Lycopene-Loaded Microemulsion Regulates Neurogenesis in Rats with Aß-Induced Alzheimer's Disease Rats Based on the Wnt/ß-catenin Pathway.

Objective: To investigate the effects of lycopene-loaded microemulsion (LME) on the cognitive function and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and subventricular (SVZ) region of rats with amyloid ß- (Aß-) induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its mechanism based on the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Methods: Healthy Wistar rats were divided into four groups: the blank control (CON), AD control, traditional lycopene (LOO), and LME groups. The CON and AD groups were fed with normal saline, while the LOO group was fed with traditional lycopene, and the LME group was fed with lycopene-loaded microemulsion. Behavioral tests were performed after three weeks of gastric administration. Immunofluorescence-labeled cells were used to observe the differentiation and maturation of new nerve cells in the DG of the hippocampus and SVZ region. qRT-PCR and Western blotting detected the expression of neurogenesis genes and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway-related proteins, respectively. Results: On the Morris water maze test, LME rats had significantly shortened movement trajectory on the searching platform, reduced escape latency time, and increased residence time on the original platform quadrant. In addition, more LME rats crossed the platform when it was removed. Thus, LME can improve the spatial learning and memory of Aß-induced AD rats. On qRT-PCR, LME significantly increased Reelin, Nestin, and Pax6 gene expressions, which regulate neurogenesis. Immunofluorescence showed that LME could significantly increase BrdU+, Dcx+, BrdU+/Neun+, BrdU+/Dcx+ cells in the DG and SVZ regions, thus promoting neurogenesis. LME also reduced the number of Iba1+ and Iba1+/BrdU+ cells, thus reducing the neuroinflammatory response. On Western blot, LME upregulated the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by upregulating Wnt3a, ß-catenin, Disheveled (Dvl), and p-GSK3ß and downregulating p-ß-catenin and GSK3ß. Conclusion: LME attenuates cognitive impairment in Aß-induced AD rats by promoting neurogenesis in the hippocampus and SVZ region through upregulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Recent progress in antibody-based therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of severely aggressive breast cancer that lacks the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and is highly metastatic and related to a poor prognosis. Current standard treatments are still limited to systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical resection. More effective treatments are urgently needed. AREAS COVERED: The immunogenicity of TNBC has provided opportunities for the development of targeted immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on the recent development in antibody-based drug modalities, including angiogenesis inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, immunoconjugates, T cell-redirecting bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cells, and their mechanisms of action in TNBC. EXPERT OPINION: At present, the treatment of TNBC is still a major challenge that needs to be addressed. Novel immunotherapies are promising opportunities for improving the management of this aggressive disease.

Rapid magnetic solid-phase extraction based on alendronate sodium grafted mesoporous magnetic nanoparticle for the determination of trans-resveratrol in peanut oils.

In the present study, a rapid and effective method based on alendronate sodium grafted mesoporous magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4@ANDS) extraction for the determination of trans-resveratrol (TRA) in peanut oils was developed by coupling with HPLC-UV detection. The Fe3O4@ANDS was prepared via Lewis acid/base interaction which was simply carried out in mild aqueous condition without the using of organic solvent. The resultant Fe3O4@ANDS encompassed amino group on its surface, and it was employed as magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for purification and enrichment of TRA from peanut oils through hydrogen bond interaction. Under the optimized conditions, the whole pretreatment process could be accomplished within 10 min without time-consuming concentrated and reconstituted process. The linearity range of the proposed method was 1-10,000 ng/g with satisfactory correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9992. The recoveries in spiked oil samples were in the range of 78.6-118.9% with the RSDs less than 3.3% (intra-day) and 15.2% (inter-day). The limit of detection for TRA in peanut oils was 0.3 ng/g which was comparative to the reported methods by using LC-MS/MS detection. Finally, the established method was successfully applied to the analysis of TRA in several peanut oils with different brands from local market as well as other kinds of vegetable oils.