Xiaoxi Hu

Hollow chitosan–silica nanospheres as pH-sensitive targeted delivery carriers in breast cancer therapy

Promising drug nanocarriers consisting of mono-dispersed and pH sensitive chitosan-silica hollow nanospheres (CS-SiO(2) HNPs) suitable for breast cancer therapy are produced and investigated. The SiO(2) HNPs are fabricated using a one-step, one-medium process which obviates the need for post-treatment to remove the templates, additional dissolution, or calcination. Taking advantage of the cross-linking reaction with (3-Glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GTPMS), cationic polysaccharide-chitosan decorates the surface and produces pH sensitive CS-SiO(2) HNPs. The materials enable controlled release of loaded drugs in pericellular and interstitial environments. In particular, the antibody molecule (to ErbB 2) can be conjugated onto the surface of the CS-SiO(2) HNPs thereby allowing the hollow nanospheres to serve as a targeted delivery agent to breast cancer cells. TNF-α are delivered to MCF-7 breast cancer cells under both in vitro and in vivo conditions to suppress the growth of cancerous cells and even kill them with high therapeutic efficacy. Owing to their hollow inner cavity and porous structures, the CS-SiO(2) HNPs are excellent pH-responsive targeted nanocarriers.

Microwave assisted preparation of monodisperse polymeric microspheres and its morphologies and kinetics

The emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide (NMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) was successfully carried out under microwave irradiation, and monodisperse polymeric microspheres were prepared. The experimental results show that the emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization under microwave irradiation has more rapid reaction rate, higher conversion and shorter induction time than the copolymerization with conventional heating. The apparent activation energies are 61.04 and 83.75 kJ/mol, respectively; the microspheres have spherical morphology, and the microspheres prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization under microwave irradiation are smaller, more uniform than those obtained with conventional heating.

Cationic Lanthanide Luminescent Copolymer: Design, Synthesis and Interaction with DNA

Polymerizable rare earth complex Eu(AA)3Phen was synthesized by complexion of europium ion, acrylic acid (AA), and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen). The structure and fluorescence properties of the complex were studied by elemental analysis, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Eu-containing copolymer poly(PEGMA-co-MMA-co-METAC-co-Eu(AA)3Phen) (PPMMEu) was then synthesized by free radical copolymerization of Eu(AA)3Phen and other functional monomers including poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and [2-(Methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (METAC). 1H-NMR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the copolymer and the interactions between the copolymer and DNA was investigated by TEM, fluorescence spectroscopy, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The desired luminescent cationic copolymer was successfully obtained. The copolymer can form micelles in water solution and can efficiently bind to DNA molecules through electrostatic interaction. The results suggest the potential use of PPMMEu in bioprobes and gene vectors.