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Natural Nanofiber Shuttles for Transporting Hydrophobic Cargo into Aqueous Solutions.
- Source :
-
Biomacromolecules [Biomacromolecules] 2020 Feb 10; Vol. 21 (2), pp. 1022-1030. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jan 21. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Hydrophobic biomolecules realize their functions in vivo in aqueous environments, often through a delicate balance of amphiphilicity and chaperones. Introducing exogenous hydrophobic biomolecules into in vivo aqueous systems is a challenge in drug delivery and regenerative medicine, where labile linkers, carriers, and fusions or chimeric molecules are often designed to facilitate such aqueous interfaces. Here, we utilize naturally derived silk nanofiber shuttles with the capacity to transport hydrophobic cargos directly into aqueous solutions. These nanofibers disperse in organic solvents and in aqueous solutions because of their inherent amphiphilicity, with enriched hydrophobicity and strategically interspersed negatively charged groups. Hydrophobic molecules loaded on these shuttles in organic solvent-water systems separated from the solvent after centrifugation. These concentrated hydrophobic molecule-loaded nanofibers could then be dispersed into aqueous solution directly without modification. These shuttle systems were effective for different hydrophobic molecules such as drugs, vitamins, and dyes. Improved biological stability and functions of hydrophobic cargos after loading on these nanofibers suggest potential applications in drug delivery, cosmetology, medical diagnosis, and related health fields, with a relatively facile process.
- Subjects :
- Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells drug effects
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells metabolism
Humans
MCF-7 Cells
Silk administration & dosage
Solutions chemistry
Solutions metabolism
Water chemistry
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions drug effects
Nanofibers administration & dosage
Nanofibers chemistry
Silk chemistry
Silk metabolism
Water metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1526-4602
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Biomacromolecules
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31935078
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01739