title: Novel core(polyester)-shell(polysaccharide) nanoparticles: protein loading and surface modification with lectins.
abstract: This study describes new lectin-decorated or protein-loaded nanoparticles with a hydrophobic poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) core and a hydrophilic dextran (Dex) corona. In this view, a family of block Dex-PCLn copolymers was first synthesized, consisting of a Dex backbone to which n preformed PCL blocks were grafted. The ability of these new copolymers to form nanoparticles was evaluated in comparison with a series of PCL homopolymers of various molecular weights (2000, 10,000 and 40,000 g/mole). Two different nanoparticle preparation methods have been developed and tested for their efficacy to incorporate proteins. For this, three proteins were used: a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), a lectin from leaves of Bauhinia monandra (BmoLL) and Lens culinaris (LC) lectin. All these proteins were successfully incorporated in nanoparticles with a mean diameter around 200 nm. Lectins could also be adsorbed onto the surface of Dex-PCLn nanoparticles. Surface-bound BmoLL conserved its hemagglutinating activity, suggesting the possible application of this type of surface-modified nanoparticles for targeted oral administration. Caco-2 cellular viability was higher than 70% when put in contact with Dex-PCLn nanoparticles, even at concentrations as high as 660 microg/ml.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002417:Cattle; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D037121:Plant Lectins; D011091:Polyesters; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine