STING and TLR9 agonists synergistically enhance the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine

Vaccines that are reliable and efficacious are essential in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.In this study,we designed a dual-adjuvant system with two pathogen-associated molecular patterns(PAMPs),MnOx and CpG.This system can improve the retention of antigens at the injection site,facilitate pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion,further recruit and activate dendritic cells(DCs).As a result,antigens can be delivered to lymph nodes specifically,and adaptive immunity was strengthened.The immunized group showed an enhanced and broadened humoral and cellular immune response in systemic immunity and lung protection when combined with a tandem repeat-linked dimeric antigen version of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain(RBDdimer).Remarkably,even with a significant reduction in antigen dosage(three times lower)and a decrease in injection frequencies,our nanovaccine was able to produce the highest neutralizing antibody titers against various mutants.These titers were four-fold higher for the wild-type strain and two-fold higher for both the Beta and Omicron variants in comparison with those elicited by the Alum adjuvant group.In conclusion,our dual-adjuvant formulation presents a promising protein subunit-based candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Eu^(3+)-doped BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3):A novel red-emitting phosphor for blue chips excited white LEDs

A series of novel red-emitting BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3):Eu^(3+)phosphors were synthesized through the high temperature solid state reaction method.The phase composition,crystal structure,morphology and photo luminescence property of the BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3):Eu^(3+)samples were systematically investigated.The phosphor can be efficiently excited by the near ultraviolet light(NUV)of 396 nm and blue light of 466 nm,and give out red light emission at 618 nm corresponding to the electric dipole transition(^(5)D_(0)→^(7)E_(2)).The optimal doping concentration of Eu^(3+)ions in BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3)is determined to be about 3 mol%,and the concentration-quenching phenomenon arise from the electric dipole-dipole interaction.The temperature dependent luminescence behavior of BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3):0.03 Eu^(3+)phosphor exhibits its good thermal stability,and the activation energy for thermal quenching characteristics is calculated to be 0.1844 eV.The decay lifetime of the BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3):0.03 Eu^(3+)is measured to be 1.88 ms.These results suggest that the BaLiZn_(3)(BO_(3))_(3):Eu^(3+)phosphors have the potential application as a red component in white light emitting diodes(WLEDs)with NUV or blue chips.

Ferroptosis:challenges and opportunities for nanomaterials in cancer therapy

Ferroptosis,a completely new form of regulated cell death,is mainly caused by an imbalance between oxidative damage and reductive protection and has shown great anti-cancer potential.However,existing small-molecule ferroptosis inducers have various limitations,such as poor water solubility,drug resistance and low targeting ability,hindering their clinical applications.Nanotechnology provides new opportunities for ferroptosis-driven tumor therapy.Especially,stimuli-responsive nanomaterials stand out among others and have been widely researched because of their unique spatiotemporal control advantages.Therefore,it’s necessary to summarize the application of those stimuli-responsive nanomaterials in ferroptosis.Here,we describe the physiological feature of ferroptosis and illustrate the current challenges to induce ferroptosis for cancer therapy.Then,nanomaterials that induce ferroptosis are classified and elaborated according to the external and internal stimuli.Finally,the future perspectives in the field are proposed.We hope this review facilitates paving the way for the design of intelligent nano-ferroptosis inducers.

Ferromagnetism in sp^(2) carbon

The bulk,pristine sp^(2) carbons,such as graphite,carbon nanotubes,and graphene,are usually assumed to be typical diamagnetic materials.However,over the past two decades,there have been many reports about the ferromagnetism in these sp^(2) carbon materials,which have attracted intense interest for basic research and potential applications.In this review,we focus on the evidence and developments of the emergent ferromagnetism in sp^(2) carbon revealed by nine kinds of experimental methods:magnetic force microscopy(MFM),magnetization measurements with physical property measurement system(PPMS),X-ray magnetic circular dichroism(XMCD),scanning tunneling microscopy(STM),miniaturized magnetic particle inspection(MPI),anomalous Hall effect(AHE),mechanical deflection of carbon nanotube cantilevers,magnetoresistance,and spin-related devices(spin field effect transistor and spin memory).The advantages,conclusions,challenges,and future of these methods are discussed.The ferromagnetism in sp^(2) carbon will open a door to explore exotic physical phenomena and lay the basis for the development of integrated circuit of spintronics,which is fundamentally different from charge-based conventional electronics.

Advancing intestinal organoid technology to decipher nano-intestine interactions and treat intestinal disease

With research burgeoning in nanoscience and nanotechnology,there is an urgent need to develop new biological models that can simulate native structure,function,and genetic properties of tissues to evaluate the adverse or beneficial effects of nanomaterials on a host.Among the current biological models,three-dimensional(3D)organoids have developed as powerful tools in the study of nanomaterial-biology(nano-bio)interactions,since these models can overcome many of the limitations of cell and animal models.A deep understanding of organoid techniques will facilitate the development of more efficient nanomedicines and further the fields of tissue engineering and personalized medicine.Herein,we summarize the recent progress in intestinal organoids culture systems with a focus on our understanding of the nature and influencing factors of intestinal organoid growth.We also discuss biomimetic extracellular matrices(ECMs)coupled with nanotechnology.In particular,we analyze the application prospects for intestinal organoids in investigating nano-intestine interactions.By integrating nanotechnology and organoid technology,this recently developed model will fill the gaps left due to the deficiencies of traditional cell and animal models,thus accelerating both our understanding of intestine-related nanotoxicity and the development of nanomedicines.

LNP-CDN:一种可以解除恶性胸腔积液免疫抑制微环境的新型纳米材料

Malignant pleural effusion(MPE)is a pleural effusion caused by a primary pleural tumor or other malignant tumor that has metastasized to the pleura[1],and its presence usually indicates that the cancer has already spread or advanced.Patients with MPE have a poor prognosis,often presenting with respiratory distress and impaired quality of life.

Engineering Nano−Bio Interfaces from Nanomaterials to Nanomedicines

CONSPECTUS:The nano−bio interface refers to the physical interface between the biological system and nanoscale surface topography,functioning as the barrier between two phases where critical reactions occur.In the last two decades,advances in nanofabrication techniques have heralded a new research area utilizing precisely engineered surfaces and structures to control cell cycles,pathways of metabolism,immune responses,and so forth.At the cellular level,engineered nanomaterials(ENMs)with typical surfaces and structures have been shown to actively affect biological responses,such as stimulating macrophage polarization,monitoring reduction−oxidation equilibrium,and manipulating protease activities via tunable nano−bio interactions.In this Account,we outline our recent progress in surface engineering and structural engineering to improve nano−bio interactions and the performance of nanomedicine.To regulate nanomaterial−molecule and nanomaterial−membrane interactions,we summarize the classical types of nano−bio interaction,extract the essential parameters in nanomaterial surface engineering and structural engineering,and propose effective techniques of surface engineering and structural engineering.We start with identifying the types of dominant interactions between nanomedicines and vital biomolecules:nanonucleic acids,nanoproteins,and nanomembranes.The surface engineering strategies of nano−bio interface tailoring are then arranged into four perspectives:the protein corona(the two modes of protein corona formation and their impacts on altering the affinity profiles of nanomaterials to biological systems),thermoresponsive polymers in superficial modification(passive activation by in situ gelation and active regulation by photothermal conversion),stimulus-induced bonding groups(mediation of nanoparticle aggregation to balance the penetration depth and long-term retention),and inherent surface properties(surface roughness for maximized nano−bio adhesion,surface charge for electrostatic attraction and biological barrier penetration of nanoparticles,and skeleton oxidation to boost nano−bio hydrogen bonding).Structural engineering of nanomaterials occurs by remote manipulation through electron-transfer facilitation(doping,heterojunction,defects,and vacancies)of the nano−bio interaction,following multifaceted solutions that combine multiple surface engineering plans.The scopes and limitation section discusses the prospective problems that can occur when nanomaterials/nanomedicines interact in biological contexts.Because both clinical and laboratory studies have shown the influence of surface topological features on biological responses,the feedback of biological systems to different topographical features of nanomaterials/nanomedicines is essential for us to comprehend the nano−bio interface at the relevant nanometer length scale.For on-demand nano−bio interactions,the discovery provides insight into the rational design of nanomaterials/nanomedicines.