Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Functionalized with Amino Groups for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles are presented following two different synthetic methods: co‐condensation and post‐synthesis grafting of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The amino groups’ distribution on the mesoporous silica nanoparticles was evaluated considering the aggregation state of a grafted photosensitizer (Verteporfin) by using spectroscopic techniques. The homogeneous distribution of amino groups within the silica network is a key factor to avoid aggregation during further organic functionalization and to optimize the performance of functionalized silica nanoparticles in biomedical applications. In addition, the formation of a protein corona on the external surface of both bare and amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica was also investigated by adsorbing Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a model protein. The adsorption of BSA was found to be favorable, reducing the aggregation phenomena for both bare and amino‐modified nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the dispersant effect of BSA was much more evident in the case of amino‐modified nanoparticles, which reached monodispersion after adsorption of the protein, thus suggesting that amino‐modified nanoparticles can benefit from protein corona formation for preventing severe aggregation in biological media.

Red Upconverter Nanocrystals Functionalized with Verteporfin for Photodynamic Therapy Triggered by Upconversion

“…On the contrary, as no contributions from Ver are expected in the NIR region, the signals due to Yb 3+ at 910 and 970 nm are observed. As already observed [48,49], as a consequence of the interaction with solid supports, the absorption spectra of Ver undergo some modifications: beside a general broadening of all the components, a significant increase in the relative intensity of the Q bands (e.g., the component at 690 nm, of interest for the photodynamic activity) with respect to the Soret band is observed. Vis and NIR emission spectra of ZEY2@SiO 2 and ZEY2-Ver are reported in Figure 6; after the coating with a silica shell, the Er 3+ green and red emissions are still visible upon excitation at 377 nm.…”

Advances of typical mesoporous materials and the application in drug delivery

“…Generally, MSNs can be prepared via sol-gel method, hydrothermal method, or microwave synthesis method [26][27][28]. The sol-gel method is one of the most commonly used methods.…”

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Drug Delivery Vehicles for Antidiabetic Molecules

“…The co-condensation process was a comparatively more potent method for the homogenous distribution of amino groups in MSNs. [71] In the grafting process, desired functional groups are attached after template removal. The uniform grafting of functionalised groups requires numerous and homogeneous distributions of silanol on the surface of MSNs.…”

“…Co‐condensation and post‐synthesis grafting of APTES were used in another study method for amino‐functionalisation in MSNs. The co‐condensation process was a comparatively more potent method for the homogenous distribution of amino groups in MSNs [71] …”