title: Optimization of Curcumin-Loaded PEG-PLGA Nanoparticles by GSH Functionalization: Investigation of the Internalization Pathway in Neuronal Cells.
abstract: One major challenge in the field of nanotherapeutics is to increase the selective delivery of cargo to targeted cells. Using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), we recently highlighted the importance of polymer composition in the biological fate of the nanodrug delivery systems. However, the route of internalization of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) is another key component to consider in the elaboration of modern and targeted devices. For that purpose, herein, we effectively synthesized and characterized glutathione-functionalized PLGA-nanoparticles (GSH-NPs) loaded with curcumin (GSH-NPs-Cur), using thiol-maleimide click reaction and determined their physicochemical properties. We found that GSH functionalization did not affect the drug loading efficiency (DLE), the size, the polydispersity index (PDI), the zeta potential, the release profile, and the stability of the formulation. While being nontoxic, the presence of GSH on the surface of the formulations exhibits a better neuroprotective property against acrolein. The neuronal internalization of GSH-NPs-Cur was higher than free curcumin. In order to track the intracellular localization of the formulations, we used a covalently attached rhodamine (PLGA-Rhod), into our GSH-functionalized matrix. We found that GSH-functionalized matrix could easily be taken up by neuronal cells. Furthermore, we found that GSH conjugation modifies the route of internalization enabling them to escape the uptake through macropinocytosis and therefore avoiding the lysosomal degradation. Taken together, GSH functionalization increases the uptake of formulations and modifies the route of internalization toward a safer pathway. This study shows that the choice of ideal ligand to develop NPs-targeting devices is a crucial step when designing innovative strategy for neuronal cells delivery.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand Frappier , Laval, Québec H7V 1B7, Canada.|Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Laval University , Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Ghislain Djiokeng
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Paka
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Institut Armand Frappier , Laval, Québec H7V 1B7, Canada.|Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels, Laval University , Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramassamy
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D004355:Drug Stability; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D008024:Ligands; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011091:Polyesters; D012235:Rhodamines; C000589473:polyethylene glycol-poly(lactide-co-glycolide); D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005978:Glutathione; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: GSH-functionalized nanopaticles; acrolein toxicity; brain drug delivery; click chemistry; endocytosis; nanoneuropharmacology; oxidative stress