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Nanoparticles and Their Interactions with Target Cells, Host Receptors and Soluble Factors

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 11867

Special Issue Editor

Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
Interests: innate immunity; nanomedicine; drug targeting; allergy; cancer; pregnancy; infection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles are produced with a bewilderingly diverse range of shapes, sizes, contents and carrier capacities. In the last two decades, nanotechnology has announced its arrival in the field of chemistry and medicine in an unprecented way. However, the main goal is to utilise nanoparticles/nanocarriers in the context of human health and disease and to exploit their potential in diagnosis and treatement. From infectious diseases to cancer immunotherapy, nanoparticles have been extensively investigated for their translational applications. With advancements in techniques and measurement parameters, there could not have been a better time to engage in the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine than the present. Their interactions with immune and non-immune cells, and their functional modulation by host cell-surface receptors and soluble factors is currently a matter of intense investigation in the field. How nanoparticles can be made specific to certain cells, especially cancer cells, is a high priority area of research using in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models. This Special Issue titled “Nanoparticles and Their Interactions with Target Cells, Host Receptors and Soluble Factors” invites articles in the broader area of nanotechnology and nanomedicine related to nanoparticles’ effects on normal and transformed cells, their interactions with immune cells and their receptors, and their modulatory properties involving soluble factors such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, the complement system, the acute phase system, and the coagulation system.

Prof. Dr. Uday Kishore
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • nanoparticles
  • nanocarriers
  • host cell
  • cell-surface receptors
  • humoral factors
  • drug targeting
  • cancer
  • treatment

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1979 KiB  
Article
Silica Nanoparticles Inhibit Responses to ATP in Human Airway Epithelial 16HBE Cells
by Alina Milici, Alicia Sanchez and Karel Talavera
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 10173; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms221810173 - 21 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1867
Abstract
Because of their low cost and easy production, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in multiple manufacturing applications as anti-caking, densifying and hydrophobic agents. However, this has increased the exposure levels of the general population and has raised concerns about the toxicity of [...] Read more.
Because of their low cost and easy production, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in multiple manufacturing applications as anti-caking, densifying and hydrophobic agents. However, this has increased the exposure levels of the general population and has raised concerns about the toxicity of this nanomaterial. SiNPs affect the function of the airway epithelium, but the biochemical pathways targeted by these particles remain largely unknown. Here we investigated the effects of SiNPs on the responses of 16HBE14o- cultured human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells to the damage-associated molecular pattern ATP, using fluorometric measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Upon stimulation with extracellular ATP, these cells displayed a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular Ca2+, which was mediated by release from intracellular stores. SiNPs inhibited the Ca2+ responses to ATP within minutes of application and at low micromolar concentrations, which are significantly faster and more potent than those previously reported for the induction of cellular toxicity and pro-inflammatory responses. SiNPs-induced inhibition is independent from the increase in intracellular Ca2+ they produce, is largely irreversible and occurs via a non-competitive mechanism. These findings suggest that SiNPs reduce the ability of airway epithelial cells to mount ATP-dependent protective responses. Full article
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13 pages, 3421 KiB  
Article
IKBKB siRNA-Encapsulated Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles Diminish Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting Microglial Activation
by Seounghun Lee, Hyo-Jung Shin, Chan Noh, Song-I Kim, Young-Kwon Ko, Sun-Yeul Lee, Chaeseong Lim, Boohwi Hong, Sin-Young Yang, Dong-Woon Kim, Won-Hyung Lee and Yoon-Hee Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5657; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22115657 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2938
Abstract
Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in microglia plays a decisive role in the progress of neuropathic pain, and the inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) is a protein that blocks the activation of NF-κB and is degraded by the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase [...] Read more.
Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in microglia plays a decisive role in the progress of neuropathic pain, and the inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) is a protein that blocks the activation of NF-κB and is degraded by the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase subunit beta (IKBKB). The role of IKBKB is to break down IκB, which blocks the activity of NF-kB. Therefore, it prevents the activity of NK-kB. This study investigated whether neuropathic pain can be reduced in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats by reducing the activity of microglia by delivering IKBKB small interfering RNA (siRNA)-encapsulated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. PLGA nanoparticles, as a carrier for the delivery of IKBKB genes silencer, were used because they have shown potential to enhance microglial targeting. SNL rats were injected with IKBKB siRNA-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles intrathecally for behavioral tests on pain response. IKBKB siRNA was delivered for suppressing the expression of IKBKB. In rats injected with IKBKB siRNA-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles, allodynia caused by mechanical stimulation was reduced, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators due to NF-κB was reduced. Delivering IKBKB siRNA through PLGA nanoparticles can effectively control the inflammatory response and is worth studying as a treatment for neuropathic pain. Full article
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16 pages, 4033 KiB  
Article
Ultrasound-Based Molecular Imaging of Tumors with PTPmu Biomarker-Targeted Nanobubble Contrast Agents
by Mette L. Johansen, Reshani Perera, Eric Abenojar, Xinning Wang, Jason Vincent, Agata A. Exner and Susann M. Brady-Kalnay
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(4), 1983; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22041983 - 17 Feb 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1970
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging is a widely used, readily accessible and safe imaging modality. Molecularly-targeted microbubble- and nanobubble-based contrast agents used in conjunction with ultrasound imaging expand the utility of this modality by specifically targeting and detecting biomarkers associated with different pathologies including cancer. In [...] Read more.
Ultrasound imaging is a widely used, readily accessible and safe imaging modality. Molecularly-targeted microbubble- and nanobubble-based contrast agents used in conjunction with ultrasound imaging expand the utility of this modality by specifically targeting and detecting biomarkers associated with different pathologies including cancer. In this study, nanobubbles directed to a cancer biomarker derived from the Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase mu, PTPmu, were evaluated alongside non-targeted nanobubbles using contrast enhanced ultrasound both in vitro and in vivo in mice. In vitro resonant mass and clinical ultrasound measurements showed gas-core, lipid-shelled nanobubbles conjugated to either a PTPmu-directed peptide or a Scrambled control peptide were equivalent. Mice with heterotopic human tumors expressing the PTPmu-biomarker were injected with PTPmu-targeted or control nanobubbles and dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed. Tumor enhancement was more rapid and greater with PTPmu-targeted nanobubbles compared to the non-targeted control nanobubbles. Peak tumor enhancement by the PTPmu-targeted nanobubbles occurred within five minutes of contrast injection and was more than 35% higher than the Scrambled nanobubble signal for the subsequent two minutes. At later time points, the signal in tumors remained higher with PTPmu-targeted nanobubbles demonstrating that PTPmu-targeted nanobubbles recognize tumors using molecular ultrasound imaging and may be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Full article
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Review

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27 pages, 2435 KiB  
Review
TRP Channels as Cellular Targets of Particulate Matter
by Alina Milici and Karel Talavera
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2783; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22052783 - 09 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4328
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) is constituted by particles with sizes in the nanometer to micrometer scales. PM can be generated from natural sources such as sandstorms and wildfires, and from human activities, including combustion of fuels, manufacturing and construction or specially engineered for applications [...] Read more.
Particulate matter (PM) is constituted by particles with sizes in the nanometer to micrometer scales. PM can be generated from natural sources such as sandstorms and wildfires, and from human activities, including combustion of fuels, manufacturing and construction or specially engineered for applications in biotechnology, food industry, cosmetics, electronics, etc. Due to their small size PM can penetrate biological tissues, interact with cellular components and induce noxious effects such as disruptions of the cytoskeleton and membranes and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Here, we provide an overview on the actions of PM on transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins, a superfamily of cation-permeable channels with crucial roles in cell signaling. Their expression in epithelial cells and sensory innervation and their high sensitivity to chemical, thermal and mechanical stimuli makes TRP channels prime targets in the major entry routes of noxious PM, which may result in respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. On the other hand, the interactions between TRP channel and engineered nanoparticles may be used for targeted drug delivery. We emphasize in that much further research is required to fully characterize the mechanisms underlying PM-TRP channel interactions and their relevance for PM toxicology and biomedical applications. Full article
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