Alendronate conjugated nanoparticles for calcification targeting

•The synthesis of a novel calcification-targeting nanoparticle (NP) is reported.•NPs can pass through obstructive hydrogel (mimicking soft tissues).•NPs can directly bind themselves to hydroxyapatite (HA) NPs (mimicking calcified spots).•NPs can directly bind themselves to HA porous scaffolds (mimicking calcified tissues).

In this article, the synthesis of a novel calcification-targeting nanoparticle (NP) is reported, which is realized through dopamine self-polymerization on the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particle surface and subsequent alendronate conjugation. Cell viability and proliferation tests confirmed that such particle has low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. Experiments were designed to observe whether the synthesized NPs can pass through an obstructive hydrogel and directly bind themselves to hydroxyapatite (HA) NPs (mimicking calcified spots) and HA porous scaffolds (mimicking calcified tissues); and the result was positive, indicating ingenious targeting of NPs on calcifications. The calcification-targeting NPs are expected to be with promising applications on calcification-related disease diagnoses and therapies.

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