Synthesis, binding affinity, and relaxivity of target-specific MRI contrast agents

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important imaging modalities of the central nervous system (CNS), one of the main drawbacks of MRI is its limited specificity. This can potentially be partially alleviated by target-specific contrast agents. In the present paper we describe a simple high yield synthesis of two such gadolinium-based spiperone targeted MRI contrast agents, 1a and 1b. The R₁ relaxivities of 1a and 1b were evaluated and found to be 5.94 and 8.31 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively at 9.4T, while their R₂ relaxivities at the same magnetic field were found to be 18.05 and 22.60 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. In addition and very importantly compound 1a, which is a gadolinium-based, spiperone-targeted MRI contrast agent, was found to preserve some of the spiperone affinity toward the dopamine D2 receptor. Compounds 1a and 1b thus represent potential agents for in vitro dopamine receptor imaging using MRI in experimental models. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Cpf1 和 Cas9核酸酶靶向EGFR-L858R突变的研究

表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)单核苷酸突变(2573TG,L858R)占所有EGFR突变的90%.使突变的EGFR失活对有此突变的病人非常有利.这里,应用双荧光报告分析的方法分析规律成簇间隔短回文重复(CRISPR)系统中Cpf1和Cas9在靶向EGFR-L858R突变的编辑效率.在EGFR-L858R突变位点的附近,有两个Cpf1前间区序列邻近基序(PAMs)——TTTN.并且,2573TG突变形成了一个Cas9的PAM——NGG.因此本文通过构建两条AsCpf1的gRNAs(gRNA1和gRNA2)和一条SpCas9的gRNA(gRNA3)在体外通过双荧光蛋白分析系统去评估SpCas9和AsCpf1特异性靶向等位基因的能力.结果证实了AsCpf1和SpCas9都能够特异性的编辑突变的EGFR(2573TG).     

A mathematical model for a distributed attack on targeted resources in a computer network

A mathematical model has been developed to analyze the spread of a distributed attack on critical targeted resources in a network. The model provides an epidemic framework with two sub-frameworks to consider the difference between the overall behavior of the attacking hosts and the targeted resources. The analysis focuses on obtaining threshold conditions that determine the success or failure of such attacks. Considering the criticality of the systems involved and the strength of the defence mechanism involved, a measure has been suggested that highlights the level of success that has been achieved by the attacker. To understand the overall dynamics of the system in the long run, its equilibrium points have been obtained and their stability has been analyzed, and conditions for their stability have been outlined.     

Opportunities for innovation: Building on the success of lipid nanoparticle vaccines

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations of messenger RNA (mRNA) have demonstrated high efficacy as vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The success of these nanoformulations underscores the potential of LNPs as a delivery system for next-generation biological therapies. In this article, we highlight the key considerations necessary for engineering LNPs as a vaccine delivery system and explore areas for further optimisation. There remain opportunities to improve the protection of mRNA, optimise cytosolic delivery, target specific cells, minimise adverse side-effects and control the release of RNA from the particle. The modular nature of LNP formulations and the flexibility of mRNA as a payload provide many pathways to implement these strategies. Innovation in LNP vaccines is likely to accelerate with increased enthusiasm following recent successes; however, any advances will have implications for a broad range of therapeutic applications beyond vaccination such as gene therapy.     

顺铂前药接枝修饰硫代DNA及其自组装靶向纳米药物研究

选用具有良好生物相容性的硫代修饰嵌段核酸为载体,将其非硫代修饰部分设计为靶向MUC-1蛋白的核酸适配体序列,同时在其硫代修饰部分通过硫代磷酸酯基团（Phosphorothioate,PS）接枝修饰四价顺铂前药,制备了两亲性核酸-顺铂前药缀合物MUC-1/^PODNA-b-（^PSDNA-g-Pt）,并进一步自组装成类似球形核酸（Spherical nucleic acid,SNA）的含铂靶向纳米药物（MUC-1/Pt-SNAs）.结果表明,该纳米药物递送体系载药率高、形貌稳定、分散性好,能够高效靶向MUC-1蛋白过表达的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞,并在体内外实验中表现出优异的抗肿瘤效果和极低的毒副作用.     

Multivalent Aptamer-modified DNA Origami as Drug Delivery System for Targeted Cancer Therapy

In spite of great development in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems(DDSs)for improved therapeutic efficacy,it remains challenging for effective delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to targeted tumor cells.In this work,we report a triangle DNA origami as targeted DDS for cancer therapy.DNA origami shows excellent biocompatibility and stability in cell culture medium for 24 h.In addition,the DNA origami structures conjugated with multivalent aptamers enable for efficient delivery of anticancer drug doxorubicin(Dox)into targeted cancer cell due to their targeting function,reducing side effects associated with nonspecific distribution.Moreover,we also demonstrated that the multivalent aptamer-modified DNA origami loading Dox exhibits prominent therapeutic efficacy in vitro.Accordingly,this work provides a good paradigm for the development of DNA origami nanostructure-based targeted DDS for cancer therapy.     

Cathepsin B-responsive nanodrug delivery systems for precise diagnosis and targeted therapy of malignant tumors

The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influences cancer evolution and therapeutic efficacy. Targeting biofunctional molecules to the TME has long been appreciated as a means of raising local drug concentrations and reducing systemic toxicities. The booming nanotechnology field has realized the importance of cathepsin B to derive a variety of intelligent enzyme-responsive nanosized drug delivery systems (nanoDDS) to improve treatment responses and clinical outcomes. In this tutorial review, after introducing the molecular structure and physiological/pathological functions of cathepsin B, the outstanding achievements of cathepsin B-responsive nanoplatforms in the precise diagnosis, targeted therapy, and synergistic theranostics of malignant tumors are systematically described. Finally, the challenges of enzyme-substrate incompatibility, low diagnostic sensitivity, mass production and biocompatibility of multifunctional nanoDDS are considered in order to successfully promote them to clinical applications     

Development of a competitive ELISA for the quantification of F5 conjugate in HER2-targeted STEALTH immunoliposome doxorubicin in plasma samples

HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, erbB2, or neu) is overexpressed by a large number of tumor types and has been identified as an important target for cancer therapy. F5 is a single-chain human antibody fragment that recognizes HER2 receptor and is covalently conjugated to PEGylated lipid to form F5 conjugate (F5CG) in the product HER2 targeted STEALTH immunoliposome doxorubicin. Here we described the method development of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of total concentration of F5 conjugate in plasma samples. The method involved the biotinylation of F5CG, detergent treatment of plasma sample to solubilize F5CG into monomeric form, and competitive ELISA for solubilized F5CG competitively binding to anti-F5CG antibody with biotinylated F5CG for the determination of total F5CG in plasma. The detection range of this method was from 0.2 ng/mL to 125 ng/mL for F5CG in plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2 ng/mL. This method was established and used for the measurement of F5CG concentration to provide information about F5CG circulation after the administration of immunoliposome in preclinical studies.      

靶向纳米钻石-甲氨蝶呤药物体系制备及与MCF-7细胞作用

以羧基化纳米钻石(ND-COOH)为基体, 通过共价键合方法将聚乙二醇二胺(H₂N-PEG-NH₂)、 叶酸(FA)和缩水甘油(GLY)偶联于ND-COOH表面, 赋予纳米钻石载体较好的水溶分散性和靶向性, 借助氢键和范德华力等作用力负载甲氨蝶呤(MTX), 得到靶向纳米钻石-聚乙二醇二胺-叶酸/缩水甘油/甲氨蝶呤(ND-PEG-FA/GLY/MTX NPF/G/M)纳米药物体系. 采用透射电子显微镜、 X射线能量色散谱、 粒径及电位测试证实已制备NPF/G/M. 体外释药发现NPF/G/M在肿瘤环境(pH=5.5)中的药物释放量为正常生理环境(pH=7.4)中的3倍, 表明其具有良好的药物输送特性. 此外, 利用流式细胞术和MTT毒性测试探究了MCF-7细胞摄取NPF/G/M的机制及动力学特性和细胞毒性, 结果表明NPF/G/M以依赖能量、 温度、 网格蛋白、 小窝蛋白和叶酸受体介导的机制进入细胞, 从而将药物缓慢释放于细胞内, 进而诱导细胞凋亡. 研究结果表明, NPF/G/M可作为一种良好的药物输送体系, 为其应用于乳腺癌的临床治疗提供理论参考.     

基于框架核酸的细胞表面受体配体相互作用研究进展

细胞表面受体与配体之间的特异性相互作用在细胞生物学过程中起着重要作用。然而,与均相溶液不同,受体分子在细胞膜上的分布是非连续的、动态的,因此细胞表面的受体配体相互作用通常呈现复杂的非线性结合模式。框架核酸作为一类具有确定几何形状的DNA纳米支架,可用于多价配体的偶联,为深入揭示受体配体相互作用机制提供了可靠的工具。利用框架核酸纳米分辨率的可寻址特性,可实现对配体数目、间距及空间构象等参数的精确调控,进而研究细胞表面受体配体的结合特性及影响因素,优化结合条件最终实现高效的分子识别及靶向治疗。本文综述了基于框架核酸的细胞表面受体配体相互作用研究进展,通过探讨细胞表面受体配体相互作用的重要影响因素及生物学应用,对该研究领域的发展前景和未来趋势予以展望。