Polymer/Aptamer-Integrated Gold Nanoconstruct Suppresses the Inflammatory Process by Scavenging ROS and Capturing Pro-inflammatory Cytokine TNF-α

Postoperative tumor suppression via ROS scavenging, VEGF capture, and photothermal therapy using a split aptamer-loaded hydrogel

Surgical resection is the primary treatment for early-stage breast cancer. However, residual tumor cells often lead to postsurgery recurrence. Current adjuvant therapies focus on eliminating residual tumors but overlook the postsurgery tumor microenvironment (TME) on residual tumor growth, resulting in limited therapeutic efficacy. In particular, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during the surgical procedure induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, which promotes the growth of residual tumor cells. In this study, we developed Apt-Au@Gel, a multifunctional therapeutic platform combining ROS scavenging, VEGF capture, and photothermal therapy (PTT) to enhance postsurgery tumor suppression. Apt-Au@Gel consists of a cross-linked hydrogel composed of polymeric phenylboronic acid (pPBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), encapsulating VEGF split aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticle (Apt-AuNPs). This platform dynamically scavenges ROS through boronic ester-based covalent interactions, while the released Apt-AuNPs aggregate through complementary sequence binding, and the VEGF split aptamer sequences combine to form the complete VEGF aptamer, enabling VEGF capture. The AuNPs aggregation enhances the photothermal conversion efficiency, allowing PTT upon near infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the effective suppression of postsurgery tumor recurrence. These findings provide valuable insights into the synergistic effects of ROS scavenging, VEGF capture, and PTT, offering a promising strategy for postsurgery tumor therapy.

Inflammation Targeting and Responsive Multifunctional Drug-Delivery Nanoplatforms for Combined Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation, joint swelling, pain, and progressive joint destruction. Methotrexate (MTX) is the standard first-line treatment for RA, but its clinical application is hindered by poor water solubility and non-specific delivery. In this work, a multifunctional drug-delivery nanoplatform that targets both macrophages and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is developed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MTX in RA. The nanoplatform consists of folic acid (FA, for macrophage targeting) and a TNFα-specific Aptamer (TNFα-Apt), facilitating a dual-targeting strategy that significantly improves the accumulation of MTX at the sites of RA lesions (≈3.5-fold). Moreover, the manganese dioxide (MnO₂) and polydopamine (PDA) coatings on the nanoplatform effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), generate oxygen, and promote the polarization of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to the anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. This shift in macrophage polarization restores the expression of key inflammatory cytokines, improving the local inflammatory microenvironment. Ultimately, the nanoplatform significantly ameliorates the inflammation and joint damage in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, suggesting that this multi-target combination therapy holds considerable potential for the treatment of RA in vivo.

Nanotechnology-Mediated Immunomodulation Strategy for Inflammation Resolution

Inflammation serves as a common characteristic across a wide range of diseases and plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis. Inflammation can lead to tissue damage and the onset of inflammatory diseases. Although significant progress is made in anti-inflammation in recent years, the current clinical approaches mainly rely on the systemic administration of corticosteroids and antibiotics, which only provide short-term relief. Recently, immunomodulatory approaches have emerged as promising strategies for facilitating the resolution of inflammation. Especially, the advanced nanosystems with unique biocompatibility and multifunctionality have provided an ideal platform for immunomodulation. In this review, the pathophysiology of inflammation and current therapeutic strategies are summarized. It is mainly focused on the nanomedicines that modulate the inflammatory signaling pathways, inflammatory cells, oxidative stress, and inflammation targeting. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of nanomaterials in addressing inflammation are also discussed. The nanotechnology-mediated immunomodulation will open a new treatment strategy for inflammation therapy.

Tailored small molecule for inflammation treatment: Dual scavenger targeting nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species

Inflammation-related diseases are often marked by elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play important roles in the modulation of inflammation. However, the development of organic materials effective in managing NO/ROS levels has remained a challenge. This study introduces a novel organic compound, NmeGA, engineered to scavenge both NO and ROS. NmeGA ingeniously integrates N-methyl-1,2,-phenylenediamine (Nme), a NO scavenger, with gallic acid (GA), a ROS scavenger, through an amide bond, endowing it with enhanced scavenging capabilities over its individual component. This compound exhibits reduced toxicity and increased lipophilicity value, underlining its increased biological applicability and highlighting its potential as an inflammation management tool. Through in vitro studies on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, NmeGA displayed remarkable scavenging efficiency for NO and ROS, coupled with significant anti-inflammatory effects. In an LPS-induced peritonitis model, administration of NmeGA substantially decreased mortality rates, NO and ROS levels, and inflammatory cytokine concentrations. These findings highlight NmeGA's versatility as a therapeutic agent against various inflammatory diseases.

Cascade Reactions Catalyzed by Gold Hybrid Nanoparticles Generate CO Gas Against Periodontitis in Diabetes

The treatment of diabetic periodontitis poses a significant challenge due to the presence of local inflammation characterized by excessive glucose concentration, bacterial infection, and high oxidative stress. Herein, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) are embellished with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and loaded with manganese carbonyl to prepare a carbon monoxide (CO) enhanced multienzyme cooperative hybrid nanoplatform (MSN-Au@CO). The Glucose-like oxidase activity of Au NPs catalyzes the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and gluconic acid，and then converts H2O2 to hydroxyl radicals (•OH) by peroxidase-like activity to destroy bacteria. Moreover, CO production in response to H2O2, together with Au NPs exhibited a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect in macrophages challenged by lipopolysaccharides. The underlying mechanism can be the induction of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 to reduce reactive oxygen species, and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B signaling to diminish inflammatory response. Importantly, the antibacterial and anti-inflammation effects of MSN-Au@CO are validated in diabetic rats with ligature-induced periodontitis by showing decreased periodontal bone loss with good biocompatibility. To summarize, MSN-Au@CO is fabricate to utilize glucose-activated cascade reaction to eliminate bacteria, and synergize with gas therapy to regulate the immune microenvironment, offering a potential direction for the treatment of diabetic periodontitis.

Engineering siRNA therapeutics: challenges and strategies

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a potential method of gene silencing to target specific genes. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved multiple siRNA-based therapeutics, many biological barriers limit their use for treating diseases. Such limitations include challenges concerning systemic or local administration, short half-life, rapid clearance rates, nonspecific binding, cell membrane penetration inability, ineffective endosomal escape, pH sensitivity, endonuclease degradation, immunological responses, and intracellular trafficking. To overcome these barriers, various strategies have been developed to stabilize siRNA, ensuring their delivery to the target site. Chemical modifications implemented with nucleotides or the phosphate backbone can reduce off-target binding and immune stimulation. Encapsulation or formulation can protect siRNA from endonuclease degradation and enhance cellular uptake while promoting endosomal escape. Additionally, various techniques such as viral vectors, aptamers, cell-penetrating peptides, liposomes, and polymers have been developed for delivering siRNA, greatly improving their bioavailability and therapeutic potential.

Computable structured aptamer for targeted treatment of ovarian cancer

Nucleolin protein expression is higher on the ovarian cancer cell surface. AS1411, a DNA aptamer, can bind with nucleolin protein specifically. In this study, we developed HA and ST DNA tiles to assemble six AS1411 aptamers to deliver doxorubicin. In addition, to superior serum stability and drug loading, HA-6AS and ST-6AS outperformed TDN-AS in cellular uptake. HA-6AS and ST-6AS exhibited satisfactory targeted cytotoxicity and achieved resounding lysosomal escape. Moreover, when injected into nude mice subcutaneous xenograft models, HA-6AS reached the peak in tumor more quickly than ST-6AS, and better expressed the active targeting ability of AS1411. Our study suggests that designing appropriate DNA tiles to assemble different aptamers to deliver different chemotherapeutic drugs is a promising treatment for ovarian cancer.

Modulation of Macrophages Using Nanoformulations with Curcumin to Treat Inflammatory Diseases: A Concise Review

Curcumin (Cur), a traditional Chinese medicine extracted from natural plant rhizomes, has become a candidate drug for the treatment of diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of Cur limit its therapeutic effects for clinical applications. A variety of nanocarriers have been successfully developed to improve the water solubility, in vivo distribution, and pharmacokinetics of Cur, as well as to enhance the ability of Cur to polarize macrophages and relieve macrophage oxidative stress or anti-apoptosis, thus accelerating the therapeutic effects of Cur on inflammatory diseases. Herein, we review the design and development of diverse Cur nanoformulations in recent years and introduce the biomedical applications and potential therapeutic mechanisms of Cur nanoformulations in common inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, respiratory diseases, and ulcerative colitis, by regulating macrophage behaviors. Finally, the perspectives of the design and preparation of future nanocarriers aimed at efficiently exerting the biological activity of Cur are briefly discussed.

Application of aptamers in regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine is a discipline that studies how to use biological and engineering principles and operation methods to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Until now, regenerative medicine has focused mainly on the in-depth study of the pathological mechanism of diseases, the further development and application of new drugs, and tissue engineering technology strategies. The emergence of aptamers has supplemented the development methods and types of new drugs and enriched the application elements of tissue engineering technology, injecting new vitality into regenerative medicine. The role and application status of aptamers screened in recent years in various tissue regeneration and repair are reviewed, and the prospects and challenges of aptamer technology are discussed, providing a basis for the design and application of aptamers in long-term transformation.

Aptamers Targeting Cardiac Biomarkers as an Analytical Tool for the Diagnostics of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review

The detection of cardiac biomarkers is used for diagnostics, prognostics, and the risk assessment of cardiovascular diseases. The analysis of cardiac biomarkers is routinely performed with high-sensitivity immunological assays. Aptamers offer an attractive alternative to antibodies for analytical applications but, to date, are not widely practically implemented in diagnostics and medicinal research. This review summarizes the information on the most common cardiac biomarkers and the current state of aptamer research regarding these biomarkers. Aptamers as an analytical tool are well established for troponin I, troponin T, myoglobin, and C-reactive protein. For the rest of the considered cardiac biomarkers, the isolation of novel aptamers or more detailed characterization of the known aptamers are required. More attention should be addressed to the development of dual-aptamer sandwich detection assays and to the studies of aptamer sensing in alternative biological fluids. The universalization of aptamer-based biomarker detection platforms and the integration of aptamer-based sensing to clinical studies are demanded for the practical implementation of aptamers to routine diagnostics. Nevertheless, the wide usage of aptamers for the diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases is promising for the future, with respect to both point-of-care and laboratory testing.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Diabetic Heart Disease: Mechanisms and Therapies

Significance: Diabetic heart disease (DHD) is the primary cause of mortality in people with diabetes. A significant contributor to the development of DHD is the disruption of redox balance due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction resulting from sustained high glucose levels. Therapies specifically focusing on the suppression of ROS will hugely benefit patients with DHD. Recent Advances: In addition to the gold standard pharmacological therapies, the recent development of gene therapy provides an exciting avenue for developing new therapeutics to treat ROS-mediated DHD. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs) are gaining interest due to their crucial role in several physiological and pathological processes, including DHD. Critical Issues: miRNAs have many targets and differential function depending on the environment. Therefore, a proper understanding of the function of miRNAs in specific cell types and cell states is required for the successful application of this technology. In the present review, we first provide an overview of the role of ROS in contributing to DHD and the currently available treatments. We then discuss the newer gene therapies with a specific focus on the role of miRNAs as the causative factors and therapeutic targets to combat ROS-mediated DHD. Future Directions: The future of miRNA therapeutics in tackling ROS-mediated DHD is dependent on a complete understanding of how miRNAs behave in different cells and environments. Future research should also aim to develop conditional miRNA therapeutic platforms capable of switching on and off in response to disruptions in the redox state. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 608-630.

Scorias spongiosa Polysaccharides Promote the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Capacity and Its Effect on Intestinal Microbiota in Mice

Scorias spongiosa, as an edible fungus, has multiple health benefits. However, the effects of S. spongiosa on intestinal health are rarely explored. Hence, our study aims to elaborate on the influences of S. spongiosa polysaccharides (SSPs) on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and intestinal microflora in C57BL/6J mice. In the present study, 18 male mice were randomly distributed into three groups: (1) Control group (CON); (2) Low dose SSPs group (LSSP); (3) High dose SSPs group (HSSP). After 14-day administration, the jejunum and serum samples were collected for detection. The results showed that SSPs exert no effects on the growth performance of mice regardless of doses. Meanwhile, SSPs administration reduced the serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated the anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity was elevated by SSPs administration, as evidenced by the increased contents of T-AOC, GSH-Px, and the decreased content of MDA. Mechanistically, the administration of SSPs enhanced the protein abundances of p-Nrf2, Keap1, and HO-1 in mice. The results of 16S rDNA demonstrated that the microbial community and composition were altered by SSPs administration. To summarize, SSPs benefit intestinal health in C57BL/6J mice via a mechanism that involves elevating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and regulating intestinal microbiota.

Nucleic Acids for Potential Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease that severely affects the life quality of patients. Current therapeutics in clinic mainly focus on alleviating the development of RA or relieving the pain of patients. The emerging biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) require long-term treatment to achieve the expected efficacy. With the development of bionanotechnology, nucleic acids fulfill characters as therapeutics or nanocarriers and can therefore be alternatives to combat RA. This review summarizes the therapeutic RNAs developed through RNA interference (RNAi), nucleic acid aptamers, DNA nanostructures-based drug delivery systems, and nucleic acid vaccines for the applications in RA therapy and diagnosis. Furthermore, prospects of nucleic acids for RA therapy are intensively discussed as well.

Recent Progress of Surface Modified Nanomaterials for Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species in Organism

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal physiological processes and play important roles in signal transduction, immunity, and tissue homeostasis. However, excess ROS may have a negative effect on the normal cells leading to various diseases. Nanomaterials are an attractive therapeutic alternative of antioxidants and possess an intrinsic ability to scavenge ROS. Surface modification for nanomaterials is a critical strategy to improve their comprehensive performances. Herein, we review the different surface modified strategies for nanomaterials to scavenge ROS and their inherent antioxidant capability, mechanisms of action, and biological applications. At last, the primary challenges and future perspectives in this emerging research frontier have also been highlighted. It is believed that this review paper will offer a top understanding and guidance on engineering future high-performance surface modified ROS scavenging nanomaterials for wide biomedical applications.

Hydrophilic polymer driven crystallization self-assembly: an inflammatory multi-drug combination nanosystem against Alzheimer's disease

The hydrophobic polymer driven crystallization of self-assembled micelles is usually sufficient for their purposes in materials chemistry studies. However, with the state of smart drug delivery research, micelles alone are not enough. The principles of the self assembly driven by hydrophilic dextran brushes together with charged poly(3-acrylamidophenyl boronic acid) (PPBA) are uncovered in this study. A series of poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(3-acrylamidophenyl boronic acid)-dextran (PCL-b-PPBA-Dex) micelles and vesicles are investigated as potential Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments. Three inflammatory microenvironment responsive micelles, including celecoxib drug-loaded micelles (CEL), ibuprofen drug-loaded micelles (IBU) and telmisartan drug-loaded micelles (TEL), are developed. In vivo, CEL/IBU (mixture of CEL and IBU) and CEL/TEL (mixture of CEL and TEL) suppress the activation of glia and reduce the levels of inflammatory mediators through eliminating cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) signals. The CEL/TEL combination nanosystem is better at correcting neuroinflammation and improving the spatial memory ability of a senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 model (SAMP8). We consider that the inflammation responsive combination nanosystem provides a new potential treatment for AD clinical patients.