PhotoPhage: A Virus-based Photothermal Therapeutic Agent

ABSTRACT: Virus like particles (VLPs) are non-infectious multifunctional nanocarriers with the pathogenic-like architecture of viruses. They can serve as a safe platform for precise functionalization and immunization, which provides benefits in a wide range of biomedical applications. In this work, we describe the development of novel immunophotothermal agent for combinatorial photothermal ablation and immunotherapy based on VLP of bacteriophage Qβ. The design was based on covalent conjugation of 212 water soluble near-infrared absorbing croconium dyes to lysine residues located on the surface of Qβ, which turned it to a powerful NIR-absorber with photothermal efficiencies exceeding that of gold nanostructures. This PhotoPhage system generates heat upon 808 nm NIR laser radiation and causes significant cellular cytotoxicity that prevents the progression of primary tumors in mice. It is found that PhotoPhage not only acts as a PTT agent that initiates anti-tumor immune response, but also simultaneously acts as an immunoadjuvant that promotes maturation of dendritic cells, triggers T lymphocyte cells (CD4+, CD8+) and reduces suppressive T regulatory cells leading to effective suppression of primary tumors, reducing lung metastases, and increasing survival time.

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PhotothermalPhage: A Virus-Based Photothermal Therapeutic Agent

10.33774/chemrxiv-2021-gl4s5-v3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Arezoo Shahrivarkevishahi ◽

Michael A. Luzuriaga ◽

Fabian C. Herbert ◽

Alisia C. Tumac ◽

Olivia R. Brohlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomedical Applications ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Therapeutic Agent ◽

Primary Tumors ◽

Chemically Modified ◽

Photothermal Ablation ◽

Wide Range ◽

Lysine Residues ◽

New Generation ◽

Multifunctional Nanocarriers

ABSTRACT: Virus-like particles (VLPs) are multifunctional nanocarriers that mimic the architecture of viruses. They can serve as a safe platform for specific functionalization and immunization, which provides benefits in a wide range of biomedical applications. In this work, a new generation immunophotothermal agent is developed that adjuvants photothermal ablation using a chemically modified VLP called bacteriophage Qβ. The design is based on the conjugation of near-infrared absorbing croconium dyes to lysine residues located on the surface of Qβ, which turns it to a powerful NIR-absorber called Photothermal Phage. This system can generate more heat upon 808 nm NIR laser radiation than free dye and possesses a photothermal efficiency comparable to gold nanostructures, yet it is biodegradable and acts as an immunoadjuvant combined with the heat it produces. The synergistic combination of thermal ablation with the mild immunogenicity of the VLP leads to effective suppression of primary tumors, reduced lung metastasis, and increased survival time.

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Two-photon polymerization nanolithography technology for fabrication of stimulus-responsive micro/nano-structures for biomedical applications

Nanotechnology Reviews ◽

10.1515/ntrev-2020-0073 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 1118-1136

Author(s):

Zhenjia Huang ◽

Gary Chi-Pong Tsui ◽

Yu Deng ◽

Chak-Yin Tang

Keyword(s):

Biomedical Applications ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Fabrication Technology ◽

Nano Fabrication ◽

Two Photon ◽

Nano Structures ◽

Wide Range ◽

Stimulus Responsive ◽

Two Photon Polymerization

AbstractMicro/nano-fabrication technology via two-photon polymerization (TPP) nanolithography is a powerful and useful manufacturing tool that is capable of generating two dimensional (2D) to three dimensional (3D) arbitrary micro/nano-structures of various materials with a high spatial resolution. This technology has received tremendous interest in cell and tissue engineering and medical microdevices because of its remarkable fabrication capability for sophisticated structures from macro- to nano-scale, which are difficult to be achieved by traditional methods with limited microarchitecture controllability. To fabricate precisely designed 3D micro/nano-structures for biomedical applications via TPP nanolithography, the use of photoinitiators (PIs) and photoresists needs to be considered comprehensively and systematically. In this review, widely used commercially available PIs are first discussed, followed by elucidating synthesis strategies of water-soluble initiators for biomedical applications. In addition to the conventional photoresists, the distinctive properties of customized stimulus-responsive photoresists are discussed. Finally, current limitations and challenges in the material and fabrication aspects and an outlook for future prospects of TPP for biomedical applications based on different biocompatible photosensitive composites are discussed comprehensively. In all, this review provides a basic understanding of TPP technology and important roles of PIs and photoresists for fabricating high-precision stimulus-responsive micro/nano-structures for a wide range of biomedical applications.

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Recent advances in melanin-like nanomaterials in biomedical applications: a mini review

Biomaterials Research ◽

10.1186/s40824-019-0175-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jihyo Park ◽

Haeram Moon ◽

Seonki Hong

Keyword(s):

Biomedical Applications ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Photoacoustic Imaging ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Main Body ◽

Photothermal Conversion ◽

Chemical Structures ◽

Wide Range ◽

Analytical Tools

Abstract Background Melanins are a group of biopigments in microorganisms that generate a wide range of colorants. Due to their multifunctionality, including ultraviolet protection, radical scavenging, and photothermal conversion, in addition to their intrinsic biocompatibility, natural melanins and synthetic melanin-like nanomaterials have been suggested as novel nano-bio platforms in biomedical applications. Main body Recent approaches in the synthesis of melanin-like nanomaterials and their biomedical applications have briefly been reviewed. Melanin-like nanomaterials have been suggested as endogenous chromophores for photoacoustic imaging and radical scavengers for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The photothermal conversion ability of these materials under near-infrared irradiation allows hyperthermia-mediated cancer treatments, and their intrinsic fluorescence can be an indicator in biosensing applications. Furthermore, catechol-rich melanin and melanin-like nanomaterials possess a versatile affinity for various functional organic and inorganic additives, allowing the design of multifunctional hybrid nanomaterials that expand their range of applications in bioimaging, therapy, theranostics, and biosensing. Conclusion Melanin-like natural and synthetic nanomaterials have emerged; however, the under-elucidated chemical structures of these materials are still a major obstacle to the construction of novel nanomaterials through bottom-up approaches and tuning the material properties at the molecular level. Further advancements in melanin-based medical applications can be achieved with the incorporation of next-generation chemical and molecular analytical tools.

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Near-infrared photopolymerization assisted by upconversion nanophosphors for biomedical applications

EPJ Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/epjconf/201819004018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 190 ◽

pp. 04018

Author(s):

Alexander G. Savelyev ◽

Vladimir A. Semchishen ◽

Andrey V. Nechaev ◽

Kirill V. Khaydukov ◽

Polina A. Demina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laser Beam ◽

Laser Irradiation ◽

Biomedical Applications ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Beam Waist ◽

Experimental Demonstration ◽

Wide Range ◽

Ultraviolet Photons

We present the concept and the experimental demonstration of near-infrared photopolymerization assisted by specially designed upconversion nanophosphors. The principle of this technique is based on conversion of 980 nm laser irradiation to ultraviolet photons subsequently absorbed by photoinitiator. The nonlinearity of upconversion allows for activation of the process locally in the laser beam waist. This approach enables precise fabrication of 3D constructs directly in the volume of photocurable composition. Furthermore, the presented technique is suitable for polymerization of a wide range of photocurable resins as well as gelation of hydrogels for biomedical applications.

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Microsponges: An Overview

International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology ◽

10.25258/ijddt.v4i4.8860 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Hamid Hussain ◽

Divya Juyal ◽

Archana Dhyani

Keyword(s):

Controlled Release ◽

Delivery System ◽

Oral Delivery ◽

Active Agent ◽

Topical Delivery ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Wide Range ◽

Porous Beads

Microsponge and Nanosponge delivery System was originally developed for topical delivery of drugs can also be used for controlled oral delivery of drugs using water soluble and bioerodible polymers. Microsponge delivery system (MDS) can entrap wide range of drugs and then release them onto the skin over a time by difussion mechanism to the skin. It is a unique technology for the controlled release of topical agents and consists of nano or micro porous beads loaded with active agent and also use for oral delivery of drugs using bioerodible polymers.

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The content of decenoic acids in drone brood preparations and combined preparations based on it

Biomics ◽

10.31301/2221-6197.bmcs.2020-29 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 389-393

Author(s):

D.V. Mitrofanov ◽

N.V. Budnikova

Keyword(s):

Royal Jelly ◽

Storage Conditions ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Biologically Active Substances ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Strict Adherence ◽

Drone Brood ◽

Wide Range ◽

Active Substances ◽

Melanin Complex

The drone brood contains a large number of substances with antioxidant activity. These substances require stabilization and strict adherence to storage conditions. Among these substances are unique decenoic acids, the content of which is an indicator of the quality of drone brood and products based on it. The ability of drone brood to reduce the manifestations of oxidative stress is shown. There are dietary supplements for food and drugs based on drone brood, which are used for a wide range of diseases. Together with drone brood, chitosan-containing products, propolis, royal jelly can be used. They enrich the composition with their own biologically active substances and affect the preservation of the biologically active substances of the drone brood. Promising are the products containing, in addition to the drone brood, a chitin-chitosan-melanin complex from bees, propolis, royal jelly. The chitin-chitosan-melanin complex in the amount of 5% in the composition of the adsorbent practically does not affect the preservation of decenic acids, while in the amount of 2% and 10% it somewhat worsens. The acid-soluble and water-soluble chitosan of marine crustaceans significantly worsens the preservation of decenoic acids in the product. Drone brood with royal jelly demonstrates a rather high content of decenoic acids. When propolis is introduced into the composition of the product, the content of decenoic acids increases according to the content of propolis.

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Portable near Infrared Spectroscopy as a Tool for Fresh Tomato Quality Control Analysis in the Field

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11073209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 3209

Author(s):

Karla R. Borba ◽

Didem P. Aykas ◽

Maria I. Milani ◽

Luiz A. Colnago ◽

Marcos D. Ferreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Citric Acid ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Quality Attributes ◽

Internal Quality ◽

Control Analysis ◽

Tomato Quality ◽

Wide Range ◽

Different Types ◽

Fresh Tomato

Portable spectrometers are promising tools that can be an alternative way, for various purposes, of analyzing food quality, such as monitoring in a few seconds the internal quality during fruit ripening in the field. A portable/handheld (palm-sized) near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer (Neospectra, Si-ware) with spectral range of 1295–2611 nm, equipped with a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMs), was used to develop prediction models to evaluate tomato quality attributes non-destructively. Soluble solid content (SSC), fructose, glucose, titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic, and citric acid contents of different types of fresh tomatoes were analyzed with standard methods, and those values were correlated to spectral data by partial least squares regression (PLSR). Fresh tomato samples were obtained in 2018 and 2019 crops in commercial production, and four fruit types were evaluated: Roma, round, grape, and cherry tomatoes. The large variation in tomato types and having the fruits from distinct years resulted in a wide range in quality parameters enabling robust PLSR models. Results showed accurate prediction and good correlation (Rpred) for SSC = 0.87, glucose = 0.83, fructose = 0.87, ascorbic acid = 0.81, and citric acid = 0.86. Our results support the assertion that a handheld NIR spectrometer has a high potential to simultaneously determine several quality attributes of different types of tomatoes in a practical and fast way.

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Breast Cancer Cell Re-Dissemination from Lung Metastases—A Mechanism for Enhancing Metastatic Burden

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112340 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2340

Author(s):

Lucia Borriello ◽

John Condeelis ◽

David Entenberg ◽

Maja H. Oktay

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Metastatic Disease ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Lung Metastases ◽

Primary Tumors ◽

Metastatic Burden ◽

First Time ◽

Do So

Although metastatic disease is the primary cause of mortality in cancer patients, the mechanisms leading to overwhelming metastatic burden are still incompletely understood. Metastases are the endpoint of a series of multi-step events involving cancer cell intravasation, dissemination to distant organs, and outgrowth to metastatic colonies. Here we show, for the first-time, that breast cancer cells do not solely disseminate to distant organs from primary tumors and metastatic nodules in the lymph nodes, but also do so from lung metastases. Thus, our findings indicate that metastatic dissemination could continue even after the removal of the primary tumor. Provided that the re-disseminated cancer cells initiate growth upon arrival to distant sites, cancer cell re-dissemination from metastatic foci could be one of the crucial mechanisms leading to overt metastases and patient demise. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic strategies to block cancer cell re-dissemination would be crucial to improving survival of patients with metastatic disease.

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