Silica Nanobottles Filled with Photo-cross-linked GelMA for the Sustained Release of Hydrophilic Biomacromolecules

TL;DR

Scientists created silica nanobottles filled with a special gel to slowly release large, water-soluble molecules like proteins and enzymes for extended periods.

Contribution

A novel hybrid delivery system combining silica nanobottles and photo-cross-linked gelatin methacryloyl for sustained release of hydrophilic biomacromolecules.

Findings

The system enables sustained intracellular stability of payloads for up to 24 hours in A549 cells.

The release half-life can be extended to several weeks depending on the payload type and molecular weight.

Delivered nerve growth factor promotes neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells, maintaining structural and functional integrity.

Abstract

Nanobottles have garnered attention as a class of advanced
carriers
for drug delivery, because of their advantages, such as convenient
loading, high capacity, and a well-defined wall for surface modification.
However, strategies to achieve sustained release of hydrophilic biomolecules
remain limited. Here, we report a hybrid delivery platform that integrates
silica nanobottles with photo-cross-linked gelatin methacryloyl for
the encapsulation and controlled release of proteins, enzymes, and
polysaccharides. Upon cross-linking, the payloads show enhanced intracellular
stability, with minimal release in A549 cells for up to 24 h. This
system also enables control over release kinetics, with the half-life
extendible to several weeks depending on the type and/or molecular
weight of the payload. Importantly, released biomacromolecules retain
structural and functional integrity, and delivery of nerve growth
factor promotes robust neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells. This hybrid
system provides a versatile and programmable platform for the long-term
delivery of diverse hydrophilic therapeutics.

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