Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a noxious, potentially poisonous, but necessary gas produced from sulfu... more Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a noxious, potentially poisonous, but necessary gas produced from sulfur metabolism in humans. In Down Syndrome (DS), the production of H2S is elevated and associated with degraded mitochondrial function. Therefore, removing H2S from the body as a stable oxide could be an approach to reducing the deleterious effects of H2S in DS. In this report we describe the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to polysulfides (HS2+n−) and thiosulfate (S2O32−) by poly(ethylene glycol) hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG‐HCCs) and poly(ethylene glycol) oxidized activated charcoal (PEG‐OACs), examples of oxidized carbon nanozymes (OCNs). We show that OCNs oxidize H2S to polysulfides and S2O32− in a dose‐dependent manner. The reaction is dependent on O2 and the presence of quinone groups on the OCNs. In DS donor lymphocytes we found that OCNs increased polysulfide production, proliferation, and afforded protection against additional toxic levels of H2S compared to untreated DS lymphocytes. Finally, in Dp16 and Ts65DN murine models of DS, we found that OCNs restored osteoclast differentiation. This new action suggests potential facile translation into the clinic for conditions involving excess H2S exemplified by DS.
A novel modification for the seedless synthesis of gold nanorods (AuNRs) has been developed. Nano... more A novel modification for the seedless synthesis of gold nanorods (AuNRs) has been developed. Nanomolar concentrations of 10 kDa poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) can be introduced to a growth solution containing 25, 50, or 100 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to significantly reduce the dimensions of AuNRs. We found that PVP accelerates the growth rate of AuNRs by more than two times that of nanorods grown in 50 and 100 mM CTAB solutions. Additionally, there is a time-dependent effect of adding PVP to the nanorod growth solution that can be utilized to tune their aspect ratio. Because the concentration of PVP is far below the concentration of HAuCl4 in the reaction mixture, PVP primarily functions not as a reducing agent, but as a capping or templating ligand to stabilize the growing nanorods. Our reproducible protocol enables the synthesis of AuNRs in high yield with tunable sizes: 45 × 6.7, 28 × 5.5, and 12 × 4.5 nm for 100, 50, and 25 mM CTAB, respectively. We estimated the number of PVP chains per nanorod in growth solutions to be around 30, which suggests that the effect on the aspect ratio is caused by a direct interaction between the AuNR surface and the PVP.
ABSTRACT We proposed and have been developing real-time, noninvasive monitoring of blood oxygenat... more ABSTRACT We proposed and have been developing real-time, noninvasive monitoring of blood oxygenation, total hemoglobin concentration, and thermotherapy including hyperthermia, coagulation, and cryotherapy. In this paper we propose to use the optoacoustic technique for monitoring of nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (NPT) of tumors. NPT is based on heating exogenous strongly-absorbing nanoparticles selectively delivered in tumors. Real-time monitoring of NPT is necessary for precise tumor therapy with minimal damage to normal tissues. In this study we injected PEGylated and non-PEGylated carbon nanoparticles in nude mice bearing human tumors (5-15 mm) and irradiated the tumors for 10 minutes with nanosecond Nd:YAG laser pulses which produced both thermal damage to the tumors and optoacoustic signals for monitoring NPT in real time. Irradiation of tumors was performed during or after (3 or 24 hours) nanoparticle injection. Amplitude and temporal parameters of optoacoustic signals (measured with a custom-made wide-band optoacoustic probe) correlated well with nanoparticle injection, temperature rise in tumors, and tumor coagulation. Substantial thermal damage in large areas of the tumors was produced when optimal irradiation parameters were used. Monte Carlo modeling of light distribution in tumors and optoacoustic theory were applied to study kinetics of nanoparticle concentration in the tumors. Our results demonstrated that the optoacoustic technique can be used for real-time monitoring of NTP and provide precise tumor therapy with minimal damage to normal tissues.
Introduction: Our laboratories’ focus is synthesis of potential carbon nanoparticle (CNP) therape... more Introduction: Our laboratories’ focus is synthesis of potential carbon nanoparticle (CNP) therapeutics for acute injury. To enhance the likelihood of regulatory approval, we tested whether medicinal grade activated charcoal (AC) could serve as the initial source. Taken up avidly and localizing to organelles, e.g. mitochondria, CNP’s broad redox potential could facilitate electron transfer. Here, we test whether CNPs from AC are cytoprotective in a brain endothelial cell line and their restoration of cerebral autoregulation in a traumatic brain injury model. Materials and Methods: 5-30 nM oxidized AC (OAC) were synthesized from medicinal AC, treated with oleum and 90% nitric acid, then covalently PEGylated. Cell number was assessed in bEnd.3 cells incubated 18 hrs with 50 μM H 2 O 2 w/wo 8 mg/L PEG-OACs. An electron transport assay was performed with NADH (e - donor) and resazurin (e - acceptor) using kinetic UV-vis spectroscopy. 2 mg/kg PEG-OACs were administered IV to rats upon res...
Coating nanoparticles with stealth epilayers increases circulation time by evading opsonization, ... more Coating nanoparticles with stealth epilayers increases circulation time by evading opsonization, macrophage phagocytosis, and reticuloendothelial sequestration. However, this also reduces internalization by cancer cells upon reaching the tumor. We designed gold nanorods (GNRs) with an epilayer that retains stealth properties in circulation but transforms spontaneously in the acidotic tumor microenvironment to a cell-penetrating particle. We used a customized stoichiometric ratio of l -glutamic acid and l -lysine within an amphiphilic polymer of poly( l -glutamic acid-co- l -lysine), or P(Glu-co-Lys), to effect this transformation in acidotic environments. P(Glu-co-Lys)-GNRs were internalized by cancer cells to facilitate potent in vitro radiosensitization. When administered intravenously in mice, they accumulate in the periphery and core of tumors without any signs of serum biochemical or hematological alterations, normal organ histopathological abnormalities, or overt deterioration...
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a noxious, potentially poisonous, but necessary gas produced from sulfu... more Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a noxious, potentially poisonous, but necessary gas produced from sulfur metabolism in humans. In Down Syndrome (DS), the production of H2S is elevated and associated with degraded mitochondrial function. Therefore, removing H2S from the body as a stable oxide could be an approach to reducing the deleterious effects of H2S in DS. In this report we describe the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to polysulfides (HS2+n−) and thiosulfate (S2O32−) by poly(ethylene glycol) hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG‐HCCs) and poly(ethylene glycol) oxidized activated charcoal (PEG‐OACs), examples of oxidized carbon nanozymes (OCNs). We show that OCNs oxidize H2S to polysulfides and S2O32− in a dose‐dependent manner. The reaction is dependent on O2 and the presence of quinone groups on the OCNs. In DS donor lymphocytes we found that OCNs increased polysulfide production, proliferation, and afforded protection against additional toxic levels of H2S compared to untreated DS lymphocytes. Finally, in Dp16 and Ts65DN murine models of DS, we found that OCNs restored osteoclast differentiation. This new action suggests potential facile translation into the clinic for conditions involving excess H2S exemplified by DS.
A novel modification for the seedless synthesis of gold nanorods (AuNRs) has been developed. Nano... more A novel modification for the seedless synthesis of gold nanorods (AuNRs) has been developed. Nanomolar concentrations of 10 kDa poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) can be introduced to a growth solution containing 25, 50, or 100 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to significantly reduce the dimensions of AuNRs. We found that PVP accelerates the growth rate of AuNRs by more than two times that of nanorods grown in 50 and 100 mM CTAB solutions. Additionally, there is a time-dependent effect of adding PVP to the nanorod growth solution that can be utilized to tune their aspect ratio. Because the concentration of PVP is far below the concentration of HAuCl4 in the reaction mixture, PVP primarily functions not as a reducing agent, but as a capping or templating ligand to stabilize the growing nanorods. Our reproducible protocol enables the synthesis of AuNRs in high yield with tunable sizes: 45 × 6.7, 28 × 5.5, and 12 × 4.5 nm for 100, 50, and 25 mM CTAB, respectively. We estimated the number of PVP chains per nanorod in growth solutions to be around 30, which suggests that the effect on the aspect ratio is caused by a direct interaction between the AuNR surface and the PVP.
ABSTRACT We proposed and have been developing real-time, noninvasive monitoring of blood oxygenat... more ABSTRACT We proposed and have been developing real-time, noninvasive monitoring of blood oxygenation, total hemoglobin concentration, and thermotherapy including hyperthermia, coagulation, and cryotherapy. In this paper we propose to use the optoacoustic technique for monitoring of nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (NPT) of tumors. NPT is based on heating exogenous strongly-absorbing nanoparticles selectively delivered in tumors. Real-time monitoring of NPT is necessary for precise tumor therapy with minimal damage to normal tissues. In this study we injected PEGylated and non-PEGylated carbon nanoparticles in nude mice bearing human tumors (5-15 mm) and irradiated the tumors for 10 minutes with nanosecond Nd:YAG laser pulses which produced both thermal damage to the tumors and optoacoustic signals for monitoring NPT in real time. Irradiation of tumors was performed during or after (3 or 24 hours) nanoparticle injection. Amplitude and temporal parameters of optoacoustic signals (measured with a custom-made wide-band optoacoustic probe) correlated well with nanoparticle injection, temperature rise in tumors, and tumor coagulation. Substantial thermal damage in large areas of the tumors was produced when optimal irradiation parameters were used. Monte Carlo modeling of light distribution in tumors and optoacoustic theory were applied to study kinetics of nanoparticle concentration in the tumors. Our results demonstrated that the optoacoustic technique can be used for real-time monitoring of NTP and provide precise tumor therapy with minimal damage to normal tissues.
Introduction: Our laboratories’ focus is synthesis of potential carbon nanoparticle (CNP) therape... more Introduction: Our laboratories’ focus is synthesis of potential carbon nanoparticle (CNP) therapeutics for acute injury. To enhance the likelihood of regulatory approval, we tested whether medicinal grade activated charcoal (AC) could serve as the initial source. Taken up avidly and localizing to organelles, e.g. mitochondria, CNP’s broad redox potential could facilitate electron transfer. Here, we test whether CNPs from AC are cytoprotective in a brain endothelial cell line and their restoration of cerebral autoregulation in a traumatic brain injury model. Materials and Methods: 5-30 nM oxidized AC (OAC) were synthesized from medicinal AC, treated with oleum and 90% nitric acid, then covalently PEGylated. Cell number was assessed in bEnd.3 cells incubated 18 hrs with 50 μM H 2 O 2 w/wo 8 mg/L PEG-OACs. An electron transport assay was performed with NADH (e - donor) and resazurin (e - acceptor) using kinetic UV-vis spectroscopy. 2 mg/kg PEG-OACs were administered IV to rats upon res...
Coating nanoparticles with stealth epilayers increases circulation time by evading opsonization, ... more Coating nanoparticles with stealth epilayers increases circulation time by evading opsonization, macrophage phagocytosis, and reticuloendothelial sequestration. However, this also reduces internalization by cancer cells upon reaching the tumor. We designed gold nanorods (GNRs) with an epilayer that retains stealth properties in circulation but transforms spontaneously in the acidotic tumor microenvironment to a cell-penetrating particle. We used a customized stoichiometric ratio of l -glutamic acid and l -lysine within an amphiphilic polymer of poly( l -glutamic acid-co- l -lysine), or P(Glu-co-Lys), to effect this transformation in acidotic environments. P(Glu-co-Lys)-GNRs were internalized by cancer cells to facilitate potent in vitro radiosensitization. When administered intravenously in mice, they accumulate in the periphery and core of tumors without any signs of serum biochemical or hematological alterations, normal organ histopathological abnormalities, or overt deterioration...
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