Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties

In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were treated with an aqueous sulfuric acid solution to form an oxygen-based functional group. Silver ...

chung-ang university

Chung-Ang University

Many countries categorize the causative agents of severe infectious diseases as high-risk pathogens. Given their extreme infectivity and potential to be used as biological weapons, a rapid and sensitive method for detection of high-risk pathogens (e.g., Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, and Vaccinia virus) is highly desirable. Here, we report the construction of a novel detection platform comprising two units: (1) magnetic beads separately conjugated with multiple capturing antibodies against four different high-risk pathogens for simple and rapid isolation, and (2) genetically engineered apoferritin nanoparticles conjugated with multiple quantum dots and detection antibodies against four different high-risk pathogens for signal amplification. For each high-risk pathogen, we demonstrated at least 10-fold increase in sensitivity compared to traditional lateral flow devices that utilize enzyme-based detection methods. Multiplexed detection of high-risk pathogens in a sample was also successful by using the nanoconstructs harboring the dye molecules with fluorescence at different wavelengths. We ultimately envision the use of this novel nanoprobe detection platform in future applications that require highly sensitive on-site detection of high-risk pathogens. 

Engineered nanoconstructs for the multiplexed and sensitive detection of high-risk pathogens.

Hyper-inflammatory responses triggered by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to a variety of diseases, including sepsis and colitis. However, the regulators of this process remain poorly defined. In this study, we demonstrate that c-Src is a negative regulator of cellular ROS generation through its binding to p47phox. This molecule also competitively inhibits the NADPH oxidase complex (NOX) assembly. Furthermore, we developed the schizophyllan (SPG)-c-Src SH3 peptide, which is a β-1,3-glucan conjugated c-Src SH3-derived peptide composed of amino acids 91-108 and 121-140 of c-Src. The SPG-SH3 peptide has a significant therapeutic effect on mouse ROS-mediated inflammatory disease models, cecal-ligation-puncture-induced sepsis, and dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. It does so by inhibiting the NOX subunit assembly and proinflammatory mediator production. Therefore, the SPG-SH3 peptide is a potential therapeutic agent for ROS-associated lethal inflammatory diseases. Our findings provide clues for the development of new peptide-base drugs that will target p47phox. 

The targeted delivery of the c-Src peptide complexed with schizophyllan to macrophages inhibits polymicrobial sepsis and ulcerative colitis in mice.

Iron oxide nanoparticles have been used in a wide range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, molecular imaging, and cellular imaging. Various surface modifications have been applied to the particles to stabilize their surface and to give them a moiety for anchoring tags and/or drug molecules. Conventional methods of delivering immunosuppressant drugs often require a high dose of drugs to ensure therapeutic effects, but this can lead to toxic side effects. In this study, we used silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IOSs) for a drug delivery application in which the nanoparticles carry the minimum amount of drug required to be effective to the target cells. IOSs could be loaded with water-insoluble immunosuppressive drug molecules (MPA: mycophenolic acid) and be used as a contrast agent for MRI. We characterized the IOSs for their physicochemical properties and found their average hydrodynamic diameter and core size to be 40.5nm and 5nm, respectively. Following the introduction of MPA-loaded IOSs (IOS/M), we evaluated the secretion dynamics of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The results showed that IOS/M effectively inhibited the secretion of the cytokines interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor α, with a minimal concentration of MPA. In conclusion, IOS/M may have potential applications in both efficient drug delivery and MRI.

Effective delivery of immunosuppressive drug molecules by silica coated iron oxide nanoparticles.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a pentameric protein that is present in the bloodstream during inflammatory events, e.g., liver failure, leukemia, and/or bacterial infection. The level of CRP indicates the progress and prognosis of certain diseases; it is therefore necessary to measure CRP levels in the blood accurately. The normal concentration of CRP is reported to be 1-3 mg/L. Inflammatory events increase the level of CRP by up to 500 times; accordingly, CRP is a biomarker of acute inflammatory disease. In this study, we demonstrated the preparation of DNA aptamer-conjugated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (Apt-PBMCs) that specifically capture human CRP. Live PBMCs functionalized with aptamers could detect different levels of human CRP by producing immune complexes with reporter antibody. The binding behavior of Apt-PBMCs toward highly concentrated CRP sites was also investigated. The immune responses of Apt-PBMCs were evaluated by measuring TNF-alpha secretion after stimulating the PBMCs with lipopolysaccharides. In summary, engineered Apt-PBMCs have potential applications as live cell based biosensors and for in vitro tracing of CRP secretion sites.

Aptamer-conjugated live human immune cell based biosensors for the accurate detection of C-reactive protein.

Heavy metal pollution has been a problem since the advent of modern transportation, which despite efforts to curb emissions, continues to play a critical role in environmental pollution. Copper ions (Cu), in particular, are one of the more prevalent metals that have widespread detrimental ramifications. From this perspective, a simple and inexpensive method of detecting Cu at the micromolar level would be highly desirable. In this study, we use porous silicon nanoparticles (NPs), obtained via anodic etching of Si wafers, as a basis for undecylenic acid (UDA)- or acrylic acid (AA)-mediated hydrosilylation. The resulting alkyl-terminated porous silicon nanoparticles (APS NPs) have enhanced fluorescence stability and intensity, and importantly, exhibit [Cu]-dependent quenching of fluorescence. After determining various aqueous sensing conditions for Cu, we demonstrate the use of APS NPs in two separate applications - a standard well-based paper kit and a portable layer-by-layer stick kit. Collectively, we demonstrate the potential of APS NPs in sensors for the effective detection of Cu.

Sensitive detection of copper ions via ion-responsive fluorescence quenching of engineered porous silicon nanoparticles.

High-throughput drug screening based on a multi-component array can be used to identify a variety of interaction between cells and drugs for suitable purposes. The signaling of immune cells is affected by specific proteins, diverse drug combinations, and certain immunosuppressive drugs. The effect of a drug on an organism is usually complex and involves interactions at multiple levels. Herein, we developed a multilayer fabricating system through the high-throughput assembly of nanofilms with inkjet printing to investigate the effects of immunosuppressive drugs. Immunosuppressive drugs or agents occasionally cause side effects depending on drug combinations or a patient's condition. By incorporating various drug combinations for understanding interaction between drugs and immune cells, we were able to develop an immunological drug screening kit with immunosuppressive drugs. Moreover, the ability to control the combination of drugs, as well as their potential for high-throughput preparation should be of great benefit to the biomedical and bioanalytical field.

Multicomponent High-throughput Drug Screening via Inkjet Printing to Verify the Effect of Immunosuppressive Drugs on Immune T Lymphocytes.

Biocompatible polymers have been extensively applied to molecular assembly techniques on a micro- and nanoscale to miniaturize functional devices for biomedical uses. However, cytotoxic assessments of developed devices are prone to partially focus on non-specific cells or cells associated with the specific applications. Thereby, since toxicity is dependent on the type of cells and protocols, we do not fully understand the relative toxicities of polymers. Additionally, we need to ensure the blood cell biocompatibility of developed devices prior to that of targeted cells because most of the devices contact the blood before reaching the targeted regions. Motivated by this issue, we focused on screening cytotoxicity of polymers widely used for the layer-by-layer assembly technique using human blood cells. Cytotoxicity at the early stage was investigated on twenty types of polymers (positively charged, negatively charged, or neutral) and ten combination forms via hemolysis, cell viability, and AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining assays. We determined their effects on the cell membrane depending on their surface chemistry by molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the toxicity of LbL-assembled nanofilms was assessed by measuring cell viability. Based on this report, researchers can produce nanofilms that are better suited for drug delivery and biomedical applications by reducing the possible cytotoxicity.

Jangsun Hwang

School of Integrative Engineering

chung-ang university

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties

Jangsun Hwang

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}School of Integrative Engineering

chung-ang university

Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties

School of Integrative Engineering