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1.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 6553, 2024 Aug 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39095421

RESUMEN

Most triblock copolymer-based physical hydrogels form three-dimensional networks through micellar packing, and formation of polymer loops represents a topological defect that diminishes hydrogel elasticity. This effect can be mitigated by maximizing the fraction of elastically effective bridges in the hydrogel network. Herein, we report hydrogels constructed by complexing oppositely charged multiblock copolymers designed with a sequence pattern that maximizes the entropic and enthalpic penalty of micellization. These copolymers self-assemble into branched and bridge-rich network units (netmers), instead of forming sparsely interlinked micelles. We find that the storage modulus of the netmer-based hydrogel is 11.5 times higher than that of the micelle-based hydrogel. Complementary coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations reveal that in the netmer-based hydrogels, the numbers of charge-complexed nodes and mechanically reinforcing bridges increase substantially relative to micelle-based hydrogels.

2.
Sci Transl Med ; 16(759): eadi4830, 2024 Aug 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39110781

RESUMEN

Effective intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins can potentially treat a wide array of diseases. However, efficient delivery of functional proteins across the cell membrane remains challenging. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles naturally secreted by various types of cells and may serve as promising nanocarriers for therapeutic biomolecules. Here, we engineered exosomes equipped with a photoinducible cargo protein release system, termed mMaple3-mediated protein loading into and release from exosome (MAPLEX), in which cargo proteins can be loaded into the exosomes by fusing them with photocleavable protein (mMaple3)-conjugated exosomal membrane markers and subsequently released from the exosomal membrane by inducing photocleavage with blue light illumination. Using this system, we first induced transcriptional regulation by delivering octamer-binding transcription factor 4 and SRY-box transcription factor 2 to fibroblasts in vitro. Second, we induced in vivo gene recombination in Cre reporter mice by delivering Cre recombinase. Last, we achieved targeted epigenome editing in the brains of 5xFAD and 3xTg-AD mice, two models of Alzheimer's disease. Administration of MAPLEXs loaded with ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (Bace1)-targeting single guide RNA-incorporated dCas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes, coupled with the catalytic domain of DNA methyltransferase 3A, resulted in successful methylation of the targeted CpG sites within the Bace1 promoter. This approach led to a significant reduction in Bace1 expression, improved recognition memory impairment, and reduced amyloid pathology in 5xFAD and 3xTg-AD mice. These results suggest that MAPLEX is an efficient intracellular protein delivery system that can deliver diverse therapeutic proteins for multiple diseases.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Exosomas , Edición Génica , Exosomas/metabolismo , Animales , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/genética , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/terapia , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/patología , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas/genética , Edición Génica/métodos , Humanos , Ratones , Epigénesis Genética , Sistemas de Liberación de Medicamentos , Secretasas de la Proteína Precursora del Amiloide/metabolismo , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Integrasas/metabolismo
3.
Commun Chem ; 7(1): 182, 2024 Aug 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39147800

RESUMEN

Complex coacervation plays an important role in various fields. Here, the influences of the backbone chemistry and ionic functional groups of five pairs of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on complex coacervation were investigated. These pairs include synthetic polymers with aliphatic hydrocarbon backbones, peptides with amide bonds, and carbohydrates with glycosidic linkages. Despite sharing identical charged groups, specific pairs displayed distinct liquid/liquid and liquid/solid phase separations depending on the polyelectrolyte mixing ratio, buffer, and ionic strength. The coacervate phase boundary broadened in the orders: glycosidic linkages > amide backbone > aliphatic hydrocarbon backbone, and Tris-phosphate > Tris-acetate > Tris-chloride buffers. Coacervates prepared from polyelectrolytes with lower solubilities in water resisted disassembly at high salt concentrations, and their merge rate was slow. These observations suggest that the hydrophobic segments in polyelectrolytes interfere with the formation of complex coacervates; however, following coacervate formation, the hydrophobic segments render the coacervates stable and elastic.

4.
Biomol Ther (Seoul) ; 32(4): 432-441, 2024 Jul 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38835111

RESUMEN

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-ß1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-ß pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-ß1. Finally, TGF-ß1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

5.
Ann Med ; 56(1): 2356645, 2024 Dec.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38794845

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: A change from the supine to prone position causes hemodynamic alterations. We aimed to evaluate the effect of fluid preloading in the supine position, the subsequent hemodynamic changes in the prone position and postoperative outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted between March and June 2023. Adults scheduled for elective orthopaedic lumbar surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled. In total, 80 participants were randomly assigned to fluid maintenance (M) or loading (L) groups. Both groups were administered intravenous fluid at a rate of 2 ml/kg/h until surgical incision; Group L was loaded with an additional 5 ml/kg intravenous fluid for 10 min after anaesthesia induction. The primary outcome was incidence of hypotension before surgical incision. Secondary outcomes included differences in the mean blood pressure (mBP), heart rate, pleth variability index (PVi), stroke volume variation (SVV), pulse pressure variation (PPV), stroke volume index and cardiac index before surgical incision between the two groups. Additionally, postoperative complications until postoperative day 2 and postoperative hospital length of stay were investigated. RESULTS: Hypotension was prevalent in Group M before surgical incision and could be predicted by a baseline PVi >16. The mBP was significantly higher in Group L immediately after fluid loading. The PVi, SVV and PPV were lower in Group L after fluid loading, with continued differences at 2-3 time points for SVV and PPV. Other outcomes did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Fluid loading after inducing general anaesthesia could reduce the occurrence of hypotension until surgical incision in patients scheduled for surgery in the prone position. Additionally, hypotension could be predicted in patients with a baseline PVi >16. Therefore, intravenous fluid loading is strongly recommended in patients with high baseline PVi to prevent hypotension after anaesthesia induction and in the prone position. TRIAL NUMBER: KCT0008294 (date of registration: 16 March 2023).


Fluid preloading could reduce the occurrence of hypotension in the prone position. Hypotension could be predicted in patients with a baseline PVi >16. Intravenous fluid preloading is strongly recommended in patients with high baseline PVi to prevent hypotension after anaesthesia induction and in the prone position.


Asunto(s)
Anestesia General , Fluidoterapia , Hemodinámica , Hipotensión , Vértebras Lumbares , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Posición Prona , Estudios Prospectivos , Fluidoterapia/métodos , Vértebras Lumbares/cirugía , Hipotensión/etiología , Hipotensión/epidemiología , Hipotensión/prevención & control , Anciano , Anestesia General/efectos adversos , Anestesia General/métodos , Método Simple Ciego , Posicionamiento del Paciente/métodos , Posicionamiento del Paciente/efectos adversos , Adulto , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/etiología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/prevención & control , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/epidemiología , Procedimientos Ortopédicos/efectos adversos , Frecuencia Cardíaca
6.
Adv Sci (Weinh) ; 11(25): e2308662, 2024 Jul.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38666427

RESUMEN

Cancer vaccines offer a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy by inducing systemic, tumor-specific immune responses. Tumor extracellular vesicles (TEVs) are nanoparticles naturally laden with tumor antigens, making them appealing for vaccine development. However, their inherent malignant properties from the original tumor cells limit their direct therapeutic use. This study introduces a novel approach to repurpose TEVs as potent personalized cancer vaccines. The study shows that inhibition of both YAP and autophagy not only diminishes the malignancy-associated traits of TEVs but also enhances their immunogenic attributes by enriching their load of tumor antigens and adjuvants. These revamped TEVs, termed attenuated yet immunogenically potentiated TEVs (AI-TEVs), showcase potential in inhibiting tumor growth, both as a preventive measure and a possible treatment for recurrent cancers. They prompt a tumor-specific and enduring immune memory. In addition, by showing that AI-TEVs can counteract cancer growth in a personalized vaccine approach, a potential strategy is presented for developing postoperative cancer immunotherapy that's enduring and tailored to individual patients.


Asunto(s)
Vacunas contra el Cáncer , Vesículas Extracelulares , Medicina de Precisión , Vesículas Extracelulares/inmunología , Vacunas contra el Cáncer/inmunología , Vacunas contra el Cáncer/uso terapéutico , Animales , Ratones , Medicina de Precisión/métodos , Humanos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Inmunoterapia/métodos , Neoplasias/inmunología , Neoplasias/terapia , Línea Celular Tumoral , Antígenos de Neoplasias/inmunología , Femenino
7.
Heliyon ; 10(6): e28180, 2024 Mar 30.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38545145

RESUMEN

Purpose: The first tracheostomy tube replacement is a critical procedure that can cause various complications, but there are few studies on the optimal timing of tracheostomy tube replacement in adult patients. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriate timing to replace the first tracheostomy tube to improve outcomes in adult patients. Materials and methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study that included 3957 patients aged ≥18 years who underwent the first tracheostomy tube change from January 2010 to February 2021. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality after the first tracheostomy tube change. Results: The all-cause mortality was statistically significantly lower in group changing the first tracheostomy tube between 7 and 9 days than in other groups (42.1%, P = 0.001). After adjustments in the multivariable analyses, early first tracheostomy tube change within 6 days was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality. The hospital stay, ICU stay, and post-procedural pulmonary complications seemed to increase as the replacement time was delayed. Conclusions: The timing of the first tracheostomy tube change between 7 and 9 days after tracheostomy was associated with improved clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality. Further prospective investigations are needed to determine whether the optimal timing of the first tracheostomy tube change can reduce mortality.

8.
Mater Horiz ; 11(1): 251-261, 2024 Jan 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37929607

RESUMEN

Solid electrolyte is a crucial component of all-solid-state batteries, with sulphide solid electrolytes such as lithium argyrodite being closest to commercialization due to their high ionic conductivity and formability. In this study, borohydride/halide dual-substituted argyrodite-type electrolytes, Li7-α-ßPS6-α-ß(BH4)αXß (X = Cl, Br, I; α + ß ≤ 1.8), have been synthesized using a two-step ball-milling method without post-annealing. Among the various compositions, Li5.35PS4.35(BH4)1.15Cl0.5 exhibits the highest ionic conductivity of 16.4 mS cm-1 at 25 °C when cold-pressed, which further improves to 26.1 mS cm-1 after low temperature sintering. The enhanced conductivity can be attributed to the increased number of Li vacancies resulting from increased BH4 and halide occupancy and site disorder. Li symmetric cells with Li5.35PS4.35(BH4)1.15Cl0.5 demonstrate stable Li plating and stripping cycling for over 2,000 hours at 1 mA cm-2, along with a high critical current density of 2.1 mA cm-2. An all-solid-state battery prepared using Li5.35PS4.35(BH4)1.15Cl0.5 as the electrolyte and pure Li as the anode exhibits an initial coulombic efficiency of 86.4%. Although these electrolytes have limited thermal stability, it shows a wide compositional range while maintaining high ionic conductivity.

9.
Sensors (Basel) ; 23(20)2023 Oct 11.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37896484

RESUMEN

Half-bridge silicon strain gauges are widely used in the fabrication of diaphragm-type high-pressure sensors, but in some applications, they suffer from low output sensitivity because of mounting position constraints. Through a special design and fabrication approach, a new half-bridge silicon strain gauge comprising one arc gauge responding to tangential strain and another linear gauge measuring radial strain was developed using Silicon-on-Glass (SiOG) substrate technology. The tangential gauge consists of grid patterns, such as the reciprocating arc of silicon piezoresistors on a thin glass substrate. When two half-bridges are connected to form a full bridge with arc-shaped gauges that respond to tangential strain, they have the advantage of providing much higher output sensitivity than a conventional half-bridge. Pressure sensors tested under pressure ranging from 0 to 50 bar at five different temperatures indicate a linear output with a typical sensitivity of approximately 16 mV/V/bar, a maximum zero shift of 0.05% FS, and a span shift of 0.03% FS. The higher output level of pressure sensing gauges will provide greater signal strength, thus maintaining a better signal-to-noise ratio than conventional pressure sensors. The offset and span shift curves are quite linear across the operating temperature range, giving the end user the advantage of using very simple algorithms for temperature compensation of offset and span shift.

10.
Sensors (Basel) ; 23(18)2023 Sep 11.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37765869

RESUMEN

In this study, we analyzed the morphological changes and molecular structure changes on the surface of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films during oxygen plasma (O2) etching of SWCNT surfaces formed by the spray method and analyzed their potential use as electrochemical electrodes. For this purpose, a SWCNT film was formed on the surface of a glass substrate using a self-made spray device using SWCNT powder prepared with DCB as a solvent, and SEM, AFM, and XPS analyses were performed as the SWCNT film was O2 plasma etched. SEM images and AFM measurements showed that the SWCNT film started etching after about 30 s under 50 W of O2 plasma irradiation and was completely etched after about 300 s. XPS analysis showed that as the O2 plasma etching of the SWCNT film progressed, the sp2 bonds representing the basic components of graphite decreased, the sp3 bonds representing defects increased, and the C-O, C=O, and COO peaks increased simultaneously. This result indicates that the SWCNT film was etched by the O2 plasma along with the oxygen species. In addition, electrochemical methods were used to verify the damage potential of the remaining SWCNTs after O2 plasma etching, including cyclic voltammetry, Randles plots, and EIS measurements. This resulted in a reversible response based on perfect diffusion control in the cyclic voltammetry, and an ideal linear curve in the Randles plot of the peak current versus square root scan rate curve. EIS measurements also confirmed that the charge transfer resistance of the remaining SWCNTs after O2 plasma etching is almost the same as before etching. These results indicate that the remaining SWCNTs after O2 plasma etching do not lose their unique electrochemical properties and can be utilized as electrodes for biosensors and electrochemical sensors. Our experimental results also indicate that the ionic conductivity enhancement by O2 plasma can be achieved additionally.

11.
Nanotechnology ; 34(41)2023 Jul 27.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37406627

RESUMEN

Although chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has emerged as an important method for producing large-scale and relatively high-quality graphene, CVD-grown graphene inherently contains grain boundaries (GBs), which degrade its mechanical properties. To compensate for these characteristics, various studies have been conducted to maintain the mechanically superior properties by controlling the density of defects and GBs. In this study, the mechanical properties of triple junction (TJ)-free polycrystalline graphene, which is expected to exhibit excellent properties, were investigated through molecular dynamics simulations because TJ is well-known as a crack nucleation site due to stress concentration. We adopted the phase-field crystal method to model CVD-grown graphene-containing TJ-free polycrystalline materials. From a series of numerical simulations, we found that the fracture strength increases as the density of the GB increases. This trend is consistent with that presented in a previous experimental study measured by nanoindentation. It was determined that the variation in the fracture strength is related to the discontinuous density of 5-7 pairs, which act as stress-concentration sites. Additionally, we observed that the fracture strength was higher than that of polycrystalline graphene with TJ. We believe that these results have a higher mechanical advantage compared to the low strength of TJs shown in previous studies and will be important for future structural reliability-based graphene applications.

12.
Sensors (Basel) ; 23(3)2023 Jan 26.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36772420

RESUMEN

Currently, silicon-strain-gauge-based diaphragm pressure sensors use four single-gauge chips for high-output sensitivity. However, the four-single-gauge configuration increases the number of glass frit bonds and the number of aluminum wire bonds, reducing the long-term stability, reliability, and yield of the diaphragm pressure sensor. In this study, a new design of general-purpose silicon strain gauges was developed to improve the sensor output voltage while reducing the number of bonds. The new gauges consist grid patterns with a reciprocating arc of silicon piezoresistors on a thin glass backing. The gauges make handling easier in the bonding process due to the use of thin glass for the gauge backing. The pressure sensors were tested under pressure ranging from 0 to 50 bar at five different temperatures, with a linear output with a typical sensitivity of approximately 16 mV/V/bar and an offset shift of -6 mV to 2 mV. The new approach also opens the possibility to extend arc strain gauges to half-bridge and full-bridge configurations to further reduce the number of glass frit and Al wire bonds in the diaphragm pressure sensor.

13.
Nanoscale ; 15(1): 101-108, 2022 Dec 22.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36448562

RESUMEN

Nasal mucus plays a key role in the sense of smell by absorbing and transporting chemicals to olfactory receptors. Inspired by the physical properties of mucus that enable it to transport molecules despite its high viscosity, we developed a polymeric organogel with similar viscosity and analyzed its general performance. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, we confirmed that the matrix viscosity mainly affects the absorption and retention of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and not their diffusion inside the matrix. Additionally, the vapor pressure of VOCs influences the absorption and retention efficiencies of the matrix. Finally, a detailed understanding of the properties of mucus along with the use of sol-gel transition enabled us to create an efficient VOC absorbent and retention agent.

14.
Bioelectrochemistry ; 148: 108259, 2022 Dec.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36179392

RESUMEN

A lactate sensor for lactate sensing using porous laser-induced graphene (LIG) electrodes with an electrodeposited PdCu catalyst was developed in this study. CO2 laser was used to convert the polyimide film surface to multilayered LIG. The morphology and composition of LIG were analyzed through field-emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, respectively, to confirm that the fabricated LIG electrode was composed of porous and stacked graphene layers. PdCu was electrodeposited on the LIG electrode and lactate oxidase (LOx) was immobilized on the LIG surface to create a LOx/PdCu/LIG structure. According to the Randles-Sevcík equation, the calculated active surface area of the fabricated PdCu/LIG electrode was ∼12.8 mm2, which was larger than the apparent area of PdCu/LIG (1.766 mm2) by a factor of 7.25. The measured sensitivities of the fabricated lactate sensors with the LOx/PdCu/LIG electrode were -51.91 µA/mM·cm2 (0.1-5 mM) and -17.18 µA/mM·cm2 (5-30 mM). The calculated limit of detection was 0.28 µM. The selectivity of the fabricated lactate sensor is excellent toward various potentially interfering materials such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, lactose, sucrose, K+ and Na+.


Asunto(s)
Grafito , Ácido Ascórbico , Dióxido de Carbono , Electrodos , Galvanoplastia , Grafito/química , Ácido Láctico , Lactosa , Rayos Láser , Sacarosa , Ácido Úrico
15.
Medicine (Baltimore) ; 101(31): e29306, 2022 Aug 05.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35945733

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) is a widely used clinical procedure for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. However, few clinical studies have been conducted on the efficacy and safety of TEA for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and data from randomized controlled trials are lacking. This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting large-scale studies on the efficacy and safety of TEA for KOA. METHODS: Forty participants were included in the study and randomly divided into 2 groups (TEA and acupuncture) of 20 each. The intervention period was 6 weeks. The experimental group received TEA once a week (total of 6 sessions) on 14 defined knee areas, and the control group received acupuncture twice a week (total of 12 sessions) on 9 defined acupuncture points. The primary outcome measure was the visual analogue scale score, and the secondary outcome measures were the short-form McGill pain questionnaire, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores. Participants were assessed prior to the intervention (baseline) and at 3, 6, and 10 weeks (4 weeks after the end of intervention). The adverse effects of TEA and acupuncture were documented. Hematological examination and biochemical tests were performed at the screening and at 6 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 40 participants, 37 completed the study and 3 participants dropped out. Both the TEA and acupuncture groups showed a significant improvement in the visual analogue scale, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores in a time-dependent manner. However, there was no significant interaction between group and time. No serious adverse events were reported in the groups, and no clinically significant changes were observed in the hematological and biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that TEA is a safe and effective procedure for relieving pain in patients with KOA. The results of this study provide basic data and indicate the feasibility of large-scale clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TEA for KOA.


Asunto(s)
Terapia por Acupuntura , Osteoartritis de la Rodilla , Puntos de Acupuntura , Terapia por Acupuntura/efectos adversos , Terapia por Acupuntura/métodos , Humanos , Osteoartritis de la Rodilla/terapia , Dimensión del Dolor , Proyectos Piloto , Resultado del Tratamiento
16.
Sci Adv ; 8(35): eabn8616, 2022 09 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36044582

RESUMEN

Self-relevant concepts are major building blocks of spontaneous thought, and their dynamics in a natural stream of thought are likely to reveal one's internal states that are important for mental health. Here, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment (n = 62) to examine brain representations and dynamics of self-generated concepts in the context of spontaneous thought using a newly developed free association-based thought sampling task. The dynamics of conceptual associations were predictive of individual differences in general negative affectivity, replicating across multiple datasets (n = 196). Reflecting on self-generated concepts strongly engaged brain regions linked to autobiographical memory, conceptual processes, emotion, and autonomic regulation, including the medial prefrontal and medial temporal subcortical structures. Multivariate pattern-based predictive modeling revealed that the neural representations of valence became more person-specific as the level of perceived self-relevance increased. Overall, this study sheds light on how self-generated concepts in spontaneous thought construct inner affective states and idiosyncrasies.

17.
J Extracell Vesicles ; 11(1): e12179, 2022 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34982509

RESUMEN

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) entry is mediated by the interaction of the viral spike (S) protein with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the host cell surface. Although a clinical trial testing soluble ACE2 (sACE2) for COVID-19 is currently ongoing, our understanding of the delivery of sACE2 via small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) is still rudimentary. With excellent biocompatibility allowing for the effective delivery of molecular cargos, sEVs are broadly studied as nanoscale protein carriers. In order to exploit the potential of sEVs, we design truncated CD9 scaffolds to display sACE2 on the sEV surface as a decoy receptor for the S protein of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, to enhance the sACE2-S binding interaction, we employ sACE2 variants. sACE2-loaded sEVs exhibit typical sEVs characteristics and bind to the S protein. Furthermore, engineered sEVs inhibit the entry of wild-type (WT), the globally dominant D614G variant, Beta (K417N-E484K-N501Y) variant, and Delta (L452R-T478K-D614G) variant SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus, and protect against authentic SARS-CoV-2 and Delta variant infection. Of note, sACE2 variants harbouring sEVs show superior antiviral efficacy than WT sACE2 loaded sEVs. Therapeutic efficacy of the engineered sEVs against SARS-CoV-2 challenge was confirmed using K18-hACE2 mice. The current findings provide opportunities for the development of new sEVs-based antiviral therapeutics.


Asunto(s)
Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/inmunología , COVID-19/inmunología , Vesículas Extracelulares/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Animales , Femenino , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Ratones , Unión Proteica , Dominios y Motivos de Interacción de Proteínas
18.
J Exp Psychol Gen ; 151(3): 628-642, 2022 Mar.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34498906

RESUMEN

How do thoughts arise, unfold, and change over time? Are the contents and dynamics of everyday thought rooted in conceptual associations within one's semantic networks? To address these questions, we developed the Free Association Semantic task (FAST), whereby participants generate dynamic chains of conceptual associations in response to seed words that vary in valence. Ninety-four adults from a community sample completed the FAST task and additionally described and rated six of their most frequently occurring everyday thoughts. Text analysis and valence ratings revealed similarities in thematic and affective content between FAST concept chains and recurrent autobiographical thoughts. Dynamic analyses revealed that individuals higher in rumination were more strongly attracted to negative conceptual spaces and more likely to remain there longer. Overall, these findings provide quantitative evidence that conceptual associations may act as a semantic scaffold for more complex everyday thoughts, and that more negative and less dynamic conceptual associations in ruminative individuals mirror maladaptive repetitive thoughts in daily life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).


Asunto(s)
Semántica , Adulto , Humanos
19.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(23)2021 Nov 29.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34884721

RESUMEN

Cancer immunotherapy is fast rising as a prominent new pillar of cancer treatment, harnessing the immune system to fight against numerous types of cancer. Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in diverse cellular activities, and is therefore the target of interest in various diseases at the cellular level including cancer. Indeed, ROCK is well-known for its involvement in the tumor cell and tumor microenvironment, especially in its ability to enhance tumor cell progression, migration, metastasis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Importantly, ROCK is also considered to be a novel and effective modulator of immune cells, although further studies are needed. In this review article, we describe the various activities of ROCK and its potential to be utilized in cancer treatment, particularly in cancer immunotherapy, by shining a light on its activities in the immune system.


Asunto(s)
Inmunoterapia , Terapia Molecular Dirigida , Neoplasias/enzimología , Quinasas Asociadas a rho/metabolismo , Animales , Humanos , Neoplasias/inmunología , Neoplasias/terapia , Microambiente Tumoral
20.
J Extracell Vesicles ; 10(12): e12152, 2021 10.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34596354

RESUMEN

Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal disorders caused by the imbalance between bone formation and resorption, resulting in quantitative loss of bone tissue. Since stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are growing attention as novel cell-free therapeutics that have advantages over parental stem cells, the therapeutic effects of EVs from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC-EVs) on osteoporosis pathogenesis were investigated. ASC-EVs were isolated by a multi-filtration system based on the tangential flow filtration (TFF) system and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, flow cytometry, cytokine arrays, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. EVs are rich in growth factors and cytokines related to bone metabolism and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration. In particular, osteoprotegerin (OPG), a natural inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), was highly enriched in ASC-EVs. We found that the intravenous administration of ASC-EVs attenuated bone loss in osteoporosis mice. Also, ASC-EVs significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation of macrophages and promoted the migration of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). However, OPG-depleted ASC-EVs did not show anti-osteoclastogenesis effects, demonstrating that OPG is critical for the therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs. Additionally, small RNA sequencing data were analysed to identify miRNA candidates related to anti-osteoporosis effects. miR-21-5p in ASC-EVs inhibited osteoclast differentiation through Acvr2a down-regulation. Also, let-7b-5p in ASC-EVs significantly reduced the expression of genes related to osteoclastogenesis. Finally, ASC-EVs reached the bone tissue after they were injected intravenously, and they remained longer. OPG, miR-21-5p, and let-7b-5p in ASC-EVs inhibit osteoclast differentiation and reduce gene expression related to bone resorption, suggesting that ASC-EVs are highly promising as cell-free therapeutic agents for osteoporosis treatment.


Asunto(s)
Tejido Adiposo/metabolismo , Vesículas Extracelulares/metabolismo , Osteoporosis/terapia , Osteoprotegerina/genética , Células Madre/metabolismo , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Ratones , Osteoporosis/patología
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