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Acta Biomaterialia Jun 2024Antimicrobial phototherapy has gained recognition as a promising approach for addressing bacterial biofilms, however, its effectiveness is often impeded by the robust...
Antimicrobial phototherapy has gained recognition as a promising approach for addressing bacterial biofilms, however, its effectiveness is often impeded by the robust physical and chemical defenses of the biofilms. Traditional antibacterial nanoplatforms face challenges in breaching the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) barrier to efficiently deliver photosensitizers deep into biofilms. Moreover, the prevalent hypoxia within biofilms restricts the success of oxygen-reliant phototherapy. In this study, we engineered a soft mesoporous organosilica nanoplatform (SMONs) by incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG), catalase (CAT), and indocyanine green (ICG), forming SMONs-PEG-CAT-ICG (SPCI). We compared the antimicrobial efficacy of SPCI with more rigid nanoplatforms. Our results demonstrate that SPCI's unique flexible mechanical properties enable it to navigate through biofilm barriers, markedly enhancing ICG penetration in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms. Notably, in a murine subcutaneous MRSA biofilm infection model, SPCI showed superior biofilm penetration and pharmacokinetic benefits over its rigid counterparts. The embedded catalase in SPCI effectively converts excess HO present in infected tissues into O, alleviating hypoxia and significantly boosting the antibacterial performance of phototherapy. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirm that SPCI surpasses traditional rigid nanoplatforms in overcoming biofilm barriers, offering improved treatment outcomes for infections associated with bacterial biofilms. This study presents a viable strategy for managing bacterial biofilm-induced diseases by leveraging the unique attributes of a soft mesoporous organosilica-based nanoplatform. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This research introduces an innovative antimicrobial phototherapy soft nanoplatform that overcomes the inherent limitations posed by the protective barriers of bacterial biofilms. By soft nanoplatform with flexible mechanical properties, we enhance the penetration and delivery of photosensitizers into biofilms. The inclusion of catalase within this soft nanoplatform addresses the hypoxia in biofilms by converting hydrogen peroxide into oxygen in infected tissues, thereby amplifying the antibacterial effectiveness of phototherapy. Compared to traditional rigid nanoplatforms, this flexible nanoplatform not only promotes the delivery of therapeutic agents but also sets a new direction for treating bacterial biofilm infections, offering significant implications for future antimicrobial therapies.
PubMed: 38897337
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.06.018 -
Journal of Materials Science. Materials... Jun 2024This study leverages nanotechnology by encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) and paclitaxel (Tax) using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) as a scaffold. This...
This study leverages nanotechnology by encapsulating indocyanine green (ICG) and paclitaxel (Tax) using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) as a scaffold. This study aims to investigate the chemo-photothermal therapeutic potential of ZIF-8@ICG@Tax nanoparticles (NPs) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). An "all-in-one" theranostic ZIF-8@ICG@Tax NPs was conducted by self-assembly based on electrostatic interaction. First, the photothermal effect, stability, pH responsiveness, drug release, and blood compatibility of ZIF-8@ICG@Tax were evaluated through in vitro testing. Furthermore, the hepatic and renal toxicity of ZIF-8@ICG@Tax were assessed through in vivo testing. Additionally, the anticancer effects of these nanoparticles were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Uniform and stable chemo-photothermal ZIF-8@ICG@Tax NPs had been successfully synthesized and had outstanding drug releasing capacities. Moreover, ZIF-8@ICG@Tax NPs showed remarkable responsiveness dependent both on pH in the tumor microenvironment and NIR irradiation, allowing for targeted drug delivery and controlled drug release. NIR irradiation can enhance the tumor cell response to ZIF-8@ICG@Tax uptake, thereby promoting the anti-tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. ZIF-8@ICG@Tax and NIR irradiation have demonstrated remarkable synergistic anti-tumor growth properties compared to their individual components. This novel theranostic chemo-photothermal NPs hold great potential as a viable treatment option for NSCLC.
Topics: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Indocyanine Green; Humans; Animals; Lung Neoplasms; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Nanoparticles; Theranostic Nanomedicine; Paclitaxel; Drug Liberation; Mice; Zeolites; Infrared Rays; Phototherapy; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Cell Line, Tumor; A549 Cells; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Mice, Nude; Drug Delivery Systems; Imidazoles
PubMed: 38896160
DOI: 10.1007/s10856-024-06802-1 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Low immunogenicity of tumors poses a challenge in the development of effective tumor immunotherapy. However, emerging evidence suggests that certain therapeutic... (Review)
Review
Low immunogenicity of tumors poses a challenge in the development of effective tumor immunotherapy. However, emerging evidence suggests that certain therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapy, can induce varying degrees of immunogenic cell death (ICD). This ICD phenomenon leads to the release of tumor antigens and the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), thereby enhancing tumor immunogenicity and promoting immune responses. However, the use of a single conventional ICD inducer often fails to achieve in situ tumor ablation and establish long-term anti-tumor immune responses. Furthermore, the induction of ICD induction varies among different approaches, and the distribution of the therapeutic agent within the body influences the level of ICD and the occurrence of toxic side effects. To address these challenges and further boost tumor immunity, researchers have explored nanosystems as inducers of ICD in combination with tumor immunotherapy. This review examines the mechanisms of ICD and different induction methods, with a specific focus on the relationship between ICD and tumor immunity. The aim is to explore the research advancements utilizing various nanomaterials to enhance the body's anti-tumor effects by inducing ICD. This paper aims to contribute to the development and clinical application of nanomaterial-based ICD inducers in the field of cancer immunotherapy by providing important theoretical guidance and practical references.
Topics: Immunotherapy; Humans; Immunogenic Cell Death; Neoplasms; Dendritic Cells; Animals; Nanostructures; Nanoparticles; Antigens, Neoplasm
PubMed: 38895146
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S457782 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: One of the rare causes of cholestasis may be hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). : We retrospectively analyzed 88 medical records of HDFN newborns with...
: One of the rare causes of cholestasis may be hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). : We retrospectively analyzed 88 medical records of HDFN newborns with cholestasis and 186 records of children with HDFN without cholestasis and conducted an observational, case-control, retrospective study. : Factors influencing the risk of cholestasis were lower gestational age at birth (36.83 ± 1.9 vs. 37.57 ± 1.8, = 0.002), Rh or Kidd HDFN (80.7% vs. 53.2%), and the need for intrauterine transfusion (27.3 vs. 11.8%). The subjects had lower hemoglobin concentrations at birth (14.01 ± 3.8 vs. 16.39 ± 2.8 g/dL) and during whole hospital stay, higher cord blood total bilirubin concentration (4.26 ± 1.8 vs. 2.39 ± 1.4 mg/dL), higher maximum bilirubin concentration (15.27 ± 5.8 vs. 10.24 ± 3.4 mg/dL), and more frequent liver ultrasound abnormalities (19.9 vs. 6.3%). They also required more extended hospitalization due to higher rates of postnatal blood transfusion (33 vs. 3.8%), more frequent need for exchange transfusion (8.8% vs. 2.2%), more extended time and higher risk of phototherapy (94.3 vs. 59.1%), and higher usage of immunoglobulins (55.7 vs. 8.1%), parenteral nutrition (45.5 vs. 12.9%), and antibiotics (14.8 vs. 4.8%). : The risk factors for cholestasis in children with HDFN are lower gestational age at delivery, Rh and Kidd serological type of HDFN, and the need for intrauterine transfusions.
PubMed: 38892901
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113190 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Curcumin is a natural compound that is considered safe and may have potential health benefits; however, its poor stability and water insolubility limit its therapeutic...
Curcumin is a natural compound that is considered safe and may have potential health benefits; however, its poor stability and water insolubility limit its therapeutic applications. Different strategies aim to increase its water solubility. Here, we tested the compound PVP-curcumin as a photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as well as its potential to act as an adjuvant in antibiotic drug therapy. Gram-negative K12 and Gram-positive were subjected to aPDT using various PVP-curcumin concentrations (1-200 µg/mL) and 475 nm blue light (7.5-45 J/cm). Additionally, results were compared to aPDT using 415 nm blue light. Gene expression of and were analyzed via RT-qPCR to assess effects on the bacterial SOS response. Further, the potentiation of Ciprofloxacin by PVP-curcumin was investigated, as well as its potential to prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Both bacterial strains were efficiently reduced when irradiated with 415 nm blue light (2.2 J/cm) and 10 µg/mL curcumin. Using 475 nm blue light, bacterial reduction followed a biphasic effect with higher efficacy in compared to K12. PVP-curcumin decreased expression but had limited effect regarding enhancing antibiotic treatment or impeding resistance development. PVP-curcumin demonstrated effectiveness as a photosensitizer against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but did not modulate the bacterial SOS response.
Topics: Curcumin; Photosensitizing Agents; Rec A Recombinases; Ciprofloxacin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Photochemotherapy; SOS Response, Genetics; Escherichia coli K12; Escherichia coli Proteins; Povidone; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Escherichia coli; Light; DNA-Binding Proteins
PubMed: 38892328
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116140 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Secukinumab and Dead Sea treatment result in clear skin for many psoriasis patients, through distinct mechanisms. However, recurrence in the same areas after treatments...
Secukinumab and Dead Sea treatment result in clear skin for many psoriasis patients, through distinct mechanisms. However, recurrence in the same areas after treatments suggests the existence of a molecular scar. We aimed to compare the molecular and genetic differences in psoriasis patients who achieved complete response from secukinumab and Dead Sea climatotherapy treatments. We performed quantitative immunohistochemical and transcriptomic analysis, in addition to digital spatial profiling of skin punch biopsies. Histologically, both treatments resulted in a normalization of the lesional skin to a level resembling nonlesional skin. Interestingly, the transcriptome was not normalized by either treatments. We revealed 479 differentially expressed genes between secukinumab and Dead Sea climatotherapy at the end of treatment, with a psoriasis panel identifying , , , , and as upregulated in Dead Sea climatotherapy compared with secukinumab. Using digital spatial profiling, pan-RAS was observed to be differentially expressed in the microenvironment surrounding CD103 cells, and IDO1 was differentially expressed in the dermis when comparing the two treatments. The differences observed between secukinumab and Dead Sea climatotherapy suggest the presence of a molecular scar, which may stem from mechanistically different pathways and potentially contribute to disease recurrence. This may be important for determining treatment response duration and disease memory.
Topics: Humans; Psoriasis; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Skin; Male; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Climatotherapy; Transcriptome; Gene Expression Profiling; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38892277
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116086 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Anti-tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a unique modality that employs a photosensitizer (PS), PS-exciting light, and O to generate cytotoxic oxidants. For various... (Review)
Review
Anti-tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a unique modality that employs a photosensitizer (PS), PS-exciting light, and O to generate cytotoxic oxidants. For various reasons, not all malignant cells in any given tumor will succumb to a PDT challenge. Previous studies by the authors revealed that nitric oxide (NO) from inducible NO synthase (iNOS/NOS2) plays a key role in tumor cell resistance and also stimulation of migratory/invasive aggressiveness of surviving cells. iNOS was the only NOS isoform implicated in these effects. Significantly, NO from stress-upregulated iNOS was much more important in this regard than NO from preexisting enzymes. Greater NO-dependent resistance, migration, and invasion was observed with at least three different cancer cell lines, and this was attenuated by iNOS activity inhibitors, NO scavengers, or an iNOS transcriptional inhibitor. NO diffusing from PDT-targeted cells also stimulated migration/invasion potency of non-targeted bystander cells. Unless counteracted by appropriate measures, all these effects could seriously compromise clinical PDT efficacy. Here, we will review specific examples of these negative side effects of PDT and how they might be suppressed by adjuvants such as NO scavengers or inhibitors of iNOS activity or expression.
Topics: Humans; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Cell Movement; Nitric Oxide; Photochemotherapy; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasms; Animals; Up-Regulation; Photosensitizing Agents
PubMed: 38891885
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115697 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer therapy modality with significant advantages such as precise targeting, convenient drug delivery, better efficacy, and... (Review)
Review
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer therapy modality with significant advantages such as precise targeting, convenient drug delivery, better efficacy, and minimal adverse effects. Photothermal therapy effectively absorbs the photothermal transducers in the near-infrared region (NIR), which induces the photothermal effect to work. Although PTT has a better role in tumor therapy, it also suffers from low photothermal conversion efficiency, biosafety, and incomplete tumor elimination. Therefore, the use of nanomaterials themselves as photosensitizers, the targeted modification of nanomaterials to improve targeting efficiency, or the combined use of nanomaterials with other therapies can improve the therapeutic effects and reduce side effects. Notably, noble metal nanomaterials have attracted much attention in PTT because they have strong surface plasmon resonance and an effective absorbance light at specific near-infrared wavelengths. Therefore, they can be used as excellent photosensitizers to mediate photothermal conversion and improve its efficiency. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the key role played by noble metal nanomaterials in tumor photothermal therapy. It also describes the major challenges encountered during the implementation of photothermal therapy.
Topics: Humans; Photothermal Therapy; Neoplasms; Metal Nanoparticles; Animals; Photosensitizing Agents
PubMed: 38891819
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115632 -
Cells Jun 2024Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the brain employs red to near-infrared (NIR) light to treat various neurological and psychological disorders. The mechanism involves... (Review)
Review
Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the brain employs red to near-infrared (NIR) light to treat various neurological and psychological disorders. The mechanism involves the activation of cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, thereby enhancing ATP synthesis. Additionally, light absorption by ion channels triggers the release of calcium ions, instigating the activation of transcription factors and subsequent gene expression. This cascade of events not only augments neuronal metabolic capacity but also orchestrates anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic responses, fostering neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. It shows promise for treating conditions like dementia, stroke, brain trauma, Parkinson's disease, and depression, even enhancing cognitive functions in healthy individuals and eliciting growing interest within the medical community. However, delivering sufficient light to the brain through transcranial approaches poses a significant challenge due to its limited penetration into tissue, prompting an exploration of alternative delivery methods such as intracranial and intranasal approaches. This comprehensive review aims to explore the mechanisms through which PBM exerts its effects on the brain and provide a summary of notable preclinical investigations and clinical trials conducted on various brain disorders, highlighting PBM's potential as a therapeutic modality capable of effectively impeding disease progression within the organism-a task often elusive with conventional pharmacological interventions.
Topics: Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Brain; Cognition; Animals
PubMed: 38891098
DOI: 10.3390/cells13110966 -
Lasers in Medical Science Jun 2024Striae distensae are common dermatological complaint. Cold laser using low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) offers healing and analgesic effects and was not yet compared... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Striae distensae are common dermatological complaint. Cold laser using low-level light/laser therapy (LLLT) offers healing and analgesic effects and was not yet compared to 'hot lasers' efficacy. Study objective: to assess the efficacy and safety of LLLT in the management of stria alba compared to fractional carbon dioxide (FCO) laser alone and to the combined use of both devices. Thirty patients with stria alba were randomized to receive either LLLT using diode 808 nm; 8-12 sessions, 2-3 sessions weekly (Group A) or FCO laser; 2 monthly sessions (Group B) or combined both devices simultaneously (Group C). Follow up was at 1 month and 3 months after last session. The efficacy of LLLT was statistically comparable to FCO2, despite numerical superiority of the latter. The combined group had the least numerical values in all efficacy outcomes. Patients in LLLT group did not experience any downtime. LLLT is effective in the management of stria alba comparable to the FCO laser. The lack of downtime with LLLT is reflected positively on patient's satisfaction. However, this is counterbalanced by the frequent weekly visits. Although adding LLLT to FCO2 laser palliates the laser side effects but it offers the least efficacy. Trial registration number NCT04165226 (clinicaltrials.gov).
Topics: Humans; Lasers, Gas; Adult; Female; Low-Level Light Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Treatment Outcome; Patient Satisfaction; Adolescent
PubMed: 38890186
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04107-x