Linezolid nanoAntiobiotics and SERS-nanoTags based on polymeric cyclodextrin bimetallic core-shell nanoarchitectures.

We describe a mild, ecofriendly, and straightforward two-step strategy for making core-shell Au@Ag bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) for antibacterial nanomedicine and SERS imaging. The synthesis exploits the unique properties of the cationic polymeric cyclodextrin (PolyCD) as both reducing and stabilizing agent to obtain, monodispersed and stable Au@Ag BMNPs. PolyCD-driven protocol includes the synthesis of PolyCD-coated Au monometallic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a seed material for the subsequent growing of a silver shell. PolyCD was produced by polymerization of the azido modified ßCD monomers with epichlorohydrin and subsequent reduction of azido derivative. The amino groups, as hydrochloride salts (one for CD ring), are pivotal for the formation of BMNPs in mild conditions. Nanoantibiotics and SERS-nanoTag were prepared by complexation of Au@Ag BMNPs with Linezolid (Lz) and 4-mercaptophenyl boronic acid, respectively. Au@Ag@Lz complexes showed a good antibacterial activity against all tested microorganisms including the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Cyclodextrin Cationic Polymer-Based Nanoassemblies to Manage Inflammation by Intra-Articular Delivery Strategies.

Injectable nanobioplatforms capable of locally fighting the inflammation in osteoarticular diseases, by reducing the number of administrations and prolonging the therapeutic effect is highly challenging. -Cyclodextrin cationic polymers are promising cartilage-penetrating candidates by intra-articular injection due to the high biocompatibility and ability to entrap multiple therapeutic and diagnostic agents, thus monitoring and mitigating inflammation. In this study, nanoassemblies based on poly--amino-cyclodextrin (PolyCD) loaded with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (DCF) and linked by supramolecular interactions with a fluorescent probe (adamantanyl-Rhodamine conjugate, Ada-Rhod) were developed to manage inflammation in osteoarticular diseases. PolyCD@Ada-Rhod/DCF supramolecular nanoassemblies were characterized by complementary spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, DLS and ζ-potential measurement. Stability and DCF release kinetics were investigated in medium mimicking the physiological conditions to ensure control over time and efficacy. Biological experiments evidenced the efficient cellular internalization of PolyCD@Ada-Rhod/DCF (within two hours) without significant cytotoxicity in primary human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). Finally, polyCD@Ada-Rhod/DCF significantly suppressed IL-1 production in hMSCs, revealing the anti-inflammatory properties of these nanoassemblies. With these premises, this study might open novel routes to exploit original CD-based nanobiomaterials for the treatment of osteoarticular diseases.

Graphene-Based Strategies in Liquid Biopsy and in Viral Diseases Diagnosis.

Graphene-based materials are intriguing nanomaterials with applications ranging from nanotechnology-related devices to drug delivery systems and biosensing. Multifunctional graphene platforms were proposed for the detection of several typical biomarkers (i.e., circulating tumor cells, exosomes, circulating nucleic acids, etc.) in liquid biopsy, and numerous methods, including optical, electrochemical, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), etc., have been developed for their detection. Due to the massive advancements in biology, material chemistry, and analytical technology, it is necessary to review the progress in this field from both medical and chemical sides. Liquid biopsy is considered a revolutionary technique that is opening unexpected perspectives in the early diagnosis and, in therapy monitoring, severe diseases, including cancer, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative disorders. Although nanotechnology based on graphene has been poorly applied for the rapid diagnosis of viral diseases, the extraordinary properties of graphene (i.e., high electronic conductivity, large specific area, and surface functionalization) can be also exploited for the diagnosis of emerging viral diseases, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This review aimed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth summarization of the contribution of graphene-based nanomaterials in liquid biopsy, discussing the remaining challenges and the future trend; moreover, the paper gave the first look at the potentiality of graphene in COVID-19 diagnosis.

Novel Nanohybrids Based on Supramolecular Assemblies of Meso-tetrakis-(4-sulfonatophenyl) Porphyrin J-aggregates and Amine-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.

The ability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) covalently functionalized with polyamine chains of different length (ethylenediamine, EDA and tetraethylenepentamine, EPA) to induce the J-aggregation of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) was investigated in different experimental conditions. Under mild acidic conditions, protonated amino groups allow for the assembly by electrostatic interaction with the diacid form of TPPS, leading to hybrid nanomaterials. The presence of only one pendant amino group for a chain in EDA does not lead to any aggregation, whereas EPA (with four amine groups for chain) is effective in inducing J-aggregation using different mixing protocols. These nanohybrids have been characterized through UV/Vis extinction, fluorescence emission, resonance light scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Their morphology and chemical composition have been elucidated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). TEM and STEM analysis evidence single or bundles of MWCNTs in contact with TPPS J-aggregates nanotubes. The nanohybrids are quite stable for days, even in aqueous solutions mimicking physiological medium (NaCl 0.15 M). This property, together with their peculiar optical features in the therapeutic window of visible spectrum, make them potentially useful for biomedical applications.

Amphiphilic cationic cyclodextrin nanovesicles: a versatile cue for guiding cell adhesion.

It is well known that amphiphilic cationic ß-cyclodextrins (amßCDs) form nanovesicles able to release their cargo in aqueous solution upon applying different stimuli. In addition they can be selectively positioned onto substrates by unconventional soft lithography. This makes them a powerful tool for designing environments where different cues can be externally supplied to the cells helping to achieve good control of their fate. Lithographically controlled wetting (LCW) of amßCD nanovesicles loaded with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), amßCD/FITC, has been used here to fabricate geometrically functionalized surfaces, thus achieving multiscale control of the cell environment. The amßCD functionalization was strongly influenced by the surface energy of the underlying substrates that, according to their hydrophobicity, orient the amßCD in a different way, thus "offering" different portions to the cells. The structure of the pattern was characterized both over large scales exploiting the FITC fluorescence and at the nanoscale by atomic force microscopy. Cell guidance and aCD/FITC cell internalization were demonstrated in human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y cells.