arXiv subjects

Menghui Chi

Publications and source records attributed to Menghui Chi.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

ZIF-90 treats fungal keratitis by promoting macrophage apoptosis and inhibiting inflammatory response

Fungal keratitis is a severe vision-threatening corneal infection with a prognosis influenced by fungal virulence and the host's immune defense mechanisms. The immune system, through its regulation of the inflammatory response, ensures cells and tissues can effectively activate defense mechanisms in response to infection and injury. However, there is still a lack of effective drugs that attenuate fungal virulence while relieving the inflammatory response caused by fungal keratitis. Therefore, finding effective treatments to solve these problems is particularly important. We synthesized ZIF-90 by water-based synthesis and characterized by SEM, XRD etc. In vitro experiments included CCK-8 and ELISA. These evaluations verified the disruptive effects of ZIF-90 on Aspergillus. fumigatus spore adhesion, morphology, cell membrane, and the effect of ZIF-90 on apoptosis. In addition, to investigate whether the metal-ligand zinc and the organic ligand imidazole act as essential factors in ZIF-90, we investigated the in vitro antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of ZIF-8, ZIF-67, and MOF-74 (Zn) by MIC and ELISA experiments. ZIF-90 has therapeutic effects on fungal keratitis, which could break the protective organelles of Aspergillus. fumigatus, such as the cell wall. In addition, ZIF-90 can avoid excessive inflammatory response by promoting apoptosis of inflammatory cells. The results demonstrated that both zinc ions and imidazole possessed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, ZIF-90 exhibited better biocompatibility compared to ZIF-8, ZIF-67, and MOF-74 (Zn). ZIF-90 has anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects and preferable biocompatibility, and has great potential for the treatment of fungal keratitis.

q-bio.SC↗

arXiv2024

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 offers an anti-inflammatory and antifungal method in the treatment of Aspergillus fungus keratitis in vitro and in vivo

Background: Fungal keratitis is a serious blinding eye disease. Traditional drugs used to treat fungal keratitis commonly have the disadvantages of low bioavailability, poor dispersion, and limited permeability. Purpose: To develop a new method for the treatment of fungal keratitis with improved bioavailability, dispersion, and permeability. Purpose: To develop a new method for the treatment of fungal keratitis with improved bioavailability, dispersion, and permeability. Methods: Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) was formed by zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole linked by coordination bonds and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Zeta potential. The safety of ZIF-8 on HCECs and RAW 264.7 cells was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The anti-inflammatory effects of ZIF-8 on RAW 246.7 cells were evaluated by Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (qPCR) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical score, Colony-Forming Units (CFU). In vivo, treatment with ZIF-8 reduced corneal fungal load and mitigated neutrophil infiltration in fungal keratitis, which effectively reduced the severity of keratitis in mice and alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory factors in the mouse cornea. In addition, ZIF-8 reduces the inflammatory response by downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-{\alpha}, IL-6, and IL-1\b{eta} after Aspergillus fumigatus infection in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: ZIF-8 has a significant anti-inflammatory and antifungal effect, which provides a new solution for the treatment of fungal keratitis.

q-bio.TO↗