Mammary-Derived Growth Inhibitor Targeting Peptide-Modified PEG-PLA Nanoparticles for Enhanced Targeted Glioblastoma Therapy.

Targeting delivery of chemotherapeutics to neovasculature represents a promising means for tumor therapy since angiogenesis has been a featured hallmark of glioblastma. However, anti-angiogenic therapy would induce the occurrence of metastatic tumor and even neoplasm recurrence. Simultaneous targeting of tumor cells and neovasculature perfectly overcome such defects and has been proven to be an efficacious strategy for suppressing tumor growth. In the present study, a tumor homing peptide CooP selective binding to mammary-derived growth inhibitor that overexpressed in glioma cells and blood vessel endothelial cells was decorated on the surface of paclitaxel-loading PEG-PLA nanoparticles (NP-PTX) to obtain the dual targeting nanovector CooP-NP-PTX. In vitro antiproliferation study showed that HUVEC cells and U87MG cells were much more sensitive to CooP-NP-PTX than NP-PTX. In vivo imaging demonstrated that CooP-NP accumulated more selectively and penetrated deeper into the tumor site. In addition, the glioma-bearing mice treated with CooP-NP-PTX achieved the longest survival time compared to NP-PTX and Taxol. The findings observed above indicated that CooP peptide-functionalized anti-neoplastic agent-loaded nanoparticles might possess promising potential for glioblastoma therapy.

Delving deeper into the mechanisms fundamental to HIV-associated immunopathology using single-cell sequencing techniques: A scoping review of current literature.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has evolved into an established global pandemic over the past four decades; however, despite massive research investment globally, the precise underlying mechanisms which are fundamental to HIV-related pathogenesis remain unclear. Single cell ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing methods are increasingly being used for the identification of specific cell-type transcriptional changes in HIV infection. In this scoping review, we have considered information extracted from fourteen published HIV-associated single-cell RNA sequencing-related studies, hoping to throw light on the underlying mechanisms of HIV infection and pathogenesis, and to explore potential candidate biomarkers for HIV disease progression and antiviral treatment. Generally, HIV positive individuals tend to manifest disturbances of frequency of multiple cellular types, and specifically exhibit diminished levels of CD4+ T-cells and enriched numbers of CD8+ T-cells. Cell-specific transcriptional changes tend to be linked to cell permissiveness, hyperacute or acute HIV infection, viremia, and cell productivity. The transcriptomes of CD4+ T-cell and CD8+ T-cell subpopulations are also observed to change in HIV-positive diabetic individuals, spontaneous HIV controllers, individuals with high levels of HIV viremia, and those in an acute phase of HIV infection. The transcriptional changes seen in B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) of HIV-infected individuals demonstrate that the humoral immune response, antiviral response, and immune response regulation, respectively, are all altered following HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) plays a crucial role in achieving immune reconstitution, in improving immunological disruption, and in mitigating immune system imbalances in HIV-infected individuals, while not fully restoring inherent cellular transcription to levels seen in HIV-negative individuals. The preceding observations not only illustrate compelling advances in the understanding of HIV-associated immunopathogenesis, but also identify specific cell-type transcriptional changes that may serve as potential biomarkers for HIV disease monitoring and therapeutic targeting.

Alterations of Urinary Microbial Metabolites and Immune Indexes Linked With COVID-19 Infection and Prognosis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into an established global pandemic. Metabolomic studies in COVID-19 patients is worth exploring for further available screening methods. In our study, we recruited a study cohort of 350 subjects comprising 248 COVID-19 patients (161 non-severe cases, 60 asymptomatic cases, and 27 severe cases) and 102 healthy controls (HCs), and herein present data with respect to their demographic features, urinary metabolome, immunological indices, and follow-up health status. We found that COVID-19 resulted in alterations of 39 urinary, mainly microbial, metabolites. Using random forest analysis, a simplified marker panel including three microbial metabolites (oxoglutaric acid, indoxyl, and phenylacetamide) was constructed (AUC=0.963, 95% CI, 0.930-0.983), which exhibited higher diagnostic performance than immune feature-based panels between COVID-19 and HC groups (P<0.0001). Meanwhile, we observed that urine metabolic markers enabled discriminating asymptomatic patients (ASY) from HCs (AUC = 0.981, 95% CI, 0.946-0.996), and predicting the incidence of high-risk sequalae in COVID-19 individuals (AUC=0.931, 95% CI, 0.877-0.966). Co-expression network analysis showed that 13 urinary microbial metabolites (e.g., oxoglutaric acid) were significantly correlated with alterations of CD4+, CD3+, and CD8+ T-cells, as well as IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-4 levels, suggesting close interactions between microbial metabolites and host immune dysregulation in COVID-19. Taken together, our findings indicate that urinary metabolites may have promising potential for screening of COVID-19 in different application scenarios, and provide a new entry point to understand the microbial metabolites and related immune dysfunction in COVID-19.

Glutathione S­transferase isozyme alpha 1 is predominantly involved in the cisplatin resistance of common types of solid cancer.

The roles of glutathione S­transferase pi 1 (GSTP1), glutathione S­transferase mu 2 (GSTM2) and glutathione S­transferase alpha 1 (GSTA1) in cisplatin (DDP)­resistance of solid cancer cells (A549/DDP, SKOV3/DDP and SGC7901/DDP) were compared following expression downregulation with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). DDP cytotoxicity was reflected by its half maximal inhibition concentration (IC50) calculated from data using a Cell Counting Kit­8 assay; cell apoptosis was examined using flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. Higher activities of GST were detected in the cytosol of DDP­resistant cells, compared with those in the parental DDP­susceptible cells. The silencing efficacy of each positive siRNA was supported by western blot analysis. GSTP1 silencing resulted in a 4­fold sensitization of SGC7901/DDP cells to DDP cytotoxicity, but negligible sensitization of SKOV3/DDP and A549/DDP cells. GSTM2 silencing sensitized SKOV3/DDP and A549/DDP cells to DDP cytotoxicity by ~2­fold, but did not sensitize SGC7901/DDP cells. Notably, GSTA1 silencing enhanced DDP cytotoxicity in SGC7901/DDP cells by 6­fold, in A549/DDP cells by 5­fold and in SKOV3/DDP cells by 2­fold. The combined actions of positive siRNAs and DDP increased the percentages of apoptotic cells in the DDP­resistant solid cancer cells compared with the combined actions of DDP and the negative siRNAs. The present findings indicated that GSTA1 is a predominant GST isozyme associated with DDP resistance of SGC7901/DDP, A549/DDP and SKOV3/DDP cells; GSTA1­specific inhibitors may be general sensitizers of SGC7901/DDP, A549/DDP and SKOV3/DDP cells to DDP cytotoxicity through the promotion of cell apoptosis.

[Optimization and evaluation of an inflammatory cell model in LPS-stimulated PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells].

Objective To develop an optimal inflammatory cell model from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated phorbol ester (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 cells, and investigate its response to anti-inflammatory agent phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram. Methods THP-1 cells were differentiated by PMA and stimulated by LPS to release inflammatory factors in cell supernatants, like tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), which were detected by ELISA. The doses and durations of both PMA and LPS treatment were optimized to develop the inflammatory cell model. Rolipram was added along with LPS after PMA differentiation to assess the response of cells to the anti-inflammatory agent. Results THP-1 cells showed no significant differences in cell morphology between PMA treatment for 24 hours and for 48 hours, but significantly high levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were released under LPS treatment. TNF-α level increased significantly after the differentiation by PMA at 100 ng/mL in comparison with that at 50 ng/mL, and it increased in a LPS dose-depended manner untill a plateau at 0.2 µg/mL LPS; the secretion level of IL-6 increased remarkably when THP-1 cells were induced by PMA at 100 ng/mL and stimulated by LPS≥1 µg/mL. The inflammatory cell model made using PMA at 100 ng/mL and LPS at 0.5 µg/mL was more sensitive to the anti-inflammatory agent rolipram, compared with that by 0.1 µg/mL LPS. Conclusion PMA at 100 ng/mL was selected for the differentiation of THP-1 cells with the enhanced responsiveness to LPS stimulation; THP-1 cells by the induction of PMA at 100 ng/mL coupled with the stimulation of LPS at no less than 0.2 µg/mL was an optimal inflammatory cell model for significant secretion of TNF-α and IL-6, which was sensitive to the action of anti-inflammatory agents.

Tumor-Homing and Penetrating Peptide-Functionalized Photosensitizer-Conjugated PEG-PLA Nanoparticles for Chemo-Photodynamic Combination Therapy of Drug-Resistant Cancer.

The combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy holds great potential in combating drug-resistant cancers. However, the major challenge that lies ahead is how to achieve high coloading capacity for both photosensitizer and chemo-drugs and how to gain efficient delivery of drugs to the drug-resistant tumors. In this study, we prepared a nanovehicle for codelivery of photosensitizer (pyropheophorbide-a, PPa) and chemo-drugs (paclitaxel, PTX) based on the synthesis of PPa-conjugated amphiphilic copolymer PPa-PLA-PEG-PLA-PPa. The obtained nanoparticles (PP NP) exhibited a satisfactory high drug-loading capacity for both drugs. To achieve effective tumor-targeting therapy, the surface of PP NP was decorated with a tumor-homing and penetrating peptide F3. In vitro cellular experiments showed that F3-functionalized PP NP (F3-PP NP) exhibited higher cellular association than PP NP and resulted in the strongest antiproliferation effect. In addition, compared with the unmodified nanoparticles, F3-PP NP exhibited a more preferential enrichment at the tumor site. Pharmacodynamics evaluation in vivo demonstrated that a longer survival time was achieved by the tumor-bearing mice treated with PP NP (+laser) than those treated with chemotherapy only or PDT only. Such antitumor efficacy of combination therapy was further improved following the F3 peptide functionalization. Collectively, these results suggested that targeted combination therapy may pave a promising way for the therapy of drug-resistant tumor.

Synergistic targeting tenascin C and neuropilin-1 for specific penetration of nanoparticles for anti-glioblastoma treatment.

The pathological and physiological barriers of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) lead to insufficient extravasation and penetration of nano-sized therapeutics. As the main driver of interstitial fluid pressure-related drug efflux, the aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) appears to be a valuable target that plays a crucial role in forming pathological barriers of GBM. Herein, a new Ft peptide was synthesized by coupling FHK and tLyp-1 sequence together via a cysteine to synergistically target glioma-associated tenascin C (extracellular matrix component) and neuropilin-1 on neovasculature and glioma cells to enable specific penetration of nanoparticles for anti-glioblastoma treatment. In vitro, Ft peptide-functionalization not only enabled the internalization of poly (ethyleneglycol)-poly (lactic acid) nanoparticulate system in 2D U87 MG cells and HUVEC cells but also facilitated its deep penetration in 3D glioma spheroids. Similarly, in vivo real-time 2D and 3D imaging clearly showed a substantial accumulation of the Ft-functionalized nanoparticles (Ft-NP) in the glioma foci of intracranial U87 glioma-bearing mice. Glioma distribution assay demonstrated a tenascin C-mediated accumulation in glioma foci and neuropilin-1-mediated transportation through glioma cells. Paclitaxel-loaded Ft-NP (Ft-NP-PTX) induced higher cytotoxic effect and apoptosis rate compared with FHK or tLyp-1-modified ones. The highest anti-glioma efficacy was also achieved following the i.v. administration of Ft-NP-PTX, with a median survival promotion of 269% than that of the saline-treated mice, while only limited life span promotion was obtained after the treatment of other formulations (31.3%, 59.4%, 134.4% and 109.3% respectively for Taxol(®), NP-PTX, tLyp-1-NP-PTX and FHK-NP-PTX). In conclusion, all these evidences together verified the improved therapeutic effect of Ft-NP-PTX for anti-glioma drug delivery via neuropilin-1- and tenascin C-mediated specific penetration of nanoparticles in to glioma parenchyma.

Actively targeting D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles as vesicles for chemo-photodynamic combination therapy of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer.

Drug resistance is the major reason for therapeutic failure during cancer treatment. Chemo-photodynamic combination therapy has potential to improve the treatment efficiency in drug-resistant cancers, but is limited by the incompatible physical properties of the photosensitizer with a chemo-drug and poor accumulation of both drugs into the inner areas of the tumor. Herein, a novel drug delivery system was designed by incorporating the photosensitizer, chlorine 6, chemically in the shell and the chemo-drug, doxorubicin, physically in the core of D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-poly(lactic acid) (TPGS-PLA) nanoparticles with a targeting ligand, tLyp-1 peptide, decorated over the surface (tLyp-1-NP). This nanoparticle with a high drug loading capacity of both the photosensitizer and chemo-drug is expected to realize chemo-photodynamic combination therapy of drug-resistant cancer and simultaneously achieve the specific deep penetration and accumulation of drugs into the inner areas of tumor. tLyp-1-NP was prepared via a nanoprecipitation method and it exhibited a uniformly spherical morphology with a size of approximately 130 nm. After appropriate irradiation, tLyp-1-NP showed high cellular uptake and strong cytotoxicity in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC cells) and doxorubicin-resistant human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7/ADR cells) in vitro. After intravenous administration, compared with the unmodified NPs, tLyp-1-NP was found to have superior tumor targeting ability and more potent reversion of doxorubicin-resistant cancer. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and the hematoxylin and eosin staining of the treated tumors further demonstrated the anti-tumor efficacy of tLyp-1-NP in the presence of a laser. These observations collectively suggest the potential of tLyp-1-NP for the actively targeting chemo-photodynamic combination therapy of drug-resistant cancer.

Multi-targeting Peptide-Functionalized Nanoparticles Recognized Vasculogenic Mimicry, Tumor Neovasculature, and Glioma Cells for Enhanced Anti-glioma Therapy.

Chemotherapy failure of glioma, the most aggressive and devastating cancer, might be ascribed to the physiologic barriers of the tumor mainly including heterogeneous tumor perfusion and vascular permeability, which result in a limited penetration of chemotherapeutics. Besides, the vasculogenic mimicry (VM) channels, which are highly resistant to anti-angiogenic therapy and serve as a complement of angiogenesis, were abound in glioma and always associated with tumor recurrence. In order to enhance the therapy effect of anti-glioma, we developed a PEG-PLA-based nanodrug delivery system (nanoparticles, NP) in this study and modified its surface with CK peptide, which was composed of a human sonic hedgehog (SHH) targeting peptide (CVNHPAFAC) and a KDR targeting peptide (K237) through a GYG linker, for facilitating efficient VM channels, tumor neovasculature, and glioma cells multi-targeting delivery of paclitaxel. In vitro cellular assay showed that CK-NP-PTX not only exhibited the strongest antiproliferation effect on U87MG cells and HUVEC cells but also resulted in the most efficient destruction of VM channels when compared with CVNHPAFAC-NP, K237-NP, and the unmodified ones. Besides, CK-NP accumulated more selectively at the glioma site as demonstrated by in vivo and ex vivo imaging. As expected, the glioma-bearing mice treated with CK-NP-PTX achieved the longest median survival time compared to those treated with CVNHPAFAC-NP-PTX and K237-NP-PTX. These findings indicated that the multi-targeting therapy mediated by CK peptide might provide a promising way for glioblastoma therapy.