Direct encapsulation of proteins into calcium silicate microparticles by water/oil/water interfacial reaction method and their responsive release behaviors

Hybrid protein microspheres and their responsive release behaviors and inhibitory effects on melanin synthesis

In this study, the formation of protein microspheres through lysosomal enzyme-assisted biomineralized crystallization was demonstrated. Spherical micro-sized hybrid CaCO3 constructs were synthesized and characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and particle size analysis. Additionally, parameters such as the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area and single-point total pore volume, and adsorption/desorption analysis were used to investigate the mesoporous properties, which are advantageous for lysosomal enzyme (LE) loading. A LE can be used as an organic template, not only as a morphological controller but also for entrapping LE during the crystallization pathway. The hybrid protein microspheres accommodated 2.3 mg of LE with a 57% encapsulation efficiency and 5.1 wt% loading. The peroxidase activity of the microspheres was calculated and found to be approximately 0.0238 mM-1 min-1. pH-responsive release of the LE from CaCO3 was observed, suggesting potential biomedical and cosmetic applications in acidic environments. The hybrid LE microsphere treatment significantly alleviated melanin production in a dose-dependent manner and further downregulated the mRNA expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TYRP-1, and TYRP-2. These results indicate skin-whitening effects by inhibiting melanin without inducing cytotoxicity. The data provide the first evidence of the potential use of a LE for obtaining hybrid minerals and the effectiveness of biomineralization-based sustainable delivery of enzyme-based vehicles based on organelle-extract-assisted biomineralization.

Single-Emulsion P(HB-HV) Microsphere Preparation Tuned by Copolymer Molar Mass and Additive Interaction

Herein, we describe the production of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) [P(HB-HV)]-based microspheres containing coumarin-6 (C6) or pyrene (Py) fluorophores as additives and models for hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug encapsulation. Their photophysical and morphological properties, as well as encapsulation efficiencies, are studied as this work aims to describe the influence of additive hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity on microparticle formation. These properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy (FCLSM), and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that the surfactant concentration, polymer molar mass, emulsification stirring rate, and the presence of the fluorophore and its nature are determinants of the P(HB-HV) microsphere properties. Also, encapsulation efficiency is shown to be governed by synergic effects of these parameters on the formation of microspheres. Moreover, size distribution is proved to be strongly influenced by the surfactant poly(vinyl alcohol) content. FCLSM showed that the fluorophores were efficiently encapsulated in P(HB-HV) microspheres at distinct distributions within the copolymer matrix. Surprisingly, nanospheres were observed in the microsphere surface, suggesting that microspheres are formed from nanosphere coalescence.

In situ follow-up of hybrid alginate-silicate microbeads formation by linear rheology

Hybrid alginate-silicate microbeads of about 10-20 μm were synthesized by combining alginate crosslinking, silica condensation in a one pot approach using a food grade emulsion as template. A fine tuning of the formulation composition (alginate, silica and calcium sources) is necessary in order to obtain core-shell microbeads instead of unshaped and irregular fragments or even perforated spherical beads. Importantly, in situ linear rheology provides insights into the reaction mechanism as a result of the rheological fingerprint profile obtained during beads formation.

Calcium-based biomaterials for diagnosis, treatment, and theranostics

Calcium-based biomaterials with good biosafety and bio-absorbability are promising for biomedical applications such as diagnosis, treatment, and theranostics.

Drug-nanoencapsulated PLGA microspheres prepared by emulsion electrospray with controlled release behavior

The development of modern therapeutics has raised the requirement for controlled drug delivery system which is able to efficiently encapsulate bioactive agents and achieve their release at a desired rate satisfying the need of the practical system. In this study, two kind of aqueous model drugs with different molecule weight, Congo red and albumin from bovine serum (BSA) were nano-encapsulated in poly (dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres by emulsion electrospray. In the preparation process, the aqueous phase of drugs was added into the PLGA chloroform solution to form the emulsion solution. The emulsion was then electrosprayed to fabricate drug-nanoencapsulated PLGA microspheres. The morphology of the PLGA microspheres was affected by the volume ratio of aqueous drug phase and organic PLGA phase (Vw/Vo ) and the molecule weight of model drugs. Confocal laser scanning microcopy showed the nanodroplets of drug phase were scattered in the PLGA microspheres homogenously with different distribution patterns related to Vw/Vo . With the increase of the volume ratio of aqueous drug phase, the number of nanodroplets increased forming continuous phase gradually that could accelerate drug release rate. Moreover, BSA showed a slower release rate from PLGA microspheres comparing to Congo red, which indicated the drug release rate could be affected by not only Vw/Vo but also the molecule weight of model drug. In brief, the PLGA microspheres prepared using emulsion electrospray provided an efficient and simple system to achieve controlled drug release at a desired rate satisfying the need of the practices.

Electrospray synthesis and properties of hierarchically structured PLGA TIPS microspheres for use as controlled release technologies

Microsphere-based controlled release technologies have been utilized for the long-term delivery of proteins, peptides and antibiotics, although their synthesis poses substantial challenges owing to formulation complexities, lack of scalability, and cost. To address these shortcomings, we used the electrospray process as a reproducible, synthesis technique to manufacture highly porous (>94%) microspheres while maintaining control over particle structure and size. Here we report a successful formulation recipe used to generate spherical poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres using the electrospray (ES) coupled with a novel thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process with a tailored Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) collection scheme. We show how size, shape and porosity of resulting microspheres can be controlled by judiciously varying electrospray processing parameters and we demonstrate examples in which the particle size (and porosity) affect release kinetics. The effect of electrospray treatment on the particles and their physicochemical properties are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, confocal Raman microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The microspheres manufactured here have successfully demonstrated long-term delivery (i.e. 1week) of an active agent, enabling sustained release of a dye with minimal physical degradation and have verified the potential of scalable electrospray technologies for an innovative TIPS-based microsphere production protocol.

Colloidal micro- and nano-particles as templates for polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules

Colloidal particles play an important role in various areas of material and pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and biomedicine. In this overview we describe micro- and nano-particles used for the preparation of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules and as drug delivery vehicles. An essential feature of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsule preparations is the ability to adsorb polymeric layers onto colloidal particles or templates followed by dissolution of these templates. The choice of the template is determined by various physico-chemical conditions: solvent needed for dissolution, porosity, aggregation tendency, as well as release of materials from capsules. Historically, the first templates were based on melamine formaldehyde, later evolving towards more elaborate materials such as silica and calcium carbonate. Their advantages and disadvantages are discussed here in comparison to non-particulate templates such as red blood cells. Further steps in this area include development of anisotropic particles, which themselves can serve as delivery carriers. We provide insights into application of particles as drug delivery carriers in comparison to microcapsules templated on them.