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Fernandes E, Lopes CM, Lúcio M. Lipid Biomimetic Models as Simple Yet Complex Tools to Predict Skin Permeation and Drug-Membrane Biophysical Interactions. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:807. [PMID: 38931927 PMCID: PMC11207520 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The barrier function of the skin is primarily determined by its outermost layer, the Stratum Corneum (SC). The SC consists of corneocytes embedded in a lipid matrix composed mainly of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in equimolar proportions and is organised in a complex lamellar structure with different periodicities and lateral packings. This matrix provides a diffusion pathway across the SC for bioactive compounds that are administered to the skin. In this regard, and as the skin administration route has grown in popularity, there has been an increase in the use of lipid mixtures that closely resemble the SC lipid matrix, either for a deeper biophysical understanding or for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes. This review focuses on a systematic analysis of the main outcomes of using lipid mixtures as SC lipid matrix models for pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes. Thus, a methodical evaluation of the main outcomes based on the SC structure is performed, as well as the main recent developments in finding suitable new in vitro tools for permeation testing based on lipid models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda Fernandes
- CF-UM-UP—Centro de Física das Universidades do Minho e Porto, Departamento de Física, Universidade do Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla M. Lopes
- FFP-I3ID—Instituto de Investigação, Inovação e Desenvolvimento, FP-BHS—Biomedical and Health Sciences Research Unit, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4200–150 Porto, Portugal;
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, MedTech–Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marlene Lúcio
- CF-UM-UP—Centro de Física das Universidades do Minho e Porto, Departamento de Física, Universidade do Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- CBMA—Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Traldi F, Resmini M. Impact of Protein Corona Formation on the Thermoresponsive Behavior of Acrylamide-Based Nanogels. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:1340-1350. [PMID: 38242644 PMCID: PMC10865348 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The ability to fine-tune the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of thermoresponsive nanoparticles is essential to their successful application in drug delivery. The rational design of these materials is limited by our understanding of the impact that nanoparticle-protein interactions have on their thermoresponsive behavior. In this work, we demonstrate how the formation of protein corona impacts the transition temperature values of acrylamide-based nanogels and their reversibility characteristics, in the presence of lysozyme, given its relevance for the ocular and intranasal administration route. Nanogels were synthesized with N-isopropylacrylamide or N-n-propylacrylamide as backbone monomers, methylenebis(acrylamide) (2.5-20 molar %) as a cross-linker, and functionalized with negatively charged monomers 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, N-acryloyl-l-proline, or acrylic acid; characterization showed comparable particle diameter (c.a.10 nm), but formulation-dependent thermoresponsive properties, in the range 28-54 °C. Lysozyme was shown to form a complex with the negatively charged nanogels, lowering their VPTT values; the hydrophilic nature of the charged comonomer controlled the drop in VPTT upon complex formation, while matrix rigidity only had a small, yet significant effect. The cross-linker content was found to play a major role in determining the reversibility of the temperature-dependent transition of the complexes, with only 20 molar % cross-linked-nanogels displaying a fully reversible transition. These results demonstrate the importance of evaluating protein corona formation in the development of drug delivery systems based on thermoresponsive nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Traldi
- Department of Chemistry, SPCS, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, U.K.
| | - Marina Resmini
- Department of Chemistry, SPCS, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, U.K.
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Bilardo R, Traldi F, Brennan CH, Resmini M. The Role of Crosslinker Content of Positively Charged NIPAM Nanogels on the In Vivo Toxicity in Zebrafish. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1900. [PMID: 37514086 PMCID: PMC10383542 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Polymeric nanogels as drug delivery systems offer great advantages, such as high encapsulation capacity and easily tailored formulations; however, data on biocompatibility are still limited. We synthesized N-isopropylacrylamide nanogels, with crosslinker content between 5 and 20 mol%, functionalized with different positively charged co-monomers, and investigated the in vivo toxicity in zebrafish. Our results show that the chemical structure of the basic unit impacts the toxicity profile depending on the degree of ionization and hydrogen bonding capability. When the degree of crosslinking of the polymer was altered, from 5 mol% to 20 mol%, the distribution of the positively charged monomer 2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate was significantly altered, leading to higher surface charges for the more rigid nanogels (20 mol% crosslinker), which resulted in >80% survival rate (48 h, up to 0.5 mg/mL), while the more flexible polymers (5 mol% crosslinker) led to 0% survival rate (48 h, up to 0.5 mg/mL). These data show the importance of tailoring both chemical composition and rigidity of the formulation to minimize toxicity and demonstrate that using surface charge data to guide the design of nanogels for drug delivery may be insufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Bilardo
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Federico Traldi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Caroline H Brennan
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Marina Resmini
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
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Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions Govern the Interfacial Behavior of Polymeric Nanogels: Study of Protein Corona Formation at the Air/Water Interface. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032810. [PMID: 36769129 PMCID: PMC9917661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomedical applications of nanoparticles require a fundamental understanding of their interactions and behavior with biological interfaces. Protein corona formation can alter the morphology and properties of nanomaterials, and knowledge of the interfacial behavior of the complexes, using in situ analytical techniques, will impact the development of nanocarriers to maximize uptake and permeability at cellular interfaces. In this study we evaluate the interactions of acrylamide-based nanogels, with neutral, positive, and negative charges, with serum-abundant proteins albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin G. The formation of a protein corona complex between positively charged nanoparticles and albumin is characterized by dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism, and surface tensiometry; we use neutron reflectometry to resolve the complex structure at the air/water interface and demonstrate the effect of increased protein concentration on the interface. Surface tensiometry data suggest that the structure of the proteins can impact the interfacial properties of the complex formed. These results contribute to the understanding of the factors that influence the bio-nano interface, which will help to design nanomaterials with improved properties for applications in drug delivery.
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Liu P, Freeley M, Zarbakhsh A, Resmini M. Adsorption of soft NIPAM nanogels at hydrophobic and hydrophilic interfaces: Conformation of the interfacial layers determined by neutron reflectivity. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 623:337-347. [PMID: 35594592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The application of stimuli-responsive microgels and nanogels in drug delivery, catalysis, sensing, and coatings is restricted currently by the limited understanding of the factors influencing their adsorption dynamics and structural changes at interfaces. We have used neutron reflectivity to resolve, on the Ångström scale, the structure of 5% crosslinked N-isopropylacrylamide nanogels at both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interfaces in situ, as a function of temperature and bulk nanogel concentration. Our results show that the higher flexibility given by the low crosslinker content allows for a more ordered structure and packing. The adsorption of the thermoresponsive nanogels is primarily driven by temperature, more specifically its proximity to its volume phase transition temperature, while concentration plays a secondary role. Hydrophobic interactions drive the conformation of the first layer at the interface, which plays a key role in influencing the overall nanogel structure. The mobility of the first layer at the air-water interface as opposed to the interfacial confinement at the solid (SiC8)-liquid interface, results in a different conformation, a more compact and less deformed packing structure, which ultimately drives the structure of the subsequent layers. The evidence for the different structural conformations determined by the degree of hydrophobicity of the interface provides new knowledge, which is essential for the development of further applications. The key role of hydrophobic interactions in driving adsorption and interfacial behavior was also confirmed by fluid AFM experiments which visualized adherence of the nanogels to SiC8 modified surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Liu
- Department of Chemistry, SPCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Mark Freeley
- Department of Chemistry, SPCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Ali Zarbakhsh
- Department of Chemistry, SPCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Marina Resmini
- Department of Chemistry, SPCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
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New Design of a Sample Cell for Neutron Reflectometry in Liquid–Liquid Systems and Its Application for Studying Structures at Air–Liquid and Liquid–Liquid Interfaces. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12031215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of interfacial structures in liquid–liquid systems is imperative, especially for improving two-phase biological and chemical reactions. Therefore, we developed a new sample cell for neutron reflectometry (NR), which enables us to observe the layer structure around the interface, and investigated the adsorption behavior of a typical surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on the toluene-d8-D2O interface under the new experimental conditions. The new cell was characterized by placing the PTFE frame at the bottom to produce a smooth interface and downsized compared to the conventional cell. The obtained NR profiles were readily analyzable and we determined a slight difference in the SDS adsorption layer structure at the interface between the toluene-d8-D2O and air-D2O systems. This could be owing to the difference in the adsorption behavior of the SDS molecules depending on the interfacial conditions.
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Tiwari N, Sonzogni AS, Calderón M. Can dermal delivery of therapeutics be improved using thermoresponsive nanogels? Nanomedicine (Lond) 2019; 14:2891-2895. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2019-0345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Tiwari
- POLYMAT & Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Ana S Sonzogni
- Group of Polymers & Polymerization Reactors, INTEC (Universidad Nacional del Litoral-CONICET), Güemes 3450, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Calderón
- POLYMAT & Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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Liu P, Pearce CM, Anastasiadi RM, Resmini M, Castilla AM. Covalently Crosslinked Nanogels: An NMR Study of the Effect of Monomer Reactivity on Composition and Structure. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E353. [PMID: 30960337 PMCID: PMC6419204 DOI: 10.3390/polym11020353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Covalently crosslinked nanogels are widely explored as drug delivery systems and sensors. Radical polymerization provides a simple, inexpensive, and broadly applicable approach for their preparation, although the random nature of the reaction requires careful study of the final chemical composition. We demonstrate how the different reactivities of the monomers influence the total degree of incorporation into the polymer matrix and the role played by the experimental parameters in maximizing polymerization efficiency. Nanogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide, N-n-propylacrylamide, and acrylamide crosslinked with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide were included in this study, in combination with functional monomers N-acryloyl-l-proline, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, and 4-vinyl-1H-imidazole. Total monomer concentration and initiator quantities are determining parameters for maximizing monomer conversions and chemical yields. The results show that the introduction of functional monomers, changes in the chemical structure of the polymerizable unit, and the addition of templating molecules can all have an effect on the polymerization kinetics. This can significantly impact the final composition of the matrices and their chemical structure, which in turn influence the morphology and properties of the nanogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SBCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Charles M Pearce
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SBCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Rozalia-Maria Anastasiadi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SBCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Marina Resmini
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SBCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Ana M Castilla
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SBCS, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
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