Ali Reza Karimpour1, Sahra Alizadeh 1, Senem Sunar 2, Sara Salatin3,*
1 Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
3 Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
*Correspondence: Sara Salatin, Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, E-mail: sarasalatin93@gmail.com, Tel: +98 (41) 3339-2585. Fax: +98 (41) 3334-4798
Abstract
Different types of nanomaterials including polymeric nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles and, carbon nanotubes form ideal complexes with conjugating agents like antibodies or aptamers. Porous nanoparticles in this regard can be used as smart capping carriers to form an intelligent drug delivery system using conjugating agents. These conjugating agents can cover the holes of porous nanomaterials as cap and then these conjugated systems can be considered as gatekeepers. Based on the obtained search results in this work, delivery systems based on conjugated nanoparticles will be used as outstanding therapeutic agents for the controlled release of drugs in the near future.
Keywords: Nanoparticles, Conjugation agents, Biomolecular cap, Intelligent drug delivery
Introduction
Novel nanoparticulate drug delivery structures can increase therapeutic efficacy and reduce side-effects by directing the drugs into specific sites in the body [1]. Different classes of drug delivery carriers have been introduced for targeted uses. Smart drug delivery carriers are the chief class of them which are able to control drug release in reaction to a stimulating power [2,3].
From the reported texts, conjugating agents like aptamers are potent targeting molecules for nanomaterials owing to their moderately direct immobilization on nano-surfaces without altering the affinity possessions. As an antibody-antigen reaction, the conjugating agents connect straightly with their targets by a binding reaction. Owing to their molecular nature, aptamers include some benefits compared to antibodies such as; low toxicity and immunogenicity, a long shelf-life, and high stability [4-6]. In the present review, we will briefly concentrate on the conjugated nanoparticulate systems for drug delivery purposes.
Conjugated nanoparticles
Nanomaterials have unique physical, optical and electronic properties. The conjugating agents like aptamers themselves can home to their specific targets even in vivo media [7]. According to reports, aptamer-nanoparticle conjugates have been used for vast applications include; in vitro detection of cancer cell, in vivo imaging, targeted drug delivery and especially as dual nanoparticles for magnetic extraction and fluorescent labeling. When these conjugates applied as carriers bound with drugs or functional proteins, they enable targeted and controlled drug delivery [7]. Therapeutic agents can be entrapped in nanomaterials either covalently or non-covalently. For the non-covalent introduction of therapeutic agents, electrostatic adsorption and hydrophobic interaction are usually used [8].
When drug is successfully targeted to a specific site, the main challenge is to control its release profile. Many desirable possessions of conjugated nanomaterials such as fine size, lack of immunogenicity and ease of isolation lead to their rapid development in biomedical applications as drug delivery carriers [9,10].
Conjugated nanoparticles as gatekeepers
Ceramic nanomaterials are materials prepared from inorganic compounds with porous features, such as silica, alumina and, titania [11]. Silica nanoparticles have involved much attention owing to their biocompatibility and simplicity of production, and surface variation [12]. The latest reports have revealed that silica mesoporous nanoparticles show great biocompatibility at concentrations suitable for pharmacological utilization. These nanomaterials are generally applied for bioimaging and drug delivery in cancer detecting and curing. Mesoporous nanoparticles can apply as stimuli-responsive smart delivery systems [12]. The surface of silica mesoporous nanoparticles can be modified with organic molecules, peptides, aptamers and antibodies and then these nanoparticles can be considered as gatekeepers. Different stimulants such as alterations in pH, light, enzymatic activity, reducing environment, electromagnetic field or ultrasound are utilized to eliminate the cap from nanomaterials and then the drug release is attained. Besides, optical and different contrast agents can also be loaded into nanomaterials to produce versatile drug delivery structures [10,13].
Conclusion and future direction
Owing to their various potentials, conjugated nanoparticles show a great ability for different medical uses such as drug delivery organizations, biomedical sensing, and detection. For example, aptamer-nanoparticle conjugates are able to deliver drugs in an active-controlled way. They are combined in the nanomaterials when they are bound to a targeted site due to the aptamer affinity to this site. As the limited number of conjugating agents are identified, the detection and progress of other new agents specifically for cancer cells appear to be essential.
Conflict of interests
The authors state that there are no conflicts of interest for the current mini-review paper.
References
HOW TO CITE
Karimpour, A. R., Alizadeh, S., Sunar, S., & Salatin, S. (2019). Conjugated nanomaterials for drug delivery purposes. Journal of Advanced Chemical and Pharmaceutical Materials (JACPM), 2(1), 103-105. Retrieved from http://advchempharm.ir/journal/index.php/JACPM/article/view/66
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