Design and preclinical evaluation of a universal SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine.

Because of the rapid mutations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants is needed to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). T cells, in addition to neutralizing antibodies, are an important component of naturally acquired protective immunity, and a number of studies have shown that T cells induced by natural infection or vaccination contribute significantly to protection against several viral infections including SARS-CoV-2. However, it has never been tested whether a T cell-inducing vaccine can provide significant protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of preexisting antibodies.

Iron(iii) chelated paramagnetic polymeric nanoparticle formulation as a next-generation -weighted MRI contrast agent.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a routinely used imaging technique in medical diagnostics. To enhance the quality of MR images, contrast agents (CAs) are used, which account for nearly 40% of MRI exams in the clinic globally. The most used CAs are gadolinium-based CAs (GBCAs) but the use of GBCAs has been linked with metal-deposition in vital organs.

Indocyanine-type Infrared-820 Encapsulated Polymeric Nanoparticle-Assisted Photothermal Therapy of Cancer.

Organic small-molecule photosensitizers are well-characterized and known for the light-responsive treatment modality including photodynamic therapy. Compared with ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light used in conventional photodynamic therapy with organic photosensitizers, near-infrared (NIR) light from 700 to 900 nm is less absorbed and scattered by biological tissue such as hemoglobin, lipids, and water, and thus, the use of NIR excitation can greatly increase the penetration depth and emission. Additionally, NIR light has lower energy than UV-vis that can be beneficial due to less activation of fluorophores present in tissues upon NIR irradiation.

Re-engineering a Liposome with Membranes of Red Blood Cells for Drug Delivery and Diagnostic Applications.

Red blood cells (RBCs) make up the overwhelming majority of cells in the vascular system, spending most of their lives wandering the vast network of vessels that permeate every tissue of our bodies. Therefore, the delivery of any class of therapeutic agent that must stay in the circulatory system may benefit from being carried by RBCs. Toward this direction, we have re-engineered a synthetic liposome with the membranes of RBCs and incorporated a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent gadolinium along with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) to form a biomimetic liposome (BML).

Re-engineered imaging agent using biomimetic approaches.

Recent progress in biomedical technology, the clinical bioimaging, has a greater impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, especially by early intervention and precise therapy. Varieties of organic and inorganic materials either in the form of small molecules or nano-sized materials have been engineered as a contrast agent (CA) to enhance image resolution among different tissues for the detection of abnormalities such as cancer and vascular occlusion. Among different innovative imaging agents, contrast agents coupled with biologically derived endogenous platform shows the promising application in the biomedical field, including drug delivery and bioimaging.

Zn-based physiometacomposite nanoparticles: distribution, tolerance, imaging, and antiviral and anticancer activity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution, tolerance, and anticancer and antiviral activity of Zn-based physiometacomposites (PMCs). Manganese, iron, nickel and cobalt-doped ZnO, ZnS or ZnSe were synthesized. Cell uptake, distribution into 3D culture and mice, and biochemical and chemotherapeutic activity were studied by fluorescence/bioluminescence, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, viability, antitumor and virus titer assays.

Strategic reconstruction of macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

A contrast agent (CA) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now an essential add-on to obtain high-quality contrast-enhanced anatomical images for disease diagnosis and monitoring the treatment response. However, the rapid elimination of CAs by the immune system and excretion by the renal route has limited its application. As a result, the CA dose for effective contrast is ever-increasing, resulting in toxic side effects such as gadolinium (Gd) related nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) toxicity.

Erythrocyte membrane concealed paramagnetic polymeric nanoparticle for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Recent progress in bioimaging nanotechnology has a great impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases by enabling early intervention. Among different types of bioimaging modalities, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using paramagnetic gadolinium-based molecular contrast agents (GBCAs) are most commonly used in clinic. However, molecular GBCAs distribute rapidly between plasma and interstitial spaces with short half-lives limiting its clinical impacts.

pH-responsive cationic liposome for endosomal escape mediated drug delivery.

Endosomal degradation of the nanoparticle is one of the major biological barriers associated with the drug delivery system. Nanoparticles are internalized in the cell via different endocytosis pathways, where they are first delivered to early endosomes which mature to the late endosome and to the lysosome. During this journey, NP encounters a harsh chemical environment resulting in the degradation of NP and its content.

Integration of gadolinium in nanostructure for contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a routinely used imaging technique in medical diagnostics, which is further enhanced with the use of contrast agents (CAs). The most commonly used CAs are gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), in which gadolinium (Gd) is chelated with organic chelating agents (linear or cyclic). However, the use of GBCA is related to toxic side effect due to the release of free Gd ions from the chelating agents.

Biodistribution of gadolinium- and near infrared-labeled human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosomes in tumor bearing mice.

We speculate that exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (HUC-MSCs) will accumulate within tumors and have the potential for both tumor location or drug delivery. : To determine proof of concept, HUC-MSC exosomes were labeled with an MRI contrast agent, gadolinium, or a near infrared dye. Exosome accumulation within ectopic osteosarcoma tumor-bearing mice was determined by 14.

Macrophage-derived exosome-mimetic hybrid vesicles for tumor targeted drug delivery.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are phospholipid and protein constructs which are continuously secreted by cells in the form of smaller (30-200 nm) and larger (micron size) particles. While all of these vesicles are called as EVs, the smaller size are normally called as exosomes. Small EVs (sEVs) have now been explored as a potential candidate in therapeutics delivery owing to their endogenous functionality, intrinsic targeting property, and ability to cooperate with a host defense mechanism.

The influence of polyethylene glycol passivation on the surface plasmon resonance induced photothermal properties of gold nanorods.

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) possess unique photothermal properties due to their strong plasmonic absorption in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. They have been explored widely as an alternative or a complement to chemotherapy in cancer treatment. However, the use of AuNRs as an injectable medicine is greatly hindered by their stability in biological media.