Artificial apolipoprotein corona enables nanoparticle brain targeting

Nanomedicine. 2018 Feb;14(2):429-438. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.11.008. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Abstract

Many potential therapeutic compounds for brain diseases fail to reach their molecular targets due to the impermeability of the blood-brain barrier, limiting their clinical development. Nanotechnology-based approaches might improve compounds pharmacokinetics by enhancing binding to the cerebrovascular endothelium and translocation into the brain. Adsorption of apolipoprotein E4 onto polysorbate 80-stabilized nanoparticles to produce a protein corona allows the specific targeting of cerebrovascular endothelium. This strategy increased nanoparticle translocation into brain parenchyma, and improved brain nanoparticle accumulation 3-fold compared to undecorated particles (119.8 vs 40.5 picomoles). Apolipoprotein decorated nanoparticles have high clinical translational potential and may improve the development of nanotechnology-based medicine for a variety of neurological diseases.

Keywords: Apolipoprotein E4; Blood brain barrier; Brain targeting; Lipid nanoparticles; Protein corona.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins / administration & dosage*
  • Apolipoproteins / chemistry
  • Biological Transport
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Protein Corona / chemistry*

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins
  • Protein Corona