Glutathione (GSH) in tumors consumes 1O2 and seriously inhibits the PDT effect. MnO2-coated porphyrin metal–organic frameworks are developed to realize the oxidation of GSH by MnO2 for enhanced PDT, ...activated MR imaging, and controllable release of DOX as magnetic resonance imaging guided drug–PDT dual-therapy.
Emerging evidence suggests that epithelial‐mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) play important roles in tumor metastasis and recurrence. Understanding molecular mechanisms that regulate the EMT process is ...crucial for improving treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in HCC; however, the mechanisms by which miRNAs target the EMT and their therapeutic potential remains largely unknown. To better explore the roles of miRNAs in the EMT process, we established an EMT model in HCC cells by transforming growth factor beta 1 treatment and found that several tumor‐related miRNAs were significantly decreased. Among these miRNAs, miR‐125b expression was most strongly suppressed. We also found down‐regulation of miR‐125b in most HCC cells and clinical specimens, which correlated with cellular differentiation in HCC patients. We then demonstrated that miR‐125b overexpression attenuated EMT phenotype in HCC cancer cells, whereas knockdown of miR‐125b promoted the EMT phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we found that miR‐125b attenuated EMT‐associated traits, including chemoresistance, migration, and stemness in HCC cells, and negatively correlated with EMT and cancer stem cell (CSC) marker expressions in HCC specimens. miR‐125b overexpression could inhibit CSC generation and decrease tumor incidence in the mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, our data revealed that miR‐125b suppressed EMT and EMT‐associated traits of HCC cells by targeting small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD)2 and 4. Most important, the therapeutic delivery of synthetic miR‐125b mimics decreased the target molecule of CSC and inhibited metastasis in the mice model. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic treatment of miR‐125b for liver cancer. Conclusion: miR‐125b exerts inhibitory effects on EMT and EMT‐associated traits in HCC by SMAD2 and 4. Ectopic expression of miR‐125b provides a promising strategy to treat HCC. (Hepatology 2015;62:801–815)
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Cancer‐associated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a pivotal role in modulating tumor progression. However, the interactions between liver cancer‐associated MSCs (LC‐MSCs) and hepatocellular ...carcinoma (HCC) remain unreported. Here, we identified the presence of MSCs in HCC tissues. We also showed that LC‐MSCs significantly enhanced tumor growth in vivo and promoted tumor sphere formation in vitro. LC‐MSCs also promoted HCC metastasis in an orthotopic liver transplantation model. Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis showed that S100A4 expression was significantly higher in LC‐MSCs compared with liver normal MSCs (LN‐MSCs) from adjacent cancer‐free tissues. Importantly, the inhibition of S100A4 led to a reduction of proliferation and invasion of HCC cells, while exogenous S100A4 expression in HCC cells resulted in heavier tumors and more metastasis sites. Our results indicate that S100A4 secreted from LC‐MSCs can promote HCC cell proliferation and invasion. We then found the expression of oncogenic microRNA (miR)‐155 in HCC cells was significantly up‐regulated by coculture with LC‐MSCs and by S100A4 ectopic overexpression. The invasion‐promoting effects of S100A4 were significantly attenuated by a miR‐155 inhibitor. These results suggest that S100A4 exerts its effects through the regulation of miR‐155 expression in HCC cells. We demonstrate that S100A4 secreted from LC‐MSCs promotes the expression of miR‐155, which mediates the down‐regulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, leading to the subsequent activation of STAT3 signaling. This promotes the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 9, which results in increased tumor invasiveness. Conclusion: S100A4 secreted from LC‐MSCs is involved in the modulation of HCC progression, and may be a potential therapeutic target. (HEPATOLOGY 2013)
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
An electrochemical asymmetric coupling of secondary acyclic amines with ketones via a Shono-type oxidation has been described, affording the corresponding amino acid derivatives with good to ...excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity. The addition of an N-oxyl radical as a redox mediator could selectively oxidize the substrate rather than the product, although their oxidation potential difference is subtle (about 13 mV). This electrochemical transformation proceeds in the absence of stoichiometric additives, including metals, oxidants, and electrolytes, which gives it good functional group compatibility. Mechanistic studies suggest that proton-mediated racemization of the product is prevented by the reduction of protons at the cathode.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
The enzymatic activities of Furin, Transmembrane serine proteinase 2 (TMPRSS2), Cathepsin L (CTSL), and Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor binding are necessary for the entry of ...coronaviruses into host cells. Precise inhibition of these key proteases in ACE2+ lung cells during a viral infection cycle shall prevent viral Spike (S) protein activation and its fusion with a host cell membrane, consequently averting virus entry to the cells. In this study, dual‐drug‐combined (TMPRSS2 inhibitor Camostat and CTSL inhibitor E‐64d) nanocarriers (NCs) are constructed conjugated with an anti‐human ACE2 (hACE2) antibody and employ Red Blood Cell (RBC)‐hitchhiking, termed “Nanoengineered RBCs,” for targeting lung cells. The significant therapeutic efficacy of the dual‐drug‐loaded nanoengineered RBCs in pseudovirus‐infected K18‐hACE2 transgenic mice is reported. Notably, the modular nanoengineered RBCs (anti‐receptor antibody+NCs+RBCs) precisely target key proteases of host cells in the lungs to block the entry of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), regardless of virus variations. These findings are anticipated to benefit the development of a series of novel and safe host‐cell‐protecting antiviral therapies.
Dual‐drug‐combined (Camostat and E‐64d) nanocarriers (NCs) are constructed, conjugated with an anti‐hACE2 antibody and employed RBC‐hitchhiking, termed “Nanoengineered RBCs”, for effectively blocking SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry in the lungs, regardless of virus variations. The nano‐micro system is modular (anti‐receptor antibody + drug‐loaded NCs + RBCs), and the findings will benefit the development of a series of novel and safe host‐cell‐protecting antiviral therapies.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple tissues. However, senescence often occurs in MSCs when they are ...cultured in vitro and the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. In this study, we found that NAD-dependent protein deacetylase SIRT1 is differentially expressed in both human bone marrow-derived MSCs (B-MSCs) and adipose tissue-derived MSCs after increasing passages of cell culture. Using lentiviral shRNA we demonstrated that selective knockdown of SIRT1 in human MSCs at early passage slows down cell growth and accelerates cellular senescence. Conversely, overexpression of SIRT1 delays senescence in B-MSCs that have undergone prolonged in vitro culturing and the cells do not lose adipogenic and osteogenic potential. In addition, we found that the delayed accumulation of the protein p16 is involved in the effect of SIRT1. However, resveratrol, which has been used as an activator of SIRT1 deacetylase activity, only transiently promotes proliferation of B-MSCs. Our findings will help us understand the role of SIRT1 in the aging of normal diploid cells and may contribute to the prevention of human MSCs senescence thus benefiting MSCs-based tissue engineering and therapies.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer with high mortality. Here, we found that hnRNPU is overexpressed in HCC tissues and is correlated with the poor prognosis of HCC ...patients. Besides, hnRNPU is of high significance in regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, self‐renewal, and tumorigenic potential of HCC cells. Mechanismly, c‐Myc regulates hnRNPU expression at the transcriptional level, and meanwhile, hnRNPU stabilizes the mRNA of c‐MYC. We found that the hnRNPU and c‐Myc regulatory loop exerts a synergistic effect on the proliferation and self‐renewal of HCC, and promotes the HCC progression. Taken together, hnRNPU functions as a novel transcriptional target of c‐Myc and promotes HCC progression, which may become a promising target for the treatment of c‐Myc‐driven HCC.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high mortality rate due to the lack of effective treatments and drugs. Arsenic trioxide (ATO), which has been proved to successfully treat acute promyelocytic ...leukemia (APL), was recently reported to show therapeutic potential in solid tumors including HCC. However, its anticancer mechanisms in HCC still need further investigation. In this study, we demonstrated that ATO inhibits tumorigenesis and distant metastasis in mouse models, corresponding with a prolonged mice survival time. Also, ATO was found to significantly decrease the cancer stem cell (CSC)-associated traits. Minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM) 7 was further identified to be a potential target suppressed dramatically by ATO, of which protein expression is increased in patients and significantly correlated with tumor size, cellular differentiation, portal venous emboli, and poor patient survival. Moreover, MCM7 knockdown recapitulates the effects of ATO on CSCs and metastasis, while ectopic expression of MCM7 abolishes them. Mechanistically, our results suggested that ATO suppresses MCM7 transcription by targeting serum response factor (SRF)/MCM7 complex, which functions as an important transcriptional regulator modulating MCM7 expression. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of ATO in the treatment of solid tumors. The identification of SRF/MCM7 complex as a target of ATO provides new insights into ATO's mechanism, which may benefit the appropriate use of this agent in the treatment of HCC.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have been recognized as new candidates for the treatment of ischemic disease or injury and may be an alternative treatment for cell therapy. This aim of ...the study was to evaluate whether exosomes derived from adipose mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC) can protect the skin flap during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and induce neovascularization.
To investigate the effects of exosomes in the I/R injury of flap transplantation in vivo, flaps were subjected to 6 h of ischemia by ligating the left superficial inferior epigastric vessels (SIEA) followed by blood perfusion. Exosomes derived from normal ADSC (ADSC-exos) and exosomes derived from ADSC preconditioned with H2O2 (H2O2-ADSC-exos) were injected into the flaps. Then, the blood perfusion unit (BPU) of the flaps was measured by Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI) and microvessel density was determined by the endothelial with cell marker CD31 with Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration of the skin flap and apoptosis were detected by hematoxylin & eosin staining (H&E) and the TdT-mediated biotinylated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique.
In vivo, exosomes significantly increased flap survival and capillary density compared to I/R on postoperative day 5, and decreased the inflammatory reaction and apoptosis in the skin flap (P < 0.05). Furthermore, H2O2-ADSC-exos had better outcomes compared to normal exosomes (P < 0.05). ADSC-exos could significantly increase human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation (P < 0.05), but no statistic difference was found in exosomes derived from different microenvironments (P > 0.05). HUVEC co-cultured with H2O2-ADSC-exos increased the migration ratio and generated more cord-like structures compared to ADSC-exos and the control group (P < 0.05).
ADSC-exos can enhance skin flap survival, promote neovascularization and alleviate the inflammation reaction and apoptosis in the skin flap after I/R injury. The use of a specific microenvironment for in vitro stem cell culture, such as one containing a low concentration of H2O2, will facilitate the development of customized exosomes for cell-free therapeutic applications in skin flap transplantation.
•Exosomes derived from ADSCs (ADSC-exos) served as a novel therapeutic alternative for a skin flap.•ADSC-exos treatment is effective for enhancing skin flap recovery and angiogenesis following I/R injury.•ADSC-exos treatment significantly reduced inflammation and apoptosis in the skin flap in I/R injury.•Exosomes derived from ADSCs stimulated by low concentration of H2O2 have better effects in skin flap recovery.•Low concentrations of H2O2 stimulation may serve as a promising pretreatment for exosome-based skin flap survival.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs)-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exos) account for the proangiogenic potential of stem cell. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ADSC-derived exosomes ...(ADSC-Exos) on the survival in fat grafting.
A nude mouse model of subcutaneous fat grafting was adopted. Hypoxic preconditioned ADSC-Exos and ADSC-Exos were injected around the grafted tissue. The fat graft sample was weighed and examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Laser Doppler flowmetry and CD31 immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze neovascularization.
ADSC-Exo and hypoxic ADSC-Exo groups had a significantly higher weight of fat graft and more perilipin-positive adipocytes than the control groups from 2 to 8 weeks after grafting, and the hypoxic ADSC-Exo group had better outcomes (all P < 0.05). H&E staining showed that ADSC-Exos attenuated infiltration of inflammatory cells around the fat grafts. Laser Doppler flowmetry showed that the two ADSC-Exo groups had better blood perfusion in the graft tissue than the control groups (all P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence demonstrated that the hypoxic ADSC-Exo group had significantly more CD31-positive cells than the ADSC-Exo group. In vitro study showed that hypoxic ADSC-Exos treatment significantly increased the migration (at 12 and 24 h) and in vitro capillary network formation (at 12 h) in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as compared with the ADSC-Exo group and control group (all P < 0.05).
Co-transplantation of ADSC-Exos can effectively promote the survival of graft, neovascularization and attenuated inflammation in the fat grafts. Hypoxia treatment can further enhance the beneficial effect of ADSC-Exos.
•We study the effect of ADSC-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exo) in fat grafting.•ADSC-Exo injection significantly improved the survival of fat grafts.•ADSC-Exo injection significantly attenuated inflammation in the fat grafts.•ADSC-Exo injection significantly enhanced neovascularization in fat grafts.•Hypoxia treatment can further enhance the beneficial effect of ADSC-Exos.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP