Uptake and distribution of labeled antibodies into pH-sensitive microgels.
We investigated the uptake and release of labeled antibodies from pH-sensitive hydrogel microparticles (i.e. microgels) by means of fluorescence analysis of labeled biological samples. The poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) hydrogel is a carbon-based network having carboxylic groups on the surface that dissociate according to their acid-base equilibrium. The ability of the PMAA microgel to encapsulate and release anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), differing for the isotype and labeled with highly photostable fluorophore, was studied in solution by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The experimental results indicated that the uptake and release of the tested antibodies were controlled by pH. Furthermore, confocal microscopy analysis in the solid state revealed that the distribution of the labeled antibodies either on the surface or in the core of the microgel matrix was related to the specific properties of these MAbs.
Blasi
L
L
NNL, National Nanotechnology Laboratory of CNR-INFM, Distretto Tecnologico ISUFI, Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università del Salento, Via Arnesano Km 5, I-73100 Lecce, Italy. laura.blasi@unile.it
Argentiere
S
S
Morello
G
G
Palamà
I
I
Barbarella
G
G
Cingolani
R
R
Gigli
G
G
D000042:Absorption; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D000906:Antibodies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005782:Gels; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate