Biomimetic targeting magnetite hollow nanostructures based on pH-responsive benzoic-imine bonds for antitumor activity
Journal
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
Journal Volume
123
Start Page
371
End Page
381
ISSN
1226-086X
Date Issued
2023-07-25
Author(s)
Sikhumbuzo Charles Kunene
Kuen-Song Lin
Maria Janina Carrera Espinoza
You-Sheng Lin
Lin, Yi-Ting
DOI
10.1016/j.jiec.2023.03.054
Abstract
In this study, versatile homotypic-targeting and PEGylated magnetite hollow nanostructures (MHNs) that are pH-responsive used as doxorubicin (DOX) nanocarriers are demonstrated. Cancer cell membrane (CM) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalization through benzoic imine bonds endows DOX-conjugated nanocarriers with enhanced tumor accumulation and penetration, biomimetic-targeting specificity, as well as on-demand drug release, which improves their antitumor efficacy. The characteristic diffraction peaks of magnetite nanocarriers at 35° indexed as (311) plane of magnetite can be observed. Hierarchical mesoporous nanostructures with specific pore size distributions of approximately 99.9, 97.2, and 95.6%, were developed. In vitro studies revealed that drug-free nanostructures exhibited excellent biocompatibility with more than 95% cell viability. In contrast, drug-conjugated nanostructures demonstrated high therapeutic effect, pH-responsive drug release, and enhanced intracellular uptake in HepG2 cells. In vivostudies showed that the MHNC–DOX–PEG/CM formulations displayed the best antitumor efficacy, with the lowest tumor volume and weight. Furthermore, significantly large apoptotic and necrotic areas were identified in the tumor tissues from the DOX-conjugated groups, but no noticeable inflammation or hemorrhage was observed in the main organs. Therefore, these results suggest that the formulated nanostructures have great potential for cancer therapies.
Subjects
Magnetite hollow nanostructures
pH-responsive
Homotypic-targeting
Cell membrane
PEGylated
SDGs
Type
journal article