Development of Enzyme-Responsive Nanoparticles

Biologically interactive, biohybrid nanoparticles are unique tools that can respond to pathologic upregulated enzyme activities in the brains of patients with GM1 gangliosidosis, a fatal lysosomal storage disorder. Polymersomes made from hyaluronic acid and polylactic acid can degrade and release an enzyme as a treatment for this disease in the presence of upregulated hexosaminidase A. We work to optimize this delivery system to simultaneously treat and diagnose disease, measuring enzyme activity as the nanoparticle degrades.

Funded by the National Science Foundation CAREER Program

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Development of Enhanced CT Imaging Agents for Brain Tumor Visualization

CT imaging, although a technology that does allow for successful tissue imaging, has been plagued by harmful radiation and contrast agents. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists concerns such as ionizing radiation and reactions in contrast agents or dyes used.  Current contrast agents used in CT imaging are iodinated or radioactive. With regards to iodinated contrast agents, patients can present with allergic reactions that can involve skin rashes, bronchospasms, and seizures and can be fatal, as well as vasovagal reactions, neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, and changes in heart rhythm. Novel contrast agents currently being explored to overcome these side effects include gold, bismuth, and iodine nanoparticles. However, these nanoparticles suffer from short circulation times, rapid clearance from tumor microenvironments, and eliciting immunogenic responses. Through encapsulating contrast agents in polymersomes for applications in CT imaging in brain tumors, nanoparticles are able to be targeted to the tumor site, increasing their residence time and distribution in the tumor and decreasing the amount of contrast agent needed for clear visualization. This could ultimately also be used to co-deliver imaging agents with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Funded by Clemson’s Core Incentivized Access and Creative Inquiry Programs
Project performed in collaboration with Dr. Angela Alexander-Bryant