Recognition-induced destabilization: controlled release from molecularly imprinted chitosan nanoparticles via...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems are crucial for targeted therapies.
• Current systems often rely on enzymatic catalysis, limiting specificity.
• A novel approach is needed for precise control over nanoparticle disassembly and drug release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel stimuli-responsive drug delivery platform based on recognition-induced destabilization.
• To engineer molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) that disassemble upon specific molecular recognition.
• To demonstrate targeted drug release triggered by nanoparticle structural destabilization.

Main Methods:

• Chitosan-phthalate nanoparticles (NPs) were engineered using molecular imprinting with lysozyme or α-glucosidase as templates.
• The non-catalytic nature of the template enzymes on the NP structure was confirmed.
• Nanoparticle disassembly and drug release were analyzed using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and drug quantification.

Main Results:

• Imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) selectively destabilized upon recognition of their template enzyme, while non-imprinted controls remained stable.
• This recognition-induced destabilization triggered the on-demand release of encapsulated ciprofloxacin (>90% release).
• Non-specific release from control nanoparticles was minimal (<11%).

Conclusions:

• Molecular imprinting coupled with recognition-induced destabilization provides a novel paradigm for stimuli-responsive drug delivery.
• This platform demonstrates high specificity, stability, and responsiveness for triggered drug release.
• The nanoMIPs show potential for targeted therapies, biosensing, and diagnostics in enzyme-rich environments.