title: Cellular Endocytosis and Trafficking of Cholera Toxin B-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles.
abstract: In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were functionalized with Cholera toxin subunit B (CTxB) protein to influence their intracellular trafficking pathways. The CTxB-MSN carrier was synthesized, and its chemical and structural properties were characterized. Endocytic pathway inhibition assays showed that the uptake of CTxB-MSNs in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells was partially facilitated by both chlatrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis mechanisms. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) experiments demonstrated that CTxB-MSNs were taken up by the cells and partially trafficked through the trans-Golgi network into to the endoplasmic reticulum in a retrograde fashion. The delivery abilities of CTxB-MSNs were evaluated using propidium iodide, an impermeable cell membrane dye. LSCM images depicted the release of propidium iodide in the endoplasmic reticulum and cell nucleus of HeLa cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC 28223, U.S.A.; The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC 28223, U.S.A.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC 28223, U.S.A.; Nanoscale Science Program, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC 28223, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Mubin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarannum
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC 28223, U.S.A.; The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte NC 28223, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Juan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vivero-Escoto