Optimization of superfluorinated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced cell labelling and detection by ¹⁹F-MRI

Dr. Cristina Chirizzi, Prof. Pierangelo Metrangolo, Prof. Francesca Baldelli Bombelli and others have recently published an article on Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces about the "Optimization of superfluorinated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced cell labelling and detection by ¹⁹F-MRI".

The full paper can be found at the following link: Optimization of superfluorinated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced cell labelling and detection by ¹⁹F-MRI.

Abstract. Fluorine-19 (¹⁹F) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an emergent imaging technique for molecular imaging and cell tracking. Lack of intrinsic ¹⁹F signals in tissues allows unambiguous in vivo detection of exogenous fluorinated probes, complementary to the anatomical and multiparametric information obtained by standard ¹H-MRI. However, the intrinsic low sensitivity of MRI technique requires the need of designing increasingly effective fluorinated tracers. PERFECTA, with its 36 magnetically equivalent ¹⁹F atoms and a designed branched molecular structure, represents an excellent superfluorinated tracer. In this paper, we report the development of PERFECTA loaded PLGA NPs stabilized by different coatings as promising ¹⁹F-MRI probes. The results clearly show the optimal cellular uptake of the produced colloidally stable PERFECTA loaded PLGA NPs without impact on cells viability. Importantly, NPs stabilization with the anionic surfactant sodium cholate (NaC) clearly enhances NPs internalization within cells with respect to PVA-coated NPs. Moreover, the optimized NPs are characterized by shorter T1 relaxation times with respect to other PERFECTA formulations that would allow the increase of 19F-MRI sensitivity with fast imaging acquisitions.

How to cite:
Cristina Chirizzi, Lodovico Gatti, María Sancho-Albero, Victor Sebastian, Manuel Arruebo, Laura Uson, Giulia Neri, Jesus Santamaria, Pierangelo Metrangolo, Linda Chaabane, Francesca Baldelli Bombelli, Optimization of superfluorinated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced cell labelling and detection by ¹⁹F-MRI, Colloids Surf. B, 2022, 112932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112932

Emergence of Elastic Properties in a Minimalist Resilin-Derived Heptapeptide upon Bromination

Dr. Andrea Pizzi, Lorenzo Sori, Dr. Claudia Pigliacelli, Prof. Francesca Baldelli Bombelli, Prof. Pierangelo Metrangolo and others have recently published an article on Small about the "Emergence of Elastic Properties in a Minimalist Resilin-Derived Heptapeptide upon Bromination".

The full paper can be found at the following link: Emergence of Elastic Properties in a Minimalist Resilin-Derived Heptapeptide upon Bromination.

Abstract. Bromination is herein exploited to promote the emergence of elastic behavior in a short peptide—SDSYGAP—derived from resilin, a rubber-like protein exerting its role in the jumping and flight systems of insects. Elastic and resilient hydrogels are obtained, which also show self-healing behavior, thanks to the promoted non-covalent interactions that limit deformations and contribute to the structural recovery of the peptide-based hydrogel. In particular, halogen bonds may stabilize the β-sheet organization working as non-covalent cross-links between nearby peptide strands. Importantly, the unmodified peptide (i.e., wild type) does not show such properties. Thus, SDSY(3,5-Br)GAP is a novel minimalist peptide elastomer.

How to cite:
Andrea Pizzi, Lorenzo Sori, Claudia Pigliacelli, Alfonso Gautieri, Clara Andolina, Greta Bergamaschi, Alessandro Gori, Pierre Panine, Antonio Mattia Grande, Markus B. Linder, Francesca Baldelli Bombelli, Monica Soncini and Pierangelo Metrangolo, Emergence of Elastic Properties in a Minimalist Resilin-Derived Heptapeptide upon Bromination, Small, 2022, 2200807
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202200807

Hydrogen and halogen bond synergy in the self-assembly of 3,5-dihalo-tyrosines: structural and theoretical insights

Lorenzo Sori, Dr. Andrea Pizzi, Prof. Giancarlo Terraneo, Prof. Pierangelo Metrangolo and others have recently published an article on CrystEngComm about "Hydrogen and halogen bond synergy in the self-assembly of 3,5-dihalo-tyrosines: structural and theoretical insights".

The full paper can be found at the following link: Hydrogen and halogen bond synergy in the self-assembly of 3,5-dihalo-tyrosines: structural and theoretical insights.

Abstract. Halogenation, generally introduced on aromatic amino acids, is becoming a key supramolecular tool in peptides. Herein, we report the crystal structures and DFT study of two bis-halogenated tyrosines showing the subtle relationship between hydrogen and halogen bonds in promoting their supramolecular self-assembly.

How to cite:
Lorenzo Sori, Andrea Pizzi, Nicola Demitri, Giancarlo Terraneo, Antonio Frontera and Pierangelo Metrangolo, Hydrogen and halogen bond synergy in the self-assembly of 3,5-dihalo-tyrosines: structural and theoretical insights, CrystEngComm, 2022, d2ce00670g
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00670G

Online Participation to the 1st School of Supramolecular and Bio-Nanomaterials

Do not miss the chance to participate online to the 1^st School of Supramolecular and Bio-Nanomaterials! 

Registration is still open at the following link: https://sbn.lakecomoschool.org/registration/.

For information requests please contact the secretariat Chiara Stefanetti: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

School website: https://sbn.lakecomoschool.org.

Additional information: Flyer