Synthesis, characterization and in vitro toxicity evaluation of doxorubicin-loaded magnetoliposomes on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Synergistic effects of quercetin-loaded CoFe2O4@Liposomes regulate DNA damage and apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells: based on biophysical magnetic hyperthermia

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women globally. Significant progress has been made in developing structural nanoparticles (NPs) and formulations for targeted smart drug delivery (SDD) of pharmaceuticals, improving the precision of tumor cell targeting in therapy.

SIGNIFICANCE

Magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) treatment using magneto-liposomes (MLs) has emerged as a promising adjuvant cancer therapy.

METHODS

CoFe2O4 magnetic NPs (MNPs) were conjugated with nanoliposomes to form MLs, and the anticancer drug quercetin (Que) was loaded into MLs, forming Que-MLs composites for antitumor approach. The aim was to prepare Que-MLs for DD systems (DDS) under an alternating magnetic field (AMF), termed chemotherapy/hyperthermia (chemo-HT) techniques. The encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading capacity (DL), and drug release (DR) of Que and Que-MLs were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results confirmed successful Que-loading on the surface of MLs, with an average diameter of 38 nm and efficient encapsulation into MLs (69%). In vitro, experimental results on MCF-7 breast cells using MHT showed high cytotoxic effects of novel Que-MLs on MCF-7 cells. Various analyses, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell migration, western blotting, fluorescence imaging, and cell membrane internalization, were conducted. The Acridine Orange-ethidium bromide double fluorescence test identified 35% early and 55% late apoptosis resulting from Que-MLs under the chemo-HT group. TEM results indicated MCF-7 cell membrane internalization and digestion of Que-MLs, suggesting the presence of early endosome-like vesicles on the cytoplasmic periphery.

CONCLUSIONS

Que-MLs exhibited multi-modal chemo-HT effects, displaying high toxicity against MCF-7 BC cells and showing promise as a potent cytotoxic agent for BC chemotherapy.

A comparative study of structural and catalytic activity alterations in firefly luciferase induced by carbon quantum dots containing amine and carboxyl functional groups

Despite of growing interest in use of carbon-based nanomaterials as carriers of functional proteins, less attention has been paid to the effects of these nanomaterials on the structure and function of the proteins. In this study, with the aim of shedding light on the mechanisms of interaction between carbon-based nanomaterials and proteins, the interactions of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) containing amine (CQD-NH2) or carboxyl groups (CQD-COOH) with Photinus pyralis firefly luciferase enzyme were investigated by experimental and computational approaches. The structural changes and reduction in activity of the luciferase upon treatment with CQDs were experimentally proved. CQD-NH2 induced more reduction in enzyme activity (15 %) compared to CQD-COOH (7.4 %). The interactions CQD-NH2 with luciferase led to higher affinity of the enzyme for its substrate. It was found by molecular dynamic simulations that CQD-NH2 binds to multiple regions on the surface of luciferase. Secondary structure analysis showed that CQD-NH2 had more profound effects on the active site amino acids, the adjacent amino acids to the active site and the residues involved in ATP binding site. In addition, CQD-NH2 interactions with luciferase were suggested to be stronger than CQD-COOH based on the number of hydrogen bonds and the binding energies.

Biosynthesis, characterization, magnetic hyperthermia, and in vitro toxicity evaluation of quercetin-loaded magnetoliposome lipid bilayer hybrid system on MCF-7 breast cancer

Novel biocompatible and effective hyperthermia (HT) treatment materials for breast cancer therapeutic have recently attracting researchers, because of their effective ablation of cancer cells and negligible damage to healthy cells. Magnetoliposome (MLs) have numerous possibilities for utilize in cancer treatment, including smart drug delivery (SDD) mediated through alternating magnetic fields (AMF). In this work, magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) encapsulated with liposomes lipid bilayer (MLs), Quercetin (Q)-loaded MgFe2O4@Liposomes (Q-MLs) nano-hybrid system were successfully synthesized for magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) and SDD applications. The hybrid system was well-investigated by different techniques using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Zeta Potential (ZP). The characterization results confirmed the improving quercetin-loading on the MLs surface. TEM analysis indicated the synthesized MgFe2O4, MLs, and Q-MLs were spherical with an average size of 23.7, 35.5, and 329.5 nm, respectively. The VSM results revealed that the MgFe2O4 exhibit excellent and effective saturation magnetization (MS) (40.5 emu/g). Quercetin drug loading and entrapment efficiency were found to be equal to 2.1 ± 0.1% and 42.3 ± 2.2%, respectively. The in-vitro Q release from Q-loaded MLs was found 40.2% at pH 5.1 and 69.87% at pH 7.4, verifying the Q-loading pH sensitivity. The MLs and Q-MLs hybrid system as MHT agents exhibit specific absorption rate (SAR) values of 197 and 205 W/g, correspondingly. Furthermore, the Q-MLs cytotoxicity was studied on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, and the obtained data demonstrated that the Q-MLs have a high cytotoxicity effect compared to MLs and free Q.

Evasion of opsonization of macromolecules using novel surface-modification and biological-camouflage-mediated techniques for next-generation drug delivery

Opsonization plays a pivotal role in hindering controlled drug release from nanoformulations due to macrophage-mediated nanoparticle destruction. While first and second-generation delivery systems, such as lipoplexes (50-150 nm) and quantum dots, hold immense potential in revolutionizing disease treatment through spatiotemporal controlled drug delivery, their therapeutic efficacy is restricted by the selective labeling of nanoparticles for uptake by reticuloendothelial system and mononuclear phagocyte system via various molecular forces, such as electrostatic, hydrophobic, and van der Waals bonds. This review article presents novel insights into surface-modification techniques utilizing macromolecule-mediated approaches, including PEGylation, di-block copolymerization, and multi-block polymerization. These techniques induce stealth properties by generating steric forces to repel micromolecular-opsonins, such as fibrinogen, thereby mitigating opsonization effects. Moreover, advanced biological methods, like cellular hitchhiking and dysopsonic protein adsorption, are highlighted for their potential to induce biological camouflage by adsorbing onto the nanoparticulate surface, leading to immune escape. These significant findings pave the way for the development of long-circulating next-generation nanoplatforms capable of delivering superior therapy to patients. Future integration of artificial intelligence-based algorithms, integrated with nanoparticle properties such as shape, size, and surface chemistry, can aid in elucidating nanoparticulate-surface morphology and predicting interactions with the immune system, providing valuable insights into the probable path of opsonization.

Liposomes for Cancer Theranostics

Cancer is one of the most well-studied diseases and there have been significant advancements over the last few decades in understanding its molecular and cellular mechanisms. Although the current treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy) have provided complete cancer remission for many patients, cancer still remains one of the most common causes of death in the world. The main reasons for the poor response rates for different cancers include the lack of drug specificity, drug resistance and toxic side effects (i.e., in healthy tissues). For addressing the limitations of conventional cancer treatments, nanotechnology has shown to be an important field for constructing different nanoparticles for destroying cancer cells. Due to their size (i.e., less than 1 μm), nanoparticles can deliver significant amounts of cancer drugs to tumors and are able to carry moieties (e.g., folate, peptides) for targeting specific types of cancer cells (i.e., through receptor-mediated endocytosis). Liposomes, composed of phospholipids and an interior aqueous core, can be used as specialized delivery vehicles as they can load different types of cancer therapy agents (e.g., drugs, photosensitizers, genetic material). In addition, the ability to load imaging agents (e.g., fluorophores, radioisotopes, MRI contrast media) enable these nanoparticles to be used for monitoring the progress of treatment. This review examines a wide variety of different liposomes for cancer theranostics, with the different available treatments (e.g., photothermal, photodynamic) and imaging modalities discussed for different cancers.

High Fructose Concentration Increases the Fluorescence Stability of DNA-Templated Copper Nanoclusters by Several Thousand Times

DNA-templated copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) have limited applications because of their low fluorescence stability (several tens of minutes). In this study, we prepared CuNCs with improved temporal fluorescence stability by introducing fructose into the CuNC synthesis process and optimizing the reaction conditions. The inclusion of fructose increased the operating lifetime of CuNCs by approximately 5200-fold from 30 min to 108 days and improved their stability against heat, acids, and bases compared to CuNCs synthesized under original conditions. In addition, the fluorescence signal of CuNCs was maintained for a significantly longer time when stored at refrigeration (4 °C) and freezing (-20 °C) temperatures. Importantly, this method did not require the addition of substances other than fructose or any additional physicochemical treatment to maintain the fluorescence of DNA-templated CuNCs for more than several tens of days. As such, this study could serve as a basis to improve the stability of CuNCs for various applications.

Folate-Targeted PEGylated Magnetoliposomes for Hyperthermia-Mediated Controlled Release of Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used for the treatment of solid tumors. However, the cardiotoxicity associated with its prolonged use prevents further adherence and therapeutic efficacy. By encapsulating DOX within a PEGylated liposome, Doxil^® considerably decreased DOX cardiotoxicity. By using thermally sensitive lysolipids in its bilayer composition, ThermoDox^® implemented a heat-induced controlled release of DOX. However, both ThermoDox^® and Doxil^® rely on their passive retention in tumors, depending on their half-lives in blood. Moreover, ThermoDox^® ordinarily depend on invasive radiofrequency-generating metallic probes for local heating. In this study, we prepare, characterize, and evaluate the antitumoral capabilities of DOX-loaded folate-targeted PEGylated magnetoliposomes (DFPML). Unlike ThermoDox^®, DOX delivery via DFPML is mediated by the heat released through dynamic hysteresis losses from magnetothermal converting systems composed by MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) under AC magnetic field excitation—a non-invasive technique designated magnetic hyperthermia (MHT). Moreover, DFPML dismisses the use of thermally sensitive lysolipids, allowing the use of simpler and cheaper alternative lipids. MnFe₂O₄ NPs and DFPML are fully characterized in terms of their size, morphology, polydispersion, magnetic, and magnetothermal properties. About 50% of the DOX load is released from DFPML after 30 min under MHT conditions. Being folate-targeted, in vitro DFPML antitumoral activity is higher (IC₅₀ ≈ 1 μg/ml) for folate receptor-overexpressing B16F10 murine melanoma cells, compared to MCF7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells (IC₅₀ ≈ 4 μg/ml). Taken together, our results indicate that DFPML are strong candidates for folate-targeted anticancer therapies based on DOX controlled release.

Biocompatible superparamagnetic core-shell nanoparticles for potential use in hyperthermia-enabled drug release and as an enhanced contrast agent

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and core-shell type nanoparticles, consisting of SPIONs coated with mesoporous silica and/or lipid, were synthesised and tested for their potential theranostic applications in drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia and as a contrast agent. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed the size of bare and coated SPIONs was in the range of 5-20 nm and 100-200 nm respectively. The superparamagnetic nature of all the prepared nanomaterials as indicated by Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) and their heating properties under an AC field confirm their potential for hyperthermia applications. Scanning Column Magnetometry (SCM) data showed that extrusion of bare-SPION (b-SPION) dispersions through a 100 nm polycarbonate membrane significantly improved the dispersion stability of the sample. No sedimentation was apparent after 18 h compared to a pre-extrusion estimate of 43% settled at the bottom of the tube over the same time. Lipid coating also enhanced dispersion stability. Transversal relaxation time (T2) measurements for the nanoparticles, using a bench-top relaxometer, displayed a significantly lower value of 46 ms, with a narrow relaxation time distribution, for lipid silica coated SPIONs (Lip-SiSPIONs) as compared to that of 1316 ms for the b-SPIONs. Entrapment efficiency of the anticancer drug, Doxorubicin (DOX) for Lip-SPIONs was observed to be 35% which increased to 58% for Lip-SiSPIONs. Moreover, initial in-vitro cytotoxicity studies against human breast adenocarcinoma, MCF-7 cells showed that % cell viability increased from 57% for bSPIONs to 82% for Lip-SPIONs and to 87% for Lip-SiSPIONs. This suggests that silica and lipid coatings improve the biocompatibility of bSPIONs significantly and enhance the suitability of these particles as drug carriers. Hence, the magnetic nanomaterials prepared in this work have potential theranostic properties as a drug carrier for hyperthermia cancer therapy and also offer enhancement of contrast agent efficacy and a route to a significant increase in dispersion stability.

RGD peptide-mediated liposomal curcumin targeted delivery to breast cancer cells

In this study, turmeric's active ingredient (Curcumin) was encapsulated into RGD modified Liposomes (RGD-Lip-Cur) its cytotoxic effect on the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry and Caspase assay. Liposomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results demonstrated that the liposomes were spherical in shape, ranging from 70 to 100 nm. MTT assay revealed that RGD-Lip-Cur had a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells at concentrations of 32, 16 and 4 μg/ml compared to Lip-Cur (P < 0.05) and curcumin (P < 0.01). The apoptosis assay demonstrated that RGD-Lip-Cur induces the apoptosis in MCF-7 cells (39.6% vs 40.2% for initial and secondary apoptosis) significantly more than Lip-Cur (67.7% vs 9.16% for initial and secondary apoptosis) and free curcumin (7.84% vs 38.8% for initial and secondary apoptosis). Moreover, caspase assay showed that RGD-Lip-Cur activates caspase 3/7 compared to Lip-Cur (P < 0.05) and free curcumin (P < 0.01). The RGD-Lip-Cur was similar to the control group and had no significant cytotoxicity effect. It is concluded that RGD-Lip-Cur as a novel carrier have high cytotoxicity effect on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).

Bi-functional nature of nanoceria: pro-drug and drug-carrier potentiality towards receptor-mediated targeting of doxorubicin

The bifunctional nature of nanoceria as pro-drug and vehicle for the site-specific targeted delivery of DOX is achieved with CeO₂–(DOX–FA) nanoconjugates towards MFC-7 cells.