Interactions of Mitoxantrone-Modified Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Biomimetic Membranes and Cells

We report on the formation of conjugates of superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles(NPs)with the chemotherapeutic agent mitroxantrone(MTX).The NPs are synthesized from mixed iron oxides and are ca.15 nm in diameter.Decoration of the NP surface with MTX is accomplished with standard coupling chemistry techniques using sebacic acid as the coupling agent.The resulting NP-MTX conjugate is characterized thermogravimetrically,spectroscopically and electrochemically.The interactions of the NP-MTX conjugate with a model lipid layer formed as a Langmuir-Blodgett(LB)film reveal that the nanoparticle exhibits a significant perturbative effect on the layer,as seen from translational diffusion(FRAP)measurements.Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the conjugate relative to that of free MTX demonstrates that the NP-MTX conjugate is more toxic than free MTX for both normal and malignant cell lines.These results underscore the importance of targeted delivery in the administration of chemotherapeutic agents.

Bioinspired and biomimetic membranes for water purification and chemical separation: A review

Bioinspired and biomimetic membranes that contain biological transport channels or attain their structural designs from biological systems have been through a remarkable development over the last two decades.They take advantage of the exceptional transport properties of those channels,thus possess both high permeability and selectivity,and have emerged as a promising solution to existing membranes.Since the discovery of biological water channel proteins aquaporins(AQPs),extensive efforts have been made to utilize them to make separation membranes–AQP-based membranes,which have been commercialized.The exploration of AQPs’unique structures and transport properties has resulted in the evolution of biomimetic separation materials from protein-based to artificial channelbased membranes.However,large-scale,defect-free biomimetic membranes are not available yet.This paper reviews the state-of-the-art biomimetic membranes and summarizes the latest research progress,platform,and methodology.Then it critically discusses the potential routes of this emerging area toward scalable applications.We conclude that an appropriate combination of bioinspired concepts and molecular engineering with mature polymer industry may lead to scalable polymeric membranes with intrinsic selective channels,which will gain the merit of both desired selectivity and scalability.

A biomimetic basementmembrane consisted of hybrid aligned nanofibers andmicrofibers with immobilized collagen IV and laminin for rapid endothelialization

Rapid formation of a continuous endothelial cell(EC)monolayer with healthy endothelium function on the luminal surface of vascular implants is imperative to improve the longtime patency of small-diameter vascular implants.In the present study,we combined the contact guidance effects of aligned nanofibers,which enhance EC adhesion and proliferation because of its similar fiber scale with native vascular basement membranes,and aligned microfibers,which could induce EC elongation effectively and allow ECs infiltration.It was followed by successive immobilization of collagen IV and laminin to fabricate a biomimetic basement membrane(BBM)with structural and compositional biomimicry.The hemolysis assay and platelet adhesion results showed that the BBM exhibited excellent hemocompatibility.Meanwhile,the adhered human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)onto theBBMaligned along the orientation of the microfibers with an elongated morphology,and the data demonstrated that the BBM showed favorable effects on EC attachment,proliferation,and viability.The oriented EC monolayer formed on the BBM exhibited improved antithrombotic capability as indicated by higher production of nitric oxide and prostacyclin(PGI2).Furthermore,fluorescence images indicated that HUVECs could infiltrate into the BBM,implying theBBM’s ability to enhance transmural endothelialization.Hence,theBBMpossessed the properties to regulate ECbehaviors and allow transmural ingrowth,demonstrating the potential to be applied as the luminal surface of small-diameter vascular implants for rapid endothelialization.

Bioinspired membrane-based nanomodulators for immunotherapy of autoimmune and infectious diseases

Autoimmune or infectious diseases often instigate the undesirable damages to tissues or organs to trigger immune-related diseases,which involve plenty of immune cells,pathogens and autoantibodies.Nanomedicine has a great potential in modulating immune system.Particularly,biomimetic nanomodulators can be designed for prevention,diagnosis and therapy to achieve a better targeted immunotherapy.With the development of materials science and bioengineering,a wide range of membranecoated nanomodulators are available.Herein,we summarize recent advancements of bioinspired membrane-coated nanoplatform for systemic protection against immune-related diseases including autoimmune and infectious diseases.We also rethink the challenges or limitations in the progress of the therapeutic nanoplatform,and discuss the further application of the nanomodulators in the view of translational medicine for combating immune-related diseases.

Thermocontrolling ion permeation through binary component membrane composed of crown ether liquid crystal/PVC

In view of the nature of orderness in structure and the mesomorphism in property of liquid crystal, the function of which is further exploited by integrating it with the feature of crown ether. The monoarmed crown ether liquid crystals are successfully applied to the imitation of biomembrane transport. Binary component membrane composed of crown ether liquid crystal and PVC was first developed. Such a novel model of biomimetic membrane is capable of imitating ingeniously the thermocontrolling transport of biomembrane, thus the essential function of liquid crystal in membane transport is more fully exploited. It was suggested, consequently, that the molecules of the crown ether liquid crystal could assemble themselves to form ionic channels, as they exist in mesophase.Of still more significance is that the thermocontrolling transport of ions through the membrane is found to be operative selectively and the permeation of ion is under the direct influence of the thermal turmoil of the crown ether liquid crystal molecules as substantiated by the values of Arrhenius thermodynamic parameters, activation energy, Ea, and logarithmic Arrhenius constant, log A, in ion transport. Based on the aforementioned it is suggested that diffusion of ions is a rate determing step and change of rate of ion transport is varied in different phase. Influence of magnetic field on transport rate is investigated. On basis of above experimental findings, a dynamical equation of ion transportation is established which is applicable for the membrane system in general on one hands and expound the ion transport mechanism through the membrane on the other.