The characterization of technical design of a virus-like structure (VLS) nanodelivery system as vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The constant mutation of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the continuous appearance of viral variants and their pandemics and has improved the development of vaccines with a broad spectrum of antigens to curb the spread of the virus. The work described here suggested a novel vaccine with a virus-like structure (VLS) composed of combined mRNA and protein that is capable of stimulating the immune system in a manner similar to that of viral infection. This VLS vaccine is characterized by its ability to specifically target dendritic cells and/or macrophages through S1 protein recognition of the DC-SIGN receptor in cells, which leads to direct mRNA delivery to these innate immune cells for activation of robust immunity with a broad spectrum of neutralizing antibodies and immune protective capacity against variants.

Snail-inspired AFG/GelMA hydrogel accelerates diabetic wound healing via inflammatory cytokines suppression and macrophage polarization.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a severe and rapidly growing diabetic complication, but treating DFUs remains a challenge for the existing therapies are expensive and highly non-responsive. Recently, we discovered that a natural adhesive from snail mucus can promote skin wound healing. Herein, inspired by the finding, we developed a double-network hydrogel biomaterial that composed of snail glycosaminoglycan (AFG) and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), in which AFG is the main bioactive component of snail mucus and GelMA provides a scaffold mimicking the proteins in snail mucus.

A natural biological adhesive from snail mucus for wound repair.

The discovery of natural adhesion phenomena and mechanisms has advanced the development of a new generation of tissue adhesives in recent decades. In this study, we develop a natural biological adhesive from snail mucus gel, which consists a network of positively charged protein and polyanionic glycosaminoglycan. The malleable bulk adhesive matrix can adhere to wet tissue through multiple interactions.