Strain-Promoted Cycloadditions in Lipid Bilayers Triggered by Liposome Fusion.

Due to the variety of roles served by the cell membrane, its composition and structure are complex, making it difficult to study. Bioorthogonal reactions, such as the strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC), are powerful tools for exploring the function of biomolecules in their native environment but have been largely unexplored within the context of lipid bilayers. Here, we developed a new approach to study the SPAAC reaction in liposomal membranes using azide- and strained alkyne-functionalized Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) dye pairs. This study represents the first characterization of the SPAAC reaction between diffusing molecules inside liposomal membranes. Potential applications of this work include in situ bioorthogonal labeling of membrane proteins, improved understanding of membrane dynamics and fluidity, and the generation of new probes for biosensing assays.

A Dual Wavelength Polymerization and Bioconjugation Strategy for High Throughput Synthesis of Multivalent Ligands.

Structure-function relationships for multivalent polymer scaffolds are highly complex due to the wide diversity of architectures offered by such macromolecules. Evaluation of this landscape has traditionally been accomplished case-by-case due to the experimental difficulty associated with making these complex conjugates. Here, we introduce a simple dual-wavelength, two-step polymerize and click approach for making combinatorial conjugate libraries. It proceeds by incorporation of a polymerization friendly cyclopropenone-masked dibenzocyclooctyne into the side chain of linear polymers or the α-chain end of star polymers. Polymerizations are performed under visible light using an oxygen tolerant porphyrin-catalyzed photoinduced electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (PET-RAFT) process, after which the deprotection and click reaction is triggered by UV light. Using this approach, we are able to precisely control the valency and position of ligands on a polymer scaffold in a manner conducive to high throughput synthesis.

Detection of microRNA biomarkers via inhibition of DNA-mediated liposome fusion.

We report the specific and sensitive detection of microRNA using an inverse DNA-mediated liposome fusion assay. This assay is homogeneous, and does not require washing, separation, or enzyme-associated amplification steps. By fine-tuning the surface functionalisation of the liposomes, liposome concentration, and assay temperature, we demonstrated a sub-nanomolar limit of detection for the target.

Peptide and protein nanoparticle conjugates: versatile platforms for biomedical applications.

Peptide- and protein-nanoparticle conjugates have emerged as powerful tools for biomedical applications, enabling the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of disease. In this review, we focus on the key roles played by peptides and proteins in improving, controlling, and defining the performance of nanotechnologies. Within this framework, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key sequences and structures utilised to provide biological and physical stability to nano-constructs, direct particles to their target and influence their cellular and tissue distribution, induce and control biological responses, and form polypeptide self-assembled nanoparticles. In doing so, we highlight the great advances made by the field, as well as the challenges still faced in achieving the clinical translation of peptide- and protein-functionalised nano-drug delivery vehicles, imaging species, and active therapeutics.

MicroRNA Detection by DNA-Mediated Liposome Fusion.

Membrane fusion is a process of fundamental importance in biological systems that involves highly selective recognition mechanisms for the trafficking of molecular and ionic cargos. Mimicking natural membrane fusion mechanisms for the purpose of biosensor development holds great potential for amplified detection because relatively few highly discriminating targets lead to fusion and an accompanied engagement of a large payload of signal-generating molecules. In this work, sequence-specific DNA-mediated liposome fusion is used for the highly selective detection of microRNA. The detection of miR-29a, a known flu biomarker, is demonstrated down to 18 nm within 30 min with high specificity by using a standard laboratory microplate reader. Furthermore, one order of magnitude improvement in the limit of detection is demonstrated by using a novel imaging technique combined with an intensity fluctuation analysis, which is coined two-color fluorescence correlation microscopy.

Localized and Controlled Delivery of Nitric Oxide to the Conventional Outflow Pathway via Enzyme Biocatalysis: Toward Therapy for Glaucoma.

Nitric oxide (NO) is able to lower intraocular pressure (IOP); however, its therapeutic effects on outflow physiology are location- and dose-dependent. A NO delivery platform that directly targets the resistance-generating region of the conventional outflow pathway and locally liberates a controlled dose of NO is reported. An increase in outflow facility (decrease in IOP) is demonstrated in a mouse model.

Gold-silica quantum rattles for multimodal imaging and therapy.

Gold quantum dots exhibit distinctive optical and magnetic behaviors compared with larger gold nanoparticles. However, their unfavorable interaction with living systems and lack of stability in aqueous solvents has so far prevented their adoption in biology and medicine. Here, a simple synthetic pathway integrates gold quantum dots within a mesoporous silica shell, alongside larger gold nanoparticles within the shell's central cavity. This "quantum rattle" structure is stable in aqueous solutions, does not elicit cell toxicity, preserves the attractive near-infrared photonics and paramagnetism of gold quantum dots, and enhances the drug-carrier performance of the silica shell. In vivo, the quantum rattles reduced tumor burden in a single course of photothermal therapy while coupling three complementary imaging modalities: near-infrared fluorescence, photoacoustic, and magnetic resonance imaging. The incorporation of gold within the quantum rattles significantly enhanced the drug-carrier performance of the silica shell. This innovative material design based on the mutually beneficial interaction of gold and silica introduces the use of gold quantum dots for imaging and therapeutic applications.

Synthesis and self-assembly of temperature-responsive copolymers based on N-vinylpyrrolidone and triethylene glycol methacrylate.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is a biocompatible, water-soluble polymer with unique physicochemical properties and attractive biological features that has found widespread use in several industries. Owing to advances in controlled polymerisation techniques, PVP can be easily synthesised with robust control over its architecture. However, the synthesis of PVP copolymers, which can allow tailoring of its properties and expand the scope of this polymeric material, is challenging and rarely reported. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of well-defined, temperature-responsive polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-poly(triethylene glycol methacrylate) (PVP-co-pTEGMA) block copolymers via successive Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) and Activators ReGenerated by Electron Transfer Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation (ARGET-ATRP) techniques. We show that PVP-co-pTEGMA block copolymers display temperature-responsive behaviour and self-assemble above their cloud point temperature (Tcp) to form spherical nanostructures of 100-200 nm in diameter. Finally, we demonstrate stabilisation of these assemblies below their Tcp by cross-linking through the PVP block.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of indazole arylsulfonamides as allosteric CC-chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) antagonists.

A series of indazole arylsulfonamides were synthesized and examined as human CCR4 antagonists. Methoxy- or hydroxyl-containing groups were the more potent indazole C4 substituents. Only small groups were tolerated at C5, C6, or C7, with the C6 analogues being preferred. The most potent N3-substituent was 5-chlorothiophene-2-sulfonamide. N1 meta-substituted benzyl groups possessing an α-amino-3-[(methylamino)acyl]-group were the most potent N1-substituents. Strongly basic amino groups had low oral absorption in vivo. Less basic analogues, such as morpholines, had good oral absorption; however, they also had high clearance. The most potent compound with high absorption in two species was analogue 6 (GSK2239633A), which was selected for further development. Aryl sulfonamide antagonists bind to CCR4 at an intracellular allosteric site denoted site II. X-ray diffraction studies on two indazole sulfonamide fragments suggested the presence of an important intramolecular interaction in the active conformation.

A study of hydrogen peroxide chemistry and photochemistry in tea stain solution with relevance to clinical tooth whitening.

OBJECTIVE: Tooth whitening using hydrogen peroxide is a complex process, and there is still some controversy about the roles of pH, temperature, chemical activators, and the use of light irradiation. In this work the basic interactions between whitening agents and stain molecules are studied in simple solutions, thus avoiding the physics of diffusion and light penetration in the tooth to give clarity on the basic chemistry which is occurring. METHOD: The absorbance of tea stain solution at 450 nm was measured over a period of 40 min, with various compositions of whitening agent added (including hydrogen peroxide, ferrous gluconate and potassium hydroxide) and at the same time the samples were subjected to blue light (465 nm) or infra-red light (850 nm) irradiation, or alternatively they were heated to 37°C. RESULTS: It is shown that the reaction rates between chromogens in the tea solution and hydrogen peroxide can be accelerated significantly using ferrous gluconate activator and blue light irradiation. Infra red irradiation does not increase the reaction rate through photochemistry, it serves only to increase the temperature. Raising the temperature leads to inefficiency through the acceleration of exothermic decomposition reactions which produce only water and oxygen. CONCLUSION: By carrying out work in simple solution it was possible to show that ferrous activators and blue light irradiation significantly enhance the whitening process, whereas infra red irradiation has no significant effect over heating. The importance of controlling the pH within the tooth structure during whitening is also demonstrated.