Abstract
Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are naturally occurring tubular clay particles which have emerged in recent years as a promising nanomaterial for numerous applications. Specifically, HNTs’ large pore volume and high specific surface area in combination with their biocompatibility make them ideal nanocarriers for bioactive compounds. This research aims to design and synthesize functionalized HNTs, which could selectively bind to target bacterial cells in suspension. Such a system can allow us to treat target cells within a challenging heterogeneous population, such as contaminated ecosystems or gut flora. HNTs functionalization is achieved by immobilizing specific antibodies onto the nanotube surface. The synthetic route is realized by the following subsequent steps: acidic etching of the HNTs, silanization of reactive surface hydroxyls, conjugation of protein A, and oriented immobilization of the antibody. HNT functionalization is studied by a set of analytical techniques including attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as fluorescence microscopy. The selective binding of the functionalized HNTs to their target bacteria is observed upon incubation with live homogenous and heterogeneous cultures using fluorescence microscopy and high-throughput flow cytometry. Plate count and live/dead staining experiments demonstrate the biocompatibility of the antibody-HNT hybrid with its target bacteria. The suggested HNT-based smart carrier constitutes a generic platform for targeted delivery that could be selectively tailored against any microorganism by facile antibody adjustment.
Highlights
In the mid of the persistent pursuit for novel nanomaterials with biomedical applications, Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have gained much interest in recent years.[1]
Surface modification of HNTs: background and details; characterization of the different synthetic steps followed for the oriented immobilization of the antibody onto the HNTs; thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA); Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) energydispersive X-ray (EDX) measurement of etched HNTs; flow chart for the analytical procedure of high-throughput flow cytometry analysis; and high-throughput flow cytometry measurements (PDF)
Oriented immobilization is realized through interaction of the antibody with protein A (PA) conjugated to carboxylated HNTs via a facile two-step EDC/ sulfo-NHS reaction
Summary
In the mid of the persistent pursuit for novel nanomaterials with biomedical applications, Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have gained much interest in recent years.[1]. The unique ability of HNTs (pristine and hydrophobized) to form oil−water Pickering emulsions was harnessed for marine bioremediation by physically attracting and stimulating the viability of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria.[33,34]
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