Photoresponsive Bridged Silsesquioxane Nanoparticles with Tunable Morphology for Light-Triggered Plasmid DNA Delivery

Abstract

Bridged silsesquioxane nanocomposites with tunable morphologies incorporating o-nitrophenylene−ammonium bridges are described. The systematic screening of the sol−gel parameters allowed the material to reach the nanoscale with controlled dense and hollow structures of 100−200 nm. The hybrid composition of silsesquioxanes with 50% organic content homogeneously distributed in the nanomaterials endowed them with photoresponsive properties. Light irradiation was performed to reverse the surface charge of nanoparticles from +46 to −39 mV via a photoreaction of the organic fragments within the particles, as confirmed by spectroscopic monitorings. Furthermore, such nanoparticles were applied for the first time for the on-demand delivery of plasmid DNA in HeLa cancer cells via light actuation.

Chemistry of Mesoporous Organosilica in Nanotechnology: Molecularly Organic–Inorganic Hybridization into Frameworks

“…[ 265 ] The organic-fragment incorporation in the framework can lead to a charge reverse for some specifi c applications, such as triggered DNA/antibody release and hydrogel assembly. [ 266,267 ] An organic o -nitrophenylene-ammonium ( R ) bridge was covalently linked into the framework of MONs for hybridization and functionalization. [ 266 ] Positively charged o -nitrophenyleneammonium-bridged alkoxysilane (PBA) precursor with photoresponsive behavior experienced internal photocleavage to form a neutral nitrosophenylene-imine derivative under light irradiation ( Figure 21 a).…”

“…[ 266,267 ] An organic o -nitrophenylene-ammonium ( R ) bridge was covalently linked into the framework of MONs for hybridization and functionalization. [ 266 ] Positively charged o -nitrophenyleneammonium-bridged alkoxysilane (PBA) precursor with photoresponsive behavior experienced internal photocleavage to form a neutral nitrosophenylene-imine derivative under light irradiation ( Figure 21 a). Such a phototriggered surface-charge conversion caused a change of the zeta potential of bridged silsesquioxane (BS) NPs from +46 mV to -39 mV (Figure 21 b).…”

Silsesquioxane‐Containing Hybrid Nanomaterials: Fascinating Platforms for Advanced Applications

“…Interestingly, hollow BS particles were also prepared, as shown in the TEM images in Figure . Such nanoparticles were applied to the on‐demand delivery of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in HeLa cancer cells via light actuation …”

“…Design of bridged silsesquioxane (BS) and hollow BS (nanoparticles) NPs via the sol−gel reactions of the photoresponsive bridged alkoxysilane precursor, as shown by TEM images. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2015, The American Chemical Society.…”

Protein-gold clusters-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles for high drug loading, autonomous gemcitabine/doxorubicin co-delivery, and in-vivo tumor imaging

“…Among recent developments in the area of smart nanomaterials, [3,[23][24][25] mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) have attracted much attention as one of the most promising nanoplatforms for nanomedicine. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] MSN are biocompatible nanomaterials [35,36] and possess disctinctive characteristics such as their tunable porosity and particle size, versatile inner and outer surface chemistry, and capacity to transport and deliver various cargos make these scaffolds ideal drug delivery systems.…”