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A. Organic synthesis / Dendritic polymer synthesis
Polymeric nanotheranostics for the targeted imaging and treatment of cancers.
1. FACILE, ONE-STEP, SELECTIVE N-ALKYLATION OF AMINO ACIDS: Published in Biomacromolecules 2011, 12, 3917.
Novel one-step methodology for selective mono and di- N-alkylation of various amino acids, without using conventional multi-step protection and deprotection methods. The newly developed one-step synthetic strategy was used for the one-step synthesis of amino acid-based small molecules, biopolymers and theranostic polymeric nanoagents. The fabricated theranostic nano-vehicle was efficient in encapsulating and delivering therapeutic drugs and dyes to the tumors. The results successfully proven the ability to target and killing of lung (A549 cells) and prostate cancers (LNCaP and PC-3 cells). In vivo experiments showed the accumulation of glutamated- and folate-decorated DiR dye encapsulating polymeric nanoparticles in PSMA positive PC-3 tumor in mice. Increased uptake is observed for all time points in the PSMA-positive PC3-PSMA tumor.
2. STEP-WISE ORGANIC SYNTHESIS OF BIOCOMPATIBLE HYPERBRANCHED POLYMERS AND THERAPEUTIC DRUG ENCAPSULATING NANOPARTICLES AND NANOCOMPOSITES FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER. Published in Molecular Pharmaceutics 2012, 9, 2080. Langmuir 2010, 26, 5364. Chemical Communications 2004, 2126.
Novel functional hyperbranched polymers were synthesized using simple organic chemistry and utilized for the synthesis of a biocompatible HBPE polymer. The polymer’s globular structure with functional surface carboxylic groups and hydrophobic cavities residing in the polymer’s interior allows for the formation of multifunctional polymeric nanoparticles, which are able to encapsulate a diversity of hydrophobic cargos. Solvent diffusion method and click chemistry has been followed for the synthesis of targetable functional nanoparticles and nanocomposites. These polymeric nanocomposites showed excellent magnetic, fluorescent, MRI imaging, x-ray contrast and catalytic activity when conjugated with dye encapsulating HBPE nanoparticles, iron oxide and cerium oxide nanoparticles. This offers the possibility to create novel multifunctional materials composed of hyperbranched polymeric nanoparticles with unique properties that can be tailored by the nature of their cargo, their surface functionality and the formation of supramolecular assemblies. Specifically, we examined the cytotoxic properties of a novel peptide, CT20p, derived from the C-terminal, alpha-9 helix of Bax, an amphipathic domain with putative membrane binding properties. The amphipathic nature of CT20p allowed it to be encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) that have the capacity to harbor targeting molecules, dyes or drugs. The resulting CT20p-NPs proved an effective killer, in vitro, of colon and breast cancer cells, and in vivo, using a murine breast cancer tumor model.
3. NOVEL BIFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM FOR TARGETED DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC MEMBRANE-IMPERMEABLE PROTEINS AND PEPTIDES TO TUMORS AND IMAGING OF CANCER THERAPY.
Published in Molecular Pharmaceutics 2011, 7, 1209.
A water-soluble hydrophilic hyperbranched polymer has been designed for the encapsulation of water-soluble drugs doxorubicin, cytochrome C and other proteins inside the polymers’ amphiphilic nanocavities (HBPH-NPs), for the effective detection and treatment of cancer. We formulated theranostic polymeric nanoparticles for the simultaneous encapsulation of a apoptosis-initiating protein Cytochrome c and a near infrared dye ICG to folate-expressing cancer cell cells. The potential therapeutic property of these nanoparticles was demonstrated by the induction of apoptosis upon intracellular delivery. Considering that these theranostic nanoparticles can carry an endogenous cellular apoptotic initiator (Cytochrome c) and a fluorescent tag (ICG) commonly used in the clinic, their use and potential translation into the clinic is anticipated, facilitating the monitoring of tumor regression.
4. MULTI-STEP ORGANIC SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE DENDRIMERS, CAPABLE OF ENCAPSULATING THERAPEUTIC DRUGS:
A new frontier in the synthetic dendrimer-based drug delivery system for ovarian cancer treatment. Facile synthesis of 3rd generation polyurethane dendrimer involves more than 10 steps organic synthesis with several air and moisture sensitive reactions. The O-alkylation of Bis-MPA was performed for the first time without forming the cyclic bi-products. Convergent growth approach used to synthesize the dendrimer. The use of acyl azide approach has many salient features such as a) quantitative in situ thermal deprotection of the acyl azide to generate the reactive isocyanate functionality; b) the side product for the thermal deprotection step is the gaseous nitrogen and c) tolerance to allyl surface functional groups making it easier to synthesize various dendrimers with different surface functionality. The synthesized water-dispersed dendrimer nanoparticles were found to be non-toxic when treated with human ovarian cancer cells. The nanoparticles were capable of encapsulating therapeutic anti-cancer drugs; doxorubicin, benomyl, BEZ235 inhibitor and paclitaxel and optical dyes; DiI, DiR for the targeted detection and treatment of ovarian cancers. Surface functional groups were easily available to create a library of targetable theranostic dendrimer-based drug delivery systems, to prevent killing healthy tissues.
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B. Medicinal Chemistry
Novel activatable theranostic probes for the targeted optical detection, MR imaging and treatment of ovarian, lung and cervical cancer.
Figure. Schematic diagram of the novel activatable prodrug for the targeted detection and treatment of A549 cells (Lung cancer). FACS results showed fluorescence activation upon GSH-mediated cleavage of disulfide linker and then induced apoptosis of Lung cancer cells.1. DEVELOPEMENT OF SMALL-MOLECULE BASED ACTIVATABLE PRODRUG FOR THE DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF LUNG CANCER. Published in JACS 2011, 133, 16680.
Design and synthesis of a glutathione activatable fluorescent prodrug for dual targeted imaging and treatment of Lung Cancer. The synthesized new probe consists of the therapeutic drug Doxorubicin and receptor targeting ligand Folate. We discovered that the cytotoxicity and fluorescence property of Doxo are quenched (OFF state) when connected with Folic acid. The probe with the disulfide linker (Figure 1A and 1C, Doxo-S-S-Fol) gets activated (ON state) by the intracellular glutathione (GSH), leading to fluorescence emission (optical imaging) and target-specific cytotoxicity (cancer treatment). In contrast, the non-cleavable probe Doxo-C-C-Fol remains quenched showing no migration to the nucleus and therefore no toxicity to the cancer cells. Results also confirmed that the sustained cytotoxicity of the released Doxo-SH derivative is compared to free Doxo. In our novel design, the folic acid acted as both a targeting ligand for the folate receptor as well as a quencher for doxorubicin’s fluorescence. Finally, the excellent plasma stability of the disulfide linker would make our activatable Doxo-S-S-Fol probe suitable in clinical settings.
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C. Magnetic drug delivery system: Activatable probes and Cancer therapy
Polymer-coated magnetic relaxation nanoprobes for the detection and treatment of cancers.
1. ACTIVATABLE MAGNETIC NANOPROBES FOR THE TARGETED MR IMAGING AND TREATMENT OF CERVICAL CANCER. Published in ACS Nano 2012, 6, 7281.
We have developed a novel gadolinium-encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticle-based activatable NMR/MRI nanoprobe for the targeted detection and treatment of acidic tumors. Developed a magnetic nanoprobe, where the Gd’s T1 magnetic relaxation is quenched by iron oxide core, a strong T2 agent. After receptor-mediated internalization, the probe becomes MRI active due to the release of Gd-DTPA complex and subsequently, the released drug used for the treatment of cancer. Our results also demonstrated that the folate-receptor mediated internalization and the subsequent lysosomal acidic pH-induced intracellular release of Gd-DTPA complex resulted in an enhanced 1/T1 MR signal. This new activatable technology will bring sophisticated tools for the in vivo MR Imaging of acidic tumors while visualizing the drug’s homing. Confocal images showed the internalization (A) and killing (B) of human cervical cancers.
Figure. Schematic representation of the acidic pH-mediated activation of the activatable composite magnetic nanoprobe IO-PAA-Gd-DTPA and corresponding T1-MRI activation. Inset: In Vivo imaging (FMT) of induced cervical cancer.
2.Environment-responsive nanophores for therapy and treatment monitoring via molecular MRI quenching. Published in Nature Communications, 2014.
The effective delivery of therapeutics to disease sites significantly contributes to drug efficacy, toxicity and clearance. Here, we used the clinically approved iron oxide nanoparticles (Ferumoxytol) that can be utilized to carry one or multiple drugs. These so called ‘nanophores’ retain their cargo within their polymeric coating through weak electrostatic interactions and release it in slightly acidic conditions (pH 6.8 and below). The loading of drugs increases the nanophores’ transverse T2 and longitudinal T1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) proton relaxation times, which is proportional to amount of carried cargo. Chemotherapy with translational nanophores is more effective than the free drug in vitro and in vivo, without subjecting the drugs or the carrier nanoparticle to any chemical modification. Evaluation of cargo incorporation and payload levels in vitro and in vivo can be assessed via benchtop magnetic relaxometers, common NMR instruments or magnetic resonance imaging scanners.
3. THERANOSTIC IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM. Targeted detection, MR Imaging and treatment of cancer. Published in Small 2009, 5, 1862.
A biocompatible, multimodal and theranostic functional IONPs was synthesized using a novel water-based method and exerted excellent properties for targeted cancer therapy, optical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For the first time, a facile, modified solvent diffusion method is used for the co-encapsulation of both an anti-cancer drug and near infrared dyes. The resulting folate-decorated theranostic nanoparticles could allow for targeted optical/MR-imaging and targeted killing of folate-expressing cancer cells. We anticipate that this multimodal (magnetic and fluorescent) and multifunctional (imaging and therapeutic) IONPs will open many exciting opportunities for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to tumors. In addition, the dual optical and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles will allow for the dual fluorescence- and MR-based imaging and monitoring of drug efficacy. All these positive attributes make our IONPs a promising drug delivery vehicle for further in vivo evaluation.
Figure. Novel theranostic magnetic nanoparticle (left), Maestro imaging of labeled cells (right), confocal images showing the internalization (bottom-right, E) and cell death (F), and T2-mapped MRI imaging (bottom).
D: Magnetic nanosensors for the detection of infectious diseases and cancers
Polymer-coated magnetic relaxation nanosensors for detection, isolation and treatment of infectious diseases and cancer.
1. MAGNETIC RELAXATION-MEDIATED DETECTION AND ISOLATION OF SINGLE CERCULATING CANCER CELLS IN COMPLEX MEDIA.
Published in JACS 2009, 131, 12780. Magnetic relaxation technique (using magnetic relaxometer from Bruker, bench-top MRI, 0.47 T) was used to detect single cancer cell from blood circulation, using surface engineered magnetic nanomaterials. Similar techniques were used to trace amount of bacteria and other pathogens in milk. Herein, we study the effect of multivalency on the detection profile of cancer cells and bacteria in complex media, like blood and milk. In these studies, we conjugated folic acid at two different densities (low-folate and high-folate) on polyacrylic-acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles and studied the interaction of these nanosensors with cancer cells expressing the folate receptor, using confocal microscopy, dynamic light scattering and magnetic relaxation. Results showed that the multivalent high-folate magnetic relaxation nanosensor performed better than its low folate counterpart, achieving single cancer cell detection in blood samples. However, the novel diagnostic typically involves the targeting ligand conjugation to create a sensitive and specific nanosensor that can bind and detect the presence of a target, such as bacterium, cancer cell, protein or a DNA sequence. We anticipate the broader use of our technology in the clinic and in the field, expediting diagnosis and decision-making in cancer.
Figure. Magnetic relaxation nanosensor-based detection, isolation and treatment of cancer.
2. MAGNETIC NANOSENSOR-MEDIATED DETECTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Published in JACS 2011, 133, 3668, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2011, 22, 307, PLoS One 2012, 7, e35326. Organic chemistry-based, surface engineered magnetic resonance nanosensors (MRnS) were used for the first time to detect cholera toxins, Anthrax Lethal Factors, pathogens for crohn’s and jones diseases, MAP bacteria and other infectious diseases. These works highlighted all over the USA through the NIH and other websites and multiple media channels. Bacterial infections are still a major global healthcare problem. The quick and sensitive detection of pathogens responsible for these infections would facilitate correct diagnosis of the disease and expedite treatment. Of major importance are intracellular slow-growing pathogens that reside within peripheral leukocytes, evading recognition by the immune system and detection by traditional culture methods. Herein, we report the use of hybridizing magnetic nanosensors (hMRS) for the detection of an intracellular pathogen, Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The hMRS with unique genomic sequence, acting as proximity magnetic relaxation nanosensors, resulting in an increase in magnetic relaxation of surrounding water molecules upon hMRS binding to their target. Demonstrated that the change in magnetic relaxation is associated with the interaction of the nanoparticles with ligands. MRnS induce large increases in the relaxation signal upon binding to a target, whereas when the target promotes nanoparticle clustering the signal decreases. This technology was also used to target, isolate and treatment of Cholera toxin B-subunits, employing molecular mimicry, robust ganglioside-resembling iron oxide nanoparticles, via changes in spin-spin relaxation times (ΔΤ2) and achieved detection sensitivity in the low picomolar regime (40 pM).
Figure. Hybridized magnetic nanosensors (hMRS, from the top) showed the effective detection and isolation of pathogens in blood within an hour, compare to the traditional culture-based nPCR (12 weeks) or direct nPCR (24 h). Images showing the principle of MRnS as nanosensors and the molecular mimicry for the detection of cholera toxins.
E: Anti-Oxidant Nanoceria as Cancer Biomarker
Polymer-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles: oxidase-like activity, nanocatalyst, medical device for the detection of chronic inflammations and cancer biomarkers.
1.INTRODUCING OXIDASE-LIKE ACTIVITY OF CERIUM-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AS AN EFFECTIVE NANOCATALYST AND DETECTION TOOL IN IMMUNOASSAYS AND ITS CYTOTOXICITY TOWARDS THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT CARCINOMAS. Published in Angewandte Chemie 2009, 48, 2308, ACS Nano 2010, 4, 5321.
Our research discovered the auto-catalytic properties and oxidase-like activity of nanoceria. We found that the nanoceria has an intrinsic oxidase-like activity at different acidic pH and it can quickly oxidize a series of organic substrates without using any oxidizing agents, such as, hydrogen peroxide. Interestingly, we also noticed that the observed activity is not only pH dependent but is also depends on the size of the nanoceria and thickness of the polymeric coatings. This oxidase-like activity makes potentially useful as aqueous redox catalysts for the oxidation of water pollutants and TMB-based immunoassays. Our research showed that nanoceria was able to oxidise organic dyes TMB, AzBTS and DOPA in acidic condition, without the addition of any oxidizing agent. We hypothesized that the nanoceria-based detection approach would be more robust than current HRP-based assays (ELISA), as no enzyme, antibodies or hydrogen peroxide would be needed for detection. Therefore, nanoceria-based immunoassay to identify the presence and concentration of a target will be faster and cheaper than using traditional ELISA.
Figure.
Oxidase-like activity of synthesized nanoceria. Effective oxidation of organic dyes in acidic media without using any oxidizing agents. Comparison between traditional ELISA and nanoceria-based ELISA: In our nanoceria-based ELISA, the oxidase activity of nanoceria facilitates the direct oxidation of TMB without the need of HRP or H2O2.2.NANOCERIA-BASED MEDICAL DEVICE FOR THE DETECTION OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATIONS AND CANCER BIOMAKERS VIA OPTICAL AND MR IMAGING.
Published in Nanoscale 2012, 4, 2117. Analytical Chemistry 2011, 83, 2547. We have developed a nanoceria-based device that can detect abnormal levels of hydrogen peroxide and micro-environmental alterations through changes in the device’s fluorescence and magnetic resonance signals. Considering that nanoceria can sequester other forms of ROS, such as superoxide and nitroxyl radicals, the device can potentially sense a plethora of inflammatory mediators, other than hydrogen peroxide. For medical applications, this system can be utilized as a standalone implantable device or prosthetic equipment’s component. For instance, it can have applications in a broad range of ailments with a pro-inflammatory component, including inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, sepsis, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, as acidosis and ROS interfere with cancer chemotherapy, the device can be utilized as an implant in cancer therapeutic regimes. Additionally, patients with transplants or prosthetic apparatuses may utilize the nanoceria-based device for the in vivo monitoring of the post-operative inflammatory response, as the device can be further miniaturized and integrated to the prosthetic organ.
Figure. The device reports the presence of aberrant levels of inflammation through the changes in fluorescence emission and MRI signal (T2). Photograph of nanoceria-based device and conceptual diagram of its performance in different clinical conditions. Under physiological conditions, fluorescence emission is high, whereas the MRI signal (T2) is low. However under inflammatory conditions, fluorescence emission decreases, while the MRI signal (T2) increases..png)
