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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Synthesis of Bimetallic Pt/Sn-based Nanoparticles in Ionic Liquids
Published on: August 23, 2018
Design and Synthesis of Ionic Liquid-Based Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors (MMPIs): A Simple Approach to Increase
Felicia D'Andrea1, Elisa Nuti1, Stefano Becherini1
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6/33, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Selective and potent matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12) inhibitors endowed with improved hydrophilicity are highly sought for potential use in the treatment of lung and cardiovascular diseases. In the present paper, we modified the structure of a nanomolar MMP-12 inhibitor by incorporating an ionic liquid (IL) moiety to improve aqueous solubility. Four biologically active salts were obtained by linking the sulfonamide moiety of the MMP-12 inhibitor to imidazolium-, pyrrolidinium-, piperidinium-, and DABCO-based ILs. The imidazolium-based bioactive salt was tested on human recombinant MMPs and on monocyte-derived dendritic cells, showing activity similar to that of the parent compound, but improved water solubility. The imidazolium-based bioactive salt was then used to prepare electrostatically stabilized MMP inhibitor-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) able to selectively bind MMP-12. These AuNPs were used to study subcellular localization of MMP-12 in monocyte-derived dendritic cells by transmission electron microscopy analysis.
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