Endocytosis and transcytosis of an immunoliposome-based brain drug delivery system.

Immunoliposomes conjugated with the OX26 monoclonal antibody to the rat transferrin receptor can be used for brain delivery of small molecules. In the present study the uptake of OX26-immunoliposomes by target cells as well as their transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier was investigated. Microscopy of RG2 rat glioma cells incubated with fluorescence labeled OX26-immunoliposomes revealed intracellular co-localization of liposomal cargo, the liposomal membrane bilayer and the OX26 monoclonal antibody. The distinct particulate staining pattern was indicative for accumulation of OX26-immunoliposomes within endosomal or lysosomal compartments. Prolonged incubations demonstrated endosomal release of the liposomal cargo propidium iodide to the cytoplasm. A maximum of 50% of propidium iodide was released from the endosomal compartment after 24 hours of incubation. Transcytosis was studied using an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier consisting of immortalized RBE4 rat brain endothelial cells. OX26-immunoliposomes did permeate across the RBE4 cell monolayer and showed a permeability coefficient of P(app) = 1.6 x 10(-5) ml/s. Transport was inhibited at low temperature, by competition with free OX26 or by exchanging the OX26 monoclonal antibody for an unspecific isotype antibody. Transcytosis of OX26-immunolipsomes was confirmed in vivo by the brain perfusion and capillary depletion technique. OX26-immunoliposomes were detected within the post-vascular compartment of brain parenchyma (PS product = 2.4 microl/g/min.) and were not associated with the brain microvasculature.

A cat head model with isolated perfusion by the animal's own blood.

A model consisting of a cat head perfused in isolation with the animal's own blood is described. The use of endogenous blood allows the organ to function under physiological conditions for several hours. The blood is taken from the abdominal aorta of the anaesthetized animal and passed to the carotid arteries via an extracorporeal circulation system. The perfusion pressure can be varied at will and is regulated electronically. The volume of blood in the extracorporeal circulation system is only 6 ml. The tests performed on this model were designed to study the behaviour of the cortical EEG and the cortical micro flow. Neither of these parameters underwent any change after institution of the artificial perfusion, and the blood gases also remained fairly stable. The model is suitable for studying both physiological and pharmacological problems.