Pickering emulsions stabilized by biodegradable dextran-based nanoparticles featuring enzyme responsiveness and co-encapsulation of actives.

In this study, Pickering emulsions of dodecane and medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oils were stabilized by simply alkylated-dextran nanoparticles. Our findings show that very little of these bio-friendly nanoparticles is necessary to stabilize Pickering emulsions while providing a high time stability (more than a year at 37 °C). As dextran is known to be cleavable by dextranase enzyme, hydrolysis of the nanoparticles in the presence of dextranase could be achieved. This allowed performing on-demand destabilization of Pickering emulsions. Furthermore, two different fluorescent probes were loaded into the stabilizing particles and the oil droplets respectively, providing a proof of concept for co-encapsulation of actives in advanced delivery applications. Additionally, to a conventional fluorescence probe, quinine, an antimalarial drug was also encapsulated into the nanoparticles.

Elaboration of capsules from Pickering double emulsion polymerization stabilized solely by cellulose nanocrystals.

Pickering double oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions O/W/O were stabilized using solely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), which were modified by introducing surface brominated functions. The emulsions were formulated using only bio-friendly components, among which isopropyl myristate as oil phase, hydroxyl oligoethylene glycol methacrylate (OEGMA) as macromonomer, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) as cross-linker, and CNCs as stabilizing particles. Formulation parameters could be tuned easily to modulate the fraction of inner emulsion droplets within the double emulsion drops or change the monomer(s) composition within the aqueous phase. The latter was further polymerized to synthesize matrix capsules. The obtained objects showed good resistance to the vacuum and were efficiently used as promising encapsulation vessels. Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic model dyes were encapsulated, with an encapsulation efficiency of about 90%.

Green Hydrophilic Capsules from Cellulose Nanocrystal-Stabilized Pickering Emulsion Polymerization: Morphology Control and Spongelike Behavior.

Pickering inverse emulsions of hydroxyl oligoethylene glycol methacrylate were stabilized in isopropyl myristate, a biofriendly oil, using surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as stabilizing particles. The emulsions were further polymerized by free or controlled radical polymerization (ATRP), taking advantage of the bromoisobutyrate functions grafted on the CNC surface. Suspension polymerization of the emulsion led to full bead or empty capsule morphologies, depending on the initiation locus. The thickness of the CNC shell surrounding the polymerized emulsions could be tuned by modulating the aggregation state of the CNCs after their surface modification. An increase from 6 to 40 CNC layers helped improve the compression moduli of the beads from a dozen to hundreds of kPa.

Spatio-temporal control over destabilization of Pickering emulsions stabilized by light-sensitive dextran-based nanoparticles.

The implementation of light-sensitive Pickering emulsions with spatio-temporal responsiveness in advanced applications like drug-delivery, colloidal or reaction engineering would open new avenues. However, curiously, light-sensitive Pickering emulsions are barely studied in the literature and their biocompatibility and/or degradability scarcely addressed. Thus, their development remains a major challenge. As an original strategy, we synthesized light-sensitive nanoparticles based on biocompatible Poly(NitroBenzylAcrylate) grafted dextran (Dex-g-PNBA) to stabilize O/W Pickering emulsions. The produced emulsions were stable in time and could undergo time and space-controlled destabilization under light stimulus. Irradiation time and alkaline pH-control of the aqueous phase were proved to be the actual key drivers of destabilization. As the nanoparticles themselves were photolyzed under light stimulus, possible harmful effects linked to accumulation of nanomaterials should be avoided. In addition to UV light (365 nm), visible light (405 nm) was successfully used for the spatio-temporal destabilization of the emulsions, offering perspectives for life science applications.

Development and characterization of a PLGA-HA composite material to fabricate 3D-printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Additive manufacturing is a rising field in bone tissue engineering. Additive fabrication offers reproducibility, high precision and rapid manufacture of custom patient-specific scaffolds. The development of appropriate composite materials for biomedical applications is critical to reach clinical application of these novel biomaterials. In this work, medical grade poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) was mixed with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA) to fabricate 3D porous scaffolds by Fused Deposition Modeling. We have first confirmed that the composite material could be printed in a reproductive manner. Physical characterization demonstrated a low degradation of the material during manufacturing steps and an expected loading and homogeneous distribution of nHA. In vitro biodegradation of the scaffolds showed modifications of morphological and physicochemical properties over time. The composite scaffolds were biocompatible and high cell viability was observed in vitro, as well as a maintain of cell proliferation. As expected, the addition of nHA displayed a positive impact on osteodifferentiation in vitro. Furthermore, a limited inflammatory reaction was observed after subcutaneous implantation of the materials in the rat. Overall, this study suggests that this composite material is suitable for bone tissue engineering applications.

Dextran-Based Nanoparticles to Formulate pH-Responsive Pickering Emulsions: A Fully Degradable Vector at a Day Scale.

Biosourced Pickering emulsion stabilizers with stimuli responsiveness are mostly designed for recycling and do not offer fast degradability as required for drug-delivery applications. Herein, dextran-a hydrophilic and biofriendly polysaccharide obtainable from biomass recovery-was used for the first time as a brick material for the formulation of (bio)degradable pH-sensitive Pickering emulsions. It was first modified with hydrophobic acetal moieties to provide pH-sensitive acetalated dextran. Under acidic conditions, it degrades into three biocompatible (macro)molecules: dextran, ethanol, and acetone. Nanoparticles of acetalated dextran were obtained using the nanoprecipitation process and could be similarly fully hydrolyzed under acidic conditions within 6 h. Then, O/W Pickering emulsions of dodecane (model oil) and medium-chain triglyceride (biocompatible oil) were successfully stabilized using these nanoparticles. pH-induced destabilization of these Pickering emulsions (including nanoparticles degradation) took less than 24 h. Finally, neither accumulation of nanoparticles nor harmful component release happened during the process, making this stimuli-responsive vector safe and environmentally friendly.

Photoreduction of triplet thioxanthone derivative by azolium tetraphenylborate: a way to photogenerate N-heterocyclic carbenes.

Although N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have brought profound changes in catalytic organic synthesis, their generation generally requires an inert atmosphere and harsh conditions. To overcome these limitations, an air-stable NHC photogenerator has been developed involving two mild components: 1,3-bis(mesityl)imidazolium tetraphenylborate (IMesH+BPh4-) and electronically excited isopropylthioxanthone (ITX). In this study, the photochemical mechanism is investigated via the accurate identification of the transient species and photoproducts. Electron transfer reaction between the excited triplet state of ITX and BPh4- is demonstrated as being the primary photochemical step. Nanosecond laser spectroscopy shows an efficient quenching and the formation of the expected ITX radical anion. The oxidized borane species is not observed, suggesting that this short-lived species could dissociate very rapidly to give the phenyl radical - successfully identified using electron paramagnetic resonance - and triphenylborane. As regards the final photoproducts, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies support the formation of the targeted NHC, 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IMes), suggesting the occurrence of a subsequent proton transfer reaction between ITX radical anion and imidazolium cation (IMesH+). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry reveals three other products: biphenyl, isopropylthioxanthene and ITX. Their formation can be reconciled with a 2-step mechanism of photoinduced electron/proton transfer reactions. 11B NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the main organoboron photoproduct is diphenylborinic acid formed by oxidation of BPh3. Due to its Lewis acidity, Ph2BOH can react with IMes to yield an NHC-boron adduct.

Mixture of Azolium Tetraphenylborate with Isopropylthioxanthone: A New Class of N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Photogenerator for Polyurethane, Polyester, and ROMP Polymers Synthesis.

In the search of smarter routes to control the conditions of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHCs) formation, a two-component air-stable NHC photogenerating system is reported. It relies on the irradiation at 365 nm of a mixture of 2-isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) with 1,3-bis(mesityl)imidazoli(ni)um tetraphenylborate. The photoinduced liberation of NHC is evidenced by reaction with a mesitoyl radical to form an NHC-radical adduct detectable by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The NHC yield can be determined by 1 H NMR spectroscopy through the formation of a soluble and stable NHC-carbodiimide adduct. To deprotonate the azolium salt and liberate the NHC, a mechanism is proposed in which the role of base is played by ITX radical anion formed in situ by a primary photoinduced electron-transfer reaction between electronically excited ITX (oxidant) and BPh4 - (reductant). An NHC yield as high as 70 % is achieved upon starting with a stoichiometric ratio of ITX and azolium salt. Three different photoNHC-mediated polymerizations are described: synthesis of polyurethane and polyester by organocatalyzed step-growth polymerization and ring-opening copolymerization, respectively, and generation of polynorbornene by ring-opening metathesis polymerization using an NHC-coordinated Ru catalyst formed in situ.

The ROMP: A Powerful Approach to Synthesize Novel pH-Sensitive Nanoparticles for Tumor Therapy.

Fast clearance, metabolism, and systemic toxicity are major limits for the clinical use of anti-cancer drugs. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) present these defects, despite displaying promising anti-tumor properties on tumor cells in vitro and in in vivo models of cancer. The specific delivery of anti-cancer drugs into the tumor should improve their clinical benefit by limiting systemic toxicity and by increasing the anti-tumor effect. This paper deals with the synthesis of the polymeric nanoparticle platform, which was produced by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP), able to release anti-cancer drugs in dispersion, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors, into mesothelioma tumors. The core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) have stealth properties due to their poly(ethylene oxide) shell and can be viewed as universal nano-carriers on which any alkyne-modified anti-cancer molecule can be grafted by click chemistry. A cleavage reaction of the chemical bond between NPs and drugs through the contact of NPs with a medium presenting an acidic pH, which is typically a cancer tumor environment or an acidic intracellular compartment, induces a controlled release of the bioactive molecule in its native form. In our in vivo syngeneic model of mesothelioma, a highly selective accumulation of the particles in the tumor was obtained. The release of the drugs led to an 80% reduction of tumor weight for the best compound without toxicity. Our work demonstrates that the use of theranostic nanovectors leads to an optimized delivery of epigenetic inhibitors in tumors, which improves their anti-tumor properties in vivo.

Combining a ligand photogenerator and a Ru precatalyst: a photoinduced approach to cross-linked ROMP polymer films.

Although metathesis photoinduced catalysis is now well established, there is little development in thin film preparation using photochemically activated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Herein, a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) photogenerator (1,3-bis(mesityl)imidazolium tetraphenylborate) is combined with an inactive metathesis catalyst ([RuCl2(p-cymene)]2) to generate under UV irradiation an active catalyst (p-cymene)RuCl2 (NHC), that is capable of producing in a single step cross-linked copolymer films by ROMP of norbornene with dicyclopentadiene. The study shows that the photoinitiated catalytic system can be optimized by increasing the yield of photogenerated NHC through a sensitizer (2-isopropylthioxanthone), and by choosing [RuI2(p-cymene)]2 as precatalyst to provide a long-term photolatency. The cross-linked polymer structure is investigated by a range of techniques including gel content measurement, FT-IR and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, TGA and DSC, which reveal a cross-linking mechanism proceeding through both metathesis and olefin coupling.

Convenient Synthesis of Hybrid Polymer Materials by AGET-ATRP Polymerization of Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Cellulose Nanocrystals Grafted with Reactive Moieties.

We report a novel method to prepare capsules, beads, or open-cell materials from Pickering emulsions of monomers, stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) grafted with reactive isobutyrate bromide moieties (CNC-Br). CNC-Br particles with different hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance at their surface were prepared and subsequently used to stabilize direct (O/W), inverted (W/O), or double emulsions of styrene or n-BuA. The different emulsions obtained were subsequently polymerized, by initiating an AGET-ATRP polymerization from the brominated particles surrounding the stabilized droplets. The different hybrid polymer materials obtained were subsequently characterized, and the impact of the CNCs functionalization and polymerization conditions was particularly discussed.

Photogeneration of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Application in Photoinduced Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization.

We report a method to generate the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) under UV-irradiation at 365 nm to characterize IMes and determine the corresponding photochemical mechanism. Then, we describe a protocol to perform ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) in solution and in miniemulsion using this NHC-photogenerating system. To photogenerate IMes, a system comprising 2-isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) as the sensitizer and 1,3-dimesitylimidazolium tetraphenylborate (IMesH+BPh4-) as the protected form of NHC is employed. IMesH+BPh4- can be obtained in a single step by anion exchange between 1,3-dimesitylimidazolium chloride and sodium tetraphenylborate. A real-time steady-state photolysis setup is described, which hints that the photochemical reaction proceeds in two consecutive steps: 1) ITX triplet is photo-reduced by the borate anion and 2) subsequent proton transfer takes place from the imidazolium cation to produce the expected NHC IMes. Two separate characterization protocols are implemented. Firstly, CS2 is added to the reaction media to evidence the photogeneration of NHC through formation of the IMes-CS2 adduct. Secondly, the amount of NHC released in situ is quantified using acid-base titration. The use of this NHC photo-generating system for the ROMP of norbornene is also discussed. In solution, a photopolymerization experiment is conducted by mixing ITX, IMesH+BPh4-, [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 and norbornene in CH2Cl2, then irradiating the solution in a UV reactor. In a dispersed medium, a monomer miniemulsion is first formed then irradiated inside an annular reactor to produce a stable poly(norbornene) latex.

pH-Triggered release of an antifungal agent from polyglycidol-based nanoparticles against fuel fungus H. resinae.

The goal of this investigation was the development of smart plurifunctional polymeric particles able to deliver a biocide following an acidic trigger due to the presence of microorganisms. Such particles were synthesized by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of an α-norbornenyl polyglycidol macromonomer functionalized with biocide through a pH-sensitive imine bond. H. resinae was selected as a target strain. In the first part, the pH sensitivity of the functionalized particles was studied. Then, the antifungal activity of both the biocide-functionalized macromonomer and the functionalized particles was evaluated. Incorporation of the particles in a commercial model coating was also tested, to verify that its original barrier properties were maintained.

In Situ Generated Ruthenium-Arene Catalyst for Photoactivated Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization through Photolatent N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand.

1,3-Bis(mesityl)imidazolium tetraphenylborate (IMesH+ BPh4- ) can be synthesized in one step by anion metathesis between the corresponding imidazolium chloride and sodium tetraphenylborate. In the presence of 2-isopropylthioxanthone (sensitizer), an IMes N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand can be photogenerated under irradiation at 365 nm through coupled electron/proton transfer reactions. By combining this tandem NHC photogenerator system with metathesis inactive [RuCl2 (p-cymene)]2 precatalyst, the highly active RuCl2 (p-cymene)(IMes) complex can be formed in situ, enabling a complete ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene in the matter of minutes at room temperature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a photogenerated NHC. Its exploitation in photoROMP has resulted in a simplified process compared to current photocatalysts, because only stable commercial or easily synthesized reagents are required.

Characterization of printed PLA scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Autografts remain the gold standard for orthopedic transplantations. However, to overcome its limitations, bone tissue engineering proposes new strategies. This includes the development of new biomaterials such as synthetic polymers, to serve as scaffold for tissue production. The objective of this present study was to produce poly(lactic) acid (PLA) scaffolds of different pore size using fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique and to evaluate their physicochemical and biological properties. Structural, chemical, mechanical, and biological characterizations were performed. We successfully fabricated scaffolds of three different pore sizes. However, the pore dimensions were slightly smaller than expected. We found that the 3D printing process induced decreases in both, PLA molecular weight and degradation temperatures, but did not change the semicrystalline structure of the polymer. We did not observe any effect of pore size on the mechanical properties of produced scaffolds. After the sterilization by γ irradiation, scaffolds did not exhibit any cytotoxicity towards human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSC). Finally, after three and seven days of culture, HBMSC showed high viability and homogenous distribution irrespective of pore size. Thus, these results suggest that FDM technology is a fast and reproducible technique that can be used to fabricate tridimensional custom-made scaffolds for tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 887-894, 2018.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Delivery using Nanoparticles with Intrinsic Passive Tumor Targeting Properties for Tumor Therapy.

Fast clearance, metabolism and systemic toxicity are major limits for the clinical use of anti-cancer drugs. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) present these defects despite displaying promising anti-tumor properties on tumor cells in vitro and in in vivo model of cancers. Specific delivery of anti-cancer drugs into the tumor should improve their clinical benefit by limiting systemic toxicity and by increasing the anti-tumor effect. In this work, we describe a simple and flexible polymeric nanoparticle platform highly targeting the tumor in vivo and triggering impressive tumor weight reduction when functionalized with HDACi. Our nanoparticles were produced by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of azido-polyethylene oxide-norbornene macromonomers and functionalized using click chemistry. Using an orthotopic model of peritoneal invasive cancer, a highly selective accumulation of the particles in the tumor was obtained. A combination of epigenetic drugs involving a pH-responsive histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) polymer conjugated to these particles gave 80% reduction of tumor weight without toxicity whereas the free HDACi has no effect. Our work demonstrates that the use of a nanovector with theranostic properties leads to an optimized delivery of potent HDACi in tumor and then, to an improvement of their anti-tumor properties in vivo.

Vancomycin Functionalized Nanoparticles for Bactericidal Biomaterial Surfaces.

In this paper, we describe a simple and powerful way to synthesize antibacterial biomaterials with applications as implants in orthopedic surgery. Such implants are obtained by covalently grafting onto the Ti90A16 V4 alloy surface with vancomycin-functionalized nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were produced by ring-opening metathesis polymerization of α-norbornenyl-ω-vancomycin poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers. Vancomycin is an interesting candidate because of its use in the field of implant associated infection as it is a glycopeptide which acts on bacterial walls. As a consequence, vancomycin does not need to be released for it to be active. In the first part of this paper, the synthesis and the complete characterization of these materials are described. In a second part, the in vitro antibacterial behavior is analyzed and discussed.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor-polymer conjugate nanoparticles for acid-responsive drug delivery.

We report the synthesis of acid-responsive polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of a polymer-histone deacetylase inhibitor conjugate. An innovative aspect of this drug delivery particle lies in the NP conjugation of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, CI-994 (Tacedinaline), introduced with a clickable acid-responsive prodrug during monomer synthesis, prior to polymerization. Another novelty lies in the selected norbornene (NB)-polyethylene oxide (PEO) macromonomer allowing standardization of the polymerization process by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) and functionalization through azide-alkyne click chemistry. Herein we demonstrate that the synthesized polymer gave 300 nm core-shell spherical nanoparticles with low dispersity (0.04), high water dispersability thanks to the PEO shell and well controlled HDAC inhibitor prodrug loading. Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) assay in living cells and viability experiments demonstrated efficient cellular internalization without additional chemistry, drug release inside cells with restoration of the HDAC inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Such NPs should minimize drug release in vivo during blood circulation and trigger intracellular delivery after endocytosis, holding promises for improved efficacy of this class of epigenetic inhibitors. This standardized synthesis paves the way for multifunctional nanoparticles synthesis.

Vorinostat-polymer conjugate nanoparticles for Acid-responsive delivery and passive tumor targeting.

In vivo histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition by vorinostat under clinically acceptable dosing is limited by its poor pharmacokinetics properties. A new type of nontoxic pH-responsive delivery system has been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization, allowing for the selective distribution of vorinostat in mesothelioma tumors in vivo and subsequent histone reacetylation. The delivery system is synthesized by generic click chemistry, possesses native stealth properties for passive tumor targeting, and does not need additional chemistry for cellular internalization. Although vorinostat alone at 50 mg/kg in mice showed no effect, our new delivery system with 2 mg/kg vorinostat promoted histone reacetylation in tumors without side effects, demonstrating that our strategy improves the activity of this HDAC inihibitor in vivo.

Pickering emulsions: what are the main parameters determining the emulsion type and interfacial properties?

We synthesized surface-active lipophilic core-hydrophilic shell latex particles, and we probed their efficiency as emulsion stabilizers. The relative weight percentage of the shell, RS/P, was varied to trigger the balance between lipophilicity and hydrophilicity of the particles. Particle wettability could concomitantly be tuned by the pH of the aqueous phase determining the surface charge. Emulsions covering a wide range of RS/P and pH values were fabricated, and their type, oil-in-water (O/W) or water-in-oil (W/O), and kinetic stability were systematically assessed. By adapting the particle gel trapping technique to pH-variable systems and by exploiting the limited coalescence process, we were able to determine the proportion of oil/water interfacial area, C, covered by the particles as well as their contact angle, θ. All of these data were gathered into a single generic diagram showing good correlation between the emulsion type and the particle contact angle (O/W for θ < 90° and W/O for θ > 90°) in agreement with the empirical Finkle rule. Interestingly, no stable emulsion could be obtained when the wettability was nearly balanced and a "bipolar"-like behavior was observed, with the particles adopting two different contact angles whose average value was close to 90°. For particles such that θ < 90°, O/W emulsions were obtained, and, depending on the pH of the continuous phase, the same type of particles and the same emulsification process led to emulsions characterized either by large drops densely covered by the particles or by small droplets that were weakly covered. The two metastable states were also accessible to emulsions stabilized by particles of variable origins and morphologies, thus proving the generality of our findings.