Laser receptive polyelectrolyte thin films doped with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles for antibacterial coatings and drug delivery applications

We report a simple method to fabricate multifunctional polyelectrolyte thin films to load and deliver the therapeutic drugs. The multilayer thin films were assembled by the electrostatic adsorption of poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and dextran sulfate (DS). The silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) biosynthesized from novel Hybanthus enneaspermus leaf extract as the reducing agent were successfully incorporated into the film. The biosynthesized Ag NPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity against the range of enteropathogens, which could be significantly enhanced when used with commercial antibiotics. The assembled silver nano composite multilayer films showed rupture and deformation when they are exposed to laser. The Ag NPs act as an energy absorption center, locally heat up the film and rupture it under laser treatment. The antibacterial drug, moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MH) was successfully loaded into the multilayer films. The total amount of MH release observed was about 63% which increased to 85% when subjected to laser light exposure. Thus, the polyelectrolyte thin film reported in our study has significant potential in the field of remote activated drug delivery, antibacterial coatings and wound dressings. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polyelectrolyte/silver nanocomposite multilayer films as multifunctional thin film platforms for remote activated protein and drug delivery

We demonstrate a nanoparticle loading protocol to develop a transparent, multifunctional polyelectrolyte multilayer film for externally activated drug and protein delivery. The composite film was designed by alternate adsorption of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and dextran sulfate (DS) on a glass substrate followed by nanoparticle synthesis through a polyol reduction method. The films showed a uniform distribution of spherical silver nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 +/- 20 nm, which increased to 80 +/- 20 nm when the AgNO3 concentration was increased from 25 to 50 mM. The porous and supramolecular structure of the polyelectrolyte multilayer film was used to immobilize ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) within the polymeric network of the film. When exposed to external triggers such as ultrasonication and laser light the loaded films were ruptured and released the loaded BSA and CH. The release of CH is faster than that of BSA due to a higher diffusion rate. Circular dichroism measurements confirmed that there was no significant change in the conformation of released BSA in comparison with native BSA. The fabricated films showed significant antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Applications envisioned for such drug-loaded films include drug and vaccine delivery through the transdermal route, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory coatings on implants and drug-releasing coatings for stents. (C) 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

NOD2-Nitric Oxide-responsive MicroRNA-146a Activates Sonic Hedgehog Signaling to Orchestrate Inflammatory Responses in Murine Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Genetic variants of NOD2 are linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) etiology. Results: DSS model of colitis in wild-type and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) null mice revealed that NOD2-iNOS/NO-responsive microRNA-146a targets NUMB gene facilitating Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. Conclusion: miR-146a-mediated NOD2-SHH signaling regulates gut inflammation. Significance: Identification of novel regulators of IBD provides new insights into pathophysiology and development of new therapy concepts. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestine. The interactions between enteric bacteria and genetic susceptibilities are major contributors of IBD etiology. Although genetic variants with loss or gain of NOD2 functions have been linked to IBD susceptibility, the mechanisms coordinating NOD2 downstream signaling, especially in macrophages, during IBD pathogenesis are not precisely identified. Here, studies utilizing the murine dextran sodium sulfate model of colitis revealed the crucial roles for inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) in regulating pathophysiology of IBDs. Importantly, stimulation of NOD2 failed to activate Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in iNOS null macrophages, implicating NO mediated cross-talk between NOD2 and SHH signaling. NOD2 signaling up-regulated the expression of a NO-responsive microRNA, miR-146a, that targeted NUMB gene and alleviated the suppression of SHH signaling. In vivo and ex vivo studies confirmed the important roles for miR-146a in amplifying inflammatory responses. Collectively, we have identified new roles for miR-146a that established novel cross-talk between NOD2-SHH signaling during gut inflammation. Potential implications of these observations in therapeutics could increase the possibility of defining and developing better regimes to treat IBD pathophysiology.

Remotely triggered micro-shock wave responsive drug delivery system for resolving diabetic wound infection and controlling blood sugar levels

A novel, micro-shock wave responsive spermidine and dextran sulfate microparticle was developed. Almost 90% of the drug release was observed when the particles were exposed to micro-shock waves 5 times. Micro-shock waves served two purposes; of releasing the antibiotic from the system and perhaps disrupting the S. aureus biofilm in the skin infection model. A combination of shock waves with ciprofloxacin loaded microparticles could completely cure the S. aureus infection lesion in a diabetic mouse model. As a proof of concept insulin release was triggered using micro-shock waves in diabetic mice to reduce the blood glucose level. Insulin release could be triggered for at least 3 days by exposing subcutaneously injected insulin loaded particles.

Botulinum neurotoxin type-A enters a non-recycling pool of synaptic vesicles

Neuronal communication relies on synaptic vesicles undergoing regulated exocytosis and recycling for multiple rounds of fusion. Whether all synaptic vesicles have identical protein content has been challenged, suggesting that their recycling ability may differ greatly. Botulinum neurotoxin type-A (BoNT/A) is a highly potent neurotoxin that is internalized in synaptic vesicles at motor nerve terminals and induces flaccid paralysis. Recently, BoNT/A was also shown to undergo retrograde transport, suggesting it might enter a specific pool of synaptic vesicles with a retrograde trafficking fate. Using high-resolution microscopy techniques including electron microscopy and single molecule imaging, we found that the BoNT/A binding domain is internalized within a subset of vesicles that only partially co-localize with cholera toxin B-subunit and have markedly reduced VAMP2 immunoreactivity. Synaptic vesicles loaded with pHrodo-BoNT/A-Hc exhibited a significantly reduced ability to fuse with the plasma membrane in mouse hippocampal nerve terminals when compared with pHrodo-dextran-containing synaptic vesicles and pHrodo-labeled anti-GFP nanobodies bound to VAMP2-pHluorin or vGlut-pHluorin. Similar results were also obtained at the amphibian neuromuscular junction. These results reveal that BoNT/A is internalized in a subpopulation of synaptic vesicles that are not destined to recycle, highlighting the existence of significant molecular and functional heterogeneity between synaptic vesicles.

Design,optimization and in vivo evaluation of non-viral vectors for gene therapy. Applications in ocular disorders

227 págs.

Extracellular-matrix tethering regulates stem-cell fate.

To investigate how substrate properties influence stem-cell fate, we cultured single human epidermal stem cells on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel surfaces, 0.1 kPa-2.3 MPa in stiffness, with a covalently attached collagen coating. Cell spreading and differentiation were unaffected by polydimethylsiloxane stiffness. However, cells on polyacrylamide of low elastic modulus (0.5 kPa) could not form stable focal adhesions and differentiated as a result of decreased activation of the extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. The differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells was also unaffected by PDMS stiffness but regulated by the elastic modulus of PAAm. Dextran penetration measurements indicated that polyacrylamide substrates of low elastic modulus were more porous than stiff substrates, suggesting that the collagen anchoring points would be further apart. We then changed collagen crosslink concentration and used hydrogel-nanoparticle substrates to vary anchoring distance at constant substrate stiffness. Lower collagen anchoring density resulted in increased differentiation. We conclude that stem cells exert a mechanical force on collagen fibres and gauge the feedback to make cell-fate decisions.

聚合物载体缩硫醛大环螯合剂的合成和选择络合汞的性能以及做为高分子汞解毒促排药物的动物实验

在我国某些地区，汞的污染已达到十分严重的程度。如，第二松花江吉林市下游江段，江水总汞含量和鱼体含汞量已能和日本严重汞污染的水俣湾相比。在化学工业，仪表工业中，汞中毒列为严重性占第二位的职业病。因此，汞的污染防治已是急待解决的问题。各种含硫螯合剂可应用于含汞污水处理及汞中毒的治疗。Nyssen等1976年合成了一种缩聚型的缩硫醛大环螯合树脂，作者希望它能成为汞中毒的口服解毒药物。这种产物对Hg~(++)和CH_3Hg~+表现了极强的选择络合性能。但是由于其交联结构不利于Hg~(++)深入树脂内部，因此络合容量太低，仅为2毫克Hg~(++)/克。为了提高其络合能力并进而得到一种水溶性产物，我们合成了二种新的高分子缩硫醛大环螯合剂；其一，以聚苯乙烯为载体的缩硫醛大环螯合剂（简写为PS-S）。其二，以右旋糖苷为载体的缩硫醛大环螯合剂（简写为D-S）。前者做为螯合树脂表现了对Hg~(++)极强的选择络合能力，并且络合容量比缩聚型产物高十倍以上（达30-60毫克Hg~(++)/克）。后者经动物实验证明是一种无毒而有效的高分子汞解毒药。（一）PS-S的合成和络合性能1）醛基的引入采用了不同交联度的凝胶型聚苯乙烯（PS）树脂及不同孔径和表面的大孔型PS树脂做为骨架材料，并采用了二种不同的方法在PS上联结醛基。2）PS-S的合成采用了一系列巯基化合物与PS-CHO反应合成PS-S。例如，用乙二醇二巯基乙酸酯与PS-CHO反应，其它采用的巯基化合物还有：丁二醇二巯基乙酸酯、季戊四醇四巯基乙酸酯、乙硫醇、巯基乙酸、巯基乙酸乙酯等。同一骨架材料的上述各产物的静态Hg~(++)络合容量基本相同，可是含硫环的大小对络合容量影响不大。3）缩硫醛化产物模型化合物的研究合成了几种小分子缩硫醛化产物，对它们进行了MS、NMR谱分析，从以上三种不同类型的缩硫醛化产物本身及其对Hg~(++)作用物的稳定性比较，以第二类大环型产物稳定性最好。4）不同骨架结构的PS-S络合性能比较对不同交联度的凝胶型PS树脂为骨架的PS-S树脂，及不同孔经和比表面积的大孔型PS树脂为骨架的PS-S树脂，分别测定了对Hg~(++)的络合容量，结果表明：大孔型PS-S树脂络合容量最高。当其孔径在100-1000埃，比表面积100米~2/克时，静态络合容量可达65毫克Hg~(++)/克。5）大孔PS-S树脂络合性能的研究①研究了不同测定方法下（静态法、动态法、饱和法），不同测定条件（如树脂用量、Hg~(++)溶液浓度等）对产物络合容量测定的影响。在PS-S装柱反复络合洗脱十次后，树脂络合容量不下降。②不同PH测定PS-S络合容量表明：中性条件下对Hg~(++)络合容量较高。某些有机溶剂（如乙醇、二氧六环）加入Hg~(++)水溶液有利于络合容量的提高。而某些有机溶剂（如丙酮、乙酸）的添加却降低了树脂络合容量。③大孔PS-S树脂对不同金属离子(Pb~(++)、Co~(++)、Cd~(++)、Ca~(++)、Zn~(++))络合容量的测定表明：大孔PS-S树脂对Hg~(++)的络合容量比上述其它金属离子高几十倍到近千倍。（二）D-S的合成与性能研究了介质、温度、时间、反应物用量等条件对反应结果的影响，反应所用Dextran分子量31600，生成的D-CHO含醛基量0.66毫克当量/克。生成的D-S含硫量3.5～6%，分子量约3600。（三）PS-S和D-S对汞中毒巯基酶的解毒实验生物体汞中毒的一个重要毒理是汞使巯基酶中毒，我们采用了PS-S和D-S来对汞中毒的巯基酶-脲酶解毒，使失活的脲酶重新恢复活力，模拟药物在生物体内的解毒过程。实验表明：PS-S和D-S的解毒能力比相同重量的离子交换树脂、巯基树脂、巯基棉等都要强。而且很少量的PS-S和D-S就能使脲酶100%的恢复活力。不同用量的PS-S和D-S使汞中毒脉酶恢复活力的试验显示了良好的线性关系，尤其是D-S，它几乎等当量地（每二个硫原子络合一个汞原子）使汞中毒脲酶恢复活力。（四）D-S的汞解毒及代谢促排过程的同位素示踪试验1）当给小白鼠静脉注射极限注射量（达1毫升/只鼠）的6%D-S水溶液时未发生受试动物的死亡，即LD_(50) > 4000毫克/公斤体重，说明D-S是无毒的。同时病理镜检表明动物肝肾此时无异常。2）分别对10只小白鼠静注致死量的Hg~(++)，对其中一组注射D-S（0.2毫升/只）一次，结果3小时后对照组动物全部死亡时，给药组尚存活6只。D-S表面了对受试动物良好的保护作用。病理镜检表明D-S使肾脏的汞中毒病变有所缓解。3）用同位素~(125)I标记D-S，研究了口服，静注D-S在小白鼠体内的代谢情况。试验得到了D-S经静注，口服二种途径在小白鼠体内血、肝、肾、脾等主要脏器中的经时代谢曲线。六小时后D-S大部分代谢出体外，12天后全部代谢出体外。并进而得到了二种不同给药方式的药物代谢动力学方程。D-S口服为：C_血=0.1 (e~(-0.00183t)-e~(-0.01t))符合于一级吸收过程的单室模型 D-S静注为：C_血=0.384 e~(-0.645t) + 0.074 e~(-0.08t) + 0.042~(-0.00464t)符合于快速静注下的三室模型。4）采用~(203)Hg做了D-S口服、静注给药时对Hg~(++)的促排作用的实验，得到了二种给药方式下Hg~(++) 在小白鼠血、肝、肾、脑及全身的促排代谢经时曲线。实验表明D-S对汞有明显促排作用，其中口报组效果更好。D-S促排与代谢同位素示踪试验数据之间表现了有趣的相关性，有助于我们解释D-S对汞促排的机制。动物实验表明：D-S可能成为一种临床使用的副作用小的汞中毒解毒促排新药。

树突状细胞体外分化成熟的时程、mi/mRNA 表达谱分析和共生菌影响的研究

树突状细胞（dendritic cells, DC）作为机体天然免疫和获得性免疫反应的桥梁和枢纽，发挥着重要的启动和调控作用。随着体外诱导方法的建立和生物学技术的进步，有关DC 的基础生物学研究得到了快速的发展，在诱导方法、个体发生及基因表达和调控等方面，涌现出很多新的、未解的关键问题。同时，随着对粘膜免疫机理研究的深入，DC 在粘膜生态环境中的功能和影响，渐已成为免疫学研究前沿领域中的热点和要点。在本研究中，为了确定DC 体外分化成熟的最短时程，同时为了研究DC 分化成熟相关的基因表达调控，我们建立了快速的DC 体外诱导方法，分析了体外快速诱导 DC 的mi/mRNA 表达谱。此外，在原始分离的女性生殖道共生乳酸杆菌的基础上，以THP-1作为DC 前体细胞的细胞系模型，开展了女性生殖道共生乳酸杆菌刺激活化 THP-1 的研究，希望能够为乳酸杆菌作为生殖道粘膜免疫疫苗的应用提供理论基础。首先，采用外周血单个核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PBMC）来源的CD14+细胞为DC 前体，经过GM-CSF 和IL-4 的刺激，1-6 天后得到未成熟DC （immature dendritic cells, iDC），并经成熟因子（TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 与PGE2）诱导 1-2 天后，获得成熟DC（mature dendritic cells, mDC）。经过比较和分析，明确了完全分化和成熟各2 天，即“2+2”，为DC 诱导分化的最佳和最短时程，从而证实和建立了DC 体外快速诱导的体系和方法。该方法获得的iDC 与mDC，具有与传统的“6+2” 方法获得的DC 相同的形态与表型，而且，利用该方法获得的DC 总数高于“1+1”， “1+2”与“6+2”的方法，为DC 的生物学研究提供了基础数据。我们进而采用芯片技术，对体外快速分化成熟的DC 进行了mi/mRNA 表达谱分析，确定了DC 不同分化发育阶段特征性的mi/mRNA 表达差异。结果发现，与CD14+ 单核细胞即DC 前体相比，iDC 与mDC 之间具有更加相近的mi/mRNA 表达方式。 miRNA 表达谱分析则表明，不同的miRNA 表达与DC 的不同分化和发育阶段相关。而且，位于同一基因簇内的miRNA，呈现协同表达的情况。特别值得注意的是，本研究发现了在DC 的某些发育阶段特异表达的miRNA，它们在DC 发育过程中的功能，还未得到诠释，它们在DC 某些分化阶段的特异表达，提示了DC 各分化阶段的相关性与特异性。结合mRNA 表达谱分析，我们发现miRNA 的表达与其目的基因的表达在mRNA 水平呈现负相关的特性。同时，免疫相关mRNA 与miRNA 在DC 体外不同发育阶段的表达亦呈现差异，其中，miRNA（如hsa-miR-181a, hsa-miR-223, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-146, hsa-miR-106a 与hsa-miR-20a 等）与mRNA（如ALM1 等）参与了特定的与免疫相关的GO（Gene Ontology）与通路（Pathway），提示这些miRNA 与mRNA 可能通过不同的方式调节控制着DC 的体外诱导过程。在有关粘膜生态环境中DC 的分化、成熟及其功能影响的研究中，我们首先通过各种乳酸杆菌鉴定方法的综合应用，确定了6 种原始分离的女性生殖道主要共生乳酸杆菌：发酵乳酸杆菌（L.Fermentum）、约氏乳酸杆菌（L.Johnsonni）、卷曲乳酸杆菌（L.Crispatus）、革氏乳酸杆菌（L.Gasseri）、詹氏乳酸杆菌（L.Jensenii）与德氏乳酸杆菌（L.Delbrueckii ）。其中，德氏乳酸杆菌（L.Delbrueckii）和发酵乳酸杆菌（L.Fermentum）具有较高的产H2O2 的能力。在此基础上，我们在与THP-1 的共同培养体系中，将乳酸杆菌对DC 前体的作用和影响进行了比较和研究。结果发现，L.Crispatus 在分离的各原始菌株中，具有最强的刺激THP-1 活化的能力，而且，在相同刺激比例下，L.Crispatus 活菌具有比死菌更强的免疫刺激能力，表现为明显上调THP-1 细胞表面标志CD40、CD80、CD86、 CD1a、CCR6 与CD324 的表达水平，同时可诱导活化THP-1 上调表达Th1 型细胞因子。通过FITC-Dextran 吞噬实验，我们发现，经过L.Crispatus 刺激的THP-1 细胞，其吞噬外来抗原的能力明显下降，但尚未检测到经过活化的THP-1 细胞刺激T 细胞增殖的能力。通过流式细胞术分析的方法，我们检测了TLR1、TLR2、TLR4 与TLR6 在不同的刺激分化阶段的表达水平，结果表明，THP-1 主要通过TLR2 与TLR6 识别女性生殖道L.Crispatus。综上所述，本研究首先通过对DC 体外分化成熟的最短时程的分析，确立了快速诱导DC 的最佳方法，进而利用芯片技术，研究了快速诱导DC 的mi/mRNA 表达谱，揭示了DC 体外分化发育过程中可能的调控途径，为进一步研究DC 的基础生物学提供了恰当的模型和具有指向性的线索。同时，通过与DC 前体THP-1 的共同培养体系，证实了生殖道共生乳酸杆菌的免疫调节作用，为以乳酸杆菌为载体的生殖道粘膜免疫疫苗的研究和应用提供了实验依据

Comparison of the shape parameters of DNA-cationic lipid complexes and model polyelectrolyte-lipid complexes

In this study, we used a rheological method to study the shape of DNA-cationic lipid complexes and model polyelectrolyte-lipid complexes. We introduced two kinds of anionic polyelectrolytes, sodium polygalacturonate (PGU) and sodium dextran sulfate (DSS), of varying size, as models for DNA. The prepared complexes were incubated under laminar flow conditions. The results show the same quantitative relation between the shape parameter of lipoplexes and the length of anionic polyelectrolytes, including DNA. The rheological behavior of PGU and DSS were similar to that of DNA. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Construction of hollow DNA/PLL microcapsule as a dual carrier for controlled delivery of DNA and drug

DNA/poly-L-lysine (PLL) capsules were constructed through a layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly of DNA and PLL on CaCO3 microparticles, and then used as dual carriers for DNA and drug after dissolution of carbonate cores. The permeability of DNA/PLL microcapsules was investigated with fluorescence probes with different molecular weights by confocal microscopy. The result revealed that the fluorescence probes were able to penetrate the capsule walls even its molecular weight up to 150 kDa. The resultant capsules were used to load drug model molecules-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (4 kDa) via spontaneous deposition mechanism.

Synthesis and evaluation of Gd-DTPA-labeled arabinogalactans as potential MRI contrast agents

Arabinogalactan derivatives conjugated with gad olinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) by ethylenediamine (Gd-DTPA-CMAG-A(2)) or hexylamine (Gd-DTPA-CMAG-A(6)) have been synthesized and characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (C-13 NMR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

Green synthesis of nanowire-like Pt nanostructures and their catalytic properties

We reported a simple and effective green chemistry route for facile synthesis of nanowire-like Pt nanostructures atone step. In the reaction, dextran acted as a reductive agent as well as a protective agent for the synthesis of Pt nanostructures. Simple mixing of precursor aqueous solutions of dextran and K2PtCl4 at 80 degrees C could result in spontaneous formation of the Pt nanostructures. Optimization of the experiment condition could yield nanowire-like Pt nanostructures at 23:1 molar ratio of the dextran repeat unit to K2PtCl4.

A facile pathway to prepare enzymatically degradable microcapsules with tunable capsule shell properties

Dextran sulfate (DS)/poly-L-lysine (PLL) microcapsules are fabricated by an in situ coacervation method using DS-doped CaCO3 microparticles as templates. Twinned superstructures or spherical CaCO3 microparticles are produced depending on DS concentration in the starting Solution. DS/PLL microcapsules with ellipsoidal or spherical outline are obtained after removal of templates in disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate dehydrate (EDTA) without PLL. Their shell thickness and negative surface charges increase with the DS weight percentage in the templates. The surface potential of DS/PLL microcapsules.

Biodegradable amphiphilic polymer-drug conjugate micelles

The coupling of drugs to macromolecular carriers received an important impetus from Ringsdorf's notion of polymer-drug conjugates. Several water-soluble polymers, poly(ethylene glycol), poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamidel, poly(L-glutamic acid) and dextran, are studied intensively and have been utilized successfully in clinical research. The promising results arising from clinical trials with polymer-drug conjugates (e.g., paclitaxel, doxorubicin, camptothecins) have provided a firm foundation for other synthetic polymers, especially biodegradable polymers, used as drug delivery vehicles. This review discusses biodegradable polymeric micelles as an alternative drug-conjugate system. Particular focus is on A-B or B-A-B type biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer such as polylactide, morpholine-2,5-dione derivatives and cyclic carbonates, which can form a core-shell micellar structure, with the hydrophobic drug-binding segment forming the hydrophobic core and the hydrophilic segment as a hydrated outer shell. Polymeric micelles can be designed to avoid uptake by cells of reticuloendothelial system and thus enhance their blood lifetime via the enhanced permeability and retention effect.