Design Considerations for Chemotherapeutic Drug Nanocarriers

Abstract

Pha rm a c e u tic a An a ly t ic a A cta

Organic dots (O-dots) for theranostic applications: preparation and surface engineering

“…Positive surface charges combined with neutral or negative charges can improve the cellular uptake of nanoparticles allowing adhesion to the cell membrane in both phagocytes and non-phagocytic cell lines. 277 Carriers with the highest positive charge density can be taken up to a higher extent at a faster rate. 275 Additionally, the surface charge of nanocarriers determines the mechanism of cellular endocytosis.…”

“…278 In comparison with the effects of negatively or neutral charged nanoparticles, positively charged nanoparticles exhibit greater overall cytotoxicity. 277 Positively charged species can increase the Ca 2+ inux into cells, and thereby inhibit their proliferation, disturb the structure of the lipid bilayer and its uidity. 279 Nanoparticles with a higher surface charge are more resistant to the formation of aggregates due to their strong selfrepulsion.…”

“…As the hydrophobicity of the surface increases, more proteins including opsonin bind to the surface and complexes would be taken up more rapidly, which subsequently leads to a shorter circulation time. 277 Nanoparticles with a hydrophobic surface diffuse into cells and tissue more quickly than that with a hydrophilic surface due to the hydrophobic nature of the cell membrane. 282 Many methods have been employed to modify the surface of nanoplatforms to improve the biocompatibility, circulation time, cellular uptake and thereby the transfection efficiency of nanocarriers.…”