Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mehdi Afrouz, Farnaz Ahmadi-Nouraldinvand, Amin Amani, Hoda Zahedian, Sabry G. Elias, Fatemeh Arabnejad, Hashem Yaghoubi, Omid Farshad, Neda Farazi, Atefeh Jalali, Hadi Eskanlou
Summary: This study evaluated the gene delivery capability of different micelles in MCF-7 cells and found that FePECLEFE/DNA micelles had higher gene transfer efficiency. Additionally, the ability of these micelles to neutralize the negative charge of DNA and protect it against restriction enzymes was investigated, and it was found that they have good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Si Chen, Jiguang Li, Xiaoyu Ma, Fan Liu, Guoping Yan
Summary: siRNA interference therapy is effective in silencing tumor cell target genes, but requires novel delivery vectors for better efficacy. Researchers designed a high-surface gold nanostar platform to efficiently deliver siRNA to tumor regions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamila Bialkowska, Katarzyna Milowska, Sylwia Michlewska, Paulina Sokolowska, Piotr Komorowski, Tania Lozano-Cruz, Rafael Gomez-Ramirez, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Maria Bryszewska
Summary: The study investigated the potential of carbosilane dendrimers as carriers for siRNA in gene therapy, focusing on CBD-1 and CBD-2. Both dendrimers were able to complex with siRNA and transport it into cells, with differences observed in their cytotoxicity profiles. This research highlights the importance of dendrimers in enhancing cellular uptake and efficiency of siRNA delivery for gene therapy applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guang-Yu Lee, Pei-Ying Lo, Er-Chieh Cho, Jia-Huei Zheng, Min Li, Jen-Hsien Huang, Kuen-Chan Lee
Summary: There has been significant progress in the field of nanomaterials, particularly in utilizing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for biomedical applications. A pH-responsive nanostar drug carrier was developed for colon cancer suppression investigation, demonstrating high cancer suppression capacity both in vitro and in vivo. The drug carrier system showed potential for future cancer therapy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huan Zhang, Yuhong Cao, Dawei Xu, Natalie S. Goh, Gozde S. Demirer, Stefano Cestellos-Blanco, Yuan Chen, Markita P. Landry, Peidong Yang
Summary: The study synthesizes PEI-AuNCs for delivering siRNA into intact plants, achieving efficient gene knockdown without being hindered by the plant cell wall, providing a new approach for broad applications in plant biotechnology.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anastasia Kapara, Karla A. Findlay Paterson, Valerie G. Brunton, Duncan Graham, Michele Zagnoni, Karen Faulds
Summary: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women. Functionalized nanoparticles were utilized to detect ERα expression, providing insights into the efficiency of targeted nanotags.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria P. Meivita, Shao-Xiang Go, Fitya S. Mozar, Lunna Li, Yaw Sing Tan, Natasa Bajalovic, Desmond K. Loke
Summary: Biomarkers have the potential to be utilized in disease diagnosis, prediction and monitoring. This study developed a Phage-based Digital Biomolecular Sensor (P-DBS) for specific, rapid and sensitive detection of clinically-relevant MCF-7 cells. By utilizing a combination of Phage-integrated Polymer and Nanosheet (PPN) technology to control the electrical signature of tungsten disulfide (WS2), the P-DBS achieved efficient detection of low cell-population cancer cell types.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria P. Meivita, Shao-Xiang Go, Fitya S. Mozar, Lunna Li, Yaw Sing Tan, Natasa Bajalovic, Desmond K. Loke
Summary: Biomarkers have the potential to be utilized in disease diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring, with the cancer cell type being a leading candidate for next-generation biomarkers. A sensor system based on phages has been developed, which can detect clinically relevant MCF-7 cells with high specificity, rapidity, and sensitivity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aaron Priester, Richard Waters, Ashleigh Abbott, Krista Hilmas, Klaus Woelk, Hunter A. Miller, Aria W. Tarudji, Connor C. Gee, Brandon McDonald, Forrest M. Kievit, Anthony J. Convertine
Summary: This study designed a material that can rapidly bind and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation product (LPOx) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). These neuroprotective copolymers (NPCs) showed promise for improved target engagement of multiple biochemical derangements and reduction of post-traumatic oxidative stress, potentially leading to improved TBI therapeutic outcomes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Supusson Pengnam, Samarwadee Plianwong, Prasopchai Patrojanasophon, Widchaya Radchatawedchakoon, Boon-ek Yingyongnarongkul, Praneet Opanasopit, Purin Charoensuksai
Summary: Combination therapy of siRNA and chemotherapeutic agents shows a synergistic effect in cancer treatment, allowing for dose reduction and improved therapeutic outcomes.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mingji Jin, Yan Hou, Xiuquan Quan, Liqing Chen, Zhonggao Gao, Wei Huang
Summary: The study successfully utilized smart nanoparticles to co-deliver paclitaxel and siRNA against vascular endothelial growth factor in a mouse model of breast cancer, demonstrating a strong anti-tumor effect. This provides a new theoretical and practical basis for breast cancer therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed S. Doghish, Gharieb S. El-Sayyad, Al-Aliaa M. Sallam, Waleed F. Khalil, Waleed M. A. El Rouby
Summary: The synthesized GO-based nanocomposites showed significant anticancer activity, especially against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, with GO-EDTA exhibiting the strongest cytotoxic effect. Through various analytical techniques and cytotoxicity assays, the anticancer effects of the nanocomposites were confirmed.
Article
Cell Biology
Kamila Bialkowska, Piotr Komorowski, Rafael Gomez-Ramirez, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Maria Bryszewska, Katarzyna Milowska
Summary: Cationic dendrimers have been found to be effective carriers for delivering siRNA into cells and protecting nucleic acids. In 3D cell cultures, CBD-2 exhibits higher cytotoxicity compared to CBD-1, while the opposite is observed in 2D cultures. Attaching siRNA to a dendrimer molecule does not increase cellular toxicity. CBD-2 shows higher efficiency in transporting siRNAs compared to CBD-1.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alma Alicia Ortiz-Morales, Juan Benjamin Garcia-Vazquez, Manuel Jonathan Fragoso-Vazquez, Martha Cecilia Rosales-Hernandez, Leticia Guadalupe Fragoso-Morales, Alan Ruben Estrada-Perez, Jose Correa-Basurto
Summary: Our work group synthesized a promising compound named N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propylpentanamide (HO-AAVPA), which acts as a HDAC1 inhibitor and exhibits antiproliferative properties in cancer cell lines. However, HO-AAVPA has poor water solubility and is metabolized by enzymes. In this study, we used a fourth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM-G4) as a drug delivery carrier for HO-AAVPA. We also evaluated the effects of the HO-AAVPA-PAMAM-G4 complex on forced degradation and antiproliferation in breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The results showed that PAMAM-G4 protected HO-AAVPA from degradation and increased its water solubility, leading to enhanced antiproliferative effects in MCF-7 cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanwei Pan, Xuehua Ma, Chuang Liu, Jie Xing, Suqiong Zhou, Badri Parshad, Tanja Schwerdtle, Wenzhong Li, Aiguo Wu, Rainer Haag
Summary: A targeted and RA-loaded nanoplatform was developed to effectively suppress the growth of breast cancer stem cells and tumor formation through multivalent targeted capability and synergistic effect of photothermal therapy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miriam Parmigiani, Benedetta Albini, Giovanni Pellegrini, Marco Genovesi, Lorenzo De Vita, Piersandro Pallavicini, Giacomo Dacarro, Pietro Galinetto, Angelo Taglietti
Summary: This paper explores the use of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as an analytical tool and demonstrates the enhancement of SERS response by coating gold nanostars (GNS) with a layer of silver. The resulting SERS chips, prepared using a simple chemistry technique, showed high efficiency and reproducibility in detecting various classes of pollutants. Notably, the detection limit for norfloxacin was as low as 3 ppb, one of the lowest limits achieved with this technique for the analyte.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Lavinia Doveri, Angelo Taglietti, Pietro Grisoli, Piersandro Pallavicini, Giacomo Dacarro
Summary: In this paper, researchers developed a versatile coating by self-assembling Prussian Blue nanoparticles onto a glass surface and decorating them with silver nanoparticles. This coating combines photothermal activity and intrinsic antibacterial properties, making it suitable for medical devices and implants.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Paola Varvara, Cinzia Cala, Carmelo M. Maida, Mario Giuffre, Nicolo Mauro, Gennara Cavallaro
Summary: A multifunctional antibiotic-polymer conjugate, called PAA-AG, has been developed to simultaneously target ampicillin and gentamicin for persistent biofilm infections. The PAA-AG conjugate showed excellent biocompatibility and mucoadhesive characteristics, making it suitable for local treatments. It exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy and excellent antibiofilm activity, inhibiting the growth of various strains and inducing the regression of mature biofilms. The PAA-AG conjugate could be a valuable tool to enhance the success of ampicillin/ gentamicin-based antibiotic therapy.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emanuela Fabiola Craparo, Salvatore Emanuele Drago, Gabriella Costabile, Maria Ferraro, Elisabetta Pace, Roberto Scaffaro, Francesca Ungaro, Gennara Cavallaro
Summary: Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used to manage chronic lung diseases, but their anti-inflammatory effects are not always satisfactory. This study attempted to develop inhalable beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) dry powders using polymeric particles. The BDP-loaded particles showed improved anti-inflammatory effects and were highly biocompatible in vitro.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Angela Terracina, Nicol Mauro, Juliette Le Balle, Radian Popescu, Michelangelo Scopelliti, Gianpiero Buscarino, Mara A. Utzeri, Marco Cannas, Gennara Cavallaro, Fabrizio Messina, Alice Sciortino
Summary: In this study, we synthesized nanometric B2O3 nanodisks that exhibited intense fluorescence in the visible range. These boron-based nanomaterials were water-dispersible and nontoxic, with a highly crystalline structure. In addition, their bright blue photoluminescence showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards Ni2+ ions in solution, even at extremely low concentrations in the picomolar range. These findings suggest that the B2O3 nanodisks could serve as ultrasensitive multi-messenger Ni2+ nanosensors.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Lavinia Doveri, Giacomo Dacarro, Yuri Antonio Diaz Fernandez, Matteo Razzetti, Angelo Taglietti, Giuseppe Chirico, Maddalena Collini, Ioritz Sorzabal-Bellido, Maider Esparza, Carlos Ortiz-de-Solorzano, Xabier Morales Urteaga, Chiara Milanese, Piersandro Pallavicini
Summary: Prussian blue (PB) is an FDA-approved drug that can be used orally at an acidic pH. However, there is a discrepancy in the stability of PB nanoparticles (PBnp) under physiological conditions. Some papers suggest stability at pH 7.4, while others report degradation in the pH range of 7-8. This study shows that PBnp is intrinsically unstable at pH <7, but can be protected by a polymeric coating at pH 7.4. Additionally, the formation of a protein corona in the presence of serum effectively prevents degradation of PBnp.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
B. Albini, M. Parmigiani, G. Pellegrini, A. Taglietti, P. Galinetto
Summary: The increasing environmental pollution calls for new sampling strategies for in-situ monitoring and rapid identification. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a promising analytical technique in this regard. This study investigates the SERS response of colloidal gold nanostars (GNS) coated with silver of varying thickness. It demonstrates the optimal SERS signal at a specific silver thickness and successfully applies the optimized GNS@Ag to glass supported SERS substrates for the detection of harmful and toxic pollutants.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Piersandro Pallavicini, Luca Preti, Maria L. Protopapa, Daniela Carbone, Laura Capodieci, Yuri A. Diaz Fernandez, Chiara Milanese, Angelo Taglietti, Lavinia Doveri
Summary: A synthetic approach was developed to prepare silica gel monoliths embedded with well separated silver or gold spherical nanoparticles with different diameters. The oxidation and removal of silver nanoparticles from silica was achieved using Fe3+, O-2/cysteine, and HNO3, while aqua regia was necessary for gold nanoparticles. NP-imprinted silica powders were obtained by grinding the monoliths, which showed efficient reuptake of silver ultrafine nanoparticles and remarkable size selectivity based on the match between nanoparticle radius and cavity curvature. The materials and methods described in this paper may provide an efficient solution for capturing and safely disposing of silver ultrafine nanoparticles from environmental waters.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Serena Schiavi, Miriam Parmigiani, Pietro Galinetto, Benedetta Albini, Angelo Taglietti, Giacomo Dacarro
Summary: Detecting and quantifying micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment is a crucial task. This review focuses on recent results using plasmonic noble metal materials for MNP detection. Various techniques including surface plasmon resonance, plasmon enhanced fluorescence, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and surface enhanced Raman scattering are discussed, highlighting their advantages and drawbacks.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marco Altomare, Shanshan Qin, Viktoriia A. Saveleva, Zdenek Badura, Ondrej Tomanec, Anca Mazare, Giorgio Zoppellaro, Alberto Vertova, Angelo Taglietti, Alessandro Minguzzi, Paolo Ghigna, Patrik Schmuki
Summary: This article describes a self-assembling and self-activating photocatalytic system formed by illuminating reduced anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in an aqueous Ni2+ solution. The system forms a Ni+/TiO2/Ti3+ photocatalyst that can produce H-2 at a higher rate over time. The formation of defects in the semiconductor under UV illumination plays a crucial role in self-assembly and self-activation, enabling the formation of monovalent nickel (Ni+) surface states that act as electron relays for hydrogen generation from water.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammad Okkeh, Lorenzo De Vita, Giovanna Bruni, Lavinia Doveri, Paolo Minzioni, Elisa Restivo, Maddalena Patrini, Piersandro Pallavicini, Livia Visai
Summary: In this study, PEG-GNPs@TBO and PEG-GNSs@TBO nanoparticles were synthesized and found to have effective antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) effects, inhibiting the formation of Staphylococcus biofilms. In biofilm eradication treatments, PEG-GNSs@TBO showed better results in reducing viable counts of MRSA and S. epidermidis RP62A preformed biofilms compared to untreated samples. The aPDI treatment with PEG-GNSs@TBO caused significant changes in the integrity and morphology of biofilms, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Greta Camilla Magnano, Marika Quadri, Elisabetta Palazzo, Roberta Lotti, Francesca Loschi, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Michela Abrami, Francesca Larese Filon, Alessandra Marconi, Dritan Hasa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the loading of sildenafil citrate in three commercial transdermal vehicles using 3D full-thickness skin equivalent and compare the results with permeability experiments using porcine skin. The results showed that the results obtained using the 3D skin equivalent were comparable to those obtained using porcine skin, suggesting that the 3D skin model can be a valid alternative for ex-vivo skin absorption experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
James W. Mckeage, Andrew Z. H. Tan, Andrew J. Taberner
Summary: Needle-free jet injection is a promising alternative drug delivery technique that offers rapid, non-invasive, and large-volume injections. The study presents a prototype multi-orifice nozzle and a computational fluid dynamic model to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this technology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2024)
