Bacteriochlorophyll-a as photosensitizer for photodynamic treatment of transplantable murine tumors.

Bacteriochlorophyll-a (bChla), which absorbs light of 780 nm wavelength, was tested for in vivo photodynamic activity in the SMT-F and RIF transplantable mouse tumor systems. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of tissue extracts showed that bChla was rapidly degraded in vivo to bacteriopheophytin-a (bPheoa) and other breakdown products. These were also photodynamically active, and tumor response could be achieved over a wavelength range of 660 to 780 nm, while tumor cure was restricted to wavelengths of 755 (bPheoa) to 780 nm. A photosensitizing product absorbing at 660 nm was also present in isolated tumor cells. Photodynamic cell kill of tumor cells isolated from tumors after bChla accumulation in vivo, using 755 or 780 nm light _vitro, was exponential up to 20–40 J cm⁻². Above this light dose little or no further damage could be achieved, which is an indication of the rapid photobleaching of these sensitizers. In vivo, vascular occlusion occurred readily if light treatment was delivered shortly after sensitizer administration, but was delayed if light treatment was carried out 24 h after injection. Although up to 70% of tumor cells were lethally damaged after completion of in vivo light treatment, concurrent severe vascular destruction seemed necessary for tumor cure. Normal tissue photosensitivity totally subsided within 5 days after sensitizer administration.     

L-Arginine/nanofish bone nanocomplex enhances bone regeneration via antioxidant activities and osteoimmunomodulatory properties

In this study,a promising strategy has been developed to promote bone regeneration by combining antioxidant activities and osteoimmunomodulatory properties.Herein,an L-arginine/nanofish bone(Arg/NFB) nanocomplex has been prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo.The Arg/NFB nanocomplex possesses good antioxidant activities and could modulate the polarization of non-activated macrophage into different types and induce the secretion of pre-inflammato ry,anti-inflammatory,osteogenic as well as angiogenic cytokines.Additionally,the regulated immune microenvironment can enhance the osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryo osteoblast precursor cells(MC3 T3-E1) and angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs),leading to the improved formation of mineralized nodules,alkaline phosphatase activity and angiogenic effects.In vivo results with cranial defect models reveal that the treatment of Arg/NFB nanocomplex exhibited significant improvement of new bone formation and angiogenesis.All the results demonstrate Arg/NFB nanocomplex with antioxidant activities and osteoimmunomodulatory properties could be a new idea for developing the next generation of bone regeneration biomaterials.     

In vivo Self-assembled Peptide Nanoprobes for Disease Diagnosis

In vivo imaging is creating great opportunities for disease diagnosis as a research tool. Probes are usually used to observe physiological structures in vivo clearly. Recent progresses of nanoprobes are important for the generation of high resolution and high contrast images required by accurate and precision disease diagnosis. In vivo self-assembled peptide(SAP) nanoprobes are playing major roles in in vivo imaging by modularity of design, high imaging contrast, response to the location of the lesion, and long-time retention in the lesion. And the response to lesion and long-term retention in there can enhance imaging sensitivity and specificity of in vivo SAP nanoprobes. Therefore, in vivo SAP nanoprobes are simple ancillary contrast entities to optimize the imaging effect. In this review, the recent progress of in vivo SAP nanoprobes for in vivo imaging, from molecular design of peptides to biomedical and clinical applications including disease diagnosis and disease-related molecular imaging is systematically summarized. We evaluate their ability, including sensitivity and specificity to provide relevant information under preoperative and during surgery circumstances and critically their likelihood to be clinically translated. Finally, a brief outlook on remaining challenges and potential directions for future research in this area is presented.     

Effects of Molecular Crowding on G-Quadruplex-hemin Mediated Peroxidase Activity

The concentration of macromolecules in cells can reach up to 50-400 mg/mL.They occupy 40%(volume fraction)of the whole cellar space,known as molecular crowding.The diluted solution condition in vitro is different from the crowded physiological condition in vivo.Therefore,the simulation of the physiological condition is necessary for obtaining the reliable results.It has been reported that G-quadruplex can bind to hemin to enhance its catalytic function for generating oxygen radicals,which can oxidize the lipids,proteins and DNA,thus leading to the damage of cells and tissues.In this paper,we chose PEG400 as molecular crowding reagent to simulate the molecular crowding environment in vivo.The catalytic characteristics of G-quadruplex-hemin complex in H202-ABTS system have been investigated[ABTS=2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate)].The results showed that the binding affinity of G-quadruplex and hemin was decreased with the increasing of PEG400 concentration.They even lose their binding affinity in the presence of 40%PEG400.As a result,the peroxidase activity of G-quadruplex-hemin also reduced.Therefore,in physiological condition,hemin might not bind to G-quadruplex and it might not be the main reason to cause the damages of cells and tissues.     

A unique two-photon fluorescent probe based on ICT mechanism for imaging palladium in living cells and mice

Palladium(0) as one of the vital transition metals, is employed in numerous industries, such as drug synthesis, aerospace high-tech field and automobile industry. When the Pd(0) enter into the body, it will bind with thiol-containing amino acids, DNA, RNA, and other biomolecules damaging to human health. Thus, developing a novel tool for monitoring and imaging of Pd(0) in vivo is very urgent. In the work, based on a intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism a two-photon fluorescent probe NIPd had been designed and synthesized for the recognition Pd(0). In vitro experiments data displayed that probe NIPd exhibited a 13-fold fluorescent increase for Pd(0) in 30 min in the aqueous solution with a detection limit of 16 nmol/L. It also showed the outstanding selectivity and antijamming performance. More importantly, NIPd could be served as a two-photon fluorescent probe for real-time monitoring Pd(0) in living cells and mice.     

Effect of La on heat production by mitochondria isolated from hybrid rice

The effect of lanthanum on mitochondria isolated from hybrid rice Fengyou 559 (Oryza sativa L.) was investigated. Through in vivo culture, low-dose La³⁺ promoted, but higher dose La³⁺, restrained mitochondrial heat production. However, through in vitro incubation, La³⁺ manifested only inhibitory action on mitochondrial energy turnover, the concentration required for 50% and 100% inhibition being 50.9 and 230.2 μM (57.6 nmol/mg protein), respectively. In addition, La³⁺, like Ca²⁺, induced rice mitochondrial swelling and decreased membrane potential (Δψ), which was inhibited by the specific permeability transition inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA). The induction approached a constant limitation while mitochondrial metabolism was completely prevented by La³⁺, and microscopy observation showed a high disruption of inner mitochondrial membrane in this state. These results demonstrated that lanthanum influenced rice mitochondria in vivo and in vitro via different action pathways, and the latter involved the opening of rice mitochondrial permeability.     

胺解改性聚L-谷氨酸苄酯引导骨再生膜的制备

以聚L-谷氨酸苄酯(PBLG)为原料, 通过溶剂浇铸与粒子沥滤法分别构建PBLG单层致密和PBLG单层多孔膜, 利用乙醇胺对薄膜表面改性, 构筑双层引导骨再生膜. 研究了不同胺解改性时间对PBLG-s-PHEG双层膜亲水性和力学性能的影响, 结果表明, 随着PBLG分子量的增大, 薄膜的力学性能增强而降解速率减缓. 延长胺解改性时间可提高薄膜亲水性和体内外降解速率. 细胞实验结果表明, 双层薄膜的致密结构能够有效阻隔成纤维细胞的侵入, 多孔结构能够支持细胞贴壁黏附和铺展. 体外生物活性评价结果表明, 表面改性的PBLG基材料可用于体内骨缺损修复. 本文所构建的双层引导骨再生膜在体外具有良好的力学性能和降解性能, 与组织具有一定的贴合性, 同时可有效阻碍成纤维细胞侵入, 具有潜在应用价值.     

长余辉纳米材料的控制合成及在疾病诊断中的应用

长余辉纳米材料具有独特的发光性质, 能在激发光关闭后持续发光. 通过收集激发光关闭后的长余辉发光信号可以有效消除背景信号的干扰. 此外, 长余辉材料在成像时无需原位激发, 可以减少生物体系的组织自发荧光和光散射干扰, 提高生物成像和检测的灵敏度. 由于这种独特的光学特性, 长余辉纳米材料在生物传感/生物成像以及疾病治疗等领域被广泛应用. 近年来, 为满足疾病相关生物标志物的体外检测及体内生物成像的应用要求, 控制合成发光性能优异、 生物相容性好的长余辉纳米材料成为研究热点.     

聚多巴胺包覆的金纳米棒用于大鼠下颌下腺造影成像

用生物相容性好且毒性低的聚多巴胺对金纳米棒进行表面包覆, 利用其造影增强的功能, 将聚多巴胺包覆的金纳米棒应用于大鼠下颌下腺导管, 实现了下颌下腺造影成像.     

Polymeric micelle systems of hydroxycamptothecin based on amphiphilic N-alkyl-N-trimethyl chitosan derivatives

This research investigated the possible utilization of amphiphilic N-octyl-N-trimethyl chitosan (OTMCS) derivatives in solublization and controlled release of 10-hydroxycamptothecin (10-HCPT), a hydrophobic anticancer drug. The release behavior of the 10-HCPT-OTMCS micelles was measured and compared to that of a commercial 10-HCPT lyophilized powder in vitro and in vivo. This research also examined the effects of chemical structure of the chitosan derivatives and the micellar preparation conditions on the encapsulation efficiency, drug loading content, and particle size of the polymeric micelles. The results showed that these chitosan derivatives were able to self-assemble and form spherical shape polymeric micelles with an average particle size range of 24–280 nm and a drug loading content of 4.1–32.5%, depending on the modified structures and loading procedures. The solubility of 10-HCPT in aqueous fluid was increased about 80,000-fold from 2 ng/ml in water to 1.9 mg/ml in OTMCS micellar (degree of octyl and trimethyl substitution is 8% and 54%, respectively) solution. In addition, OTMCS was able to modulate the in vitro release of 10-HCPT and improve its pharmacokinetic properties and lactone ring stability in vivo. These data suggested the possible utilization of the amphiphilic micellar chitosan derivatives as carriers for hydrophobic drugs for improving their delivery and release properties.     

Prostatic Zn determination for prostate cancer diagnosis

We present our studies of prostatic Zn concentration measurements, carried out in the light of a novel prostate cancer (CAP) diagnosis method proposed by us. The method is based on in vivo prostatic Zn mapping by XRF trans-rectal probe.

We report on the extensive clinical studies, intended to assess the validity of the novel proposed diagnostic method. Zn content was measured in vitro in needle-biopsy samples from several hundreds of patients, and was correlated with histological findings and other patient parameters. For this purpose, a technique of absolute Zn content determination in 1 mm³ fresh tissue samples by XRF was developed. The experimental details and the main clinical-evaluation results are presented.

We further outline the suggested design of the XRF trans-rectal probe for an efficient in vivo detection and mapping of the Zn fluorescence radiation from the prostate through the rectal wall. Laboratory phantom studies, a preliminary design concept and its expected performance are also reported.     

In situ construction of ligand nano-network to integrin αvβ3 for angiogenesis inhibition

Angiogenesis occurs during the process of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, and is essential for the survival of solid tumors. As an integrin significantly overexpressed in human tumor vascular endothelial cells, α_vβ₃ is a suitable targeting site for anti-angiogenesis of tumor. We designed and prepared a selfassembling peptide (SAP) with the ability to targeting α_vβ₃ and self-assembly. SAP formed nanoparticles in solution and transformed into nanofibrous network once specifically binding to integrin α_vβ₃ on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The SAP network stably anchored on HUVECs over 24 h, which consequently resulted in high-efficient inhibition of vascularization. In vitro anti-angiogenesis experiment displayed that the inhibition rate of tube-formation reached 94.9%. In vivo anti-angiogenesis array based on chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model exhibited that the SAP had an inhibition rate up to 63.1%. These results indicated the outstanding anti-angiogenic ability of SAP, potentially for tumor therapy.     

Synthesis and bioactivities of steroid derivatives as antifungal agents

A series of lanosterol and cholesterol derivatives with modified side chain structures, which might interfere with sterol C24-methyltransferase in the ergosterol biosynthesis as substrate analogs, have been synthesized. The in vitro bioassay studies have shown that some of these compounds, in particular with C24-amino- and thio-functionalities, possess potent antifungal activities, in vivo. Bioassays have also been carried out for the leading compounds.     

A Cyanine-based Liposomal Nanophotosensitizer for Enhanced Cancer Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy

Currently, chemotherapy is one of the most important treatment modalities for malignant tumors in the clinic, however, it exhibits some shortcomings, such as poor selectivity, limited efficacy and serious adverse effects. Therefore, synergistic therapy and accurate drug delivery at tumor sites become a promising strategy for achieving tumor eradication. Herein, a smart NIR fluorescence imaging-guided nanoliposome was fabricated by encapsulating a chemotherapeutic drug(doxorubicin, DOX), liposomes(L) and a near-infrared(NIR) photosensitizer(CY) to form L@CY@DOX, which could realize enhanced therapeutic efficacy of chemo-PDT in cancer therapy(PDT=photodynamic therapy). L@CY@DOX can induce mitochondrial apoptosis and produce severe toxicity at the cellular level, and L@CY@DOX can enrich in the tumor site, which significantly induces tumor death. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that L@CY@DOX exhibited great antitumor efficacy compared with each one of these monotherapies, indicating that the combination of chemotherapy and PDT possessed potential development prospects and is anticipated in clinical application.     

基于Cy7类菁染料分子探针的设计策略

菁染料是一类经典的荧光染料母核, 具有摩尔消光系数大、 吸收波长可调、 溶解性良好及生物兼容性好等优点, 被广泛用于蛋白标记、 痕量金属离子检测、 生物活性物质检测、 细胞和活体成像及肿瘤靶向治疗等领域. 近年来, 生物医学领域对活体结构及功能成像深度提出更高的需求, 基于优异的长波长染料母核开发近红外荧光分子探针逐渐成为领域的研究重点. 吲哚七甲川菁染料(Cy7)是一类最具代表性的菁染料, 本文重点综合评述了自1992年以来基于Cy7结构开发的分子探针, 并介绍了该类荧光探针的设计策略. 最后, 讨论了该领域研究面临的挑战, 并对未来的发展方向进行了总结和展望.     

含喹喔啉杨梅素衍生物的合成及生物活性

利用活性拼接原理, 将喹喔啉引入到杨梅素结构中, 合成了一系列含喹喔啉基团的杨梅素新型衍生物. 采用浊度法测试了目标化合物的体外抑菌活性, 结果表明, 目标化合物对柑橘溃疡病菌(X. Citri)和水稻白叶枯病菌(X. Oryzae)均表现出较好的抑制活性. 目标化合物对柑橘溃疡病菌的抑制活性(EC₅₀)均优于对照药叶枯唑和噻菌铜(EC₅₀分别为54.85和61.13 μg/mL), 其中化合物4o抑制活性(EC₅₀=11.17 μg/mL)最优; 目标化合物对水稻白叶枯病菌的抑制活性EC₅₀均优于对照药叶枯唑和噻菌铜(EC₅₀分别为148.20和175.47 μg/mL), 其中化合物4f抑制活性(EC₅₀=34.49 μg/mL)最优. 采用半叶枯斑法测试了目标化合物的抗烟草花叶病毒(TMV)活性, 结果表明, 所有目标化合物在浓度为500 mg/L时均有一定的抑制作用.     

二维层状钴铁双氢氧化物用于癌症协同光治疗

癌症的光子疗法是一种选择性治疗新技术,近几年得到迅猛的发展,该疗法拥有创伤小、选择性好且毒性低、无耐药性等优点。 我们采用水热合成法制备了一种新型的层状钴铁双氢氧化物纳米片(Co-Fe-LDH),利用其具有较大比表面积、稳定高、生物相容性好等的特点,负载光敏剂IR783(LDH-IR783),在近红外激光的刺激下实现癌症的光热光动力协同光治疗。 对所合成的Co-Fe-LDH进行了组成、形貌、光学性质、活性氧(ROS)生成、热量释放等表征,并在细胞及活体水平进行抗癌测试。 实验结果表明,所制备的纳米复合物具有稳定的结构、高IR783负载率以及良好的分散性,并且,在近红外光源照射下表现出优异的光热/光动力效应,能够快速产生大量的活性氧,迅速地释放热量,产生显著的光毒性,能够有效地诱导HeLa细胞的凋亡。 体内抗癌实验表明,所制备的纳米复合物有效地抑制了实体肿瘤的生长,并且未对正常组织产生明显的损伤,毒副作用较低。 这些初步结果将为光热/光动力协同纳米粒子的设计和应用提供新的思路。     

A novel polyethyleneimine-decorated FeOOH nanoparticle for efficient siRNA delivery

Despite the promising prospect of small interfering RNA(siRNA) for the treatment of diverse diseases,it remains challenging to develop novel delive ry materials to desired tissues and cells.In this study,a novel iron oxyhydroxide(FeOOH) nanoparticle(NP) whose surface was modified with branched polyetherimide(PEI) was developed to deliver siRNA into the cancer cells.It was demonstrated that PEI-FeOOH(PFeOOH) efficiently complexed siRNA,mediated effective cellular uptake and endosomal escape,thereby triggering robust gene silencing in vitro.In addition,PFeOOH/siRNA formulation loading with anti-RRM2 siRNA effectively inhibited the growth of tumor tissues,and exhibited excellent safety profiles in vivo.Therefore,this study conceptually provided a FeOOH-based nucleic acid delivery vesicle which can potentially use to achieve diagnosis and therapy simultaneously.     

蒙脱石负载氧化铈纳米酶用于克罗恩肠炎治疗

通过水热法合成由临床用药蒙脱石(Montmorillonite, MMT)负载的高效纳米酶氧化铈(Cerium dioxide, CeO₂), 通过开展体内外实验, 拓展其在炎症性肠病治疗中的普适性. 结果显示, CeO₂@MMT具有良好的类超氧化物歧化酶活性及类过氧化氢酶活性, 并且在小鼠克罗恩病的治疗中体现了明显的疗效及优异的生物安全性, 为CeO₂@MMT的应用拓宽了方向.     

细菌感染成像的研究进展

由致病菌或条件致病菌侵入机体繁殖而产生的毒素和其它代谢产物所引起的感染性疾病是目前全球范围内的主要死亡原因之一. 感染性疾病的早期诊断是对其进行有效治疗与控制的重要途径. 分子影像技术的快速发展给体内细菌感染的评估带来了前所未有的变化和机遇. 本文综合评述了计算机断层扫描、 正电子发射断层扫描、 超声成像、 磁共振成像、 荧光成像及光声成像等成像方式在细菌感染体内成像中的研究进展、 不足和发展方向等, 以期为活体细菌感染检测方法的发展提供参考.