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    Squalenyl Hydrogen Sulfate Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Delivery of Tobramycin and an Alkylquinolone Quorum Sensing Inhibitor Enable the Eradication of P. aeruginosa Biofilm Infections
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2020) Ho, D.-K.; Murgia, X.; De Rossi, C.; Christmann, R.; Hüfner de Mello Martins, A.G.; Koch, M.; Andreas, A.; Herrmann, J.; Müller, R.; Empting, M.; Hartmann, R.W.; Desmaele, D.; Loretz, B.; Couvreur, P.; Lehr, C.-M.
    Elimination of pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infections is challenging to accomplish with antibiotic therapies, mainly due to resistance mechanisms. Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) interfering with biofilm formation can thus complement antibiotics. For simultaneous and improved delivery of both active agents to the infection sites, self-assembling nanoparticles of a newly synthesized squalenyl hydrogen sulfate (SqNPs) were prepared. These nanocarriers allowed for remarkably high loading capacities of hydrophilic antibiotic tobramycin (Tob) and a novel lipophilic QSI at 30 % and circa 10 %, respectively. The drug-loaded SqNPs showed improved biofilm penetration and enhanced efficacy in relevant biological barriers (mucin/human tracheal mucus, biofilm), leading to complete eradication of PA biofilms at circa 16-fold lower Tob concentration than Tob alone. This study offers a viable therapy optimization and invigorates the research and development of QSIs for clinical use.
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    Stealth Effect of Short Polyoxazolines in Graft Copolymers: Minor Changes of Backbone End Group Determine Liver Cell-Type Specificity
    (Washington, DC : ACS Publications, 2021) Muljajew, Irina; Huschke, Sophie; Ramoji, Anuradha; Cseresnyés, Zoltán; Hoeppener, Stephanie; Nischang, Ivo; Foo, Wanling; Popp, Jürgen; Figge, Marc Thilo; Weber, Christine; Bauer, Michael; Schubert, Ulrich S.; Press, Adrian T.
    Dye-loaded micelles of 10 nm diameter formed from amphiphilic graft copolymers composed of a hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) backbone and hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) side chains with a degree of polymerization of 15 were investigated concerning their cellular interaction and uptake in vitro as well as their interaction with local and circulating cells of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver by intravital microscopy. Despite the high molar mass of the individual macromolecules (Mn ≈ 20 kg mol-1), backbone end group modification by attachment of a hydrophilic anionic fluorescent probe strongly affected the in vivo performance. To understand these effects, the end group was additionally modified by the attachment of four methacrylic acid repeating units. Although various micelles appeared similar in dynamic light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy, changes in the micelles were evident from principal component analysis of the Raman spectra. Whereas an efficient stealth effect was found for micelles formed from polymers with anionically charged or thiol end groups, a hydrophobic end group altered the micelles' structure sufficiently to adapt cell-type specificity and stealth properties in the liver. © 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
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    Polyelectrolyte complex based interfacial drug delivery system with controlled loading and improved release performance for bone therapeutics
    (Basel : MDPI, 2016) Vehlow, David; Schmidt, Romy; Gebert, Annett; Siebert, Maximilian; Lips, Katrin Susanne; Müller, Martin
    An improved interfacial drug delivery system (DDS) based on polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) coatings with controlled drug loading and improved release performance was elaborated. The cationic homopolypeptide poly(l-lysine) (PLL) was complexed with a mixture of two cellulose sulfates (CS) of low and high degree of substitution, so that the CS and PLL solution have around equal molar charged units. As drugs the antibiotic rifampicin (RIF) and the bisphosphonate risedronate (RIS) were integrated. As an important advantage over previous PEC systems this one can be centrifuged, the supernatant discarded, the dense pellet phase (coacervate) separated, and again redispersed in fresh water phase. This behavior has three benefits: (i) Access to the loading capacity of the drug, since the concentration of the free drug can be measured by spectroscopy; (ii) lower initial burst and higher residual amount of drug due to removal of unbound drug and (iii) complete adhesive stability due to the removal of polyelectrolytes (PEL) excess component. It was found that the pH value and ionic strength strongly affected drug content and release of RIS and RIF. At the clinically relevant implant material (Ti40Nb) similar PEC adhesive and drug release properties compared to the model substrate were found. Unloaded PEC coatings at Ti40Nb showed a similar number and morphology of above cultivated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) compared to uncoated Ti40Nb and resulted in considerable production of bone mineral. RIS loaded PEC coatings showed similar effects after 24 h but resulted in reduced number and unhealthy appearance of hMSC after 48 h due to cell toxicity of RIS.
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    Targeted delivery of a phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ inhibitor to restore organ function in sepsis
    (Heidelberg : EMBO Press, 2021) Press, Adrian T.; Babic, Petra; Hoffmann, Bianca; Müller, Tina; Foo, Wanling; Hauswald, Walter; Benecke, Jovana; Beretta, Martina; Cseresnyés, Zoltán; Hoeppener, Stephanie; Nischang, Ivo; Coldewey, Sina M.; Gräler, Markus H.; Bauer, Reinhard; Gonnert, Falk; Gaßler, Nikolaus; Wetzker, Reinhard; Figge, Marc Thilo; Schubert, Ulrich S.; Bauer, Michael
    Jaundice, the clinical hallmark of infection-associated liver dysfunction, reflects altered membrane organization of the canalicular pole of hepatocytes and portends poor outcomes. Mice lacking phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3Kγ) are protected against membrane disintegration and hepatic excretory dysfunction. However, they exhibit a severe immune defect that hinders neutrophil recruitment to sites of infection. To exploit the therapeutic potential of PI3Kγ inhibition in sepsis, a targeted approach to deliver drugs to hepatic parenchymal cells without compromising other cells, in particular immune cells, seems warranted. Here, we demonstrate that nanocarriers functionalized through DY-635, a fluorescent polymethine dye, and a ligand of organic anion transporters can selectively deliver therapeutics to hepatic parenchymal cells. Applying this strategy to a murine model of sepsis, we observed the PI3Kγ-dependent restoration of biliary canalicular architecture, maintained excretory liver function, and improved survival without impairing host defense mechanisms. This strategy carries the potential to expand targeted nanomedicines to disease entities with systemic inflammation and concomitantly impaired barrier functionality.
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    Catechol Containing Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles as Local Drug Delivery System for Bortezomib at Bone Substitute Materials
    (Basel : MDPI, 2020) Vehlow, David; Wong, Jeremy P.H.; Urban, Birgit; Weißpflog, Janek; Gebert, Annett; Schumacher, Matthias; Gelinsky, Michael; Stamm, Manfred; Müller, Martin
    The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BZM) is one of the most potent anti-cancer drugs in the therapy of multiple myeloma. In this study, an adhesive drug delivery system (DDS) for BZM was developed. Therefore, we extended the present DDS concept of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticle (NP) based on electrostatic interactions between charged drug and polyelectrolyte (PEL) to a DDS concept involving covalent bonding between PEL and uncharged drugs. For this purpose, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) was polymerized via an oxidatively induced coupling reaction. This novel chemo-reactive polyanion PDOPAC is able to temporarily bind boronic acid groups of BZM via its catechol groups, through esterification. PDOPAC was admixed to poly(l-glutamic acid) (PLG) and poly(l-lysine) (PLL) forming a redispersible PEC NP system after centrifugation, which is advantageous for further colloid and BZM loading processing. It was found that the loading capacity (LC) strongly depends on the PDOPAC and catechol content in the PEC NP. Furthermore, the type of loading and the net charge of the PEC NP affect LC and the residual content (RC) after release. Release experiments of PDOPAC/PEC coatings were performed at medically relevant bone substitute materials (calcium phosphate cement and titanium niobium alloy) whereby the DDS worked independently of the surface properties. Additionally, in contrast to electrostatically based drug loading the release behavior of covalently bound, uncharged BZM is independent of the ionic strength (salt content) in the release medium.
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    Synthesis and Biopharmaceutical Characterization of Amphiphilic Squalenyl Derivative Based Versatile Drug Delivery Platform
    (Lausanne : Frontiers Media, 2020) Ho, Duy-Khiet; Christmann, Rebekka; Murgia, Xabier; De Rossi, Chiara; Frisch, Sarah; Koch, Marcus; Schaefer, Ulrich F.; Loretz, Brigitta; Desmaele, Didier; Couvreur, Patrick; Lehr, Claus-Michael
    Limited drug loading capacity (LC), mostly below 5% w/w, is a significant drawback of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (DDS). Squalenoylation technology, which employs bioconjugation of squalenyl moiety and drug, allows self-assemble of nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous media with significantly high LC (>30% w/w). The synthesis and particle preparation of squalenoylated prodrugs are, however, not facile for molecules with multiple reactive groups. Taking a different approach, we describe the synthesis of amphiphilic squalenyl derivatives (SqDs) as well as the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical characterizations of their self-assembled NPs as DDSs. The SqDs included in this study are (i) cationic squalenyl diethanolamine (ii) PEGylated SqD (PEG 750 Da), (iii) PEGylated SqD (PEG 3,000 Da), and (iv) anionic squalenyl hydrogen sulfate. All four SqDs self-assemble into NPs in a size range from 100 to 200 nm in an aqueous solution. Furthermore, all NP derivatives demonstrate appropriate biocompatibility and adequate colloidal stability in physiological relevant pH environments. The mucoprotein binding of PEGylated NPs is reduced compared to the charged NPs. Most importantly, this technology allows excellent LC (at maximum of 45% w/w) of a wide range of multifunctional compounds, varying in physicochemical properties and molecular weight. Interestingly, the drug release profile can be tuned by different loading methods. In summary, the SqD-based NPs appear as versatile drug delivery platforms.
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    Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles toward In Vivo Theranostics – Focus on Targeting, Imaging, Therapy, and the Importance of Clearance
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2017) Kuehne, Alexander J.C.
    Conjugated polymer nanoparticles are highly fluorescent colloids with tunable emission colors ranging from the visible deep into the near infrared spectrum. Conjugated polymer nanoparticles are easy to prepare, tunable in their size, and virtually nonbleachable. Conjugated polymer particles can also be designed to give off heat upon irradiation. All these properties make conjugated polymer particles ideal materials for biomedical fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging as well as for theranostic applications. Here, different examples of surface functionalization to attach pathological homing devices, imaging modalities, as well as the emerging possibilities for therapeutic measures are discussed. Furthermore, clearance of the particles is considered, which is important to ultimately apply the materials for in vivo theranostics. Due to the conjugated backbone of the conjugated polymers, established degradation strategies, as known from hydrophilic nonconjugated polymer carriers, cannot be applied. Bioinspired strategies and potential pathways for degradation and clearance via structural changes upon triggers such as pH, oxidation, and temperature are also discussed in this progress report. © 2017 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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    Sperm-Hybrid Micromotor for Targeted Drug Delivery
    (Washington, DC : Soc., 2017-12-13) Xu, Haifeng; Medina-Sánchez, Mariana; Magdanz, Veronika; Schwarz, Lukas; Hebenstreit, Franziska; Schmidt, Oliver G.
    A sperm-driven micromotor is presented as a targeted drug delivery system, which is appealing to potentially treat diseases in the female reproductive tract. This system is demonstrated to be an efficient drug delivery vehicle by first loading a motile sperm cell with an anticancer drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride), guiding it magnetically, to an in vitro cultured tumor spheroid, and finally freeing the sperm cell to deliver the drug locally. The sperm release mechanism is designed to liberate the sperm when the biohybrid micromotor hits the tumor walls, allowing it to swim into the tumor and deliver the drug through the sperm–cancer cell membrane fusion. In our experiments, the sperm cells exhibited a high drug encapsulation capability and drug carrying stability, conveniently minimizing toxic side effects and unwanted drug accumulation in healthy tissues. Overall, sperm cells are excellent candidates to operate in physiological environments, as they neither express pathogenic proteins nor proliferate to form undesirable colonies, unlike other cells or microorganisms. This sperm-hybrid micromotor is a biocompatible platform with potential application in gynecological healthcare, treating or detecting cancer or other diseases in the female reproductive system.
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    Carbon Nanohorns as Effective Nanotherapeutics in Cancer Therapy
    (Basel : MDPI, 2021) Curcio, M.; Cirillo, G.; Saletta, F.; Michniewicz, F.; Nicoletta, F.; Vittorio, O.; Hampel, S.; Iemma, F.
    Different carbon nanostructures have been explored as functional materials for the development of effective nanomaterials in cancer treatment applications. This review mainly aims to discuss the features, either strength or weakness, of carbon nanohorn (CNH), carbon conical horn-shaped nanostructures of sp2 carbon atoms. The interest for these materials arises from their ability to couple the clinically relevant properties of carbon nanomaterials as drug carriers with the negligible toxicity described in vivo. Here, we offer a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the use of CNH in cancer treatments, underlining the benefits of each functionalization route and approach, as well as the biological performances of either loaded and unloaded materials, while discussing the importance of delivery devices.
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    Targeted delivery of functionalized PLGA nanoparticles to macrophages by complexation with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
    (Chichester : John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2020) Kiefer, R.; Jurisic, M.; Dahlem, C.; Koch, M.; Schmitt, M.J.; Kiemer, A.K.; Schneider, M.; Breinig, F.
    Nanoparticles (NPs) are able to deliver a variety of substances into eukaryotic cells. However, their usage is often hampered by a lack of specificity, leading to the undesired uptake of NPs by virtually all cell types. In contrast to this, yeast is known to be specifically taken up into immune cells after entering the body. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of biodegradable surface-modified poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles with yeast cells to overcome the unspecificity of the particulate carriers. Cells of different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were characterized regarding their interaction with PLGA-NPs under isotonic and hypotonic conditions. The particles were shown to efficiently interact with yeast cells leading to stable NP/yeast-complexes allowing to associate or even internalize compounds. Notably, applying those complexes to a coculture model of HeLa cells and macrophages, the macrophages were specifically targeted. This novel nano-in-micro carrier system suggests itself as a promising tool for the delivery of biologically active agents into phagocytic cells combining specificity and efficiency.