Polymorphisms of haptoglobin modify the relationship between dietary iron and the risk of gestational iron-deficiency anemia.

PURPOSE: To assess whether polymorphisms of haptoglobin (Hp) modify the relationship between dietary iron and the risk of gestational iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). METHODS: This study analyzed 1430 singleton pregnant women aged 20 ~ ≤ 48 years from the 2017-2019 National Nutrition and Health Survey of Pregnant Women in Taiwan. Sociodemographic, blood biochemical, Hp phenotype, and 24-h dietary recall data were collected. Erythropoiesis-related total prenatal supplementation was defined as the reported use of multivitamins and minerals, vitamin B complex, folate, and iron. RESULTS: Distributions of the Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1, and Hp 2-2 phenotypes were 13.6, 39.8, and 46.5%, respectively. Women with the Hp 1-1 phenotype had the lowest mean levels of serum ferritin (p-trend = 0.017), the highest prevalence of gestational ID (p-trend = 0.033) as well as the highest prevalence of gestational IDA (did not reach statistical differences, p-trend = 0.086). A gene-diet interaction on serum ferritin was observed between the Hp 1 and Hp 2 (2-1/2-2) alleles (p < 0.001). An adjusted multivariate logistic regression showed that compared to those with a normal blood iron status and who reported using erythropoiesis-related total prenatal supplements, those who did not had a 4.05-fold [odds ratio (OR) = 4.05 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-6.24), p < 0.001] increased risk of gestational IDA. The corresponding ORs for carriers of the Hp 1 and Hp 2 alleles were 4.78 (95% CI 1.43-15.99) and 3.79 (95% CI 2.37-6.06), respectively. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women who are Hp 1 carriers are at increased risk for developing IDA if they do not meet the recommended dietary allowance for iron or use erythropoiesis-related prenatal supplements.

Gold-Based Nanostructures for Antibacterial Application.

Bacterial infections have become a fatal threat because of the abuse of antibiotics in the world. Various gold (Au)-based nanostructures have been extensively explored as antibacterial agents to combat bacterial infections based on their remarkable chemical and physical characteristics. Many Au-based nanostructures have been designed and their antibacterial activities and mechanisms have been further examined and demonstrated. In this review, we collected and summarized current developments of antibacterial agents of Au-based nanostructures, including Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), Au nanoclusters (AuNCs), Au nanorods (AuNRs), Au nanobipyramids (AuNBPs), and Au nanostars (AuNSs) according to their shapes, sizes, and surface modifications. The rational designs and antibacterial mechanisms of these Au-based nanostructures are further discussed. With the developments of Au-based nanostructures as novel antibacterial agents, we also provide perspectives, challenges, and opportunities for future practical clinical applications.

Toxicologic Concerns with Current Medical Nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology is one of the scientific advances in technology. Nanoparticles (NPs) are small materials ranging from 1 to 100 nm. When the shape of the supplied nanoparticles changes, the physiological response of the cells can be very different. Several characteristics of NPs such as the composition, surface chemistry, surface charge, and shape are also important parameters affecting the toxicity of nanomaterials. This review covered specific topics that address the effects of NPs on nanomedicine. Furthermore, mechanisms of different types of nanomaterial-induced cytotoxicities were described. The distributions of different NPs in organs and their adverse effects were also emphasized. This review provides insight into the scientific community interested in nano(bio)technology, nanomedicine, and nanotoxicology. The content may also be of interest to a broad range of scientists.

Leucettamine B analogs and their carborane derivative as potential anti-cancer agents: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation.

Leucettamine B is a natural product found in marine sponge Leucetta microraphis. Several of analogs of its family, such as aplysinopsine and clathridine, are medicinally active molecules which have applications in many pharmaceuticals and healthcare products; however, thus far, leucettamine B has not been studied. In this report, we describe the synthesis of a new class of analogs of leucettamine B obtained by Knoevenagel condensation using a microwave reactor. The 25 newly synthesized compounds were tested against MDA-MB-468, SW480, and Mahlavu cell lines for anticancer activity. Among them, the carborane-based compound (Z)-5-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylene)-3-(1-closo-carboranyl)-2-thioxo -thiazolidin-4-one (49) and (Z)-5-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylene)-3-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (31) derivatives were found to have the most potential for use against tumor cells. The carborane derivative 49 had the lowest IC50 value against the SW480 cell line (4.7 µM) and the Mahlavu (6.6 µM) cell line. Furthermore, compound 31 also had a low IC50 value against SW480 (7.5 µM). Our research shows that leucettamine B analogs might have potential for use in cancer chemotherapy.

Galectin-3 Modulates Macrophage Activation and Contributes Smooth Muscle Cells Apoptosis in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Pathogenesis.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a 26-kDa lectin that regulates many aspects of inflammatory cell behavior. We assessed the hypothesis that increased levels of Gal-3 contribute to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression by enhancing monocyte chemoattraction through macrophage activation. We analyzed the plasma levels of Gal-3 in 76 patients with AAA (AAA group) and 97 controls (CTL group) as well as in angiotensin II (Ang-II)-infused ApoE knockout mice. Additionally, conditioned media (CM) were used to polarize THP-1 monocyte to M1 macrophages with or without Gal-3 inhibition through small interfering RNA targeted deletion to investigate whether Gal-3 inhibition could attenuate macrophage-induced inflammation and smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis. Our results showed a markedly increased expression of Gal-3 in the plasma and aorta in the AAA patients and experimental mice compared with the CTL group. An in vitro study demonstrated that the M1 cells exhibited increased Gal-3 expression. Gal-3 inhibition markedly decreased the quantity of macrophage-induced inflammatory regulators, including IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1ß, as well as messenger RNA expression and MMP-9 activity. Moreover, Gal-3-deficient CM weakened SMC apoptosis through Fas activation. These findings prove that Gal-3 may contribute to AAA progression by the activation of inflammatory macrophages, thereby promoting SMC apoptosis.

Quantitative Analysis of Glucose Metabolic Cleavage in Glucose Transporters Overexpressed Cancer Cells by Target-Specific Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters.

The glucose metabolism rate in cancer cells is a crucial piece of information for the cancer aggressiveness. A feasible method to monitor processes of oncogenic mutations has been demonstrated in this work. The fluorescent gold nanoclusters conjugated with glucose (glucose-AuNCs) were successfully synthesized as a cancer-targeting probe for glucose transporters (Gluts) overexpressed by U-87 MG cancer cells, which can be observed under confocal microscopy. The structural and optical characterizations of fluorescent glucose-AuNCs were confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The MTT assay exhibited the high biocompatibility of water-soluble glucose-AuNCs for further biomedical applications. The glucose metabolic cleavage of glucose-AuNCs by glycolytic enzymes from U-87 MG cancer cell was measured by fluorescence change of glucose-AuNCs. The fluorescence change based on the integrated area under fluorescence spectra ( A t) of glucose-AuNCs was plotted as a function of different reaction time ( t) with glycolytic enzymes. The fitted curve of A t versus t showed the first-order kinetics to explain the mechanism of glucose metabolic cleavage rate of glucose-AuNCs by glycolytic enzymes. The rate constant k could be utilized to determine the glucose metabolism rate of glucose-AuNCs for the quantitative analysis of cancer aggressiveness. Our work provides a practical application of target-specific glucose-AuNCs as a fluorescence probe to analyze the glucose metabolism in Gluts overexpressed cancer cells.

Rapid and highly sensitive detection of Enterovirus 71 by using nanogold-enhanced electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection is an emerging infectious disease causing neurological complications and/or death within two to three days after the development of fever and rash. A low viral titre in clinical specimens makes the detection of EV71 difficult. Conventional approaches for detecting EV71 are time consuming, poorly sensitive, or complicated, and cannot be used effectively for clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, EV71 and Coxsackie virus A16 (CA16) may cross react in conventional assays. Therefore, a rapid, highly sensitive, specific, and user-friendly test is needed. We developed an EV71-specific nanogold-modified working electrode for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the detection of EV71. Our results show that EV71 can be distinguished from CA16, Herpes simplex virus, and lysozyme, with the modified nanogold electrode being able to detect EV71 in concentrations as low as 1 copy number/50 µl reaction volume, and the duration between sample preparation and detection being 11 min. This detection platform may have the potential for use in point-of-care diagnostics.

Design of novel self-assembled MXene and ZIF67 derivative composites as efficient electroactive material of energy storage device.

High surface area and tunable pore size are beneficial for metal organic frameworks (MOFs) as electroactive material of energy storage devices. Novel ZIF67 derivative proposed in our previous work, nickel cobalt fluoride coupled with ammonia ions (NCNF), is synthesized using ammonia fluoride to solve poor electrical conductivity of MOFs. MXene is commonly incorporated in pseudo-capacitive materials to enhance electrical conductivity and energy storage ability. In this study, it is the first time to design MXene and NCNF composites (MXene/NCNF) with different MXene amounts via incorporating MXene in growing process of NCNF. MXene and NCNF are combined via self-assembly in a simple room temperature solution process. The optimized MXene/NCNF electrode shows a higher specific capacitance of 1020.0 F g-1 (170.0 mAh g-1) than that of NCNF electrode (574.2 F g-1 and 95.7 mAh g-1) at 20 mV s-1, due to excellent surface properties of MXene/NCNF with conductive network of MXene and high electrocapacitive performance of NCNF. A symmetric energy storage device composed of the optimized MXene/NCNF electrodes presents outstanding cycling stability with Coulombic efficiency of 100% during whole cycling process and a high capacitance retention of 99% after 6000 cycles. Excellent electrochemical performance and simple synthesis of MXene/NCNF open new blueprints for designing novel electrocapacitive materials for electrochemical applications.

Lipid-Based Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery Systems in Breast Cancer Therapy.

Globally, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases, inducing critical intimidation to human health. Lipid-based nanomaterials have been successfully demonstrated as drug carriers for breast cancer treatment. To date, the development of a better drug delivery system based on lipid nanomaterials is still urgent to make the treatment and diagnosis easily accessible to breast cancer patients. In a drug delivery system, lipid nanomaterials have revealed distinctive features, including high biocompatibility and efficient drug delivery. Specifically, a targeted drug delivery system based on lipid nanomaterials has inherited the advantage of optimum dosage and low side effects. In this review, insights on currently used potential lipid-based nanomaterials are collected and introduced. The review sheds light on conjugation, targeting, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical significance of lipid-based nanomaterials to treat breast cancer. Furthermore, a brighter side of lipid-based nanomaterials as future potential drug delivery systems for breast cancer therapy is discussed.

Haptoglobin-Conjugated Gold Nanoclusters as a Nanoantibiotic to Combat Bacteremia.

Gold nanoclusters have revealed great potential as nanoantibiotics due to their superior chemical and physical characteristics. In this study, a peptide with 83 amino acids derived from haptoglobin was utilized as a surface ligand to synthesize gold nanoclusters via a facile hydrothermal approach. Characterization of the structural and optical properties demonstrated the successful synthesis of derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters. The spherical derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters exhibited a (111) plane of cubic gold and an ultra-small size of 3.6 ± 0.1 nm. The optical properties such as ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra, fluorescence spectra, and Fourier transform infrared spectra also validated the successful conjugation between the derived haptoglobin peptide and the gold nanoclusters surface. The antibacterial activity, reactive oxygen species production, and antibacterial mechanisms of derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters were confirmed by culturing the bacterium Escherichia coli with hemoglobin to simulate bacteremia. The surface ligand of the derived haptoglobin peptide of derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters was able to conjugate with hemoglobin to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli. The derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters with an ultra-small size also induced reactive oxygen species production, which resulted in the death of Escherichia coli. The superior antibacterial activity of derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the surface ligand of the derived haptoglobin peptide and the ultra-small size. Our work demonstrated derived haptoglobin-conjugated gold nanoclusters as a promising nanoantibiotic for combating bacteremia.

Ni2+-enhanced charge transport via π-π stacking corridor in metallic DNA.

The mechanism underlying DNA charge transport is intriguing. However, poor conductivity of DNA makes it difficult to detect DNA charge transport. Metallic DNA (M-DNA) has better conducting properties than native DNA. Ni(2+) may chelate in DNA and thus enhance DNA conductivity. On the basis of this finding, it is possible to reveal the mechanisms underlying DNA charge transport. The conductivity of various Ni-DNA species such as single-stranded, full complement, or mismatched sequence molecules was systematically tested with ultraviolet absorption and electrical or chemical methods. The results showed that the conductivity of single-stranded Ni-DNA (Ni-ssDNA) was similar to that of a native DNA duplex. Moreover, the resistance of Ni-DNA with a single basepair mismatch was significantly higher than that of fully complementary Ni-DNA duplexes. The resistance also increased exponentially as the number of mismatched basepairs increased linearly after the tunneling current behavior predicted by the Simmons model. In conclusion, the charges in Ni(2+)-doped DNA are transported through the Ni(2+)-mediated π-π stacking corridor. Furthermore, Ni-DNA acts as a conducting wire and exhibits a tunneling barrier when basepair mismatches occur. This property may be useful in detecting single basepair mismatches.

Haptoglobin phenotypes and plasma haptoglobin levels in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation is associated with the disruption of the aortic media and appears to play a fundamental role in the progression and development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Haptoglobin (Hp) is a genetically determined acute phase protein, the synthesis of which is increased during inflammation. This study was designed to investigate both phenotype and plasma levels of Hp in patients with AAA. METHODS: Patients with documented AAA who were admitted for elective open repair operation or endograft stent implantation, and non-AAA subjects admitted for coronary arteriography, but found to have normal or insignificant coronary artery disease, were included in the study. Plasma Hp levels were determined using a standard specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while Hp phenotype was determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were analyzed enzymatically, and C-reactive protein was analyzed by immunochemistry. RESULTS: Forty-five patients with AAA and 49 non-AAA subjects were included. The Hp 2-2 phenotype was more predominant in AAA patients compared with non-AAA subjects, but this difference was not significant (67% vs 47%; P = .141), while plasma Hp concentrations were significantly higher in AAA patients (237 ± 144 vs 163 ± 86 ng/mL; P = .024). Further analysis revealed that plasma Hp concentrations were significantly higher in AAA patients with the 2-2 phenotype compared with corresponding non-AAA subjects (238 ± 144 vs 163 ± 86 ng/mL;P = .024). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that plasma Hp concentrations are elevated in patients with AAA, particularly those with the Hp 2-2 phenotype.

Human haptoglobin phenotypes and concentration determination by nanogold-enhanced electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein that binds free hemoglobin (Hb), preventing Hb-induced oxidative damage in the vascular system. There are three phenotypes in human Hp, whose heterogeneous polymorphic structures and varying concentrations in plasma have been attributed to the cause of diseases and outcome of clinical treatments. Different phenotypes of Hp may be composed of the same subunits but different copy numbers, rendering their determination difficult by a single procedure. In this study, we have developed a simple, fast, reliable and sensitive method, using label-free nanogold-modified bioprobes coupled with self-development electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). By this method, probe surface charge transfer resistance is detected. The relative charge transfer resistance ratios for Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2 were characterized. We were able to determine protein size difference within 3 nm, and the linear region of the calibration curve for Hp levels in the range of 90 pg ml(-1) and 90 µg ml(-1) (∼1 fM to 1 pM). We surmise that similar approaches can be used to investigate protein polymorphism and altered protein-protein interaction associated with diseases.

Impact of Smoking-Related Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease on Mortality of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Patients Receiving Standard Treatments: Propensity Score-Matched, Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: the survival effect of smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COPD with acute exacerbation (COPDAE) is unclear for patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) receiving standard treatments. METHODS: we recruited women with clinical stage I-III IDC from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database who had received standard treatments between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018. The time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze all-cause mortality. To reduce the effects of potential confounders when all-cause mortality between Groups 1 and 2 were compared, 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. We categorized the patients into two groups based on COPD status to compare overall survival outcomes: Group 1 (current smokers with COPD) and Group 2 (nonsmokers without COPD group). RESULTS: PSM yielded 2319 patients with stage I-III IDC (773 and 1546 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively) eligible for further analysis. In the multivariate time-dependent Cox regression analyses, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR; 95% confidence interval (CI)) of all-cause mortality for Group 1 compared with Group 2 was 1.04 (0.83-1.22). The aHRs (95% CIs) of all-cause mortality for ≥1 hospitalization for COPDAE within one year before breast surgery was 1.51 (1.18-2.36) compared with no COPDAE. CONCLUSION: smoking-related COPD was not a significant independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in women with stage I-III IDC receiving standard treatments. Being hospitalized at least once for COPDAE within one year before breast surgery is highly associated with high mortality for women with IDC receiving standard treatments. The severity of smoking-related COPD before treatments for breast cancer might be an important prognostic factor of survival. Thus, the information of the severity of COPD before treatment for breast cancer might be valuable for increasing the survival rate in treatment of breast cancer, especially in the prevention of progress from COPD to COPDAE.

Tissue-Engineered Vascular Graft with Co-Culture of Smooth Muscle Cells and Human Endothelial Vein Cells on an Electrospun Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microtube Array Membrane.

Coronary artery disease is one of the major diseases that plagues today's modern society. Conventional treatments utilize synthetic vascular grafts such as Dacron® and Teflon® in bypass graft surgery. Despite the wide adaptation, these synthetic grafts are often plagued with weaknesses such as low hemocompatibility, thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and risks of graft infection. More importantly, these synthetic grafts are not available at diameters of less than 6 mm. In view of these challenges, we strived to develop and adapt the electrospun Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) Microtube Array Membrane (MTAM) vascular graft for applications smaller than 6 mm in diameter. Homogenously porous PLGA MTAMs were successfully electrospun at 5.5-8.5 kV under ambient conditions. Mechanically, the PLGA MTAMs registered a maximum tensile strength of 5.57 ± 0.85 MPa and Young's modulus value of 1.134 ± 0.01 MPa; while MTT assay revealed that seven-day Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs) and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) registered a 6 times and 2.4 times higher cell viability when cultured in a co-culture setting in medium containing α-1 haptaglobulin. When rolled into a vascular graft, the PLGA MTAMs registered an overall degradation of 82% after 60 days of cell co-culture. After eight weeks of culturing, immunohistochemistry staining revealed the formation of a monolayer of HUVECs with tight junctions on the surface of the PLGA MTAM, and as for the SMCs housed within the lumens of the PLGA MTAMs, a monolayer with high degree of orientation was observed. The PLGA MTAM registered a burst pressure of 1092.2 ± 175.3 mmHg, which was sufficient for applications such as small diameter blood vessels. Potentially, the PLGA MTAM could be used as a suitable substrate for vascular engineering.

Galectin-3 as a Biomarker for Stratifying Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Size in a Taiwanese Population.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ruptures are unpredictable and lethal. A biomarker predicting AAA rupture risk could help identify patients with small, screen-detected AAAs. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a ß-galactosidase-binding lectin, is involved in inflammatory processes and may be associated with AAA incidence. We investigated whether Gal-3 can be used as a biomarker of AAA size. Plasma Gal-3 protein concentrations were examined in patients with AAA (n = 151) and control patients (n = 195) using Human ProcartaPlex multiplex and simplex kits. Circulating Gal-3 levels were significantly higher in patients with AAA than in control patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for Gal-3 was 0.91. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between Gal-3 level and the presence of AAA. Circulating Gal-3 levels were significantly correlated with aortic diameter in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, higher plasma Gal-3 concentrations may be a useful biomarker of AAA progression.

Migration and invasion of NSCLC suppressed by the downregulation of Src/focal adhesion kinase using single, double and tetra domain anti- CEACAM6 antibodies.

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules 6 (CEACAM6) is a cell adhesion receptor. Expression of CEACAM6 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated with tumor progression and metastatic condition via Src/FAK signaling pathway. We established three anti-CEACAM6 antibodies with valences, which were designed to be monomeric sdAb, bivalent sdAb (2Ab), and tetravalent sdAb (4Ab). The anti-CEACAM6 antibodies can be used to target CEACAM6 overexpressing NSCLC. Anti-CEACAM6 antibodies, sdAb, 2Ab and 4Ab, were modified with different valency via protein engineering. sdAb and multivalent sdAbs (2Ab & 4Ab) were expressed and purified from E.coli and CHO cells, respectively. We compared the effect of anti-CEACAM6 antibodies with doxorubicin in NSCLC cell line both in vitro and in vivo. The 4Ab showed significant effect on cell viability. In addition, A549 cells treated with 2Ab and 4Ab inhibited the invasion and migration. In western blot, the 2Ab and 4Ab showed significant inhibition of phospho FAK domain Ty397 that is essential for activation of Src kinase family. Meanwhile, overall protein analysis revealed that 2Ab and 4Ab potently inhibited the phosphorylation of pSRC, pERK, pFAK, pAKT, MMP-2, MMP-9 and N-cadherin. Anti-tumor effect was observed in an A549 NSCLC xenograft model treated with 2Ab or 4Ab compared with doxorubicin. Confocal analysis showed higher targeting ability of 4Ab than that of 2Ab at 4 h incubation. Our data suggests that 2Ab and 4Ab inhibits EMT-mediated migration and invasion via suppression of Src/FAK signaling, which exhibits therapeutic efficiency for NSCLC treatment.

Thrombus-specific theranostic nanocomposite for codelivery of thrombolytic drug, algae-derived anticoagulant and NIR fluorescent contrast agent.

Thrombolysis is a standard treatment for rapidly restoring blood flow. However, the application of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (Uk) in clinical therapy is limited due to its nonspecific distribution and inadequate therapeutic accumulation. Precise thrombus imaging and site-specific drug delivery can enhance the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy for thrombosis. Accordingly, we developed a P-selectin-specific, photothermal theranostic nanocomposite for thrombus-targeted codelivery of Uk and indocyanine green (ICG, a contrast agent for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging). We evaluated its capabilities for thrombus imaging and enzyme/hyperthermia combined thrombolytic therapy. Mesoporous silica-coated gold nanorods (Si-AuNRs) were functionalized with an arginine-rich peptide to create an organic template for the adsorption of ICG and fucoidan (Fu), an algae-derived anticoagulant. Uk was loaded into the SiO2 pores of the Si-AuNRs through the formation of a Fu-Uk-ICG complex on the peptide-functionalized template. The Fu-Uk/ICG@SiAu NRs nanocomposite increased the photostability of ICG and improved its targeting/accumulation at blood clot sites with a strong NIR fluorescence intensity for precise thrombus imaging. Furthermore, ICG incorporated into the nanocomposite enhanced the photothermal effect of Si-AuNRs. Fu, as a P-selectin-targeting ligand, enabled the nanocomposite to target a thrombus site where platelets were activated. The nanocomposite enabled a faster release of Uk for rapid clearing of blood clots and a slower release of Fu for longer lasting prevention of thrombosis regeneration. The nanocomposite with multiple functions, including thrombus-targeting drug delivery, photothermal thrombolysis, and NIR fluorescence imaging, is thus an advanced theranostic platform for thrombolytic therapy with reduced hemorrhaging risk and enhanced imaging/thrombolysis efficiency. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Herein, for the first time, a P-selectin specific, photothermal theranostic nanocomposite for thrombus-targeted co-delivery of urokinase and NIR fluorescence contrast agent indocyanine green (ICG) was developed. We evaluated the potential of this theranostic nanocomposite for thrombus imaging and enzyme/hyperthermia combined thrombolytic therapy. The nanocomposite showed multiple functions including thrombus targeting and imaging, and photothermal thrombolysis. Besides, it allowed faster release of the thrombolytic urokinase for rapidly clearing blood clots and slower release of a brown algae-derived anticoagulant fucoidan (also acting as a P-selectin ligand) for prevention of thrombosis regeneration. The nanocomposite is thus a new and advanced theranostic platform for targeted thrombolytic therapy.

Nano-Strategies Targeting the Integrin αvß3 Network for Cancer Therapy.

Integrin αvß3, a cell surface receptor, participates in signaling transduction pathways in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Several ligands bind to integrin αvß3 to regulate proliferation and metastasis in cancer cells. Crosstalk between the integrin and other signal transduction pathways also plays an important role in modulating cancer proliferation. Carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) activates the downstream integrin FAK to stimulate biological activities including cancer proliferation and metastasis. Blockage of signals related to integrin αvß3 was shown to be a promising target for cancer therapies. 3,3',5,5'-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) completely binds to the integrin with the thyroid hormone to suppress cancer proliferation. The (E)-stilbene analog, resveratrol, also binds to integrin αvß3 to inhibit cancer growth. Recently, nanotechnologies have been used in the biomedical field for detection and therapeutic purposes. In the current review, we show and evaluate the potentiation of the nanomaterial carrier RGD peptide, derivatives of PLGA-tetrac (NDAT), and nanoresveratrol targeting integrin αvß3 in cancer therapies.

Hemoglobin-Conjugated Gold Nanoclusters for Qualitative Analysis of Haptoglobin Phenotypes.

Designing a facile and rapid detection method for haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes in human blood plasma is urgently needed to meet clinic requirements in hemolysis theranostics. In this work, a novel approach to qualitatively analyze Hp phenotypes was developed using a fluorescent probe of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). Hemoglobin-conjugated (Hb)-AuNCs were successfully synthesized with blue-green fluorescence and high biocompatibility via one-pot synthesis. The fluorescence of Hb-AuNCs comes from the ligand-metal charge transfer between surface ligands of Hb and the gold cores with high oxidation states. The biocompatibility assays including cell viability and fluorescence imaging, demonstrated high biocompatibility of Hb-AuNCs. For the qualitative analysis, three Hp phenotypes in plasma, Hp 1-1, Hp 2-1, and Hp 2-2, were successfully discriminated according to changes in the fluorescence intensity and peak position of the maximum intensity of Hb-AuNCs. Our work provides a practical method with facile and rapid properties for the qualitative analysis of three Hp phenotypes in human blood plasma.