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Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0
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Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 21902

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Neus Feliu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fachbereich Physik und Chemie and Center for Hybrid Nanostructures, Universitat Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Interests: nano-bio interactions, nanosafety research; nanomedicine; nanomatrials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

This Special Issue is a continuation of our previous Special Issue, “Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/special_issues/nanoparticles_NaNaX9).

Colloidal nanoparticles have emerged as a promising class of materials that could be used for a wide range of applications. In recent years, particular focus has been given to the development of improved synthesis methods, which allow for the precise control of materials’ sizes and shapes. Furthermore, the possibility of fabricating nanoparticle cores with different elemental compositions has led to the discovery of new material properties, which increase their potential contributions to a variety of research fields, including energy, sensors, imaging, photonics, medicine, etc.  

This Special Issue will highlight the latest research on nanoparticles. Thus, we invite research articles, reviews, or/and perspectives addressing and presenting nanoparticle-related subjects. Potential work will include, but is not limited to, the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles; proof-of-concept and applicability studies; sensing, diagnosis, drug delivery, and toxicity investigations; and views as well as future trends. Altogether, this Special Issue will report on different areas of nanoparticle research, covering the entire range, from energy to diagnostic as well as bio-applications.

Dr. Neus Feliu
Guest Editor

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • nanotechnology
  • nanocrystals
  • colloidal nanoparticles
  • synthesis of nanoparticles
  • nanostructures
  • spectroscopy
  • surface functionalization
  • diagnosis
  • sensors
  • theranostics
  • biomedical applications
  • drug delivery
  • control release
  • biocompatibility

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 7283 KiB  
Article
Composite Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanofiber Membrane Scaffolds for Mesothelial Cell Culture and Delivery in Mesothelium Repair
by Darshan Tagadur Govindaraju, Hao-Hsi Kao, Yen-Miao Chien and Jyh-Ping Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(18), 9803; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189803 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 729
Abstract
To repair damaged mesothelium tissue, which lines internal organs and cavities, a tissue engineering approach with mesothelial cells seeded to a functional nanostructured scaffold is a promising approach. Therefore, this study explored the uses of electrospun nanofiber membrane scaffolds (NMSs) as scaffolds for [...] Read more.
To repair damaged mesothelium tissue, which lines internal organs and cavities, a tissue engineering approach with mesothelial cells seeded to a functional nanostructured scaffold is a promising approach. Therefore, this study explored the uses of electrospun nanofiber membrane scaffolds (NMSs) as scaffolds for mesothelial cell culture and transplantation. We fabricated a composite NMS through electrospinning by blending polycaprolactone (PCL) with gelatin. The addition of gelatin enhanced the membrane’s hydrophilicity while maintaining its mechanical strength and promoted cell attachment. The in vitro study demonstrated enhanced adhesion of mesothelial cells to the scaffold with improved morphology and increased phenotypic expression of key marker proteins calretinin and E-cadherin in PCL/gelatin compared to pure PCL NMSs. In vivo studies in rats revealed that only cell-seeded PCL/gelatin NMS constructs fostered mesothelial healing. Implantation of these constructs leads to the regeneration of new mesothelium tissue. The neo-mesothelium is similar to native mesothelium from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining. Taken together, the PCL/gelatin NMSs can be a promising scaffold for mesothelial cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation, and the cell/scaffold construct can be used in therapeutic applications to reconstruct a mesothelium layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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21 pages, 3862 KiB  
Article
Nanostructured Coatings Based on Graphene Oxide for the Management of Periprosthetic Infections
by Sorin Constantinescu, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Ariana Hudiță, Valentina Grumezescu, Dragoș Rădulescu, Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă, Gabriela Dorcioman, Oana Gherasim, Alina Maria Holban, Bianca Gălățeanu, Bogdan Ștefan Vasile, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Alexandra Bolocan and Radu Rădulescu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042389 - 17 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1937
Abstract
To modulate the bioactivity and boost the therapeutic outcome of implantable metallic devices, biodegradable coatings based on polylactide (PLA) and graphene oxide nanosheets (nGOs) loaded with Zinforo™ (Zin) have been proposed in this study as innovative alternatives for the local management of biofilm-associated [...] Read more.
To modulate the bioactivity and boost the therapeutic outcome of implantable metallic devices, biodegradable coatings based on polylactide (PLA) and graphene oxide nanosheets (nGOs) loaded with Zinforo™ (Zin) have been proposed in this study as innovative alternatives for the local management of biofilm-associated periprosthetic infections. Using a modified Hummers protocol, high-purity and ultra-thin nGOs have been obtained, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. The matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique has been successfully employed to obtain the PLA-nGO-Zin coatings. The stoichiometric and uniform transfer was revealed by infrared microscopy (IRM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. In vitro evaluation, performed on fresh blood samples, has shown the excellent hemocompatibility of PLA-nGO-Zin-coated samples (with a hemolytic index of 1.15%), together with their anti-inflammatory ability. Moreover, the PLA-nGO-Zin coatings significantly inhibited the development of mature bacterial biofilms, inducing important anti-biofilm efficiency in the as-coated samples. The herein-reported results evidence the promising potential of PLA-nGO-Zin coatings to be used for the biocompatible and antimicrobial surface modification of metallic implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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20 pages, 4133 KiB  
Article
A Water-Soluble Chitosan Derivative for the Release of Bioactive Deferoxamine
by Georgia Michailidou, Yupeng Li, Alexandra Zamboulis, Georgia Karlioti, Despoina Meimaroglou, Kostas Pantopoulos and Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25020913 - 11 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
Deferoxamine (DFO) is a water-soluble iron chelator used pharmacologically for the management of patients with transfusional iron overload. However, DFO is not cell-permeable and has a short plasma half-life, which necessitates lengthy parenteral administration with an infusion pump. We previously reported the synthesis [...] Read more.
Deferoxamine (DFO) is a water-soluble iron chelator used pharmacologically for the management of patients with transfusional iron overload. However, DFO is not cell-permeable and has a short plasma half-life, which necessitates lengthy parenteral administration with an infusion pump. We previously reported the synthesis of chitosan (CS) nanoparticles for sustained slow release of DFO. In the present study, we developed solid dispersions and nanoparticles of a carboxymethyl water-soluble chitosan derivative (CMCS) for improved DFO encapsulation and release. CS dispersions and nanoparticles with DFO have been prepared by ironical gelation using sodium triphosphate (TPP) and were examined for comparison purposes. The successful presence of DFO in CMCS polymeric dispersions and nanoparticles was confirmed through FTIR measurements. Furthermore, the formation of CMCS nanoparticles led to inclusion of DFO in an amorphous state, while dispersion of DFO in the polymeric matrix led to a decrease in its crystallinity according to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results. An in vitro release assay indicated sustained release of DFO from CS and CMCS nanoparticles over 48 h and 24 h, respectively. Application of CMCS-DFO dispersions to murine RAW 264.7 macrophages or human HeLa cervical carcinoma cells triggered cellular responses to iron deficiency. These were exemplified in the induction of the mRNA encoding transferrin receptor 1, the major iron uptake protein, and the suppression of ferritin, the iron storage protein. Our data indicate that CMCS-DFO nanoparticles release bioactive DFO that causes effective iron chelation in cultured cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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18 pages, 20698 KiB  
Article
Nanocellulose Sponges Containing Antibacterial Basil Extract
by Gabriela Mădălina Oprică, Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Catalina Diana Usurelu, George Mihai Vlăsceanu, Paul Octavian Stanescu, Brandusa Elena Lixandru, Valentin Vasile, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Marius Ghiurea and Adriana Nicoleta Frone
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11871; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411871 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2094
Abstract
Nanocellulose (NC) is a valuable material in tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery, but its lack of antimicrobial activity is a major drawback for these applications. In this work, basil ethanolic extract (BE) and basil seed mucilage (BSM) were used to endow [...] Read more.
Nanocellulose (NC) is a valuable material in tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery, but its lack of antimicrobial activity is a major drawback for these applications. In this work, basil ethanolic extract (BE) and basil seed mucilage (BSM) were used to endow nanocellulose with antibacterial activity. NC/BE and NC/BE/BSM sponges were obtained from nanocellulose suspensions and different amounts of BE and BSM after freeze-drying. Regardless of the BE or BSM content, the sponges started to decompose at a lower temperature due to the presence of highly volatile active compounds in BE. A SEM investigation revealed an opened-cell structure and nanofibrillar morphology for all the sponges, while highly impregnated nanofibers were observed by SEM in NC/BE sponges with higher amounts of BE. A quantitative evaluation of the porous morphology by microcomputer tomography showed that the open porosity of the sponges varied between 70% and 82%, being lower in the sponges with higher BE/BSM content due to the impregnation of cellulose nanofibers with BE/BSM, which led to smaller pores. The addition of BE increased the specific compression strength of the NC/BE sponges, with a higher amount of BE having a stronger effect. A slight inhibition of S. aureus growth was observed in the NC/BE sponges with a higher amount of BE, and no effect was observed in the unmodified NC. In addition, the NC/BE sponge with the highest amount of BE and the best antibacterial effect in the series showed no cytotoxic effect and did not interfere with the normal development of the L929 cell line, similar to the unmodified NC. This work uses a simple, straightforward method to obtain highly porous nanocellulose structures containing antibacterial basil extract for use in biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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16 pages, 1773 KiB  
Article
High-Capacity Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers of siRNA for Applications in Retinal Delivery
by Amelia Ultimo, Mar Orzaez, Maria J. Santos-Martinez, Ramón Martínez-Máñez, María D. Marcos, Félix Sancenón and Eduardo Ruiz-Hernández
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2753; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032753 - 1 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2764
Abstract
The main cause of subretinal neovascularisation in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an abnormal expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Current approaches for the treatment of AMD present considerable issues that could be overcome [...] Read more.
The main cause of subretinal neovascularisation in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an abnormal expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Current approaches for the treatment of AMD present considerable issues that could be overcome by encapsulating anti-VEGF drugs in suitable nanocarriers, thus providing better penetration, higher retention times, and sustained release. In this work, the ability of large pore mesoporous silica nanoparticles (LP-MSNs) to transport and protect nucleic acid molecules is exploited to develop an innovative LP-MSN-based nanosystem for the topical administration of anti-VEGF siRNA molecules to RPE cells. siRNA is loaded into LP-MSN mesopores, while the external surface of the nanodevices is functionalised with polyethylenimine (PEI) chains that allow the controlled release of siRNA and promote endosomal escape to facilitate cytosolic delivery of the cargo. The successful results obtained for VEGF silencing in ARPE-19 RPE cells demonstrate that the designed nanodevice is suitable as an siRNA transporter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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Review

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28 pages, 3657 KiB  
Review
Development of mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles: Targeting and Therapeutic Aspects
by Yaping Liu, Yingying Huang, Guantao He, Chun Guo, Jinhua Dong and Linping Wu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(18), 10166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251810166 - 22 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6502
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as leading non-viral carriers for messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery in clinical applications. Overcoming challenges in safe and effective mRNA delivery to target tissues and cells, along with controlling release from the delivery vehicle, remains pivotal in mRNA-based therapies. [...] Read more.
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as leading non-viral carriers for messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery in clinical applications. Overcoming challenges in safe and effective mRNA delivery to target tissues and cells, along with controlling release from the delivery vehicle, remains pivotal in mRNA-based therapies. This review elucidates the structure of LNPs, the mechanism for mRNA delivery, and the targeted delivery of LNPs to various cells and tissues, including leukocytes, T-cells, dendritic cells, Kupffer cells, hepatic endothelial cells, and hepatic and extrahepatic tissues. Here, we discuss the applications of mRNA–LNP vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases and for the treatment of cancer and various genetic diseases. Although challenges remain in terms of delivery efficiency, specific tissue targeting, toxicity, and storage stability, mRNA–LNP technology holds extensive potential for the treatment of diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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14 pages, 21263 KiB  
Review
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Applications and Prospects in Cancer Treatment
by Durgaramani Sivadasan, Kalaivanan Ramakrishnan, Janani Mahendran, Hariprasad Ranganathan, Arjunan Karuppaiah and Habibur Rahman
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6199; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076199 - 24 Mar 2023
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5554
Abstract
Recent advancements in drug delivery technologies paved a way for improving cancer therapeutics. Nanotechnology emerged as a potential tool in the field of drug delivery, overcoming the challenges of conventional drug delivery systems. In the field of nanotechnology, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) play [...] Read more.
Recent advancements in drug delivery technologies paved a way for improving cancer therapeutics. Nanotechnology emerged as a potential tool in the field of drug delivery, overcoming the challenges of conventional drug delivery systems. In the field of nanotechnology, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) play a vital role with a wide range of diverse applications, namely drug delivery, clinical medicine, and cancer therapeutics. SLNs establish a significant role owing to their ability to encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds, biocompatibility, ease of surface modification, scale-up feasibility, and possibilities of both active and passive targeting to various organs. In cancer therapy, SLNs have emerged as imminent nanocarriers for overcoming physiological barriers and multidrug resistance pathways. However, there is a need for special attention to be paid to further improving the conceptual understanding of the biological responses of SLNs in cancer therapeutics. Hence, further research exploration needs to be focused on the determination of the structure and strength of SLNs at the cellular level, both in vitro and in vivo, to develop potential therapeutics with reduced side effects. The present review addresses the various modalities of SLN development, SLN mechanisms in cancer therapeutics, and the scale-up potential and regulatory considerations of SLN technology. The review extensively focuses on the applications of SLNs in cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Applications 2.0)
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