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Protein-avoidant ionic liquid (PAIL)-coated nanoparticles to increase bloodstream circulation and drive
Christine M Hamadani1, Morgan J Goetz1, Samir Mitragotri2,3
1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Science Advances
|November 26, 2020
Summary
Protein-avoidant ionic liquids (PAILs) reduce nanoparticle opsonization, improving blood retention and lung accumulation in mice. This novel surface modification enhances nanoparticle delivery for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Rapid clearance of intravenously administered nanoparticles (NPs) from circulation is a significant challenge in nanomedicine.
- Opsonization, the process of marking foreign particles for uptake by the immune system, contributes to rapid NP clearance.
- Effective strategies are needed to prolong NP circulation time and control biodistribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of biocompatible protein-avoidant ionic liquids (PAILs) as surface modifiers for nanoparticles (NPs).
- To evaluate the impact of PAIL coating on NP opsonization, blood retention, and biodistribution.
- To explore the potential of PAILs in enhancing NP delivery for biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) coated with choline hexenoate, a selected protein-avoidant ionic liquid (PAIL).
- Assessed protein adsorption on PAIL-PLGA NPs, bare PLGA NPs, and poly(ethylene glycol)-coated PLGA NPs in vitro.
- Evaluated blood retention and biodistribution of PAIL-PLGA NPs in mice over 24 hours.
Main Results:
- PAIL-PLGA NPs demonstrated significant resistance to protein adsorption compared to bare and PEG-coated PLGA NPs.
- PAIL-PLGA NPs exhibited enhanced blood retention in mice at 24 hours post-injection.
- Biodistribution studies showed preferential accumulation of PAIL-PLGA NPs in the lungs (50% of dose), with minimal liver accumulation (<5%).
Conclusions:
- Protein-avoidant ionic liquids (PAILs) are effective surface modifiers for reducing nanoparticle opsonization.
- PAIL coating enhances NP blood circulation time and promotes lung accumulation.
- Ionic liquids represent a promising class of materials for developing advanced nanoparticle-based therapeutics.
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