Thallium ions are transported to the interior of gallium-seamed pyrogallol[4]arene nanocapsules. In comparison to the capture of Cs ions, the extent of which depends on the type and position of the anion employed in the cesium salt, the enhanced strength of Tl···π vs Cs···π interactions facilitates permanent entrapment of Tl(+) ions on the capsule interior. "Stitching-up" the capsule seam with ...

The inner membrane vesicle system is a complex transport system that includes endocytosis, exocytosis and autophagy. However, the details of the intracellular trafficking pathway of nanoparticles in cells have been poorly investigated. Here, we investigate in detail the intracellular trafficking pathway of protein nanocapsules using more than 30 Rab proteins as markers of multiple trafficking v...

We have reported previously that daily intravenous infusions of a soluble nanobiotechnological complex, polyhemoglobin-tyrosinase [polyHb-Tyr], can suppress the growth of murine B16F10 melanoma in a mouse model. In order to avoid the need for daily intravenous injections, we have now extended this further as follows. We have prepared two types of biodegradable nanocapsules containing [polyHb-Ty...

BACKGROUND Selol is an oily mixture of selenitetriacylglycerides that was obtained as a semi-synthetic compound containing selenite. Selol is effective against cancerous cells and less toxic to normal cells compared with inorganic forms of selenite. However, Selol's hydrophobicity hinders its administration in vivo. Therefore, the present study aimed to produce a formulation of Selol nanocapsul...

A new type of amphiphilic chitosan, which was synthesized through the use of both hydrophilic carboxymethyl and hydrophobic hexanoyl substitutions, was employed to self-assemble into a hollow nanocapsule in an aqueous environment. Critical aggregation concentration (cac) and zeta potential were experimentally identified for the amphiphilic chitosan (CHC). Both experimental data suggested that t...

Transcription factors (TFs) can direct cell fate by binding to DNA and regulating gene transcription. Controlling the intracellular levels of specific TFs can therefore enable reprogramming of cellular function and differentiation. Direct delivery of recombinant TFs to target cells can thus have widespread therapeutic value, but has remained challenging due to structural fragility of TFs and in...

Amphiphilic gold nanoparticles (amph-NPs), composed of gold cores surrounded by an amphiphilic mixed organic ligand shell, are capable of embedding within and traversing lipid membranes. Here we describe a strategy using crosslink-stabilized lipid nanocapsules (NCs) as carriers to transport such membrane-penetrating particles into tumor cells and promote their transfer to intracellular membrane...