Article
Biophysics
L. Somaglino, L. Mousnier, A. Giron, W. Urbach, N. Tsapis, N. Taulier
Summary: Polymeric nanoparticles are being studied as potential drug carriers, and their drug release can be enhanced by triggering with ultrasound. However, the release is only significantly increased in the presence of detectable inertial cavitation.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tugce Boztepe, Guillermo R. Castro, Ignacio E. Leon
Summary: Platinum drugs like carboplatin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin are widely used in cancer treatment but their toxicity limits their application. Recent research focuses on developing new formulations to expand therapeutic options. Advances in drug delivery carriers aim to increase drug stability and reduce toxic effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Juan Liao, Yinyin Qian, Zhiya Sun, Jie Wang, Qiang Zhang, Qiying Zheng, Shiqi Wei, Nian Liu, Huaming Yang
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the binding and release mechanisms of DOX by nanoclays through experimental and theoretical approaches. The high loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of DOX by nanoclays are attributed to the exposed hydroxyl and Lewis base sites on the surfaces. pH-responsive release profiles of DOX from nanoclays are influenced by the protonation of negatively charged nanoclays in weakly acidic solutions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia Lopuszynska, Wladyslaw P. Weglarz
Summary: Poor pharmacokinetics and low aqueous solubility combined with rapid clearance from the circulation of drugs result in their limited effectiveness and generally high therapeutic doses. The use of nanocarriers for drug delivery can prevent the rapid degradation of the drug, improve its solubility and stability, enhance distribution and targeting, ensure sustained release, and reduce drug resistance. Nanotechnology enables the combination of therapeutics with biomedical imaging agents to overcome the challenges of disease diagnosis and therapy. This paper presents scientific reports on polymeric nanocarriers for MRI-guided drug delivery, focusing on their contrasting properties and categorizing them into three main groups based on the type of contrast agents.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yajing Sun, Qingshan Yang, Xue Xia, Xiaozhe Li, Weimin Ruan, Meng Zheng, Yan Zou, Bingyang Shi
Summary: Researchers are focusing on developing polymeric nanoparticles targeted at mitochondria to enhance the efficiency of cancer therapy.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nazan Goksen Tosun, Secil Erden Tayhan, Isa Gokce, Cemil Alkan
Summary: Conventional methods in chemotherapy and radiotherapy have limited accuracy in treating breast cancer and often cause adverse effects on healthy tissues and cells. Drug delivery systems using synthetic or natural polymer shell capsules have shown promise in targeting tumors directly and reducing adverse effects. In this study, doxorubicin was encapsulated using mPEG-pPAd-mPEG triblock copolymers and the nanoparticle form was produced using a double emulsion-solvent evaporation method. The nanoparticles exhibited low toxicity compared to free doxorubicin and showed potential as a new drug delivery system for breast cancer treatment.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dorina Lauritano, Giulia Moreo, Fedora Della Vella, Annalisa Palmieri, Francesco Carinci, Massimo Petruzzi
Summary: The pathogenesis of nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth is characterized by an excessive accumulation of collagen due to the inhibition of collagen intracellular and extracellular degradation pathways.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Farzin Firozian, Zahra Arabkhani, Mohammad Mehdi Mahboobian, Mojdeh Mohammadi, Gholamabbas Chehardoli
Summary: The study developed a cationic dextran stearate-glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride (Dex-St-GTMAC) copolymer as a drug carrier to deliver indomethacin to cornea tissues. The prepared polymeric micelles showed sustained drug release and improved penetration of indomethacin into cornea tissues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
V. Manjusha, M. R. Rajeev, T. S. Anirudhan
Summary: Safe delivery of hydrophobic drugs to the tumor site is a challenging task for the scientific community. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles coated chitosan with [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethyl ammonium chloride (METAC) (CS-IONPs-METAC-PTX) were developed as a drug carrier for hydrophobic drug delivery. The drug carrier exhibited excellent therapeutic efficacy and selectivity when tested in cell lines, demonstrating its potential for PTX delivery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lais Ribovski, Naomi M. Hamelmann, Jos M. J. Paulusse
Summary: Safe and reliable entry into the brain is crucial for successful treatment of central nervous system disorders, but remains challenging. Nano-sized systems as drug carriers show significant improvements in therapy delivery. Careful design of NP properties is essential for successful brain delivery, affecting the ability to overcome multiple barriers.
Article
Polymer Science
Kyoung Nan Kim, Keun Sang Oh, Jiwook Shim, Isabel R. Schlaepfer, Sana D. Karam, Jung-Jae Lee
Summary: Light-sensitive polymeric micelles have been developed as promising drug delivery systems, with the ability to release drugs under UV light. The diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ)-conjugated micellar nanoparticles show high stability and hydrophobicity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenyu Duan, Qiang Luo, Lei Gu, Xiaoling Li, Hongyan Zhu, Zhongwei Gu, Qiyong Gong, Hu Zhang, Kui Luo
Summary: This study utilized a nanoplatform PFC-Q1@PLGA to increase oxygen level in tumors and enhance IL-25 secretion, leading to improved radiotherapeutic effect on both local and distant tumors.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Nouf Alshibani, Reem AlKattan, Eman Allam, Fahad A. Alshehri, Manal Matouq Shalabi, Nada Almuhanna, Houriah Almarshad, Anfal Aljamili
Summary: This study investigated the effects of metformin (MF) on the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Different concentrations of MF were tested on HGFs, and expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, IL-1 beta, and IL-8 were analyzed. The results showed that MF had a minimal cytotoxic effect on HGFs and significantly reduced the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, and IL-8 in LPS-stimulated HGFs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcin Magacz, Monika Papiez, Dorota Koscielniak, Anna Jurczak, Karolina Kedziora, Elzbieta Pamula, Wirginia Krzysciak
Summary: One strategy for caries prevention is to inhibit the formation of cariogenic biofilms. Researchers are trying to develop oral hygiene products enriched with antimicrobial agents, such as lactoperoxidase. Different (pseudo)halide substrate systems were tested for their toxicity against human gingival fibroblasts, and it was found that they inhibited cell divisions and increased apoptosis and cell death.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aharon Azagury, Cameron Baptista, Kosta Milovanovic, Hyeseon Shin, Peter Morello, James Perez-Rogers, Victoria Goldenshtein, Travis Nguyen, Arianna Markel, Soham Rege, Stephanie Hojsak, Alexander Perl, Carder Jones, Megan Fife, Stacia Furtado, Edith Mathiowitz
Summary: Decades of research have not reached a consensus on the properties that produce effective oral drug delivery systems using nanoparticles. This study proposes a mechanism involving biocoating to explain the behavior of nanoparticles in vivo, which can alter their surface properties and affect their systemic uptake. Coating nanoparticles with mucus is found to increase their mucosal diffusion rate and promote high systemic uptake.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Laura Chronopoulou, Ilaria Cacciotti, Adriana Amalfitano, Antonio Di Nitto, Veronica D'Arienzo, Giuseppina Nocca, Cleofe Palocci
Summary: The research focuses on the development of a biomimetic composite material for tissue regeneration, using Arg-Gly-Asp-grafted chitosan to promote cell adhesion and mimicking the chemical composition of natural bone tissue. The obtained composite hydrogel was characterized through various measurements, and the biological responsiveness was evaluated using the MG-63 human osteoblast cell line.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Natalia Pediconi, Francesca Ghirga, Cristina Del Plato, Giovanna Peruzzi, Constantinos M. Athanassopoulos, Mattia Mori, Maria Elisa Crestoni, Davide Corinti, Franco Ugozzoli, Chiara Massera, Alessandro Arcovito, Bruno Botta, Alberto Boffi, Deborah Quaglio, Paola Baiocco
Summary: This study achieved efficient delivery of siRNA by decorating the internal cavity of humanized chimeric Archaeal ferritin with novel cationic compounds. The systems developed here showed promise in targeting cancer cells and silencing specific genes for therapeutic applications.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Salvatore Pacifico, Valentina Albanese, Davide Illuminati, Erika Marzola, Martina Fabbri, Federica Ferrari, Victor A. D. Holanda, Chiara Sturaro, Davide Malfacini, Chiara Ruzza, Claudio Trapella, Delia Preti, Ettore Lo Cascio, Alessandro Arcovito, Stefano Della Longa, Martina Marangoni, Davide Fattori, Romina Nassini, Girolamo Calo, Remo Guerrini
Summary: In this study, 31 peptides were synthesized and tested for their activity at human recombinant NOP/opioid receptors. The peptide [Dmt(1,5)]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH2 was identified as the most potent dual NOP/mu receptor agonist, with antitussive effects demonstrated in vivo. The molecular mechanisms of peptide binding to the mu receptor were elucidated through experimental and in silico studies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Federica Tiberio, Ilaria Cacciotti, Paolo Frassanito, Giuseppina Nocca, Gianpiero Tamburrini, Alessandro Arcovito, Wanda Lattanzi
Summary: This review outlines the existing techniques and innovative biotechnologies for surgical treatment of craniosynostosis and related craniofacial deformities, highlighting the need for targeted bone regeneration and modulation of suture ossification. Advanced strategies in biomaterials and tissue engineering have been implemented in pediatric surgical skull reconstruction to address congenital defects, such as biodegradable bone fixation systems, biomimetic scaffolds, drug delivery systems, and cell-based approaches.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Giuseppina Nocca, Giuseppe D'Avenio, Adriana Amalfitano, Laura Chronopoulou, Alvaro Mordente, Cleofe Palocci, Mauro Grigioni
Summary: In this study, core-shell NPs loaded with GA were efficiently developed to enhance the drug's bioavailability in cells. The toxic effects of different forms of GA on HepG2 cells were evaluated using MTT and ECIS tests, highlighting the importance of real-time monitoring for studying bioactive substances in cell cultures.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Riccardo Di Santo, Sabrina Romano, Alberto Mazzini, Svetlana Jovanovic, Giuseppina Nocca, Gaetano Campi, Massimiliano Papi, Marco De Spirito, Flavio Di Giacinto, Gabriele Ciasca
Summary: Exosomes have great potential in cancer diagnostics and liquid biopsy, but their translation into clinical settings is hindered by limitations in extraction and characterization methods. New label-free approaches, such as nanodevices and vibrational spectroscopies, are emerging and hold promise in revolutionizing EXO diagnostics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lorena Di Pietro, Marta Barba, Daniela Palacios, Federica Tiberio, Chiara Prampolini, Mirko Baranzini, Ornella Parolini, Alessandro Arcovito, Wanda Lattanzi
Summary: The research suggests that sequence changes in the RUNX2 locus may have contributed to human skull globularization through altering binding of Znf263, miRNA affinity, and regulation of RUNX2 expression and related RNAs. These changes could have led to adaptive phenotypic evolution of RUNX2, explaining the delayed suture fusion and globular skull shape in modern humans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Filomena Lo Vecchio, Elisabetta Tabolacci, Veronica Nobile, Maria Grazia Pomponi, Roberta Pietrobono, Giovanni Neri, Simona Amenta, Ettore Candida, Cristina Grippaudo, Ettore Lo Cascio, Alessia Vita, Federica Tiberio, Alessandro Arcovito, Wanda Lattanzi, Maurizio Genuardi, Pietro Chiurazzi
Summary: Craniosynostosis is a group of genetic diseases caused by the premature fusion of skull bones, with common types including Crouzon, Apert, and Pfeiffer syndromes. These syndromes have different clinical manifestations and are inherited through autosomal dominant inheritance. The FGFR2 gene is a key gene responsible for these syndromes, with mutations leading to varying clinical phenotypes.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Serena Brundu, Virginia Napolitano, Giulia Franzolin, Ettore Lo Cascio, Roberta Mastrantonio, Gabriele Sardo, Eliano Cascardi, Federica Verginelli, Sergio Sarnataro, Gennaro Gambardella, Alberto Pisacane, Alessandro Arcovito, Carla Boccaccio, Paolo M. Comoglio, Enrico Giraudo, Luca Tamagnone
Summary: The genetic changes responsible for the development of cancers of unknown primary (CUP) remain unknown. However, a study comparing the mutational landscape of CUPs with that of other tumors identified a consistent enrichment of changes in the axon guidance genes. Specifically, a G842C mutation of PlexinB2 (PlxnB2) was found to be activating. Knocking down the mutated PlxnB2 impaired self-renewal and proliferation in CUP stem cells, while genetic transfer of G842C-PlxnB2 promoted proliferation and tumorigenesis. The mutated PlxnB2 also induced invasiveness in CUP cells, which could be blocked by EGFR inhibition.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Filippo Biamonte, Agnese Re, Bijorn Omar Balzamino, Gabriele Ciasca, Daniela Santucci, Cecilia Napodano, Giuseppina Nocca, Antonella Fiorita, Mariapaola Marino, Umberto Basile, Alessandra Micera, Cinzia Anna Maria Calla
Summary: This study found that levels of NGF and BDNF increased in saliva and serum during SARS-CoV-2 infection, but gradually decreased in the following 6 months. Saliva and serum could be used as useful matrices for quick screening of COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Krizia Pocino, Annunziata Stefanile, Valerio Basile, Cecilia Napodano, Francesca D'Ambrosio, Riccardo Di Santo, Cinzia Anna Maria Calla, Francesca Gulli, Raffaele Saporito, Gabriele Ciasca, Francesco Equitani, Umberto Basile, Mariapaola Marino
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health issue with a high prevalence and poor prognosis. This review discusses the role of soluble factors as biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment targets in precision medicine, focusing on their effects on liver tumor progression.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elena Mazzinelli, Ilaria Favuzzi, Alessandro Arcovito, Raffaella Castagnola, Giorgia Fratocchi, Alvaro Mordente, Giuseppina Nocca
Summary: The route of drug administration involving crossing the oral mucosa is highly favored due to its advantages. This review aims to describe the various models used to study drug permeability through the oral mucosa and highlight the most effective ones. There is a growing need for standardized models to develop new drug delivery systems, and Oral Mucosa Equivalents (OMEs) may provide a promising solution.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giorgia Canini, Ettore Lo Cascio, Stefano Della Longa, Francesco Cecconi, Alessandro Arcovito
Summary: In this study, a computational approach was used to determine the location and conformation of substrates and cofactors in glucosylceramide synthase, as well as elucidate its catalytic mechanism. The findings suggest that specific residues interact with the cofactor and substrates to facilitate the catalytic reaction at the active site.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ettore Lo Cascio, Angelo Toto, Gabriele Babini, Flavio De Maio, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Alvaro Mordente, Stefano Della Longa, Alessandro Arcovito
Summary: SLiMs are functional protein microdomains. SARS-CoV-2 E-SLiM binds to the human target protein with higher affinity than SARS-CoV-1, with molecular dynamics simulations providing evidence of the structural determinants driving this binding process. These findings shed light on the strategies used by SARS-CoV-2 in mimicking endogenous SLiM peptides for tight junction binding in host cells.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
