Cell-Main Spectra Profile Screening Technique in Simulation of Circulating Tumour Cells Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry.

Circulating atypical cells (CAC) are released from a primary tumour site into peripheral blood and are indicators of cancer metastasis. CAC occur at very low frequency in circulating blood, and their detection remains challenging. Moreover, white blood cells (WBC) are the major contaminant in enriched CAC samples. Here, we developed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a novel CAC characterization platform. Main spectra profiles (MSP) of normal and cancer cells were generated by MALDI-TOF MS, and a cell-main spectra database was then compiled and analysed using the MALDI Biotyper software. Logarithmic scores accurately predicted distinct cell types. The feasibility of this workflow was then validated using simulated samples, which were prepared by 5000 WBC of three healthy individuals spiked with varying numbers (3, 6, 12, 25, 50, and 100) of lung, colon, or prostate cancer cells. MALDI-TOF MS was able to detect cancer cells down to six cells over the background noise of 5000 WBC with significantly higher predictive scores as compared to WBC alone. Further development of cell-MSP database to cover all cancer types sourced from cell lines and patient tumours may enable the use of MALDI-TOF MS as a cancer-screening platform in clinical settings in the future.

Dry Formulations Enhanced Mucoadhesive Properties and Reduced Cold Chain Handing of Influenza Vaccines.

To alleviate concerns in health security, emergency flu vaccine stockpiles are required for ensuring rapid availability of vaccines when needed. Cold chain preservation, at high cost and risk, is necessary to maintain vaccine efficacy. This study aimed to develop a dry, easily storable formula for influenza vaccine preparation. The formulation with mucoadhesive properties is expected to facilitate rapid delivery via nasal administration. Chitosan, a cationic polymer, was used as cryo-protectant and to promote mucoadhesion. Optimal concentrations and molecular weights of chitosan polymers were screened, with short chain chitosan (10 kDa) being most suitable. H1N1 dry powder, in different formulations, was prepared via freeze-drying. A series of cryo-protectants, trehalose (T), chitosan (C), fetal bovine serum (FBS; F), or a combination of these (TCF), were screened for their effects on prolonging vaccine shelf life. Physicochemical monitoring (particle size and zeta potential) of powders complexed with mucin revealed that the order of cryo-protectant mixing during preparation was of critical importance. Results indicated that the TCF formula retains its activity up to 1 year as indicated by TCID50 analysis. This approach was also successful at prolonging the shelf life of H3N2 vaccine, and has the potential for large-scale implementation, especially in developed countries where long-term storage of vaccines is problematic.

Synthesis of Carbohydrate Capped Silicon Nanoparticles and their Reduced Cytotoxicity, In Vivo Toxicity, and Cellular Uptake.

The development of smart targeted nanoparticles (NPs) that can identify and deliver drugs at a sustained rate directly to cancer cells may provide better efficacy and lower toxicity for treating primary and advanced metastatic tumors. Obtaining knowledge of the diseases at the molecular level can facilitate the identification of biological targets. In particular, carbohydrate-mediated molecular recognitions using nano-vehicles are likely to increasingly affect cancer treatment methods, opening a new area in biomedical applications. Here, silicon NPs (SiNPs) capped with carbohydrates including galactose, glucose, mannose, and lactose are successfully synthesized from amine terminated SiNPs. The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] analysis shows an extensive reduction in toxicity of SiNPs by functionalizing with carbohydrate moiety both in vitro and in vivo. Cellular uptake is investigated with flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscope. The results show the carbohydrate capped SiNPs can be internalized in the cells within 24 h of incubation, and can be taken up more readily by cancer cells than noncancerous cells. Moreover, these results reinforce the use of carbohydrates for the internalization of a variety of similar compounds into cancer cells.

Surface modification of PLGA nanoparticles by carbopol to enhance mucoadhesion and cell internalization.

Mucoadhesive poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles having a modified shell-matrix derived from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Carbopol (CP), a biodegradable polymer coating, to improve the adhesion and cell transfection properties were developed. The optimum formulations utilized a CP concentration in the range of 0.05-0.2%w/v, and were formed using modified emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. The resulting CP-PLGA nanoparticles were characterized in terms of their physical and chemical properties. The absorbed CP on the PLGA shell-matrix was found to affect the particle size and surface charge, with 0.05% CP giving rise to smooth spherical particles (0.05CP-PLGA) with the smallest size (285.90 nm), and strong negative surface charge (-25.70 mV). The introduction of CP results in an enhancement of the mucoadhesion between CP-PLGA nanoparticles and mucin particles. In vitro cell internalization studies highlighted the potential of 0.05CP-PLGA nanoparticles for transfection into SiHa cells, with uptake being time dependent. Additionally, cytotoxicity studies of CP-PLGA nanoparticles against SiHa cancer cells indicated that low concentrations of the nanoparticles were non-toxic to cells (cell viability >80%). From the various formulations studied, 0.05CP-PLGA nanoparticles proved to be the optimum model carrier having the required mucoadhesive profile and could be an alternative therapeutic efficacy carrier for targeted mucosal drug delivery systems with biodegradable polymer.

The PEI-introduced CS shell/PMMA core nanoparticle for silencing the expression of E6/E7 oncogenes in human cervical cells.

In this study, we examined the potential of cationic nanoparticle - polyethyleneimine-introduced chitosan shell/poly (methyl methacrylate) core nanoparticles (CS-PEI) for siRNA delivery. Initially, DNA delivery was performed to validate the capability of CS-PEI for gene delivery in the human cervical cancer cell line, SiHa. siRNA delivery were subsequently carried out to evaluate the silencing effect on targeted E6 and E7 oncogenes. Physicochemical properties including size, zeta potential and morphology of CS-PEI/DNA and CS-PEI/siRNA complexes, were analyzed. The surface charges and sizes of the complexes were observed at different N/P ratios. The hydrodynamic sizes of the CS-PEI/DNA and CS-PEI/siRNA were approximately 300-400 and 400-500nm, respectively. Complexes were positively charged depending on the amount of added CS-PEI. AFM images revealed the mono-dispersed and spherical shapes of the complexes. Gel retardation assay confirmed that CS-PEI nanoparticles completely formed complexes with DNA and siRNA at a N/P ratio of 1.6. For DNA transfection, CS-PEI provided the highest transfection result. Localization of siRNA delivered through CS-PEI was confirmed by differential interference contrast (DIC) confocal imaging. The silencing effect of siRNA specific to HPV 16 E6/E7 oncogene was examined at 18 and 24h post-transfection. The results demonstrated the capacity of CS-PEI to suppress the expression of HVP oncogenes.

Acceleration of gene transfection efficiency in neuroblastoma cells through polyethyleneimine/poly(methyl methacrylate) core-shell magnetic nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of magnetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core/polyethyleneimine (PEI) shell (mag-PEI) nanoparticles, which possess high saturation magnetization for gene delivery. By using mag-PEI nanoparticles as a gene carrier, this study focused on evaluation of transfection efficiency under magnetic induction. The potential role of this newly synthesized nanosphere for therapeutic delivery of the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH-2) gene was also investigated in cultured neuronal LAN-5 cells. METHODS: The mag-PEI nanoparticles were prepared by one-step emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization, generating highly loaded and monodispersed magnetic polymeric nanoparticles bearing an amine group. The physicochemical properties of the mag-PEI nanoparticles and DNA-bound mag-PEI nanoparticles were investigated using the gel retardation assay, atomic force microscopy, and zeta size measurements. The gene transfection efficiencies of mag-PEI nanoparticles were evaluated at different transfection times. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed intracellular uptake of the magnetoplex. The optimal conditions for transfection of TPH-2 were selected for therapeutic gene transfection. We isolated the TPH-2 gene from the total RNA of the human medulla oblongata and cloned it into an expression vector. The plasmid containing TPH-2 was subsequently bound onto the surfaces of the mag-PEI nanoparticles via electrostatic interaction. Finally, the mag-PEI nanoparticle magnetoplex was delivered into LAN-5 cells. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate TPH-2 expression in a quantitative manner. RESULTS: The study demonstrated the role of newly synthesized high-magnetization mag-PEI nanoparticles for gene transfection in vitro. The expression signals of a model gene, luciferase, and a therapeutic gene, TPH-2, were enhanced under magnetic-assisted transfection. An in vitro study in neuronal cells confirmed that using mag-PEI nanoparticles as a DNA carrier for gene delivery provided high transfection efficiency with low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The mag-PEI nanoparticle is a promising alternative gene transfection reagent due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and low cellular toxicity. The mag-PEI nanoparticle is not only practical for gene transfection in cultured neuronal cells but may also be suitable for transfection in other cells as well.

The possible role of penaeidin5 from the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, in protection against viral infection.

Penaeidin class 5 (PEN5) has so far only been reported in the Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis, and the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. The PEN5 homolog from F. chinensis (FenchiPEN5) exhibits antimicrobial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. Here, we characterized the PEN5 gene from P. monodon (PenmonPEN5) and evaluated its potential involvement in antiviral immunity. The deduced open reading frame of PenmonPEN5 encodes for a predicted 79 amino acid peptide including a 19 amino acid signal peptide. The gene structure of PenmonPEN5 contains two exons interrupted by one intron, whilst the 5' upstream sequence contains a putative TATA box and several GATA, GATA-3, AP-1 and dorsal transcription factor binding sites. PenmonPEN5 mRNA levels in P. monodon shrimps following a systemic infection with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were significantly induced at 24 h post infection, but was strongly down-regulated at 48 h post injection, compared to those of the uninfected control shrimps. The suppression of PenmonPEN5 transcript levels by RNA interference mediated gene silencing led to an increased susceptibility of shrimps to WSSV infection, suggesting a possible role of PenmonPEN5 in the shrimp's antiviral immunity.