Dissolving Microneedle Arrays as a Hepatitis B Vaccine Delivery System Adjuvanted by APC-Targeted Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles.

The objective of this study is to develop a new hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) delivery system by coating soluble microneedle arrays with mannose-modified PLGA nanoparticles (MNPs). MNPs of different sizes were synthesized. The effects these nanoparticles on the maturation of dendritic cells were studied by flow cytometry.

Preparation and Biological Property Evaluation of Novel Cationic Lipid-Based Liposomes for Efficient Gene Delivery.

Novel cationic lipid-based liposomes prepared using an amphiphilic cationic lipid material, N,N-dimethyl-(N',N'-di-stearoyl-1-ethyl)1,3-diaminopropane (DMSP), have been proposed to enhance the transfection of nucleic acids. Herein, we designed and investigated liposomes prepared using DMSP, soybean phosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol. This novel gene vector has high gene loading capabilities and excellent protection against nuclease degradation.

Mannose-Modified PLGA Nanoparticles for Sustained and Targeted Delivery in Hepatitis B Virus Immunoprophylaxis.

The launched hepatitis B vaccine could induce powerful antibodies, whereas it failed to improve potent cellular immune responses due to that the Th2-type response-induced aluminum adjuvant was adopted. Here, to target antigen-presenting cells under the epidermis and induce potent cellular and humoral immune responses, mannose-modified poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was synthesized and nanoparticle (MNP)-loaded hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) protein was prepared. HBsAg could be slowly released and highly presented to lymphocytes which facilitated to produce long-lasting immunity based on characters of PLGA.

Five Active Components Compatibility of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix Protect Hematopoietic Function Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Injury in Mice and t-BHP-Induced Injury in HSCs.

Although the compatibility of Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) has favorable effect on promoting hematopoiesis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the main active components and pharmacological mechanism are unknown. We investigated the five active components and its mechanisms and . Five active components of Astragalus glycosides (AST), Formononetin (FRM), Ferulic acid (FRA), Calycosin (CAL), and Calycosin-7-glucoside (CLG), which could be absorbed in intestinal tract, were detected in this study.

Inhibition of Aortic Intimal Hyperplasia and Vascular Smooth Muscle Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Protein Expressions by Astragalus-Angelica Combination.

VSMC proliferation and ECM deposition always resulted in intimal hyperplasia. Astragalus-Angelica combination has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. The inhibition effect of different Astragalus-Angelica combination on the hyperplastic intima after vascular balloon injury in rats was investigated in this study.

Co-delivery of dihydroartemisinin and docetaxel in pH-sensitive nanoparticles for treating metastatic breast cancer the NF-κB/MMP-2 signal pathway.

Metastasis is a major barrier in cancer chemotherapy. Prolonged circulation and rapid, specific intracellular drug release are two main goals in the development of nanoscale drug delivery systems to treat metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastasis effect of docetaxel (DTX) in combination with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in metastatic breast cancer 4T1 cells.

Multicoloured fluorescent indicators for live-cell and in vivo imaging of inorganic mercury dynamics.

Engineered fluorescent indicators for visualizing mercury ion (Hg) are powerful tools to illustrate the intracellular distribution and serious toxicity of the ion. However, the sensitive and specific detection of Hg in living cells and in vivo is challenging. This paper reported the development of fluorescent indicators for Hg in green or red color by inserting a circularly permuted fluorescent protein into a highly mercury-specific repressor.

Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors reveal dynamic regulation of NADPH metabolism.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is essential for biosynthetic reactions and antioxidant functions; however, detection of NADPH metabolism in living cells remains technically challenging. We develop and characterize ratiometric, pH-resistant, genetically encoded fluorescent indicators for NADPH (iNap sensors) with various affinities and wide dynamic range. iNap sensors enabled quantification of cytosolic and mitochondrial NADPH pools that are controlled by cytosolic NAD kinase levels and revealed cellular NADPH dynamics under oxidative stress depending on glucose availability.