A novel cascaded energy conversion system inducing efficient and precise cancer therapy

Cancer therapies based on energy conversion,such as photothermal therapy(PTT,light-to-thermal energy conversion)and photodynamic therapy(PDT,light-to-chemical energy conversion)have attracted extensive attention in preclinical research.However,the PTT-related hyperthermia damage to surrounding tissues and shallow penetration of PDT-applied light prevent further advanced clinical practices.Here,we developed a thermoelectric therapy(TET)based on thermoelectric materials constructed p-n heterojunction(SrTiO_(3)/Cu_(2)Se nanoplates)on the principle of light-thermal-electricity-chemical energy conversion.Upon irradiation and natural cooling-induced the temperature gradient(35-45℃),a self-build-in electric field was constructed and thereby facilitated charges separation in bulk SrTiO_(3)and Cu_(2)Se.Importantly,the contact between SrTiO_(3)(n type)and Cu_(2)Se(p type)constructed another interfacial electric field,further guiding the separated charges to re-locate onto the surfaces of SrTiO_(3)and Cu_(2)Se.The formation of two electric fields minimized probability of charges recombination.Of note,high-performance superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals’generation from O_(2)and H_(2)O under catalyzation by separated electrons and holes,led to intracellular ROS burst and cancer cells apoptosis without apparent damage to surrounding tissues.Construction of bulk and interfacial electric fields in heterojunction for improving charges separation and transfer is also expected to provide a robust strategy for diverse applications.

Blocking Msrl by berberine alkaloids inhibits caspase-11-dependent coagulation in bacterial sepsis

Dear Editor,Over-activation of the coagulation system in bacterial sepsis leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),a lifethreatening pathophysiological syndrome.1 We previously verified that deficiency of the receptor of intracellular lipopolysaccharide,caspase-11,or its upstream,type I interferons(IFNs),significantly reduces endotoxin-mediated pore-forming and phosphatidylserine exposure,which dampens the activity of TF and subsequently the coagulation cascades.

Peptides-modified polystyrene-based polymers as high-performance substrates for the growth and propagation of human embryonic stem cells

As human stem cells with the special pluripotency play important roles in the innovative drug discovery and regenerative medicine,development of extracellular matrix(ECM)mimetics or functional materials that can support stem cell growth and propagation is of high significance.Despite numerous efforts spent,one major limitation restricting the wide applications of stem cells to the clinical translation is the lack of efficient strategies for low cost and large-scale stem cell production under xeno-free culture conditions.Herein,we reported a new strategy with peptides-modified polystyrene-based polymers coated onto the surface of coverslips for the growth and reproduction of human embryonic stem cells(h ESCs).The modified peptides are the active parts of proteins which has been shown to contribute to the pluripotent stem cell attachment or proliferation.The peptides were linked to the glass coverslips coated by the polymer materials via chemical crosslinking,and the composite substrates successfully maintain the longterm growth of HUES-7,H7 and DF699.Our study shows that the coating of polystyrene-derived polymer modified by our developed peptides is a good matrix for long-term growth and reproduction of stem cells.This polystyrene-derived polymer substrate can be produced in large scale and stored for a long time.The most important thing is that it can support the growth of undifferentiated human pluripotent stem cells(h PSCs)for more than ten passages,which could provide a new and relatively easy way to amplify h ESCs in vitro.