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Leggio L, Arrabito G, Ferrara V, Vivarelli S, Paternò G, Marchetti B, Pignataro B, Iraci N. Mastering the Tools: Natural versus Artificial Vesicles in Nanomedicine. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000731. [PMID: 32864899 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles and artificially made vesicles represent important tools in nanomedicine for the efficient delivery of biomolecules and drugs. Since its first appearance in the literature 50 years ago, the research on vesicles is progressing at a fast pace, with the main goal of developing carriers able to protect cargoes from degradation, as well as to deliver them in a time- and space-controlled fashion. While natural occurring vesicles have the advantage of being fully compatible with their host, artificial vesicles can be easily synthetized and functionalized according to the target to reach. Research is striving to merge the advantages of natural and artificial vesicles, in order to provide a new generation of highly performing vesicles, which would improve the therapeutic index of transported molecules. This progress report summarizes current manufacturing techniques used to produce both natural and artificial vesicles, exploring the promises and pitfalls of the different production processes. Finally, pros and cons of natural versus artificial vesicles are discussed and compared, with special regard toward the current applications of both kinds of vesicles in the healthcare field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Giuseppe Arrabito
- Department of Physics and Chemistry – Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Vittorio Ferrara
- Department of Chemical Sciences University of Catania Viale Andrea Doria 6 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Silvia Vivarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Greta Paternò
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
| | - Bianca Marchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
- Neuropharmacology Section OASI Institute for Research and Care on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging Troina 94018 Italy
| | - Bruno Pignataro
- Department of Physics and Chemistry – Emilio Segrè University of Palermo Building 17, Viale delle Scienze Palermo 90128 Italy
| | - Nunzio Iraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences University of Catania Torre Biologica, Via S. Sofia 97 Catania 95125 Italy
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Gaitzsch J, Hirschi S, Freimann S, Fotiadis D, Meier W. Directed Insertion of Light-Activated Proteorhodopsin into Asymmetric Polymersomes from an ABC Block Copolymer. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:2503-2508. [PMID: 30875467 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscopic artificial vesicles containing functional protein transporters are fundamental for synthetic biology. Energy-providing modules, such as proton pumps, are a basis for simple nanoreactors. We report on the first insertion of a functional transmembrane protein into asymmetric polymersomes from an ABC triblock copolymer. The polymer with the composition poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(diisopropylaminoethyl methacrylate)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEG-PDPA-PSS) was synthesized by sequential controlled radical polymerization. PEG and PSS are two distinctively different hydrophilic blocks, allowing for a specific orientation of our protein, the light-activated proton pump proteorhodopsin (PR), into the final proteopolymersome. A very interesting aspect of the PEG-PDPA-PSS triblock copolymers is that it allowed for simultaneous vesicle formation and oriented insertion of PR simply by adjusting the pH. The intrinsic positive charge of PR's intracellular surface was enhanced by a His-tag, which aligns readily with the negative charges of the PSS on the outside of the polymersomes. The directed insertion of PR was confirmed by a light-dependent pH change of the proteopolymersome solution, indicating the intended orientation. We have hereby demonstrated the first successful oriented insertion of a proton pump into an artificial asymmetric membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Gaitzsch
- Department of Chemistry , University of Basel , Klingelbergstrasse 80 , 4058 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Stephan Hirschi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , University of Bern , Bühlstrasse 28 , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | - Sven Freimann
- Department of Chemistry , University of Basel , Klingelbergstrasse 80 , 4058 Basel , Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , University of Bern , Bühlstrasse 28 , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Meier
- Department of Chemistry , University of Basel , Klingelbergstrasse 80 , 4058 Basel , Switzerland
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Wang F, Xiao J, Chen S, Sun H, Yang B, Jiang J, Zhou X, Du J. Polymer Vesicles: Modular Platforms for Cancer Theranostics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1705674. [PMID: 29450915 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
As an emerging field that is receiving an increasing amount of interest, theranostics is becoming increasingly important in the field of nanomedicine. Among the various smart platforms that have been proposed for use in theranostics, polymer vesicles (or polymersomes) are among the most promising candidates for integration of designated functionalities and modalities. Here, a brief summary of typical theranostic platforms is presented with a focus on modular polymer vesicles. To highlight modularity, the different methodologies for designing therapeutic and diagnostic modules are classified and current examples of theranostic vesicles that excel in both performance and design principle are provided. Finally, future prospects for theranostic polymer vesicles that can be readily prepared with functional modules are proposed. Overall, theranostic polymer vesicles with modular modalities and functions are more promising in nanomedicine than simply being "over-engineered".
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyingkai Wang
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Jiangang Xiao
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Jinhui Jiang
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai, 200072, China
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Yang DP, Oo MNNL, Deen GR, Li Z, Loh XJ. Nano-Star-Shaped Polymers for Drug Delivery Applications. Macromol Rapid Commun 2017; 38. [PMID: 28895248 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201700410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
With the advancement of polymer engineering, complex star-shaped polymer architectures can be synthesized with ease, bringing about a host of unique properties and applications. The polymer arms can be functionalized with different chemical groups to fine-tune the response behavior or be endowed with targeting ligands or stimuli responsive moieties to control its physicochemical behavior and self-organization in solution. Rheological properties of these solutions can be modulated, which also facilitates the control of the diffusion of the drug from these star-based nanocarriers. However, these star-shaped polymers designed for drug delivery are still in a very early stage of development. Due to the sheer diversity of macromolecules that can take on the star architectures and the various combinations of functional groups that can be cross-linked together, there remain many structure-property relationships which have yet to be fully established. This review aims to provide an introductory perspective on the basic synthetic methods of star-shaped polymers, the properties which can be controlled by the unique architecture, and also recent advances in drug delivery applications related to these star candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Peng Yang
- College of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, 362000, China
| | - Ma Nwe Nwe Linn Oo
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive Singapore, Singapore, 637459, Singapore
| | - Gulam Roshan Deen
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637459, Singapore
| | - Zibiao Li
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
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Asymmetric polyplex-nanocapsules loaded with photosentisizer for light-assisted gene transfer. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2017; 174:269-275. [PMID: 28806683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Inefficient intracellular gene delivery is still a limitation for the clinical translation of gene therapy. Recently, photochemical internalization (PCI) has emerged with the opportunity to overcome endo-lysosomal sequestration in gene delivery, which utilizes photosensitizer (PS) plus light generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) at sub-lethal level to facilitate intracellularly targeted drug delivery. In this work, asymmetric polyplex-nanocapsules were prepared based on the triblock copolymers of PEG-PCL-PEI by using the simple solvent-injection method. Subsequently, the hydrophobic PS was encapsulated in the hydrophobic layer of polyplex-nanocapsules through hydrophobic interaction. The results from agarose gel electrophoresis and fluorescence scanning spectroscopy show that DNA could be condensed effectively and the PS was encapsulated, resulting in the stable polyplex-nanocapsules. The obtained polyplex-nanocapsules were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements with the average size ranging from 200 to 280nm and the negatively charged surface. Importantly, these polyplex-nanocapsules can be uptaken by Hela cells, resulting in improved gene transfection efficiency in comparison with the case without laser treatment due to the assistance of PCI effect. This work demonstrates a promising strategy to build the light-assisted gene delivery system containing PS and transporting genes simultaneously in one platform.
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