Erwann Guénin

Cationic Phosphonolipids Containing Quaternary Phosphonium and Arsonium Groups for DNA Transfection with Good Efficiency and Low Cellular Toxicity

Replacing the ammonium polar head in cationic lipids 1 (A=N) by a phosphonium or an arsonium group (A=P, As) improves their properties as synthetic vectors for DNA transfection. The increased volume of the cationic head is supposed to modify the interactions of the vector with the solvent and DNA.

Carbodiimide versus Click Chemistry for Nanoparticle Surface Functionalization: A Comparative Study for the Elaboration of Multimodal Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles Targeting αvβ3 Integrins

Superparamagnetic fluorescent nanoparticles targeting αvβ3 integrins were elaborated using two methodologies: carbodiimide coupling and click chemistries (CuACC and thiol-yne). The nanoparticles are first functionalized with hydroxymethylenebisphonates (HMBP) bearing carboxylic acid or alkyne functions. Then, a large number of these reactives functions were used for the covalent coupling of dyes, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and cyclic RGD. Several methods were used to characterize the nanoparticle surface functionalization, and the magnetic properties of these contrast agents were studied using a 1.5 T clinical MRI. The affinity toward integrins was evidenced by solid-phase receptor-binding assay. In addition to their chemoselective natures, click reactions were shown to be far more efficient than the carbodiimide coupling. The grafting increase was shown to enhance targeting affinity to integrin without imparing MRI and fluorescent properties.

Microwave assisted nanoparticle surface functionalization

We introduce the input of microwave energy to elaborate a multimodal magnetic nanoplatform. This magnetic nanomaterial consists of superparamagnetic γFe(2)O(3) nanoparticles conjugated to hydroxymethylene bisphosphonate (HMBP) molecules with an amine function as the terminal group. The feasibility of such a process is illustrated by the coupling of Rhodamine B to the hybrid magnetic nanomaterial. Using a microwave we manage to have approximately a 50 fold increase in molecules per nanoparticle compared to conventional procedures. Moreover we show that the amount of Rhodamine on the nanoparticle surface could be tuned using various stoichiometric ratios. The presence of Rhodamine B on the nanoparticle surface provides an amphiphilic character to facilitate penetration into the cells.

Nanoparticles under the Light: Click Functionalization by Photochemical Thiol‐yne Reaction, Towards Double Click Functionalization

A light click away: The first application of the thiol-yne reaction to nanoparticle functionalization is described (see figure). This metal-free click chemistry approach is compatible with the addition of various molecules at the surface and can be combined with CuAAC methodology to perform chemoselective double functionalization.

Bivalent alkyne-bisphosphonate as clickable and solid anchor to elaborate multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles with microwave enhancement

We report the elaboration of clickable superparamagnetic nanoparticles that act as a scaffold for further modifications by click chemistry. This nano platform is easily obtained by coating iron oxide nanoparticle γ-Fe2O3, with a new bifunctional molecule (1-hydroxy-1-phosphonopent-4-ynyl)phosphonic acid (HMBPyne). The HMBP and the alkyne functions act respectively as anchoring surface group and click chemistry functionality. We evaluate the functionalization of this new “clickable” nanoplateform using Huisgen 1,3-cycloaddition as model reaction and demonstrate the potential of microwave irradiation to increase the grafting yield. The effectiveness of click chemistry for the modification of mNPs is explored with a diverse array of functional species.

Lipopeptide-based liposomes for DNA delivery into cells expressing neuropilin-1

In this paper, liposomes containing a lipopeptide bearing a ligand specifically recognized by neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) have been used to target a human breast cancer cell line overexpressing this receptor. The synthesis of this lipopeptide, C16-A7R, formed by the sequence of 7 aminoacids ATWLPPR, linked to a palmitoyl fatty chain by an amide bond was described. After the characterisation of cationic liposomes formulated with the lipopeptide, the results obtained using various techniques showed that the lipopeptide-based liposomes were well accumulated in cells of the human breast cancer line MDA-MB-231 overexpressing NRP-1. Delivery of reporter genes expressing either β-galactosidase (β-gal) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) was selectively enhanced in these cells when compared with NRP-1-negative cells. In MDA-MB-231 cells, an increase by 250% in β-gal activity was observed when delivered by lipopeptide-based liposomes compared to cationic liposomes alone.

Vectorization of Nucleic Acids for Therapeutic Approach: Tutorial Review

Oligonucleotides present a high therapeutic potential for a wide variety of diseases. However, their clinical development is limited by their degradation by nucleases and their poor blood circulation time. Depending on the administration mode and the cellular target, these macromolecules will have to cross the vascular endothelium, to diffuse through the extracellular matrix, to be transported through the cell membrane, and finally to reach the cytoplasm. To overcome these physiological barriers, many strategies have been developed. Here, we review different methods of DNA vectorization, discuss limitations and advantages of the various vectors, and provide new perspectives for future development.

Catechol versus bisphosphonate ligand exchange at the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles: towards multi-functionalization

We report an investigation of the ligand exchange at the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles in water. For this purpose we compared two strong chelating agents on the iron oxide surface containing catechol and bisphosphonate moieties. Interactions between the coating agents (catechol/bisphosphonate) and the nanoparticle’s surface were studied by FTIR and DFT calculations. Ligand exchange experiments were performed using sonication and the exchange yield was characterized by FTIR and EDX. This methodology allowed introducing bisphosphonates with various functionalities (alkyne or biotin) permitting multi-functionalization.

New Symmetrically Esterified m-Bromobenzyl Non-Aminobisphosphonates Inhibited Breast Cancer Growth and Metastases

Background Although there was growing evidence in the potential use of Bisphosphonates (BPs) in cancer therapy, their strong osseous affinities that contrast their poor soft tissue uptake limited their use. Here, we developed a new strategy to overcome BPs hydrophilicity by masking the phosphonic acid through organic protecting groups and introducing hydrophobic functions in the side chain. Methodology/Principal Findings We synthesized non-nitrogen BPs (non N-BPs) containing bromobenzyl group (BP7033Br) in their side chain that were symmetrically esterified with hydrophobic 4-methoxphenyl (BP7033BrALK) and assessed their effects on breast cancer estrogen-responsive cells (T47D, MCF-7) as well as on non responsive ones (SKBR3, MDA-MB-231 and its highly metastatic derived D3H2LN subclone). BP7033Br ALK was more efficient in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, migration and survival when compared to BP7033Br. Although both compounds inhibited tumor growth without side effects, only BP7033Br ALK abrogated tumor angiogenesis and D3H2LN cells-induced metastases formation. Conclusion/Significance Taken together these data suggest the potential therapeutic use of this new class of esterified Bisphosphonates (BPs) in the treatment of tumor progression and metastasis without toxic adverse effects.

Fragmentation patterns of new esterified and unesterified aromatic 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acids by ESI-MSn

1-Hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids (HMBPs) are compounds that have interesting pharmacological applications. Unfortunately few studies exist on their analyses by mass spectrometry (MS). In this work, we have analyzed new aromatic HMBPs and their prodrugs with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)). We describe, for the first time, a complete study of fragmentation patterns, in both positive and negative-ion modes. In positive mode, the cation dissociations are mainly elimination of water and phosphorus fragments. In negative mode, losses of ROH (R==H, C(6)H(5), CH(3)OC(6)H(5)) and HPO(2) were observed. The results have revealed specific structural fingerprints for the screening of these compounds in complex biological mixtures.