In this review, we highlight the recent research developments of a series of surface-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) materials as efficient drug delivery carriers. The synthesis ...of this type of MSN materials is described along with the current methods for controlling the structural properties and chemical functionalization for biotechnological and biomedical applications. We summarized the advantages of using MSN for several drug delivery applications. The recent investigations of the biocompatibility of MSN in vitro are discussed. We also describe the exciting progress on using MSN to penetrate various cell membranes in animal and plant cells. The novel concept of gatekeeping is introduced and applied to the design of a variety of stimuli-responsive nanodevices. We envision that these MSN-based systems have a great potential for a variety of drug delivery applications, such as the site-specific delivery and intracellular controlled release of drugs, genes, and other therapeutic agents.
The application of nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery has attracted much attention in the latest decades. Recent breakthroughs on the morphology control and surface functionalization of ...inorganic‐based delivery vehicles, such as mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), have brought new possibilities to this burgeoning area of research. The ability to functionalize the surface of mesoporous‐silica‐based nanocarriers with stimuli‐responsive groups, nanoparticles, polymers, and proteins that work as caps and gatekeepers for controlled release of various cargos is just one of the exciting results reported in the literature that highlights MSNs as a promising platform for various biotechnological and biomedical applications. This review focuses on the most recent progresses in the application of MSNs for intracellular drug delivery. The latest research on the pathways of entry into live mammalian and plant cells together with intracellular trafficking are described. One of the main areas of interest in this field is the development of site‐specific drug delivery vehicles; the contribution of MSNs toward this topic is also summarized. In addition, the current research progress on the biocompatibility of this material in vitro and in vivo is discussed. Finally, the latest breakthroughs for intracellular controlled drug release using stimuli‐responsive mesoporous‐silica‐based systems are described.
Recent applications of inorganic nanomaterials in the field of drug delivery have attracted a lot of attention in the last decade. One of the most promising candidates for this matter is mesoporous silica nanoparticles. This review highlights the latest progress in terms of the application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for intracellular drug delivery.
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•Supported iron nanoparticles catalyze the hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acids.•The catalyst favors heavily hydrodeoxygenation over decarbonylation.•The reaction proceeds through a ...reverse Mars–Van-Krevelen mechanism.•The degree of oxidation of Fe controls the selectivity of the reaction.•The Fe catalyst was successfully used for hydroprocessing crude microalgal oil.
Iron nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Fe-MSN) catalyze the hydrotreatment of fatty acids with high selectivity for hydrodeoxygenation over decarbonylation and hydrocracking. The catalysis is likely to involve a reverse Mars–Van Krevelen mechanism, in which the surface of iron is partially oxidized by the carboxylic groups of the substrate during the reaction. The strength of the metal–oxygen bonds that are formed affects the residence time of the reactants facilitating the successive conversion of carboxyl first into carbonyl and then into alcohol intermediates, thus dictating the selectivity of the process. The selectivity is also affected by the pretreatment of Fe-MSN, the more reduced the catalyst the higher the yield of hydrodeoxygenation product. Fe-MSN catalyzes the conversion of crude microalgal oil into diesel-range hydrocarbons.
A gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-capped mesoporous silica nanosphere (MSN)-based intracellular drug delivery system (PR-AuNPs-MSN) for the photoinduced controlled release of an anticancer drug, paclitaxel, ...inside of human fibroblast and liver cells was synthesized and characterized. We found that the mesopores of MSN could be efficiently capped by the photoresponsive AuNPs without leaking the toxic drug, paclitaxel, inside of live human cells. This "zero premature release" characteristic is of importance for delivery of toxic drugs in chemotherapy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the cargo-release property of this PR-AuNPs-MSN system could be easily controlled by low-power photoirradiation under biocompatible and physiological conditions. We envision that our results would play a significant role in designing new generations of carrier materials for intracellular delivery of a variety of hydrophobic toxic drugs.
The interactions of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of different particle sizes and surface properties with human red blood cell (RBC) membranes were investigated by membrane filtration, flow ...cytometry, and various microscopic techniques. Small MCM-41-type MSNs (∼100 nm) were found to adsorb to the surface of RBCs without disturbing the membrane or morphology. In contrast, adsorption of large SBA-15-type MSNs (∼600 nm) to RBCs induced a strong local membrane deformation leading to spiculation of RBCs, internalization of the particles, and eventual hemolysis. In addition, the relationship between the degree of MSN surface functionalization and the degree of its interaction with RBC, as well as the effect of RBC-MSN interaction on cellular deformability, were investigated. The results presented here provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of RBC-MSN interaction and the hemolytic activity of MSNs and will assist in the rational design of hemocompatible MSNs for intravenous drug delivery and in vivo imaging.
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