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Nanomaterials
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Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles
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Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 26154

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Krzysztof Szczepanowicz

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Guest Editor
Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Niezapominajek 8, PL - 30239 Krakow, Poland
Interests: Nanomaterials, nanomedicine, polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, drug delivery, targeted therapy, passive, active and physical targeting, theranostics, imaging, metallic nanoparticles, layer by layer, anticancer therapy, neurodegenerative disorders, physical chemistry, surface modification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Continued advancements in nanotechnology are expanding the boundaries of medical research, most notably as a drug delivery system for anticancer treatment. Application of nanotechnology in the delivery of therapeutic as well as imaging agents can offer greater control over their biodistribution, usually toxic compounds, to improve the therapeutic index. Controlling materials at the nanoscale offers the opportunity to develop medicines with precisely engineered functions in the body. The design of the majority of therapeutic and imaging agents delivery system hugely relies on nanoparticles. Because nanoparticles can exhibit high surface to volume ratios, unique optical properties, tunable shapes, and/or modifiable surfaces, they provide a mechanism for controlling the transport of various therapeutic cargo, within the body, both temporally and spatially.

The application of nanoscale materials in medicine, generally termed nanomedicine, has become mainstream. Nanomedicine is a field of research with huge expectations for the development of personalized medicine based on new nanoparticles. The use of nanoparticles in targeted drug delivery may overcome many intractable health challenges.

We invite researchers to contribute original and review articles regarding the functional polymeric nanoparticles. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: synthesis, modification, and functionalization of nanoparticles, encapsulation of actives, nanoparticles’ characterization and characterization methods, application of nanoparticles as drug carriers, targeted drug delivery systems, passive, active and physical targeting theranostics, formulating new nanomaterials, in vitro and in vivo studies on nanoparticulate systems.

Dr. Krzysztof Szczepanowicz
Guest Editor

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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. Nanomaterials 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 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

  • Nanomaterials
  • nanomedicine
  • polymeric nanoparticles
  • drug delivery
  • targeted therapy
  • passive
  • active and physical targeting
  • theranostics
  • imaging
  • functionalization

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 5888 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Technological Parameters of the Process of Forming Therapeutic Biopolymer Nanofilled Films
by Michał Bembenek, Oleg Popadyuk, Thaer Shihab, Liubomyr Ropyak, Andrzej Uhryński, Vasyl Vytvytskyi and Oleksandr Bulbuk
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(14), 2413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12142413 - 14 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2230
Abstract
The prospects of using biopolymer nano-containing films for wound healing were substantiated. The main components of biopolymer composites are gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerin, lactic acid, distilled water, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). Biopolymer composites were produced according to various technological parameters using [...] Read more.
The prospects of using biopolymer nano-containing films for wound healing were substantiated. The main components of biopolymer composites are gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerin, lactic acid, distilled water, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). Biopolymer composites were produced according to various technological parameters using a mould with a chrome coating. The therapeutic properties of biopolymer films were evaluated by measuring the diameter of the protective effect. Physico-mechanical properties were studied: elasticity, vapour permeability, degradation time, and swelling. To study the influence of technological parameters of the formation process of therapeutic biopolymer nanofilled films on their therapeutic and physico-mechanical properties, the planning of the experiment was used. According to the results of the experiments, mathematical models of the second-order were built. The optimal values of technological parameters of the process are determined, which provide biopolymer nanofilled films with maximum healing ability (diameter of protective action) and sufficiently high physical and mechanical properties: elasticity, vapour permeability, degradation time and swelling. The research results showed that the healing properties of biopolymer films mainly depend on the content of ZnO NPs. Degradation of these biopolymer films provides dosed drug delivery to the affected area. The products of destruction are carbon dioxide, water, and a small amount of ZnO in the bound state, which indicates the environmental safety of the developed biopolymer film. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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24 pages, 5404 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Pyrazole-Enriched Cationic Nanoparticles as New Promising Antibacterial Agent by Mutual Cooperation
by Silvana Alfei, Guendalina Zuccari, Debora Caviglia and Chiara Brullo
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(7), 1215; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12071215 - 05 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1627
Abstract
A pyrazole derivative (CB1) was previously evaluated in vivo for various pharmacological activities (with the exception of antimicrobial effects), using DMSO as the administrative medium, mainly due to its water insolubility. Considering the global necessity for new antimicrobial agents, CB1 attracted our attention [...] Read more.
A pyrazole derivative (CB1) was previously evaluated in vivo for various pharmacological activities (with the exception of antimicrobial effects), using DMSO as the administrative medium, mainly due to its water insolubility. Considering the global necessity for new antimicrobial agents, CB1 attracted our attention as a candidate to meet this need, mainly because the secondary amine group in its structure would make it possible to obtain its hydrochloride salt (CB1H), thus effortlessly solving its water-solubility drawbacks. In preliminary microbiologic investigations on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, CB1H displayed weak antibacterial effects on MDR isolates of Gram-positive species, nonetheless better than those displayed by the commonly-used available antibiotics. Therefore, aiming at improving such activity and extending the antibacterial spectrum of CB1H to Gram-negative pathogens, in this first work CB1 was strategically formulated in nanoparticles using a cationic copolymer (P7) previously developed by us, possessing potent broad-spectrum bactericidal activity. Using the nanoprecipitation method, CB1H-loaded polymer nanoparticles (CB1H-P7 NPs) were obtained, which were analyzed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm the successful loading. Additionally, CB1H-P7 NPs were fully characterized in terms of morphology, size, polydispersity indices, surface charge, DL%, and EE%, as well as release and potentiometric profiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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23 pages, 2803 KiB  
Article
Encapsulation of Large-Size Plasmids in PLGA Nanoparticles for Gene Editing: Comparison of Three Different Synthesis Methods
by Tresa López-Royo, Víctor Sebastián, Laura Moreno-Martínez, Laura Uson, Cristina Yus, Teresa Alejo, Pilar Zaragoza, Rosario Osta, Manuel Arruebo and Raquel Manzano
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2723; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11102723 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4215
Abstract
The development of new gene-editing technologies has fostered the need for efficient and safe vectors capable of encapsulating large nucleic acids. In this work we evaluate the synthesis of large-size plasmid-loaded PLGA nanoparticles by double emulsion (considering batch ultrasound and microfluidics-assisted methodologies) and [...] Read more.
The development of new gene-editing technologies has fostered the need for efficient and safe vectors capable of encapsulating large nucleic acids. In this work we evaluate the synthesis of large-size plasmid-loaded PLGA nanoparticles by double emulsion (considering batch ultrasound and microfluidics-assisted methodologies) and magnetic stirring-based nanoprecipitation synthesis methods. For this purpose, we characterized the nanoparticles and compared the results between the different synthesis processes in terms of encapsulation efficiency, morphology, particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential and structural integrity of loaded pDNA. Our results demonstrate particular sensibility of large pDNA for shear and mechanical stress degradation during double emulsion, the nanoprecipitation method being the only one that preserved plasmid integrity. However, plasmid-loaded PLGA nanoparticles synthesized by nanoprecipitation did not show cell expression in vitro, possibly due to the slow release profile observed in our experimental conditions. Strong electrostatic interactions between the large plasmid and the cationic PLGA used for this synthesis may underlie this release kinetics. Overall, none of the methods evaluated satisfied all the requirements for an efficient non-viral vector when applied to large-size plasmid encapsulation. Further optimization or alternative synthesis methods are thus in current need to adapt PLGA nanoparticles as delivery vectors for gene editing therapeutic technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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16 pages, 2546 KiB  
Article
Chitosan-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles Loaded with Peganum harmala Alkaloids with Promising Antibacterial and Wound Healing Activities
by Hassan Mohamed El-Said Azzazy, Sherif Ashraf Fahmy, Noha Khalil Mahdy, Meselhy Ragab Meselhy and Udo Bakowsky
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2438; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11092438 - 18 Sep 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3827
Abstract
Wound healing is a major healthcare concern, and complicated wounds may lead to severe outcomes such as septicemia and amputations. To date, management choices are limited, which warrants the search for new potent wound healing agents. Natural products loaded in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) [...] Read more.
Wound healing is a major healthcare concern, and complicated wounds may lead to severe outcomes such as septicemia and amputations. To date, management choices are limited, which warrants the search for new potent wound healing agents. Natural products loaded in poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coated with chitosan (CS) constitute a promising antibacterial wound healing formulation. In this work, harmala alkaloid-rich fraction (HARF) loaded into PLGA nanoparticles coated with chitosan (H/CS/PLGA NPs) were designed using the emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Optimization of the formulation variables (HARF: PLGA and CS: PLGA weight ratios, sonication time) was performed using the 33 Box–Behnken design (BBD). The optimal NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The prepared NPs had an average particle size of 202.27 ± 2.44 nm, a PDI of 0.23 ± 0.01, a zeta potential of 9.22 ± 0.94 mV, and an entrapment efficiency of 86.77 ± 4.18%. In vitro drug release experiments showed a biphasic pattern where an initial burst of 82.50 ± 0.20% took place in the first 2 h, which increased to 87.50 ± 0.50% over 72 h. The designed optimal H/CS/PLGA NPs exerted high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (MIC of 0.125 and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively) compared to unloaded HARF (MIC of 0.50 mg/mL). The prepared nanoparticles were found to be biocompatible when tested on human skin fibroblasts. Moreover, the wound closure percentage after 24 h of applying H/CS/PLGA NPs was found to be 94.4 ± 8.0%, compared to free HARF and blank NPs (68.20 ± 5.10 and 50.50 ± 9.40%, respectively). In conclusion, the three components of the developed nanoformulation (PLGA, chitosan, and HARF) have synergistic antibacterial and wound healing properties for the management of infected wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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14 pages, 6106 KiB  
Article
Novel Surface-Modified Bilosomes as Functional and Biocompatible Nanocarriers of Hybrid Compounds
by Ewelina Waglewska, Agata Pucek-Kaczmarek and Urszula Bazylińska
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2472; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10122472 - 10 Dec 2020
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 3115
Abstract
In the present contribution, we demonstrate a new approach for functionalization of colloidal nanomaterial consisting of phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol-based vesicular systems modified by FDA-approved biocompatible components, i.e., sodium cholate hydrate acting as a biosurfactant and Pluronic P123—a symmetric triblock copolymer comprising poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and [...] Read more.
In the present contribution, we demonstrate a new approach for functionalization of colloidal nanomaterial consisting of phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol-based vesicular systems modified by FDA-approved biocompatible components, i.e., sodium cholate hydrate acting as a biosurfactant and Pluronic P123—a symmetric triblock copolymer comprising poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) blocks Eight novel bilosome formulations were prepared using the thin-film hydration method followed by sonication and extrusion in combination with homogenization technique. The optimization studies involving the influence of the preparation technique on the nanocarrier size (dynamic light scattering), charge (electrophoretic light scattering), morphology (transmission electron microscopy) and kinetic stability (backscattering profiles) revealed the most promising candidate for the co-loading of model active compounds of various solubility; namely, hydrophilic methylene blue and hydrophobic curcumin. The studies of the hybrid cargo encapsulation efficiency (UV-Vis spectroscopy) exhibited significant potential of the formulated bilosomes in further biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, including drug delivery, anticancer treatment or diagnostics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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10 pages, 2207 KiB  
Article
Effective Detection of Nafion®-Based Theranostic Nanocapsules Through 19F Ultra-Short Echo Time MRI
by Natalia Łopuszyńska, Krzysztof Szczepanowicz, Krzysztof Jasiński, Piotr Warszyński and Władysław P. Węglarz
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(11), 2127; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10112127 - 26 Oct 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1763
Abstract
The application of the Three-Dimensional Ultra-Short Echo Time (3D UTE)pulse sequence at a high magnetic field for visualization of the distribution of 19F loaded theranostic core-shell nanocapsules with Nafion® (1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2- [1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoro-3-(1,2,2-trifluoroethenoxy)propan-2-yl] oxyethanesulfonic acid) incorporated into the shell is presented. The [...] Read more.
The application of the Three-Dimensional Ultra-Short Echo Time (3D UTE)pulse sequence at a high magnetic field for visualization of the distribution of 19F loaded theranostic core-shell nanocapsules with Nafion® (1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene; 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2- [1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoro-3-(1,2,2-trifluoroethenoxy)propan-2-yl] oxyethanesulfonic acid) incorporated into the shell is presented. The nanocarriers were formed via the layer-by-layer technique with biodegradable polyelectrolytes: PLL (Poly-L-lysine), and with Nafion®: polymer with high 19F content. Before imaging, an MR (magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and T1 and T2 measurements were performed, resulting in values of T2 between 1.3 ms and 3.0 ms, depending on the spectral line. To overcome limitations due to such short T2, the 3D UTE pulse sequence was applied for 19F MR imaging. First Nafion® solutions of various concentrations were measured to check the detection limit of our system for the investigated molecule. Next, the imaging of a phantom containing core-shell nanocapsules was performed to assess the possibility of visualizing their distribution in the samples. Images of Nafion® containing samples with SNR ≥ 5 with acquisition time below 30 min for 19F concentration as low as 1.53 × 10−2 mmol 19F/g of sample, were obtained. This is comparable with the results obtained for molecules, which exhibit more preferable MR characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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9 pages, 1698 KiB  
Communication
Spontaneous Self-Assembly of Single-Chain Amphiphilic Polymeric Nanoparticles in Water
by Shan-You Huang and Chih-Chia Cheng
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(10), 2006; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10102006 - 12 Oct 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2607
Abstract
Single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) have great potential as functional nanocarriers for drug delivery and bioimaging, but synthetic challenges in terms of final yield and purification procedures limit their use. A new concept to modify and improve the synthetic procedures used to generate water-soluble [...] Read more.
Single-chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCPNs) have great potential as functional nanocarriers for drug delivery and bioimaging, but synthetic challenges in terms of final yield and purification procedures limit their use. A new concept to modify and improve the synthetic procedures used to generate water-soluble SCPNs through amphiphilic interactions has been successfully exploited. We developed a new ultrahigh molecular weight amphiphilic polymer containing a hydrophobic poly(epichlorohydrin) backbone and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) side chains. The polymer spontaneously self-assembles into SCPNs in aqueous solution and does not require subsequent purification. The resulting SCPNs possess a number of distinct physical properties, including a uniform hydrodynamic nanoparticle diameter of 10–15 nm, extremely low viscosity and a desirable spherical-like morphology. Concentration-dependent studies demonstrated that stable SCPNs were formed at high concentrations up to 10 mg/mL in aqueous solution, with no significant increase in solution viscosity. Importantly, the SCPNs exhibited high structural stability in media containing serum or phosphate-buffered saline and showed almost no change in hydrodynamic diameter. The combination of these characteristics within a water-soluble SCPN is highly desirable and could potentially be applied in a wide range of biomedical fields. Thus, these findings provide a path towards a new, innovative route for the development of water-soluble SCPNs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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16 pages, 3278 KiB  
Article
Polymeric Core-Shell Nanoparticles Prepared by Spontaneous Emulsification Solvent Evaporation and Functionalized by the Layer-by-Layer Method
by Marta Szczęch and Krzysztof Szczepanowicz
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(3), 496; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10030496 - 10 Mar 2020
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 5600
Abstract
The aim of our study was to develop a novel method for the preparation of polymeric core-shell nanoparticles loaded with various actives for biomedical applications. Poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared using the spontaneous emulsification solvent evaporation (SESE) [...] Read more.
The aim of our study was to develop a novel method for the preparation of polymeric core-shell nanoparticles loaded with various actives for biomedical applications. Poly(caprolactone) (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared using the spontaneous emulsification solvent evaporation (SESE) method. The model active substance, Coumarin-6, was encapsulated into formed polymeric nanoparticles, then they were modified/functionalized by multilayer shells’ formation. Three types of multilayered shells were formed: two types of polyelectrolyte shell composed of biocompatible and biodegradable polyelectrolytes poly-L-lysine hydrobromide (PLL), fluorescently-labeled poly-L-lysine (PLL-ROD), poly-L-glutamic acid sodium salt (PGA) and pegylated-PGA (PGA-g-PEG), and hybrid shell composed of PLL, PGA, and SPIONs (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) were used. Multilayer shells were constructed by the saturation technique of the layer-by-layer (LbL) method. Properties of our polymeric core-shell nanoparticle were optimized for bioimaging, passive and magnetic targeting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Polymeric Nanoparticles)
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