Valeria Rondelli

Niosomes as Drug Nanovectors: Multiscale pH-Dependent Structural Response

The use of nanocarriers, which respond to different stimuli controlling their physicochemical properties and biological responsivness, shows a growing interest in pharmaceutical science. The stimuli are activated by targeting tissues and biological compartments, e.g., pH modification, temperature, redox condition, enzymatic activity, or can be physically applied, e.g., a magnetic field and ultrasound. pH modification represents the easiest method of passive targeting, which is actually used to accumulate nanocarriers in cells and tissues. The aim of this paper was to physicochemically characterize pH-sensitive niosomes using different experimental conditions and demonstrate the effect of surfactant composition on the supramolecular structure of niosomes. In this attempt, niosomes, made from commercial (Tween21) and synthetic surfactants (Tween20 derivatives), were physicochemically characterized by using different techniques, e.g., transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. The changes of niosome structure at different pHs depend on surfactants, which can affect the supramolecular structure of colloidal nanocarriers and their potential use both in vitro and in vivo. At pH 7.4, the shape and structure of niosomes have been maintained; however, niosomes show some differences in terms of bilayer thicknesses, water penetration, membrane coupling, and cholesterol dispersion. The acid pH (5.5) can increase the bilayer fluidity, and affect the cholesterol depletion. In fact, Tween21 niosomes form large vesicles with lower curvature radius at acid pH; while Tween20-derivative niosomes increase the intrachain mobility within a more interchain correlated membrane. These results demonstrate that the use of multiple physicochemical procedures provides more information about supramolecular structures of niosomes and improves the opportunity to deeply investigate the effect of stimuli responsiveness on the niosome structure.

Hyaluronate nanoparticles included in polymer films for the prolonged release of vitamin E for the management of skin wounds

Lecithin and hyaluronic acid were used for the preparation of polysaccharide decorated nanoparticles loaded with vitamin E using the cationic lipid dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODMA). Nanoparticles showed mean particle size in the range 130-350 nm and narrow size distribution. Vitamin E encapsulation efficiency was higher than 99%. These nanoparticles were incorporated in polymeric films containing Aloe vera extract, hyaluronic acid, sodium alginate, polyethyleneoxide (PEO) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA) as an innovative treatment in skin wounds. Films were thin, flexible, resistant and suitable for application on burn wounds. Additionally, in vitro occlusion study highlighted the dependence of the occlusive effect on the presence of nanoparticles. The results obtained show that the bioadhesive films containing vitamin E acetate and Aloe vera could be an innovative therapeutic system for the treatment of skin wounds, such as burns. The controlled release of the vitamin along with a reduction in water loss through damaged skin provided by the nanoparticle-loaded polymer film are considered important features for an improvement in wound healing and skin regeneration.

Nanoscale structural response of ganglioside-containing aggregates to the interaction with sialidase.

J. Neurochem. (2011) 116, 833–839.

Amyloidβ Peptides in interaction with raft-mime model membranes: a neutron reflectivity insight

The role of first-stage β–amyloid aggregation in the development of the Alzheimer disease, is widely accepted but still unclear. Intimate interaction with the cell membrane is invoked. We designed Neutron Reflectometry experiments to reveal the existence and extent of the interaction between β–amyloid (Aβ) peptides and a lone customized biomimetic membrane, and their dependence on the aggregation state of the peptide. The membrane, asymmetrically containing phospholipids, GM1 and cholesterol in biosimilar proportion, is a model for a raft, a putative site for amyloid-cell membrane interaction. We found that the structured-oligomer of Aβ(1-42), its most acknowledged membrane-active state, is embedded as such into the external leaflet of the membrane. Conversely, the Aβ(1-42) unstructured early-oligomers deeply penetrate the membrane, likely mimicking the interaction at neuronal cell surfaces, when the Aβ(1-42) is cleaved from APP protein and the membrane constitutes a template for its further structural evolution. Moreover, the smaller Aβ(1-6) fragment, the N-terminal portion of Aβ, was also used. Aβ N-terminal is usually considered as involved in oligomer stabilization but not in the peptide-membrane interaction. Instead, it was seen to remove lipids from the bilayer, thus suggesting its role, once in the whole peptide, in membrane leakage, favouring peptide recruitment.

Nanoscale structure of protamine/DNA complexes for gene delivery

Understanding the internal packing of gene carriers is a key-factor to realize both gene protection during transport and de-complexation at the delivery site. Here, we investigate the structure of complexes formed by DNA fragments and protamine, applied in gene delivery. We found that complexes are charge- and size-tunable aggregates, depending on the protamine/DNA ratio, hundred nanometers in size. Their compactness and fractal structure depend on the length of the DNA fragments. Accordingly, on the local scale, the sites of protamine/DNA complexation assume different morphologies, seemingly displaying clumping ability for the DNA network only for shorter DNA fragments.

The nasal delivery of nanoencapsulated statins : an approach for brain delivery

Purpose Along with their cholesterol-lowering effect, statins have shown a wide range of pleiotropic effects potentially beneficial to neurodegenerative diseases. However, such effects are extremely elusive via the conventional oral administration. The purpose of the present study was to prepare and characterize the physicochemical properties and the in vivo biodistribution of simvastatin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (SVT-LCNs) suitable for nasal administration in view of an improved delivery of the statins to the brain. Materials and methods Chitosan, lecithin, and different oil excipients were used to prepare nanocapsules loaded with simvastatin. Particle size distribution, surface charge, structure, simvastatin loading and release, and interaction with mucus of nanoparticles were determined. The nanoparticle nasal toxicity was evaluated in vitro using RPMI 2651 nasal cell lines. Finally, in vivo biodistribution was assessed by gamma scintigraphy via Tc99m labeling of the particles. Results Among the different types of nanoparticles produced, the SVT-LCN_MaiLab showed the most ideal physicochemical characteristics, with small diameter (200 nm), positive surface charge (+48 mV) and high encapsulation efficiency (EE; 98%). Size distribution was further confirmed by nanoparticle tracking analysis and electron microscopy. The particles showed a relatively fast release of simvastatin in vitro (35.6%±4.2% in 6 hours) in simulated nasal fluid. Blank nanoparticles did not show cytotoxicity, evidencing that the formulation is safe for nasal administration, while cytotoxicity of simvastatin-loaded nanoparticles (IC50) was found to be three times lower than the drug solution (9.92 vs 3.50 μM). In rats, a significantly higher radioactivity was evidenced in the brain after nasal delivery of simvastatin-loaded nanoparticles in comparison to the administration of a similar dose of simvastatin suspension. Conclusion The SVT-LCNs developed presented some of the most desirable characteristics for mucosal delivery, that is, small particle size, positive surface charge, long-term stability, high EE, and mucoadhesion. In addition, they displayed two exciting features: First was their biodegradability by enzymes present in the mucus layer, such as lysozyme. This indicates a new Trojan-horse strategy which may enhance drug release in the proximity of the nasal mucosa. Second was their ability to enhance the nose-to-brain transport as evidenced by preliminary gamma scintigraphy studies.

Doxycycline hinders phenylalanine fibril assemblies revealing a potential novel therapeutic approach in phenylketonuria

A new paradigm for the aetiopathology of phenylketonuria suggests the presence of amyloid-like assemblies in the brains of transgenic mouse models and patients with phenylketonuria, possibly shedding light on the selective cognitive deficit associated with this disease. Paralleling the amyloidogenic route that identifies different stages of peptide aggregation, corresponding to different levels of toxicity, we experimentally address for the first time, the physico-chemical properties of phenylalanine aggregates via Small Angle, Wide Angle X-ray Scattering and Atomic Force Microscopy. Results are consistent with the presence of well-structured, aligned fibres generated by milliMolar concentrations of phenylalanine. Moreover, the amyloid-modulating doxycycline agent affects the local structure of phenylalanine aggregates, preventing the formation of well-ordered crystalline structures. Phenylalanine assemblies prove toxic in vitro to immortalized cell lines and primary neuronal cells. Furthermore, these assemblies also cause dendritic sprouting alterations and synaptic protein impairment in neurons. Doxycycline counteracts these toxic effects, suggesting an approach for the development of future innovative non-dietary preventive therapies.

Chitosan-coupled solid lipid nanoparticles: Tuning nanostructure and mucoadhesion.

&NA; Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) composed of biodegradable physiological lipids have been widely proposed as efficient drug delivery systems, also for ophthalmic administration. Recently, chitosan‐associated‐SLNs have been developed to further improve the residence time of these colloidal systems in the precorneal area by means of mucoadhesive interaction. In the present study, a one‐step preparation protocol was used aiming both at scale‐up ease and at stronger coupling between chitosan and SLNs. The resulting particles were chitosan associated‐SLNs (CS‐SLNs). These nanoparticles were characterized, as compared to both the chitosan‐free and the usual chitosan‐coated ones, by applying a multi‐technique approach: light, neutron and X‐ray scattering, Zeta‐potential, AFM, calorimetry. It was assessed that, while keeping the features of nano‐size and surface‐charge required for an efficient vector, these new nanoparticles display a strong and intimate interaction between chitosan and SLNs, far more settled than the usual simple coverage. Moreover, this one‐step preparation method allows to obtain a strong and intimate interaction between chitosan and SLNs, firmer than the usual simple coating. This confers to the CS‐SLNs an improved mucoadhesion, opening the way for a high‐performing ophthalmic formulation. Graphical abstract Figure. No caption available.

Neutrons for rafts, rafts for neutrons.

The determination of the structure of membrane rafts is a challenging issue in biology. The selection of membrane components both in the longitudinal and transverse directions plays a major role as it determines the creation of stable or tunable platforms that host interactions with components of the outer environment. We focus here on the possibility to apply neutron scattering to the study of raft mimics. With this aim, we realized two extreme experimental models for the same complex membrane system (phospholipid : cholesterol : ganglioside GM1), involving two of the characteristic components of glycolipid-enriched rafts. One consists of a thick stack of tightly packed membranes, mixed and symmetric in composition, deposited on a silicon wafer and analyzed by neutron diffraction. The other consists of a free floating individual membrane, mixed and asymmetric in composition in the two layers, studied by neutron reflection. We present here results on the ganglioside-cholesterol coupling. Ganglioside GM1 is found to force the redistribution of cholesterol between the two layers of the model membranes. This causes cholesterol exclusion from compositionally symmetric ganglioside-containing membranes, or, alternatively, asymmetric cholesterol enrichment in raft-mimics, where gangliosides reside into the opposite layer.Graphical abstract

pH-sensitive niosomes: Effects on cytotoxicity and on inflammation and pain in murine models

Abstract pH-sensitive nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) by polysorbate-20 (Tween-20) or polysorbate-20 derivatized by glycine (added as pH sensitive agent), were developed to deliver Ibuprofen (IBU) and Lidocaine (LID). For the physical-chemical characterization of vesicles (mean size, size distribution, zeta potential, vesicle morphology, bilayer properties and stability) dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle X-ray scattering and fluorescence studies were performed. Potential cytotoxicity was evaluated on immortalized human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) and on immortalized mouse fibroblasts Balb/3T3. In vivo antinociceptive activity (formalin test) and anti-inflammatory activity tests (paw edema induced by zymosan) in murine models were performed on drug-loaded niosomes. pH-sensitive niosomes were stable in the presence of 0 and 10% fetal bovine serum, non-cytotoxic and able to modify IBU or LID pharmacological activity in vivo. The synthesis of stimuli responsive surfactant, as an alternative to add pH-sensitive molecules to niosomes, could represent a promising delivery strategy for anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drugs.