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Ionic Liquid Coating-Driven Nanoparticle Delivery to the Brain: Applications for NeuroHIV
Christine M Hamadani1, Fakhri Mahdi1, Anya Merrell1
1University of Mississippi.
Research Square
|February 24, 2023
Summary
Bioinspired ionic liquid nanoparticles (IL-NPs) effectively deliver drugs to the brain by hitchhiking on red blood cells. These IL-NPs show promise for treating neuroHIV and overcoming the blood-brain barrier challenges.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery is challenging, particularly for neuroHIV, where HIV resides in a latent reservoir.
- Systemic antiretrovirals (ARTs) inadequately penetrate the CNS, failing to eradicate HIV and leading to neurological deficits.
Approach:
- Developed bioinspired ionic liquid-coated nanoparticles (IL-NPs) for enhanced CNS delivery.
- IL-NPs hitchhike on red blood cells (RBCs) for improved brain biodistribution.
- Utilized choline trans-2-hexenoate (CA2HA 1:2) ionic liquid for nanoparticle coating.
Key Points:
- Achieved 48% delivery of intravenously infused cargo to the brain.
- CA2HA 1:2 demonstrated preferential accumulation in microglia over endothelial cells.
- Successfully loaded abacavir (an ART) into IL-NPs, retaining antiviral efficacy.
- IL-NPs showed no cytotoxicity to PBMCs and enhanced neuronal cell uptake.
Conclusions:
- Bioinspired ionic liquids are effective nanoparticle coatings for CNS biodistribution.
- IL-NPs offer a novel strategy to overcome the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for drug delivery.
- This approach has potential to revolutionize the delivery of therapeutics for CNS disorders.

