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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Silica Nanoparticles for Delivery of Therapeutics and Imaging Agents
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Silica Nanoparticles for Delivery of Therapeutics and Imaging Agents

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 November 2021) | Viewed by 13894

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Helen Townley

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
2. Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
Interests: nanoparticles; cancer therapy; cancer imaging; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Silica nanoparticles have been widely used in biomedical applications due to the easy synthesis of different sizes and morphology, their biocompatibility, and easy surface functionalization. Such nanoparticles have shown tremendous potential as adsorbents and carriers of drugs and other therapeutic molecules. Their nanosize allows the particles to easily permeate tumour tissues via passive mechanisms, but the efficacy can be improved by active targeting. The pore sizes and morphology can be tailored to the application, and a wide array of molecules carried to the site of interest.   

This Special Issue has the aim of highlighting current progress in the use of silica nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic molecules, and imaging agents.  Suggested topics include: new synthesis methods for unique morphologies, new approaches in targeted delivery, nanoparticle design for improved uptake in target cells, and modifications of the silica with doping agents or dyes.

Dr. Helen Townley
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • silica nanoparticles
  • drug delivery
  • cargo

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1846 KiB  
Article
Lactoferrin-Anchored Tannylated Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterials for Enhanced Osteo-Differentiation Ability
by Sung Hyun Noh, Han-Saem Jo, Somang Choi, Hee Gyeong Song, Hak-Jun Kim, Keung Nyun Kim, Sung Eun Kim and Kyeongsoon Park
Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13010030 - 26 Dec 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2680
Abstract
In the present study, we created lactoferrin-anchored mesoporous silica nanomaterials with absorbed tannic acid (LF/TA-MSNs) and evaluated the effect of these LF/TA-MSNs on the in vitro osteo-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) by testing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, calcium accumulation, and expression [...] Read more.
In the present study, we created lactoferrin-anchored mesoporous silica nanomaterials with absorbed tannic acid (LF/TA-MSNs) and evaluated the effect of these LF/TA-MSNs on the in vitro osteo-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) by testing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, calcium accumulation, and expression of osteo-differentiation-specific genes, including osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN). Both bare MSNs and LF/TA-MSNs exhibited round nano-particle structures. The LF/TA-MSNs demonstrated prolonged LF release for up to 28 days. Treatment of ADSCs with LF (50 μg)/TA-MSNs resulted in markedly higher ALP level and calcium accumulation compared to treatment with LF (10 μg)/TA-MSNs or bare MSNs. Furthermore, LF (50 μg)/TA-MSNs remarkably increased mRNA levels of osteo-differentiation-specific genes, including OCN and OPN, compared to MSNs or LF (10 μg)/TA-MSNs. Together, these data suggest that the ability of LF/TA-MSNs to enhance osteo-differentiation of ADSCs make them a possible nanovehicle for bone healing and bone regeneration in patients with bone defect or disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silica Nanoparticles for Delivery of Therapeutics and Imaging Agents)
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17 pages, 3473 KiB  
Article
Glycyrrhetinic Acid-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for the Co-Delivery of DOX/CPT-PEG for Targeting HepG2 Cells
by Gabriel Martínez-Edo, Cristina Fornaguera, Salvador Borrós and David Sánchez-García
Pharmaceutics 2020, 12(11), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12111048 - 2 Nov 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3395
Abstract
A pH-triggered mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based nano-vehicle for the dual delivery of doxorubicin (DOX)/camptothecin-PEG (CPT-PEG) has been prepared. To enhance its selectivity, the nanoparticles were decorated with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to target HepG2 cells. The highly insoluble CPT was derivatized with a reductive-cleavable [...] Read more.
A pH-triggered mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based nano-vehicle for the dual delivery of doxorubicin (DOX)/camptothecin-PEG (CPT-PEG) has been prepared. To enhance its selectivity, the nanoparticles were decorated with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to target HepG2 cells. The highly insoluble CPT was derivatized with a reductive-cleavable PEG chain to improve its loading within the MSN. The preparation of these particles consisted of four steps. First, CPT-PEG was loaded within the pores of the MSN. Then, dihydrazide polyethylene glycol chains were introduced onto the surface of an aldehyde-functionalized MSN by means of a hydrazone bond. Afterwards, DOX was covalently attached to the other end of the dihydrazide polyethylene glycol chains. Finally, the resulting nanoparticles were decorated with GA by formation of an imine bond between the amino group of DOX and a benzaldehyde-GA derivative. The system was stable at physiological conditions and the release of both drugs was negligible. However, at acidic pH, a burst release of DOX and a gradual release of CPT-PEG takes place. GA-decorated drug delivery systems (DDS) selectively internalizes into HepG2. In vitro tests demonstrated that this system shows a great cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells. Furthermore, glutathione cleavage of CPT prodrug assures the formation of free CPT leading to a synergistic effect in combination with DOX. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silica Nanoparticles for Delivery of Therapeutics and Imaging Agents)
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15 pages, 4908 KiB  
Article
Engineering Sub-Cellular Targeting Strategies to Enhance Safe Cytosolic Silica Particle Dissolution in Cells
by Nerea Iturrioz-Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel Correa-Duarte, Rafael Valiente and Mónica L. Fanarraga
Pharmaceutics 2020, 12(6), 487; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12060487 - 28 May 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3761
Abstract
Mesoporous silica particles (MSP) are major candidates for drug delivery systems due to their versatile, safe, and controllable nature. Understanding their intracellular route and biodegradation process is a challenge, especially when considering their use in neuronal repair. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal intracellular [...] Read more.
Mesoporous silica particles (MSP) are major candidates for drug delivery systems due to their versatile, safe, and controllable nature. Understanding their intracellular route and biodegradation process is a challenge, especially when considering their use in neuronal repair. Here, we characterize the spatiotemporal intracellular destination and degradation pathways of MSP upon endocytosis by HeLa cells and NSC-34 motor neurons using confocal and electron microscopy imaging together with inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy analysis. We demonstrate how MSP are captured by receptor-mediated endocytosis and are temporarily stored in endo-lysosomes before being finally exocytosed. We also illustrate how particles are often re-endocytosed after undergoing surface erosion extracellularly. On the other hand, silica particles engineered to target the cytosol with a carbon nanotube coating, are safely dissolved intracellularly in a time scale of hours. These studies provide fundamental clues for programming the sub-cellular fate of MSP and reveal critical aspects to improve delivery strategies and to favor MSP safe elimination. We also demonstrate how the cytosol is significantly more corrosive than lysosomes for MSP and show how their biodegradation is fully biocompatible, thus, validating their use as nanocarriers for nervous system cells, including motor neurons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silica Nanoparticles for Delivery of Therapeutics and Imaging Agents)
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15 pages, 2844 KiB  
Article
An Assessment of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Architectures as Antigen Carriers
by Xinyue Huang and Helen E Townley
Pharmaceutics 2020, 12(3), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12030294 - 24 Mar 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3375
Abstract
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) have the potential to be used as antigen carriers due to their high surface areas and highly ordered pore network. We investigated the adsorption and desorption of diphtheria toxoid as a proof-of-concept. Two series of nanoparticles were prepared—(i) small [...] Read more.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) have the potential to be used as antigen carriers due to their high surface areas and highly ordered pore network. We investigated the adsorption and desorption of diphtheria toxoid as a proof-of-concept. Two series of nanoparticles were prepared—(i) small pores (SP) (<10 nm) and (ii) large pores (LP) (>10 nm). SBA-15 was included as a comparison since this is commercially available and has been used in a large number of studies. External diameters of the particles ranged from 138 to 1509 nm, surface area from 632 to 1110 m2/g and pore size from 2.59 to 16.48 nm. Antigen loading was assessed at a number of different ratios of silica-to-antigen and at 4 °C, 20 °C and 37 °C. Our data showed that protein adsorption by the SP series was in general consistently lower than that shown by the large pore series. Unloading was then examined at 4 °C, 20 °C and 37 °C and a pH 1.2, 4.5, 6.8 and 7.4. There was a trend amongst the LP particles towards the smallest pores showing the lowest release of antigen. The stability of the MSNP: antigen complex was tested at two different storage temperatures, and storage in solution or after lyophilization. After 6 months there was negligible release from any of the particles under any of the storage conditions. The particles were also shown not to cause hemolysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Silica Nanoparticles for Delivery of Therapeutics and Imaging Agents)
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