One intriguing route for in vivo imaging, as well as drug delivery, is the use of core-shell type structures that effectively allow confinement or protection of both tracers and/or drugs in the inner core. Actually, a capsule-like configuration with different compartments to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents is highly desirable, since it could allow smart combination of drugs (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) thus maximizing therapeutic efficacy, while reducing drug resistance as well as side effects [1]. Silica gel can act as a hydrophilic biocompatible compartment for hydrophilic drugs. Here, we propose a synthetic strategy to obtain oil core-multilayered shell nanocapsules (Fig. 1) [1]. In situ deposition of tunable silica shells was carried out directly around a mono-disperse oil in water nano-emulsion system [1,2] stabilized by polymer bilayers via layer-by-layer (LBL) approach. The lipophilic core – with a size ranging from 100 to 200 nm – shows the ability to confine high payloads of lipophilic tracers (CdSe quantum dots, Nile Red) or drugs (Paclitaxel). The polymeric inter-layers can be independently exploited if properly functionalized – as demonstrated by conjugating chitosan with fluorescein isothiocianate. Modified Stober method was optimised to obtain a continuous outer silica shell, with tuneable thickness as drawn from morphological analysis through TEM microscopy (Fig. 2). Furthermore, it was coated with polyethylenglycol (PEG), to confer antifouling properties. It can be loaded with hydrophilic drugs, as demonstrated by embedding sulforhodamine B. Finally, monitoring of free silicic acid by a colorimetric assay proved complete degradation of silica shell in a physiological medium (SBF) within three days. Such numerous features in a single nanocarrier system make it very intriguing as a multifunctional platform for smart diagnosis and therapy. Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the emulsion templated silica-biopolymer nanocapsules for theranostic and co-delivery. Each compartment can be exploited to add functionalities to the final nanocarrier
Emulsion templated silica-biopolymer nanocapsules for theranostic and co-delivery / Calcagno, V.; Vecchione, R.; Luciani, G.; Jakhmola, A.; Netti, B. Silvestri and P. A.. - (2016). (Intervento presentato al convegno GNB2016 tenutosi a Naples, Italy nel June 20th-22nd 2016).
Emulsion templated silica-biopolymer nanocapsules for theranostic and co-delivery
V. Calcagno;R. Vecchione;G. Luciani;
2016
Abstract
One intriguing route for in vivo imaging, as well as drug delivery, is the use of core-shell type structures that effectively allow confinement or protection of both tracers and/or drugs in the inner core. Actually, a capsule-like configuration with different compartments to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents is highly desirable, since it could allow smart combination of drugs (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) thus maximizing therapeutic efficacy, while reducing drug resistance as well as side effects [1]. Silica gel can act as a hydrophilic biocompatible compartment for hydrophilic drugs. Here, we propose a synthetic strategy to obtain oil core-multilayered shell nanocapsules (Fig. 1) [1]. In situ deposition of tunable silica shells was carried out directly around a mono-disperse oil in water nano-emulsion system [1,2] stabilized by polymer bilayers via layer-by-layer (LBL) approach. The lipophilic core – with a size ranging from 100 to 200 nm – shows the ability to confine high payloads of lipophilic tracers (CdSe quantum dots, Nile Red) or drugs (Paclitaxel). The polymeric inter-layers can be independently exploited if properly functionalized – as demonstrated by conjugating chitosan with fluorescein isothiocianate. Modified Stober method was optimised to obtain a continuous outer silica shell, with tuneable thickness as drawn from morphological analysis through TEM microscopy (Fig. 2). Furthermore, it was coated with polyethylenglycol (PEG), to confer antifouling properties. It can be loaded with hydrophilic drugs, as demonstrated by embedding sulforhodamine B. Finally, monitoring of free silicic acid by a colorimetric assay proved complete degradation of silica shell in a physiological medium (SBF) within three days. Such numerous features in a single nanocarrier system make it very intriguing as a multifunctional platform for smart diagnosis and therapy. Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the emulsion templated silica-biopolymer nanocapsules for theranostic and co-delivery. Each compartment can be exploited to add functionalities to the final nanocarrierI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
