Natural Fat Nanoemulsions for Enhanced Optical Coherence Tomography Neuroimaging and Tumor Imaging in the Second Near-Infrared Window.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging mainly uses backscattered light to visualize the structural and functional information on biological tissues. In particular, OCT angiography can not only map the capillary networks but also capture the blood flow in the tissue microenvironment, making it a good candidate for neuroimaging and tumor imaging in vivo and in real time. To further improve the detection accuracy of cancer or brain disorders, it is essential to develop a natural and nontoxic contrast agent for enhanced OCT imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window. In this study, a superior biocompatible and highly scattering NIR-II fat nanoemulsion was constructed to improve OCT imaging contrast and depth for monitoring the vascular network changes of the cerebral cortex or tumor. In vivo experimental results demonstrated that a natural fat nanoemulsion can serve as an excellent probe for enhanced OCT neuroimaging and tumor imaging.

Supercharged precision killers: Genetically engineered biomimetic drugs of screened metalloantibiotics against Acinetobacter baumanni.

To eliminate multidrug-resistant bacteria of Acinetobacter baumannii, we screened 1100 Food and Drug Administration-approved small molecule drugs and accessed the broxyquinoline (Bq) efficacy in combination with various metal ions. Antibacterial tests demonstrated that the prepared Zn(Bq)2 complex showed ultralow minimum inhibitory concentration of ~0.21 micrograms per milliliter with no resistance after 30 passages. We then constructed the nano zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a drug carrier of Zn(Bq)2 and also incorporated the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) to trace and boost the antibacterial effect. To further ensure the stable and targeted delivery, we genetically engineered outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) with the ability to selectively target A. baumannii. By coating the ZnBq/Ce6@ZIF-8 core with these OMV, the resulted drug (ZnBq/Ce6@ZIF-8@OMV) exhibited exceptional killing efficacy (>99.9999999%) of A. baumannii. In addition, in vitro and in vivo tests were also respectively carried out to inspect the remarkable efficacy of this previously unknown nanodrug in eradicating A. baumannii infections, including biofilms and meningitis.

The Combination of Membrane Disruption and FtsZ Targeting by a Chemotherapeutic Hydrogel Synergistically Combats Pathogens Infections.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria poses a significant challenge to global health. Due to a shortage of antibiotics, alternative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Unfortunately, colistin, the last-resort antibiotic, has unavoidable nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, and its single killing mechanism is prone to drug resistance. To address this challenge, a promising combinatorial approach that includes colistin, a membrane-disrupting antimicrobial agent, and chelerythrine (CHE), a FtsZ protein inhibitor is proposed. This approach significantly reduces antibiotic dose and development of resistance, leading to almost complete inactivation of MDR pathogens in vitro. To address solubility issues and ensure transport, the antimicrobial hydrogel system LNP-CHE-CST@hydrogel, which induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis-like cell death by targeting the FtsZ protein, is used. In an in vivo mouse skin infection model, the combination therapy effectively eliminated MDR bacteria within 24 h, as monitored by fluorescence tracking. The findings demonstrate a promising approach for developing multifunctional hydrogels to combat MDR bacterial infections.

Psychological stress to ovalbumin peptide-specific T-cell receptor transgenic mice impairs the suppressive ability of type 1 regulatory T cell.

Numerous diseases of the immune system can be traced back to the malfunctioning of the regulatory T cells. The aetiology is unclear. Psychological stress can cause disruption to the immune regulation. The synergistic effects of psychological stress and immune response on immune regulation have yet to be fully understood. The intention of this study is to analyse the interaction between psychological stress and immune responses and how it affects the functional status of type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells. In this study, ovalbumin peptide T-cell receptor transgenic mice were utilised. Mice were subjected to restraint stress to induce psychological stress. An airway allergy murine model was established, in which a mouse strain with RING finger protein 20 (Rnf20)-deficient CD4+ T cells were used. The results showed that concomitant exposure to restraint stress and immune response could exacerbate endoplasmic reticulum stress in Tr1 cells. Corticosterone was responsible for the elevated expression of X-box protein-1 (XBP1) in mouse Tr1 cells after exposure to both restraint stress and immune response. XBP1 mediated the effects of corticosterone on inducing Rnf20 in Tr1 cells. The reduction of the interleukin-10 expression in Tr1 cells was facilitated by Rnf20. Inhibition of Rnf20 alleviated experimental airway allergy by restoring the immune regulatory ability of Tr1 cells. In conclusion, the functions of Tr1 cells are negatively impacted by simultaneous exposure to psychological stress and immune response. Tr1 cells' immune suppressive functions can be restored by inhibiting Rnf20, which has the translational potential for the treatment of diseases of the immune system.

The signaling pathways involved in non-coding RNA regulation during osteogenic differentiation of periodontal tissue-derived cells in the field of periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a prevalent oral disease caused by chronic inflammation of the periodontal tissues surrounding the teeth, which can lead to bone loss, tooth loosening, and even tooth loss. This inflammation has a negative impact on the osteogenic differentiation capacity of periodontal tissue-derived cells. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but can regulate various physiological processes. In this review, we summarized the critical signaling pathways that ncRNAs modulate in osteogenic differentiation of periodontal tissue-derived cells, such as the Wnt, BMP/Smad, NF-κB, and PI3-K/Akt/mTOR pathways. This comprehensive exploration of ncRNA-mediated modulation offers fresh and promising insights for prospective approaches in the management of periodontitis and the advancement of periodontal regeneration therapies.

The transcription factor XBP1 in dendritic cells promotes the TH2 cell response in airway allergy.

Dendritic cells (DCs) that express T cell immunoglobulin domain molecule-4 (TIM4), a cell surface receptor for phosphatidylserine, induce T helper 2 (TH2) cell responses and allergic reactions. We elucidated the role of the transcription factor X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) in the induction of the TH2 cell response through its role in generating TIM4+ DCs. We found that XBP1 was required for TIM4 mRNA and protein expression in airway DCs in response to the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) and that this pathway was required for TIM4 expression on DCs in response to the allergens PM2.5 and Derf1. The IL-2-XBP1-TIM4 axis in DCs contributed to Derf1/PM2.5-induced, aberrant TH2 cell responses in vivo. An interaction between the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of sevenless-1 (SOS1) and the GTPase RAS promoted XBP1 and TIM4 production in DCs. Targeting the XBP1-TIM4 pathway in DCs prevented or alleviated experimental airway allergy. Together, these data suggest that XBP1 is required for TH2 cell responses by inducing the development of TIM4+ DCs, which depends on the IL-2-XBP1-SOS1 axis. This signaling pathway provides potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of TH2 cell-dependent inflammation or allergic diseases.

Ultrasound nanotheranostics: Toward precision medicine.

Ultrasound (US) is a mechanical wave that can penetrate biological tissues and trigger complex bioeffects. The mechanisms of US in different diagnosis and treatment are different, and the functional application of commercial US is also expanding. In particular, recent developments in nanotechnology have led to a wider use of US in precision medicine. In this review, we focus on US in combination with versatile micro and nanoparticles (NPs)/nanovesicles for tumor theranostics. We first introduce US-assisted drug delivery as a stimulus-responsive approach that spatiotemporally regulates the deposit of nanomedicines in target tissues. Multiple functionalized NPs and their US-regulated drug-release curves are analyzed in detail. Moreover, as a typical representative of US therapy, sonodynamic antitumor strategy is attracting researchers' attention. The collaborative efficiency and mechanisms of US and various nano-sensitizers such as nano-porphyrins and organic/inorganic nanosized sensitizers are outlined in this paper. A series of physicochemical processes during ultrasonic cavitation and NPs activation are also discussed. Finally, the new applications of US and diagnostic NPs in tumor-monitoring and image-guided combined therapy are summarized. Diagnostic NPs contain substances with imaging properties that enhance US contrast and photoacoustic imaging. The development of such high-resolution, low-background US-based imaging methods has contributed to modern precision medicine. It is expected that the integration of non-invasive US and nanotechnology will lead to significant breakthroughs in future clinical applications.

Protection-Oriented Landscape Design Based on Ecological Priority under the Concept of Ecological Environment Monitoring.

Monitoring the ecological environment and creating protective landscapes have as their main objectives the rational and successful integration of available resources in accordance with regional needs while conserving their core nature. Landscape architects need to not only fully comprehend it but also develop it in practice if they are to ensure the maintenance of landscape design and plant configuration. In order to protect the environment, this essay discusses protective landscape design while emphasising environmental monitoring. The research shows that the strategy outlined in this paper has the lowest cost. Choosing a landscape that is inexpensive to upgrade has a big advantage over the costs connected to this method of developing a landscape. According to the ecological priority concept of ecological protection, rational planning and allocation of urban green space are of great urgency and practical significance for enhancing people's lives, fostering economic development, and creating a harmonious society in the current construction of a society focused on conservation.

XBP1 is required in Th2 polarization induction in airway allergy.

Rationale: Th2 polarization plays a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as airway allergy. The underlying mechanism is not fully understood yet. X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) can regulate immune cell activities upon exposing stressful events. The role of XBP1 in the development of Th2 polarization has not yet been explored. Methods: Mice carrying Xbp1-deficient CD4+ T cells were employed to observe the role of XBP1 in the induction of airway allergy. A cell culture model was established to evaluate the role of XBP1 in facilitating the Th2 lineage commitment. Results: We found that Xbp1 ablation in CD4+ T cells prevented induction of Th2 polarization in the mouse airway tract. XBP1 was indispensable in the Th2 lineage commitment. XBP1 mediated the effects of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (MNP) on facilitating inducing antigen-specific Th2 response in the airways. Exposure to MNP induced expression of XBP1 in CD4+ T cells. RhoA facilitated the binding between XBP1 and GATA3 in CD4+ T cells. XBP1 induced GATA3 phosphorylation to promote the Il4 gene transcription. Modulation of the RhoA/XBP1 axis mitigated experimental allergic response in the mouse airways. Conclusions: A potential therapeutic target, XBP1, was identified in this study. XBP1 was required in the development of skewed Th2 response in the airways. Inhibiting XBP1 alleviated Th2 polarization-related immune inflammation in the airways. The data suggest that inhibiting XBP1 has the translation potential for the treatment of airway allergy.

Biomimetic semiconducting polymer dots for highly specific NIR-II fluorescence imaging of glioma.

Glioma with very short medium survival time consists of 80% of primary malignant types of brain tumors. The unique microenvironment such as the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes the glioma theranostics exhibit low sensitivity in diagnosis, a poor prognosis and low treatment efficacy. Therefore, the development of multifunctional nanoplatform that can cross BBB and target the glioma is essential for the high-sensitivity detection and ablation of cancer cells. In this study, C6 cell membrane-coated conjugated polymer dots (Pdots-C6) were constructed for targeted glioma tumor detection. As a new kind of biomimetic and biocompatible nanoprobes, Pdots-C6 preserve the complex biological functions of natural cell membranes while possessing physicochemical properties for NIR-II fluorescence imaging of glioma. After encapsulating C6 cell membrane on the surface of conjugated Pdots, Pdots-C6 exhibited the most favorable specific targeting capabilities in vitro and in vivo. In particular, this pilot study demonstrates that biomimetic nanoparticles offer a potential tool to enhance specific targeting to the brain, hence improving glioma tumor detection accuracy.

5-HT is associated with the dysfunction of regulating T cells in patients with allergic rhinitis.

The dysfunction of regulating T lymphocytes (Treg) is associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is capable of interacting with immune cells. The objective of the present study is to shed light on the role of 5-HT in regulating Treg activities. Blood samples were collected from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR). Tregs were isolated from blood samples by magnetic cell sorting. The levels of 5-HT and other cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that serum 5-HT levels in patients with AR were higher than in healthy control (HC) subjects. A positive correlation was identified in the data between 5-HT concentrations and AR-related cytokine concentrations in the serum. A negative correlation was found between serum levels of 5-HT and the peripheral frequency of Treg. Exposure to 5-HT enhanced the expression of IL-6 and IL-21 in dendritic cells (DC). Co-culture of 5-HT-primed DCs with Tregs led to the conversion of Th17 cells. STAT3 blockade efficiently abolished the 5-HT-associated conversion of Th17 cells from Tregs. In summary, patients with AR exhibited higher serum concentrations of 5-HT. 5-HT-primed DCs could convert Tregs to Th17 cells.

Correction to "Highly Efficient Water-Soluble Photosensitizer Based on Chlorin: Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation for Photodynamic Therapy".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00004.].

An eosinophil-Sos1-RAS axis licenses corticosteroid resistance in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid resistance (CR) is a serious disadvantage in treating many chronic inflammatory conditions. Eosinophils are the main inflammation cells in allergic reactions. Environmental pollution, such as PM2.5, is associated with the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which the exposure to PM2.5 confers eosinophil CR status. METHODS: Patients with allergic rhinitis were recruited and assigned to corticosteroid sensitive (CS) and CR groups. Eosinophils were purified from nasal lavage fluids collected from patients with allergic rhinitis. A murine AR mouse model was developed with dust mite allergens and PM2.5 as the sensitization reagents. RESULTS: CR status was detected in about 60% eosinophil collected in patients with AR. Upon exposure to eosinophil activators, CS eosinophils released a large quantity of mediators, which was suppressed by the presence of steroids in the culture. CR eosinophils demonstrated resistance to steroidal therapy. RAS activation levels in eosinophils were higher in CR eosinophils than in CS eosinophils. Higher expression of the Son of sevenless-1 (Sos1) was detected in CR eosinophils, which formed a complex with RAS and glucocorticoidreceptor-α in CR eosinophils to prevent the binding between steroids and glucocorticoidreceptor-α. The presence of an Sos1 inhibitor dissociated glucocorticoid receptor-α from RAS/Sos1 complex, that restored the sensitivity to steroids in eosinophils. Administering the Sos1 inhibitor effectively attenuated the experimental allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: CR status was detected in approximately 1/3 eosinophils sampled from patients with allergic rhinitis. Sos1 was instrumental in the development and perseverance of CR in eosinophils. Sos1 inhibition restored sensitivity to steroids in CR eosinophils, which effectively reduced experimental allergic rhinitis.

Recent advances in glioma microenvironment-response nanoplatforms for phototherapy and sonotherapy.

The newly emerging nanotheranostic strategies including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) have exhibited their unbeatable advantages in treatment and prognosis of glioma tumors as compared to conventional ones like chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Meanwhile, the components of glioma microenvironment including blood brain barrier (BBB), oxidative stress, hypoxia and angiogenesis, play essential roles in glioma initiation, progression, invasion, recurrence and drug resistance. More importantly, the nanoparticles can modulate the glioma environments to increase targeting capability, monitor the glioma growth, and enhance therapy outcomes. In this review, we will introduce the basic components of glioma microenvironment, the role that glioma microenvironment played on tumor development and progression, and the key perspectives associated with glioma microenvironment-based multifunctional nanoplatform design. In particular, recent advances in glioma microenvironment-response nanoparticles for phototherapy (PTT and PDT) and sonotherapy will be discussed in detail. Finally, the challenges related to the clinical transition for nanomedicine-based glioma theranostics will be addressed.

Oxygen-carrying biomimetic nanoplatform for sonodynamic killing of bacteria and treatment of infection diseases.

Among various novel antimicrobial therapies, sonodynamic therapy (SDT) exhibits its advantages for the treatment of bacterial infections due to its high penetration depth and low side effects. In this study, a new nanosonosensitizer (HFH@ZIF-8) that loads sonosensitizer hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), was constructed for killing multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and treatment of in vivo infection diseases by SDT. In particular, the developed HFH@ZIF-8 exhibited enhanced water-solubility, good biocompatibility, and improved disease-targeting capability for delivering and releasing HMME and ablating the infected lesion. More importantly, the presence of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin for HFH@ZIF-8 can offer sufficient oxygen consumption by SDT, augmenting the efficacy of SDT by improving ROS generating efficiency against deep tissue multidrug-resistant bacterial infection. Therefore, this study paves a new avenue for treating infection disease, particularly for antibiotic resistant bacterial infection.

Glutaminolysis is required in maintaining immune regulatory functions in B cells.

IL-10-expressing regulatory B cells (B10 cells) are dysfunctional in patients with many immune disorders. The underlying mechanism remains to be further elucidated. Glutamine is an essential nutrient for cell metabolism. This study aims to elucidate the role of glutaminolysis in maintaining the immune regulatory capacity in B10 cells. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 patients with allergic rhinitis and 50 healthy control subjects. B cells were isolated from blood samples by cell sorting with flow cytometry. The role of glutaminolysis in regulating B10 cell activities was assessed by immunological and biochemical approaches. The results showed that B cells from patients with allergic rhinitis expressed low levels of the transporter of glutamine and neutral amino acid. Glutaminolysis was required in the IL-10 expression in B cells. The glutamine catabolism was required in B10 cell generation. The mTOR activation mediated the glutaminolysis-associated B10 cell induction, and the suppression of the B cell glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) activation. GSK3 activation suppressed IL-10 expression in B cells. Inhibition of GSK3 enhanced IL-10 expression in B cells and alleviated experimental allergic rhinitis by generating immune competent type 1 regulatory T cells.