巨噬细胞膜仿生纳米铁颗粒制备及多形性胶质母细胞瘤MRI成像的初步实验研究

摘要 目的：探讨巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒（Fe3O4 NCs@MM）对多形性胶质母细胞瘤MRI成像的研究。方法：制备巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM,利用动态光散射（Dynamic Light Scattering,DLS）和透射电子显微镜（Transmission Electron Microscope,TEM）对其水合动力学粒径、表面电势和形态进行表征。采用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,SDS-PAGE）评价巨噬细胞膜的完整包覆;紫外可见光谱测定巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒抗蛋白吸附能力。通过MRI成像系统,分析了含不同浓度的Fe元素（0.1-1.6 mM）的Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM在GSH存在或不存在时的T₁弛豫效应。采用细胞增殖-毒性实验（Cell Counting Kit-8,CCK-8）,测定巨噬细胞膜仿生纳米铁颗粒处理肿瘤细胞24 h后的细胞活性。尾静脉注射巨噬细胞膜仿生纳米铁颗粒至原位胶质母细胞瘤模型中,观察成像效果。结果：巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM的水合动力学粒径和表面电势分别为 286.5±7.6 nm和-20.7±3.5 mV,且在水溶液中分布均匀,具有较好的单分散性。包覆巨噬细胞膜的纳米铁颗粒具备抗蛋白吸附的能力。MRI成像显示,制备的巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM为GSH响应型MRI对比剂,具有较好的T₁-加权磁共振成像效果,在尾静脉注射巨噬细胞膜的纳米铁颗粒0.5 h后,肿瘤部位的信号可见增强。结论：巨噬细胞膜仿生的纳米铁颗粒Fe₃O₄ NCs@MM可实现多形性胶质母细胞瘤的MRI成像。     

腺相关病毒载体工程毒株精细化纯化

[背景] 大量制备高纯度的重组腺相关病毒（Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus,rAAV）,是以腺相关病毒（AAV）为投递载体的基因靶向治疗或基因工程药物研发过程中需要解决的重要问题。[目的] 利用层析柱法大量纯化质粒和rAAV细胞培养液,以获得高纯度的rAAV颗粒。[方法] 对组装rAAV的3种质粒用HiPrep^TM10 Sepharose 6FF和HiTrap PlasmidSelect Xtra凝胶层析柱纯化,目的是得到组装AAV的超螺旋质粒DNA,然后对组装rAAV过程中的AAV-293细胞培养方法进行优化,组装成功病毒后,再对收集到的细胞提取液用HiLoad^TM10Q和HiLoad^TM10SP阴阳离子交换层析柱纯化,最后用纯化浓缩后的rAAV感染HT1080细胞,通过流式细胞仪检测荧光表达细胞数,计算浓缩后活病毒感染滴度。[结果] HiPrep和HiTrap层析柱纯化后得到大量高纯度的超螺旋质粒DNA,组装病毒后,用HiLoad柱纯化获得大量高纯度的rAAV颗粒,通过测定,rAAV基因组滴度达到（2.46±0.37）×10¹² TCID₅₀/mL （MOI=1.0×10⁴）。[结论] 通过一系列精细化组装纯化制备出高纯度、高滴度rAAV病毒颗粒。     

用于可视化光治疗的Mn3O4@CuS纳米粒的制备研究

摘要 目的：本研究旨在制备用于肿瘤可视化光治疗的多功能Mn₃O₄@CuS核壳型纳米粒,在磁共振成像的引导下,使用近红外光定点辐照,实现局部光热消融治疗。方法：（1）采用高温热解法制备油胺稳定的Mn₃O₄纳米粒,在其表面构建CuS壳层,并进行聚乙二醇修饰,得到分散于水相中的Mn₃O₄@CuS核壳型纳米粒。（2）通过透射电镜、紫外可见近红外吸收光谱等方法对该纳米粒进行理化性质表征,并研究其体外磁共振成像、光热升温等性能。结果：制备的水相分散的Mn₃O₄@CuS纳米粒,粒径均一且分散性较好,形态为近圆形,粒径为9.30±2.29 nm;紫外可见近红外吸收光谱图表明Mn₃O₄@CuS纳米粒在近红外区有较强吸收,最大吸收峰位于1100~1200 nm范围;磁共振成像分析结果可计算出Mn₃O₄@CuS纳米粒的纵向弛豫率r1为1.662 mM^-1s^-1,表明其具有较好的磁共振增强造影效果;光热升温曲线显示Mn₃O₄@CuS纳米粒可在785 nm近红外激光下升温至73.5 ℃,具备较好的光热治疗潜力。结论：本文成功制备出水相分散的Mn₃O₄@CuS核壳型纳米粒,具有良好的磁共振造影成像性能和光热升温效应,有望应用于磁共振成像引导下的肿瘤可视化光治疗。     

研究报告: 基于Ser-SELEX技术的结肠癌血清适配体的筛选及其应用研究

目的 为了解决癌症早期诊断困难的问题，实现结肠癌的早期检测。方法 采用Ser-SELEX技术筛选了结肠癌血清的特异性适配体。通过前期结肠癌血清正筛-正常人血清反筛步骤和后期结肠癌血清正筛-其他癌症血清反筛步骤循环的方式，经过16轮筛选流程，共选取4条候选适配体，并对其进行序列分析、二级结构和三级结构模拟、特异性分析等。结果 候选适配体主要形成的结构是茎环和假结两种，qPCR法测试亲和力，K_d约为10 nmol/L，适配体与结肠癌患者血清特异性结合情况分析表明，候选适配体APT-2具有良好特异性，且此种方法检出率约为 82.5%。结论 适配体（APT-2）应用于结肠癌早期诊断具有良好的发展前景。     

羧基化介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒递送PD-L1抑制剂治疗膀胱癌的作用研究

摘要 目的：构建羧基化介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒（COOH-MSN）递送PD-L1抑制剂治疗膀胱癌。方法：构建负载PD-L1抑制剂的COOH-MSNs，透射电镜检测纳米颗粒的特征，zeta电位分析仪检测纳米颗粒的电位变化；流式细胞术检测血液中T细胞和CD8⁺T细胞的比例；MTT实验检测细胞增殖；构建小鼠荷瘤模型，HE染色检测基本的病理学变化，免疫组化检测ki-67的表达。结果：透射电镜结果显示纳米颗粒呈圆形，直径约为100 nm；COOH-MSNs表面带负电荷，BSA呈强负电性，BSA包封后纳米材料整体负电荷增强；纳米材料可显著提高T细胞和CD8⁺T细胞的比例，并进一步抑制膀胱癌细胞的增殖；动物实验结果显示纳米材料可抑制移植瘤的生长，且移植瘤内淋巴细胞的数量显著升高；免疫组化结果显示相对于PD-L1抑制剂组，纳米材料组ki-67增殖指数显著减低；HE染色结果显示PD-L1抑制剂组肾组织内可观察到血管充血、扩张和较多炎细胞浸润，而纳米材料组肾组织损伤程度显著降低。结论：我们构建了一种负载有PD-L1抑制剂的COOH-MSNs，可有效激活抗肿瘤免疫反应，并降低对正常器官的损伤。     

高负载Cu单原子纳米酶的制备和类酶活性研究

目的 单原子纳米酶（single-atom nanozyme，SAN）因其高原子利用率及丰富的类酶活性被广泛研究。但是目前大多数SAN活性位点负载量较低，限制了其进一步应用和发展。本研究旨在制备一种高原子负载量的SAN，并对其类酶活性进行系统研究，希望为高负载SAN的制备提供思路，并为SAN在更广泛领域的应用提供理论支持。方法 本研究通过原位锚定策略将金属盐前驱体锚定在氨基化石墨烯量子点框架中，在惰性气体保护下进行高温热解稳定Cu原子和载体之间的化学键，制备出负载量高达7.66%（质量百分比）的高负载Cu单原子纳米酶（high-loading Cu SAN）。此外，以3,3",5,5"-四甲基联苯胺（TMB）和氮蓝四唑（NBT）为显色剂，评估了high-loading Cu SAN的类过氧化物酶（POD）、类氧化物酶（OXD）及类超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性，并与传统金属有机框架锚定法制备的低负载Cu单原子纳米酶（low-loading Cu SAN）作比较。以过氧化氢（H₂O₂）为催化底物，对比研究了高/低负载Cu SAN的类过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性。结果 研究表明，本文制备的高负载Cu SAN的类POD和SOD活性分别是低负载Cu SAN的3.4倍和8.88倍，且表现出类酶催化选择性。结论 本研究为高负载SAN的制备和活性研究提供了思路，为SAN在检测传感、疾病治疗以及环境保护等方面的应用奠定了基础。     

早产儿急性呼吸窘迫综合征血清1,25-(OH)2D3、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3水平与炎症反应和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨不同病情严重程度早产儿急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）血清1,25-二羟维生素D₃（1,25-(OH) ₂D₃）、颗粒体蛋白前体（PGRN）、沉默信息调节因子2相关酶1（SIRT1）、C1q/肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白3（CTRP3）的变化，分析其与炎症反应和预后的关系。方法：选择2018年10月至2019年12月安徽省妇幼保健院收治的ARDS早产儿100例作为ARDS组，另选取同期在我院出生的健康新生儿60例作为对照组。根据《"新生儿急性呼吸窘迫综合征"蒙特勒标准（2017年版）》的病情判定标准将ARDS早产儿分为轻度组（n=40）、中度组（n=32）、重度组（n=28），比较不同病情严重程度ARDS早产儿血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3、炎症反应指标肿瘤坏死子因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）水平变化，采用Pearson法分析ARDS早产儿血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3与炎症反应指标的相关性。另根据ARDS组患儿预后情况分为预后良好组（n=65）和预后不良组（n=35），采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析影响ARDS早产儿预后不良的危险因素。结果：ARDS组血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、SIRT1、CTRP3、PGRN水平明显低于对照组（P<0.05），ARDS组血清TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。不同病情严重程度ARDS早产儿血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3、炎症反应指标比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。ARDS早产儿血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3水平与TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平呈负相关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，低出生体重、肺表面活性物质（PS）使用次数≥3次、出现低白蛋白血症是影响ARDS早产儿预后不良的危险因素（P<0.05），血清1,25-(OH)2D3（较高）、PGRN（较高）、SIRT1（较高）、CTRP3（较高）是ARDS早产儿预后不良的保护因素（P<0.05）。结论：血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3可能参与ARDS早产儿的炎症反应过程，与ARDS早产儿的病情进展及预后密切相关，检测血清1,25-(OH) ₂D₃、PGRN、SIRT1、CTRP3有助于评估ARDS早产儿的预后。     

从矿化的骨组织中提取骨细胞的总RNA

描述了两个从以含大量羟基磷灰石（钙）和细胞密度、数量甚低为特点的矿化的成年骨组织（成年大鼠颅骨）提取总RNA的改进方法.紫外分光光度法（A₂₆₀、A₂₈₀和A₂₃₀）和1%甲醛变性琼脂糖凝胶电泳予以鉴定.进而以其逆转录的cDNA为模板扩增出β-actin和BMP-2基因,均表明所得总RNA完整和模板活性俱佳.每克骨组织中总RNA产量为560 μg.     

原发性胆管色素结石患者胆汁中大肠杆菌优势血清型的分析及各亚型产生的β-葡萄糖醛酸酶活性比较

摘要 目的：对原发性胆管色素结石患者的胆管胆汁中大肠杆菌的各个亚型产生的β-葡萄糖醛酸酶活性进行对比,进而探究导致色素结石形成的大肠杆菌优势血清型。方法：选取原发性胆管色素结石患者70例,术中无菌条件下抽取胆管胆汁行细菌培养,进行菌种鉴定及药敏试验。采用玻片凝集法鉴定胆汁中培养出的大肠杆菌的血清型,根据β-葡萄糖醛酸酶的活性与β-葡萄糖醛酸酶同底物4-硝基苯-β-D-葡萄糖苷（PNPG）反应的速率k呈正比,与反应体系的OD₆₀₀值成反比,计算大肠杆菌各亚型产生的β-葡萄糖醛酸酶活性。结果：共获得胆管胆汁标本70例,61例细菌培养阳性,阳性率为87.14%。共获得菌株73株,培养结果排名第1为大肠杆菌（34.25%）,药敏试验敏感度前5位的药物分别为阿米卡星、哌拉西林/他唑巴坦、培南类、替加环素、头孢哌酮/舒巴坦,耐药率前5位的药物分别是四环素、左氧氟沙星、氨苄西林、氯霉素、复方新诺明。对培养出的25株大肠杆菌进行血清型鉴定,共获得13种大肠杆菌血清型,位列前3位分别为O₃₀、O₂₄、O₇₉,而O₂₄血清型大肠杆菌其时间-吸光度值曲线斜率k值明显高于其它血清型,结合其OD₆₀₀值,可得出其产生β-葡萄糖醛酸酶的活性较高。结论：原发性胆管色素结石的患者胆管胆汁中最常见细菌为大肠杆菌,血清型以O₃₀、O₂₄、O₇₉为主,其中O₂₄型血清型大肠杆菌产生β-葡萄糖醛酸酶的活性较高。     

PVCL-MnO2纳米探针用于多形性胶质母细胞瘤的放疗增敏及MRI成像的实验研究

摘要 目的：探讨PVCL-MnO₂对多形性胶质母细胞瘤的放疗增敏作用,并进行体内MRI成像研究。方法：制备PVCL-MnO₂纳米探针,利用透射电子显微镜(Transmission Electron Microscope, TEM)对其形态进行表征,并使用Image J分析其尺寸分布。采用细胞增殖-毒性实验 (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT),测定PVCL-MnO₂协同放疗处理肿瘤细胞48 h后的细胞活性。将多形性胶质母瘤细胞瘤细胞进行PVCL-MnO₂共孵育后,协同放疗处理,分别使用免疫荧光,蛋白质印迹法等实验技术检测H2AX 组蛋白异型的磷酸化形式 (phosphorylated form of the histone protein H2AX, γ-H2AX),活性氧自由基(reactive oxygen species, ROS) 的产生及Bax,Bcl-2凋亡相关蛋白的表达。PVCL-MnO₂尾静脉注射至原位多形性胶质母细胞瘤小鼠中,在不同的时间点进行MRI扫描,观察成像效果。结果：PVCL-MnO₂颗粒粒径分布均匀,结构规整, 表现出良好的单分散性。PVCL-MnO₂联合放疗可有效增强DNA双链的断裂,ROS及促凋亡蛋白Bax的产生,同时下调了抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2。MRI成像显示,PVCL-MnO₂具有较好的T1-加权MRI成像效果,在尾静脉注射PVCL-MnO₂ 后4 h,肿瘤部位的信号增强最明显, 随后信号开始下降。结论：PVCL-MnO₂可实现多形性胶质母细胞瘤的放疗增敏及MRI成像。     

Biomimetic particles for isolation and reconstitution of receptor function

Biomimetic particles supporting lipid bilayers are becoming increasingly important to isolate and reconstitute protein function. Cholera toxin (CT) from Vibrio cholerae, an 87-kDa AB₅ hexameric protein, and its receptor, the monosialoganglioside GM₁, a cell membrane glycolipid, self-assembled on phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayer-covered silica particles at 1 CT/5 GM₁ molar ratio in perfect agreement with literature. This receptor-lig-and recognition represented a proof-of-concept that receptors in general can be isolated and their function reconstituted using biomimetic particles, i.e., bilayer-covered silica. After incubation of colloidal silica with small unilamellar PC vesicles in saline solution, pH 7.4, PC adsorption isotherms on silica from inorganic phosphorus analysis showed a high PC affinity for silica with maximal PC adsorption at bilayer deposition. At 0.3 mM PC, fluorescence of pyrene-labeled GM₁ showed that GM₁ incorporation in biomimetic particles increased as a function of particles concentration. At 1 mg/mL silica, receptor incorporation increased to a maximum of 40% at 0.2–0.3 mM PC and then decreased as a function of PC concentration. At 5 μM GM₁, 0.3 mM PC, and 1 mg/mL silica, CT binding increased as a function of CT concentration with a plateau at 2 mg bound CT/m² silica, which corresponded to the 5 GM₁/1 CT molar proportion and showed successful reconstitution of receptor-ligand interaction.     

Engineered cystine knot peptides that bind αvβ3, αvβ5, and α5β1 integrins with low‐nanomolar affinity

There is a critical need for compounds that target cell surface integrin receptors for applications in cancer therapy and diagnosis. We used directed evolution to engineer the Ecballium elaterium trypsin inhibitor (EETI‐II), a knottin peptide from the squash family of protease inhibitors, as a new class of integrin‐binding agents. We generated yeast‐displayed libraries of EETI‐II by substituting its 6‐amino acid trypsin binding loop with 11‐amino acid loops containing the Arg‐Gly‐Asp integrin binding motif and randomized flanking residues. These libraries were screened in a high‐throughput manner by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting to identify mutants that bound to α_vβ₃ integrin. Select peptides were synthesized and were shown to compete for natural ligand binding to integrin receptors expressed on the surface of U87MG glioblastoma cells with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values of 10–30 nM. Receptor specificity assays demonstrated that engineered knottin peptides bind to both α_vβ₃ and α_vβ₅ integrins with high affinity. Interestingly, we also discovered a peptide that binds with high affinity to α_vβ₃, α_vβ₅, and α₅β₁ integrins. This finding has important clinical implications because all three of these receptors can be coexpressed on tumors. In addition, we showed that engineered knottin peptides inhibit tumor cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix protein vitronectin, and in some cases fibronectin, depending on their integrin binding specificity. Collectively, these data validate EETI‐II as a scaffold for protein engineering, and highlight the development of unique integrin‐binding peptides with potential for translational applications in cancer. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Binding and Uptake of RGD-Containing Ligands to Cellular α v β 3 Integrins

The cyclic peptide, cRGDf[N(me)]V, binds to the α _v β ₃ integrin and can disrupt binding of the integrin to its natural ligands in the extracellular matrix. In this work, the ability of a water-soluble, fluorescently labeled variant of the RGD-containing peptide (cRGDfK-488) to bind to integrins on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) and subsequently undergo endocytosis was characterized. This information was compared to the binding and uptake properties of an α _v β ₃ integrin-specific monoclonal antibody, LM609X. The specificity of the RGD-containing peptide is assessed by comparison with control peptide that does not bind to the α _v β ₃ integrin, cRADfK-488. Using a high purity construct, it is shown that the RGD ligand exhibits dissociation constants in the micromolar range whereas LM609X exhibits dissociation constants in the nanomolar range. However, the RGD ligand showed greater uptake following incubation at temperatures which permit endocytosis. A 7.4-fold increase in uptake of the RGD peptide was observed following a 1 h incubation with HUVEC at 37°C (an endocytosis permissive temperature), as compared to that at 4°C (an endocytosis prohibitive temperature). In contrast, only a 1.9-fold increase in cell-associated fluorescence was observed for similar incubations with LM609X. Results from fluorescence microscopy supports the notion that the RGD peptide is rapidly endocytosed at 37°C as compared to LM609X. These results are discussed with regard to previous work indicating that RGD ligands enter cells by integrin-independent pathways. These studies provide well-controlled measures of how RGD ligands stimulate endocytosis. This may be of considerable interest for intracellular delivery of ligand-associated drugs in anti-angiogenic applications.     

Improved stability of the carbon nanotubes-enzyme bioconjugates by biomimetic silicification

Nano-materials have been applied in many fields due to their excellent characteristics, such as the high surface area-to-volume ratio, excellent physicochemical properties and biological compatibility. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were utilized to prepare MWCNTs-papain bioconjugates and then realized the immobilization of papain. MWCNTs functionalized with carboxyl- and amine- groups on their surface were used as immobilization carriers. The immobilization of papain on the functionalized MWCNTs through physical absorption was examined. The conjugates were denoted as MWCNTs-papain bioconjugates. To improve the stability, the bioconjugates were further coated by silica through the biomimetic silicification process that induced by papain (denoted as silica-coated bioconjugates). The as-prepared MWCNTs-papain bioconjugates and the silica-coated bioconjugates were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The preliminary results showed that the bioconjugates could retain most of the initial activity of papain. Compared to free papain and MWCNTs-papain bioconjugates, the silica-coated bioconjugates exhibited significantly improved thermal, pH and recycling stability. Comparisons of the kinetic parameters between MWCNTs-papain bioconjugates and the silica-coated bioconjugates revealed that the K_m value of the immobilized papain experienced a slight increase after silica coating, which suggested that the silica coating did not significantly hinder papain's access to substrate or release of product.     

A NEW COLLOIDAL LIPIDIC SYSTEM FOR GENE THERAPY

ABSTRACT

A novel type of liposomal vector for gene therapy is described (Artificial Virus Particles; AVPs). This vector is based on the composition of retroviral envelopes, serum-resistant and non-toxic and smaller than 200 nm in size. The DNA is condensed using low molecular weight branched PEI. Equipment of these particles with a cyclic RGD peptide ligand as targeting device renders them selective for tumor endothelial and melanoma cells expressing high levels of α_vβ₃-integrins, and allows for an efficient delivery of the enclosed genetic material. The specificity of the vector system for melanoma cells could be further improved by using a melanocyte-specific tyrosinase promoter to drive transgene expression.     

Solid state fermentation of Bacillus gottheilii M2S2 in laboratory-scale packed bed reactor for tannase production

Abstract

Production of tannase was performed in packed bed reactor filled with an inert support polyurethane foam (PUF) using Bacillus gottheilii M2S2. The influence of process parameters such as fermentation time (24–72?h), tannic acid concentration (0.5–2.5% w/v), inoculum size (7–12% v/v), and aeration rate (0–0.2?L/min) on tannase production with PUF were analyzed using one variable at a time (OVAT) approach. The outcome of OVAT was optimized by central composite design. Based on the statistical investigation, the proposed mathematical model recommends 1% (w/v) of tannic acid, 10% (v/v) of inoculum size and 0.13?L/min of aeration rate for maximum production (76.57?±?1.25?U/L). The crude enzyme was purified using ammonium sulfate salt precipitation method followed by dialysis. The biochemical properties of partially purified tannase were analyzed and found the optimum pH (4.0), temperature (40?°C) for activity, and K_m (1.077?mM) and V_max (1.11?µM/min) with methyl gallate as a substrate. Based on the SDS-PAGE analysis, tannase exhibited two bands with molecular weights of 57.5 and 42.3?kDa. Briefly, the partially purified tannase showed 4.2 fold increase (63?±?1.60?U/L) in comparison to the submerged fermentation and the production of tannase was validated by using NMR spectrometer.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrrolidine-based T-type calcium channel inhibitors for the treatment of neuropathic pain

The treatment of neuropathic pain is one of the urgent unmet medical needs and T-type calcium channels are promising therapeutic targets for neuropathic pain. Several potent T-type channel inhibitors showed promising in vivo efficacy in neuropathic pain animal models and are being investigated in clinical trials. Herein we report development of novel pyrrolidine-based T-type calcium channel inhibitors by pharmacophore mapping and structural hybridisation followed by evaluation of their Ca_v3.1 and Ca_v3.2 channel inhibitory activities. Among potent inhibitors against both Ca_v3.1 and Ca_v3.2 channels, a promising compound 20n based on in vitro ADME properties displayed satisfactory plasma and brain exposure in rats according to in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. We further demonstrated that 20n effectively improved the symptoms of neuropathic pain in both SNL and STZ neuropathic pain animal models, suggesting modulation of T-type calcium channels can be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain.     

Acclimation of tropical tree seedlings to excessive light in simulated tree-fall gaps

Acclimation to periodic high‐light stress was studied in tree seedlings from a neotropical forest. Seedlings of several pioneer and late‐succession species were cultivated under simulated tree‐fall gap conditions; they were placed under frames covered with shade cloth with apertures of different widths that permitted defined periods of daily leaf exposure to direct sunlight. During direct sun exposure, all plants exhibited a marked reversible decline in potential photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, determined by means of the ratio of variable to maximum Chl a fluorescence (F_v/F_m). The decline in F_v/F_m under full sunlight was much stronger in late‐succession than in pioneer species. For each gap size, all species exhibited a similar degree of de‐epoxidation of violaxanthin in direct sunlight and similar pool sizes of xanthophyll cycle pigments. Pool sizes increased with increasing gap size. Pioneer plants possessed high levels of β‐carotene that also increased with gap size, whereas α‐carotene decreased. In contrast to late‐succession plants, pioneer plants were capable of adjusting their Chl a/b ratio to a high value in wide gaps. The content of extractable UV‐B‐absorbing compounds was highest in the plants acclimated to large gaps and did not depend on the successional status of the plants. The results demonstrate a better performance of pioneer species under high‐light conditions as compared with late‐succession plants, manifested by reduced photoinhibition of PSII in pioneer species. This was not related to increased pool size and turnover of xanthophyll cycle pigments, nor to higher contents of UV‐B‐absorbing substances. High β‐carotene levels and increased Chl a/b ratios, i.e. reduced size of the Chl a and b binding antennae, may contribute to photoprotection in pioneer species.     

α-Rhamnosidase and β-glucosidase expressed by naringinase immobilized on new ionic liquid sol-gel matrices: Activity and stability studies

Novel ionic liquid (IL) sol-gel materials development, for enzyme immobilization, was the goal of this work. The deglycosylation of natural glycosides were performed with α-l-rhamnosidase and β-d-glucosidase activities expressed by naringinase. To attain that goal ILs with different structures were incorporated in TMOS/Glycerol sol-gel matrices and used on naringinase immobilization.The most striking feature of ILs incorporation on TMOS/Glycerol matrices was the positive impact on the enzyme activity and stability, which were evaluated in fifty consecutive runs. The efficiency of α-rhamnosidase expressed by naringinase TMOS/Glycerol@ILs matrices increased with cation hydrophobicity as follows: [OMIM] > [BMIM] > [EMIM] > [C₂OHMIM] > [BIM] and [OMIM] ≈ [E₂-MPy] ? [E₃-MPy]. Regarding the imidazolium family, the hydrophobic nature of the cation resulted in higher α-rhamnosidase efficiencies: [BMIM]BF₄ ? [C₂OHMIM]BF₄ ? [BIM]BF₄. Small differences in the IL cation structure resulted in important differences in the enzyme activity and stability, namely [E₃-MPy] and [E₂-MPy] allowed an impressive difference in the α-rhamnosidase activity and stability of almost 150%. The hydrophobic nature of the anion influenced positively α-rhamnosidase activity and stability. In the BMIM series the more hydrophobic anions (PF₆⁻, BF₄⁻ and Tf₂N⁻) led to higher activities than TFA. SEM analysis showed that the matrices are shaped lens with a film structure which varies within the lens, depending on the presence and the nature of the IL.The kinetics parameters, using naringin and prunin as substrates, were evaluated with free and naringinase encapsulated, respectively on TMOS/Glycerol@[OMIM][Tf₂N] and TMOS/Glycerol@[C₂OHMIM][PF₆] and on TMOS/Glycerol. An improved stability and efficiency of α-l-rhamnosidase and β-glucosidase expressed by encapsulated naringinase on TMOS/Glycerol@[OMIM][Tf₂N] and TMOS/Glycerol@[C₂OHMIM][PF₆] were achieved. In addition to these advantageous, with ILs as sol-gel templates, environmental friendly processes can be implemented.     

Cyclic RGD peptide-labeled upconversion nanophosphors for tumor cell-targeted imaging

One of the great challenges of oncology is to improve methods for early tumor detection. Thus tumor cell-targeted optical imaging has been intensively studied. Bioimaging with upconversion (UC) phosphors (UCPs) is of considerable interest due to a variety of possible applications taking advantage of infrared-to-visible luminescence. Here we report for the first time tumor cell-targeted UC imaging using UCPs modified with cyclic RGD peptide (RGD-Y₂O₃). Cyclic RGD peptide binds specifically to integrin α_vβ₃ which is highly expressed in a tumor cell surface of certain cancer types but not in normal tissues. Since UC emission from RGD-Y₂O₃ was observed for U87MG cancer cell (high integrin α_vβ₃ expression), but not for MCF-7 cancer cell (low integrin α_vβ₃ expression), this UC imaging is considered to be integrin α_vβ₃ specific. The non-invasive imaging of integrin α_vβ₃ expression using UCP-based probes will have great potential in cancer imaging in general in living subjects.