title: Development of a laser-activated mesoporous silica nanocarrier delivery system for applications in molecular and genetic research.
abstract: Nanoparticles have revolutionized medical research over the last decade. One notable emerging area of nanomedicine is research developments in the reproductive sciences. Since increasing evidence indicates links between abnormal gene expression and previously unexplained states of infertility, there is a strong impetus to develop tools, such as nanoparticle platforms, to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying such states. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) represent a powerful and safe delivery tool for molecular and genetic investigations. Nevertheless, ongoing progress is restricted by low efficiency and unpredictable control of cargo delivery. Here, we describe for the first time, the development of a laser-activated MSNP system with heat-responsive cargo. Data derived from human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) indicate that when driven by a heat-shock promoter, MSNP cargo exhibits a significantly increased expression following infrared laser stimulus to stimulate a heat-shock response, without adverse cytotoxic effects. This delivery platform, with increased efficiency and the ability to impart spatial and temporal control, is highly useful for molecular and genetic investigations. We envision that this straightforward stimuli-responsive system could play a significant role in developing efficient nanodevices for research applications, for example in reproductive medicine.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lien M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barkalina
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yeste
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coward
mesh_terms: D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D036281:Genetic Research; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D012822:Silicon Dioxide