Core-Cone Structured Monodispersed Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Ultra-large Cavity for Protein Delivery

Small. 2015 Nov 25;11(44):5949-55. doi: 10.1002/smll.201501449. Epub 2015 Oct 1.

Abstract

A new type of monodispersed mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a core-cone structure (MSN-CC) has been synthesized. The large cone-shaped pores are formed by silica lamellae closely packed encircling a spherical core, showing a structure similar to the flower dahlia. MSN-CC has a large pore size of 45 nm and a high pore volume of 2.59 cm(3) g(-1). MSN-CC demonstrates a high loading capacity of large proteins and successfully delivers active β-galactosidase into cells, showing their potential as efficient nanocarriers for the cellular delivery of proteins with large molecular weights.

Keywords: large pores; mesoporous silica; nanoparticles; protein delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dahlia / anatomy & histology
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Porosity
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Silicon Dioxide
  • beta-Galactosidase