Chimeric Stimuli-Responsive Liposomes as Nanocarriers for the Delivery of the Anti-Glioma Agent TRAM-34

Nanocarriers are delivery platforms of drugs, peptides, nucleic acids and other therapeutic molecules that are indicated for severe human diseases. Gliomas are the most frequent type of brain tumor, with glioblastoma being the most common and malignant type. The current state of glioma treatment requires innovative approaches that will lead to efficient and safe therapies. Advanced nanosystems and stimuli-responsive materials are available and well-studied technologies that may contribute to this effort. The present study deals with the development of functional chimeric nanocarriers composed of a phospholipid and a diblock copolymer, for the incorporation, delivery and pH-responsive release of the antiglioma agent TRAM-34 inside glioblastoma cells. Nanocarrier analysis included light scattering, protein incubation and electron microscopy, and fluorescence anisotropy and thermal analysis techniques were also applied. Biological assays were carried out in order to evaluate the nanocarrier nanotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, as well as to evaluate antiglioma activity. The nanosystems were able to successfully manifest functional properties under pH conditions, and their biocompatibility and cellular internalization were also evident. The chimeric nanoplatforms presented herein have shown promise for biomedical applications so far and should be further studied in terms of their ability to deliver TRAM-34 and other therapeutic molecules to glioblastoma cells

Algicidal bacteria against cyanobacteria: Practical knowledge from laboratory to application

The use of algicidal bacteria has gained prominence as natural solution to control the worrying increase of harmful algal blooms worldwide. However, although cyanobacterial blooms (cyanoHABs) often dominate freshwater bodies, recent reviews on the subject have addressed cyanobacteria in the second place and focused more on bacteria-algae interactions. This article provides a critical review of the fundamental aspects of searching for, isolating and assaying candidate algicidal bacteria targeting cyanobacteria. Possible species-specific interactions and the different modes of action of bacteria against different species of cyanobacteria are also discussed. It has been observed that there is a clear bias in the literature toward the genus Microcystis, being by far the most studied and reviewed to date. This contrasts with the numerous studies showing cyanobacterial blooms dominated by other harmful species, such as the genera Planktothrix, Aphanizomenon or Raphidiopsis. To add new knowledge to the lack of current studies on these genera, a separate experimental section has been included in this review with research results on the sensitivity of nine harmful freshwater cyanobacteria and two green algae to different bacteria and algicidal compounds. Finally, certain ecological and biosafety risks that must be taken into account when applying algicidal bacteria as a bioaugmentation strategy are also highlighted. Overall, this review is presented as an attempt to outline the knowledge gathered over the last thirty years of research, while raising new questions and debates on key issues that remain poorly understood.</p