Publications
2010
Al-Jamal Khuloud T, Toma Francesca M, Yilmazer Açelya, Ali-Boucetta Hanene, Nunes Antonio, Herrero Maria-Antonia, Tian Bowen, Eddaoudi Ayad, Eddaoui Ayad, Al-Jamal Wafa' T, Bianco Alberto, Prato Maurizio, Kostarelo Kostas
Enhanced cellular internalization and gene silencing with a series of cationic dendron-multiwalled carbon nanotube:siRNA complexes Journal Article
In: FASEB journal: official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 4354–4365, 2010, ISSN: 1530-6860.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Biological Transport, carbon, Cations, Cell Line, Cell Survival, Gene Silencing, HeLa Cells, Humans, I2CT, Models, Molecular, Nanotubes, RNA, Small Interfering, Team-Bianco, Transfection, tumor
@article{al-jamal_enhanced_2010,
title = {Enhanced cellular internalization and gene silencing with a series of cationic dendron-multiwalled carbon nanotube:siRNA complexes},
author = {Khuloud T Al-Jamal and Francesca M Toma and Açelya Yilmazer and Hanene Ali-Boucetta and Antonio Nunes and Maria-Antonia Herrero and Bowen Tian and Ayad Eddaoudi and Ayad Eddaoui and Wafa' T Al-Jamal and Alberto Bianco and Maurizio Prato and Kostas Kostarelo},
doi = {10.1096/fj.09-141036},
issn = {1530-6860},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-11-01},
journal = {FASEB journal: official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology},
volume = {24},
number = {11},
pages = {4354--4365},
abstract = {One of the major obstacles to the clinical development of gene silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) is its effective cytoplasmic delivery. Carbon nanotubes have been proposed as novel nanomaterials that can offer significant advantages for the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, such as siRNA. We recently demonstrated in a proof-of-principle study that amino-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWNT) can effectively deliver in vivo an siRNA sequence, triggering cell apoptosis that results in human lung xenograft eradication and prolonged survival. In the present study, we demonstrate how a newly synthesized series of polycationic dendron-MWNT constructs with a precisely tailored number of amino functions (dendron generations) can complex and effectively deliver double-stranded siRNA to achieve gene silencing in vitro. A systematic comparison between the f-MWNT series in terms of cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and siRNA complexation is offered. Significant improvement in siRNA delivery with the dendron-MWNT conjugates is shown, and gene silencing was obtained in 2 human cell lines using 2 different siRNA sequences. The study reveals that through f-MWNT structure-biological function analysis novel nanotube-based siRNA transfer vectors can be designed with minimal cytotoxicity and effective delivery and gene-silencing capabilities.},
keywords = {Biological Transport, carbon, Cations, Cell Line, Cell Survival, Gene Silencing, HeLa Cells, Humans, I2CT, Models, Molecular, Nanotubes, RNA, Small Interfering, Team-Bianco, Transfection, tumor},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2006
Pastorin Giorgia, Marchesan Silvia, Hoebeke Johan, Ros Tatiana Da, Ehret-Sabatier Laurence, Briand Jean-Paul, Prato Maurizio, Bianco Alberto
Design and activity of cationic fullerene derivatives as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase Journal Article
In: Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, vol. 4, no. 13, pp. 2556–2562, 2006, ISSN: 1477-0520.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acetylcholinesterase, Binding Sites, Cations, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Drug Design, Fullerenes, I2CT, Models, Molecular, Team-Bianco
@article{pastorin_design_2006,
title = {Design and activity of cationic fullerene derivatives as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase},
author = {Giorgia Pastorin and Silvia Marchesan and Johan Hoebeke and Tatiana Da Ros and Laurence Ehret-Sabatier and Jean-Paul Briand and Maurizio Prato and Alberto Bianco},
doi = {10.1039/b604361e},
issn = {1477-0520},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-07-01},
journal = {Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry},
volume = {4},
number = {13},
pages = {2556--2562},
abstract = {Four different regioisomers of cationic bis-N,N-dimethylfulleropyrrolidinium salts have been prepared and evaluated as inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase. These fullerene-based derivatives were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors of acetylthiocholine hydrolysis. Molecular modelling was used to describe the possible interactions between the fullerene cage and the amino acids surrounding the cavity of the enzyme. The cationic C(60) derivatives used in this study represent a new class of molecules potentially able to modulate the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase.},
keywords = {Acetylcholinesterase, Binding Sites, Cations, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Drug Design, Fullerenes, I2CT, Models, Molecular, Team-Bianco},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2005
Singh Ravi, Pantarotto Davide, McCarthy David, Chaloin Olivier, Hoebeke Johan, Partidos Charalambos D, Briand Jean-Paul, Prato Maurizio, Bianco Alberto, Kostarelos Kostas
Binding and condensation of plasmid DNA onto functionalized carbon nanotubes: toward the construction of nanotube-based gene delivery vectors Journal Article
In: Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 127, no. 12, pp. 4388–4396, 2005, ISSN: 0002-7863.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: carbon, Cations, DNA, Electron, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genetic Vectors, I2CT, Lysine, Microscopy, Nanotubes, Plasmids, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, scanning, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Team-Bianco
@article{singh_binding_2005,
title = {Binding and condensation of plasmid DNA onto functionalized carbon nanotubes: toward the construction of nanotube-based gene delivery vectors},
author = {Ravi Singh and Davide Pantarotto and David McCarthy and Olivier Chaloin and Johan Hoebeke and Charalambos D Partidos and Jean-Paul Briand and Maurizio Prato and Alberto Bianco and Kostas Kostarelos},
doi = {10.1021/ja0441561},
issn = {0002-7863},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-03-01},
journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},
volume = {127},
number = {12},
pages = {4388--4396},
abstract = {Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) constitute a class of nanomaterials that possess characteristics suitable for a variety of possible applications. Their compatibility with aqueous environments has been made possible by the chemical functionalization of their surface, allowing for exploration of their interactions with biological components including mammalian cells. Functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs) are being intensively explored in advanced biotechnological applications ranging from molecular biosensors to cellular growth substrates. We have been exploring the potential of f-CNTs as delivery vehicles of biologically active molecules in view of possible biomedical applications, including vaccination and gene delivery. Recently we reported the capability of ammonium-functionalized single-walled CNTs to penetrate human and murine cells and facilitate the delivery of plasmid DNA leading to expression of marker genes. To optimize f-CNTs as gene delivery vehicles, it is essential to characterize their interactions with DNA. In the present report, we study the interactions of three types of f-CNTs, ammonium-functionalized single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-NH3+; MWNT-NH3+), and lysine-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-Lys-NH3+), with plasmid DNA. Nanotube-DNA complexes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, PicoGreen dye exclusion, and agarose gel shift assay. The results indicate that all three types of cationic carbon nanotubes are able to condense DNA to varying degrees, indicating that both nanotube surface area and charge density are critical parameters that determine the interaction and electrostatic complex formation between f-CNTs with DNA. All three different f-CNT types in this study exhibited upregulation of marker gene expression over naked DNA using a mammalian (human) cell line. Differences in the levels of gene expression were correlated with the structural and biophysical data obtained for the f-CNT:DNA complexes to suggest that large surface area leading to very efficient DNA condensation is not necessary for effective gene transfer. However, it will require further investigation to determine whether the degree of binding and tight association between DNA and nanotubes is a desirable trait to increase gene expression efficiency in vitro or in vivo. This study constitutes the first thorough investigation into the physicochemical interactions between cationic functionalized carbon nanotubes and DNA toward construction of carbon nanotube-based gene transfer vector systems.},
keywords = {carbon, Cations, DNA, Electron, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genetic Vectors, I2CT, Lysine, Microscopy, Nanotubes, Plasmids, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, scanning, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Team-Bianco},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Bianco Alberto, Hoebeke Johan, Godefroy Sylvie, Chaloin Olivier, Pantarotto Davide, Briand Jean-Paul, Muller Sylviane, Prato Maurizio, Partidos Charalambos D
Cationic carbon nanotubes bind to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and enhance their immunostimulatory properties Journal Article
In: Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 127, no. 1, pp. 58–59, 2005, ISSN: 0002-7863.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Adjuvants, Animals, carbon, Cations, CpG Islands, I2CT, Immunologic, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-6, Kinetics, Lymphocytes, Mice, Nanotubes, oligonucleotides, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Team-Bianco
@article{bianco_cationic_2005,
title = {Cationic carbon nanotubes bind to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and enhance their immunostimulatory properties},
author = {Alberto Bianco and Johan Hoebeke and Sylvie Godefroy and Olivier Chaloin and Davide Pantarotto and Jean-Paul Briand and Sylviane Muller and Maurizio Prato and Charalambos D Partidos},
doi = {10.1021/ja044293y},
issn = {0002-7863},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-01-01},
journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},
volume = {127},
number = {1},
pages = {58--59},
abstract = {Functionalized cationic carbon nanotubes are able to form a stable complex with CpG ODN based on charge interaction and to increase the immunostimulatory activity of CpG motifs.},
keywords = {Adjuvants, Animals, carbon, Cations, CpG Islands, I2CT, Immunologic, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-6, Kinetics, Lymphocytes, Mice, Nanotubes, oligonucleotides, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Team-Bianco},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2000
Hetru Charles, Letellier L, Oren Z, Hoffmann Jules A, Shai Y
Androctonin, a hydrophilic disulphide-bridged non-haemolytic anti-microbial peptide: a plausible mode of action Journal Article
In: Biochem. J., vol. 345 Pt 3, pp. 653–664, 2000, ISSN: 0264-6021.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Adenosine Triphosphate, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Cations, Cell Membrane Permeability, Cytoplasm, Disulfides, Electron, Escherichia coli, Fluoresceins, Fluorescent Dyes, Fourier Transform Infrared, Gram-Negative Bacteria, hoffmann, Insect Proteins, Liposomes, M3i, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Micrococcus luteus, Microscopy, oxygen, Phospholipids, Potassium, Proteins, spectroscopy
@article{hetru_androctonin_2000,
title = {Androctonin, a hydrophilic disulphide-bridged non-haemolytic anti-microbial peptide: a plausible mode of action},
author = {Charles Hetru and L Letellier and Z Oren and Jules A Hoffmann and Y Shai},
issn = {0264-6021},
year = {2000},
date = {2000-01-01},
journal = {Biochem. J.},
volume = {345 Pt 3},
pages = {653--664},
abstract = {Androctonin is a 25-residue non-haemolytic anti-microbial peptide isolated from the scorpion Androctonus australis and contains two disulphide bridges. Androctonin is different from known native anti-microbial peptides, being a relatively hydrophilic and non-amphipathic molecule. This raises the possibility that the target of androctonin might not be the bacterial membrane, shown to be a target for most amphipathic lytic peptides. To shed light on its mode of action on bacteria and its non-haemolytic activity, we synthesized androctonin, its fluorescent derivatives and its all-D-amino acid enantiomer. The enantiomer preserved high activity, suggesting a lipid-peptide interaction between androctonin and bacterial membranes. In Gram-positive and (at higher concentrations) Gram-negative bacteria, androctonin induced an immediate perturbation of the permeability properties of the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterial energetic state, concomitant with perturbation of the morphology of the cell envelope as revealed by electron microscopy. Androctonin binds only to negatively charged lipid vesicles and induces the leakage of markers at high concentrations and with a slow kinetics, in contrast with amphipathic alpha-helical anti-microbial peptides that bind and permeate negatively charged vesicles, and to a smaller extent also zwitterionic ones. This might explain the selective lytic activity of androctonin towards bacteria but not red blood cells. Polarized attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that androctonin adopts a beta-sheet structure in membranes and did not affect the lipid acyl chain order, which supports a detergent-like effect. The small size of androctonin, its hydrophilic character and its physicochemical properties are favourable features for its potential application as a replacement for commercially available antibiotics to which bacteria have developed resistance.},
keywords = {Adenosine Triphosphate, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Cations, Cell Membrane Permeability, Cytoplasm, Disulfides, Electron, Escherichia coli, Fluoresceins, Fluorescent Dyes, Fourier Transform Infrared, Gram-Negative Bacteria, hoffmann, Insect Proteins, Liposomes, M3i, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Micrococcus luteus, Microscopy, oxygen, Phospholipids, Potassium, Proteins, spectroscopy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}