Biomass-refinery enables sustainable production of viable fuels and materials. Cellulose has garnered significant attention as the most earth-abundant renewable polymer. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) derivatives are known to self-organize cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) mesophase with right-handed macromolecular sense, leading to the chiroptical effect of right-handed circularly polarized light (CPL) reflection. In this report, we establish a promising strategy to prepare solid-state CLC films with both right- and left-handed CPL reflection by shearing chemically modified cellulose derivatives. A key piece of equipment is the rheometer with precisely tunable shear conditions. Both-handed CPL reflection arises from shear-induced enhancement in optical retardation over 300 nm by distorting helical molecular assemblages, as confirmed with the Sénarmont method. The polarization state of incident light is altered within the film thickness direction. Moreover, we successfully fabricate intriguing CLC films with both-handed CPL reflection using inherently right-handed CLCs of the HPC derivative and also inherently left-handed CLCs of the ethyl cellulose derivative.
{"title":"Cellulose-Refined Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Films with Both Right- and Left-Handed Circularly Polarized Light Reflection","authors":"Yu Sotoyama, Yuki Ogiwara, Kazuma Matsumoto, Koya Sunagawa, Naoto Iwata, Seiichi Furumi","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01286","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01286","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biomass-refinery enables sustainable production of viable fuels and materials. Cellulose has garnered significant attention as the most earth-abundant renewable polymer. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) derivatives are known to self-organize cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) mesophase with right-handed macromolecular sense, leading to the chiroptical effect of right-handed circularly polarized light (CPL) reflection. In this report, we establish a promising strategy to prepare solid-state CLC films with both right- and left-handed CPL reflection by shearing chemically modified cellulose derivatives. A key piece of equipment is the rheometer with precisely tunable shear conditions. Both-handed CPL reflection arises from shear-induced enhancement in optical retardation over 300 nm by distorting helical molecular assemblages, as confirmed with the Sénarmont method. The polarization state of incident light is altered within the film thickness direction. Moreover, we successfully fabricate intriguing CLC films with both-handed CPL reflection using inherently right-handed CLCs of the HPC derivative and also inherently left-handed CLCs of the ethyl cellulose derivative.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 259-271"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01454
Chun-Liu Mi , Shao-Lei Geng , Jing-Wen Xue , Qiu-Li Sun , Wei-Hua Dong , Ji-Hong Zhang , Qin Li , Xiao-Yin Wang , Tian-Yun Wang
Recombinant therapeutic proteins (RTPs) are widely used to treat various major diseases. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the preferred mammalian cell expression system for the production of RTPs. However, maintaining high productivity while ensuring good-quality RTPs is still challenging. Glycosylation, aggregation, charge variants, and degradation are the main quality attributes of RTPs and can impact their safety, biological activity, stability, and half-life. Modifications of associated genetic factors have been performed to improve the quality of the RTPs. For example, knocking out the α-1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) gene results in the production of fucose-free antibodies, significantly enhancing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Overexpressing the molecular chaperone GRP78 reduces antibody aggregation rates while improving cell survival rates. Knocking out the carboxypeptidase D (CpD) gene completely eliminates C-terminal lysine heterogeneity, thereby improving the antibody charge uniformity. The deletion of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) gene nearly eliminates insulin degradation. Understanding the genetic factors that influence the quality of therapeutic proteins during CHO cell culture is essential for the production of high-quality therapeutic proteins. This review summarizes the genetic factors contributing to RTP heterogeneity in CHO cells and discusses innovative strategies to address this heterogeneity, such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout, synergistic glycosyltransferase overexpression, and host cell engineering.
{"title":"Genetic Factors Affecting the Quality of Recombinant Therapeutic Proteins in CHO Cells","authors":"Chun-Liu Mi , Shao-Lei Geng , Jing-Wen Xue , Qiu-Li Sun , Wei-Hua Dong , Ji-Hong Zhang , Qin Li , Xiao-Yin Wang , Tian-Yun Wang","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01454","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recombinant therapeutic proteins (RTPs) are widely used to treat various major diseases. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the preferred mammalian cell expression system for the production of RTPs. However, maintaining high productivity while ensuring good-quality RTPs is still challenging. Glycosylation, aggregation, charge variants, and degradation are the main quality attributes of RTPs and can impact their safety, biological activity, stability, and half-life. Modifications of associated genetic factors have been performed to improve the quality of the RTPs. For example, knocking out the α-1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8) gene results in the production of fucose-free antibodies, significantly enhancing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Overexpressing the molecular chaperone GRP78 reduces antibody aggregation rates while improving cell survival rates. Knocking out the carboxypeptidase D (CpD) gene completely eliminates C-terminal lysine heterogeneity, thereby improving the antibody charge uniformity. The deletion of the insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) gene nearly eliminates insulin degradation. Understanding the genetic factors that influence the quality of therapeutic proteins during CHO cell culture is essential for the production of high-quality therapeutic proteins. This review summarizes the genetic factors contributing to RTP heterogeneity in CHO cells and discusses innovative strategies to address this heterogeneity, such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout, synergistic glycosyltransferase overexpression, and host cell engineering.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 3-15"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145720052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02137
Chenhao Ji, Xinyan Wang, Guang Wen, He Zhao, Xiangyi Li, Wen Li
Physical condensation of oligopeptides provides a reductionist platform for probing the underwater adhesion of marine adhesive proteins. The link between peptide sequence and adhesion remains unclear at the molecular level. Using cationic peptide isomers and anionic H4SiW12O40 (SiW) clusters, we explored how sequence isomerism governs the adhesion of the peptide/SiW condensates via regulating the layout of two lysine residues within the peptide isomers. On stainless steel (SS), one-end-on isomers with lysine residues at one terminal exhibited adhesion strengths of 43.1–54.2 kPa; end-side-on isomers with lysine residues at both terminals and midsite yielded adhesion of 64.1–67.8 kPa; while double-end-on isomers with lysine residues at both termini achieved adhesion strength of 74.4–87.1 kPa. Furthermore, introducing one glutamic acid residue enables protonation-/deprotonation-driven charge redistribution and adhesion regulation. This work establishes a design principle, whereby the adhesion of peptide condensates can be controlled by optimizing binding site arrangements in peptide sequences.
{"title":"Peptidyl Biomimetic Adhesives via Sequential Isomerism-Dictated Physical Condensation and Underwater Adhesion","authors":"Chenhao Ji, Xinyan Wang, Guang Wen, He Zhao, Xiangyi Li, Wen Li","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02137","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Physical condensation of oligopeptides provides a reductionist platform for probing the underwater adhesion of marine adhesive proteins. The link between peptide sequence and adhesion remains unclear at the molecular level. Using cationic peptide isomers and anionic H<sub>4</sub>SiW<sub>12</sub>O<sub>40</sub> (SiW) clusters, we explored how sequence isomerism governs the adhesion of the peptide/SiW condensates via regulating the layout of two lysine residues within the peptide isomers. On stainless steel (SS), one-end-on isomers with lysine residues at one terminal exhibited adhesion strengths of 43.1–54.2 kPa; end-side-on isomers with lysine residues at both terminals and midsite yielded adhesion of 64.1–67.8 kPa; while double-end-on isomers with lysine residues at both termini achieved adhesion strength of 74.4–87.1 kPa. Furthermore, introducing one glutamic acid residue enables protonation-/deprotonation-driven charge redistribution and adhesion regulation. This work establishes a design principle, whereby the adhesion of peptide condensates can be controlled by optimizing binding site arrangements in peptide sequences.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 887-894"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145861353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01869
Aolin Sun , Liping Liu , Zichao Huang , Yaxin Zhang , Zhenyi Zhu , Jiangai Long , Ziyue An , Yibo Wang , Yusong Cao , Dianwei Wang , Wantong Song
Macromolecular agonists are promising immunomodulators due to multivalency and tunable architectures. Previously, we showed that branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) conjugated with nitrogen-containing heterocycles activates the STING pathway, with branching being pivotal. Here we ask whether nitrogen is indispensable. We synthesized a library of bPEI conjugates bearing non-nitrogenous ligands (heterocycles, nonheterocycles, and aliphatic chains). While bPEI or ligands alone were inactive, >60% of conjugates induced robust IFN-β secretion across multiple cell types. Representative conjugates promoted STING clustering and TBK1/IRF3 phosphorylation, and genetic ablation of STING or cGAS markedly reduced IFN-β induction. Conjugation mitigated PEI cytotoxicity and minimized NF-κB–driven pro-inflammatory cytokines. Docking, log P analysis, and time-resolved uptake profiling established a physicochemical structure–activity relationship linking ligand rigidity, aromaticity, and hydrophobicity to STING binding, internalization, and IFN-β induction. Thus, nitrogen is not essential; simple hydrophobic modifications suffice within a macromolecular scaffold.
{"title":"Simple Hydrophobic Modification of bPEI Confers Potent, STING-Dependent Innate Immunostimulatory Activity","authors":"Aolin Sun , Liping Liu , Zichao Huang , Yaxin Zhang , Zhenyi Zhu , Jiangai Long , Ziyue An , Yibo Wang , Yusong Cao , Dianwei Wang , Wantong Song","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01869","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01869","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Macromolecular agonists are promising immunomodulators due to multivalency and tunable architectures. Previously, we showed that branched polyethylenimine (bPEI) conjugated with nitrogen-containing heterocycles activates the STING pathway, with branching being pivotal. Here we ask whether nitrogen is indispensable. We synthesized a library of bPEI conjugates bearing non-nitrogenous ligands (heterocycles, nonheterocycles, and aliphatic chains). While bPEI or ligands alone were inactive, >60% of conjugates induced robust IFN-β secretion across multiple cell types. Representative conjugates promoted STING clustering and TBK1/IRF3 phosphorylation, and genetic ablation of STING or cGAS markedly reduced IFN-β induction. Conjugation mitigated PEI cytotoxicity and minimized NF-κB–driven pro-inflammatory cytokines. Docking, log <em>P</em> analysis, and time-resolved uptake profiling established a physicochemical structure–activity relationship linking ligand rigidity, aromaticity, and hydrophobicity to STING binding, internalization, and IFN-β induction. Thus, nitrogen is not essential; simple hydrophobic modifications suffice within a macromolecular scaffold.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 596-607"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145888135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c00989
Ruiying Zhang , Hanfeng Li , Tong Zhang , Bing Zhang , Yihu Wang , Yanchuan Guo
Addressing the underappreciated critical role of angiogenesis and immune dysregulation in keloid formation, we developed a novel nanocarrier (PCS) based on a dual network of physical cross-linking for the efficient release of siTGF-β1 and chlorogenic acid. PCS was self-assembled from polyethylenimine/siTGF-β1 and chlorogenic acid-embedded polylysine/sodium alginate. The results demonstrated that PCS could inhibit the proliferation, induce apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human keloid fibroblasts by regulating their cell cycle, and improve the immune microenvironment at the lesion. By transcriptomics and network pharmacology analysis, PCS inhibited keloid development mainly through the TGF-β1/EGR1 signaling pathway. The final results of animal experiments also proved that the material exerted a favorable effect in keloid treatment. Overall, PCS, as a novel nanocarrier combining siRNA-based gene therapy with chlorogenic acid, was a promising approach for the treatment of keloids.
{"title":"Construction of Novel Polylysine/Sodium Alginate Nanocarriers Combining Chlorogenic Acid and siRNA against Keloids","authors":"Ruiying Zhang , Hanfeng Li , Tong Zhang , Bing Zhang , Yihu Wang , Yanchuan Guo","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c00989","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c00989","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Addressing the underappreciated critical role of angiogenesis and immune dysregulation in keloid formation, we developed a novel nanocarrier (PCS) based on a dual network of physical cross-linking for the efficient release of siTGF-β1 and chlorogenic acid. PCS was self-assembled from polyethylenimine/siTGF-β1 and chlorogenic acid-embedded polylysine/sodium alginate. The results demonstrated that PCS could inhibit the proliferation, induce apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human keloid fibroblasts by regulating their cell cycle, and improve the immune microenvironment at the lesion. By transcriptomics and network pharmacology analysis, PCS inhibited keloid development mainly through the TGF-β1/EGR1 signaling pathway. The final results of animal experiments also proved that the material exerted a favorable effect in keloid treatment. Overall, PCS, as a novel nanocarrier combining siRNA-based gene therapy with chlorogenic acid, was a promising approach for the treatment of keloids.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 150-163"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145802676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01737
Yi Cheng, He Zhao, Jiayi Sun, Shuaishuai Nie, Wen Li
Bacteria-induced on-membrane assembly of oligopeptides showed the potential for balancing their persistent conflict between antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. However, molecular determinants linking the peptide sequence, assembly behavior, antibacterial efficacy, and biocompatibility remain insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated a series of heptapeptides, (RX)3R (X = A, I, F), and demonstrated the significant influence of hydrophobic residues on bacteria-induced assembly, antibacterial performance, cytotoxicity, and hemolytic activity. Negatively charged liposomes or bacterial membranes could induce the assembly of (RI)3R and (RF)3R into nanofibers, which in turn exhibited enhanced antibacterial efficacy against Gram-negative Escherichia coli with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 60 μM but poor antibacterial activity on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (MICs: 400–500 μM). Importantly, both peptides demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, with cytotoxicity thresholds of 600 μM (RI)3R and 2000 μM (RF)3R and hemolysis thresholds up to 2000 and 4000 μM, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for the rational design of antibacterial oligopeptides.
{"title":"Bacteria-Induced Oligopeptide Assembly Enables Effective Bacterial Killing with Low Cytotoxicity and Hemolysis","authors":"Yi Cheng, He Zhao, Jiayi Sun, Shuaishuai Nie, Wen Li","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01737","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bacteria-induced on-membrane assembly of oligopeptides showed the potential for balancing their persistent conflict between antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. However, molecular determinants linking the peptide sequence, assembly behavior, antibacterial efficacy, and biocompatibility remain insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated a series of heptapeptides, (RX)<sub>3</sub>R (X = A, I, F), and demonstrated the significant influence of hydrophobic residues on bacteria-induced assembly, antibacterial performance, cytotoxicity, and hemolytic activity. Negatively charged liposomes or bacterial membranes could induce the assembly of (RI)<sub>3</sub>R and (RF)<sub>3</sub>R into nanofibers, which in turn exhibited enhanced antibacterial efficacy against Gram-negative <em> Escherichia coli </em> with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 60 μM but poor antibacterial activity on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (MICs: 400–500 μM). Importantly, both peptides demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, with cytotoxicity thresholds of 600 μM (RI)<sub>3</sub>R and 2000 μM (RF)<sub>3</sub>R and hemolysis thresholds up to 2000 and 4000 μM, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights for the rational design of antibacterial oligopeptides.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 520-532"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145814645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01800
Kacper Drużbicki , Piotr Paluch , Rafał Dolot , Irena Bąk-Sypień , Ewelina Kuc , Agata Jeziorna , Marek J. Potrzebowski
Peptides are ubiquitous and functionally diverse biomolecules with a strong propensity to form noncovalent nanostructures of unexpected complexity. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction, and computational modeling, we show that the amphiphilic tetrapeptide l-prolyl-l-valyl-l-prolyl-l-valine (PVPV) undergoes solvent-directed self-assembly into two molecular frameworks, each built upon a helical motif formed through charge-assisted hydrogen bonding. Water–methanol crystallization yields a solvent-stabilized porous tetragonal framework, whereas pure water produces either a low-hydration amorphous phase or a dense, disordered triclinic form. These behaviors challenge first-principles modeling and expose limitations of static semilocal density functional theory. Calculations indicate that the porous framework is energetically less favorable, highlighting the importance of water disorder and conformational flexibility in forming metastable structures. The low-hydration phase exhibits intrinsic conformational disorder, motivating an in-depth investigation via NMR crystallography. Advanced solid-state NMR on isotopically labeled samples provides assignments not achievable through conventional approaches, revealing subtle molecular distortions that modulate local ordering.
{"title":"From Amorphous Bundles to Nanoporous Peptide Frameworks: Solvent-Driven Self-Assembly of Pro-Val-Pro-Val","authors":"Kacper Drużbicki , Piotr Paluch , Rafał Dolot , Irena Bąk-Sypień , Ewelina Kuc , Agata Jeziorna , Marek J. Potrzebowski","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01800","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01800","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Peptides are ubiquitous and functionally diverse biomolecules with a strong propensity to form noncovalent nanostructures of unexpected complexity. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction, and computational modeling, we show that the amphiphilic tetrapeptide <span>l</span>-prolyl-<span>l</span>-valyl-<span>l</span>-prolyl-<span>l</span>-valine (PVPV) undergoes solvent-directed self-assembly into two molecular frameworks, each built upon a helical motif formed through charge-assisted hydrogen bonding. Water–methanol crystallization yields a solvent-stabilized porous tetragonal framework, whereas pure water produces either a low-hydration amorphous phase or a dense, disordered triclinic form. These behaviors challenge first-principles modeling and expose limitations of static semilocal density functional theory. Calculations indicate that the porous framework is energetically less favorable, highlighting the importance of water disorder and conformational flexibility in forming metastable structures. The low-hydration phase exhibits intrinsic conformational disorder, motivating an in-depth investigation via NMR crystallography. Advanced solid-state NMR on isotopically labeled samples provides assignments not achievable through conventional approaches, revealing subtle molecular distortions that modulate local ordering.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 549-566"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145761675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02229
Veslemøy Margrethe Selvik , Finn Lillelund Aachmann , Carlos Salas-Bringas , Vebjørn Eikemo
Understanding the structural architecture of lignosulfonates is essential for optimizing their performance and enabling targeted modifications for sustainable applications. This study investigates six sodium lignosulfonate fractions (2,200–78,000 g/mol; dispersity 1.7–12.2) obtained via two-step ultrafiltration. Functional group analysis (sulfonation degree, phenolic hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid) using elemental analysis and NMR revealed minimal variation across fractions. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography and intrinsic viscosity measurements showed that increasing molecular weight correlates with reduced charge-to-size ratios and enhanced hydrophobicity. Rheological data showed that high-molecular-weight fractions exhibit greater conformational changes and compaction under high ionic strength. 2D NMR of purified fractions uncovered new structural features, including guaiacylethanol and fully characterized mono- and disulfonated bonding patterns. These findings advance the structural mapping of lignosulfonates and demonstrate that molecular weight is the dominant factor influencing the physical properties. The study highlights the value of combining fractionation, rheology, and NMR techniques to deepen our understanding of lignosulfonate structure and guide future lignin-based materials applications.
{"title":"Unravelling the Complexity of LignosulfonatesFractionation and Physicochemical Profiling","authors":"Veslemøy Margrethe Selvik , Finn Lillelund Aachmann , Carlos Salas-Bringas , Vebjørn Eikemo","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02229","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c02229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the structural architecture of lignosulfonates is essential for optimizing their performance and enabling targeted modifications for sustainable applications. This study investigates six sodium lignosulfonate fractions (2,200–78,000 g/mol; dispersity 1.7–12.2) obtained via two-step ultrafiltration. Functional group analysis (sulfonation degree, phenolic hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid) using elemental analysis and NMR revealed minimal variation across fractions. Hydrophobic interaction chromatography and intrinsic viscosity measurements showed that increasing molecular weight correlates with reduced charge-to-size ratios and enhanced hydrophobicity. Rheological data showed that high-molecular-weight fractions exhibit greater conformational changes and compaction under high ionic strength. 2D NMR of purified fractions uncovered new structural features, including guaiacylethanol and fully characterized mono- and disulfonated bonding patterns. These findings advance the structural mapping of lignosulfonates and demonstrate that molecular weight is the dominant factor influencing the physical properties. The study highlights the value of combining fractionation, rheology, and NMR techniques to deepen our understanding of lignosulfonate structure and guide future lignin-based materials applications.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 917-929"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145706804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cuproptosis offers a promising alternative to apoptosis-based cancer therapies but faces challenges, such as poor tumor drug accumulation, rapid clearance of copper ionophores, and high intracellular glutathione (GSH). Herein, we developed a GSH-responsive prodrug polymersome (PED@ICG) for copper-independent cuproptosis and synergistic photothermal therapy. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) was covalently attached via disulfide bonds, ensuring a GSH-triggered release and intracellular GSH depletion. The amphiphilic polyprodrug formed stable polymersomes, and ICG coloading endowed imaging ability and NIR-activated photothermal heating. PED@ICG exhibited efficient cellular uptake through dynamin-mediated endocytosis, achieved deep tumor penetration, and selectively released DTC within the reductive tumor microenvironment. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated potent anticancer efficacy without the need for exogenous copper, while NIR irradiation further enhanced therapeutic outcomes through localized hyperthermia. This work offers a promising strategy for precise cuproptosis modulation and photothermal synergism, providing a clinically translatable nanoplatform for copper-independent tumor therapy.
{"title":"GSH-Responsive Prodrug Polymersomes for Copper-Free Cuproptosis and Synergistic Photothermal Cancer Therapy","authors":"Fangrong Tan, Yuandong Zeng, Donghua Dong, Yan Deng, Zhe Tang, LinGe Wang, Qianqian Yu","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01893","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01893","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cuproptosis offers a promising alternative to apoptosis-based cancer therapies but faces challenges, such as poor tumor drug accumulation, rapid clearance of copper ionophores, and high intracellular glutathione (GSH). Herein, we developed a GSH-responsive prodrug polymersome (PED@ICG) for copper-independent cuproptosis and synergistic photothermal therapy. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) was covalently attached via disulfide bonds, ensuring a GSH-triggered release and intracellular GSH depletion. The amphiphilic polyprodrug formed stable polymersomes, and ICG coloading endowed imaging ability and NIR-activated photothermal heating. PED@ICG exhibited efficient cellular uptake through dynamin-mediated endocytosis, achieved deep tumor penetration, and selectively released DTC within the reductive tumor microenvironment. <em>In vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies demonstrated potent anticancer efficacy without the need for exogenous copper, while NIR irradiation further enhanced therapeutic outcomes through localized hyperthermia. This work offers a promising strategy for precise cuproptosis modulation and photothermal synergism, providing a clinically translatable nanoplatform for copper-independent tumor therapy.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 608-623"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145779651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01180
Soumya Kolay , Madhuchhanda Das , Sananda Dey , Tanushree Mondal , Arun Mondal , Subhadeep Kar , Arunima Sengupta , Subhash Haldar , Biplab Giri , Mijanur Rahaman Molla
We formulated a nanonetwork of an amphiphilic polyurethane integrated with a tertiary amine group on the backbone and a pyridyl disulfide group as a pendant. The disulfide linkages within the nanonetwork undergo reductive cleavage in the intracellular redox environment of cancer cells, enabling sustained and site-specific drug release. The positive surface-charge generation under tumor extracellular matrix-like mildly acidic conditions promotes selective uptake of the nanonetwork by cancer cells while minimizing interaction with normal cells, as shown by flow cytometry analysis. Biological evaluation confirmed selective internalization and potent cytotoxicity in HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells following treatment with NN@DOX, while normal cells were effectively shielded from off-target toxicity. Furthermore, the dual-drug-loaded nanonetwork (NN@DOX-CPT) exhibited superior therapeutic outcomes, as demonstrated by a significantly lower IC50 (3.98 μg/mL) value compared to single-drug formulations, NN@DOX (IC50 = 9.89 μg/mL), confirming a combined effect. Overall, this polymeric nanonetwork could be a promising system for combination drug-based targeted chemotherapy.
{"title":"Redox-Responsive Polyurethane Nanonetworks with Tunable Cross-linking: A Robust Platform for Cocktail Chemotherapy","authors":"Soumya Kolay , Madhuchhanda Das , Sananda Dey , Tanushree Mondal , Arun Mondal , Subhadeep Kar , Arunima Sengupta , Subhash Haldar , Biplab Giri , Mijanur Rahaman Molla","doi":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01180","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01180","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We formulated a nanonetwork of an amphiphilic polyurethane integrated with a tertiary amine group on the backbone and a pyridyl disulfide group as a pendant. The disulfide linkages within the nanonetwork undergo reductive cleavage in the intracellular redox environment of cancer cells, enabling sustained and site-specific drug release. The positive surface-charge generation under tumor extracellular matrix-like mildly acidic conditions promotes selective uptake of the nanonetwork by cancer cells while minimizing interaction with normal cells, as shown by flow cytometry analysis. Biological evaluation confirmed selective internalization and potent cytotoxicity in HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cells following treatment with NN@DOX, while normal cells were effectively shielded from off-target toxicity. Furthermore, the dual-drug-loaded nanonetwork (NN@DOX-CPT) exhibited superior therapeutic outcomes, as demonstrated by a significantly lower IC<sub>50</sub> (3.98 μg/mL) value compared to single-drug formulations, NN@DOX (IC<sub>50</sub> = 9.89 μg/mL), confirming a combined effect. Overall, this polymeric nanonetwork could be a promising system for combination drug-based targeted chemotherapy.</div></div><div><div><span><figure></figure></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":30,"journal":{"name":"Biomacromolecules","volume":"27 1","pages":"Pages 217-233"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145779683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}