Advanced Therapeutics最新文献

Dimethyl fumarate is a widely known therapeutic agent with anti-inflammatory properties for psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Despite the current attempts to use dimethyl fumarate for treating various inflammatory diseases, its effects on endometriosis have not been previously reported. Endometriosis is a genital disease that causes various health problems in women, and treatment methods targeting the inflammatory environment are being attempted. Therefore, it is hypothesized that dimethyl fumarate has therapeutic effects on endometriosis through its anti-inflammatory effects. Dimethyl fumarate exerted remarkable effects on cellular mechanisms, including reactive oxygen species production, activation of mitogen‑activated protein kinase signals, loss of mitochondrial function, and disruption of calcium ion homeostasis in the immortalized human ovarian endometrial stromal cells. In an endometriosis mouse model, dimethyl fumarate downregulated cell cycle-related genes and induced inhibitory effects on endometriosis lesion growth. In particular, the immune cell population and expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 are regulated by dimethyl fumarate. These results support its potential as a therapeutic agent to control the excessive inflammatory environment in patients with endometriosis. This study identifies for the first time that dimethyl fumarate, which is already in clinical use, can be used to treat endometriosis.

VIPR2 is associated with psychiatric disorders, breast cancer metastasis, and cancer immunostimulation. The VIPR2 antagonist KS-133 changes the polarity of macrophages to the M1 type, and nanoparticles (NPs) releasing KS-133 exhibit antitumor effects against mouse colon cancer cells (CT26) in vivo. To enhance the antitumor effect of KS-133 NPs, KS-133 NPs are combined with the peptide KS-487 targeting LRP1, which is expressed on CT26 cells. Subcutaneous injection of NPs containing indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent dye and presenting KS-487 in CT26 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice resulted in significant accumulation of ICG in the CT26 tumor compared to administration of NPs without KS-487. NPs containing KS-133 and presenting KS-487 (KS-133/KS-487 NPs) exhibited dose-dependent antitumor effects in CT26 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice; the antitumor effects are more potent than the effects of KS-133 NPs without KS-487. In addition, CD8-positive T cells and macrophages significantly infiltrated into CT26 tumors after injection of KS-133/KS-487 NPs. Thus, KS-133/KS-487 NPs efficiently deliver KS-133 to CT26 tumors via LRP1-targeting and activate immune system cells such as CD8 positive T cells and macrophages via KS-133 inhibition of VIPR2 signaling, resulting in antitumor effects. These results demonstrate the potential of KS-133/KS-487 NPs as a therapeutic candidate for treating solid tumors.

Ring finger protein 217 (RNF217) has been found to interact with the antiapoptotic protein HS-1-associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) in myeloid leukemia cells. However, the understanding of RNF217 in ovarian cancer progression remains limited. The relative expression of RNF217 is screened in ovarian cancer using the GEPIA database and calculated its correlation with MKI67, CCNB1, and CDK4. OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cells are transfected with RNF217-overexpression plasmids. Cell-counting kit-8 assay is utilized to assess proliferation. Immunoprecipitation is performed to reveal the interaction between RNF217 and HAX-1, and a cycloheximide chase assay is performed to analyze HAX-1 degradation. The GEPIA database indicated down-regulated expression of RNF217 in ovarian cancer, negatively correlated with MKI67 (R = -0.26, P = 1.8e-09), CCNB1 (R = -0.37, P = 3.2e-18), and CDK4 expression (R = -0.24, P = 3.4e-08). RNF217 overexpression down-regulated the relative expression of MKI67, CCNB1, and CDK4 in OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cells, resulting in diminished proliferation. In vivo studies using OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cell line-derived xenograft models also showed that RNF217 overexpression reduced ovarian cancer volume and weight. Furthermore, RNF217 overexpression in SK-OV-3 cells inhibited the protein expression of HAX1 by reducing its stability. In conclusion, RNF217 inhibits ovarian cancer progression by down-regulating HS-1-associated protein X-1 expression.

Most treatments to alleviate major depression work by either inhibiting human monoamine transporters, vital for the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, or by inhibiting monoamine oxidases, which are vital for their degradation. The analysis of the experimental 3D structures of those antidepressants in their drug formulation state is key to precision drug design and development. In this study, microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) is applied to reveal the atomic 3D structures for the first time of five of the most prevalent antidepressants (reboxetine, pipofezine, ansofaxine, phenelzine, and bifemelane) directly from the commercially available powder of the active ingredients. Their modes of binding are investigated by molecular docking, revealing the essential contacts and conformational changes into the biologically active state. This study underscores the combined use of MicroED and molecular docking to uncover elusive drug structures and mechanisms to aid in further drug development pipelines.

Photobiomodulation is promisingly used as a noninvasive new weapon against Sjogren's syndrome, which is a disorder of immune system with two main symptoms of dry eyes and a dry mouth. This work reports a new NIR LED device made from LiScO₂:Cr³⁺ phosphor for the application. The absorbance, internal, and external quantum efficiency of the optimal Li(Sc_0.98Cr_0.02)O₂ phosphor reach 40.9%, 34.5%, and 14.1%, respectively; and the output power and energy conversion efficiency of the LED device packaged using the phosphor driven under 20 mA are 4.23 mW, respectively. The emission spectrum of the LED device can well cover the action spectrum of oxidized Cu_A in cytochrome c oxidase molecules. Both the pathological changes of mice submandibular gland and the expression of human submandibular gland epithelial cells (HSG) in AQP5, M3R andEGR1 confirm that the NIR light has great potential application for treating Sjogren's syndrome. Moreover, study with mice approved that the therapy using the NIR light is more efficient than the conventional medicine treatment using hydroxychloroquine sulfate.

Research in cancer therapies is rapidly advancing and demands the exploration of innovative approaches to further improve the efficacy of treatment. Here a multimodal approach for cancer therapy is reported which combines bioactive targeting, magnetic hyperthermia, and controlled drug release. For this, a nanoformulation MNP-Chi-Dox-Ab, is bioengineered by conjugating CA 15-3 antibodies to doxorubicin-loaded functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Solvothermally synthesized MNPs of uniform spherical shape and size are functionalized with thermo-pH-responsive chitosan. The nanoformulation showed higher drug release of ≈65% at pH 5 and 42 °C temperature compared to the release at physiological pH and temperature. Furthermore, in an alternating magnetic field drug release is enhanced to 74%. Cytotoxicity studies in MCF-7 breast cancer cells confirm the active targeting potential of the nanoformulation. For the nanoformulation without bioactive molecule (anti-CA 15-3) only 18% cancer cell death is noted whereas with the conjugation of anti-CA 15-3, 43% cell death is recorded. Flow cytometry studies revealed an increased apoptotic population at hyperthermic temperature (42 °C) compared to the physiological temperature. These results suggest that MNP-Chi-Dox-Ab nanoformulation represents a promising multimodal platform for synergistic breast cancer therapy by combining active targeting, controlled drug release, and hyperthermia.

N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTS) are signal peptides to drive the localization and import of mitochondrial protein and exhibit an amphipathic α-helix structure similar to that of almost all antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, 2,939 mitochondrial proteins are excavated from various organisms, and 574 MTS are selected with an MTS possibility score exceeding 0.5, as determined via MitoFates (http://mitf.cbrc.jp/MitoFates/cgi-bin/top.cgi). 26 MTS composed of less than 20 amino acids is synthesized and analyzed their antimicrobial activities. The results showed that approximately 50% of MTS exhibited antimicrobial activity. Among them, human mitochondrial transcription termination factor 2 (hMTERF2-ts) is identified as an AMP candidate with strong antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, antibiotics-resistant (AR) bacteria, and fungi. Furthermore, it shows anticancer activities against various cancer cells, such as MDA-MB-231, HT-29, HepG2, and Panc-1 cells, with high stability against proteases, heat, pH, and salt, and low cytotoxicity toward normal cells, HaCaT and RAW 264.7. In addition, hMTERF2-ts effectively prevented the growth of Panc-1-implanted tumors without weight loss in BALB/c nude mice. In conclusion, this study suggests that MTSs of protozoa are powerful and novel AMP candidates with low cytotoxicity against normal cells.

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is used as an additive in engineering applications such as polymers, ceramics, and coatings because of its anti-wear and lubrication performance. It has a high potential as a biomaterial, but it has not been evaluated to facilitate joint motion with its lubricating properties until now. In this study, the hypothesis that boron nitride nanoparticles (BNPs) and nanosheets (BNNSs) can facilitate movement in the joint region is evaluated for the first time. Hyaluronic acid-based hybrid hydrogels are designed to transport BN particles to the target area and pin-on-disc tests on cartilage pins paired with glass disks are conducted to determine the validity of the proposed hypothesis. The injectability, mechanical properties, and friction coefficients of hydrogels with the addition of increasing proportions of different hBN morphologies are monitored. As a result, hyaluronic acid has been found to be a suitable carrier for the injectability of boron nitride in biomedical applications. The amount and morphology of boron nitride are observed as two important parameters. A significant decrease in the friction coefficient (18.9%) is observed in the BNNS-doped hybrid hydrogel compared to the virgin hydrogel. hBN can be considered as a new therapeutic agent with the potential to facilitate joint mobility.

Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), genes similar to estrogen receptors, are identified as hormone-responsive systems associated with the ERR subfamily. These hormone-responsive systems facilitate oncometabolic programs to nourish cancer cell growth, a central node at the interface of cellular energy metabolism and cancer. Several independent studies have implicated ERR isoforms like ERRα, ERRβ, and ERRγ in the pathways of cancer development and progression. The construction of tissue-specific ERR transgenic or knockout mice and the application of synthetic ligands have precisely indicated the critical and diverse role of ERRγ than other isoforms. ERRγ, plays a critical and diverse role, enabling switching metabolism to oncometabolism in favor of cancer cells, making it a “hot target” in cancer therapy. ERRγ expression is correlated with the clinical status of diverse cancer types and various cancer tissue treatments. The dual feature of ERRγ raises interest in understanding its biogenesis and function in different tissues. This review aims to describe the structural organization of ERRs, their central occupancy at the interface of cancer and metabolism, and their biogenesis and expression profile across different cancers. It concludes that ERRγ has potential as a clinical marker in cancer prognosis and a novel non-conventional therapeutic target.