Facile synthesis of size-tunable stable nanoparticles via click reaction for cancer drug delivery

The stability and size of polymeric nanoparticles are two of the most important parameters determining their pharmacokinetics and tumor/drug accumulation efficiency in cancer-drug delivery. Herein, we report a facile one-pot synthesis of crosslinked nanoparticles (CNPs) with tunable sizes and polyethylene glycol (PEG) shells via click reactions. Simply by adjusting the contents of the macromonomer (PEG monoacrylate) in its reaction with ethylene diacrylate and a crosslinker containing hexa-thiols groups, the sizes of the resulting PEGylated crosslinked nanoparticles could be easily tuned from 10 to 90 nm. These nanoparticle cores could encapsulate hydrophobic drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX), and the unreacted thiol and acrylate groups could be used for drug conjugation or labeling. Thus, the nanoparticles provide a multifunctional platform for drug delivery. In vivo studies showed that the larger nanoparticles (about 83.7 nm) had a much longer blood-circulation time and better tumor-targeting efficiency. One of our most important findings was that the drug encapsulated in the crosslinked nanoparticles, even though little was released at pH 7.4 under in vitro conditions, had much faster blood clearance than the nanoparticles’ carrier, suggesting that drug release in the bloodstream was significant.     

Controlling the Surface Functionalization of Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles by Sequence-Defined Macromolecules

Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (diameter about 2 nm) were surface-functionalized with cysteine-carrying precision macromolecules. These consisted of sequence-defined oligo(amidoamine)s (OAAs) with either two or six cysteine molecules for binding to the gold surface and either with or without a PEG chain (3400 Da). They were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The number of precision macromolecules per nanoparticle was determined after fluorescent labeling by UV spectroscopy and also by quantitative ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Each nanoparticle carried between 40 and 100 OAA ligands, depending on the number of cysteine units per OAA. The footprint of each ligand was about 0.074 nm² per cysteine molecule. OAAs are well suited to stabilize ultrasmall gold nanoparticles by selective surface conjugation and can be used to selectively cover their surface. The presence of the PEG chain considerably increased the hydrodynamic diameter of both dissolved macromolecules and macromolecule-conjugated gold nanoparticles.     

Biomimetic approach towards the preparation of hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite/chitosan/β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles: application to controlled drug release

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and hydroxyapatite/chitosan/β-cyclodextrin (HAp/CS/β-CD) nanoparticles were successfully prepared in the modified simulated body fluid (SBF) solution at the physiological conditions (pH 7.4, temperature?=?37 °C). CS/β-CD nanoparticles acted as templates for the synthesis of HAp/CS/β-CD nanoparticles to improve the nanoarchitecture of HAp and its crystallinity.The nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Kneading and coprecipitation methods were applied to prepare the inclusion complex involving β-CD and p-THPP (5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin), a photosensitizer for anti-cancer drugs. The 1:1 stoichiometric ratio of the formed inclusion complex was characterized by a formation constant of 7.216?×?10² mol^?1 dm³ and analyzed by ¹H NMR, FTIR, and UV–Vis. The p-THPP delivery release in vitro was in this order: HAp/CS/β-CD?<?CS/β-CD?<?<?HAp/β-CD?<?β-CD, hinting at a better controlled release by HAp/CS/β-CD nanoparticles.     

Colloidal stability evolution and completely reversible aggregation of gold nanoparticles functionalized with rationally designed free radical initiators

A series of molecular adsorbates having various chain lengths of terminal poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether) (PEG) moieties, thiol head groups, and intervening free radical initiator moieties was used to functionalize the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The bulky PEG groups stabilized the functionalized AuNPs by providing steric hindrance against AuNP aggregation, such aggregation being a major problem in the modification and manipulation of metal nanoparticles. UV–vis spectroscopy was used to evaluate the stability of the adsorbate-functionalized AuNPs as a function of AuNP size (～15, 40, and 90 nm in diameter) and PEG chain length (Mn 350, 750, and 2,000). The longer PEG chains (Mn 750 and 2,000) afforded stability to AuNPs with smaller gold cores (～15 and 40 nm in diameter) for up to several days without any marked aggregation. In contrast, the adsorbate-functionalized AuNPs with the largest gold cores (～90 nm) were noticeably less stable than those with the smaller gold cores. Importantly, the adsorbate-functionalized AuNPs could be isolated in solvent-free “dried” form and readily dispersed in aqueous buffer solution (both acidic and basic) and various organic solvents (protic and aprotic). This isolation–redispersion (i.e., aggregation/deaggregation) process was completely reversible. The chemisorption of the PEG-terminated initiator on the surface of the AuNPs was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As a whole, the strategy reported here affords colloidally stable, free radical initiator-functionalized AuNPs and offers a promising general method for encapsulating metal nanoparticles within polymer shells.

Encapsulation of drug nanoparticles in self-assembled macromolecular nanoshells

Layer-by-Layer (LbL) stepwise self-assembly of the polyelectrolytes poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(styrenesulfonate) was used to create a macromolecular nanoshell around drug nanoparticles (approximately 150 nm in diameter). Dexamethasone, a steroid often used in conjugation with chemotherapy, was chosen as a model drug and was formulated into nanoparticles using a modified solvent-evaporation emulsification method. Measurement of the zeta potential (zeta-potential) after each polyelectrolyte layer was electrostatically added confirmed the successful addition of each layer. Additionally, data acquired from X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) indicated the presence of peaks representative of each physisorbed polyelectrolyte layer. Surface modification of the nanoshell was performed by covalently attaching poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a molecular weight of 2000 to the outer surface of the nanoshell. Zeta potential measurements and XPS indicated the presence of PEG chains at the surface of the nanoshell. The polymeric nanoshell on the surface of the drug nanoparticle provides a template upon which surface modifications can be made to create a stealth or targeted drug delivery system.     

A repeatable assembling and disassembling electrochemical aptamer cytosensor for ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of human liver cancer cells

In this work, a repeatable assembling and disassembling electrochemical aptamer cytosensor was proposed for the sensitive detection of human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) based on a dual recognition and signal amplification strategy. A high-affinity thiolated TLS11a aptamer, covalently attached to a gold electrode through Au–thiol interactions, was adopted to recognize and capture the target HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, the G-quadruplex/hemin/aptamer and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) modified gold nanoparticles (G-quadruplex/hemin/aptamer–AuNPs–HRP) nanoprobe was designed. It could be used for electrochemical cytosensing with specific recognition and enzymatic signal amplification of HRP and G-quadruplex/hemin HRP-mimicking DNAzyme. With the nanoprobes as recognizing probes, the HepG2 cancer cells were captured to fabricate an aptamer-cell-nanoprobes sandwich-like superstructure on a gold electrode surface. The proposed electrochemical cytosensor delivered a wide detection range from 1 × 10² to 1 × 10⁷ cells mL⁻¹ and high sensitivity with a low detection limit of 30 cells mL⁻¹. Furthermore, after the electrochemical detection, the activation potential of −0.9 to −1.7 V was performed to break Au–thiol bond and regenerate a bare gold electrode surface, while maintaining the good characteristic of being used repeatedly. The changes of gold electrode behavior after assembling and desorption processes were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. These results indicate that the cytosensor has great potential in disease diagnostic of cancers and opens new insight into the reusable gold electrode with repeatable assembling and disassembling in the electrochemical sensing.     

Organo-soluble porphyrin mixed monolayer-protected gold nanorods with intercalated fullerenes

Organo-soluble porphyrin mixed monolayer-protected gold nanorods were synthesized and characterized. The resulting gold nanorods encapsulated by both porphyrin thiol and alkyl thiol on their entire surface with strong covalent Au-S linkages were very stable in organic solvents without aggregation or decomposition and exhibited unique optical properties different from their corresponding spherical ones. Alkyl thiol acts as a stabilizer not only to fill up the potential space on gold nanorod surface between bulky porphyrin molecules but also to provide space for further insertion of C(60) molecules forming a stable C(60)-porphyrin-gold nanorod hybrid nanostructure.     

Self‐Assembly of Anionic Porphyrins and Alkaline or Alkaline Earth Metal Ions Mediated by Cucurbit[7,8]uril

Nanoscaled coordination polymers based on biologically prevalent ions have potential applications in drug delivery and biomedical imaging. Herein, coordination polymer nanoparticles of anionic porphyrins, including meso‐tetra(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐porphyrin (H₂TCPP^4?) and meso‐tetra(4‐sulfonatophenyl)‐porphyrin (H₂TPPS^4?), and alkaline or alkaline earth metal cations, such as K⁺ and Ca²⁺, were constructed in aqueous solution in the presence of cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) or cucurbit[8]uril (CB8). UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied to explore the assembly and particle formation of porphyrin anions and metal cations mediated by CBn. The particle size depends on the kinds of CBn and metal cations and their concentrations. The uptake of H₂TPPS^4? particles by tumor cells (A549 cells) was found to be more efficient than H₂TPPS^4? at 37 °C, showing the application potential of such assembled particles in biology and medicine.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Assembling Some Thiol Surfactants on Gold Nanoparticles

The purpose of this work is to study the self-assembling of some synthesized thiol surfactants namely (mercaptopropane-, mercaptohexane-, mercaptooctane-, and mercaptodecane sodium sulfonate) on the fabricated gold nanoparticles. The self-assembling of these surfactants on gold nanoparticles characterized using different techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Spectroscopic evidence suggests that the synthesized thiol surfactants have been attached to the gold nanoparticles. The effect of self-assembling of these surfactants on the size of the gold nanoparticles was studied using TEM images. The growth of the gold nanoparticles was investigated with respect to the increase of alkyl chain in the synthesized thiol surfactants. The results show that the stabilization of gold nanoparticles was affected by the increase in alkyl chain length of these surfactants. The effect of gold nanoparticles on the interfacial tension and the emulsion stability of these surfactants with crude oil was studied.     

Binding of chloroquine-conjugated gold nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin

We have conjugated chloroquine, an anti-malarial, antiviral and anti-tumor drug, with thiol-functionalized gold nanoparticles and studied their binding interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. Gold nanoparticles have been synthesized using sodium borohydride as reducing agent and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid as thiol functionalizing ligand in aqueous medium. The formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed from the characteristic surface plasmon absorption band at 522 nm and transmission electron microscopy revealed the average particle size to be ~7 nm. Chloroquine was conjugated to thiolated gold nanoparticles by using EDC/NHS chemistry and the binding was analyzed using optical density measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The chloroquine-conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNP-Chl) were found to interact efficiently with BSA. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the binding is driven by both enthalpy and entropy, accompanied with only a minor alteration in protein's structure. Competitive drug binding assay revealed that the GNP-Chl bind at warfarin binding site I in subdomain IIA of BSA and was further supported by Trp212 fluorescence quenching measurements. Unraveling the nature of interactions of GNP-Chl with BSA would pave the way for the design of nanotherapeutic agents with improved functionality, enriching the field of nanomedicine.     

Incorporation of surface-derivatized gold nanoparticles into electrochemically generated polymer films

Stable colloidal solutions of gold nanoparticles surface-derivatized with a thiol monolayer have been prepared using two-phase (water–nitrobenzene) reduction of AuCl₄⁻ by sodium borohydride in the presence of 2-mercapto-3-n-octylthiophene (MOT). This kind of surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles can be easily incorporated into the poly(3-octylthiophene) (POT) films on electrode in the process of electrochemical polymerization leading to POT–gold nanoparticle (POT–Au) composite films. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) have been employed to characterize the surface-derivatized particles and the resulting films. The method of incorporation of nanoparticles into polymer by surface-derivatization and in situ polymerization can also be employed to prepare many other polymer–nanoparticle compostie materials.     

Multilayer coating of gold nanoparticles with drug-polymer coadsorbates

The aim of our present study was the development of a drug multilayer-based carrier system for delivery of water-insoluble drugs. As drug, we applied the anticancer drug 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin, mTHPP, which is a model photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with a diameter of 14.5 ± 0.9 nm were prepared and used as template for the layer-by-layer approach. The drug and the negatively charged polyelectrolyte (PE) poly(styrene sulfonate) sodium salt (PSS) were complexed with a new developed method using freeze-drying. The complexation efficiency was determined to be ～11-12 monomers PSS per mTHPP molecule by CHNS analysis and UV/vis measurement. Molecular docking simulations revealed π-π interactions and H-bonding to be the responsible mechanisms. A drug multilayer system based on the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique utilized the water-soluble complex as anionic layer material and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) as cationic layer. The modified AuNP were characterized by different physicochemical techniques such as UV/vis, ζ-potential, ICP-OES, and TEM. To the best of our knowledge, we could demonstrate for the first time the adsorption of three drug layers to a nanoparticulate system. Furthermore, the adaptation of the LbL-technique resulted in drastically increased drug deposition efficiency (factor of 100). Furthermore, we developed a new and comfortable way to solubilize water-insoluble drugs in water.     

Dendronized Anionic Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antiviral Activity

Anionic carbosilane dendrons decorated with sulfonate functions and one thiol moiety at the focal point have been used to synthesize water‐soluble gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through the direct reaction of dendrons, gold precursor, and reducing agent in water, and also through a place‐exchange reaction. These nanoparticles have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV/Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and zeta‐potential measurements. The interacting ability of the anionic sulfonate functions was investigated by EPR spectroscopy with copper(II) as a probe. Different structures and conformations of the AuNPs modulate the availability of sulfonate and thiol groups for complexation by copper(II). Toxicity assays of AuNPs showed that those produced through direct reaction were less toxic than those obtained by ligand exchange. Inhibition of HIV‐1 infection was higher in the case of dendronized AuNPs than in dendrons.     

Fabrication of a Sensitive Impedance Biosensor of DNA Hybridization Based on Gold Nanoparticles Modified Gold Electrode

In this work, we report on the preparation of a simple, sensitive DNA impedance sensor. Firstly gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited on the surface of a gold electrode, and then probe DNA was immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles through a 5′‐thiol‐linker. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to investigate probe DNA immobilization and hybridization. Compared to the bare gold electrode, the gold nanoparticles modified electrode could improve the density of probe DNA attachment and the sensitivity of DNA sensor greatly. The difference of electron transfer resistance (ΔR_et) was linear with the logarithm of complementary oligonucleotides sequence concentrations in the range of 2.0×10^?12 to 9.0×10^?8 M, and the detection limit was 6.7×10^?13 M. In addition, the DNA sensor showed a fairly good reproducibility and stability during repeated regeneration and hybridization cycles.     

纳米金淀积的多孔硅靶增强样品的激光解吸/电离质谱信号

硅片类型和多孔硅结构的多样性影响了多孔硅表面的激光解吸/离子化质谱(DIOS)(无辅助基质的激光解吸/电离飞行时间质谱(LDI-TOF-MS))数据的重复性和靶的耐储时间。本工作通过在多孔硅的表面淀积金纳米颗粒并将其作为目标靶来增强软物质分子如聚乙二醇和多肽的激光解吸/电离质谱信号。纳米金的淀积钝化了多孔硅表面的Si-H活性基团,增加了靶的耐储时间。用场发射扫描电镜表征了多孔硅淀积金纳米颗粒前后的形貌,用X射线能量色散光谱法分析金的百分含量,结果表明其含量随沉积时间的延长而增加。激光解吸/电离质谱信号的增强可能是由多孔硅及其支持的金纳米颗粒的光学和物理性质引起的,该类型的样品靶在激光解吸/电离飞行时间质谱的应用上结合了多孔硅和金纳米颗粒的双重优势。     

A bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) silane immobilized on metallic oxide-based nanoparticles for conjugation with cell targeting agents

A trifluoroethylester-terminal poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) silane was synthesized and self-assembled on iron oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticle system thus prepared has the flexibility to conjugate with cell targeting agents via either carboxylic or amine terminal groups for a number of biomedical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and controlled drug delivery. The trifluoroethylester silane was synthesized by modifying a PEG diacid to form the corresponding bistrifluoroethylester (TFEE), followed by a reaction with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). The APS coupled with PEG chains confers the stability of PEG self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and increases the PEG packing density on nanoparticles by establishing hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl and amine groups present within the monolayer structure. The success of the synthesis of the PEG TEFE silane was confirmed with (1)H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The conjugating flexibility of the PEG TEFE was demonstrated with folic acid that had carboxylic acid groups and amine terminal groups, respectively, and was confirmed by FTIR. TEM analysis showed the well-dispersed nanoparticles before and after they were coated with PEG and folic acid.     

Investigation of swelling and network parameters of poly(ethylene glycol)-crosslinked poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) hydrogels

The influence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) plasticiser content and molecular weight on the physicochemical properties of films cast from aqueous blends of poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) was investigated using thermal analysis, swelling studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy revealed a shift of the CO peak from 1708 to 1731 cm⁻¹, indicating that an esterification reaction had occurred upon heating, thus producing crosslinked films. Higher molecular weight PEGs (10,000 and 1000 Da, respectively), having greater chain length, producing hydrogel networks with lower crosslink densities and higher average molecular weight between two consecutive crosslinks. Accordingly, such materials exhibited higher swelling rates. Hydrogels crosslinked with a low molecular weight PEG (PEG 200) showed rigid networks with high crosslink densities and, therefore, lower swelling rates. Polymer:plasticizer ratio alteration did not yield any discernable patterns, regardless of the method of analysis. The polymer-water interaction parameter (χ) increased with increases in the crosslink density. SEM studies showed that porosity of the crosslinked films increased with increasing PEG MW, confirming what had been observed with swelling studies and thermal analysis, that the crosslink density must be decreased as the M_w of the crosslinker is increased. Hydrogels containing PMVE/MA/PEG 10,000 could be used for rapid delivery of drug, due to their low crosslink density. Moderately crosslinked PMVE/MA/PEG 1000 hydrogels or highly crosslinked PMVE/MA/PEG 200 systems could then be used in controlling the drug delivery rates. We are currently evaluating these systems, both alone and in combination, for use in sustained release drug delivery devices.     

Long circulating 10-hydroxycamptothecin-loaded nanoparticles fabricated from poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(L-lactic acid) multi-block copolymers

A series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) multi-block copolymers were facilely synthesized using triphosgene as coupling agent. With the resulting multi-block copolymers, 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)-loaded nanoparticles were successfully prepared by dialysis method. The results obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements confirmed that HCPT-loaded nanoparticles had the size of less than 200 nm and the average diameter decreased with increasing PLLA content. TEM images demonstrated that most of the drug-loaded nanoparticles had a distinct spherical shape and smooth surface without any aggregation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images further indicated that the nanoparticles were in spherical shape with smooth surface, no drug crystal was visualized on their surface. To investigate the drug state in HCPT-loaded nanoparticles, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements were carried out. The results from these tests suggested that HCPT was molecularly dispersed in the amorphous polymer matrix. Drug loading content and in vitro drug release behavior of HCPT-loaded nanoparticles showed dependence on polymer composition. Cytotoxicity test indicated that HCPT-loaded nanoparticles exhibited greatly superior cytotoxicity compared to free HCPT due to its molecular dispersion in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the nanoparticles significantly increased the duration of the drug in circulation. All these results demonstrated that PEG/PLLA nanoparticles have great potential as promising delivery system for poorly soluble antitumor drugs.     

Long circulating 10-hydroxycamptothecin-loaded nanoparticles fabricated from poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(L-lactic acid) multiblock copolymers

A series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) multiblock copolymers were facilely synthesized using triphosgene as coupling agent. With the resulting multiblock copolymers, 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)-loaded nanoparticles were successfully prepared by dialysis method. The results obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements confirmed that HCPT-loaded nanoparticles had the size of less than 200 nm and the average diameter decreased with increasing PLLA content. TEM images demonstrated that most of the drug-loaded nanoparticles had a distinct spherical shape and smooth surface without any aggregation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images further indicated that the nanoparticles were in spherical shape with smooth surface, no drug crystal was visualized on their surface. To investigate the drug state in HCPT-loaded nanoparticles, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements were carried out. The results from these tests suggested that HCPT was molecularly dispersed in the amorphous polymer matrix. Drug loading content and in vitro drug release behavior of HCPT-loaded nanoparticles showed dependence on polymer composition. Cytotoxicity test indicated that HCPT-loaded nanoparticles exhibited greatly superior cytotoxicity compared to free HCPT due to its molecular dispersion in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the nanoparticles significantly increased the duration of the drug in circulation. All these results demonstrated that PEG/PLLA nanoparticles have great potential as promising delivery system for poorly soluble antitumor drugs.     

Gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric sensor for protein conformational changes

Spherical gold nanoparticles and flat gold films are prepared in which yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (Cyt c) is covalently bound to the gold surface by a thiol group in the cystein 102 residue. Upon exposure to solutions of different pH, bound Cyt c unfolds at low pH and refolds at high pH. This conformational change causes measurable shifts in the color of the coated nanoparticle solutions detected by UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and in the refractive index (RI) of the flat gold films detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. Both experiments demonstrate the same trend with pH, suggesting the use of protein-covered gold nanoparticles as a simple colorimetric sensor for conformational change.