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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive anticancer treatment that uses special photosensitizer molecules (PS) to generate singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen...
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive anticancer treatment that uses special photosensitizer molecules (PS) to generate singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a tissue under excitation with red or infrared light. Though the method has been known for decades, it has become more popular recently with the development of new efficient organic dyes and LED light sources. Here we introduce a ternary nanocomposite: water-soluble star-like polymer/gold nanoparticles (AuNP)/temoporfin PS, which can be considered as a third-generation PDT system. AuNPs were synthesized in situ inside the polymer molecules, and the latter were then loaded with PS molecules in an aqueous solution. The applied method of synthesis allows precise control of the size and architecture of polymer nanoparticles as well as the concentration of the components. Dynamic light scattering confirmed the formation of isolated particles (120 nm diameter) with AuNPs and PS molecules incorporated inside the polymer shell. Absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies revealed optimal concentrations of the components that can simultaneously reduce the side effects of dark toxicity and enhance singlet oxygen generation to increase cancer cell mortality. Here, we report on the optical properties of the system and detailed mechanisms of the observed enhancement of the phototherapeutic effect. Combinations of organic dyes with gold nanoparticles allow significant enhancement of the effect of ROS generation due to surface plasmonic resonance in the latter, while the application of a biocompatible star-like polymer vehicle with a dextran core and anionic polyacrylamide arms allows better local integration of the components and targeted delivery of the PS molecules to cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrate, as proof of concept, a successful application of the developed PDT system for in vitro treatment of triple-negative breast cancer cells under irradiation with a low-power LED lamp (660 nm). We consider the developed nanocomposite to be a promising PDT system for application to other types of cancer.
Topics: Gold; Photochemotherapy; Metal Nanoparticles; Photosensitizing Agents; Humans; Acrylic Resins; Cell Line, Tumor; Singlet Oxygen; Reactive Oxygen Species; Porphyrins; Cell Survival; Polymers; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38792086
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102224 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has significant potential as a treatment for cancer by targeting specific genes or molecular pathways involved in cancer development and...
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has significant potential as a treatment for cancer by targeting specific genes or molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. The addition of siRNA to other therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), can enhance the anticancer effects, providing synergistic benefits. Nevertheless, the effective delivery of siRNA into target cells remains an obstacle in cancer therapy. Herein, supramolecular nanoparticles were fabricated via the co-assembly of natural histone and hyaluronic acid for the co-delivery of HMGB1-siRNA and the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) into the MCF-7 cell. The produced siRNA-Ce6 nanoparticles (siRNA-Ce6 NPs) have a spherical morphology and exhibit uniform distribution. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the siRNA-Ce6 NPs display good biocompatibility, enhanced cellular uptake, and improved cytotoxicity. These outcomes indicate that the nanoparticles constructed by the co-assembly of histone and hyaluronic acid hold enormous promise as a means of siRNA and photosensitizer co-delivery towards synergetic therapy.
Topics: Hyaluronic Acid; Humans; RNA, Small Interfering; Photosensitizing Agents; Nanoparticles; Histones; MCF-7 Cells; Photochemotherapy; Porphyrins; Chlorophyllides; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38791462
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105424 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Heme biosynthesis is a highly conserved pathway from bacteria to higher animals. Heme, which serves as a prosthetic group for various enzymes involved in multiple...
Heme biosynthesis is a highly conserved pathway from bacteria to higher animals. Heme, which serves as a prosthetic group for various enzymes involved in multiple biochemical processes, is essential in almost all species, making heme homeostasis vital for life. However, studies on the biological functions of heme in filamentous fungi are scarce. In this study, we investigated the role of heme in . A mutant lacking the rate-limiting enzymes in heme synthesis, coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (Cpo) or ferrochelatase (Fc), was constructed using a homologous recombination strategy. The results showed that the absence of these enzymes was lethal to , but the growth defect could be rescued by the addition of hemin, so we carried out further studies with the help of hemin. The results demonstrated that heme was required for the activity of FgCyp51, and its absence increased the sensitivity to tebuconazole and led to the upregulation of in . Additionally, heme plays an indispensable role in the life cycle of , which is essential for vegetative growth, conidiation, external stress response (especially oxidative stress), lipid accumulation, fatty acid β-oxidation, autophagy, and virulence.
Topics: Fusarium; Heme; Fungal Proteins; Stress, Physiological; Oxidative Stress; Triazoles; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Fungicides, Industrial; Ferrochelatase
PubMed: 38791308
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105268 -
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Feb 2024For malignant glioma, intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium is a powerful tool for local tumor control, when gross total removal is...
BACKGROUND
For malignant glioma, intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium is a powerful tool for local tumor control, when gross total removal is performed. However, the efficacy of PDT for non-totally resectable malignant glioma has not been clearly confirmed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the usefulness of PDT using talaporfin sodium for non-totally resectable malignant glioma.
METHODS
Eighteen patients with malignant glioma (16 new onset, 2 recurrent) in whom gross total removal was judged to be difficult from the images obtained before surgery were evaluated. Fifteen patients had glioblastoma (14 newly diagnosed, 1 recurrent), and 3 patients had anaplastic oligodendroglioma (2 newly diagnosed, 1 recurrent). The whole resection cavity was subjected to PDT during the surgery. For newly diagnosed glioblastoma, postoperative therapy involved the combined use of radiation and temozolomide. Bevacizumab treatment was also started at an early stage after surgery.
RESULTS
In some patients, reduction of the residual tumor was observed at an early stage of chemoradiotherapy after the surgery, suggesting the positive effect of PDT. Recurrence occurred in 15 of the 18 patients during the course of treatment. Distant recurrence occurred in 8 of these 15 patients, despite good local tumor control. In the 14 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, the median progression-free survival was almost 10.5 months, and the median overall survival was almost 16.9 months.
CONCLUSIONS
PDT for malignant glioma is expected to slightly improve local tumor control for non-totally resectable lesions.
Topics: Humans; Photochemotherapy; Male; Female; Photosensitizing Agents; Porphyrins; Middle Aged; Glioma; Aged; Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Temozolomide
PubMed: 38787766
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103869 -
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024To inhibit the deep conversion of partial oxidation products (POX-products) in C-H bonds' functionalization utilizing O,...
Efficient Inhibition of Deep Conversion of Partial Oxidation Products in C-H Bonds' Functionalization Utilizing O via Relay Catalysis of Dual Metalloporphyrins on Surface of Hybrid Silica Possessing Capacity for Product Exclusion.
To inhibit the deep conversion of partial oxidation products (POX-products) in C-H bonds' functionalization utilizing O, 5-(4-(chloromethyl)phenyl)-10,15,20-tris(perfluorophenyl)porphyrin cobalt(II) and 5-(4-(chloromethyl)phenyl)-10,15,20-tris(perfluorophenyl)porphyrin copper(II) were immobilized on the surface of hybrid silica to conduct relay catalysis on the surface. Fluorocarbons with low polarity and heterogeneous catalysis were devised to decrease the convenient accessibility of polar POX-products to catalytic centers on the lower polar surface. Relay catalysis between Co and Cu was designed to utilize the oxidation intermediates alkyl hydroperoxides to transform more C-H bonds. Systematic characterizations were conducted to investigate the structure of catalytic materials and confirm their successful syntheses. Applied to C-H bond oxidation, not only deep conversion of POX-products was inhibited but also substrate conversion and POX-product selectivity were improved simultaneously. For cyclohexane oxidation, conversion was improved from 3.87% to 5.27% with selectivity from 84.8% to 92.3%, which was mainly attributed to the relay catalysis on the surface excluding products. The effects of the catalytic materials, product exclusion, relay catalysis, kinetic study, substrate scope, and reaction mechanism were also investigated. To our knowledge, a practical and novel strategy was presented to inhibit the deep conversion of POX-products and to achieve efficient and accurate oxidative functionalization of hydrocarbons. Also, a valuable protocol was provided to avoid over-reaction in other chemical transformations requiring high selectivity.
PubMed: 38786482
DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9050272 -
Chemical Science May 2024Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) are constructed by anchoring organometallic catalysts to an evolvable protein scaffold. They present the advantages of both components...
Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) are constructed by anchoring organometallic catalysts to an evolvable protein scaffold. They present the advantages of both components and exhibit considerable potential for the catalysis of new-to-nature reactions. Herein, surface-displayed hemoglobin (VHb) that anchored the cobalt porphyrin cofactor instead of the original heme cofactor was used as an artificial thiourea oxidase (ATOase) to synthesize 5-imino-1,2,4-thiadiazoles. After two rounds of directed evolution using combinatorial active-site saturation test/iterative saturation mutagenesis (CAST/ISM) strategy, the evolved six-site mutation VHb (6SM-VHb) exhibited significant improvement in catalytic activity, with a broad substrate scope (31 examples) and high yields with whole cells. This study shows the potential of using VHb ArMs in new-to-nature reactions and demonstrates the applicability of surface-displayed methods to enhance catalytic properties through the substitution of porphyrin cofactors in hemoproteins .
PubMed: 38784746
DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00005f -
RSC Advances May 2024Molecular hydrogen shows antioxidant activity and distinct efficacy towards vascular diseases, but the understanding of this is not yet satisfactory at the atomic level....
Molecular hydrogen shows antioxidant activity and distinct efficacy towards vascular diseases, but the understanding of this is not yet satisfactory at the atomic level. In this work, we study the binding properties of H to the heme group in relation with other diatomic molecules (DMs), including O, NO and CO, and their displacement reactions, using first-principles calculations. We carry out molecular modeling of the heme group, using iron-porphyrin with the imidazole ligand, , FePIm, and smaller models of Fe(CHN)NH with = 3 and 1, and of molecular complexes of heme-DM and -H. Through analysis of optimized geometries and energetics, it is found that the order of binding strength of DMs or H to the Fe of heme is NO > O > CO > H > H for FePIm-based systems, while it is H > O > NO > CO > H for model-based systems. We calculate the activation energies for displacement reactions of H and H by other DMs, revealing that the H displacements occur spontaneously while the H displacements require a large amount of energy. Finally, our calculations corroborate that the rate constants increase with increasing temperature according to the Arrhenius relation.
PubMed: 38784410
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra02091j -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Jun 2024Electrochemical steps are increasingly attractive for green chemistry. Understanding reactions at the electrode-solution interface, governed by kinetics and mass...
Electrochemical steps are increasingly attractive for green chemistry. Understanding reactions at the electrode-solution interface, governed by kinetics and mass transport, is crucial. Traditional insights into these mechanisms are limited, but our study bridges this gap through an integrated approach combining voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. This technique offers real-time monitoring of the chemical processes at the electrode-solution interface, tracking changes in intermediates and products during reactions. Applied to the electrochemical reduction of oxygen catalyzed by the iron(II) tetraphenyl porphyrin complex, it successfully reveals various reaction intermediates and degradation pathways under different kinetic regimes. Our findings illuminate complex electrocatalytic processes and propose new ways for studying reactions in alternating current and voltage-pulse electrosynthesis. This advancement enhances our capacity to optimize electrochemical reactions for more sustainable chemical processes.
PubMed: 38778765
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c04989 -
Journal of Advanced Research May 2024The combination of a photosensitizer and indoleamine-2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor provides a promising photoimmunotherapy (PIT) strategy for melanoma treatment. A...
INTRODUCTION
The combination of a photosensitizer and indoleamine-2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor provides a promising photoimmunotherapy (PIT) strategy for melanoma treatment. A dual drug delivery system offers a potential approach for optimizing the inhibitory effects of PIT on melanoma proliferation and metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a dual drug delivery system based on PIT and to study its efficacy in inhibiting melanoma proliferation and metastasis.
METHODS
We constructed a multifunctional nano-porphyrin material (P18-APBA-HA) using the photosensitizer-purpurin 18 (P18), hyaluronic acid (HA), and 4-(aminomethyl) phenylboronic acid (APBA). The resulting P18-APBA-HA was inserted into a phospholipid membrane and the IDO inhibitor epacadostat (EPA) was loaded into the internal phase to prepare a dual drug delivery system (Lip\EPA\P18-APBA-HA). Moreover, we also investigated its physicochemical properties, targeting, anti-tumor immunity, and anti-tumor proliferation and metastasis effects.
RESULTS
The designed system utilized the pH sensitivity of borate ester to realize an enhanced-targeting strategy to facilitate the drug distribution in tumor lesions and efficient receptor-mediated cellular endocytosis. The intracellular release of EPA from Lip\EPA\P18-APBA-HA was triggered by thermal radiation, thereby inhibiting IDO activity in the tumor microenvironment, and promoting activation of the immune response. Intravenous administration of Lip\EPA\P18-APBA-HA effectively induced anti-tumor immunity by promoting dendritic cell maturation, cytotoxic T cell activation, and regulatory T cell suppression, and regulating cytokine secretion, to inhibit the proliferation of melanoma and lung metastasis.
CONCLUSION
The proposed nano-drug delivery system holds promise as offers a promising strategy to enhance the inhibitory effects of the combination of EPA and P18 on melanoma proliferation and metastasis.
PubMed: 38768811
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.05.017 -
Redox Biology Jul 2024Activation of inflammation is tightly associated with metabolic reprogramming in macrophages. The iron-containing tetrapyrrole heme can induce pro-oxidant and...
Activation of inflammation is tightly associated with metabolic reprogramming in macrophages. The iron-containing tetrapyrrole heme can induce pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory effects in murine macrophages, but has been associated with polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype in human macrophages. In the current study, we compared the regulatory responses to heme and the prototypical Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human and mouse macrophages with a particular focus on alterations of cellular bioenergetics. In human macrophages, bulk RNA-sequencing analysis indicated that heme led to an anti-inflammatory transcriptional profile, whereas LPS induced a classical pro-inflammatory gene response. Co-stimulation of heme with LPS caused opposing regulatory patterns of inflammatory activation and cellular bioenergetics in human and mouse macrophages. Specifically, in LPS-stimulated murine, but not human macrophages, heme led to a marked suppression of oxidative phosphorylation and an up-regulation of glycolysis. The species-specific alterations in cellular bioenergetics and inflammatory responses to heme were critically dependent on the availability of nitric oxide (NO) that is generated in inflammatory mouse, but not human macrophages. Accordingly, studies with an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor in mouse, and a pharmacological NO donor in human macrophages, reveal that NO is responsible for the opposing effects of heme in these cells. Taken together, the current findings indicate that NO is critical for the immunomodulatory role of heme in macrophages.
Topics: Humans; Heme; Animals; Nitric Oxide; Mice; Macrophages; Lipopolysaccharides; Inflammation; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Energy Metabolism; Glycolysis
PubMed: 38762951
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103191