Impact of Nanoparticle Stiffness on Endosomal Escape and Signaling Pathways in Cytosolic Delivery.

ABSTRACT: Viruses utilize stiffness tuning to enhance cell entry and uncoating, as cells can regulate the uptake process by sensing the mechanical stimulation of particles. The improved cytosolic delivery efficiency enhances the nanoparticle (NPs) accumulation in target sites, which is a prerequisite for achieving efficient treatment performance. However, the preparation of NPs with similar physicochemical properties but distinct stiffnesses is relatively limited, and the role of NP stiffness in intracellular distribution remains elusive. In this study, using two silica precursors at different molar ratios, silica nanocapsules (SNCs) are synthesized with a stiffness range (1.37 MPa to 1.72 GPa) spanning orders of magnitude. Additionally, an endosomal escape assay (EEA) is developed to enable rapid q

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12581877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature