Here,
we constructed a nanostructured pH/redox dual-responsive
supramolecular drug carrier with both aggregation-induced emission
(AIE) and Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) effects, which
enabled selective drug release and monitoring drug delivery and release
processes. Taking the hyperbranched polyamide amine (H-PAMAM) with
intrinsic AIE effects as the core, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was
bridged on its periphery by dithiodipropionic acid. Then, through
the host–guest interaction of PEG and α-cyclodextrin,
the supramolecular nanoparticles with AIE effects were constructed
to load the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The supramolecular
assembly has sufficiently large DOX loading due to the abundant cavities
formed by branched structures. The hyperbranched core H-PAMAM has
strong fluorescence, and the dynamic track of drug carriers and the
dynamic drug release process can be monitored by the AIE and FRET
effects between H-PAMAM and DOX, respectively. Furthermore, the introduction
of disulfide bonds and the pH sensitivity of H-PAMAM enable the achievement
of rapid selective release of loaded DOX at the tumor while remaining
stable under normal physiological conditions. In vitro cytotoxicity
indicates that the drug-loaded supramolecular assembly has a good
therapeutic effect on cancer. In addition, the H-PAMAM core is different
from the traditional AIE functional group, which has no conjugated
structure, such as a benzene ring, thereby providing better biocompatibility.
This technology will have broad applications as a new drug delivery
system.
Facing the global
health crisis caused by drug-resistant bacteria, antimicrobial peptides
and their analogues offer exciting solutions to this widespread problem.
Without additionally introducing a fluorescent probe, novel nanoengineered
peptide-grafted hyperbranched polymers (NPGHPs) are constructed for
their combined outstanding antimicrobial activity and sensitive bacterial
detection in real time. Hyperbranched polyamide amine (H-PAMAM) that
exhibits aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effects is synthesized.
Then, NPGHPs are prepared by ring-opening polymerization of α-amino
acid N-carboxyanhydrides on the periphery of the
H-PAMAM. The NPGHPs exhibit high-efficiency antibacterial properties
against a wide spectrum of bacteria, especially against Gram-negative
bacteria. On the basis of the AIE effect of NPGHPs, the interaction
between NPGHPs and Escherichia coli is explored and the fluorescence intensity of NPGHPs is dependent
on the number of E. coli present. Thus,
a method for monitoring E. coli concentration
is developed, and the detection limit is 1 × 104 CFU
mL–1. Furthermore, NPGHPs are used as fluorescent
probes to visualize antibacterial process via lighting-up bacteria.
NPGHPs can penetrate the membrane of bacteria and cause cell rupture
and apoptosis. In addition, the excellent selectivity of NPGHPs toward
bacteria over mammalian cells makes them bright prospects for clinical
applications.
Biocompatible Janus composite membrane with double self‐repairing ability is constructed on the surface of magnesium, using paeonol‐doped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (P@PCL) as a hydrophobic layer and imide‐bond‐based chitosan hydrogel (PGD) as a hydrophilic layer. A copper mesh is used as the base to indirectly study this specific ability of the as‐prepared Janus membrane. The water contact angle of the Janus copper mesh‐P@PCL‐PGD with the hydrophobic layer at the bottom and the hydrophilic layer at the top is 65°, and its water retention height reached 5.1 cm, showing the strongest prevention capacity of water infiltration. Further, the damage of the hydrophobic layer is repaired by the corrosion inhibitor and the magnesium ion complex membrane; the hydrophilic layer is healed by the quick response of the imine bond in the gel to the pH change. Among all samples, the weight loss rate of Mg‐P@PCL‐PGD is found to be the smallest—only 1.19% after 12 d and 5.20% after 21 d. In short, effective protection of magnesium is achieved which is conducive to cell adhesion and proliferation, through systematically summarizing the synergy between Janus membrane and dual self‐repair. The related results are distinctive and will open up new research directions for corrosion protection of metals.
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