Abstract 28: Extracellular Matrix Coating Enhances Nanoparticle Uptake by Lung Epithelial Cells
Introduction: Rapid uptake of drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) by lung cells is critical for effective pulmonary delivery of therapeutic agents because of the rapid pulmonary clearance mechanisms. We tested the possibility that coating NPs with extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from lung tissue enhances nanoparticles uptake by lung cells. Methods and Results: Fresh adult porcine lung tissue obtained from a local slaughterhouse was decellularized using detergent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and then enzymatically digested into a soluble solution. The double emulsion method was utilized to fabricate core-shell poly(lactic-co-glycolic) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for protein release studies, 6-coumarin for cellular uptake studies, or human erythropoietin receptor (hEPOR) cDNA co-expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) for in vivo gene expression studies. The ECM was coated onto the nanoparticle surface by physical adsorption using the ECM solution (100 μg/ml). There is no significant difference in the diameter, blood compatibility or cell toxicity between coated and uncoated NPs. ECM-coated NPs showed slower protein release rate than uncoated NPs as the ECM coating hindered protein diffusion into the solution. ECM-coated NPs showed significantly higher cellular uptake by human lung epithelial cells than collagen-coated or uncoated NPs. In addition, ECM-coated and uncoated NPs loaded with hEPOR-GFP cDNA were aerosolized and delivered by inhalation into rat lung. Following single inhalation using uncoated NPs, GFP expression in lung tissue progressively increased for up to 21 days. Using the ECM-coated NPs EPOR expression peaked at 14 days, then declined thereafter. Conclusions: Coating NPs with lung-derived ECM markedly enhances NP uptake by lung cells, delays the release of encapsulated protein or DNA, and shortens the duration of peak tissue gene expression compared to uncoated NPs. This NP formulation may be useful where more precise timing of delayed payload release is desired.