A charge-reversible nanocarrier using PEG-PLL(-g-Ce6, DMA)-PLA for photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Chaemin Lim,1 Taehoon Sim,1 Ngoc Ha Hoang,2 Chan Eun Jung,1 Eun Seong Lee,3 Yu Seok Youn,4 Kyung Taek Oh1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, Ha Noi University of Pharmacy, Ha Noi, Vietnam; 3Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Bucheon, 4Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea Abstract: A polyelectrolyte nanoparticle composed of PEG-PLL(-g-Ce6, DMA)-PLA was developed for nanomedicinal application in photodynamic therapy. These nanoparticles formed stable aggregates through the hydrophobic interaction of poly(lactic acid) and demonstrated pH-dependent behaviors such as surface charge conversion and enhanced cellular uptake at acidic pH, resulting in improved phototoxicity. In vivo animal imaging revealed that the prepared PEG-PLL(-g-Ce6, DMA)-PLA nanoparticles effectively accumulated at the targeted tumor site through enhanced permeability and retention effects. Reversible surface charge for PEG-PLL(-g-Ce6, DMA)-PLA nanoparticles allows the nanoparticles to escape the immune system and concentrate on the tumor tissue. Tumor growth in the nude mice treated with the nanoparticles decreased significantly and the hydrophobic interaction in the poly(lactic acid) block could allow the incorporation of multiple drugs. Therefore, the PEG-PLL(-g-Ce6, DMA)-PLA nanoparticles could have considerable potential as a nanomedicinal platform for photodynamic therapy. Keywords: apoptosis, chlorin e6, polyelectrolyte, pH sensitive, charge conversion, nano­medicine 

Keywords

• Photodynamic therapy
• Chlorin e6
• Polyelectrolyte
• pH sensitive
• Charge conversion
• Nanomedicine