Editorial

5 pages, 194 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Nanostructured Materials Based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications

by Iole Venditti

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(11), 1593; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9111593 - 10 Nov 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2372

This special issue focuses on highlighting the progress of last decade regarding the new nanostructured materials based on noble metals, especially gold and silver. Innovative preparations, functionalizations, and characterizations of these nanomaterials are investigated. Moreover, biotechnological applications, and advanced uses of these compounds [...] Read more.

This special issue focuses on highlighting the progress of last decade regarding the new nanostructured materials based on noble metals, especially gold and silver. Innovative preparations, functionalizations, and characterizations of these nanomaterials are investigated. Moreover, biotechnological applications, and advanced uses of these compounds for environmental sensing are reported. In particular gold and silver nanomaterials are widely studied due to their high stability, amazing chemical–physical features and, for silver, marked antibacterial properties. It is also hoped that the current special issue will encourage multidisciplinary research on noble metal nanomaterials, expanding the range of potential biological applications. This must be associated with improvements in synthetic methods and with economic feasibility studies of the proposed processes, also exploring the ecotoxicological aspects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

Research

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16 pages, 2296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bifunctionalized Silver Nanoparticles as Hg²⁺ Plasmonic Sensor in Water: Synthesis, Characterizations, and Ecosafety

by Paolo Prosposito, Luca Burratti, Arianna Bellingeri, Giuseppe Protano, Claudia Faleri, Ilaria Corsi, Chiara Battocchio, Giovanna Iucci, Luca Tortora, Valeria Secchi, Stefano Franchi and Iole Venditti

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(10), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9101353 - 20 Sep 2019

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 5114

Abstract

In this work, hydrophilic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), bifunctionalized with citrate (Cit) and L-cysteine (L-cys), were synthesized. The typical local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at λ _max = 400 nm together with Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements (<2R_H> = 8 ± 1 [...] Read more.

In this work, hydrophilic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), bifunctionalized with citrate (Cit) and L-cysteine (L-cys), were synthesized. The typical local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at λ _max = 400 nm together with Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements (<2R_H> = 8 ± 1 nm) and TEM studies (Ø = 5 ± 2 nm) confirmed the system nanodimension and the stability in water. Molecular and electronic structures of AgNPs were investigated by FTIR, SR-XPS, and NEXAFS techniques. We tested the system as plasmonic sensor in water with 16 different metal ions, finding sensitivity to Hg²⁺ in the range 1–10 ppm. After this first screening, the molecular and electronic structure of the AgNPs-Hg²⁺ conjugated system was deeply investigated by SR-XPS. Moreover, in view of AgNPs application as sensors in real water systems, environmental safety assessment (ecosafety) was performed by using standardized ecotoxicity bioassay as algal growth inhibition tests (OECD 201, ISO 10253:2006), coupled with determination of Ag⁺ release from the nanoparticles in fresh and marine aqueous exposure media, by means of ICP-MS. These latest studies confirmed low toxicity and low Ag⁺ release. Therefore, these ecosafe AgNPs demonstrate a great potential in selective detection of environmental Hg²⁺, which may attract a great interest for several biological research fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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14 pages, 3092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrophilic Silver Nanoparticles Loaded into Niosomes: Physical–Chemical Characterization in View of Biological Applications

by Federica Rinaldi, Elena del Favero, Johannes Moeller, Patrizia Nadia Hanieh, Daniele Passeri, Marco Rossi, Livia Angeloni, Iole Venditti, Carlotta Marianecci, Maria Carafa and Ilaria Fratoddi

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(8), 1177; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9081177 - 17 Aug 2019

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3990

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as antibacterial agents and anticancer drugs, but often their low stability limits their mass production and broad applications. The use of niosomes as a carrier to protect and envelop AgNPs gives a new perspective to solve these [...] Read more.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as antibacterial agents and anticancer drugs, but often their low stability limits their mass production and broad applications. The use of niosomes as a carrier to protect and envelop AgNPs gives a new perspective to solve these problems. In this study, AgNPs were functionalized with sodium 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (3MPS) to induce hydrophilic behavior, improving loading in Tween 20 and Span 20 niosomes (NioTw20 and NioSp20, respectively). Entrapment efficiency was evaluated by UV analyses and is around 1–4%. Dimensions were investigated by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS) (<2R_H> = 140 ± 4 nm and <2R_H> = 251 ± 1 nm respectively for NioTw20 + AgNPs and NioSp20 + AgNPs) and were compared with those by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small angle X ray scattering (SAXS) analyses. Stability was assessed in water up to 90 days, and both in bovine serum and human serum for up to 8 h. In order to characterize the local structure of niosomes, SAXS measurements have been performed on Tween 20 and Span 20 empty niosomes and loaded with AgNPs. The release profiles of hydrophilic probe calcein and lipophilic probe Nile Red were performed in HEPES buffer and in human serum. All these features contribute to conclude that the two systems, NioTw20 + AgNPs and NioSp20 + AgNPs, are suitable and promising in the field of biological applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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13 pages, 2310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Hydrophilic Gold Nanoparticles as Carrier for Anticancer Copper(I) Complexes: Loading and Release Studies for Biomedical Applications

by Ilaria Fratoddi, Iole Venditti, Chiara Battocchio, Laura Carlini, Simone Amatori, Marina Porchia, Francesco Tisato, Federica Bondino, Elena Magnano, Maura Pellei and Carlo Santini

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(5), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9050772 - 20 May 2019

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4472

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are strongly hydrophilic and dimensionally suitable for drug delivery, were used in loading and release studies of two different copper(I)-based antitumor complexes, namely [Cu(PTA)₄]⁺ [BF₄]⁻ (A; PTA = 1, 3, 5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane) and [HB(pz) [...] Read more.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are strongly hydrophilic and dimensionally suitable for drug delivery, were used in loading and release studies of two different copper(I)-based antitumor complexes, namely [Cu(PTA)₄]⁺ [BF₄]⁻ (A; PTA = 1, 3, 5-triaza-7-phosphadamantane) and [HB(pz)₃Cu(PCN)] (B; HB(pz)₃ = tris(pyrazolyl)borate, PCN = tris(cyanoethyl)phosphane). In the homoleptic, water-soluble compound A, the metal is tetrahedrally arranged in a cationic moiety. Compound B is instead a mixed-ligand (scorpionate/phosphane), neutral complex insoluble in water. In this work, the loading procedures and the loading efficiency of A and B complexes on the AuNPs were investigated, with the aim to improve their bioavailability and to obtain a controlled release. The non-covalent interactions of A and B with the AuNPs surface were studied by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV–Vis, FT-IR and high-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS) measurements. As a result, the AuNPs-A system proved to be more stable and efficient than the AuNPs-B system. In fact, for AuNPs-A the drug loading reached 90%, whereas for AuNPs-B it reached 65%. For AuNPs-A conjugated systems, a release study in water solution was performed over 4 days, showing a slow release up to 10%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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8 pages, 3493 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Active Accumulation of Spherical Analytes on Plasmonic Hot Spots of Double-Bent Au Strip Arrays by Multiple Dip-Coating

by Jinhyung Lee, Eun-Ah You, Do Won Hwang, Shinill Kang and Jung-Sub Wi

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(5), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9050660 - 26 Apr 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2871

Abstract

To achieve sensitive plasmonic biosensors, it is essential to develop an efficient method for concentrating analytes in hot spots, as well as to develop plasmonic nanostructures for concentrating light. In this study, target analytes were delivered to the surface of double-bent Au strip [...] Read more.

To achieve sensitive plasmonic biosensors, it is essential to develop an efficient method for concentrating analytes in hot spots, as well as to develop plasmonic nanostructures for concentrating light. In this study, target analytes were delivered to the surface of double-bent Au strip arrays by a multiple dip-coating method; they were self-aligned in the valleys between neighboring Au strips by capillary forces. As the valleys not only accommodate target analytes but also host strong electromagnetic fields due to the interaction between adjacent strips, sensitive measurement of target analytes was possible by monitoring changes in the wavelength of a localized surface plasmon resonance. Using the proposed plasmonic sensor and target delivery method, the adsorption and saturation of polystyrene beads 100 nm in size on the sensor surface were monitored by the shift of the resonance wavelength. In addition, the pH-dependent stability of exosomes accumulated on the sensor surface was successfully monitored by changing the pH from 7.4 to 4.0. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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11 pages, 11238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Au Nanostructures Using EDTA Tetrasodium Salt and Their Photothermal Therapy Applications

by Youngjin Jang, Nohyun Lee, Jeong Hyun Kim, Yong Il Park and Yuanzhe Piao

Nanomaterials 2018, 8(4), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8040252 - 18 Apr 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5624

Abstract

Tuning the optical properties of Au nanostructures is of paramount importance for scientific interest and has a wide variety of applications. Since the surface plasmon resonance properties of Au nanostructures can be readily adjusted by changing their shape, many approaches for preparing Au [...] Read more.

Tuning the optical properties of Au nanostructures is of paramount importance for scientific interest and has a wide variety of applications. Since the surface plasmon resonance properties of Au nanostructures can be readily adjusted by changing their shape, many approaches for preparing Au nanostructures with various shapes have been reported to date. However, complicated steps or the addition of several reagents would be required to achieve shape control of Au nanostructures. The present work describes a facile and effective shape-controlled synthesis of Au nanostructures and their photothermal therapy applications. The preparation procedure involved the reaction of HAuCl₄ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tetrasodium salt, which acted as a reducing agent and ligand, at room temperature without the need for any toxic reagent or additives. The morphology control from spheres to branched forms and nanowire networks was easily achieved by varying the EDTA concentration. Detailed investigations revealed that the four carboxylic groups of the EDTA tetrasodium salt are essential for effective growth and stabilization. The produced Au nanowire networks exhibited a broad absorption band in the near-infrared (NIR) region, thereby showing efficient cancer therapeutic performance by inducing the selective photothermal destruction of cancerous glioblastoma cells (U87MG) under NIR irradiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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Review

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20 pages, 1968 KiB

Open AccessReview

Interactions of Nanoparticles and Biosystems: Microenvironment of Nanoparticles and Biomolecules in Nanomedicine

by Carlota Auría-Soro, Tabata Nesma, Pablo Juanes-Velasco, Alicia Landeira-Viñuela, Helena Fidalgo-Gomez, Vanessa Acebes-Fernandez, Rafael Gongora, María Jesus Almendral Parra, Raúl Manzano-Roman and Manuel Fuentes

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(10), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9101365 - 24 Sep 2019

Cited by 194 | Viewed by 12467

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science covering matters involving the nanoscale level that is being developed for a great variety of applications. Nanomedicine is one of these attractive and challenging uses focused on the employment of nanomaterials in medical applications such as drug delivery. [...] Read more.

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science covering matters involving the nanoscale level that is being developed for a great variety of applications. Nanomedicine is one of these attractive and challenging uses focused on the employment of nanomaterials in medical applications such as drug delivery. However, handling these nanometric systems require defining specific parameters to establish the possible advantages and disadvantages in specific applications. This review presents the fundamental factors of nanoparticles and its microenvironment that must be considered to make an appropriate design for medical applications, mainly: (i) Interactions between nanoparticles and their biological environment, (ii) the interaction mechanisms, (iii) and the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles. On the other hand, the repercussions of the control, alter and modify these parameters in the biomedical applications. Additionally, we briefly report the implications of nanoparticles in nanomedicine and precision medicine, and provide perspectives in immunotherapy, which is opening novel applications as immune-oncology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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25 pages, 1113 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles: An Up-to-Date Overview

by Alexandra-Cristina Burdușel, Oana Gherasim, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Laurențiu Mogoantă, Anton Ficai and Ecaterina Andronescu

Nanomaterials 2018, 8(9), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8090681 - 31 Aug 2018

Cited by 836 | Viewed by 23959

Abstract

During the past few years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) became one of the most investigated and explored nanotechnology-derived nanostructures, given the fact that nanosilver-based materials proved to have interesting, challenging, and promising characteristics suitable for various biomedical applications. Among modern biomedical potential of AgNPs, [...] Read more.

During the past few years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) became one of the most investigated and explored nanotechnology-derived nanostructures, given the fact that nanosilver-based materials proved to have interesting, challenging, and promising characteristics suitable for various biomedical applications. Among modern biomedical potential of AgNPs, tremendous interest is oriented toward the therapeutically enhanced personalized healthcare practice. AgNPs proved to have genuine features and impressive potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents, drug-delivery formulations, detection and diagnosis platforms, biomaterial and medical device coatings, tissue restoration and regeneration materials, complex healthcare condition strategies, and performance-enhanced therapeutic alternatives. Given the impressive biomedical-related potential applications of AgNPs, impressive efforts were undertaken on understanding the intricate mechanisms of their biological interactions and possible toxic effects. Within this review, we focused on the latest data regarding the biomedical use of AgNP-based nanostructures, including aspects related to their potential toxicity, unique physiochemical properties, and biofunctional behaviors, discussing herein the intrinsic anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities of silver-based nanostructures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanostructured Materials based on Noble Metals for Advanced Biological Applications)

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