Encapsulation of organic molecules in calcium phosphate nanocomposite particles for intracellular imaging and drug delivery.
Encapsulation of imaging agents and drugs in calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs) has potential as a nontoxic, bioresorbable vehicle for drug delivery to cells and tumors. The objectives of this study were to develop a calcium phosphate nanoparticle encapsulation system for organic dyes and therapeutic drugs so that advanced fluoresence methods could be used to assess the efficiency of drug delivery and possible mechanisms of nanoparticle bioabsorption. Highly concentrated CPNPs encapsulating a variety of organic fluorophores were successfully synthesized. Well-dispersed CPNPs encapsulating Cy3 amidite exhibited nearly a 5-fold increase in fluorescence quantum yield when compared to the free dye in PBS. FCS diffusion data and cell staining were used to show pH-dependent dissolution of the particles and cellular uptake, respectively. Furthermore, an experimental hydrophobic cell growth inhibitor, ceramide, was successfully delivered in vitro to human vascular smooth muscle cells via encapsulation in CPNPs. These studies demonstrate that CPNPs are effective carriers of dyes and drugs for bioimaging and, potentially, for therapeutic intervention.
Material Science and Engineering Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 249 Materials Research Laboratories, Hastings Road, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Thomas T
TT
Morgan
Hari S
HS
Muddana
Erhan I
EI
Altinoglu
Sarah M
SM
Rouse
Amra
A
Tabaković
Tristan
T
Tabouillot
Timothy J
TJ
Russin
Sriram S
SS
Shanmugavelandy
Peter J
PJ
Butler
Peter C
PC
Eklund
Jong K
JK
Yun
Mark
M
Kester
James H
JH
Adair
D000818:Animals; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D004337:Drug Carriers; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053761:Nanocomposites; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D004337:Drug Carriers; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C020243:calcium phosphate