Loading...
3 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- Gene delivery using dendrimer/pDNA complexes immobilized in electrospun fibers using the Layer-by-Layer techniquePublication . Ramalingam, Kirthiga; Castro, Rita; Pires, Pedro; Shi, Xiangyang; Rodrigues, João; Xiao, Shili; Tomás, HelenaA gene delivery platform for potential use in tissue engineering applications was developed by surface functionalization of biodegradable electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers with nanolayers of chitosan (cationic polymer) and alginate (anionic polymer) using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique. The developed system not only supported the attachment and growth of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs), but also was capable of delivering pDNA/dendrimer complexes and inducing cell differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage when a pDNA codifying for human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2) was used. Beyond providing a means for pDNA/dendrimer complex immobilization, the polyelectrolyte coating conferred sustained release properties to the scaffold that resulted in pDNA protection from degradation. The polyelectrolyte coating, by itself, also contributed to enhance cell differentiation.
- Fine tuning of the pH-sensitivity of laponite–doxorubicin nanohybrids by polyelectrolyte multilayer coatingPublication . Xiao, Shili; Castro, Rita; Maciel, Dina; Gonçalves, Mara; Shi, Xiangyang; Rodrigues, João; Tomás, HelenaDespite the wide research done in the field, the development of advanced drug delivery systems with improved drug delivery properties and effective anticancer capability still remains a great challenge. Based on previous work that showed the potentialities of the nanoclay Laponite as a pH-sensitive doxorubicin (Dox) delivery vehicle, herein we report a simple method to modulate its extent of drug release at different pH values. This was achieved by alternate deposition of cationic poly(allylamine) hydrochloride and anionic poly(sodium styrene sulfonate) (PAH/PSS) polyelectrolytes over the surface of Dox-loaded Laponite nanoparticles using the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly approach. The successful formation of polyelectrolyte multilayer-coated Dox/Laponite systems was confirmed by Dynamic Light Scattering and zeta potential measurements. Systematic studies were performed to evaluate their drug release profiles and anticancer efficiency. Our results showed that the presence of the polyelectrolyte multilayers improved the sustained release properties of Laponite and allowed a fine tuning of the extension of drug release at neutral and acidic pH values. The cytotoxicity presented by polyelectrolyte multilayer-coated Dox/Laponite systems towards MCF-7 cells was in accordance with the drug delivery profiles. Furthermore, cellular uptake studies revealed that polyelectrolyte multilayer-coated Dox/Laponite nanoparticles can be effectively internalized by cells conducting to Dox accumulation in cell nucleus.
- PAMAM dendrimer/pDNA functionalized-magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for gene deliveryPublication . Xiao, Shili; Castro, Rita; Rodrigues, João; Shi, Xiangyang; Tomás, HelenaHerein, we report an easy and ingenious method to functionalize magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) with plasmid DNA (pDNA) to obtain nanohybrid systems suitable for nucleic acid therapy. The nanohybrids were prepared by combining complexes of dendrimers and pDNA (dendriplexes) and poly(styrene) sulfonate-coated MNPs through electrostatic interactions. The effects of the dendrimer generation (generations 2, 4 and 6) and the amine to phosphate group (N/P) ratio on the hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, cell viability, cellular internalization and transfection efficiency of the nanohybridswere systematically investigated at different transfection conditions (including incubation time, pDNA concentration, presence or absence of an external magnetic field, and presence or absence of fetal bovine serum). The results confirmed that the nanohybrids were able to transfect NIH 3T3 cells, and that the level of gene expression (the luciferase protein reporter gene was used) was strongly dependent on the dendrimer generation, the N/P ratio, and the pDNA concentration. The best system was based on dendriplex-coated MNPs formed by generation 6 dendrimers at an N/P ratio of 10 that, at optimized conditions, led to a gene expression level which was not significantly different from that obtained only using dendriplexes. In summary, a coherent set of results was reached indicating the potential of the developed nanohybrids as effective gene delivery nanomaterials.