title: Epiregulin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles increase human keratinocytes proliferation: preliminary data.
abstract: Epiregulin is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family produced by keratinocytes: the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of biocompatible nanoparticles loaded with such growth factor to increase human keratinocytes proliferation.
  
  
  
  Different PLGA (Poly-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)-nanoparticles (NPs) formulations have been characterized in size and zeta potential by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. The ability of the different PLGA-NPs formulations to adhere onto dental surfaces has been tested, and epiregulin-enriched PLGA-NPs has been produced. Epiregulin release from NPs has been tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay and the proliferative effects of epiregulin-NPs on human keratinocytes have been evaluated.
  
  
  
  DLS analysis revealed a different size distribution depending on the PLA/PGA (poly lactic acid/poly glycolic acid) ratio used. 50:50 PLGA-NPs exhibited the smaller size and the best dental adhesive ability. Moreover, such epiregulin-loaded NPs was able to increase cell proliferation.
  
  
  
  Direct dental pocket drug delivery implies the NPs solution loading onto the dental surface at the cement-enamel junction level: 50:50 PLGA-NPs, with their small size and excellent adhesive ability, represent an interesting tool to deliver epiregulin directly where there is the need for epithelial proliferation. These results describe a possible strategy for periodontal pocket delivery of Epiregulin-loaded PLGA-NPs and might provide a new approach for the treatment of gingival recession, where gingival epithelium proliferation is needed.
authors.affiliation: Innovative Research Laboratory for Wound Healing, Health Sciences Department, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy. filippo.reno@med.uniupo.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Migliario
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rocchetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonello
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Renò
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D066260:Epiregulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
chemical_list: D066260:Epiregulin; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid