Magnetoresponsive squalenoyl gemcitabine composite nanoparticles for cancer active targeting

Gemcitabine is widely used against a variety of solid tumors; however, it possesses some important drawbacks such as rapid deamination leading to short biological half-life and induction of tumor resistance. We have shown previously that the covalent coupling of squalene (a precursor of cholesterol in sterol biosynthesis) to gemcitabine resulted in a potent nanomedicine, squalenoyl gemcitabine (SQdFdC), which displayed appreciable anticancer activity. Now, the present study describes the concept of magnetic responsiveness of SQdFdC nanoparticles obtained by the nanoprecipitation of SQdFdC around magnetite nanoparticles. To investigate these new core/shell nanoparticles, we have compared their structure, chemical composition and surface properties with those of either the magnetic core alone or of the SQdFdC coating material. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy studies have shown that the composite core/shell particles displayed an intermediate behavior between that of pure magnetite and of pure SQdFdC nanoparticles, whereas dark-field, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy allowed clear demonstration of the core/shell structure. Electrophoresis measurements as a function of both pH and ionic strength, as well as thermodynamic consideration, showed similar behavior of core/shell and pure SQdFdC nanoparticles, suggesting again the coating of the magnetite core by the SQdFdC prodrug. The two important parameters to be controlled in the efficient adsorption of SQdFdC onto magnetite nanocores were the magnetite/SQdFdC weight ratio and the pluronic F-68 concentration. Pluronic F-68 was found to play a key role as a surfactant in the generation of stable composite core/shell nanoparticle suspensions. Finally, the characterization of the magnetic properties of these core/shell nanoparticles revealed that if the squalenoyl shell reduced the magnetic responsiveness of the particles, it kept unchanged their soft ferrimagnetic character. Thus, the heterogeneous structure of these nanoparticles could confer them both magnetic field responsiveness and potential applicability as a drug carrier for active targeting to solid tumors.     

Interaction of lipophilic gemcitabine prodrugs with biomembrane models studied by Langmuir-Blodgett technique

The stability and bioavailability of anticancer agents, such as gemcitabine, can be increased by forming prodrugs. Gemcitabine is rapidly deaminated to the inactive metabolite (2('),2(')-difluorodeoxyuridine), thus to improve its stability a series of increasingly lipophilic gemcitabine prodrugs linked through the 4-amino group to valeroyl, lauroyl, and stearoyl acyl chains were synthesized. Studies of monolayer properties are important to improve understanding of biological phenomena involving lipid/gemcitabine or lipid/gemcitabine derivative interactions. The interfacial behavior of monolayers constituted by DMPC plus gemcitabine or lipophilic gemcitabine prodrugs at increasing molar fractions was studied at the air/water interface at temperatures below (10 degrees C) and above (37 degrees C) the lipid phase transition. The effect of the hydrophobic chain length of gemcitabine derivatives on the isotherm of pure DMPC was investigated by surface tension measurement, and the results are reported as molar fractions as a function of mean molecular area per molecule. The results show that the compounds interact with DMPC producing mixed monolayers that are subject to an expansion effect, depending on the prodrug chain length. The results give useful hints of the interaction of these prodrugs with biological membranes and increase knowledge on the incorporation site of such compounds, as a function of their lipophilicity, in a lipid carrier; they may lead to improved liposomal formulation design.     

Interaction of water with self-assembled monolayers of alkylsilanes on mica

The interaction of water with self-assembled alkylsilane monolayers on mica substrates has been studied using an atomic force microscope operated in contact, noncontact, and electrical polarization modes. Complete monolayer films were found to be effective in blocking water adsorption. On partially covered surfaces water was found to produce large changes in the conductivity and surface potential of the exposed mica regions. It was also found that water could penetrate films near defects and at island edges.     

Interaction of self-assembled monolayers of DNA with electrons: HREELS and XPS studies

We present results from high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and XPS studies of self-assembled monolayers of DNA. The monolayers are well-organized and display sharp vibrational peaks in the HREEL spectra. The electrons interact mainly with the backbone of the DNA. The XPS results indicate that, in most of the samples studied, the phosphates on the DNA are not charged.     

Electrochemical behaviors of novel electroactive Au nanoparticles protected by self-assembled monolayers

There has been substantial recent interest in studying monolayer-protected gold clusters (MPCs) owing to their diverse applications. The present work is an electrochemical study of novel gold nanoparticles covered with a monolayer of mercapto-dodecanol ended chloro-dicyano-quinone (HS-C12O-CDQ), which was adsorbed on the electrode (CDQ-MPCs film). Our findings reveal a redox behavior for CDQ-MPCs film similar to the solution electrochemistry of dichloro-dicyano-quinone. Furthermore, a diffusion-like mechanism was found for electron transfer, which may have occurred due to proton diffusion towards or outwards the electrode through the film casted. Chronoamperometry confirmed diffusion behavior of the ET process. Finally, EIS was used to find the rate constant of ET process for the redox reaction that occurred and the contribution of MPCs in total interfacial capacitance.     

Microelectrodes with gold nanoparticles and self-assembled monolayers for in vivo recording of striatal dopamine

Electrochemical determination of in vivo dopamine (DA) using implantable microelectrodes is essential for monitoring the DA depletion of an animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD), but faces substantial interference from ascorbic acid (AA) in the brain area due to similar electroactive characteristics. This study utilizes gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to modify platinum microelectrodes for improving sensitivity and specificity to DA and alleviating AA interference. With appropriate choice of ω-mercaptoalkane carboxylic acid chain length, our results show that a platinum microelectrode coated with Au-NPs and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) has approximately an 881-fold specificity to AA. During amperometric measurements, Au-NP/MPA reveals that the responsive current is linearly dependent on DA over the range of 0.01-5 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and the sensitivity is 2.7-fold that of a conventional Nafion-coated electrode. Other important features observed include fast response time (below 2 s), resistance to albumin adhesion and low detection limit (7 nM) at a signal to noise ratio of 3. Feasibility of in vivo DA recording with the modified microelectrodes is verified by real-time monitoring of electrically stimulated DA release in the striatum of anesthetized rats with various stimulation parameters and administration of a DA uptake inhibitor. The developed microelectrodes present an attractive alternative to the traditional options for continuous electrochemical in vivo DA monitoring.     

Metal-ion adsorption on carboxyl-bearing self-assembled monolayers covalently bound to magnetic nanoparticles

Hematite nanoparticles have been functionalized with a self-assembled monolayer of undecanoic acid (UA) by covalent attachment via siloxane groups. The number density of carboxylic/carboxylate groups on the surface was determined by titration, yielding values on the order of 10(14) UA molecules/cm(2) and thus consistent with a closed-packed monolayer. The ability of these functionalized particles to adsorb Cd(2+) in the ppm range was demonstrated using in situ anodic stripping voltammetry.     

Mixed charged zwitterionic self-assembled monolayers as a facile way to stabilize large gold nanoparticles

Here we report a facile way of stabilizing large gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by mixed charged zwitterionic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The citrate-capped AuNPs with diameters ranging from 16 nm to even ～100 nm are well stabilized via a simple place exchange reaction with a 1:1 molar ratio mixture of negatively charged sodium 10-mercaptodecanesulfonic acid (HS-C10-S) and positively charged (10-mercaptodecyl)-trimethyl-ammonium bromide (HS-C10-N4). The 16 nm AuNPs protected by mixed charged zwitterionic SAMs not only show much better stability than the single negatively or positively charged AuNPs, but also exhibit exciting stability as well as those modified by monohydroxy (1-mercaptoundec-11-yl) tetraethylene glycol (HS-C11-EG4). Importantly, 16 nm AuNPs protected by mixed SAMs exhibit good stability in cell culture medium with 10% FBS and strong protein resistance, especially with excellent resistance against plasma adsorption. Moreover, the mixed charged zwitterionic SAMs are also able to well-stabilize larger AuNPs with a diameter of 50 nm, and to help remarkably improve their stability in saline solution compared with HS-C11-EG4 protected ones. When it comes to AuNPs with a diameter of 100 nm, the mixed charged zwitterionic SAM protected nanoparticles retain a smaller hydrodynamic diameter and even better long-term stability than those modified by mercaptopolyethylene glycol (M(w) = 2000, HS-PEG2000). The above results demonstrated that the mixed charged zwitterionic SAMs are able to have a similar effect on stabilizing the large gold nanoparticles just like the single-component zwitterionic SAMs. Concerning its ease of preparation, versatility, and excellent properties, the strategy based on the mixed charged zwitterionic SAM protection might provide a promising method to surface tailoring of nanoparticles for biomedical application.     

Catalytic self-assembled monolayers on Au nanoparticles: the source of catalysis of a transphosphorylation reaction

The catalytic activity of a series of Au monolayer protected colloids (Au MPCs) containing different ratios of the catalytic unit triazacyclononane?Zn^II (TACN?Zn^II) and an inert triethyleneglycol (TEG) unit was measured. The catalytic self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) are highly efficient in the transphosphorylation of 2‐hydroxy propyl 4‐nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP), an RNA model substrate, exhibiting maximum values for the Michaelis–Menten parameters k_cat and K_M of 6.7×10^?3 s^?1 and 3.1×10^?4 M , respectively, normalized per catalytic unit. Despite the structural simplicity of the catalytic units, this renders these nanoparticles among the most active catalysts known for this substrate. Both k_cat and K_M parameters were determined as a function of the mole fraction of catalytic unit (x ₁ ) in the SAM. Within this nanoparticle (NP) series, k_cat increases up till x ₁ ≈0.4, after which it remains constant and K_M decreases exponentially over the range studied. A theoretical analysis demonstrated that these trends are an intrinsic property of catalytic SAMs, in which catalysis originates from the cooperative effect between two neighboring catalytic units. The multivalency of the system causes an increase of the number of potential dimeric catalytic sites composed of two catalytic units as a function of the x ₁ , which causes an apparent increase in binding affinity (decrease in K_M). Simultaneously, the k_cat value is determined by the number of substrate molecules bound at saturation. For values of x ₁ > 0.4, isolated catalytic units are no longer present and all catalytic units are involved in catalysis at saturation. Importantly, the observed trends are indicative of a random distribution of the thiols in the SAM. As indicated by the theoretical analysis, and confirmed by a control experiment, in case of clustering both k_cat and K_M values remain constant over the entire range of x ₁ .     

Electrochemical biosensor based on self-assembled monolayers modified with gold nanoparticles for detection of HER-3

We have developed a new immunological biosensor for ultrasensitive quantification of human epidermal growth factor receptor-3(HER-3). In order to construct the biosensor, the gold electrode surface was layered with, hexanedithiol, gold nanoparticles, and cysteamine, respectively. Anti-HER-3 antibody was covalently attached to cysteamine by glutaraldehyde and used as a bioreceptor in a biosensor system for the first time by this study. Surface characterization was obtained by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry. The proposed biosensor showed a good analytical performance for the detection of HER-3 ranging from 0.2 to 1.4 pg mL⁻¹. Kramers–Kronig transform was performed on the experimental impedance data. Moreover, in an immunosensor system, the single frequency impedance technique was firstly used for characterization of interaction between HER-3 and anti-HER-3. Finally the presented biosensor was applied to artificial serum samples spiked with HER-3.     

Sulfonic Acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles: a colloid-bound catalyst for soft lithographic application on self-assembled monolayers

In this report, we present a new lithographic approach to prepare patterned surfaces. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the acid-labile trimethylsilyl ether (TMS-OC(11)H(22)S)(2) (TMS adsorbate) was formed on gold. 5-Mercapto-2-benzimidazole sulfonic acid sodium salt (MBS-Na(+)) was used as a ligand for gold nanoparticles. These monolayer-protected gold colloids (MPCs) were transformed into the catalytically active H(+)-form by ion exchange. This colloid-bound catalyst hydrolyzed the TMS adsorbate (TMS-OC(11)H(22)S)(2) both in solution and when self-assembled on gold surfaces. Microcontact printing of the active colloid-bound catalyst on the preformed TMS SAM led to the deposition of the colloid onto the SAMs. After the catalyst nanoparticles were rinsed off, a patterned surface was created as shown by AFM.     

Adsorption of alkylthiol-capped gold nanoparticles onto alkylthiol self-assembled monolayers: an SPR study

The kinetics of alkylthiol-capped gold nanoparticle (RS/Au-NP) adsorption to alkylthiol/Au self-assembled monolayers (RS/Au-SAMs) has been studied using SPR (surface plasmon resonance) spectroscopy. Variation of the alkylthiol chain terminus (CH3, COOH) and solvent (H2O, hexane) provides insight into the relative importance of solvation energies (in the context of surface energies) and RS/Au-NP structure on adsorption kinetics. The kinetics, fitted to the Langmuir kinetic model, yield adsorption and desorption rate constants. DeltaG(ads) derived from kinetic data are compared to calculated values of work of adhesion (W(adh)), derived from the corresponding surface energies. The absence of a deltaG(ads) - W(adh) correlation arises because the measured kinetics are not reporting the approach to equilibrium and/or because there are factors (i.e., local chain packing defects, surface hydration differences, or particle-particle interactions) not accounted for in calculated W(adh) values.     

Electron transfer dynamics of iridium oxide nanoparticles attached to electrodes by self-assembled monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of carboxylated alkanethiolates (-S(CH(2))(n-1)CO(2)(-)) on flat gold electrode surfaces are used to tether small (ca. 2 nm d.) iridium(IV) oxide nanoparticles (Ir(IV)O(X) NPs) to the electrode. Peak potential separations in cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the nanoparticle Ir(IV/III) wave, in pH 13 aqueous base, increase with n, showing that the Ir(IV/III) apparent electron transfer kinetics of metal oxide sites in the nanoparticles respond to the imposed SAM electron transfer tunneling barrier. Estimated apparent electron transfer rate constants (k(app)(0)) for n = 12 and 16 are 9.8 and 0.12 s(-1). Owing to uncompensated solution resistance, k(app)(0) for n = 8 was too large to measure in the potential sweep experiment. For the cathodic scans, coulometric charges under the Ir(IV/III) voltammetric waves were independent of potential scan rate, suggesting participation of all of the iridium oxide redox sites (ca. 130 per NP) in the NPs. These experiments show that it is possible to control and study electron transfer dynamics of electroactive nanoparticles including, as shown by preliminary experiments, that of the electrocatalysis of water oxidation by iridium oxide nanoparticles.     

Formation of gold-methanethiyl self-assembled monolayers

The energetics of formation of thiyl-gold self-assembled monolayers is investigated using density-functional theory simulations. It is found that the chemisorption of dimethyl disulfide on the reconstructed Au(111) (22 x radical3) surface is most favored at the fcc reconstruction stripe, with initial physisorption leading to disulfide dissociation, adatom/vacancy-pair formation, and then, at a coverage of 7.8% sulfur atoms per gold atom, surface reconstruction lifting. At higher coverages, monolayer formation proceeds similarly on the unreconstructed surface, leading to surface pitting. Formation of the analogous adatom/vacancy-pair bound dissociated adsorbate complex on exposure of the clean unreconstructed surface to methanethiol is shown to be endothermic, however.     

Electrochemistry of redox-active self-assembled monolayers

Redox-active self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide an excellent platform for investigating electron transfer kinetics. Using a well-defined bridge, a redox center can be positioned at a fixed distance from the electrode and electron transfer kinetics probed using a variety of electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry, AC voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry are most commonly used to determine the rate of electron transfer of redox-activated SAMs. A variety of redox species have been attached to SAMs, and include transition metal complexes (e.g., ferrocene, ruthenium pentaammine, osmium bisbipyridine, metal clusters) and organic molecules (e.g., galvinol, C₆₀). SAMs offer an ideal environment to study the outer-sphere interactions of redox species. The composition and integrity of the monolayer and the electrode material influence the electron transfer kinetics and can be investigated using electrochemical methods. Theoretical models have been developed for investigating SAM structure. This review discusses methods and monolayer compositions for electrochemical measurements of redox-active SAMs.     

Fabrication of self-assembled monolayers exhibiting a thiol-terminated surface

We compare two different strategies for fabricating self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) exhibiting a thiol-terminated organic surface, which recently has attracted considerable interest with regard to the binding of metal, and in particular gold particles, to these organic surfaces. Results obtained by IR spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveal that the straightforward approach, namely, using the corresponding organodithiols, typically leads to the formation of disordered, ill-defined surfaces. We demonstrate that high-quality organothiolate adlayers exhibiting an SH-terminated surface can be prepared using dithiols where one of the thiol groups is protected by a thioester group. After formation of the organothiolate adlayer, the protecting group can be removed by immersion into NaOH solution. IR spectra recorded for the deprotected organothiolate adlayer reveal the presence of a highly oriented organothiolate adlayer.     

Langmuir monolayers of the long-chain alkyl derivatives of a nucleoside analogue and the formation of self-assembled nanoparticles

The long-chain alkyl derivatives of a nucleoside analogue-acyclovir were prepared in the paper. One is stearyl-glycero-succinyl-acyclovir (SGSA) with a single 18-carbon length (C18) alkyl chain. Another is dioctadecyl-aspartate-succinyl-acyclovir (DASA) with double C18 alkyl chains. They were prepared by the esterification of succinyl-acyclovir with the lipids, and sodium salts of them were also prepared. Guanine moieties and alkyl moieties bring the derivatives intermolecular hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction in water separately. The forces are influenced by the number of alkyl chains and the charged state, and determine the solubility and the self-assembly behavior of the derivatives. The double alkyl-chain derivatives (DASA and DASA-Na) formed rigid Langmuir monolayers on air/water surface, while the single alkyl chain derivatives (SGSA and SGSA-Na) did not. However, cholesterol (Chol) could assist SGSA to form rigid monolayers through inserting into the alkyl chains of SGSA to mimic the second alkyl chain. SGSA self-aggregates in water were prepared by the injection method with tetrahydrofuran as solvent. Cuboid-like shape and nanoscale size demonstrated that SGSA self-aggregates were self-assembled nanoparticles. Shape, particle size, zeta potential and phase transition of the nanoparticles were characterized. And they showed an average size of 83.2 nm, a negative surface charge of -31.3-mV zeta potential and a gel-liquid crystalline phase transition of 50.38 degrees C. The formation mechanism of self-assembled nanoparticles was analyzed. Hydrophobic interaction of alkyl chains improves SGSA molecules to form bilayers, and then cuboid-like nanoparticles were obtained by layer-by-layer aggregation based on inter-bilayers hydrogen bonding. However, the charged guanine moieties make SGSA-Na lose the function of hydrogen bonding so that SGSA-Na only forms vesicles in water based on hydrophobic interaction. Strong hydrophobicity and wide-open rigid double alkyl chains of DASA and DASA-Na restrict self-assembly in water media, and no homogeneous suspensions were obtained. Therefore, the molecular self-assembly behavior of the long-chain alkyl derivatives of nucleoside analogues on water surface or in water media is determined by the number of alkyl chains and the charged state.     

Superhydrophobic effects of self-assembled monolayers on micropatterned surfaces: 3-D arrays mimicking the lotus leaf

The contact angle of water has been measured on a series of self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on thermally evaporated and sputter coated silver surfaces. It is found that micropatterning the surface using nanosphere lithography leads to large increases in the contact angle and generates superhydrophobic surfaces with contact angles >150 degrees. The type of functional groups on the SAMs, the metal island size, and the metal island thickness all contribute to the measured contact angle. The maximum contact angle found was 161 degrees for a fluorinated alkanethiol on 80 nm thick silver islands.     

In situ electrodeposited nanoparticles for facilitating electron transfer across self-assembled monolayers in biosensor design

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized in situ and electrodeposited onto Au substrate. The AuNPs modified interface facilitates electron transfer across self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA). After activation of surface carboxyl groups with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide, the interface displayed good stability for immobilization of biomolecules. These modification processes were characterized by contact angle measurement, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectra. The immobilized acetylcholinesterase (AChE), as a model, showed excellent activity to its substrate, leading to a stable AChE biosensor. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the inhibition of malathion on AChE biosensor was proportional to its concentration in two ranges, from 0.001 to 0.1 μg mL⁻¹ and from 0.1 to 25 μg mL⁻¹, with detection limit of 0.001 μg mL⁻¹. The simple method showed good reproducibility and acceptable stability, which had potential application in biosensor design.