1
|
Floyd TG, Gurnani P, Rho JY. Characterisation of polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery. NANOSCALE 2025; 17:7738-7752. [PMID: 40018862 DOI: 10.1039/d5nr00071h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2025]
Abstract
Polymeric nanoparticles represent an innovative approach to drug delivery, particularly for addressing complex diseases like cancer. Their nanoscale dimensions facilitate targeted cellular uptake and effective navigation of biological barriers. With a broad range of polymerisation and functionalisation techniques, these nanoparticles can enable precise drug release, enhanced stability, and improved bioavailability while minimising side effects. Compared to conventional carriers, polymeric nanoparticles offer superior stability and versatility. However, despite these beneficial attributes, challenges remain in understanding their dynamic behaviour and interactions within biological systems. This mini-review aims to highlight key characterisation methods for studying polymeric nanocarriers, explore recent advances, and examine current challenges that must be addressed to optimise their therapeutic potential and advance these promising targeted drug delivery systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Floyd
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Pratik Gurnani
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Julia Y Rho
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gurnani P, Sanchez-Cano C, Xandri-Monje H, Zhang J, Ellacott SH, Mansfield EDH, Hartlieb M, Dallmann R, Perrier S. Probing the Effect of Rigidity on the Cellular Uptake of Core-Shell Nanoparticles: Stiffness Effects are Size Dependent. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2203070. [PMID: 35986441 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are well established vectors for the delivery of a wide range of biomedically relevant cargoes. Numerous studies have investigated the impact of size, shape, charge, and surface functionality of nanoparticles on mammalian cellular uptake. Rigidity has been studied to a far lesser extent, and its effects are still unclear. Here, the importance of this property, and its interplay with particle size, is systematically explored using a library of core-shell spherical PEGylated nanoparticles synthesized by RAFT emulsion polymerization. Rigidity of these particles is controlled by altering the intrinsic glass transition temperature of their constituting polymers. Three polymeric core rigidities are tested: hard, medium, and soft using two particle sizes, 50 and 100 nm diameters. Cellular uptake studies indicate that softer particles are taken up faster and threefold more than harder nanoparticles with the larger 100 nm particles. In addition, the study indicates major differences in the cellular uptake pathway, with harder particles being internalized through clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis as well as macropinocytosis, while softer particles are taken up bycaveolae- and non-receptormediated endocytosis. However, 50 nm derivatives do not show any appreciable differences in uptake efficiency, suggesting that rigidity as a parameter in the biological regime may be size dependent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Gurnani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Carlos Sanchez-Cano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Helena Xandri-Monje
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Junliang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sean H Ellacott
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Edward D H Mansfield
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Matthias Hartlieb
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Robert Dallmann
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Cancer Research Centre, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cook AB, Schlich M, Manghnani PN, Moore TL, Decuzzi P, Palange AL. Size effects of discoidal
PLGA
nanoconstructs in Pickering emulsion stabilization. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B. Cook
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Michele Schlich
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Purnima N. Manghnani
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Thomas L. Moore
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Palange
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genoa Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kasza K, Gurnani P, Hardie KR, Cámara M, Alexander C. Challenges and solutions in polymer drug delivery for bacterial biofilm treatment: A tissue-by-tissue account. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 178:113973. [PMID: 34530014 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To tackle the emerging antibiotic resistance crisis, novel antimicrobial approaches are urgently needed. Bacterial communities (biofilms) are a particular concern in this context. Biofilms are responsible for most human infections and are inherently less susceptible to antibiotic treatments. Biofilms have been linked with several challenging chronic diseases, including implant-associated osteomyelitis and chronic wounds. The specific local environments present in the infected tissues further contribute to the rise in antibiotic resistance by limiting the efficacy of systemic antibiotic therapies and reducing drug concentrations at the infection site, which can lead to reoccurring infections. To overcome the shortcomings of systemic drug delivery, encapsulation within polymeric carriers has been shown to enhance antimicrobial efficacy, permeation and retention at the infection site. In this Review, we present an overview of current strategies for antimicrobial encapsulation within polymeric carriers, comparing challenges and solutions on a tissue-by-tissue basis. We compare challenges and proposed drug delivery solutions from the perspective of the local environments for biofilms found in oral, wound, gastric, urinary tract, bone, pulmonary, vaginal, ocular and middle/inner ear tissues. We will also discuss future challenges and barriers to clinical translation for these therapeutics. The following Review demonstrates there is a significant imbalance between the research focus being placed on different tissue types, with some targets (oral and wound biofims) being extensively more studied than others (vaginal and otitis media biofilms and endocarditis). Furthermore, the importance of the local tissue environment when selecting target therapies is demonstrated, with some materials being optimal choices for certain sites of bacterial infection, while having limited applicability in others.
Collapse
|
5
|
Cook AB, Clemons TD. Bottom‐Up versus Top‐Down Strategies for Morphology Control in Polymer‐Based Biomedical Materials. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander B. Cook
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego 30 Genova 16163 Italy
| | - Tristan D. Clemons
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg MS 39406 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boussiron C, Le Bechec M, Sabalot J, Lacombe S, Save M. Photoactive rose bengal-based latex via RAFT emulsion polymerization-induced self-assembly. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py01128b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Rose bengal shell- or core-functionalized acrylic latex synthesized by RAFT emulsion PISA: interfacial photosensitized 1O2 production under visible light.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlène Boussiron
- CNRS
- University Pau & Pays Adour
- E2S UPPA
- Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux
- IPREM
| | - Mickaël Le Bechec
- CNRS
- University Pau & Pays Adour
- E2S UPPA
- Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux
- IPREM
| | - Julia Sabalot
- CNRS
- University Pau & Pays Adour
- E2S UPPA
- Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux
- IPREM
| | - Sylvie Lacombe
- CNRS
- University Pau & Pays Adour
- E2S UPPA
- Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux
- IPREM
| | - Maud Save
- CNRS
- University Pau & Pays Adour
- E2S UPPA
- Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux
- IPREM
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dergunov SA, Pinkhassik E. Bilayer-Templated Two-Dimensional RAFT Polymerization for Directed Assembly of Polymer Nanostructures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:18405-18411. [PMID: 32558032 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202006793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Co-localization of monomers, crosslinkers, and chain-transfer agents (CTA) within self-assembled bilayers in an aqueous suspension enabled the successful directed assembly of nanocapsules using a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process without compromising the polymerization kinetics. This study uncovered substantial influence of the organized medium on the course of the reaction, including differential reactivity based on placement and mobility of monomers, crosslinkers, and CTAs within the bilayer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey A Dergunov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Eugene Pinkhassik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dergunov SA, Pinkhassik E. Bilayer‐Templated Two‐Dimensional RAFT Polymerization for Directed Assembly of Polymer Nanostructures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202006793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey A. Dergunov
- Department of Chemistry University of Connecticut 55 North Eagleville Road Storrs CT 06269 USA
| | - Eugene Pinkhassik
- Department of Chemistry University of Connecticut 55 North Eagleville Road Storrs CT 06269 USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Richardson RAE, Guimarães TR, Khan M, Moad G, Zetterlund PB, Perrier S. Low-Dispersity Polymers in Ab Initio Emulsion Polymerization: Improved MacroRAFT Agent Performance in Heterogeneous Media. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thiago R. Guimarães
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Murtaza Khan
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Graeme Moad
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Bag 10, Clayton South, VIC 3169, Australia
| | - Per B. Zetterlund
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gurnani P, Perrier S. Controlled radical polymerization in dispersed systems for biological applications. Prog Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2020.101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
11
|
Neumann S, Biewend M, Rana S, Binder WH. The CuAAC: Principles, Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts, and Novel Developments and Applications. Macromol Rapid Commun 2019; 41:e1900359. [PMID: 31631449 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201900359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The copper-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) has emerged as the most useful "click" chemistry. Polymer science has profited enormously from CuAAC by its simplicity, ease, scope, applicability and efficiency. Basic principles of the CuAAC are reviewed with a focus on homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, ligands, anchimeric assistance, and basic chemical principles. Recent developments of ligand design and acceleration are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve Neumann
- Institute of Chemistry, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, von Danckelmannplatz 4, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michel Biewend
- Institute of Chemistry, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, von Danckelmannplatz 4, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sravendra Rana
- School of Engineering University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Wolfgang H Binder
- Institute of Chemistry, Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, von Danckelmannplatz 4, D-06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| |
Collapse
|