GraftFast Surface Engineering to Improve MOF Nanoparticles Furtiveness.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Controlling the surface of nanometric metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) is essential for their biomedical applications.
• Existing surface modification methods often suffer from toxicity and lack of selectivity.
• Developing green and efficient surface functionalization techniques for nanoMOFs is a critical need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a highly selective and general grafting method (GraftFast) for nanoMOF surface modification.
• To demonstrate the attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hyaluronic acid onto nanoMOFs using a green process.
• To evaluate the in vitro properties and cellular interactions of the modified nanoMOFs for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the GraftFast method for surface grafting of biopolymers onto nanoMOFs.
• Prepared PEGylated iron trimesate MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles (NPs).
• Investigated MOF-PEG interaction using high-resolution soft X-ray spectroscopy.
• Performed cell penetration studies with radio-labeled antitumor agent gemcitabine monophosphate (³H-GMP)-loaded NPs.

Main Results:

• Successfully attached PEG and hyaluronic acid onto nanoMOFs via the GraftFast method.
• PEGylated MIL-100(Fe) NPs demonstrated excellent grafting stability and colloidal stability in biofluids.
• Modified NPs retained their porosity and adsorption capacity for bioactive molecules.
• Cell studies showed reduced macrophage phagocytosis of PEGylated NPs, indicating in vitro PEG furtiveness.

Conclusions:

• The GraftFast method provides a green, simple, and effective approach for nanoMOF surface functionalization.
• PEGylation of nanoMOFs enhances their stability and reduces cellular uptake, crucial for in vivo applications.
• These modified nanoMOFs show promise for drug delivery and other biomedical applications.