Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Targeting FN1 to overcome gemcitabine resistance in gallbladder cancer: Mechanistic insights and an iRGD-modified PEG-PLGA nanoparticle delivery strategy

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102877

Figure Lengend Snippet: Preparation and characterization of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1). Note: (A) Schematic of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) synthesis; (B-C) NP size distribution curve and size statistics for iRGD-NPs (si-FN1); (D) ζ-potential of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1); (E) Representative TEM image of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1), Scale bars = 500 nm; (F) RNA agarose gel electrophoresis assessing the EE% of si-FN1; (G) Agarose gel electrophoresis testing the stability of Free si-FN1 and iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) under RNase treatment; (H) Agarose gel electrophoresis testing the stability of Free si-FN1 and iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) incubated at ambient temperature in 25% FBS for 0, 2, 6, and 24 h, followed by treatment with heparin (1000 I.U./mL) for 1 h; (I) DLS measurement of particle size changes of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) incubated at ambient temperature in 25% FBS for 0, 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h; (J) PDI values of the nanoparticle formulations determined by DLS; (K) Characterization of nanoparticle chemical functional groups using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Experiments were repeated three times.

Article Snippet: The NPs (si-FN1) were then conjugated with iRGD peptides (HY-P0122, MCE, USA) through the interaction of the Mal group in Mal–PEG–PLGA with thiol groups in the iRGD peptide for 24 h. The molar ratio of NPs (si-FN1) to iRGD used for binding was 4:1.

Techniques: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, Incubation, Functional Assay, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Spectroscopy

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Targeting FN1 to overcome gemcitabine resistance in gallbladder cancer: Mechanistic insights and an iRGD-modified PEG-PLGA nanoparticle delivery strategy

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102877

Figure Lengend Snippet: In vivo biodistribution and in vitro cellular uptake of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1). Note: (A) Schematic of the in vivo biodistribution testing experiment of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) in nude mice with subcutaneous xenografts; (B) IVIS images of xenograft-bearing mice at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after injection with Cy5.5-labeled iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) and NPs (si-FN1); (C) Representative IVIS images of xenograft tissues and various organs from mice 24 h after injection with Cy5.5-labeled iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) and NPs (si-FN1), ∗ indicates p < 0.05; (D) Schematic of the in vitro cellular uptake experiment for iRGD-NPs (si-FN1); (E-F) Immunofluorescence staining (E) and FCM (F) assessing the uptake of iRGD-NPs (si-FN1) by GBC-SD/GEM and NOZ/GEM cells, Scale bars = 25 μm; (G) 3D tumor spheroid model assessing the tumor-penetration capability conferred by iRGD modification (Scale bars = 500 μm). experiments repeated three times. Each group consists of 3 nude mice.

Article Snippet: The NPs (si-FN1) were then conjugated with iRGD peptides (HY-P0122, MCE, USA) through the interaction of the Mal group in Mal–PEG–PLGA with thiol groups in the iRGD peptide for 24 h. The molar ratio of NPs (si-FN1) to iRGD used for binding was 4:1.

Techniques: In Vivo, In Vitro, Injection, Labeling, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Modification

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Targeting FN1 to overcome gemcitabine resistance in gallbladder cancer: Mechanistic insights and an iRGD-modified PEG-PLGA nanoparticle delivery strategy

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102877

Figure Lengend Snippet: Impact of NPs delivering si-FN1 on drug resistance and immune cell infiltration in GBC-SD/GEM cells. Note: (A) Schematic of the experimental setup for studying the impact of NPs delivering si-FN1 on GBC GEM resistance; (B-C) RT-qPCR (B) and Western Blot (C) analysis of FN1 and PI3K pathway protein expression in GBC-SD/GEM cells treated with NPs (si-FN1) and iRGD-NPs (si-FN1); (D) CCK-8 assay assessing the viability changes in GBC-SD/GEM cells after treatment with NPs (si-FN1) and iRGD-NPs (si-FN1); (E) Clonogenic assay evaluating colony formation in various groups of GBC-SD/GEM and NOZ/GEM cells; (F) FCM analysis of apoptosis in GBC-SD/GEM cells across different groups; (G) FCM analysis of Tregs levels in CD4 + T cells after co-culture with GBC-SD/GEM cells; (H) FCM analysis of M2 and M1 macrophage levels in THP-1 cells after co-culture with GBC-SD/GEM cells; (I) RT-qPCR analysis of IL-10 or CSF-1 expression in CD4 + T or THP-1 cells co-cultured with GBC-SD/GEM cells. ∗ indicates p < 0.05 compared to the NPs (si-NC) group, # indicates p < 0.05 compared to the NPs (si-FN1) group, experiments repeated three times.

Article Snippet: The NPs (si-FN1) were then conjugated with iRGD peptides (HY-P0122, MCE, USA) through the interaction of the Mal group in Mal–PEG–PLGA with thiol groups in the iRGD peptide for 24 h. The molar ratio of NPs (si-FN1) to iRGD used for binding was 4:1.

Techniques: Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Expressing, CCK-8 Assay, Clonogenic Assay, Co-Culture Assay, Cell Culture

Journal: Materials Today Bio

Article Title: Targeting FN1 to overcome gemcitabine resistance in gallbladder cancer: Mechanistic insights and an iRGD-modified PEG-PLGA nanoparticle delivery strategy

doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.102877

Figure Lengend Snippet: Impact of NPs delivering si-FN1 on tumorigenesis and the immunosuppressive environment in GBC-SD/GEM cells. Note: (A) Schematic of the in vivo therapeutic efficacy experiment for iRGD-NPs (si-FN1); (B-C) RT-qPCR (B) and Western Blot (C) analysis of FN1 and PI3K pathway protein expression in xenograft tissues from various mouse groups; (D) Post-dissection images of xenograft tumors from different mouse groups; (E) IVIS monitoring of tumor growth in xenograft mice from weeks 1 to 5; (F) Tumor weight statistics of different mouse groups at week 5; (G-H) Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining assessing Ki67 protein expression and apoptosis in tumor tissues from various mouse groups (Scale bars = 50 μm); (I) FCM analysis of Tregs infiltration levels in GBC-SD/GEM cell xenograft tissues from different mouse groups; (J) FCM analysis of M2 and M1 macrophage infiltration levels in GBC-SD/GEM cell xenograft tissues from various mouse groups; (K) RT-qPCR analysis of the expression of immunosuppressive factors in GBC-SD/GEM cell xenograft tissues from different mouse groups. ∗ indicates p < 0.05 compared to the NPs (si-NC) + GEM group, # indicates p < 0.05 compared to the NPs (si-FN1) + GEM group, each group consisting of 6 mice.

Article Snippet: The NPs (si-FN1) were then conjugated with iRGD peptides (HY-P0122, MCE, USA) through the interaction of the Mal group in Mal–PEG–PLGA with thiol groups in the iRGD peptide for 24 h. The molar ratio of NPs (si-FN1) to iRGD used for binding was 4:1.

Techniques: In Vivo, Drug discovery, Quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot, Expressing, Dissection, Immunohistochemistry, TUNEL Assay, Staining