Release Of Cargo Molecules Research Articles

Graphene-tethered peptide nanosheets - A facile approach for cargo molecules in cancer

Nanoscale materials have revolutionized the field of drug delivery, offering precise control over the transport and release of cargo molecules. Here, we present a facile approach for constructing graphene-tethered peptide nanosheets as promising vehicles for cargo molecules in cancer therapy. These graphene-tethered peptide nanosheets combine the unique properties of graphene with the specificity of peptides, offering a versatile platform for targeted drug delivery. The synthesis of graphene-tethered peptide nanosheets is straightforward and scalable, making them a practical choice for clinical applications. We demonstrate the potential of graphene-tethered peptide nanosheets as efficient carriers for cargo molecules in cancer treatment, highlighting their exceptional biocompatibility, stability and tunable cargo release properties. This novel nanosheet-based approach holds great promise for improving the efficacy and precision of cancer therapeutics.

Photoresponsive Styrylpyrene-Modified MOFs for Gated Loading and Release of Cargo Molecules

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with integrated light responsiveness are highly desirable for advanced applications including sensors, gas storage and separation, and controlled delivery. Here, we ...

Direct Visualization of Vesicle Disassembly and Reassembly Using Photocleavable Dendrimers Elucidates Cargo Release Mechanisms.

Release of cargo molecules from cell-like nanocarriers can be achieved by chemical perturbations, including changes to pH and redox state and via optical modulation of membrane properties. However, little is known about the kinetics or products of vesicle breakdown due to limitations in real-time imaging at nanometer length scales. Using a library of 12 single-single type photocleavable amphiphilic Janus dendrimers, we developed a self-assembling light-responsive dendrimersome vesicle platform. A photocleavable ortho-nitrobenzyl inserted between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic dendrons of amphiphilic Janus dendrimers allowed for photocleavage and disassembly of their supramolecular assemblies. Distinct methods used to self-assemble amphiphilic Janus dendrimers produced either nanometer size small unilamellar vesicles or micron size giant multilamellar and onion-like dendrimersomes. In situ observation of giant photosensitive dendrimersomes via confocal microscopy elucidated rapid morphological transitions that accompany vesicle breakdown upon 405 nm laser illumination. Giant dendrimersomes displayed light-induced cleavage, disassembling and reassembling into much smaller vesicles at millisecond time scales. Additionally, photocleavable vesicles demonstrated rapid release of molecular and macromolecular cargos. These results guided our design of multilamellar particles to photorelease surface-attached proteins, photoinduce cargo recruitment, and photoconvert vesicle morphology. Real-time characterization of the breakdown and reassembly of lamellar structures provides insights on partial cargo retention and informs the design of versatile, optically regulated carriers for applications in nanoscience and synthetic biology.

A Responsive Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Platform for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound-Stimulated Cargo Delivery with Controllable Location, Time, and Dose.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential modality for clinical diagnosis, and MRI-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) is a powerful technology for targeted therapy. Clinical applications of MRgHIFU primarily utilize hyperthermia and ablation to treat cancerous tissue, but for drug delivery applications thermal damage is undesirable. A biofriendly MRgHIFU-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) platform that is stimulated within a physiological safe temperature range has been developed, reducing the possibility of thermal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. Biocompatible polyethylene glycol (PEG) was employed to cap the pores of MSNs, and the release of cargo molecules by HIFU occurs without substantial temperature increase (∼4 °C). To visualize by MRI and measure the stimulated delivery in situ, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved gadolinium-based contrast agent, gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd(DTPA)2-), was used as the imageable cargo. Taking advantage of the three-dimensional (3-D) imaging and targeting capabilities of MRgHIFU, the release of Gd(DTPA)2- stimulated by HIFU was pinpointed at the HIFU focal point in 3-D space in a tissue-mimicking gel phantom. The amount of Gd(DTPA)2- released was controlled by HIFU stimulation times and power levels. A positive correlation between the amount of Gd(DTPA)2- released and T1 was found. The MRgHIFU-stimulated cargo release was further imaged in a sample of ex vivo animal tissue. With this technology, the biodistribution of the nanocarriers can be tracked and the MRgHIFU-stimulated cargo release can be pinpointed, opening up an opportunity for future image-guided theranostic applications.

Remote Control of Intracellular Calcium Using Upconversion Nanotransducers Regulates Stem Cell Differentiation In Vivo

AbstractRemote control of stem cell differentiation in vivo by stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials with the use of tissue‐penetrative stimuli is an appealing strategy for versatile regulation in stem cell therapy. In this study, an upconversion nanotransducer (UCNT)‐based nanocomplex with photolabile caging of chondro‐inductive kartogenin (KGN) and/or either calcium chelator or calcium supplier (caged calcium), and subsequent coupling of integrin‐binding ligand via cyclodextrin‐adamantine supramolecular complexation is utilized. Near‐infrared (NIR)‐to‐ultraviolet light conversion by UCNT nanocomplex triggered intracellular photo‐uncaging and release of cargo molecules, thereby allowing direct regulation of real‐time intracellular calcium levels. While intracellular KGN delivery led to the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into hypertrophic chondrocytes, NIR‐regulated intracellular calcium decrease and KGN delivery induced their differentiation into chondrocytes by inhibiting hypertrophy. Conversely, intracellular calcium increase and KGN delivery promoted the differentiation of hMSCs into osteoblasts via endochondral pathway. To the best of knowledge, this is the first demonstration of utilizing NIR‐controllable nanomaterials for regulating stem cell differentiation by controlling intracellular calcium, both in vitro and in vivo. This versatile control can facilitate the translation of stem cells to remotely controlled treatment of diseases in composite tissues involving various cell types.

Dynamic Microcapsules with Rapid and Reversible Permeability Switching

AbstractDynamic microcapsules are reported that exhibit shell membranes with fast and reversible changes in permeability in response to external stimuli. A hydrophobic anhydride monomer is employed in the thiol–ene polymerization as a disguised precursor for the acid‐containing shells; this enables the direct encapsulation of aqueous cargo in the liquid core using microfluidic fabrication of water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion drops. The poly(anhydride) shells hydrolyze in their aqueous environment without further chemical treatment, yielding cross‐linked poly(acid) microcapsules that exhibit trigger‐responsive and reversible property changes. The microcapsule shell can actively be switched numerous times between impermeable and permeable due to the exceptional mechanical properties of the thiol–ene network that prevent rupture or failure of the membrane, allowing it to withstand the mechanical stresses imposed on the capsule during the dynamic property changes. The permeability and molecular weight cutoff of the microcapsules can dynamically be controlled with triggers such as pH and ionic environment. The reversibly triggered changes in permeability of the shell exhibit a response time of seconds, enabling actively adjustable release profiles, as well as on‐demand capture, trapping, and release of cargo molecules with molecular selectivity and fast on‐off rates.

Quadruple Stimuli-Responsive Mechanized Silica Nanoparticles: A Promising Multifunctional Nanomaterial for Diverse Applications.

Novel quadruple stimuli-responsive mechanized silica nanoparticles were constructed by installation of supramolecular nanovalves onto the exterior surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The release of cargo molecules is triggered by acid/Zn2+ /alkali/reduction potential stimuli. This has potential application in the development of drug delivery systems or construction of smart anticorrosion coatings.

Science and engineering of nanodiamond particle surfaces for biological applications (Review).

Diamond has outstanding bulk properties such as super hardness, chemical inertness, biocompatibility, luminescence, to name just a few. In the nanoworld, in order to exploit these outstanding bulk properties, the surfaces of nanodiamond (ND) particles must be accordingly engineered for specific applications. Modification of functional groups on the ND's surface and the corresponding electrostatic properties determine their colloidal stability in solvents, formation of photonic crystals, controlled adsorption and release of cargo molecules, conjugation with biomolecules and polymers, and cellular uptake. The optical activity of the luminescent color centers in NDs depends on their proximity to the ND's surface and surface termination. In order to engineer the ND surface, a fundamental understanding of the specific structural features and sp(3)-sp(2) phase transformations on the surface of ND particles is required. In the case of ND particles produced by detonation of carbon containing explosives (detonation ND), it should also be taken into account that its structure depends on the synthesis parameters and subsequent processing. Thus, for development of a strategy of surface modification of detonation ND, it is imperative to know details of its production. In this review, the authors discuss ND particles structure, strategies for surface modification, electrokinetic properties of NDs in suspensions, and conclude with a brief overview of the relevant bioapplications.

Trapping and release of cargo molecules from a micro-stamped mesoporous thin film controlled by Poly(NIPAAm-co-AAm).

Materials that utilize the micropatterned structure of a mesoporous silica film to successfully load and release cargo using a thermal sensitive polymer are presented in this paper. Films with pore sizes of ~2 nm and ~5 nm aligned in the pulling direction were synthesized using evaporation induced self-assembly techniques. The pores are exposed using a new method of stamping micropatterns without the use hydrofluoric acid. A well studied temperature dependent polymer (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-Acrylamide)) was grafted onto the surface of these films to act as a temperature activated gatekeeper. Below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) the polymer is erect and can block the pore openings, trapping cargo inside the pores. When the temperature is above the LCST the polymer collapses and unblocks the pores, allowing cargo to escape. The loading capacities as well as the reusability of these films were studied.

Modified silaffin R5 peptides enable encapsulation and release of cargo molecules from biomimetic silica particles

Biomimetic silica formation has attracted increasing interest over the last decade for numerous biotechnological applications due to the favorable mild reaction conditions. Inspired from silica biogenesis in diatoms, peptide variants derived from native silaffins have been used for silica formation in vitro. Here a generally applicable route for covalently linking a cargo molecule to the R5 silaffin peptide via a disulfide linkage is established. The peptide CG12AB, a peptide ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor, was chosen as model. The ability of such silaffin-cargo conjugates to encapsulate the cargo molecule during silaffin-mediated silica precipitation is demonstrated. Cargo release from silica material under different conditions was analyzed. The results obtained here provide a rational basis for developing engineered R5 silaffin peptides into efficient tools for silica precipitation as well as for entrapment and release of cargo molecules under physiological conditions.

A Tightly Regulated Molecular Motor Based upon T7 RNA Polymerase

Controlled movement of materials or molecules within the nanometer range is essential in many applications of nanotechnology. Here we report the capture, movement, and release of cargo molecules along DNA by a modified form of T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) in a manner that is controlled by the sequence of the DNA. Using single-molecule methods, we visualize the assembly and manipulation of nanodevices and the ability to harness rotary and linear forces of the RNAP motor.