Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: pH-neutralization strategy to suppress GPCR68 spatiotemporally activates T cells and enhances anti-tumor immunity

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.039

Figure Lengend Snippet: Physicochemical properties of BOLT, and BOLT reduces the growth of tumor cells. (A) Schematic of surface double-layer formation and ion release. (B) Negative zeta potential (−1.365 mV) and high conductivity (1.334 mS/cm), confirming colloidal stability and ion release. (C) Uniform particle size (∼1478 nm) across batches. (D) Interfacial pH buffering in PBS. (E) Naïve CD4 + T cells were isolated and activated using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 using the culture media with 6.0 pH and treated with various doses of BOLT. RT-qPCR was performed to determine the expression of Gpcr68 at various BOLT doses in activated T cells at acidic pH. (F) Anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 activated CD4 + T cells were treated with different doses of BOLT to determine the protein expression of GPCR68 using Western blot. (G-J) CCK8 assay was performed to analyze the effect of various pH on B16, MC38, 143B, and MG63 cell proliferation. (K-L) Effect of various doses of BOLT on the B16 and K7M2 cell growth to determine the IC-50 of BOLT. Error bars represent mean ± SEM. ∗∗ p < 0.01 and ∗ p < 0.05.

Article Snippet: Murine tumor cell lines B16 melanoma (RRID: CVCL_0159), MC38 colon cancer (RRID: CVCL_B288), and 4T1 (RRID: CRL_2539) were purchased from the ATCC and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco) or DMEM medium (Gibco) with 10% FBS as well as 1% penicillin/streptomycin.

Techniques: Zeta Potential Analyzer, Isolation, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Western Blot, CCK-8 Assay

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: pH-neutralization strategy to suppress GPCR68 spatiotemporally activates T cells and enhances anti-tumor immunity

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.039

Figure Lengend Snippet: Anti-tumor effects of borate bioactive glass (BOLT) in B16 tumor. (A) Schematic illustration depicting the induction of B16 melanoma tumors, followed by treatment with BOLT at various time points, and tumor harvesting for subsequent analysis. (B) Tumor growth curves showing tumor volume in Control and BOLT-treated B16 melanoma tumors in mice. (C) Tumor weight at the time of harvesting in the BOLT-treated group compared to the Control. (D) Representative images of excised tumors from Control and BOLT-treated mice. (E) In vivo imaging of tumor-bearing mice in both the Control and BOLT-treated groups. (F) Flow cytometry analysis showing IFN-γ production in CD4 + and CD8 + T cells following BOLT treatment compared to Control. (G) Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated TNF-α production in CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the BOLT-treated group, with a significant increase observed in CD8 + T cells. Student t-test was performed for comparison between the two groups. Two-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. Data represent the mean ± SEM (n = 5). ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01.

Article Snippet: Murine tumor cell lines B16 melanoma (RRID: CVCL_0159), MC38 colon cancer (RRID: CVCL_B288), and 4T1 (RRID: CRL_2539) were purchased from the ATCC and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco) or DMEM medium (Gibco) with 10% FBS as well as 1% penicillin/streptomycin.

Techniques: Control, In Vivo Imaging, Flow Cytometry, Comparison

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: pH-neutralization strategy to suppress GPCR68 spatiotemporally activates T cells and enhances anti-tumor immunity

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.039

Figure Lengend Snippet: BOLT treatment induces ferroptosis in tumor cells. (A) RNA was extracted from Control and BOLT-treated tumors, and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was performed to identify differentially expressed genes. (B) KEGG pathway analysis was conducted to assess the biological functions of the differentially expressed genes. (C) Heatmap displaying the differential expression of ferroptosis-related genes in BOLT-treated versus Control cells. (D) qRT-PCR analysis showing dose-dependent downregulation of Nrf2 in BOLT-treated cells. (E) qRT-PCR analysis of Duox1 expression in B16 cells following BOLT treatment. (F) Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showing mitochondrial shrinkage, increased membrane density, and loss of cristae in BOLT-treated cells. (G) Heatmap showing the dysregulated genes involved in ROS-chemical carcinogenesis in B16 cells treated with BOLT. (H) Flow cytometry analysis revealing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in B16 cells treated with BOLT (0.25 μg/mL) compared to Control. (I) Histogram overlays and bar graph confirm elevated bodipy levels in BOLT-treated cells versus Control. (J) Annexin V/PI staining shows no significant apoptosis in B16 cells following BOLT treatment. (K) Western blot analysis showing the expression of genes involved in downregulating ferroptosis (SLC7A11, FACL4, and GPX4) in BOLT-treated B16 cells. Student t-test was performed for comparison between 2 groups. Two-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. In-vitro experiments were performed in triplicate. Data are mean ± SEM, ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Murine tumor cell lines B16 melanoma (RRID: CVCL_0159), MC38 colon cancer (RRID: CVCL_B288), and 4T1 (RRID: CRL_2539) were purchased from the ATCC and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco) or DMEM medium (Gibco) with 10% FBS as well as 1% penicillin/streptomycin.

Techniques: Control, RNA Sequencing, RNA sequencing, Quantitative Proteomics, Quantitative RT-PCR, Expressing, Transmission Assay, Electron Microscopy, Membrane, Flow Cytometry, Staining, Western Blot, Comparison, In Vitro

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: pH-neutralization strategy to suppress GPCR68 spatiotemporally activates T cells and enhances anti-tumor immunity

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.039

Figure Lengend Snippet: Combinational treatment of BOLT and anti-CTLA-4 blockade enhances anti-tumor immune response in B16 melanoma. (A) C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously injected with 1 × 10 5 B16 melanoma cells on day 0 to induce tumors. On day 7, mice were randomly divided into groups and treated with either BOLT alone (intratumoral injection administered on alternate days starting from day 7), anti-CTLA-4 (intraperitoneal injection administered on days 9, 11, 13, and 15), or a combination of both treatments. PBS was used as a vehicle Control, while IgG was used as anti-CTLA-4 Control. Tumor growth was monitored throughout the treatment period, and tumors were harvested for analysis on day 21. (B-C) Tumor growth curves and area under the curve (AUC) analysis for WT mice treated with BOLT, with or without anti-CTLA-4 antibody, following subcutaneous injection of B16 melanoma cells. Tumor growth was monitored, and analysis was conducted on day 21. (D) Representative images of excised tumors at day 21, showed reduced tumor size in combination-treated mice. (E, F) Flow cytometry analysis of IFN-γ production by tumor-infiltrating CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. (G, H) Flow cytometry analysis of TNF-α production by tumor-infiltrating CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Two-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. Data are mean ± SEM (n = 5), ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Murine tumor cell lines B16 melanoma (RRID: CVCL_0159), MC38 colon cancer (RRID: CVCL_B288), and 4T1 (RRID: CRL_2539) were purchased from the ATCC and cultured in RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco) or DMEM medium (Gibco) with 10% FBS as well as 1% penicillin/streptomycin.

Techniques: Injection, Control, Flow Cytometry

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: Nose-to-brain administration of cannabidiol-loaded polymeric micelles improves the core behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.03.019

Figure Lengend Snippet: Compatibility and permeability studies of CBD-loaded Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelles in the human nasal epithelium cell line RPMI 2650. (A) Cell viability upon exposure to micellar systems with different final CBD concentrations for 24 h at 37 °C, as estimated by the MTT assay (n = 3). The original 25% w/w CBD-loaded Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelles were diluted in culture medium to final concentrations of 0.005-0.25 % w/v. All data are presented as mean ± S.D. respectively (p < 0.0001). (B) Apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of 0.01% and 0.05% w/v CBD-loaded Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelles under ALI conditions (n = 6). ∗∗ Statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) and ∗∗∗∗ statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001).

Article Snippet: The compatibility of 25% w/w CBD-loaded Pluronic® F127 polymeric micelles was assessed in the human nasal septum epithelium cell line RPMI 2650 (ATCC CMCL-30, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA) [ ].

Techniques: Permeability, MTT Assay

Journal: Genes & Diseases

Article Title: Blockade of co-inhibitory receptor immune checkpoint protein TIM3/CD366 augments the anti-cancer activity of CAR-T therapy in solid tumors: An ovarian cancer example

doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101978

Figure Lengend Snippet: Specific IFN-γ and TNF-α release of T lymphocytes transduced with TIM-3-silenced HER2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or HER2-specific CAR. (A, B) TIM-3-silenced CAR-T cells and control T cells were co-incubated with Galectin-9 + or Galectin-9 – SKOV3 tumor cells (E:T ratio 5:1 or 10:1). At 20 h after coculture, a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the supernatant for IFN-γ cytokine-release. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation. (C, D) The detection of TNF-α in the same culture supernatant. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation. ∗ P < 0.05 and ∗∗ P < 0.01.

Article Snippet: Human cervical cancer cell line HeLa, lentivirus packaging cell line HEK 293TD, and human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 were purchased from American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Virginia, USA) and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (Invitrogen, Grand Island, New York) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum.

Techniques: Transduction, Control, Incubation, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Standard Deviation

Journal: Genes & Diseases

Article Title: Blockade of co-inhibitory receptor immune checkpoint protein TIM3/CD366 augments the anti-cancer activity of CAR-T therapy in solid tumors: An ovarian cancer example

doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101978

Figure Lengend Snippet: TIM-3 silencing augmented the anti-tumor activity of chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells in vivo . 2 × 10 6 SKOV3 tumor cells expressing luciferase were intraperitoneally inoculated in a xenograft mouse model, and 7 days after inoculation, the 2 × 10 6 HER2-specific CAR-T kdTim-3 cells or CAR-T cells, or untreated T cells were intraperitoneally administered. (A, B) Tumor growth was monitored using an in vivo imaging system. (C) Survival curve of 80-day post-treatment. ∗ P < 0.05 and ∗∗ P < 0.01.

Article Snippet: Human cervical cancer cell line HeLa, lentivirus packaging cell line HEK 293TD, and human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 were purchased from American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Virginia, USA) and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (Invitrogen, Grand Island, New York) supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum.

Techniques: Activity Assay, In Vivo, Expressing, Luciferase, In Vivo Imaging

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A foam cell-targeted lipophagy restoration strategy stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.041

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo photoacoustic imaging and analysis of the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaque. ( A - G ) Ex vivo distribution of HMCN@Cy5.5 , Scr-HMCN@Cy5.5 , and OPN-HMCN@Cy5.5 in various organs—specifically the aorta ( B ), heart ( C ), liver ( D ), spleen ( E ), lung ( F ), and kidney ( G )—from apoE −/− mice at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h post-intravenous injection (n = 3). ( H ) Confocal images demonstrate the colocalization of OPN with CY5.5-labeled nanoparticles in aortic roots (n = 6, scale bars, 200 μm). ( I ) Quantitative analysis of the relative MFI of OPN and CY5.5 in different treatment groups. ( J , K ) Photoacoustic images and quantitative analysis of signal intensities of atherosclerotic plaque in carotid arteries of both healthy and atherosclerosis mice (n = 3). For each animal, longitudinal PA imaging was performed on the same carotid artery at predefined anatomical landmarks across different time points. Photoacoustic images were acquired with depth calibration based on acoustic time-of-flight measurements, converting ultrasound echo delay into depth using the predefined sound velocity in soft tissue. A calibrated depth scale bar is shown in each image, with an effective imaging depth of approximately 7 mm. ( L , M ) Pathological staining of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery and aortic arch includes ORO and Masson staining (scale bar = 200 μm), as well as α -SMA, and CD68 fluorescent staining (scale bar = 100 μm each). ( N - Q ) The statistical analysis of ( N ) ORO staining (namely the percentage of LD area), ( O ) Masson staining (namely the percentage of collagen fiber area), ( P ) α -SMA fluorescent staining (namely the percentage of smooth muscle cell area) and ( Q ) CD68 fluorescent staining (namely the percentage of macrophage-derived foam cell area). ( R ) Vulnerability scores of aortic arch and carotid artery plaques. ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, and ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, USA.

Techniques: In Vivo, Imaging, Ex Vivo, Injection, Labeling, Staining, Derivative Assay

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A foam cell-targeted lipophagy restoration strategy stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.041

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo atherosclerosis reversal. ( A ) Schematic illustration of the experimental timeline and treatment strategy for establishing a mature, vulnerable atherosclerosis model and evaluating therapeutic interventions. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and then divided into five groups (HFD+ 12W, Saline HFD+, OPN-HMCN@MLT HFD+, Saline HFD−, and OPN-HMCN@MLT HFD−). Except for the HFD+ 12W group, the remaining groups were further maintained for an additional 4 weeks under either HFD or non-HFD conditions with the indicated treatments. ( B , C ) Images of en face ORO-stained aortas ( B ) and quantitative analysis of ORO-positive regions ( C ) from mice subjected to different treatments and diets (n = 6, scale bar: 5 mm). ( D ) Aortic root sections stained by ORO, H&E, α-SMA antibody, Masson's trichrome, CD68 antibody, and MMP-9 antibody, respectively, following various therapeutic procedures (n = 6, scale bar: 500 μm). ( E - J ) Quantitative data of lipid accumulation ( E ), necrotic core area ( F ), collagen area ( G ), MMP-9 level ( H ), VSMC area ( I ), and macrophage-foam cell area ( J ) in aortic root sections. ( K ) Vulnerability scores of aortic root plaque. ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, USA.

Techniques: In Vivo, Saline, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A foam cell-targeted lipophagy restoration strategy stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.041

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo anti-atherosclerosis effects. ( A ) Diagram illustrating the treatment protocol for apoE −/− mice. ( B , C ) En face ORO staining images and quantitative analysis of the lesion area of aortic lesion areas in apoE −/− mice following various treatments (n = 6, scale bar: 5 mm). ( D ) Quantification of the reduction ratio (versus model) of ORO-positive area to the entire aorta. ( E ) Cross-sectional images of ORO-stained aortic root (scale bars, 500 μm) and brachiocephalic artery (scale bars, 200 μm). n = 6. ( F and G ) Quantitative analysis of the aortic root lesion area ( F ) and the reduction ratio (versus model) of ORO-positive area to the aortic root ( G ). ( H ) Aortic root sections stained by H&E, α-SMA antibody, Masson's trichrome, CD68 antibody, MMP-9 antibody, and OPN antibody, respectively, following various therapeutic procedures (n = 6, scale bar: 500 μm). ( I-M ) Quantitative data of necrotic core area ( I ), collagen area ( J ), VSMC area ( K ), macrophage-foam cell area ( L ), and MMP-9 level ( M ) in aortic root sections. ( N ) Representative TEM images of LDs in the aortic root and arch of apoE −/− mice following various treatments (scale bar: 1 μm). The green arrow indicates elastic fibers. ( O-R ) Quantification of lipid droplet number and average area per cell section, n = 6. ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗ P < 0.01, ∗∗∗ P < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗ P < 0.0001.

Article Snippet: Mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, USA.

Techniques: In Vivo, Staining

Journal: Bioactive Materials

Article Title: A foam cell-targeted lipophagy restoration strategy stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2026.02.041

Figure Lengend Snippet: Schematic of the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of OPN-HMCN@MLT. ( A ) The study commenced with the synthesis of mesoporous carbon nanospheres (MCN) functionalized with an OPN-binding peptide and hyaluronic acid to construct the OPN-HMCN nanoplatform. The OPN-binding peptide was designed to recognize OPN enriched in the extracellular matrix and on the surface of foam cells, thereby enabling selective accumulation in OPN-rich pathological regions. Following OPN recognition, OPN-HMCN@MLT undergoes CD44-dependent endocytosis. Melatonin (MLT), a lipid autophagy–promoting agent, was subsequently encapsulated within the nanocarrier to form OPN-HMCN@MLT. Firstly, the released MLT can bind to and upregulate the expression of PPARα and PPARγ, which then promote the expression of downstream genes (ABCA1, ABCG1, ACOX-1, and CTP1A) and trigger the lipophagy. ( B ) Subsequently, its lipophagy-enhancing effects, including ABCA1/G1-mediated cholesterol efflux and CTP1A/ACOX-1-mediated mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, were studied to confirm the reversal of foam cell formation. ( C ) These effects eventually promote foam cells to reverse into macrophages. Abbreviations: MCN, mesoporous carbon nanoparticle; OPN, osteopontin; MLT, melatonin; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; ox-LDL, oxidized low-density lipoprotein; PA, Photoacoustic.

Article Snippet: Mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection, USA.

Techniques: Binding Assay, Construct, Expressing