Chinese Chemical Letters最新文献

{"title":"Unimolecular chiral poly(amino acid)s as adjuvants of nanovaccines for augmented cancer immunotherapy","authors":"Qi Wei ,&nbsp;Hua Xin ,&nbsp;Xiaolong Wang ,&nbsp;Changjuan Qin ,&nbsp;Yuanzhen Su ,&nbsp;Di Li ,&nbsp;Jianxun Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111477","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chirality is pervasive and plays a crucial role in biological processes. Although amino acids possess inherent chirality, the stereochemical influence of this property on the regulation of immune cells remains insufficiently explored. To address this, the unimolecular chiral poly(amino acid)s were synthesized to evaluate their immunostimulatory effects and anti-cancer potential. Among the candidates, G0-P_D-Lys₅₀ emerged as the most effective adjuvant through <em>in vitro</em> screening. When complexed with antigen ovalbumin (OVA) to form chiral nanovaccines, G0-P_L-Lys₅₀-OVA and G0-P_D-Lys₅₀-OVA exhibited similar morphology, particle size, and zeta potential. Despite these comparable physicochemical properties, G0-P_D-Lys₅₀-OVA induced significantly stronger activation of dendritic cells (DCs). Specifically, it resulted in 1.38 and 1.34-fold increases in CD11c⁺CD80⁺ DCs and CD11c⁺SIINFEKL-H-2Kb⁺ DCs in lymph nodes, respectively. In the LLC-OVA cancer model, G0-P_D-Lys₅₀-OVA reduced tumor volume by 50 % compared to its enantiomer. These results establish a unique approach to designing chiral nanovaccines and provide a foundational strategy for developing broadly applicable immunotherapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 11","pages":"Article 111477"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144879831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tailoring cascade hydrolysis and cyclization efficiency in confined spaces via spatial and electrostatic regulation","authors":"Qian Liu ,&nbsp;Yi Shi ,&nbsp;Kaiya Wang ,&nbsp;Xiao-Yu Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111462","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111462","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intramolecular end-to-end reactions of long-chain linear precursors remain challenging due to their inherent tendency to undergo intermolecular reactions. Herein, we investigated the cascade hydrolysis and intramolecular cyclization reactions of three guests with varying lengths within the well-defined nanocavities of cavitands in aqueous solution. Driven by hydrophobic effect, these guests were encapsulated within the dimeric capsules, adopting distinct conformations and orientations due to spatial constraints. Specifically, the shorter guest maintained an extended linear geometry, whereas the longer guests adopted a folded binding mode. Upon initiating the reaction, the terminal residue of the shorter guest displayed lower reactivity, while the longer guests, preorganized within the cavity, underwent efficient cyclization, resulting in significant differences in reaction kinetics. Furthermore, electrostatic potential fields played a critical role in modulating reaction rates, with the positively charged cavitand accelerating the reaction more efficiently compared to its negatively charged counterpart, likely due to stabilization of the anionic transition state. This study provides an effective strategy for designing enzyme-mimetic nanoreactors through the utilization of well-defined nanospaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 12","pages":"Article 111462"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Controllable self-assembly and photothermal conversion of metalla[2]catenanes induced by synergistic effect of free radicals and stacking interactions","authors":"Ying Zhao ,&nbsp;Yao He ,&nbsp;Jian-Xin Yang ,&nbsp;Wen-Jie Liu ,&nbsp;Dan Tian ,&nbsp;Francisco Aznarez ,&nbsp;Le-Le Gong ,&nbsp;Li-Long Dang ,&nbsp;Lu-Fang Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111460","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111460","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The self-assembly and photothermal application studies of interlocked compounds has been attracting increasing attention during the last decades. Nevertheless, the synthesis of a series of interlocked topologies possessing similar structural characteristic and clarifying their photothermal performance law remains a challenge. Herein, we introduce a new dipyridinyl ligand <strong>L1</strong> featuring two methoxy groups, which act as electron-donating species and provide electrons to the central benzene ring, resulting in an enhanced electron rich effect. Previous research indicates that this feature significantly contributes to forming π-stacking interactions. Furthermore, four half-sandwich rhodium-based building blocks exhibiting different metal-to-metal distances and conjugated effect were selected and used to combine with <strong>L1</strong> for the synthesis of [2]catenanes and metallamacrocycles for studying the influence of half-sandwich building blocks on photothermal conversion performance under the same accumulation effect. Three new metalla[2]catenanes and one metallamacrocycle have been obtained in high yields and their structure has been unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and ESI-TOF-MS. In addition, dynamic structural transformation between [2]catenanes and the corresponding metallamacrocycles has been observed through concentration changes and polar solvent induced effect. Photothermal conversion abilities of the isolated complexes were studied and we observed that [2]catenane <strong>3a</strong> displayed significant temperature changes (from 25.8 °C to 50.3 °C) under laser irradiation of 1.5 W/cm², thereby reaching a photothermal conversion efficiency of 40.42 %. Recorded EPR data indicates that the synergistic cooperation of the free radical effect at the building unit and the stacking effect of [2]catenanes most likely generated photothermal conversion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 12","pages":"Article 111460"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145061417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular iron-oxo clusters ameliorate sepsis via enhancing humoral immune response","authors":"Ying Wang ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Lv ,&nbsp;Song Liang ,&nbsp;Yingdong Xie ,&nbsp;Yuan Tian ,&nbsp;Dong Li ,&nbsp;Hong-Ying Zang","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metal-based antimicrobial materials have been extensively studied and applied over decades. While these materials are notably characterized by their superior antibacterial performance and low propensity to induce drug resistance, critical limitations such as inherent cytotoxicity, poor solubility, and instability in aqueous solution remain significant challenges requiring systematic optimization. In this study, we synthesized water-soluble molecular iron-oxo clusters (MIC) with excellent biosafety and stability of aqueous solution. Our findings demonstrate that MIC exhibits marked therapeutic efficacy in cecal ligation and puncture induced sepsis models, a critical validation given sepsis' etiology as a life-threatening infection mediated systemic inflammatory syndrome. MIC combats bacteria by enhancing humoral immune responsiveness. MIC significantly improved the survival rate, reduced bacterial burden, stabilized body temperature, and modulated cytokine profiles in mice with sepsis. Further investigations revealed that MIC promotes B cells proliferation and oxidative phosphorylation, and mitigates mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in B cells, suggesting its role in modulating cellular metabolism. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that MIC exerts its effects by influencing key pathways involved in humoral immunity, inflammatory responses, and metabolic adaptation. These findings establish MIC as a novel therapeutic agent for regulating immune responses in sepsis, providing innovative strategies to improve recovery from this life-threatening condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 11","pages":"Article 111455"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144860982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in combination therapy for the treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer","authors":"Lijuan Liu ,&nbsp;Zhihao Zhao ,&nbsp;Feiwan Zou,&nbsp;Wukun Liu,&nbsp;Yunlong Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Breast cancer is a severe problem for women worldwide. Among them, estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer accounted for 70 % of total breast cancer cases, which is the most common subtype. Currently, the main therapy that targeted ER positive breast cancer is endocrine therapy. Herein, we summarized the latest research advances in combination therapies for ER positive breast cancer, focusing on ER as the main therapeutic target. The therapeutic approaches, therapeutic mechanism and resistance will be reviewed and discussed. The combinatorial targets and synergistic effects such as cell cycle-dependent kinase 4/6, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, histone deacetylase, bromodomain and extraterminal domain were summarized. In addition, the chemical structures of the inhibitors were also illustrated, along with a brief structure-activity relationship study. Finally, perspective and future directions on breast cancer were proposed and discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 10","pages":"Article 111451"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144679040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deprotonation effect doubles active site density in Fe-N4-C catalyst for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis","authors":"Zhili Yang,&nbsp;Liqun Liu,&nbsp;Xuebi Rao,&nbsp;Zeyu Jin,&nbsp;Jialin Sun,&nbsp;Yongkang Zhu,&nbsp;Shiming Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) materials with Fe-N₄ structures have been considered as the most promising alternatives of scarce and precious platinum (Pt) for oxygen reduction reaction. Particularly, the high-temperature pyrolysis of a precursor mixture of N-containing amine polymers, Fe salts, and carbon supports, has become a popular method for the synthesis of high-performance Fe-N-C catalysts. The oxidative polymerization of amine monomers can usually proceed under acidic conditions, however, the acid-caused protonation of N-groups is not conducive to their coordination with Fe ions for the formation of high-density Fe-N₄ sites. Here, we propose a protonation elimination strategy of soaking the polymerization products in alkaline solutions to increase Fe-N₄ active sites. Theoretical calculations display that the Gibbs free energy change values of binding reactions between Fe ions and N-groups are -3.70 and -26.99 kcal/mol at pH 0 and 7, respectively, suggesting that the deprotonation can facilitate the Fe-N coordination. There is a two-fold increase in the number of Fe-N₄ active sites for final Fe-N-C catalyst which exhibits significantly enhanced ORR activity and excellent Zn-air battery performance. This deprotonation effect can be applied to different amine compounds and transition-metal ions as a universal strategy for the development of preeminent non-precious metal carbon catalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 11","pages":"Article 111440"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic interlayer confinement and built-in electric field construct reconstruction-inhibited cobalt selenide for robust oxygen evolution at high current density","authors":"Yuanhua Xiao ,&nbsp;Jinhui Shou ,&nbsp;Shiwei Zhang ,&nbsp;Ya Shen ,&nbsp;Junwei Liu ,&nbsp;Dangcheng Su ,&nbsp;Yang Kong ,&nbsp;Xiaodong Jia ,&nbsp;Qingxiang Yang ,&nbsp;Shaoming Fang ,&nbsp;Xuezhao Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transition metal selenides (TMS) demonstrate exceptional catalytic activity in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), yet their performance is hindered by surface reconstruction under OER conditions, particularly at high current densities. This study reveals that embedding Co_0.85Se nanoparticles into the interlayer spacing of MXene-Ti₃C₂ effectively suppresses surface reconstruction during OER. This configuration establishes a Schottky heterojunction with an intrinsic built-in electric field (BEF) between Co_0.85Se and Ti₃C₂, which enhances charge redistribution and accelerates electron transport. Consequently, the Co_0.85Se@Ti₃C₂ composite exhibits outstanding OER performance, achieving low overpotentials (230 mV at 100 mA/cm², 376 mV at 1000 mA/cm², 417 mV at 1500 mA/cm²) and exceptional durability (200 h at 200 mA/cm²). <em>In-situ</em> XRD/Raman characterization verifies that the encapsulated Co_0.85Se within Ti₃C₂ inhibits CoOOH formation on the surface during OER. Both experimental and theoretical investigations indicate that the heterojunction's superhydrophilicity/superaerophobicity, synergized with BEF-regulated oxygen intermediate adsorption/desorption, collectively enhance catalytic efficiency of Co_0.85Se@Ti₃C₂. This strategy of spatially confining chalcogenide catalysts to prevent structural degradation while leveraging interfacial electric fields presents a rational approach for developing durable electrocatalysts in high-current densities water electrolysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 11","pages":"Article 111441"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Denitrative iodination of nitroarenes with hydroiodic acid","authors":"Qingxuan Kong ,&nbsp;Changwei Jiang ,&nbsp;Bin Lyu ,&nbsp;Zhaoting Li ,&nbsp;Ning Jiao ,&nbsp;Song Song","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We herein present an efficient denitrative iodination method of (hetero)nitroarenes mediated by commercially available and cost-effective hydroiodic acid (HI). During the reaction process, HI plays its dual roles as both the sustainable reductant of nitro group and iodine source in the iodination step, which successfully integrates three steps into a one-pot procedure and significantly simplifies the reaction system. This approach enables a smooth metal-free conversion of nitroarenes to corresponding aryl iodides <em>via</em> one-pot process, exhibits a broad substrate scope and good reaction efficiency, and was conveniently applied in the concise synthesis of pharmaceuticals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 10","pages":"Article 111444"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"1D self-supporting NiFe2O4/NiMoO4 heterostructure as bifunctional electrocatalyst via interface engineering for highly efficient seawater splitting","authors":"Lili Wang ,&nbsp;Xujie Han ,&nbsp;Baichuan Xiong ,&nbsp;Ya Yan ,&nbsp;Cheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Yuning Qu ,&nbsp;Yiran Zhang ,&nbsp;Linlin Zheng ,&nbsp;Zirui Gao ,&nbsp;Shuheng Tian ,&nbsp;Wenjing Dai ,&nbsp;Bowen Cheng ,&nbsp;Hang Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhen Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Direct seawater electrolysis is a promising way for hydrogen energy production. However, developing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts remains a significant challenge for seawater electrolysis with industrial-level current density due to high concentration of salts and compete reaction of chlorine evolution. Herein, a 1D NiFe₂O₄/NiMoO₄ heterostructure as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall seawater splitting is constructed by combining NiMoO₄ nanowires with NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles on carbon felt (CF) by a simple hydrothermal, impregnation and calcination method. The electrocatalyst exhibits low overpotential of 237 and 292 mV for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction at 400 mA/cm² in the alkaline seawater (1 mol/L KOH + 0.5 mol/L NaCl) due to the plentiful interfaces of NiFe₂O₄/NiMoO₄ which exposes more active sites and expands the active surface area, thereby enhancing its intrinsic activity and promoting the reaction kinetics. Notably, it displays low voltages of 1.95 V to drive current density of 400 mA/cm² in alkaline seawater with its excellent stability of 200 h at above 100 mA/cm², exhibiting outstanding performance and good corrosion resistance. This work provides an effective strategy for constructing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for industrial seawater electrolysis, underscoring its potential for sustainable energy applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 12","pages":"Article 111437"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145227462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multifunctional selenium nanoparticles/gelatin-based nanocomposite hydrogel adhesive for accelerated full-thickness wound healing","authors":"Zhi-Peng Zhou ,&nbsp;Xin Wei ,&nbsp;Ming Yan ,&nbsp;Zhi-Guo Wang ,&nbsp;Rui Hong ,&nbsp;Jia-Zhuang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111400","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111400","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wound dressings with tissue adhesion, good mechanical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory performance are urgently needed. In this work, we present a multifunctional selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs)/citric acid/gelatin/hydroxysuccinimide-grafted polyacrylic acid nanocomposite hydrogel adhesive (SCA) specifically designed for wound healing applications. The SCA was prepared <em>via</em> a one-pot processing, where SeNPs synthesized <em>via</em> chemical reduction were incorporated. These SeNPs not only endowed SCA with robust wet adhesion ability, excellent stretchability, and skin-matched elasticity modulus by serving as a physical crosslinker to modulate swelling equilibrium and molecular slippage, but also enhanced the biocompatibility and free radical scavenging capacity of SCA. Furthermore, <em>in vivo</em> evaluation of full-thickness cutaneous defects of rats revealed that SCA effectively reduced inflammation, promoted wound closure, and increased collagen deposition. All these results demonstrated that the developed SCA offers a promising therapeutic strategy for wound healing applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10088,"journal":{"name":"Chinese Chemical Letters","volume":"36 9","pages":"Article 111400"},"PeriodicalIF":9.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144571535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}