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Ligands were anchored onto nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the cell internalization and tumor localization of chemotherapeutics. However, the clinical application was shadowed by the complex preparation procedure and the immunogenicity and poor selectivity and stability of ligands. In this study, a novel strategy was developed to elevate the tumor cellular uptake and tumor localization of NPs utilizing the G2/M phase retention effect of docetaxel, one of the most common chemotherapeutics. Results showed pretreatment with docetaxel could effectively arrest cells in G2/M phase, leading to an enhanced cell uptake of NPs, which may be caused by the facilitated endocytosis of NPs. In vivo imaging and slice distribution also demonstrated the pretreatment with docetaxel improved the localization of NPs in tumor. This strategy can be easily transferred to clinical for cancer management. Combination chemotherapeutics injections with commercial nano-drugs may result in better antitumor effect than the administration of a single drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term allograft survival is a major challenge facing solid organ transplantation. Recent studies have shown a negative correlation between infiltration of memory T cells and allograft survival. Furthermore, blockade of leukocyte activation increases acceptance of transplanted organs, including heart, liver, and kidney. Lung allografts are associated with high rates of rejection, and therapies that increase acceptance of other transplanted organs have not translated into the lung. In this issue of the JCI, Krupnick and colleagues demonstrate in a murine model that lung allograft acceptance requires infiltration of a specific T cell population into the graft. This study highlights the unique immunobiology of the lung and the complexity of lung transplant tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs) were widely used in drugs/probes delivery for improved disease diagnosis and/or treatment. Targeted delivery to cancer cells is a highly attractive application of NPs. However, few studies have been performed on the targeting mechanisms of these ligand-modified delivery systems. Additional studies are needed to understand the transport of nanoparticles in the cancer site, the interactions between nanoparticles and cancer cells, the intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles within the cancer cells and the subcellular destiny and potential toxicity. Interleukin 13 (IL-13) peptide can specifically bind IL-13Rα2, a receptor that is highly expressed on glioma cells but is expressed at low levels on other normal cells. It was shown that the nanoparticels modification with the IL-13 peptide could improve glioma treatment by selectively increasing cellular uptake, facilitating cell internalization, altering the uptake pathway and increasing glioma localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual circulation, supplied by bronchial and pulmonary artery-derived vessels, normally perfuses the airways from the trachea to the terminal bronchioles. This vascular system has been highly conserved through mammalian evolution and is disrupted at the time of lung transplantation. In most transplant centers, this circulation is not restored. The Papworth Hospital Autopsy study has revealed that an additional attrition of periairway vessels is associated with the development of chronic rejection, otherwise known as the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). Experimental studies subsequently demonstrated that airway vessels are subject to alloimmune injury and that the loss of a functional microvascular system identifies allografts that cannot be rescued with immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, surgical and medical strategies, which preserve the functionality of the existent vasculature in lung transplant patients, may conceivably limit the incidence of BOS. Given these unique anatomic and physiological considerations, there is an emerging rationale to better understand the perfusion and oxygenation status of airways in transplanted lungs. This article describes novel methodologies, some newly developed by our group, for assessing airway tissue oxygenation and perfusion in experimental and clinical transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic rejection, manifested as small airway fibrosis (obliterative bronchiolitis [OB]), is the main obstacle to long-term survival in lung transplantation. Recent studies demonstrate that the airways involved in a lung transplant are relatively hypoxic at baseline and that OB pathogenesis may be linked to ischemia induced by a transient loss of airway microvasculature. Here, we show that HIF-1α mediates airway microvascular repair in a model of orthotopic tracheal transplantation. Grafts with a conditional knockout of Hif1a demonstrated diminished recruitment of recipient-derived Tie2⁺ angiogenic cells to the allograft, impaired repair of damaged microvasculature, accelerated loss of microvascular perfusion, and hastened denudation of epithelial cells. In contrast, graft HIF-1α overexpression induced via an adenoviral vector prolonged airway microvascular perfusion, preserved epithelial integrity, extended the time window for the graft to be rescued from chronic rejection, and attenuated airway fibrotic remodeling. HIF-1α overexpression induced the expression of proangiogenic factors such as Sdf1, Plgf, and Vegf, and promoted the recruitment of vasoreparative Tie2⁺ cells. This study demonstrates that a therapy that enhances vascular integrity during acute rejection may promote graft health and prevent chronic rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are reporting a simple and rapid method to prepare superparamagnetic, controlled size, and monodispersed magnetic cationic polymeric liposomes (MCPL) by octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (OQCMC) and cholesterol. The whole process is only about 25 min with simple thin-film dispersion and solvent evaporation method. Hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles (LM) and hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles (BM) can be encapsulated into these cationic polymeric liposomes, simultaneously or respectively. A model hydrophobic drug indomethacin can be successfully filled in MCPL with high drug loading capacity 22%. MCPL encapsulating BM also showed strong DNA (pEGFP) binding ability. Drug-loaded MCPL have a long and controlled sustained release profile by changing the number of polymeric lipid layer. These functional MCPL nanospheres can be allowed to serve as ideal candidates for many biomedical applications. A simple and rapid liposome method was reported to prepare superparamagnetic, controlled size, and monodispersed magnetic cationic polymeric liposomes (MCPL) by polymeric surfactant, octadecyl quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (OQCMC), and cholesterol. Hydrophilic Fe3O4 ferrofluid and hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles can be encapsulated into these cationic polymeric liposomes, simultaneously or respectively. Hydrophobic drug indomethacin can be encapsulated into this MCPL with high encapsulating efficiency and with controlled release profile by changing the number of polymeric lipid layer.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lectins are sugar-binding proteins that specifically recognize sugar complexes. Based on the specificity of protein-sugar interactions, different lectins could be used as carrier molecules to target drugs specifically to different cells which express different glycan arrays. In spite of lectin's interesting biological potential for drug targeting and delivery, a potential disadvantage of natural lectins may be large size molecules that results in immunogenicity and toxicity. Smaller peptides which can mimic the function of lectins are promising candidates for drug targeting. Principal Findings: Small peptide with lectin-like behavior was screened from amphibian skin secretions and its structure and function were studied by NMR, NMR-titration, SPR and mutant analysis. A lectin-like peptide named odorranalectin was identified from skin secretions of Odorrana grahami. It was composed of 17 aa with a sequence of YASPKCFRYPNGVLACT. Lfucose could specifically inhibit the haemagglutination induced by odorranalectin. 125I-odorranalectin was stable in mice plasma. In experimental mouse models, odorranalectin was proved to mainly conjugate to liver, spleen and lung after i.v. administration. Odorranalectin showed extremely low toxicity and immunogenicity in mice. The small size and single disulfide bridge of odorranalectin make it easy to manipulate for developing as a drug targeting system. The cyclic peptide of odorranalectin disclosed by solution NMR study adopts a β-turn conformation stabilized by one intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys6-Cys16 and three hydrogen bonds between Phe7-Ala15, Tyr9-Val13, Tyr9-Gly12. Residues K5, C6, F7, C16 and T17 consist of the binding site of L-fucose on odorranalectin determined by NMR titration and mutant analysis. The structure of odorranalectin in bound form is more stable than in free form. Conclusion: These findings identify the smallest lectin so far, and show the application potential of odorranalectin for drug delivery and targeting. It also disclosed a new strategy of amphibian anti-infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrene-loaded biodegradable polymer nanoparticles were prepared by incorporating pyrene into the polymer nanoparticles formulated from amphiphilic diblock copolymer, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(lactic acid) (MePEG–PLA). Their morphological structure and physical properties were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and zeta potential measurements. Further, MePEG–PLA nanoparticles containing pyrene as fluorescent marker were administered intranasally to rats, and the distribution of nanoparticles in the nasal mucosa and the olfactory bulb were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. NMR results confirmed that MePEG–PLA copolymer can form nanoparticles in water, and hydrophilic PEG chains were located on the surface of the nanoparticles. The particle size, zeta potential and pyrene loading efficiency of MePEG–PLA nanoparticles were dependent on the PLA block content in the copolymer. Following nasal administration, the absorption of nanoparticles across the epithelium was rapid, with fluorescence observed in the olfactory bulb at 5 min, and a higher level of fluorescence persisted in the olfactory mucosa than that in the respiratory mucosa. These results show that pyrene could serve as a useful fluorescence probe for incorporation into polymer nanoparticles to study tissue distribution and MePEG–PLA nanoparticles might have a great potential as carriers of hydrophobic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a global health problem with no effective drug treatment. Enhanced T-cell immunity and abnormal lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) signaling are promising therapeutic targets for this condition. Sphingosine-1- phosphate (S1P) mediates a key signaling pathway required for normal LEC function, and altered S1P signaling in LECs could lead to lymphatic disease and pathogenic T-cell activation. Characterizing this biology is relevant for developing much needed therapies. METHODS: Human and mouse lymphedema was studied. Lymphedema was induced in mice by surgically ligating the tail lymphatics. Lymphedematous dermal tissue was assessed for S1P signaling. To verify the role of altered S1P signaling effects in lymphatic cells, LEC-specific S1pr1-deficient (S1pr1LECKO) mice were generated. Disease progression was quantified by tail-volumetric and -histopathologic measurements over time. LECs from mice and humans, with S1P signaling inhibition, were then cocultured with CD4 T cells, followed by an analysis of CD4 T-cell activation and pathway signaling. Last, animals were treated with a monoclonal antibody specific to P-selectin to assess its efficacy in reducing lymphedema and T-cell activation. RESULTS: Human and experimental lymphedema tissues exhibited decreased LEC S1P signaling through S1P receptor 1 (S1PR1). LEC S1pr1 loss-of-function exacerbated lymphatic vascular insufficiency, tail swelling, and increased CD4 T-cell infiltration in mouse lymphedema. LECs, isolated from S1pr1LECKO mice and cocultured with CD4 T cells, resulted in augmented lymphocyte differentiation. Inhibiting S1PR1 signaling in human dermal LECs promoted T-helper type 1 and 2 (Th1 and Th2) cell differentiation through direct cell contact with lymphocytes. Human dermal LECs with dampened S1P signaling exhibited enhanced P-selectin, an important cell adhesion molecule expressed on activated vascular cells. In vitro, P-selectin blockade reduced the activation and differentiation of Th cells cocultured with shS1PR1-treated human dermal LECs. P-selectin--directed antibody treatment improved tail swelling and reduced Th1/Th2 immune responses in mouse lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that reduction of the LEC S1P signaling aggravates lymphedema by enhancing LEC adhesion and amplifying pathogenic CD4 T-cell responses. P-selectin inhibitors are suggested as a possible treatment for this pervasive condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Ligand modified nanoparticles increases cell uptake, alters endocytosis and elevates glioma distribution and internalization" that was published in the August 28, 2013 issue is presented.

Train timetable plays an important role in the passenger train operations, which is typically developed or adjusted from the draft train timetable (DTT). The DTT serves as the basic framework and the core component of the train timetable to generate the rough plan of passenger trains, and eventually impacts the performance of the train operations. The paper attempts to develop a draft passenger train timetable under the constrained capacities of arrival-departure tracks and servicing tracks for the passenger train coaching stocks in a passenger railway network. The goals of the DTT are to satisfy the expected arrival/departure time, reduce the number of passenger coaching stocks, and avoid the closely spaced arrival/departure times. We propose a heuristic optimization algorithm based on the node importance to calculate the optimal train arrival and departure times at each arrival/departure station. The proposed model and algorithm are demonstrated in an experimental network with 11 stations and 73 trains in China; the results show that 93.06% of the trains can utilize the minimum passenger coaching stocks, and the equilibrium among passenger trains of the same route daily are improved approximately 20% compared to the actual timetable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Targeted drug delivery to selected brain cell types is a crucial step in enhancing therapeutic effects while limiting side effects in non-target cells. Here we report on the development and evaluation of a new cascade targeting delivery system that employs PEG-PCL nanoparticles modified with both an angiopep-2 peptide and a EGFP-EGF1 protein for precise targeting of brain neuroglial cells. Angiopep-2 penetrates the blood–brain barrier and EGFP-EGF1 binds neuroglial cells, providing the system with two stages of targeting. In vitro studies demonstrated that both bEnd.3 cells and neuroglial cells had a higher uptake of angiopep-2 and EGFP-EGF1 conjugated nanoparticles (AENP) as compared to unmodified nanoparticles. Ex vivo imaging showed that AENP had higher accumulation in the brain over unmodified nanoparticles and EGFP-EGF1 modified nanoparticles. Fluorescent in situ hybridization of brain slides demonstrated that AENP co-localized with neuroglial cells. Transmission electron microscopy further showed that AENP could target and enter neuroglial cells. This newly developed cascade targeting delivery system that precisely targets neuroglial cells has great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroglial related diseases. Replacing EGFP-EGF1 and angiopep-2 with other ligands may extend the utility of the system to diagnose and treat organ diseases beyond brain [Copyright &y& Elsevier]