Vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the quiescence of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) by regulating M2 macrophage exosomal smooth muscle cell-associated protein 5 (SMAP-5) / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

An effective therapeutic regimen for hepatic fibrosis requires a deep understanding of the pathogenesis mechanism. Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) with an excessive production of extracellular matrix. Although promoted activation of HSCs by M2 macrophages has been demonstrated, the molecular mechanism involved remains ambiguous. Herein, we propose that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) involved in macrophage polarization may regulate the communication between macrophages and HSCs by changing the functions of exosomes. We confirm that activating the VDR can inhibit the effect of M2 macrophages on HSC activation. The exosomes derived from M2 macrophages can promote HSC activation, while stimulating VDR alters the protein profiles and reverses their roles in M2 macrophage exosomes. Smooth muscle cell-associated protein 5 (SMAP-5) was found to be the key effector protein in promoting HSC activation by regulating autophagy flux. Building on these results, we show that a combined treatment of a VDR agonist and a macrophage-targeted exosomal secretion inhibitor achieves an excellent anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. In this study, we aim to elucidate the association between VDR and macrophages in HSC activation. The results contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis mechanism of hepatic fibrosis, and provide potential therapeutic targets for its treatment.

Research progress in leveraging biomaterials for enhancing NK cell immunotherapy / 浙江大学学报·医学版

NK cell immunotherapy is a promising antitumor therapeutic modality after the development of T cell immunotherapy. Structural modification of NK cells with biomaterials may provide a precise, efficient, and low-cost strategy to enhance NK cell immunotherapy. The biomaterial modification of NK cells can be divided into two strategies: surface engineering with biomaterials and intracellular modification. The surface engineering strategies include hydrophobic interaction of lipids, receptor-ligand interaction between membrane proteins, covalent binding to amino acid residues, click reaction and electrostatic interaction. The intracellular modification strategies are based on manipulation by nanotechnology using membranous materials from various sources of NK cells (such as exosome, vesicle and cytomembranes). Finally, the biomaterials-based strategies regulate the recruitment, recognition and cytotoxicity of NK cells in the solid tumor site in situ to boost the activity of NK cells in the tumor. This article reviews the recent research progress in enhancing NK cell therapy based on biomaterial modification, to provide a reference for further researches on engineering NK cell therapy with biomaterials.

Research status and prospect of tissue engineering technology in treatment of atrophic rhinitis / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To review the research progress of the feasibility of a new treatment method for atrophic rhinitis (ATR) based on tissue engineering technology (seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors), and provide new ideas for the treatment of ATR.@*METHODS@#The literature related to ATR was extensively reviewed. Focusing on the three aspects of seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors, the recent research progress of ATR treatment was reviewed, and the future directions of tissue engineering technology to treat ATR were proposed.@*RESULTS@#The pathogenesis and etiology of ATR are still unclear, and the effectiveness of the current treatments are still unsatisfactory. The construction of a cell-scaffold complex with sustained and controlled release of exogenous cytokines is expected to reverse the pathological changes of ATR, promoting the regeneration of normal nasal mucosa and reconstructing the atrophic turbinate. In recent years, the research progress of exosomes, three-dimensional printing, and organoids will promote the development of tissue engineering technology for ATR.@*CONCLUSION@#Tissue engineering technology can provide a new treatment method for ATR.