Article
Chemistry, Physical
Thejus Baby, Yun Liu, Guangze Yang, Dong Chen, Chun-Xia Zhao
Summary: A new microfluidic nanoprecipitation approach has been developed for making polymer NPs with tunable drug loading up to 50%. The synthesized NPs remain very stable under acidic conditions but release the drug in a sustained manner at neutral pH.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Linh Ho Thuy Nguyen, Y. Thi Dang, Trang Thi Thu Nguyen, Bao Quang Gia Le, Ngoc Xuan Dat Mai, Ha Van Nguyen, Minh-Tri Le, Thang Bach Phan, Tan Le Hoang Doan
Summary: There has been increasing interest in using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporated with biomolecules, known as b-MOFs, for biomedical applications. However, synthesizing these materials at the nanoparticle size is challenging due to their complex structures. In this study, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of nano-b-MOFs containing nucleobase adenine as biomolecular building blocks by using surfactants and a post-synthesis linker-exchange method.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Shumin Chen, Xiaoguo Ji, Mengyao Zhao, Jiayang Jin, Haiping Zhang, Liming Zhao
Summary: A chitooligosaccharide-based nanoparticle with enhanced delivery efficiency and endocytosis was constructed in this study, which improved the therapeutic effect of AZD9291 and overcame drug resistance. The surface charge of the nanoparticles changed in the weakly acidic tumor microenvironment and released drugs in the cytoplasm.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Tramontano, Bruno Miranda, Giovanna Chianese, Luca De Stefano, Carlo Forestiere, Marinella Pirozzi, Ilaria Rea
Summary: This study combined inorganic diatomite nanoparticles with gelatin-stabilized gold nanoparticles to develop an optical platform for drug delivery. By increasing the thickness of the gelatin shells, the drug loading capacity was improved. Optical modeling was used to monitor drug release processes and proved to be an efficient tool for designing polymer-coated nanocarriers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Li, Holmfridur R. Halldorsdottir, Sven Weller, Anna Colliander, Martin Bak, Paul Kempen, Gael Clergeaud, Thomas L. Andresen
Summary: Although adoptive T cell therapy for cancer treatment has limitations, loading T cells with SHP099 can enhance therapeutic efficacy. Cell-loaded SHP099 enables sustained inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling and increases cytolytic activity of the T cells. This is a promising therapeutic strategy.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Benedetta Leonetti, Alessandro Perin, Emmanuele Kizito Ambrosi, Gabriele Sponchia, Paolo Sgarbossa, Andrea Castellin, Pietro Riello, Alessandro Scarso
Summary: Mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles (MZNs) have been found to be a promising drug delivery system with high loading and release efficiencies for a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The study demonstrated that MZNs efficiently loaded and released most of the investigated API, maintaining high inertness towards various functional groups even during long-term loading.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria B. Sokol, Margarita Chirkina, Nikita G. Yabbarov, Mariia R. Mollaeva, Tatyana A. Podrugina, Anna S. Pavlova, Viktor V. Temnov, Rania M. Hathout, Abdelkader A. Metwally, Elena D. Nikolskaya
Summary: In this study, a combination of molecular dynamics simulation and in vitro experiments was used to improve the design of polymer-based nanoparticles for cancer treatment. The results showed that nanoparticles loaded with novel carboplatin derivatives exhibited high antitumor activity and hemocompatibility, indicating the potential for optimizing encapsulation and antitumor efficacy in drug delivery system design.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Runrun Li, Thea A. Vedelaar, Alina Sigaeva, Yue Zhang, Kaiqi Wu, Hui Wang, Xixi Wu, Peter Olinga, Malgorzata K. Wlodarzyk-Biegun, Romana Schirhagl
Summary: Polymer nanoparticles are widely used in drug delivery and cause potential concerns regarding the increase in nano- or microplastics in the environment. To understand their mechanism of action and ensure safe usage, it is important to know their localization within cells and tissues. We labeled polymer nanoparticles with nanodiamond particles, allowing long-term imaging and tracking, and demonstrated this principle in both cells and liver tissues.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Bingbing Zhao, Yuting Yan, Junmei Zhang, Enping Chen, Ke Wang, Changshun Zhao, Yinan Zhong, Dechun Huang, Zhiqin Cui, Dawei Deng, Congying Gu, Wei Chen
Summary: A novel zwitterionic triblock copolymer was designed and synthesized, showing well-defined structure and controlled molecular weight; the copolymer could self-assemble into polymersomes with good biocompatibility and cell transmembrane ability; cytochrome c-loaded polymersomes exhibited potent cancer inhibitory activity and apoptosis-inducing ability against HeLa cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga Kuznetsova, Andrei R. Timerbaev
Summary: This study confirms the fast and efficient drug loading capability of modified IONs with activated drugs, without affecting their magnetic properties and resistance to protein adsorption in human serum. Furthermore, IONs can also overcome the disadvantages of low solubility and incompatibility with intravenous administration for metal-based drugs. Therefore, IONs have the potential to be used as a smart drug delivery system.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gwenola Treton, Claudia Sayer, Melanie Schuerz, Maria Jaritsch, Anna Mueller, Cristian-Tudor Matea, Vesna Stanojlovic, Heloisa Melo-Benirschke, Celine Be, Caroline Krembel, Stephane Rodde, Matthias Haffke, Samuel Hintermann, Andreas Marzinzik, Sebastien Ripoche, Constantin Bloechl, Julia Hollerweger, Daniela Auer, Chiara Cabrele, Christian G. Huber, Martin Hintersteiner, Trixie Wagner, Andreas Lingel, Nicole Meisner-Kober
Summary: This study describes methods for passive loading of small molecule drugs onto EVs through hydrophobic or cholesterol-anchor interactions. However, non-specific binding and rapid shedding of cholesterol-anchored ligands in the presence of serum remain challenges. Hydrophobic compounds can aggregate on EVs, while hydrophilic ligands can bind to EVs via cholesterol tags.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Albert Kamanzi, Yifei Gu, Radin Tahvildari, Zachary Friedenberger, Xingqi Zhu, Romain Berti, Marty Kurylowicz, Dominik Witzigmann, Jayesh A. Kulkarni, Jerry Leung, John Andersson, Andreas Dahlin, Fredrik Hook, Mark Sutton, Pieter R. Cullis, Sabrina Leslie
Summary: This study introduces a method to characterize nanoparticles with single-particle resolution. By analyzing the correlation between intensity and size measurements, insights into LNP structure and siRNA distribution are gained, allowing for future studies of dynamics with single-particle resolution.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Robert C. Sabatelle, Rong Liu, Yin P. Hung, Eric Bressler, Eliza J. Neal, Andrew Martin, Iriny Ekladious, Mark W. Grinstaff, Yolonda L. Colson
Summary: Peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive disease with poor treatment options. A study shows that ultra-high drug loaded nanoparticles can improve survival rate and prolonged local drug delivery can further enhance overall survival.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fangyu Zhang, Zhengxing Li, Yaou Duan, Hao Luan, Lu Yin, Zhongyuan Guo, Chuanrui Chen, Mingyao Xu, Weiwei Gao, Ronnie H. Fang, Liangfang Zhang, Joseph Wang
Summary: Acidophilic microalgae biomotors can maintain swimming behavior in harsh acidic environments, making them suitable for gastrointestinal delivery applications. They can also be loaded with various cargo and their precise localization in the gastrointestinal tract can be controlled by tuning the cargo's surface properties.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Haoqi Yu, Shuhui Zhang, Huiru Yang, Jiamin Miao, Xu Ma, Wei Xiong, Gang Chen, Tianjiao Ji
Summary: Drug carriers are commonly used to control drug release, enhance drug efficacy, and minimize side-effects. However, it is challenging to achieve high loading efficiency for highly hydrophilic drugs with narrow therapeutic index. Increasing the carrier proportion can improve drug loading to some extent, but it may lead to overdose side-effects upon burst release. Additionally, high-dose carriers can impose metabolic burden on the body. Therefore, new drug carriers and loading strategies are urgently needed. This minireview introduces drug loading strategies based on specific interactions between drugs and carriers, and discusses the challenges and perspectives. It aims to provide alternative inspiration for hydrophilic drug delivery.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
You Dan Xu, Linqing Tian, Rebecca Yong Lai, Zihao Li, Eliska Prochazkova, Junming Ho, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: In this study, the noncovalent interaction of two polymers was compared and a superior binder was selected for testing with serum albumin. The research successfully achieved an albumin-polymer bioconjugate equipped with polymers via both covalent and supramolecular interactions.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Lisa-Cathrin Leitner, Rika Schneider, Thomas Steiner, Martina H. Stenzel, Ruth Freitag, Andreas Greiner
Summary: This study proposes a concept of microbial remediation for the contamination of wastewater by microplastic particles (MPs). Degradable block copolymers are synthesized to adhere to the surfaces of MPs and attract degrading microbes for accelerated biofilm formation. The properties of the block copolymers, including thermal analysis, colloidal properties, adhesion behavior on MP surfaces, and their potential for supporting microbial growth, are investigated.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Russul Mamdooh Al-Nakashli, Cheng Cao, Radhika Raveendran, Hongxu Lu, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Polymeric micelles with different drug loading contents were studied to investigate their cellular uptake, penetration, and effects on biological activities. The results showed that micelles with high drug loading content exhibited higher cellular uptake and toxicity.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingxia Lu, Sen Wang, Yee Yee Khine, Yanchen Hong, Jiayu Zheng, Hongxu Lu, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Ruthenium complexes have potential as alternative anticancer drugs, but their non-specific biodistribution and weak lethality to cancer cells limit their medical use. Drug delivery systems can integrate multiple drugs to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy and potentially achieve a synergistic effect.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yiling Liu, Stephanie Nemec, Chantal Kopecky, Martina H. Stenzel, Kristopher A. Kilian
Summary: Nanoparticle drug formulations have advantages in cancer therapy, but the assessment of new drugs is limited by preclinical models. This study demonstrates a new approach to test nanomedicine using a microtumor array formed through hydrogel micropatterning. It allows simultaneous evaluation of drug uptake and efficacy in different cancer cell fractions with high reproducibility. The findings suggest that nanoparticle drug formulations are well suited for targeting the stem cell-like population in cancer therapy due to their relationship with drug resistance, recurrence, and metastasis.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mitchell D. Nothling, John E. Daniels, Yen Vo, Ivan Johan, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Piezocatalysis is capable of converting mechanical energy into chemical potential, driving redox reactions using physical force. In this study, we demonstrate that piezoelectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles in the solid state can generate reactive hydroxyl radicals (·OH) by transducing mechanical load, leading to the initiation of solid state free radical polymerization. Chemisorbed water on the surface of BaTiO3 nanoparticles plays a crucial role by being oxidized to (·OH) via mechanoredox catalysis. This force-induced radical production in dry piezoelectric materials offers a promising new approach for harnessing mechanical energy in solid state radical synthesis.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lin Zhang, Cheng Cao, Szun S. Tay, Chaohao Chen, Alexander Macmillan, Shihui Wen, Dayong Jin, Joshua McCarroll, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Polymer-coated inorganic nanoparticles have unique magnetic, optical, and thermal properties that make them promising drug delivery systems. However, the biological behavior of these nanoparticles is affected by various factors such as size, shape, and protein corona. This study focuses on the effect of drug loading amount on the biological activity of inorganic nanoparticles and highlights the importance of optimizing drug loading amounts in order to achieve optimal drug delivery.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ilona Wagner, Simon Spiegel, Julian Brueckel, Matthias Schwotzer, Alexander Welle, Martina H. H. Stenzel, Stefan Braese, Salma Begum, Manuel Tsotsalas
Summary: Surface engineering of MOF NPs using dynamic modification strategies enables the tailoring of PEG-grafted MOF NPs with improved colloidal stability and high dispersity, while maintaining their morphology and lattice crystallinity. The PEG-grafted MOF NPs show reduced adsorption of HSA protein compared to uncoated ones, indicating the potential for reducing nonspecific interactions and introducing targeting moieties for specific interactions. This approach expands the applications of colloidal MOF NPs in biologically relevant fields.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jordan T. Lovegrove, Ben A. Humphreys, Chin Ken Wong, Liliana de Campo, Anna Wang, Christopher J. Garvey, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: This article investigates a synthetic pathway to produce biologically compatible, crosslinked, multicompartment worms (MCWs) in aqueous solution by incorporating thermoresponsive poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) to direct assembly above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The self-assembly process and mechanism of MCWs starting from primary micelles were observed and controlled by adjusting the temperature.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Russul Al-Nakashli, Radhika Raveendran, Yee Yee Khine, Cheng Cao, Sophie McKay, Hongxu Lu, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: This study found that drug loading has an impact on cellular uptake of nanoparticles, which has been overlooked in previous studies focusing on properties such as shape and size. With increasing drug loading content, there was greater dehydration of the polymer shell, leading to increased protein adsorption and particle aggregation. The nanoparticle with the highest drug loading content showed reduced cellular uptake and toxicity in various cell lines. It was concluded that an intermediate drug loading content allows for sufficient cellular uptake and toxic drug concentration.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jordan Thomas Lovegrove, Radhika Raveendran, Patrick Spicer, Stephan Foerster, Christopher J. Garvey, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Margination refers to the movement of particles towards the endothelial wall within blood vessels. This study focused on 2D platelet particles as a potential drug delivery system and quantified their margination propensity. The results showed that 2D platelet particles exhibited increased margination compared to spherical particles, with higher margination observed at higher shear rates.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zifei Han, Zihao Li, Radhika Raveendran, Shegufta Farazi, Cheng Cao, Robert Chapman, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells, but its clinical development is hindered by its short circulation half-life. Researchers have developed core-cross-linked micelles that successfully induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells, offering a potential alternative to TRAIL.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chin Ken Wong, Rebecca Y. Lai, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Polymersomes, as polymeric analogues of liposomes, have unique physical and chemical properties. However, their translation into clinical or industrial applications has been limited. This study presents a continuous flow methodology for the production of near-monodisperse polymersomes at scale, allowing for downstream polymersome manipulation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sandy Wong, Cheng Cao, Martina Lessio, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: This study presents a simple sugar-based strategy for high-loading nanomedicine by forming supramolecular nanocapsules through the interaction between curcumin and fructose. The concept is widely applicable for a variety of drugs, and the key to success is the interaction between the drug and curcumin.
Article
Polymer Science
Malgorzata Milewska, Andrzej Milewski, Ilona Wandzik, Martina H. Stenzel
Summary: Trehalose glycopolymers have been extensively studied recently and have shown some unique properties. In order to compare their properties, researchers synthesized structurally similar glycopolymers composed of trehalose and sucrose. These glycopolymers have very low content of non-saccharide structural fragments, making their properties strongly influenced by the saccharide moieties. The study comprehensively characterized the glycopolymers, including their tendency to self-assemble, hydrolytic stabilities at different pH, and susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis.