Investigation of microsphere-mediated cellular delivery by chemical, microscopic and gene expression analysis

Hybrid Fluorescent Mass-Tag Nanotrackers as Universal Reagents for Long-Term Live-Cell Barcoding

Barcoding and pooling cells for processing as a composite sample are critical to minimize technical variability in multiplex technologies. Fluorescent cell barcoding has been established as a standard method for multiplexing in flow cytometry analysis. In parallel, mass-tag barcoding is routinely used to label cells for mass cytometry. Barcode reagents currently used label intracellular proteins in fixed and permeabilized cells and, therefore, are not suitable for studies with live cells in long-term culture prior to analysis. In this study, we report the development of fluorescent palladium-based hybrid-tag nanotrackers to barcode live cells for flow and mass cytometry dual-modal readout. We describe the preparation, physicochemical characterization, efficiency of cell internalization, and durability of these nanotrackers in live cells cultured over time. In addition, we demonstrate their compatibility with standardized cytometry reagents and protocols. Finally, we validated these nanotrackers for drug response assays during a long-term coculture experiment with two barcoded cell lines. This method represents a new and widely applicable advance for fluorescent and mass-tag barcoding that is independent of protein expression levels and can be used to label cells before long-term drug studies.

An effective polymeric nanocarrier that allows for active targeting and selective drug delivery in cell coculture systems

In this manuscript, we report the development of a versatile, robust, and stable targeting nanocarrier for active delivery. This nanocarrier is based on bifunctionalized polymeric nanoparticles conjugated to a monoclonal antibody that allows for active targeting of either (i) a fluorophore for tracking or (ii) a drug for monitoring specific cell responses. This nanodevice can efficiently discriminate between cells in coculture based on the expression levels of cell surface receptors. As a proof of concept, we have demonstrated efficient delivery using a broadly established cell surface receptor as the target, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is overexpressed in several types of cancers. Additionally, a second validation of this nanodevice was successfully carried out using another cell surface receptor as the target, the cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147). Our results suggest that this versatile nanocarrier can be expanded to other cell receptors and bioactive cargoes, offering remarkable discrimination efficiency between cells with different expression levels of a specific marker. This work supports the ability of nanoplatforms to boost and improve the progress towards personalized medicine.

Characterization and Therapeutic Effect of a pH Stimuli Responsive Polymeric Nanoformulation for Controlled Drug Release

Despite the large number of polymeric nanodelivery systems that have been recently developed, there is still room for improvement in terms of therapeutic efficiency. Most reported nanodevices for controlled release are based on drug encapsulation, which can lead to undesired drug leakage with a consequent reduction in efficacy and an increase in systemic toxicity. Herein, we present a strategy for covalent drug conjugation to the nanodevice to overcome this drawback. In particular, we characterize and evaluate an effective therapeutic polymeric PEGylated nanosystem for controlled pH-sensitive drug release on a breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and two lung cancer (A549 and H520) cell lines. A significant reduction in the required drug dose to reach its half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) was achieved by conjugation of the drug to the nanoparticles, which leads to an improvement in the therapeutic index by increasing the efficiency. The genotoxic effect of this nanodevice in cancer cells was confirmed by nucleus histone H2AX specific immunostaining. In summary, we successfully characterized and validated a pH responsive therapeutic polymeric nanodevice in vitro for controlled anticancer drug release.

A versatile theranostic nanodevice based on an orthogonal bioconjugation strategy for efficient targeted treatment and monitoring of triple negative breast cancer

A novel chemical-based orthogonal bioconjugation strategy to produce tri-functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) an chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin (DOX), a near-infrared cyanine dye (Cy7) and CRGDK homing peptide, a peptide specifically binds to neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) overexpressed on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, has been validated. These theranostic NPs have been evaluated in vitro and in vivo using an orthotopic xenotransplant mouse model using TNBC cells. In vitro assays show that theranostic NPs improve the therapeutic index in comparison with free DOX. Remarkably, in vivo studies showed preferred location of theranostic NPs in the tumor area reducing the volume at the same level than free DOX while presenting lower side effects. This multifunctionalized theranostic nanodevice based on orthogonal conjugation strategies could be a good candidate for the treatment and monitoring of Nrp-1 overexpressing tumors. Moreover, this versatile nanodevice can be easily adapted to treat and monitor different cancer types by adapting the conjugation strategy.

Bioinspired Liposomes for Oral Delivery of Colistin to Combat Intracellular Infections by Salmonella enterica

Bacterial invasion into eukaryotic cells and the establishment of intracellular infection has proven to be an effective means of resisting antibiotic action, as anti-infective agents commonly exhibit a poor permeability across the host cell membrane. Encapsulation of anti-infectives into nanoscaled delivery systems, such as liposomes, is shown to result in an enhancement of intracellular delivery. The aim of the current work is, therefore, to formulate colistin, a poorly permeable anti-infective, into liposomes suitable for oral delivery, and to functionalize these carriers with a bacteria-derived invasive moiety to enhance their intracellular delivery. Different combinations of phospholipids and cholesterol are explored to optimize liposomal drug encapsulation and stability in biorelevant media. These liposomes are then surface-functionalized with extracellular adherence protein (Eap), derived from Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment of HEp-2 and Caco-2 cells infected with Salmonella enterica using colistin-containing, Eap-functionalized liposomes resulted in a significant reduction of intracellular bacteria, in comparison to treatment with nonfunctionalized liposomes as well as colistin alone. This indicates that such bio-invasive carriers are able to facilitate intracellular delivery of colistin, as necessary for intracellular anti-infective activity. The developed Eap-functionalized liposomes, therefore, present a promising strategy for improving the therapy of intracellular infections.

Luminescent silica mesoparticles for protein transduction

Unlike silica nanoparticles, the potential of silica mesoparticles (SMPs) (i.e. particles of submicron size) for biological applications in particular the in vitro (let alone in vivo) cellular delivery of biological cargo has so far not been sufficiently studied. Here we examine the potential of luminescent (namely, octahedral molybdenum cluster doped) SMPs synthesised by a simple one-pot reaction for the labelling of cells and for protein transduction into larynx carcinoma (Hep-2) cells using GFP as a model protein. Our data demonstrates that the SMPs internalise into the cells within half an hour. This results in cells that detectably luminesce via conventional methods. In addition, the particles are non-toxic both in darkness and upon photo-irradiation. The SMPs were modified to allow their functionalisation by a protein, which then delivered the protein (GFP) efficiently into the cells. Thus, the luminescent SMPs offer a cheap and trackable alternative to existing materials for cellular internalisation of proteins, such as the HIV TAT protein and commercial protein delivery agents (e.g. Pierce™).

In vivo catalyzed new-to-nature reactions

Bioorthogonal chemistry largely relies on the use of abiotic metals to catalyze new-to-nature reactions in living systems. Over the past decade, metal complexes and metal-encapsulated systems such as nanoparticles have been developed to unravel the reactivity of transition metals, including ruthenium, palladium, iridium, copper, iron, and gold in biological systems. Thanks to these remarkable achievements, abiotic catalysts are able to fluorescently label cells, uncage or form cytotoxic drugs and activate enzymes in cellulo/vivo. Recently, strategies for the delivery of such catalysts to specific cell types, cell compartments or proteins were established. These studies reveal the enormous potential of this emerging field and its application in both medicinal chemistry and in synthetic biology.

Transporting carriers for intracellular targeting delivery via non-endocytic uptake pathways

To develop novel therapies for clinical treatments, it increasingly depends on sophisticated delivery systems that facilitate the drugs entry into targeting cells. Profound understanding of cellular uptake routes for transporting carriers promotes the optimization of performance in drug delivery systems. Although endocytic pathway is the most important part of cellular uptake routes for many delivery systems, it suffers the trouble of enzymatic degradation of transporting carriers trapped in endosomes/lysosomes. Therefore, it is desirable to develop alternative transporting methods for delivery systems via non-endocytic pathways to achieve more effective intracellular delivery. In this review, we summarize the literature exploring transporting carriers that mediate intracellular delivery via non-endocytic pathways to present the current research status in this field. Cell-penetrating peptides, pH (low) insertion peptides, and nanoparticles are categorized to exhibit their ability to directly transport various cargos into cytoplasm via non-endocytic uptake in different cell lines. It is hoped that this review can spur the interesting on development of drug delivery systems via non-endocytic uptake pathway.

Tracking cell proliferation using a nanotechnology-based approach

AIM

To develop an efficient nanotechnology fluorescence-based method to track cell proliferation to avoid the limitations of current cell-labeling dyes.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Synthesis, PEGylation, bifunctionalization and labeling with a fluorophore (Cy5) of 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) were performed. These NPs were characterized and assessed for in vitro long-term monitoring of cell proliferation.

RESULTS

The optimization and validation of this method to track long-term cell proliferation assays have been achieved with high reproducibility, without cell cycle disruption. This method has been successfully applied in several adherent and suspension cells including hard-to-transfect cells and isolated human primary lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

A novel approach to track efficiently cellular proliferation by flow cytometry using fluorescence labeled NPs has been successfully developed. [Formula: see text].

Synthesis and biological properties of water-soluble polyphenylthiophene brushes with poly(ethylene glycol)/polyzwitterion side chains

Two types of water-soluble polyphenylthiophene brushes with poly(ethylene glycol) and polyzwitterion side chains were synthesized and studied as bioprobes.

Cellular uptake and fate of fibroin microspheres loaded with randomly fragmented DNA in 3T3 cells

Purified fibroin protein can be obtained in large quantities from silk fibers and processed to form microscopic particles as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. In this study, we demonstrated that fibroin microspheres were taken up by 3T3 cells, localized in the nonlysosomal compartment, and secreted from the cytoplasm after medium replenishment. DNA-loaded microspheres were taken up by >95% of 3T3 cells. DNA cargo had no influence on the intracellular trafficking of microspheres, while fluorescently labeled cargo DNA was observed in the lysosomal compartment and in the microspheres. These results indicate that fibroin microspheres can travel through 3T3 cells without making any contact with the lysosomal compartments. The amount of DNA loaded in the microspheres taken up by 3T3 cells was estimated up to 831.0 pg/cell. Thus, fibroin microspheres can deliver a large amount of randomly fragmented DNA (<10 kb) into the cytoplasmic compartment of 3T3 cells.

Biodegradable, Tethered Lipid Bilayer-Microsphere Systems with Membrane-Integrated α-Helical Peptide Anchors

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are ideally suited for the study of biomembrane-biomembrane interactions and for the biomimicry of cell-to-cell communication, allowing for surface ligand displays that contain laterally mobile elements. However, the SLB paradigm does not include three-dimensionality and biocompatibility. As a way to bypass these limitations, we have developed a biodegradable form of microsphere SLBs, also known as proteolipobeads (PLBs), using PLGA microspheres. Microspheres were synthesized using solvent evaporation and size selected with fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Biomembranes were covalently tethered upon fusion to microsphere supports via short-chain PEG spacers connecting membrane-integrated α-helical peptides and the microsphere surface, affecting membrane diffusivity and mobility as indicated by confocal FRAP analysis. Membrane heterogeneities, which are attributed to PLGA hydrophobicity and rough surface topography, are curtailed by the addition of PEG tethers. This method allows for the presentation of tethered, laterally mobile biomembranes in three dimensions with functionally embedded attachment peptides for mobile ligand displays.

Cellular response to empty and palladium-conjugated amino-polystyrene nanospheres uptake: a proteomic study

Amino polystyrene nanospheres are shown to be efficient and controllable delivery devices, capable of transporting several bioactive cargoes. Recently, the design of a new device for prodrug activation, using these nanospheres with palladium encapsulated onto them, has been developed successfully. To study the influence of the cellular uptake of these nanodevices, we investigated the cellular response of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293T) and murine fibroblasts (L929) treated with empty or palladium-conjugated amino polystyrene nanospheres. To identify differentially expressed proteins, we performed an exhaustive proteomic analysis. In accordance with genomic data previously obtained, the uptake of the empty nanospheres did not induce significant variation in protein expression levels. Following the treatment with palladium-conjugated nanospheres, some changes in protein profiles in both cell lines were observed; these alterations affect proteins involved in cell metabolism and intracellular transport. No key regulator of the cell cycle result was differentially expressed after the treatment, confirming that these innovative drug delivery systems are harmless and well tolerated by the cells.

Negative-charge-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles as drug vehicles targeting hepatocellular carcinoma

In this paper, a series of doxorubicin-loaded and negative-charge-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DOX-MSN/COOH) was successfully prepared and used for imaging and targeting therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. The nanoparticles were uniform and negatively charged, with a diameter of about 55 nm, and a zeta potential of -20 mV. In vitro study showed that the nanoparticles could easily be endocytosed by liver cancer cells (HepG2) and were well-accumulated in the liver by passive targeting. In vivo study proved the ability of DOX-MSN/COOH to inhibit the tumor growth and prolong the survival time of mice bearing hepatocellular carcinoma in situ, giving better results than free DOX. More importantly, histological examination showed no histopathological abnormalities of normal liver cells and heart cells after the administration of DOX-MSN/COOH, while the treatment with free DOX caused damage to those cells. In conclusion, DOX-MSN/COOH exhibited enhanced antitumor efficacy as well as reduced side effects for liver cancer therapy.

Growth, cell cycle progression, and morphology of 3T3 cells following fibroin microsphere ingestion

Cellular uptake of microspheres may cause physiological stress and toxicity. In this report, we investigated the effect of cellular uptake of fibroin microspheres on the growth, cell cycle progression, and morphology of 3T3 cells. The microspheres were prepared by physical cross-linking of fibroin molecules without any chemical modification. Fluorescent microspheres are comprised of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran core and fibroin shell. More than 90% of cells were determined to be fluorescence-positive following 24-h incubation with fluorescent microspheres (0.17 mg/mL). Microsphere localization in the cytoplasm was demonstrated using confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Cellular uptake of microspheres did not influence cellular viability, but microsphere concentrations above 0.1 mg/mL resulted in decreased cell proliferation. The proliferation inhibition was attributed to G2 /M phase delay in cell cycle progression and S-phase delay at higher microsphere concentrations (0.33 mg/mL). Although flow cytometry light-scattering data raised the possibility of morphological changes, Coulter counter analysis confirmed no significant size differences between cells incubated with and without microspheres. Accordingly, fibroin microspheres can be a potential vehicle for intracytoplasmic delivery of cargos, without affecting cell viability.

Polymeric microspheres as protein transduction reagents

Discovering the function of an unknown protein, particularly one with neither structural nor functional correlates, is a daunting task. Interaction analyses determine binding partners, whereas DNA transfection, either transient or stable, leads to intracellular expression, though not necessarily at physiologically relevant levels. In theory, direct intracellular protein delivery (protein transduction) provides a conceptually simpler alternative, but in practice the approach is problematic. Domains such as HIV TAT protein are valuable, but their effectiveness is protein specific. Similarly, the delivery of intact proteins via endocytic pathways (e.g. using liposomes) is problematic for functional analysis because of the potential for protein degradation in the endosomes/lysosomes. Consequently, recent reports that microspheres can deliver bio-cargoes into cells via a non-endocytic, energy-independent pathway offer an exciting and promising alternative for in vitro delivery of functional protein. In order for such promise to be fully exploited, microspheres are required that (i) are stably linked to proteins, (ii) can deliver those proteins with good efficiency, (iii) release functional protein once inside the cells, and (iv) permit concomitant tracking. Herein, we report the application of microspheres to successfully address all of these criteria simultaneously, for the first time. After cellular uptake, protein release was autocatalyzed by the reducing cytoplasmic environment. Outside of cells, the covalent microsphere–protein linkage was stable for ≥90 h at 37 °C. Using conservative methods of estimation, 74.3% ± 5.6% of cells were shown to take up these microspheres after 24 h of incubation, with the whole process of delivery and intracellular protein release occurring within 36 h. Intended for in vitro functional protein research, this approach will enable study of the consequences of protein delivery at physiologically relevant levels, without recourse to nucleic acids, and offers a useful alternative to commercial protein transfection reagents such as Chariot™. We also provide clear immunostaining evidence to resolve residual controversy surrounding FACS-based assessment of microsphere uptake.

Cellular uptake of ribonuclease A-functionalised core–shell silica microspheres

Protein transduction: core–shell microspheres have been synthesised and coupled to ribonuclease A. Cellular uptake of these microspheres causes significantly reduced levels of intracellular RNA and reduced cell viability demonstrating that core–shell microsphere-mediated delivery of active enzymes into cells is effective.

A highly emissive inorganic hexamolybdenum cluster complex as a handy precursor for the preparation of new luminescent materials

The synthesis of a new octahedral molybdenum cluster and a cluster–polymer hybrid is described, both materials possess excellent photoluminescent properties.

Scaffold-free formation of a millimeter-scale multicellular spheroid with an internal cavity from magnetically levitated 3T3 cells that ingested iron oxide-containing microspheres

This report describes fabrication of a millimeter-scale three-dimensional (3D) multicellular structure with a central cavity based on magnetic levitation of 3T3 cells that had ingested Fe3 O4 -containing microcapsules. Magnetically levitated cells initially formed a disc-shaped cell cluster at the air-medium interface and transformed into a spheroid (up to 2.8 mm in diameter) after 10-day incubation under a magnet. Hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained section revealed that an eosinophilic shell of cells enclosed a pale-staining core of the spheroid. Mitotic or elongated and aligned cells were found at the outer periphery of the shell, while Fe3 O4 deposits were distributed in the inner part of the shell. Surgical dissection indicated that the spheroid had a hollow interior filled with a fluid-state cell suspension. Accordingly, it was demonstrated that magnetically levitated 3T3 cells organized themselves into a tissue-like spheroid, resulting in core cell death. The spheroid can be used as a 3D tissue model and as building blocks that fused to form a more complicated structure.

Synthesis and characterization of dual-functionalized core-shell fluorescent microspheres for bioconjugation and cellular delivery

The efficient transport of micron-sized beads into cells, via a non-endocytosis mediated mechanism, has only recently been described. As such there is considerable scope for optimization and exploitation of this procedure to enable imaging and sensing applications to be realized. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and characterization of fluorescent microsphere-based cellular delivery agents that can also carry biological cargoes. These core-shell polymer microspheres possess two distinct chemical environments; the core is hydrophobic and can be labeled with fluorescent dye, to permit visual tracking of the microsphere during and after cellular delivery, whilst the outer shell renders the external surfaces of the microspheres hydrophilic, thus facilitating both bioconjugation and cellular compatibility. Cross-linked core particles were prepared in a dispersion polymerization reaction employing styrene, divinylbenzene and a thiol-functionalized co-monomer. These core particles were then shelled in a seeded emulsion polymerization reaction, employing styrene, divinylbenzene and methacrylic acid, to generate orthogonally functionalized core-shell microspheres which were internally labeled via the core thiol moieties through reaction with a thiol reactive dye (DY630-maleimide). Following internal labeling, bioconjugation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to their carboxyl-functionalized surfaces was successfully accomplished using standard coupling protocols. The resultant dual-labeled microspheres were visualized by both of the fully resolvable fluorescence emissions of their cores (DY630) and shells (GFP). In vitro cellular uptake of these microspheres by HeLa cells was demonstrated conventionally by fluorescence-based flow cytometry, whilst MTT assays demonstrated that 92% of HeLa cells remained viable after uptake. Due to their size and surface functionalities, these far-red-labeled microspheres are ideal candidates for in vitro, cellular delivery of proteins.

Alginic acid nanoparticles prepared through counterion complexation method as a drug delivery system

In this paper, a kind of novel alginic acid nanoparticles was successfully prepared by a non-solvent-aided counterion complexation between anionic alginic acid and cationic 2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)diethylamine in aqueous solution followed by cross-linking alginic acid moiety using Ca(2+). It was found that these alginic acid nanoparticles have a spherical morphology with the diameter of about 100 nm, and negatively charged surface with the zeta potential of about -30 mV. Compared to the desintegrity of un-cross-linked nanoparticles, the Ca(2+)-cross-linked nanoparticles maintained their integrity in the aqueous medium with the physiological pH value. Doxorubicin, a model antitumor drug, was successfully loaded into the alginic acid nanoparticles, and their in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities were evaluated. It was found that these negatively charged nanoparticles could be taken up by the cancer cells through an endocytosis mechanism. In vivo near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and biodistribution examinations showed that the alginic acid nanoparticles could be well-accumulated in the tumor site by the enhanced permeability and retention effect. In vivo antitumor examination showed that the drug-loaded nanoparticles have superior efficacy in impeding tumor growth and prolonging the lifetime of H22 tumor-bearing mice than free drug.

The use of solid supports to generate nucleic acid carriers

Nucleic acids are the foundation stone of all cellular processes. Consequently, the use of DNA or RNA to treat genetic and acquired disorders (so called gene therapy) offers enormous potential benefits. The restitution of defective genes or the suppression of malignant genes could target a range of diseases, including cancers, inherited diseases (cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, etc.), and viral infections. However, this strategy has a major barrier: the size and charge of nucleic acids largely restricts their transit into eukaryotic cells. Potential strategies to solve this problem include the use of a variety of natural and synthetic nucleic acid carriers. Driven by the aim and ambition of translating this promising therapeutic approach into the clinic, researchers have been actively developing advanced delivery systems for nucleic acids for more than 20 years. A decade ago we began our investigations of solid-phase techniques to construct families of novel nucleic acid carriers for transfection. We envisaged that the solid-phase synthesis of polycationic dendrimers and derivatized polyamimes would offer distinct advantages over solution phase techniques. Notably in solid phase synthesis we could take advantage of mass action and streamlined purification procedures, while simplifying the handling of compounds with high polarities and plurality of functional groups. Parallel synthesis methods would also allow rapid access to libraries of compounds with improved purities and yields over comparable solution methodologies and facilitate the development of structure activity relationships. We also twisted the concept of the solid-phase support on its head: we devised miniaturized solid supports that provided an innovative cell delivery vehicle in their own right, carrying covalently conjugated cargos (biomolecules) into cells. In this Account, we summarize the main outcomes of this series of chemically related projects.

Novel strategy for microsphere-mediated DNA transfection

A new approach for microsphere-mediated delivery of plasmid DNA has been developed and successfully evaluated. Basic molecular biology techniques were used to linearize and functionalize plasmid DNA by aminomodification, enabling efficient conjugation to carboxy-functionalized microspheres. A T cell hybridoma line was successfully transfected as determined by the efficient expression of a biologically relevant YFP fusion protein. Moreover, our data identified microsphere-mediated delivery of plasmid DNA as a noninvasive, nontoxic, and efficient gene delivery method with the potential to be applied to transfection-resistant, nondividing primary cells, including naïve T cells.

Palladium-mediated intracellular chemistry

Many important intracellular biochemical reactions are modulated by transition metals, typically in the form of metalloproteins. The ability to carry out selective transformations inside a cell would allow researchers to manipulate or interrogate innumerable biological processes. Here, we show that palladium nanoparticles trapped within polystyrene microspheres can enter cells and mediate a variety of Pd(0)-catalysed reactions, such as allylcarbamate cleavage and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. The work provides the basis for the customization of heterogeneous unnatural catalysts as tools to carry out artificial chemistries within cells. Such in cellulo synthesis has potential for a plethora of applications ranging from cellular labelling to synthesis of modulators or inhibitors of cell function.