Organelle-targeted photodynamic platforms: from ICD activation to tumor ablation.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD), as a specific type of regulated cell death, enhances the infiltration of effector T cells into tumors and boosts the anti-tumor immune response. Studies have shown that photodynamic therapy (PDT) can effectively activate the immune system at tumor sites, inducing immunogenic cell death. However, PDT requires a supply of oxygen and a deeper light penetration depth.

Negatively Charged Peptides Assisted Gold Nanorod-Based Nano-Magic Bullet for Mitochondria-Targeting and Imaging-Guided Synergistic Photothermal/Dynamic Therapy.

Mitochondria-targeting synergistic photothermal/dynamic therapy (PTT/PDT) represents a promising approach for enhancing cancer therapy. However, only a few such smart nanoparticles are currently available and most of them with existing moieties for targeting mitochondria are based on the delocalized lipophilic cations, which pose potential toxicity due to their accumulation in the mitochondrial membrane. Herein, a multifunctional "nano-magic bullet" (AuNR-Ce6) is designed engineered with negatively charged peptides for mitochondria-targeting, and imaging-guided synergistic PTT/PDT.

A novel photosensitive nanoprobe combined with CRISPR/Cas12a for dual signal amplification detection of ANGPTL2.

The detection of specific protein biomarkers holds significant potential for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the accurate quantification of low-abundance proteins in serum presents a major challenge due to factors such as limited sensitivity and the complexity of the required methodologies. In this work, we established a universal CRISPR/Cas biosensing platform by integrating novel photosensitive nanoprobes (DA/PL@Cu NPs) and CRISPR/Cas12 system (DPC-Cas) for the highly sensitive, specific and user-friendly detection of angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2).

Correction: Carbon-dot-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for detecting hydrogen sulfide in aqueous media and inside live cells.

Correction for 'Carbon-dot-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for detecting hydrogen sulfide in aqueous media and inside live cells' by Changmin Yu , , 2013, , 403-405, https://doi.org/10.1039/C2CC37329G.

Simple design of fluorescein-based probe for rapid and in situ visual monitoring of histamine levels in food spoilage.

With the emergence of numerous food safety problems, rapid and accurate detection of histamine in food spoilage remains a challenge. To this end, we developed a simple design and easy synthesis of fluorescein-based probe FCHO to achieve specific and rapid (<1 s) quantitative detection of histamine through "imine formation" reaction. Significant enhanced fluorescence signal in response to histamine enabled our probe with high sensitivity as low as 51 nM.

Covalent assembly-based two-photon fluorescent probes for in situ visualizing nitroreductase activities: From cancer cells to human cancer tissues.

Nitroreductase (NTR) is widely regarded as a biomarker whose enzymatic activity correlates with the degree of hypoxia in solid malignant tumors. Herein, we utilized 2-dimethylamino-7-hydroxynaphthalene as fluorophore linked diverse nitroaromatic groups to obtain four NTR-activatable two-photon fluorescent probes based on covalent assembly strategy. With the help of computer docking simulation and in vitro assay, the sulfonate-based probe XN3 was proved to be able to identify NTR activity with best performances in rapid response, outstanding specificity, and sensitivity in comparison with the other three probes.

Homologous Tumor Cell-Derived Biomimetic Nano-Trojan Horse Integrating Chemotherapy with Genetherapy for Boosting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that carries the worst prognosis and lacks specific therapeutic targets. To achieve accurate "cargos" delivery at the TNBC site, we herein constructed a novel biomimetic nano-Trojan horse integrating chemotherapy with gene therapy for boosting TNBC treatment. Briefly, we initially introduce the diselenide-bond-containing organosilica moieties into the framework of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MONs), thereby conferring biodegradability to intratumoral redox conditions in the obtained MON.

Biodegradable Mesoporous Organosilica-Based Nanostabilizer Targeting Mast Cells for Long-Term Treatment of Allergic Diseases.

Allergic diseases are immune system dysfunctions mediated by mast cell (MC) activation stimulated by specific allergens. However, current small molecular MC stabilizers for allergic disease prevention often require multiple doses over a long period of time and are associated with serious side effects. Herein, we develop a diselenide-bridged mesoporous silica nanostabilizer, proving that it could specifically target sensitized MCs via the recognition of IgE aptamer and IgE.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe with two-photon excitation for in situ imaging of NQO1 in human colorectum cancer tissue.

Colorectum cancer has become one of the most fatal cancer diseases, in which NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays a role in intracellular free radical reduction and detoxification and has been linked to colorectum cancer and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, rational design of optical probe for NQO1 detection is urgent for the early diagnosis of colorectum cancer. Herein, we have developed a novel two-photon fluorescent probe, WHFD, which is capable of selectively detecting of intracellular NQO1 with two-photon (TP) absorption (800 nm) and near-infrared emission (620 nm).

Stimuli-responsive biodegradable silica nanoparticles: From native structure designs to biological applications.

Due to their inherent advantages, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have greatly potential applications as bioactive materials in biosensors/biomedicine. However, the long-term and nonspecific accumulation in healthy tissues may give rise to toxicity, thereby impeding their widespread clinical application. Hence, it is imperative and noteworthy to develop biodegradable and clearable SiNPs for biomedical purposes.

A novel coumarin-fluorescein-based fluorescent probe for ultrafast and visual detection of HS in a Parkinson's disease model.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has a crucial impact on diverse biological processes and has been shown to be related to various diseases. Many probes have been developed to detect intracellular HS by fluorescent imaging. However, the development of rapid, highly selective and sensitive HS probes remains a challenge.

Linking Heat Shock Protein 70 and Parkin in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of elderly people worldwide and is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PD are still not fully understood, but it is well accepted that the misfolding, aggregation, and abnormal degradation of proteins are the key causative factors of PD. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is a molecular chaperone that participates in the degradation of misfolded and aggregated proteins in living cells and organisms.

Paper-based microfluidics and tailored gold nanoparticles for visual colorimetric detection of multiplex allergens.

The highly efficient and accurate recognition of targeted allergens is an essential element in the diagnosis of allergic diseases and follow-up desensitization treatment in clinic. The current clinical methods widely used to detect sIgE are high cost, time-consuming procedures, and bulky equipment. Herein, a multiplex microfluidic paper-based device (multi-μPAD) was developed that combined with tailored gold nanoparticles for simultaneously visual, colorimetric detection of different allergens in serum.

Design and Synthesis of a Mitochondrial-Targeted JNK Inhibitor and Its Protective Effect on Parkinson's Disease Phenotypes.

C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a key mediator involved in a variety of physiological processes. JNK activation is regulated in a complex manner by upstream kinases and phosphatases, and plays an important role in physiological processes such as the immune response and neuronal function. Therefore, JNK has become a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, arthritis and other diseases.

Vitamin B12 Ameliorates the Pathological Phenotypes of Multiple Parkinson's Disease Models by Alleviating Oxidative Stress.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. The etiology of PD has yet to be elucidated, and the disease remains incurable. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress is the key causative factor of PD.

A light-activated magnetic bead strategy utilized in spatio-temporal controllable exosomes isolation.

Tumor-derived exosomes are considered as a key biomarker in the field of liquid biopsy. However, conventional separation techniques such as ultracentrifugation, co-precipitation and column chromatography cannot isolate samples with high throughput, while traditional immunomagnetic separation techniques, due to steric effect of magnetic beads, reducing sensitivity of exosomes optical detection. Herein, we provide a novel and simple nanoplatform for spatiotemporally controlling extraction and elution of exosomes magnetic separation and light-activated cargo release.

Colorimetric visualization of histamine secreted by basophils based on DSP-functionalized gold nanoparticles.

Histamine released by activated basophils has become an important biomarker and therapeutic target in the development of allergic diseases. To date, several gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based nanosensors have been reported for histamine detection in foods. However, rapid, highly sensitive and direct detection of histamine in allergic diseases is still lacking due to the complexity of the physical environment.

Two-Photon Small-Molecule Fluorogenic Probes for Visualizing Endogenous Nitroreductase Activities from Tumor Tissues of a Cancer Patient.

Nitroreductase (NTR), a common enzymatic biomarker of hypoxia, is widely used to evaluate tumor microenvironments. To date, numerous optical probes have been reported for NTRs detection. Approaches capable of concisely guiding the probe design of NTRs suitable for deep-tissue imaging, however, are still lacking.

Small-molecule fluorescent probes based on covalent assembly strategy for chemoselective bioimaging.

Fluorescent probes have been widely studied and applied in environment and health analysis, where among them small molecular "covalent assembly" probes are a novel type of reaction probes with many advantages, including no background interference, remarkable colorimetric change, rapid response, high sensitivity, and strong fluorescent signal. During the past decade, significant contributions have been made globally to both the application and mechanism of covalent assembly probes. In this review, we summarize the recent development of covalent assembly probes, classifying them based on different analytes, such as anions, metal ions, small biological molecules, reactive oxidative spices (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), nerve agent mimics, and enzymes, and introduce their detection mechanism in detail.

Simultaneously Detecting Monoamine Oxidase A and B in Disease Cell/Tissue Samples Using Paper-Based Devices.

As enzymes in the outer membrane of the mitochondrion, monoamine oxidases (MAOs) can catalyze the oxidative deamination of monoamines in the human body. According to different substrates, MAOs can be divided into MAO-A and MAO-B. The imbalance of the MAO-A is associated with neurological degeneration, while excess MAO-B activity is closely connected with Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD); therefore, detection of MAOs is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

Horseradish peroxidase-triggered direct in situ fluorescent immunoassay platform for sensing cardiac troponin I and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in serum.

Direct in situ fluorescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is rarely investigated and reported. Herein, a direct in situ high-performance HRP-labeled fluorescent immunoassay platform was constructed. The platform was developed based on a rapid in situ fluorogenic reaction between Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) analogues to generate fluorescent copolymer nanoparticles (FCNPs).

Wearable Sweat Biosensors Refresh Personalized Health/Medical Diagnostics.

Sweat contains a broad range of critical biomarkers including ions, small molecules, and macromolecules that may indirectly or directly reflect the health status of the human body and thereby help track disease progression. Wearable sweat biosensors enable the collection and analysis of sweat , achieving real-time, continuous, and noninvasive monitoring of human biochemical parameters at the molecular level. This review summarizes the physiological/pathological information of sweat and wearable sweat biosensors.