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Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 7864

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Costica Caizer

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Faculty of Physics, West University of Timisoara, Bv. V. Parvan no. 4, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: magnetism; nanomagnetism; superparamagnetism; magnetic relaxation; magnetic nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanocomposites, nanofluids, nanopowders); advanced magnetic nanostructures; biomagnetism; magnetic bio-nanomaterials; hybrid magnetic bio-nanomaterials in medicine; magnetic biofields of human body; magnetic hyperthermia in cancer therapy; electricity and magnetism; experimental physics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the present day, nanoparticles are of high theoretical and applicative interest; they have multiple applications in nanotechnology and nanomedicine due to their small size (nm to hundreds of nm), which gives them different properties to those of bulk materials. Modern nanobiotechnology enables the preparation and dispersion of nanoparticles in different environments, as well as their biofunctionalization, bioencapsulation, bioconjugation, biosurfactation, etc.; this renders them biocompatible with the biological environment in which they are applied, and enables their manipulation for application in the field of diagnostics, in therapy for various diseases and in nanotheranostics, as well as in alternative cancer therapies.

Thus, this Special Issue aims to highlight current research results in the form of articles, as well as the systematization of recent results in the field in the form of reviews.

Also of interest are topics regarding the preparation, characterization and properties of nanoparticles, as well as theoretical and computational studies.

Possible topics include the following:

  • Nanoparticles;
  • Properties of nanoparticles;
  • Methods of obtaining nanoparticles;
  • Characterization techniques;
  • Theoretical models;
  • Computational simulation;
  • Applications in nanomedicine;
  • Applications in nanobiotechnology.

Dr. Costica Caizer
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • nanoparticles
  • properties of nanoparticles
  • methods of obtaining nanoparticles
  • characterization techniques
  • theoretical models
  • computational simulation
  • applications in nanomedicine
  • applications in nanobiotechnology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 12320 KiB  
Article
Harvesting the Power of Green Synthesis: Gold Nanoparticles Tailored for Prostate Cancer Therapy
by Marco Oliveira, André Sousa, Sara Sá, Sílvia Soares, Ana Cláudia Pereira, Ana Catarina Rocha, Patrick Pais, Diogo Ferreira, Cátia Almeida, Carla Luís, Cláudio Lima, Fábio Almeida, Álvaro Gestoso, Miguel-Correa Duarte, Pedro Barata, Daniela Martins-Mendes, Pilar Baylina, Carla F. Pereira and Rúben Fernandes
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2277; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042277 - 14 Feb 2024
Viewed by 816
Abstract
Biosynthetic gold nanoparticles (bAuNPs) present a promising avenue for enhancing bio-compatibility and offering an economically and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional production methods, achieved through a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals. While the potential of bAuNPs as anticancer agents has been [...] Read more.
Biosynthetic gold nanoparticles (bAuNPs) present a promising avenue for enhancing bio-compatibility and offering an economically and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional production methods, achieved through a reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals. While the potential of bAuNPs as anticancer agents has been explored, there is a limited body of research focusing on the crucial physicochemical conditions influencing bAuNP production. In this study, we aim to identify the optimal growth phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures that maximizes the redox potential and coordinates the formation of bAuNPs with increased efficiency. The investigation employs 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) as a redox indicator. Simultaneously, we explore the impact of temperature, pH, and incubation duration on the biosynthesis of bAuNPs, with a specific emphasis on their potential application as antitumor agents. Characterization of the resulting bAuNPs is conducted using ATR-FT-IR, TEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. To gain insights into the anticancer potential of bAuNPs, an experimental model is employed, utilizing both non-neoplastic (HPEpiC) and neoplastic (PC3) epithelial cell lines. Notably, P. aeruginosa cultures at 9 h/OD600 = 1, combined with biosynthesis at pH 9.0 for 24 h at 58 °C, produce bAuNPs that exhibit smaller, more spherical, and less aggregated characteristics. Crucially, these nanoparticles demonstrate negligible effects on HPEpiC cells while significantly impacting PC3 cells, resulting in reduced viability, migration, and lower IL-6 levels. This research lays the groundwork for the development of more specialized, economical, and ecologically friendly treatment modalities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine)
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10 pages, 2831 KiB  
Communication
Visualizing the 4D Impact of Gold Nanoparticles on DNA
by Hosam Abdelhady, Fadilah Aleanizy, Fulwah Alqahtani, Abdullah Bukhari, Sahar Soliman, Samaresh Sau and Arun Iyer
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010542 - 30 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 903
Abstract
The genotoxicity of AuNPs has sparked a scientific debate, with one perspective attributing it to direct DNA damage and another to oxidative damage through reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation. This controversy poses challenges for the widespread use of AuNPs in biomedical applications. To [...] Read more.
The genotoxicity of AuNPs has sparked a scientific debate, with one perspective attributing it to direct DNA damage and another to oxidative damage through reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation. This controversy poses challenges for the widespread use of AuNPs in biomedical applications. To address this debate, we employed four-dimensional atomic force microscopy (4DAFM) to examine the ability of AuNPs to damage DNA in vitro in the absence of ROS. To further examine whether the size and chemical coupling of these AuNPs are properties that control their toxicity, we exposed individual DNA molecules to three different types of AuNPs: small (average diameter = 10 nm), large (average diameter = 22 nm), and large conjugated (average diameter = 39 nm) AuNPs. We found that all types of AuNPs caused rapid (within minutes) and direct damage to the DNA molecules without the involvement of ROS. This research holds significant promise for advancing nanomedicines in diverse areas like viral therapy (including COVID-19), cancer treatment, and biosensor development for detecting DNA damage or mutations by resolving the ongoing debate regarding the genotoxicity mechanism. Moreover, it actively contributes to the continuous endeavors aimed at fully harnessing the capabilities of AuNPs across diverse biomedical fields, promising transformative healthcare solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine)
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20 pages, 6059 KiB  
Article
Single-Stage Microfluidic Synthesis Route for BaGdF5:Tb3+-Based Nanocomposite Materials: Synthesis, Characterization and Biodistribution
by Zaira Gadzhimagomedova, Ilia Pankin, Vladimir Polyakov, Darya Khodakova, Pavel Medvedev, Pavel Zelenikhin, Nail Shamsutdinov, Sergey Chapek, Anna Goncharova and Alexander Soldatov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17159; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417159 - 05 Dec 2023
Viewed by 941
Abstract
Rare-earth-doped nanoscaled BaGdF5 is known as an efficient contrasting agent for X-ray micro-CT and NMR as well as a promising candidate for X-ray photodynamic therapy, thereby opening an opportunity for theragnostic applications. Conventional synthesis of Ln-doped BaGdF5 consider a long-lasting batch [...] Read more.
Rare-earth-doped nanoscaled BaGdF5 is known as an efficient contrasting agent for X-ray micro-CT and NMR as well as a promising candidate for X-ray photodynamic therapy, thereby opening an opportunity for theragnostic applications. Conventional synthesis of Ln-doped BaGdF5 consider a long-lasting batch procedure, while a conjugation with photosensitizer usually implies a separate stage requiring active mixing. To the best of our knowledge, in this work, we for the first time obtain BaGdF5:Tb3+ nanophosphors in a microfluidic route at temperatures as low as 100 °C while decreasing the time of thermal treatment down to 6 min. The proposed synthesis route allows for the obtaining of single-phase and monodisperse BaGd1−xF5:Tbx3+ nanoparticles with an averaged particle size of ca. 7–9 nm and hydrodynamic radius around 22 nm, as estimated from TEM and DLS, respectively. In addition, X-ray-excited optical luminescence has been recorded in situ for the series of nanophosphors synthesis with varied flow rates of Tb3+ and Gd3+ stock solutions, thereby anticipating a possible application of microfluidics for screening a wide range of possible co-dopants and reaction conditions and its effect on the optical properties of the synthesized materials. Moreover, we demonstrated that BaGd1−xF5:Tbx3+@RoseBengal conjugates might be obtained in a single-stage route by implementing an additional mixer at the synthesis outcome, namely, by mixing the resulting reaction mixture containing nanoparticles with an equivalent flow of photosensitizer aqueous solution. In vitro cytotoxicity test declares moderate toxicity effect on different cell lines, while the results of flow cytometry indirectly confirm cellular uptake. Finally, we report long-term biodistribution monitoring of the synthesized nanocomposites assessed by X-ray micro-CT in the in vivo experiments on balb/c mice, which depicts an unusual character of agents’ accumulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine)
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19 pages, 3757 KiB  
Article
Effect of the Protein Corona Formation on Antibody Functionalized Liquid Lipid Nanocarriers
by Saúl A. Navarro-Marchal, Marina Martín-Contreras, David Castro-Santiago, Teresa del Castillo-Santaella, Pablo Graván, Ana Belén Jódar-Reyes, Juan Antonio Marchal and José Manuel Peula-García
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16759; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316759 - 25 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1451
Abstract
The main aim of this study is to report basic knowledge on how a protein corona (PC) could affect or modify the way in which multifunctionalized nanoparticles interact with cells. With this purpose, we have firstly optimized the development of a target-specific nanocarrier [...] Read more.
The main aim of this study is to report basic knowledge on how a protein corona (PC) could affect or modify the way in which multifunctionalized nanoparticles interact with cells. With this purpose, we have firstly optimized the development of a target-specific nanocarrier by coupling a specific fluorescent antibody on the surface of functionalized lipid liquid nanocapsules (LLNCs). Thus, an anti-HER2-FITC antibody (αHER2) has been used, HER2 being a surface receptor that is overexpressed in several tumor cells. Subsequently, the in vitro formation of a PC has been developed using fetal bovine serum supplemented with human fibrinogen. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Laser Doppler Electrophoresis (LDE), and Gel Chromatography techniques have been used to assure a complete physico-chemical characterization of the nano-complexes with (LLNCs-αHER2-PC) and without (LLNCs-αHER2) the surrounding PC. In addition, cellular assays were performed to study the cellular uptake and the specific cellular-nanocarrier interactions using the SKBR3 (high expression of HER2) breast cancer cell line and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) (healthy cell line without expression of HER2 receptors as control), showing that the SKBR3 cell line had a higher transport rate (50-fold) than HDFa at 60 min with LLNCs-αHER2. Moreover, the SKBR3 cell line incubated with LLNCs-αHER2-PC suffered a significant reduction (40%) in the uptake. These results suggest that the formation of a PC onto LLNCs does not prevent specific cell targeting, although it does have an important influence on cell uptake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine)
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24 pages, 7844 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Synthesis Scheme of Nanocrystalline Cerium Oxide and Its Concentration on the Biological Activity of Cells Providing Wound Regeneration
by Ekaterina V. Silina, Victor A. Stupin, Natalia E. Manturova, Olga S. Ivanova, Anton L. Popov, Elena A. Mysina, Elena B. Artyushkova, Alexey A. Kryukov, Svetlana A. Dodonova, Maria P. Kruglova, Alexey A. Tinkov, Anatoly V. Skalny and Vladimir K. Ivanov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(19), 14501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241914501 - 24 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1263
Abstract
In the ongoing search for practical uses of rare-earth metal nanoparticles, cerium dioxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) have received special attention. The purpose of this research was to study the biomedical effects of nanocrystalline forms of cerium oxide obtained by different synthesis schemes and to [...] Read more.
In the ongoing search for practical uses of rare-earth metal nanoparticles, cerium dioxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) have received special attention. The purpose of this research was to study the biomedical effects of nanocrystalline forms of cerium oxide obtained by different synthesis schemes and to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nanoceria (from 10−2 to 10−6 M) on cells involved in the regeneration of skin cell structures such as fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and keratinocytes. Two different methods of nanoceria preparation were investigated: (1) CeO-NPs-1 by precipitation from aqueous solutions of cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate and citric acid and (2) CeO-NPs-2 by hydrolysis of ammonium hexanitratocerate (IV) under conditions of thermal autoclaving. According to the X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering data, CeO2-1 consists of individual particles of cerium dioxide (3–5 nm) and their aggregates with diameters of 60–130 nm. CeO2-2 comprises small aggregates of 8–20 nm in diameter, which consist of particles of 2–3 nm in size. Cell cultures of human fibroblasts, human mesenchymal stem cells, and human keratinocytes were cocultured with different concentrations of nanoceria sols (10−2, 10−3, 10−4, 10−5, and 10−6 mol/L). The metabolic activity of all cell types was investigated by MTT test after 48 and 72 h, whereas proliferative activity and cytotoxicity were determined by quantitative cell culture counting and live/dead test. A dependence of biological effects on the method of nanoceria preparation and concentration was revealed. Data were obtained with respect to the optimal concentration of sol to achieve the highest metabolic effect in the used cell cultures. Hypotheses about the mechanisms of the obtained effects and the structure of a fundamentally new medical device for accelerated healing of skin wounds were formulated. The method of nanoceria synthesis and concentration fundamentally and significantly change the biological activity of cell cultures of different types—from suppression to pronounced stimulation. The best biological activity of cell cultures was determined through cocultivation with sols of citrate nanoceria (CeO-NPs-1) at a concentration of 10−3–10−4 M. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine)
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15 pages, 2457 KiB  
Article
CRIF1 siRNA-Encapsulated PLGA Nanoparticles Suppress Tumor Growth in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells
by Shuyu Piao, Ikjun Lee, Seonhee Kim, Hyewon Park, Harsha Nagar, Su-Jeong Choi, Giang-Huong Vu, Minsoo Kim, Eun-Ok Lee, Byeong-Hwa Jeon, Dong Woon Kim, Youngduk Seo and Cuk-Seong Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7453; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087453 - 18 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1522
Abstract
Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system dysfunction in cancer cells has been exploited as a target for anti-cancer therapeutic intervention. The downregulation of CR6-interacting factor 1 (CRIF1), an essential mito-ribosomal factor, can impair mitochondrial function in various cell types. In this study, we investigated [...] Read more.
Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system dysfunction in cancer cells has been exploited as a target for anti-cancer therapeutic intervention. The downregulation of CR6-interacting factor 1 (CRIF1), an essential mito-ribosomal factor, can impair mitochondrial function in various cell types. In this study, we investigated whether CRIF1 deficiency induced by siRNA and siRNA nanoparticles could suppress MCF-7 breast cancer growth and tumor development, respectively. Our results showed that CRIF1 silencing decreased the assembly of mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes I and II, which induced mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, and excessive mitochondrial fission. CRIF1 inhibition reduced p53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) expression, as well as NADPH synthesis, leading to additional increases in ROS production. The downregulation of CRIF1 suppressed cell proliferation and inhibited cell migration through the induction of G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Similarly, the intratumoral injection of CRIF1 siRNA-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles inhibited tumor growth, downregulated the assembly of mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes I and II, and induced the expression of cell cycle protein markers (p53, p21, and p16) in MCF-7 xenograft mice. Thus, the inhibition of mitochondrial OXPHOS protein synthesis through CRIF1 deletion destroyed mitochondrial function, leading to elevated ROS levels and inducing antitumor effects in MCF-7 cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticles in Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine)
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