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Luo R, Le H, Wu Q, Gong C. Nanoplatform-Based In Vivo Gene Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2312153. [PMID: 38441386 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202312153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/26/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy uses modern molecular biology methods to repair disease-causing genes. As a burgeoning therapeutic, it has been widely applied for cancer therapy. Since 1989, there have been numerous clinical gene therapy cases worldwide. However, a few are successful. The main challenge of clinical gene therapy is the lack of efficient and safe vectors. Although viral vectors show high transfection efficiency, their application is still limited by immune rejection and packaging capacity. Therefore, the development of non-viral vectors is overwhelming. Nanoplatform-based non-viral vectors become a hotspot in gene therapy. The reasons are mainly as follows. 1) Non-viral vectors can be engineered to be uptaken by specific types of cells or tissues, providing effective targeting capability. 2) Non-viral vectors can protect goods that need to be delivered from degradation. 3) Nanoparticles can transport large-sized cargo such as CRISPR/Cas9 plasmids and nucleoprotein complexes. 4) Nanoparticles are highly biosafe, and they are not mutagenic in themselves compared to viral vectors. 5) Nanoparticles are easy to scale preparation, which is conducive to clinical conversion and application. Here, an overview of the categories of nanoplatform-based non-viral gene vectors, the limitations on their development, and their applications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hao Le
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qinjie Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Changyang Gong
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
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Zhang J, Wang M, He D, Zhang L, Liu T, Wang K. Synergetic regulation of cancer cells and exhausted T cells to fight cold tumors with a fluorinated EGCG-based nanocomplex. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:420. [PMID: 37957632 PMCID: PMC10644671 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune therapy that targets PD-L1 (programmed cell death-ligand 1) is attractive to augment immune response by breaking the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 axis. However, T cell exhaustion associated with insufficient T cells infiltration may diminish the efficacy of cancer therapy. Here, we report a novel delivery system of FEGCG/FPEI@siTOX composed of fluorinated EGCG (FEGCG) and fluorinated polyethyleneimine (FPEI) for delivery of small interfering RNA anti-TOX (thymus high mobility group box protein, TOX) to treat tumor and metastasis. In this way, the reduction in PD-L1 expression by FEGCG can promote T-cell function, while inhibition of TOX expression with siTOX can alleviate T-cell exhaustion. FPEI are designed to deliver siRNA with high efficiency and low toxicity compared to classical PEI. Integrating FEGCG, FPEI and siTOX into such a novel system resulted in excellent anti-tumor and antimetastatic effects. It is a promising delivery system and potential strategy for the treatment of "cold" tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Mingyue Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Doudou He
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Tianqing Liu
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
| | - Kaikai Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Zhan YR, He X, Huang ZY, Chen P, Tian MM, Li GH, Yu XQ, Song XR, Zhang J. A novel fluoropolymer as a protein delivery vector with robust adjuvant effect for cancer immunotherapy. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:8933-8942. [PMID: 37682063 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01531a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The inefficient treatment using protein-based nanovaccines is largely attributed to their inadequate immunogenicity. Herein, we developed a novel fluoropolymer (PF) via ring-opening polymerization and constructed a fluoropolymer-based nanovaccine for tumor immunotherapy. Due to the existence of fluoroalkyl chains, PF not only played a crucial role in tumor antigen delivery but also exhibited a remarkable adjuvant effect in enhancing the immunogenicity of nanovaccines. The nanovaccines formed by mixing PF with a model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) enhanced the uptake of antigen proteins by dendritic cells (DCs) and promoted the maturation and antigen presentation of DCs. Compared with free OVA, PF/OVA showed better efficacy in both pre-cancer prevention and tumor treatment. Furthermore, the proportion of CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells was significantly increased in lymph nodes and tumors of mice immunized with PF/OVA. Additionally, there was a great enhancement in the levels of key anti-tumor cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) in the serum of the PF/OVA immunized mice. Our research has shown that fluoropolymer PF applied as a protein vector and adjuvant has great potential for the development of nanovaccines with robust immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Zhan
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xi He
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Zhi-Ying Huang
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Miao-Miao Tian
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Guo-Hong Li
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xiang-Rong Song
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ji Zhang
- College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene delivery vectors are a crucial determinant for gene therapeutic efficacy. Usually, it is necessary to use an excess of cationic vectors to achieve better transfection efficiency. However, it will cause severe cytotoxicity. In addition, cationic vectors are not resistant to serum, suffering from reduced transfection efficiency by forming large aggregates. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop optimized gene delivery vectors. Recently, fluorination of vectors has been extensively applied to increase the gene delivery performance because of the unique properties of both hydrophobicity and lipophobicity, and chemical and biological inertness. AREAS COVERED This review will discuss the fluorophilic effects that impact gene delivery efficiency, and chemical modification approaches for fluorination. Next, recent advances and applications of fluorinated polymeric and lipidic vectors in gene therapy and gene editing are summarized. EXPERT OPINION Fluorinated vectors are a promising candidate for gene delivery. However, it still needs further studies to obtain pure and well-defined fluorinated polymers, guarantee the biosafety, and clarify the detailed mechanism. Apart from the improvements in gene delivery, exploiting other versatility of fluorinated vectors, such as oxygen-carrying ability, high affinity with fluorine-containing drugs, and imaging property upon introducing 19F, will further facilitate their applications in gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wan
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Mingyu Wu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Shun Feng
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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Huang Z, Xiao YP, Guo Y, Yang HZ, Zhao RM, Zhang J, Yu XQ. A cyclen-based fluoropolymer as a versatile vector for gene and protein delivery. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Yu XQ, Zhan YR, Tan J, Hei MW, Zhang S, Zhang J. Construction of GSH-triggered cationic fluoropolymer as two-in-one nanoplatform for combined chemo/gene therapy. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:1308-1318. [DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02602j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The combined chemo-gene therapy has become a promising approach for enhanced anti-cancer treatment. However, effective co-delivery of therapeutic gene and drug into target cells and tissues remains a major obstacle....
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Walsh AP, Gordon HN, Peter K, Wang X. Ultrasonic particles: An approach for targeted gene delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:113998. [PMID: 34662671 PMCID: PMC8518240 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has been widely investigated for the treatment of genetic, acquired, and infectious diseases. Pioneering work utilized viral vectors; however, these are suspected of causing serious adverse events, resulting in the termination of several clinical trials. Non-viral vectors, such as lipid nanoparticles, have attracted significant interest, mainly due to their successful use in vaccines in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Although they allow safe delivery, they come with the disadvantage of off-target delivery. The application of ultrasound to ultrasound-sensitive particles allows for a direct, site-specific transfer of genetic materials into the organ/site of interest. This process, termed ultrasound-targeted gene delivery (UTGD), also increases cell membrane permeability and enhances gene uptake. This review focuses on the advances in ultrasound and the development of ultrasonic particles for UTGD across a range of diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the limitations and future perspectives of UTGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan P.G. Walsh
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Henry N. Gordon
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia,La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia,La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Corresponding author at: Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Chen P, He X, Tian XL, Zhang J, Yu XQ. One-step fabrication of functional carbon dots with long wavelength emission for gene delivery and bio-imaging. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:8518-8529. [PMID: 34568886 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01622a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
As a new-type of fluorescent material, carbon dots (CDs) are promising nanoscale reagents with the potential to integrate the functions of bio-imaging and gene/drug delivery. Most of the reported CDs for nucleic acid delivery only emitted short-wavelength (blue and green) fluorescence, making them unsuitable for in vivo application. Herein, a one-step solvothermal method was applied to prepare CDs with long wavelength emission from low molecular weight PEI and rhodamine dyes for both bio-imaging and gene delivery. The structure of the CDs was confirmed by several analytical methods including 1H NMR, FT-IR, TEM, and XPS. The results showed that the CDs possess excellent fluorescence properties, which enable their application in both in vitro and in vivo bio-imaging. Meanwhile, the CDs could also be used for the intracellular tracking of the gene delivery process. In vitro transfection results revealed that the CDs possessed high transfection efficiency, which was up to 162 times higher than that of the "golden standard" transfection reagent PEI 25 kDa. Besides, these CDs also exhibited better serum tolerance and lower cytotoxicity than PEI. A mechanistic study suggested that the CD/DNA complexes may release the nucleic acid cargo more effectively. This work provides a new method to prepare multi-functional CDs with non-viral gene delivery and long wavelength bio-imaging abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xi He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Tian
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
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10
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Lv J, Cheng Y. Fluoropolymers in biomedical applications: state-of-the-art and future perspectives. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:5435-5467. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00258e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Biomedical applications of fluoropolymers in gene delivery, protein delivery, drug delivery, 19F MRI, PDT, anti-fouling, anti-bacterial, cell culture, and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Lv
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- China
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11
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Wang X, Rong G, Yan J, Pan D, Wang L, Xu Y, Yang M, Cheng Y. In Vivo Tracking of Fluorinated Polypeptide Gene Carriers by Positron Emission Tomography Imaging. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:45763-45771. [PMID: 32940028 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fluorinated polymers have attracted increasing attention in gene delivery and cytosolic protein delivery in recent years. In vivo tracking of fluorinated polymers will be of great importance to evaluate their biodistribution, clearance, and safety. However, tracking of polymeric carriers without changing their chemical structures remains a huge challenge. Herein, we reported a series of fluorinated poly-l-(lysine) (F-PLL) with high gene transfection efficiency and excellent biodegradation. Radionuclide 18F was radiolabeled on F-PLL by halogen replacement without chemical modification. The radiolabeling of F-PLL offers positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for in vivo tracking of the polymers. The biodistribution of F-PLL and the DNA complexes revealed by micro-PET imaging illustrated the rapid clearance of fluorinated polymers from liver and intestine after intravenous administration. The results demonstrated that the polymer F-PLL will not be accumulated in the liver and spleen when administrated as a gene carrier. This work presents a new strategy for in vivo tracking fluorinated polymers via PET imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine. Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Guangyu Rong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Junjie Yan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine. Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Donghui Pan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine. Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Lizhen Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine. Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine. Wuxi 214063, China
| | - Min Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine. Wuxi 214063, China
- Department of Radiopharmaceuticals, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Xiao YP, Zhang J, Liu YH, Huang Z, Yu XQ. Fluorinated polymer emulsion systems: Construction and application in delivering genes and proteins. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112799. [PMID: 32980740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Emulsions have shown great potential in the delivery of various types of cargoes such as nucleic acids and proteins. In this study, fluorinated polymer emulsions (PFx@PFD-n) were prepared using fluorinated polymers with different structures as surfactant in PFD emulsions under ultrasound. These polymer emulsions gave comparable DNA binding ability compared with corresponding polymers. Heparin competition experiment showed that polymer emulsions could compact DNA or protein to form more stable complexes. In vitro gene transfection results showed that the polymer emulsions could induce higher gene expression than corresponding polymers and polyethyleneimine (PEI), and the transfection efficiency was enhanced with the increase of PFD amount in polymer emulsions. Flow cytometry studies revealed that the emulsions could mediate more efficient cellular uptake with stronger serum tolerance. Moreover, the polymer emulsion could deliver considerable amount of OVA into Raw 264.7 cells at low mass ratio, showing its potential in immunotherapy. The activities of β-galactosidase delivered by the emulsions could also be well maintained after entering cells. This study provides a strategy to construct cationic gene and cytosolic protein vectors with high efficiency and low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China.
| | - Yan-Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Zheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China.
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Abstract
Polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been extensively investigated as an efficient carrier for nucleic acid delivery. Yet, it suffers from a high toxicity profile that hinders clinical translation. Fluorination has proven to be a valid approach to reduce the cytotoxicity of PEI and improve the in vitro siRNA delivery potency. Hydrophobicity and lipophobicity can be controllably introduced into the side chains of PEI. However, the effect of fluorination on siRNA delivery in vivo, particularly the biodistribution of siRNA polyplex nanoparticles with fluorinated PEIs, has not been extensively explored. Here, we introduce two series of fluorinated PEIs via amidation with ethyl trifluoroacetate and perfluorobutyryl chloride. Fluorination substantially improved the performance of PEI for siRNA delivery by reducing the cytotoxicity to MDA-MB-231 cells. Importantly, fluorinated PEI enabled the major accumulation of siRNA polyplex nanoparticles in the liver while non-fluorinated PEI delivered siRNA nanoparticles mainly to the lungs after intravenous administration to mice. It is envisioned that fluorination may be an important general strategy for lowering toxicity of cationic polymers, and that the fluorination-induced alteration of biodistribution may be applicable for improved delivery to different organs. Graphical abstract.
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Wu XR, Zhang J, Zhang JH, Xiao YP, He X, Liu YH, Yu XQ. Amino Acid-Linked Low Molecular Weight Polyethylenimine for Improved Gene Delivery and Biocompatibility. Molecules 2020; 25:E975. [PMID: 32098282 PMCID: PMC7070781 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The construction of efficient and low toxic non-viral gene delivery vectors is of great significance for gene therapy. Herein, two novel polycations were constructed via Michael addition from low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI) 600 Da and amino acid-containing linkages. Lysine and histidine were introduced for the purpose of improved DNA binding and pH buffering capacity, respectively. The ester bonds afforded the polymer biodegradability, which was confirmed by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement. The polymers could well condense DNA into nanoparticles and protect DNA from degradation by nuclease. Compared with PEI 25 kDa, these polymers showed higher transfection efficiency, lower toxicity, and better serum tolerance. Study of this mechanism revealed that the polyplexes enter the cells mainly through caveolae-mediated endocytosis pathway; this, together with their biodegradability, facilitates the internalization of polyplexes and the release of DNA. The results reveal that the amino acid-linked low molecular weight PEI polymers could serve as promising candidates for non-viral gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China; (X.-R.W.); (J.-H.Z.); (Y.-P.X.); (X.H.); (Y.-H.L.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China; (X.-R.W.); (J.-H.Z.); (Y.-P.X.); (X.H.); (Y.-H.L.)
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15
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Zhang YM, Zhang J, Liu YH, Guo Y, Yu XQ, Huang Z. Zinc( ii)-cyclen coordinative amphiphiles for enhanced gene delivery. RSC Adv 2020; 10:39842-39853. [PMID: 35515358 PMCID: PMC9057412 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08027f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we developed coordinative amphiphiles for use as novel non-viral DNA vectors. As a modification of a conventional cationic lipid structure, we replaced the cationic head with a zinc(ii)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (Zn-cyclen) complex as a phosphate-directing group, and used biocompatible skeletons (α-tocopherol or cholesterol) as hydrophobic tails. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) was systematically investigated to study the effect of Zn-coordination on the gene transfection between cyclen-based traditional head-tail lipids and Zn(ii)-cyclen coordinative amphiphiles. The results reveal that both Zn-free lipids and Zn-containing amphiphiles could condense DNA into nano-sized particles with appropriate size and zeta-potentials. Agarose gel retardation assay and MTS-based cell viability assays demonstrated that the Zn(ii)-cyclen complex exhibited slightly lower DNA binding ability and much lower cytotoxicity compared to liposome analogues, respectively. Most importantly, in vitro transfection studies showed that the coordination of zinc(ii) to cyclen may dramatically increase the transfection efficiency of the conventional cationic lipid, and α-tocopherol-containing coordinative amphiphile Zn-Cyc-Toc gives the best transfection efficiency, which was enhanced 24.4 times after coordination and was 6.1 times higher than commercial transfection reagent lipofectamine 2000. Mechanism studies confirmed that the DNA complex formed from Zn-Cyc-Toc might induce higher cellular uptake and better endosomal escape ability than the lipoplexes formed from Zn-free lipid Cyc-Toc. This study not only demonstrates that these coordinative amphiphiles might be promising non-viral gene vectors, but also presents a novel strategy to enhance the gene transfection efficiency and biocompatibility of cyclen-based cationic lipids. Zn-coordination could dramatically enhance the gene transfection efficiency and reduce the cytotoxicity of conventional cyclen-based cationic liposomes.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Mei Zhang
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators As Innovative Medicine
- College of Pharmacy & International Academy of Targeted Therapeutics and Innovation
- Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences
- Chongqing 402160
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- China
| | - Yan-Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- China
| | - Yu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- China
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- China
| | - Zheng Huang
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators As Innovative Medicine
- College of Pharmacy & International Academy of Targeted Therapeutics and Innovation
- Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences
- Chongqing 402160
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Zhang JH, Wang WJ, Zhang J, Xiao YP, Liu YH, Yu XQ. ROS-responsive fluorinated polycations as non-viral gene vectors. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111666. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Lee GJ, Kim TI. Fluorination effect to intermediate molecular weight polyethylenimine for gene delivery systems. J Biomed Mater Res A 2019; 107:2468-2478. [PMID: 31276293 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fluorinated intermediate molecular weight polyethylenimine (FP2ks) with various fluorination degrees was synthesized by conjugation with heptafluorobutyric anhydride and the fluorination effect for gene delivery systems was examined. FP2ks could condense pDNA, forming compact, positively charged, and nano-sized spherical particles. It was thought that their decreased electrostatic interaction with pDNA would be compensated by hydrophobic interaction. The cytotoxicity of FP2ks was increased with the increase of fluorination degree, probably due to the cellular membrane disruption via hydrophobic interaction with FP2ks. The transfection efficiency of highly fluorinated FP2ks was not severely affected in serum condition, assuming their good serum-compatibility. Discrepancy between their higher cellular uptake efficiency and lower transfection efficiency than PEI25k was thought to arise from the formation of compact polyplexes followed by the decreased dissociation of pDNA. It was also suggested that multiple energy-dependent cellular uptake mechanisms and endosome buffering would mediate the transfection of FP2ks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeong Jin Lee
- Department of Biosystems & Biomaterials Science and Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Il Kim
- Department of Biosystems & Biomaterials Science and Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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18
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Dai Y, Zhang X. MicroRNA Delivery with Bioreducible Polyethylenimine as a Non‐Viral Vector for Breast Cancer Gene Therapy. Macromol Biosci 2019; 19:e1800445. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201800445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Dai
- Engineering Research Center of Nano‐Geomaterials of Ministry of EducationFaculty of Materials Science and ChemistryChina University of Geosciences Wuhan 430074 China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Nano‐Geomaterials of Ministry of EducationFaculty of Materials Science and ChemistryChina University of Geosciences Wuhan 430074 China
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19
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Yu QY, Guo Y, Zhang J, Huang Z, Yu XQ. Zn(ii) coordination to cyclen-based polycations for enhanced gene delivery. J Mater Chem B 2019; 7:451-459. [DOI: 10.1039/c8tb02414f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Zn2+ coordination greatly improved the gene transfection efficiency of cyclen-based polycations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ying Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- P. R. China
| | - Yu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- P. R. China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- P. R. China
| | - Zheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education)
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
- P. R. China
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20
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Xiao YP, Zhang J, Liu YH, Zhang JH, Yu QY, Huang Z, Yu XQ. Low molecular weight PEI-based fluorinated polymers for efficient gene delivery. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 162:602-611. [PMID: 30472606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Fluorinated biomaterials have been reported to have promising features as non-viral gene carriers. In this study, a series of fluorinated polymeric gene carriers were synthesized via Michael addition from low molecular weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) and fluorobenzoic acids (FBAs)-based linking compounds with different numbers of fluorine atoms. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these materials was systematically investigated. SAR studies showed that fluorine could screen the positive charge of these polymers. However, this shielding effect of fluorine would endow fluorinated polymers with good balance between DNA condensation and release. In vitro transfection results suggested that these fluorinated polymers could mediate efficient gene delivery. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy studies demonstrated that more efficient cell uptake could be achieved by fluorinated materials with more fluorine atoms. Cytotoxicity assays showed that these fluorinated materials exhibited very low cytotoxicity even at high mass ratios. This study demonstrates that FBA-based fluorinated biopolymers have the potential for practical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China.
| | - Yan-Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Ju-Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Qing-Ying Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Zheng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, PR China.
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21
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Ghaffari M, Dehghan G, Abedi-Gaballu F, Kashanian S, Baradaran B, Ezzati Nazhad Dolatabadi J, Losic D. Surface functionalized dendrimers as controlled-release delivery nanosystems for tumor targeting. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 122:311-330. [PMID: 30003954 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Dendrimers are nano-sized and three-dimensional macromolecules with well-defined globular architecture and are widely used in various aspects such as drug and gene delivery owing to multivalent and host-guest entrapment properties. However, dendrimers like other nanomaterials have some disadvantages for example rapid clearance by reticuloendothelial system, toxicity due to interaction of amine terminated group with cell membrane, low transfection efficiency and lack of controlled release behavior, which reduce their therapeutic efficiency. To solve these problems, surface functionalization of dendrimers can be carried out. Surface functionalization not only mitigates this obstacle but also renders excessive specificity to dendrimer to improve efficiency of cancer therapy. Specific properties in cancer cell compared to normal cells such as overexpression of various receptors and difference in biological condition like pH, temperature and redox of tumor environment can be an appropriate strategy to increase site-specific targeting efficiency. Therefore, in this article we focus on numerous functionalization strategies, which are used in the modification of dendrimers through attachment of lipid, amino acid, protein/peptide, aptamer, vitamin, antibody. Moreover, increased biocompatibility, site-specific delivery based on various ligands, enhanced transfection efficiency, sustained and controlled release behavior based on stimuli responsiveness are benefits of functionalized dendrimer which we discuss in this review. Overall, these functionalized dendrimers can open a new horizon in the field of targeted drug and gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghaffari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Dehghan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fereydoon Abedi-Gaballu
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Soheila Kashanian
- Faculty of Chemistry, Sensor and Biosensor Research Center (SBRC) & Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Center (NNRC), Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran; Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Dusan Losic
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, North Engineering Building, N206, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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22
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Tan E, Lv J, Hu J, Shen W, Wang H, Cheng Y. Statistical versus block fluoropolymers in gene delivery. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:7230-7238. [DOI: 10.1039/c8tb01470a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A statistical fluorocopolymer shows dramatically higher transfection efficiency in gene delivery than a block one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Echuan Tan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- P. R. China
| | - Jia Lv
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- P. R. China
| | - Wanwan Shen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- P. R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- P. R. China
| | - Yiyun Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology
- School of Life Sciences
- East China Normal University
- Shanghai
- P. R. China
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23
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Luo TY, He X, Zhang J, Chen P, Liu YH, Wang HJ, Yu XQ. Photoluminescent F-doped carbon dots prepared by ring-opening reaction for gene delivery and cell imaging. RSC Adv 2018; 8:6053-6062. [PMID: 35539571 PMCID: PMC9078219 DOI: 10.1039/c7ra13607b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon dots (CDs) are photoluminescent nanoparticles with distinctive properties, having great potential in nano-biomaterial systems such as gene/drug delivery vectors and cell imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Ying Luo
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
| | - Xi He
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
| | - Ji Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
| | - Ping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
| | - Yan-Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
| | - Hai-Jiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
| | - Xiao-Qi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology
- Ministry of Education
- College of Chemistry
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610064
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