1
|
Fattahi N, Gorgannezhad L, Masoule SF, Babanejad N, Ramazani A, Raoufi M, Sharifikolouei E, Foroumadi A, Khoobi M. PEI-based functional materials: Fabrication techniques, properties, and biomedical applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 325:103119. [PMID: 38447243 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Cationic polymers have recently attracted considerable interest as research breakthroughs for various industrial and biomedical applications. They are particularly interesting due to their highly positive charges, acceptable physicochemical properties, and ability to undergo further modifications, making them attractive candidates for biomedical applications. Polyethyleneimines (PEIs), as the most extensively utilized polymers, are one of the valuable and prominent classes of polycations. Owing to their flexible polymeric chains, broad molecular weight (MW) distribution, and repetitive structural units, their customization for functional composites is more feasible. The specific beneficial attributes of PEIs could be introduced by purposeful functionalization or modification, long service life, biocompatibility, and distinct geometry. Therefore, PEIs have significant potential in biotechnology, medicine, and bioscience. In this review, we present the advances in PEI-based nanomaterials, their transfection efficiency, and their toxicity over the past few years. Furthermore, the potential and suitability of PEIs for various applications are highlighted and discussed in detail. This review aims to inspire readers to investigate innovative approaches for the design and development of next-generation PEI-based nanomaterials possessing cutting-edge functionalities and appealing characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Fattahi
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan 45371-38791, Iran
| | - Lena Gorgannezhad
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Shabnam Farkhonde Masoule
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Niloofar Babanejad
- College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan 45371-38791, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Raoufi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 13169-43551, Iran
| | - Elham Sharifikolouei
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin (TO), Italy
| | - Alireza Foroumadi
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khoobi
- Drug Design and Development Research Center, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran; Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Craciun BF, Sandu IA, Peptanariu D, Pinteala M. Novel Nanotherapeutic Systems Based on PEGylated Squalene Micelles for Enhanced In Vitro Activity of Methotrexate and Cytarabine. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4225. [PMID: 37959905 PMCID: PMC10650902 DOI: 10.3390/polym15214225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicine has garnered significant attention due to the advantages it offers in the treatment of cancer-related disorders, some of the deadliest diseases affecting human lives. Conventional medication formulations often encounter issues of instability or insolubility in biological environments, resulting in low bioavailability. Nanocarriers play a crucial role in transporting and safeguarding drugs at specific sites of action, enabling gradual release under particular conditions. This study focuses on methotrexate (MTx) and cytarabine (Cyt), essential antitumoral drugs, loaded into PEGylated squalene micellar structures to enhance therapeutic effectiveness and minimize drawbacks. The micelles were prepared using ultrasound-assisted methods in both water and phosphate buffer saline solutions. Evaluation of drug-loaded micelles encompassed parameters such as particle size, colloidal stability, surface charge, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, drug loading capacity, and in vitro release profiles under simulated physiological and tumoral conditions. In vitro cell inhibition studies conducted on MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines demonstrated higher antitumoral activity for the drug-encapsulated micelles compared to free drugs. The encapsulation effectively addressed the burst effect, providing sustained release for at least 48 h while enhancing the drug's protection under physiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan-Florin Craciun
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (I.-A.S.); (D.P.)
| | | | | | - Mariana Pinteala
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania; (I.-A.S.); (D.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sulej J, Piątek-Gołda W, Grąz M, Szałapata K, Waśko P, Janik-Zabrotowicz E, Osińska-Jaroszuk M. Immobilisation of Cellobiose Dehydrogenase and Laccase on Chitosan Particles as a Multi-Enzymatic System for the Synthesis of Lactobionic Acid. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:383. [PMID: 37504878 PMCID: PMC10381469 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14070383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactobionic acid (LBA) is a bioactive compound that has become increasingly popular in medicine in recent years due to its unique properties. This chemical can be formed via the enzymatic oxidation of lactose using fungal oxidoreductive enzymes. This study aimed to intensify the synthesis of LBA using immobilised enzymes (cellobiose dehydrogenase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PchCDH) and laccase from Cerrena unicolor (CuLAC)) on chitosan microspheres. We used three different crosslinking agents: genipin, glutaraldehyde, and polyethyleneimine to activate the chitosan. The FTIR and CellDrop techniques were used to characterise the activated microspheres. Quantitative (HPLC) and qualitative (TLC) methods were used to determine the obtained LBA. The results show that the type of activator used influences the efficiency of the binding of the enzyme to the matrix. Furthermore, the amount of LBA formed depends on the type of system used. The use of a system in which one of the enzymes is immobilised on a PEI-activated carrier (PchCDH) and the other is free (CuLAC) proved to be the most optimal, as it yielded almost 100% conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid. Summarising the data obtained the following: lactobionic acid immobilised on chitosan microspheres has great potential for medical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Sulej
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Wiktoria Piątek-Gołda
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Marcin Grąz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Szałapata
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Waśko
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
- Core Facility of Biospectroscopy, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Janik-Zabrotowicz
- Core Facility of Biospectroscopy, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Osińska-Jaroszuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Craciun BF, Clima L, Bostiog DI, Silion M, Calin M, Peptanariu D, Pinteala M. Multilayer gold nanoparticles as non-viral vectors for targeting MCF-7 cancer cells. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 144:213201. [PMID: 36436432 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cargocomplexes play a vital role in non-viral delivery methods due to their capacity to target certain cells (or cells through the cell-division cycle) and inject their (macro)molecular "cargo" into them. The development of gene carriers that can efficiently transport and deliver genetic material into human-targeted cells with minimal toxicity is an important challenge in the field. The present study reports the straightforward preparation and testing of a modular non-viral gene carrier based on AuNPs. The design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of multilayer gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as non-viral gene carriers with high transfection efficiency, reduced cytotoxicity for targeted therapeutic delivery of nucleic acids to MCF-7 cancer cells are presented. The developed non-viral vector is based on supramolecular "host-guest" inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin, positioned on the AuNPs surface over a layer of polyethyleneimine, and adamantyl moiety from polyethylene glycol conjugated decapeptide (WXEAAYQRFL). First, the β-CD functionalized PEI was utilized as the template for the synthesis of AuNPs of controlled sizes. The reaction produced small AuNPs with a cationic layer which is known for efficient condensation of genetic material and β-CD suitable for the decoration of the carrier with targeting moieties using "host-guest" inclusion complexation. Subsequently, adamantine-polyethylene glycol conjugated decapeptide was attached to the AuNPs. The in vitro results have validated the ability of the proposed systems to selectively target tumor cells with high efficacy and low toxicity due to the unique affinity of the aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles toward breast cancer cells. The findings of this work demonstrated that the proposed modular system may represent a very promising platform for the AuNP-based non-viral vectors mainly due to the versatility of the system, which allows for the facile exchange of several types of ligands for improving the targeting properties and transfection efficiency, or for providing better protection from the endocytotic systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan Florin Craciun
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
| | - Lilia Clima
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
| | - Denisse-Iulia Bostiog
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihaela Silion
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
| | - Manuela Calin
- Medical and Pharmaceutical BioNanoTechnologies Laboratory (BioNanoMed), "Nicolae Simionescu" Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Peptanariu
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Mariana Pinteala
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vasiliu T, Mocci F, Laaksonen A, Engelbrecht LDV, Perepelytsya S. Caging Polycations: Effect of Increasing Confinement on the Modes of Interaction of Spermidine3+ With DNA Double Helices. Front Chem 2022; 10:836994. [PMID: 35281557 PMCID: PMC8915389 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.836994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyamines have important roles in the modulation of the cellular function and are ubiquitous in cells. The polyamines putrescine2+, spermidine3+, and spermine4+ represent the most abundant organic counterions of the negatively charged DNA in the cellular nucleus. These polyamines are known to stabilize the DNA structure and, depending on their concentration and additional salt composition, to induce DNA aggregation, which is often referred to as condensation. However, the modes of interactions of these elongated polycations with DNA and how they promote condensation are still not clear. In the present work, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations of two DNA fragments surrounded by spermidine3+ (Spd3+) cations were performed to study the structuring of Spd3+ “caged” between DNA molecules. Microsecond time scale simulations, in which the parallel DNA fragments were constrained at three different separations, but allowed to rotate axially and move naturally, provided information on the conformations and relative orientations of surrounding Spm3+ cations as a function of DNA-DNA separation. Novel geometric criteria allowed for the classification of DNA-Spd3+ interaction modes, with special attention given to Spd3+ conformational changes in the space between the two DNA molecules (caged Spd3+). This work shows how changes in the accessible space, or confinement, around DNA affect DNA-Spd3+ interactions, information fundamental to understanding the interactions between DNA and its counterions in environments where DNA is compacted, e.g. in the cellular nucleus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Vasiliu
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
| | - Francesca Mocci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Cagliari University, Cagliari, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesca Mocci, ; Aatto Laaksonen, ; Sergiy Perepelytsya,
| | - Aatto Laaksonen
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Cagliari University, Cagliari, Italy
- Division of Energy Science, Energy Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Francesca Mocci, ; Aatto Laaksonen, ; Sergiy Perepelytsya,
| | | | - Sergiy Perepelytsya
- Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics of the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
- *Correspondence: Francesca Mocci, ; Aatto Laaksonen, ; Sergiy Perepelytsya,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chitosan-Crosslinked Low Molecular Weight PEI-Conjugated Iron Oxide Nanoparticle for Safe and Effective DNA Delivery to Breast Cancer Cells. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12040584. [PMID: 35214917 PMCID: PMC8876741 DOI: 10.3390/nano12040584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer has attracted tremendous research interest in treatment development as one of the major threats to public health. The use of non-viral carriers for therapeutic DNA delivery has shown promise in treating various cancer types, including breast cancer, due to their high DNA loading capacity, high cell transfection efficiency, and design versatility. However, cytotoxicity and large sizes of non-viral DNA carriers often raise safety concerns and hinder their applications in the clinic. Here we report the development of a novel nanoparticle formulation (termed NP-Chi-xPEI) that can safely and effectively deliver DNA into breast cancer cells for successful transfection. The nanoparticle is composed of an iron oxide core coated with low molecular weight (800 Da) polyethyleneimine crosslinked with chitosan via biodegradable disulfide bonds. The NP-Chi-xPEI can condense DNA into a small nanoparticle with the overall size of less than 100 nm and offer full DNA protection. Its biodegradable coating of small-molecular weight xPEI and mildly positive surface charge confer extra biocompatibility. NP-Chi-xPEI-mediated DNA delivery was shown to achieve high transfection efficiency across multiple breast cancer cell lines with significantly lower cytotoxicity as compared to the commercial transfection agent Lipofectamine 3000. With demonstrated favorable physicochemical properties and functionality, NP-Chi-xPEI may serve as a reliable vehicle to deliver DNA to breast cancer cells.
Collapse
|