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14 pages, 2299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Organoid-Based Scaffolds (OBST) for Long-Term Nanoparticle Toxicology Investigation

by Amparo Guerrero Gerbolés, Maricla Galetti, Stefano Rossi, Francesco Paolo lo Muzio, Silvana Pinelli, Nicola Delmonte, Cristina Caffarra Malvezzi, Claudio Macaluso, Michele Miragoli and Ruben Foresti

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(7), 6595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076595 - 01 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1932

Abstract

The toxicity of nanoparticles absorbed through contact or inhalation is one of the major concerns for public health. It is mandatory to continually evaluate the toxicity of nanomaterials. In vitro nanotoxicological studies are conventionally limited by the two dimensions. Although 3D bioprinting has [...] Read more.

The toxicity of nanoparticles absorbed through contact or inhalation is one of the major concerns for public health. It is mandatory to continually evaluate the toxicity of nanomaterials. In vitro nanotoxicological studies are conventionally limited by the two dimensions. Although 3D bioprinting has been recently adopted for three-dimensional culture in the context of drug release and tissue regeneration, little is known regarding its use for nanotoxicology investigation. Therefore, aiming to simulate the exposure of lung cells to nanoparticles, we developed organoid-based scaffolds for long-term studies in immortalized cell lines. We printed the viscous cell-laden material via a customized 3D bioprinter and subsequently exposed the scaffold to either 40 nm latex-fluorescent or 11–14 nm silver nanoparticles. The number of cells significantly increased on the 14th day in the 3D environment, from 5 × 10⁵ to 1.27 × 10⁶, showing a 91% lipid peroxidation reduction over time and minimal cell death observed throughout 21 days. Administered fluorescent nanoparticles can diffuse throughout the 3D-printed scaffolds while this was not the case for the unprinted ones. A significant increment in cell viability from 3D vs. 2D cultures exposed to silver nanoparticles has been demonstrated. This shows toxicology responses that recapitulate in vivo experiments, such as inhaled silver nanoparticles. The results open a new perspective in 3D protocols for nanotoxicology investigation supporting 3Rs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Nanoscience in Italy)

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8 pages, 4510 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Complex Formation between Cytochrome c and a Tetra-alanino-calix[4]arene

by Stefano Volpi, Aishling Doolan, Laura Baldini, Alessandro Casnati, Peter B. Crowley and Francesco Sansone

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(23), 15391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232315391 - 06 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1169

Abstract

Owing to their remarkable features, calix[n]arenes are being exploited to study different aspects of molecular recognition, including protein complexation. Different complexation modes have been described, depending on the moieties that complement the aromatic cavity, allowing for function regulation and/or controlled assembly of the [...] Read more.

Owing to their remarkable features, calix[n]arenes are being exploited to study different aspects of molecular recognition, including protein complexation. Different complexation modes have been described, depending on the moieties that complement the aromatic cavity, allowing for function regulation and/or controlled assembly of the protein target. Here, a rigid cone calix[4]arene, bearing four anionic alanine units at the upper rim, was tested as a ligand for cytochrome c. Cocrystallization attempts were unfruitful, preventing a solid-state study of the system. Next, the complex was studied using NMR spectroscopy, which revealed the presence of two binding sites at lysine residues with dissociation constants (K_d) in the millimolar range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Nanoscience in Italy)

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Review

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21 pages, 8353 KiB

Open AccessReview

Halloysite Nanotubes and Sepiolite for Health Applications

by Giuseppa Biddeci, Gaetano Spinelli, Paolo Colomba and Francesco Di Blasi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(5), 4801; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054801 - 02 Mar 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2124

Abstract

The need for safe, therapeutically effective, and patient-compliant drug delivery systems continuously leads researchers to design novel tools and strategies. Clay minerals are widely used in drug products both as excipients and active agents but, in recent years, there has been a growing [...] Read more.

The need for safe, therapeutically effective, and patient-compliant drug delivery systems continuously leads researchers to design novel tools and strategies. Clay minerals are widely used in drug products both as excipients and active agents but, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in research aimed at the development of new organic or inorganic nanocomposites. The attention of the scientific community has been drawn by nanoclays, thanks to their natural origin, worldwide abundance, availability, sustainability, and biocompatibility. In this review, we focused our attention on the studies inherent to the pharmaceutical and biomedical applications of halloysite and sepiolite, and their semi-synthetic or synthetic derivatives, as drug delivery systems. After having described the structure of both materials and their biocompatibility, we delineate the use of the nanoclays to enhance the stability, the controlled release, the bioavailability, and the adsorption properties of drugs. Several types of surface functionalization have been discussed, showing that these materials could be used for the development of an innovative therapeutic approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Nanoscience in Italy)

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