title: Capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles as stimuli-responsive controlled release systems for intracellular drug/gene delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incorporation of stimuli-responsive properties into nanostructured systems has recently attracted significant attention in the research of intracellular drug/gene delivery. In particular, numerous surface-functionalized, end-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) materials have been designed as efficient stimuli-responsive controlled release systems with the advantageous 'zero premature release' property.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein, the most recent research progress on the design of biocompatible, capped MSN materials for stimuli-responsive intracellular controlled release of therapeutics and genes is reviewed. A series of hard and soft caps for drug encapsulation and a variety of internal and external stimuli for controlled release of different cargoes are summarized. Recent investigations on the biocompatibility of MSN both in vitro and in vivo are also discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reader will gain an understanding of the challenges for the future exploration of biocompatible stimuli-responsive MSN devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With a better understanding of the unique features of capped MSN and its behaviors in biological environment, these multifunctional materials will find a wide variety of applications in the field of drug/gene delivery.
authors: Iowa State University, Department of Chemistry, US Department of Energy Ames Laboratory, Ames, IA 50011-3111, USA.
authors: Yannan
authors: Y
authors: Zhao
authors: Juan L
authors: JL
authors: Vivero-Escoto
authors: Igor I
authors: II
authors: Slowing
authors: Brian G
authors: BG
authors: Trewyn
authors: Victor S-Y
authors: VS
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D012822:Silicon Dioxide