Name: solid lipid nanoparticles (slns) for intracellular targeting applications
Uploaded: 2015-11-17T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Solid Lipid Nanoparticles SLNs for Intracellular Targeting Applications at JoVE.com

Research reported in this publication was supported by The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory&#8217;s Research and Exploratory Development Department, Office of Technology Transfer, and Stuart S. Janney Fellowship Program, in addition to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R21HL127355.

1. Processing of SLNs
<ol>
	<li>Synthesis of SLNs 
	Note: Use the PIT method 1,17,20 to prepare the sub-20 nm SLNs 1.
	<ol>
		<li>Use aseptic technique, bioreagents or cell culture grade reagents, and sterile materials (i.e., pipettes, spatulas, vials, etc.).</li>
		<li>Use a biosafety cabinet for the synthesis of SLNs (Figure 2).</li>
		<li>Combine 0.6 mg of fluorescent dye (Nile Red (NiR), NiR concentration is approximately 0.3 mg/ml) and 0.10 g of Heneico...

<ol>
	<li>Calderon-Colon, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+of+sub-10+nm+solid+lipid+nanoparticles+for+topical+and+biomarker+detection+applications.">Synthesis of sub-10 nm solid lipid nanoparticles for topical and biomarker detection applications.</a> J Nanopart Res. 16 (2252), 1-10 (2014).</li><li>Patwekar, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Review+on+nanoparticles+used+in+cosmetics+and+dermal+products.">Review on nanoparticles used in cosmetics and dermal products.</a> World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3 (8), 1407-1421 (2014).</li><li>Martins, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solid+lipid+nanoparticles+as+intracellular+drug+transporters:+An+investigation+of+the+uptake+mechanism+and+pathway.">Solid lipid nanoparticles as intracellular drug transporters: An investigation of the uptake mechanism and pathway.</a> International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 430, 216-227 (2012).</li><li>Yadav, N., Khatak, S., Sara, U. V. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solid+Lipid+Nanoparticles+-+A+Review.">Solid Lipid Nanoparticles - A Review.</a> International Journal of Applied Pharmaceuticals. 5 (2), 8-18 (2013).</li><li>Weber, S., Zimmer, A., Solid Pardeike, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipid+Nanoparticles+(SLN)+and+Nanostructured+Lipid+Carriers+(NLC)+for+pulmonary+application:+a+review+of+the+state+of+the+art.">Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC) for pulmonary application: a review of the state of the art.</a> Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 86 (1), 7-22 (2014).</li><li>Mahajan, A., Kaur, S., Grewal, N. K., Kaur, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solid+Lipd+Nanoparticles+(SLNs)+-+As+Novel+Lipd+based+Nanocarriers+for+Drugs.">Solid Lipd Nanoparticles (SLNs) - As Novel Lipd based Nanocarriers for Drugs.</a> International Journal of Advanced Research. 2 (1), 433-441 (2014).</li><li>Buse, J., El-Aneed, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Properties,+engineering+and+applications+of+lipid-based+nanoparticle+drug-delivery+systems:+current+research+and+advances.">Properties, engineering and applications of lipid-based nanoparticle drug-delivery systems: current research and advances.</a> Nanomedicine (Lond). 5, 1237-1260 (2010).</li><li>Malam, Y., Loizidou, M., Seifalian, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Liposomes+and+nanoparticles:+nanosized+vehicles+for+drug+delivery+in+cancer.">Liposomes and nanoparticles: nanosized vehicles for drug delivery in cancer.</a> Trends Pharmacol Sci. 30 (11), 592-599 (2009).</li><li>Lim, S. B., Banerjee, A., Onyuksel, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improvement+of+drug+safety+by+the+use+of+lipid-based+nanocarriers.">Improvement of drug safety by the use of lipid-based nanocarriers.</a> Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society. 163, 34-45 (2012).</li><li>Ali Khan, A., Mudassir, J., Mohtar, N., Darwis, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advanced+drug+delivery+to+the+lymphatic+system:+lipid-based+nanoformulations.">Advanced drug delivery to the lymphatic system: lipid-based nanoformulations.</a> International journal of nanomedicine. 8, 2733-2744 (2013).</li><li>Oussoren, C., Storm, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Liposomes+to+target+the+lymphatics+by+subcutaneous+administration.">Liposomes to target the lymphatics by subcutaneous administration.</a> Advanced drug delivery reviews. 50, 143-156 (2001).</li><li>Shang, L., Nienhaus, K., Nienhaus, G. U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engineered+nanoparticles+interacting+with+cells:+size+matters.">Engineered nanoparticles interacting with cells: size matters.</a> J Nanobiotechnology. 12, 5 (2014).</li><li>Joshi, M. D., Muller, R. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipid+nanoparticles+for+parenteral+delivery+of+actives.">Lipid nanoparticles for parenteral delivery of actives.</a> European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V. 71, 161-172 (2009).</li><li>Torchilin, V. 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E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+targeted+delivery+of+multicomponent+cargos+to+cancer+cells+by+nanoporous+particle-supported+lipid+bilayers.">The targeted delivery of multicomponent cargos to cancer cells by nanoporous particle-supported lipid bilayers.</a> Nature materials. 10, 389-397 (2011).</li><li>Patchan, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanotech;+Nanotechnology+2013:+Bio+Sensors+Instruments,+Medical,+Environment+and+Energy;+Chapter+3:+Materials+for+Dru.,+and+Gene+Delivery.">Nanotech; Nanotechnology 2013: Bio Sensors Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy; Chapter 3: Materials for Dru., and Gene Delivery.</a> Nanobandage for controlled release of topical therapeutics. 3, 255-258 (2013).</li><li>Forgiarini, A., Esquena, J., Gonzalez, C., C, S., Koutsoukos, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formation+and+stability+of+nano-emulsions+in+mixed+nonionic+surfactant+systems.+Trends+in+colloid+and+interface+science+XV.">Formation and stability of nano-emulsions in mixed nonionic surfactant systems. Trends in colloid and interface science XV.</a> Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science. 118, 184-189 (2001).</li><li>Nantarat, T., Chansakaow, S., Leelapornpisid, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optimization,+characterization+and+stability+of+essential+oils+blend+loaded+nanoemulsions+by+PIC+technique+for+anti-tyrosinase+activity.">Optimization, characterization and stability of essential oils blend loaded nanoemulsions by PIC technique for anti-tyrosinase activity.</a> International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 7, 308-312 (2015).</li><li>Sevcikova, P., Vltavska, P., Kasparkova, V., Formation Krejci, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+and+Stability+of+Nanoemulsions+Prepared+by+Phase+Inversion.">Characterization and Stability of Nanoemulsions Prepared by Phase Inversion.</a> , 132-137 (2011).</li><li>Forgiarini, A., Esquena, J., Gonzalez, C., Solans, C., Buckin, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+of+the+relation+between+phase+behavior+and+emulsification+methods+with+nanoemulsion+formation.+Trends+in+colloid+and+interface+science+XIV.">Studies of the relation between phase behavior and emulsification methods with nanoemulsion formation. Trends in colloid and interface science XIV.</a> Progress in Colloid and Polymer Science. 115, 36-39 (2000).</li><li>Forgiarini, A., Esquena, J., Gonzalez, C., Solans, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Formation+of+nano-emulsions+by+low-energy+emulsification+methods+at+constant+temperature.">Formation of nano-emulsions by low-energy emulsification methods at constant temperature.</a> Langmuir. 17 (7), 2076-2083 (2001).</li><li>Cabone, C., Tomasello, B., Ruozi, B., Renis, M., Puglisi, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+and+optimization+of+PIT+solid+lipid+nanoparticles+via+statistical+factorial+design.">Preparation and optimization of PIT solid lipid nanoparticles via statistical factorial design.</a> Eur J Med Chem. 49, 110-117 (2012).</li><li>Raimondi, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mammalian+Target+of+Rapamycin+Inhibition+and+Alloantigen-Specific+Regulatory+T+Cells+Synergize+To+Promote+Long-Term+Graft+Survival+in+Immunocompetent+Recipients.">Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibition and Alloantigen-Specific Regulatory T Cells Synergize To Promote Long-Term Graft Survival in Immunocompetent Recipients.</a> J Immunol. 184, 624-636 (2010).</li><li>Jhunjhunwala, S., Raimondi, G., Thomson, A. W., Little, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Delivery+of+rapamycin+to+dendritic+cells+using+degradable+microparticles.">Delivery of rapamycin to dendritic cells using degradable microparticles.</a> J Control Release. 133 (13), 191-197 (2009).</li><li>Kapse-Mistry, S., Govender, T., Srivastava, R., Yergeri, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanodrug+delivery+in+reversing+multidrug+resistance+in+cancer+cells..">Nanodrug delivery in reversing multidrug resistance in cancer cells..</a> Front Pharmacol. 5 (159), 1-22 (2014).</li><li>Musacchio, T., Torchilin, V. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+developments+in+lipid-based+pharmaceutical+nanocarriers.">Recent developments in lipid-based pharmaceutical nanocarriers.</a> Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 1 (16), 1388-1412 (2011).</li><li>Cerpnjak, K., Zvonar, A., Ga&#353;perlin, M., Vre&#269;er, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipid-based+systems+as+a+promising+approach+for+enhancing+the+bioavailability+of+poorly+water-soluble+drugs).">Lipid-based systems as a promising approach for enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs).</a> Acta Pharm. 63 (4), 27-445 (2013).</li><li>Rodr&#236;guez-Gasc&#242;n, A., Pozo-Rodr&#236;guez, A., Solin&#236;s, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+nucleic+acid+vaccines:+use+of+self-amplifying+RNA+in+lipid+nanoparticles.">Development of nucleic acid vaccines: use of self-amplifying RNA in lipid nanoparticles.</a> Int J Nanomedicine. 9, 1833-1843 (2014).</li><li>Almeida, A. J., Souto, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solid+lipid+nanoparticles+as+a+drug+delivery+system+for+peptides+and+proteins.">Solid lipid nanoparticles as a drug delivery system for peptides and proteins.</a> Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 59, 478-490 (2007).</li><li>Pardeshi, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solid+lipid+based+nanocarriers:+an+overview.">Solid lipid based nanocarriers: an overview.</a> Acta Pharm. 62, 433-472 (2012).</li><li>Attama, A. A., Momoh, M. A., Builders, P. F., Sezer, A. 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In this study, the synthesis of SLNs and their applicability for intracellular targeting applications were explored. These biocompatible nanoparticles have shown promise as delivery vehicles for multiple applications including drug delivery, gene silencing, and vaccine technologies 25-30. Ultra-small SLNs were synthesized using a facile process, and their interactions with primary skin cells and primary immune cells were explored. SLNs were designed to include encapsulation of a fluorescent dye (NiR), which se...

Nanoparticle-based delivery vehicles have shown great promise for intracellular targeting applications, providing a mechanism to specifically alter cellular signaling and gene expression. These vehicles can be loaded with drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids designed to impact cellular responses and achieve a desired effect in target tissues. Many types of nanocarriers have been explored for therapeutic and diagnostic benefit including lipids, polymers, silicon, and magnetic materials. These systems are attractive due to their potential for localized drug delivery, increased therapeutic concentration in target tissues, and reduction of systemic toxicity.
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are a well-studied example of a nanoparticle delivery system that has emerged as a promising drug delivery vehicle in recent years. SLNs can be readily formulated for multiple applications including bio-sensing 1, cosmetics 2, and therapeutic delivery 3-7. Their utility stems from the fact that they are comprised entirely of resorbable, nontoxic lipids, resulting in enhanced biocompatibility. During synthesis, lipophilic drugs can be incorporated into SLN vehicles, thereby increasing drug solubility and suitability for parenteral administration. SLN vehicles also help to stabilize encapsulated therapeutics, reducing their degradation and clearance, and maximizing therapeutic action. These vehicles are particularly well suited for long acting, controlled-release preparations due to their stability at body temperature 3,4,8,9. Importantly, encapsulation of drugs in lipid nanoparticles alters the intrinsic pharmacokinetic profiles of the drug molecules. This provides a potential advantage by allowing the controlled release of drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. The release rate of SLN-incorporated therapeutics can be tuned based on the lipid degradation rate or the drug diffusion rate in the lipid matrix.
SLNs are often engineered to accumulate in specific target tissues. For example, their size (typically greater than 10 nm) potentiates retention in the circulation, where the leaky vasculature of tumor tissue facilitates deposition. In addition, the route of particle administration has been shown to alter biodistribution with the potential to target specific physiological structures such as lymph nodes 10,11. Upon deposition in target tissues, achieving appropriate cellular interactions and eventual internalization of nanoparticles is challenging due to the ability of cell membranes to selectively control the flow of ions and molecules into and out of the cell 12. To facilitate cellular uptake, it is possible to modify nanocarriers with specific ligands including peptides, small molecules, and monoclonal antibodies13,14. Several mechanisms including both passive penetration and active transport of nanoparticles across the cell membrane have been previously described 3,12,15. In general, it has been demonstrated that cell-nanoparticle interactions are influenced by the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles including size, shape, surface charge and surface chemistry, in addition to cell-specific parameters such as cell type or cell cycle phase 12.
A previous investigation demonstrated the synthesis of sub-10 nm SLNs for topical 16 and biomarker detection applications 1 using the phase inversion temperature (PIT) method 17. This is a gentle synthesis method where 2 the composition remains constant while the temperature is gradually changed. Continuous stirring of the heated solution, as it cools to RT results in a nanoemulsion. This process results in the synthesis of SLNs with smaller particle size1 than that previously reported using various methods for the synthesis of lipid nanoparticles17-22. The resulting size scale, less than 20 nm, provides an advantage for intracellular targeting applications due to increased surface area and the potential for enhanced cellular interactions.
A schematic of SLNs, designed to deliver a fluorescent dye or therapeutic, is shown in Figure 1. The SLNs consist of a lipid interior (e.g., linear alkane) allowing the incorporation of lipophilic compounds (e.g., dyes or therapeutics) and a surfactant exterior (e.g., linear nonionic surfactant) surrounded by water. In this study, SLNs were loaded with a fluorescent dye and used as a model to investigate particle-cell interactions. Primary human dermal fibroblasts and mouse dendritic cells were exposed to dye-loaded SLN over time in order to characterize interactions with respect to toxicity and particle uptake. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was utilized in order to establish appropriate dosing levels. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were two methods employed to examine particle uptake in vitro.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/53102/53102fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Schematic of SLN showing the major constituents. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/53102/53102fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Nile Red (NiR)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>19123</td>
			<td>BioReagent, suitable for fluorescence, &#8805;98.0%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heneicosane</td>
			<td>Aldrich</td>
			<td>286052</td>
			<td>98%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brij O10</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6136</td>
			<td>Brij 97, C18-1E10, Polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>W3500</td>
			<td>Sterile-filtered, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe Filter 0.2 &#181;m Supor Membrane Low Protein Binding</td>
			<td>Life Sciences</td>
			<td>PN4612</td>
			<td>Non-Pyrogenic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nanotrac Ultra&#160;</td>
			<td>Microtrac</td>
			<td>serial number U1985IS</td>
			<td>Instrument</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Differential Scanning Calorimeter</td>
			<td>Mettlet-Toledo</td>
			<td>----</td>
			<td>Instument</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Primary human fibroblasts&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>C-004-5C</td>
			<td>Neonatal (HDFn)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medium 106</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>M-106-500</td>
			<td>A sterile, liquid medium for the culture of human dermal fibroblasts.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Low Serum Growth Supplement Kit (LSGS Kit)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>S-003-K</td>
			<td>All the components of complete LSGS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTT Cell Proliferation Assay Kit</td>
			<td>Trevigen</td>
			<td>4890-025-K</td>
			<td>Sensitive kit for the measurement of cell proliferation based upon the reduction of the tetrazolium salt, 3,[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2- yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Safire2 microplate reader</td>
			<td>Tecan</td>
			<td>----</td>
			<td>Instrument</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5493</td>
			<td>For molecular biology</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant murine GM-CSF&#160;</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>415</td>
			<td>&#62;97%, by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and visualized by silver stain.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant murine IL-4&#160;</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>404</td>
			<td>&#62;97%, by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and visualized by silver stain.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

solid lipid nanoparticles (slns) for intracellular targeting applications

Nanoparticle-based delivery vehicles have shown great promise for intracellular targeting applications, providing a mechanism to specifically alter cellular signaling and gene expression. In a previous investigation, the synthesis of ultra-small solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for topical drug delivery and biomarker detection applications was demonstrated. SLNs are a well-studied example of a nanoparticle delivery system that has emerged as a promising drug delivery vehicle. In this study, SLNs were loaded with a fluorescent dye and used as a model to investigate particle-cell interactions. The phase inversion temperature (PIT) method was used for the synthesis of ultra-small populations of biocompatible nanoparticles. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was utilized in order to establish appropriate dosing levels prior to the nanoparticle-cell interaction studies. Furthermore, primary human dermal fibroblasts and mouse dendritic cells were exposed to dye-loaded SLN over time and the interactions with respect to toxicity and particle uptake were characterized using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. This study demonstrated that ultra-small SLNs, as a nanoparticle delivery system, are suitable for intracellular targeting of different cell types.

The PIT method was used to synthesize the SLNs and the phase inversion temperature was determined utilizing a water bath. The samples were slowly heated and gently agitated until the solution appeared clear. The phase inversion temperature for the SLNs made using heneicosane lipid is 45 &#176;C. Table 1 summarizes the particle size, polydispersity, melting point and latent heat of melting for the SLNs. The SLNs synthesized using the processing conditions described above resulted in control SLNs and NiR-l...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Solid Lipid Nanoparticles SLNs for Intracellular Targeting Applications at JoVE.com

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles SLNs for Intracellular Targeting Applications

In this study, a method for synthesizing ultra-small populations of biocompatible nanoparticles was described, as well as several in vitro methods by which to assess their cellular interactions.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) for Intracellular Targeting Applications

Nanoparticle-based delivery vehicles have shown great promise for intracellular targeting applications, providing a mechanism to specifically alter ...

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