Nanoparticles and the blood coagulation system. Part II: safety concerns

NPCoronaPredict: A Computational Pipeline for the Prediction of the Nanoparticle-Biomolecule Corona

The corona of a nanoparticle immersed in a biological fluid is of key importance to its eventual fate and bioactivity in the environment or inside live tissues. It is critical to have insight into both the underlying bionano interactions and the corona composition to ensure biocompatibility of novel engineered nanomaterials. A prediction of these properties in silico requires the successful spanning of multiple orders of magnitude of both time and physical dimensions to produce results in a reasonable amount of time, necessitating the development of a multiscale modeling approach. Here, we present the NPCoronaPredict open-source software package: a suite of software tools to enable this prediction for complex multicomponent nanomaterials in essentially arbitrary biological fluids, or more generally any medium containing organic molecules. The package integrates several recent physics-based computational models and a library of both physics-based and data-driven parametrizations for nanomaterials and organic molecules. We describe the underlying theoretical background and the package functionality from the design of multicomponent NPs through to the evaluation of the corona.

A Network Toxicology Approach for Mechanistic Modelling of Nanomaterial Hazard and Adverse Outcomes

Hazard assessment is the first step in evaluating the potential adverse effects of chemicals. Traditionally, toxicological assessment has focused on the exposure, overlooking the impact of the exposed system on the observed toxicity. However, systems toxicology emphasizes how system properties significantly contribute to the observed response. Hence, systems theory states that interactions store more information than individual elements, leading to the adoption of network based models to represent complex systems in many fields of life sciences. Here, they develop a network-based approach to characterize toxicological responses in the context of a biological system, inferring biological system specific networks. They directly link molecular alterations to the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework, establishing direct connections between omics data and toxicologically relevant phenotypic events. They apply this framework to a dataset including 31 engineered nanomaterials with different physicochemical properties in two different in vitro and one in vivo models and demonstrate how the biological system is the driving force of the observed response. This work highlights the potential of network-based methods to significantly improve their understanding of toxicological mechanisms from a systems biology perspective and provides relevant considerations and future data-driven approaches for the hazard assessment of nanomaterials and other advanced materials.

Physicochemical Targeting of Lipid Nanoparticles to the Lungs Induces Clotting: Mechanisms and Solutions

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have become the dominant drug delivery technology in industry, holding the promise to deliver RNA to up or down-regulate any protein of interest. LNPs have mostly been targeted to specific cell types or organs by physicochemical targeting in which LNP's lipid compositions are adjusted to find mixtures with the desired tropism. Here lung-tropic LNPs are examined, whose organ tropism derives from containing either a cationic or ionizable lipid conferring a positive zeta potential. Surprisingly, these LNPs are found to induce massive thrombosis. Such thrombosis is shown in the lungs and other organs, and it is shown that it is greatly exacerbated by pre-existing inflammation. This clotting is induced by a variety of formulations with cationic lipids, including LNPs and non-LNP nanoparticles, and even by lung-tropic ionizable lipids that do not have a permanent cationic charge. The mechanism depends on the LNPs binding to and then changing the conformation of fibrinogen, which then activates platelets and thrombin. Based on these mechanisms, multiple solutions are engineered that enable positively charged LNPs to target the lungs while ameliorating thrombosis. The findings illustrate how physicochemical targeting approaches must be investigated early for risks and re-engineered with a careful understanding of biological mechanisms.

Nanostructured Medical Devices: Regulatory Perspective and Current Applications

Nanomaterials (NMs) are having a huge impact in several domains, including the fabrication of medical devices (MDs). Hence, nanostructured MDs are becoming quite common; nevertheless, the associated risks must be carefully considered in order to demonstrate safety prior to their immission on the market. The biological effect of NMs requires the consideration of methodological issues since already established methods for, e.g., cytotoxicity can be subject to a loss of accuracy in the presence of certain NMs. The need for oversight of MDs containing NMs is reflected by the European Regulation 2017/745 on MDs, which states that MDs incorporating or consisting of NMs are in class III, at highest risk, unless the NM is encapsulated or bound in such a manner that the potential for its internal exposure is low or negligible (Rule 19). This study addresses the role of NMs in medical devices, highlighting the current applications and considering the regulatory requirements of such products.

Investigation of sex-based differences in the immunotoxicity of silver nanoparticles

The growing application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer, healthcare, and industrial products has raised concern over potential health implications due to increasing exposure. The evaluation of the immune response to nanomaterials is one of the key criteria to assess their biocompatibility. There are well-recognized sex-based differences in innate and adaptive immune responses. However, there is limited information available using human models. The aim was to investigate the potential sex-based differences in immune functions after exposure to AgNPs using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma from healthy donors. These functions include inflammasome activation, cytokine expression, leukocyte proliferation, chemotaxis, plasma coagulation, and complement activation. AgNPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Inflammasome activation by AgNPs was measured after 6- and 24-hours incubations. AgNPs-induced inflammasome activation was significantly higher in the females, especially for the 6-hour exposure. No sex-based differences were observed for Ag ions controls. Younger donors exhibited significantly more inflammasome activation than older donors after 24-hours exposure. IL-10 was significantly suppressed in males and females after exposure. AgNPs suppressed leukocyte proliferation similarly in males and females. No chemoattractant effects, no alterations in plasma coagulation, or activation of the complement were observed after AgNPs exposure. In conclusion, the results highlight that there are distinct sex-based differences in inflammasome activation after exposure to AgNPs in human PBMCs. The results highlight the importance of considering sex-based differences in inflammasome activation induced by exposure to AgNPs in any future biocompatibility assessment for products containing AgNPs.

Investigation of gadolinium doped manganese nano spinel ferrites via magnetic hypothermia therapy effect towards MCF-7 breast cancer

Magnetic spinel ferrite nanoparticles (MSF-NPs) are potential candidates for biomedical applications, especially in cancer diagnosis and therapy due to their excellent physiochemical and magnetic properties. In the current study, MSF-NPs were fabricated by sol-gel auto combustion method. The crystal structure and surface morphology were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties were studied by VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer). As increasing Gd3+ concentration, the saturation magnetization values decreased from (17.8-2.3) emu/g, while the coercivity decreased from (499-133) Oe at room temperature. Finally, the fabricated MSF-NPs were tested against anticancer activity by MTT assay. The IC50 = 21.27 μg/mL value was observed, showing the strong antiproliferative activity of these nanoparticles. These results suggested that the obtained MSF-NPs would be useful for remote-controlled hyperthermia therapy for cancer treatment and MRI application due to their excellent magnetic properties. These distinct properties make MSF-NPs most suitable for cancer treatment and bright Contrast Agents (T1-MRI).

Nanotechnology-based fungal detection and treatment: current status and future perspective

Fungal infections impose a significant impact on global health and encompass major expenditures in medical treatments. Human mycoses, a fungal co-infection associated with SARS-CoV-2, is caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens and is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Recently, there is increasing threat about spread of antimicrobial resistance in fungus, mostly in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections are associated with several issues, including tedious and non-selective detection methods, the growth of drug-resistant bacteria, severe side effects, and ineffective drug delivery. Thus, a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method and a high-efficacy and low-toxicity therapeutic approach are needed. Nanomedicine has emerged as a viable option for overcoming these limitations. Due to the unique physicochemical and optical properties of nanomaterials and newer biosensing techniques, nanodiagnostics play an important role in the accurate and prompt differentiation and detection of fungal diseases. Additionally, nano-based drug delivery techniques can increase drug permeability, reduce adverse effects, and extend systemic circulation time and drug half-life. This review paper is aimed at highlighting recent, promising, and unique trends in nanotechnology to design and develop diagnostics and treatment methods for fungal diseases.

Journey of micronanoplastics with blood components

The entry of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) into the human body is inevitable. They enter blood circulation through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact by crossing the gut-lung-skin barrier (the epithelium of the digestive tract, the respiratory tract, and the cutaneous layer). There are many reports on their toxicities to organs and tissues. This paper presents the first thorough assessment of MNP-driven bloodstream toxicity and the mechanism of toxicity from the viewpoint of both MNP and environmental co-pollutant complexes. Toxic impacts include plasma protein denaturation, hemolysis, reduced immunity, thrombosis, blood coagulation, and vascular endothelial damage, among others, which can lead to life-threatening diseases. Protein corona formation, oxidative stress, cytokine alterations, inflammation, and cyto- and genotoxicity are the key mechanisms involved in toxicity. MNPs change the secondary structure of plasma proteins, thereby preventing their transport functions (for nutrients, drugs, oxygen, etc.). MNPs inhibit erythropoiesis by influencing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation. They cause red blood cell and platelet aggregation, as well as increased adherence to endothelial cells, which can lead to thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. White blood cells and immune cells phagocytose MNPs, provoking inflammation. However, research gaps still exist, including gaps regarding the combined toxicity of MNPs and co-pollutants, toxicological studies in human models, advanced methodologies for toxicity analysis, bioaccumulation studies, inflammation and immunological responses, dose-response relationships of MNPs, and the effect of different physiochemical characteristics of MNPs. Furthermore, most studies have analyzed toxicity using prepared MNPs; hence, studies must be undertaken using true-to-life MNPs to determine the real-world scenario. Additionally, nanoplastics may further degrade into monomers, whose toxic effects have not yet been explored. The research gaps highlighted in this review will inspire future studies on the toxicity of MNPs in the vascular/circulatory systems utilizing in vivo models to enable more reliable health risk assessment.

Nanomedicine as a potential novel therapeutic approach against the dengue virus

Dengue is an arbovirus infection which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Its prompt detection and effective treatment is a global health challenge. Various nanoparticle-based vaccines have been formulated to present immunogen (antigens) to instigate an immune response or prevent virus spread, but no specific treatment has been devised. This review explores the role of nanomedicine-based therapeutic agents against dengue virus, taking into consideration the applicable dengue virus assays that are sensitive, specific, have a short turnaround time and are inexpensive. Various kinds of metallic, polymeric and lipid nanoparticles with safe and effective profiles present an alternative strategy that could provide a better remedy for eradicating the dengue virus.

Physicochemical Targeting of Lipid Nanoparticles to the Lungs Induces Clotting: Mechanisms and Solutions

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have become the dominant drug delivery technology in industry, holding the promise to deliver RNA to up- or down-regulate any protein of interest. LNPs have been targeted to specific cell types or organs by physicochemical targeting, in which LNP's lipid compositions are adjusted to find mixtures with the desired tropism. In a popular approach, physicochemical targeting is accomplished by formulating with charged lipids. Negatively charged lipids localize LNPs to the spleen, and positively charged lipids to the lungs. Here we found that lung-tropic LNPs employing cationic lipids induce massive thrombosis. We demonstrate that thrombosis is induced in the lungs and other organs, and greatly exacerbated by pre-existing inflammation. This clotting is induced by a variety of formulations with cationic lipids, including LNPs and non-LNP nanoparticles. The mechanism depends on the LNPs binding to fibrinogen and inducing platelet and thrombin activation. Based on these mechanisms, we engineered multiple solutions which enable positively charged LNPs to target the lungs while not inducing thrombosis. Our findings implicate thrombosis as a major barrier that blood erects against LNPs with cationic components and illustrate how physicochemical targeting approaches must be investigated early for risks and re-engineered with a careful understanding of biological mechanisms.

Exploring microplastic impact on whole blood clotting dynamics utilizing thromboelastography

This study investigates the influence of microplastics on blood clotting. It addresses the lack of comprehensive research on the effects of microplastic size and surface modification on clotting dynamics in human whole blood. Thromboelastography was used to examine aminated (aPS), carboxylated (cPS), and non-functionalized (nPS) polystyrene particles with sizes of 50, 100, and 500  nm. Results show that cPS consistently activated the clotting cascade, demonstrating increased fibrin polymerization rates, and enhanced clot strength in a size and concentration-dependent manner. nPS had minimal effects on clotting dynamics except for 50  nm particles at the lowest concentration. The clotting effects of aPS (100  nm particles) resembled those of cPS but were diminished in the 500  nm aPS group. These findings emphasize the importance of microplastic surface modification, size, concentration, and surface area on in-vitro whole blood clotting dynamics.

Preclinical safety assessment of red emissive gold nanocluster conjugated crumpled MXene nanosheets: a dynamic duo for image-guided photothermal therapy

Red emissive gold nanoclusters have potential as biological fluorescent probes, but lack sufficient light-to-heat conversion efficiency for photothermal therapy (PTT). MXene nanomaterials, on the other hand, have shown promise in PTT due to their strong near-infrared absorption abilities, but their instability caused by restacking of the sheets can decrease their available surface area. One approach to address this issue is to design sheets with wrinkles or folds. However, the crumpled or 3D MXene materials reported in the literature are actually aggregates of multiple nanosheets rather than a single sheet that is folded. In this study, a modified method for crumpling a single MXene sheet and further conjugating it with red emissive gold nanoclusters and folic acid was developed. A detailed in vitro toxicity study was performed in various cell lines and cellular uptake in cancer cells was studied using AFM to understand its interaction at the nano-bio interface. The material also demonstrated excellent utility as a bioimaging and PTT agent in vitro, with its high fluorescence allowing bioimaging at a lower concentration of 12 μg mL^-1 and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 43.51%. In vitro analyses of the cell death mechanisms induced by PTT were conducted through studies of apoptosis, cell proliferation, and ROS production. In vivo acute toxicity tests were conducted on male and female Wistar rats through oral and intravenous administration (20 mg kg^-1 dose), and toxicity was evaluated using various measures including body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, and H&E staining. The findings from these studies suggest that the MXene gold nanoconjugate could be useful in a range of biomedical applications, with no observed toxicity following either oral or intravenous administration.

Parenteral Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for CNS Disorders: Integrating Various Facets of Preclinical Evaluation towards More Effective Clinical Translation

Contemporary trends in combinatorial chemistry and the design of pharmaceuticals targeting brain disorders have favored the development of drug candidates with increased lipophilicity and poorer water solubility, with the expected improvement in delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The growing availability of innovative excipients/ligands allowing improved brain targeting and controlled drug release makes the lipid nanocarriers a reasonable choice to overcome the factors impeding drug delivery through the BBB. However, a wide variety of methods, study designs and experimental conditions utilized in the literature hinder their systematic comparison, and thus slows the advances in brain-targeting by lipid-based nanoparticles. This review provides an overview of the methods most commonly utilized during the preclinical testing of liposomes, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers intended for the treatment of various CNS disorders via the parenteral route. In order to fully elucidate the structure, stability, safety profiles, biodistribution, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and immunological effects of such lipid-based nanoparticles, a transdisciplinary approach to preclinical characterization is mandatory, covering a comprehensive set of physical, chemical, in vitro and in vivo biological testing.

Large-Scale Cultivation of Magnetotactic Bacteria and the Optimism for Sustainable and Cheap Approaches in Nanotechnology

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), a diverse group of marine and freshwater microorganisms, have attracted the scientific community's attention since their discovery. These bacteria biomineralize ferrimagnetic nanocrystals, the magnetosomes, or biological magnetic nanoparticles (BMNs), in a single or multiple chain(s) within the cell. As a result, cells experience an optimized magnetic dipolar moment responsible for a passive alignment along the lines of the geomagnetic field. Advances in MTB cultivation and BMN isolation have contributed to the expansion of the biotechnological potential of MTB in recent decades. Several studies with mass-cultured MTB expanded the possibilities of using purified nanocrystals and whole cells in nano- and biotechnology. Freshwater MTB were primarily investigated in scaling up processes for the production of BMNs. However, marine MTB have the potential to overcome freshwater species applications due to the putative high efficiency of their BMNs in capturing molecules. Regarding the use of MTB or BMNs in different approaches, the application of BMNs in biomedicine remains the focus of most studies, but their application is not restricted to this field. In recent years, environment monitoring and recovery, engineering applications, wastewater treatment, and industrial processes have benefited from MTB-based biotechnologies. This review explores the advances in MTB large-scale cultivation and the consequent development of innovative tools or processes.

Microfluidic-Assisted Production of Gastro-Resistant Active-Targeted Diatomite Nanoparticles for the Local Release of Galunisertib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Cells

The oral route is highly desirable for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment because it allows concentrating the drug in the colon and achieving a localized effect. However, orally administered drugs are often metabolized in the liver, resulting in reduced efficacy and the need for higher doses. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can be engineered to prevent the diffusion of the drug in the stomach, addressing the release at the target site, and enhancing the efficacy of the delivered drug. Here, an orally administrable galunisertib delivery system is developed with gelatin-covered diatomite nanoparticles targeting the ligand 1-cell adhesion molecule (L1-CAM) on metastatic cells, and further encapsulated in an enteric matrix by microfluidics. The gastro-resistant polymer protects the nanoparticles from the action of the digestive enzymes and allows for a sustained release of galunisertib at the intestinal pH. The efficacy of antibody-antigen interactions to drive the internalization of nanoparticles in the targeted cells is investigated in CRC cells expressing abnormal (SW620) or basal levels (Caco-2, HT29-MTX) of L1-CAM. The combination of local drug release and active targeting enhances the effect of the delivered galunisertib, which inhibits the migration of the SW620 cells with greater efficiency compared to the free drug.

Inflammation-responsive nanoparticles suppress lymphatic clearance for prolonged arthritis therapy

The clearance of nanomedicine in inflamed joints has been accelerated due to the increased lymph angiogenesis and lymph flow in arthritic sites. To maximize the therapeutic efficacy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is necessary to facilitate targeted delivery and extended drug retention in inflamed synovium simultaneously. In general, nanosized particles are more likely to achieve prolonged circulation and targeted delivery. While drug carriers with larger dimension might be more beneficial for extending drug retention. To balance the conflicting requirements, an inflammation-responsive shape transformable nanoparticle, comprised of amyloid β-derived KLVFF peptide and polysialic acid (PSA), coupled with therapeutic agent dexamethasone (Dex) via an acid-sensitive linker, was fabricated and termed as Dex-KLVFF-PSA (DKPNPs). Under physiological condition, DKPNPs can keep stable nanosized morphology, and PSA shell could endow DKPNPs with long circulation and active targeting to arthritic sites. While in inflamed joints, acidic pH-triggered Dex dissociation or macrophages-induced specific binding with PSA would induce the re-assembly of DKPNPs from nanoparticles to nanofibers. Our results reveal that intravenously injected DKPNPs display prolonged in vivo circulation and preferential distribution in inflamed joints, where DKPNPs undergo shape transition to fibrous structures, leading to declined lymphatic clearance and prolonged efficacy. Overall, our dual-stimulus responsive transformable nanoparticle offers an intelligent solution to achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy in RA.

A Nanomedicine Structure-Activity Framework for Research, Development, and Regulation of Future Cancer Therapies

Despite their clinical success in drug delivery applications, the potential of theranostic nanomedicines is hampered by mechanistic uncertainty and a lack of science-informed regulatory guidance. Both the therapeutic efficacy and the toxicity of nanoformulations are tightly controlled by the complex interplay of the nanoparticle's physicochemical properties and the individual patient/tumor biology; however, it can be difficult to correlate such information with observed outcomes. Additionally, as nanomedicine research attempts to gradually move away from large-scale animal testing, the need for computer-assisted solutions for evaluation will increase. Such models will depend on a clear understanding of structure-activity relationships. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the field of cancer nanomedicine and provides a knowledge framework and foundational interaction maps that can facilitate future research, assessments, and regulation. By forming three complementary maps profiling nanobio interactions and pathways at different levels of biological complexity, a clear picture of a nanoparticle's journey through the body and the therapeutic and adverse consequences of each potential interaction are presented.

Anionic Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles Bind to Coagulation Factors and Disturb Normal Hemostatic Balance

Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (usNPs) and nanoclusters are an emerging class of nanomaterials exhibiting distinctive physicochemical properties and in vivo behaviors. Although understanding the interactions of usNPs with blood components is of fundamental importance to advance their clinical translation, currently, little is known about the way that usNPs interact with the hemostatic system. This study describes the effects of a model anionic p-mercaptobenzoic acid-coated usNP on the coagulation cascade, with particular emphasis on the contact pathway. It is found that in a purified system, the anionic usNPs bind to and activate factor XII (FXII). The formed usNP-FXII complexes are short-lived (residence time of ∼10 s) and characterized by an affinity constant of ∼200 nM. In human plasma, the anionic usNPs activate the contact pathway and promote coagulation. The usNPs also exhibit anticoagulant activity in plasma by interfering with the thrombin-mediated cleavage of fibrinogen. Taken together, these findings establish that anionic usNPs can disturb the normal hemostatic balance, which in turn may hinder their clinical translation. Finally, it is shown that usNPs can be designed to be nearly inert in plasma by surface coating with the natural peptide glutathione.

Mucosomes: Intrinsically Mucoadhesive Glycosylated Mucin Nanoparticles as Multi-Drug Delivery Platform

Mucus is a complex barrier for pharmacological treatments and overcoming it is one of the major challenges faced during transmucosal drug delivery. To tackle this issue, a novel class of glycosylated nanoparticles, named "mucosomes," which are based on the most important protein constituting mucus, the mucin, is introduced. Mucosomes are designed to improve drug absorption and residence time on the mucosal tissues. Mucosomes are produced (150-300 nm), functionalized with glycans, and loaded with the desired drug in a single one-pot synthetic process and, with this method, a wide range of small and macro molecules can be loaded with different physicochemical properties. Various in vitro models are used to test the mucoadhesive properties of mucosomes. The presence of functional glycans is indicated by the interaction with lectins. Mucosomes are proven to be storable at 4 °C after lyophilization, and administration through a nasal spray does not modify the morphology of the mucosomes. In vitro and in vivo tests indicate mucosomes do not induce adverse effects under the investigated conditions. This study proposes mucosomes as a ground-breaking nanosystem that can be applied in several pathological contexts, especially in mucus-related disorders.

An injectable hemostatic PEG-based hydrogel with on-demand dissolution features for emergency care

Uncontrolled bleeding from internal noncompressible wounds is a major cause of prehospital death in military personnel and civilian populations. An ideal hemostatic sealant for emergency care should quickly control blood loss and be removed without debridement for the follow-up treatment in the operating room, yet the lack of suitable materials to meet both requirements is the bottleneck. Herein, we suggest an injectable and dissolvable hydrogel sealant for hemorrhage management of noncompressible wounds. To this end, a 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) crosslinker modified with thioester linkages and terminated with aldehyde groups is designed and synthesized, and to modulate the gel properties and make it suitable as a hemostatic sealant, a mixed amino component composed of poly(ethylene imine) and adipic dihydrazide is employed to react with the PEG crosslinker to form the adhesive and elastic sealant for the first time. The aldehyde groups provide the adhesion to the tissues, and the amino component affords the procoagulant ability. More importantly, the thioester moieties allow the on-demand dissolution of sealant via a thiol-thioester exchange reaction upon exposure to an exogenous thiolate solution. In the rat femoral artery puncture and liver injury models, the administration of the hydrogel sealant dramatically reduces blood loss, and its subsequent removal does not induce rebleeding. Consequently, this hydrogel sealant with the unique feature of on-demand dissolution can not only efficiently control bleeding in emergent scenarios, but also allow non-traumatic re-exposure of wounds during subsequent surgical care. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Sealants, adhesives or hemostatic dressings currently used in emergency situations not only require manual pressure to control bleeding, but also face removal by cutting and mechanical debridement to enable eventual surgical treatment. In this study, we design and develop an injectable and adhesive hydrogel sealant with good procoagulant capacity and on-demand dissolution feature. The application of the hydrogel sealant substantially reduces bleeding from internal noncompressible wounds without the need for direct pressure, and demonstrates for the first time that its controlled removal without debridement does not cause rebleeding. Considering that there are currently no commercial wound sealant systems with the feature of on-demand dissolution, the hydrogel sealant developed by us is expected to address an unmet clinical need.

On the growth of the soft and hard protein corona of mesoporous silica particles with varying morphology

The characterization of the protein corona has become an essential part of understanding the biological properties of nanomaterials. This is also important in the case of mesoporous silica particles intended for use as drug delivery excipients. A combination of scattering, imaging and protein characterization techniques is used here to assess the effect of particle shape and growth of the reversible (soft) and strongly bound (hard) corona of three types mesoporous silica particles with different aspect ratios. Notable differences in the protein composition, surface coverage and particle agglomeration of the protein corona-particle complex point to specific protein adsorption profiles highly dependent on exposed facets and aspect ratio. Spherical particles form relatively homogeneous soft and hard protein coronas (approx.10 nm thick) with higher albumin content. In contrast to rod-shaped and faceted particles, which possess soft coronas weakly bound to the external surface and influenced to a greater extent by the particle morphology. These differences are likely important contributors to observed changes in biological properties, such as cell viability and immunological behaviour, with mesoporous silica particle shape.

Comparison of the antibacterial properties of phycocyanin and its SNPs and their effects on rat blood cells and liver enzymes

Background

Phycocyanin is an important protein in cyanobacteria that has many medical and therapeutic properties. The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial properties of phycocyanin and its SNPs and to evaluate their effects on rat blood cells and liver enzymes.

Results

The UV absorption in phycocyanin was 620 nm but in phycocyanin nanoparticles was 420 nm. For fluorometry, the maximum emission peak of phycocyanin was 660 nm and that of phycocyanin-AgNO3 nanoparticles was 580 nm. PC-AgNp showed greater antibacterial effects than phycocyanin. In animal studies, it was found that the platelet count in both groups was higher than the control group. Red blood cells and white blood cells had changes. AST and ALT levels increased in both phycocyanin and nanoparticle groups and ALK levels decreased in both groups compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Examination of antibacterial activity showed that PC-AgNp showed more antibacterial effects than PC. Also, in the study of the effect of PC and NP-PC, accumulation of PC and C-Np in mice also altered blood cells and liver enzymes in rats.

Nanodiamond-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Mice Involve P-Selectin-Dependent Nlrp3 Inflammasome-Mediated Platelet Aggregation, Pyroptosis and Apoptosis

Nanodiamond (ND) has been developed as a carrier to conduct various in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic uses. Safety is one of the major considerations, while the hemocompatibility of ND is not clearly addressed. Here we found that, compared to the other sizes of ND with relatively inert properties, treatments of 50 nm ND induced stronger platelet aggregation, platelet pyroptosis, apoptosis and thrombocytopenia in mice. Blockage treatments of soluble P-selectin, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Nlrp3 inflammasome inhibitors markedly suppressed such adverse effects, suggesting ND-induced platelet activation and pyroptosis involves surface P-selectin-mediated enhancement of mitochondrial superoxide levels and Nlrp3 inflammasome activation. In addition, challenges of NDs induced less platelet pyroptosis and displayed less thrombocytopenia in P-selectin (Selp^-/-), Nlrp3 (Nlrp3^-/-) and caspase-1 (Casp1^-/-) mutants, as compared to the wild type mice. Blockers of P-selectin, ROS, and Nlrp3 inflammasome pathways could be considered as antidotes for ND induced platelet activation and thrombocytopenia.

Biomimetic Cucurbitacin B-Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. Researchers have found that the combined use of multiple methods to treat tumors is a promising strategy. Here, we have developed a biomimetic nano-platform PDA@MB for tumor targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) combined with chemotherapy. The 4T1 cell membrane loaded with cucurbitacin B (CuB) was used to coat polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles, which gave PDA@MB nanoparticles the ability to target tumors and escape immune cells from phagocytosis. PDA@MB showed excellent photothermal performance including high photothermal conversion efficiency and photostability, and exhibited outstanding in vitro PTT effect under NIR laser irradiation. The high temperature ruptured the PDA@MB membrane to release CuB, which changed the tumor hypoxic environment, down-regulated the FAK/MMP signaling pathway, and significantly inhibited the metastasis and proliferation of tumor cells. The results of in vivo experiments indicated that the tumor growth of the 4T1 mouse tumor model was significantly inhibited. Additionally, toxicity studies showed that PDA@MB had good biocompatibility and safety. In conclusion, this study provides a promising chemo-photothermal therapy (CPT) nano-platform for precise and effective breast cancer therapy.

Intra-Organ Delivery of Nanotherapeutics for Organ Transplantation

Targeted delivery of therapeutics through the use of nanoparticles (NPs) has emerged as a promising method that increases their efficacy and reduces their side effects. NPs can be tailored to localize to selective tissues through conjugation to ligands that bind cell-specific receptors. Although the vast majority of nanodelivery platforms have focused on cancer therapy, efforts have begun to introduce nanotherapeutics to the fields of immunology as well as transplantation. In this review, we provide an overview from a clinician's perspective of current nanotherapeutic strategies to treat solid organ transplants with NPs during the time interval between organ harvest from the donor and placement into the recipient, an innovative technology that can provide major benefits to transplant patients. The use of ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), which is associated with preserving the function of the organ following transplantation, also provides an ideal opportunity for a localized, sustained, and controlled delivery of nanotherapeutics to the organ during this critical time period. Here, we summarize previous endeavors to improve transplantation outcomes by treating the organ with NPs prior to placement in the recipient. Investigations in this burgeoning field of research are promising, but more extensive studies are needed to overcome the physiological challenges to achieving effective nanotherapeutic delivery to transplanted organs discussed in this review.

Blood Compatibility of Amphiphilic Phosphorous Dendrons-Prospective Drug Nanocarriers

Dendrons are branched synthetic polymers suitable for preparation of nanosized drug delivery systems. Their interactions with biological systems are mainly predetermined by their chemical structure, terminal groups, surface charge, and the number of branched layers (generation). Any new compound intended to be used, alone or in combination, for medical purposes in humans must be compatible with blood. This study combined results from in vitro experiments on human blood and from laboratory experiments designed to assess the effect of amphiphilic phosphorous dendrons on blood components and model membranes, and to examine the presence and nature of interactions leading to a potential safety concern. The changes in hematological and coagulation parameters upon the addition of dendrons in the concentration range of 2–10 µM were monitored. We found that only the combination of higher concentration and higher generation of the dendron affected the selected clinically relevant parameters: it significantly decreased platelet count and plateletcrit, shortened thrombin time, and increased activated partial thromboplastin time. At the same time, occasional small-sized platelet clumps in blood films under the light microscope were observed. We further investigated aggregation propensity of the positively charged dendrons in model conditions using zwitterionic and negatively charged liposomes. The observed changes in size and zeta potential indicated the electrostatic nature of the interaction. Overall, we proved that the low-generation amphiphilic phosphorous dendrons were compatible with blood within the studied concentration range. However, interactions between high-generation dendrons at bulk concentrations above 10 µM and platelets and/or clotting factors cannot be excluded.

Peanut-Shaped Gold Nanoparticles with Shells of Ceragenin CSA-131 Display the Ability to Inhibit Ovarian Cancer Growth In Vitro and in a Tumor Xenograft Model

Simple Summary

Despite a spectrum of therapeutics available for the treatment of ovarian tumors, there is a constant need to develop novel treatment options, particularly due to a high incidence of drug resistant tumors and low 5-year survival of patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinomas. In this study, we employed a nanotechnology-based approach to present a novel nanosystem based on ceragenin CSA-131 attached to the surface of a peanut-shaped gold nanoparticle. We demonstrate that such a prepared nanoformulation was highly effective against ovarian cancer cells in in vitro settings and, with limited toxicity, was able to prevent the growth of ovarian tumors in treated animals. Based on obtained data we suggest that ceragenin-containing nanosystems should be considered and further tested as potential therapeutics for ovarian malignancy.

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles-assisted delivery of antineoplastics into cancerous cells is presented as an effective approach for overcoming the limitations of systemic chemotherapy. Although ceragenins show great potential as anti-cancer agents, in some tumors, effective inhibition of cancer cells proliferation requires application of ceragenins at doses within their hemolytic range. For the purpose of toxicity/efficiency ratio control, peanut-shaped gold nanoparticles (AuP NPs) were functionalized with a shell of ceragenin CSA-131 and the cytotoxicity of AuP@CSA-131 against ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells and were then analyzed. In vivo efficiency of intravenously and intratumorally administered CSA-131 and AuP@CSA-131 was examined using a xenograft ovarian cancer model. Serum parameters were estimated using ELISA methods. Comparative analysis revealed that AuP@CSA-131 exerted stronger anti-cancer effects than free ceragenin, which was determined by enhanced ability to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagy processes via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated pathways. In an animal study, AuP@CSA-131 was characterized by delayed clearance and prolonged blood circulation when compared with free ceragenin, as well as enhanced anti-tumor efficiency, particularly when applied intratumorally. Administration of CSA-131 and AuP@CSA-131 prevented the inflammatory response associated with cancer development. These results present the possibility of employing non-spherical gold nanoparticles as an effective nanoplatform for the delivery of antineoplastics for the treatment of ovarian malignancy.

Response of platelets to silver nanoparticles designed with different surface functionalization

Despite increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in different medicinal products, knowledge about their effects on hemostasis and platelets functionality is still scarce. Published scientific reports provide neither data on oxidative stress response of platelets to AgNPs nor information about the effects of AgNPs physicochemical properties on functionality and activation of platelets. This study aimed to explore the role of AgNPs surface functionalization on cell viability, particle uptake, oxidative stress response, and activation of platelets. Small sized, spherical AgNPs were surface functionalized by negatively charged sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulphosuccinate (AOT), neutral polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), positively charged polymer poly-l-lysine (PLL) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Platelet viability, activation and particle uptake were evaluated by flow cytometry. Oxidative stress response was evaluated by measuring the levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH), peroxy and superoxide radicals using assays based on fluorescence dies. Cytotoxicity and uptake of AgNPs to platelets were found to be dose-dependent in a following order PLL-AgNP >> > BSA-AgNP > AOT-AgNP > PVP-AgNP. Particle internalization was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Treatment of platelets with AgNPs induced superoxide radical formation, depletion of GSH and hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. Small, but statistically significant increase of P-selectin expression in cells treated with all AgNPs compared to non-treated controls evidenced AgNPs-induced activation of platelets. Increased PAC-1 expression was found only in platelets treated with PLL-AgNPs. Obtained results demonstrate that different surface decoration of AgNPs determines their biological effects on platelets highlighting the importance of careful design of AgNPs-based medicinal products regarding their biocompatibility and functionality.

Europium sulfide nanoprobes predict antiretroviral drug delivery into HIV-1 cell and tissue reservoirs

Background: Delivery of long-acting nanoformulated antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to human immunodeficiency virus type one cell and tissue reservoirs underlies next generation antiretroviral therapeutics. Nanotheranostics, comprised of trackable nanoparticle adjuncts, can facilitate ARV delivery through real-time drug tracking made possible through bioimaging platforms. Methods: To model HIV-1 therapeutic delivery, europium sulfide (EuS) nanoprobes were developed, characterized and then deployed to cells, tissues, and rodents. Tests were performed with nanoformulated rilpivirine (NRPV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used clinically to suppress or prevent HIV-1 infection. First, CD4+ T cells and monocyte-derived macrophages were EuS-treated with and without endocytic blockers to identify nanoprobe uptake into cells. Second, Balb/c mice were co-dosed with NRPV and EuS or lutetium177-doped EuS (177LuEuS) theranostic nanoparticles to assess NRPV biodistribution via mass spectrometry. Third, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) bioimaging were used to determine nanotheranostic and NRPV anatomic redistribution over time. Results: EuS nanoprobes and NRPV entered cells through dynamin-dependent pathways. SPECT-CT and MRI identified biodistribution patterns within the reticuloendothelial system for EuS that was coordinate with NRPV trafficking. Conclusions: EuS nanoprobes parallel the uptake and biodistribution of NRPV. These data support their use in modeling NRPV delivery to improve treatment strategies.

Inertial-based Fluidic Platform for Rapid Isolation of Blood-borne Pathogens

INTRODUCTION

Bacterial sepsis is a life-threatening disease and a significant clinical problem caused by host responses to a microbial infection. Sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide and, importantly, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in combat settings, placing a considerable burden on military personnel and military health budgets. The current method of treating sepsis is restricted to pathogen identification, which can be prolonged, and antibiotic administration, which is, initially, often suboptimal. The clinical trials that have been performed to evaluate bacterial separation as a sepsis therapy have been unsuccessful, and new approaches are needed to address this unmet clinical need.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An inertial-based, scalable spiral microfluidic device has been created to overcome these previous deficiencies through successful separation of infection-causing pathogens from the bloodstream, serving as a proof of principle for future adaptations. Fluorescent imaging of fluorescent microspheres mimicking the sizes of bacteria cells and blood cells as well as fluorescently stained Acinetobacter baumannii were used to visualize flow within the spiral. The particles were imaged when flowing at a constant volumetric rate of 0.2 mL min-1 through the device. The same device was functionalized with colistin and exposed to flowing A. baumannii at 0.2 mL h-1.

RESULTS

Fluorescent imaging within the channel under a constant volumetric flow rate demonstrated that smaller, bacteria-sized microspheres accumulated along the inner wall of the channel, whereas larger blood cell-sized microspheres accumulated within the center of the channel. Additionally, fluorescently stained A. baumannii displayed accumulation along the channel walls in agreement with calculated performance. Nearly 106 colony-forming units of A. baumannii were extracted with 100% capture efficiency from flowing phosphate-buffered saline at 0.2 mL h-1 in this device; this is at least one order of magnitude more bacteria than present in the blood of a human at the onset of sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

This type of bacterial separation device potentially provides an ideal approach for treating soldiers in combat settings. It eliminates the need for immediate pathogen identification and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility, making it suitable for rapid use within low-resource environments. The overall simplicity and durability of this design also supports its broad translational potential to improve military mortality rates and overall patient outcomes.

Biosafety risk assessment of nanoparticles: Evidence from food case studies

Nanotechnology provides a wide range of benefits in the food industry in improving food tastes, textures, sensations, quality, shelf life, and food safety. Recently, potential adverse effects such as toxicity and safety concerns have been associated with the increasing use of engineered nanoparticles in food industry. Additionally, very limited information is known concerning the behavior, properties and effects of food nano-materials in the gastrointestinal tract. There is explores the current advances and provides insights of the potential risks of nanoparticles in the food industry. Specifically, characteristics of food nanoparticles and their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, the effects of food nanoparticles against the gastrointestinal microflora, and the potential toxicity mechanisms in different organs and body systems are discussed. This review would provide references for further investigation of nano-materials toxicity effect in foods and their molecular mechanisms. It will help to develop safer foods and expand nano-materials applications in safe manner.

Engineered Nanomaterials: The Challenges and Opportunities for Nanomedicines

The emergence of nanotechnology as a key enabling technology over the past years has opened avenues for new and innovative applications in nanomedicine. From the business aspect, the nanomedicine market was estimated to worth USD 293.1 billion by 2022 with a perception of market growth to USD 350.8 billion in 2025. Despite these opportunities, the underlying challenges for the future of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in nanomedicine research became a significant obstacle in bringing ENMs into clinical stages. These challenges include the capability to design bias-free methods in evaluating ENMs' toxicity due to the lack of suitable detection and inconsistent characterization techniques. Therefore, in this literature review, the state-of-the-art of engineered nanomaterials in nanomedicine, their toxicology issues, the working framework in developing a toxicology benchmark and technical characterization techniques in determining the toxicity of ENMs from the reported literature are explored.

Longitudinal In-Vivo X-Ray Fluorescence Computed Tomography With Molybdenum Nanoparticles

X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) with nanoparticles (NPs) as contrast agents shows potential for molecular biomedical imaging with higher spatial resolution than present methods. To date the technique has been demonstrated on phantoms and mice, however, parameters such as radiation dose, exposure times and sensitivity have not yet allowed for high-spatial-resolution in vivo longitudinal imaging, i.e., imaging of the same animal at different time points. Here we show in vivo XFCT with spatial resolution in the 200- [Formula: see text] range in a proof-of-principle longitudinal study where mice are imaged five times each during an eight-week period following tail-vein injection of NPs. We rely on a 24 keV x-ray pencil-beam-based excitation of in-house-synthesized molybdenum oxide NPs (MoO₂) to provide the high signal-to-background x-ray fluorescence detection necessary for XFCT imaging with low radiation dose and short exposure times. We quantify the uptake and clearance of NPs in vivo through imaging, and monitor animal well-being over the course of the study with support from histology and DNA stability analysis to assess the impact of x-ray exposure and NPs on animal welfare. We conclude that the presented imaging arrangement has potential for in vivo longitudinal studies, putting emphasis on designing biocompatible NPs as the future focus for active-targeting preclinical XFCT.

Rutin-Loaded Silver Nanoparticles With Antithrombotic Function

In this paper, we fabricated rutin-loaded silver nanoparticles (Rutin@AgNPs) as the nano-anticoagulant with antithrombotic function. The serum stability, anticoagulation activity, and bleeding risk of Rutin@AgNPs were evaluated. The results showed Rutin@AgNPs had good serum stability, hemocompatibility, and cytocompatibility. The anticoagulation activity of rutin was maintained, and its stability and aqueous solubility were improved. The Rutin@AgNPs could provide a sustained release to prolong the half-life of rutin. The results of the coagulation parameter assay and thrombus formation test in mice model showed that the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were prolonged, and Rutin@AgNPs inhibited the thrombosis in the 48 h period. Moreover, the limited bleeding time indicated that the Rutin@AgNPs significantly minimized the hemorrhage risk of rutin. This Rutin@AgNPs is a potential anticoagulant for antithrombotic therapy.

Surface-modified polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery to cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

The utilization of polymeric nanoparticles, as drug payloads, has been extensively prevailed in cancer therapy. However, the precise distribution of these nanocarriers is restrained by various physiological and cellular obstacles. Nanoparticles must avoid nonspecific interactions with healthy cells and in vivo compartments to circumvent these barriers. Since in vivo interactions of nanoparticles are mainly dependent on surface properties of nanoparticles, efficient control on surface constituents is necessary for the determination of nanoparticles' fate in the body.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the surface-modified polymeric nanoparticles and their utilization in cancer treatment were elaborated. First, the interaction of nanoparticles with numerous in vivo barriers was highlighted. Second, different strategies to overcome these obstacles were described. Third, some inspiring examples of surface-modified nanoparticles were presented. Later, fabrication and characterization methods of surface-modified nanoparticles were discussed. Finally, the applications of these nanoparticles in different routes of treatments were explored.

EXPERT OPINION

Surface modification of anticancer drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles can enhance the efficacy, selective targeting, and biodistribution of the anticancer drug at the tumor site.

Challenges in the development of nanoparticle-based imaging agents: Characterization and biology

Despite imaging agents being some of the earliest nanomedicines in clinical use, the vast majority of current research and translational activities in the nanomedicine field involves therapeutics, while imaging agents are severely underrepresented. The reasons for this lack of representation are several fold, including difficulties in synthesis and scale-up, biocompatibility issues, lack of suitable tissue/disease selective targeting ligands and receptors, and a high bar for regulatory approval. The recent focus on immunotherapies and personalized medicine, and development of nanoparticle constructs with better tissue distribution and selectivity, provide new opportunities for nanomedicine imaging agent development. This manuscript will provide an overview of trends in imaging nanomedicine characterization and biocompatibility, and new horizons for future development. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine.

Effect of differently coated silver nanoparticles on hemostasis

With the emergence of nano-enabled medical devices (MDs) for the use in human medicine, ensuring their safety becomes of crucial importance. Hemocompatibility is one of the major criteria for approval of all MDs in contact with blood (e.g. vascular grafts, stents, or valves). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most used nanomaterials for MDs due to their biocidal activity; however, detailed knowledge on their hemostatic effects is still lacking.This study aimed to evaluate comprehensively AgNPs effects on hemostasis in human blood by exploiting combination of affordable and clinically relevant techniques.Differently stabilized AgNPs were prepared using sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulphosuccinate (AOT), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly-L-lysine (PLL), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as coating agents. They were tested for hemolytic activity, induction of platelet aggregation, plasmatic coagulation, thrombin generation, and hemostasis in whole blood.All AgNPs were found to cause dose-dependent hemolysis. The BSA-, AOT-, and PVP-coated AgNPs delayed plasmatic coagulation, while only PLL-AgNPs inhibited plasmatic coagulation, induced platelet activation, and interfered with hemostasis by delaying clotting time and decreasing clot firmness in whole blood.Obtained results demonstrate that a combination of different techniques should be used for reliable assessment of AgNPs hemostatic effects highlighting the need for a standardized approach in sampling and experimental protocols.

Cancer Nanomedicine Special Issue Review Anticancer Drug Delivery with Nanoparticles: Extracellular Vesicles or Synthetic Nanobeads as Therapeutic Tools for Conventional Treatment or Immunotherapy

Both natural and synthetic nanoparticles have been proposed as drug carriers in cancer treatment, since they can increase drug accumulation in target tissues, optimizing the therapeutic effect. As an example, extracellular vesicles (EV), including exosomes (Exo), can become drug vehicles through endogenous or exogenous loading, amplifying the anticancer effects at the tumor site. In turn, synthetic nanoparticles (NP) can carry therapeutic molecules inside their core, improving solubility and stability, preventing degradation, and controlling their release. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in nanotechnology applied for theranostic use, distinguishing between passive and active targeting of these vehicles. In addition, examples of these models are reported: EV as transporters of conventional anticancer drugs; Exo or NP as carriers of small molecules that induce an anti-tumor immune response. Finally, we focus on two types of nanoparticles used to stimulate an anticancer immune response: Exo carried with A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease-10 inhibitors and NP loaded with aminobisphosphonates. The former would reduce the release of decoy ligands that impair tumor cell recognition, while the latter would activate the peculiar anti-tumor response exerted by γδ T cells, creating a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity.

Hemostatic nanotechnologies for external and internal hemorrhage management

An uncontrolled hemorrhage can easily lead to death during surgery and military operations. Despite the significant advances in hemostatic research, there is still an urgent and increasing need for safer and more effective hemostatic materials. Recently, nanotechnologies have been receiving increasing interest owing to their unique advantages and have been propelling the developement of hemostatic materials. This review summarizes the fundamentals of hemostasis and emphasizes the recent developments regarding hemorrhage-related hemostatic nanotechnologies. In terms of external accessible hemorrhage management, natural and synthetic polymers and inorganic components that have been used in traditional hemostats provide novel nanoscale solutions. Regarding internal noncompressible hemorrhage management, current research endeavors are dedicated to the development of substitutes for blood components, and nanoformulated hemostatic drugs. This review also briefly discusses the main and persistent problems of hemostatic nanomaterials, including safety concerns and clinical translation challenges. This review is hoped to provide critical insight into hemostatic nanomaterial development.

Cantharidin-loaded functional mesoporous titanium peroxide nanoparticles for non-small cell lung cancer targeted chemotherapy combined with high effective photodynamic therapy

BACKGROUND

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a potential alternative to conventional chemotherapy, the low reactive oxygen species (ROS) yield of the photosensitizer such as TiO2 nanoparticles has limited its application. In addition, it is difficult to achieve effective tumor treatment with a single tumor therapy.

METHODS

We used TiOx nanocomposite (YSA-PEG-TiOX ) instead of TiO2 as a photosensitizer to solve the problem of insufficient ROS generation in PDT. Benefiting from the desired mesoporous structure of TiOx, Cantharidin (CTD), one of the active components of mylabris, is loaded into TiOx for targeted combination of chemotherapy and PDT. The cellular uptake in human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line (A549) and human normal breast cell line (MCF 10A) was evaluated by confocal microscopy. in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The ROS was detected via a chemical probe DCFH-DA and the photodynamic treatment effect of YSA-PEG-TiOx was further evaluated by a living-dead staining. The cell apoptosis was detected by the flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that the modification of YSA peptide improved the cytotoxicity of YSA-PEG-TiOX /CTD to EphA2 overexpressing A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than non-YSA modified counterparts. In addition, TiOx generated adequate ROS under X-ray irradiation to further kill cancer cells. Flow analysis results also proved the superiority of this combined treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

YSA-PEG-TiOX nanoparticles could significantly increase ROS production under X-ray exposure and provide a new drug delivery nanocarrier for CTD in combination with PDT to achieve effective NSCLC treatment.

Nanotheranostic Applications for Detection and Targeting Neurodegenerative Diseases

Nanotechnology utilizes engineered materials and devices which function with biological systems at the molecular level and could transform the management of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) by provoking, reacting to, and intermingling with target sites to stimulate physiological responses while minimizing side effects. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from harmful agents, and transporting drugs across the BBB is a major challenge for diagnosis, targeting, and treatment of NDs. The BBB provides severe limitations for diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and various other neurological diseases. Conventional drug delivery systems generally fail to cross the BBB, thus are inefficient in treatment. Although gradual development through research is ensuring the progress of nanotheranostic approaches from animal to human modeling, aspects of translational applicability and safety are a key concern. This demands a deep understanding of the interaction of body systems with nanomaterials. There are various plant-based nanobioactive compounds which are reported to have applicability in the diagnosis and treatment of these NDs. This review article provides an overview of applications of nanotheranostics in AD and PD. The review also discusses nano-enabled drug delivery systems and their current and potential applications for the treatment of various NDs.

Systemic Review of Biodegradable Nanomaterials in Nanomedicine

BACKGROUND

Nanomedicine is a field of science that uses nanoscale materials for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. It has emerged as an important aspect of the therapeutics, but at the same time, also raises concerns regarding the safety of the nanomaterials involved. Recent applications of functionalized biodegradable nanomaterials have significantly improved the safety profile of nanomedicine.

OBJECTIVE

Our goal is to evaluate different types of biodegradable nanomaterials that have been functionalized for their biomedical applications.

METHOD

In this review, we used PubMed as our literature source and selected recently published studies on biodegradable nanomaterials and their applications in nanomedicine.

RESULTS

We found that biodegradable polymers are commonly functionalized for various purposes. Their property of being naturally degraded under biological conditions allows these biodegradable nanomaterials to be used for many biomedical purposes, including bio-imaging, targeted drug delivery, implantation and tissue engineering. The degradability of these nanoparticles can be utilized to control cargo release, by allowing efficient degradation of the nanomaterials at the target site while maintaining nanoparticle integrity at off-target sites.

CONCLUSION

While each biodegradable nanomaterial has its advantages and disadvantages, with careful design and functionalization, biodegradable nanoparticles hold great future in nanomedicine.

The effect of size and surface ligands of iron oxide nanoparticles on blood compatibility

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been widely used and have attracted increased attention for their unique physicochemical properties, especially in biomedical sciences as contrast agents following intravenous administration. However, only few studies have systematically reported the blood compatibility of iron oxide nanoparticles with different physicochemical properties such as different sizes and surface ligands. Therefore, we selected three widely used organic ligands (polyacrylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and chitosan) with modified SPIONs at the same size of 5-6 nm, and polyacrylic acid-modified SPIONs with different sizes (5, 10, and 30 nm) at different concentrations to evaluate their haemocompatibility. Our results revealed that SPIONs modified with polyacrylic acid demonstrated size-dependent destruction of red blood cells and complement activation. Interestingly, 5 nm SPIONs prolonged blood clotting time as compared with 10 nm and 30 nm SPIONs in vitro. Compared with polyacrylic acid-modified SPIONs, hyaluronic acid- and chitosan-modified SPIONs least affected red blood cells, platelets, coagulation, and complement activation. Hence, hyaluronic acid- and chitosan-coated SPIONs are more suitable for nanomedicine applications than polyacrylic acid-coated SPIONs. Furthermore, the interaction between SPIONs and blood components strongly correlated with the administered concentration of nanoparticles. These results will provide some experimental information for safe-by-design SPIONs.

Nanogels for Skin Cancer Therapy via Transdermal Delivery: Current Designs

BACKGROUND

Recently, several strategies have been proposed for skin cancer therapy by transdermal delivery, and particularly the use of nanotechnology.

METHODS

This process disrupts the stratum corneum to deliver a drug through the skin, allowing it to accumulate at the tumor site.

RESULTS

Nanogels are drug delivery systems that can be applied to many diseases. Nanogel engineering has been widely studied for use in drug delivery, particularly in cancer theranostics. This review summarizes specific strategies for using nanogels to treat skin cancer, a topic that is limited in recent literature.

CONCLUSION

Advanced techniques for effective skin cancer therapy based on the nanogel's penetration and cellular uptake abilities will be discussed. Moreover, techniques for penetrating the skin, as well as drug release, permeation studies, and microscopic observations, will also be discussed.

Fate of GdF3 nanoparticles-loaded PEGylated carbon capsules inside mice model: a step toward clinical application

The successful translation of nanostructure-based bioimaging and/or drug delivery system needs extensive in vitro and in vivo studies on biocompatibility, biodistribution, clearance, and toxicity for its diagnostic applications. Herein, we have investigated the in vitro cyto-hemocompatibility, in vivo biodistribution, clearance, and toxicity in mice after systemic administration of GdF₃ nanoparticles loaded PEGylated mesoporous carbon capsule (GdF₃-PMCC)-based theranostic system. In vitro cyto-hemocompatibility study showed a very good biocompatibility up to concentration of 500 µg/ml. Biodistribution studies carried out from 1 h to 8 days showed that GdF₃-PMCC was found in major organs, such as liver, kidney, spleen, and muscle till 4th day and it was negligible in any tissue after 8th day. The clearance study was carried out for a period of 8 days and it was observed that the urinary system is the main route of excretion of GdF₃-PMCC. The tissue toxicity study was done for 15 days and histopathological analysis indicated that the GdF₃-PMCC based theranostic system does not have any adverse effect in tissues. Thus, PMCCs are nontoxic and can be applied as theranostic agents in contrast to the other carbon-based systems (PEGylated carbon nanotubes and PEGylated graphene oxide) which showed significant toxicity.