Functionalized Gold Nanorods for Tumor Imaging and Targeted Therapy

Gold nanorods,as an emerging noble metal nanomaterial with unique properties,have become the new exciting focus of theoretical and experimental studies in the past few years.The structure and function of gold nanorods,especially their biocompatibility, optical property,and photothermal effects,have been attracting more and more attention.Gold nanorods exhibit great potential in applications such as tumor molecular imaging and photothermal therapy.In this article,we review some of the main advances made over the past few years in the application of gold nanorods in surface functionalization,molecular imaging,and photothermal therapy. We also explore other prospective applications and discuss the corresponding concepts,issues,approaches,and challenges,with the aim of stimulating broader interest in gold nanorod-based nanotechnology and improving its practical application.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells labeled with fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles for targeted imaging and hyperthermia therapy for gastric cancer

Objective: Human induced pluripotent stem(i PS) cells exhibit great potential for generating functional human cells for medical therapies. In this paper, we report for use of human i PS cells labeled with fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles(FMNPs) for targeted imaging and synergistic therapy of gastric cancer cells in vivo. Methods: Human i PS cells were prepared and cultured for 72 h. The culture medium was collected, and then was coincubated with MGC803 cells. Cell viability was analyzed by the MTT method. FMNP-labeled human i PS cells were prepared and injected into gastric cancer-bearing nude mice. The mouse model was observed using a small-animal imaging system. The nude mice were irradiated under an external alternating magnetic field and evaluated using an infrared thermal mapping instrument. Tumor sizes were measured weekly. Results: iP S cells and the collected culture medium inhibited the growth of MGC803 cells. FMNP-labeled human iP S cells targeted and imaged gastric cancer cells in vivo, as well as inhibited cancer growth in vivo through the external magnetic field. Conclusion: FMNP-labeled human i PS cells exhibit considerable potential in applications such as targeted dual-mode imaging and synergistic therapy for early gastric cancer.

Application of near-infrared fluorescence imaging in theranostics of gastrointestinal tumors

Gastrointestinal cancers have become an important cause of cancer-related death in humans.Improving the early diagnosis rate of gastrointestinal tumors and improving the effect of surgical treatment can significantly improve the survival rate of patients.The conventional diagnostic method is high-definition white-light endoscopy,which often leads to missed diagnosis.For surgical treatment,intraoperative tumor localization and post-operative anastomotic state evaluation play important roles in the effect of surgical treatment.As a new imaging method,near-infrared fluorescence imaging(NIRFI)has its unique advantages in the diagnosis and auxiliary surgical treatment of gastrointestinal tumors due to its high sensitivity and the ability to image deep tissues.In this review,we focus on the latest advances of NIRFI technology applied in early diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors,identification of tumor margins,identification of lymph nodes,and assessment of anastomotic leakage.In addition,we summarize the advances of NIRFI systems such as macro imaging and micro imaging systems,and also clearly describe the application process of NIRFI from system to clinical application,and look into the prospect of NIRFI applied in the theranostics of gastrointestinal tumors.

Non-catalytic roles for TET1 protein negatively regulating neuronal differentiation through srGAP3 in neuroblastoma cells

The methylcytosine dioxygenases TET proteins （TET1, TET2, and TET3） play important regulatory roles in neural function. In this study, we investigated the role of TET proteins in neuronal differentiation using Neuro2a cells as a model. We observed that knockdown of TET1, TET2 or TET3 promoted neuronal differentiation of Neuro2a cells, and their overexpression inhibited VPA （valproic acid）-induced neuronal differentiation, suggesting all three TET proteins negatively regulate neu- ronal differentiation of Neuro2a cells. Interestingly, the inducing activity of TET protein is independent of its enzymatic activity. Our previous studies have demon- strated that srGAP3 can negatively regulate neuronal differentiation of Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, we revealed that TET1 could positively regulate srGAP3 expression independent of its catalytic activity, and srGAP3 is required for TET-mediated neuronal differentiation of Neuro2a cells. The results presented here may facilitate better understanding of the role of TET proteins in neuronal differentiation, and provide a possible therapy target for neuroblastoma.