School of Chemistry - Research Publications

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    Transforming the Chemical Structure and Bio-Nano Activity of Doxorubicin by Ultrasound for Selective Killing of Cancer Cells
    Bhangu, SK ; Fernandes, S ; Beretta, GL ; Tinelli, S ; Cassani, M ; Radziwon, A ; Wojnilowicz, M ; Sarpaki, S ; Pilatis, I ; Zaffaroni, N ; Forte, G ; Caruso, F ; Ashokkumar, M ; Cavalieri, F (WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2022-04)
    Reconfiguring the structure and selectivity of existing chemotherapeutics represents an opportunity for developing novel tumor-selective drugs. Here, as a proof-of-concept, the use of high-frequency sound waves is demonstrated to transform the nonselective anthracycline doxorubicin into a tumor selective drug molecule. The transformed drug self-aggregates in water to form ≈200 nm nanodrugs without requiring organic solvents, chemical agents, or surfactants. The nanodrugs preferentially interact with lipid rafts in the mitochondria of cancer cells. The mitochondrial localization of the nanodrugs plays a key role in inducing reactive oxygen species mediated selective death of breast cancer, colorectal carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and drug-resistant cell lines. Only marginal cytotoxicity (80-100% cell viability) toward fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes is observed, even after administration of high doses of the nanodrug (25-40 µg mL-1 ). Penetration, cytotoxicity, and selectivity of the nanodrugs in tumor-mimicking tissues are validated by using a 3D coculture of cancer and healthy cells and 3D cell-collagen constructs in a perfusion bioreactor. The nanodrugs exhibit tropism for lung and limited accumulation in the liver and spleen, as suggested by in vivo biodistribution studies. The results highlight the potential of this approach to transform the structure and bioactivity of anticancer drugs and antibiotics bearing sono-active moieties.
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    Nanoengineering multifunctional hybrid interfaces using adhesive glycogen nanoparticles.
    Pacchin Tomanin, P ; Zhou, J ; Amodio, A ; Cimino, R ; Glab, A ; Cavalieri, F ; Caruso, F (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2020-06-14)
    Multifunctional and biodegradable nanostructured hybrid interfaces based on biopolymers are potentially useful in many applications in catalysis, bioanalytical sensing and nanomedicine. Herein, we report the engineering of multifunctional hybrid films by assembling adhesive biological nanoparticles composed of lipoate-conjugated phytoglycogen (L-PG). These nano building blocks possess adhesive properties, arising from their amphiphilic nature, and reactive functional disulfide groups. The assembly of L-PG on surfaces enabled the rapid and conformal deposition of a thin film on substrates of varying chemical composition and wettability. The L-PG films showed negligible cytotoxicity and moderate stability under different conditions but displayed enzyme-mediated degradability. In addition, metal nanoparticles were embedded into the L-PG layers to build up multilayered hybrid films. Specifically, gold and silver nanoparticle-loaded L-PG multilayered films with catalytic and surface-enhanced Raman scattering properties were prepared. Finally, we highlight the versatility of the present approach to engineer multifaceted interfaces for catalysis and sensing applications.