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Kirbas Cilingir E, Besbinar O, Giro L, Bartoli M, Hueso JL, Mintz KJ, Aydogan Y, Garber JM, Turktas M, Ekim O, Ceylan A, Unal MA, Ensoy M, Arı F, Ozgenç Çinar O, Ozturk BI, Gokce C, Cansaran-Duman D, Braun M, Wachtveitl J, Santamaria J, Delogu LG, Tagliaferro A, Yilmazer A, Leblanc RM. Small Warriors of Nature: Novel Red Emissive Chlorophyllin Carbon Dots Harnessing Fenton-Fueled Ferroptosis for In Vitro and In Vivo Cancer Treatment. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309283. [PMID: 38230862 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The appeal of carbon dots (CDs) has grown recently, due to their established biocompatibility, adjustable photoluminescence properties, and excellent water solubility. For the first time in the literature, copper chlorophyllin-based carbon dots (Chl-D CDs) are successfully synthesized. Chl-D CDs exhibit unique spectroscopic traits and are found to induce a Fenton-like reaction, augmenting photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacies via ferroptotic and apoptotic pathways. To bolster the therapeutic impact of Chl-D CDs, a widely used cancer drug, temozolomide, is linked to their surface, yielding a synergistic effect with PDT and chemotherapy. Chl-D CDs' biocompatibility in immune cells and in vivo models showed great clinical potential.Proteomic analysis was conducted to understand Chl-D CDs' underlying cancer treatment mechanism. The study underscores the role of reactive oxygen species formation and pointed toward various oxidative stress modulators like aldolase A (ALDOA), aldolase C (ALDOC), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1), transaldolase 1 (TALDO1), and transketolase (TKT), offering a deeper understanding of the Chl-D CDs' anticancer activity. Notably, the Chl-D CDs' capacity to trigger a Fenton-like reaction leads to enhanced PDT efficiencies through ferroptotic and apoptotic pathways. Hence, it is firmly believed that the inherent attributes of Chl-CDs can lead to a secure and efficient combined cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Kirbas Cilingir
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Omur Besbinar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
- Stem Cell Institute, Ankara University, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
- The Graduate School of Health Sciences of Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
- Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Edificio I+D, C/Poeta Mariano Esquillor, s/n, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Linda Giro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, 35129, Italy
| | - Mattia Bartoli
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, 10129, Italy
| | - Jose L Hueso
- Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Edificio I+D, C/Poeta Mariano Esquillor, s/n, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
- Networking Research Center in Biomaterials, Bioengineering and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Campus Rio Ebro, C/María de Luna, 3, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Avenida San Juan Bosco, 13, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
| | - Keenan J Mintz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Yagmur Aydogan
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jordan M Garber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Mine Turktas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gazi University, Ankara, 06560, Turkey
| | - Okan Ekim
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Ceylan
- Department of Histology Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
| | | | - Mine Ensoy
- Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University, Ankara, 06135, Turkey
| | - Fikret Arı
- Department of Electrical Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
| | - Ozge Ozgenç Çinar
- Department of Histology Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, 06110, Turkey
| | - Berfin Ilayda Ozturk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
| | - Cemile Gokce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
| | | | - Markus Braun
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Josef Wachtveitl
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jesus Santamaria
- Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Edificio I+D, C/Poeta Mariano Esquillor, s/n, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
- Networking Research Center in Biomaterials, Bioengineering and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Campus Rio Ebro, C/María de Luna, 3, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Avenida San Juan Bosco, 13, Zaragoza, 50009, Spain
| | - Lucia Gemma Delogu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, 35129, Italy
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 127788, UAE
| | - Alberto Tagliaferro
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, 10129, Italy
| | - Açelya Yilmazer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ankara University, Ankara, 06830, Turkey
- Stem Cell Institute, Ankara University, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
| | - Roger M Leblanc
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
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Bartoli M, Marras E, Tagliaferro A. Computational Investigation of Interactions between Carbon Nitride Dots and Doxorubicin. Molecules 2023; 28:4660. [PMID: 37375213 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of carbon dots is one of the frontiers of materials science due to their great structural and chemical complexity. These issues have slowed down the production of solid models that are able to describe the chemical and physical features of carbon dots. Recently, several studies have started to resolve this challenge by producing the first structural-based interpretation of several kinds of carbon dots, such as graphene and polymeric ones. Furthermore, carbon nitride dot models established their structures as being formed by heptazine and oxidized graphene layers. These advancements allowed us to study their interaction with key bioactive molecules, producing the first computational studies on this matter. In this work, we modelled the structures of carbon nitride dots and their interaction with an anticancer molecule (Doxorubicin) using semi-empirical methods, evaluating both geometrical and energetic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Bartoli
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Livorno 60, 10144 Torino, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Elena Marras
- Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology, C.so Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Alberto Tagliaferro
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology, C.so Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
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Vallejo FA, Sigdel G, Veliz EA, Leblanc RM, Vanni S, Graham RM. Carbon Dots in Treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumors: Past, Present, and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119562. [PMID: 37298513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Though developments have been made in treating these malignancies, the blood-brain barrier, intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity, and therapeutic toxicity pose challenges to improving outcomes. Varying types of nanoparticles, including metallic, organic, and micellar molecules of varying structures and compositions, have been investigated as a potential therapy to circumvent some of these inherent challenges. Carbon dots (CDs) have recently gained popularity as a novel nanoparticle with theranostic properties. This carbon-based modality is highly modifiable, allowing for conjugation to drugs, as well as tumor-specific ligands in an effort to more effectively target cancerous cells and reduce peripheral toxicity. CDs are being studied pre-clinically. The ClinicalTrials.gov site was queried using the search terms: brain tumor and nanoparticle, liposome, micelle, dendrimer, quantum dot, or carbon dot. At the time of this review, 36 studies were found, 6 of which included pediatric patients. Two of the six studies investigated nanoparticle drug formulations, whereas the other four studies were on varying liposomal nanoparticle formulations for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. Here, we reviewed the context of CDs within the broader realm of nanoparticles, their development, promising pre-clinical potential, and proposed future translational utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic A Vallejo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ganesh Sigdel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Eduardo A Veliz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Roger M Leblanc
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - Steven Vanni
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- HCA Florida University Hospital, 3476 S University Dr., Davie, FL 33328, USA
- Department of Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Davie, FL 33328, USA
| | - Regina M Graham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Giordano MG, Seganti G, Bartoli M, Tagliaferro A. An Overview on Carbon Quantum Dots Optical and Chemical Features. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062772. [PMID: 36985743 PMCID: PMC10051812 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon quantum dots are the materials of a new era with astonishing properties such as high photoluminescence, chemical tuneability and high biocompatibility. Since their discovery, carbon quantum dots have been described as nanometric high-fluorescent carbon nanoparticles, but this definition has become weaker year after year. Nowadays, the classification and the physical explanation of carbon quantum dots optical properties and their chemical structure remain matter of debate. In this review, we provide a clear discussion on these points, providing a starting point for the rationalization of their classification and a comprehensive view on the optical and chemical features of carbon quantum dots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Giuseppe Giordano
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Seganti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Mattia Bartoli
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies (CSFT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Livorno 60, 10144 Turin, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Tagliaferro
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Florence, Italy
- Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5 T, Canada
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