Fluorescent ampicillin analogues as multifunctional disguising agents against opsonization

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Cancer nanomedicines offer improved imaging and therapy via multimodality.
• Challenges include material processing, biological transport, and biocompatibility.
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are versatile for cancer theranostics but have poor solubility and biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional agent for enhancing carbon nanotube (CNT) applications in cancer nanomedicine.
• To evaluate a novel fluorescent ampicillin derivative (iAmp) as a dispersant, fluorescent label, and biocompatible shielding agent for CNTs.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a fluorescent ampicillin derivative (iAmp).
• Coating single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) with iAmp.
• Assessment of dispersion, fluorescence, biocompatibility, stability, and protein corona formation.
• Evaluation of immunological resistance and cellular targeting efficacy.

Main Results:

• iAmp effectively disperses SWNTs, acting as a photostable fluorescent label with minimal photobleaching.
• iAmp-coated SWNTs exhibit minimal toxicity and enhanced stability in physiological conditions.
• iAmp coating prevents nonspecific protein adsorption and confers immunological resistance, enabling targeted delivery.

Conclusions:

• iAmp is a multifunctional agent that overcomes key limitations of CNTs for nanomedicine.
• iAmp functions as an efficient dispersant, fluorescent agent, and biocompatible shield.
• iAmp-coated CNTs are suitable for advanced nanotheranostic and drug delivery applications in cancer treatment.