Antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of intracellular methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections: In vitro and in vivo efficacy of a novel antibiotic.

Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the biggest threats to public health worldwide. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is the causative agent of a number of infections and lung colonization in people suffering from cystic fibrosis. Moreover, a growing body of evidence links the microbiome to the development of cancer, as well as to the success of the treatment. In this view, the development of novel antibiotics is of critical importance, and SV7, a novel antibiotic active against MRSA at low concentrations, represents a promising candidate. However, the low aqueous solubility of SV7 hampers its therapeutic translation. In this study, SV7 was encapsulated in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) to improve the solubility profile, to ensure sustained release and eventually support deposition in the airways. Furthermore, PLGA NPs were formulated as dry powder to extend their shelf-life and were shown to efficiently target intracellular infections. After identifying a formulation with suitable physico-chemical characteristics, SV7-loaded NPs were investigated in vitro in terms of inhibitory activity against MRSA, and their safety profile in lung epithelial cells. Subsequently, the activity against MRSA intracellular infections was investigated in a co-culture model of MRSA and macrophages. To test the translatability of our findings, SV7-loaded NPs were tested in vivo in a Galleria mellonella infection model. In conclusion, SV7-loaded NPs showed a safe profile and efficient inhibitory activity against MRSA at low concentrations. Furthermore, their activity against intracellular infections was confirmed, and was retained in vivo, rendering them a promising candidate for treatment of MRSA lung infections.

State-of-the-Art Review on Inhalable Lipid and Polymer Nanocarriers: Design and Development Perspectives.

Nowadays, the interest in research towards the local administration of drugs via the inhalation route is growing as it enables the direct targeting of the lung tissue, at the same time reducing systemic side effects. This is of great significance in the era of nucleic acid therapeutics and personalized medicine for the local treatment of severe lung diseases. However, the success of any inhalation therapy is driven by a delicate interplay of factors, such as the physiochemical profile of the payload, formulation, inhalation device, aerodynamic properties, and interaction with the lung fluids. The development of drug delivery systems tailored to the needs of this administration route is central to its success and to revolutionize the treatment of respiratory diseases. With this review, we aim to provide an up-to-date overview of advances in the development of nanoparticulate carriers for drug delivery to the lung tissue, with special regard concerning lipid and polymer-based nanocarriers (NCs). Starting from the biological barriers that the anatomical structure of the lung imposes, and that need to be overcome, the current strategies to achieve efficient lung delivery and the best support for the success of NCs for inhalation are highlighted.

Enhancing transmucosal delivery of CBD through nanoemulsion: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained significant attention as a complementary and alternative medicine due to its promising therapeutic properties. However, CBD faces obstacles when administered orally due to its poor solubility in water, leading to limited absorption into the bloodstream and low and variable bioavailability. Therefore, the development of innovative delivery approaches that can enhance CBD's bioavailability, facilitate administration, and promote patient adherence is crucial. We propose a new approach for buccal delivery of CBD based on a self-assembling nanoemulsion (NE) made of a mixture of surfactants (Tween 80 and Labrasol) and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). The NE formulation showed properties suitable for buccal administration, including appropriate size, CBD content, and surface properties, and, if compared to a CBD-MCT solution, it exhibited better control of administered doses, faster dissolution in buccal medium, and enhanced stability. The CBD-NE effectively released its active load within 5 h, remained stable even when diluted in simulated buccal fluids, and could be easily administered through a commercially available spray, providing consistent and reproducible doses of NE with optimized properties. In vitro permeation studies demonstrated that the CBD-NE facilitated swift and consistent permeation through the buccal mucosa, resulting in a higher concentration in the acceptor compartment compared to CBD-MCT. Furthermore, the in vivo study in mice showed that a single buccal administration of CBD-NE led to a quicker onset of action than a CBD solution in MCT, while maintaining the same plasma levels over time and leading to typically higher plasma concentrations compared to those usually achieved through oral administration. In conclusion, our CBD-NE represents a promising alternative formulation strategy for buccal CBD administration, overcoming the challenges associated with conventional formulations such as variable bioavailability and low control of administered doses.

The Questionable Quality Profile of Food Supplements: The Case of Red Yeast Rice Marketed Products.

Food supplements (FS) containing red yeast rice (RYR) are largely employed to reduce lipid levels in the blood. The main ingredient responsible for biological activity is monacolin K (MoK), a natural compound with the same chemical structure as lovastatin. Concentrated sources of substances with a nutritional or physiological effect are marketed in "dose" form as food supplements (FS). The quality profile of the "dosage form" of FS is not defined in Europe, whereas some quality criteria are provided in the United States. Here, we evaluate the quality profile of FS containing RYR marketed in Italy as tablets or capsules running two tests reported in The European Pharmacopoeia 11 Ed. and very close to those reported in the USP. The results highlighted variations in dosage form uniformity (mass and MoK content) compliant with The European Pharmacopoeia 11 Ed. specifications, whereas the time needed for disintegrating tablets was longer for 44% of the tested samples. The bioaccessibility of MoK was also investigated to obtain valuable data on the biological behaviour of the tested FS. In addition, a method for citrinin (CIT) determination was optimized and applied to real samples. None of the analyzed samples demonstrated CIT contamination (LOQ set at 6.25 ng/mL). Considering the widespread use of FS, our data suggest that greater attention should be paid by fabricants and regulatory authorities to ensure the quality profile and the safe consumption of marketed products.

Sustained-Release Powders Based on Polymer Particles for Pulmonary Delivery of Beclomethasone Dipropionate in the Treatment of Lung Inflammation.

Inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay in the management of lung inflammation associated to chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nonetheless, available inhalation products are mostly short-acting formulations that require frequent administrations and do not always produce the desired anti-inflammatory effects. In this work, the production of inhalable beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) dry powders based on polymeric particles was attempted. As starting material, the PHEA-g-RhB-g-PLA-g-PEG copolymer was chosen, obtained by grafting 0.6, 2.4 and 3.0 mol%, respectively, of rhodamine (RhB), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene glycol 5000 (PEG) on alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)DL-aspartamide (PHEA). The drug was loaded into the polymeric particles (MP) as an inclusion complex (CI) with hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-Cyd) (at a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1) or as free form. The spray-drying (SD) process to produce MPs was optimized by keeping the polymer concentration (0.6 wt/vol%) constant in the liquid feed and by varying other parameters such as the drug concentration. The theoretical aerodynamic diameter (daer) values among the MPs are comparable and potentially suitable for inhalation, as confirmed also through evaluation of the experimental mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMADexp). BDP shows a controlled release profile from MPs that is significantly higher (more than tripled) than from Clenil®. In vitro tests on bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) and adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) showed that all the MP samples (empty or drug-loaded) were highly biocompatible. None of the systems used induced apoptosis or necrosis. Moreover, the BDP loaded into the particles (BDP-Micro and CI-Micro) was more efficient than free BDP to counteract the effects of cigarette smoke and LPS on release of IL-6 and IL-8.

Pulmonary Safety Profile of Esc Peptides and Esc-Peptide-Loaded Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Local Treatment of Lung Infectious Diseases.

In recent years, we have discovered Esc(1-21) and its diastereomer (Esc peptides) as valuable candidates for the treatment of Pseudomonas lung infection, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Furthermore, engineered poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) were revealed to be a promising pulmonary delivery system of antimicrobial peptides. However, the "ad hoc" development of novel therapeutics requires consideration of their stability, tolerability, and safety. Hence, by means of electrophysiology experiments and preclinical studies on healthy mice, we demonstrated that neither Esc peptides or Esc-peptide-loaded PLGA NPs significantly affect the integrity of the lung epithelium, nor change the global gene expression profile of lungs of treated animals compared to those of vehicle-treated animals. Noteworthy, the Esc diastereomer endowed with the highest antimicrobial activity did not provoke any pulmonary pro-inflammatory response, even at a concentration 15-fold higher than the efficacy dosage 24 h after administration in the free or encapsulated form. The therapeutic index was ≥70, and the peptide was found to remain available in the bronchoalveolar lavage of mice, after two days of incubation. Overall, these studies should open an avenue for a new up-and-coming pharmacological approach, likely based on inhalable peptide-loaded NPs, to address CF lung disease.

Boosting lung accumulation of gallium with inhalable nano-embedded microparticles for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.

The potential of intra-venous gallium nitrate (GaN) administration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia was recently demonstrated in mice and in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Likewise, the added value of direct lung delivery of Ga(III) has been shown in rats. Therefore, the design of a drug delivery system specifically engineered for Ga(III) inhalation is imperative to improve its accumulation in lungs. To this purpose, Ga(III) was efficiently encapsulated into hyaluronic acid/chitosan nanoparticles (Ga_HA/CS NPs), whose features were tuned to facilitate access to the target by overcoming mucus and biofilm surrounding bacteria. Then, to improve in vivo lung deposition, Ga_HA/CS NPs were engineered into mannitol-based NEM (Ga_Man NEM). The powders showed optimal in vitro aerosol performance, and sustained release kinetics in lung lining fluids. Moreover, good tolerability and antimicrobial properties were shown in vitro. Intratracheal insufflation of Ga_Man NEM in rats resulted in a significant improvement of Ga(III) persistence in the lungs coupled to a lower Ga(III) concentration in plasma and urine, compared to GaN solution. Noteworthy, the developed formulation significantly modifies the unfavorable Ga(III) kinetic increasing the Ga(III) to the lung and preventing Ga(III) accumulation in the kidney, key responsible for adverse effects, conclusively demonstrating the benefit of Ga_Man NEM to exploit the therapeutic effect of Ga(III) via inhalation route.

Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers: Does Gelling Agent Really Matter?

Hand hygiene, social distancing, and face covering are considered the first protection against Coronavirus spreading. The high demand during the COVID-19 emergency has driven a frenetic production and marketing of hand sanitizer gels. Nevertheless, the effect of the gelling agent and its amount on the effectiveness of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) needs to be clarified. We presented a systematic study on the effect of the characteristics and concentration of the most employed excipients on the properties and antimicrobial activity of ABHSs. Three different gelling agents, carbopol, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), at four different concentrations were used to prepare ABHSs. Viscosity, spreadability, delivery from commercial dispensers, evaporation rate, rubbing time, and hand distribution of the ABHSs were then explored. Biocidal activity of selected ABHSs was evaluated in vitro on ATCC and clinical strains. The studied ABHS can be considered bioactive and comfortable. Nevertheless, the cellulose polymers and ethanol interactions led to a slight but significant reduction in the biocidal activity compared with carbopol-based formulations. Our results underline the importance of the gelling agent properties and support the choice of carbopol as one of the best thickener agents in ABHS formulations.

Development of a novel rapamycin loaded nano- into micro-formulation for treatment of lung inflammation.

It has recently emerged that drugs such as the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (Rapa) may play a key role in the treatment of airway inflammation associated with lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Nevertheless, Rapa clinical application is still prevented by its unfavorable chemical-physical properties, limited oral bioavailability, and adverse effects related to non-specific biodistribution. In this paper, the design and production of a novel formulation of Rapa based on nano into micro (NiM) particles are detailed. To achieve it, Rapa-loaded nanoparticles were produced by nanoprecipitation of an amphiphilic pegylated poly-ɛ-caprolactone/polyhydroxyethyl aspartamide graft copolymer. The obtained nanoparticles that showed a drug loading of 14.4 wt% (corresponding to an encapsulation efficiency of 82 wt%) did not interact with mucins and were able to release and protect Rapa from degradation in simulated lung and cell fluids. To allow their local administration to the lungs as a dry powder, particle engineering at micro-sized level was done by embedding nanoparticles into mannitol-based microparticles by spray drying. Obtained NiM particles had a mean diameter of about 2-µ, spherical shape and had good potential to be delivered to the lungs by a breath-activated dry powder inhalers. Rheological and turbidity experiments showed that these NiM particles can dissolve in lung simulated fluid and deliver the Rapa-loaded pegylated nanoparticles, which can diffuse through the mucus layer.

Hybrid Lipid/Polymer Nanoparticles to Tackle the Cystic Fibrosis Mucus Barrier in siRNA Delivery to the Lungs: Does PEGylation Make the Difference?

Inhaled siRNA therapy has a unique potential for treatment of severe lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Nevertheless, a drug delivery system tackling lung barriers is mandatory to enhance gene silencing efficacy in the airway epithelium. We recently demonstrated that lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (hNPs), comprising a poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) core and a lipid shell of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), may assist the transport of the nucleic acid cargo through mucus-covered human airway epithelium. To study in depth the potential of hNPs for siRNA delivery to the lungs and to investigate the hypothesized benefit of PEGylation, here, an siRNA pool against the nuclear factor-κB (siNFκB) was encapsulated inside hNPs, endowed with a non-PEGylated (DPPC) or a PEGylated (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol) or DSPE-PEG) lipid shell. Resulting hNPs were tested for their stability profiles and transport properties in artificial CF mucus, mucus collected from CF cells, and sputum samples from a heterogeneous and representative set of CF patients. Initial information on hNP properties governing their interaction with airway mucus was acquired by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies in artificial and cellular CF mucus. The diffusion profiles of hNPs through CF sputa suggested a crucial role of lung colonization of the corresponding donor patient, affecting the mucin type and content of the sample. Noteworthy, PEGylation did not boost mucus penetration in complex and sticky samples, such as CF sputa from patients with polymicrobial colonization. In parallel, in vitro cell uptake studies performed on mucus-lined Calu-3 cells grown at the air-liquid interface (ALI) confirmed the improved ability of non-PEGylated hNPs to overcome mucus and cellular lung barriers. Furthermore, effective in vitro NFκB gene silencing was achieved in LPS-stimulated 16HBE14o- cells. Overall, the results highlight the potential of non-PEGylated hNPs as carriers for pulmonary delivery of siRNA for local treatment of CF lung disease. Furthermore, this study provides a detailed understanding of how distinct models may provide different information on nanoparticle interaction with the mucus barrier.

Biodegradable nanoparticles combining cancer cell targeting and anti-angiogenic activity for synergistic chemotherapy in epithelial cancer.

A biodegradable engineered nanoplatform combining anti-angiogenic activity and targeting of cancer cells to improve the anticancer activity of docetaxel (DTX) is here proposed. Indeed, we have developed biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone), exposing on the surface both folate motifs (Fol) for recognition in cells overexpressing Folate receptor-α (FRα) and the anti-angiogenic hexapeptide aFLT1. NPs showed a size around 100 nm, the exposure of 60% of Fol moieties on the surface, and the ability to entrap DTX and sustain its release with time. NPs were stable in simulated biological fluids and slightly interacted with Fetal Bovine serum, especially in the formulation decorated with Fol and aFLT1. The presence of Fol on NPs did not impair the anti-angiogenic activity of aFLT1, as assessed by in vitro tube formation assay in HUVEC endothelial cells. In both 2D and 3D KB cell cultures in vitro, the cytotoxicity of DTX loaded in NPs was not significantly affected by Fol/aFLT1 double decoration compared to free DTX. Remarkably, NPs distributed differently in 3D multicellular spheroids of FRα-positive KB cancer cells depending on the type of ligand displayed on the surface. In particular, NPs unmodified on the surface were randomly distributed in the spheroid, whereas the presence of Fol promoted the accumulation in the outer rims of the spheroid. Finally, NPs with Fol and aFLT1 gave a uniform distribution throughout the spheroid structure. When tested in zebrafish embryos xenografted with KB cells, NPs displaying Fol/aFLT1 reduced DTX systemic toxicity and inhibited the growth of the tumor mass and associated vasculature synergistically. Overall, nanotechnology offers excellent ground for combining therapeutic concepts in cancer, paving the way to novel multifunctional nanopharmaceuticals decorated with bioactive elements that can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes.

Variable Susceptibility to Gallium Compounds of Major Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens.

The decreasing efficacy of existing antibiotics against pulmonary pathogens that affect cystic fibrosis (CF) patients calls for the development of novel antimicrobials. Iron uptake and metabolism are vital processes for bacteria, hence potential therapeutic targets. Gallium [Ga(III)] is a ferric iron-mimetic that inhibits bacterial growth by disrupting iron uptake and metabolism. In this work we evaluate the efficacy of three Ga(III) compounds, namely, Ga(NO3)3, (GaN), Ga(III)-maltolate (GaM), and Ga(III)-protoporphyrin IX (GaPPIX), against a collection of CF pathogens using both reference media and media mimicking biological fluids. All CF pathogens, except Streptococcus pneumoniae, were susceptible to at least one Ga(III) compound. Notably, Mycobacterium abscessus and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were susceptible to all Ga(III) compounds. Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Burkholderia cepacia complex, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were more susceptible to GaN and GaM, whereas Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae were more sensitive to GaPPIX. The results of this study support the development of Ga(III)-based therapy as a broad-spectrum strategy to treat CF lung infections.

Inhalable Polymeric Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Delivery of Antimicrobial Peptide SET-M33: Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity In Vitro and In Vivo.

Development of inhalable formulations for delivering peptides to the conductive airways and shielding their interactions with airway barriers, thus enhancing peptide/bacteria interactions, is an important part of peptide-based drug development for lung applications. Here, we report the construction of a biocompatible nanosystem where the antimicrobial peptide SET-M33 is encapsulated within polymeric nanoparticles of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). This system was conceived for better delivery of the peptide to the lungs by aerosol. The encapsulated peptide showed prolonged antibacterial activity, due to its controlled release, and much lower toxicity than the free molecule. The peptide-based nanosystem killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in planktonic and sessile forms in a dose-dependent manner, remaining active up to 72 h after application. The encapsulated peptide showed no cytotoxicity when incubated with human bronchial epithelial cells from healthy individuals and from cystic fibrosis patients, unlike the free peptide, which showed an EC50 of about 22 µM. In vivo acute toxicity studies in experimental animals showed that the peptide nanosystem did not cause any appreciable side effects, and confirmed its ability to mitigate the toxic and lethal effects of free SET-M33.

A Highly Sensitive Luminescent Biosensor for the Microvolumetric Detection of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Siderophore Pyochelin.

The pyochelin (PCH) siderophore produced by the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important virulence factor, acting as a growth promoter during infection. While strong evidence exists for PCH production in vivo, PCH quantification in biological samples is problematic due to analytical complexity, requiring extraction from large volumes and time-consuming purification steps. Here, the construction of a bioluminescent whole cell-based biosensor, which allows rapid, sensitive, and single-step PCH quantification in biological samples, is reported. The biosensor was engineered by fusing the promoter of the PCH biosynthetic gene pchE to the luxCDABE operon, and the resulting construct was inserted into the chromosome of the ΔpvdAΔpchDΔfpvA siderophore-null P. aeruginosa mutant. A bioassay was setup in a 96-well microplate format, enabling the contemporary screening of several samples in a few hours. A linear response was observed for up to 40 nM PCH, with a lower detection limit of 1.64 ± 0.26 nM PCH. Different parameters were considered to calibrate the biosensor, and a detailed step-by-step operation protocol, including troubleshooting specific problems that can arise during sample preparation, was established to achieve rapid, sensitive, and specific PCH quantification in both P. aeruginosa culture supernatants and biological samples. The biosensor was implemented as a screening tool to detect PCH-producing P. aeruginosa strains on a solid medium.

PEGylated cationic nanoassemblies based on triblock copolymers to combine siRNA therapeutics with anticancer drugs.

Nowadays, the clinical administration of siRNA therapeutics is still challenging due to the need of safe and efficient delivery carriers. In this context, biodegradable and amphiphilic triblock copolymers (ABC) containing amine-based cationic segments could be a powerful tool for siRNA delivery. Herein, we propose a range of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-poly(2-dimethyl(aminoethyl) methacrylate) (pDMAEMA)-polycaprolactone (PCL) copolymers with different lengths of the blocks and hydrophilic/lipophilic balance to deliver siRNA alone or in association with a conventional anticancer drug. mPEG-pDMAEMA-PCL copolymers were synthesized by a combination of techniques and characterized by NMR analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copolymers were then employed to prepare NPs through nanoprecipitation. NPs based on copolymers with long PCL chains (SSL-NPs and LLL-NPs) showed the best colloidal properties and a highly stable core-shell structure with a better orientation of the PEG fringe on the surface. Concerning siRNA delivery, SSL-NPs based on copolymers with short PEG and pDMAEMA chains showed optimized ability to complex and then deliver siRNA at the cell level. The strong interaction between the nucleic acid and the cationic pDMAEMA blocks of NPs was then confirmed by release studies that showed a sustained release of siRNA within 48 h. The transfection efficiency of NPs was assessed in human melanoma cells. NPs were complexed with a therapeutic siRNA against TUBB3 (TUB-siRNA). We observed the best results with SSL-NPs, probably due to the higher preserved buffer capacity of the pDMAEMA blocks. Finally, in order to give a proof of concept of a possible application in the combined chemo/gene-therapy of cancer, SSL-NPs complexed with TUB-siRNA were loaded with docetaxel (DTX) and then cytotoxicity was evaluated in the same cell line. The co-delivery of TUB-siRNA into NPs appeared to strongly potentiate the anti-proliferative activity of DTX, thus highlighting the combinatory activity of the NPs.

Antistaphylococcal Activity of the FtsZ Inhibitor C109.

Staphylococcus aureus infections represent a great concern due to their versatility and involvement in different types of diseases. The shortage of available clinical options, especially to treat multiresistant strains, makes the discovery of new effective compounds essential. Here we describe the activity of the previously described cell division inhibitor C109 against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant S. aureus strains. Antibiofilm activity was assessed using microtiter plates, confocal microscopy, and in an in vitro biofilm wound model. The ability of C109 to block FtsZ GTPase activity and polymerization was tested in vitro. Altogether, the results show that the FtsZ inhibitor C109 has activity against a wide range of S. aureus strains and support its use as an antistaphylococcal compound.

Multi-component bioresponsive nanoparticles for synchronous delivery of docetaxel and TUBB3 siRNA to lung cancer cells.

Bioresponsive nanoparticles (NPs) are of interest for anticancer nanomedicines, owing to the possibility to 'design in' selective modulation of drug release at target sites. Here we describe the double emulsion formulation of redox-responsive NPs based on modified polyethylene glycol (PEG)-co-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) block copolymers and oligo (ß-aminoesters) (OBAE), both of which contained disulfide linkages, for the co-delivery of a cytotoxic small molecule drug and a nucleic acid. In particular, we focused our attention on docetaxel (DTX) and a siRNA against TUBB3, a gene that encodes for ßIII-tubulin, in order to have a synergistic effect in the treatment of lung cancer. Spherical NPs of around 150 nm with negative zeta potential and high loading efficiencies of both drugs were obtained. Stability and release studies showed "on demand" drug release under reducing conditions. Unloaded NPs containing PEG-disulfide-PLGA and OBAE were well-tolerated by lung cancer cells, thus masking the intrinsic cytotoxicity of OBAE, while for intracellular siRNA delivery, redox responsive NPs demonstrated a higher cell internalization with a preferential cytoplasmic accumulation of siRNA, with a subsequent fast gene-silencing efficiency. The viability of cells treated with combined DTX/TUBB3-siRNA NPs significantly decreased as compared to NPs loaded only with DTX, thus showing an efficient combined anticancer effect, due to a substantial reduction of ß-tubulin expression. Finally, in an in vivo feasibility study employing an orthotopic lung cancer model, NPs formulated with an anti-luciferase siRNA distributed throughout the lungs following oro-tracheal administration, and demonstrated effective gene knockdown and no apparent cytotoxicity. Taken together, these results show that the double emulsion formulated redox responsive PEG-PLGA and OBAE systems represent a promising new therapeutic approach for the local combined chemo- and gene-therapy of lung cancer.

Intra-tracheal administration increases gallium availability in lung: implications for antibacterial chemotherapy.

The emergence of pan-resistant strains in nosocomial settings underscores the urgent need of novel therapies targeting vital bacterial functions. Bacterial iron metabolism is a fascinating target for new antimicrobials. Iron mimetic metal Ga(III) has been repurposed as an antimicrobial drug, in pre-clinical studies and recent clinical studies have raised the possibility of using Ga(III) for the treatment of P. aeruginosa pulmonary infection. Ga(III) has been approved by FDA for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune and bone resorption disorders. However, some critical issues affect the therapeutic schedule of Ga(III), principally the intra-venous (i.v.) administration, and the nephrotoxicity caused by prolonged administration. Ga(III) aerosolization could represent a viable alternative for treatment of lung infections, since delivery of antimicrobial agents to the airways maximizes drug concentration at the site of infection, improves the therapeutic efficacy, and alleviates systemic toxic effects. We demonstrate the advantage of inhaled vs i.v. administered Ga(III), in terms of bio-distribution and lung acute toxicity, by using a rat model. In vivo results support the use of Ga(III) for inhalation since intra-tracheal Ga(III) delivery improved its persistence in the lung, while the i.v. administration caused rapid clearance and did not allow to attain a significant Ga(III) concentration in this organ. Moreover, local and systemic acute toxicity following intra-tracheal administration was not observed, since no significant signs of inflammation were found. At this stage of evidence, the direct administration of Ga(III) to the lung appears feasible and safe, boosting the development of Ga(III)-based drugs for inhalation therapy.

Assisting PNA transport through cystic fibrosis human airway epithelia with biodegradable hybrid lipid-polymer nanoparticles.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by an airway obstruction caused by a thick mucus due to a malfunctioning Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein. The sticky mucus restricts drugs in reaching target cells limiting the efficiency of treatments. The development of new approaches to enhance drug delivery to the lungs represents CF treatment's main challenge. In this work, we report the production and characterization of hybrid core-shell nanoparticles (hNPs) comprising a PLGA core and a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) shell engineered for inhalation. We loaded hNPs with a 7-mer peptide nucleic acid (PNA) previously considered for its ability to modulate the post-transcriptional regulation of the CFTR gene. We also investigated the in vitro release kinetics of hNPs and their efficacy in PNA delivery across the human epithelial airway barrier using an ex vivo model based on human primary nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) from CF patients. Confocal analyses and hNPs transport assay demonstrated the ability of hNPs to overcome the mucus barrier and release their PNA cargo within the cytoplasm, where it can exert its biological function.

[Validation of surgical masks during COVID19 emergency: activities at the University of Napoli Federico II]. / Validazione di maschere chirurgiche nella fase di emergenza COVID19: l'esperienza dell'Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.

SUMMARY: During COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Italian Government has approved Law Decree no. 18 of 17 march 2020, in which art. 15 allows enterprises to produce, import and commercialize surgical masks notwithstanding the current rules of product certification. It is just required that the interested enterprises send to the Italian National Institute of Health a selfcertification in which they declare the technical characteristics of the masks and that masks are produced according to the safety requirements. In this context, a technical-scientific unit was established at the University of Napoli Federico II to provide interested enterprises with state-of-the-art consultancy, testing and measurement services, adhering to rigorous scientific protocols. Characterization tests were carried out on 163 surgical masks and/or materials for their construction and they have enabled the identification of pre-screening criteria to simplify the procedure for evaluating surgical masks using methods for assessing the filtration efficiency of particles and aerosols. Based on experimental results, it has been observed that a filtration efficiency for particles with sizes larger that 650 nm (PFE>650) exceeding 35% might guarantees a bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) higher than 95% while BFE values higher than 98% are obtained when the PFE>650 is larger than 40%. PFE measurement is extremely simpler with respect to BFE, the latter being time-consuming and requiring specific equipment and methods for its realization. Many tested materials have shown the capability to assure high filtration efficiencies but Spundonded-Meltblown-Spunbonded (SMS), that are layers of non-woven fabric with different weights of Meltblown, can simultaneously guarantee high particle filtration efficiencies with pressure drop values (breathability) in the limits to classify the surgical masks as Type II/IIR. In fact, the fabric products analyzed so far have not been able to simultaneously guarantee adequate BFE and breathability values. On the contrary, Spunbonds of adequate weights can virtually verify both requirements and accredit themselves as possible materials for the production of surgical masks, at least of Type I. Further studies are needed to verify the possibility of producing low-cost, reusable surgical masks that could meet the criteria of circular economy.