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Applied Sciences
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Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases
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Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2022) | Viewed by 15541

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nasim Nosoudi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Engineering and Computer Science, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
Interests: regenerative medicine; nanoparticle; nanomedicine; vascular calcification; atherosclerosis; biomaterials
Prof. Dr. Jaime E Ramirez-Vick

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Russ Engineering Center, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA
Interests: nanoparticle; nanomedicine; biomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are inviting submissions to a Special Issue of the journal Applied Sciences on the subject area of “Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases”.

Nanotechnology has the potential to fight diseases by having an immediate impact and can be divided into four categories. First, tissue engineering using nanofibers can be used to rebuild damaged or lost tissue. Second, molecular imaging paired with nanotechnology-based agents can be used to identify, diagnose, and track diseases. 

Third, nano-based carriers can be used as targeted therapeutics which allow for precise treatments, limiting drug side-effects, and ensuring the injured area receives the drug. Finally, nanotechnology can be used to improve diagnostic devices, including implantable biosensors, allowing for better feedback and control about what is occurring in the body. 

In this Special Issue, we are focusing on nanoparticles that can be used to identify, diagnose, and track diseases. Moreover, we are interested in nano-based carriers that can be used as targeted therapeutics which allow for precise treatments without side-effects.

Topics of interest for publication in this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

  • Nanoparticles for targeting/diagnosis/imaging
  • Theranostics
  • Drug delivery
  • Biomaterials in nanodevices
  • Cancer nanotherapy
  • Nanomedicine
  • Targeted therapy

Prof. Dr. Nasim Nosoudi
Prof. Dr. Jaime E Ramirez-Vick
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 5537 KiB  
Article
Nanoparticles-Facilitated Intracellular Transport of siRNAs against Individual Integrin Subunits Inhibits Growth of Breast Cancer Cells
by Maeirah Ashaie and Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10782; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112210782 - 15 Nov 2021
Viewed by 1451
Abstract
For cells and tissues, cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix adhesion is important for proliferation, differentiation, and response to mechanical stimuli. This adhesion is provided by various cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). However, in breast cancer, depending upon the type and stage, this adherence is dysregulated [...] Read more.
For cells and tissues, cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix adhesion is important for proliferation, differentiation, and response to mechanical stimuli. This adhesion is provided by various cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). However, in breast cancer, depending upon the type and stage, this adherence is dysregulated where the expression of these cell adhesion molecules is either overregulated or unregulated, triggering essential oncogenic pathways. Thus, to control the invasiveness of tumor cells, and reduce metastasis, regulating the homophilic and heterophilic interaction of these molecules and controlling the essential cell pathways is important. In this study, we targeted critical CAMs- integrins to regulate their aberrated behavior via siRNAs delivery. However, as due to charge repulsion and propensity to be degraded by nucleases prior to reaching the target site, naked siRNAs are unable to cross plasma membrane, use of a suitable carrier vehicle is essential. Thus, we employed carbonate apatite (CA), to deliver the selected siRNAs targeting integrin αv, α6, β1, β3, β4, β5, and β6 subunits to various breast cancer cell lines and 4T1-breast cancer induced murine model. Delivery of individual integrin siRNAs complexed with CA nanoparticles (NPs) reduced cell viability and caused decrease in tumor burden. To check the gene knockdown effects on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and extracellular signal–regulated kinases/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathways, Western blot analysis was performed, revealing downregulation of the signaling molecules. Thus, CA-facilitated gene therapy targeting various integrins could poise potential therapeutic modality against breast cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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16 pages, 2601 KiB  
Article
Inhibition of Breast Tumour Growth with Intravenously Administered PRKCA siRNA- and PTEN Tumour Suppressor Gene-Loaded Carbonate Apatite Nanoparticles
by Nabilah Ibnat, Rowshan Ara Islam and Ezharul Hoque Chowdhury
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 8133; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11178133 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1924
Abstract
Gene therapy aims to silence an oncogene through RNA interference, or replace an abnormal tumour suppressor via gene augmentation. In this study, we intended RNA interference for PRKCA oncogene and gene augmentation for PTEN tumour suppressor with a view to reduce tumour growth [...] Read more.
Gene therapy aims to silence an oncogene through RNA interference, or replace an abnormal tumour suppressor via gene augmentation. In this study, we intended RNA interference for PRKCA oncogene and gene augmentation for PTEN tumour suppressor with a view to reduce tumour growth in a mouse model of breast cancer. Inorganic carbonate apatite nanoparticles (CA NPs) were utilized to deliver the synthetic siRNA and the purified gene-carrying plasmid DNA both in vitro and in vivo. Effects of PRKCA siRNA- and PTEN plasmid-loaded NPs on viability of MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 breast cancer cells were assessed by MTT assay. The cell viability data in MCF-7 cell line demonstrated that combined delivery of PRKCA specific siRNA and PTEN plasmid with CA NPs had an additive effect to significantly decrease cellular growth compared to individual treatments. In addition, we observed a similar pattern of cumulative influence for combined treatment in triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Upon treatment with PRKCA siRNA+PTEN plasmid-loaded NPs, a remarkable decrease in the phosphorylated form of AKT protein of PI3K/AKT pathway was observed in Western blot, indicative of diminished proliferative signal. Moreover, in vivo study in MCF-7 xenograft breast cancer mouse model demonstrated that the rate of growth and final tumour volume were reduced significantly in the mouse group that received intravenous treatment of PRKCA siRNA+NPs, and PTEN plasmid+NPs. Our findings demonstrated that PRKCA siRNA and PTEN plasmid loaded into CA NPs attenuated breast tumour growth, suggesting their therapeutic potential in the treatment of breast cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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15 pages, 1457 KiB  
Article
Positively Charged Lipid as Potential Tool to Influence the Fate of Ethosomes
by Antonia Mancuso, Maria Chiara Cristiano, Massimo Fresta, Daniele Torella and Donatella Paolino
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7060; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11157060 - 30 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1746
Abstract
Ethosomes® are one of the main deformable vesicles proposed to overcome the stratum corneum. They are composed of lecithin, ethanol and water, resulting in round vesicles characterized by a narrow size distribution and a negative surface charge. Taking into account their efficiency [...] Read more.
Ethosomes® are one of the main deformable vesicles proposed to overcome the stratum corneum. They are composed of lecithin, ethanol and water, resulting in round vesicles characterized by a narrow size distribution and a negative surface charge. Taking into account their efficiency to deliver drugs into deeper skin layers, the current study was designed to evaluate the influence of different lipids on the physico-chemical features of traditional ethosomes in the attempt to influence their fate. Three lipids (DOPE, DSPE and DOTAP) were used for the study, but only DOTAP conferred a net positive charge to ethosomes, maintaining a narrow mean size lower than 300 nm and a good polydispersity index. Stability and in vitro cytotoxic studies have been performed using Turbiscan Lab analysis and MTT dye exclusion assay, respectively. Data recorded demonstrated the good stability of modified ethosomes and a reasonable absence of cell mortality when applied to human keratinocytes, NCTC 2544, which are used as a cell model. Finally, the best formulations were selected to evaluate their ability to encapsulate drugs, through the use of model compounds. Cationic ethosomes encapsulated oil red o and rhodamine b in amounts comparable to those recorded from conventional ethosomes (over 50%). Results recorded from this study are encouraging as cationic ethosomes may open new opportunities for skin delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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16 pages, 4753 KiB  
Article
A Multifunctional Nanoplatform Made of Gold Nanoparticles and Peptides Mimicking the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
by Patrizia Di Pietro, Stefania Zimbone, Giulia Grasso, Diego La Mendola, Damien Cossement, Rony Snyders and Cristina Satriano
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6333; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11146333 - 09 Jul 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2162
Abstract
In this work, nanobiohybrids of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNP, anti-angiogenic) and a peptide mimicking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, pro-angiogenic) were assembled and scrutinized in terms of physicochemical characterization, including optical properties, surface charge, surface chemical structure and morphology of the bioengineered [...] Read more.
In this work, nanobiohybrids of plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNP, anti-angiogenic) and a peptide mimicking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, pro-angiogenic) were assembled and scrutinized in terms of physicochemical characterization, including optical properties, surface charge, surface chemical structure and morphology of the bioengineered metal nanoparticles, for their potential application as multifunctional theranostic (i.e., therapy + sensing) nanoplatform (AuNP/VEGF). Specifically, a peptide sequence encompassing the VEGF cellular receptor domain 73–101 (VEGF73–101) and its single point cysteine mutated were immobilized onto AuNP by physi- and chemi-sorption, respectively. The new hybrid systems were characterized by means of a multitechnique approach, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses, zeta potential (ZP), spectroscopic (UV-Vis, FT-IR, XPS), spectrometric (TOF-SIMS) and microscopic (AFM, SEM) techniques. Proof-of-work cellular experiments in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) upon the treatment with AuNP/VEGF samples, demonstrated no toxicity up to 24 h (MTT assay) as well an effective internalization (laser confocal microscopy, LSM). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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15 pages, 4306 KiB  
Article
Open Porous Composite Monoliths for Biomedical Applications via Photocrosslinking of Low Internal Phase Nano-Emulsion Templates
by Maurizio Celentano, Raffaele Vecchione, Maddalena De Simone, Eliana Esposito, Monica Patrone and Paolo Antonio Netti
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(12), 5338; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11125338 - 08 Jun 2021
Viewed by 1717
Abstract
Highly cross-linked polyethylene glycol monoliths (HCPEG) with interconnected micro and nanoporosity are produced via photo-crosslinking of low internal phase emulsions (LIPE). Unlike previous works, this approach allows the pre-processing functionalization of both polymer matrix and porosity by loading both phases of the emulsion [...] Read more.
Highly cross-linked polyethylene glycol monoliths (HCPEG) with interconnected micro and nanoporosity are produced via photo-crosslinking of low internal phase emulsions (LIPE). Unlike previous works, this approach allows the pre-processing functionalization of both polymer matrix and porosity by loading both phases of the emulsion template with several active fillers, such as enzymes, semiconductive polymers, and metallic nanostructures. Importantly, both polymer matrix and porosity of the resulting composite HCPEG monoliths show neither serious cross-contamination nor morphological alterations. All in all, this material behaves like a network of nano/micro flasks embedded into a permeable media. Mechanical and dielectric properties of these composites HCPEG monoliths can be tuned by varying the content of fillers. Since these composite materials are produced by photo-crosslinking of LIPEs, they can be easily and rapidly processed into complex shapes like microneedles arrays through replica molding without detrimental modifications of the porous morphology. In principle, the proposed strategy allows us to fabricate medical devices. As proof of concept, we embedded glucose oxidase enzyme in the nanoporosity and the resulting composite porous material retained the catalytic activity towards the oxidation of glucose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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14 pages, 3069 KiB  
Article
In Vivo Positive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Cancer (U87MG) Using Folic Acid-Conjugated Polyacrylic Acid-Coated Ultrasmall Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles
by Shanti Marasini, Huan Yue, Son-Long Ho, Ji-Ae Park, Soyeon Kim, Ji-Ung Yang, Hyunsil Cha, Shuwen Liu, Tirusew Tegafaw, Mohammad Yaseen Ahmad, Abdullah Khamis Ali Al Saidi, Dejun Zhao, Ying Liu, Kwon-Seok Chae, Yongmin Chang and Gang-Ho Lee
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2596; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11062596 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2701
Abstract
Ultrasmall nanoparticles are potential candidates for application as high-performance imaging agents. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of folic acid (FA)-conjugated polyacrylic acid (PAA)-coated MnO nanoparticles with an average particle diameter of 2.7 nm. FA conferred cancer-targeting ability, while PAA conferred good [...] Read more.
Ultrasmall nanoparticles are potential candidates for application as high-performance imaging agents. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of folic acid (FA)-conjugated polyacrylic acid (PAA)-coated MnO nanoparticles with an average particle diameter of 2.7 nm. FA conferred cancer-targeting ability, while PAA conferred good colloidal stability and low cellular cytotoxicity on the FA-PAA-coated MnO nanoparticles. Further, the nanoparticles exhibited a high relaxivity (r1) value of 9.3 s−1mM−1 (r2/r1 = 2.2). Their application potential as cancer-targeting T1 magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents was confirmed by their enhanced T1 contrast enhancements at the brain cancer (U87MG) site upon intravenous administration to mice tails. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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11 pages, 2121 KiB  
Review
Nanomaterials for Chronic Kidney Disease Detection
by Solmaz Maleki Dizaj, Aziz Eftekhari, Shakar Mammadova, Elham Ahmadian, Mohammadreza Ardalan, Soodabeh Davaran, Aygun Nasibova, Rovshan Khalilov, Mahbuba Valiyeva, Sevil Mehraliyeva and Ebrahim Mostafavi
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(20), 9656; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11209656 - 16 Oct 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2839
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a dilapidating problem that causes great global burden since the current therapeutic options are mostly ineffective. Early diagnosis and efficient treatment are essential to prevent the progression of CKD. Nanoparticles as technological drivers of innovation have emerged in [...] Read more.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a dilapidating problem that causes great global burden since the current therapeutic options are mostly ineffective. Early diagnosis and efficient treatment are essential to prevent the progression of CKD. Nanoparticles as technological drivers of innovation have emerged in biomedical studies for different theranostic applications. Several nanoparticles have been developed, which can be labeled with targeting moieties for both drug delivery and/or imaging systems and are investigated to detect different pathological conditions. The focus of this review is to demonstrate the current research and clinical applications for nanoparticles in the diagnosis of CKD and other renal diseases that will probably result in CKD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials, Targeting and Treating Diseases)
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