Internalization Of Nanomaterials Research Articles

Rational design of ROS scavenging and fluorescent gold nanoparticles to deliver siRNA to improve plant resistance to Pseudomonas syringae

Bacterial diseases are one of the most common issues that result in crop loss worldwide, and the increasing usage of chemical pesticides has caused the occurrence of resistance in pathogenic bacteria and environmental pollution problems. Nanomaterial mediated gene silencing is starting to display powerful efficiency and environmental friendliness for improving plant disease resistance. However, the internalization of nanomaterials and the physiological mechanisms behind nano-improved plant disease resistance are still rarely understood. We engineered the polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized gold nanoparticles (PEI-AuNPs) with fluorescent properties and ROS scavenging activity to act as siRNA delivery platforms. Besides the loading, protection, and delivery of nucleic acid molecules in plant mature leaf cells by PEI-AuNPs, its fluorescent property further enables the traceability of the distribution of the loaded nucleic acid molecules in cells. Additionally, the PEI-AuNPs-based RNAi delivery system successfully mediated the silencing of defense-regulated gene AtWRKY1. Compared to control plants, the silenced plants performed better resistance to Pseudomonas syringae, showing a reduced bacterial number, decreased ROS content, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and improved chlorophyll fluorescence performance. Our results showed the advantages of AuNP-based RNAi technology in improving plant disease resistance, as well as the potential of plant nanobiotechnology to protect agricultural production.

Imaging tools for plant nanobiotechnology.

The successful application of nanobiotechnology in biomedicine has greatly changed the traditional way of diagnosis and treating of disease, and is promising for revolutionizing the traditional plant nanobiotechnology. Over the past few years, nanobiotechnology has increasingly expanded into plant research area. Nanomaterials can be designed as vectors for targeted delivery and controlled release of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, nucleotides, proteins, etc. Interestingly, nanomaterials with unique physical and chemical properties can directly affect plant growth and development; improve plant resistance to disease and stress; design as sensors in plant biology; and even be used for plant genetic engineering. Similarly, there have been concerns about the potential biological toxicity of nanomaterials. Selecting appropriate characterization methods will help understand how nanomaterials interact with plants and promote advances in plant nanobiotechnology. However, there are relatively few reviews of tools for characterizing nanomaterials in plant nanobiotechnology. In this review, we present relevant imaging tools that have been used in plant nanobiotechnology to monitor nanomaterial migration, interaction with and internalization into plants at three-dimensional lengths. Including: 1) Migration of nanomaterial into plant organs 2) Penetration of nanomaterial into plant tissues (iii)Internalization of nanomaterials by plant cells and interactions with plant subcellular structures. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of current characterization tools and propose future optimal characterization methods for plant nanobiotechnology.

Functionalized Silver and Gold Nanomaterials with Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications.

The functionalization of nanomaterials with suitable capping ligands or bioactive agents is an interesting strategy in designing nanosystems with suitable applicability and biocompatibility; the physicochemical and biological properties of these nanomaterials can be highly improved for biomedical applications. In this context, numerous explorations have been conducted in the functionalization of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanomaterials using suitable functional groups or agents to design nanosystems with unique physicochemical properties such as excellent biosensing capabilities, biocompatibility, targeting features, and multifunctionality for biomedical purposes. Future studies should be undertaken for designing novel functionalization tactics to improve the properties of Au- and Ag-based nanosystems and reduce their toxicity. The possible release of cytotoxic radicals or ions, the internalization of nanomaterials, the alteration of cellular signaling pathways, the translocation of these nanomaterials across the cell membranes into mitochondria, DNA damages, and the damage of cell membranes are the main causes of their toxicity, which ought to be comprehensively explored. In this study, recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of functionalized Au and Ag nanomaterials are deliberated, focusing on important challenges and future directions.

Recent Advances in Plant Nanoscience.

Plants have complex internal signaling pathways to quickly adjust to environmental changes and harvest energy from the environment. Facing the growing population, there is an urgent need for plant transformation and precise monitoring of plant growth to improve crop yields. Nanotechnology, an interdisciplinary research field, has recently been boosting plant yields and meeting global energy needs. In this context, a new field, “plant nanoscience,” which describes the interaction between plants and nanotechnology, emerges as the times require. Nanosensors, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nano‐plant genetic engineering are of great help in increasing crop yields. Nanogenerators are helping to develop the potential of plants in the field of energy harvesting. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization of nanomaterials in plants and the possible effects are also worthy of attention. In this review, a forward‐looking perspective on the plant nanoscience is presented and feasible solutions for future food shortages and energy crises are provided.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Seed Priming Improves Germination, Growth, Yield, and Quality of Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) at multi-locations in Texas

Seed priming uses treatments to improve seed germination and thus potentially increase growth and yield. Low-cost, environmentally friendly, effective seed treatment remain to be optimized and tested for high-value specialty crop like watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in multi-locations. This remains a particularly acute problem for triploids, which produce desirable seedless watermelons, but show low germination rates. In the present study, turmeric oil nanoemulsions (TNE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from agro-industrial byproducts were used as nanopriming agents for diploid (Riverside) and triploid (Maxima) watermelon seeds. Internalization of nanomaterials was confirmed by neutron activation analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The seedling emergence rate at 14 days after sowing was significantly higher in AgNP-treated triploid seeds compared to other treatments. Soluble sugar (glucose and fructose) contents were enhanced during germination in the AgNP-treated seeds at 96 h. Seedlings grown in the greenhouse were transplanted at four locations in Texas: Edinburg, Pecos, Grapeland, and Snook in 2017. At Snook, higher yield 31.6% and 35.6% compared to control were observed in AgNP-treated Riverside and Maxima watermelons, respectively. To validate the first-year results, treated and untreated seeds of both cultivars were sown in Weslaco, Texas in 2018. While seed emegence and stand establishments were enhanced by seed priming, total phenolics radical-scavenging activities, and macro- and microelements in the watermelon fruits were not significantly different from the control. The results of the present study demonstracted that seed priming with AgNPs can enhance seed germination, growth, and yield while maintaining fruit quality through an eco-friendly and sustainable nanotechnological approach.

Influence of 3-Hydroxyflavone on Colloidal Stability and Internationalization of Ag Nanomaterials Into THP-1 Macrophages.

Polyphenols as typical food components can influence the colloidal properties and internalization of nanomaterials (NMs) into mammalian cells. Recently, we found that 3-hydroxyflavone (H3) promoted intracellular Zn ions in ZnO nanoparticle (NP) exposed Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. However, it is unclear if H3 could affect the internalization of metal-based NMs with different morphologies. This study investigated the influence of H3 on colloidal aspects of Ag NPs and Ag nanoflakes (NFs) as well as the internalization of Ag NMs into THP-1 macrophages. 3-Hydroxyflavone at 50 μM promoted the solubility and altered hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index, and ζ potential of Ag NPs and Ag NFs, which indicated that H3 could affect the colloidal stability of Ag NMs. Only H3 but not Ag NMs significantly decreased mitochondrial activities of THP-1 macrophages. The internalization of Ag NMs was markedly increased due to the presence of H3. 3-Hydroxyflavone also exhibited antioxidative properties as it reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and promoted the activities of ABC transporters as it reduced retention of Calcein in Ag NM-exposed THP-1 macrophages. We concluded that H3 promoted the internalization of Ag NMs into macrophages probably by altering the colloidal stability of Ag NMs and consequently NM-macrophage interactions.

Mechanisms of Uptake and Translocation of Nanomaterials in the Lung.

Nanomaterials are invading our environment due to their increasing use in a very broad range of sectors making human exposure foreseeable during the life cycle of these materials. Inhalation is one of the most frequent routes of exposure in case of unintentional exposure and the small size of nanomaterials allows them to reach the deep lung. Understanding the fate and effects of nanomaterials is a great challenge for scientists as they exhibit a huge physico-chemical diversity that drives their biological reactivity. It is critical to determine the fate of nanomaterials at their route of entry in the organism as this will determine their local and/or systemic effects. In this review we will describe the epithelial barriers and the clearance processes of the respiratory tract. The mechanisms involved in the internalization of nanomaterials by respiratory cells and their ability to cross the epithelial barrier will be presented, highlighting methodologies and the role of the nanomaterial physico-chemical properties.

Dark field transmission electron microscopy as a tool for identifying inorganic nanoparticles in biological matrices.

Dark field transmission electron microscopy has been applied herein to visualize the interactions of inorganic nanomaterials with biological systems. This new application of a known technique addresses a deficiency in status quo visualization techniques. High resolution and low noise images can be acquired to locate and identify crystalline nanoparticles in complex biological matrices. Moreover, through the composition of multiple images taken at different angular beam tilts, it is possible to image a majority of nanoparticles present at a site in dark field mode. This facilitates clarity regarding the internalization of nanomaterials in cellular systems. In addition, comparing dark field images recorded at different angular tilts yields insight into the character of nanoparticle faceting.