Articolo in rivista, 2022, ENG, 10.4028/p-lu147x

Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles as Carriers of Therapeutic Peptides

Mancini, Federica; Esposti, Lorenzo Degli; Adamiano, Alessio; Catalucci, Daniele; Appleton, Silvia; Vitali, Alberto; Bugli, Francesca; Sanguinetti, Maurizio; Iafisco, Michele

CNR Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Campus di Roma; Humanitas Research Hospital; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramic, National Research Council

Calcium phosphate is a natural biomineral and the major inorganic constituent of bones and teeth. Therefore, synthetic calcium phosphates that mimic the biogenic ones possess excellent biocompatibility as well as biodegradability and are promising materials for medicine. Due to their unique physiochemical properties, calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) are extensively exploited in nano-medicine as carriers of biomolecules, including peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. In this regard, peptides are of particular interest as they are exceptionally selective and efficacious for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. Among various peptides for biomedical applications, cardio-specific peptides are particularly interesting since they represent a valuable alternative to conventional treatments. Moreover, they can contribute to overcome important clinical limitations, including drug resistance and non-specific biodistribution of traditional drug products. In this work, we have investigated the loading of a therapeutic mimetic peptide, which was previously shown to improve myocardial contraction and results in the restoration of cardiac function. Peptide-loaded CaP NPs were prepared by exploiting a biomineralization approach, by using a mineralizing solution containing Ca, Mg, and PO4 ions. Several experimental conditions were tested by varying the reaction time, as well as the drug concentration. Colloidal stability, morphology, size, as well as drug loading were evaluated to identify the best candidate to be tested in vitro in the future.

Diffusion and defect data, solid state data. Part B, Solid state phenomena 339 , pp. 89–94

Keywords

biocompatibility, biodegradability, biomineralization, calcium phosphates, drug delivery systems, peptides

CNR authors

Degli Esposti Lorenzo, Mancini Federica, Appleton Silvia Lucia, Vitali Alberto, Catalucci Daniele, Iafisco Michele, Adamiano Alessio

CNR institutes

IRGB – Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, ISSMC – Istituto di Scienza, Tecnologia e Sostenibilità per lo Sviluppo dei Materiali Ceramici, SCITEC – Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta"