Light-controllable charge-reversal nanoparticles with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid for enhancing immunotherapy of triple negative breast cancer

Nucleic acid drugs are highly applicable for cancer immunotherapy with promising therapeutic effects, while targeting delivery of these drugs to disease lesions remains challenging. Cationic polymeric nanoparticles have paved the way for efficient delivery of nucleic acid drugs, and achieved stimuli-responsive disassembly in tumor microenvironment (TME). However, TME is highly heterogeneous between individuals, and most nanocarriers lack active-control over the release of loaded nucleic acid drugs, which will definitely reduce the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we have developed a light-controllable charge-reversal nanoparticle (LCCN) with controlled release of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)] to treat triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) by enhanced photodynamic immunotherapy. The nanoparticles keep suitably positive charge for stable loading of Poly(I:C), while rapidly reverse to negative charge after near-infrared light irradiation to release Poly(I:C). LCCN-Poly(I:C) nanoparticles trigger effective phototoxicity and immunogenic cell death on 4T1 tumor cells, elevate antitumor immune responses and inhibit the growth of primary and abscopal 4T1 tumors in mice. The approach provides a promising strategy for controlled release of various nucleic acid-based immune modulators, which may enhance the efficacy of photodynamic immunotherapy against TNBC.

Comparison of polycytidylic acid-induced and dexamethasone-induced thymic atrophy and their thymic expression of RIG-Ⅰ like receptors signaling pathway / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To provide experimental evidences for choosing murine models in the pathogenesis research of thymic impairment induced by viral infection,we compared the impacts of polycytidylic acid(Poly(I:C)) and dexamethasone(DEX) on the thymic morphology and thymic output function,and explored the implication of RLR signaling pathway.Methods: 24 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into three groups and treated with Poly(I:C),DEX,or saline respectively.Thereafter,their thymic morphology,pathological changes,thymic index,and thymic pathology were examined.Their contents of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and proportions of the naive CD4+T cell in the peripheral blood were determined to evaluate their thymic output function.The expression levels of thymic RLR/MAVS/IFN-α/β signaling pathway and IL-1β were also measured.Results: Both Poly (I:C) and DEX treatment caused thymic atrophy in appearance and structural destruction under the microscope inspection,and DEX treatment did much more severe damage,especially to the thymic cortex.TRECs decreased significantly in both groups.The proportions of na?ve/memory CD4+T cell subsets remained stable,though total CD4+T cell decreased in DEX group,while the proportion of na?ve CD4+T cell in Poly (I:C) group increased significantly.The expression of RIG-Ⅰ,MDA5,LGP2,and IFN-α/β were up-regulated in DEX group, while it remained unchanged in Poly (I:C) group.Conclusion:Both Poly (I:C) and DEX induced thymic atrophy and the impaired thymic output function.Nevertheless,the expression of RLR-IFN signaling pathway up-regulated more significantly in DEX group instead of in Poly (I:C) group.These results implied the existence of different pathological manifestations and mechanisms underlying the impaired thymic function in different animal models,as well as impact on na?ve/memory CD4+T cell proportions.Our research provides references for choosing animal models in the basic research and drug development for viral infection induced thymic atrophy based on the RLR signaling pathway.

Poly-IC protects the spinal cord in inflammatory response to ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats / 医学研究生学报

Objective Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC) plays an important role in the central nervous system damage and repair.This study was to investigate the effect of poly IC on inflammatory response after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCIRI) in rats.Methods A total of 72 healthy adult male SD rats were equally randomized into a sham-operation, an ischemia-reperfusion (IR), and a poly IC group.The abdominal cavities of the rats were cut open and closed again in the sham-operation group and SCIRI models were established in the IR and poly IC groups by clamping the abdominal aorta, followed by reperfusion 60 minutes later and intraperitoneal injection of saline (0.1 mL) and poly IC (1.25 μg/g), respectively.At 6, 24, and 48 hours after modeling, BBB scores were obtained and the contents of TNFα, IL-1β and IFN-β were measured by ELISA.At 48 hours, the expressions of NF-κB and IL-10 were determined by immunohistochemistry, the area of ischemic necrosis in the spinal cord tissue was calculated by TTC staining, and its morphological changes were observed under the optical microscope.Results At 48 hours after modeling, the BBB scores were significantly lower in the IR and poly IC groups than in the sham-operation group (3.80±0.75 and 9.40±0.49 vs 20.00±0.00, P<0.01), though higher in the poly IC than in the IR group (P<0.01).The rats of the IR group showed extensive degenerated neurons in the gray substance of the spinal cord, with scattered foci of bleeding and blood coagulation, while those of the poly IC group exhibited fewer necrotic neurons and basically normal nuclear morphology, though with a few swelling cells.The ischemic necrosis area of the spinal cord tissue was significantly reduced.The expression of NF-κB was decreased while that of IL-10 increased markedly.Compared with the IR group, the poly IC group showed a significant increase in the expression of IFNβ (117.23±6.06 vs 55.65±4.02, P<0.01) and a remarkably decrease in the expressions of TNFα (190.45±4.16 vs 201.82±2.18, P<0.01) and IL-1β (39.27±2.48 vs 50.59±1.47, P<0.01) at 48 hours.Conclusion Poly IC can protect the spinal cord and reduce inflammatory response after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Mouse Model of IL-17-Dominant Rhinitis Using Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid

Interleukin (IL)-17 plays an important role in rhinitis and the level thereof correlates with the severity of disease. However, no mouse model for IL-17-dominant rhinitis has yet been developed. Our objective was to establish a mouse model of IL-17-dominant rhinitis via intranasal application of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (abbreviated as Poly(I:C)). Mice were divided into 6 groups (n=8 for each group); 1) 1 negative control group, 2) 1 positive control group (OVA/alum model), 3) 2 Poly(I:C) groups (10 or 100 µg), and 4) 2 OVA/Poly(I:C) groups (10 or 100 µg). The positive control group was treated with the conventional OVA/alum protocol. In the Poly(I:C) and OVA/Poly(I:C) groups, phosphate-buffered saline or an OVA solution plus Poly(I:C) were administered. The OVA/Poly(I:C) groups exhibited significantly greater neutrophil infiltration and increased IL-17/interferon γ expression compared with the other groups. However, the levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), OVA-specific IgE, eosinophil infiltration, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly lower in the OVA/Poly(I:C) groups than in mice subjected to conventional Th2-dominant OVA/alum treatment (the positive control group). IL-17 and neutrophil measurement, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy revealed increased numbers of IL-17-secreting cells in the nasal mucosa of the OVA/Poly(I:C) groups, which included natural killer cells, CD4 T cells, and neutrophils. In conclusion, we developed a mouse model of IL-17-dominant rhinitis using OVA together with Poly(I:C). This model will be useful in research on neutrophil- or IL-17-dominant rhinitis.

Protective Effects of S-Adenosylmethionine and Its Combinations With Taurine and/or Betaine Against Lipopolysaccharide or Polyinosinic-polycytidylic Acid-induced Acute Hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Several mechanisms for the pathogenesis of many liver diseases are related with oxidative stress, endotoxins, and infections by many microorganisms. These can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and its combinations with taurine and/or betaine against hepatotoxicites induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C). METHODS: RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and seven-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with SAMe (SAM or AdoMet), taurine, and/or betaine. In order to mimic hepatic injury like endotoxemia or viral infection, cells and mice were treated with LPS or polyI:C. Concentrations of glutathione (GSH), mRNA expressions of GSH synthesizing enzymes, and inflammatory markers were measured by biochemical assays and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: In RAW 264.7 cells and mice, pretreatment of SAMe alone or SAMe with taurine and/or betaine attenuated the decrease in GSH levels and mRNA expressions of GSH synthesizing enzymes. In addition, pretreatment of SAMe with taurine and/or betaine prevented the excessive increase in inflammatory mediators produced by LPS or polyI:C treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with SAMe in combination with taurine and betaine, would have anti-oxidant functions in addition to anti-inflammatory action against bacterial and/or viral inflammation.

Effect of Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid on MUC5B Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) is structurally similar to double-stranded RNA, and is known to induce various inflammatory mediators and to cause inflammatory reactions in airway epithelial cells. However, the effect of Poly I:C on secretion of mucins in human airway epithelial cells has been very rarely reported. In this study, the effect and brief signaling pathway of Poly I:C on the expression of mucin genes were investigated in human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and the primary cultures of normal human nasal epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of Poly I:C on expression of mucin genes were investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis with specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). RESULTS: Poly I:C induced the MUC5B expression, and activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. U0126 (ERK1/2 MAPK inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) inhibited the Poly I:C-induced MUC5B expression. In addition, the knockdown of ERK2 and p38 MAPK by siRNA significantly blocked the Poly I:C-induced MUC5B mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Poly I:C induces the MUC5B expression via ERK2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in human airway epithelial cells. Therefore, Poly I:C may play a role in the regulation of mucus hypersecretion through MAPK signaling pathways in the human airway epithelial cells.

Inhibitory effects of dexamethasone against polyinosinic: Polycytidylic acid-induced chemotactic factor expression in bronchial epithelial cells and the underlying mechanism / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the effect of dexamethasone on polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (PIC)-induced chemotactic factor expression in human bronchial epithelial (16hBE) cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods 16hBE cells were treated with different concentrations of PIC (0. 001, 0. 01, 0. 1, and 1 μg/ml) and dexamethasone (0.1, 1, and 10 μmol/L). IL-8 and IP-10 mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR 6 h after stimulation. IL-8 and IP-10 protein levels in the culture supernatant were detected by ELISA 24 h after stimulation. NF-κB p65 subunit expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results PIC concentration-dependently (0. 001, 0. 01, and 0. 1 μg/ml) increased the expression of IL-8 and IP-10 mRNA and protein compared with the control group, with significant differences found when PIC at 0.01 μ/ml and 0. 1 μ/ml (P<0. 05,P<0. 01). When the concentration of PIC was 1 μ/ml, the expressions of IL-8 and IP-10 were decreased at both mRNA and protein levels. Pretreatment with dexamethasone (1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L) for 0. 5 h significantly inhibited the IL-8 and IP-10 expression at both mRNA and protein levels (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). Dexamethasone pretreatment (1 μmol/L) significantly inhibited PIC-induced NF-κB p65 subunit expression (P < 0. 01). Conclusion Glucocorticoids can suppress PIC-induced IL-8 and IP-10 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells, probably through activation of NF-κB pathway.

Effects of Iodine excess,polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and thyroglobulin induced thyroiditis in mice on Toll-like receptor 3 expression / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To observe the effect of iodine excess(HI),polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid[Poly(I:C),Poly]and thyroglobulin(TG)on the thyroid of mice by the expression of Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3)to reveal the functional role of TLR3 in autoimmune thyroiditis.Methods Forty-two non-obese diabetic mice,body weight (20±3)g,were divided into six groups:control group,HI group,Poly group,TG group,HI+TG group,HI+Poly group. Fed with deionized water and injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline 0.1 ml each day for a week, the mice in control group were injected with physiological saline every other day at the same dose for 1 week before they were sacrificed; HI group drank 0.05% NaI water and were injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline same as control group; Poly group drank deionized water and were injected intraperitoneally with poly 0.1 ml (1 g/L)each day of the week, then the mice were injected with Poly every other day at the same dose for 1 week before they were sacrificed; TG group drank deionized water and were injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline same as control group, immunized with 0.1 mg TG by subcutaneously injecting and the immunization was enhanced after they were fed half dose for 4 and 8 weeks separately. In HI + Poly group, the treatment was the same as HI group and Poly group; HI + TG group: the treatment was the same as HI group and TG group. Eight weeks later, mice were sacrificed and thyroids were taken to make frozen sections, Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe the morphological change of the thyroids. The expression of TLR3 of thyroids was observed under fluorescence microscope after Immumofluorescence using TLR3 antibody and TR3-positive cells were analyzed in the thyroid density. Results HE staining showed thyroids of Poly group had no inflammation under microscope.There were different degrees of inflammatory cell infiltration in HI group and TG group. The inflammatory cell infiltration and the damage of follicular thyroid of HI + TG group and HI + Poly group were serious, and the degrees of inflammation were higher over "++". Thyroid follicular epithelial cell with TLR3 expression could be seen in Poly group and HI group, meanwhile, there were TLR3 strong positive inflammatory cells in HI group under fluorescent microscope. Using stereological analysis of TLR3-positive cell density in the thyroid, the difference between groups was statistically significant(F=7.870, P<0.01 ). TLR3-positive cell density in the thyroid of HI + Poly group was higher[ (9.287 ± 0.522)mm2] than control group[ (0.062 ± 0.025)mm2, P < 0.01] significantly, meanwhile, the density in HI + Poly group was higher than HI group [ (2.574 ± 0.257 )mm2] and Poly group[ (1.361 ± 0.148 )mm2, all P < 0.01]. The density in HI + TG group[ (4.843±0.405)mm2] was higher than HI group and TG group[(1.601 ±0.268)mm2, all P < 0.01 )]. Conclusions Excessive iodine and thyroglobulin can induce thyroiditis, and stimulate the expression of TLR3 in the thyroid follicular epithelial, Poly aggravated thyroiditis induced by iodine excess in NOD mice; TLR3 positive inflammatory cells also appeared in inflammatory region, suggesting that TLR3 is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis

Comparison of human cell IFN-β production induced by bluetongue virus dsRNA and polyinosinic polycytidylic acid / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the capability of bluetongue virus(BTV)dsRNA inducing IFN-β from human cells.Methods Artificial complex interfemn inducer polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C).BTV and BTV dsRNA were added to A549(human lung cancer cell)and HEL(human lung normal cells)culture system in difierent concentrations.IFN-β in culture median was detected by ELISA.Results Though all of the 3 reagents could induce IFN-β,BTV dsRNA significanay induced the highest level of IFN-β.The production of IFN-β was induced by BTV dsRNA in dose dependence.BTV dsRNA induced IFN-β level from HEL Was higher than that from A549(P<0.05).Conclusion BTV dsRNA Can induce IFN-β from human cells effectively,which shows its potential of an endogenous IFN-β inducer.