title: Functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a cell-penetrating peptide to target mammalian sperm in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effects of actively targeting mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) toward mammalian sperm with a cell-penetrating peptide (C105Y), with subsequent analysis of binding rates and nano-safety profiles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Boar sperm were exposed in vitro to C105Y-functionalized MSNPs or free C105Y, in a series of increasing doses for up to 2 h, followed by the evaluation of sperm motility, kinematic parameters, acrosome morphology, MSNP-sperm binding and cell fluorescence levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  C105Y-functionalized MSNPs preserved their biocompatibility with sperm, and exhibited an approximately fourfold increase in affinity toward gametes, compared with unmodified MSNPs, during the early stages of incubation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the application of MSNPs and active targeting to sperm as valuable tools for reproductive biology.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barkalina
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Townley
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: cell-penetrating peptides; delivery; functionalization; mesoporous silica; nanoparticles; sperm