Silica Nanoparticle-supported Lipid Bilayers Research Articles

Uptake and intracellular fate of cholera toxin subunit b-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle-supported lipid bilayers (aka protocells) in motoneurons

Cholera toxin B (CTB) modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers (CTB-protocells) are a promising, customizable approach for targeting therapeutic cargo to motoneurons. In the present study, the endocytic mechanism and intracellular fate of CTB-protocells in motoneurons were examined to provide information for the development of therapeutic application and cargo delivery. Pharmacological inhibitors elucidated CTB-protocells endocytosis to be dependent on the integrity of lipid rafts and macropinocytosis. Using immunofluorescence techniques, live confocal and transmission electron microscopy, CTB-protocells were primarily found in the cytosol, membrane lipid domains and Golgi. There was no difference in the amount of motoneuron activity dependent uptake of CTB-protocells in neuromuscular junctions, consistent with clathrin activation at the axon terminals during low frequency activity. In conclusion, CTB-protocells uptake is mediated principally by lipid rafts and macropinocytosis. Once internalized, CTB-protocells escape lysosomal degradation, and engage biological pathways that are not readily accessible by untargeted delivery methods.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers for targeted antibiotic therapeutics

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers for targeted antibiotic therapeutics

Silica nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers for gene delivery

Silica nanoparticle supported cationic lipids can effectively bind plasmid DNAs and transfect mammalian cells with an efficiency that depends on both the particle size and lipid composition; here the gene delivery and expression process has been confirmed by confocal fluorescence microscopy.