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13 pages, 5609 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Biomimetic Drug Delivery System Targeting Tumor Hypoxia in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers

by Katyayani Tatiparti, Mohd Ahmar Rauf, Samaresh Sau and Arun K. Iyer

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10031075 - 5 Feb 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3167

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is amongst the most challenging tumor subtypes because it presents itself without the estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Hence, assessing new markers is an essential requirement for enhancing its targeted treatment. The survival of TNBC relies upon the advancement [...] Read more.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is amongst the most challenging tumor subtypes because it presents itself without the estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Hence, assessing new markers is an essential requirement for enhancing its targeted treatment. The survival of TNBC relies upon the advancement of hypoxia that contributes to treatment resistance, immune response resistance, and tumor stroma arrangement. Here, we explored bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticle encapsulating the anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel (PTX) for cell-killing mediated by tumor hypoxia. For targeting hypoxia, we conjugated Acetazolamide (ATZ) with BSA nanoparticle that encapsulated PTX (referred hereon as BSA-PTX-ATZ) utilizing copper-free click chemistry, specifically the Strain-Promoted Alkyne Azide Cycloaddition (SPAAC). The in-vitro cell killing study uncovered that BSA-PTX-ATZ is more productive contrasted with free PTX. The evaluations of the physio-chemical properties of BSA-PTX-ATZ proves that the shelf-life is approximately two months when stored either at room or freezing temperatures or under refrigerated conditions. There is no leakage of PTX from the formulation during that period, while their nanoparticulate nature remained undisturbed. The BSA-PTX-ATZ nanoparticles indicated altogether higher cell killing in hypoxic conditions contrasted with normoxia proposing the hypoxia-mediated delivery mechanism of the activity of the formulation. Higher cell uptake found with fluorescent-marked BSA-PTX-ATZ shows CA-IX mediated cell uptake, substantiated by the prominent apoptotic cell death contrasted with free PTX. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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12 pages, 3655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Plasma Treatment of Titanium Surface on Biocompatibility

by Daiga Ujino, Hiroshi Nishizaki, Shizuo Higuchi, Satoshi Komasa and Joji Okazaki

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(11), 2257; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9112257 - 31 May 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4239

Abstract

It was recently reported that implant osseointegration is affected by surface wettability. The relationship between hydrophilicity and cell adhesion was corroborated by numerous in vivo studies. Concentrated alkali improves the biocompatibility of pure titanium. Research was conducted on the mechanism by which this [...] Read more.

It was recently reported that implant osseointegration is affected by surface wettability. The relationship between hydrophilicity and cell adhesion was corroborated by numerous in vivo studies. Concentrated alkali improves the biocompatibility of pure titanium. Research was conducted on the mechanism by which this treatment increases hydrophilicity. In the present study, we used atmospheric pressure plasma processing to enhance the hydrophilicity of the material surface. The aim was to assess its influences on the initial adhesion of the material to rat bone marrow and subsequent differentiation into hard tissue. Superhydrophilicity was induced on a pure titanium surface with a piezobrush, a simple, compact alternative to the conventional atmospheric pressure plasma device. No structural change was confirmed by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) or scanning probe microscopy (SPM) observation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis presented with hydroxide formation and a reduction in the C peak. A decrease in contact angle was also observed. The treated samples had higher values for in vitro bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption, rat bone marrow (RBM) cell initial adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) activity tests, and factors related to bone differentiation than the untreated control. The present study indicated that the induction of superhydrophilicity in titanium via atmospheric pressure plasma treatment with a piezobrush affects RBM cell adhesion and bone differentiation without altering surface properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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15 pages, 2823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences among Unique Nanoparticle Protein Corona Constructs: A Case Study Using Data Analytics and Multi-Variant Visualization to Describe Physicochemical Characteristics

by Madison Stewart, Marina R. Mulenos, London R. Steele and Christie M. Sayes

Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(12), 2669; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8122669 - 18 Dec 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5278

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) used in pharmaceutical treatments have been shown to effectively deliver a payload, such as an active pharmaceutical ingredient or image contrast agent, to targeted tissues in need of therapy or diagnostics while minimizing exposure, availability, and accumulation to surrounding biological [...] Read more.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) used in pharmaceutical treatments have been shown to effectively deliver a payload, such as an active pharmaceutical ingredient or image contrast agent, to targeted tissues in need of therapy or diagnostics while minimizing exposure, availability, and accumulation to surrounding biological compartments. Data sets collected in this field of study include some toxico- and pharmacodynamic properties (e.g., distribution and metabolism) but many studies lack information about adsorption of biological molecules or absorption into cells. When nanoparticles are suspended in blood serum, a protein corona cloud forms around its surface. The extent of the applications and implications of this formed cloud are unknown. Some researchers have speculated that the successful use of nanoparticles in pharmaceutical treatments relies on a comprehensive understanding of the protein corona composition. The work presented in this paper uses a suite of data analytics and multi-variant visualization techniques to elucidate particle-to-protein interactions at the molecular level. Through mass spectrometry analyses, corona proteins were identified through large and complex datasets. With such high-output analyses, complex datasets pose a challenge when visualizing and communicating nanoparticle-protein interactions. Thus, the creation of a streamlined visualization method is necessary. A series of user-friendly data informatics techniques were used to demonstrate the data flow of protein corona characteristics. Multi-variant heat maps, pie charts, tables, and three-dimensional regression analyses were used to improve results interpretation, facilitate an iterative data transfer process, and emphasize features of the nanoparticle-protein corona system that might be controllable. Data informatics successfully highlights the differences between protein corona compositions and how they relate to nanoparticle surface charge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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18 pages, 3348 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Application of Nanotechnology in Stem-Cell-Based Therapy of Neurodegenerative Diseases

by Shima Masoudi Asil, Jyoti Ahlawat, Gileydis Guillama Barroso and Mahesh Narayan

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(14), 4852; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10144852 - 15 Jul 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5779

Abstract

In addition to adverse health outcomes, neurological disorders have serious societal and economic impacts on patients, their family and society as a whole. There is no definite treatment for these disorders, and current available drugs only slow down the progression of the disease. [...] Read more.

In addition to adverse health outcomes, neurological disorders have serious societal and economic impacts on patients, their family and society as a whole. There is no definite treatment for these disorders, and current available drugs only slow down the progression of the disease. In recent years, application of stem cells has been widely advanced due to their potential of self-renewal and differentiation to different cell types which make them suitable candidates for cell therapy. In particular, this approach offers great opportunities for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, some major issues related to stem-cell therapy, including their tumorigenicity, viability, safety, metastases, uncontrolled differentiation and possible immune response have limited their application in clinical scales. To address these challenges, a combination of stem-cell therapy with nanotechnology can be a solution. Nanotechnology has the potential of improvement of stem-cell therapy by providing ideal substrates for large scale proliferation of stem cells. Application of nanomaterial in stem-cell culture will be also beneficial to modulation of stem-cell differentiation using nanomedicines. Nanodelivery of functional compounds can enhance the efficiency of neuron therapy by stem cells and development of nanobased techniques for real-time, accurate and long-lasting imaging of stem-cell cycle processes. However, these novel techniques need to be investigated to optimize their efficiency in treatment of neurologic diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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21 pages, 2153 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gold Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Cancer Therapy

by Sarkar Siddique and James C. L. Chow

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(11), 3824; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10113824 - 31 May 2020

Cited by 250 | Viewed by 25940

Abstract

Nanomaterials are popularly used in drug delivery, disease diagnosis and therapy. Among a number of functionalized nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, peptide nanostructures, liposomes and polymers, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) make excellent drug and anticancer agent carriers in biomedical and cancer therapy application. [...] Read more.

Nanomaterials are popularly used in drug delivery, disease diagnosis and therapy. Among a number of functionalized nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, peptide nanostructures, liposomes and polymers, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) make excellent drug and anticancer agent carriers in biomedical and cancer therapy application. Recent advances of synthetic technique improved the surface coating of Au NPs with accurate control of particle size, shape and surface chemistry. These make the gold nanomaterials a much easier and safer cancer agent and drug to be applied to the patient’s tumor. Although many studies on Au NPs have been published, more results are in the pipeline due to the rapid development of nanotechnology. The purpose of this review is to assess how the novel nanomaterials fabricated by Au NPs can impact biomedical applications such as drug delivery and cancer therapy. Moreover, this review explores the viability, property and cytotoxicity of various Au NPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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24 pages, 6103 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Therapeutic Potential of Polymer-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

by Kuldeep K. Bansal, Deepak K. Mishra, Ari Rosling and Jessica M. Rosenholm

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010289 - 31 Dec 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 9232

Abstract

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) find tremendous applications in drug delivery due to several advantages such as their easy fabrication process, high drug loading, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and so forth. Nevertheless, despite several advantages, the use of this striking drug delivery carrier is restricted due [...] Read more.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) find tremendous applications in drug delivery due to several advantages such as their easy fabrication process, high drug loading, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and so forth. Nevertheless, despite several advantages, the use of this striking drug delivery carrier is restricted due to premature drug release owing to the porous structure. Coating of the pores using polymers has emerged as a great solution to this problem. Polymer coatings, which act as gatekeepers, avoid the premature release of loaded content from MSNs and offers the opportunity for controlled and targeted drug delivery. Therefore, in this review, we have compiled the polymer-based coating approaches used in recent years for improving the drug delivery capability of MSNs. This manuscript provides an insight into the research about the potential of polymer-coated MSNs, allowing the selection of right polymer for coating purposes according to the desired application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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31 pages, 1813 KiB

Open AccessReview

Tablet Scoring: Current Practice, Fundamentals, and Knowledge Gaps

by Emmanuel Reginald Jacques and Paschalis Alexandridis

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(15), 3066; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9153066 - 29 Jul 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 36981

Abstract

Oral solid dosage formulations and/or tablets have remained the preferred route of administration by both patients and health care practitioners. Oral tablets are easy to administer, they are non-invasive and cause less risk adversity. Because of the lack of commercially available tablet dose [...] Read more.

Oral solid dosage formulations and/or tablets have remained the preferred route of administration by both patients and health care practitioners. Oral tablets are easy to administer, they are non-invasive and cause less risk adversity. Because of the lack of commercially available tablet dose options, tablets are being split or partitioned by users. Tablet scoring refers to the breakage of a tablet to attain a desired efficacy dose and is an emerging concept in the pharmaceutical industry. The primary reason for the tablet scoring practice is to adjust the dose: dose tapering or dose titrating. Other reasons for tablet partitioning are to facilitate dose administration, particularly among the pediatric and the geriatric patient population, and to mitigating the high cost of prescription drugs. The scope of this review is to: (1) evaluate the advantages and inconveniences associated with tablet scoring/portioning, and (2) identify factors in the formulation and the manufacturing of tablets that influence tablet splitting. Whereas tablet partitioning has been a common practice, there is a lack of understanding regarding the fundamentals underpinning the performance of tablets with respect to splitting. Several factors can influence tablet partitioning: tablet size, shape, and thickness. A requirement has recently been set by the European Pharmacopoeia and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the uniformity of mass of subdivided tablets. For breaking ease, an in-vivo reference test and a routinely applicable in-vitro test need to be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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27 pages, 998 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chitosan-Based Nanocarriers for Nose to Brain Delivery

by Blessing Atim Aderibigbe and Tobeka Naki

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(11), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9112219 - 30 May 2019

Cited by 65 | Viewed by 6880

Abstract

In the treatment of brain diseases, most potent drugs that have been developed exhibit poor therapeutic outcomes resulting from the inability of a therapeutic amount of the drug to reach the brain. These drugs do not exhibit targeted drug delivery mechanisms, resulting in [...] Read more.

In the treatment of brain diseases, most potent drugs that have been developed exhibit poor therapeutic outcomes resulting from the inability of a therapeutic amount of the drug to reach the brain. These drugs do not exhibit targeted drug delivery mechanisms, resulting in a high concentration of the drugs in vital organs leading to drug toxicity. Chitosan (CS) is a natural-based polymer. It has unique properties such as good biodegradability, biocompatibility, mucoadhesive properties, and it has been approved for biomedical applications. It has been used to develop nanocarriers for brain targeting via intranasal administration. Nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, in situ gels, nanoemulsions, and liposomes have been developed. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that these nanocarriers exhibited enhanced drug uptake to the brain with reduced side effects resulting from the prolonged contact time of the nanocarriers with the nasal mucosa, the surface charge of the nanocarriers, the nano size of the nanocarriers, and their capability to stretch the tight junctions within the nasal mucosa. The aforementioned unique properties make chitosan a potential material for the development of nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery to the brain. This review will focus on chitosan-based carriers for brain targeting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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14 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessReview

Electrospun Nanometer to Micrometer Scale Biomimetic Synthetic Membrane Scaffolds in Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering: A Review

by Shaleena K. Pazhanimala, Driton Vllasaliu and Bahijja T. Raimi-Abraham

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(5), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9050910 - 4 Mar 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3867

Abstract

The scaffold technology research utilizes biomimicry to produce efficient scaffolds that mimic the natural cell growth environment including the basement membrane for tissue engineering. Because the natural basement membrane is composed of fibrillar protein networks of nanoscale diameter, the scaffold produced should efficiently [...] Read more.

The scaffold technology research utilizes biomimicry to produce efficient scaffolds that mimic the natural cell growth environment including the basement membrane for tissue engineering. Because the natural basement membrane is composed of fibrillar protein networks of nanoscale diameter, the scaffold produced should efficiently mimic the nanoscale topography at a low production cost. Electrospinning is a technique that can achieve that. This review discusses the physical and chemical characteristics of the basement membrane and its significance on cell growth and overall focuses on nanoscale biomimetic synthetic membrane scaffolds primarily generated using electrospinning and their application in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Materials for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering)

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