Polymer Properties: Functionalization and Surface Modified Nanoparticles

Herein, the various polymer properties and the underlying mechanism for the functionalization and surface modification of polymer nanoparticles have been discussed. There are numerous polymer particles designed and developed for various applications. The synthesis and characterization of different types of polymers followed by the engineering of nanoparticles and capsules depend on various factors. There are too many polymerization methods approached for the development of nanoparticles with desired surface properties. The ring-opening polymerization (ROP), emulsion polymerization (EP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and free radical micro initiation are the significant approaches for the polymerization reactions. The polymer nanoparticle functionalization and modification of their surfaces based on requirements is an essential task. The solvent concentration, pH, temperature, and sonication have played a vital role to tune the morphology of polymer nanoparticles and capsules. Different characterizations such as FTIR, NMR (1H and 13C), HRMS, and MALDI-TOF are used for preliminary structural and confirmations. Further, SEM, FE-SEM, TEM, AFM, BET, XRD, Raman, EDAX, TGA-DSC, DLS, and zeta potential were used for morphological and thermal properties

FGF Receptor-Mediated Gene Delivery Using Ligands Coupled to PEI-β-CyD

A novel vector with high gene delivery efficiency and special cell-targeting ability was developed using a good strategy that utilized low-molecular-weight polyethylenimine (PEI; molecular weight: 600 KDa [PEI600]) crosslinked to β-cyclodextrin (β-CyD) via a facile synthetic route. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are highly expressed in a variety of human cancer cells and are potential targets for cancer therapy. In this paper, CY11 peptides, which have been proven to combine especially with FGFRs on cell membranes were coupled to PEI-β-CyD using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate as a linker. The ratios of PEI600, β-CyD, and peptide were calculated based on proton integral values obtained from the 1H-NMR spectra of the resulting products. Electron microscope observations showed that CY11-PEI-β-CyD can efficiently condense plasmid DNA (pDNA) into nanoparticles of about 200 nm, and MTT assays suggested the decreased toxicity of the polymer. Experiments on gene delivery efficiency in vitro showed that CY11-PEI-β-CyD/pDNA polyplexes had significantly greater transgene activities than PEI-β-CyD/pDNA in the COS-7 and HepG2 cells, which positively expressed FGFR, whereas no such effect was observed in the PC-3 cells, which negatively expressed FGFR. Our current research indicated that the synthesized nonviral vector shows improved gene delivery efficiency and targeting specificity in FGFR-positive cells

A Novel Co-polymer Based on Hydroxypropyl α-Cyclodextrin Conjugated to Low Molecular Weight Polyethylenimine as an in Vitro Gene Delivery Vector

A novel co-polymer based on 2-hydroxypropyl-α-cyclodextrin cross-linked by low molecular weight polyethylenimine was synthesized as a gene delivery vector. The copolymer could bind and condense DNA tightly. It showed lower cytotoxicity than PEI 25kDa in SK-BR-3 cells. Transfection efficiency was increased over 5.5-fold higher than PEI 25 kDa in SK-BR-3 cells in complete serum medium. It is a potential candidate vector for gene therapy

Supramolecular enhancement of aggregation-induced emission and its application in cancer cell imaging

A ternary system of two tetraphenylethene derivatives containing naphthalene and paraquat groups, respectively, and a pillar[6]arene is utilized as an imaging agent for cancer cells.</p

Macrocyclic Compounds for Drug and Gene Delivery in Immune-Modulating Therapy

For decades, macrocyclic compounds have been widely applied in various fields owing to essential physicochemical properties such as their rigid cyclic structures, geometric dimensions (diameter and height), hydrophobic cavity, and hydrophilic interface. This review is an attempt to summarize various research accomplishments involving macrocyclic compounds for drug and gene delivery in immune-modulating therapies: the structures and benefits of main host molecules, their mechanisms regulating the immune system from cell uptake to activation of dendritic cells and T helper lymphocytes, as well as their potential immunotherapy for different diseases. Macrocyclic compounds including cucurbiturils (CBs), calixarenes, pillararenes, cyclodextrins (CyDs), macrocyclic peptides and metallo-supramolecular compounds, have their own unique physicochemical properties and functional derivatizations that enable to improve the biocompatibility, responsiveness to stimuli, and effectiveness of immune-modulating therapy. Based on abundant clarifications of the biological immunity mechanisms, representative constructions of macrocyclic compounds for immune therapies have been conducted for the investigation of treatment of different diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, Niemann-Pick type C1 disease (NPC1), diabetes, and inflammations. Although there are critical challenges that remain to be conquered, we believe the future of macrocyclic compounds in the immune-modulating therapy must be bright