Minimally Invasive Endovascular Administration for Targeted PLGA Nanoparticles Delivery to Brain, Salivary Glands, Kidney and Lower Limbs

TL;DR

This study shows that delivering nanoparticles through specific arteries can target organs like the brain and kidneys more effectively than traditional intravenous methods.

Contribution

The paper introduces minimally invasive endovascular routes for targeted delivery of PLGA nanoparticles to specific organs with improved accumulation and safety.

Findings

PLGA-Cy7 NPs show low cytotoxicity and good hemocompatibility even at high doses.

Intra-arterial delivery increases nanoparticle accumulation in target organs up to 31.7-fold compared to intravenous administration.

Proper administration avoids significant blood flow changes or vessel embolization when using optimal dosages.

Abstract

Background: While intravenous administration of nanoparticles (NPs) is effective for targeting the lungs and liver, directing them to other organs and tissues remains challenging. Methods: Here, we report alternative administration routes that improve organ-specific accumulation of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs (100 nm, negatively charged) loaded with the near-infrared dye Cyanine 7 (Cy7). NP cytotoxicity was evaluated in HEK293, mMSCs, C2C12, L929, and RAW264.7 cells. Hemocompatibility was assessed using WBCs and RBCs. NPs were administered via the tail vein, carotid, renal, and femoral arteries in BALB/c mice. Administration safety was evaluated by laser speckle contrast imaging and histological analysis. NP biodistribution and accumulation were assessed using in vivo and ex vivo fluorescence tomography and confocal microscopy of cryosections. Results: PLGA-Cy7 NPs demonstrate low cytotoxicity even at high doses and exhibit good hemocompatibility. Administration of NPs through the mouse carotid, renal, and femoral arteries significantly increases accumulation in the target ipsilateral brain hemisphere (31.7-fold) and salivary glands (28.3-fold), kidney (13.7-fold), and hind paw (3.6-fold), respectively, compared to intravenous administration. Injection of NPs through arteries supplying the target organs and tissues does not result in significant changes in blood flow, morphological alterations, or irreversible embolization of vessels, provided the procedure is performed correctly and the optimal dosage is used. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of intra-arterial delivery of NPs for organ-specific drug targeting, underscoring the synergistic impact of advances in materials science, minimally invasive endovascular surgery, and nanomedicine.

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