Targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition: Metal organic network nano-complexes for preventing tumor metastasis.

Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential step in tumor metastasis. Unfortunately, during the chemotherapy, EMT could be induced under the selective pressure of clinical cytotoxic drugs. Here, to solve this problem, we have synthesized multi-functional epigallocatechin gallate/iron nano-complexes (EIN) as a versatile coating material to improve conventional therapies.

Supermolecular theranostic capsules for pH-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging and multi-responsive drug delivery.

Magnetite (FeO) microcapsules prepared by layer-by-layer self-assembly are investigated as multi-functional magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and drug carriers. They are produced by host-guest interactions and Coulombic force from different supramolecular polymers. Drug molecules are released controllably from the microcapsules by non-invasive ultra-violet light induced photo-isomerization of the azobenzene molecule and pH sensitive Schiff's base.

Viscosity enhanced release (VER) effect in nanoporous drug delivery systems: phenomenon and mechanism.

High viscosity is important for normal intracellular homeostasis. In this study, nanoporous drug delivery systems (DDSs), including mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and layer by layer (LBL) microcapsules, with a viscosity enhanced release (VER) effect were designed and prepared, and their drug release behaviors in a sticky environment with a high viscosity were investigated using rhodamine B, methylene blue and doxorubicin (DOX) as model drugs. The results showed that the drug release rate from DDSs in a biomimetic high viscosity solution was 7 to 8 times higher than that in water.

Study on the Langmuir aggregation of sodium octanesulfonate on human serum albumin.

The microphase adsorption-spectral correction (MPASC) technique was described and applied to the study of the interactions of sodium octanesulfonate (SOS) with human serum albumin (HSA). The aggregation SOS obeys the Langmuir monolayer adsorption. The results show the adsorption ratio of sodium octanesulfonate to HSA is SOS:HSA=18:1.

Cationic fluorine-containing amphiphilic graft copolymers as DNA carriers.

A series of cationic fluorine-containing amphiphilic graft copolymers P(HFMA-St-MOTAC)-g-PEG comprising poly(hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PHFMA) poly(methacryl oxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PMOTAC) polystyrene (PSt) backbones and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains are synthesized as a type of non-viral gene vector. The copolymers self-assemble into spherical micelles in the aqueous media and turbidity and cytotoxicity measurements show that those micelles have excellent dispersive stability and low cytotoxicity. The interactions between the copolymers and calf-thymus DNA are studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity.