Bacterial infection, excessive inflammation and damaging blood vessels network are the major factors to delay the healing of diabetic ulcer. At present, most of wound repair materials are passive and ...can't response to the wound microenvironment, resulting in a low utilization of bioactive substances and hence a poor therapeutic effect. Therefore, it's essential to design an intelligent wound dressing responsive to the wound microenvironment to achieve the release of drugs on-demand on the basis of multifunctionality. In this work, metformin-laden CuPDA NPs composite hydrogel (Met@ CuPDA NPs/HG) was fabricated by dynamic phenylborate bonding of gelatin modified by dopamine (Gel-DA), Cu-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles (CuPDA NPs) with hyaluronic acid modified by phenyl boronate acid (HA-PBA), which possessed good injectability, self-healing, adhesive and DPPH scavenging performance. The slow release of metformin was achieved by the interaction with CuPDA NPs, boric groups (B–N coordination) and the constraint of hydrogel network. Metformin had a pH and glucose responsive release behavior to treat different wound microenvironment intelligently. Moreover, CuPDA NPs endowed the hydrogel excellent photothermal responsiveness to kill bacteria of >95% within 10 min and also the slow release of Cu2+ to protect wound from infection for a long time. Met@ CuPDA NPs/HG also recruited cells to a certain direction and promoted vascularization by releasing Cu2+. More importantly, Met@CuPDA NPs/HG effectively decreased the inflammation by eliminating ROS and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that Met@CuPDA NPs/HG significantly promoted wound healing of diabetic SD rats by killing bacteria, inhibiting inflammation, improving angiogenesis and accelerating the deposition of ECM and collagen. Therefore, Met@CuPDA NPs/HG had a great application potential for diabetic wound healing.
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•A metformin-laden CuPDA NPs composite hydrogel (Met@ CuPDA NPs/HG) was fabricated.•The hydrogel had a microenvironment response to release metformin intelligently.•The hydrogel eradicated bacteria by photothermal responsiveness and the slow release of Cu2+.•The hydrogel promoted vascularization and decreased the inflammation.•Met@ CuPDA NPs/HG had a significant promotion on diabetic infected wound healing.
Abstract
Background
Non-inflamed tumors, including immune-excluded and immune-desert tumors, are commonly resistant to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (α-PD-1/PD-L1) therapy. Our previous study reported the potent ...antitumor activity of anti-TGF-β/PD-L1 bispecific antibody YM101 in immune-excluded tumors. However, YM101 had limited antitumor activity in immune-desert models. MSA-2 is a novel oral stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist, which activates the innate immune system and may synergize with YM101 in overcoming immunotherapy resistance.
Methods
The dose-dependent effect of MSA-2 on STING signaling was determined by interferon-β level. The maturation and function of dendritic cell (DC) were measured by flow cytometry, RNA-seq, one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), OVA peptide pulse, and cytokine/chemokine detection. The synergistic effect between MSA-2 and YM101 was assessed by one-way MLR. The macrophage activation was measured by flow cytometry and cytokine/chemokine detection. The in vivo antitumor activity of MSA-2 combined with YM101 was explored in syngeneic murine tumor models. After treatments, the alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were detected by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry staining, immunofluorescence staining, RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq).
Results
MSA-2 could promote the maturation and antigen presentation capability of murine DC. In the one-way MLR assay, MSA-2 synergized with YM101 in enhancing naive T cell activation. Moreover, MSA-2 stimulated the classical activation of macrophage, without significant influence on alternative activation. Further in vivo explorations showed that MSA-2 increased multiple proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the TME. MSA-2 combined with YM101 remarkedly retarded tumor growth in immune-excluded and immune-desert models, with superior antitumor activity to monotherapies. Flow cytometry, bulk RNA-seq, and scRNA-seq assays indicated that the combination therapy simultaneously boosted the innate and adaptive immunity, promoted antigen presentation, improved T cell migration and chemotaxis, and upregulated the numbers and activities of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Conclusion
Our results demonstrate that MSA-2 synergizes with YM101 in boosting antitumor immunity. This immune cocktail therapy effectively overcomes immunotherapy resistance in immune-excluded and immune-desert models.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), a common contagious disease that usually affects children, is normally mild but can have life-threatening manifestations. It can be caused by enteroviruses, ...particularly Coxsackieviruses and human enterovirus 71 (HEV71) with highly variable clinical manifestations. In the spring of 2008, a large, unprecedented HFMD outbreak in Fuyang city of Anhui province in the central part of southeastern China resulted in a high aggregation of fatal cases. In this study, epidemiologic and clinical investigations, laboratory testing, and genetic analyses were performed to identify the causal pathogen of the outbreak. Of the 6,049 cases reported between 1 March and 9 May of 2008, 3023 (50%) were hospitalized, 353 (5.8%) were severe and 22 (0.36%) were fatal. HEV71 was confirmed as the etiological pathogen of the outbreak. Phylogenetic analyses of entire VP1 capsid protein sequence of 45 Fuyang HEV71 isolates showed that they belong to C4a cluster of the C4 subgenotype. In addition, genetic recombinations were found in the 3D region (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a major component of the viral replication complex of the genome) between the Fuyang HEV71 strain and Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16), resulting in a recombination virus. In conclusion, an emerging recombinant HEV71 was responsible for the HFMD outbreak in Fuyang City of China, 2008.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small group of cancer cells, which contribute to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Cancer cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) acquire the ...chemoresistant ability, which is regarded as an important feature of CSCs. Thus, there emerges an opinion that the generation of CSCs is considered to be driven by EMT. In this complex process, microRNAs (miRNAs) are found to play a key role. In order to overcome the drug resistance, inhibiting EMT as well as CSCs phenotype seem feasible. Thereinto, regulating the EMT- or CSCs-associated miRNAs is a crucial approach. Herein, we conduct this review to elaborate on the complicated interplay between EMT and CSCs in cancer chemoresistance, which is modulated by miRNAs. In addition, we elucidate the therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance through targeting EMT and CSCs.
A total of 807 entire VP1 sequences of Coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) from mainland of China from 1992 to 2015, including 520 in this study and 287 from the GenBank database, were analysed to provide a ...basic framework of molecular epidemiological characteristics of CV-A6 in China. Sixty-five VP1 sequences including 46 representative CV-A6 isolates from 807 Chinese strains and 19 international strains from GenBank were used for describing the genotypes and sub-genotypes. The results revealed that CV-A6 strains can be categorised into 4 genotypes designated as A, B, C, and D according to previous data and can be further subdivided into B1-B2, C1-C2, and D1-D3 sub-genotypes. D3 is the predominant sub-genotype that circulated in recent years in mainland of China and represents 734 of 807 Chinese isolates. Sixty-six strains belong to D2, whereas B1 and C1 comprise a single strain each, and five AFP strains formed B2. Sub-genotype D3 first circulated in 2008 and has become the predominant sub-genotype since 2009 and then reached a peak in 2013, while D2 was mostly undetectable in the past years. These data revealed different transmission stages of CV-A6 in mainland of China and that sub-genotype D3 may have stronger transmission ability.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) is a mitochondrial bifunctional enzyme encoded in the nucleus. It plays a significant role in the regulation of glucose, nucleic acid, and folate ...metabolism, and maintains redox balance in the cells. The present study aimed at elucidating the potential function and mechanisms of MTHFD2 and explored the correlation between ferroptosis and MTHFD2 in triple-negative breast cancer.
MTHFD2 expression, survival analysis, and clinical correlation were performed using data from various online databases including TCGA, GEO, HPA, GTEX, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, PrognoScan, and UALCAN databases. Genomic alterations and CNV analysis were performed using the cBioPortal and GSCA databases. Potential functions and mechanisms were explored by enrichment analysis. The tumor microenvironment was identified by the TIMER database.
, RT-qPCR and western blot assays were utilized to identify the MTHFD2 expression and the knockdown effects in breast cancer. CCK8, cell wound healing, transwell, and flow cytometry assays were used to identify the potential function of MTHFD2 in TNBC cells. MDA, GSH detection, and flow cytometry assays were performed to identify ferroptosis. Western blot assays were performed to measure the protein expression of all target genes.
MTHFD2 expression levels were up-regulated in the majority of cancers and particularly in TNBC, in which higher expression levels indicated a poorer prognosis. Enrichment analyses showed that MTHFD2 is involved in various tumor-related biological processes. MTHFD2 expression was found to strongly correlate with multiple immune cell infiltration.
, the knockdown of MTHFD2 suppresses the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in TNBC cells. In addition, the MTHFD2 knockdown significantly enhanced intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation and decreased intracellular GSH. The expressions of SLC7A11, GPX4, and NRF2 were down-regulated by the MTHFD2 knockdown.
MTHFD2 could be a crucial molecular biomarker for predicting patient prognosis and a novel therapeutic target in TNBC. In addition, MTHFD2 is a potential ferroptosis regulatory gene in TNBC.
Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) bring significant benefits to non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations, which represent a breakthrough in lung ...cancer therapy. However, patients will ultimately develop the acquired resistance to the first- or second-generation EGFR-TKIs after a period of treatment, and EGFR T790M mutation is the most common resistant mechanism. The third-generation EGFR-TKIs target T790M mutation and show potent anti-tumor efficacy, especially in central neural system response. Unfortunately, patients inevitably get resistant to the third-generation EGFR-TKIs due to various mechanisms, which can be mainly divided into EGFR-dependent and -independent ones. EGFR-dependent mechanism refers to manifold EGFR mutations while EGFR-independent mechanisms include bypass signal activation, histologic transformation and so on. To precisely address this issue and improve clinical outcomes, various other therapies (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc.) in combination with the third-generation EGFR-TKIs are designed. However, the current results of combination therapies are insufficient and ambiguous, which remain further exploration. Herein, we provide an updated landscape of the third-generation EGFR-TKIs and elaborate on the complex resistant mechanisms. Notably, we summarize the combination therapies with third-generation EGFR-TKIs and discuss their limitations and future perspective, aiming at providing insights to clinicians from bench to bedside.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has been one of the most common infectious diseases in Shijiazhuang City, as is the situation in China overall. In the National HFMD surveillance system, the ...pathogen detection was focused on EV-A71 and CVA16, and therefore, information on the other EVs is very limited. In order to identify the circulating EV serotypes in the HFMD outbreaks in Shijiazhuang City during 2010-2012, 4045 patients presented with HFMD were recruited in the study, and clinical samples were investigated. Typing of EV serotypes was performed using the molecular typing methods, and phylogenetic analyses based on entire VP1 sequences of human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), CVA10 and CVB3 was performed. The results revealed that EV-A71 and CVA16 were the 2 most important pathogens but the circulating trends of the 2 viruses showed a shift, the spread of EV-A71 became increasingly weak, whereas the spread of CVA16 became increasingly stronger. CVA10 and CVB3 were the third and fourth most prevalent pathogens, respectively. Co-infection of two viruses at the same time was not found in these samples. Based on entire VP1 region sequences, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that C4a subgenotype EV-A71, B1a and B1b subgenotype CVA16 continued to evolve. The CVA10 strains were assigned to 4 genotypes (A-D), whereas the CVB3 strains were assigned to 5 genotypes (A-E), with clear geographical and temporal-specific distributions. The Shijiazhuang CVA10 sequences belonged to 4 epidemic lineages within genotype C, whereas the Shijiazhuang CVB3 sequences belonged to 2 epidemic lineages within genotype E, which may have the same origins as the strains reported in other part of China. CVA10 and CVB3, 2 pathogens that were previously infrequently detected, were identified as pathogens causing the HFMD outbreaks. This study underscores the need for detailed laboratory-based surveillances of HFMD in mainland China.
The progress of sequencing technologies has facilitated metagenomics projects on environmental samples like sewage water. The present study concerned the analysis of sewage samples collected from 3 ...locations in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. The analysis focused on RNA viruses known to infect humans and identified viruses from 10 families. The proportion of human virus species in the sewage samples was relatively stable with an average of 17%. Thirty virus species known to infect humans were identified and they belonged to 6 families: Picornaviridae (12), Astroviridae (11), Reoviridae (3), Caliciviridae (2), Papillomaviridae (1) and Picobirnaviridae (1). A total of 16 full-length genomes were generated from Astroviridae, Picornaviridae (Salivirus and Kobuvirus) and Picobirnaviridae. Astroviruses appeared to be the most present viruses and were detected in all sewage samples. Analyzing the virome of sewage samples should help to monitor any potential risks to public health.
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•Metagenomics analysis of sewage samples•Samples collected in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China•Detection of sequences from RNA viruses likely to infect humans•Astroviridae detected in all 7 samples (3 locations, 3 collection times)•Detection of viruses with potential health risk
China implemented the globally synchronized switch from trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV) and introduced 1 dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine on 1 May 2016. We ...assessed the impact of the switch on the immunity level against poliovirus, especially type 2.
Children born between 2014 and 2017, who were brought to the hospitals in Urumqi city, Xinjiang Province in 2017, were enrolled and blood samples were collected to test for antibody titers against poliovirus. A comparison of seroprevalence between the children born before (preswitch group) and after the switch (postswitch group) was performed to assess the impact of the switch on the immunity level against polio.
A total of 172 subjects were enrolled. The overall seroprevalences were 98.8%, 79.1%, and 98.3% for types 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Seroprevalence for type 2 significantly decreased from 91.6% in the preswitch group to 67.4% in the postswitch group, but no statistically significant change was observed for both types 1 and 3.
The switch from tOPV to bOPV can provide high-level immunity against types 1 and 3 but not against type 2, indicating a high risk of type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus emergence and transmission.