title: Heparin-based nanocapsules as potential drug delivery systems.
abstract: Herein, the synthesis and characterization of heparin-based nanocapsules (NCs) as potential drug delivery systems is described. For the synthesis of the heparin-based NCs, the versatile method of miniemulsion polymerization at the droplets interface was achieved resulting in narrowly distributed NCs with 180 nm in diameter. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images showed clearly NC morphology. A highly negative charge density for the heparin-based NCs was determined by measuring the electro-kinetic potential. Measuring the activated clotting time demonstrated the biological intactness of the polymeric shell. The ability of heparin-based NCs to bind to antithrombin (AT III) was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry and dynamic light scattering experiments. The chemical stability of the NCs was studied in physiological protein-containing solutions and also in medically interesting fluids such as sodium chloride 0.9%, Ringer's solution, and phosphate buffer saline using dynamic light scattering and measuring the fluorescence intensity. The impressive uptake of NCs in different cells was confirmed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The low toxicity of all types of NCs was demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany.
authors.forename: Grit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baier
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany.
authors.forename: Svenja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Winzen
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Messerschmidt
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: University Medicine of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Children's Hospital, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fichter
authors.affiliation: University Medicine of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Children's Hospital, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gehring
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany.|University Medicine of the Johannes Gutenberg University, III. Medical Clinic, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mailänder
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany. landfester@mpip-mainz.mpg.de.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Landfester
mesh_terms: D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules; D000990:Antithrombin III; D006493:Heparin
keywords: cellular uptake; heparin; isothermal titration calorimetry; miniemulsion polymerization; nanocapsules