Framework nucleic acid-programmed aptamer-paclitaxel conjugates as targeted therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly invasive with a poor prognosis, and chemotherapy remains the clinical treatment of choice. Paclitaxel is a commonly used first-line chemotherapy drug, but its untargeted distribution poses clinical challenges. Inspired by antibody-drug conjugates, we develop a precisely structured framework nucleic acid-programmed aptamer-paclitaxel conjugate (FAPC) with chemically well-defined paclitaxel loading dosing, enabling the regulation of receptor-aptamer affinity to facilitate tumor-targeted chemotherapy.

A rapid and efficient zirconia bead-mediated ultrasonic strategy for DNA fragmentation up to 10 kbp.

Single-molecule sequencing (SMS), a long-read DNA sequencing technology, plays a crucial role in genomics research. However, traditional ultrasonic shearing techniques struggle to efficiently produce DNA fragments ≥10 kbp, limiting the efficiency of SMS library preparation. Here, we developed a zirconia bead-mediated ultrasonic shearing method that enables precise DNA fragmentation through zirconia bead mechanical agitation induced by sonication cavitation.

Tetrahedral DNA framework-directed hybridization chain reaction controlled self-assembly.

Nonenzymatic isothermal nucleic acid self-assembly techniques (, the hybridization chain reaction, HCR) hold potential in building materials and biological sensing. However, a traditional HCR is triggered by the random diffusion and disordered conformations of ssDNA initiators, resulting in asynchronous initiation and inherently highly heterogeneous products that do not meet the standards of well-defined nanomaterials. Herein, we developed a nanomechanical restricted strategy directed by tetrahedral DNA frameworks (TDFs) to control HCR self-assembly.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals the Tumor Heterogeneity and Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Urothelial Carcinoma.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) can arise from either the lower urinary tract or the upper tract; they represent different disease entities and require different clinical treatment strategies. A full understanding of the cellular characteristics in UC may guide the development of novel therapies. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptome analysis from four patients with UC of the bladder (UCB), five patients with UC of the ureter (UCU), and four patients with UC of the renal pelvis (UCRP) to develop a comprehensive cell atlas of UC.

Artificial Nanovesicles Derived from Cells: A Promising Alternative to Extracellular Vesicles.

As naturally secreted vesicles by cells, extracellular vesicles (EVs) play essential roles in modulating cell-cell communication and have significant potential in tissue regeneration, immune regulation, and drug delivery. However, the low yield and uncontrollable heterogeneity of EVs have been obstacles to their widespread translation into clinical practice. Recently, it has been discovered that artificial nanovesicles (NVs) produced by cell processing can inherit the components and functions of the parent cells and possess similar structures and functions to EVs, with significantly higher yields and more flexible functionalization, making them a powerful complement to natural EVs.

Characteristics of T-Cell Receptor Repertoire for Differential Response to Methotrexate Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) serves as the initial treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a substantial proportion of RA patients, estimated between 30% and 50%, do not respond positively to MTX. While the T-cell receptor (TCR) is crucial for the immune response during RA, its role in differentiating MTX responsiveness has not been thoroughly investigated.

DNA Origami-Constructed Nanotapes for Sunitinib Adsorption and Inhibition of Renal Clear Carcinoma Cells.

Sunitinib (SUN) is a first-line drug for the treatment of renal clear carcinoma cells by targeting receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) on the cell membrane. However, the effective delivery of SUN to the cell membrane remains a significant challenge. In this study, we fabricated precisely structured DNA nanotapes with strong surface SUN adhesion, enabling RTK inhibition of renal clear carcinoma cells.

Extracellular Vesicle Spherical Nucleic Acids.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are naturally occurring vesicles secreted by cells that can transport cargo between cells, making them promising bioactive nanomaterials. However, due to the complex and heterogeneous biological characteristics, a method for robust EV manipulation and efficient EV delivery is still lacking. Here, we developed a novel class of extracellular vesicle spherical nucleic acid (EV-SNA) nanostructures with scalability, programmability, and efficient cellular delivery.

Identification of novel protein biomarkers from the blood and urine for the early diagnosis of bladder cancer via proximity extension analysis.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is a very common urinary tract malignancy that has a high incidence and lethality. In this study, we identified BC biomarkers and described a new noninvasive detection method using serum and urine samples for the early detection of BC.

Methods: Serum and urine samples were retrospectively collected from patients with BC (n = 99) and healthy controls (HC) (n = 50), and the expression levels of 92 inflammation-related proteins were examined via the proximity extension analysis (PEA) technique.

DNA Nanomaterial-Empowered Surface Engineering of Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted biological nanoparticles that are critical mediators of intercellular communication. They contain diverse bioactive components, which are promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Their nanosized membrane-bound structures and innate ability to transport functional cargo across major biological barriers make them promising candidates as drug delivery vehicles.