MegaPro, a clinically translatable nanoparticle for tracking of stem cell implants in pig cartilage defects.

Efficient labeling methods for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for tracking and understanding their behavior in regenerative medicine applications, particularly in cartilage defects. MegaPro nanoparticles have emerged as a potential alternative to ferumoxytol nanoparticles for this purpose. In this study, we employed mechanoporation to develop an efficient labeling method for MSCs using MegaPro nanoparticles and compared their effectiveness with ferumoxytol nanoparticles in tracking MSCs and chondrogenic pellets.

Tumor protease-activated theranostic nanoparticles for MRI-guided glioblastoma therapy.

As a cancer, Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly lethal and difficult-to-treat. With the aim of improving therapies to GBM, we developed novel and target-specific theranostic nanoparticles (TNPs) that can be selectively cleaved by cathepsin B (Cat B) to release the potent toxin monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). We synthesized TNPs composed of a ferumoxytol-based nanoparticle carrier and a peptide prodrug with a Cat-B-responsive linker and the tubulin inhibitor MMAE.

Multimodal In Vivo Tracking of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells in Preclinical Glioblastoma Models.

Objectives: Iron oxide nanoparticles have been used to track the accumulation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the only nanoparticle available for clinical applications to date, ferumoxytol, has caused rare but severe anaphylactic reactions. MegaPro nanoparticles (MegaPro-NPs) provide an improved safety profile.

Full Remission of CAR-Deficient Tumors by DOTAP-Folate Liposome Encapsulation of Adenovirus.

Adenovirus (Ad)-based vectors have shown considerable promise for gene therapy. However, Ad requires the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) to enter cells efficiently and low CAR expression is found in many human cancers, which hinder adenoviral gene therapies. Here, cationic 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP)-folate liposomes (Df) encapsulating replication-deficient Ad were synthesized, which showed improved transfection efficiency in various CAR-deficient cell lines, including epithelial and hematopoietic cell types.

Vascular injury of immature epiphyses impair stem cell engraftment in cartilage defects.

The purpose of our study was to investigate if vascular injury in immature epiphyses affects cartilage repair outcomes of matrix-associated stem cell implants (MASI). Porcine bone marrow mesenchymal stromal stem cells (BMSCs) suspended in a fibrin glue scaffold were implanted into 24 full-thickness cartilage defects (5 mm ø) of the bilateral distal femur of six Göttingen minipigs (n = 12 defects in 6 knee joints of 3 immature pigs; age 3.5-4 months; n = 12 defects in 6 knee joints of 3 mature control pigs; age, 21-28 months).

Immunostimulatory TLR7 agonist-nanoparticles together with checkpoint blockade for effective cancer immunotherapy.

Mono- or dual-checkpoint inhibitors for immunotherapy have changed the paradigm of cancer care; however, only a minority of patients responds to such treatment. Combining small molecule immuno-stimulators can improve treatment efficacy, but they are restricted by poor pharmacokinetics. In this study, TLR7 agonists conjugated onto silica nanoparticles showed extended drug localization after intratumoral injection.

Indocyanine green modified silica shells for colon tumor marking.

Marking colon tumors for surgery is normally done with the use of India ink. However, non-fluorescent dyes such as India ink cannot be imaged below the tissue surface and there is evidence for physiological complications such as abscess, intestinal perforation and inconsistency of dye injection. A novel infrared marker was developed using FDA approved indocyanine green (ICG) dye and ultrathin hollow silica nanoshells (ICG/HSS).

Thickness and Sphericity Control of Hollow Hard Silica Shells through Iron (III) Doping: Low Threshold Ultrasound Contrast Agents.

Silica particles are convenient ultrasound imaging contrast agents because of their long imaging time and ease of modification; however, they require a relatively high insonation power for imaging and have low biodegradability. In this study, 2 μm ultrathin asymmetric hollow silica particles doped with iron (III) (Fe(III)-SiO) are synthesized to produce biodegradable hard shelled particles with a low acoustic power threshold comparable with commercial soft microbubble contrast agents (Definity) yet with much longer in vivo ultrasound imaging time. Furthermore, high intensity focused ultrasound ablation enhancement with these particles shows a 2.

Conjugation of a Small-Molecule TLR7 Agonist to Silica Nanoshells Enhances Adjuvant Activity.

Stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and/or NOD-like receptors on immune cells initiates and directs immune responses that are essential for vaccine adjuvants. The small-molecule TLR7 agonist, imiquimod, has been approved by the FDA as an immune response modifier but is limited to topical application due to its poor pharmacokinetics that causes undesired adverse effects. Nanoparticles are increasingly used with innate immune stimulators to mitigate side effects and enhance adjuvant efficacy.

755 nm picosecond laser for facial atrophic scar-Case reports of long-term clinical efficacy following up.

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological problems in Asia. While the disease itself is self-limited and temporary, the dystrophic texture changes after the inflammatory process are often a serious aesthetic concern. Many energy-based devices have seen good results in treating atrophic acne scars, and the picosecond laser with specific lens is one of the newer options, and lack reports on its long-term efficacy.

Noninvasive Atrophic Acne Scar Treatment in Asians With a 755-nm Picosecond Laser Using A Diffractive Optic Lens-A Retrospective Photographic Review.

Background: The diffractive lens of the picosecond laser is relatively new, and there are few reports on its efficacy in treating atrophic acne scars, especially in Asian populations.

Objective: Evaluating the efficacy of diffractive lens 755-nm picosecond laser for atrophic acne scar treatment in Asians.

Patients And Methods: Forty-two patients who were treated for facial atrophic acne scars at a private dermatological clinic were enrolled in this retrospective analysis.

Chinese herb Radix Polygoni Multiflori as a therapeutic drug for liver cirrhosis in mice.

Liver regeneration not only plays a functional role in directing the restoration of liver mass after resection or injury, but also may have participated in effective therapy of liver cirrhosis. Additionally, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) appears to be a factor of great importance in liver regeneration and attenuated progression of experimental liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to use Radix Polygoni Multiflori (POMU) extract, a Chinese herb traditionally used for liver-protective therapy, as a reagent for the evaluation of its potential medicinal use in liver cirrhosis.