Hierarchical inorganic–organic multi-shell nanospheres for intervention and treatment of lead-contaminated blood

Abstract

The highly toxic properties, bioavailability, and adverse effects of Pb(2+) species on the environment and living organisms necessitate periodic monitoring and removal whenever possible of Pb(2+) concentrations in the environment. In this study, we designed a novel optical multi-shell nanosphere sensor that enables selective recognition, unrestrained accessibility, continuous monitoring, and efficient removal (on the order of minutes) of Pb(2+) ions from water and human blood, i.e., red blood cells (RBCs). The consequent decoration of the mesoporous core/double-shell silica nanospheres through a chemically responsive azo-chromophore with a long hydrophobic tail enabled us to create a unique hierarchical multi-shell sensor. We examined the efficiency of the multi-shell sensor in removing lead ions from the blood to ascertain the potential use of the sensor in medical applications. The lead-induced hemolysis of RBCs in the sensing/capture assay was inhibited by the ability of the hierarchical sensor to remove lead ions from blood. The results suggest the higher flux and diffusion of Pb(2+) ions into the mesopores of the core/multi-shell sensor than into the RBC membranes. These findings indicate that the sensor could be used in the prevention of health risks associated with elevated blood lead levels such as anemia.

Mesosponge Optical Sinks for Multifunctional Mercury Ion Assessment and Recovery from Water Sources

“…[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] However, the following key components that can help provide prospectively optical nanosensor/captor/filter for a controlled environmental cleanup system remain to be addressed: 1) Controlling multi-functional processes in complete water purification systems such as sensing/removal and separation in a one step-screening procedure;…”

Synthesis and characterization of silica nanostructures for cotton leaf worm control

“…Therefore, several of mesoporous metal oxide nanoparticles have been recently synthesized with controlled compositions, structures, and morphologies due to their composition-, structure-, and morphology-dependent properties and applications [16][17][18]. Among various metal oxides, mesoporous silica nanostructures were extensively studied for their scientific and technological interests including separations, catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery [19][20][21][22]. Different mesoporous nanostructures, monoliths, fibers, spheres, tubes, thin films, and ellipse, were synthesized by utilizing organic/inorganic synthetic chemistry [20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

“…Among various metal oxides, mesoporous silica nanostructures were extensively studied for their scientific and technological interests including separations, catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery [19][20][21][22]. Different mesoporous nanostructures, monoliths, fibers, spheres, tubes, thin films, and ellipse, were synthesized by utilizing organic/inorganic synthetic chemistry [20][21][22][23][24][25]. However, considerable efforts have been devoted to control the intrinsic features and enable specific functionality which is selected to align with targeted applications.…”

Environmental remediation and monitoring of cadmium

“…In such design techniques, the strong binding site-Cd 2+ interaction enabled the remarkably selective removal of toxic Cd 2+ ions from water, wastewater and physiological fluids (blood) without any toxicological effects on the red blood cells (RBCs). Such nano-engineered hybrid materials possess the advantages of optical transparency (in the visible to UV range), high dye dispersion, mechanical robustness, and high processability [82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97]. These mesoporous sensor/captor responses can be triggered by a target Cd 2+ -ion species and transduce 8 measurable optical signals under synergistic pH, reaction temperature, and contact-time "response time" conditions, enabling the binding of the Cd 2+ ions into a hydrophobic or hydrophilic ligand pocket to be mimicked.…”