Alessio Adamiano

Biomimetic magnesium-carbonate-apatite nanocrystals endowed with strontium ions as anti-osteoporotic trigger.

The present work investigates the preparation of biomimetic nanocrystalline apatites co-substituted with Mg, CO3 and Sr to be used as starting materials for the development of nanostructured bio-devices for regeneration of osteoporotic bone. Biological-like amounts of Mg and CO3 ions were inserted in the apatite structure to mimic the composition of bone apatite, whereas the addition of increasing quantities of Sr ions, from 0 up to 12 wt.%, as anti-osteoporotic agent, was evaluated. The chemical-physical features, the morphology, the degradation rates, the ion release kinetics as well as the in vitro bioactivity of the as-prepared apatites were fully evaluated. The results indicated that the incorporation of 12 wt.% of Sr can be viewed as a threshold for the structural stability of Mg-CO3-apatite. Indeed, incorporation of lower quantity of Sr did not induce considerable variations in the chemical structure of Mg-CO3-apatite, while when the Sr doping extent reached 12 wt.%, a dramatically destabilizing effect was detected on the crystal structure thus yielding alteration of the symmetry and distortion of the PO4. As a consequence, this apatite exhibited the fastest degradation kinetic and the highest amount of Sr ions released when tested in physiological conditions. In this respect, the surface crystallization of new calcium phosphate phase when immersed in physiological-like solution occurred by different mechanisms and extents due to the different structural chemistry of the variously doped apatites. Nevertheless, all the apatites synthesized in this work exhibited in vitro bioactivity demonstrating their potential use to develop biomedical devices with anti-osteoporotic functionality.

Superparamagnetic iron-doped nanocrystalline apatite as a delivery system for doxorubicin

The development of non-toxic and biodegradable magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) that can be easily functionalized with drugs or biomolecules and employed, under magnetic fields, as targeted nano-carriers or components of scaffolds with on-demand functionalities, is a big challenge in the biomaterials research. In the present work, the feasibility of previously synthesized iron-doped superparamagnetic apatite (FeHA) NPs to bind and then release the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) under an applied low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) was investigated. The behavior of FeHA towards DOX has been compared to that of synthetic biomimetic apatite (HA) NPs prepared ad hoc with characteristics close to those of bone mineral. The DOX adsorption kinetics and isotherms on FeHA and HA were explored and fitted according to different mathematical models (Elovich, Sips and Freundlich) revealing enhanced uptake of DOX on FeHA than HA, due to the better interaction of the drug with the surface iron cations and formation of multi-molecular DOX assemblies. In the absence of the PEMF, the quantity of DOX released from HA was higher than that released from FeHA, in agreement with the lower affinity of DOX for HA than FeHA. Interestingly, in the presence of the PEMF, the extent of DOX released from FeHA after 3 and 6 days increased significantly. The higher DOX release from FeHA under PEMF can be explained by the mechanical shacking of superparamagnetic FeHA NPs breaking the bonding with the drug and allowing detachment of DOX assemblies from the NP surface. In vitro assays demonstrated that DOX loaded on HA and FeHA displayed cytotoxicity against the human osteosarcoma cell line (SAOS-2) at the same level as free DOX, for all the concentrations and time points tested. Confocal microscopy analyses showed that drug-loaded NPs were rapidly internalized within cells and released DOX, which accumulated in the nuclei where it exerted the desired cytotoxic activity.

Effect of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals functionalized with lactoferrin in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a bioactive glycoprotein that became recently interesting in the field of bone regeneration for its modulatory effect on bone cells. On the basis of this evidence this work aims to functionalize biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystals with LF to study their effect on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The orientation of LF on the HA surface was analyzed by spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Three samples with different amounts of LF attached to HA nanocrystals were tested in vitro. The combined effect of HA and LF on MSC proliferation and morphology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and gene expression were evaluated at different time points. The sample with the lowest LF amount showed the best bioactivity probably due to the formation of a single layer of protein with a better molecular orientation. Coupling of HA-LF did not affect cell proliferation and morphology, while analysis of HA-LF on ALP activity and messenger RNA expression of the selected genes, demonstrated the role of HA-LF in the induction of osteogenic markers. HA-LF represents a promising system to be used to manufacture bioactive functional materials in tissue engineering (as scaffolds, injectable cements, or coatings for metallic implants) with enhanced anabolic activity to treat bone diseases.

Fe-Doping-Induced Magnetism in Nano-Hydroxyapatites

Doping of biocompatible nanomaterials with magnetic phases is currently one of the most promising strategies for the development of advanced magnetic biomaterials. However, especially in the case of iron-doped magnetic hydroxyapatites, it is not clear if the magnetic features come merely from the magnetic phases/ions used as dopants or from complex mechanisms involving interactions at the nanoscale. Here, we report an extensive chemical-physical and magnetic investigation of three hydroxyapatite nanocrystals doped with different iron species and containing small or no amounts of maghemite as a secondary phase. The association of several investigation techniques such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Mössbauer, magnetometry, and TEM allowed us to determine that the unusual magnetic properties of Fe2+/3+-doped hydroxyapatites (FeHA) occur by a synergy of two different phenomena: i.e., (i) interacting superparamagnetism due to the interplay between iron-doped apatite and iron oxide nanoparticles as well as to the occurrence of dipolar interactions and (ii) interacting paramagnetism due to Fe3+ ions present in the superficial hydrated layer of the apatite nanophase and, to a lesser extent, paramagnetism due to isolated Fe3+ ions in the apatite lattice. We also show that a major player in the activation of the above phenomena is the oxidation of Fe2+ into Fe3+, as induced by the synthesis process, and their consequent specific positioning in the FeHA structure.

Coupling Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals with Lactoferrin as a Promising Strategy to Fine Regulate Bone Homeostasis

Lactoferrin (LF) is an interesting glycoprotein in the field of bone biology for its regulatory effect on cells involved in bone remodeling, that results compromised in several pathological conditions, as osteoporosis. In a previous study we observed that the coupling of LF and biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (HA), a material well-known for its bioactivity and osteoconductive properties, leads to a combined effect in the induction of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. On the basis of this evidence, the present study is an extension of our previous work aiming to investigate the synergistic effect of the coupling of HA and LF on bone homeostasis. Biomimetic HA nanocrystals were synthesized and functionalized with LF (HA-LF) and then pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) and monocyte/macrophage cells lines (RAW 264.7), using as osteoclastogenesis in vitro model, were cultured separately or in co-culture in presence of HA-LF. The results clearly revealed that HA and LF act in synergism in the regulation of the bone homeostasis, working as anabolic factor for osteoblasts differentiation and bone matrix deposition, and as inhibitor of the osteoclast formation and activity.

Biomineralization of a titanium-modified hydroxyapatite semiconductor on conductive wool fibers

Metal ions are frequently incorporated into crystalline materials to improve their electrochemical properties and to confer new physicochemical properties. Naturally-occurring phosphate apatite, which is formed geologically and in biomineralization processes, has extensive potential applications and is therefore an attractive functional material. In this study, we generate a novel building block for flexible optoelectronics using bio-inspired methods to deposit a layer of photoactive titanium-modified hydroxyapatite (TiHA) nanoparticles (NPs) on conductive polypyrrole(PPy)-coated wool yarns. The titanium concentration in the reaction solution was varied between 8-50 mol% with respect to the phosphorous, which led to titanate ions replacing phosphate in the hydroxyapatite lattice at levels up to 17 mol%. PPy was separately deposited on wool yarns by oxidative polymerization, using two dopants: (i) anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid to increase the conductivity of the PPy layer and (ii) pyroglutamic acid, to reduce the resistivity of the wool yarns and to promote the heterogeneous nucleation of the TiHA NPs. A specific titanium concentration (25 mol% wrt P) was used to endow the TiHA NPs on the PPy-coated fibers with a desirable band gap value of 3.68 eV, and a specific surface area of 146 m2 g-1. This is the first time that a thin film of a wide-band gap semiconductor has been deposited on natural fibers to create a fiber-based building block that can be used to manufacture flexible electronic devices.

Development of innovative hybrid and intrinsically magnetic nanobeads as a drug delivery system

AIM Synthesis of superparamagnetic hybrid nanobeads (MHNs) made of iron-substituted hydroxyapatite nanophase mineralizing a self-assembling alginate (Alg) matrix to be used as drug carriers, with ability of remote activation by magnetic signaling. MATERIALS & METHODS Iron-doped apatite was heterogeneously nucleated on the self-assembling Alg matrix by a bioinspired mineralization process and MHNs are formed by a subsequent emulsification by oil-in-water technique. RESULTS The obtained MHNs exhibited biomimetic composition, adequate swelling properties in physiological-like environment and superparamagnetic properties. The assembling of Alg induced the egg-like rearrangement of the mineralized composite that was then stabilized through cross-linking reaction with calcium ions. CONCLUSION The new MHNs can be considered as a promising biocompatible and bio-resorbable drug delivery system with magnetic properties, thus opening to smart applications in nanomedicine.

On the use of superparamagnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as an agent for magnetic and nuclear in vivo imaging

The identification of alternative biocompatible magnetic NPs for advanced clinical application is becoming an important need due to raising concerns about iron accumulation in soft issues associated to the administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs). Here, we report on the performance of previously synthetized iron-doped hydroxyapatite (FeHA) NPs as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI contrast abilities of FeHA and Endorem® (dextran coated iron oxide NPs) were assessed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry and their performance in healthy mice was monitored by a 7 Tesla scanner. FeHA applied a higher contrast enhancement, and had a longer endurance in the liver with respect to Endorem® at iron equality. Additionally, a proof of concept of FeHA use as scintigraphy imaging agent for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was given labeling FeHA with 99mTc-MDP by a straightforward surface functionalization process. Scintigraphy/x-ray fused imaging and ex vivo studies confirmed its dominant accumulation in the liver, and secondarily in other organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system. FeHA efficiency as MRI-T2 and PET-SPECT imaging agent combined to its already reported intrinsic biocompatibility qualifies it as a promising material for innovative nanomedical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The ability of iron-doped hydroxyapatite nanoaprticles (FeHA) to work in vivo as imaging agents for magnetic resonance (MR) and nuclear imaging is demonstrated. FeHA applied an higher MR contrast in the liver, spleen and kidneys of mice with respect to Endorem®. The successful radiolabeling of FeHA allowed for scintigraphy/X-ray and ex vivo biodistribution studies, confirming MR results and envisioning FeHA application for dual-imaging.

Tissue engineering and biomimetics with bioceramics

Today the scientific community is intensively devoted to the development of biomaterials exhibiting high mimesis of bone tissues and cell instructive ability, with the purpose of enabling new therapies for tissue regeneration, which is today a clinical need of steadily increasing relevance. In this respect, calcium phosphates are elective materials, due to their composition close to that of mineral bone. In particular, apatites are biomimetic materials that can be synthesized in a wide variety of atomic compositions and under different forms, enabling various applications in bone surgery. Multiple ion doping confers high bioactivity to nanocrystalline apatite phases, and these phases can be obtained as nanopowders, injectable bioactive cements, or as biohybrid materials, by exploiting bioinspired synthesis approaches. As hydroxyapatite can be processed into porous sintered scaffolds for reconstruction of large cranial bones, it can also be processed into three-dimensional biomimetic scaffold exhibiting bone-like composition and nanostructure, and hierarchical organization, thanks to the application of nature-inspired biomorphic transformations. In the coming decades it is expected that novel synthesis approaches developed on a bioinspiration basis will gain ground, as elective methods to obtain tissue-mimicking materials with increased effectiveness in promoting tissue regeneration.

Magnetic core-shell nanoparticles

Abstract Thanks to the possibility to be manipulated by applying a remote magnetic field, magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most studied nanosystems for cutting-edge applications in medicine. Magnetic core-shell nanoparticles (MCNPs) are emerging as interesting materials in the biotechnology and material science fields, as they provide several advantages over conventional magnetic NPs, such as the possibility of coating highly magnetic but toxic cores into protective and/or biocompatible shells, and of engineering the shell surface to confer specific abilities. Cores and shells can be assembled to confer to MCNPs different shapes and designs for specific applications, as in the case of hollow core-shell and yolk-shell magnetic NPs, whose ability to encapsulate high loads of bioactive molecules can be maximally exploited for drug delivery purposes. After reviewing the composition of cores and shells, in this contribution we present an overview on MCNPs applications in hyperthermia, magnetic driving and controlled drug release, starting from well-established approaches to some of the latest and most innovative ones in the field of nanomedicine. In this respect, the use of materials such as mesoporous silica, graphite, and smart bioactive polymers enabled the production of highly engineered NPs with the ability to accomplish two or more biomedical functions. However, it is important to remark that the increase of functionality always entails the production of structurally complex MCNPs requiring long and difficult regulatory processes before entering clinical trials.