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Multifunctional chitin nanogels for simultaneous drug delivery, bioimaging, and biosensing
Sanoj Rejinold N1, Krishna Prasad Chennazhi, Hiroshi Tamura
1Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi 682041, India.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 26, 2011
Summary
Biodegradable chitin nanogels (CNGs) were developed and functionalized with quantum dots (QDs) and proteins. These novel nanogels are nontoxic and suitable for cellular imaging and drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chitin nanogels (CNGs) are biodegradable nanomaterials with potential applications.
- Multifunctionalization of nanomaterials enhances their utility.
- Quantum dots (QDs) offer unique optical properties for bioimaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize biodegradable chitin nanogels (CNGs).
- To conjugate CNGs with MPA-capped-CdTe-QDs (QD-CNGs) for cellular localization studies.
- To load Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) onto QD-CNGs (BSA-QD-CNGs) for drug delivery evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Controlled regeneration method for CNG synthesis.
- Conjugation of CNGs with MPA-capped-CdTe-QDs.
- Loading of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) onto QD-CNGs.
- Characterization using SEM, AFM, FT-IR, and Cyclic Voltametry.
- In vitro cytocompatibility assays on various cell lines.
- Cell uptake studies and protein loading efficiency analysis.
Main Results:
- CNGs, QD-CNGs, and BSA-QD-CNGs were successfully synthesized and characterized.
- Nanogels exhibited sizes below 100 nm.
- Cytocompatibility assays confirmed the nontoxicity of nanogels to L929, NIH-3T3, KB, MCF-7, PC3, and VERO cells.
- QD-CNGs demonstrated efficient cellular uptake and retention.
- BSA loading efficiency was successfully analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Developed multifunctionalized nanogels possess excellent cytocompatibility.
- These nanogels are suitable for in vitro cellular localization and uptake studies.
- The potential for drug delivery, simultaneous imaging, and biosensing was highlighted.
