纳米羟基磷灰石表面修饰及其转染细胞的研究

目的:探讨羟基磷灰石-聚乙烯亚胺(nHA-PEI 10KD)纳米颗粒的癌细胞基因转染效率.方法:通过透射电子显微镜(TEM)观察HA-PEI(10KD)纳米颗粒的形态及粒径,Zeta电位仪测定nHA-PEI和HA在酸、碱、中性环境中的电位,用琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测nHAP-PEI(10KD)与DNA结合的能力,MTT比色法检测nHAP-PEI(10KD)对nepG2细胞的毒性,选用增强型绿色荧光蛋白质粒pEGFP1与nHA-PEI结合后,分别转染真核细胞HepG2、Hela、SW620,计算其转染率.结果:nHA-PEI(10KD)分散程度好,粒径60-80nm,在PH7.2时,Zeta电位42.87mV,能转染实验中的细胞,转然效果最好的是HepG2细胞,其次Hela、SW620,转染率高于PEI(10KD)、nHA,但低于脂质体.结论:通过阳离子PEI修饰HA,可有效将增强型绿色荧光蛋白质粒转入HepG2细胞,HA-PEI(10KD)纳米颗粒复合物有望成为基因传递的有效栽体.     

不同修饰对壳聚糖转基因效果的影响

目的:探讨不同修饰的壳聚糖包裹的质粒(Chi-DNA)纳米复合物在口服发送中外源 基因在消化道中的表达差异.方法:分别使用明胶、海藻酸钠、PEG及乙酰化修饰包裹含Lac Z的质粒pCMVa的壳聚糖纳米颗粒,通过口服发送后经X-gal染色检测目的基因在小鼠体内的 表达.结果:修饰后的Chi-DNA纳米复合物都能抵抗胃酸的降解0.5h以上 ,其中PEG及乙酰化 修饰的Chi-DNA纳米复合物在胃酸处理1h时仍有部分残留.X-gal染色显示,修饰后的Chi-DN A纳米复合物都有a半乳糖苷酶的表达,其中PEG、海藻酸钠修饰的Chi-DNA纳米复合物在鼠 胃和小肠中表达量最高.结论:PEG、海藻酸钠修饰的Chi-DNA纳米复合物有望成为高效的基因治疗用非病毒口服发送系统.     

对硝基苯硫酚分子内嵌的星形表面增强拉曼散射金 "套娃 "纳米颗粒用于肿瘤拉曼影像的初步研究

目的:制备对硝基苯硫酚(4-Nitrobenzenethiol,4-NBT)分子内嵌的星形表面增强拉曼散射(Surface enhanced Raman Scattering,SERS)金"套娃"纳米颗粒,测定其拉曼增强效果和应用于细胞以及活体肿瘤拉曼影像的可行性。方法:以种子介导法先后制备金纳米星及星形SERS金"套娃"纳米颗粒,采用透射电镜观察其形貌,激光粒度分析仪测定其粒径及Zeta电位,拉曼光谱仪测定其拉曼光谱,考察其对A549细胞的拉曼成像效果,建立A549皮下瘤模型,考察其对活体皮下瘤的成像效果。结果:制备并优化的金纳米星粒径较小,为60.5 nm,其针尖密度较高,以此为核心制备的星形SERS金"套娃"纳米颗粒形态规整,粒径约为66.7nm,Zeta电位约为-16.6 m V,拉曼增强效果提升至其前驱体金纳米星的5.3倍,能够实现对A549细胞及A549皮下瘤的拉曼成像。结论:所制备的星形SERS金"套娃"纳米颗粒形态规整均一,拉曼增强效果较好,能实现对细胞及活体肿瘤的拉曼影像。     

基于包裹染料木黄酮的甘露糖靶向长循环纳米脂质体抗肿瘤效应研究

采用超声薄膜水化法制备包裹大豆异黄酮主要功能成分染料木黄酮(Ge)的甘露糖修饰聚乙二醇化纳米脂质体(man-PEG@LP/Ge)。伴刀豆球蛋白A(Con A)凝集实验证实甘露糖能够成功修饰在纳米脂质体表面。man-PEG@LP/Ge呈规则的球形,大小分布均一,颗粒分散性好。其粒径为(270±15)nm,Zeta电位为+7.5m V。由于聚乙二醇(PEG)长链的空间位阻效应和颗粒所带正电荷的排斥作用实现了较强的结构刚性和较好的稳定性。流式细胞术的结果表明:man-PEG@LP/Ge能够特异性的识别甘露糖受体高表达的人肝癌Huh-7细胞。细胞毒理实验证明:药物载体man-PEG@LP本身没有毒副作用,生物相容性较好。细胞水平和动物水平的肿瘤杀伤实验结果表明:运载药物之后的man-PEG@LP/Ge在甘露糖介导的"主动靶向"作用下高效而特异性的进入肿瘤细胞,对肿瘤组织进行了有效地杀伤。     

磁性纳米颗粒作为基因转染载体的研究

通过扫描电子显微镜和Zeta电位仪对磁性纳米颗粒的形貌、粒径、表面电位等进行了表征。利用凝胶电泳阻滞试验分析磁性纳米颗粒与DNA的结合情况,研究磁性纳米颗粒对DNA的保护效果,运用MTT和流式细胞术分析磁性纳米颗粒对细胞的毒性。以绿色荧光蛋白基因为报告基因进行293T细胞的转染,研究磁性纳米颗粒与质粒DNA不同比例条件下对293T细胞的转染效率,并与脂质体(Lipofectamine2000)介导的转染进行比较分析。结果表明,磁性纳米颗粒与DNA可以稳定结合,可以保护DNA免受酶的消化作用,当磁性纳米颗粒与DNA比为1 1时,转染效率最高,优于脂质体(Lipotamine2000)介导的转染,且对细胞的毒害作用小于Lipotamine2000。     

固定云芝漆酶纳米金颗粒修饰金盘电极的制备及其对氧还原反应的生物电催化性能

利用1,6-己二硫醇作为联结剂将纳米金颗粒修饰到金盘电极上,再以L-半胱氨酸为修饰剂使纳米金颗粒功能化并进一步与漆酶充分作用,制备了固定漆酶的纳米金颗粒修饰金盘电极并以循环伏安法测试了其对氧还原的催化性能。实验结果表明:O2在该电极上还原电位约为-0.26 V(vs SCE),氧还原峰电流为3.0 uA(25℃),较文献[7]报导的固酶聚异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)水凝胶修饰ITO电极的氧还原催化性能要优。(氧气还原电位:-0.26 V,vs NHE,峰电流:0.47 uA)进一步研究表明:本文制备的修饰电极稳定性好,适于长期使用而且热稳定性优于文献[7]报道的固酶聚异丙基丙烯酰胺水凝胶修饰ITO电极:50℃时在本文制备的纳米金修饰电极上氧还原峰电流仍保持为25℃时修饰电极上氧还原峰电流的40%左右。     

巨噬细胞装载纳米颗粒用于药物递送

目的:活细胞药物递送系统具有主动靶向至肿瘤部位,防止被免疫系统清除等诸多优势。本文提供了一种巨噬细胞负载纳米颗粒的递送方法,并探讨不同载药量对巨噬细胞的活性以及运动性的影响。方法:通过超声乳化法制备包载阿霉素的DOX@PLGA纳米颗粒。纳米粒度分析仪测量粒径和表面电位,透射电镜观察纳米颗粒形态。将DOX@PLGA纳米颗粒与巨噬细胞共同孵育,即得到负载DOX@PLGA纳米颗粒的巨噬细胞用以药物递送。然后通过CCK-8法、LDH法以及细胞迁移实验检测不同载药量情况下细胞活力水平、细胞损伤程度以及细胞运动性。结果:制备的DOX@PLGA纳米颗粒呈圆形或椭圆形,粒径为109.2±2.3 nm;表面电位为-45.0±2.0 m V;载药量为4.61%。当单个巨噬细胞负载0.15 pg DOX时细胞存活率为:71.5±4.4(%);细胞损伤率为:26.3±1.8(%);迁移率为:61.6±5.7(%)。结论:成功制备巨噬细胞负载DOX@PLGA纳米颗粒的递药系统,载药量适当的情况下载体细胞依然具有良好的活性和运动性。     

共载TFPI-2及顺铂磁性纳米复合物的制备及其对鼻咽癌的治疗

构建共载组织途径抑制因子-2(tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2,TFPI-2)及顺铂(cisplatin,CDDP)的磁性纳米(magnetic nanoparticles,MNP)复合物(MNP-CDDP/TFPI-2),研究该复合物对鼻咽癌(nasopharyngeal carcinoma,NPC)的综合抑制效应。将前期制备的载CDDP磁性纳米颗粒(MNP-CDDP)和聚乙二醇单甲醚–聚乙烯亚胺(MPEG-PEI)TFPI-2静电吸附,制备MNP-CDDP/TFPI-2,通过红外光谱、透射电镜、激光粒度仪观察复合物的结构、粒径大小及电位,邻苯二胺(o-phenylenediamine,OPDA)法检测复合物中CDDP含量。通过流式细胞仪检测基因转染效率,分析磁性纳米复合物转染TFPI-2的情况;RT-PCR及Western blot法检测CNE-2细胞转染TFPI-2质粒后TFPI-2 m RNA和蛋白表达情况。采用CCK-8实验、流式细胞术及Matrigel侵袭实验检测MNPCDDP/TFPI-2对CNE-2细胞增殖、凋亡及细胞侵袭能力的影响。研究结果显示,纳米复合物成功合成,平均水动力学粒径151.2 nm,Zeta电位+14.5 m V,复合物中CDDP含量平均为120μg/m L,包封率33.3%。复合物所载TFPI-2质粒转染率22.7%±2.5%。CNE-2转染TFPI-2质粒后,胞内TFPI-2 m RNA和蛋白表达明显增加。MNP-CDDP/TFPI-2组细胞生长抑制率及凋亡率分别为34.8%和42.3%,明显高于MNP-CDDP组(27.1%、38.0%)和(MPEG-PEI)TFPI-2组(18.9%、16.2%)(P0.05)。Matrigel侵袭实验结果显示,纳米复合药物组穿膜细胞数为28±3个,明显低于对照组(P0.05),提示MNP-CDDP/TFPI-2组细胞侵袭和迁移能力降低。结果表明,本研究已成功构建携带TFPI-2表达基因及CDDP的MNP-CDDP/TFPI-2;体外实验显示,MNP-CDDP/TFPI-2对NPC细胞具有良好的综合抑制效应。     

纳米复合肽SCM的制备及其对Ⅱ型糖尿病治疗作用的研究

一种新型的神经内分泌肽,垂体腺苷酸环化酶激活肽(PACAP)被发现在碳水化合物或脂质代谢中具有重要作用,但是易受二肽基肽酶IV的降解。将壳聚糖修饰的纳米硒(Se NPs-CTS,SC)作为载体,通过酰胺键负载连接PACAP衍生肽MPL-2,制备稳定性良好、具有协同治疗Ⅱ型糖尿病作用的纳米复合肽Se NPs-CTS-MPL-2(SCM)。实验结果表明,成功构建了高稳定性的纳米复合肽SCM,SCM的平均粒径为158nm,粒径较为集中,表面Zeta电位为35.6m V,较SC粒径及Zeta电位有明显的变化,说明MPL-2成功的连接到了SC表面。SCM在水溶液中可稳定存在40天,在水溶液中有较强的稳定性。体外缓释实验表明SCM在48h内不断释放活性多肽MPL-2,有效的延长了MPL-2的作用时间。Ⅱ型糖尿病模型鼠(db/db小鼠)腹腔注射SCM,葡萄糖耐量实验结果表明MPL-2负载到载体SC上构建了SCM后,SCM在体内不断缓释MPL-2,延长了MPL-2的作用时间,增强了MPL-2的药效。在8周连续用药治疗的过程中,SCM可显著提高Ⅱ型糖尿病模型小鼠的胰岛素敏感性,药效明显强于MPL-2和SC单独用药。构建了纳米复合肽SCM,可有效的延长MPL-2的作用时间,发挥治疗Ⅱ型糖尿病的生物学作用。     

羟基磷灰石Zeta电位对其蛋白吸附性能的影响

目的:为了寻找羟基磷灰石(HA)颗粒的蛋白吸附性能与其Zeta电位之间的关系,为研发具有优秀骨修复能力的HA材料提供理论依据。方法:本文采用水热反应法,合成了形状规则的带状HA颗粒,并采用SEM、BET、XRD对其进行表征。检测了HA颗粒在不同p H、PO_4~(3-)浓度中的Zeta电位;选择小牛血清白蛋白(BSA)、溶菌酶(LYS)两种蛋白作为模型蛋白,测试了HA颗粒在不同p H、PO_4~(3-)浓度环境中对BSA或LYS的吸附量。结果:随着吸附体系的p H值逐渐增大,HA颗粒表面负电性迅速增加,HA颗粒对BSA的吸附能力逐渐减弱,对LYS的吸附能力逐渐增强。随着吸附体系中PO_4~(3-)浓度逐渐增大,HA颗粒表面负电性呈先增大后减小的变化趋势,对BSA、LYS的吸附性能均逐渐减弱。结论:p H和PO_4~(3-)浓度的变化,都能引起HA颗粒Zeta电位的变化,前者引起静电作用类型、强度的变化而改变HA蛋白吸附性能;后者引入竞争吸附,蛋白吸附量随竞争离子浓度增多而逐渐减少。     

Optimization of PEGylation Conditions for BSA Nanoparticles Using Response Surface Methodology

Chemical coupling of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to proteins or particles (PEGylation), prolongs their circulation half-life by greater than 50-fold, reduces their immunogenicity, and also promotes their accumulation in tumors due to enhanced permeability and retention effect. Herein, phase separation method was used to prepare bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles. PEGylation of BSA nanoparticles was performed by SPA activated mPEG through their free amino groups. Effect of process variables on PEGylation efficiency of BSA nanoparticles was investigated and optimized through response surface methodology with the amount of free amino groups as response. Optimum conditions was found to be 32.5 g/l of PEG concentration, PEG-nanoparticle incubation time of 10 min, incubation temperature of 27°C, and pH of 7 for 5 mg of BSA nanoparticles in 1 mL phosphate buffer. Analysis of data showed that PEG concentration had the most noticeable effect on the amount of PEGylated amino groups, but pH had the least. Mean diameter and zeta potential of PEGylated nanoparticles under these conditions were 217 nm and −14 mV, respectively. In conclusion, PEGylated nanoparticles demonstrated reduction of the negative surface charge compared to the non modified particles with the zeta potential of −31.7 mV. Drug release from PEGylated nanoparticles was almost slower than non-PEGylated ones, probably due to existence of a PEG layer around PEGylated particles which makes an extra resistance in opposition to drug diffusion.     

Polyelectrolyte nanoparticles based on water-soluble chitosan-poly(l-aspartic acid)-polyethylene glycol for controlled protein release

Water-soluble chitosan (WSC)-poly(l-aspartic acid) (PASP)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles (CPP nanoparticles) were prepared spontaneously under quite mild conditions by polyelectrolyte complexation. These nanoparticles were well dispersed and stable in aqueous solution, and their physicochemical properties were characterized by turbidity, FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and zeta potential. PEG was chosen to modify WSC-PASP nanoparticles to make a protein-protective agent. Investigation on the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-loaded CPP nanoparticles was also conducted. Encapsulation efficiency was obviously decreased with the increase of initial BSA concentration. Furthermore, its in vitro release characteristics were evaluated at pH 1.2, 2.5, and 7.4. In vitro release showed that these nanoparticles provided an initial burst release, followed by a slowly sustained release for more than 24 h. The BSA released from CPP nanoparticles showed no significant conformational change compared with native BSA, which is superior to the BSA released from nanoparticles without PEG. A cell viability study suggested that the nanoparticles had good biocompatibility. This nanoparticle system was considered promising as an advanced drug delivery system for the peptide and protein drug delivery.     

Functionalization and peptide-based delivery of magnetic nanoparticles as an intracellular MRI contrast agent

We report the development of functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with a PEG-modified, phospholipid micelle coating, and their delivery into living cells. The size of the coated particles, as determined by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy, was found to be between 12 and 14 nm. The PEG-phospholipid coating resulted in high water solubility and stability, and the functional groups of modified PEG allowed for bioconjugation of various moieties, including a fluorescent dye and the Tat peptide. Efficient delivery of the functionalized nanoparticles into living cells was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy, relaxation time measurements, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This demonstrates the feasibility of using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with uniform (~10 nm) sizes as an MRI contrast agent for intracellular molecular imaging in deep tissue. These micelle-coated iron oxide nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for conjugation of a variety of moieties, and their small size confers advantages for intracellular molecular imaging with minimal perturbation.Abbreviations CPP cell penetrating peptide - CPMG Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill spin-echo method - CTAB cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - DLS dynamic light scattering - DMEM Dulbeccos modified Eagles medium - DSPE 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine - FCS fetal calf serum - FGM-2 fibroblast growth medium 2 - HDF human dermal fibroblast - HS horse serum - MDBK Madin–Darby bovine kidney - MIONs superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles - mMIONs micelle-coated MIONs - MRI magnetic resonance imaging - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - PEG poly(ethylene glycol) - SPDP N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate - TCEP tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Heterobifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol) Derivatives for the Surface Modification of Gold Nanoparticles Toward Bone Mineral Targeting

Heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)s can be used for many biomedical applications ranging from solubility enhancement of hardly soluble compounds to surface modification of medical devices. In order to modify gold nanoparticles as model particles for drug targeting applications, PEG derivatives are synthesized that possess a high affinity for gold surfaces, namely a thioalkyl function, known to form stable monolayers on gold. Additionally a bisphosphonate function is introduced in the PEG molecule to allow targeting of hydroxyapatite rich tissues, like bone. Gold nanoparticles are modified using the synthesized bifunctional PEG and investigated for their stability in biological fluids and their ability to bind to hydroxyapatite granules in these fluids.     

Hydroxyapatite surface modified by L-lactic acid and its subsequent grafting polymerization of L-lactide

A new method of surface modification of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HA) by surface grafting reaction of l-lactic acid and ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide (LLA) was developed. Two modified HA nanoparticles were obtained: HA modified by l-lactic acid (l-HA) and HA grafting with poly(l-lactide) (PLLA; p-HA). The modified surface of n-HA was attested by Fourier transformation infrared, (31)P MAS NMR, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The results showed that l-lactic acid could be easily grafted onto the n-HA surface by forming a Ca carboxylate bond and initiated by the hydroxyl group of the grafted l-lactic acid and LLA could be graft-polymerized onto the n-HA surface in the presence of stannous octanoate. The highest grafting amounts of l-lactic acid and PLLA were about 33 and 22 wt %, respectively. The modified HA/PLLA composites showed good mechanical properties and uniform microstructure. The tensile strength and modulus of the p-HA/PLLA composite containing 15 wt % of p-HA were 67 MPa and 2.1 GPa, respectively, while those of the n-HA/PLLA composites were 45 MPa and 1.7 GPa, respectively. The elongation at the break of the l-HA/PLLA composite containing 15 wt % l-HA could reach 44%, in comparison with 6.5% of the n-HA/PLLA composites containing 15 wt % n-HA.     

Characterization of silver nanoparticles produced by biosynthesis mediated by Fusarium oxysporum under different processing conditions

The goal of this study was the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) mediated by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, as well as the characterization of these nanoparticles including evaluation of the particles size and stability under different processing conditions. The results showed that the biosynthesis produced silver nanoparticles having a mean size of 34 nm and zeta potential values below −30 mV at the conditions used, characterizing the nanoparticles as being stable in suspension. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy detected the bands corresponding to the binding vibration of amide I and II bands of proteins in addition to the presence of cyclic alkanes, cyclohexane, ethers, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Finally, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of spherical and well-dispersed SNPs.

     

PEGylated Nanoparticles based on a polyaspartamide. preparation, physico-chemical characterization, and intracellular uptake

Nanoparticles with different surface PEGylation degree were prepared by using as starting material alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-d,l-aspartamide (PHEA). PHEA was functionalized with a PEG amino-derivative for obtaining PHEA-PEG(2000) copolymer. Both PHEA and PHEA-PEG(2000) were derivatized with methacrylic anhydride (MA) for obtaining poly(hydroxyethylaspartamide methacrylated) (PHM) and poly(hydroxyethylaspartamide methacrylated)-PEGylated (PHM-PEG(2000)), respectively. Nanoparticles were obtained by UV irradiation of an inverse microemulsion, using as internal phase an aqueous solution of PHM alone or of the PHM/PHM-PEG(2000) mixture at different weight ratio and as external phase a mixture of propylene carbonate and ethyl acetate. Obtained nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR analysis, dimensional analysis, and TEM micrography. XPS analysis and zeta potential measurements demonstrated the presence of PEG onto the nanoparticle surface. Moreover, the partial degradation of nanoparticles in the presence of esterase as a function of time was demonstrated. Finally, nanoparticles did not possess any cytotoxic activity against K-562 cells and were able to escape from phagocytosis depending on the surface PEGylation degree.     

Stability,Intracellular Delivery,and Release of siRNA from Chitosan Nanoparticles Using Different Cross-Linkers

Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles have been extensively studied for siRNA delivery; however, their stability and efficacy are highly dependent on the types of cross-linker used. To address this issue, three common cross-linkers; tripolyphosphate (TPP), dextran sulphate (DS) and poly-D-glutamic acid (PGA) were used to prepare siRNA loaded CS-TPP/DS/PGA nanoparticles by ionic gelation method. The resulting nanoparticles were compared with regard to their physicochemical properties including particle size, zeta potential, morphology, binding and encapsulation efficiencies. Among all the formulations prepared with different cross linkers, CS-TPP-siRNA had the smallest particle size (ranged from 127 ± 9.7 to 455 ± 12.9 nm) with zeta potential ranged from +25.1 ± 1.5 to +39.4 ± 0.5 mV, and high entrapment (>95%) and binding efficiencies. Similarly, CS-TPP nanoparticles showed better siRNA protection during storage at 4˚C and as determined by serum protection assay. TEM micrographs revealed the assorted morphology of CS-TPP-siRNA nanoparticles in contrast to irregular morphology displayed by CS-DS-siRNA and CS-PGA-siRNA nanoparticles. All siRNA loaded CS-TPP/DS/PGA nanoparticles showed initial burst release followed by sustained release of siRNA. Moreover, all the formulations showed low and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity with human colorectal cancer cells (DLD-1), in vitro. The cellular uptake studies with CS-TPP-siRNA nanoparticles showed successful delivery of siRNA within cytoplasm of DLD-1 cells. The results demonstrate that ionically cross-linked CS-TPP nanoparticles are biocompatible non-viral gene delivery system and generate a solid ground for further optimization studies, for example with regard to steric stabilization and targeting.     

Physicochemical and biological characterization of polyethylenimine-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers as a delivery system for oligonucleotides and ribozymes

Two different series of polyethylenimine (PEI) block copolymers grafted with linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were investigated as delivery systems for oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and ribozymes. The resulting interpolyelectrolyte complexes were characterized with respect to their physicochemical properties, protection efficiency against enzymatic degradation, complement activation, and biological activity under in vitro conditions. The effect of PEG molecular weight and the graft density of PEG blocks on complex characteristics was studied with two different series of block copolymers. The resulting ODN complexes were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) to determine complex size and zeta potential. Electrophoresis was performed to study the protective effects of the different block copolymers against enzymatic degradation of ODN. Intact ODN was quantified via densitometric analysis. Ribozymes, a particularly unstable type of oligonucleotides, were used to examine the influence of block copolymer structure on biological activity. The stabilization of ribozymes was also characterized in a cell culture model. Within the first series of block copolymers, the grafted PEG chains (5 kDa) had marginal influence on the complex size. Two grafted PEG chains were sufficient to achieve a neutral zeta potential. Within the second series, size and zeta potential increased with an increasing number of PEG chains. A high number of short PEG chains resulted in a decrease in complex size to values comparable to that of the homopolymer PEI 25 kDa and a neutral zeta potential, indicating a complete shielding of the charges. Complement activation decreased with an increasing number of short PEG 550 Da chains. Ribozyme complexes with PEG-PEI block copolymers achieved a 50% down-regulation of the target mRNA. This effect demonstrated an efficient stabilization and biological activity of the ribozyme, which was comparable to that of PEI 25 kDa. PEGylated PEI block copolymers represent a promising new class of drug delivery systems for ODN and ribozymes with increased biocompatibility and physical stability.     

Electrochemical and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Mukia madarasapattana leaf extract

In this study, biosynthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were prepared using Mukia madarasapattana leaf extract. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the synthesized silver nanoparticles had face centered cubic crystalline structure. The TEM image showed the silver nanoparticles are not agglomerated, moderately mono dispersed with the size of 15 nm. The high negative zeta potential values indicated the dispersion stability of Ag NPs. Antibacterial activity was carried out against different test microorganisms in silver nanoparticles. The cyclic Voltammetry study showed that Ag NPs have an oxidation peak at 0.61 mV.