Qingshuo Meng

Hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles: a generic intelligent framework-hybridization approach for biomedicine.

Chemical construction of molecularly organic-inorganic hybrid hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) with silsesquioxane framework is expected to substantially improve their therapeutic performance and enhance the biological effects beneficial for biomedicine. In this work, we report on a simple, controllable, and versatile chemical homology principle to synthesize multiple-hybridized HMONs with varied functional organic groups homogeneously incorporated into the framework (up to quintuple hybridizations). As a paradigm, the hybridization of physiologically active thioether groups with triple distinctive disulfide bonds can endow HMONs with unique intrinsic reducing/acidic- and external high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-responsive drug-releasing performances, improved biological effects (e.g., lowered hemolytic effect and improved histocompatibility), and enhanced ultrasonography behavior. The doxorubicin-loaded HMONs with concurrent thioether and phenylene hybridization exhibit drastically enhanced therapeutic efficiency against cancer growth and metastasis, as demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.

Large-Pore Ultrasmall Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles: Micelle/Precursor Co-templating Assembly and Nuclear-Targeted Gene Delivery

A novel micelle/precursor co-templating assembly strategy is successfully developed to synthesize large-pore ultrasmall mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (MONs). Furthermore, elaborately designed MONs with a cell-penetrating peptide (TAT) (MONs-PTAT) are constructed for highly efficient intranuclear gene delivery. They exhibit a high loading capacity, improved protection for the loaded gene, and enhanced transfection efficiencies of EGFP plasmid (pEGFP).

Colloidal RBC‐Shaped, Hydrophilic, and Hollow Mesoporous Carbon Nanocapsules for Highly Efficient Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Y. Chen, [+] Dr. M. Y. Wu, Prof. Dr. H. R. Chen, Dr. Z. Shu, Dr. J. Wang, Prof. Dr. L. X. Zhang, Prof. Dr. J. L. Shi State Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfi ne Microstructures Shanghai Institute of Ceramics Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200050 , P. R. China E-mail: hrchen@mail.sic.ac.cn; jlshi@sunm.shcnc.ac.cn Dr. P. F. Xu, [+] Dr. Q. S. Meng, Prof. Dr. Y. P. Li Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201203 , P. R. China E-mail: ypli@mail.shcnc.ac.cn

Large Pore‐Sized Hollow Mesoporous Organosilica for Redox‐Responsive Gene Delivery and Synergistic Cancer Chemotherapy

A stability-difference-selective bond-breakage strategy for the fabrication of largepore-sized hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) is successfully developed. Moreover, surfacefunctionalized HMONs are successfully constructed to simultaneously deliver P-gp modulator siRNA and anticancer drug doxorubicin to reverse the multidrug resistance of cancer cells.

Cancer-Cell-Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy of Homotypic Tumors

A unique biomimetic drug-delivery system composed of 4T1-breast-cancer-cell membranes and paclitaxel-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (PPNs) (cell-membrane-coated PPNs), demonstrates superior interactions to its source tumor cells and elongated blood circulation, and displays highly cell-specific targeting of the homotypic primary tumor and metastases, with successful inhibition of the growth and lung metastasis of the breast cancer cells.

Inhibition of metastasis and growth of breast cancer by pH-sensitive poly (β-amino ester) nanoparticles co-delivering two siRNA and paclitaxel.

Breast cancer is the most vicious killer for womens health, while metastasis is the main culprit, which leads to failure of treatment by increasing relapse rate. In this work, a new complexes nanoparticles loading two siRNA (Snail siRNA (siSna) and Twist siRNA (siTwi)) and paclitaxel (PTX) were designed and constructed using two new amphiphilic polymer, polyethyleneimine-block-poly[(1,4-butanediol)-diacrylate-β-5-hydroxyamylamine] (PEI-PDHA) and polyethylene glycol-block-poly[(1,4-butanediol)-diacrylate-β-5-hydroxyamylamine] (PEG-PDHA) by self-assembly. The experimental results showed that in the 4T1 tumor-bearing mice models, PEI-PDHA/PEG-PDHA/PTX/siSna/siTwi) complex nanoparticles (PPSTs) raised the accumulation and retention of both PTX and siRNA in tumor after administrated intravenously, resulted in the strong inhibition of the tumor growth and metastasis simultaneously. It was found that co-delivery of siSna and siTwi had more significant anti-metastasis effect than delivering a single siRNA, as a result of simultaneously inhibiting the motility of cancer cells and degradation of ECM. Therefore, PPSTs could be a promising co-delivery vector for effective therapy of metastatic breast cancer.

iRGD conjugated TPGS mediates codelivery of paclitaxel and survivin shRNA for the reversal of lung cancer resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the major obstacles in tumor treatment. Herein, we reported an active targeting strategy with peptide-mediated nanoparticles deep into tumor parenchyma, which iRGD conjugated d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) mediated codelivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and survivin shRNA (shSur) for the reversal of lung cancer resistance. Pluronic P85-polyethyleneimine/TPGS complex nanoparticles incorporated with iRGD-TPGS conjugate codelivering PTX and shSur systems (iPTPNs) could induce effective cellular uptake, RNAi effects, and cytotoxicity on A549 and A549/T cells. In particular, iPTPNs showed superiority in biodistribution, survivin expression, tumor apoptosis, and antitumor efficacy by simultaneously exerting an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and iRGD mediated active targeting effects. iPTPNs significantly enhanced the accumulation of PTX and shSur, down-regulated survivin expression, and induced cell apoptosis in tumor tissue. The in vivo antitumor efficacy showed the tumor volume of iPTPNs group (10 mg/kg) was only 12.7% of the Taxol group. Therefore, the iRGD mediated PTX and shSur codelivery system could be a very powerful approach for the reversal and therapy of lung cancer resistance.

Enhanced Blood Suspensibility and Laser-Activated Tumor-specific Drug Release of Theranostic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles by Functionalizing with Erythrocyte Membranes

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), with their large surface area and tunable pore sizes, have been widely applied for anticancer therapeutic cargos delivery with a high loading capacity. However, easy aggregation in saline buffers and limited blood circulation lifetime hinder their delivery efficiency and the anticancer efficacy. Here, new multifunctional MSNs-supported red-blood-cell (RBC)-mimetic theranostic nanoparticles with long blood circulation, deep-red light-activated tumor imaging and drug release were reported. High loading capacities were achieved by camouflaging MSNs with RBC membrane to co-load an anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) (39.1 wt%) and a near-infrared photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) (21.1 wt%). The RBC membrane-coating protected drugs from leakage, and greatly improved the colloidal stability of MSNs, with negligible particle size change over two weeks. Upon an external laser stimuli, the RBC membrane could be destroyed, resulting in 10 times enhancement of Dox release. In a 4T1 breast cancer mouse model, the RBC-mimetic MSNs could realize in vivo tumor imaging with elongated tumor accumulation lifetime for over 24 h, and laser-activated tumor-specific Dox accumulation. The RBC-mimetic MSNs could integrate the Ce6-based photodynamic therapy and Dox-based chemotherapy, completely suppress the primary tumor growth and inhibit metastasis of breast cancer, which could provide a new strategy for optimization of MSNs and efficient anticancer drug delivery.

Dual pH-sensitive micelles with charge-switch for controlling cellular uptake and drug release to treat metastatic breast cancer

For successful chemotherapy against metastatic breast cancer, the great efforts are still required for designing drug delivery systems that can be selectively internalized by tumor cells and release the cargo in a controlled manner. In this work, the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel (PTX) was loaded with the dual-pH sensitive micelle (DPM), which consisted of a pH-sensitive core, an acid-cleavable anionic shell, and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) corona. In the slightly acidic environment of tumor tissues, the anionic shell was taken off, inducing the conversion of the surface charge of DPM from negative to positive, which resulted in more efficient cellular uptake, stronger cytotoxicity and higher intra-tumor accumulation of PTX in the murine breast cancer 4T1 tumor-bearing mice models compared to the micelles with irremovable anionic or non-ionic shell. Meanwhile, the pH-sensitive core endowed DPM with rapid drug release in endo/lysosomes. The inhibitory rates of DPM against tumor growth and lung metastasis achieved 77.7% and 88.3%, respectively, without significant toxicity. Therefore, DPM is a promising nanocarrier for effective therapy of metastatic breast cancer due to satisfying the requirements of both selective uptake by tumor cells and sufficient and fast intracellular drug release.

Cisplatin Prodrug-Conjugated Gold Nanocluster for Fluorescence Imaging and Targeted Therapy of the Breast Cancer

Theranostic nanomedicine has emerged as a promising modality for cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we report the fabrication of fluorescence gold nanoclusters (GNC) conjugated with a cisplatin prodrug and folic acid (FA) (FA-GNC-Pt) for fluorescence imaging and targeted chemotherapy of breast cancer. The physio-chemical properties of FA-GNC-Pt nanoparticles are thoroughly characterized by fluorescence/UV-Vis spectroscopic measurement, particle size and zeta-potential examination. We find that FA-modification significantly accelerated the cellular uptake and increased the cytotoxicity of GNC-Pt nanoparticles in murine 4T1 breast cancer cells. Fluorescence imaging in vivo using 4T1 tumor bearing nude mouse model shows that FA-GNC-Pt nanoparticles selectively accumulate in the orthotopic 4T1 tumor and generate strong fluorescence signal due to the tumor targeting effect of FA. Moreover, we demonstrate that FA-GNC-Pt nanoparticles significantly inhibit the growth and lung metastasis of the orthotopically implanted 4T1 breast tumors. All these data imply a good potential of the GNC-based theranostic nanoplatform for fluorescence tumor imaging and cancer therapy.