Dual stimulus-responsive renewable nanoadsorbent for selective adsorption of low-density lipoprotein in serum.

Selective removal of ultra-high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the blood of hyperlipemia patients using hemoperfusion is considered an efficient method to prevent the deterioration of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Based on the exceptional structure-function properties of multistimulus-responsive materials, we developed a magnetic photorenewable nanoadsorbent (Fe3O4@SiO2@Azo-COOH) with outstanding selectivity and regenerative characteristics, featuring functionalized azobenzene as the ligand. The dual-stimulus response endowed Fe3O4@SiO2@Azo-COOH with rapid separation and photoregenerative properties. The adsorbent demonstrated excellent removal efficiency of LDL with an adsorption capacity of 15.06 mg/g, and highly repetitive adsorption performance (≥5 cycles) under irradiation. Fe3O4@SiO2@Azo-COOH also exhibited remarkable adsorption properties and selectivity in human serum, with adsorption capacities of 10.93, 21.26 and 9.80 mg/g for LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides and only 0.77 mg/g for high-density lipoprotein (HDL), resulting in a 93% selective adsorption difference (LDL/HDL). Complete green regeneration of the nanoadsorbent was achieved through a simple regeneration process, maintaining a recovery rate of 99.4% after five regeneration experiments. By combining dynamic perfusion experiment with micromagnetic microfluidics, the LDL content decreased by 16.6%. Due to its superior adsorption capacity and regenerative properties, the dual stimulus-responsive nanosorbent is considered a potential hemoperfusion adsorbent.

Greatly isolated heterogeneous circulating tumor cells using hybrid engineered cell membrane-camouflaged magnetic nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are considered as a useful biomarker for early cancer diagnosis, which play a crucial role in metastatic process. Unfortunately, the tumor heterogeneity and extremely rare occurrence rate of CTCs among billions of interfering leukocytes seriously hamper the sensitivity and purity of CTCs isolation. METHODS: To address these, we firstly used microfluidic chips to detect the broad-spectrum of triple target combination biomarkers in CTCs of 10 types of cancer patients, including EpCAM, EGFR and Her2. Then, we constructed hybrid engineered cell membrane-camouflaged magnetic nanoparticles (HE-CM-MNs) for efficient capture of heterogeneous CTCs with high-purity, which was enabled by inheriting the recognition ability of HE-CM for various CTCs and reducing homologous cell interaction with leukocytes. Compared with single E-CM-MNs, HE-CM-MNs showed a significant improvement in the capture efficiency for a cell mixture, with an efficiency of 90%. And the capture efficiency of HE-CM-MNs toward 12 subpopulations of tumor cells was ranged from 70 to 85%. Furthermore, by using HE-CM-MNs, we successfully isolated heterogeneous CTCs with high purity from clinical blood samples. Finally, the captured CTCs by HE-CM-MNs could be used for gene mutation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the promising potential of HE-CM-MNs for heterogeneous CTCs detection and downstream analysis.

TiO2/Polystyrene Nanocomposite Antibacterial Material as a Hemoperfusion Adsorbent for Efficient Bilirubin Removal and Prevention of Bacterial Infection.

The use of hemoperfusion adsorbents for the removal of bilirubin in patients with liver failure has become a critical treatment. However, the insufficient clearance of bilirubin and the possibility of bacterial infection during hemoperfusion limit the application. In this work, we designed a novel antibacterial bilirubin adsorbent (PSVT) through the suspension polymerization reaction between double-bond functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles and styrene. PSVT showed an excellent bilirubin adsorption ability and antibacterial performance, ensuring efficient clearance of bilirubin in liver failure patients during hemoperfusion and preventing bacterial infection. The experimental results indicated that TiO2 was uniformly dispersed in the microspheres, which improved the mesoporous structure and increased the specific surface area. Composite adsorbent PSVT showed an exceptional bilirubin adsorption capacity, with the maximum adsorption capacity reaching 24.3 mg/g. In addition, the introduction of TiO2 endowed PSVT with excellent antibacterial ability; the ultimate antibacterial rates against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reached 97.31 and 96.47%, respectively. In summary, PSVT served as a novel antibacterial bilirubin adsorbent with excellent bilirubin clearance capacity and antibacterial performance, providing excellent application prospects for treating liver failure patients.

Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in mitochondria.

Mitochondria serve as sites for energy production and are essential for regulating various forms of cell death induced by metal metabolism, targeted anticancer drugs, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Cuproptosis is an autonomous form of cell death that depends on copper (Cu) and mitochondrial metabolism. Although the recent discovery of cuproptosis highlights the significance of Cu and mitochondria, there is still a lack of biological evidence and experimental verification for the underlying mechanism. We provide an overview of how Cu and cuproptosis affect mitochondrial morphology and function. Through comparison with ferroptosis, similarities and differences in mitochondrial metabolism between cuproptosis and ferroptosis have been identified. These findings provide implications for further exploration of cuproptotic mechanisms. Furthermore, we explore the correlation between cuproptosis and immunotherapy or radiosensitivity. Ultimately, we emphasize the therapeutic potential of targeting cuproptosis as a novel approach for disease treatment.

Metabolic dialogs between B cells and the tumor microenvironment: Implications for anticancer immunity.

Immunometabolism, a branch of biology describing the link between immunity and metabolism, is an emerging topic in cancer immunology. It is currently well accepted that B cells and tertiary lymph structures formed by them are associated with favorable outcomes when patients undergo cancer immunotherapy. Understanding the determinants of B-cell fate and function in cancer patients is necessary for improving cancer immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence points to the tumor microenvironment being a critical metabolic hurdle to an efficient antitumor B-cell response. At the same time, several B-cell-derived metabolites have recently been reported to inhibit anticancer immunity. In this literature review, key B-cell immunometabolism studies and the metabolic life of B cells were summarized. Then, we discussed the intrinsic metabolic pathways of B cells themselves and how the tumor microenvironment and B cells in tumors metabolically influence each other. Finally, we pointed out key questions to provide some inspiration for further study of the role of B-cell immunometabolism in the antitumor immune response.

Risk factors related to the failure of prevention of hepatitis B virus Mother-to-Child transmission in Yunnan, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the failure of prevention of hepatitis B virus Mother-to-Child transmission and HBV serological pattern, viral load as well as HBV genotypes. METHODS: 2765 pairs of mother-infant matched samples were collected. These pregnant women were HBsAg positive and delivered at hospital from January 1st, 2011 to June 30th, 2011. Of these samples, 26 pairs of sera samples were randomly selected from 114 pairs of samples which failed in the prevention of hepatitis B virus Mother-to-Child transmission. Serological tests, viral load and genotype detection were performed for further analysis. Additionally, the selected subjects were followed and tested again in 2014. RESULTS: HBeAg positive rates were 76.92% and 69.23% in mother group and infant group respectively, showed no statistical difference. The average HBV DNA levels were >2×105IU/ml in both mother group and infant group. Genotype analysis revealed that 11 pairs of mother-infant matched samples belonged to C gene type and another 11 pairs were B gene type. Different genotypes were observed in 4 pairs of mother-infant matched samples. CONCLUSION: HbeAg positive and high HBV DNA level were two major risk factors of HBV mother to child transmission. Additionally, nosocomial infection was another potential way of HBV vertical transmission, especially in remote area of Yunnan province.