RESUMO
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a natural nanoparticle that transports peripheral cholesterol to the liver. Reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) exhibits antiatherothrombotic properties and is being considered as a natural treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, HDL nanoparticle platforms have been created for targeted delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The current methods for HDL reconstitution involve lengthy procedures that are challenging to scale up. A central need in the synthesis of rHDL, and multifunctional nanomaterials in general, is to establish large-scale production of reproducible and homogeneous batches in a simple and efficient fashion. Here, we present a large-scale microfluidics-based manufacturing method for single-step synthesis of HDL-mimicking nanomaterials (µHDL). µHDL is shown to have the same properties (e.g., size, morphology, bioactivity) as conventionally reconstituted HDL and native HDL. In addition, we were able to incorporate simvastatin (a hydrophobic drug) into µHDL, as well as gold, iron oxide, quantum dot nanocrystals or fluorophores to enable its detection by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Our approach may contribute to effective development and optimization of lipoprotein-based nanomaterials for medical imaging and drug delivery.
Assuntos
Lipoproteínas HDL/química , Microfluídica , Nanoestruturas/química , Animais , Colesterol/química , Simulação por Computador , Portadores de Fármacos , Compostos Férricos/química , Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Ouro/química , Fígado/metabolismo , Macrófagos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Camundongos , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Modelos Teóricos , Nanopartículas/química , Pontos Quânticos , Sinvastatina/administração & dosagem , Trombose/patologia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
In the current study we show the dissociation and tumor accumulation dynamics of dual-labeled near-infrared quantum dot core self-assembled lipidic nanoparticles (SALNPs) in a mouse model upon intravenous administration. Using advanced in vivo fluorescence energy transfer imaging techniques, we observed swift exchange with plasma protein components in the blood and progressive SALNP dissociation and subsequent trafficking of individual SALNP components following tumor accumulation. Our results suggest that upon intravenous administration SALNPs quickly transform, which may affect their functionality. The presented technology provides a modular in vivo tool to visualize SALNP behavior in real time and may contribute to improving the therapeutic outcome or molecular imaging signature of SALNPs.