Special Issue "Bioactive Nanoparticles"

Guest Editor
Dr. Bing Yan
St. Jude Faculty, Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Room 9064, M/S 1000, 332 North Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
E-Mail:
Phone: +1 901 495 2797
Fax: +1 901 495 5715
Interests: nanomedicine; nanotoxicity; cancer therapy; drug discovery; drug resistance; combinatorial chemistry; analytical sciences

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials will potentially play an important role in medicine. However, we need to investigate both medicinal benefits and possible toxicity effects of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the increased manufacturing of nanomaterials and the marketing of nanomaterial-based consumer products all raised health concerns. In recent years, researchers are actively engaged in investigating how nanomaterials transport medicines or genes into targeted cells and how nanomaterials interact with protein signaling pathways, interfere cellular functions and various biological machineries. At the same time, technologies and methods are developed to make more biocompatible nanoparticles for medicinal and imaging application. This special issue includes research reports and review articles reflecting progresses and challenges in the dynamic research area.

Dr. Bing Yan
Guest Editor

Submission

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• nanoparticle protein interactions
• nanoparticle cell interaction
• cancer-targeting nanoparticle
• nanoparticle for drug delivery
• nano-imaging agent
• toxicity of nanoparticle or nanomaterials

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Enhancement of Immuno-Modulatory Activities of Gelatin-Encapsulated Rubus Coreanus Miquel Nano-Particles
Authors: Yong Chang Seo ¹, Hyang Suk Jeong ¹, Ji Seon Kim ¹, Woon Yong Choi ¹, Young Ok Kim ², Seon Woo Cha ² and Hyeon Yong Lee ^1,3
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Biomaterials Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Korea; E-Mail: hyeonl@kangwon.ac.kr (H.Y.L.)
² Department of Medicinal Crop Research, Rural Development Administration, Chungbuk 369-873, Korea
³ Medical & Bio-material Research Center, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Korea
Abstract: The aim of the research work was to improve immune activities of Rubus coreanus Miquel extract by being encapsulated with gelatin. Gelatin nano-particles (GNR) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential and pH stability, which were found to be quite stable as well as 250 nm of mean radius. The encapsulation efficiency of water soluble extracts was found to 60%, which would higher than ca. 50% of the entrapment ratio of conventional gelatin nano-particles. The in vitro cytotoxicity of nano-particles were proved to be non toxic on cultured human normal kidney cell line (HEK293), whose result was similar to in vivo survival ratio of mice. The growth of human B and T cell was increased up to 20%, compared to the case of crude extract. The secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α was also enhanced about two folds in adding GNR, respectively. In feeding 1 mL/g of GNR to mice, concenration of IgG in the blood serum were also increased. These results indicate that cheap edible polymer, geltain nano-particles might be suitable vehicles for improving the immune activities of medicinal herbs.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Antibacterial Activity of Carvacrol-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles against Microbial Biofilm
Authors: A. Di Stefano, R. Grande, A. Iannitelli, M. Di Giulio, P. Sozio, L. J. Bessa, S. Laserra and L. Cellini
Affiliation: Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University ‘G. d’Annunzio’, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
E-Mail: adistefano@unich.it (A.D.S.)
Abstract: The ability to form biofilms contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of many microbial infections including a variety of ocular diseases often associated with the biofilm formation on foreign materials. Carvacrol is an important component of essential oils and recently has attracted much attention as a result of its ability to promote microbial biofilm disruption. In the present study Carvacrol has been encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles in order to obtain a suitable drug delivery system that could represent a starting point for developing new therapeutic strategies against biofilm associated infections, such as improving the drug effect by associating an antimicrobial agent with a biofilm viscoelasticity modifier.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Application of the Magnetic Nanoparticles to Biomedicine
Authors: Daisuke Kami ¹, Shogo Takeda ², Masashi Toyoda ¹ and Masatoshi Watanabe ²
Affiliations: ¹ Resarch team for vascular medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Japan; E-Mail: daisu777@gmail.com (D.K.)
² Laboratory for Medical Engineering, Division of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Yokohama National University, Japan; E-Mail: mawata@ynu.ac.jp (M.W.)
Abstract: Nanoparticles propose the new opportunities in many fields, such as molecular science and biomedicine. Such nanoparticles are small enough to enter almost all areas of the body including cells, potentially leading to new approaches in biomedicine. If gene therapy is to ever realize their full potential, there is a great need for nanoparticles that can bind, and deliver DNAs into human tissues and cells.  Many researchers have reported how to bind between nanoparticle and DNA, and control the behavior of nanoparticles. In this article, we review the various research for associating DNAs to the nanoparticles, and our latest study for non-viral gene delivery using polyethylenimine coated magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic force.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Cellular Delivery of Doxorubicin via pH-Controlled Hydrazone Linkage Using Multifunctional Nano Vehicle Based on Poly(β-L-malic acid)
Authors: Rameshwar Patil and Julia Y. Ljubimova
Affiliation: Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine, DavisResearch Buliding 2094-A, Department of Neurosurgery, CedarsSinai Medical Center, Los angeles, CA, 90048, USA; E-Mails: Rameshwar.Patil@cshs.org (R.P.); ljubimovaj@cshs.org (J.Y.L.)
Abstract: Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used anti cancer drug in cancer chemotherapy. However, a major drawback of DOX is its toxicity to healthy tissue and the development of multi-drug resistance during prolonged treatment. For delivery into recipient cancer cells, DOX was conjugated via pH sensitive hydrazazone linkage along with PEG to a biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic nanoconjugate platform, poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMLA). DOX-nanoconjugates were stable under physiological conditions and successfully inhibited in vitro cancer cell growth of several cancer cell lines such as MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, U-87 MG and U-251.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Nanomedicine: Application Areas and Development Prospects
Author: Houria Boulaiz
Affiliation: Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Departamento de Anatomia y Embiología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Spain; E-Mail: hboulaiz@ugr.es
Abstract: Nanotechnology, as well as other nano-related concepts such as nanomaterials, nanostructures, or nanoparticles, has become very popular. Indeed, it is one of the priority areas for the current scientific research, and the focus of technological development. Nanotechnology is the creation and utilization of materials and devices at the nanometer scale. Nanotechnology already has applications in different fields such as electronics, but the greatest expectations are related to its applications in biotechnology and health, mainly because of the direct impact it can have on the daily lives of future societies. Nanomedicine, which is an emerging discipline, is the application of nanotechnology techniques to human health. The interaction between nanotechnology and medicine is an opportunity to carry out new treatments or improving existing ones. Nanomedecine is based on manipulating atoms and molecules in order to produce nanostructures, with the same size as the biomolecules, which may interact with human cells. Therefore, it offers a range of new solutions for diagnosis and “smart” treatment, as it stimulates the own repair mechanisms of the human body. It will have an impact on the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cardiovascular problems. Preventive medicine may then become a reality.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Nano-Sized Macromolecular Drug Carriers for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Author: Yong Sik Ahn, Hye Jung Baik, Nam Muk Oh, Na Young Yoo, So Young Park and Eun Seong Lee
Affiliation: Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, 43-1 Yeokgok 2-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 420-743, Korea; E-Mail: hejulu@hanmail.net (E.S.L.)
Abstract: Nano-sized polymeric drug carriers offer a promising approach for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis due to their flexibility in chemistry and ability to improve the therapeutic index of a drug by altering biodistribution: their preferential localization at target sites. These properties have promoted studies of drug carrier design for even better accumulation in rheumatoid arthritis. Despite positive results from cell culture systems and in small animal tumor models, the targeting approach needs to be proven in clinical settings. This review summarizes the recent efforts for representative rheumatoid arthritis-targeting approaches using drug-carrying nanovehicles.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Nanomaterials for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications
Authors: Juan L. Vivero-Escoto ¹ and Kevin C.-W. Wu ²
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA; E-Mail: jlvivero@email.unc.edu
² Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; E-Mail: kevinwu@ntu.edu.tw
Abstract: Nanotechnology offers outstanding potential for future biomedical applications. In particular, due to their unique characteristics, hybrid nanomaterials have recently been investigated as promising platforms for imaging and therapeutic applications. This class of nanoparticles can not only retain valuable features of both inorganic and organic moieties, but also provides the ability to systematically modify the properties of the hybrid material through the combination of functional elements. Moreover, the conjugation of targeting moieties on the surface of these nanomaterials gives them specific targeted imaging and therapeutic properties. In this review, we summarize the recent reports in the synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials and their applications in biomedical areas. Their applications as imaging and therapeutic agents in vivo will be highlighted.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Enabling Anticancer Therapeutics by Nano Drug Carriers
Authors: Yongjin Liu ¹, Bin Zhang ¹ and Bing Yan ^1,2
Affiliations: ¹ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
² St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, USA
Abstract: Anticancer drugs such as paclitaxel are indispensable for the treatment of a variety of malignancies. However, the effectiveness of the most drugs is greatly limited by the low water solubility, poor permeability, or high efflux from cells. Nanomaterials have been used to enable potential drug delivery system for their low toxicity, sustained drug release, molecular targeting, and additional therapeutic effects. This review takes paclitaxel as an example and compares different nanomaterials-based delivery systems for their effectiveness in cancer chemotherapy.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Nanobioconjugates for Therapeutic Applications in Nanomedicine: Toxicity Concerns During Research, Manufacture, and Clinical Use
Authors: Richard Kaplan, Dhimiter Bello, Joel Tickner and Anoop K. Pal
Affiliation: University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; E-Mail: dhimiter_bello@uml.edu (D.B.)
Abstract: Numerous research studies have explored ways to optimally conjugate nanoparticles with genetic material, such as siRNA, for therapeutic use to successfully alter metabolic functions at the genetic level to interrupt disease progression. Potential incidental exposures to such potent pharmaceutical nanobioconjugates may exist during their synthesis, research studies, manufacture, administration, or end of life. Yet, little is known about the health risk (exposures, toxicity, metabolism, detoxification, and clearance in such scenarios. We reviewed the published literature on nanobioconjugates, especially siRNA and, with the aims of summarizing: (i) the extent to which toxicity was evaluated beyond the therapeutic target mechanisms; (ii) the likelihood for potential inadvertent exposures (iii) the adequacy of existing nanobioconjugate monitoring and safe handling procedures. Based on our survey of the literature the toxicity testing, especially for genotoxicity, of these drugs is inadequate, and limited available data points out to potentially high toxicity, especially due to mistargeting. Even when toxicity data are available, they are not widely addressed in the design of safer, new nanobioconjugates. There is an urgent need for a more precautionary approach to nanobioconjugate development that incorporates a greater understanding of intrinsic hazards, exposure potential, and safe handling measures.
Keywords: nanoparticles; nanoconjugates; nanomedicine; nanotoxicology; siRNA

Type of Paper: Review
Title: Nanomedicine for Ocular Disorders
Authors: Noriyuki Kuno and Shinobu Fujii
Affiliation: Research and Development Center, Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 8916-16 Takayama-cho, Ikoma-shi, Nara 630-0101, Japan;
E-Mail: noriyuki.kuno@santen.co.jp (N.K.)
Abstract: The unique anatomy and physiology of eyes restrict the transport of drugs applied by traditional dosage forms into ocular target tissues. Nano-drug carrier systems including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, polymer-drug conjugates, and viral vectors can improve the efficiency of drug delivery into the eye by overcoming diffusion barriers utilizing their physicochemical property, intrinsic biological function, and pathophysiological conditions. In this article, progress of nanomedicine for the treatment of ocular disorders is mainly reviewed.