Porous-wall hollow glass microspheres as novel potential nanocarriers for biomedical applications

Shuyi Li, Lynsa Nguyen, Hairong Xiong, Meiyao Wang, Tom C.C. Hu, Jin Xiong She, Steven M. Serkiz, George G. Wicks, William S. Dynan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Porous-wall hollow glass microspheres (PW-HGMs) are a novel form of glass material consisting of a 10- to 100-μm-diameter hollow central cavity surrounded by a 1-μm-thick silica shell. A tortuous network of nanometer-scale channels completely penetrates the shell. We show here that these channels promote size-dependent uptake and controlled release of biological molecules in the 3- to 8-nm range, including antibodies and a modified single-chain antibody variable fragment. In addition, a 6-nm (70-kDa) dextran can be used to gate the porous walls, facilitating controlled release of an internalized short interfering RNA. PW-HGMs remained in place after mouse intratumoral injection, suggesting a possible application for the delivery of anticancer drugs. The combination of a hollow central cavity that can carry soluble therapeutic agents with mesoporous walls for controlled release is a unique characteristic that distinguishes PW-HGMs from other glass materials for biomedical applications. From the Clinical Editor: Porous-wall hollow glass microspheres (PW-HGMs) are a novel form of glass microparticles with a tortuous network of nanometer-scale channels. These channels allow size-dependent uptake and controlled release of biological molecules including antibodies and single-chain antibody fragments. PW-HGMs remained in place after mouse intratumoral injection, suggesting a possible application for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)127-136
Number of pages10
JournalNanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2010

Keywords

  • Controlled release
  • Drug delivery
  • Mesoporous
  • Microsphere
  • Silica
  • Single-chain antibody
  • Single-chain antibody variable fragment
  • Small interfering RNA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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