Publications

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5 Publications visible to you, out of a total of 5

Abstract (Expand)

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging (MALDI-MSI) was employed to discriminate between cell differentiation processes in macroalgae. One of the key developmental processes in the algal life cycle is the production of germ cells (gametes and zoids). The gametogenesis of the marine green macroalga Ulva mutabilis (Chlorophyta) was monitored by metabolomic snapshots of the surface, when blade cells differentiate synchronously into gametangia and giving rise to gametes. To establish MSI for macroalgae, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a known algal osmolyte, was determined. MSI of the surface of U. mutabilis followed by chemometric data analysis revealed dynamic metabolomic changes during cell differentiation. DMSP and a total of 55 specific molecular biomarkers, which could be assigned to important stages of the gametogenesis, were detected. Our research contributes to the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying macroalgal cell differentiation. Graphical abstract Molecular changes during cell differentiation of the marine macroalga Ulva were visualized by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric imaging (MALDI-MSI).

Authors: R. W. Kessler, A. C. Crecelius, U. S. Schubert, T. Wichard

Date Published: 11th Jun 2017

Publication Type: Not specified

Abstract (Expand)

The high affinity of GLUT5 transporter for d-fructose in breast cancer cells has been discussed intensely. In this contribution, high molar mass linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI) is functionalized with d-fructose moieties to combine the selectivity for the GLUT5 transporter with the delivery potential of PEI for genetic material. The four-step synthesis of a thiol-group bearing d-fructose enables the decoration of a cationic polymer backbone with d-fructose via thiol-ene photoaddition. The functionalization of LPEI is confirmed by 2D NMR techniques, elemental analysis, and size exclusion chromatography. Importantly, a d-fructose decoration of 16% renders the polymers water-soluble and eliminates the cytotoxicity of PEI in noncancer L929 cells, accompanied by a reduced unspecific cellular uptake of the genetic material. In contrast, the cytotoxicity as well as the cell specific uptake is increased for triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Therefore, the introduction of d-fructose shows superior potential for cell targeting, which can be assumed to be GLUT5 dependent.

Authors: C. Englert, M. Prohl, J. A. Czaplewska, C. Fritzsche, E. Preussger, U. S. Schubert, A. Traeger, M. Gottschaldt

Date Published: 4th Apr 2017

Publication Type: Not specified

Abstract (Expand)

The targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system represents one of the major challenges in pharmaceutical formulations since it is strictly limited through the highly selective blood-brain barrier (BBB). l-Glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide and well-known antioxidant, has been studied in the last years as potential candidate to facilitate the receptor-mediated transcytosis of nanocarriers. We thus tested whether GSH decoration of a positively charged polymer, poly(ethylene imine), with this vector enables the transport of genetic material and, simultaneously, the passage through the BBB. In this study, we report the synthesis of GSH conjugated cationic poly(ethylene imine)s via ecologically desirable thiol-ene photo-addition. The copolymers, containing 80% primary or secondary amine groups, respectively, were investigated concerning their bio- and hemocompatibility as well as their ability to cross a hCMEC/D3 endothelial cell layer mimicking the BBB within microfluidically perfused biochips. We demonstrate that BBB passage depends on the used amino-groups and on the GSH ratio. Thereby the copolymer containing secondary amines showed an enhanced performance. We thus conclude that GSH-coupling represents a feasible and promising approach for the functionalization of nanocarriers intended to cross the BBB for the delivery of drugs to the central nervous system.

Authors: , A. K. Trutzschler, M. Raasch, T. Bus, P. Borchers, A. S. Mosig, A. Traeger,

Date Published: 19th Oct 2016

Publication Type: Not specified

Abstract (Expand)

Commercially-available linear and branched PEIs (LPEI and BPEI) were chemically-modified with carbohydrates and carbohydrate-mimetics to improve biocompatibility. Hydroxyl moieties were installed in a close proximity via reaction of PEI's amines with paraformaldehyde (pF) or glycidol. Mixing PEI with pF led to the formation of hemiaminal moieties as well as N-methylation of the backbone through an Eschweiler–Clarke-type rearrangement. The amount of attached hydroxyl groups depended on the initial amount of pF and the results were in agreement with NMR studies on model reactions with primary and secondary amines. The primary amines of BPEI triggered the ring-opening of glycidol and sugar-containing epoxides, in methanol and at room temperature. PEI chains modified with pF displayed the same cytotoxicity as the parent polymer, unless a sufficient amount of pF was added to trigger N-methylation of the backbone. In contrast, glycidol and sugar-functionalized BPEIs exhibited lower toxicity but similar (if not higher) transfection efficiency as compared to unmodified BPEI.

Authors: Christoph Englert, Mareva Fevre, Rudy J. Wojtecki, Wei Cheng, Qingxing Xu, Chuan Yang, Xiyu Ke, Matthias Hartlieb, Kristian Kempe, Jeannette M. García, Robert J. Ono, Ulrich S. Schubert, Yi Yan Yang, James L. Hedrick

Date Published: No date defined

Publication Type: Not specified

Abstract (Expand)

A benzoin-derived diol linker was synthesized and used to generate biocompatible polyesters that can be fully decomposed on demand upon UV irradiation. Extensive structural optimization of the linker unit was performed to enable the defined encapsulation of diverse organic compounds in the polymeric structures and allow for a well-controllable polymer cleavage process. Selective tracking of the release kinetics of encapsulated model compounds from the polymeric nano- and microparticle containers was performed by confocal laser scanning microscopy in a proof-of-principle study. The physicochemical properties of the incorporated and released model compounds ranged from fully hydrophilic to fully hydrophobic. The demonstrated biocompatibility of the utilized polyesters and degradation products enables their use in advanced applications, for example, for the smart packaging of UV-sensitive pharmaceuticals, nutritional components, or even in the area of spatially selective self-healing processes.

Authors: C. Englert, I. Nischang, C. Bader, P. Borchers, J. Alex, M. Prohl, M. Hentschel, M. Hartlieb, A. Traeger, G. Pohnert, S. Schubert, M. Gottschaldt, U. S. Schubert

Date Published: No date defined

Publication Type: Not specified

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