Interaction of 2D nanomaterial with cellular barrier: Membrane attachment and intracellular trafficking

The cell membrane serves as a barrier against the free entry of foreign substances into the cell. Limited by factors such as solubility and targeting, it is difficult for some drugs to pass through the cell membrane barrier and exert the expected therapeutic effect. Two-dimensional nanomaterial (2D NM) has the advantages of high drug loading capacity, flexible modification, and multimodal combination therapy, making them a novel drug delivery vehicle for drug membrane attachment and intracellular transport. By modulating the surface properties of nanocarriers, it is capable of carrying drugs to break through the cell membrane barrier and achieve precise treatment. In this review, we review the classification of various common 2D NMs, the primary parameters affecting their adhesion to cell membranes, and the uptake mechanisms of intracellular transport. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of 2D NMs for several major disorders. We anticipate this review will deepen researchers' understanding of the interaction of 2D NM drug carriers with cell membrane barriers, and provide insights for the subsequent development of novel intelligent nanomaterials capable of intracellular transport.

Self-assembled hydrogel nanocube for stimuli responsive drug delivery and tumor ablation by phototherapy against breast cancer

The shape and responsiveness of nanoengineered delivery carriers are crucial characteristics for the rapid and efficient delivery of therapeutics. We report on a novel type of micrometer-sized hydrogel particles of controlled shape with dual pH and redox sensitivity for intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs and phototherapy. The cubical HA-DOP-CS-PEG networks with disulfide links are obtained by cross-linking HA-DOP-CS-PEG with cystamine. The pH-triggered hydrogel swelling/shrinkage was not only affords effective doxorubicin release. It also actively provides the endosomal/lysosomal escape, redox-triggered drug release. The hydrogels degrade rapidly to low molecular weight chains in the presence of the typical intracellular concentration of glutathione. Drug-loaded cube particles found to be 12% more cytotoxic. ICG and DOX-loaded hydrogel cubes demonstrate 90% cytotoxicity when incubated with MCF-7 cancer cells for 24 and 48 h, respectively. This approach integrates the advantages of pH sensitivity, enzymatic degradation, and shape-regulated internalization for novel types of "intelligent" three-dimensional networks with programmable behavior for controlled delivery of therapeutics.