Assessing Cobalt Metal Nanoparticles Uptake by Cancer Cells Using Live Raman Spectroscopy

Reducing the effective dose of cisplatin using cobalt modified silver nano-hybrid as a carriers on MCF7 and HCT cell models

Cancer is a deadly illness with a convoluted pathogenesis. The most prevalent restrictions that frequently result in treatment failure for cancer chemotherapy include lack of selectivity, cytotoxicity, and multidrug resistance. Thus, considerable efforts have been focused in recent years on the establishment of a modernistic sector termed nano-oncology, which offers the option of employing nanoparticles (NPs) with the objective of detecting, targeting, and treating malignant disorders. NPs offer a focused approach compared to conventional anticancer methods, preventing negative side effects. In the present work, a successful synthetic process was used to create magnetic cobalt cores with an AgNPs shell to form bimetallic nanocomposites CoAg, then functionalized with Cis forming novel CoAg@Cis nanohybrid. The morphology and optical properties were determined by TEM, DLS, FTIRs and UV-vis spectroscopy, furthermore, anticancer effect of CoAg and CoAg@Cis nanohybrids were estimated using MTT assay on MCF7 and HCT cell lines. Our results showed that Co@Ag core shell is about 15 nm were formed with dark CoNPs core and AgNPs shell with less darkness than the core, moreover, CoAg@Cis has diameter about 25 nm which are bigger in size than Co@Ag core shell demonstrating the loading of Cis. It was observed that Cis, CoAg and CoAg@Cis induced a decline in cell survival and peaked at around 65%, 73%and 66% on MCF7 and 80%, 76%and 78% on HCT at 100 µg/ml respectively. Compared to Cis alone, CoAg and CoAg@Cis caused a significant decrease in cell viability. These findings suggest that the synthesized CoAg can be used as a powerful anticancer drug carrier.

Size-Dependent Cytotoxicity, Adhesion, and Endocytosis of Micro-/Nano-hydroxyapatite Crystals in HK-2 Cells

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP) is often used as a crystal nest to induce calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stone formation, but the mechanism of interaction between HAP crystals of different properties and renal tubular epithelial cells remains unclear. In this study, the adhesion and endocytosis of HAP crystals with sizes of 40 nm, 70 nm, 1 μm, and 2 μm (HAP-40 nm, HAP-70 nm, HAP-1 μm, and HAP-2 μm, respectively) to human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were comparatively studied. The results showed that HAP crystals of all sizes promoted the expression of osteopontin and hyaluronic acid on the cell surface, destroyed the integrity of the lysosomes, and induced the apoptosis and necrosis of cells. Nano-HAP crystals had a higher specific surface area, a smaller contact angle, a higher surface energy, and a lower Zeta potential than those of micro-HAP. Therefore, the abilities of HK-2 cells to adhere to and endocytose nano-HAP crystals were greater than their abilities to do the same for micro-HAP crystals. The order of the endocytosed crystals was as follows: HAP-40 nm > HAP-70 nm > HAP-1 μm > HAP-2 μm. The endocytosed HAP crystals entered the lysosomes. The more crystal endocytosis and adhesion there is, the more toxic it is to HK-2 cells. The results of this study showed that nanosized HAP crystals greatly promoted the formation of kidney stones than micrometer-sized HAP crystals.

Spectroscopic imaging to assess biochemical alterations in liver carcinoma cells exposed to transition metals

Despite the invaluable role of transition metals in every living organism, it should be remembered that failure to maintain the proper balance and exceed the appropriate dose may have the opposite effect. In the era of such a popular and propagated need for supplementation in the media, one should bear in mind the harmful effects that may become the result of improper and excessive intake of transition metals. This article establishes the feasibility of Raman (RS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging at the single-cell level to investigate the cellular response to various transition metals. These two non-destructive and perfectly complementary methods allow for in-depth monitoring of changes taking place within the cell under the influence of the agent used. HepG2 liver carcinoma cells were exposed to chromium, iron, cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel at 1 and 2 mM concentrations. Spectroscopic results were further supported by biological evaluation of selected caspases concentration. The caspase- 3, 6, 8, 9, and 12 concentrations were determined with the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. This study shows the induction of apoptosis in the intrinsic pathway by all studied transition metals. Cellular metabolism alterations are induced by mitochondrial metabolism changes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) metabolism variations. Moreover, nickel induces not only the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis but also the extrinsic pathway of this process.

Understanding Coke Deposition Vis-à-Vis DRM Activity over Magnesia-Alumina Supported Ni-Fe, Ni-Co, Ni-Ce, and Ni-Sr Catalysts

The catalytic conversion of CH4 and CO2 into H2-rich syngas is known as the dry reforming of methane (DRM). The dissociation of CH4 over active sites, coupled with the oxidation or polymerization of CH4-x (x = 1-4), plays a crucial role in determining in determining the DRM product yield and coke deposition. Herein, a series of bimetallic-supported catalysts are prepared by the dispersion of Ni-M (M = Ce, Co, Fe, and Sr) over 60 wt% MgO-40 wt% Al2O3 (60Mg40Al) support. Catalysts are tested for DRM and characterized with XRD, surface area and porosity, temperature-programmed reduction/desorption, UV-VIS-Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. 2.5Ni2.5Sr/60Mg40Al and 2.5Ni2.5Fe/60Mg40Al, and 2.5Ni2.5Ce/60Mg40Al and 2.5Ni2.5Co/60Mg40Al have similar CO2 interaction profiles. The 2.5Ni2.5Sr/60Mg40Al catalyst nurtures inert-type coke, whereas 2.5Ni2.5Fe/60Mg40Al accelerates the deposition of huge coke, which results in catalytic inferiority. The higher activity over 2.5Ni2.5Ce/60Mg40Al is due to the instant lattice oxygen-endowing capacity for oxidizing coke. Retaining a high DRM activity (54% H2-yield) up to 24 h even against a huge coke deposition (weight loss 46%) over 2.5Ni2.5Co/60Mg40Al is due to the timely diffusion of coke far from the active sites or the mounting of active sites over the carbon nanotube.

Advances of Cobalt Nanomaterials as Anti-Infection Agents, Drug Carriers, and Immunomodulators for Potential Infectious Disease Treatment

Infectious diseases remain the most serious public health issue, which requires the development of more effective strategies for infectious control. As a kind of ultra-trace element, cobalt is essential to the metabolism of different organisms. In recent decades, nanotechnology has attracted increasing attention worldwide due to its wide application in different areas, including medicine. Based on the important biological roles of cobalt, cobalt nanomaterials have recently been widely developed for their attractive biomedical applications. With advantages such as low costs in preparation, hypotoxicity, photothermal conversion abilities, and high drug loading ability, cobalt nanomaterials have been proven to show promising potential in anticancer and anti-infection treatment. In this review, we summarize the characters of cobalt nanomaterials, followed by the advances in their biological functions and mechanisms. More importantly, we emphatically discuss the potential of cobalt nanomaterials as anti-infectious agents, drug carriers, and immunomodulators for anti-infection treatments, which might be helpful to facilitate progress in future research of anti-infection therapy.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: Current Advances in Nanomedicine, Drug Delivery and MRI

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have evolved tremendously during recent years, in part due to the rapid expansion of nanotechnology and to their active magnetic core with a high surface-to-volume ratio, while their surface functionalization opened the door to a plethora of drug, gene and bioactive molecule immobilization. Taming the high reactivity of the magnetic core was achieved by various functionalization techniques, producing MNPs tailored for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular or neurological disease, tumors and cancer. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are established at the core of drug-delivery systems and could act as efficient agents for MFH (magnetic fluid hyperthermia). Depending on the functionalization molecule and intrinsic morphological features, MNPs now cover a broad scope which the current review aims to overview. Considering the exponential expansion of the field, the current review will be limited to roughly the past three years.

Specific intracellular signature of SARS-CoV-2 infection using confocal Raman microscopy

SARS-CoV-2 infection remains spread worldwide and requires a better understanding of virus-host interactions. Here, we analyzed biochemical modifications due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells by confocal Raman microscopy. Obtained results were compared with the infection with another RNA virus, the measles virus. Our results have demonstrated a virus-specific Raman molecular signature, reflecting intracellular modification during each infection. Advanced data analysis has been used to distinguish non-infected versus infected cells for two RNA viruses. Further, classification between non-infected and SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus-infected cells yielded an accuracy of 98.9 and 97.2 respectively, with a significant increase of the essential amino-acid tryptophan in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells. These results present proof of concept for the application of Raman spectroscopy to study virus-host interaction and to identify factors that contribute to the efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection and may thus provide novel insights on viral pathogenesis, targets of therapeutic intervention and development of new COVID-19 biomarkers.

Bioactive hybrid metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanosensors for optical detection of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen

Fast, efficient, and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen is pivotal to control the spread and reduce the mortality of COVID-19. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of available nanobiosensors to detect recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen seems insufficient. As a proof-of-concept, MOF-5/CoNi₂S₄ is developed as a low-cost, safe, and bioactive hybrid nanostructure via the one-pot high-gravity protocol. Then, the porphyrin, H₂TMP, was attached to the surface of the synthesized nanomaterial to increase the porosity for efficient detection of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen. AFM results approved roughness in different ranges, including 0.54 to 0.74 μm and 0.78 to ≈0.80 μm, showing good physical interactions with the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen. MTT assay was performed and compared to the conventional synthesis methods, including hydrothermal, solvothermal, and microwave-assisted methods. The synthesized nanodevices demonstrated above 88% relative cell viability after 24 h and even 48 h of treatment. Besides, the ability of the synthesized nanomaterials to detect the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen was investigated, with a detection limit of 5 nM. The in-situ synthesized nanoplatforms exhibited low cytotoxicity, high biocompatibility, and appropriate tunability. The fabricated nanosystems seem promising for future surveys as potential platforms to be integrated into biosensors.

Current and Future Advancements of Raman Spectroscopy Techniques in Cancer Nanomedicine

Raman scattering is one of the most used spectroscopy and imaging techniques in cancer nanomedicine due to its high spatial resolution, high chemical specificity, and multiplexity modalities. The flexibility of Raman techniques has led, in the past few years, to the rapid development of Raman spectroscopy and imaging for nanodiagnostics, nanotherapy, and nanotheranostics. This review focuses on the applications of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy and bioimaging to cancer nanotheranostics and their coupling to a variety of diagnostic/therapy methods to create nanoparticle-free theranostic systems for cancer diagnostics and therapy. Recent implementations of confocal Raman spectroscopy that led to the development of platforms for monitoring the therapeutic effects of anticancer drugs in vitro and in vivo are also reviewed. Another Raman technique that is largely employed in cancer nanomedicine, due to its ability to enhance the Raman signal, is surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This review also explores the applications of the different types of SERS, such as SERRS and SORS, to cancer diagnosis through SERS nanoprobes and the detection of small-size biomarkers, such as exosomes. SERS cancer immunotherapy and immuno-SERS (iSERS) microscopy are reviewed.