Impaired wound healing and ulcer complications are a leading cause of death in diabetic patients. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a cyclometalated iridium(III) metal complex 1a ...as a stabilizer of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). In vitro biophysical and cellular analyses demonstrate that this compound binds to Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and inhibits the VHL-HIF-1α interaction. Furthermore, the compound accumulates HIF-1α levels in cellulo and activates HIF-1α mediated gene expression, including VEGF, GLUT1, and EPO. In in vivo mouse models, the compound significantly accelerates wound closure in both normal and diabetic mice, with a greater effect being observed in the diabetic group. We also demonstrate that HIF-1α driven genes related to wound healing (i.e. HSP-90, VEGFR-1, SDF-1, SCF, and Tie-2) are increased in the wound tissue of 1a-treated diabetic mice (including, db/db, HFD/STZ and STZ models). Our study demonstrates a small molecule stabilizer of HIF-1α as a promising therapeutic agent for wound healing, and, more importantly, validates the feasibility of treating diabetic wounds by blocking the VHL and HIF-1α interaction.
In this study, an unreported Ir(III) complex 1 was identified by screening as a versatile G-quadruplex probe. It exhibited highly selective response for different G-quadruplex DNA over double ...strand, single strand and triplex DNA. Compared with the organic G-quadruplex probe thioflavin T, complex 1 displays a longer lifetime, a larger Stokes shift, comparable G-quadruplex/ssDNA enhancement ratios, and higher G-quadruplex/triplex DNA enhancement ratios. In consideration of the encouraging G-quadruplex probe performance of complex 1, we employed 1 to develop a G-quadruplex-based detection system for the detection of insulin as a “proof-of-principle” concept. We also demonstrate an optimization process that enhanced the sensitivity of this sensing assay. Compared to previously reported methods, our “mix-and-detect” detection methodology is easy operated, quick, and cost-effective. A detection limit as low as 80 pM for insulin can be achieved by this sensing approach, with a linear relationship between luminescence intensity and insulin concentration established from 80 pM to 20 nM. Moreover, this assay could work effectively in diluted human serum.
Formyl peptide receptors play important biological and therapeutic roles in wound repair and inflammatory diseases. In this work, we present a luminescent iridium(iii) complex (
) conjugated with the ...peptide agonist WKYMVm as a luminescent formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) imaging probe in living cells. Complex
displayed ideal cell imaging characteristics, high photostability and low cytotoxicity. Competition assays with a known FPR2 antagonist, WRW4, and siRNA knockdown experiments both revealed that complex
selectively targeted FPR2 in living HUVEC cells. Moreover, complex
regulated FPR2 signalling in HUVEC cells as shown using a mechanical scratch assay. Finally, complex
reduced epithelial cell migration capacity and inhibited lipoxin A4 (LXA4)-triggered cell migration in HUVEC cells, demonstrating the ability of this complex to inhibit FPR2 in living cells. To our knowledge, this is the first long-lived probe for imaging FPR2 in living cells.
Lysine‐specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A) has recently become a promising target for epigenetic therapy. In this study, we designed and synthesized metal complexes bearing ligands with reported ...demethylase and p27 modulating activities. The Rh(III) complex 1 was identified as a direct, selective and potent inhibitor of KDM5A that directly abrogate KDM5A demethylase activity via antagonizing the KDM5A‐tri‐/di‐methylated histone 3 protein–protein interaction (PPI) in vitro and in cellulo. Complex 1 induced accumulation of H3K4me3 and H3K4me2 levels in cells, causing growth arrest at G1 phase in the triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, MDA‐MB‐231 and 4T1. Finally, 1 exhibited potent anti‐tumor activity against TNBC xenografts in an in vivo mouse model, presumably via targeting of KDM5A and hence upregulating p27. Moreover, complex 1 was less toxic compared with two clinical drugs, cisplatin and doxorubicin. To our knowledge, complex 1 is the first metal‐based KDM5A inhibitor reported in the literature. We anticipate that complex 1 may be used as a novel scaffold for the further development of more potent epigenetic agents against cancers, including TNBC.
A rhodium(III)‐based complex has been discovered as an inhibitor of KDM5A, an epigenetic target for triple‐negative breast cancer. The complex inhibited the KDM5A–H3K4me3 interaction and suppressed proliferation of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors in mice and may be used as a novel scaffold for further development of more potent epigenetic agents against cancers, including TNBC.
A new method is presented for the one-step synthesis and real-time monitoring of iridium(III) complex-functionalized AuNPs from the precursor gold(III) chloride (AuCl
3
). The functionalized AuNPs ...with an average size of 8 − 20 nm were obtained by the reduction of Au
3+
ions by the alkyne group of iridium(III) complexes, which was accompanied by the anchoring iridium(III) complexes on the surface of the nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the luminescence of the iridium(III) complexes was effectively quenched due to distance-dependent fluorescence quenching by AuNPs, thereby enabling luminescence monitoring of the formation process of the functionalized AuNPs and obtaining scattering information and spectral information in real time. Moreover, this method was applied to the determination of Au
3+
ions in buffer with a limit of detection of 0.38 μM at 700 nm in luminescence mode, while the detection limit for absorbance was 10.04 μM. Importantly, the multimodal detection strategy alleviates interference from other metal ions. Furthermore, the iridium(III) alkyne complexes were capable of imaging mitochondrial Au
3+
ions in living cells. Taken together, this work opens a new avenue for convenient synthesis and monitoring formation of functionalized AuNPs, and also provides a tool for selective determination of Au
3+
ions in solution and
in cellulo
.
Graphical abstract
The ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of miRNA-21 was realized by using a novel redox and catalytic “all-in-one” mechanism with an iridium(III) complex as a catalyst. To construct such a ...sensor, a capture probe (CP) was firstly immobilized onto the gold electrode surface. In the presence of miRNA-21, a sandwiched DNA complex could form between CP and a methylene blue (MB) labeled G-rich detection probe modified onto a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surface (DP-AuNPs). Upon addition of K+, the structure of DP changed to a G-quadruplex. Then, the iridium(III) complex could selectively interact with the G-quadruplex, catalyzing the reduction of H2O2, which was accompanied by an electrochemical signal change using MB as an electron mediator. Under optimal conditions, the electrochemical signal of MB reduction peak was proportional to miRNA concentration in the range from 5.0 fM to 1.0 pM, with a detection limit of 1.6 fM. In addition, satisfactory results were obtained for miRNA-21 detection in human serum samples, indicating a potential application of the sensor for bioanalysis.
•Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of miRNA-21 by using an iridium(III) complex as catalyst was realized with several merits.•Iridium(III) complex was used here as catalyst for the first time.•Iridium(III) complex could selectively interact with G-quadruplex DNA making our method simple and low-cost.•Gold nanoparticles were used here to amplify the electrochemical signal.•A low detection limit of 1.6 fM was obtained for miRNA-21 detection.
Iridium(III) complexes are emerging as a promising tool in the area of detection and therapy due to their prominent photophysical properties, including higher photostability, tunable phosphorescence ...emission, long-lasting phosphorescence, and high quantum yields. In recent years, much effort has been devoted to develop novel near-infrared (NIR) iridium(III) complexes to improve signal-to-noise ratio and enhance tissue penetration. In this review, we summarize different classes of organometallic NIR iridium(III) complexes for detection and therapy, including cyclometalated ligand-enabled NIR iridium(III) complexes and NIR-dye-conjugated iridium(III) complexes. Moreover, the prospects and challenges for organometallic NIR iridium(III) complexes for targeted detection and therapy are discussed.
CRISPR is an acquired immune system found in prokaryotes that can accurately recognize and cleave foreign nucleic acids, and has been widely explored for gene editing and biosensing. In the past, ...CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors were mainly applied to detect nucleic acids in the field of biosensing, and their applications for the detection of other types of analytes were usually overlooked such as small molecules and disease-related proteins. The recent work shows that CRISPR/Cas biosensors not only provide a new tool for protein analysis, but also improve the sensitivity and specificity of protein detections. However, it lacks the latest review to summarize CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors for protein detection and elucidate their mechanisms of action, hindering the development of superior biosensors for proteins. In this review, we summarized CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors for protein detection based on their mechanism of action in three aspects: antibody-assisted CRISPR/Cas-based protein detection, aptamer-assisted CRISPR/Cas-based protein detection, and miscellaneous CRISPR/Cas-based methods for protein detection, respectively. Moreover, the prospects and challenges for CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors for protein detection are also discussed.
We report herein a novel rhodium(III) complex 1 as a new LSD1 targeting agent and epigenetic modulator. Complex 1 disrupted the interaction of LSD1-H3K4me2 in human prostate carcinoma cells and ...enhanced the amplification of p21, FOXA2, and BMP2 gene promoters. Complex 1 was selective for LSD1 over other histone demethylases, such as KDM2b, KDM7, and MAO activities, and also showed antiproliferative activity toward human cancer cells. To date, complex 1 is the first metal-based inhibitor of LSD1 activity.
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant cancer diagnosis and is a primary factor for cancer deaths in women. The clinical subtypes of BC include estrogen receptor (ER) positive, ...progesterone receptor (PR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive, and triple-negative BC (TNBC). Based on the stages and subtypes of BC, various treatment methods are available with variations in the rates of progression-free disease and overall survival of patients. However, the treatment of BC still faces challenges, particularly in terms of drug resistance and recurrence. The study of epigenetics has provided new ideas for treating BC. Targeting aberrant epigenetic factors with inhibitors represents a promising anticancer strategy. The KDM5 family includes four members, KDM5A, KDM5B, KDM5C, and KDMD, all of which are Jumonji C domain-containing histone H3K4me2/3 demethylases. KDM5 proteins have been extensively studied in BC, where they are involved in suppressing or promoting BC depending on their specific upstream and downstream pathways. Several KDM5 inhibitors have shown potent BC inhibitory activity in vitro and in vivo, but challenges still exist in developing KDM5 inhibitors. In this review, we introduce the subtypes of BC and their current therapeutic options, summarize KDM5 family context-specific functions in the pathobiology of BC, and discuss the outlook and pitfalls of KDM5 inhibitors in this disease.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK