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Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2017) | Viewed by 78681

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Dong-Wook Han

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Guest Editor

Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, College of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Interests: nanobiomaterials; tissue engineering; regenerative medicine; 3D bioprinting; cells/tissues/organs-on-chips; medical devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Wojciech Chrzanowski

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Guest Editor

Australian Institute of Nanoscale Science and Technology (Health and Medicine Theme Leader), Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Pharmacy and Bank Building A15, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Interests: nanomedicine; biointefaces; nanomaterials; nanocharacterisation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last decade, various nanomaterials (NMs) have attracted tremendous attention with the incredible development in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Some NMs are explored increasingly for biomedical applications including drug delivery carriers, imaging probes, antimicrobial agents, biosensors and tissue engineering scaffolds. However, the in vitro and in vivo toxicities of NMs related to oxidative stress are the main obstacles to use them in biomedical fields. One of the most promising strategies to address these obstacles is functionalizing NMs with biocompatible molecules or materials.

In this Special Issue, we are especially interested in manuscripts that advance the understanding of the interaction of NMs with cells, tissues, organs and systems as well as the relationship between intrinsic property and biocompatibility of NMs. This Special Issue invites manuscripts ranging from understanding all toxicological aspects, such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, hemotoxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, histotoxicity and systemic toxicity of NMs. Manuscripts that focus on specific approaches and strategies to modify NMs with biofunctional moieties are also invited.

Prof. Dr. Dong-Wook Han
Dr. Wojciech Chrzanowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

biomedical applications,
nanotoxicity,
cell-nanomaterial interactions,
biocompatibility,
nanomaterial functionalization

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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4538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functionalized ZnO Nanoparticles with Gallic Acid for Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity against Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus

by Joomin Lee, Kyong-Hoon Choi, Jeeeun Min, Ho-Joong Kim, Jun-Pil Jee and Bong Joo Park

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(11), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7110365 - 02 Nov 2017

Cited by 51 | Viewed by 4992

Abstract

In this study, we report a new multifunctional nanoparticle with antioxidative and antibacterial activities in vitro. ZnO@GA nanoparticles were fabricated by coordinated covalent bonding of the antioxidant gallic acid (GA) on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. This addition imparts both antioxidant activity and high affinity for the bacterial cell membrane. Antioxidative activities at various concentrations were evaluated using a 2,2′-azino-bis(ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging method. Antibacterial activities were evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus: S. aureus), including several strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The functionalized ZnO@GA nanoparticles showed good antioxidative activity (69.71%), and the bactericidal activity of these nanoparticles was also increased compared to that of non-functionalized ZnO nanoparticles, with particularly effective inhibition and high selectivity for MRSA strains. The results indicate that multifunctional ZnO nanoparticles conjugated to GA molecules via a simple surface modification process displaying both antioxidant and antibacterial activity, suggesting a possibility to use it as an antibacterial agent for removing MRSA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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6120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of MC3T3 Cells Proliferation and Drug Release Study from Sodium Hyaluronate-1,4-butanediol Diglycidyl Ether Patterned Gel

by Sumi Bang, Dipankar Das, Jiyun Yu and Insup Noh

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(10), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7100328 - 14 Oct 2017

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5981

Abstract

A pattern gel has been fabricated using sodium hyaluronate (HA) and 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDGE) through the micro-molding technique. The cellular behavior of osteoblast cells (MC3T3) in the presence and absence of dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) and sodium borate (NaB) in the pattern gel (HA-BDDGE) has been evaluated for its potential application in bone regeneration. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results implied the crosslinking reaction between HA and BDDGE. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the formation of pattern on the surface of HA-BDDGE. The gel property of the crosslinked HA-BDDGE has been investigated by swelling study in distilled water at 37 °C. The HA-BDDGE gel releases DMOG in a controlled way for up to seven days in water at 37 °C. The synthesized gel is biocompatible and the bolus drug delivery results indicated that the DMOG containing patterned gel demonstrates a better cell migration ability on the surface than NaB. For local delivery, the pattern gel with 300 µM NaB or 300 µM DMOG induced cell clusters formation, and the gel with 150 µM NaB/DMOG showed high cell proliferation capability only. The vital role of NaB for bone regeneration has been endorsed from the formation of cell clusters in presence of NaB in the media. The in vitro results indicated that the pattern gel showed angiogenic and osteogenic responses with good ALP activity and enhanced HIF-1α, and Runx2 levels in the presence of DMOG and NaB in MC3T3 cells. Hence, the HA-BDDGE gel could be used in bone regeneration application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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3966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Room Temperature Tunable Multiferroic Properties in Sol-Gel-Derived Nanocrystalline Sr(Ti_1−xFe_x)O_3−δ Thin Films

by Yi-Guang Wang, Xin-Gui Tang, Qiu-Xiang Liu, Yan-Ping Jiang and Li-Li Jiang

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(9), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7090264 - 08 Sep 2017

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4324

Abstract

Sr(Ti_1−xFe_x)O_3−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) thin films were grown on Si(100) substrates with LaNiO₃ buffer-layer by a sol-gel process. Influence of Fe substitution concentration on the structural, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties, as well as the leakage current behaviors of the Sr(Ti_1−xFe_x)O_3−δ thin films, were investigated by using the X-ray diffractometer (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), the ferroelectric test system, and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). After substituting a small amount of Ti ion with Fe, highly enhanced ferroelectric properties were obtained successfully in SrTi_0.9Ti_0.1O_3−δ thin films, with a double remanent polarization (2P_r) of 1.56, 1.95, and 9.14 μC·cm⁻², respectively, for the samples were annealed in air, oxygen, and nitrogen atmospheres. The leakage current densities of the Fe-doped SrTiO₃ thin films are about 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁵ A·cm⁻² at an applied electric field of 100 kV·cm⁻¹, and the conduction mechanism of the thin film capacitors with various Fe concentrations has been analyzed. The ferromagnetic properties of the Sr(Ti_1−xFe_x)O_3−δ thin films have been investigated, which can be correlated to the mixed valence ions and the effects of the grain boundary. The present results revealed the multiferroic nature of the Sr(Ti_1−xFe_x)O_3−δ thin films. The effect of the annealing environment on the room temperature magnetic and ferroelectric properties of Sr(Ti_0.9Fe_0.1)O_3−δ thin films were also discussed in detail. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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8616 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Silica Nanoparticles on Apoptosis and Autophagy of Glioblastoma Cell Lines

by Rafał Krętowski, Magdalena Kusaczuk, Monika Naumowicz, Joanna Kotyńska, Beata Szynaka and Marzanna Cechowska-Pasko

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(8), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7080230 - 21 Aug 2017

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 7526

Abstract

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are one of the most commonly used nanomaterials in various medical applications. However, possible mechanisms of the toxicity caused by SiNPs remain unclear. The study presented here provides novel information on molecular and cellular effects of SiNPs in glioblastoma LBC3 and LN-18 cells. It has been demonstrated that SiNPs of 7 nm, 5–15 nm and 10–20 nm induce time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in LBC3 and LN-18 cell lines. In contrast to glioblastoma cells, we observed only weak reduction in viability of normal skin fibroblasts treated with SiNPs. Furthermore, in LBC3 cells treated with 5–15 nm SiNPs we noticed induction of apoptosis and necrosis, while in LN-18 cells only necrosis. The 5–15 nm SiNPs were also found to cause oxidative stress, a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential, and changes in the ultrastructure of the mitochondria in LBC3 cells. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that in LBC3 cells the mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic genes Bim, Bax, Puma, and Noxa were significantly upregulated. An increase in activity of caspase-9 in these cells was also observed. Moreover, the activation of SiNP-induced autophagy was demonstrated in LBC3 cells as shown by an increase in LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, the upregulation of Atg5 gene and an increase in AVOs-positive cells. In conclusion, this research provides novel information concerning molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and autophagy in LBC3 cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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5252 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Two-in-One Biointerfaces—Antimicrobial and Bioactive Nanoporous Gallium Titanate Layers for Titanium Implants

by Seiji Yamaguchi, Shekhar Nath, Yoko Sugawara, Kamini Divakarla, Theerthankar Das, Jim Manos, Wojciech Chrzanowski, Tomiharu Matsushita and Tadashi Kokubo

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(8), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7080229 - 20 Aug 2017

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 5961

Abstract

The inhibitory effect of gallium (Ga) ions on bone resorption and their superior microbial activity are attractive and sought-after features for the vast majority of implantable devices, in particular for implants used for hard tissue. In our work, for the first time, Ga ions were successfully incorporated into the surface of titanium metal (Ti) by simple and cost-effective chemical and heat treatments. Ti samples were initially treated in NaOH solution to produce a nanostructured sodium hydrogen titanate layer approximately 1 μm thick. When the metal was subsequently soaked in a mixed solution of CaCl₂ and GaCl₃, its Na ions were replaced with Ca and Ga ions in a Ga/Ca ratio range of 0.09 to 2.33. 8.0% of the Ga ions were incorporated into the metal surface when the metal was soaked in a single solution of GaCl₃ after the NaOH treatment. The metal was then heat-treated at 600 °C to form Ga-containing calcium titanate (Ga–CT) or gallium titanate (GT), anatase and rutile on its surface. The metal with Ga–CT formed bone-like apatite in a simulated body fluid (SBF) within 3 days, but released only 0.23 ppm of the Ga ions in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) over a period of 14 days. In contrast, Ti with GT did not form apatite in SBF, but released 2.96 ppm of Ga ions in PBS. Subsequent soaking in hot water at 80 °C dramatically enhanced apatite formation of the metal by increasing the release of Ga ions up to 3.75 ppm. The treated metal exhibited very high antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB12). Unlike other antimicrobial coating on titanium implants, Ga–CT and GT interfaces were shown to have a unique combination of antimicrobial and bioactive properties. Such dual activity is essential for the next generation of orthopaedic and dental implants. The goal of combining both functions without inducing cytotoxicity is a major advance and has far reaching translational perspectives. This unique dual-function biointerfaces will inhibit bone resorption and show antimicrobial activity through the release of Ga ions, while tight bonding to the bone will be achieved through the apatite formed on the surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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3083 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Toxicity and T₂-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Potentials of Holmium Oxide Nanoparticles

by Timur Sh. Atabaev, Yong Cheol Shin, Su-Jin Song, Dong-Wook Han and Nguyen Hoa Hong

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(8), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7080216 - 07 Aug 2017

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4898

Abstract

In recent years, paramagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This paper reports the fabrication and toxicity evaluation of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-functionalized holmium oxide (Ho₂O₃) NPs for potential T₂-weighted MRI applications. Various characterization techniques were used to examine the morphology, structure and chemical properties of the prepared PEG–Ho₂O₃ NPs. MRI relaxivity measurements revealed that PEG–Ho₂O₃ NPs could generate a strong negative contrast in T₂-weighted MRI. The pilot cytotoxicity experiments showed that the prepared PEG–Ho₂O₃ NPs are biocompatible at concentrations less than 16 μg/mL. Overall, the prepared PEG–Ho₂O₃ NPs have potential applications for T₂-weighted MRI imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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2734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antioxidant Potential and Antibacterial Efficiency of Caffeic Acid-Functionalized ZnO Nanoparticles

by Kyong-Hoon Choi, Ki Chang Nam, Sang-Yoon Lee, Guangsup Cho, Jin-Seung Jung, Ho-Joong Kim and Bong Joo Park

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(6), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7060148 - 16 Jun 2017

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6223

Abstract

We report a novel zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle with antioxidant properties, prepared by immobilizing the antioxidant 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid (caffeic acid, CA) on the surfaces of micro-dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma-treated ZnO nanoparticles. The microstructure and physical properties of ZnO@CA nanoparticles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy, and steady state spectroscopic methods. The antioxidant activity of ZnO@CA nanoparticles was evaluated using an ABTS (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolorization assay. ZnO@CA nanoparticles exhibited robust antioxidant activity. Moreover, ZnO@CA nanoparticles showed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) including resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus and against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). Although Gram-negative bacteria appeared to be more resistant to ZnO@CA nanoparticles than Gram-positive bacteria, the antibacterial activity of ZnO@CA nanoparticles was dependent on particle concentration. The antioxidant and antibacterial activity of ZnO@CA may be useful for various biomedical and nanoindustrial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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3930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Photodynamic Therapy with Multifunctional Cobalt Magnetic Nanoparticles

by Kyong-Hoon Choi, Ki Chang Nam, Un-Ho Kim, Guangsup Cho, Jin-Seung Jung and Bong Joo Park

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(6), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7060144 - 10 Jun 2017

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5019

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been adopted as a minimally invasive approach for the localized treatment of superficial tumors, representing an improvement in the care of cancer patients. To improve the efficacy of PDT, it is important to first select an optimized nanocarrier and determine the influence of light parameters on the photosensitizing agent. In particular, much more knowledge concerning the importance of fluence and exposure time is required to gain a better understanding of the photodynamic efficacy. In the present study, we synthesized novel folic acid-(FA) and hematoporphyrin (HP)-conjugated multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe₂O₄-HPs-FAs), which were characterized as effective anticancer reagents for PDT, and evaluated the influence of incubation time and light exposure time on the photodynamic anticancer activities of CoFe₂O₄-HPs-FAs in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 cells). The results indicated that the same fluence at different exposure times resulted in changes in the anticancer activities on PC-3 cells as well as in reactive oxygen species formation. In addition, an increase of the fluence showed an improvement for cell photo-inactivation. Therefore, we have established optimized conditions for new multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles with direct application for improving PDT for cancer patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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4109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cellular Response to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cells is Dependent on Endocytosis-Associated Structures and Mediated by EGFR

by Kristin Krüger, Katrin Schrader and Martin Klempt

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7040079 - 07 Apr 2017

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7311

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most applied nanomaterials and widely used in food and non-food industries as an additive or coating material (E171). It has been shown that E171 contains up to 37% particles which are smaller than 100 nm and that TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) induce cytotoxicity and inflammation. Using a nuclear factor Kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) reporter cell line (Caco-2^nfkb-RE), Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and inhibition of dynamin and clathrin, it was shown that cellular responses induced by 5 nm and 10 nm TiO₂ NPs (nominal size) depends on endocytic processes. As endocytosis is often dependent on the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), further investigations focused on the involvement of EGFR in the uptake of TiO₂ NPs: (1) inhibition of EGFR reduced inflammatory markers of the cell (i.e., nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity, mRNA of IL8, CCL20, and CXCL10); and (2) exposure of Caco-2 cells to TiO₂ NPs activated the intracellular EGFR cascade beginning with EGFR-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, and including transcription factor ELK1. This was followed by the expression of ERK1/2 target genes CCL2 and CXCL3. We concluded that TiO₂ NPs enter the cell via EGFR-associated endocytosis, followed by activation of the EGFR/ERK/ELK signaling pathway, which finally induces NF-κB. No changes in inflammatory response are observed in Caco-2 cells exposed to 32 nm and 490 nm TiO₂ particles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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2359 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eu, Gd-Codoped Yttria Nanoprobes for Optical and T₁-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

by Timur Sh Atabaev, Jong Ho Lee, Yong Cheol Shin, Dong-Wook Han, Ki Seok Choo, Ung Bae Jeon, Jae Yeon Hwang, Jeong A. Yeom, Hyung-Kook Kim and Yoon-Hwae Hwang

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7020035 - 10 Feb 2017

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4219

Abstract

Nanoprobes with multimodal functionality have attracted significant interest recently because of their potential applications in nanomedicine. This paper reports the successful development of lanthanide-doped Y₂O₃ nanoprobes for potential applications in optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The morphology, structural, and optical properties of these nanoprobes were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and photoluminescence (PL). The cytotoxicity test showed that the prepared lanthanide-doped Y₂O₃ nanoprobes have good biocompatibility. The obvious contrast enhancement in the T₁-weighted MR images suggested that these nanoprobes can be used as a positive contrast agent in MRI. In addition, the clear fluorescence images of the L-929 cells incubated with the nanoprobes highlight their potential for optical imaging. Overall, these results suggest that prepared lanthanide-doped Y₂O₃ nanoprobes can be used for simultaneous optical and MR imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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Review

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8782 KiB

Open AccessReview

Multifaceted Biomedical Applications of Functional Graphene Nanomaterials to Coated Substrates, Patterned Arrays and Hybrid Scaffolds

by Yong Cheol Shin, Su-Jin Song, Suck Won Hong, Seung Jo Jeong, Wojciech Chrzanowski, Jae-Chang Lee and Dong-Wook Han

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(11), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7110369 - 04 Nov 2017

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5125

Abstract

Because of recent research advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology, there has been a growing interest in functional nanomaterials for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, biosensors, bioimaging agents and drug delivery carriers. Among a great number of promising candidates, graphene and its derivatives—including graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide—have particularly attracted plenty of attention from researchers as novel nanobiomaterials. Graphene and its derivatives, two-dimensional nanomaterials, have been found to have outstanding biocompatibility and biofunctionality as well as exceptional mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and thermal stability. Therefore, tremendous studies have been devoted to employ functional graphene nanomaterials in biomedical applications. Herein, we focus on the biological potentials of functional graphene nanomaterials and summarize some of major literature concerning the multifaceted biomedical applications of functional graphene nanomaterials to coated substrates, patterned arrays and hybrid scaffolds that have been reported in recent years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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3194 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Vehicles in Cancer

by Anna Watermann and Juergen Brieger

Nanomaterials 2017, 7(7), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano7070189 - 22 Jul 2017

Cited by 312 | Viewed by 16139

Abstract

Even though cancer treatment has improved over the recent decades, still more specific and effective treatment concepts are mandatory. Surgical removal is not always possible, metastases are challenging and chemo- and radiotherapy can not only have severe side-effects but also resistances may occur. To cope with these challenges more efficient therapies with fewer side-effects are required. One promising approach is the use of drug delivery vehicles. Here, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) are discussed as biodegradable drug carrier to improve efficacy and reduce side-effects. MSN excellently fulfill the criteria for nanoparticulate carriers: their distinct structure allows high loading capacity and a plethora of surface modifications. MSN synthesis permits fine-tuning of particle and pore sizes. Moreover, drug release can be tailored through various gatekeeper systems which are for example pH-sensitive or redox-sensitive. Furthermore, MSN can either enter tumors passively by the enhanced permeability and retention effect or can be actively targeted by various ligands. PEGylation prolongs circulation time and availability. A huge advantage of MSN is their explicitly low toxic profile in vivo. Yet, clinical translation remains challenging. Overall, mesoporous silica nanoparticles are a promising tool for innovative, more efficient and safer cancer therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Toxicity and Functionalization of Nanomaterials)

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