Uncovering the colorectal cancer immunotherapeutic potential: Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) root extract and its active compound oenothein B targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, a novel class of immunotherapy drugs, represents a major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy, substantially improving patient survival post-treatment. Blocking programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) has demonstrated promising clinical results in various human cancer types. The US FDA has recently permitted only monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based PD-L1 or PD-1 blockers. Although these antibodies exhibit high antitumor efficacy, their size- and affinity-induced side effects limit their applicability. PURPOSE: As small-molecule-based PD-1/PD-L1 blockers capable of reducing the side effects of antibody therapies are needed, this study focuses on exploring natural ingredient-based small molecules that can target hPD-L1/PD-1 using herbal medicines and their components. METHODS: The antitumor potential of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) root extract (EPRE), a globally utilized traditional herbal medicine, folk remedy, and functional food, was explored. A coculture system was established using human PD-L1-expressed murine MC38 cells (hPD-L1-MC38s) and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) expressing humanized PD-1. The in vivo experiments utilized a colorectal cancer (CRC) C57BL/6 J mouse model bearing MC38 cells expressing humanized PD-L1 and PD-1 proteins. RESULTS: EPRE and its active compound oenothein B effectively hindered the molecular interaction between hPD-L1 and hPD-1. EPRE stimulated tumor-specific T lymphocytes of a hPD-L1/PD-1 CRC mice. This action resulted in the elevated infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+T lymphocytes and subsequent tumor growth reduction. Moreover, the combined therapy of oenothein B, a PD-1/PD-L1 blocker, and FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil plus oxaliplatin) cooperatively suppressed hPD-L1-MC38s growth in the ex vivo model through activated CD8+ TIL antitumor immune response. Oenothein B exhibited a high binding affinity for hPD-L1 and hPD-1. We believe that this study is the first to uncover the inhibitory effects of EPRE and its component, oenothein B, on PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. CONCLUSION: This study identified a promising small-molecule candidate from natural products that blocks the hPD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway. These findings emphasize the potential of EPRE and oenothein B as effective anticancer drugs.

Coordination Polymers for High-Capacity Li-Ion Batteries: Metal-Dependent Solid-State Reversibility.

Electrode materials exploiting multielectron-transfer processes are essential components for large-scale energy storage systems. Organic-based electrode materials undergoing distinct molecular redox transformations can intrinsically circumvent the structural instability issue of conventional inorganic-based host materials associated with lattice volume expansion and pulverization. Yet, the fundamental mechanistic understanding of metal-organic coordination polymers toward the reversible electrochemical processes is still lacking. Herein, we demonstrate that metal-dependent spatial proximity and binding affinity play a critical role in the reversible redox processes, as verified by combined 13C solid-state NMR, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. During the electrochemical lithiation, in situ generated metallic nanoparticles dispersed in the organic matrix generate electrically conductive paths, synergistically aiding subsequent multielectron transfer to π-conjugated ligands. Comprehensive screening on 3d-metal-organic coordination polymers leads to a high-capacity electrode material, cobalt-2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate, which delivers a stable specific capacity of ∼1100 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles.

An exotic band structure of a supramolecular honeycomb lattice formed by a pancake π-π interaction between triradical trianions of triptycene tribenzoquinone.

A supramolecular honeycomb lattice was successfully formed by using triradical trianion species of triptycene tribenzoquinone (TT) which forms strong intermolecular π-π pancake bonds toward three directions. The crystal structure of Rb3TT·2H2O belongs to the hexagonal P6/m space group, the tight-binding band calculation of which reveals Dirac cones and flat bands.

Anti-inflammatory effects of 6'-O-acetyl mangiferin from Iris rossii Baker via NF-κb signal blocking in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

A series of acylated xanthone C-glucosides were identified from the methanolic extract of whole Iris rossii Baker. The major constituent was characterized as 6'-O-acetyl mangiferin (OAM), and complete structure elucidation was carried out using 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and LC-IT-TOF-MS analyses. The present study is the first to report the anti-inflammatory effects of 6'-O-acetyl mangiferin from Iris rossii Baker on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. OAM strongly suppressed protein expression of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, OAM inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38, which led to the blockade of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor kappa B (IκB)-α activation. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of OAM may be attributed to the downregulation of COX-2 and iNOS via the suppression of NF-κB and the MAPK signaling pathway in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Stimuli-Responsive Reversible Fluorescence Switching in a Crystalline Donor-Acceptor Mixture Film: Mixed Stack Charge-Transfer Emission versus Segregated Stack Monomer Emission.

We report on a molecularly tailored 1:1 donor-acceptor (D-A) charge-transfer (CT) cocrystal that manifests strongly red-shifted CT luminescence characteristics, as well as noteworthy reconfigurable self-assembling behaviors. A loosely packed molecular organization is obtained as a consequence of the noncentrosymmetric chemical structure of molecule A1, which gives rise to considerable free volume and weak intermolecular interactions. The stacking features of the CT complex result in an external stimuli-responsive molecular stacking reorganization between the mixed and demixed phases of the D-A pair. Accordingly, high-contrast fluorescence switching (red↔blue) is realized on the basis of the strong alternation of the electronic properties between the mixed and demixed phases. A combination of structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies reveal the underlying mechanism of this stimuli-responsive behavior.

Electrochemical and optical characterization of cobalt, copper and zinc phthalocyanine complexes.

New phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives that include the alkyl group in ligand were synthesized based on three core metals such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co). Electrochemical behaviors and optical properties of the new phthalocyanine derivatives with ligand and different core metal were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry, UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. In UV-Vis data, maximum values of 2H, Co, Cu, and Zn complexes were 708 nm and 677 nm, 686 nm, 684 nm, respectively.

Tailor-made highly luminescent and ambipolar transporting organic mixed stacked charge-transfer crystals: an isometric donor-acceptor approach.

We have rationally designed a densely packed 1:1 donor-acceptor (D-A) cocrystal system comprising two isometric distyrylbenzene- and dicyanodistyrylbenzene-based molecules, forming regular one-dimensional mixed stacks. The crystal exhibits strongly red-shifted, bright photoluminescence originating from an intermolecular charge-transfer state. The peculiar electronic situation gives rise to high and ambipolar p-/n-type field-effect mobility up to 6.7 × 10(-3) and 6.7 × 10(-2) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), respectively, as observed in single-crystalline OFETs prepared via solvent vapor annealing process. The unique combination of favorable electric and optical properties arising from an appropriate design concept of isometric D-A cocrystal has been demonstrated as a promising candidate for next generation (opto-)electronic materials.

Remarkable mobility increase and threshold voltage reduction in organic field-effect transistors by overlaying discontinuous nano-patches of charge-transfer doping layer on top of semiconducting film.

An effective strategy for significantly increasing the organic transistor mobility with simultaneous reduction of the threshold voltage utilizing discontinuous nano-patches of charge-transfer doping layer is demonstrated. By overlaying the nano-patches on top of a given semiconducting film, mobility and threshold voltage of p-type pentacene are remarkably improved to 4.52 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and -0.4 V, and those of n-type Hex-4-TFPTA are also improved to 2.57 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) and 4.1 V.

Synthesis and characterization of titanium complex with a dithiolate ligand for green LCD color filter dyes.

Three green compounds for color filter dyes based on bis(cyclopentadienyl) titanium complexes including dithiolate ligand were synthesized. Physical properties by the change of the substitution groups of the synthesized materials were systematically examined. UV-visible absorption spectrum of the synthesized materials showed maximum absorbing wavelengths of 427 to 430 nm and 632 to 635 nm in solution state, and 434 to 438 nm and 637 to 651 nm in film state, indicating green and black colors. It was observed that the extinction coefficient values (log ε) of all the synthesized materials are very high at 4.0 or above. In addition, it was shown that since the Td values of three synthesized materials show thermal stability higher than 240°C, they possess high potential to be applied as dyes for LCD color filter and black matrix addictive.

High-performance n-type organic semiconductors: incorporating specific electron-withdrawing motifs to achieve tight molecular stacking and optimized energy levels.

Novel π­conjugated cyanostilbene-based semiconductors (Hex-3,5-TFPTA and Hex-4-TFPTA) with tight molecular stacking and optimized energy levels are synthesized. Hex-4-TFPTA exhibits high-performance n-type organic field-effect transistor (OFET) properties with electron mobilities as high as 2.14 cm2 V−1s−1 and on-off current ratios

π-Conjugated cyanostilbene derivatives: a unique self-assembly motif for molecular nanostructures with enhanced emission and transport.

π-Conjugated organic molecules represent an attractive platform for the design and fabrication of a wide range of nano- and microstructures for use in organic optoelectronics. The desirable optical and electrical properties of π-conjugated molecules for these applications depend on their primary molecular structure and their intermolecular interactions such as molecular packing or ordering in the condensed states. Because of the difficulty in satisfying these rigorous structural requirements for photoluminescence and charge transport, the development of novel high-performance π-conjugated systems for nano-optoelectronics has remained a challenge. This Account describes our recent discovery of a novel class of self-assembling π-conjugated organic molecules with a built-in molecular elastic twist. These molecules consist of a cyano-substituted stilbenic π-conjugated backbone and various terminal functional groups, and they offer excellent optical, electrical, and self-assembly properties for use in various nano-optoelectronic devices. The characteristic "twist elasticity" behavior of these molecules occurs in response to molecular interactions. These large torsional or conformational changes in the cyanostilbene backbone play an important role in achieving favorable intermolecular interactions that lead to both high photoluminescence and good charge carrier mobility in self-assembled nanostructures. Conventional π-conjugated molecules in the solid state typically show concentration (aggregation) fluorescence quenching. Initially, we describe the unique photoluminescence properties, aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE), of these new cyanostilbene derivatives that elegantly circumvent these problems. These elastic twist π-conjugated backbones serve as versatile scaffolds for the preparation of well-defined patterned nanosized architectures through facile self-assembly processes. We discuss in particular detail the preparation of 1D nanowire structures through programmed self-assembly. This Account describes the importance of utilizing AIEE effects to explore optical device applications, such as organic semiconducting lasers (OSLs), optical memory, and sensors. We demonstrate the rich electronic properties, including the electrical conductivity, field-effect carrier mobility, and electroluminescence of highly crystalline 1D nanowire and coaxial donor-acceptor nanocable structures composed of elastic twist π-conjugated molecules. The electronic properties were measured using various techniques, including current-voltage (I-V), conducting-probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM), and space-charge-limited-current (SCLC) measurements. We prepared and characterized several electronic device structures, including organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic light-emitting field-effect transistors (OLETs).

Fluoride sensing by catechol-based π-electron systems.

We have developed new catechol-based sensors that can detect fluoride via fluorescence or optical absorption even in the presence of other halides. The level and sensitivity of detection of the sensing molecules is dependent on the chromophore length, which is controlled by the number of thiophene units (one to three) within the chromophore. The sensor with three thiophene units, (E)-2-(2,2'-terthiophen-5-yl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylonitrile, gives the best response to fluoride. By using fluorescence measurements fluoride is detectable over the concentration range 1.7 µM to 200 µM. Importantly, when adsorbed onto a solid support the fluorescent catechol dye can be used to detect the presence of fluoride in aqueous solution.

Shear- and UV-induced fluorescence switching in stilbenic pi-dimer crystals powered by reversible [2 + 2] cycloaddition.

We have designed and synthesized asymmetric cyano-stilbene derivatives containing trifluoromethyl (-CF(3)) substituents with the aim of producing tightly packed pi-dimer systems that as crystals exhibit reversible [2 + 2] cycloaddition with characteristic fluorescence modulation. (Z)-3-(3',5'-Bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(4'-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-4-yl)acrylonitrile (CN(L)-TrFMBE) and its derivatives were found to form antiparallel pi-dimer stacks in crystals due to their specific intermolecular interactions, including C-F...H and C-F...pi interactions. The CN(L)-TrFMBE pi-dimer crystals (and powder) are not at all fluorescent initially but switch to a highly fluorescent state (Phi(PL) = 24%) when an external shear-strain and/or prolonged UV (365 nm) irradiation is applied. Our experimental and theoretical investigations show that the fluorescence modulation in this particular system is due to the external and/or internal (in the case of UV irradiation) shear-induced lateral displacement of the pi-dimer molecular pair, which effectively turns the fluorescence emission on at the cost of frustrated [2 + 2] cycloaddition. Further, the fluorescence 'off' state can be restored by thermal annealing, which regenerates the tightly packed pi-dimer by reverse displacement together with the thermal dissociation of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition product. This system provides a very rare example of high-contrast reversible fluorescence switching that is driven by a change in the molecular packing mode in the solid state, which enables piezochromic and photochromic responses.

Color-tuned highly fluorescent organic nanowires/nanofabrics: easy massive fabrication and molecular structural origin.

The development of one-dimensional fluorescent nanowires (1D-NWs) and their higher-dimensional architectures such as nanowebs and nanofabrics (2D-NFs) could open a new area in nanomaterials science and nanotechnology. In particular, fluorescent pi-electronic 1D-NWs are considered promising materials for realizing innovative nanodevices together with semiconductors and metallic NWs. We earlier reported that 1-cyano-trans-1,2-bis-(3',5'-bis-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl)ethylene (CN-TFMBE), a simple but very peculiar derivative of oligo(p-phenylene vinylene)s (OPV) composed of a cyano-stilbene backbone, self-assembles easily into 1D-NWs with highly enhanced fluorescence emission in the solid state. We report herein surprising new outcomes obtained from a more detailed exploration of the self-association behavior of CN-TFMBE and its analogues. We found that CN-TFMBE self-assembled into highly fluorescent 1D-NWs and 2-D NFs very easily and massively, irrespective of whether drop casting, spin coating, or vacuum deposition was used for processing. However, we additionally found that, if the backbone cyano group or trifluoromethyl substituents were removed from CN-TFMBE, the resulting molecule did not form 1D-NWs under any conditions. Through structural analyses using mid- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction methods and multiscale computer simulation techniques, we formulated molecular structural guidelines for programming pi-electron molecules into highly fluorescent 1D-NWs and 2-D NFs. Interestingly, we demonstrated that R,G,B,Y-color tuned 1D-NWs and NFs could be easily and massively fabricated based on our guidelines. This class of highly fluorescent color-tuned organic pi-electronic nanomaterial is expected to open a new phase in applications such as nanoscale optoelectronics, sensing, and biological devices.

Self-assembled perpendicular growth of organic nanoneedles via simple vapor-phase deposition: one-step fabrication of a superhydrophobic surface.

We demonstrate a simple vapor-phase fabrication of self-assembled perpendicular organic nanoneedles on various substrates to generate superhydrophobic surfaces on them.

Strongly fluorescent organogel system comprising fibrillar self-assembly of a trifluoromethyl-based cyanostilbene derivative.

The entangled fibrillar structure and its strong fluorescence emission have been observed in a novel class of organogel systems consisting of a CF3-based pi-conjugated organogelator.