Rapamycin ameliorates chitosan nanoparticle-induced developmental defects of preimplantation embryos in mice

Progeny Transfer Effects of Chitosan-Coated Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles

Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CFNs) are promising materials for their enticing properties for different biomedical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast, drug carriers, biosensors, and many more. In our previous study, a chitosan-coated CFN (CCN) nanocomplex demonstrated potential as an MRI contrast dye by improving the biocompatibility of CFN. In this study, we report the progeny transfer effects of CCN following a single intravenous injection of CCN (20, 40, or 60 mg/kg) in pregnant albino Wistar rats. Biochemical and histological observation reveals that CCN is tolerated with respect to maternal organ functions (e.g., liver, kidney). Atomic absorption spectroscopy results showed that CCN or CCN-leached iron could cross the placental barrier and deposit in the fetus. Furthermore, this deposition accelerated lipid peroxidation in the placenta and fetus.

Hazard Assessment of Polymeric Nanobiomaterials for Drug Delivery: What Can We Learn From Literature So Far

The physicochemical properties of nanobiomaterials, such as their small size and high surface area ratio, make them attractive, novel drug-carriers, with increased cellular interaction and increased permeation through several biological barriers. However, these same properties hinder any extrapolation of knowledge from the toxicity of their raw material. Though, as suggested by the Safe-by-Design (SbD) concept, the hazard assessment should be the starting point for the formulation development. This may enable us to select the most promising candidates of polymeric nanobiomaterials for safe drug-delivery in an early phase of innovation. Nowadays the majority of reports on polymeric nanomaterials are focused in optimizing the nanocarrier features, such as size, physical stability and drug loading efficacy, and in performing preliminary cytocompatibility testing and proving effectiveness of the drug loaded formulation, using the most diverse cell lines. Toxicological studies exploring the biological effects of the polymeric nanomaterials, particularly regarding immune system interaction are often disregarded. The objective of this review is to illustrate what is known about the biological effects of polymeric nanomaterials and to see if trends in toxicity and general links between physicochemical properties of nanobiomaterials and their effects may be derived. For that, data on chitosan, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and policaprolactone (PCL) nanomaterials will be evaluated regarding acute and repeated dose toxicity, inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, toxicity on reproduction and hemocompatibility. We further intend to identify the analytical and biological tests described in the literature used to assess polymeric nanomaterials toxicity, to evaluate and interpret the available results and to expose the obstacles and challenges related to the nanomaterial testing. At the present time, considering all the information collected, the hazard assessment and thus also the SbD of polymeric nanomaterials is still dependent on a case-by-case evaluation. The identified obstacles prevent the identification of toxicity trends and the generation of an assertive toxicity database. In the future, in vitro and in vivo harmonized toxicity studies using unloaded polymeric nanomaterials, extensively characterized regarding their intrinsic and extrinsic properties should allow to generate such database. Such a database would enable us to apply the SbD approach more efficiently.

In vitro versus In vivo: Development-, Apoptosis-, and Implantation- Related Gene Expression in Mouse Blastocyst

Background

While mammalian embryos can adapt to their environments, their sensitivity overshadows their adaptability in suboptimal in vitro conditions. Therefore, the environment in which the gametes are fertilized or to which the embryo is exposed can greatly affect the quality of the embryo and consequently its implantation potential.

Objectives

Since providing an optimal culture condition needs a deep understanding of the environmental effects, and regarding the fact that normal morphology fails to be a reliable indicator of natural embryo development, the current study aimed at comparing in vivo- and in vitro-derived blastocysts at the molecular level.

Materials and Methods

In vivo and in vitro mouse blastocysts were obtained by flushing the uterine horns and in vitro fertilization/culture, respectively. Normal blastocysts of both groups were evaluated in terms of hatching rate and expression of three lineage-differentiation-, apoptosis-, and implantation-related genes.

Results

The hatching rate was lower in In vitro fertilization (IVF)-produced blastocysts in comparison with that of the in vivo counterparts. More importantly, the study results indicated significant changes in the expression levels of eight out of ten selected genes, especially Mmp-9 (about -10.7-fold). The expression of Mmp-9 in trophoblast cells is required for successful implantation and trophoblast invasion.

Conclusions

The current study, in addition to confirming that the altered gene expression pattern of in vitro-produced embryos resulted in normal morphology, provided a possible reason for lower implantation rate of in vitro-produced blastocysts regarding the Mmp-9 expression.

Biodegradable and biocompatible high elastic chitosan scaffold is cell-friendly both in vitro and in vivo

Biodegradable and biocompatible macromolecule chitosan has been favored for a variety of clinical applications. We reported herein the fabrication of a novel chitosan scaffold with high elasticity. This scaffold can be easily compressed and thus enable the insertion of such scaffold into surgical lesions during minimal invasive surgeries. In addition, this novel scaffold can restore its shape when released. We evidenced that this high elastic scaffold has better biocompatibility than traditional chitosan scaffold. Therefore, this new chitosan material might lead to the manufacture of a variety of novel biodegradable biomedical materials and devices.

Zinc-Modified Nanotransporter of Doxorubicin for Targeted Prostate Cancer Delivery

This work investigated the preparation of chitosan nanoparticles used as carriers for doxorubicin for targeted cancer delivery. Prepared nanocarriers were stabilized and functionalized via zinc ions incorporated into the chitosan nanoparticle backbone. We took the advantage of high expression of sarcosine in the prostate cancer cells. The prostate cancer targeting was mediated by the AntiSar antibodies decorated surface of the nanocage. Formation of the chitosan nanoparticles was determined using a ninhydrin assay and differential pulse voltammetry. Obtained results showed the strong effect of tripolyphosphine on the nanoparticle formation. The zinc ions affected strong chitosan backbone coiling both in inner and outer chitosan nanoparticle structure. Zinc electrochemical signal depended on the level of the complex formation and the potential shift from -960 to -950 mV. Formed complex is suitable for doxorubicin delivery. It was observed the 20% entrapment efficiency of doxorubicin and strong dependence of drug release after 120 min in the blood environment. The functionality of the designed nanotransporter was proven. The purposed determination showed linear dependence in the concentration range of Anti-sarcosine IgG labeled gold nanoparticles from 0 to 1000 µg/mL and the regression equation was found to be y = 3.8x - 66.7 and R² = 0.99. Performed ELISA confirmed the ability of Anti-sarcosine IgG labeled chitosan nanoparticles with loaded doxorubicin to bind to the sarcosine molecule. Observed hemolytic activity of the nanotransporter was 40%. Inhibition activity of our proposed nanotransporter was evaluated to be 0% on the experimental model of S. cerevisiae. Anti-sarcosine IgG labeled chitosan nanoparticles, with loaded doxorubicin stabilized by Zn ions, are a perspective type of nanocarrier for targeted drug therapy managed by specific interaction with sarcosine and metallothionein for prostate cancer.

Reduced glutathione alleviates tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in mouse preimplantation embryos

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a dysfunction in protein-folding capacity, is involved in many pathological and physiological responses, including embryonic development. This study aims to determine the developmental competence, apoptosis, and stress-induced gene expression in mouse preimplantation embryos grown in an in vitro culture medium supplemented with different concentrations of the ER stress inducer tunicamycin (TM) and the antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Treatment of zygotes with 0.5 µg/ml TM significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the rate of blastocyst formation, whereas 1 mM GSH supplementation improved the developmental rate of blastocysts. Furthermore, TM treatment significantly increased (P < 0.05) the apoptotic index and reduced the total number of cells, whereas GSH significantly increased the total number of cells and decreased the apoptotic index. The expression levels of ER chaperones, including immunoglobulin-binding protein, activating transcription factor 6, double-stranded activated protein kinase-like ER kinase, activating transcription factor 4, and C/EBP homologous protein were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by TM, but significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by GSH treatment. A similar pattern was observed in the case of the pro-apoptotic gene, B cell lymphoma-associated X protein. The expression level of the anti-apoptotic gene B cell lymphoma 2, was decreased by TM, but significantly increased after co-treatment with GSH. In conclusion, GSH improves the developmental potential of mouse embryos and significantly alleviates ER stress.

The cytotoxic effects of dimethyl sulfoxide in mouse preimplantation embryos: a mechanistic study

Rationale: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is commonly used as a solvent for water-insoluble substances, a vehicle for drug therapy, and a cryoprotectant for cultured cells. DMSO induced embryonic defects and its mechanism of action remains unclear. The rationale is based on the assumption that DMSO supplementation should induce long-term negative effects on both pre- and post-implantation embryo development.

Methods: DMSO induced oxidative stress, ER stress, autophagy, mitophagy, signaling responsible genes and proteins were determined by RT-qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy. DMSO induced mitochondrial dysfunction was measured by transmission electron microcopy and JC-1 assay. Apoptosis was estimated using TUNEL and comet assay. Post-implantation embryo developmental capability was estimated by implantation site and fetus numbers.

Results: Exposure to DMSO induced an early oxidative stress response within 0.5 to 2 h in 1-cell zygotes by disrupting the balance of pro- and anti-oxidants. Notably, DMSO-treated 2-cell embryos showed increased expression of unfolded protein response genes such as Hspa5, Hsp90b1, Ddit3, Atf4, and Xbp1. As a result, the development of many embryos is arrested at the 2-cell, 4-cell, or morula stages in a dose-dependent manner. Further, DMSO-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress increased mitochondrial Ca²⁺ levels, induced mitochondrial depolarization/dysfunction, and induced apoptotic cell death via the JNK/ATF2-dependent pathway. Consequently, treatment with DMSO increased the expression of autophagy initiation-, phagophore elongation-, and autophagosome formation-related genes, as well as localization of PINK1/Parkin, which are the main mediators of mitophagy, in mitochondria. Interestingly, DMSO causes cytotoxic effects in preimplantation embryos by inducing extensive mitophagy and autophagy. Especially, DMSO treatment decreased the inner cell mass and trophectoderm cell numbers as well as mRNA expression of B3gnt5 and Wnt3a in developed blastocysts, which decreased the implantation and developmental rates of full-term offspring after being transferred into pseudopregnant mice.

Conclusion: These results provide a significant contribution to finding effective protective agents to combat DMSO mediated reproductive toxicity for application in human embryos in the near future.

A review of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and nanoparticle (NP) exposure

Understanding the mechanism of nanoparticle (NP) induced toxicity is important for nanotoxicological and nanomedicinal studies. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a crucial organelle involved in proper protein folding. High levels of misfolded proteins in the ER could lead to a condition termed as ER stress, which may ultimately influence the fate of cells and development of human diseases. In this review, we summarized studies about effects of NP exposure on ER stress. A variety of NPs, especially metal-based NPs, could induce morphological changes of ER and activate ER stress pathway both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, modulation of ER stress by chemicals has been shown to alter the toxicity of NPs. These studies in combination suggested that ER stress could be the mechanism responsible for NP induced toxicity. Meanwhile, nanomedicinal studies also used ER stress inducing NPs or NPs loaded with ER stress inducer to selectively induce ER stress mediated apoptosis in cancer cells for cancer therapy. In contrast, alleviation of ER stress by NPs has also been shown as a strategy to cure metabolic diseases. In conclusion, exposure to NPs may modulate ER stress, which could be a target for future nanotoxicological and nanomedicinal studies.