Continuous flow fabrication of Fmoc-cysteine based nanobowl infused core-shell like microstructures for pH switchable on-demand anti-cancer drug delivery

pH-Responsive Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery

Recent advances in the field of drug delivery have opened new avenues for the development of novel nanodrug delivery systems (NDDS) in cancer therapy. Self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) based on tumor microenvironment have great advantages in improving antitumor effect, and pH-responsive SANPs prepared by the combination of pH-responsive nanomaterials and self-assembly technology can effectively improve the efficacy and reduce the systemic toxicity of antitumor drugs. In this review, we describe the characteristics of self-assembly and its driving force, the mechanism of pH-responsive NDDS, and the nanomaterials for pH-responsive SANPs type. A series of pH-responsive SANPs for tumor-targeted drug delivery are discussed, with an emphasis on the relation between structural features and theranostic performance.

Manipulation of Bowl-Shaped Nanoparticles Self-Assembled from a Bipyridine Pendant Containing Homopolymer

The morphological control and transformation of soft nanomaterials are critical for their physical and chemical properties, which can be achieved by dynamically regulating the hydrophilicity of amphiphilic polymers during self-assembly. Herein, an amphiphilic homopolymer poly(N-(2,2'-bipyridine)-4-acrylamide) (PBPyAA) with bipyridine pendants is synthesized, and the effect of various parameters including initial concentration, temperature, pH, and metal ion coordination on the self-assembly behavior and morphology of the assemblies is investigated. Upon changing the initial concentration of PBPyAA, bowl-shaped nanoparticles (BNPs) with precisely controlled diameter, opening size, and thickness are obtained. With the decrease of pH of the solution, the negatively charged surface of BNPs transforms to a positively charged state. Furthermore, the addition of divalent metal ions (Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+) induces the transformation of BNPs to vesicles and giant vesicles. The effect of the above factors on the morphology of the assemblies is essential to change the hydrophilicity of PBPyAA dynamically, leading to variation of the local viscosity during self-assembly. Overall, manipulation of the structural parameters of BNPs and transformation of BNPs to vesicles are achieved, providing fresh insights for the precise control of the morphologies of soft nanomaterials.

Nanotheranostics and its role in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19

Microbe-related, especially viral-related pandemics have currently paralyzed the world and such pathogenesis is expected to rise in the upcoming years. Although tremendous efforts are being made to develop antiviral drugs, very limited progress has been made in this direction. The nanotheranostic approach can be a highly potential rescue to combat this pandemic. Nanoparticles (NPs) due to their high specificity and biofunctionalization ability could be utilized efficiently for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment against microbial infections. In this context, titanium oxide, silver, gold NPs, etc. have already been utilized against deadly viruses like influenza, Ebola, HIV, and HBV. The discovery of sophisticated nanovaccines is under investigation and of prime importance to induce reproducible and strong immune responses against difficult pathogens. This review focuses on highlighting the role of various nano-domain materials such as metallic NPs, magnetic NPs, and quantum dots in the biomedical applications to combat the deadly microbial infections. Further, it also discusses the nanovaccines those are already available for various microbial diseases or are in clinical trials. Finally, it gives a perspective on the various nanotechnologies presently employed for efficient diagnosis and therapy against disease causing microbial infections, and how advancement in this field can benefit the health sector remarkably.

Miniatured Fluidics-Mediated Modular Self-Assembly of Anticancer Drug-Amino Acid Composite Microbowls for Combined Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy in Glioma

A particulate carrier with the ability to load a combination of therapeutic molecules acting via diverse modes to initiate cancer cell ablation would help heighten anticancer therapeutic outcomes and mitigate harmful side effects due to high doses of mono drug therapy. Moving a step closer, herein, we have developed doxorubicin-curcumin-amino acid-based composite microbowls (CMBs) following miniaturized fluid flow-based self-assembly. The CMBs were further exploited as dual chemo-photodynamic therapeutic agents in C6 glioma cells cultured in both two-dimensional (2D) monolayer and as three-dimensional (3D) spheroids. These CMBs showed synergistic and visible (blue)-light-sensitive cell-killing effects in both C6 cells and 3D spheroids. Furthermore, these bowl-shaped structures also demonstrated good stability and excellent in vitro cytocompatibility in C6 glioma cells. Our results indicated that CMBs with asymmetric cavities could potentially be used as a combinatorial drug carrier enabling simultaneous chemo- and phototherapy for effective cancer treatment. The use of blue light, from the visible part of the electromagnetic system, to generate the phototherapeutic effect further advocates for the ease and widespread applicability of the systems.