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1.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl ; 62(52): e202315156, 2023 Dec 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37947588

ABSTRACT

A new class of near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores, PAI, is obtained by consecutive C-N/C-C bond formation between diphenylamines and 9,10-dibromoperylenecarboximide. Owing to the rigid structure, extended π-conjugation and pronounced push-pull substitution, these fluorophores show emission maxima up to 804 nm and large Stokes shifts. The extraordinarily high fluorescence quantum yields from 47 % to 70 % are attributed to chloro substitution in the bay positions of the perylene core. These characteristics, together with high photostability, qualify them as useful NIR emitters for applications as biomarkers and security inks.

2.
Biomaterials ; 301: 122233, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37393694

ABSTRACT

Multi-organ inflammatory diseases are one of the most serious autoimmune diseases worldwide. The regulation of immune responses by immune checkpoint proteins influences the development and treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. In this study, recombinant murine PD-L1 (rmPD-L1) was used for controlling T cell immunity to treat multi-organ inflammation. To enhance the immunosuppressive effect, we incorporated methotrexate, an anti-inflammatory drug, into hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) and decorated the surface of HNPs with rmPD-L1 to produce immunosuppressive HNPs (IsHNPs). IsHNP treatment effectively targeted PD-1-expressing CD4 and CD8 T cells in the splenocytes; additionally, it promoted the production of Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells, which suppressed the differentiation of helper T cells. IsHNP treatment also inhibited anti-CD3 antibody-mediated activation of CD4 and CD8 T cells in mice in vivo. This treatment protected mice from multi-organ inflammation induced by the adoptive transfer of naïve T cells to recombination-activating gene 1 knockout mice. The results of this study imply the therapeutic potential of IsHNPs in the treatment of multi-organ inflammation and other inflammatory diseases.


Subject(s)
Autoimmune Diseases , Nanoparticles , Mice , Animals , B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism , Methotrexate/pharmacology , Methotrexate/therapeutic use , Immunosuppressive Agents , Mice, Knockout , Inflammation/drug therapy
3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(2)2023 Jan 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36675110

ABSTRACT

Nucleic acids have become important building blocks in nanotechnology over the last 30 years. DNA and RNA can sequentially build specific nanostructures, resulting in versatile drug delivery systems. Self-assembling amphiphilic nucleic acids, composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments to form micelle structures, have the potential for cancer therapeutics due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic agents into their core and position functional groups on the surface. Moreover, DNA or RNA within bio-compatible micelles can function as drugs by themselves. This review introduces and discusses nucleic acid-based spherical micelles from diverse amphiphilic nucleic acids and their applications in cancer therapy.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Nucleic Acids , Humans , Micelles , Nucleic Acids/therapeutic use , Drug Delivery Systems , RNA , DNA/chemistry , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
4.
Adv Healthc Mater ; 12(11): e2202358, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36644959

ABSTRACT

UBA6-specific E2 conjugation enzyme 1 (USE1) is frequently overexpressed in lung cancer patients. Moreover, the critical role of USE1 in the progression of human lung cancer is also indicated. As the next step, the authors aim to develop USE1-targeted therapeutic agents based on RNA interference (RNAi). In this study, a lipid-modified DNA carrier, namely U4T, which consists of four consecutive dodec-1-ynyluracil (U) nucleobases to increase the cell permeability of siRNA targeting of USE1 is introduced. The U4Ts aggregate to form micelles, and the USE1-silencing siRNA-incorporated soft spherical nucleic acid aggregate (siSNA) can be created simply through base-pairing with siRNA. Treatment with siSNA is effective in suppressing tumor growth in vivo as well as cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, siSNA inhibited tumor cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and apoptosis. Thus, the anti-tumor efficacy of siSNA in lung cancer cell lines and that siSNA possesses effective cell-penetrating ability without using cationic transfection moieties are confirmed. Collectively, these results suggest that siSNA can be applied to the clinical application of RNAi-based therapeutics for lung cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Humans , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Cycle Checkpoints , RNA Interference , Cell Proliferation , Apoptosis
5.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 231: 123148, 2023 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36639074

ABSTRACT

Porphyran is known to inhibit immune cell function. Previously, porphyran was shown to prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in mice. However, studies on the inhibitory effects of porphyran during colitis are currently lacking. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Pyropia yezoensis-derived porphyran on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis. The oral or intraperitoneal administration of porphyran inhibited the progression of DSS-induced colitis in mice, with the former also preventing immune cell infiltration in the colon. The levels of intracellular interferon-γ and interleukin-17 in T cells decreased when porphyran was administered orally. Porphyran inhibited T cell activation by suppressing dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Porphyran prevented pathogen-associated molecular pattern and damage-associated molecular pattern-dependent DC and macrophage activation. Finally, porphyran attenuated chronic colitis caused via the long-term administration of DSS. These findings indicate that the oral administration of porphyran can inhibit DSS-induced colitis by suppressing DC and macrophage activation.


Subject(s)
Colitis , Rhodophyta , Animals , Mice , Colitis/chemically induced , Colon , Sepharose/pharmacology , Dendritic Cells , Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Disease Models, Animal
6.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 223(Pt A): 370-377, 2022 Dec 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36368354

ABSTRACT

Astragalus membranaceus is a widely used herbal medicine in Asia. It has been recognized as possessing various biological properties, however, studies on the activity of the A. membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP), a major component of A. membranaceus, on human peripheral blood dendritic cells (PBDCs) have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we found that AMP induced changes in dendritic morphology and the upregulation of activation marker expression and inflammatory cytokine production in human blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). The AMP promoted the activation of both blood dendritic cell antigen 1+ (BDCA1+) and BDCA3+ PBDCs. AMP-induced secretion of cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was mainly due to PBDCs. Finally, activated BDCA1+ and BDCA3+ PBDCs by AMP elicited proliferation and activation of autologous T cells, respectively. Hence, these data demonstrated that AMPs could activate dendritic and T cells in human blood, and may provide a new direction for the application of AMPs in the regulation of human immunity.


Subject(s)
Astragalus propinquus , T-Lymphocytes , Humans , Cells, Cultured , Dendritic Cells , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Polysaccharides/metabolism
7.
Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer ; 1877(6): 188824, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36243246

ABSTRACT

The Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and two co-activators, Cdc20 and Cdh1, enable the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of various critical cell cycle regulators and govern cell division in a timely and precise manner. Dysregulated cell cycle events cause uncontrolled cell proliferation, leading to tumorigenesis. Studies have shown that Cdh1 has tumor suppressive activities while Cdc20 has an oncogenic property, suggesting that Cdc20 is an emerging therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Therefore, in this review, we discussed recent findings about the essential roles of APC/C-Cdc20 in cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, we briefly summarized that the regulation of Cdc20 expression levels is strictly controlled to order cell cycle events appropriately. Finally, given the function of Cdc20 as an oncogene, therapeutic interventions targeting Cdc20 activity may be beneficial in cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle Proteins , Neoplasms , Humans , Cdc20 Proteins/genetics , Cdc20 Proteins/metabolism , Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome/genetics , Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome/metabolism , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases , Cell Cycle , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/genetics , Neoplasms/pathology
8.
Curr Drug Metab ; 23(11): 882-896, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35927812

ABSTRACT

The lung is exposed to various pollutants and is the primary site for the onset of various diseases, including infections, allergies, and cancers. One possible treatment approach for such pulmonary diseases involves direct administration of therapeutics to the lung so as to maintain the topical concentration of the drug. Particles with nanoscale diameters tend to reach the pulmonary region. Nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered significant interest for applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical industries because of their unique physicochemical properties and biological activities. In this article, we describe the biological and pharmacological activities of NPs as well as summarize their potential in the formulation of drugs employed to treat pulmonary diseases. Recent advances in the use of NPs in inhalation chemotherapy for the treatment of lung diseases have also been highlighted.


Subject(s)
Lung Diseases , Nanoparticles , Humans , Lung Diseases/drug therapy , Lung , Administration, Inhalation , Respiratory Therapy , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Drug Delivery Systems
9.
Anal Methods ; 14(26): 2569-2577, 2022 07 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35699260

ABSTRACT

A paper-based device patterned with a carbon-black-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mixture is developed as a heating platform for nucleic-acid amplification tests. The photothermal effect of carbon black under 808 nm laser irradiation is used to conduct loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to detect Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, a foodborne pathogen. We characterize the heat generation of carbon black by changing its concentration and the hardness of PDMS. Then, we optimize the minimum laser power required to perform LAMP. The proposed paper-based device requires less than 15 min to perform LAMP, and the result can be confirmed based on the color change observed by the naked eye. The rfbE gene of E. coli O157:H7 is specifically amplified, with a detection limit of 102 CFU mL-1. Amplification is also performed by using a laboratory-made laser-diode device, which consumes only 2 W h during its operation. The low cost, disposability, and easy fabrication of the paper-based device make it a powerful tool for point-of-care testing.


Subject(s)
Escherichia coli O157 , Soot , Carbon , Dimethylpolysiloxanes , Escherichia coli O157/genetics , Point-of-Care Testing
10.
Biomaterials ; 285: 121550, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35533439

ABSTRACT

Effective cancer therapy aims to treat not only primary tumors but also metastatic and recurrent cancer. Immune check point blockade-mediated immunotherapy showed promising effect against tumors; however, it still has a limited effect in metastatic or recurrent cancer. Here, we extracted recombinant murine programmed death-1 (rmPD-1) proteins. The extracted rmPD-1 effectively bound to CT-26 and 4T1 cells expressing PD-L1 and PD-L2. The rmPD-1 did not alter the activation of dendritic cells (DCs); however, rmPD-1 promoted T cell-mediated anti-cancer immunity against CT-26 tumors in mice. Moreover, rmPD-1 decorated thermal responsive hybrid nanoparticles (piHNPs) promoted apoptotic and necrotic cell death of CT-26 cells in response to laser irradiation at 808 nm consequently, it promoted anti-tumor effects against the 1st challenged CT-26 tumors in mice. In addition, piHNP-mediated cured mice from 1st challenged CT-26 was also prevented the 2nd challenged lung metastatic tumor growth, which was dependent of cancer antigen-specific memory T cell immunity. It was also confirmed that the lung metastatic growth of 2nd challenged 4T1 breast cancer was also prevented in cured mice from 1st challenged 4T1 by piHNP. Thus, these data demonstrate that rmPD-1 functions as an immune checkpoint blockade for the treatment of tumors, and piHNPs could be a novel therapeutic agent for preventing cancer metastasis and recurrence.


Subject(s)
Nanoparticles , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Immunity , Immunotherapy , Mice , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism
11.
Bioengineering (Basel) ; 9(4)2022 Apr 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35447730

ABSTRACT

In the era of climate changes, harmful dinoflagellate outbreaks that produce potent algal toxins, odor, and water discoloration in aquatic environments have been increasingly reported. Thus, various treatments have been attempted for the mitigation and management of harmful blooms. Here, we report engineered nanoparticles that consist of two different types of rylene derivatives encapsulated in polymeric micelles. In addition, to avoid dissociation of the aggregate, the core of micelle was stabilized via semi-interpenetrating network (sIPN) formation. On two types of the marine red-tide dinoflagellates, Akashiwo sanguinea and Alexandrium pacificum, the nanoparticle uptake followed by fluorescence labeling and photothermal effect was conducted. Firstly, fluorescence microscopy enabled imaging of the dinoflagellates with the ultraviolet chromophore, Lumogen Violet. Lastly, near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation was exposed on the Lumogen IR788 nanoparticle-treated Ak. Sanguinea. The irradiation resulted in reduced cell survival due to the photothermal effect in microalgae. The results suggested that the nanoparticle, IR788-sIPN, can be applied for potential red-tide algal elimination.

12.
Semin Cancer Biol ; 86(Pt 2): 909-922, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35181474

ABSTRACT

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have been the main cancer therapeutic modalities in recent years. Cancer immunotherapy is a novel therapeutic modality that potentiates the immune responses of patients against malignancy. Immune checkpoint proteins expressed on T cells or tumor cells serve as a target for inhibiting T cell overactivation, maintaining the balance between self-reactivity and autoimmunity. Tumors essentially hijack the immune checkpoint pathway in order to survive and spread. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are being developed as a result to reactivate the anti-tumor immune response. Recent advances in nanotechnology have contributed to the development of successful, safe, and efficient anticancer drug systems based on nanoparticles. Nanoparticle-based cancer immunotherapy overcomes numerous challenges and offers novel strategies for improving conventional immunotherapies. The fundamental and physiochemical properties of nanoparticles depend on various cancer therapeutic strategies, such as chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid-based treatments, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic agents. The review discusses the use of nanoparticles as carriers for delivering immune checkpoint inhibitors and their efficacy in cancer combination therapy.


Subject(s)
Nanostructures , Neoplasms , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Immunotherapy , Neoplasms/drug therapy
13.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(17)2021 Aug 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34502035

ABSTRACT

Although fucoidan, a well-studied seaweed-extracted polysaccharide, has shown immune stimulatory effects that elicit anticancer immunity, mucosal adjuvant effects via intranasal administration have not been studied. In this study, the effect of Ecklonia cava-extracted fucoidan (ECF) on the induction of anti-cancer immunity in the lung was examined by intranasal administration. In C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, intranasal administration of ECF promoted the activation of dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells in the mediastinal lymph node (mLN). The ECF-induced NK and T cell activation was mediated by DCs. In addition, intranasal injection with ECF enhanced the anti-PD-L1 antibody-mediated anti-cancer activities against B16 melanoma and CT-26 carcinoma tumor growth in the lungs, which were required cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells. Thus, these data demonstrated that ECF functioned as a mucosal adjuvant that enhanced the immunotherapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors against metastatic lung cancer.


Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Laminaria/chemistry , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Polysaccharides/therapeutic use , Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage , Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Administration, Intranasal , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Dendritic Cells/drug effects , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Drug Combinations , Female , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lymphocyte Activation , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neoplasm Metastasis , Plant Extracts , Polysaccharides/administration & dosage , Polysaccharides/pharmacology
14.
Biomaterials ; 277: 121081, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34481291

ABSTRACT

Unmethylated CpG motifs activate toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), leading to sequence- and species-specific immune stimulation. Here, we engineered a CpG oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) with multiple hydrophobic moieties, so-called lipid-modified uracil, which resulted in a facile micelle formation of the stimulant. The self-assembled CpG nanostructure (U4CpG) containing the ODN 2216 sequence was characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic methods together with molecular dynamics simulations. Next, we evaluated the nano-immunostimulant for enhancement of anti-HIV immunity. U4CpG treatment induced activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and natural killer (NK) cells in healthy human peripheral blood, which produced type I interferons (IFNs) and IFN-γ in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, we validated the activation and promotion efficacy of U4CpG in patient-derived blood cells, and HIV-1 spread was significantly suppressed by a low dosage of the immunostimulant. Furthermore, U4CpG-treated PBMC cultured medium elicited transcription of latent HIV-1 in U1 cells indicating that U4CpG reversed HIV-1 latency. Thus, the functions of U4CpG in eradicating HIV-1 by enhancing immunity and reversing latency make the material a potential candidate for clinical studies dealing with viral infection.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , HIV-1 , Cell Membrane , Cells, Cultured , Dendritic Cells , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Micelles , Oligodeoxyribonucleotides , Toll-Like Receptor 9 , Virus Latency
15.
Cells ; 10(6)2021 06 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34199813

ABSTRACT

The ubiquitin-mediated degradation system is responsible for controlling various tumor-promoting processes, including DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration and invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. The conjugation of ubiquitin to a target protein is mediated sequentially by the E1 (activating)‒E2 (conjugating)‒E3 (ligating) enzyme cascade. Thus, E2 enzymes act as the central players in the ubiquitination system, modulating various pathophysiological processes in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the types and functions of E2s in various types of cancer and discuss the possibility of E2s as targets of anticancer therapeutic strategies.


Subject(s)
Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism , Neoplasms/enzymology , Tumor Microenvironment , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Ubiquitination , Humans , Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms/therapy
16.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 185: 111-121, 2021 Aug 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34119543

ABSTRACT

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide, derived from various marine brown seaweeds, that has immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we analyzed the effects of five different fucoidans, which were extracted from Ascophyllum nodosum, Undaria pinnatifida, Macrocystis pyrifera, Fucus vesiculosus, and Ecklonia cava, on natural killer (NK) cell activation in mice. Among these, E. cava fucoidan (ECF) promoted an increase in the number of NK cells in the spleen and had the strongest effect on the activation of NK cells. Additionally, we observed that DC stimulation was required for NK cell activation and that ECF had the most potent effect on splenic dendritic cells (DC). Finally, ECF treatment effectively prevented infiltration of CT-26 carcinoma cells in the lungs of BALB/c mice in an NK cell dependent manner. Collectively, these results suggest that ECF could be a suitable candidate for enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-cancer immunity.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Phaeophyceae/chemistry , Polysaccharides/administration & dosage , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Colonic Neoplasms/immunology , Female , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Spleen/drug effects , Spleen/immunology , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
17.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 182: 1292-1300, 2021 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34000307

ABSTRACT

Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus) is commonly used in various herbal formulations to treat several human and animal diseases. Polysaccharides, which are the major bioactive components in the A. membranaceus, exhibit various bioactive properties. However, the ability of A. membranaceus polysaccharides (APS) to activate the mucosal immune response has not been examined. We examined the effect of intranasal administration of APS on mucosal immune cell activation and the growth-inhibitory activity against pulmonary metastatic melanoma in mice by combination treatment with immune checkpoint blockade. The intranasal treatment of APS increased the number of lineage-CD11c+ dendritic cell (DCs) in the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) through the upregulation of CC-chemokine receptor 7 expression. Moreover, intranasal treatment of APS activated DCs, which further stimulated natural killer (NK) and T cells in the mLN. The APS/anti-PD-L1 antibody combination inhibited the pulmonary infiltration of B16 melanoma cells. The depletion of NK cells and CD8 T cells in mice mitigated the anti-cancer effect of this combination, thereby highlighting the critical role of NK cells and CD8 T cells in mediating anti-cancer immunity. These findings demonstrated that APS could be used as a topical mucosal adjuvant to enhance the immune check point inhibitor anti-cancer effect.


Subject(s)
Astragalus propinquus/chemistry , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Melanoma/pathology , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Administration, Intranasal , Animals , Antibodies/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Dendritic Cells/drug effects , Drug Synergism , Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Lymph Nodes/drug effects , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Melanoma/immunology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Weight , Monosaccharides/analysis , Polysaccharides/administration & dosage , T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , T-Lymphocytes/immunology
18.
Luminescence ; 36(3): 812-818, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33404165

ABSTRACT

NaYF4 :Yb3+ /Er3+ /Ho3+ nanophosphors were successfully synthesized using a solvothermal method and with various concentrations of Ho3+ ions. The crystal structure, grain size, morphology, and luminescence properties were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence measurements. All samples were crystallized as a cubic structure; it was confirmed that all samples exhibited strong green emission and weak red emission generated at a particular level of the activated ions. The strongest upconversion fluorescence intensity was observed in the Ho3+ and Er3+ ions co-doped NaYF4 materials with a Ho3+ ion concentration of 0.005 mol. Only the green fluorescence intensity at the 542 nm centre increased strongly due to the 4 S3/2 →4 I15/2 energy transfer. This increase in upconversion fluorescence intensity at a selected wavelength was described as a cross-relaxation mechanism due to the addition of Ho3+ ions.


Subject(s)
Luminescence , Ytterbium , Energy Transfer , Ions , X-Ray Diffraction
19.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 174: 477-484, 2021 Mar 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33513426

ABSTRACT

Brown seaweed is an important source of fucoidan, which displays immunomodulatory effects by activating various immune cells. However, these effects of fucoidans from various sources of brown seaweed have not yet been explored in human blood dendritic cells. We studied fucoidans extracted from Ecklonia cava, Macrocystis pyrifera, Undaria pinnatifida, and Fucus vesiculosus for their effects on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MODC) and human peripheral blood DC (PBDC) activation. Ecklonia cava fucoidan (ECF) strongly upregulated co-stimulatory molecules, major histocompatibility complex class I and II, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines in MODCs and PBDCs compared to those by the other three fucoidans. Moreover, ECF elicited the strongest effect in the induction of syngeneic T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production compared to those of other fucoidans. These results suggest that ECF could be a suitable candidate molecule for enhancing immune activation in humans compared to that with the other three fucoidans.


Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/immunology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology , Monocytes/cytology , Phaeophyceae/classification , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Cytokines/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/cytology , Dendritic Cells/drug effects , Fucus/chemistry , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism , Histocompatibility Antigens Class II/metabolism , Humans , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Macrocystis/chemistry , Monocytes/drug effects , Monocytes/immunology , Phaeophyceae/chemistry , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Polysaccharides/isolation & purification , Seaweed , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Undaria/chemistry , Up-Regulation
20.
Curr Gene Ther ; 21(1): 11-22, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32940177

ABSTRACT

Gene therapy is one of the frontier fields of medical breakthroughs that poses as an effective solution to previously incurable diseases. The delivery of the corrective genetic material or a therapeutic gene into the cell restores the missing gene function and cures a plethora of diseases, incurable by the conventional medical approaches. This discovery holds the potential to treat many neurodegenerative disorders such as muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), among others. Gene therapy proves as a humane, cost-effective alternative to the exhaustive often arduous and timely impossible process of finding matched donors and extensive surgery. It also overcomes the shortcoming of conventional methods to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, the use of gene therapy is only possible after procuring the in-depth knowledge of the immuno-pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of the disease. The process of gene therapy can be broadly categorized into three main steps: elucidating the target gene, culling the appropriate vector, and determining the best mode of transfer; each step mandating pervasive research. This review aims to dissertate and summarize the role, various vectors and methods of delivery employed in gene therapy with special emphasis on therapy directed at the central nervous system (CNS) associated with neurodegenerative diseases.


Subject(s)
Drug Delivery Systems , Genetic Therapy , Genetic Vectors , Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics , Neurodegenerative Diseases/therapy , Alzheimer Disease/genetics , Alzheimer Disease/therapy , Ataxia/genetics , Ataxia/therapy , Blood-Brain Barrier/physiology , Diabetic Neuropathies/genetics , Diabetic Neuropathies/therapy , Gene Transfer Techniques , Humans , Huntington Disease/genetics , Huntington Disease/therapy , Multiple Sclerosis/genetics , Multiple Sclerosis/therapy , Muscular Atrophy/genetics , Muscular Atrophy/therapy , Parkinson Disease/genetics , Parkinson Disease/therapy
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