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Orientation of surface immobilized capture proteins, such as antibodies, plays a critical role in the performance of immunoassays. The sensitivity of immunodiagnostic procedures is dependent on presentation of the antibody, with optimum performance requiring the antigen binding sites be directed toward the solution phase. This review describes the most recent methods for oriented antibody immobilization and the characterization techniques employed for investigation of the antibody state. The introduction describes the importance of oriented antibodies for maximizing biosensor capabilities. Methods for improving antibody binding are discussed, including surface modification and design (with sections on surface treatments, three-dimensional substrates, self-assembled monolayers, and molecular imprinting), covalent attachment (including targeting amine, carboxyl, thiol and carbohydrates, as well as “click” chemistries), and (bio)affinity techniques (with sections on material binding peptides, biotin-streptavidin interaction, DNA directed immobilization, Protein A and G, Fc binding peptides, aptamers, and metal affinity). Characterization techniques for investigating antibody orientation are discussed, including x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, dual polarization interferometry, neutron reflectometry, atomic force microscopy, and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry. Future perspectives and recommendations are offered in conclusion.

Development of parameters for the fabrication of nanosized vectors is pivotal for its successful administration in therapeutic applications. In this study, homogeneously distributed chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) with diameters as small as 62 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.15 were synthesized and purified using a simple, robust method that was highly reproducible. Nanoparticles were synthesized using modified ionic gelation of the chitosan polymer with sodium tripolyphosphate. Using this method, larger aggregates were mechanically isolated from single particles in the nanoparticle population by selective efficient centrifugation. The presence of disaggregated monodisperse nanoparticles was confirmed using atomic force microscopy. Factors such as anions, pH, and concentration were found to affect the size and stability of nanoparticles directly. The smallest nanoparticle population was ∼62 nm in hydrodynamic size, with a low PDI of 0.15, indicating high particle homogeneity. CNPs were highly stable and retained their monodisperse morphology in serum-supplemented media in cell culture conditions for up to 72 hours, before slowly degrading over 6 days. Cell viability assays demonstrated that cells remained viable following a 72-hour exposure to 1 mg/mL CNPs, suggesting that the nanoparticles are well tolerated and highly suited for biomedical applications. Cellular uptake studies using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled CNPs showed that cancer cells readily accumulate the nanoparticles 30 minutes posttreatment and that nanoparticles persisted within cells for up to 24 hours posttreatment. As a proof of principle for use in anticancer therapeutic applications, a [14C]-radiolabeled form of the anticancer agent doxorubicin was efficiently encapsulated within the CNP, confirming the feasibility of using this system as a drug delivery vector.

Mitoxantrone was efficiently encapsulated within cucurbit[8]uril in a 2:1 complex where the two mitoxantrone molecules were symmetrically located through both portals of a cucurbit[8]uril cage. The novel complex facilitates increased mitoxantrone uptake in mouse breast cancer cells and decreases the toxicity of the drug in healthy mice. In an orthotopic mouse model of metastatic breast cancer the complex still maintains anticancer activity compared to the free drug, yet provides a statistically significant increase in the survival of these mice compared to conventional mitoxantrone treatment. This new low toxicity formulation offers the possibility to increase mitoxantrone dose and thus maximize efficacy while managing the dose limiting side effects.

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