Preparation of biodegradable polymer nanoparticles by miniemulsion technique and their cell interactions

The emulsion/solvent evaporation method and miniemulsion technique were combined and applied in the formulation of biodegradable monodisperse nanoparticles at high solid contents using different biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly[(D,L-lactide)-co-glycolide] 50:50 (PLGA), and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL). Differences between the results of various polymers are found in terms of the particle size and size distribution as well as in the degradation time. An encapsulated hydrophobic fluorescent dye was used as a model marker in order to study the entrapment efficiency and diffusion yield out of the particle. Cellular uptake of the obtained particles was observed in Jurkat and HeLa cells. In the investigated particle size range of 80-200 nm, the surfactant on the particles' surface had a greater influence than the particle size. Uptake kinetics reveals that the PLLA and PCL particles are endocytosed much faster than polystyrene particles.