Expression of concern for ‘3D-printed magnetic Fe3O4/MBG/PCL composite scaffolds with multifunctionality of bone regeneration, local anticancer drug delivery and hyperthermia’ by Jianhua Zhang et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 7583–7595, https://doi.org/10.1039/C4TB01063A.
The development of multifunctional host materials capable of simultaneous diagnostics and therapy holds significant promise for biomedical applications. Here, we report the synthesis of NaYF4:Yb,Er particles with cuboidal morphology, designed for optical temperature sensing. To enable controlled drug release, the hydrophobic particles were coated with a mesoporous silica layer to enhance biocompatibility and facilitate dispersion in aqueous solutions and also allowed loading the hybrid material with drug molecules. Surface functionalization with folic acid (FA) further enhanced their potential for targeted delivery applications. Doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent, was successfully loaded into the mesoporous silica shell, allowing for pH-sensitive drug release. Ratiometric upconversion luminescence in both the visible and near-infrared I (NIR-I) region allowed precise temperature monitoring under NIR excitation. The thermometric performance of this system was also evaluated in chicken breast tissue. This work highlights the potential of these hybrid particles as a versatile platform for integrated temperature sensing and drug delivery, with promising applications in theranostics.
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based theranostic agents with efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency and long-term imaging capability are highly in demand but still challenging. Photosensitizers (PSs) with AIE characteristics have emerged as promising theranostic agents in cancer therapy. However, their high oxygen dependency, low molar extinction coefficients, and non-cellular organelle targeting ability significantly limit their theranostic effectiveness, especially in hypoxic tumor environments. In this study, tetraphenylethylene–vinyl pyridinium (TPEPy) bearing three AIE-active photosensitizers (AIE-PSs), namely TPEPyTMB-1, TPEPyTMB-2, and TPEPyTMB-3, were synthesized to enhance aggregation-induced intersystem crossing (AI-ISC), molar absorption coefficients, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency. Among the synthesized AIE-PSs, TPEPyTMB-3, which features a highly twisted structure and a large molar absorption coefficient, exhibited superior ROS generation efficiency and was selected as an ideal candidate for image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT). Furthermore, TPEPyTMB-3 nanoparticles (TPEPyTMB-3 NPs) were prepared via a simple nanoprecipitation procedure, demonstrating efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, as well as outstanding long-term in vivo imaging capability. In vivo results revealed that TPEPyTMB-3 NPs can effectively inhibit the growth of subcutaneous tumors, under white light irradiation with minimized systemic toxicity. This work highlights the potential of AIE-PSs for the development of highly efficient cancer theranostic agents.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) stands out as a promising alternative for cancer treatment due to its low invasiveness and low side effects. Additionally, photosensitizers often exhibit photoluminescent properties, which provide valuable diagnostic guidance for preoperative planning and drug delivery. However, current assessment of therapeutic efficacy largely relies on auxiliary imaging techniques to track tumor volume changes, which fail to provide real-time feedback on treatment outcomes. In this study, a DNA-specific dual-emissive photosensitizer, TPBT, was identified for photodynamic theranostics with red fluorescence serving for preoperative guidance and green fluorescence enabling real-time therapeutic evaluation. Notably, TPBT can behave as a cell-membrane permeable dye to stain the nuclei of early apoptosis cells. Moreover, TPBT exhibits a unique “light-induced emission enhancement” phenomenon, where its green fluorescence intensity is amplified by approximately three-fold under light exposure, enabling more accurate signal reporting and reducing photobleaching. The dual-emissive TPBT integrates diagnostic imaging, personalized treatment, and real-time therapeutic monitoring into a single molecule, offering an innovative strategy for developing efficient and precise theranostic systems.
Mitochondrial autophagy is closely related to various diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, and changes in mitochondrial polarity are key markers of these diseases. Traditional fluorescent probes rely on membrane potential and often lose signal during key stages of autophagy. This work develops a mitochondria-immobilized fluorescent probe, Mito-NT, which uses naphthylimide as the fluorescent moiety, triphenylamine as the electron donor, pyridine salt as the electron acceptor, and a mitochondrial-targeting group. The probe achieves polarity-dependent fluorescence response through the activation of an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The active chlorine unit in its structure ensures that the probe remains stable in the mitochondria and is not affected by changes in the membrane potential. Mito-NT exhibits high polarity sensitivity, pH stability, strong interference resistance, and low cytotoxicity, enabling dynamic monitoring of the mitochondrial autophagy process, tracking the fusion of mitochondria and lysosomes, and distinguishing mouse hunger-induced cardiac mitochondrial autophagy (manifested as enhanced fluorescence). This probe provides a powerful tool for mitochondrial autophagy research and related disease diagnosis.
Wound dressing and electrotherapy are effective approaches for wound repair. However, the electrodes of the electrical stimulation device showed poor conformability with epidermal wounds due to the small size and high rigidity. It is urgent to develop a skin adhesive that combines tissue regeneration and conductivity. This study reported a hydrogel dressing with integrated conductive and efficient wound repair function. Specifically, a curcumin (Cur) and Mg2+-functionalized gluten–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–glycerol (GPG–Mg–Cur) hydrogel was prepared by freezing and thawing cycles, which had a polymer network structure formed based on the hydrogen bond interaction. The GPG–Mg–Cur hydrogel with MgCl2 of 12.5 wt% exhibited high toughness (460 kJ m−3), adhesion strength (18.3 kPa), and conductivity (0.58 and 0.52 S m−1 at room temperature and −20 °C, respectively), and responded sensitively to 5–200% strain cycles. Moreover, GPG–Mg–Cur hydrogels showed good conductivity and durability after finger bending, walking, and running movements, and even worked at −20 °C and underwater environments. In a mouse model of skin injury, GPG–Mg–Cur hydrogels with sustained release of Cur promoted the proliferation of fibroblasts and showed a 91% healing rate of the wound, providing a regenerative microenvironment for damaged tissues. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of GPG–Mg–Cur hydrogels as a multifunctional wound dressing that integrates wound repair and assisted electrotherapy.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) chemotherapy faces challenges such as poor gastrointestinal stability, low targeting efficiency, severe toxicity, and complex protocols. Recent pH-responsive nanocarriers mainly improve environmental stability but lack intelligent control. This study introduces a novel two-step “one-pot” aqueous synthesis strategy to create dual-targeting core–shell nanoparticles (LTDR-DS NPs) that are both efficient and environmentally friendly. The core contains a lysine–tannic acid conjugate and D-galactose, while the shell is a pH-responsive dopamine-alginate sodium (DA–SA) “smart armor”. This design enables spatiotemporal targeting, combining pH responsiveness, precise delivery, and multi-mechanistic synergy. Unlike traditional nanocarriers, LTDR-DS NPs co-optimize stability and targeting, overcoming the dual challenges of poor stability and low targeting efficiency. They offer a groundbreaking, low-toxicity treatment strategy with high potential for clinical translation, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity and advancing CRC chemotherapy.
One of the challenges in antibiotic therapy is the development of bacterial resistance. It is urgent to develop new alternative antibacterial treatment strategies. Recently, researchers have paid close attention to carbon monoxide (CO) therapy, which can kill bacteria even in biofilms effectively, without drug resistance. The key to CO antibacterial activity lies in identifying carbon monoxide releasing molecules (CORMs) to achieve targeted delivery and controlled release. In this review, we elucidate the antibacterial mechanisms and design principles of CORMs. Furthermore, methods for controlled release and detection of CO are also summarized. CORMs enter bacterial cells, release CO inside the cells to inhibit bacterial respiration, and simultaneously interfere with bacterial metabolism and overall physiological functions. The integration of CO or CORMs with macromolecules or nanomaterials has improved the stability and release duration of CO delivery, to some extent achieving targeted delivery and enhancing biological safety. This review will provide guidance for the design and synthesis of new CORMs, which will promote the clinical therapy of CO.
The polyproline II helix is more common as a secondary structure than previously thought. Its significance extends to mediating various protein–protein interactions, both structurally and functionally, in natural systems. This structure is associated with the formation of supramolecular assemblies, which have been investigated for biomimetic applications. In this review, we highlight three examples of polyproline II helix utilization: structurally in collagen and in biomolecular condensates, and as functional motifs in hyperactive antifreeze proteins. The review examines the mechanisms underlying the properties of PPII and consolidates practical design principles for engineering PPII-based assemblies, with an emphasis on sequence composition, residue propensity, and crosslinking strategies that enhance stability and functionality. Additionally, by critically comparing spectroscopic methods (CD, VCD, ROA and NMR) and AI-based prediction tools, we summarize their respective strengths and limitations, providing a practical decision framework for selecting the most suitable characterization techniques for different sample types and research objectives.
Gastric mucosal injury is aggravated by sustained acid secretion, while conventional oral therapeutics suffer from limited bioavailability and lack intrinsic barrier properties. To overcome these challenges, we synthesized an injectable, acid-stable and antioxidant hydrogel (HDSCP) for ulcer repair. The system integrated a dynamic Schiff base network formed by dopamine-modified oxidized hyaluronic acid (HD) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) with polydopamine nanoparticles encapsulating ranitidine hydrochloride (PDR). Sodium alginate (SA) was incorporated to enhance acid resistance via electrostatic force. The dopamine group endowed the hydrogel with superior adhesion and antioxidant activity. Our HDSCP hydrogel promotes mucosal regeneration through two synergistic mechanisms: scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) to alleviate inflammation and establishing a protective barrier against gastric acid. The Transwell gastric acid barrier experiment demonstrated that the HDSCP hydrogel could mitigate the impact of gastric acid on cell viability and proliferation, thereby enhancing the cell survival rate. In vivo evaluation in an ethanol-induced rat gastric injury model confirmed that HDSCP significantly accelerated mucosal repair and regeneration. Overall, the HDSCP hydrogel offers a strategy for improving gastric mucosal integrity through its physical barrier function and ROS scavenging ability.
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