Nanoarchitectured Structure and Surface Biofunctionality of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), one of the important porous materials, have garnered interest owing to their highly attractive physicochemical features and advantageous morphological attributes. They are of particular importance for use in diverse fields including, but not limited to, adsorption, catalysis, and medicine. Despite their intrinsic stable siliceous frameworks, excellent mechanical strength, and optimal morphological attributes, pristine MSNs suffer from poor drug loading efficiency, as well as compatibility and degradability issues for therapeutic, diagnostic, and tissue engineering purposes. Collectively, the desirable and beneficial properties of MSNs have been harnessed by modifying the surface of the siliceous frameworks through incorporating supramolecular assemblies and various metal species, and through incorporating supramolecular assemblies and various metal species and their conjugates. Substantial advancements of these innovative colloidal inorganic nanocontainers drive researchers in promoting them toward innovative applications like stimuli (light/ultrasound/magnetic)-responsive delivery-associated therapies with exceptional performance in vivo. Here, a brief overview of the fabrication of siliceous frameworks, along with discussions on the significant advances in engineering of MSNs, is provided. The scope of the advancement in terms of structural and physicochemical attributes and their effects on biomedical applications with a particular focus on recent studies is emphasized. Finally, interesting perspectives are recapitulated, along with the scope toward clinical translation.     

静电组装法在纳米SiO_2表面构筑高分子刷的合成与表征(英文)

本文采用静电自组装技术在表面阳离子化的SiO2粒子（SiO2-CBAFS）上构筑了高分子刷,并采用核磁、红外、热失重、接触角和原子力显微镜分别表征了组装粉体的结构、组装量以及自组装单层膜的组装行为和表面拓扑形貌。研究结果表明,采用静电自组装技术可以成功地在SiO2-CBAFS上构筑组装量高达27％的高分子刷,远远高于国际上已见报道的采用共价键合法构筑的高分子刷的组装量（20％）。研究发现,组装量随聚合物（PS-NH—SO3Na）分子量呈非线性增长,其组装行为受到PS-NH—SO3Na的分子量和溶液浓度的影响。     

SiO2/聚合物复合粒子研究进展

从 SiO2/聚合物复合粒子的界面作用机理、不同结构(核壳结构、微胶囊结构和杂化互穿网络结构)复合粒子的制备方法等方面综述了国内外最新研究进展,介绍了 SiO2/聚合物复合粒子在高性能涂料、中空微球制备等领域的应用,同时指出其目前存在的问题及发展前景。     

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Biocompatibility and Drug Delivery

In the past decade, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted more and more attention for their potential biomedical applications. With their tailored mesoporous structure and high surface area, MSNs as drug delivery systems (DDSs) show significant advantages over traditional drug nanocarriers. In this review, we overview the recent progress in the synthesis of MSNs for drug delivery applications. First, we provide an overview of synthesis strategies for fabricating ordered MSNs and hollow/rattle‐type MSNs. Then, the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and biotranslocation of MSNs are discussed in relation to their chemophysical properties including particle size, surface properties, shape, and structure. The review also highlights the significant achievements in drug delivery using mesoporous silica nanoparticles and their multifunctional counterparts as drug carriers. In particular, the biological barriers for nano‐based targeted cancer therapy and MSN‐based targeting strategies are discussed. We conclude with our personal perspectives on the directions in which future work in this field might be focused.     

Biocompatibility of Amine‐Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles: The Role of Surface Coverage

Here, amorphous silica nanoparticles (NPs), one of the most abundant nanomaterials, are used as an example to illustrate the utmost importance of surface coverage by functional groups which critically determines biocompatibility. Silica NPs are functionalized with increasing amounts of amino groups, and the number of surface exposed groups is quantified and characterized by detailed NMR and fluorescamine binding studies. Subsequent biocompatibility studies in the absence of serum demonstrate that, irrespective of surface modification, both plain and amine‐modified silica NPs trigger cell death in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The in vitro results can be confirmed in vivo and are predictive for the inflammatory potential in murine lungs. In the presence of serum proteins, on the other hand, a replacement of only 10% of surface‐active silanol groups by amines is sufficient to suppress cytotoxicity, emphasizing the relevance of exposure conditions. Mechanistic investigations identify a key role of lysosomal injury for cytotoxicity only in the presence, but not in the absence, of serum proteins. In conclusion, this work shows the critical need to rigorously characterize the surface coverage of NPs by their constituent functional groups, as well as the impact of serum, to reliably establish quantitative nanostructure activity relationships and develop safe nanomaterials.     

用稻壳灰为硅源合成有序介孔二氧化硅材料的研究

用稻壳灰为硅源,用十六烷基三甲基溴化铵作为模板剂,在酸性或碱性条件下均成功地合成了有序介孔SiO2材料MCM-41.利用XRD、N2吸附曲线、SEM、TEM等测试方法分别对稻壳灰及介孔SiO2样品进行了表征.结果表明,稻壳灰为非晶体,呈粒状的多孔结构,其比表面积为250m2/g;在酸性条件下合成的MCM-41具有周期性规则排列的介孔结构,最可几孔径为2.4nm,比表面积为1100m2/g.     

Amorphous Silica Nanoparticles Promote Monocyte Adhesion to Human Endothelial Cells: Size‐Dependent Effect

There is evidence that nanoparticles can induce endothelial dysfunction. Here, the effect of monodisperse amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiO₂‐NPs) of different diameters on endothelial cells function is examined. Human endothelial cell line (EA.hy926) or primary human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAEC) are seeded in inserts introduced or not above triple cell co‐cultures (pneumocytes, macrophages, and mast cells). Endothelial cells are incubated with SiO₂‐NPs at non‐cytotoxic concentrations for 12 h. A significant increase (up to 2‐fold) in human monocytes adhesion to endothelial cells is observed for 18 and 54 nm particles. Exposure to SiO₂‐NPs induces protein expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1) as well as significant up‐regulation in mRNA expression of ICAM‐1 in both endothelial cell types. Experiments performed with fluorescent‐labelled monodisperse amorphous SiO₂‐NPs of similar size evidence nanoparticle uptake into the cytoplasm of endothelial cells. It is concluded that exposure of human endothelial cells to amorphous silica nanoparticles enhances their adhesive properties. This process is modified by the size of the nanoparticle and the presence of other co‐cultured cells.     

介孔氧化硅纳米粒子对药物装载和可控释放的研究进展

近年来,介孔氧化硅纳米粒子(MSN)以其均一的孔道结构、高比表面积、较大的孔容量等优良性质,被广泛应用于药物传递系统。与传统载药系统相比,MSN展示了更高的药物负载量、可控的药物控释性能、可设计的靶向特性、良好的生物安全性等优势。本文通过对MSN对药物的负载机理、药物控释机理等方面的介绍,对MSN在药物传递系统中的应用加以综述。     

共担载阿霉素/血红蛋白树枝状介孔硅球的制备及其生物性能研究

实体瘤中普遍存在乏氧现象, 是导致肿瘤对非手术治疗手段抗拒性增加, 降低药物疗效的重要因素。针对这一问题, 本研究采用简单的两相界面法制备了一种小尺寸(65 nm)、单分散、生物稳定性良好的可共载抗癌药物盐酸阿霉素(DOX)和载氧蛋白血红蛋白(Hb)的树枝状介孔硅纳米颗粒(DMSNs)。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、动态光散射仪(DLS)和氮气吸附-脱附仪等对材料进行表征。结果表明, 合成的DMSNs纳米颗粒粒径均一、分散性良好, 具有较大的比表面积(654.52 m²/g)和孔容(1.26 cm³/g)以及两套孔道结构(直径2.7 nm和5.4~6.8 nm)。更重要的是, 树枝状介孔层的孔径仅需改变三乙醇胺(TEA)的用量即可调节。药物释放、流式细胞术、激光共聚焦以及细胞毒性等相关实验结果表明, DMSNs可同时装载DOX与Hb, 且具有较高的药物释放能力(75.6%)和持久的释放性能(48 h)。载入血红蛋白后, 其IC₅₀为20.6 μg/mL, 能够有效提高抗癌药物DOX的细胞致死率。因此, 这种小尺寸的树枝状介孔硅球在药物传输和肿瘤治疗方面具有潜在的应用价值。     

Degradability and Clearance of Silicon,Organosilica, Silsesquioxane,Silica Mixed Oxide,and Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

The biorelated degradability and clearance of siliceous nanomaterials have been questioned worldwide, since they are crucial prerequisites for the successful translation in clinics. Typically, the degradability and biocompatibility of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been an ongoing discussion in research circles. The reason for such a concern is that approved pharmaceutical products must not accumulate in the human body, to prevent severe and unpredictable side‐effects. Here, the biorelated degradability and clearance of silicon and silica nanoparticles (NPs) are comprehensively summarized. The influence of the size, morphology, surface area, pore size, and surface functional groups, to name a few, on the degradability of silicon and silica NPs is described. The noncovalent organic doping of silica and the covalent incorporation of either hydrolytically stable or redox‐ and enzymatically cleavable silsesquioxanes is then described for organosilica, bridged silsesquioxane (BS), and periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) NPs. Inorganically doped silica particles such as calcium‐, iron‐, manganese‐, and zirconium‐doped NPs, also have radically different hydrolytic stabilities. To conclude, the degradability and clearance timelines of various siliceous nanomaterials are compared and it is highlighted that researchers can select a specific nanomaterial in this large family according to the targeted applications and the required clearance kinetics.     

Using Genetic Algorithms to Design Experiments: A Review

Genetic algorithms (GAs) have been used in many disciplines to optimize solutions for a broad range of problems. In the last 20 years, the statistical literature has seen an increase in the use and study of this optimization algorithm for generating optimal designs in a diverse set of experimental settings. These efforts are due in part to an interest in implementing a novel methodology as well as the hope that careful application of elements of the GA framework to the unique aspects of a designed experiment problem might lead to an efficient means of finding improved or optimal designs. In this paper, we explore the merits of using this approach, some of the aspects of design that make it a unique application relative to other optimization scenarios, and discuss elements which should be considered for an effective implementation. We conclude that the current GA implementations can, but do not always, provide a competitive methodology to produce substantial gains over standard optimal design strategies. We consider both the probability of finding a globally optimal design as well as the computational efficiency of this approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the Structure of Amorphous Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles by Aberration‐Corrected STEM

Mesoporous silica materials have demonstrated a vast spectrum of applications, stimulating an intensive field of study due to their potential use as nanocarriers. Nonetheless, when produced at the nanoscale, their structural characterization is hindered due to the re‐arrangement of the pores. To address this issue, this work combines molecular dynamics simulations with electron microscopy computer simulations and experimental results to provide an insight into the structure of amorphous mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The amorphous silica model is prepared using a simple melt‐quench molecular dynamics method, while the reconstruction of the mesoporous nanoparticles is carried out using a methodology to avoid false symmetry in the final model. Simulated scanning transmission electron microscopy images are compared with experimental images, revealing the existence of structural domains, created by the misalignment of the pores to compensate the surface tension of these spherical nanoparticles.     

Size‐Dependent Cytotoxicity of Monodisperse Silica Nanoparticles in Human Endothelial Cells

The effect that monodisperse amorphous spherical silica particles of different sizes have on the viability of endothelial cells (EAHY926 cell line) is investigated. The results indicate that exposure to silica nanoparticles causes cytotoxic damage (as indicated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release) and a decrease in cell survival (as determined by the tetrazolium reduction, MTT, assay) in the EAHY926 cell line in a dose‐related manner. Concentrations leading to a 50% reduction in cell viability (TC₅₀) for the smallest particles tested (14‐, 15‐, and 16‐nm diameter) ranging from 33 to 47 µg cm^?2 of cell culture differ significantly from values assessed for the bigger nanoparticles: 89 and 254 µg cm^?2 (diameter of 19 and 60 nm, respectively). Two fine silica particles with diameters of 104 and 335 nm show very low cytotoxic response compared to nanometer‐sized particles with TC₅₀ values of 1095 and 1087 µg cm^?2, respectively. The smaller particles also appear to affect the exposed cells faster with cell death (by necrosis) being observed within just a few hours. The surface area of the tested particles is an important parameter in determining the toxicity of monodisperse amorphous silica nanoparticles.     

Anisotropic Shape Changes of Silica Nanoparticles Induced in Liquid with Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Liquid‐phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used for in‐situ imaging of nanoscale processes taking place in liquid, such as the evolution of nanoparticles during synthesis or structural changes of nanomaterials in liquid environment. Here, it is shown that the focused electron beam of scanning TEM (STEM) brings about the dissolution of silica nanoparticles in water by a gradual reduction of their sizes, and that silica redeposites at the sides of the nanoparticles in the scanning direction of the electron beam, such that elongated nanoparticles are formed. Nanoparticles with an elongation in a different direction are obtained simply by changing the scan direction. Material is expelled from the center of the nanoparticles at higher electron dose, leading to the formation of doughnut‐shaped objects. Nanoparticles assembled in an aggregate gradually fuse, and the electron beam exposed section of the aggregate reduces in size and is elongated. Under TEM conditions with a stationary electron beam, the nanoparticles dissolve but do not elongate. The observed phenomena are important to consider when conducting liquid‐phase STEM experiments on silica‐based materials and may find future application for controlled anisotropic manipulation of the size and the shape of nanoparticles in liquid.     

粉煤灰制备SiO_2气凝胶及其复合材料的研究进展

气凝胶材料因其具有独特的性能而成为当今国际新材料领域的研究热点。简要分析了我国目前的粉煤灰利用状况,详细综述了国内外利用粉煤灰为硅源,采用溶胶-凝胶法和常压干燥法制备SiO2气凝胶材料的研究进展,列举了SiO2气凝胶在各个领域的应用现状,指出了当前研究中存在的问题以及未来的研究方向,并展望了利用粉煤灰制备SiO2气凝胶材料的研究与应用前景。