Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods

J Vis Exp. 2018 Sep 10:(139):58219. doi: 10.3791/58219.

Abstract

No effective treatments currently exist for placenta-associated pregnancy complications, and developing strategies for the targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta while minimizing fetal and maternal side effects remains challenging. Targeted nanoparticle carriers provide new opportunities to treat placental disorders. We recently demonstrated that a synthetic placental chondroitin sulfate A binding peptide (plCSA-BP) could be used to guide nanoparticles to deliver drugs to the placenta. In this protocol, we describe in detail a system for assessing the efficiency of drug delivery to the placenta by plCSA-BP that employs three separate methods used in combination: in vivo imaging, high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using in vivo imaging, plCSA-BP-guided nanoparticles were visualized in the placentas of live animals, while HFUS and HPLC demonstrated that plCSA-BP-conjugated nanoparticles efficiently and specifically delivered methotrexate to the placenta. Thus, a combination of these methods can be used as an effective tool for the targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta and development of new treatment strategies for several pregnancy complications.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Chondroitin Sulfates / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / adverse effects*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Safety*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Peptides
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • Methotrexate