6 research outputs found
Immunomodulatory Magnetic Microspheres for Augmenting Tumor-Specific Infiltration of Natural Killer (NK) Cells
The
purpose of this research is to develop magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) visible immunomodulatory microspheres (IMM-MS) for efficient
image guided cancer immunotherapy. IMM-MS composed of recombinant
interferon gamma (IFN-γ), iron oxide nanocubes (IONC), and biodegradable
poly(lactide-<i>co</i>-glycolide) (PLGA) were successfully
prepared via a double-emulsion method. The prepared IMM-MS exhibited
a sustained IFN-γ release and highly sensitive MR <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> contrast effects. Finally, in an orthotopic liver tumor
VX2 rabbit model, successful hepatic intra-arterial (IA) transcatheter
delivery of IMM-MS to liver tumors was confirmed with MR images. The
deposition of IMM-MS significantly increased NK-cell infiltration
into the liver tumor site
Regenerative Astaxanthin Extraction from a Single Microalgal (<i>Haematococcus pluvialis</i>) Cell Using a Gold Nano-Scalpel
Milking
of microalgae, the process of reusing the biomass for continuous production
of target compounds, can strikingly overcome the time and cost constraints
associated with biorefinery. This process can significantly improve
production efficiency of highly valuable chemicals, for example, astaxanthin
(AXT) from Haematococcus pluvialis.
Detailed understanding of the biological process of cell survival
and AXT reaccumulation after extraction would be of great help for
successful milking. Here we report extraction of AXT from a single
cell of H. pluvialis through incision
of the cell wall by a gold nanoscalpel (Au-NS), which allows single-cell
analysis of wound healing and reaccumulation of AXT. Interestingly,
upon the Au-NS incision, the cell could reaccumulate AXT at a rate
two times faster than the control cells. Efficient extraction as well
as minimal cellular damage, keeping cells alive, could be achieved
with the optimized shape and dimensions of Au-NS: a well-defined sharp
tip, thickness under 300 nm, and 1–3 μm of width. The
demonstration of regenerative extraction of AXT at a single cell level
hints toward the potential of a milking process for continuous recovery
of target compounds from microalgae while keeping the cells alive
Droplet-Guiding Superhydrophobic Arrays of Plasmonic Microposts for Molecular Concentration and Detection
Droplet-guiding
superhydrophobic SERS substrates are created by a combinatorial lithographic
technique. Photolithography defines the pattern of a micropillar array
with a radial density gradient, whereas colloidal lithography features
a nanotip array on the top surface of each micropillar. The nanotip
array renders the surface superhydrophobic, and the pattern of micropillars
endows the radial gradient of the contact angle, enabling the spontaneous
droplet migration toward the center of the pattern. Water droplets
containing target molecules are guided to the center, and the molecules
dissolved in the droplets are concentrated at the surface of the central
micropillar during droplet evaporation. Therefore, the molecules can
be analyzed at the predefined position by Raman spectra without scanning
the entire substrate. At the same time, the SERS-active nanotip array
provides high sensitivity of Raman measurement
Droplet-Guiding Superhydrophobic Arrays of Plasmonic Microposts for Molecular Concentration and Detection
Droplet-guiding
superhydrophobic SERS substrates are created by a combinatorial lithographic
technique. Photolithography defines the pattern of a micropillar array
with a radial density gradient, whereas colloidal lithography features
a nanotip array on the top surface of each micropillar. The nanotip
array renders the surface superhydrophobic, and the pattern of micropillars
endows the radial gradient of the contact angle, enabling the spontaneous
droplet migration toward the center of the pattern. Water droplets
containing target molecules are guided to the center, and the molecules
dissolved in the droplets are concentrated at the surface of the central
micropillar during droplet evaporation. Therefore, the molecules can
be analyzed at the predefined position by Raman spectra without scanning
the entire substrate. At the same time, the SERS-active nanotip array
provides high sensitivity of Raman measurement
pH-Sensitive Pt Nanocluster Assembly Overcomes Cisplatin Resistance and Heterogeneous Stemness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Response rates to conventional chemotherapeutics
remain unsatisfactory
for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to the high rates of chemoresistance
and recurrence. Tumor-initiating cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) are
refractory to chemotherapy, and their enrichment leads to subsequent
development of chemoresistance and recurrence. To overcome the chemoresistance
and stemness in HCC, we synthesized a Pt nanocluster assembly (Pt-NA)
composed of assembled Pt nanoclusters incorporating a pH-sensitive
polymer and HCC-targeting peptide. Pt-NA is latent in peripheral blood,
readily targets disseminated HCC CSLCs, and disassembles into small
Pt nanoclusters in acidic subcellular compartments, eventually inducing
damage to DNA. Furthermore, treatment with Pt-NA downregulates a multitude
of genes that are vital for the proliferation of HCC. Importantly,
CD24+ side population (SP) CSLCs that are resistant to cisplatin are
sensitive to Pt-NA, demonstrating the immense potential of Pt-NA for
treating chemoresistant HCC
pH-Sensitive Pt Nanocluster Assembly Overcomes Cisplatin Resistance and Heterogeneous Stemness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Response rates to conventional chemotherapeutics
remain unsatisfactory
for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to the high rates of chemoresistance
and recurrence. Tumor-initiating cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) are
refractory to chemotherapy, and their enrichment leads to subsequent
development of chemoresistance and recurrence. To overcome the chemoresistance
and stemness in HCC, we synthesized a Pt nanocluster assembly (Pt-NA)
composed of assembled Pt nanoclusters incorporating a pH-sensitive
polymer and HCC-targeting peptide. Pt-NA is latent in peripheral blood,
readily targets disseminated HCC CSLCs, and disassembles into small
Pt nanoclusters in acidic subcellular compartments, eventually inducing
damage to DNA. Furthermore, treatment with Pt-NA downregulates a multitude
of genes that are vital for the proliferation of HCC. Importantly,
CD24+ side population (SP) CSLCs that are resistant to cisplatin are
sensitive to Pt-NA, demonstrating the immense potential of Pt-NA for
treating chemoresistant HCC