A multifunctional non-viral vector for the delivery of MTH1-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 system for non-small cell lung cancer therapy.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system adapted from bacteria is a programmable nuclease-based genome editing tool. The long-lasting effect of gene silencing or correction is beneficial in cancer treatment. Considering the need to broaden the practical application of this technology, highly efficient non-viral vectors are urgently required. We prepared a multifunctional non-viral vector that could actively target tumor cells and deliver CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids into nuclei of cancer cells. Protamine sulfate (PS) which contains nuclear localization sequence was utilized to condense plasmid DNA and facilitate nuclei-targeted delivery. Liposome-coated protein/DNA complex avoided the degradation of nuclease in blood circulation. The obtained PS@Lip/pCas9 was further modified with distearoyl phosphoethanolamine-polyethylene glycol-hyaluronic acid (HA) to endow the vector ability to actively target tumor cell. Results suggested that PS@HA-Lip could deliver CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids into nuclei of tumor cells and induce genome editing effect. With the disruption of MTH1 (mutT homolog1) gene, the growth of non-small cell lung cancer was inhibited. Moreover, cell apoptosis in tumor tissue was promoted, and liver metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was reduced. Our study has provided a therapeutic strategy targeting MTH1 gene for NSCLC therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: CRISPR/Cas9 as a powerful tool for genome editing has drawn much attention. The long-lasting effect possesses unique advantage in cancer treatment. Non-viral vectors have high loading capacity, high safety and low immunogenicity, playing an important role in CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. In our study, a multifunctional non-viral vector for the efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid was constructed. With the active targeting ligand and nuclei-targeting component, the cargo was efficiently delivered into cell nuclei and exerted genome editing effect. By using this vector, we successfully inhibited the growth and induced the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer by disrupting MTH1 expression with good safety. Our work provided an efficient non-vial vector for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery and explored the possibility for cancer treatment.

Dabigatran-induced chronic progressive immune hemolytic anemia: A case report.

Dabigatran is an orally active direct thrombin inhibitor, initially approved by FDA for the prophylaxis of stroke and systemic embolism in the setting of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Major bleeding is its most common adverse event which is of great concern. However, other types of adverse events such as esophagitis, esophageal ulcer, exanthem and pustular eruptions were reported increasingly in recent years. We present a case of immune hemolytic anemia (IHA) due to dabigatran use in a 72-year-old male with NVAF. This new and rare reported type of adverse event associated with dabigatran suggests that dabigatran may be a new cause of drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHI).

Telmisartan attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in differentiated PC12 cells.

The present study investigated the protective actions of telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARBs), against the cell apoptosis induced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in differentiated PC12 cells. Preincubation of PC12 cells with telmisartan prevented H2O2-induced cytotoxicity as indicated by increased MTT (3,(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) reduction, decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and improved morphological changes. Hoechst 33,258 staining showed that telmisartan markedly reduced shrunken nuclei of the cells, and Western blot analysis indicated that telmisartan significantly attenuated caspase-3 activity, as indicated by decreased ratio of cleaved Caspase-3 to its precursor and increased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. The present findings showed that telmisartan protected against cellular oxidative damages by inhibiting apoptotic response.

An alternative lidocaine hydrochloride liposomal gel formulation: preparation, percutaneous permeation, and release kinetics.

Liposomal hydrogel formulations of lidocaine hydrochloride (LDH), suitable for topical application, were prepared, and drug percutaneous permeation and release properties were evaluated in vitro. Liposomes composed of lechitin and cholesterol, with LDH entrapped in the inner water compartment, were prepared by the reverse-phase evaporation technique. An optimal hydrogel formulation with carbopol as base included permeation enhancers polyethylene glycol (PEG-400), Azone, poloxamer, and propylene glycol, and this was screened in vitro. Percutaneous permeation kinetic models of LDH in three formulations, liposome solution, conventional gel, and liposomal gel, were studied. Results showed that the mean diameter of LDH liposomes was 88.31+/-6.82 nm and entrapment efficiency was 66.21+/-4.8%. The percutaneous permeation rate of LDH across skin from gel increased after LDH was entrapped in the water compartment of liposome compared with conventional gel, and the permeation kinetics of LDH across skin was not linear, but followed the Higuchi function.

An alternative paclitaxel self-emulsifying microemulsion formulation: preparation, pharmacokinetic profile, and hypersensitivity evaluation.

Based on the clinical fact that paclitaxel injection (Taxol) frequently causes hypersensitivity reactions, an alternative paclitaxel self-emulsifying microemulsion was studied with phase diagrams, and the prescription of microemulsion formulation was optimized. Regarding Taxol, the pharmacokinetic parameters of microemulsion and hypersensitivity were investigated in rats and guinea pigs, respectively. The results showed that the self-emulsifying microemulsion was made up of tricaproin:tributyrin 1:1 as the oil phase, ethanol as assist, pluronic F68 and lecithin as emulsifier, and formed a mean diameter of 16 +/- 3 nm when diluted with saline. In the pharmacokinetic study, rats were administrated Taxol or paclitaxel microemulsion. Blood samples were collected at definite time intervals, and plasma concentrations of paclitaxel were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The area under the curve was significantly higher in the microemulsion group (33 mg.ml(-1).h) than that in the Taxol group (25 mg.ml(-1).h) (P < 0.01). The constant of transport rate of speed, K10 (0.55 h(-1)), was much smaller in the microemulsion group compared with the Taxol group (1.55 h(-l)). The mean retention time was 3.89 h in microemulsion group and 2.52 h in the Taxol group, showing the elimination rate was much slower in the former than in the latter. Compared with Taxol, the paclitaxel microemulsion caused less toxicity and had a longer circulation time in rats.

[Preparation, identification and inclusion actions of irisquinone hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex].

AIM: To perpare and identify irisquinone hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (irisquinone-HP-beta-CD), as well as to study the inclusion mechanism and molecule stoichiometry between irisquinone and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. METHODS: Irisquinone-HP-beta-CD was prepared by freeze-drying technique. The ratio of host and guest was also studied in inclusion process by mol gradient and continuing variational methods. At the same time, the inclusion complex was identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the solubility of irisquinone was enhanced markedly by inclusion with HP-beta-CD when stoichiometry was 2:1 of host and guest at 25 degrees C, 35 degrees C and 45 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The solubility and stability of irisquinone could be increased by preparing the inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin.