In vitro evaluation of physicochemical-dependent effects of polymeric nanoparticles on their cellular uptake and co-localization using pulmonary calu-3 cell lines.

Objective: The study evaluated physicochemical properties of eight different polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and their interaction with lung barrier and their suitability for pulmonary drug delivery.

Methods: Eight physiochemically different NPs were fabricated from Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA, PL) and Poly glycerol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone (PGA-co-PDL, PG) via emulsification-solvent evaporation. Pulmonary barrier integrity was investigated in vitro using Calu-3 under air-liquid interface. NPs internalization was investigated using a group of pharmacological inhibitors with subsequent microscopic visual confirmation.

Results: Eight NPs were successfully formulated from two polymers using emulsion-solvent evaporation; 200, 500 and 800 nm, negatively-charged and positively-charged. All different NPs did not alter tight junctions and PG NPs showed similar behavior to PL NPs, indicating its suitability for pulmonary drug delivery. Active endocytosis uptake mechanisms with physicochemical dependent manner were observed. In addition, NPs internalization and co-localization with lysosomes were visually confirmed indicating their vesicular transport.

Conclusion: PG and PL NPs had shown no or low harmful effects on the barrier integrity, and with effective internalization and vesicular transport, thus, prospectively can be designed for pulmonary delivery applications.