Yang Zhu

Prof. Yang Zhu

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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6 April 2024 in Advanced Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YZYang Zhu
Yang Zhu
XNXuegang Niu
Xuegang Niu
CDChengyu Ding
Chengyu Ding
YLYuanxiang Lin
Yuanxiang Lin
WFWenhua Fang
Wenhua Fang
DKDezhi Kang
Dezhi Kang
Cuproptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death significantly depending on the transport efficacy of copper (Cu) ionophores. However, existing Cu ionophores, primarily small molecules with a short blood half‐life, face challenges in transporting enough amounts of Cu ions into tumor cells. This work describes the construction of carrier‐free nanoparticles (Ce6@Cu NPs), which self‐assembled by the coordination of Cu 2+ with the sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6), facilitating sonodynamic‐triggered combination of cuproptosis and ferroptosis. Ce6@Cu NPs internalized by U87MG cells induce a sonodynamic effect and glutathione (GSH) depletion capability, promoting lipid peroxidation and eventually inducing ferroptosis. Furthermore, Cu + concentration in tumor cells significantly increases as Cu 2+ reacts with reductive GSH, resulting in the downregulation of ferredoxin‐1 and lipoyl synthase. This induces the oligomerization of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S‐acetyltransferase, causing proteotoxic stress and irreversible cuproptosis. Ce6@Cu NPs possess a satisfactory ability to penetrate the blood‐brain barrier, resulting in significant accumulation in orthotopic U87MG‐Luc glioblastoma. The sonodynamic‐triggered combination of ferroptosis and cuproptosis in the tumor by Ce6@Cu NPs is evidenced both in vitro and in vivo with minimal side effects. This work represents a promising tumor therapeutic strategy combining ferroptosis and cuproptosis, potentially inspiring further research in developing logical and effective cancer therapies based on cuproptosis.

23 May 2023 in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JCJunjie Cheng
Junjie Cheng
YZYang Zhu
Yang Zhu
YDYi Dai
Yi Dai
LLLi Li
Li Li
MZMiya Zhang
Miya Zhang
YLYangzhong Liu
Yangzhong Liu

25 February 2022 in Small
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YZYang Zhu
Yang Zhu
DJDuo Jin
Duo Jin
MLManman Liu
Manman Liu
YDYi Dai
Yi Dai
LLLi Li
Li Li
YLYangzhong Liu
Yangzhong Liu

9 December 2022 in Advanced Healthcare Materials
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YZYang Zhu
Yang Zhu
YPYuanbo Pan
Yuanbo Pan
ZGZhengxi Guo
Zhengxi Guo
DJDuo Jin
Duo Jin
WWWenyu Wang
Wenyu Wang
YLYangzhong Liu
Yangzhong Liu

14 September 2021 in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
WWWenyu Wang
Wenyu Wang
YZYang Zhu
Yang Zhu
XZXiaorong Zhu
Xiaorong Zhu
YZYafei Zhao
Yafei Zhao
ZXZhenggang Xue
Zhenggang Xue
YWYuen Wu
Yuen Wu

25 April 2025 in Advanced Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YZYang Zhu
Yang Zhu
DWDengliang Wang
Dengliang Wang
CDChengzhong Du
Chengzhong Du
TWTiantian Wu
Tiantian Wu
PWPenghui Wei
Penghui Wei
XCXiaoyuan Chen
Xiaoyuan Chen
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising noninvasive approach for tumor therapy. However, the effectiveness of traditional inorganic semiconductor sonosensitizers is hindered by rapid electron (e − ) and hole (h + ) recombination under ultrasonic (US) stimulation, as well as the hypoxic and reductive conditions of tumor microenvironment (TME), which limit the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, a ruthenium (Ru) single‐atom nanozyme‐driven superimposition‐enhanced titanium dioxide‐based sonosensitizer (Ru/TiO 2‐x SAE) is presented that features sufficient oxygen vacancies and high e − /h + separation efficiency. Through synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis it is confirmed that oxygen vacancies in TiO 2‐x nanoparticles promote the immobilization of single‐atomic Ru, forming Ru‐O₄ active sites. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that oxygen vacancies alter the electronic structure of nanosensitizer, enhanced e − /h + separation, increasing oxygen adsorption, and accelerating reaction kinetics under US stimulation, ultimately improving ROS production. Moreover, Ru/TiO 2‐x SAE boosts sonodynamic efficacy by mitigating the hypoxic and reductive TME. This is attributed to its catalase‐ and glutathione peroxidase 4‐like activities, which facilitate the generation of ROS and trigger lipid peroxidation‐mediated ferroptosis. These findings highlight the innovative role of single‐atom Ru in optimizing sonosensitizers for SDT‐induced ferroptosis, demonstrating its potential for advancing cancer therapy.