title: Ruthenium polypyridyl squalene derivative: a novel self-assembling lipophilic probe for cellular imaging.
abstract: Transition metal complexes provide a promising avenue for designing new therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In particular, ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes are useful for studying cellular uptake, due to their easy synthesis and unique photophysical properties. Dyes are frequently combined with material substrates to modulate their properties, enhance stability, reduce toxicity, and improve delivery. A novel Ru polypyridyl complex linked to a derivative of the natural lipid squalene (Ru-BIPPBI-hx-SQ) is described. Using the solvent displacement method, Ru-BIPPBI-hx-SQ easily self-assembles into nanosized aggregates in aqueous solution, as characterized by dynamic light scattering. The nanoassemblies exhibit long-lived and intense luminescence. Preliminary biological assessment showed them to be non-toxic; they are efficiently and rapidly transported across the cell membrane without requiring its permeabilization. Ru-labeled nanoassemblies are likely to be significant cellular-imaging tools, probing cellular events at very low concentrations. Moreover co-nanoassembly, with drug-derivatives based on squalenoylation technology, including gemcitabine and paclitaxel, has given interesting preliminary results.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, via P Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy. franco.dosio@unito.it
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Dosio
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Stella
authors: Annalisa
authors: A
authors: Ferrero
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Garino
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Zonari
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Arpicco
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Cattel
authors: Susanna
authors: S
authors: Giordano
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Gobetto
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D058726:Nanoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D038761:Photobleaching; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D013185:Squalene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D058726:Nanoconjugates; D013185:Squalene; D012428:Ruthenium