Activated invariant natural killer T cells directly recognize leukemia cells in a CD1d-independent manner.

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate-like CD1d-restricted T cells that express the invariant T cell receptor (TCR) composed of Vα24 and Vβ11 in humans. iNKT cells specifically recognize glycolipid antigens such as α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) presented by CD1d. iNKT cells show direct cytotoxicity toward CD1d-positive tumor cells, especially when CD1d presents glycolipid antigens.

Phase transition and phase transformation in block copolymer nanoparticles.

Block copolymer nanopaticles were prepared from the mixture solutions containing good/poor solvents by a simple evaporation process. The block copolymers formed disorder, unidirectionally stacked lamellar, and onion-like structures in nanoparticles depending on preparation temperatures. Thermal annealing induced the disorder-order phase transition and order-order phase transformation in the block copolymer nanoparticles, even though the annealing temperature is lower than the of one polymer segment.

A novel route for fabricating metal-polymer composite nanoparticles with phase-separated structures.

Au nanoparticles (NPs) and polymer composite particles with phase-separation structures were prepared based on phase separation structures. Au NPs were successfully synthesized in amphiphilic block-copolymer micelles, and then composite particles were formed by a simple solvent evaporation process from Au NPs and polymer solution. The phase separated structures (Janus and Core-shell) were controlled by changing the combination of polymers having differing hydrophobicity.

Hierarchical structures in AB/AC type diblock-copolymer blend particles.

This paper describes the first preparation of diblock-copolymer blend particles with hierarchical inner structures. AB/AC type diblock-copolymer blend particles were successfully prepared by a simple solvent evaporation method. The inner phase separation structures can be controlled by changing the molecular weight combinations of common polymer segments.

Suprapolymer structures from nanostructured polymer particles.

Divide and conquer: Polymer nanoparticles with phase-separation structures prepared with block copolymers and homopolymer blends were used to fabricate unique suprapolymer structures by cross-linking one polymer moiety and dissolving the other (see scheme; PI = polyisoprene, PSt = polystyrene).