Polymeric nanoparticles were designed, synthesized, and loaded with metal ions to explore the therapeutic potential for transition metals other than platinum found in cisplatin. Nanoparticles were synthesized to show the potential for polymer based vectors. Metal loading and release were characterized via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Elemental Analysis. Targeting was attempted with the expectation of observed increased particle uptake by cancer cells with flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Results demonstrated that a variety of metals could be loaded to the nano-sized carriers in an aqueous environment, and that the release was pH-dependent. Expected increased targeting was inconsistent. The toxicity of these particles was measured in cancer cells where significant toxicity was observed in vitro via dosing of high copper-loaded nanoparticles and slight toxicity was observed in ruthenium-loaded nanoparticles. No significant toxicity was observed in cells dosed with metal-free nanoparticles. Future research will focus on ruthenium loaded polymeric nanoparticles with different targeting ligands dosed to different cell lines for the aim of increased uptake and decreased cancer cell viability.

Au cours de ce travail de thèse nous avons proposé une stratégie de ciblage des macrophages alvéolaires afin d’y vectoriser des glucocorticoïdes. Une prodrogue de budésonide, le palmitate de budésonide (BP) a été synthétisée dans le but de prolonger sa demi-vie dans les poumons après inhalation. Des nanoparticules PEGylées de BP ont été développées et étudiées pour obtenir une formulation stable avec des caractéristiques physico-chimiques appropriées et un taux de charge élevé pour pénétrer dans les macrophages alvéolaires, cellules centrales dans l'inflammation pulmonaire. Des tests in vitro sur les macrophages RAW 264.7 ont confirmé l'activité anti-inflammatoire et l'absence de cytotoxicité des nanoparticules. Celles-ci ont ensuite été séchée au sein de microparticules Troyennes obtenues par atomisation-séchage afin de faciliter leur administration pulmonaire sous forme de poudres et libérer les nanoparticules à proximité des alvéoles pulmonaires. Les microparticulessphériques creuses contenant de 0 % à 20 % de nanoparticules de BP présentent des diamètres aérodynamiques et une fraction de particules fines appropriés pour la délivrance pulmonaire. Les études pharmacocinétiques in vivo montrent des concentrations élevées et prolongées de budésonide dans les poumons, avec de faibles concentrations plasmatiques. Dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse, une autre stratégie de ciblage des macrophages a été évaluée par la décoration de la surface des nanoparticules avec du mannose. Après la synthèse d'un lipide mannosylé, des nanoparticules ont été formulées et caractérisées, démontrant un taux de charge élevé et une bonne stabilité jusqu'à 30 jours. Des tests in vitro sur les macrophages RAW 264.7 ont montré que la présence du mannose à la surface augmente l'internalisation des nanoparticules d’un facteur 2 après 48 h d'incubation, par rapport aux nanoparticules PEGylées. / This work focuses on strategies to target glucocorticoids to alveolar macrophages. We have synthesized a budesonide prodrug, budesonide palmitate (BP), increasing its lipophilicity to extend drug half-life in the lungs. BP PEGylated nanoparticles were developed and studied to obtain a stable formulation with suitable physicochemical characteristics and high drug loading to enter alveolar macrophages, key players in lung inflammation. In vitro tests on RAW 264.7 macrophages confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity and absence of cytotoxicity of nanoparticles. These were then encapsulated into Trojan microparticles obtained by spray-drying to facilitate their delivery to the lung as dry powders and release nanoparticles directly to the pulmonary alveoli. Spherical hollow microparticles containing from 0 % to 20 % of BP nanoparticles presented suitable aerodynamic diameters and fine particle fraction for lung delivery. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated high and extended budesonide concentrations in the lungs, with low plasma concentrations. In the second part of this thesis, another macrophage targeting strategy was assessed by decoration of nanoparticle surface with mannose. After synthesis of a mannosylated lipid, nanoparticles were formulated and characterized, demonstrating high drug loading and stability up to 30 days. In vitro tests on RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that the presence of mannose on the surface increases nanoparticles internalization 2 fold after 48 h incubation, as compared with PEGylated nanoparticles.

Le travail de recherche de cette thèse se concentre sur le développement de nanoparticules de silice organo-hybrides pour des applications en nanomédecine et agroalimentaire. Ces nanoconteneurs de silice, comportant des liens disulfures, sont capables de se briser en petits fragments en présence du milieu réductif intracellulaire. Des nanoparticules présentant de larges pores ont été synthétisées pour la livraison d’un siRNA PLK1 pour le traitement du carcinome hépatocellulaire et ont démontré des résultats prometteurs in vitro et in vivo. Ces particules ont été également utilisées pour charger un peptide cytotoxique, souvent utilisé comme pesticide dans l’industrie agroalimentaire. Les nanoparticules cassables ont ensuite été miniaturisées pour le relargage d’agents thérapeutiques dans des glioblastomes humains. Le système présentait un relargage plus rapide comparé à la forme liposomale actuellement sur le marché. Enfin, des nanoparticules contenant des liens répondant aux réactifs dérivés de l’oxygène ont été développées et ont démontré une fragmentation importante en présence d’oxygène singulet. / The research work presented throughout this thesis focuses on the development of organo-hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles for their applications in nanomedicine and crop industry. Disulfide doped silica nanocarriers, able to break down in small pieces in presence of the intracellular reductive environment have been tailored. A large pore stimuli-responsive system was developed to deliver a PLK1 siRNA within hepatocellular carcinoma cells demonstrating promising results both in vitro and in vivo. The particles were further used to deliver a venom peptide, often utilized as esticide in the crop industry. The breakable nanocarriers were further miniaturized for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents within human glioblastoma cells. The system presented a faster delivery compared to the commercially available liposomal form. Finally, Reactive-Oxygen-Species-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles were developed and demonstrated fast breakability upon incubation with singlet oxygen.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of highly crystalline nanoporous materials that self-assemble from inorganic metal oxide clusters and multitopic organic linkers. MOFs can be altered in terms of the types of metals and structures of organic linkers used, allowing for a high degree of customization and manipulation of the synergistic chemical or physical properties that arise from the precise coordination of their molecular components, including exceptionally large surface area and pore size. Zirconium-based MOFs, called UiOs in honor of their conception at the University of Oslo, also show remarkable chemical stability in both acidic and basic environments, making them excellent candidates for biomedical applications as drug delivery systems, where they can either function as molecular cargo ships, with drugs packed into their pores, or as controlled release systems, in which drug molecules are directly attached to their ligands for precise delivery. The objective of this work is to prepare water-stable MOFs whose linkers are decorated with functional groups that have potential compatibility in drug delivery systems and to explore the efficacy of certain synthesis conditions in terms of the crystallinity of the MOF product. Thus, we hope to establish a basis for the ligation of anticancer drugs and fluorescent tags to MOFs for their controlled release at a specified location within the body. These targeted release mechanisms represent new therapeutic possibilities in terms of cancer treatment as their specificity would mitigate damage to healthy tissues, thereby addressing one of the greatest weakness of present treatment options.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.