Internalized chitosan nanoparticles persist for long time in cultured cells

Abstract

Chitosan-based nanoparticles (chiNPs) are considered to be potentially good carriers for the sustained intracellular delivery of specific molecules. However, scarce attention has been paid to the long-lasting permanence of these NPs in the intracellular milieu, as well as to their intracellular fate (i.e., distribution, interaction with cell organelles, and degradation) in the long term. In the present study, the presence and subcellular location of FITC-labelled chiNPs were monitored in HeLa cells up to 14 days post-administration using multicolorfluorescence confocal microscopy and diaminobenzidine photo-oxidation at transmission electron microscopy. The main result of the present study is the demonstration that internalized chiNPs persist inside the cell up to two weeks, occurring in both the cytoplasm and nucleus; accordingly, chiNPs are able to pass from mother to daughter cells through several mitotic cycles. The cells did not show increased mortality or structural damage up to 14 days after chiNP exposure.

Staggered Herringbone Microfluid Device for the Manufacturing of Chitosan/TPP Nanoparticles: Systematic Optimization and Preliminary Biological Evaluation

“…In order to highlight the advantages and tunable performances of the SHM device in the production of CS/TPP NPs, CURC loaded CS/TPP NPs were prepared by a previously set-up bulk mixing method [46]. It consists of several sonication and stirring cycles liable to produce homogeneous NPs, however this type of NPs manufacturing method was more time-consuming and complicated, further the operator variability cannot be overlooked.…”

Development of mannose-anchored Thiolated Amphotericin B Nanocarriers for Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis

“…Chitosan-based nanocarriers are known to escape from the endosomes thereby able to escape lysosomal degradation and deliver the drug payload to the target site [25]. This phenomenon that is common to cationic polymers is referred to a proton sponge effect [26]. In addition, the extended sustained and slow release of drug for TC and MTC nanocarriers might be the result of interactions between thiol moieties of the nanocarriers and the disulfide bonds of the lysosomal enzyme via thiol/disulfide exchange reaction (SH → -S-S-; -S-S- → -SH).…”

Is there still room for novelty, in histochemical papers?

“…122-124 Diaminobenzidine photo-oxidation by fluorescent probes was used for detecting at electron microscopy calcium ions, 125 for visualizing endocytotic pathways 126 and for tracking nanoparticles inside the cells. 127,128 These last articles demonstrate that new varied applications in nanomedicine may be envisaged for ultrastructural histochemistry. 129 …”