pH‐Responsive Drug‐Delivery Systems

In many biomedical applications, drugs need to be delivered in response to the pH value in the body. In fact, it is desirable if the drugs can be administered in a controlled manner that precisely matches physiological needs at targeted sites and at predetermined release rates for predefined periods of time. Different organs, tissues, and cellular compartments have different pH values, which makes the pH value a suitable stimulus for controlled drug release. pH‐Responsive drug‐delivery systems have attracted more and more interest as “smart” drug‐delivery systems for overcoming the shortcomings of conventional drug formulations because they are able to deliver drugs in a controlled manner at a specific site and time, which results in high therapeutic efficacy. This focus review is not intended to offer a comprehensive review on the research devoted to pH‐responsive drug‐delivery systems; instead, it presents some recent progress obtained for pH‐responsive drug‐delivery systems and future perspectives. There are a large number of publications available on this topic, but only a selection of examples will be discussed.     

Continuous fast focusing in a trapezoidal void channel based on bidirectional isotachophoresis in a wide pH range

This study concentrates on development of instrumentation for focusing and separation of analytes in continuous flow. It is based on bidirectional ITP working in wide pH range with separation space of closed void channel of trapezoidal shape and continuous supply of sample. The novel instrumentation is working with electrolyte system formulated previously and on the contrary to devices currently available, it allows preparative separation and concentration of cationic, anionic, and amphoteric analytes simultaneously and in wide pH range. The formation of sharp edges at zone boundaries as well as low conductivity zones are avoided in suggested system and thus, local overheating is eliminated allowing for high current densities at initial stages of focusing. This results in high focusing speed and reduction of analysis time, which is particularly advantageous for separations performed in continuous flow systems. The closed void channel is designed to avoid basic obstacles related to liquid leakage, bubbles formation, contacts with electrodes, channel height and complicated assembling. The performance of designed instrumentation and focusing dynamics were tested by using colored low molecular mass pH indicators for local pH determination, focusing pattern, and completion. In addition, feasibility and separation efficiency were demonstrated by focusing of cytochrome C and myoglobin. The collection of fractions at instrument output allows for subsequent analysis and identification of sample components that are concentrated and conveniently in form of solution for further processing. Since the instrumentation operates with commercially available simple defined buffers and compounds without need of carrier ampholytes background, it is economically favorable.     

Enzyme-regulated the changes of pH values for assembling a colorimetric and multistage interconnection logic network with multiple readouts

Based on enzymatic reactions-triggered changes of pH values and biocomputing, a novel and multistage interconnection biological network with multiple easy-detectable signal outputs has been developed. Compared with traditional chemical computing, the enzyme-based biological system could overcome the interference between reactions or the incompatibility of individual computing gates and offer a unique opportunity to assemble multicomponent/multifunctional logic circuitries. Our system included four enzyme inputs: β-galactosidase (β-gal), glucose oxidase (GOx), esterase (Est) and urease (Ur). With the assistance of two signal transducers (gold nanoparticles and acid–base indicators) or pH meter, the outputs of the biological network could be conveniently read by the naked eyes. In contrast to current methods, the approach present here could realize cost-effective, label-free and colorimetric logic operations without complicated instrument. By designing a series of Boolean logic operations, we could logically make judgment of the compositions of the samples on the basis of visual output signals. Our work offered a promising paradigm for future biological computing technology and might be highly useful in future intelligent diagnostics, prodrug activation, smart drug delivery, process control, and electronic applications.     

pH值对Bi_2MoO_6晶体形貌和可见光催化性能的影响

以(NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O和Bi(NO3)3·5H2O为原料,采用普通水热法制备Bi2Mo O6光催化剂,研究p H值对制备该光催化剂的影响。对所制备的系列样品,采用X-射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、比表面积分析仪、X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)和紫外-可见漫反射(UV-Vis DRS)进行表征。结果表明:p H值对Bi2Mo O6晶体的物相组成、形貌和光催化性能均有显著影响。p H值为1~7时,所制备的样品为纯相Bi2Mo O6,p H值为9或11时,出现第二相Bi3.64Mo0.36O6.55;随着p H值的升高,形貌依次为纳米棒、纳米片和无规则纳米颗粒。在可见光(λ≥420 nm)照射下,通过光催化降解罗丹明B(Rhodamine B,Rh B),探讨了制备Bi2Mo O6的p H值对其可见光催化活性的影响。当p H=7时,制备的样品光催化效果最好,光照50 min后对初始浓度为5 mg·L-1的罗丹明B溶液的降解率为85%。     

Two near-infrared highly sensitive cyanine fluorescent probes for pH monitoring

Two near-infrared(NIR) p H-activated heptamethine indocyanine probes with quaternary ammonium unit were designed and synthesized. The absorption and emission titrations indicate that cationic structure improves the cyanine dye's aqueous solubility and these two probes exhibit highly sensitive response to p H in acid condition. Their fluorescence intensities both gradually increase about 25-fold from p H 7.60 to 3.00 with p Ka values of 4.72 and 4.45 respectively, which are suitable for studying acidic organelles in living cells. Moreover, their fluorescence intensities are linearly proportional to p H values in the range of 5.50–4.00. These results are probably attributed to the protonation of the indole nitrogen atoms, which are verified by 1H NMR spectra. Furthermore, these two probes can achieve real-time imaging of cellular p H and detection of p H in situ in living He La cells due to their excellent properties,including good reversibility, desirable photostability, high selectivity, low cytotoxicity and remarkable membrane permeability.     

带正电荷蛋白在纳米/微米草酸钙晶体上的吸附特性及其与带负电荷蛋白吸附的比较

研究尺寸分别为100 nm和3μm的一水草酸钙(COM)和二水草酸钙(COD)晶体对带正电荷的蛋白溶菌酶(LSZ)的吸附差异,并与带负电荷的蛋白牛血清白蛋白(BSA)的吸附进行了比较。LSZ在纳米/微米COM和COD晶体上的吸附都很好的拟合了Langmuir模型,属于单分子层吸附。纳米/微米COM和COD对LSZ的最大吸附量顺序为COD-100 nmCOM-100 nmCOD-3μmCOM-3μm;晶体的比表面积越大,曲率越小,晶体表面所带电荷越负,晶体结晶水越多,均导致LSZ吸附量越大。体系离子强度和p H值亦影响LSZ的吸附。随着Na Cl浓度增加,LSZ的吸附量减小,说明Na+离子能与带正电荷的蛋白LSZ竞争晶体表面的吸附位点,导致晶体表面吸附LSZ的位点减少。晶体对LSZ的最大吸附量都出现在LSZ的等电点附近(p H=10.7);在p H=5~8(生理条件)时,LSZ的吸附量随p H值的增大而增大。本文结果提示,通过减小尿液的p H值或者适当增大尿液的离子强度,可以减小LSZ在尿微晶上的吸附量,有可能达到抑制草酸钙结石的效果。     

‘Pourbaix sensors’: fluorescent molecular logic gates for pE and pH

Abstract

From the cross-fertilisation of fluorescent pH indicators and fluorescent redox switches, our group has established a new class of molecular sensor that operates as two-input molecular logic gates. These molecular sensors, known as ‘Pourbaix sensors’, are named in honour of Marcel Pourbaix, who developed the pH–potential diagrams for the various states of metal ion species in aqueous solution. This review highlights the evolution of ‘Pourbaix sensors’ based on anthracene and naphthalimide fluorophores. Potential applications of this class of molecule in fields such as corrosion science, cell biology and biomedical diagnostics are highlighted.     

Controlled Release of Hepatocyte Growth Factor from MPEG‐b‐(PCL‐ran‐PLLA) Diblock Copolymer for Improved Vocal Fold Regeneration

An in situ‐forming gel system comprised of diblock copolymer formed from polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) {MPEG‐b‐(PCL‐ran‐PLLA)} could be used in controlled drug delivery for tissue remodeling. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate favorable vocal folds (VF) regeneration by using MPEG‐b‐(PCL‐ran‐PLLA) diblock copolymers (C97L3; CL/LA ratio 97:3) incorporating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Gradual release of HGF from C97L3 is detected and biochemical properties of released HGF are maintained. A scar is made with microscissors on both VFs in 32 rabbits, followed by injection of HGF‐only, C97L3‐only, or HGF‐C97L3 composite gel in the left side VF, while the right side VF is left untreated. In vivo fluorescence live imaging system demonstrates that C97L3 enables the sustained release of injected HGF in the scarred VF for 12 weeks. The histological analysis shows increased glycosaminoglycan including hyaluronic acid accumulation and decreased collagen deposition. Videokymographic analysis shows more favorable vibrations of HGF‐C97L3 treated VF mucosa, compared to other treatment groups. In conclusion, the controlled HGF release helps to regulate extracellular matrix synthesis, and leads to the eventual functional improvement of the scarred VF.