Rapid Bacterial Recognition over a Wide pH Range by Boronic Acid-Based Ditopic Dendrimer Probes for Gram-Positive Bacteria

We have developed a convenient and selective method for the detection of Gram-positive bacteria using a ditopic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer probe. The dendrimer that was modified with dipicolylamine (dpa) and phenylboronic acid groups showed selectivity toward Staphylococcus aureus. The ditopic dendrimer system had higher sensitivity and better pH tolerance than the monotopic PAMAM dendrimer probe. We also investigated the mechanisms of various ditopic PAMAM dendrimer probes and found that the selectivity toward Gram-positive bacteria was dependent on a variety of interactions. Supramolecular interactions, such as electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic interaction, per se, did not contribute to the bacterial recognition ability, nor did they improve the selectivity of the ditopic dendrimer system. In contrast, the ditopic PAMAM dendrimer probe that had a phosphate-sensing dpa group and formed a chelate with metal ions showed improved selectivity toward S. aureus. The results suggested that the targeted ditopic PAMAM dendrimer probe showed selectivity toward Gram-positive bacteria. This study is expected to contribute to the elucidation of the interaction between synthetic molecules and bacterial surface. Moreover, our novel method showed potential for the rapid and species-specific recognition of various bacteria.

Cotton Fabric Modified with a PAMAM Dendrimer with Encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles: Antimicrobial Activity

A new methodology for modifying textile materials with dendrimers containing nanoparticles was developed. This involved a combination of eosin Y and N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) for reducing the copper ions in the dendrimer complex by enabling a photochemical reaction under visible light and ambient conditions. The conversion of copper ions into nanoparticles was monitored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by performing colorimetric, fluorescence, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. Regardless of the concentration of the photoinitiator eosin Y, it discolored completely upon illumination. Three types of cotton fabrics were compared as antimicrobial materials against Bacillus cereus. One of the fabrics was dyed with a first-generation PAMAM dendrimer which had been functionalized with eight 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophores. Another fabric was dyed with a dendrimer–copper complex, and the third was treated by conversion of the complex into copper nanoparticles encapsulated into the dendrimer. An enhancement in the antimicrobial activity of the textiles was achieved at higher dendrimer concentrations, under illumination with visible light. The fabric modified with the copper nanoparticles encapsulated inside the dendrimer exhibited the best antibacterial activity because it had two photosensitizers (PS), as both 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophores and copper nanoparticles were contained in the dendrimer molecules. The presence of oxygen and suitable illumination activated the photosensitizers to generate the reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen (1O2) and other oxygenated products, e.g., anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide) responsible for destroying the bacteria.

Characterization of a fluorescent 1,8-naphthalimide-functionalized PAMAM dendrimer and its Cu(ii) complexes as cytotoxic drugs: EPR and biological studies in myeloid tumor cells

The activity and interacting ability of a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer modified with 4-N-methylpiperazine-1,8-naphthalimide units (termed D) and complexed by Cu(ii) ions, towards healthy and cancer cells were studied. Comparative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of the Cu(ii)-D complex are presented: coordination mode, chemical structure, flexibility and stability of these complexes, in the absence and presence of myeloid cancer cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The interactions of Cu(ii) ions in the biological media at different equilibrium times were studied, highlighting different stability and interacting conditions with the cells. Furthermore, flow cytometry and confocal analysis, trace the peculiar properties of the dendrimers in PBMC and U937 cells. Indeed, a new probe (Fly) was used as a potential fluorescent tool for biological imaging of Cu(ii). The study highlights that dendrimer and, mainly, the Cu(ii) metallodendrimer are cytotoxic agents for the cells, specifically for U937 tumor cells, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS increase and lysosome involvement. The metallodendrimer shows antitumor selectivity, fewer affecting healthy PBMC, inducing a massive apoptotic cell death on U937 cells, in line with the high stability of this complex, as verified by EPR studies. The results underline the potentiality of this metallodendrimer to be used as anticancer drug.

A New Cu(II) Complex of PAMAM Dendrimer Modified with 1,8-Naphthalimide: Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity

A new fluorescent PAMAM copper complex ([Cu2(D)(NO3)4]) has been synthesized and identified. The formation of the complex has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy which revealed two copper ions to be bound to the dendrimer ligand. That has also been confirmed upon subjecting the solid copper complex to electron paramagnetic spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of the copper complex against Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in light and the dark has been studied. The results demonstrate an increase in its activity when irradiated with daylight. This activity of the copper complex is retained even after being loaded onto a cotton cloth. The antitumor activity of the copper complex and dendrimer ligand against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells has been investigated as well.

Curcumin Loaded Dendrimers Specifically Reduce Viability of Glioblastoma Cell Lines

Glioblastoma (GB) is a deadly and aggressive cancer of the CNS. Even with extensive resection and chemoradiotherapy, patient survival is still only 15 months. To maintain growth and proliferation, cancer cells require a high oxidative state. Curcumin, a well-known anti-inflammatory antioxidant, is a potential candidate for treatment of GB. To facilitate efficient delivery of therapeutic doses of curcumin into cells, we encapsulated the drug in surface-modified polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. We studied the in vitro effectiveness of a traditional PAMAM dendrimer (100% amine surface, G4 NH2), surface-modified dendrimer (10% amine and 90% hydroxyl-G4 90/10-Cys), and curcumin (Cur)-encapsulated dendrimer (G4 90/10-Cys-Cur) on three species of glioblastoma cell lines: mouse-GL261, rat-F98, and human-U87. Using an MTT assay for cell viability, we found that G4 90/10-Cys-Cur reduced viability of all three glioblastoma cell lines compared to non-cancerous control cells. Under similar conditions, unencapsulated curcumin was not effective, while the non-modified dendrimer (G4 NH2) caused significant death of both cancerous and normal cells. By harnessing and optimizing the components of PAMAM dendrimers, we are providing a promising new route for delivering cancer therapeutics. Our results with curcumin suggest that antioxidants are good candidates for treating glioblastoma.

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimer modified superparamagnetic nanoparticles as an efficient adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal: Effect of high-generation dendrimer on adsorption performance

Heavy metal ions pollution is one of the most dangerous and critical threats to human health and environment. In this work, three different generations of PAMAM dendrimer decorated on magnetic Fe 3 O 4 composites (Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G1, Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G3, Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G5) were fabricated and characterized by FTIR, XRD, TEM, and TGA. The obtained composites were used for Cr(VI) removal. Batch adsorption studies showed that the adsorption reached equilibrium within 60 min, and the optimal pH was 3.0. The result of adsorption kinetics was simulated by the pseudo–second-order model. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm was well fitted with the Langmuir adsorption model. Furthermore, thermodynamics calculations revealed that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. Importantly, adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) obey the sequence of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G1＜Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G5＜Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G3, 3 generation of PAMAM (3G) is the optimal for adsorption capacity of Cr(VI). The maximum theoretical Cr(VI) adsorption capacity ( q m ) of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G3 was 334.45 mg/g, and removal ration remained above 89.5% after five cycles of adsorption–desorption. Thus, Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 –G3 is predicted to be an efficient adsorbent for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution, and the obtained results can help in the generation optimization during fabrication of dendrimer modified adsorbents.