title: Dynamics of receptor-mediated nanoparticle internalization into endothelial cells.
abstract: Nanoparticles offer a promising medical tool for targeted drug delivery, for example to treat inflamed endothelial cells during the development of atherosclerosis. To inform the design of such therapeutic strategies, we develop a computational model of nanoparticle internalization into endothelial cells, where internalization is driven by receptor-ligand binding and limited by the deformation of the cell membrane and cytoplasm. We specifically consider the case of nanoparticles targeted against ICAM-1 receptors, of relevance for treating atherosclerosis. The model computes the kinetics of the internalization process, the dynamics of binding, and the distribution of stresses exerted between the nanoparticle and the cell membrane. The model predicts the existence of an optimal nanoparticle size for fastest internalization, consistent with experimental observations, as well as the role of bond characteristics, local cell mechanical properties, and external forces in the nanoparticle internalization process.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), École Polytechnique, CNRS UMR 7646, Palaiseau, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), École Polytechnique, CNRS UMR 7646, Palaiseau, France.
authors.forename: Abdul I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Barakat
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004705:Endocytosis; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1