High-Yield Fabrication of PLGA Non-Spherical Microarchitectures by Emulsion-Solvent Evaporation Method

Preparation and optimization of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) rod-shaped particles in nano size range for paclitaxel delivery

Nanoparticle shape has been acknowledged as an important design parameter due to its influence on nanoparticle interaction with biological systems. However, there is lacking of simple and scalable preparation technique for drug loaded non-spherical polymeric nanoparticles for a long time, thus hindering the potential applications. Although our previous research has modified the traditional emulsion solvent evaporation technique by adding guest molecules to prepare non-spherical poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles, it is difficult to obtain nano-sized rods with minor axis less than 200 nm, which may have great potential in cancer therapy. Herein, in present research, the two-step ESE method was used and optimized to prepare poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanorods for paclitaxel delivery. Firstly, the single-factor experiment was used to screen the influence of multi-factors including type of guest molecules, concentration of guest molecules, emulsification method, surfactant concentration, oil volume, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) concentration on the size and shape to determine the range of variables; based on the above range, a multi-factor and multi-level orthogonal experiment was designed. The formula is evaluated by the rod fabrication yield and the aspect ratio of major axis to minor axis. The results showed that the yield of nanorods in the optimal formula was 99% and the aspect ratio was 5.35 ± 2.05 with the minor axis of 135.49 ± 72.66 nm, and major axis of 657.77 ± 307.63 nm. In addition, the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel was successfully encapsulated in PLGA nanorods by the same technique. Our results not only enrich the ESE technique for preparing small sized poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanorods, but also envision the potential application of nanorods for targeted cancer therapy with the delivery of paclitaxel.

Hipster microcarriers: exploring geometrical and topographical cues of non-spherical microcarriers in biomedical applications

Structure and organisation are key aspects of the native tissue environment, which ultimately condition cell fate via a myriad of processes, including the activation of mechanotransduction pathways. By modulating the formation of integrin-mediated adhesions and consequently impacting cell contractility, engineered geometrical and topographical cues may be introduced to activate downstream signalling and ultimately control cell morphology, proliferation, and differentiation. Microcarriers appear as attractive vehicles for cell-based tissue engineering strategies aiming to modulate this 3D environment, but also as vehicles for cell-free applications, given the ease in tuning their chemical and physical properties. In this review, geometry and topography are highlighted as two preponderant features in actively regulating interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix. While most studies focus on the 2D environment, we focus on how the incorporation of these strategies in 3D systems could be beneficial. The techniques applied to design 3D microcarriers with unique geometries and surface topographical cues are covered, as well as specific tissue engineering approaches employing these microcarriers. In fact, successfully achieving a functional histoarchitecture may depend on a combination of fine-tuned geometrically shaped microcarriers presenting intricately tailored topographical cues. Lastly, we pinpoint microcarrier geometry as a key player in cell-free biomaterial-based strategies, and its impact on drug release kinetics, the production of steerable microcarriers to target tumour cells, and as protein or antibody biosensors.

Preparation and characterization of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanofibers containing simvastatin coated with hyaluronic acid for using in periodontal tissue engineering

Periodontal diseases can lead to soft tissue defects. Tissue engineering can provide functional replacements for damaged tissues. Recently, electrospun nanofibers have attracted great interest for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. This has been revealed that statins exhibit positive impacts on the proliferation and regeneration of periodontal tissues. Electrospun simvastatin loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (SIM-PLGA-NF) were prepared using electrospinning technique. Optimal conditions for preparation of SIM-PLGA-NF (PLGA concentration of 30 wt%, voltage of 15 kV, and flow rate of 1.5 ml h^-1 ) were identified using a 2³ factorial design. The optimized SIM-PLGA-NFs (diameter of 640.2 ± 32.5 nm and simvastatin entrapment efficacy of 99.6 ± 1.5%) were surface modified with 1% w/v hyaluronic acid solution (1%HA- SIM-PLGA-NF) to improve their compatibility with fibroblasts and potential application as a periodontal tissue engineering scaffold. HA-SIM-PLGA NFs were analyzed using SEM, FTIR, and XRD. 1%HA-SIM-PLGA-NF had uniform, bead-free and interwoven morphology, which is similar to the extracellular matrix. The mechanical performance of SIM-PLGA-NFs and release profile of simvastatin from these nanofibers have been also greatly improved after coating with HA. In vitro cellular tests showed that the proliferation, adhesion, and differentiation of fibroblast cells positively enhanced on the surface of 1%HA- SIM-PLGA-NF. These results demonstrate the potential application of 1%HA-SIM-PLGA-NFs as a scaffold for periodontal tissue engineering.

Old Dog New Tricks: PLGA Microparticles as an Adjuvant for Insulin Peptide Fragment-Induced Immune Tolerance against Type 1 Diabetes

Poly[lactic-co-(glycolic acid)] (PLGA) is arguably one of the most versatile synthetic copolymers used for biomedical applications. In vivo delivery of multiple substances including cells, pharmaceutical compounds, and antigens has been achieved by using PLGA-based micro-/nanoparticles although, presently, the exact biological impact of PLGA particles on the immune system remains controversial. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one subtype of diabetes characterized by the attack of immune cells against self-insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells. Considering the autoimmune etiology of T1D and the recent use of PLGA particles for eliciting desired immune responses in various aspects of immunotherapy, for the present study, a combination of Ins2_9-23 peptide (a known autoantigen of T1D) and PLGA microparticles was selected for T1D prevention assessment in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a well-known animal model with spontaneous development of T1D. Thus, inoculation of PLGA microparticles + Ins2_9-23 completely prevented T1D development, significantly better than untreated controls and mice treated by either PLGA microparticles or Ins2_9-23 per se. Subsequent mechanistic investigation further revealed a facilitative role of PLGA microparticles in immune tolerance induction. In summary, our data demonstrate an adjuvant potential of PLGA microparticles in tolerance induction and immune remodulation for effective prevention of autoimmune diseases such as T1D.

Preparation, characterisation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of CD44-targeted chondroitin sulphate-conjugated doxorubicin PLGA nanoparticles

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of chondroitin sulphate-modified doxorubicin (Dox) nanoparticles on enhancing the tumour-targeting effect and tumour growth inhibition effect of doxorubicin both in vitro and in vivo. The chondroitin sulphate-doxorubicin conjugate and its poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (CS-Dox-PLGA) were successfully synthesised, and then characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton magnetic resonance (¹HNMR), thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), transmission electron microscope (TEM), zeta potential and laser light scattering. Taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and CD44-mediated endocytosis, CS-Dox-PLGA showed excellent capacity for penetrating the peripheral tumour barrier and into the nucleus of tumour cells. The CS-Dox-PLGA cellular uptake was improved and exhibited a significantly higher level of cytotoxicity in U251 cells. After intravenous administration, the CS-Dox-PLGA showed good pharmacokinetic properties and excellent U251-induced tumour inhibition with low cardiac toxicity. Therefore, CS-Dox-PLGA with low cardiac toxicity and good anti-tumour ability might be a better choice for Dox in clinical practice.

Modified two-step emulsion solvent evaporation technique for fabricating biodegradable rod-shaped particles in the submicron size range

HYPOTHESIS

Though the emulsion solvent evaporation (ESE) technique has been previously modified to produce rod-shaped particles, it cannot generate small-sized rods for drug delivery applications due to the inherent coupling and contradicting requirements for the formation versus stretching of droplets. The separation of the droplet formation from the stretching step should enable the creation of submicron droplets that are then stretched in the second stage by manipulation of the system viscosity along with the surface-active molecule and oil-phase solvent.

EXPERIMENTS

A two-step ESE protocol is evaluated where oil droplets are formed at low viscosity followed by a step increase in the aqueous phase viscosity to stretch droplets. Different surface-active molecules and oil phase solvents were evaluated to optimize the yield of biodegradable PLGA rods. Rods were assessed for drug loading via an imaging agent and vascular-targeted delivery application via blood flow adhesion assays.

FINDINGS

The two-step ESE method generated PLGA rods with major and minor axis down to 3.2 µm and 700 nm, respectively. Chloroform and sodium metaphosphate was the optimal solvent and surface-active molecule, respectively, for submicron rod fabrication. Rods demonstrated faster release of Nile Red compared to spheres and successfully targeted an inflamed endothelium under shear flow in vitro and in vivo.

Bovine serum albumin nanoparticles as controlled release carrier for local drug delivery to the inner ear

Nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention for local drug delivery to the inner ear recently. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles were prepared by desolvation method followed by glutaraldehyde fixation or heat denaturation. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape with an average diameter of 492 nm. The heat-denatured nanoparticles had good cytocompatibility. The nanoparticles could adhere on and penetrate through the round window membrane of guinea pigs. The nanoparticles were analyzed as drug carriers to investigate the loading capacity and release behaviors. Rhodamine B was used as a model drug in this paper. Rhodamine B-loaded nanoparticles showed a controlled release profile and could be deposited on the osseous spiral lamina. We considered that the bovine serum albumin nanoparticles may have potential applications in the field of local drug delivery in the treatment of inner ear disorders.

Synthesis of protein-based, rod-shaped particles from spherical templates using layer-by-layer assembly

Nanorods provide distinct advantages over their spherical counterparts for targeted drug delivery. Here, a novel method is described for the synthesis of biocompatible protein nanorods from spherical polystyrene templates using the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. These nanorods can be used as a vehicle for the delivery of therapeutic agents to diseased sites.