Unveiling Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Triazolylferrocenyl Dendrimers: Producing Non-Traditional Intrinsically Green Fluorescent Vesosomes for Nanotheranostics

Author(s):Show less -

Braga, Carolyne B. ; Perli, Gabriel ; Wang, Qi ; Wylie, Luke ; Bertuzzi, Diego L. ; Soares, Marco C. P. ; Ramos, Miguel D. ; Ruiz, Jaime ; Padua, Agilio ; Astruc, Didier ; Ornelas, Catia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS; v. N/A, p. 17-pg., 2024-09-15.

Abstract

Dendrimers and supramolecular chemistry continue to fascinate researchers due to the endless unrevealed potential of their combination. This study investigates the self-assembly process of a series of hydrophobic triazolylferrocenyl dendrimers in aqueous medium. Deep investigation through NMR spectroscopy, absorption UV-vis spectroscopy along with theoretical simulations demonstrates that the ferrocenyl moieties interact intramolecularly and intermolecularly driving the self-assembly process. Data obtained by DLS, NTA, SEM, TEM, and EF-TEM demonstrate that these dendrimers, in water, spontaneously self-assemble through a hierarchical process. The dendrimers first self-assemble into uniform nanovesicles, which in turn self-assemble into larger vesosomes. The resulting vesosomes emit green non-traditional intrinsic fluorescence, which is a property that emerged from the self-assembled architectures. The vesosomes are efficiently uptaken by cancer cells and induce significant cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell line MCF-7, up to the submicromolar concentration. Positive dendritic effects are identified in the fluorescence intensity and in the cytotoxic activity of the vesosomes, which follow the trend G0-9Fc < G1-27Fc < G2-81Fc. This work showcases the remarkable potential of combining the two dynamic fields of dendrimers and supramolecular chemistry, which resulted in green fluorescent vesosomes capable of performing the dual role of cell imaging and killing, with potential applications in nanotheranostics. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/24488-3 - Development of nanostructured polysaccharide-based carriers for tunable release of antibiotics and silver nanoparticles
• Grantee: Gabriel Perli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 17/06146-8 - Development of nanocarriers based on dendrimers and polymer nanoparticles for selective delivery of goniothalamin, piplartine and Monastrol
• Grantee: Carolyne Brustolin Braga
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/02093-0 - Development of new nanomaterials for nanomedicine applications
• Grantee: Cátia Cristina Capêlo Ornelas Megiatto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/00555-9 - Development of polymeric nanoparticles and multifunctional dendrimers for drug delivery
• Grantee: Igor Dias Jurberg
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants