HA/PEI-coated acridine orange-loaded gold-core silica shell nanorods for cancer-targeted photothermal and chemotherapy

Aims: To develop a tumor-targeted chemo-photothermal nanomedicine through the functionalization of acridine orange (AO)-loaded gold-core mesoporous silica shell (AuMSS) nanorods with polyethylenimine (PEI) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Methods: Functionalization of the AuMSS nanorods was achieved through the chemical linkage of PEI followed by electrostatic adsorption of HA. Results: HA functionalization improved AuMSS' cytocompatibility by decreasing blood hemolysis, and PEI-HA inclusion promoted a controlled and sustained AO release. In vitro assays revealed that HA functionalization increased the internalization of nanoparticles by human negroid cervix epithelioid carcinoma cancer (HeLa) cells, and the combinatorial treatment mediated by AuMSS/PEI/HA_AO nanorods presented an enhanced effect, with >95% of cellular death. Conclusion: AuMSS/PEI/HA_AO formulations can act as tumor-targeted chemo-photothermal nanomedicines for the combinatorial therapy of cervical cancer.

Isocyanide Substitution in Acridine Orange Shifts DNA Damage-Mediated Phototoxicity to Permeabilization of the Lysosomal Membrane in Cancer Cells

In cancer therapy, immunogenic cell death eliminates tumor cells more efficiently than conventional apoptosis. During photodynamic therapy (PDT), some photosensitizer (PS) targeting lysosomes divert apoptosis to the immunologically more relevant necrosis-like cell death. Acridine orange (AO) is a PS targeting lysosome. We synthesized a new compound, 3-N,N-dimethylamino-6-isocyanoacridine (DM), a modified AO, aiming to target lysosomes better. To compare DM and AO, we studied optical properties, toxicity, cell internalization, and phototoxicity. In addition, light-mediated effects were monitored by the recently developed QUINESIn method on nuclei, and membrane stability, morphology, and function of lysosomes utilizing fluorescent probes by imaging cytometry in single cells. DM proved to be a better lysosomal marker at 405 nm excitation and lysed lysosomes more efficiently. AO injured DNA and histones more extensively than DM. Remarkably, DM’s optical properties helped visualize shockwaves of nuclear DNA released from cells during the PDT. The asymmetric polar modification of the AO leads to a new compound, DM, which has increased efficacy in targeting and disrupting lysosomes. Suitable AO modification may boost adaptive immune response making PDT more efficient.

Leaching of BPA from Baby Feeding Bottle, Aluminium Can and Thermal Printed Paper: Application of Acridine Orange Oxidation Inhibition Method to Estimate BPA

The potential of leaching Bisphenol-A (BPA) from plastic baby feeding bottles, aluminum cans, and thermal printed receipts was investigated under the aquatic condition at high temperatures. BPA is often used to manufacture cross-linked epoxy resin to coat food cans to prevent direct contact with metals and plastic materials. BPA leached from consumer product was analyzed using UV-Visible Spectrophotometer based on the inhibitory effect of BPA on acridine orange oxidation, as a function of change in temperature and time of contact of water with the samples. The proposed method of BPA estimation method was found to be significant and useful for aquatic conditions without any extraction and/or derivatization. The detection limit of BPA under the current experimental setup was 0.1 ng/ml. The results of BPA leached from baby feeding PET bottles, aluminum can with epoxy resin lining, and thermal paper were 87±10 ng/bottles, 68±5 ng/bottle, and 110±15 ng/receipt under the current experimental conditions.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC) Exosomes Inhibit Angiogenesis and Enhance Autophagy Through Decreasing miR-21 in Cervical Cancer

We aimed to explore the mechanism underlying the role of miR-21 derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (BMSC-exos) in cervical cancer (CC) and the relation between angiogenesis and autophagy. In this study, BMSC-exos were co-cultured with CC stem cells followed by analysis of miR-21 expression by RT-qPCR, autophagy after hunger-induced feeding by Acridine Orange fluorescent staining, angiogenesis by tube formation assay. Co-culture of BMSC-exos effectively reduced miR-21 expression in CC stem cells and enhanced autophagy as demonstrated by upregulated Beclin1 and LC3B with assembly of autophagosome (p < 0.05), but the autophagy restored later. Moreover, in the presence of BMSC-exos, CC stem cell angiogenesis was suppressed by 79%. In conclusion, BMSC-exos enhance autophagy and inhibit angiogenesis in CC through decreasing miR-21, which provides a novel insight into etiology of CC.