The goal of this investigation was to develop and demonstrate a polymer/paclitaxel selfassembly(PTX-SA) formulation. Polymer/PTX-SAs were screened based on smaller size of formulation using dynamic light scattering an...The goal of this investigation was to develop and demonstrate a polymer/paclitaxel selfassembly(PTX-SA) formulation. Polymer/PTX-SAs were screened based on smaller size of formulation using dynamic light scattering analysis. Additionally, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry studies exhibited that polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)-based PTX-SAs(PVP/PTX-SAs) had superior cellular internalization capability in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The optimized PVP/PTXSAs exhibited less toxicity to human red blood cells indicating a suitable formulation for reducing systemic toxicity. The formation of PVP and PTX self-assemblies was confirmed using fluorescence quenching and transmission electron microscopy which indicated that the PVP/PTX-SAs were spherical in shape with an average size range of 53.81 nm as detected by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).FTIR spectral analysis demonstrates incorporation of polymer and paclitaxel functional groups in PVP/PTX-SAs. Both proliferation(MTS) and clonogenic(colony formation) assays were used to validate superior anticancer activity of PVP/PTX-SAs in breast cancer cells over paclitaxel. Such superior anticancer activity was also demonstrated by downregulation of the expression of pro-survival protein(Bcl-x L), upregulation of apoptosis-associated proteins(Bid, Bax, cleaved caspase 7, and cleaved PARP)and β-tubulin stabilization. These results support the hypothesis that PVP/PTX-SAs improved paclitaxel delivery to cancer cells.展开更多
The abundant intracellular glutathione(GSH)in cancer cells severely undermines the therapeutic efficacy of different treatments due to their role in protecting cancer cells from the associated oxidative stress.Develop...The abundant intracellular glutathione(GSH)in cancer cells severely undermines the therapeutic efficacy of different treatments due to their role in protecting cancer cells from the associated oxidative stress.Developing a highly integrated system to consume GSH would help to improve the therapeutic outcomes.In this study,supramolecular prodrug self-assemblies(SPSAs)with IR825 loaded inside were developed to consume GSH via two-pronged pathways while augmenting the therapeutic potency of chemo/photothermal treatment.SPSAs were prepared using water-soluble pillar[6]arene(WP[6])as host units and H_(2)O_(2)-responsive nitrogen mustard prodrug,chlorambucil-(phenylboronic acid pinacol ester)conjugates(Cb-BE),as the guests.When SPSAs were internalized by cancer cells,the generation of quinone methide(QM)from Cb-BE and singlet oxygen(^(1)O_(2))from irradiation-activated IR825 could consume GSH in a concerted way.As such,the therapeutic efficacies of the released chlorambucil and the accompanied hyperthermia were augmented toward synergistically inhibiting tumor growth.展开更多
High sensitive chemical sensors towards NO2 and NH3 based on the self-assembled nanostructures of the heteroleptic and homoleptic bis（phthalocyaninato） europium complexes with octanaphthoxy phthalocyaninato ligands ...High sensitive chemical sensors towards NO2 and NH3 based on the self-assembled nanostructures of the heteroleptic and homoleptic bis（phthalocyaninato） europium complexes with octanaphthoxy phthalocyaninato ligands named Eu（Pc）[Pc（ONh）8] （1） and Eu[Pc（ONh）8]2 （2） [Pc = unsubstituted phthalocyaninate; Pc（ONh）8 = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octanaphthoxy phthalocyaninate] have been developed. The good conductivity, high crystal- linity and large specific surface area for the self-assemblies of 1 render it excellent sensing property for either electron-accepting gas NO2 in 50--250 ppb range or electron-donating gas NH3 in 2.5--12.5 ppm range due to the optimized molecular packing in the uniform-sized nanopartieles depending on the effective intermolecular interaction between double-decker molecules, among the best results of phthalocyanine-based chemical sensors for detection of NO2 and NH3 at room temperature. Interestingly, self-assemblies of I exhibited n-type response to NO2 and p-type response to NH3, which is the first example of ambipolar charge-transporting gas sensors fabricated from single- component organic semiconductors. However, the self-assemblies of 2 with sixteen bulky naphtboxy groups at the periphery of two Pc rings only present an n-type response to strong oxidant gas NO2 in a relatively high concentration of 0.5 - 1.5 ppm, while are insensitive to weak reducing gas NH3 due to the existence of great steric hindrance from bulky naphthoxy groups and more traps and/or defects in self-assemblies.展开更多
We show that self-assembled vertically aligned gold nanorod （VA-GNRs） superlattices can serve as probes or substrates for ultra-high sensitive detection of various molecules. D-glucose and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene （TN...We show that self-assembled vertically aligned gold nanorod （VA-GNRs） superlattices can serve as probes or substrates for ultra-high sensitive detection of various molecules. D-glucose and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene （TNT） have been chosen as model systems due to their very low Raman cross-sections （5.6× 10-30 cm2.molecule-1.sr-1 for D-glucose and 4.9 × 10-31 cm2.molecule-1.sr-1 for TNT） to show that the VA-GNR superlattice assembly offers as low as yoctomole sensitivity. Our experiment on mixed samples of bovine serum albumin （BSA） and D-glucose solutions demonstrate sensitivity for the latter, and the possible extension to real samples. Self-assembled superlattices of VA-GNRs were achieved on a silicon wafer by depositing a drop of solvent containing the GNRs and subsequent solvent evaporation in ambient conditions. An additional advantage of the VA-GNR monolayers is their extremely high reproducible morphology accompanied by ultrahigh sensitivity which will be useful in many fields where a very small amount of analyte is available. Moreover the assembly can be reused a number of times after removing the already present molecules. The method of obtaining VA-GNRs is simple, inexpensive and reproducible. With the help of simulations of monolayers and multilayers it has been shown that superlattices can achieve better sensitivity than monolaver assembly of VA-GNRs.展开更多
Supramolecular nanofiber peptide assemblies had been used to construct functional hydrogel biomaterials and achieved great progress.Here,a new class of biphenyl-tripeptides with different C-terminal amino acids sequen...Supramolecular nanofiber peptide assemblies had been used to construct functional hydrogel biomaterials and achieved great progress.Here,a new class of biphenyl-tripeptides with different C-terminal amino acids sequences transposition were developed,which could self-assemble to form robust supramolecular nanofiber hydrogels from 0.7 to 13.8 kPa at ultra-low weight percent(about 0.27 wt%).Using molecular dynamics simulations to interrogate the physicochemical properties of designed biphenyl-tripeptide sequences in atomic detail,reasonable hydrogen bond interactions and“FF”brick(phenylalanine-phenylalanine)promoted the formation of supramolecular fibrous hydrogels.The biomechanical properties and intermolecular interactions were also analyzed by rheology and spectroscopy analysis to optimize amino acid sequence.Enhanced L929 cells adhesion and proliferation demonstrated good biocompatibility of the hydrogels.The storage modulus of BPAA-AFF with 10 nm nanofibers self-assembling was around 13.8 kPa,and the morphology was similar to natural extracellular matrix.These supramolecular nanofiber hydrogels could effectively support chondrocytes spreading and proliferation,and specifically enhance chondrogenic related genes expression and chondrogenic matrix secretion.Such biomimetic supramolecular short peptide biomaterials hold great potential in regenerative medicine as promising innovative matrices because of their simple and regular molecular structure and excellent biological performance.展开更多
A new star-shaped molecule StOF-Br_3 containing oligofluorenes and halogen atoms(Bromine) has been synthesized and studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy(STM) at the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite(HOPG) surface....A new star-shaped molecule StOF-Br_3 containing oligofluorenes and halogen atoms(Bromine) has been synthesized and studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy(STM) at the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite(HOPG) surface.We have obtained the high-resolution self-assembled STM images,from which the highly ordered and closely packed non-porous arrangements of the StOF-Br_3 molecular selfassemblies at the heptanoic acid/HOPG surface could be observed.The molecular models and selfassembled StOF-Br_3 architectures have been given in the following text.Besides,we have also figured out the surface free energy by the density functional theory(DFT) calculation,which proved that the halogen...halogen interaction was strong enough to stabilize the ordered molecular self-assemblies.This work verifies the existence of bromine...bromine interactions,and meanwhile provides a kind of effective approach for quickly building ordered molecular nanoarchitectures with large areas and different geometries.展开更多
The self-assembling behavior of random copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS)and hydrophobic comonomers possessing dodecyl groups linked by various spacer bonds was discussed with a focus ...The self-assembling behavior of random copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS)and hydrophobic comonomers possessing dodecyl groups linked by various spacer bonds was discussed with a focus on theeffect of the spacer. The characterization of association behavior of such polymers in water using quasielastic light scattering,capillary electrophoresis, NMR relaxation, various fluorescence, and viscoelastic methods was described. These copolymersform a variety of self-assembled nanostructures depending on the type of the spacer. Random copolymers of AMPS and N-dodecylmethacrylamide show a strong preference for intrapolymer self-association even in concentrated aqueous solutionsforming single-macromolecular self-assemblies (unimolecular micelles). In contrast, random copolymers of AMPS anddodecyl methacrylate are prone to undergo interpolymer associations yielding multipolymer micelles. In random copolymersof AMPS and a methacrylate substituted a nonionic surfactant (HO(CH_2CH_2O)_(25)C_(12)H_(25)) (C_(12)E_(25)), dodecyl groups are muchless restricted by the polymer backbone because they are linked via a long, flexible hydrophilic spacer. Thus, the polymer-bound C_(12)E_(25) surfactant moieties form micelles similar to those formed by discrete surfactants, but they are bridged bypolymer chains forming a network structure.展开更多
Building self-assembly nanostructures is an important way to overcome the limitations of paclitaxel in tumor therapy.However,this strategy is also faced with challenges,such as difficulties in efficient release and th...Building self-assembly nanostructures is an important way to overcome the limitations of paclitaxel in tumor therapy.However,this strategy is also faced with challenges,such as difficulties in efficient release and the potential for drug resistance.Herein,we developed a near-infrared light-activatable melanized paclitaxel self-assembly nanoparticles for synergistic anti-tumor therapy.In this strategy,paclitaxel dimer prodrugs were synthesized and paclitaxel nanoparticles were obtained through self-assembly.Finally,the paclitaxel dimer nanoparticles were capped with polydopamine(PDA,melanoidin)and human serum albumin(HSA).The disulfide bonds in paclitaxel dimeric prodrug specifically respond to high concentrations of glutathione(GSH)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in tumor cells.PDA enhances the biocompatibility of the drug molecules and imparts near-infrared photothermal conversion capability to the nano-self-assemblies.Both the in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that this paclitaxel nanoprodrug exhibited enhanced tumor therapeutic efficacy under near-infrared light irradiation.展开更多
The use of lipid nanocarriers for drug delivery applications is an active research area,and a great interest has particularly been shown in the past two decades.Among different lipid nanocarriers,ISAsomes(Internally s...The use of lipid nanocarriers for drug delivery applications is an active research area,and a great interest has particularly been shown in the past two decades.Among different lipid nanocarriers,ISAsomes(Internally self-assembled somes or particles),including cubosomes and hexosomes,and solid lipid nanoparticles(SLNs)have unique structural features,making them attractive as nanocarriers for drug delivery.In this contribution,we focus exclusively on recent advances in formation and characterization of ISAsomes,mainly cubosomes and hexosomes,and their use as versatile nanocarriers for different drug delivery applications.Additionally,the advantages of SLNs and their application in oral and pulmonary drug delivery are discussed with focus on the biological fates of these lipid nanocarriers in vivo.Despite the demonstrated advantages in in vitro and in vivo evaluations including preclinical studies,further investigations on improved understanding of the interactions of these nanoparticles with biological fuids and tissues of the target sites is necessary for effcient designing of drug nanocarriers and exploring potential clinical applications.展开更多
Mesoporous nanocrystal clusters of anatase TiO2 with large surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized. The synthesis involves the self-assembly of hydrophobic TiO2 nanocrystal...Mesoporous nanocrystal clusters of anatase TiO2 with large surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized. The synthesis involves the self-assembly of hydrophobic TiO2 nanocrystals into submicron clusters, coating of these clusters with a silica layer, thermal treatment to remove organic ligands and improve the crystallinity of the clusters, and finally removing silica to expose the mesoporous catalysts. With the help of the silica coating, the clusters not only maintain their small grain size but also keep their mesoporous structure after calcination at high temperatures （with BET surface area as high as 277 m2/g）. The etching of SiO2 also results in the clusters having high dispersity in water. We have been able to identify the optimal calcination temperature to produce TiO2 nanocrystal clusters that possess both high crystallinity and large surface area, and therefore show excellent catalytic efficiency in the decomposition of organic molecules under illumination by UV light. Convenient doping with nitrogen converts these nanocrystal clusters into active photocatalysts in both visible light and natural sunlight. The strategy of forming well-defined mesoporous clusters using nanocrystals promises a versatile and useful method for designing photocatalysts with enhanced activity and stability.展开更多
基金performed under National Institute of Health/National Cancer Center's Career Development Award K22 CA174841,R15 CA 213232CORNET-UTHSC,Start-up by the College of Pharmacy,UTHSC to Murali M.Yallapu+1 种基金gratefully acknowledge the National Institutes of Health Research Project Grant Program (R01 CA210192,R01 CA206069,and CA204552) to Subhash C.ChauhanUTHSC-College of Pharmacy-Dean's Seed Grant support to Murali M.Yallapu,Meena Jaggi and Subhash C.Chauhan
文摘The goal of this investigation was to develop and demonstrate a polymer/paclitaxel selfassembly(PTX-SA) formulation. Polymer/PTX-SAs were screened based on smaller size of formulation using dynamic light scattering analysis. Additionally, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry studies exhibited that polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)-based PTX-SAs(PVP/PTX-SAs) had superior cellular internalization capability in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The optimized PVP/PTXSAs exhibited less toxicity to human red blood cells indicating a suitable formulation for reducing systemic toxicity. The formation of PVP and PTX self-assemblies was confirmed using fluorescence quenching and transmission electron microscopy which indicated that the PVP/PTX-SAs were spherical in shape with an average size range of 53.81 nm as detected by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).FTIR spectral analysis demonstrates incorporation of polymer and paclitaxel functional groups in PVP/PTX-SAs. Both proliferation(MTS) and clonogenic(colony formation) assays were used to validate superior anticancer activity of PVP/PTX-SAs in breast cancer cells over paclitaxel. Such superior anticancer activity was also demonstrated by downregulation of the expression of pro-survival protein(Bcl-x L), upregulation of apoptosis-associated proteins(Bid, Bax, cleaved caspase 7, and cleaved PARP)and β-tubulin stabilization. These results support the hypothesis that PVP/PTX-SAs improved paclitaxel delivery to cancer cells.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21801162,22277011,and 22107019)National Key Research&Development Program of China(No.2020YFA0210800)+1 种基金National Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China(No.2023-JC-QN-0150)the Major Project of Science and Technology of Fujian Province(No.2020HZ06006).
文摘The abundant intracellular glutathione(GSH)in cancer cells severely undermines the therapeutic efficacy of different treatments due to their role in protecting cancer cells from the associated oxidative stress.Developing a highly integrated system to consume GSH would help to improve the therapeutic outcomes.In this study,supramolecular prodrug self-assemblies(SPSAs)with IR825 loaded inside were developed to consume GSH via two-pronged pathways while augmenting the therapeutic potency of chemo/photothermal treatment.SPSAs were prepared using water-soluble pillar[6]arene(WP[6])as host units and H_(2)O_(2)-responsive nitrogen mustard prodrug,chlorambucil-(phenylboronic acid pinacol ester)conjugates(Cb-BE),as the guests.When SPSAs were internalized by cancer cells,the generation of quinone methide(QM)from Cb-BE and singlet oxygen(^(1)O_(2))from irradiation-activated IR825 could consume GSH in a concerted way.As such,the therapeutic efficacies of the released chlorambucil and the accompanied hyperthermia were augmented toward synergistically inhibiting tumor growth.
基金We are thankful for financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Nos. 21371073 and 21290174）, the National Key Basic Research Program of China （Nos. 2013CB933402 and 2012CB224801）, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities （No. 16CX06022A） and Research Fund for Introduced Talents of China University of Petroleum （No.Y 1510051）.
文摘High sensitive chemical sensors towards NO2 and NH3 based on the self-assembled nanostructures of the heteroleptic and homoleptic bis（phthalocyaninato） europium complexes with octanaphthoxy phthalocyaninato ligands named Eu（Pc）[Pc（ONh）8] （1） and Eu[Pc（ONh）8]2 （2） [Pc = unsubstituted phthalocyaninate; Pc（ONh）8 = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octanaphthoxy phthalocyaninate] have been developed. The good conductivity, high crystal- linity and large specific surface area for the self-assemblies of 1 render it excellent sensing property for either electron-accepting gas NO2 in 50--250 ppb range or electron-donating gas NH3 in 2.5--12.5 ppm range due to the optimized molecular packing in the uniform-sized nanopartieles depending on the effective intermolecular interaction between double-decker molecules, among the best results of phthalocyanine-based chemical sensors for detection of NO2 and NH3 at room temperature. Interestingly, self-assemblies of I exhibited n-type response to NO2 and p-type response to NH3, which is the first example of ambipolar charge-transporting gas sensors fabricated from single- component organic semiconductors. However, the self-assemblies of 2 with sixteen bulky naphtboxy groups at the periphery of two Pc rings only present an n-type response to strong oxidant gas NO2 in a relatively high concentration of 0.5 - 1.5 ppm, while are insensitive to weak reducing gas NH3 due to the existence of great steric hindrance from bulky naphthoxy groups and more traps and/or defects in self-assemblies.
文摘We show that self-assembled vertically aligned gold nanorod （VA-GNRs） superlattices can serve as probes or substrates for ultra-high sensitive detection of various molecules. D-glucose and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene （TNT） have been chosen as model systems due to their very low Raman cross-sections （5.6× 10-30 cm2.molecule-1.sr-1 for D-glucose and 4.9 × 10-31 cm2.molecule-1.sr-1 for TNT） to show that the VA-GNR superlattice assembly offers as low as yoctomole sensitivity. Our experiment on mixed samples of bovine serum albumin （BSA） and D-glucose solutions demonstrate sensitivity for the latter, and the possible extension to real samples. Self-assembled superlattices of VA-GNRs were achieved on a silicon wafer by depositing a drop of solvent containing the GNRs and subsequent solvent evaporation in ambient conditions. An additional advantage of the VA-GNR monolayers is their extremely high reproducible morphology accompanied by ultrahigh sensitivity which will be useful in many fields where a very small amount of analyte is available. Moreover the assembly can be reused a number of times after removing the already present molecules. The method of obtaining VA-GNRs is simple, inexpensive and reproducible. With the help of simulations of monolayers and multilayers it has been shown that superlattices can achieve better sensitivity than monolaver assembly of VA-GNRs.
基金sponsored by National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2018YFC1105900)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32071352)+1 种基金Sichuan Province Key R&D Program(2019YFS0007)Sichuan university Innovation Spark Project(2018SCUH0089).
文摘Supramolecular nanofiber peptide assemblies had been used to construct functional hydrogel biomaterials and achieved great progress.Here,a new class of biphenyl-tripeptides with different C-terminal amino acids sequences transposition were developed,which could self-assemble to form robust supramolecular nanofiber hydrogels from 0.7 to 13.8 kPa at ultra-low weight percent(about 0.27 wt%).Using molecular dynamics simulations to interrogate the physicochemical properties of designed biphenyl-tripeptide sequences in atomic detail,reasonable hydrogen bond interactions and“FF”brick(phenylalanine-phenylalanine)promoted the formation of supramolecular fibrous hydrogels.The biomechanical properties and intermolecular interactions were also analyzed by rheology and spectroscopy analysis to optimize amino acid sequence.Enhanced L929 cells adhesion and proliferation demonstrated good biocompatibility of the hydrogels.The storage modulus of BPAA-AFF with 10 nm nanofibers self-assembling was around 13.8 kPa,and the morphology was similar to natural extracellular matrix.These supramolecular nanofiber hydrogels could effectively support chondrocytes spreading and proliferation,and specifically enhance chondrogenic related genes expression and chondrogenic matrix secretion.Such biomimetic supramolecular short peptide biomaterials hold great potential in regenerative medicine as promising innovative matrices because of their simple and regular molecular structure and excellent biological performance.
基金The financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Nos.21773041 and 21327805)the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2016YFA0200700)。
文摘A new star-shaped molecule StOF-Br_3 containing oligofluorenes and halogen atoms(Bromine) has been synthesized and studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy(STM) at the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite(HOPG) surface.We have obtained the high-resolution self-assembled STM images,from which the highly ordered and closely packed non-porous arrangements of the StOF-Br_3 molecular selfassemblies at the heptanoic acid/HOPG surface could be observed.The molecular models and selfassembled StOF-Br_3 architectures have been given in the following text.Besides,we have also figured out the surface free energy by the density functional theory(DFT) calculation,which proved that the halogen...halogen interaction was strong enough to stabilize the ordered molecular self-assemblies.This work verifies the existence of bromine...bromine interactions,and meanwhile provides a kind of effective approach for quickly building ordered molecular nanoarchitectures with large areas and different geometries.
文摘The self-assembling behavior of random copolymers of sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS)and hydrophobic comonomers possessing dodecyl groups linked by various spacer bonds was discussed with a focus on theeffect of the spacer. The characterization of association behavior of such polymers in water using quasielastic light scattering,capillary electrophoresis, NMR relaxation, various fluorescence, and viscoelastic methods was described. These copolymersform a variety of self-assembled nanostructures depending on the type of the spacer. Random copolymers of AMPS and N-dodecylmethacrylamide show a strong preference for intrapolymer self-association even in concentrated aqueous solutionsforming single-macromolecular self-assemblies (unimolecular micelles). In contrast, random copolymers of AMPS anddodecyl methacrylate are prone to undergo interpolymer associations yielding multipolymer micelles. In random copolymersof AMPS and a methacrylate substituted a nonionic surfactant (HO(CH_2CH_2O)_(25)C_(12)H_(25)) (C_(12)E_(25)), dodecyl groups are muchless restricted by the polymer backbone because they are linked via a long, flexible hydrophilic spacer. Thus, the polymer-bound C_(12)E_(25) surfactant moieties form micelles similar to those formed by discrete surfactants, but they are bridged bypolymer chains forming a network structure.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(22007083)Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center of Advanced Textile Technology and the Fundamental Research Funds of Shaoxing Keqiao Research Institute of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University(KYY2022004C)the Fundamental Research Funds of Shengzhou Innovation Research Institute of Zhejiang SciTech University(SYY2023B000004)
文摘Building self-assembly nanostructures is an important way to overcome the limitations of paclitaxel in tumor therapy.However,this strategy is also faced with challenges,such as difficulties in efficient release and the potential for drug resistance.Herein,we developed a near-infrared light-activatable melanized paclitaxel self-assembly nanoparticles for synergistic anti-tumor therapy.In this strategy,paclitaxel dimer prodrugs were synthesized and paclitaxel nanoparticles were obtained through self-assembly.Finally,the paclitaxel dimer nanoparticles were capped with polydopamine(PDA,melanoidin)and human serum albumin(HSA).The disulfide bonds in paclitaxel dimeric prodrug specifically respond to high concentrations of glutathione(GSH)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in tumor cells.PDA enhances the biocompatibility of the drug molecules and imparts near-infrared photothermal conversion capability to the nano-self-assemblies.Both the in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that this paclitaxel nanoprodrug exhibited enhanced tumor therapeutic efficacy under near-infrared light irradiation.
基金Financial support to Anan Yaghmur for studies on development of drug nanocarriers based on cubosomes and hexosomes by the Danish Council for Independent Research|Technology and Production Sciences(references 1335-00150b and DFF-7017-00065,Denmark)。
文摘The use of lipid nanocarriers for drug delivery applications is an active research area,and a great interest has particularly been shown in the past two decades.Among different lipid nanocarriers,ISAsomes(Internally self-assembled somes or particles),including cubosomes and hexosomes,and solid lipid nanoparticles(SLNs)have unique structural features,making them attractive as nanocarriers for drug delivery.In this contribution,we focus exclusively on recent advances in formation and characterization of ISAsomes,mainly cubosomes and hexosomes,and their use as versatile nanocarriers for different drug delivery applications.Additionally,the advantages of SLNs and their application in oral and pulmonary drug delivery are discussed with focus on the biological fates of these lipid nanocarriers in vivo.Despite the demonstrated advantages in in vitro and in vivo evaluations including preclinical studies,further investigations on improved understanding of the interactions of these nanoparticles with biological fuids and tissues of the target sites is necessary for effcient designing of drug nanocarriers and exploring potential clinical applications.
文摘Mesoporous nanocrystal clusters of anatase TiO2 with large surface area and enhanced photocatalytic activity have been successfully synthesized. The synthesis involves the self-assembly of hydrophobic TiO2 nanocrystals into submicron clusters, coating of these clusters with a silica layer, thermal treatment to remove organic ligands and improve the crystallinity of the clusters, and finally removing silica to expose the mesoporous catalysts. With the help of the silica coating, the clusters not only maintain their small grain size but also keep their mesoporous structure after calcination at high temperatures （with BET surface area as high as 277 m2/g）. The etching of SiO2 also results in the clusters having high dispersity in water. We have been able to identify the optimal calcination temperature to produce TiO2 nanocrystal clusters that possess both high crystallinity and large surface area, and therefore show excellent catalytic efficiency in the decomposition of organic molecules under illumination by UV light. Convenient doping with nitrogen converts these nanocrystal clusters into active photocatalysts in both visible light and natural sunlight. The strategy of forming well-defined mesoporous clusters using nanocrystals promises a versatile and useful method for designing photocatalysts with enhanced activity and stability.
