Featured
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Article
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Highly hydrated paramagnetic amorphous calcium carbonate nanoclusters as an MRI contrast agent
Sensitive, biocompatible and stable contrast agents for MRI are in demand. Here, the authors combine gadolinium ions with amorphous calcium carbonate to make stable paramagnetic amorphous carbonate nanoclusters with high MRI contrast and significantly improved biocompatibility over commercial gadolinium-based agents.
- Liang Dong
- , Yun-Jun Xu
- & Shu-Hong Yu
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Article
| Open Access
Adenosine triphosphate-activated prodrug system for on-demand bacterial inactivation and wound disinfection
Prodrugs are increasingly promising in tackling bacterial resistance and efficacy of treatment. Here, the authors encapsulated horseradish peroxidase and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 loaded with indole-3-acetic acid in polyacrylamide hydrogel microspheres for ATP-activated wound disinfection.
- Yuhao Weng
- , Huihong Chen
- & Hongliang Tan
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Article
| Open Access
Biomimetic material degradation for synergistic enhanced therapy by regulating endogenous energy metabolism imaging under hypothermia
Metal organic frameworks (MOF) coated with mammalian cell membranes have good biocompatibility. Here, the authors develop a cobalt based hydrogen sulphide producing MOF cloaked with a macrophage membrane and show that the subsequent system can reduce tumour growth in mice.
- Kai Cheng
- , Bo Liu
- & Yuan-Di Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
Cancer immune therapy using engineered ‛tail-flipping’ nanoliposomes targeting alternatively activated macrophages
Tumor-associated macrophages are mostly pro-tumorigenic, due to their re-programming by the tumor microenvironment. Here authors show that nanoliposomes, incorporating phospholipids with a flipping-tail chain, are engulfed specifically by intratumoral, alternatively activated macrophages, while delivering a cargo that converts these cells into anti-tumor macrophages.
- Praneeth R. Kuninty
- , Karin Binnemars-Postma
- & Jai Prakash
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Article
| Open Access
TPGS-based and S-thanatin functionalized nanorods for overcoming drug resistance in Klebsiella pneumonia
Overproduction of efflux pumps represents an important mechanism of Klebsiella pneumonia resistance to tigecycline. Here, the authors design TPGS- and S-thanatin functionalized nanorods loaded with tigecycline to increase drug accumulation inside bacteria and overcome bacterial resistance.
- Xiaojuan Wang
- , Xiaoling Xu
- & Saiping Jiang
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Article
| Open Access
Catalytical nano-immunocomplexes for remote-controlled sono-metabolic checkpoint trimodal cancer therapy
Ultrasound-based therapies in combination with immune checkpoint blockade have been shown to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here the authors report the design of a pH-responsive and sono-irradiation activatable nanosystem functionalized with anti-PD-L1 and adenosine deaminase for sono-metabolic cancer immunotherapy.
- Chi Zhang
- , Jingsheng Huang
- & Kanyi Pu
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Article
| Open Access
Efficient aqueous remote loading of peptides in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
Encapsulation of bioactive peptides in slow-release particles is complex and relies on organic solvents. Here, the authors absorb peptides in a polymer phase from water, creating a simple low-cost encapsulation process in a class of polymer depot.
- Morgan B. Giles
- , Justin K. Y. Hong
- & Steven P. Schwendeman
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Article
| Open Access
Catalytic activity imperative for nanoparticle dose enhancement in photon and proton therapy
Nanoparticles have recently received attention in radiation therapy since they can act as radioenhancers. In this article, the authors report on the dose enhancement capabilities of a series of nanoparticles based on their metal core composition and beam characteristics, obtaining designing criteria for their optimal performance in specific radiotreatments.
- Lukas R. H. Gerken
- , Alexander Gogos
- & Inge K. Herrmann
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Article
| Open Access
Nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy synergizes with PD-L1 blockade to limit post-surgical cancer recurrence and metastasis
Tumor recurrence after surgical resection is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Here the authors design a manganese dioxide-based nanosystem to increase response to radio-immunotherapy by relieving tumor hypoxia and targeting myeloid cells, showing reduced post-surgical cancer recurrence and metastasis.
- Xin Guan
- , Liping Sun
- & Wenwen Yue
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Article
| Open Access
Reversing insufficient photothermal therapy-induced tumor relapse and metastasis by regulating cancer-associated fibroblasts
Photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment. Here, in preclinical cancer models, the authors show that PTT efficacy could be improved using tumor cell-derived microparticles that co-deliver the photosensitizer indocyanine green and a vitamin-D receptor ligand, calcipotriol, resulting in tumor extracellular matrix remodelling and ameliorated anti-tumor immune responses.
- Xin Li
- , Tuying Yong
- & Xiangliang Yang
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Article
| Open Access
A bio-functional polymer that prevents retinal scarring through modulation of NRF2 signalling pathway
One common cause of vision loss after retinal detachment surgery is retinal scarring. Here the authors demonstrate that a bio-functional polymer can prevent retinal scarring by suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and hyper-proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells.
- Bhav Harshad Parikh
- , Zengping Liu
- & Xinyi Su
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Article
| Open Access
Fibronectin binding protein B binds to loricrin and promotes corneocyte adhesion by Staphylococcus aureus
The first step during skin colonization by is its adhesion to corneocytes. Da Costa et al. show that the cell wall-anchored fibronectin binding protein B (FnBPB) of S. aureus binds to loricrin. Applying single cell force spectroscopy, they demonstrate that this interaction promotes adhesion of S. aureus to human corneocytes.
- Thaina M. da Costa
- , Albertus Viljoen
- & Joan A. Geoghegan
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Article
| Open Access
Protective effect of platinum nano-antioxidant and nitric oxide against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury
Pharmacological interventions against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury remain limited. Here, the authors provide a nanotherapeutics-based solution combining reactive oxygen species scavenging and nitric oxide modulation.
- Jing Mu
- , Chunxiao Li
- & Xiaoyuan Chen
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Article
| Open Access
Golgi apparatus-targeted aggregation-induced emission luminogens for effective cancer photodynamic therapy
Aggregation induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) based photosensitizers (PSs) have been developed for photodynamic cancer therapy. Here the authors report a series of AIEgen-based PSs that selectively target the Golgi apparatus, showing enhanced singlet oxygen generation and photodynamic therapy performance in cancer models.
- Minglun Liu
- , Yuncong Chen
- & Zijian Guo
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Article
| Open Access
Bioorthogonal in situ assembly of nanomedicines as drug depots for extracellular drug delivery
Delivering the correct concentration of drugs to the correct location is a challenge in cancer therapy. Here, the authors generate a drug loaded nanoparticle that enlarges following contact with the internal tumour cell environment, resulting in the retention of the nanoparticle and loaded drugs in cancer cells.
- Ziyang Cao
- , Dongdong Li
- & Xianzhu Yang
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Article
| Open Access
Construction of a two-dimensional artificial antioxidase for nanocatalytic rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are associated with high reactive oxygen species levels. Here, the authors report on 2D metal-organic frameworks as an artificial antioxidase with the same manganese coordination centre as two natural enzymes, and demonstrate their anti-inflammatory effects and anti-arthritic effects in vivo.
- Bowen Yang
- , Heliang Yao
- & Jianlin Shi
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Article
| Open Access
Fibroblast activation protein activated antifibrotic peptide delivery attenuates fibrosis in mouse models of liver fibrosis
Activated hepatic stellate cells contribute towards the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, and overexpress fibroblast activation protein. Here the authors report a targeted peptide-delivery system in which fibroblast activation protein liberates the antifibrotic peptide melittin, and demonstrate the approach attenuates fibrosis in mouse models of liver fibrosis.
- Jaiwoo Lee
- , Junho Byun
- & Yu-Kyoung Oh
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Article
| Open Access
Microalgae-based oral microcarriers for gut microbiota homeostasis and intestinal protection in cancer radiotherapy
Protecting the whole small intestine from radiation-induced intestinal injury during the radiotherapy of abdominal or pelvic solid tumors remains an unmet clinical need. Here the authors use a natural microalga to readily construct an oral delivery system to achieve effective radioprotection for the small intestine.
- Dongxiao Zhang
- , Danni Zhong
- & Min Zhou
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Article
| Open Access
High drug-loaded microspheres enabled by controlled in-droplet precipitation promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury
High drug loading improves therapeutic efficacy and reduces side effects in drug delivery. Here, the authors use controlled diffusion of solvents to precipitate drug nanoparticles in polymer particles while the polymer is solidifying and demonstrate the particles for drug delivery in a spinal cord injury model.
- Wei Li
- , Jian Chen
- & Dongfei Liu
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Article
| Open Access
Combining p53 mRNA nanotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade reprograms the immune microenvironment for effective cancer therapy
The p53 tumor suppressor gene is frequently mutated in liver cancer. Here the authors show that restoration of p53 expression with a mRNA nanoparticle platform elicits anti-tumor immune responses and promotes response to immune checkpoint blockade in preclinical models of p53-null hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Yuling Xiao
- , Jiang Chen
- & Jinjun Shi
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Article
| Open Access
Degradable mesoporous semimetal antimony nanospheres for near-infrared II multimodal theranostics
The properties of mesoporous nanomaterials have been exploited for several applications, including drug delivery and NIR-II photoacoustic imaging. Here, the authors design monodispersed semimetallic mesoporous antimony nanospheres with photothermal conversion efficiency in the second near-infrared range and drug loading capacity, showing their potential for cancer photothermal/chemo therapy.
- Yu Chen
- , Zhongzheng Yu
- & Junle Qu
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Article
| Open Access
Interfacial-confined coordination to single-atom nanotherapeutics
Developing single atom systems with improved catalytic potential for bio-application has major therapeutic potential. Here, the authors report on the development of a metal single-atom on a carbon dot support confined within mesoporous silica for the development of therapeutic agents.
- Limei Qin
- , Jie Gan
- & Jianlin Shi
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Article
| Open Access
Theranostic near-infrared-IIb emitting nanoprobes for promoting immunogenic radiotherapy and abscopal effects against cancer metastasis
Hypoxia and immunosuppression contribute to tumor resistance to radiotherapy (RT). Here the authors design a nanoprobe based on NIR-IIb emitting quantum dots for image-guided RT and modified with catalase to relieve hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing the precision and efficacy of RT and promoting anti-tumor immune responses.
- Hao Li
- , Meng Wang
- & Zhi-Jun Sun
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Article
| Open Access
Gold nanoparticles enhance antibody effect through direct cancer cell cytotoxicity by differential regulation of phagocytosis
Antibody therapies have huge potential in treating cancer but currently suffer from problems with delivery. Here the authors report on a study into then conjugation of Ramucirumab to gold nanoparticles to improve delivery and add theranostic capabilities, demonstrating preferential toxicity in gastric cancer cells.
- Linyang Fan
- , Weizhi Wang
- & Minzhi Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
MOFs-based nanoagent enables dual mitochondrial damage in synergistic antitumor therapy via oxidative stress and calcium overload
Targeting damage to mitochondria has become an effective strategy antitumor therapies. Here, the authors report on nanoagents with upconversion nanoparticles as cores and photoacid-loaded MOFs as shells for NIR triggered Fenton reaction, acidification and calcium overload to provide synergistic mitochondrial damage.
- Weier Bao
- , Ming Liu
- & Zhiyuan Tian
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Article
| Open Access
Hedgehog artificial macrophage with atomic-catalytic centers to combat Drug-resistant bacteria
The increase in drug-resistant bacteria is a world-wide health issue that demands the development of alternatives to standard antibiotic treatments. In this study, the authors synthesise a hedgehog artificial macrophage with heme-mimetic catalytic centres, and peroxidase- and haloperoxidase-mimicking activities, for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- Yanping Long
- , Ling Li
- & Changsheng Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
High-spatial and colourimetric imaging of histone modifications in single senescent cells using plasmonic nanoprobes
The authors demonstrate a colourimetric imaging method using plasmonic nanoparticles for visualisation of heterochromatin histone markers. Based on the distance-dependent coupling effect, resulting in spectral shifts, they observe reorganisation of histone markers caused by oncogene-induced senescence.
- Hyun Ji An
- , Yun Kim
- & Inhee Choi
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Article
| Open Access
Cell membrane coating integrity affects the internalization mechanism of biomimetic nanoparticles
Cell membrane coating of nanomaterials has become an attractive method of improving targeting, residence and biocompatibility. Here, the authors demonstrated that most nanoparticles are only partially coated by standard methods, and show the coating degree can impact the biological fate of nanoparticles.
- Lizhi Liu
- , Xuan Bai
- & Vesa-Pekka Lehto
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Article
| Open Access
Transformation of tenofovir into stable ProTide nanocrystals with long-acting pharmacokinetic profiles
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the treatment of HIV-1 requires life-long daily adherence to supress viral replication, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that are commonly used in ART have not been converted into long-acting agents. Here, the authors report two lipophilic tenofovir (TVF) ProTide nanoformulations, NM1TFV and NM2TFV, which sustain drug levels above therapeutic concentrations for two months after a single intramuscular dose in rats.
- Denise A. Cobb
- , Nathan Smith
- & Benson Edagwa
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Comment
| Open Access
The need for robust characterization of nanomaterials for nanomedicine applications
Robust and precise characterization of the interactions between nanoengineered materials and biosystems is vital for the development of safe, efficient diagnostic and therapeutic nanomedicines. This comment discusses the key aspects of nanoparticle characteristics affecting the interpretation of nano-bio interface data.
- Morteza Mahmoudi
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Article
| Open Access
Peroxisome inspired hybrid enzyme nanogels for chemodynamic and photodynamic therapy
The control of reactive oxygen species in cancer cells is an attractive approach for anticancer applications. Here, the authors create a peroxisome inspired lactate oxidase and catalase loaded hydrogel with iron nanoparticles and NIR photosensitizer for glutathione activated chemodynamic and photodynamic therapy.
- Xing Qin
- , Chu Wu
- & Yongsheng Li
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Article
| Open Access
Targeting the latent human cytomegalovirus reservoir for T-cell-mediated killing with virus-specific nanobodies
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can evade immune responses in latent reservoirs, which is a specific problem during transplantation. Here the authors develop a bivalent nanobody that is specific for US28, a viral receptor required by latent HCMV, and show it can partially reactivate the virus and make it susceptible to killing by T cells.
- Timo W. M. De Groof
- , Elizabeth G. Elder
- & Martine J. Smit
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Article
| Open Access
Lure-and-kill macrophage nanoparticles alleviate the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors have been shown to be able to treat acute pancreatitis, but are toxic with systemic application. Here the authors design a nanoparticle with macrophage membrane components to carry PLA2 inhibitor to macrophages and treat pancreatitis in mice, with no evidence of toxicity.
- Qiangzhe Zhang
- , Julia Zhou
- & Liangfang Zhang
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Article
| Open Access
Post-capillary venules are the key locus for transcytosis-mediated brain delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles
Limited understanding of the interactions between nanoparticle drug carriers and the blood-brain barrier underlies many translational failures in treatments of brain disorders. Here the authors use two-photon microscopy in mice to characterize the receptor-mediated transcytosis of nanoparticles at all steps of delivery from the blood to the brain in vivo.
- Krzysztof Kucharz
- , Kasper Kristensen
- & Martin Johannes Lauritzen
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Article
| Open Access
Artificially engineered antiferromagnetic nanoprobes for ultra-sensitive histopathological level magnetic resonance imaging
Ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has potential for imaging disease including cancer metastasis. Here, the authors develop an ultra-sensitive antiferromagnetic nanoparticle probe with a small magnetisation for use in UHF MRI and demonstrate the ability to detect small primary tumours and micrometastases in mice.
- Zeyu Liang
- , Qiyue Wang
- & Daishun Ling
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Article
| Open Access
Intratumoral synthesis of nano-metalchelate for tumor catalytic therapy by ligand field-enhanced coordination
Iron gall chelate (GA-Fe) can promote oxygen reduction reactions and reactive oxygen species generation which causes chemical corrosion. Here, the authors, inspired by this phenomenon, develop a composite nanomedicine for tumour therapy constructed by loading gallate into Fe-engineered and PEGylated mesoporous silica nanocarrier, and show that it inhibits tumour growth.
- Bowen Yang
- , Heliang Yao
- & Jianlin Shi
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Article
| Open Access
Systemic metastasis-targeted nanotherapeutic reinforces tumor surgical resection and chemotherapy
Failure of conventional clinical therapies such as tumor resection and chemotherapy are mainly due to the ineffective control of tumor metastasis. Here, the authors show that a systemic metastasis-targeted nanotherapeutic may offer a powerful adjunct therapy for suppressing tumor metastasis.
- Minjun Xu
- , Kaili Hu
- & Jun Chen
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Review Article
| Open Access
Sex as an important factor in nanomedicine
Given the early failing of therapeutic nanomedicine in the clinic the importance of understanding bio-nano interactions and biosystem parameters has gained much attention. Here, the authors review the work to date that looks at the impact of sex on the applications and outcomes of nanomedicine.
- Mohammah Javad Hajipour
- , Haniyeh Aghaverdi
- & Morteza Mahmoudi
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Article
| Open Access
Semiconducting polymer nano-PROTACs for activatable photo-immunometabolic cancer therapy
Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) is an effective alternative to modulate protein homeostasis but can lead to uncontrollable protein degradation and off-target side effects. Here, the authors developed semiconducting polymer nano-PROTACs with phototherapeutic and activatable protein degradation abilities for photo-immunometabolic cancer therapy.
- Chi Zhang
- , Ziling Zeng
- & Kanyi Pu
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Article
| Open Access
Quantitative imaging of intracellular nanoparticle exposure enables prediction of nanotherapeutic efficacy
Quantification of intratumoral nanoparticles internalisation in vivo is crucial but challenging. Here, the authors develop a binary ratiometric nanoreporter that can quantify internalisation and predict nanotherapeutic responses based on intracellular nanoparticle exposure.
- Qingqing Yin
- , Anni Pan
- & Yiguang Wang
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Article
| Open Access
2D vanadium carbide MXenzyme to alleviate ROS-mediated inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases
Materials with enzymatic-like activities are of interest for a wide range of applications. Here, the authors report on 2D vanadium carbide MXene nanozymes capable of mimicking multiple enzymes and demonstrate application to treat reactive oxygen species-mediated inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Wei Feng
- , Xiuguo Han
- & Yuehua Li
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Article
| Open Access
Targeted apoptosis of macrophages and osteoclasts in arthritic joints is effective against advanced inflammatory arthritis
Celastrol might be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis in part by inhibiting apoptosis of macrophages; however, systemic toxicity is a concern. Here the authors design celastrol-loaded nanoparticles that release a payload in response to MMP9 cleavage and show these NPs are effective at inducing apoptosis of human macrophages in vitro and a therapeutic effect with an adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats.
- Caifeng Deng
- , Quan Zhang
- & Zhirong Zhang
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Article
| Open Access
Bioengineered bacteria-derived outer membrane vesicles as a versatile antigen display platform for tumor vaccination via Plug-and-Display technology
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), non-replicative particles secreted by Gram-negative bacteria, are known for their immunostimulatory and adjuvant properties. Here, by employing a Plug-and-Display technology, the authors engineer OMVs to display tumor antigens on the surface, a platform that promotes anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical cancer models.
- Keman Cheng
- , Ruifang Zhao
- & Guangjun Nie
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Article
| Open Access
Photoactivated nanomotors via aggregation induced emission for enhanced phototherapy
Induced motion has emerged as a method to increase the efficacy of delivery and therapeutic outcomes using nanomaterials. Here, the authors report on a Janus gold shell polymersome with aggregation-induced emission molecules for phototactic and photodynamic therapy applications.
- Shoupeng Cao
- , Jingxin Shao
- & Jan C. M. van Hest
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Article
| Open Access
In vivo activation of pH-responsive oxidase-like graphitic nanozymes for selective killing of Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of gastric diseases, but the standard therapy is limited by continuously decreased therapeutic efficacy and side effects to symbiotic bacteria. Here, the authors develop a pH-responsive graphitic nanozyme that is active under low pH gastric conditions, but inactive in intestines, for selective treatment of H. pylori infections.
- Lufeng Zhang
- , Liang Zhang
- & Weihong Tan
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Article
| Open Access
A mussel-inspired film for adhesion to wet buccal tissue and efficient buccal drug delivery
Minimally invasive drug delivery is of wide interest and oral tissue is an attractive target for this. Here, the authors report on the creation of mussel-inspired films for retention on the wet oral tissue for the delivery of drugs by diffusion and transport though the mucosal tissue.
- Shanshan Hu
- , Xibo Pei
- & Jian Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Immunomodulating nano-adaptors potentiate antibody-based cancer immunotherapy
Current strategies to boost anti-tumor immune response include the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and bispecific T cell-engaging antibodies. Here the authors describe a versatile antibody immobilization nanoplatform that can be used to deliver different combinations of immunotherapeutics, showing therapeutic superiority in pre-clinical models.
- Cheng-Tao Jiang
- , Kai-Ge Chen
- & Jun Wang
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Article
| Open Access
Spatiotemporally programmable cascade hybridization of hairpin DNA in polymeric nanoframework for precise siRNA delivery
Controlled delivery of siRNA is important for potential clinical applications. Here, the authors report on the use of cascade hybridization of DNA hairpins with ATP aptamers in DNA crosslinked polymer nanoparticles for triggered release of siRNA and demonstrate anticancer applications.
- Feng Li
- , Wenting Yu
- & Dayong Yang
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Article
| Open Access
Activatable polymer nanoagonist for second near-infrared photothermal immunotherapy of cancer
Precise control of immune response remains challenging for cancer immunotherapy. Here, the authors report on photothermally activatable semiconducting polymeric pro-agonist in response to second near-infrared window light for regulated photothermal immunotherapy.
- Yuyan Jiang
- , Jiaguo Huang
- & Kanyi Pu
Bacteria loaded with glucose polymer and photosensitive ICG silicon-nanoparticles for glioblastoma photothermal immunotherapy