Delivery of nucleic acids using nanomaterials.

The increasing number of approved nucleic acid therapeutics demonstrates the potential for the prevention and treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases. This trend underscores the significant impact and promise of nucleic acid-based treatments in the field of medicine. Nevertheless, employing nucleic acids as therapeutics is challenging due to their susceptibility to degradation by nucleases and their unfavorable physicochemical characteristics that hinder delivery into cells. Appropriate vectors play a pivotal role in improving nucleic acid stability and delivering nucleic acids into specific cells. The maturation of delivery systems has led to breakthroughs in the development of therapeutics based on nucleic acids such as DNA, siRNA, and mRNA. Non-viral vectors have gained prominence among the myriad of nanomaterials due to low immunogenicity, ease of manufacturing, and simplicity of cost-effective, large-scale production. Here, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in nanomaterials for nucleic acid delivery. Specifically, we give a detailed introduction to the characteristics of polymers, lipids, and polymer-lipid hybrids, and provide comprehensive descriptions of their applications in nucleic acid delivery. Also, biological barriers, administration routes, and strategies for organ-selective delivery of nucleic acids are discussed. In summary, this review offers insights into the rational design of next-generation delivery vectors for nucleic acid delivery.

[Regulation of Mitochondria on Platelet Apoptosis and Activation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulation of mitochondria on platelet apoptosis and activation, and the relationship between platelet apoptosis and activation. METHODS: Platelets were isolated from peripheral venous blood of healthy volunteers. Cyclosporin A (CsA), which has a protective effect on the function of platelet mitochondria, BAPTA, which can chelate calcium ions across membranes in platelets, and NAC, an antioxidant that reduces the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species, were selected for coincubation with washed platelets, respectively. By flow cytometry, platelet aggregator was used to detect the changes of platelet mitochondrial function and platelet activation indexes after different interventions. RESULTS: H89, staurosporine, and A23187 led to platelet mitochondrial abnormalities, while CsA could effectively reverse the decline of platelet mitochondrial membrane potential caused by them. Antioxidant NAC could reverse platelet mitochondrial damage correspondingly, and completely reverse platelet shrinkage and phosphatidylserine eversion induced by H89. BAPTA, prostaglandin E1, acetylsalicylic acid and other inhibitors could not reverse the decline of platelet mitochondrial membrane potential. CONCLUSION: Mitochondrial function plays an important role in platelet apoptosis and activation. Abnormal mitochondrial function causes the imbalance of reduction/oxidation state in platelets, which leads to platelet apoptosis. Platelet apoptosis and activation are independent signal processes.

Crystal structure of poly[(N,N-di-methyl-acetamide-κO)(µ4-5-methyl-isophthalato-κ(5) O:O,O':O'':O''')manganese(II)].

The title compound, poly[(N,N-di-methyl-acetamide-κO)(µ4-5-methyl-isophthalato-κ(5) O,O':O',O'':O'')manganese(II)], [Mn(C9H6O4)(C3H7NO)] n , was obtained from a mixture containing MnCl2·4H2O and 5-methyl-isophthalic acid in N,N-di-methyl-acetamide solution. The Mn(2+) ion is coordinated by five O atoms from four bridging 5-methyl-isophthalate ligands and one O atom from one N,N-di-methyl-acetamide ligand, defining a considerably distorted coordination polyhedron with one very long Mn-O bond of 2.623 (2) Å. The Mn(2+) ions are joined by carboxyl-ate groups, forming rod-shaped secondary building units along the a axis. The rods are further connected by 5-methyl-isophthalate ligands to form the pcu (primitive cubic net) structure.