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Pota G, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, de Gennaro B, Zanfardino A, Napoli MD, Varcamonti M, Landi G, Pezzella A, Costantini A, Luciani G, Menichetti L. Biosustainable Hybrid Nanoplatforms as Photoacoustic Agents. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2400013. [PMID: 38509742 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The development of biosafe theranostic nanoplatforms has attracted great attention due to their multifunctional behavior, reduced potential toxicity, and improved long-term safety. When considering photoacoustic contrast agents and photothermal conversion tools, melanin and constructs like melanin are highly appealing due to their ability to absorb optical energy and convert it into heat. Following a sustainable approach, in this study, silver-melanin like-silica nanoplatforms are synthesized exploiting different bio-available and inexpensive phenolic acids as potential melanogenic precursors and exploring their role in tuning the final systems architecture. The UV-Vis combined with X-Ray Diffraction investigation proves metallic silver formation, while Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis reveals that different morphologies can be obtained by properly selecting the phenolic precursors. By looking at the characterization results, a tentative formation mechanism is proposed to explain how phenolic precursors' redox behavior may affect the nanoplatforms' structure. The antibacterial activity experiments showed that all synthesized systems have a strong inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli, even at low concentrations. Furthermore, very sensitive Photoacoustic Imaging capabilities and significant photothermal behavior under laser irradiation are exhibited. Finally, a marked influence of phenol nature on the final system architecture is revealed resulting in a significant effect on both biological and photoacoustic features of the obtained systems. These melanin-based hybrid systems exhibit excellent potential as triggerable nanoplatforms for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, indirizzo Via G.Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Bruno de Gennaro
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Gianluca Landi
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie per l'Energia e la Mobilità Sostenibili STEMS-CNR, Via Guglielmo Marconi, 4, Naples, 80125, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti, 9, Florence, 50121, Italy
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
- Department of Physics Ettore Pancini, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Aniello Costantini
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, indirizzo Via G.Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy
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Carrese B, Cavallini C, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, Calì G, Luciani G, Sanità G, Menichetti L, Lamberti A. Hybrid Nanoparticle-Assisted Chemo-Photothermal Therapy and Photoacoustic Imaging in a Three-Dimensional Breast Cancer Cell Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17374. [PMID: 38139203 PMCID: PMC10743567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioinspired nanoparticles have recently been gaining attention as promising multifunctional nanoplatforms for therapeutic applications in cancer, including breast cancer. Here, the efficiency of the chemo-photothermal and photoacoustic properties of hybrid albumin-modified nanoparticles (HSA-NPs) loaded with doxorubicin was evaluated in a three-dimensional breast cancer cell model. The HSA-NPs showed a higher uptake and deeper penetration into breast cancer spheroids than healthy breast cell 3D cultures. Confocal microscopy revealed that, in tumour spheroids incubated with doxorubicin-loaded NPs for 16 h, doxorubicin was mainly localised in the cytoplasm, while a strong signal was detectable at the nuclear level after 24 h, suggesting a time-dependent uptake. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded NPs, tumour spheroids were treated for up to 96 h with increasing concentrations of NPs, showing marked toxicity only at the highest concentration of doxorubicin. When doxorubicin administration was combined with laser photothermal irradiation, enhanced cytotoxicity was observed at lower concentrations and incubation times. Finally, the photoacoustic properties of doxorubicin-loaded NPs were evaluated in tumour spheroids, showing a detectable signal increasing with NP concentration. Overall, our data show that the combined effect of chemo-photothermal therapy results in a shorter exposure time to doxorubicin and a lower drug dose. Furthermore, owing to the photoacoustic properties of the NPs, this nanoplatform may represent a good candidate for theranostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carrese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Gennaro Sanità
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems—Unit of Naples, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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3
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Silvestri B, Armanetti P, Pota G, Vitiello G, Pezzella A, Menichetti L, Giannini V, Luciani G. Enhanced Photoacoustic Response by Synergistic Ag-Melanin Interplay at the Core of Ternary Biocompatible Hybrid Silica-Based Nanoparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:46756-46764. [PMID: 37774145 PMCID: PMC10571004 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Photoacoustics (PA) is gaining increasing credit among biomolecular imaging methodologies by virtue of its poor invasiveness, deep penetration, high spatial resolution, and excellent endogenous contrast, without the use of any ionizing radiation. Recently, we disclosed the excellent PA response of a self-structured biocompatible nanoprobe, consisting of ternary hybrid nanoparticles with a silver core and a melanin component embedded into a silica matrix. Although preliminary evidence suggested a crucial role of the Ag sonophore and the melanin-containing nanoenvironment, whether and in what manner the PA response is controlled and affected by the self-structured hybrid nanosystems remained unclear. Because of their potential as multifunctional platforms for biomedical applications, a detailed investigation of the metal-polymer-matrix interplay underlying the PA response was undertaken to understand the physical and chemical factors determining the enhanced response and to optimize the architecture, composition, and performance of the nanoparticles for efficient imaging applications. Herein, we provide the evidence for a strong synergistic interaction between eumelanin and Ag which suggests an important role in the in situ-generated metal-organic interface. In particular, we show that a strict ratio between melanin and silver precursors and an accurate choice of metal nanoparticle dimension and the kind of metal are essential for achieving strong enhancements of the PA response. Systematic variation of the metal/melanin component is thus shown to offer the means of tuning the stability and intensity of the photoacoustic response for various biomedical and theranostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigida Silvestri
- Department
of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Fuorigrotta, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Pota
- Department
of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department
of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
- CSGI,
Consorzio interuniversitario per lo sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande
Interfase, Sesto Fiorentino, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- National
Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Florence, Italy
- Institute
for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
- Department
of Physics Ettore Pancini, University of
Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute
of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Giannini
- Instituto
de Estructura de la Materia (IEM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas (CSIC), Serrano 121, Madrid 28006, Spain
- Technology
Innovation Institute, Building B04C, P.O. Box, Abu Dhabi 9639, United Arab Emirates
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department
of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
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4
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Alfano M, Alchera E, Sacchi A, Gori A, Quilici G, Locatelli I, Venegoni C, Lucianò R, Gasparri AM, Colombo B, Taiè G, Jose J, Armanetti P, Menichetti L, Musco G, Salonia A, Corti A, Curnis F. A simple and robust nanosystem for photoacoustic imaging of bladder cancer based on α5β1-targeted gold nanorods. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:301. [PMID: 37635243 PMCID: PMC10463347 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02028-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early detection and removal of bladder cancer in patients is crucial to prevent tumor recurrence and progression. Because current imaging techniques may fail to detect small lesions of in situ carcinomas, patients with bladder cancer often relapse after initial diagnosis, thereby requiring frequent follow-up and treatments. RESULTS In an attempt to obtain a sensitive and high-resolution imaging modality for bladder cancer, we have developed a photoacoustic imaging approach based on the use of PEGylated gold nanorods (GNRs) as a contrast agent, functionalized with the peptide cyclic [CphgisoDGRG] (Iso4), a selective ligand of α5β1 integrin expressed by bladder cancer cells. This product (called GNRs@PEG-Iso4) was produced by a simple two-step procedure based on GNRs activation with lipoic acid-polyethyleneglycol(PEG-5KDa)-maleimide and functionalization with peptide Iso4. Biochemical and biological studies showed that GNRs@PEG-Iso4 can efficiently recognize purified integrin α5β1 and α5β1-positive bladder cancer cells. GNRs@PEG-Iso4 was stable and did not aggregate in urine or in 5% sodium chloride, or after freeze/thaw cycles or prolonged exposure to 55 °C, and, even more importantly, do not settle after instillation into the bladder. Intravesical instillation of GNRs@PEG-Iso4 into mice bearing orthotopic MB49-Luc bladder tumors, followed by photoacoustic imaging, efficiently detected small cancer lesions. The binding to tumor lesions was competed by a neutralizing anti-α5β1 integrin antibody; furthermore, no binding was observed to healthy bladders (α5β1-negative), pointing to a specific targeting mechanism. CONCLUSION GNRs@PEG-Iso4 represents a simple and robust contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and diagnosis of small bladder cancer lesions.
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Grants
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- Grant agreement No. 801126, EDIT European Union's Horizon 2020
- RF-2016-02361054 Ministero della Salute
- RF-2016-02361054 Ministero della Salute
- RF-2016-02361054 Ministero della Salute
- European Union’s Horizon 2020
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Alfano
- Unit of Urology, URI, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Alchera
- Unit of Urology, URI, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelina Sacchi
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, C.N.R., Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Quilici
- Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Locatelli
- Unit of Urology, URI, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Venegoni
- Unit of Urology, URI, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Lucianò
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Gasparri
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Colombo
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Taiè
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Jithin Jose
- FUJIFILM Visualsonics Inc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanna Musco
- Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Unit of Urology, URI, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
| | - Flavio Curnis
- Tumor Biology and Vascular Targeting Unit, Division of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Alfano M, Alchera E, Sacchi A, Gori A, Locatelli I, Gasparri AM, Colombo B, Anderluzzi G, Armanetti P, Minichetti L, Salonia A, Corti A, Curnis F. Abstract 2381: Gold nanorods functionalized with an alpha5beta1 ligand: a simple and robust nanosystem for early bladder cancer detection. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-2381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Early detection and removal of bladder cancer (BC) is crucial to prevent tumor recurrence and progression. Various imaging modalities have been used to diagnose BC, including computed tomography urography, intravenous urography, ultrasound echography, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, cystoscopy, and cystoscopy in conjunction with intravesical instillation of hexaminolaevulinic acid, a photodynamic diagnostic agent. However, all these imaging techniques show a very poor detection rate of small (<5mm) and flattened cancer lesions. Because of this limitation, patients with BC frequently relapse after initial diagnosis and need frequent follow-ups and treatments, resulting in a poor quality of life. For the same reason, BC has the highest cost/patient among all cancers. We have recently developed a new methodology to detect bladder cancer lesions based on bladder instillation with GNRs@Chit-Iso4, a nanosystem consisting of gold nanorods (GNRs) decorated with chitosan and functionalized with the head-to-tail cyclized [CphgisoDGRG] peptide (Iso4, a selective ligand of alpha5beta1-integrin expressed by BC cells), followed by low-frequency ultrasound-assisted shaking of nanoparticles necessary to prevent their sedimentation, and photoacoustic imaging of targeted tumor lesions. In murine models, this procedure can detect orthotopic BC lesions <0.5 mm, undetectable by standard imaging modalities (Alchera et al., Photoacoustic, 2022). In the attempt to develop a simpler and more effective imaging modality of BC, we have produced and preclinically evaluated new GNRs decorated with lipoic acid-polyethylene glycol (PEG -5KDa) and functionalized with Iso4. The resulting product, obtained by a simple 2-step procedure and called GNRs@PEG5K-Iso4, efficiently recognized alpha5beta1- and alpha5beta1-expressing cells, was stable in 90% urine, and was resistant to freezing- or salt-induced aggregation.GNRs@PEG5K-Iso4 did not undergo sedimentation after instillation into the bladder, thereby avoiding the need of the complex ultrasound-assisted shaking of nanoparticles and could efficiently detect BC lesions smaller than <0.5 mm in murine models. These results suggest that GNRs@PEG5K-Iso4 represents a simple and robust contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and early diagnosis of small BC lesions.
Citation Format: Massimo Alfano, Elisa Alchera, Angelina Sacchi, Alessandro Gori, Irene Locatelli, Anna Maria Gasparri, Barbara Colombo, Giulia Anderluzzi, Paolo Armanetti, Luca Minichetti, Andrea Salonia, Angelo Corti, Flavio Curnis. Gold nanorods functionalized with an alpha5beta1 ligand: a simple and robust nanosystem for early bladder cancer detection [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2381.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Angelo Corti
- 4Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Cheong JK, Ooi EH, Chiew YS, Menichetti L, Armanetti P, Franchini MC, Alchera E, Locatelli I, Canu T, Maturi M, Popov V, Alfano M. Gold nanorods assisted photothermal therapy of bladder cancer in mice: A computational study on the effects of gold nanorods distribution at the centre, periphery, and surface of bladder cancer. Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2023; 230:107363. [PMID: 36720181 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Gold nanorod-assisted photothermal therapy (GNR-PTT) is a cancer treatment whereby GNRs incorporated into the tumour act as photo-absorbers to elevate the thermal destruction effect. In the case of bladder, there are few possible routes to target the tumour with GNRs, namely peri/intra-tumoural injection and intravesical instillation of GNRs. These two approaches lead to different GNR distribution inside the tumour and can affect the treatment outcome. METHODOLOGY The present study investigates the effects of heterogeneous GNR distribution in a typical setup of GNR-PTT. Three cases were considered. Case 1 considered the GNRs at the tumour centre, while Case 2 represents a hypothetical scenario where GNRs are distributed at the tumour periphery; these two cases represent intratumoural accumulation with different degree of GNR spread inside the tumour. Case 3 is achieved when GNRs target the exposed tumoural surface that is invading the bladder wall, when they are delivered by intravesical instillation. RESULTS Results indicate that for a laser power of 0.6 W and GNR volume fraction of 0.01%, Case 2 and 3 were successful in achieving complete tumour eradication after 330 and 470 s of laser irradiation, respectively. Case 1 failed to form complete tumour damage when the GNRs are concentrated at the tumour centre but managed to produce complete tumour damage if the spread of GNRs is wider. Results from Case 2 also demonstrated a different heating profile from Case 1, suggesting that thermal ablation during GNR-PTT is dependant on the GNRs distribution inside the tumour. Case 3 shows similar results to Case 2 whereby gradual but uniform heating is observed. Cases 2 and 3 show that uniformly heating the tumour can reduce damage to the surrounding tissues. CONCLUSIONS Different GNR distribution associated with the different methods of introducing GNRs to the bladder during GNR-PTT affect the treatment outcome of bladder cancer in mice. Insufficient spreading during intratumoural injection of GNRs can render the treatment ineffective, while administered via intravesical instillation. GNR distribution achieved through intravesical instillation present some advantages over intratumoural injection and is worthy of further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Kk Cheong
- Ascend Technologies Ltd, Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh, SO50 9FD, United Kingdom; Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering and Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Ean H Ooi
- Ascend Technologies Ltd, Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh, SO50 9FD, United Kingdom; Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering and Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia.
| | - Yeong S Chiew
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering and Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Luca Menichetti
- CNR - Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Sede principale, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- CNR - Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Sede principale, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Comes Franchini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Alchera
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Locatelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Tamara Canu
- Experimental Imaging Center, Preclinical Imaging Facility, IRCCS San Raffele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Maturi
- Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Viktor Popov
- Ascend Technologies Ltd, Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh, SO50 9FD, United Kingdom
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
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7
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Carrese B, Cavallini C, Sanità G, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, Calì G, Pota G, Luciani G, Menichetti L, Lamberti A. Controlled Release of Doxorubicin for Targeted Chemo-Photothermal Therapy in Breast Cancer HS578T Cells Using Albumin Modified Hybrid Nanocarriers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011228. [PMID: 34681890 PMCID: PMC8538307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials have attracted research interest owing to their intriguing properties, which may offer new diagnostic options with triggering features, able to realize a new kind of tunable nanotherapeutics. Hybrid silica/melanin nanoparticles (NPs) containing silver seeds (Me-laSil_Ag-HSA NPs) disclosed relevant photoacoustic contrast for molecular imaging. In this study we explored therapeutic function in the same nanoplatform. For this purpose, MelaSil_Ag-HSA were loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) (MelaSil_Ag-HSA@DOX) and tested to assess the efficiency of drug delivery combined with concurrent photothermal treatment. The excellent photothermal properties allowed enhanced cytotoxic activity at significantly lower doses than neat chemotherapeutic treatment. The results revealed that MelaSil_Ag-HSA@DOX is a promising platform for an integrated photothermal (PT) chemotherapy approach, reducing the efficacy concentration of the DOX and, thus, potentially limiting the several adverse side effects of the drug in in vivo treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carrese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Gennaro Sanità
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, National Research Council, 80078 Naples, Italy;
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; (B.S.); (G.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Experimental Oncology, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; (B.S.); (G.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy; (B.S.); (G.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.C.); (P.A.)
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (A.L.)
| | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.M.); (A.L.)
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Cheong JK, Popov V, Alchera E, Locatelli I, Alfano M, Menichetti L, Armanetti P, Maturi M, Franchini MC, Ooi EH, Chiew YS. A numerical study to investigate the effects of tumour position on the treatment of bladder cancer in mice using gold nanorods assisted photothermal ablation. Comput Biol Med 2021; 138:104881. [PMID: 34583149 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Gold nanorods assisted photothermal therapy (GNR-PTT) is a new cancer treatment technique that has shown promising potential for bladder cancer treatment. The position of the bladder cancer at different locations along the bladder wall lining can potentially affect the treatment efficacy since laser is irradiated externally from the skin surface. The present study investigates the efficacy of GNR-PTT in the treatment of bladder cancer in mice for tumours growing at three different locations on the bladder, i.e., Case 1: closest to skin surface, Case 2: at the bottom half of the bladder, and Case 3: at the side of the bladder. Investigations were carried out numerically using an experimentally validated framework for optical-thermal simulations. An in-silico approach was adopted due to the flexibility in placing the tumour at a desired location along the bladder lining. Results indicate that for the treatment parameters considered (laser power 0.3 W, GNR volume fraction 0.01% v/v), only Case 1 can be used for an effective GNR-PTT. No damage to the tumour was observed in Cases 2 and 3. Analysis of the thermo-physiological responses showed that the effectiveness of GNR-PTT in treating bladder cancer depends not only on the depth of the tumour from the skin surface, but also on the type of tissue that the laser must pass through before reaching the tumour. In addition, the results are reliant on GNRs with a diameter of 10 nm and an aspect ratio of 3.8 - tuned to exhibit peak absorption for the chosen laser wavelength. Results from the present study can be used to highlight the potential for using GNR-PTT for treatment of human bladder cancer. It appears that Cases 2 and 3 suggest that GNR-PTT, where the laser passes through the skin to reach the bladder, may be unfeasible in humans. While this study shows the feasibility of using GNRs for photothermal ablation of bladder cancer, it also identifies the current limitations needed to be overcome for an effective clinical application in the bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Kk Cheong
- Ascend Technologies Ltd, Southampton Science Park, 2 Venture Road, SO16 7NP, Southampton, United Kingdom; School of Engineering and Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Viktor Popov
- Ascend Technologies Ltd, Southampton Science Park, 2 Venture Road, SO16 7NP, Southampton, United Kingdom.
| | - Elisa Alchera
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Locatelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Sede Principale, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Sede Principale, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mirko Maturi
- Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mauro Comes Franchini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ean H Ooi
- Ascend Technologies Ltd, Southampton Science Park, 2 Venture Road, SO16 7NP, Southampton, United Kingdom; School of Engineering and Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Yeong S Chiew
- School of Engineering and Advanced Engineering Platform, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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9
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Armanetti P, Chillà A, Margheri F, Biagioni A, Menichetti L, Margheri G, Ratto F, Centi S, Bianchini F, Severi M, Traversi R, Bani D, Lulli M, Del Rosso T, Mocali A, Rovida E, Del Rosso M, Fibbi G, Laurenzana A. Enhanced Antitumoral Activity and Photoacoustic Imaging Properties of AuNP-Enriched Endothelial Colony Forming Cells on Melanoma. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2021; 8:2001175. [PMID: 33643785 PMCID: PMC7887578 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Near infrared (NIR)-resonant gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold great promise in cancer diagnostics and treatment. However, translating the theranostic potential of AuNPs into clinical applications still remains a challenge due to the difficulty to improve the efficiency and specificity of tumor delivery in vivo as well as the clearance from liver and spleen to avoid off target toxicity. In this study, endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) are exploited as vehicles to deliver AuNPs to tumors. It is first demonstrated that ECFCs display a great capability to intake AuNPs without losing viability, and exert antitumor activity per se. Using a human melanoma xenograft mouse model, it is next demonstrated that AuNP-loaded ECFCs retain their capacity to migrate to tumor sites in vivo 1 day after injection and stay in the tumor mass for more than 1 week. In addition, it is demonstrated that ECFC-loaded AuNPs are efficiently cleared by the liver over time and do not elicit any sign of damage to healthy tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC)National Research CouncilPisa56124Italy
| | - Anastasia Chillà
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Francesca Margheri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Alessio Biagioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC)National Research CouncilPisa56124Italy
| | - Giancarlo Margheri
- Institute for Complex SystemsNational Research CouncilSesto Fiorentino50019Italy
| | - Fulvio Ratto
- Institute of Applied Physics “N. Carrara”National Research CouncilSesto Fiorentino50019Italy
| | - Sonia Centi
- Institute of Applied Physics “N. Carrara”National Research CouncilSesto Fiorentino50019Italy
| | - Francesca Bianchini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Mirko Severi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”University of FlorenceSesto Fiorentino50019Italy
| | - Rita Traversi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”University of FlorenceSesto Fiorentino50019Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Matteo Lulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Tommaso Del Rosso
- Department of PhysicsPontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro22451‐900Brazil
| | - Alessandra Mocali
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rovida
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Mario Del Rosso
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Gabriella Fibbi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
| | - Anna Laurenzana
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorence50134Italy
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10
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Maturi M, Armanetti P, Menichetti L, Comes Franchini M. An Application of Multivariate Data Analysis to Photoacoustic Imaging for the Spectral Unmixing of Gold Nanorods in Biological Tissues. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:E142. [PMID: 33435563 PMCID: PMC7827716 DOI: 10.3390/nano11010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gold nanorods (GNRs) showed to be a suitable contrast agent in photoacoustics (PA), and are able to provide a tunable absorption contrast against background tissue, while a detectable PA signal can be generated from highly localized and targeted areas. A crucial issue for these imaging techniques is represented by the discrimination between exogenous and endogenous contrast and the assessment of the real PA signal magnitude. The application of image resolution/unmixing methods was implemented and optimized to recover the relative magnitude spectra and distribution maps of image constituents of the biological sample based on multivariate analysis (multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares, MCR-ALS) in the presence of GNRs with tunable absorption properties. The proposed data analysis methodology is demonstrated on real PA images from experimental animal models and ex-vivo preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Maturi
- Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Mauro Comes Franchini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy;
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11
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Cavallini C, Vitiello G, Adinolfi B, Silvestri B, Armanetti P, Manini P, Pezzella A, d’Ischia M, Luciani G, Menichetti L. Melanin and Melanin-Like Hybrid Materials in Regenerative Medicine. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2020; 10:E1518. [PMID: 32756369 PMCID: PMC7466405 DOI: 10.3390/nano10081518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Melanins are a group of dark insoluble pigments found widespread in nature. In mammals, the brown-black eumelanins and the reddish-yellow pheomelanins are the main determinants of skin, hair, and eye pigmentation and play a significant role in photoprotection as well as in many biological functions ensuring homeostasis. Due to their broad-spectrum light absorption, radical scavenging, electric conductivity, and paramagnetic behavior, eumelanins are widely studied in the biomedical field. The continuing advancements in the development of biomimetic design strategies offer novel opportunities toward specifically engineered multifunctional biomaterials for regenerative medicine. Melanin and melanin-like coatings have been shown to increase cell attachment and proliferation on different substrates and to promote and ameliorate skin, bone, and nerve defect healing in several in vivo models. Herein, the state of the art and future perspectives of melanins as promising bioinspired platforms for natural regeneration processes are highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cavallini
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Barbara Adinolfi
- Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy;
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Paola Manini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Marco d’Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.M.); (A.P.); (M.d.)
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy; (G.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (P.A.); (L.M.)
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12
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Di Desidero T, Orlandi P, Gentile D, Banchi M, Alì G, Kusmic C, Armanetti P, Cayme GJ, Menichetti L, Fontanini G, Francia G, Bocci G. Pharmacological effects of vinorelbine in combination with lenvatinib in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 158:104920. [PMID: 32461187 PMCID: PMC8011355 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare neoplasia with a poor prognosis. Proliferation and apoptosis assays were performed on ATC cell lines (8305C, 8505C) exposed to vinorelbine, lenvatinib, as well as to concomitant combinations. ABCB1, ABCG2 and CSF-1 mRNA expression was evaluated by real time PCR. The relative levels of pospho Akt were investigated as part of a human phospho-kinase array analysis, and CSF-1 and VEGFR-2 protein levels were measured by ELISA. The intracellular concentration of lenvatinib in ATC cells was measured by combined reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An ATC subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in nude mice was treated with vinorelbine, lenvatinib, or vinorelbine plus lenvatinib. After treatment with vinorelbine, lenvatinib, a significant antiproliferative effect in ATC cell lines was observed. The concomitant treatment of vinorelbine and lenvatinib revealed synergism for all the fractions of affected cells. A decrease in ABCB1 expression was reported in both ATC cell lines treated with the lenvatinib plus vinorelbine combination, as was an increase in the intracellular concentration of lenvatinib. The combination caused a decrease in Akt, GSK3α/β, PRAS40 and Src phosphorylation, and in both CSF-1 mRNA and protein levels. In the subcutaneous tumor model, the combination reduced the tumor volume during the treatment period. Our results establish the synergistic ATC antitumor activity of a vinorelbine and lenvatinib combination.
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Key Words
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer
- Lenvatinib
- Lenvatinib - IUPAC name: 4-[3-chloro-4-(cyclopropylcarbamoylamino)phenoxy]-7-methoxyquinoline-6-carboxamide - PubChem CID: 9823820
- Sorafenib
- Synergism
- Vinorelbine
- Vinorelbine - IUPAC namemethyl (1R, 9R, 10S, 11R, 12R, 19R)-11-acetyloxy-12-ethyl-4-[(12S, 14R,)-16-ethyl-12-methoxycarbonyl-1, 10-diazatetracyclo[12.3.1.0, (3), (11).0, (4), (9),]octadeca-3(11), 4, 6, 8, 15-pentaen-12-yl]-10-hydroxy-5-methoxy-8-methyl-8, 16-diazapentacyclo[10.6.1.0, (1), (9).0, (2), (7).0, (16), (19),]nonadeca-2, 4, 6, 13-tetraene-10-carboxylate- PubChem CID 5311497
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Di Desidero
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Orlandi
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Gentile
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marta Banchi
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Greta Alì
- Dipartimento di Patologia Chirurgica, Medica, Molecolare e Dell'Area Critica, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Kusmic
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Ginelle J Cayme
- Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fontanini
- Dipartimento di Patologia Chirurgica, Medica, Molecolare e Dell'Area Critica, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulio Francia
- Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Guido Bocci
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università Di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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13
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Sanità G, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, Carrese B, Calì G, Pota G, Pezzella A, d’Ischia M, Luciani G, Menichetti L, Lamberti A. Albumin-Modified Melanin-Silica Hybrid Nanoparticles Target Breast Cancer Cells via a SPARC-Dependent Mechanism. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:765. [PMID: 32733871 PMCID: PMC7360861 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioconjugation of a recently developed photoacoustic nanoprobe, based on silica-templated eumelanin-silver hybrid nanoparticles (MelaSil_Ag-NPs), with human serum albumin (HSA) is disclosed herein as an efficient and practical strategy to improve photostability and to perform SPARC mediated internalization in breast cancer cells. Modification of NPs with HSA induced a slight viability decrease in breast cancer cells (HS578T) and normal breast cells (MCF10a) when incubated with HSA-NPs up to 100 μg/mL concentration for 72 h and a complete suppression of hemotoxicity for long incubation times. Uptake experiments with MelaSil_Ag-HSA NPs indicated very high and selective internalization via SPARC in HS578T (SPARC positive cells) but not in MCF10a (SPARC negative cells), as evaluated by using endocytosis inhibitors. The binding of SPARC to HSA was confirmed by Co-IP and Dot-blot assays. Additional studies were performed to analyze the interaction of MelaSil_Ag-HSA NPs with protein corona. Data showed a dramatic diminution of interacting proteins in HSA conjugated NPs compared to bare NPs. HSA-coated MelaSil_Ag-NPs are thus disclosed as a novel functional nanohybrid for potential photoacoustic imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Sanità
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Carrese
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Calì
- Institute of Endocrinology and Molecular Oncology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco d’Ischia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Lamberti
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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14
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Locatelli E, Li Y, Monaco I, Guo W, Maturi M, Menichetti L, Armanetti P, Martin RC, Comes Franchini M. A novel theranostic gold nanorods- and Adriamycin-loaded micelle for EpCAM targeting, laser ablation, and photoacoustic imaging of cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:1877-1892. [PMID: 30936691 PMCID: PMC6422422 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s197265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction and purpose Cancer stem cells (CSCs) present a higher capacity to evade being killed by cancer agents and developing chemoresistance, thus leading to failure of conventional anticancer therapeutics. Nanomaterials specifically designed for targeting and treating not only tumor cells, but also CSCs, may encompass therapeutic and diagnostic tools, thus successfully eradicating the tumor. Materials and methods Polymeric micelles simultaneously loaded with gold nanorods (GNRs) and Adriamycin were prepared and used as a novel therapeutic and diagnostic weapon. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is an important CSC surface marker and has been exploited in this work as an active targeting agent. Photoacoustic imaging was applied for GNR individuation and tissue recognition. Results The nanosystem was demonstrated to be able to elicit effective targeting of cancer cells and cause their killing, in particular under laser ablation. Moreover, ex vivo photoacoustic imaging is able to clearly identify tumor regions thanks to GNR’s contrast. Conclusion The nanosystem can be considered a powerful and promising theranostic weapon for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Locatelli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Bologna, Italy,
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA,
| | - Ilaria Monaco
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Bologna, Italy,
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mirko Maturi
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Bologna, Italy,
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Robert C Martin
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA,
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15
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Mattu C, Brachi G, Menichetti L, Flori A, Armanetti P, Ranzato E, Martinotti S, Nizzero S, Ferrari M, Ciardelli G. Alternating block copolymer-based nanoparticles as tools to modulate the loading of multiple chemotherapeutics and imaging probes. Acta Biomater 2018; 80:341-351. [PMID: 30236799 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cancer therapy often relies on the combined action of different molecules to overcome drug resistance and enhance patient outcome. Combined strategies relying on molecules with different pharmacokinetics often fail due to the lack of concomitant tumor accumulation and, thus, to the loss of synergistic effect. Due to their ability to enhance treatment efficiency, improve drug pharmacokinetics, and reduce adverse effects, polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) have been widely investigated as co-delivery vehicles for cancer therapies. However, co-encapsulation of different drugs and probes in PNPs requires a flexible polymer platform and a tailored particle design, in which both the bulk and surface properties of the carriers are carefully controlled. In this work, we propose a core-shell PNP design based on a polyurethane (PUR) core and a phospholipid external surface. The modulation of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the PUR core enhanced the encapsulation of two chemotherapeutics with dramatically different water solubility (Doxorubicin hydrochloride, DOXO and Docetaxel, DCTXL) and of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for MRI imaging. The outer shell remained unchanged among the platforms, resulting in un-modified cellular uptake and in vivo biodistribution. We demonstrate that the choice of PUR core allowed a high entrapment efficiency of all drugs, superior or comparable to previously reported results, and that higher core hydrophilicity enhances the loading efficiency of the hydrophilic DOXO and the MRI contrast effect. Moreover, we show that changing the PUR core did not alter the surface properties of the carriers, since all particles showed a similar behavior in terms of cell internalization and in vivo biodistribution. We also show that PUR PNPs have high passive tumor accumulation and that they can efficient co-deliver the two drugs to the tumor, reaching an 11-fold higher DOXO/DCTXL ratio in tumor as compared to free drugs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Exploiting the synergistic action of multiple chemotherapeutics is a promising strategy to improve the outcome of cancer patients, as different agents can simultaneously engage different features of tumor cells and/or their microenvironment. Unfortunately, the choice is limited to drugs with similar pharmacokinetics that can concomitantly accumulate in tumors. To expand the spectrum of agents that can be delivered in combination, we propose a multi-compartmental core-shell nanoparticles approach, in which the core is made of biomaterials with high affinity for drugs of different physical properties. We successfully co-encapsulated Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Docetaxel, and contrast agents and achieved a significantly higher concomitant accumulation in tumor versus free drugs, demonstrating that nanoparticles can improve synergistic cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mattu
- Politecnico di Torino, DIMEAS C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - G Brachi
- Politecnico di Torino, DIMEAS C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy; Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - L Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via G. Moruzzi, 1 56124 Pisa, Italy; Fondazione Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - A Flori
- Fondazione Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - P Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Via G. Moruzzi, 1 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - E Ranzato
- DiSIT-Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica, University of Piemonte Orientale, piazza Sant'Eusebio 5, Vercelli 13100, Italy
| | - S Martinotti
- DiSIT-Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica, University of Piemonte Orientale, Viale Teresa Michel 11, Alessandria 15121, Italy
| | - S Nizzero
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Applied Physics Graduate Program, Smalley-Curl Institute, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - M Ferrari
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - G Ciardelli
- Politecnico di Torino, DIMEAS C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
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16
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Monaco I, Maturi M, Matteucci E, Locatelli E, Baschieri A, Zani P, Armanetti P, Menichetti L, Sambri L, Comes Franchini M. Phosphorescent iridium-containing nanomicelles: synthesis, characterization and preliminary applications in nanomedical imaging. RSC Adv 2018; 8:34162-34167. [PMID: 35548818 PMCID: PMC9086920 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra05368e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnostic nanomedicine constantly requires the development of novel contrast agents with intrinsic imaging capabilities. Phosphorescent Ir(iii)-complexes represent good candidates when delivered through polymeric nanoparticles. In this work, we propose a biocompatible nanoparticle made from an intrinsically phosphorescent copolymer, synthesized directly with an imaging tag present on its backbone. Polymeric nanoparticles can be obtained with the exact amount of phosphorescent moieties needed to maximize their output signal. Complete characterization and ex vivo studies confirmed that this nanosystem is suitable as a future diagnostic tool. We propose a biocompatible nanoparticle made from an intrinsically phosphorescent copolymer, synthesized directly with an imaging tag present on its backbone.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- I Monaco
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - M Maturi
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - E Matteucci
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - E Locatelli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - A Baschieri
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - P Zani
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - P Armanetti
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology Via Moruzzi Pisa 1 56124 Italy
| | - L Menichetti
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology Via Moruzzi Pisa 1 56124 Italy
| | - L Sambri
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
| | - M Comes Franchini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" Viale Risorgimento 4 Bologna Italy
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17
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Armanetti P, Flori A, Avigo C, Conti L, Valtancoli B, Petroni D, Doumett S, Cappiello L, Ravagli C, Baldi G, Bencini A, Menichetti L. Spectroscopic and photoacoustic characterization of encapsulated iron oxide super-paramagnetic nanoparticles as a new multiplatform contrast agent. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2018; 199:248-253. [PMID: 29626815 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2018.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a number of photoacoustic (PA) agents with increased tissue penetration and fine spatial resolution have been developed for molecular imaging and mapping of pathophysiological features at the molecular level. Here, we present bio-conjugated near-infrared light-absorbing magnetic nanoparticles as a new agent for PA imaging. These nanoparticles exhibit suitable absorption in the near-infrared region, with good photoacoustic signal generation efficiency and high photo-stability. Furthermore, these encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles exhibit strong super-paramagnetic behavior and nuclear relaxivities that make them useful as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media as well. Their simple bio-conjugation strategy, optical and chemical stability, and straightforward manipulation could enable the development of a PA probe with magnetic and spectroscopic properties suitable for in vitro and in vivo real-time imaging of relevant biological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Armanetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Alessandra Flori
- Fondazione Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Cinzia Avigo
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Luca Conti
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Barbara Valtancoli
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Debora Petroni
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Saer Doumett
- Colorobbia Consulting Srl, via Pietramarina 123, 50053 Sovigliana, Vinci, Italy
| | - Laura Cappiello
- Colorobbia Consulting Srl, via Pietramarina 123, 50053 Sovigliana, Vinci, Italy
| | - Costanza Ravagli
- Colorobbia Consulting Srl, via Pietramarina 123, 50053 Sovigliana, Vinci, Italy
| | - Giovanni Baldi
- Colorobbia Consulting Srl, via Pietramarina 123, 50053 Sovigliana, Vinci, Italy
| | - Andrea Bencini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy.
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18
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Monaco I, Armanetti P, Locatelli E, Flori A, Maturi M, Del Turco S, Menichetti L, Comes Franchini M. Smart assembly of Mn-ferrites/silica core-shell with fluorescein and gold nanorods: robust and stable nanomicelles for in vivo triple modality imaging. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:2993-2999. [PMID: 32254334 DOI: 10.1039/c8tb00453f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report the synthesis of a resilient nanosystem based on silica-coated magnetic MnFe2O3 nanoparticles conjugated to fluorescein and PEGylated gold nanorods embedded in polymeric micelles (MnFe2O4@SiO2@GNRs@PMs), for magnetic-photoacoustic-optical triple-modality imaging. The magnetic relaxivity of the nanosystem has been evaluated, revealing high r2/r1 ratios that suggest the effectiveness of the nanosystem as the T2-contrast agent. In addition, contrast-based fluorescence imaging has been tested both in vitro and ex vivo, showing that the nanosystem exhibits the suitable optical properties of fluorescein, with contrast intensities comparable with previously reported results. Finally, photoacoustic, due to gold nanorods, performances of the nanosystem have been evaluated, revealing good linearity between concentration and photoacoustic response in the 25-250 nM concentration under irradiation at 690 nm. The results showed a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) as high as 60 in a mouse leg subcutaneously injected with the nanosystem. Biocompatibility studies revealed no hemolytic effect induced by the nanoconstruct, revealing the applicability of the studied diagnostic tool for medical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Monaco
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 4, Bologna 40136, Italy.
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Avigo C, Flori A, Armanetti P, Di Lascio N, Kusmic C, Jose J, Losi P, Soldani G, Faita F, Menichetti L. Strategies for non-invasive imaging of polymeric biomaterial in vascular tissue engineering and regenerative medicine using ultrasound and photoacoustic techniques. POLYM INT 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.5113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Avigo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Alessandra Flori
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Nicole Di Lascio
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Claudia Kusmic
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Jithin Jose
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Paola Losi
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Giorgio Soldani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Francesco Faita
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology; National Research Council; via G. Moruzzi 1 56124 Pisa Italy
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20
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Avigo C, Di Lascio N, Armanetti P, Kusmic C, Cavigli L, Ratto F, Meucci S, Masciullo C, Cecchini M, Pini R, Faita F, Menichetti L. Organosilicon phantom for photoacoustic imaging. J Biomed Opt 2015; 20:46008. [PMID: 25894254 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.20.4.046008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging technique. Although commercially available photoacoustic imaging systems currently exist, the technology is still in its infancy. Therefore, the design of stable phantoms is essential to achieve semiquantitative evaluation of the performance of a photoacoustic system and can help optimize the properties of contrast agents. We designed and developed a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) phantom with exceptionally fine geometry; the phantom was tested using photoacoustic experiments loaded with the standard indocyanine green dye and compared to an agar phantom pattern through polyethylene glycol-gold nanorods. The linearity of the photoacoustic signal with the nanoparticle number was assessed. The signal-tonoiseratio and contrast were employed as image quality parameters, and enhancements of up to 50 and up to 300%, respectively, were measured with the PDMS phantom with respect to the agar one. A tissue-mimicking (TM)-PDMS was prepared by adding TiO2 and India ink; photoacoustic tests were performed in order to compare the signal generated by the TM-PDMS and the biological tissue. The PDMS phantom can become a particularly promising tool in the field of photoacoustics for the evaluation of the performance of a PA system and as a model of the structure of vascularized soft tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Avigo
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Nicole Di Lascio
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, ItalybScuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Fisica, Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Claudia Kusmic
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Lucia Cavigli
- Istituto di Fisica Applicata "Nello Carrara," CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino (FI) 50019, Italy
| | - Fulvio Ratto
- Istituto di Fisica Applicata "Nello Carrara," CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino (FI) 50019, Italy
| | - Sandro Meucci
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze, CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, ItalyfCenter of Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Cecilia Masciullo
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze, CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Marco Cecchini
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze, CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro 12, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Roberto Pini
- Istituto di Fisica Applicata "Nello Carrara," CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino (FI) 50019, Italy
| | - Francesco Faita
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, CNR, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, ItalygFondazione CNR/Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
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