Nanoparticles combined with gaseous transmitters for biomedical and agricultural applications

• Grant number: 24/12112-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Amedea Barozzi Seabra
• Grantee: Amedea Barozzi Seabra
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Halley Caixeta de Oliveira ; Neidiquele Maria Silveira ; Suzan Pantaroto de Vasconcellos

Abstract

The gaseous transmitters nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are endogenous molecules of great relevance in several physiological and pathophysiological processes. Both molecules, depending on their concentrations and the cellular environment where they are found, can have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pro-apoptotic, cytoprotective and antimicrobial actions. Importantly, these molecules show a complex interplay in cancer biology, demonstrating tumor-promoting or antitumor activities depending on their concentration, flux, and environmental redox state. Furthermore, various cell types respond differently to NO and H2S. These gasotransmitters can be combined synergistically with traditional anticancer treatments. In plants, NO and H2S perform a series of physiological actions, such as root growth, breaking dormancy and seed germination, flowering, regulating tubopollin growth, photosynthesis, controlling the opening and closing of stomata and responses to abiotic (such as water deficit, full sun, toxicity caused by metals and salinity) and biotic stresses. The proponent's group has been developing nanoparticles combined with NO donors, from the class of S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) for biomedical applications, with emphasis on toxicity against tumor cells and also, more recently, for agricultural applications.Work in the literature and previous work by the proponent's group revealed that the combination of nanotechnology with RSNOs represents a promising strategy to enable the therapeutic use of NO. However, to date, H2S donors combined with nanoparticles have not yet been explored in biological applications. In this context, the main objective of the project is the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and nanocomposites (i) based on biocompatible polymers and (ii) metal-based nanoparticles combined with NO and/or H2S donors for biological (biomedical) applications. and agricultural). The project also foresees kinetic studies of the release of NO and/or H2S from the prepared nanomaterials, the evaluation of their cytotoxicity, including the evaluation of toxicity mechanisms, interaction of nanomaterials with cells, antimicrobial action and applications of nanomaterials in plants under abiotic stress. Finally, the interaction between NO and H2S in biological systems will also be evaluated. It is expected to contribute to the escalation of development of NO and/or H2S donor biocompatible nanomaterials with great impact on biomedical applications and agriculture, with articles and filing of patent applications, as the proponent group has already been doing. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NUNES, RENAN S.; MARIANO, KELLI C. FREITAS; PIERETTI, JOANA C.; DOS REIS, ROBERTA A.; SEABRA, AMEDEA B.. Innovative nitric oxide-releasing nanomaterials: Current progress, trends, challenges, and perspectives in cardiovascular therapies. NITRIC OXIDE-BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY, v. 156, p. 15-pg., 2025-06-01. (24/12112-2, 22/14645-2, 23/16363-7, 24/04079-5, 20/03646-2)

PREISLER, ANA CRISTINA; DO CARMO, GIOVANNA CAMARGO; DA SILVA, RAFAEL CAETANO; SIMOES, ANA LUISA DE OLIVEIRA; IZIDORO, JULIANA DE CARVALHO; PIERETTI, JOANA CLAUDIO; DOS REIS, ROBERTA ALBINO; JACOB, ANDRE LUIZ FLORIANO; SEABRA, AMEDEA BAROZZI; OLIVEIRA, HALLEY CAIXETA. Improving Soybean Germination and Nodule Development with Nitric Oxide-Releasing Polymeric Nanoparticles. PLANTS-BASEL, v. 14, n. 1, p. 19-pg., 2025-01-01. (24/12112-2, 20/03646-2, 23/16363-7, 22/03914-2)

PAGANOTTI, ANDRE; DE FREITAS, CAROLINA CUNHA; PEREIRA, RONEY H.; VITAL, VITOR GONCALVES; PAIVA, GIOVANNA S. M.; DE LIMA, LUCAS F.; DA SILVA, LEONARDO LONGUINI; TEODOROV, ELIZABETH; DA SILVA, RICARDO A. GALDINO; DE VASCONCELLOS, SUZAN PANTAROTO; et al. Biogenic CuO nanoparticles from Camellia sinensis and Pimpinella anisum plant extracts and their role as antimicrobial agents. PLANT NANO BIOLOGY, v. 11, p. 14-pg., 2025-01-25. (22/05498-6, 23/12466-6, 22/14645-2, 24/12112-2, 22/04262-9)

GOMES, DIEGO G.; SOUSA, BRUNO T.; PIERETTI, JOANA C.; PEREIRA, RONEY H.; DE SOUZA, WAGNER R.; OLIVEIRA, HALLEY C.; SEABRA, AMEDEA B.. Nanoencapsulated nitric oxide donor triggers a dose-dependent effect on the responses of maize seedlings to high light stress. PLANT STRESS, v. 15, p. 14-pg., 2024-12-19. (24/12112-2)