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Published on: April 16, 2019
NO2-controlled cargo delivery from gated silica mesoporous nanoparticles
L Alberto Juárez1, Ana M Costero1, Margarita Parra1
1Instituto Interuniversitario de Investigación de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico (IDM), Universitat Politécnica de Valencia, Universitat de Valencia, Spain and CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Spain and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universitat de Valencia, Doctor Moliner 50, Burjassot, 46100, Valencia, Spain. ana.costero@uv.es.
This study shows that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can trigger cargo release from mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were loaded with a dye and functionalized with a BODIPY derivative for controlled delivery.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are widely investigated for drug and cargo delivery applications.
- Controlled release mechanisms are crucial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing side effects.
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an environmental pollutant with oxidative properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel NO2-triggered cargo release system using functionalized MSNs.
- To investigate the mechanism of cargo release induced by NO2.
- To evaluate the potential of this system for targeted delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of MSNs loaded with sulforhodamine B.
- Functionalization of MSNs with a difluoroboron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivative.
- Exposure of the functionalized MSNs to varying concentrations of NO2.
- Characterization of cargo release using fluorescence spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Successful loading of sulforhodamine B into MSNs.
- Effective capping of MSNs with the BODIPY derivative.
- NO2 exposure induced oxidative degradation of the capping agent, leading to cargo release.
- Release kinetics were dependent on NO2 concentration.
Conclusions:
- A novel NO2-triggered cargo release system based on functionalized MSNs was successfully developed.
- The oxidative process induced by NO2 provides a viable trigger for controlled cargo delivery.
- This approach offers potential for targeted delivery in environments with elevated NO2 levels.
