1
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Faber T, McConville JT, Lamprecht A. Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy provides novel insights of drug delivery phenomena. J Control Release 2024; 366:312-327. [PMID: 38161031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.12.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has long been a standard tool for morphological analyses, providing sub micrometer resolution of pharmaceutical formulations. However, analysis of internal morphologies of such formulations can often be biased due to the introduction of artifacts that originate from sample preparation. A recent advancement in SEM, is the focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). This technique uses a focused ion beam (FIB) to remove material with nanometer precision, to provide virtually sample-independent access to sub-surface structures. The FIB can be combined with SEM imaging capabilities within the same instrumentation. As a powerful analytical tool, electron microscopy and FIB-milling are performed sequentially to produce high-resolution 3D models of structural peculiarities of diverse drug delivery systems or their behavior in a biological environment, i.e. intracellular or -tissue distribution. This review paper briefly describes the technical background of the method, outlines a wide array of potential uses within the drug delivery field, and focuses on intracellular transport where high-resolution images are an essential tool for mechanistical insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilo Faber
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jason T McConville
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Alf Lamprecht
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Université de Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1098 Right, Besançon, France.
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2
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Inguscio CR, Dalla Pozza E, Dando I, Boschi F, Tabaracci G, Angelini O, Picotti PM, Malatesta M, Cisterna B. Mitochondrial Features of Mouse Myoblasts Are Finely Tuned by Low Doses of Ozone: The Evidence In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108900. [PMID: 37240245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mild oxidative stress induced by low doses of gaseous ozone (O3) activates the antioxidant cell response through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thus inducing beneficial effects without cell damage. Mitochondria are sensitive to mild oxidative stress and represent a susceptible O3 target. In this in vitro study, we investigated the mitochondrial response to low O3 doses in the immortalized, non-tumoral muscle C2C12 cells; a multimodal approach including fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and biochemistry was used. Results demonstrated that mitochondrial features are finely tuned by low O3 doses. The O3 concentration of 10 μg maintained normal levels of mitochondria-associated Nrf2, promoted the mitochondrial increase of size and cristae extension, reduced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevented cell death. Conversely, in 20 μg O3-treated cells, where the association of Nrf2 with the mitochondria drastically dropped, mitochondria underwent more significant swelling, and ROS and cell death increased. This study, therefore, adds original evidence for the involvement of Nrf2 in the dose-dependent response to low O3 concentrations not only as an Antioxidant Response Elements (ARE) gene activator but also as a regulatory/protective factor of mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Rita Inguscio
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, I-37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Elisa Dalla Pozza
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, I-37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Ilaria Dando
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, I-37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, I-37134 Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, I-37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Barbara Cisterna
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, I-37134 Verona, Italy
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3
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Costanzo M, Malatesta M. Diaminobenzidine Photooxidation to Visualize Fluorescent Nanoparticles in Adhering Cultured Cells at Transmission Electron Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2566:333-343. [PMID: 36152264 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2675-7_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Visualizing nanoparticles made of organic material (e.g., polysaccharides, proteins, non-osmiophilic lipids) inside cells and tissues at transmission electron microscopy is a difficult task due to the intrinsic weak electron density of these nanoconstructs, which makes them hardly distinguishable in the biological environment. We describe here a simple protocol to apply photooxidation to fluorescently labeled nanoparticles administered to cultured cells in vitro. The conversion of the fluorescent signal into a granular electron-dense reaction product through light irradiation in the presence of diaminobenzidine makes the nanoparticles clearly visible at the ultrastructural level. Our procedure proved to be reliable with various fluorophores and may be applied to any cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Costanzo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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4
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Lacavalla MA, Cisterna B. Uranyl-Free Staining as a Suitable Contrasting Technique for Nuclear Structures at Transmission Electron Microscopy. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2566:225-231. [PMID: 36152255 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2675-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Uranyl acetate solution has widely been used as staining reagent for samples processed for ultrastructural morphology, cytochemistry, and immunocytochemistry. Although uranyl acetate guarantees high performance as a staining reagent, the radioactive uranyl salts make its use and purchase severely restricted. In this view, we used a non-radioactive lanthanide mix solution as contrasting dye for both nucleoplasmic and nucleolar ribonucleoprotein-containing components. This method guarantees a good contrast without masking the probe-antigen immunoreaction, thus proving to be a suitable tool for high-resolution studies of both cyto- and immunocytochemistry on acrylic resin-embedded samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Lacavalla
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
| | - Barbara Cisterna
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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5
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Repellin M, Carton F, Boschi F, Galiè M, Perduca M, Calderan L, Jacquier A, Carras J, Schaeffer L, Briançon S, Lollo G, Malatesta M. Repurposing pentamidine using hyaluronic acid-based nanocarriers for skeletal muscle treatment in myotonic dystrophy. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 47:102623. [PMID: 36309185 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In a context of drug repurposing, pentamidine (PTM), an FDA-approved antiparasitic drug, has been proposed to reverse the splicing defects associated in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). However, clinical use of PTM is hinder by substantial toxicity, leading to find alternative delivery strategies. In this work we proposed hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles as a novel encapsulation strategy to efficiently deliver PTM to skeletal muscles cells. In vitro studies on C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes showed an efficient nanoparticles' internalization with minimal toxicity. More interestingly, our findings evidenced for the first time the endosomal escape of hyaluronic acid-based nanocarriers. Ex vivo studies showed an efficient nanoparticles' internalization within skeletal muscle fibers. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of PTM-loaded nanosystems to reduce the number of nuclear foci has been demonstrated in a novel DM1 in vitro model. So far, current data demonstrated the potency of hyaluronic acid-based nanosystems as efficient nanocarrier for delivering PTM into skeletal muscle and mitigate DM1 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Repellin
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Flavia Carton
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Mirco Galiè
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Perduca
- Department of Biotechnology, Biocrystallography and Nanostructure Laboratory, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Calderan
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Arnaud Jacquier
- Institut NeuroMyogène, University of Lyon1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France; Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, CHU de Lyon - Hospices civils de Lyon groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Julien Carras
- Institut NeuroMyogène, University of Lyon1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France; Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, CHU de Lyon - Hospices civils de Lyon groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Laurent Schaeffer
- Institut NeuroMyogène, University of Lyon1, CNRS UMR 5310, INSERM U1217, 8 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France; Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, CHU de Lyon - Hospices civils de Lyon groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Stéphanie Briançon
- University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Giovanna Lollo
- University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, LAGEPP UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy.
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6
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Repellin M, Carton F, Lollo G, Malatesta M. Alcian Blue Staining to Visualize Intracellular Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanoparticles. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2566:313-320. [PMID: 36152262 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2675-7_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Investigating at transmission electron microscopy the intracellular trafficking of hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles remains a challenge due to their intrinsic weak electron density. Here we describe a simple protocol to stain hyaluronic acid that allows visualization of hyaluronic acid-based nanoparticles inside cells at both light and electron microscopy. By applying the critical-electrolyte-concentration Alcian blue method, these nanoparticles were observed as blue dots at bright-field microscopy or filled with fine electron dense precipitates at transmission electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Repellin
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
- Laboratoire d'Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Flavia Carton
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- University of Eastern Piedmont, Department of Health Sciences, Novara, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lollo
- Laboratoire d'Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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7
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L-Carnitine Functionalization to Increase Skeletal Muscle Tropism of PLGA Nanoparticles. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010294. [PMID: 36613739 PMCID: PMC9820419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare genetic pathologies, encompassing a variety of clinical phenotypes and mechanisms of disease. Several compounds have been proposed to treat compromised muscles, but it is known that pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics problems could occur. To solve these issues, it has been suggested that nanocarriers could be used to allow controlled and targeted drug release. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prepare actively targeted poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of muscular pathologies. By taking advantage of the high affinity for carnitine of skeletal muscle cells due to the expression of Na+-coupled carnitine transporter (OCTN), NPs have been actively targeted via association to an amphiphilic derivative of L-carnitine. Furthermore, pentamidine, an old drug repurposed for its positive effects on myotonic dystrophy type I, was incorporated into NPs. We obtained monodispersed targeted NPs, with a mean diameter of about 100 nm and a negative zeta potential. To assess the targeting ability of the NPs, cell uptake studies were performed on C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes using confocal and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed an increased uptake of carnitine-functionalized NPs compared to nontargeted carriers in myotubes, which was probably due to the interaction with OCTN receptors occurring in large amounts in these differentiated muscle cells.
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8
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Lacavalla MA, Inguscio CR, Cisterna B, Bernardi P, Costanzo M, Galiè M, Scambi I, Angelini O, Tabaracci G, Malatesta M. Ozone at low concentration modulates microglial activity in vitro: A multimodal microscopy and biomolecular study. Microsc Res Tech 2022; 85:3777-3792. [PMID: 36131631 PMCID: PMC9826497 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen-ozone (O2 -O3 ) therapy is an adjuvant/complementary treatment based on the activation of antioxidant and cytoprotective pathways driven by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Many drugs, including dimethyl fumarate (DMF), that are used to reduce inflammation in oxidative-stress-related neurodegenerative diseases, act through the Nrf2-pathway. The scope of the present investigation was to get a deeper insight into the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial result of O2 -O3 treatment in some neurodegenerative diseases. To do this, we used an integrated approach of multimodal microscopy (bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy) and biomolecular techniques to investigate the effects of the low O3 concentrations currently used in clinical practice in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglial cells human microglial clone 3 (HMC3) and in DMF-treated LPS-activated (LPS + DMF) HMC3 cells. The results at light and electron microscopy showed that LPS-activation induced morphological modifications of HMC3 cells from elongated/branched to larger roundish shape, cytoplasmic accumulation of lipid droplets, decreased electron density of the cytoplasm and mitochondria, decreased amount of Nrf2 and increased migration rate, while biomolecular data demonstrated that Heme oxygenase 1 gene expression and the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α augmented. O3 treatment did not affect cell viability, proliferation, and morphological features of both LPS-activated and LPS + DMF cells, whereas the cell motility and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased. This evidence suggests that modulation of microglia activity may contribute to the beneficial effects of the O2 -O3 therapy in patients with neurodegenerative disorders characterized by chronic inflammation. HIGHLIGHTS: Low-dose ozone (O3 ) does not damage activated microglial cells in vitro Low-dose O3 decreases cell motility and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in activated microglial cells in vitro Low-dose O3 potentiates the effect of an anti-inflammatory drug on activated microglial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Lacavalla
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Chiara Rita Inguscio
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Barbara Cisterna
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Paolo Bernardi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Manuela Costanzo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Mirco Galiè
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | - Ilaria Scambi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | | | | | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology SectionUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
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9
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Malatesta M. Histochemistry for nanomedicine: Novelty in tradition. Eur J Histochem 2021; 65. [PMID: 34961299 PMCID: PMC8743982 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2021.3376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last two centuries, histochemistry has provided significant advancements in many fields of life sciences. After a period of neglect due to the great development of biomolecular techniques, the histochemical approach has been reappraised and is now widely applied in the field of nanomedicine. In fact, the novel nanoconstructs intended for biomedical purposes must be visualized to test their interaction with tissue and cell components. To this aim, several long-established staining methods have been re-discovered and re-interpreted in an unconventional way for unequivocal identification of nanoparticulates at both light and transmission electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona.
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10
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Transmission Electron Microscopy as a Powerful Tool to Investigate the Interaction of Nanoparticles with Subcellular Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312789. [PMID: 34884592 PMCID: PMC8657944 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomedical research necessarily involves the study of the interactions between nanoparticulates and the biological environment. Transmission electron microscopy has proven to be a powerful tool in providing information about nanoparticle uptake, biodistribution and relationships with cell and tissue components, thanks to its high resolution. This article aims to overview the transmission electron microscopy techniques used to explore the impact of nanoconstructs on biological systems, highlighting the functional value of ultrastructural morphology, histochemistry and microanalysis as well as their fundamental contribution to the advancement of nanomedicine.
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11
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Formulative Study and Intracellular Fate Evaluation of Ethosomes and Transethosomes for Vitamin D3 Delivery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105341. [PMID: 34069489 PMCID: PMC8161393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this pilot study, ethosomes and transethosomes were investigated as potential delivery systems for cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), whose deficiency has been correlated to many disorders such as dermatological diseases, systemic infections, cancer and sarcopenia. A formulative study on the influence of pharmaceutically acceptable ionic and non-ionic surfactants allowed the preparation of different transethosomes. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated in different cell types representative of epithelial, connective and muscle tissue. Then, the selected nanocarriers were further investigated at light and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate their uptake and intracellular fate. Both ethosomes and transethosomes proven to have physicochemical properties optimal for transdermal penetration and efficient vitamin D3 loading; moreover, nanocarriers were easily internalized by all cell types, although they followed distinct intracellular fates: ethosomes persisted for long times inside the cytoplasm, without inducing subcellular alteration, while transethosomes underwent rapid degradation giving rise to an intracellular accumulation of lipids. These basic results provide a solid scientific background to in vivo investigations aimed at exploring the efficacy of vitamin D3 transdermal administration in different experimental and pathological conditions.
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12
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Ethosomes and Transethosomes for Mangiferin Transdermal Delivery. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10050768. [PMID: 34066018 PMCID: PMC8150765 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mangiferin is a natural glucosyl xanthone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, making it suitable for protection against cutaneous diseases. In this study ethosomes and transethosomes were designed as topical delivery systems for mangiferin. A preformulation study was conducted using different surfactants in association with phosphatidylcholine. Vesicle dimensional distribution was monitored by photon correlation spectroscopy, while antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity were respectively assessed by free radical scavenging analysis and MTT on HaCaT keratinocytes. Selected nanosystems were further investigated by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, while mangiferin entrapment capacity was evaluated by ultracentrifugation and HPLC. The diffusion kinetics of mangiferin from ethosomes and transethosomes evaluated by Franz cell was faster in the case of transethosomes. The suitability of mangiferin-containing nanovesicles in the treatment of skin disorders related to pollutants was investigated, evaluating, in vitro, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of ethosomes and transethosomes on human keratinocytes exposed to cigarette smoke as an oxidative and inflammatory challenger. The ability to induce an antioxidant response (HO-1) and anti-inflammatory status (IL-6 and NF-kB) was determined by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The data demonstrated the effectiveness of mangiferin loaded in nanosystems to protect cells from damage. Finally, to gain insight into the keratinocytes’ uptake of ethosome and transethosome, transmission electron microscopy analyses were conducted, showing that both nanosystems were able to pass intact within the cells.
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13
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Vurro F, Jabalera Y, Mannucci S, Glorani G, Sola-Leyva A, Gerosa M, Romeo A, Romanelli MG, Malatesta M, Calderan L, Iglesias GR, Carrasco-Jiménez MP, Jimenez-Lopez C, Perduca M. Improving the Cellular Uptake of Biomimetic Magnetic Nanoparticles. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11030766. [PMID: 33803544 PMCID: PMC8002967 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Magnetococcus marinus magnetosome-associated protein MamC, expressed as recombinant, has been proven to mediate the formation of novel biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) that are successful drug nanocarriers for targeted chemotherapy and hyperthermia agents. These BMNPs present several advantages over inorganic magnetic nanoparticles, such as larger sizes that allow the former to have larger magnetic moment per particle, and an isoelectric point at acidic pH values, which allows both the stable functionalization of BMNPs at physiological pH value and the molecule release at acidic (tumor) environments, simply based on electrostatic interactions. However, difficulties for BMNPs cell internalization still hold back the efficiency of these nanoparticles as drug nanocarriers and hyperthermia agents. In the present study we explore the enhanced BMNPs internalization following upon their encapsulation by poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved molecule. Internalization is further optimized by the functionalization of the nanoformulation with the cell-penetrating TAT peptide (TATp). Our results evidence that cells treated with the nanoformulation [TAT-PLGA(BMNPs)] show up to 80% more iron internalized (after 72 h) compared to that of cells treated with BMNPs (40%), without any significant decrease in cell viability. This nanoformulation showing optimal internalization is further characterized. In particular, the present manuscript demonstrates that neither its magnetic properties nor its performance as a hyperthermia agent are significantly altered due to the encapsulation. In vitro experiments demonstrate that, following upon the application of an alternating magnetic field on U87MG cells treated with BMNPs and TAT-PLGA(BMNPs), the cytotoxic effect of BMNPs was not affected by the TAT-PLGA enveloping. Based on that, difficulties shown in previous studies related to poor cell uptake of BMNPs can be overcome by the novel nanoassembly described here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Vurro
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.V.); (S.M.); (M.G.); (M.G.R.); (M.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Ylenia Jabalera
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Silvia Mannucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.V.); (S.M.); (M.G.); (M.G.R.); (M.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Giulia Glorani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Alberto Sola-Leyva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.S.-L.); (M.P.C.-J.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Marco Gerosa
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.V.); (S.M.); (M.G.); (M.G.R.); (M.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Alessandro Romeo
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Romanelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.V.); (S.M.); (M.G.); (M.G.R.); (M.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.V.); (S.M.); (M.G.); (M.G.R.); (M.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Laura Calderan
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.V.); (S.M.); (M.G.); (M.G.R.); (M.M.); (L.C.)
| | - Guillermo R. Iglesias
- Department of Applied Physic, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - María P. Carrasco-Jiménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.S.-L.); (M.P.C.-J.)
| | - Concepcion Jimenez-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Correspondence: (C.J.-L.); (M.P.); Tel.: +34-958-249-833 (C.J.-L.); +39-045-802-7984 (M.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Perduca
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy;
- Correspondence: (C.J.-L.); (M.P.); Tel.: +34-958-249-833 (C.J.-L.); +39-045-802-7984 (M.P.)
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Pellicciari C. Twenty years of histochemistry in the third millennium, browsing the scientific literature. Eur J Histochem 2020; 64. [PMID: 33478199 PMCID: PMC7789425 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2020.3213] [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: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last twenty years, about 240,000 articles where histochemical techniques were used have been published in indexed journals, and their yearly number has progressively increased. The histochemical approach was selected by researchers with very different scientific interests, as the journals in which these articles were published fall within 140 subject categories. The relative proportion of articles in some of these journal categories did change over the years, and browsing the table of contents of the European Journal of Histochemistry, as an example of a strictly histochemical journal, it appeared that in recent years histochemical techniques were preferentially used to mechanistically investigate natural or experimentally induced dynamic processes, with reduced attention to purely descriptive works. It may be foreseen that, in the future, histochemistry will be increasingly focused on studying the molecular pathways responsible for cell differentiation, the maintenance or loss of the differentiated state, and tissue regeneration.
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Das P, Salvioni L, Malatesta M, Vurro F, Mannucci S, Gerosa M, Antonietta Rizzuto M, Tullio C, Degrassi A, Colombo M, Ferretti AM, Ponti A, Calderan L, Prosperi D. Colloidal polymer-coated Zn-doped iron oxide nanoparticles with high relaxivity and specific absorption rate for efficient magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic hyperthermia. J Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 579:186-194. [PMID: 32590159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.05.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Colloidally stable nanoparticles-based magnetic agents endowed with very high relaxivity and specific absorption rate are extremely desirable for efficient magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic hyperthermia, respectively. Here, we report a water dispersible magnetic agent consisting of zinc-doped superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (i.e., Zn-SPIONs) of 15 nm size with high saturation magnetization coated with an amphiphilic polymer for effective magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic hyperthermia of glioblastoma cells. These biocompatible polymer-coated Zn-SPIONs had 24 nm hydrodynamic diameter and exhibited high colloidal stability in various aqueous media, very high transverse relaxivity of 471 mM-1 s-1, and specific absorption rate up to 743.8 W g-1, which perform better than most iron oxide nanoparticles reported in the literature, including commercially available agents. Therefore, using these polymer-coated Zn-SPIONs even at low concentrations, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and moderate magnetic hyperthermia of glioblastoma cells under clinically relevant magnetic field were successfully implemented. In addition, the results of this in vitro study suggest the superior potential of Zn-SPIONs as a theranostic nanosystem for brain cancer treatment, simultaneously acting as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and a heat mediator for localized magnetic hyperthermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip Das
- NanoBioLab, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Lucia Salvioni
- NanoBioLab, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Dept., School of Medicine, University of Verona, Strada le grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Vurro
- Computer Sciences Dept., University of Verona, Strada le grazie 7, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Mannucci
- Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Dept., School of Medicine, University of Verona, Strada le grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Gerosa
- Computer Sciences Dept., University of Verona, Strada le grazie 7, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Rizzuto
- NanoBioLab, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Tullio
- NanoBioLab, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Degrassi
- Toxicology, Accelera S.R.L. - NMS Group S.p.A., Viale Pasteur 10, 20014 Nerviano, MI, Italy
| | - Miriam Colombo
- NanoBioLab, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Anna M Ferretti
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via G, Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ponti
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta" (SCITEC), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via G, Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Calderan
- Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Dept., School of Medicine, University of Verona, Strada le grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Prosperi
- NanoBioLab, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; Nanomedicine Laboratory, ICS Maugeri S.p.A. SB, via S. Maugeri 10, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
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16
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Calderan L, Malatesta M. Imaging techniques in nanomedical research. Eur J Histochem 2020; 64. [PMID: 32613820 PMCID: PMC7341075 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2020.3151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
About twenty years ago, nanotechnology began to be applied to biomedical issues giving rise to the research field called nanomedicine. Thus, the study of the interactions between nanomaterials and the biological environment became of primary importance in order to design safe and effective nanoconstructs suitable for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. Consequently, imaging techniques have increasingly been used in the production, characterisation and preclinical/clinical application of nanomedical tools. This work aims at making an overview of the microscopy and imaging techniques in vivo and in vitro in their application to nanomedical investigation, and to stress their contribution to this developing research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Calderan
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona.
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona.
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17
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Carton F, Repellin M, Lollo G, Malatesta M. Alcian blue staining to track the intracellular fate of hyaluronic-acid-based nanoparticles at transmission electron microscopy. Eur J Histochem 2019; 63. [PMID: 31833331 PMCID: PMC6927094 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2019.3086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The main step in the assessment of nanomaterial safety and suitability for biomedical use is the location and the dynamic tracking of nanoparticles (NPs) inside cells or tissues. To precisely investigate the uptake mechanisms and intracellular fate of NPs, transmission electron microscopy is the technique of choice; however, the detection of NPs may sometimes be problematic. In fact, while NPs containing strongly electron dense (e.g. metal) components do not require specific detection methods at the ultrastructural level, organic NPs are hardly detectable in the intracellular environment due to their intrinsic moderate electron density. In this study, the critical-electrolyte-concentration Alcian Blue method set up by Schofield et al. in 1975 was applied to track hyaluronic-acidbased NPs in muscle cells in vitro. This long-established histochemical method proved to be a powerful tool allowing to identify not only whole NPs while entering cells and moving into the cytoplasm, but also their remnants following lysosomal degradation and extrusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Carton
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona.
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