title: Parameters and characteristics governing cellular internalization and trans-barrier trafficking of nanostructures.
abstract: Cellular internalization and trans-barrier transport of nanoparticles can be manipulated on the basis of the physicochemical and mechanical characteristics of nanoparticles. Research has shown that these factors significantly influence the uptake of nanoparticles. Dictating these characteristics allows for the control of the rate and extent of cellular uptake, as well as delivering the drug-loaded nanosystem intra-cellularly, which is imperative for drugs that require a specific cellular level to exert their effects. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles should be optimal for the nanosystem to bypass the natural restricting phenomena of the body and act therapeutically at the targeted site. The factors at the focal point of emerging smart nanomedicines include nanoparticle size, surface charge, shape, hydrophobicity, surface chemistry, and even protein and ligand conjugates. Hence, this review discusses the mechanism of internalization of nanoparticles and ideal nanoparticle characteristics that allow them to evade the biological barriers in order to achieve optimal cellular uptake in different organ systems. Identifying these parameters assists with the progression of nanomedicine as an outstanding vector of pharmaceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Karmani
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murugan
authors.affiliation: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Yahya E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Choonara
authors.affiliation: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Pradeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bijukumar
authors.affiliation: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.affiliation: Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Viness
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pillay
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004705:Endocytosis; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008024:Ligands; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D011506:Proteins
keywords: cellular uptake; charge; nanoparticles; shape; size; transport mechanisms
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