Diffusion
of nanomedicines inside the extracellular matrix (ECM)
has been identified as a key factor to achieve homogeneous distribution
and therefore therapeutic efficacy. Here, we sought to determine the
impact of nanoparticles’ (NPs) surface properties on their
ability to diffuse in the ECM. As model nano-objects, we used a library
of gold nanoparticles grafted with a versatile polymethacrylate corona,
which enabled the surface properties to be modified. To accurately
recreate the features of the native ECM, diffusion studies were carried
out in a tumor-derived gel (Matrigel). We developed two methods to
evaluate the diffusion ability of NPs inside this model gel: an easy-to-implement
one based on optical monitoring and another one using small-angle
X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements. Both enabled the determination
of the diffusion coefficients of NPs and comparison of the influence
of their various surface properties, while the SAXS technique also
allowed to monitor the NPs’ structure as they diffused inside
the gel. Positive charges and hydrophobicity were found to particularly
hinder diffusion, and the different results suggested on the whole
the presence of NPs–matrix interactions, therefore underlying
the importance of the ECM model. The accuracy of the tumor-derived
gels used in this study was evidenced by in vivo experiments
involving intratumoral injections of NPs on mice, which showed that
diffusion patterns in the peripheral tumor tissues were quite similar
to the ones obtained within the chosen ECM model.