG15 target in HCC cells. Furthermore, miR-141-3p inhibitor partially reversed the observed SNHG15 depletion-mediated reduction in HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. By repressing miR-141-3p, SNHG15 could modulate zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) and E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) expression, both of which are miR-141-3p targets. These finding suggested that SNHG15 promoted HCC progression via negative regulation of miR-141-3p, thus identifying a potential novel HCC treatment pathway.

The combination of NK and CD8+T cells with CCL20/IL15-armed oncolytic adenoviruses enhances the growth suppression of TERT-positive tumor cells.

Adoptive immunotherapy and targeted gene therapy have been extensively used to eliminate tumor cells. The combination treatment is capable of efficiently generating an effective antitumor immune response and disrupting tumor-induced tolerance. Moreover, effective antitumor immune responses are dependent on coordinate interaction among various effector cells. This study focused on whether the combination of cytotoxic effector cell-based adoptive immunotherapy and CCL20/IL15-armed oncolytic adenoviruses could induce enhanced antitumor activity. The CCL20/IL15-armed oncolytic adenovirus was constructed using homologous recombination with shuttle plasmids and full-length Ad backbones. We chose the telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERTp) to replace the E1A promoter to drive the oncolytic adenoviral E1A gene. Thus, this CRAd-CCL20-IL15 could induce apoptosis in TERTp-positive tumor cells due to viral propagation, but these viruses could not replicate efficiently in normal cells. The combination of cytotoxic effector cells and CRAd-CCL20-IL15 showed greater antitumor potential than that of cytotoxic effector cells or CRAd-CCL20-IL15 alone. Moreover, the combined treatment could induce tumor-specific cytotoxicity of CTLs in vitro. Further analysis demonstrated that this combined treatment resulted in significant tumor regression in mouse models. This study has provided preclinical evidence that combined treatment with cytotoxic effector cells and CRAd-CCL20-IL15 may offer alternative treatment options for tumor therapy.

Advances and optimization strategies in bacteriophage therapy for treating inflammatory bowel disease.

In the advancement of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) treatment, existing therapeutic methods exhibit limitations; they do not offer a complete cure for IBD and can trigger adverse side effects. Consequently, the exploration of novel therapies and multifaceted treatment strategies provides patients with a broader range of options. Within the framework of IBD, gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in disease onset through diverse mechanisms. Bacteriophages, as natural microbial regulators, demonstrate remarkable specificity by accurately identifying and eliminating specific pathogens, thus holding therapeutic promise. Although clinical trials have affirmed the safety of phage therapy, its efficacy is prone to external influences during storage and transport, which may affect its infectivity and regulatory roles within the microbiota. Improving the stability and precise dosage control of bacteriophages-ensuring robustness in storage and transport, consistent dosing, and targeted delivery to infection sites-is crucial. This review thoroughly explores the latest developments in IBD treatment and its inherent challenges, focusing on the interaction between the microbiota and bacteriophages. It highlights bacteriophages' potential as microbiome modulators in IBD treatment, offering detailed insights into research on bacteriophage encapsulation and targeted delivery mechanisms. Particular attention is paid to the functionality of various carrier systems, especially regarding their protective properties and ability for colon-specific delivery. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for using bacteriophages as microbiome modulators in IBD treatment, paving the way for enhanced regulation of the intestinal microbiota.

Identification of Th cell epitopes on clfA adhesin of Staphylococcus aureus and characterization of their role in immunity.

OBJECTIVE: The ClfA adhesin of Staphylococcus aureus is an excellent vaccine candidate antigen. CD4 + T cells play central roles during immune responses, but their functional contributions to Staphylococcus aureus in fection have yet to be evaluated. METHODS: By using the SYFPEITHI prediction algorithm, we identified and characterized four Th epitopes within the ClfA adhesin. RESULTS: Peptide C335 was I-Ed restricted Th1 type epitopes; peptides C214, C286, and C436 were I-Ad restricted Th2 type epitope. CONCLUSION: The identification of these epitopes is important to evaluate and optimize the vaccine-primed protection against Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Advances in phage display based nano immunosensors for cholera toxin.

Cholera, a persistent global public health concern, continues to cause outbreaks in approximately 30 countries and territories this year. The imperative to safeguard water sources and food from Vibrio cholerae, the causative pathogen, remains urgent. The bacterium is mainly disseminated via ingestion of contaminated water or food. Despite the plate method's gold standard status for detection, its time-consuming nature, taking several days to provide results, remains a challenge. The emergence of novel virulence serotypes raises public health concerns, potentially compromising existing detection methods. Hence, exploiting Vibrio cholerae toxin testing holds promise due to its inherent stability. Immunobiosensors, leveraging antibody specificity and sensitivity, present formidable tools for detecting diverse small molecules, encompassing drugs, hormones, toxins, and environmental pollutants. This review explores cholera toxin detection, highlighting phage display-based nano immunosensors' potential. Engineered bacteriophages exhibit exceptional cholera toxin affinity, through specific antibody fragments or mimotopes, enabling precise quantification. This innovative approach promises to reshape cholera toxin detection, offering an alternative to animal-derived methods. Harnessing engineered bacteriophages aligns with ethical detection and emphasizes sensitivity and accuracy, a pivotal stride in the evolution of detection strategies. This review primarily introduces recent advancements in phage display-based nano immunosensors for cholera toxin, encompassing technical aspects, current challenges, and future prospects.

Advancements and challenges in oncolytic virus therapy for gastrointestinal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract impose a substantial healthcare burden due to their prevalence and challenging prognosis. METHODS: We conducted a review of peer-reviewed scientific literature using reputable databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) with a focus on oncolytic virus therapy within the context of gastrointestinal tumors. Our search covered the period up to the study's completion in June 2023. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: This study includes articles from peer-reviewed scientific journals, written in English, that specifically address oncolytic virus therapy for gastrointestinal tumors, encompassing genetic engineering advances, combined therapeutic strategies, and safety and efficacy concerns. Excluded are articles not meeting these criteria or focusing on non-primary gastrointestinal metastatic tumors. RESULTS: Our review revealed the remarkable specificity of oncolytic viruses in targeting tumor cells and their potential to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. However, challenges related to safety and efficacy persist, underscoring the need for ongoing research and improvement. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the promising role of oncolytic virus therapy in enhancing gastrointestinal tumor treatments. Continued investigation and innovative combination therapies hold the key to reducing the burden of these tumors on patients and healthcare systems.

Phage-based peptides for pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment: alternative approach.

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a high mortality rate and a lack of effective therapies. The challenges associated with early detection and the highly aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer have limited treatment options, underscoring the urgent need for better disease-modifying therapies. Peptide-based biotherapeutics have become an attractive area of research due to their favorable properties such as high selectivity and affinity, chemical modifiability, good tissue permeability, and easy metabolism and excretion. Phage display, a powerful technique for identifying peptides with high affinity and specificity for their target molecules, has emerged as a key tool in the discovery of peptide-based drugs. Phage display technology involves the use of bacteriophages to express peptide libraries, which are then screened against a target of interest to identify peptides with desired properties. This approach has shown great promise in cancer diagnosis and treatment, with potential applications in targeting cancer cells and developing new therapies. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview of the basic biology of phage vectors, the principles of phage library construction, and various methods for binding affinity assessment. We then describe the applications of phage display in pancreatic cancer therapy, targeted drug delivery, and early detection. Despite its promising potential, there are still challenges to be addressed, such as optimizing the selection process and improving the pharmacokinetic properties of phage-based drugs. Nevertheless, phage display represents a promising approach for the development of novel targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer and other tumors.

Harnessing filamentous phages for enhanced stroke recovery.

Stroke poses a critical global health challenge, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Existing treatments often miss vital timeframes and encounter limitations due to adverse effects, prompting the pursuit of innovative approaches to restore compromised brain function. This review explores the potential of filamentous phages in enhancing stroke recovery. Initially antimicrobial-centric, bacteriophage therapy has evolved into a regenerative solution. We explore the diverse role of filamentous phages in post-stroke neurological restoration, emphasizing their ability to integrate peptides into phage coat proteins, thereby facilitating recovery. Experimental evidence supports their efficacy in alleviating post-stroke complications, immune modulation, and tissue regeneration. However, rigorous clinical validation is essential to address challenges like dosing and administration routes. Additionally, genetic modification enhances their potential as injectable biomaterials for complex brain tissue issues. This review emphasizes innovative strategies and the capacity of filamentous phages to contribute to enhanced stroke recovery, as opposed to serving as standalone treatment, particularly in addressing stroke-induced brain tissue damage.

Effective zone of botulinum toxin a injections in hallux claw toe syndrome: an anatomical study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical location of the motor points of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and brevis (FHB) muscles for an effective motor point block. METHODS: Twenty cadavers were used for this study. For the FHL, we identified the line between the medial and lateral epicondyle of the femur and the line joining the prominent point on the surface of the medial malleolus of the tibia and the lateral malleolus of the fibula. For the FHB, we identified the line between the middle-lowest point of the great toe and the middle-lowest point of the sole of the foot. RESULTS: The dense area of the motor points was located at 40-70% for the FHL and 50-70% for the FHB. CONCLUSION: An injection area of 50-60% on the reference line for the FHL and FHB is suggested.

Bioinformatic identification of differentially expressed genes associated with hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a significant global health problem. The development of bioinformatics may provide the opportunities to identify novel therapeutic targets. This study bioinformatically identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCC and associated them with HCC prognosis using data from published databases. The DEGs downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) website were visualized using the Venn diagram software, and then subjected to the GO and KEGG analyses, while the protein-protein interaction network was analyzed using Cytoscape software with the Search Tool for the search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes and the molecular complex detection plug-in. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log rank test were used to associate the core PPI network genes with the prognosis. There were 57 upregulated and 143 downregulated genes in HCC samples. The GO and pathway analyses revealed that these DEGs are involved in the biological processes (BPs), molecular functions (MFs), and cell components (CCs). The PPI network covered 50 upregulated and 108 downregulated genes, and the core modules of this PPI network contained 34 upregulated genes. A total of 28 of these upregulated genes were associated with a poor HCC prognosis, 27 of which were highly expressed in HCC tissues. This study identified 28 DEGs to be associated with a poor HCC prognosis. Future studies will investigate their possible applications as prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for HCC.

Hydrogel-based co-delivery of CIK cells and oncolytic adenovirus armed with IL12 and IL15 for cancer immunotherapy.

Intratumoral injection of various effector cells combined with oncolytic adenovirus expressing antitumor cytokines exert an effective antitumor immune effect by oncolysis and altering the tumor microenvironment. However, this combination therapy had certain limitations. When used in high concentrations, effector cells and oncolytic viruses can spread rapidly to surrounding non-target tissues. And because both therapies used in combination are immunogenic and exhibit shorter biological activity, multiple injections were required to attain an adequate therapeutic index. To overcome these drawbacks, we encapsulated gelatin-based hydrogel capable of co-deliver oncolytic adenovirus armed with IL12 and IL15 (CRAd-IL12-IL15) and CIK cells for enhancing and prolonging the antitumor effects of both therapies after a single intratumoral injection. The injectable and biodegradable hydrogel reduced the dispersion of high-dose oncolytic adenovirus and CIK cells from the injection site to the liver and other non-target tissues. In this study, a novel oncolytic adenoviral vector CRAd-IL12-IL15 was constructed to verify the cytokine expression and oncolytic ability, which can upregulate the expression levels of Bcl-2, Cish and Gzmb in tumor cells. The CRAd-IL12-IL15 + CIKs/gelatin treatment maintained sustained release of CRAd-IL12-IL15 and active CIK cells over a longer period of time, attenuating the antiviral immune response against adenovirus. In conclusion, the results suggested that hydrogel-mediated co-delivery of CRAd-IL12-IL15 and CIK cells might be a an approach to overcome limitations. Both treatments could be effectively retained in tumor tissue and sustained to induce potent anti-tumor immune responses with a single administration.

[Retracted] miR­363 inhibits the growth, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating E2F3.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that tumour images featured in Fig. 2E were strikingly similar to those that had already appeared in different form in another article by different authors at different research institutes. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere prior to its submission to Oncology Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Oncology Reports 38: 3677­3684, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.6018].

Probiotic-fermented black tartary buckwheat alleviates hyperlipidemia and gut microbiota dysbiosis in rats fed with a high-fat diet.

Natural plants fermented with probiotics exert beneficial effects on hyperlipidemia and gut microbiota disorders. This study aimed to investigate the hypolipidemic activity of fermented black tartary buckwheat (FBTB) in rats with hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in association with the regulation of gut microbiota. Probiotic fermentation by Bacillus sp. DU-106 obviously increased the contents of tyrosine, lysine, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, quercetin, and kaempferol in black tartary buckwheat (BTB) and significantly decreased the rutin content. FBTB treatment for 8 weeks significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in HFD-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Western blot analysis further confirmed that the protein expression levels of FXR, SREBP1, and PPARα were altered after FBTB treatment. Moreover, FBTB intervention altered the gut microbiota of HFD-fed rats by increasing the relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Faecalibaculum, and Allobaculum and decreasing the relative abundance of Romboutsia. The relative abundance of Allobaculum was positively correlated with the levels of tyrosine, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, quercetin and kaempferol and negatively correlated with that of rutin. These results suggested that FBTB could alleviate hyperlipidemia and gut microbiota dysbiosis in HFD-fed rats.

Osthole resensitizes CD133+ hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cisplatin treatment via PTEN/AKT pathway.

The population of CD133 positive cancer cells has been reported to be responsible for drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the potential molecular mechanism by which CD133+ HCC cells develop drug resistance is still unclear. In this study, we found that CD133+ HepG2 and Huh7 cells were resistant to cisplatin treatment, compared to the CD133- HepG2 and Huh7 cells. However, treatment with osthole, a natural coumarin isolated from umbelliferae plant monomers, was found to resensitize CD133+ HepG2 and Huh7 cells to cisplatin treatment. In the mechanism research, we found that treatment with osthole increased the expression of PTEN. As a result, osthole inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and Bad to decrease the amount of free Bcl-2 in CD133+ HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Finally, cisplatin-induced mitochondrial apoptosis was expanded. In conclusion, combination treatment with osthole can resensitize CD133+ HCC cells to cisplatin treatment via the PTEN/AKT pathway.

Improvement in step resolution and response time of ultrasonic motor by using a piezoelectric resonant shunting circuit as damping control.

Ultrasonic motors can be driven by burst voltage to obtain micro-stepping motion, and the corresponding step size depends on the load and cycle number of the applied ac driving voltage in one burst. The rotor of the motor achieves a step motion through a process of startup-acceleration-deceleration-stop. To obtain a large torque (or thrust force) and quick startup, a large vibration amplitude of a stator and a high growth rate are desired; thus, a large mechanical quality factor and a high electromechanical coupling factor are required. However, the stator vibration decays for a long time before it stops because of low mechanical energy loss; meanwhile, the rotor moves a big step. Hence, there is contradiction between thrust force and resolution/response time. This paper presents a new drive method to improve the step resolution and response time while keeping the torque by damping control. By simply adding a switch and a shunting damp circuit and connecting the shunting circuit to ultrasonic motors at the end of a drive burst signal, the stator vibration attenuates more rapidly and the step size is reduced. First, the damping effect of the piezoelectric system with a passive resonant shunting circuit (a resistor and an inductor connected in series) on the free stator of a bar-type rotary traveling wave ultrasonic motor has been tested. Next, a drive circuit comprising electronic switches and the shunting circuit is designed and utilized for measuring the performance of the motor. Experimental results have well proven the proposed method.

Molecular Lock Induced by Chloroplatinic Acid Doping of PEDOT:PSS for High-Performance Organic Photovoltaics.

In organic photovoltaics (OPVs), the mechanical contact between charge transport layers and photoactive layer can influence the electrical contact that facilitates carrier collection. Unfortunately, the mechanical contact at the interface is rarely discussed in the OPV context. Herein, we report a distinct molecular locking effect that occurs between the donor molecules in the photoactive layer and the hole transport layer (HTL). This is achieved by doping chloroplatinic acid into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate). The "molecular lock" at the interface leads to denser distribution and more ordered assembling of PM6 donor molecules close to the HTL. Consequently, the trap-assisted recombination in the cell is greatly suppressed, and the carrier lifetime is prolonged by more than 2 times. Together with the elevated charge carrier collection probability, a high fill factor of 77% and a power conversion efficiency of 16.5% are achieved in the PM6:Y6-based OPVs. This study provides a feasible way to boost the device performance by reinforcing the interfacial interaction between the HTL and photoactive layer.