Calcium-sensing receptor-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome response to calciprotein particles drives inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Increased extracellular Ca concentrations ([Ca]) trigger activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in monocytes through calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). To prevent extraosseous calcification in vivo, the serum protein fetuin-A stabilizes calcium and phosphate into 70-100 nm-sized colloidal calciprotein particles (CPPs). Here we show that monocytes engulf CPPs via macropinocytosis, and this process is strictly dependent on CaSR signaling triggered by increases in [Ca].

Spherical and Worm-Like Micelles from Fructose-Functionalized Polyether Block Copolymers.

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of d-fructose modified poly(ethylene glycol) (Fru-PEG) and fructose modified poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ethyl hexyl glycidyl ether) (Fru-PEG-b-PEHG) that are both prepared by initiation with isopropyliden protected fructose, followed by deprotection of the sugar. The block copolymers are self-assembled into micelles, and are subsequently characterized by cryo-TEM and dynamic light scattering. The fluorescent dye Nile red is encapsulated as a model hydrophobic compound and fluorescent marker to perform initial uptake tests with breast cancer cells.

Mission ImPOxable - or the unknown utilization of non-toxic poly(2-oxazoline)s as cryoprotectants and surfactants at the same time.

Polymer based nanoparticles offer great opportunities for diverse applications, i.e. their drug delivery potential is promising.

Polymersomes with Endosomal pH-Induced Vesicle-to-Micelle Morphology Transition and a Potential Application for Controlled Doxorubicin Delivery.

In order to obtain a novel, pH responsive polymersome system, a series of pH responsive block copolymers were synthesized via the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) protected 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) (2-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate (THP-HEMA)) and 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) using p(THP-HEMA) as a macro chain transfer agent (mCTA). The degree of polymerization (DP) of the p(THP-HEMA) block was fixed to 35, whereas the DP of the p(DMAEMA) block was systematically varied from 21 to 50. In aqueous solution, the block copolymer with the shortest p(DMAEMA) block (DP = 21) self-assembled into vesicles, while the polymer with 30 units of p(DMAEMA) formed a mixture of micelles and vesicles.