Click and Bioorthogonal Chemistry: The Future of Active Targeting of Nanoparticles for Nanomedicines?

Over the years, click and bioorthogonal reactions have been the subject of considerable research efforts. These high-performance chemical reactions have been developed to meet requirements not often provided by the chemical reactions commonly used today in the biological environment, such as selectivity, rapid reaction rate, and biocompatibility. Click and bioorthogonal reactions have been attracting increasing attention in the biomedical field for the engineering of nanomedicines. In this review, we study a compilation of articles from 2014 to the present, using the terms "click chemistry and nanoparticles (NPs)" to highlight the application of this type of chemistry for applications involving NPs intended for biomedical applications. This study identifies the main strategies offered by click and bioorthogonal chemistry, with respect to passive and active targeting, for NP functionalization with specific and multiple properties for imaging and cancer therapy. In the final part, a novel and promising approach for "two step" targeting of NPs, called pretargeting (PT), is also discussed; the principle of this strategy as well as all the studies listed from 2014 to the present are presented in more detail.

Specific and sensitive detection of Influenza A virus using a biotin-coated nanoparticle enhanced immunomagnetic assay.

This study reports the development of a sensitive magnetic bead-based enzyme-linked immunoassay (MELISA) for the pan-reactive detection of the Influenza A virus. The assay combines immunomagnetic beads and biotin-nanoparticle-based detection to quantify a highly conserved viral nucleoprotein in virus lysates. At the capture step, monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic microbeads were used to bind and concentrate the nucleoprotein in samples. The colorimetric detection signal was amplified using biotinylated silica nanoparticles (NP). These nanoparticles were functionalized on the surface with short DNA spacers bearing biotin groups by an automated supported synthesis method performed on nano-on-micro assemblies with a DNA/RNA synthesizer. A biotin-nanoparticle and immunomagnetic bead-based assay was developed. We succeeded in detecting Influenza A viruses directly in the lysis buffer supplemented with 10% saliva to simulate the clinical context. The biotin-nanoparticle amplification step enabled detection limits as low as 3 × 103 PFU mL-1 and 4 × 104 PFU mL-1 to be achieved for the H1N1 and H3N2 strains respectively. In contrast, a classical ELISA test based on the same antibody sandwich showed detection limit of 1.2 × 107 PFU mL-1 for H1N1. The new enhanced MELISA proved to be specific, as no cross-reactivity was found with a porcine respiratory virus (PRRSV). Graphical abstract.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Monitoring of Mono-Rhamnolipid Interaction with Phospholipid-Based Liposomes.

The interactions of mono-rhamnolipids (mono-RLs) with model membranes were investigated through a biomimetic approach using phospholipid-based liposomes immobilized on a gold substrate and also by the multiparametric surface plasmon resonance (MP-SPR) technique. Biotinylated liposomes were bound onto an SPR gold chip surface coated with a streptavidin layer. The resulting MP-SPR signal proved the efficient binding of the liposomes. The thickness of the liposome layer calculated by modeling the MP-SPR signal was about 80 nm, which matched the average diameter of the liposomes. The mono-RL binding to the film of the phospholipid liposomes was monitored by SPR and the morphological changes of the liposome layer were assessed by modeling the SPR signal. We demonstrated the capacity of the MP-SPR technique to characterize the different steps of the liposome architecture evolution, i.e., from a monolayer of phospholipid liposomes to a single phospholipid bilayer induced by the interaction with mono-RLs. Further washing treatment with Triton X-100 detergent left a monolayer of phospholipid on the surface. As a possible practical application, our method based on a biomimetic membrane coupled to an SPR measurement proved to be a robust and sensitive analytical tool for the detection of mono-RLs with a limit of detection of 2 µg mL-1.

Combining culture and microbead-based immunoassay for the early and generic detection of bacteria in platelet concentrates.

BACKGROUND: Despite current preventive strategies, bacterial contamination of platelets is the highest residual infectious risk in transfusion. Bacteria can grow from an initial concentration of 0.03-0.3 colony-forming units (CFUs)/mL up to 108 to 109 CFUs/mL over the product shelf life. The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective approach for an early, rapid, sensitive, and generic detection of bacteria in platelet concentrates. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A large panel of bacteria involved in transfusion reactions, including clinical isolates and reference strains, was established. Sampling was performed 24 hours after platelet spiking. After an optimized culture step for increasing bacterial growth, a microbead-based immunoassay allowed the generic detection of bacteria. Antibody production and immunoassay development took place exclusively with bacteria spiked in fresh platelet concentrates to improve the specificity of the test. RESULTS: Antibodies for the generic detection of either gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria were selected for the microbead-based immunoassay. Our approach, combining the improved culture step with the immunoassay, allowed sensitive detection of 1 to 10 CFUs/mL for gram-negative and 1 to 102 CFUs/mL for gram-positive species. CONCLUSION: In this study, a new approach combining bacterial culture with immunoassay was developed for the generic and sensitive detection of bacteria in platelet concentrates. This efficient and easily automatable approach allows tested platelets to be used on Day 2 after collection and could represent an alternative strategy for reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections. This strategy could be adapted for the detection of bacteria in other cellular products.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Nanocarriers for Stimulation of the Immune System (Part I): Synthesis and Biodistribution Studies.

In the field of cancer immunotherapy, an original approach consists of using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to target and activate neutrophils, cells of the innate immune system. G-CSF is a leukocyte stimulating molecule which is commonly used in cancer patients to prevent or reduce neutropenia. We focused herein on developing a G-CSF nanocarrier which could increase the in vivo circulation time of this cytokine, keeping it active for targeting the spleen, an important reservoir of neutrophils. G-CSF-functionalized silica and gold nanoparticles were developed. Silica nanoparticles of 50 nm diameter were functionalized by a solid phase synthesis approach. The technology enabled us to incorporate multiple functionalities on the surface such as a PEG as hydrophilic polymer, DTPA as 111In chelating agent and G-CSF. The gold nanocarrier consisted of nanoparticles of 2-3 nm diameter elaborated with DTPA groups on the surface and functionalized with G-CSF. We studied the particle biodistribution in mice with special attention to organs involved in the immune system. The two nanocarriers with similar functionalization of surface showed different pathways in mice, probably due to their difference in size. Considering the biodistribution after G-CSF functionalization, we confirmed that the protein was capable of modifying the pharmacokinetics by increasing the nanocarrier concentration in the spleen, a reservoir of G-CSF receptor expressing cells.

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Nanocarriers for Stimulation of the Immune System (Part II): Dose-Dependent Biodistribution and In Vivo Antitumor Efficacy in Combination with Rituximab.

The purpose of immuno-modulation is to increase or restore the action of immunocompetent cells against tumors with or without the use of monoclonal antibodies. The innate immune system is a key player in various pathological situations, but cells of this system appear to be inhibited or insufficiently active in malignancy or severe infectious diseases. The present study was designed to investigate therapeutic value of nanoparticles (NPs) coupled with bioactive hematopoietic growth factors acting on the innate immune system. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) allowing multimodal detection and multifunctional grafting are currently of great interest for theranostic purposes. In the present work, we have evaluated the impact of the number of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) grafted on the surface on the NPs on the biodistribution in mice thanks to indium 111 radiolabeling. Furthermore, we have investigated whether grafted G-CSF NPs could stimulate the immune innate system and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the monoclonal antibody rituximab in mice bearing human lymphoma xenografts. Following intravenous (i.v.) administration of NP-DTPA and NP-DTPA/G-CSF-X high levels of radioactivity were observed in the liver. Furthermore, spleen uptake was correlated with the number of G-CSF molecules grafted on the surface of the NPs. Combining NP-DTPA/G-CSF-34 with rituximab strongly reduced RL tumor growth compared to rituximab alone or in combination with conventional G-CSF + rituximab. The use of highly loaded G-CSF NPs as immune adjuvants could enhance the antitumor activity of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies by amplifying tumor cell destruction by innate immune cells.

Highly labeled methylene blue-ds DNA silica nanoparticles for signal enhancement of immunoassays: application to the sensitive detection of bacteria in human platelet concentrates.

A nanoparticle-based electrochemical sandwich immunoassay was developed for bacteria detection in platelet concentrates. For the assay, magnetic beads were functionalized with antibodies to allow the specific capture of bacteria from the complex matrix, and innovative methylene blue-DNA/nanoparticle assemblies provided the electrochemical response for amplified detection. This nanoparticular system was designed as a temperature-sensitive nano-tool for electrochemical detection. First, oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticles were obtained by direct synthesis of the DNA strands on the nanoparticle surface using an automated oligonucleotide synthesizer. Densely packed DNA coverage was thus obtained. Then, DNA duplexes were constructed on the NP surface with a complementary strand bearing a 3 methylene blue tag. This strategy ultimately produced highly functionalized nanoparticles with electrochemical markers. These assemblies enabled amplification of the electrochemical signal, resulting in a very good sensitivity. A proof-of-concept was carried out for E. coli detection in human platelet concentrates. Bacterial contamination of this complex biological matrix is the highest residual infectious risk in blood transfusion. The development of a rapid assay that could reach 10-102 CFU mL-1 sensitivity is a great challenge. The nanoparticle-based electrochemical sandwich immunoassay carried out on a boron doped diamond electrode proved to be sensitive for E. coli detection in human platelets. Two antibody pairs were used to develop either a generic assay against certain Gram negative strains or a specific assay for E. coli. The methylene blue-DNA/nanoparticles amplify sensitivity ×1000 compared with the assay run without NPs for electrochemical detection. A limit of detection of 10 CFU mL-1 in a biological matrix was achieved for E. coli using the highly specific antibody pair.

Responsive Polydiacetylene Vesicles for Biosensing Microorganisms.

Polydiacetylene (PDA) inserted in films or in vesicles has received increasing attention due to its property to undergo a blue-to-red colorimetric transition along with a change from non-fluorescent to fluorescent upon application of various stimuli. In this review paper, the principle for the detection of various microorganisms (bacteria, directly detected or detected through the emitted toxins or through their DNA, and viruses) and of antibacterial and antiviral peptides based on these responsive PDA vesicles are detailed. The analytical performances obtained, when vesicles are in suspension or immobilized, are given and compared to those of the responsive vesicles mainly based on the vesicle encapsulation method. Many future challenges are then discussed.

Investigation of the Affinity of Aptamers for Bacteria by Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging Using Nanosomes.

The cell-SELEX method enables efficient selection of aptamers that bind whole bacterial cells. However, after selection, it is difficult to determine their binding affinities using common screening methods because of the large size of the bacteria. Here we propose a simple surface plasmon resonance imaging method (SPRi) for aptamer characterization using bacterial membrane vesicles, called nanosomes, instead of whole cells. Nanosomes were obtained from membrane fragments after mechanical cell disruption in order to preserve the external surface epitopes of the bacterium used for their production. The study was conducted on Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), a Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in soil, rice, vegetables, and dairy products. Four aptamers and one negative control were initially grafted onto a biochip. The binding of B. cereus cells and nanosomes to immobilized aptamers was then compared. The use of nanosomes instead of cells provided a 30-fold amplification of the SPRi signal, thus allowing the selection of aptamers with higher affinities. Aptamer SP15 was found to be the most sensitive and selective for B. cereus ATCC14579 nanosomes. It was then truncated into three new sequences (SP15M, SP15S1, and SP15S2) to reduce its size while preserving the binding site. Fitting the results of the SPRi signal for B. cereus nanosomes showed a similar trend for SP15 and SP15M, and a slightly higher apparent association rate constant kon for SP15S2, which is the truncation with a high probability of a G-quadruplex structure. These observations were confirmed on nanosomes from B. cereus ATCC14579 grown in milk and from the clinical strain B. cereus J066. The developed method was validated using fluorescence microscopy on whole B. cereus cells and the SP15M aptamer labeled with a rhodamine. This study showed that nanosomes can successfully mimic the bacterial membrane with great potential for facilitating the screening of specific ligands for bacteria.

Development of innovative and versatile polythiol probes for use on ELOSA or electrochemical biosensors: application in hepatitis C virus genotyping.

The aim of this study was to develop versatile diagnostic tools based on the use of innovative polythiolated probes for the detection of multiple viruses. This approach is compatible with optical enzyme-linked oligosorbent assay (ELOSA) or electrochemical (biosensors) detection methods. The application targeted here concerns the rapid genotyping of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV genotyping is one of the predictive parameters currently used to define the antiviral treatment strategy and is based on the sequencing of the viral NS5b region. Generic and specific NS5b amplicons were produced by real-time polymease chain reaction (RT-PCR) on HCV(+) human plasma. Original NS5b probes were designed for genotypes 1a/1b, 2a/2b/2c, 3a, and 4a/4d. Robust polythiolated probes were anchored with good efficacy on maleimide-activated microplates (MAM) and gold electrodes. Their grafting on MAM greatly increased the sensitivity of the ELOSA test which was able to detect HCV amplicons with good sensitivity (10 nM) and specificity. Moreover, the direct and real-time electrochemical detection by differential pulse voltammetry enabled a detection limit of 10 fM to be reached with good reproducibility. These innovative polythiolated probes have allowed us to envisage developing flexible, highly sensitive, and easy-to-handle platforms dedicated to the rapid screening and genotyping of a wide range of viral agents.

Recent Advances on Peptide-Based Biosensors and Electronic Noses for Foodborne Pathogen Detection.

Foodborne pathogens present a serious issue around the world due to the remarkably high number of illnesses they cause every year. In an effort to narrow the gap between monitoring needs and currently implemented classical detection methodologies, the last decades have seen an increased development of highly accurate and reliable biosensors. Peptides as recognition biomolecules have been explored to develop biosensors that combine simple sample preparation and enhanced detection of bacterial pathogens in food. This review first focuses on the selection strategies for the design and screening of sensitive peptide bioreceptors, such as the isolation of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from living organisms, the screening of peptides by phage display and the use of in silico tools. Subsequently, an overview on the state-of-the-art techniques in the development of peptide-based biosensors for foodborne pathogen detection based on various transduction systems was given. Additionally, limitations in classical detection strategies have led to the development of innovative approaches for food monitoring, such as electronic noses, as promising alternatives. The use of peptide receptors in electronic noses is a growing field and the recent advances of such systems for foodborne pathogen detection are presented. All these biosensors and electronic noses are promising alternatives for the pathogen detection with high sensitivity, low cost and rapid response, and some of them are potential portable devices for on-site analyses.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors for Food Control.

The rapid and sensitive detection of food contaminants is becoming increasingly important for timely prevention and treatment of foodborne disease. In this review, we discuss recent developments of electrochemical biosensors as facile, rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly analytical devices and their applications in food safety analysis, owing to the analytical characteristics of electrochemical detection and to advances in the design and production of bioreceptors (antibodies, DNA, aptamers, peptides, molecular imprinted polymers, enzymes, bacteriophages, etc.). They can offer a low limit of detection required for food contaminants such as allergens, pesticides, antibiotic traces, toxins, bacteria, etc. We provide an overview of a broad range of electrochemical biosensing designs and consider future opportunities for this technology in food control.

Probing the protein corona of gold/silica nanoparticles by Taylor dispersion analysis-ICP-MS.

Despite the tremendous interest for nanoparticles (NPs) in the biomedical field, their transfer to the clinics is still hampered, in particular due to the lack of knowledge of their behaviour in a biological environment. Indeed, the protein corona formed as soon as NPs enter the bloodstream can drastically affect their properties. The use of Taylor dispersion analysis-ICP-MS as an efficient technique dedicated to metal-containing NPs was proposed to examine these NP-protein interactions and determine protein corona thicknesses in biological fluids. This method was applied on core-shell gold/silica NPs in the presence of proteins at high concentrations and serum. Protein corona around 4 nm were measured. Moreover, the versatility of the method allowed assessing the reversible/irreversible character of the interactions.

Mechanisms of Influenza Virus HA2 Peptide Interaction with Liposomes Studied by Dual-Wavelength MP-SPR.

A phospholipid-based liposome layer was used as an effective biomimetic membrane model to study the binding of the pH-dependent fusogenic peptide (E4-GGYC) from the influenza virus hemagglutinin HA2 subunit. To this end, a multiparameter surface plasmon resonance approach (MP-SPR) was used for monitoring peptide-liposome interactions at two pH values (4.5 and 8) by means of recording sensorgrams in real time without the need for labeling. Biotinylated liposomes were first immobilized as a monolayer onto the surface of an SPR gold chip coated with a streptavidin layer. Multiple sets of sensorgrams with different HA2 peptide concentrations were generated at both pHs. Dual-wavelength Fresnel layer modeling was applied to calculate the thickness (d) and the refractive index (n) of the liposome layer to monitor the change in its optical parameters upon interaction with the peptide. At acidic pH, the peptide, in its α helix form, entered the lipid bilayer of liposomes, inducing vesicle swelling and increasing membrane robustness. Conversely, a contraction of liposomes was observed at pH 8, associated with noninsertion of the peptide in the double layer of phospholipids. The equilibrium dissociation constant KD = 4.7 × 10-7 M of the peptide/liposome interaction at pH 4.5 was determined by fitting the "OneToOne" model to the experimental sensorgrams using Trace Drawer software. Our experimental approach showed that the HA2 peptide at a concentration up to 100 µM produced no disruption of liposomes at pH 4.5.

Highly sensitive detection of Campylobacter spp. In chicken meat using a silica nanoparticle enhanced dot blot DNA biosensor.

Paper-based DNA biosensors are powerful tools in point-of-care diagnostics since they are affordable, portable, user-friendly, rapid and robust. However, their sensitivity is not always as high as required to enable DNA quantification. To improve the response of standard dot blots, we have applied a new enhancement strategy that increases the sensitivity of assays based on the use of biotinylated silica-nanoparticles (biotin-Si-NPs). After immobilization of a genomic Campylobacter DNA onto a paper membrane, and addition of a biotinylated-DNA detection probe, hybridization was evidenced using streptavidin-conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of luminol and H2O2. Replacement of the single biotin by the biotin-Si-NPs boosted on average a 30 fold chemiluminescent read-out of the biosensor. Characterization of biotin-Si-NPs onto a paper with immobilized DNA was done using a scanning electron microscope. A limit of detection of 3 pg/µL of DNA, similar to the available qPCR kits, is achieved, but it is cheaper, easier and avoids inhibition of DNA polymerase by molecules from the food matrices. We demonstrated that the new dot blot coupled to biotin-Si-NPs successfully detected Campylobacter from naturally contaminated chicken meat, without needing a PCR step. Hence, such an enhanced dot blot paves the path to the development of a portable and multiplex paper based platform for point-of-care screening of chicken carcasses for Campylobacter.

Automated oligonucleotide solid-phase synthesis on nanosized silica particles using nano-on-micro assembled particle supports.

This article describes an original strategy to enable solid-phase oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) synthesis on nanosized silica particles. It consists of the reversible immobilization of silica nanoparticles (NPs) on micrometric silica beads. The resulting assemblies, called nano-on-micro (NOM) systems, are well adapted to ODN synthesis in an automated instrument. First, NPs are derivatized with OH functions. For NOM assembly preparation, these functions react with the silanols of the microbeads under specific experimental conditions. Furthermore, OH groups allow ODN synthesis on the nanoparticles via phosphoramidite chemistry. The stability of the NOM assemblies during ODN solid-phase synthesis is confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively), together with dynamic light scattering analyses. Then, the release of ODN-functionalized nanoparticles is performed under mild conditions (1% NH(4)OH in water, 1 h, 60 degrees C). Our technique provides silica nanoparticles well functionalized with oligonucleotides, as demonstrated by hybridization experiments conducted with the cDNA target.

Food Sensing: Detection of Bacillus cereus Spores in Dairy Products.

Milk is a source of essential nutrients for infants and adults, and its production has increased worldwide over the past years. Despite developments in the dairy industry, premature spoilage of milk due to the contamination by Bacillus cereus continues to be a problem and causes considerable economic losses. B. cereus is ubiquitously present in nature and can contaminate milk through a variety of means from the farm to the processing plant, during transport or distribution. There is a need to detect and quantify spores directly in food samples, because B. cereus might be present in food only in the sporulated form. Traditional microbiological detection methods used in dairy industries to detect spores show limits of time (they are time consuming), efficiency and sensitivity. The low level of B. cereus spores in milk implies that highly sensitive detection methods should be applied for dairy products screening for spore contamination. This review describes the advantages and disadvantages of classical microbiological methods used to detect B. cereus spores in milk and milk products, related to novel methods based on molecular biology, biosensors and nanotechnology.

Electroanalytical Performance of Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Films Processed in One Step by Pulsed Laser Deposition Directly Coupled with Thermal Annealing.

Graphene-based materials are widely studied to enable significant improvements in electroanalytical devices requiring new generations of robust, sensitive and low-cost electrodes. In this paper, we present a direct one-step route to synthetize a functional nitrogen-doped graphene film onto a Ni-covered silicon electrode substrate heated at high temperature, by pulsed laser deposition of carbon in the presence of a surrounding nitrogen atmosphere, with no post-deposition transfer of the film. With the ferrocene methanol system, the functionalized electrode exhibits excellent reversibility, close to the theoretical value of 59 mV, and very high sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide oxidation. Our electroanalytical results were correlated with the composition and nanoarchitecture of the N-doped graphene film containing 1.75 at % of nitrogen and identified as a few-layer defected and textured graphene film containing a balanced mixture of graphitic-N and pyrrolic-N chemical functions. The absence of nitrogen dopant in the graphene film considerably degraded some electroanalytical performances. Heat treatment extended beyond the high temperature graphene synthesis did not significantly improve any of the performances. This work contributes to a better understanding of the electrochemical mechanisms of doped graphene-based electrodes obtained by a direct and controlled synthesis process.

Cylinder-shaped conducting polypyrrole for labelless electrochemical multidetection of DNA.

A new multidetection biosensor has been developed using the electrochemical properties of cylinder-shaped conducting polypyrrole grown on miniaturized graphite electrodes. Our objective was to conceive a sensitive, labelless and real-time DNA sensor for biomedical diagnosis. In a first step, copolymers bearing both ferrocene redox markers and oligonucleotide probes were selectively electro-addressed on microchip electrodes. Then, the study of their voltammetric response upon the addition of DNA targets revealed that the hybridization was efficiently transduced through the variation of ferrocene oxidation intensity. Using this technique, a good selectivity between Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus targets was obtained. It was indeed possible to directly follow the hybridization. Complementary DNA detection limit reached 100 pM (3 fmol in 30 microL), which represents a good performance for such a practical, labelless and real-time sensor.

Automated synthesis of new ferrocenyl-modified oligonucleotides: study of their properties in solution.

We have developed new ferrocenyl-modified oligonucleotide (ODN) probes for electrochemical DNA sensors. A monofunctional ferrocene containing phosphoramidite group has been prepared, and a new bisfunctional ferrocene containing phosphoramidite and dimethoxytrityl (DMT) groups has been developed. These ferrocenyl-phosphoramidites have been directly employed in an automated solid-phase DNA synthesizer using phosphoramidite chemistry. The advantages of this method are that it allows a non-specialist in nucleotide chemistry to access labeled ODNs and that it has demonstrated good results. ODNs modified at the 3' and/or 5' extremities have been prepared, with the incorporation of the ferrocenyl group into the chain. The 5' position appears to be more important due to its particular behavior. The thermal stability and electrochemical properties of these new ODN ferrocenes were analyzed before and after hybridization with different ODNs. The feasibility of using these new ferrocenyl-labeled ODNs in DNA sensors has been demonstrated.