Monoclonal antibody 2C5 specifically targets neutrophil extracellular traps.

Neutrophils can release DNA and granular cytoplasmic proteins that form smooth filaments of stacked nucleosomes (NS). These structures, called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), are involved in multiple pathological processes, and NET formation and removal are clinically significant. The monoclonal antibody 2C5 has strong specificity toward intact NS but not to individual NS components, indicating that 2C5 could potentially target NS in NETs.

Monoclonal Antibody 2C5-Modified Mixed Dendrimer Micelles for Tumor-Targeted Codelivery of Chemotherapeutics and siRNA.

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to tumors has the potential to reach a high dose at the tumor while minimizing systemic exposure. Incorporation of antibody within a micellar platform represents a drug delivery system for tumor-targeted delivery of antitumor agents. Such modified immunomicelles can result in an increased accumulation of antitumor agents and enhanced cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.

Surface-engineered polyethyleneimine-modified liposomes as novel carrier of siRNA and chemotherapeutics for combination treatment of drug-resistant cancers.

Modification of nanoparticle surfaces with PEG has been widely considered the gold standard for many years. However, PEGylation presents controversial and serious challenges including lack of functionality, hindered cellular interaction, allergic reactions, and stimulation of IgM production after repetitive dosing that accelerates blood clearance of the nanoparticles. We report the development of novel liposomal formulations surface-modified with a low molecular weight, branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI)-lipid conjugate for use as an alternative to PEG.

Polyamidoamine dendrimers-based nanomedicine for combination therapy with siRNA and chemotherapeutics to overcome multidrug resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) significantly decreases the therapeutic efficiency of anti-cancer drugs. Its reversal could serve as a potential method to restore the chemotherapeutic efficiency. Downregulation of MDR-related proteins with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising way to reverse the MDR effect.

The effect of low- and high-penetration light on localized cancer therapy.

The design of a delivery system allowing targeted and controlled drug release has been considered one of the main strategies used to provide individualized cancer therapy, to improve survival statistics, and to enhance quality-of-life. External stimuli including low- and high-penetration light have been shown to have the ability to turn drug delivery on and off in a non-invasive remotely-controlled fashion. The success of this approach has been closely related to the development of a variety of drug delivery systems - from photosensitive liposomes to gold nanocages - and relies on multiple mechanisms of drug release activation.

Vaginal Fungal Load Reduction After Treatment with Itraconazole-Loaded Polycaprolactone-Nanoparticles.

Itraconazole (ITZ) has a broad spectrum of action and is commonly used for the treatment of fungal infections. Topic administration of ITZ is a promising strategy to improve vulvovaginal candidiasis treatment, which can be further optimized by its encapsulation in nanoparticles to increase drug delivery and reduce ITZ toxicity. In this work, we designed polycaprolactone nanoparticles containing ITZ and evaluated in vivo the efficacy of this yet unexplored approach.

Applications of label-free, quantitative phase holographic imaging cytometry to the development of multi-specific nanoscale pharmaceutical formulations.

A label-free, high content, time-lapse holographic imaging system was applied to studies in pharmaceutical compound development. Multiple fields of cellular images are obtained over typically several day evaluations within standard CO incubators. Events are segmented to obtain population data of cellular features, which are displayed in scattergrams and histograms.

Characterization, nanoparticle self-organization, and Monte Carlo simulation of magnetoliposomes.

In this work we have developed and implement a new approach for the study of magnetoliposomes using Monte Carlo simulations. Our model is based on interaction among nanoparticles considering magnetic dipolar, van der Waals, ionic-steric, and Zeeman interaction potentials. The ionic interaction between nanoparticles and the lipid bilayer is represented by an ionic repulsion electrical surface potential that depends on the nanoparticle-lipid bilayer distance and the concentration of ions in the solution.

Liposomal Entrapment of 4-Nerolidylcatechol: Impact on Phospholipid Dynamics, Drug Stability and Bioactivity.

Liposomes containing 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC), the major metabolite isolated from Pothomorphe umbellata, were obtained and characterized. Influence of liposomal encapsulation on chemical stability of 4-NC and on cytotoxicity profile of this drug was evaluated. Soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes were prepared by lipid film hydration followed by extrusion.

Biodegradable nanoparticles designed for drug delivery: The number of nanoparticles impacts on cytotoxicity.

Nanostructured drug delivery systems are based on biocompatible and biodegradable components. Composition, size and membrane surface properties are characteristics that may influence cell viability in cytotoxicity assays. In this work, four nanostructured systems commonly used for drug delivery were prepared and cytotoxicity was evaluated on human lymphocytes and Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts.

Multicompartimental nanoparticles for co-encapsulation and multimodal drug delivery to tumor cells and neovasculature.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was the development of a multicompartimental nanocarrier for the simultaneous encapsulation of paclitaxel (PTX) and genistein (GEN), associating antiangiogenic and cytotoxic properties in order to potentiate antitumoral activity.

Method: Polymeric nanocapsules containing PTX were obtained by interfacial deposition of preformed polymer and coated with a phospholipid bilayer entrapping GEN. Physical-chemical and morphological characteristics were characterized, including size and size distribution, drug entrapment efficiency and drug release profile.