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Nanoparticles in Theranostics

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2015) | Viewed by 100413

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Prof. Dr. Subramanian Tamil Selvan

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemistry, Myongji University, Yongin 449-728, Republic of Korea
Interests: nanoparticles; quantum dots; multifunctional nanoparticles; bioimaging; biosensing; drug delivery; neurodegenerative nanomedicine; batteries; solar cells
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Prof. Dr. Wolfgang J. Parak

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Fachbereich Physik, Philipps Universität Marburg, Renthof 7, 35037 Marburg, Germany
Interests: nanoparticles; colloids and surfaces; surface functionalisation; synthesis methods; spectroscopy; cellular uptake; imaging; sensing; drug delivery; nanomedicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Pablo Del Pino

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Laboratory of Biofunctional Nanomaterials, CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramon 182, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Theranostics is a new term which combines therapy and diagnostics. Theranostic nanomedicine is an emerging paradigm, involving the use of nanoparticles or other nanomaterials for diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutic applications. In recent years, much research efforts have been devoted toward the goal of developing different nanoplatforms for theranostic nanomedicine applications. Both polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles have been thoroughly enjoying their uses in the area of biological imaging and therapy.

This Special Issue focuses on the use of emerging polymeric nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles (quantum dots, magnetic, upconversion and other graphene nanoparticles) in theranostics applications.

Prof. Dr. Subramanian Tamil Selvan
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang J. Parak
Dr. Pablo del Pino
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nanoparticles
quantum dots
upconversion nanoparticles
magnetic nanoparticles
polymeric nanoparticles
imaging
therapy
theranostics

Published Papers (12 papers)

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1862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Cisplatin and Phthalocyanine for Combination Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy in vitro

by Juan L. Vivero-Escoto and Maram Elnagheeb

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(4), 2302-2316; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5042302 - 16 Dec 2015

Cited by 53 | Viewed by 7715

Abstract

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been synthesized and loaded with both aluminum chloride phthalocyanine (AlClPc) and cisplatin as combinatorial therapeutics for treating cancer. The structural and photophysical properties of the MSN materials were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity were evaluated in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assays, respectively. The CLSM experiments showed that the MSN materials can be readily internalized in HeLa cells. The cytotoxic experiments demonstrated that, after light exposure, the combination of both AlClPc and cisplatin compounds in the same MSN platform potentiate the toxic effect against HeLa cells in comparison to the control AlClPc-MSN and cisplatin-MSN materials. These results show the potential of using MSN platforms as nanocarriers for combination photodynamic and chemotherapies to treat cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with a Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotide and a Cationic Peptide: Exploring Four Different Ways of Surface Functionalization

by Frédéric Geinguenaud, Claire Banissi, Antoine F. Carpentier and Laurence Motte

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(4), 1588-1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5041588 - 29 Sep 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 7181

Abstract

The superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have great potential in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Due to their superparamagnetic behavior, they are used clinically as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agent. Iron oxide nanoparticles are also recognized todays as smart drug-delivery systems. However, to increase their specificity, it is essential to functionalize them with a molecule that effectively targets a specific area of the body. Among the molecules that can fulfill this role, peptides are excellent candidates. Oligonucleotides are recognized as potential drugs for various diseases but suffer from poor uptake and intracellular degradation. In this work, we explore four different strategies, based on the electrostatic interactions between the different partners, to functionalize the surface of SPIONs with a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide (ODN) and a cationic peptide labeled with a fluorophore. The internalization of the nanoparticles has been evaluated in vitro on RAW 264.7 cells. Among these strategies, the “«one-step assembly»”, i.e., the direct complexation of oligonucleotides and peptides on iron oxide nanoparticles, provides the best way of coating for the internalization of the nanocomplexes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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1819 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Wettability Modification of Cyclic Olefin Polymer by Direct Femtosecond Laser Irradiation

by Bing Wang, Xincai Wang, Hongyu Zheng and Yee Cheong Lam

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(3), 1442-1453; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5031442 - 28 Aug 2015

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 7123

Abstract

The effect of laser irradiation on surface wettability of cyclic olefin polymer (COP) was investigated. Under different laser parameters, a superhydrophilic or a superhydrophobic COP surface with a water contact angle (WCA) of almost 0° or 163°, respectively, could be achieved by direct femtosecond laser irradiation. The laser power deposition rate (PDR) was found to be a key factor on the wettability of the laser-treated COP surface. The surface roughness and surface chemistry of the laser-irradiated samples were characterized by surface profilometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively; they were found to be responsible for the changes of the laser-induced surface wettability. The mechanisms involved in the laser surface wettability modification process were discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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982 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the in Vitro Uptake and Toxicity of Collagen- and Synthetic Polymer-Coated Gold Nanoparticles

by Oana T. Marisca, Karsten Kantner, Christian Pfeiffer, Qian Zhang, Beatriz Pelaz, Nicolae Leopold, Wolfgang J. Parak and Joanna Rejman

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(3), 1418-1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5031418 - 27 Aug 2015

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 6723

Abstract

We studied the physico-chemical properties (size, shape, zeta-potential), cellular internalization and toxicity of gold nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized with the most abundant mammalian protein, collagen. The properties of these gold NPs were compared to the same sized gold NPs coated with synthetic poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (PMA). Intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity were assessed in two cell lines (cervical carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells) by employing inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis and a cell viability assay based on 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), respectively. We found that the collagen-coated gold NPs exhibit lower cytotoxicity, but higher uptake levels than PMA-coated gold NPs. These results demonstrate that the surface coating of Au NPs plays a decisive role in their biocompatibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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3184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanoparticles to Deliver Gd-DTPA for MR Cancer Imaging

by Li Zhang, Tingxian Liu, Yanan Xiao, Dexin Yu and Na Zhang

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(3), 1379-1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5031379 - 20 Aug 2015

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7563

Abstract

Molecular imaging is essential to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of cancer diagnosis especially at the early stage of tumors. Recently, polyionic nanocomplexes (PICs), which are composed of polyanions and opposite polycations, have been demonstrated to be a promising strategy for biomedical applications. In this work, chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (GCHN) were developed to deliver Gd-DTPA as MRI contrast agents for tumor diagnosis. The Gd-labeled conjugates (CS-DTPA-Gd) were successfully synthesized by carbodiimide reaction, and then GCHN were prepared by ionic gelation using the obtained CS-DTPA-Gd and hyaluronic acid. The morphology of GCHN was spherical or ellipsoidal, which is observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The mean particle size and zeta potential of GCHN were 213.8 ± 2.6 nm and 19.92 ± 1.69 mV, respectively. The significant enhancement of signal intensity induced by GCHN was observed both in vitro and in vivo. Also, compared with Magnevist, GCHN was witnessed for a prolonged imaging time in the B16 tumor-bearing mice model. Furthermore, GCHN were verified as below toxic both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that GCHN could potentially be an alternative to current MRI contrast agents for tumor diagnosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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3036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conjugation of Polymer-Coated Gold Nanoparticles with Antibodies—Synthesis and Characterization

by Gamze Tan, Karsten Kantner, Qian Zhang, Mahmoud G. Soliman, Pablo Del Pino, Wolfgang J. Parak, Mehmet A. Onur, Daniel Valdeperez, Joanna Rejman and Beatriz Pelaz

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(3), 1297-1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5031297 - 07 Aug 2015

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 11092

Abstract

The synthesis of polymer-coated gold nanoparticles with high colloidal stability is described, together with appropriate characterization techniques concerning the colloidal properties of the nanoparticles. Antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticles. Antibody attachment is probed by different techniques, giving a guideline about the characterization of such conjugates. The effect of the nanoparticles on human adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is probed in terms of internalization and viability assays. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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883 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Rapid Synthesis of Calcium Phosphates: Structural Control and Application in Protein Adsorption

by Zhu-Yun Cai, Fan Peng, Yun-Peng Zi, Feng Chen and Qi-Rong Qian

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(3), 1284-1296; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5031284 - 31 Jul 2015

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7576

Abstract

Synthetic calcium phosphate (CaP)-based materials have attracted much attention in the biomedical field. In this study, we have investigated the effect of pH values on CaP nanostructures prepared using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The hierarchical nanosheet-assembled hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanostructure was prepared under weak acidic conditions (pH 5), while the HAP nanorod was prepared under neutral (pH 7) and weak alkali (pH 9) condition. However, when the pH value increases to 11, a mixed product of HAP nanorod and tri-calcium phosphate nanoparticle was obtained. The results indicated that the pH value of the initial reaction solution played an important role in the phase and structure of the CaP. Furthermore, the protein adsorption and release performance of the as-prepared CaP nanostructures were investigated by using hemoglobin (Hb) as a model protein. The sample that was prepared at pH = 11 and consisted of mixed morphologies of nanorods and nanoprisms showed a higher Hb protein adsorption capacity than the sample prepared at pH 5, which could be explained by its smaller size and dispersed structure. The results revealed the relatively high protein adsorption capacity of the as-prepared CaP nanostructures, which show promise for applications in various biomedical fields such as drug delivery and protein adsorption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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2891 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Targeting of Apoptotic Cells Using Functionalized Fe₂O₃ Nanoparticles

by Moataz Mekawy, Atsushi Saito, Hiroaki Shimizu and Teiji Tominaga

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(2), 874-884; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5020874 - 26 May 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5610

Abstract

Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized and functionalized with SiO₂ and -NH₂ group, respectively. Conjugation to fluorescently-labeled poly-caspase inhibitor (SR-FLIVO) has been carried out for better cellular uptake studies of apoptosis arising from brain focal cerebral ischemia. Highest conjugation affinity to SR-FLIVO was found to be ca. 80% for Fe₂O₃-SiO-NH₂ functionalized nanoparticles (FNPs). Tracking of SR-FLIVO conjugated functionalized nanoparticles (SR-FLIVO-FNPs) in vivo and in vitro has been carried out and detected using microscopic techniques after histochemical staining methods. Experimental results revealed that SR-FLIVO-FNPs probe could passively cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and accumulated within the apoptotic cell. Optimization of SR-FLIVO-FNPs probe can effectively promise to open a new era for intracellular drug delivery and brain diagnosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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5150 KiB

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Chemokine-Releasing Nanoparticles for Manipulation of the Lymph Node Microenvironment

by Taissia G. Popova, Allison Teunis, Ruben Magni, Alessandra Luchini, Virginia Espina, Lance A. Liotta and Serguei G. Popov

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(1), 298-320; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5010298 - 05 Mar 2015

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 6979

Abstract

Chemokines (CKs) secreted by the host cells into surrounding tissue establish concentration gradients directing the migration of leukocytes. We propose an in vivo CK gradient remodeling approach based on sustained release of CKs by the crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel open meshwork nano-particles (NPs) containing internal crosslinked dye affinity baits for a reversible CK binding and release. The sustained release is based on a new principle of affinity off-rate tuning. The NPs with Cibacron Blue F3G-A and Reactive Blue-4 baits demonstrated a low-micromolar affinity binding to IL-8, MIP-2, and MCP-1 with a half-life of several hours at 37 °C. The capacity of NPs loaded with IL-8 and MIP-1α to increase neutrophil recruitment to lymph nodes (LNs) was tested in mice after footpad injection. Fluorescently-labeled NPs used as tracers indicated the delivery into the sub-capsular compartment of draining LNs. The animals administered the CK-loaded NPs demonstrated a widening of the sub-capsular space and a strong LN influx of leukocytes, while mice injected with control NPs without CKs or bolus doses of soluble CKs alone showed only a marginal neutrophil response. This technology provides a new means to therapeutically direct or restore immune cell traffic, and can also be employed for simultaneous therapy delivery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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Review

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889 KiB

Open AccessReview

Receptor-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems Targeting to Glioma

by Shanshan Wang, Ying Meng, Chengyi Li, Min Qian and Rongqin Huang

Nanomaterials 2016, 6(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano6010003 - 28 Dec 2015

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 10666

Abstract

Glioma has been considered to be the most frequent primary tumor within the central nervous system (CNS). The complexity of glioma, especially the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), makes the survival and prognosis of glioma remain poor even after a standard treatment based on surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. This provides a rationale for the development of some novel therapeutic strategies. Among them, receptor-mediated drug delivery is a specific pattern taking advantage of differential expression of receptors between tumors and normal tissues. The strategy can actively transport drugs, such as small molecular drugs, gene medicines, and therapeutic proteins to glioma while minimizing adverse reactions. This review will summarize recent progress on receptor-mediated drug delivery systems targeting to glioma, and conclude the challenges and prospects of receptor-mediated glioma-targeted therapy for future applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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1539 KiB

Open AccessReview

Magnetic Nanoparticles Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier: When Physics Rises to a Challenge

by Maria Antònia Busquets, Alba Espargaró, Raimon Sabaté and Joan Estelrich

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(4), 2231-2248; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5042231 - 11 Dec 2015

Cited by 65 | Viewed by 9217

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier is a physical and physiological barrier that protects the brain from toxic substances within the bloodstream and helps maintain brain homeostasis. It also represents the main obstacle in the treatment of many diseases of the central nervous system. Among the different approaches employed to overcome this barrier, the use of nanoparticles as a tool to enhance delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain is particularly promising. There is special interest in the use of magnetic nanoparticles, as their physical characteristics endow them with additional potentially useful properties. Following systemic administration, a magnetic field applied externally can mediate the capacity of magnetic nanoparticles to permeate the blood-brain barrier. Meanwhile, thermal energy released by magnetic nanoparticles under the influence of radiofrequency radiation can modulate blood-brain barrier integrity, increasing its permeability. In this review, we present the strategies that use magnetic nanoparticles, specifically iron oxide nanoparticles, to enhance drug delivery to the brain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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704 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gold Nanotheranostics: Proof-of-Concept or Clinical Tool?

by Pedro Pedrosa, Raquel Vinhas, Alexandra Fernandes and Pedro V Baptista

Nanomaterials 2015, 5(4), 1853-1879; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5041853 - 03 Nov 2015

Cited by 105 | Viewed by 11967

Abstract

Nanoparticles have been making their way in biomedical applications and personalized medicine, allowing for the coupling of diagnostics and therapeutics into a single nanomaterial—nanotheranostics. Gold nanoparticles, in particular, have unique features that make them excellent nanomaterials for theranostics, enabling the integration of targeting, imaging and therapeutics in a single platform, with proven applicability in the management of heterogeneous diseases, such as cancer. In this review, we focus on gold nanoparticle-based theranostics at the lab bench, through pre-clinical and clinical stages. With few products facing clinical trials, much remains to be done to effectively assess the real benefits of nanotheranostics at the clinical level. Hence, we also discuss the efforts currently being made to translate nanotheranostics into the market, as well as their commercial impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Theranostics)

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