Functional nanovalves on protein-coated nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo controlled drug delivery.

ABSTRACT: A multifunctional mesoporous drug delivery system that contains fluorescent imaging molecules, targeting proteins, and pH-sensitive nanovalves is developed and tested. Three nanovalve-mesoporous silica nanoparticle (NV-MSN) systems with varied quantities of nanovalves on the surface are synthesized. These systems are characterized and tested to optimize the trade-off between the coverage of nanovalves on the MSNs to effectively trap and deliver cargo, and the remaining underivatized silanol groups that can be used for protein attachments. The NV-MSN system that has satisfactory coverage for high loading and spare silanols is chosen, and transferrin (Tf) is integrated into the system. Abiotic studies are performed to test the operation of the nanovalve in the presence of the protein. In vit

SUBMITTER: Hwang AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4327898 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature