Article
Polymer Science
Shang-Pin Wen, Qi Yue, Lee A. Fielding
Summary: This article reports the synthesis of PBzMA latexes through RAFT-mediated miniemulsion polymerisation, showing that the hydrophobe, initiator, and RAFT agent have significant influences on the properties of the latexes. Higher concentrations of hexadecane lead to an increase in particle number and a decrease in latex diameter.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Siwen Zhang, Hong Zhang, Shuo Yang, Xin Zhang, Shilin Li, Liqing Huang, Ya-nan Jing, Linge Xiao, Yuan Zhang, Bing Han, Jia-jie Kang, Huiqiong Zhou
Summary: After decades of development, organic photovoltaic semiconductors have made significant progress and have promising application prospects. Compared with traditional semiconductors, the solution method for preparing photovoltaic semiconductors shows the advantages of low cost and convenient preparation. However, the poor solubility of polymers used in the preparation process requires toxic solvents, which have negative effects on the environment and operators. Organic nanoparticles, on the other hand, have been developed as a solution to these issues and have been applied in various fields.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haibo Chen, Xuewei Dong, Luping Ou, Chiyun Ma, Bing Yuan, Kai Yang
Summary: In this study, the interaction between irradiated nanoparticles (NPs) and lipid bilayer membranes was investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the wrapping of membranes around NPs is thermally regulated and dependent on NP properties and lipid species. These findings offer valuable insights for understanding cellular internalization of NPs and developing strategies to modulate NP endocytosis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ruyin Chen, Xingqun Pu, Rongrong Liu, Xiaomeng Dai, Fangfu Ye, Chunxia Zhao, Peng Zhao, Jian Ruan, Dong Chen
Summary: Unique-shaped polylactic acid/shellac dimer nanoparticles were designed and prepared as drug carriers to enhance cellular uptake and anti-tumor performance. Snowman-like dimer nanoparticles loaded with drugs exhibited the highest cellular uptake and best cell-killing ability in comparison to traditional spherical nanoparticles and dumbbell-like dimer nanoparticles. This study provides a versatile platform for tuning nanoparticle shape and developing innovative drug nanocarriers with great promise to enhance cellular uptake and therapeutic efficacy.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Patrycja Talarska, Maciej Boruczkowski, Jakub Zurawski
Summary: Silver and gold nanoparticles are widely used in various household products, raising concerns about their potential impact. Research is focusing on the effects of nanoparticles on cell function and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemically synthesized nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lulu Huang, Xiuhai Mao, Jie Li, Qian Li, Jianlei Shen, Mengmeng Liu, Chunhai Fan, Yang Tian
Summary: By designing dual-emissive gold nanoparticles with varying spikiness, the interactions between spiky nanoparticles and cells were investigated. It was found that the nanospikes regulated myosin IIA recruitment at the cell membrane, enhancing cellular uptake efficiency. Moreover, the spiky nanoparticles facilitated endocytosis dynamics. These findings provide insights into the intracellular fate of nanoparticles and the development of theranostic nanocarriers.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Di Lu, Shuhui Liu, Hang Zhang, Xingxiang Zhang, Wei Li
Summary: In this study, novel photochromic polyurethane nanoparticles were prepared using environmentally friendly materials. These nanoparticles showed sensitive photochromic properties under UV irradiation and retained their initial properties even after 20 cycles. The prepared polyurethane photochromic nanoparticles demonstrated outstanding performance and have great potential for applications in UV-resistant fabrics, surface coatings, and photoelectric signal conversion.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmad Sohrabi Kashani, Muthukumaran Packirisamy
Summary: Understanding the unknown mechanobiological responses to nano-bio-interaction is crucial in designing safe and effective nanomedicines. Studies have shown that the mechanobiological properties of cells, such as elasticity and adhesion, play key roles in cellular functions and cancer progression. Monitoring the mechanobiological responses of treated cells can help evaluate the efficiency of nanomedicines and develop applications to modulate cell mechanics for controlling cancer progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ankan Kumar Sarkar, Santanu Shaw, Himali Arora, Pankaj Seth, Nikhil R. R. Jana
Summary: Subcellular targeting of drugs can be enhanced by designing nanocarriers for direct cell membrane translocation, bypassing endosomal/lysosomal trafficking. This approach allows rapid and extensive delivery of drugs to the cell nucleus within a few minutes, without undergoing vesicular coating and lysosomal trafficking. This nonendocytic uptake method provides a potential strategy for nanocarrier-based subcellular targeting of drugs for more effective therapy.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Biophysics
Asmaa Elzayat, Ines Adam-Cervera, Olaia Alvarez-Bermudez, Rafael Munoz-Espi
Summary: This article discusses the different possibilities of using nanoemulsions to prepare biomedical nanocarriers, including polymeric, inorganic, or hybrid materials. The main synthetic strategies for each type include miniemulsion polymerization, nanoemulsion-solvent evaporation, spontaneous emulsification, sol-gel processes, and a combination of different techniques to form multicomponent materials.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Haixiao Wan, Duo Xu, Lijuan Gao, Li-Tang Yan
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review on the major types of entropy in biological systems and their underlying physical principles. It focuses on the physical mechanisms arising from entropy in the cellular uptake process and discusses the remaining challenges and future directions for manipulating entropy-mediated nanoparticle cellular uptake.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Youjie Sheng, Menghua Xue, Yubo Wang, Xudong Zhai, Shanwen Zhang, Qiuhong Wang, Li Ma, Xuhan Ding, Xiangrong Liu
Summary: The study systematically investigated the properties of aqueous foam containing a mixture of nanoparticles and surfactants, showing that the addition of nanoparticles has a slight effect on foam properties and a significant impact on foam stability. Additionally, the foam stability can be further enhanced by increasing the concentration of nanoparticles.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ye Yuan, Weiying Hou, Zezhou Sun, Jie Liu, Ning Ma, Xiaosong Li, Shengyan Yin, Weiping Qin, Changfeng Wu
Summary: The study introduces a fluorescence method for quantifying the cellular uptake of polymer dots (Pdots) and estimating intracellular Pdots photosensitizer. The method relies on the unique properties of Pdots and can be extended to investigate the cellular uptake of various conjugated polymer carriers in biomedicine.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Siyuan Yu, Tianyong Zhang, Jinfeng Xing
Summary: In this study, a facile method combining in-situ generation of KOA surfactant and miniemulsion photopolymerization under green LED irradiation was proposed for the preparation of PMMA nanospheres. The in-situ surfactant miniemulsion showed higher stability compared to the preformed surfactant miniemulsion. By introducing HD and PVP, the adverse effects of Ostwald ripening and particle agglomeration were effectively avoided, resulting in the successful preparation of uniform PMMA nanospheres.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
J. Oberlaender, C. Champanhac, R. da Costa Marques, K. Landfester, V Mailaender
Summary: This study investigated the influence of surface charge, temperature, and plasma concentration on the formation and composition of the protein corona of polystyrene nanoparticles and its impact on cellular uptake. The results showed that the composition of the corona is influenced by these parameters and can affect the cellular uptake of pre-coated nanoparticles.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenxin Wei, Francesca Mazzotta, Ingo Lieberwirth, Katharina Landfester, Calum T. J. Ferguson, Kai A. I. Zhang
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Julian Heuer, Thomas Kuckhoff, Rong Li, Katharina Landfester, Calum T. J. Ferguson
Summary: The production of photocatalytic self-assembled amphiphilic polymers enables selective control over reactions based on the substrate's physical properties. By polymerizing benzothiadiazole-based photocatalysts into hydrophilic or hydrophobic compartments, we achieved stark differences in reactivity for polar substrates but similar performance for hydrophobic substrates. Additionally, the use of secondary swelling solvents led to a significant increase in conversion for a radical carbon-carbon coupling reaction.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maria Martinez-Negro, Jennifer Oberlaender, Johanna Simon, Volker Mailaender, Svenja Morsbach, Katharina Landfester
Summary: One critical aspect of biomedical material design is controlling plasma protein adsorption to modulate material behavior in biological media. However, there is limited knowledge about the interaction between human plasma and planar surfaces under physiological conditions. To address this challenge, a new methodology combining quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been developed to study protein-surface interactions. This approach provides information on adsorbed protein mass, layer thickness, and proteomic profile.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shen Han, Richard da Costa Marques, Johanna Simon, Anke Kaltbeitzel, Kaloian Koynov, Katharina Landfester, Volker Mailaender, Ingo Lieberwirth
Summary: Protein corona formation on nanoparticles in biological environments plays a crucial role in determining endocytosis, cellular processes, and drug release. However, little is known about the fate of the protein corona inside cells. This study demonstrates the separation and different processing of nanoparticles and protein corona within different cellular compartments, leading to the conclusion that nanoparticles are prepared for subsequent exocytosis while the protein corona remains in the cell and is ultimately metabolized.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rong Li, Julian Heuer, Thomas Kuckhoff, Katharina Landfester, Calum T. J. Ferguson
Summary: Pseudo-homogeneous polymeric photocatalysts are efficient and tunable materials with easily accessible catalytic centers. Creating highly efficient photocatalytic materials that can be separated and recovered quickly is a critical challenge. This study presents pH-responsive photocatalytic nanoparticles that are active and well-dispersed under acidic conditions but aggregate upon pH elevation, allowing easy recovery. These responsive photocatalytic polymers can be used in various transformations and can accelerate the reaction rate of anionic substrates.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Loris Busch, Anna Maria Hanuschik, Yuri Avlasevich, Katrin Darm, Elisa F. F. Hochheiser, Christian Kohler, Evgeny A. A. Idelevich, Karsten Becker, Peter Rotsch, Katharina Landfester, Maxim E. E. Darvin, Martina C. C. Meinke, Cornelia M. M. Keck, Axel Kramer, Paula Zwicker
Summary: Hair follicles are important drug delivery targets for skin antisepsis due to their high concentration of skin microbiome. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeply into hair follicles and can be triggered to release drugs through various mechanisms. The study introduces UV-responsive nanocapsules containing hydroxyethyl starch, which demonstrated efficient release of ethanol and a strong reduction in microbial load on porcine ear skin. The findings suggest the potential for advanced skin antisepsis using UVA-responsive nanocapsules.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tsvetomir Ivanov, Shoupeng Cao, Nitin Bohra, Marina de Souza Melchiors, Lucas Caire da Silva, Katharina Landfester
Summary: We have developed a fully polymeric microreactor with a coacervate-in-vesicle architecture that exhibits an adaptive response to pH. The microreactor allows for the dynamic modulation of internal subcompartments, resulting in the sequestration and localization of enzymes and reaction products driven by environmental cues.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ran Wang, Yingjie Yu, Meiyu Gai, Ana Mateos-Maroto, Svenja Morsbach, Xiang Xia, Maomao He, Jiangli Fan, Xiaojun Peng, Katharina Landfester, Shuai Jiang, Wen Sun
Summary: Enzymatic reactions can effectively inhibit tumor growth by consuming tumor nutrients and producing cytotoxic species. Liposomal nanoreactors that perform enzymatic cascade reactions have been developed, increasing the overall efficiency of the reaction. This biomimetic approach provides a promising direction for developing catalytic nanomedicines in antitumor therapy.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jenny Schunke, Volker Mailaender, Katharina Landfester, Michael Fichter
Summary: Finding a long-term cure for tumor patients remains challenging. Immunotherapies show promise by activating the immune system against tumors and modulating the tumor microenvironment. However, current methods often fail to sufficiently activate the immune system and have limitations such as drug degradation and non-specific uptake. Encapsulating immunomodulatory molecules into nanocarriers offers a solution by protecting cargo and targeting uptake by antigen-presenting cells. This approach allows for versatile immune system stimulation and improved anti-tumor responses with reduced toxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Peter M. Ritzler, Clemens K. Weiss, Bernhard C. Seyfang
Summary: In this article, a one-dimensional model is proposed to describe the mass transfer process in an ACC, and its validity is demonstrated through simulations and experiments.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mareike F. S. Deuker, Volker Mailaender, Svenja Morsbach, Katharina Landfester
Summary: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is commonly used to reduce unspecific protein adsorption and prolong nanocarrier circulation time, but the presence of anti-PEG antibodies in the bloodstream can counteract its stealth effect. This study found a high concentration and prevalence of anti-PEG antibodies in the German population, which led to higher uptake in macrophages and accelerated blood clearance of PEGylated nanocarriers.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Laura Dietz, Jennifer Oberlaender, Ana Mateos-Maroto, Jenny Schunke, Michael Fichter, Eva-Maria Kraemer-Albers, Katharina Landfester, Volker Mailaender
Summary: This study analyzed the protein composition of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and the protein corona around EVs in human blood plasma using a proteomic approach. The influence of the protein corona on the uptake of EVs by human monocytes was then compared with the uptake of engineered liposomes. The results showed that the presence of a protein corona increased the uptake of EVs in human monocytes, indicating a clear difference between EVs and liposomes as nanocarriers.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tsvetomir Ivanov, Shoupeng Cao, Thao P. Doan-Nguyen, Heloisa Bremm Madalosso, Lucas Caire da Silva, Katharina Landfester
Summary: There is an increasing interest in multi-compartment systems that mimic the structure and function of biological cells. Droplet-based microfluidics (DBM) has emerged as a powerful technique for creating cell-like systems with multi-compartment architectures and biomimetic functionality. DBM has proven to be a reliable method for generating populations of cell-mimics with a compartment-in-compartment structure, some of which have adaptable properties that resemble the dynamic properties of natural cells. This review highlights the progress made in the construction of hierarchical cell-mimics using DBM methods.
