Microfluidic-based platform to mimic the in vivo peripheral administration of neurotropic nanoparticles. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lopes, Cátia DF; Gomes, Carla P; Neto, Estrela; Sampaio, Paula; Aguiar, Paulo; Pêgo, Ana P
• Is Part Of: Nanomedicine. Volume 11:Number 24(2016)
• Page Start: 3205
• Page End: 3221
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: gene delivery -- microfluidics -- targeted nanoparticles; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2016-0247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5889

Abstract

Aim: Propose a nanoparticle for neuron-targeted retrograde gene delivery and describe a microfluidic-based culture system to provide insight into vector performance and safety.Methods: Using compartmentalized neuron cultures we dissected nanoparticle bioactivity upon delivery taking advantage of (quantitative) bioimaging tools.Results: Targeted and nontargeted nanoparticles were internalized at axon terminals and retrogradely transported to cell bodies at similar average velocities but the former have shown an axonal flux 2.7-times superior to nontargeted nanoparticles, suggesting an improved cargo-transportation efficiency. The peripheral administration of nanoparticles to axon terminals is nontoxic as compared with their direct administration to the cell body or whole neuron.Conclusion: A neuron-targeted nanoparticle system was put forward. Microfluidic-based neuron cultures are proposed as a powerful tool to investigate nanoparticle bio-performance.