Target-specific cellular uptake of PLGA nanoparticles coated with poly(L-lysine)-poly(ethylene glycol)-folate conjugate

Langmuir. 2005 Sep 13;21(19):8852-7. doi: 10.1021/la0502084.

Abstract

Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with anionic surface charge were surface coated with cationic di-block copolymer, poly(L-lysine)-poly(ethylene glycol)-folate (PLL-PEG-FOL) conjugate, for enhancing their site-specific intracellular delivery against folate receptor overexpressing cancer cells. The PLGA nanoparticles coated with the conjugate were characterized in terms of size, surface charge, and change in surface composition by XPS. By employing the flow cytometry method and confocal image analysis, the extent of cellular uptake was comparatively evaluated under various conditions. PLL-PEG-FOL coated PLGA nanoparticles demonstrated far greater extent of cellular uptake to KB cells, suggesting that they were mainly taken up by folate receptor-mediated endocytosis. The enhanced cellular uptake was also observed even in the presence of serum proteins, possibly due to the densely seeded PEG chains. The PLL-PEG-FOL coated PLGA nanoparticles could be potentially applied for cancer cell targeted delivery of various therapeutic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Folic Acid / pharmacokinetics*
  • Glycolates / chemistry
  • Glycolates / pharmacokinetics*
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics*
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polylysine / chemistry
  • Polylysine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / drug effects
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Properties
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Glycolates
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Polylysine
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Folic Acid