A brain drug delivery system has been demonstrated by attaching lactoferrin (Lf) on the silica nanoparticles (Si NPs). The nanoparticle surface was modified with polyethylene glycol to reduce protein adsorption. The transport efficiency of Lf attached Si NPs was studied using an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model consisting of three distinct types of cells: endocytes, pericytes, and astrocytes. Transfer of NPs from the apical side to the basolateral side is observed. The results indicated that Lf attached Si NPs demonstrated enhanced transport efficiency across the BBB with size-dependence compared to bare Si NPs. The maximum transport efficiency of lactoferrin conjugated silica nanoparticle was observed for 25 nm diameter particles. This receptor-mediated transcytosis of Si NPs across the cerebral endothelial cells can be employed to deliver drugs and imaging probes to the brain.
Keyphrases
- blood brain barrier
- cerebral ischemia
- room temperature
- oxide nanoparticles
- endothelial cells
- photodynamic therapy
- induced apoptosis
- white matter
- resting state
- high resolution
- multiple sclerosis
- functional connectivity
- oxidative stress
- fluorescence imaging
- binding protein
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- brain injury
- living cells
- high glucose
- drug induced