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Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
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Nanometric emulsions encapsulating solid particles as alternative carriers for intracellular delivery.
Sandrine Quignard1,2,3, Ghislaine Frébourg4, Yong Chen1,2,3
1École Normale Supérieure - PSL Research University, Département de Chimie, 24 rue Lhomond, F-75005 Paris, France.
Nanomedicine (London, England)
|July 29, 2016
Summary
Nanometric oil droplets encapsulating solid nanoparticles are internalized by cells similarly to free nanoparticles but show different intracellular localization and uptake pathways. These nanoemulsions offer a promising alternative for multifunctional intracellular delivery without observed cytotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Development of novel nanocarriers for efficient intracellular delivery is crucial in biomedical research.
- Understanding nanoparticle-cell interactions, including uptake mechanisms and intracellular fate, is essential for designing effective drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formulate nanometric oil droplets for encapsulating solid nanoparticles.
- To evaluate the cellular interactions, including internalization, intracellular localization, and pathways, of these nanoencapsulated nanoparticles in vitro.
- To assess the cytotoxicity of the formulated nanoemulsions.
Main Methods:
- Soybean oil droplets stabilized with Pluronic F68 and incorporating fluorescent silica nanoparticles were prepared.
- Cellular uptake, intracellular localization, and internalization pathways were studied using fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in HeLa cells.
- Cytotoxicity was assessed over time.
Main Results:
- Oil droplets encapsulating solid nanoparticles were readily internalized by HeLa cells, similar to free nanoparticles.
- Nanoemulsions exhibited distinct intracellular localization, with less colocalization with lysosomes compared to free nanoparticles.
- Nanoemulsions were partially internalized via non-endocytic transport pathways, and no cytotoxicity was observed for either formulation.
Conclusions:
- Nanometric emulsions encapsulating solid nanoparticles are efficiently internalized by cells.
- These nanoemulsions demonstrate altered intracellular trafficking and uptake mechanisms compared to free nanoparticles.
- The findings support the potential of these nanometric emulsions as alternative and multifunctional intracellular delivery vehicles.
