Effect of the protein corona on the colloidal stability and reactivity of LDH-based nanocarriers

VASTI, CECILIA; GIACOMELLI, CARLA; ROJAS, RICARDO; ARISTIZABAL BEDOYA, DARIANA

Journal of Materials Chemistry B

The Royal Society of Chemistry

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2016 vol. 11 p. 2008 - 2016

The physicochemical properties of drug nanocarriers such as layered double hydroxide nanoparticles(LDH-NPs) determine their circulation times in biological media and their interaction with the targetedcells. Nevertheless, the components of the biological fluid, and particularly the formation of a proteincorona, change the properties of as-prepared nanocarriers. Here, we discuss the effect of the proteincorona formation on the colloidal stability and reactivity of LDH-NPs intercalated with chloride (LDH?Cl),carbonate (LDH?CO3) or dodecylsulfate (LDH?DS). These solids present model physicochemical properties(hydrophillic character, surface charge, and exchange capacity) that can be obtained depending onthe interaction of drugs with LDH layers. The colloidal stability of LDH-NPs was determined in simulatedbiological fluids at high ionic strength and/or the presence of albumin (the main protein of human bloodplasma), whereas the reactivity was evaluated by dissolution kinetics in acidic media, compatible with theenvironment of cell internalized nanocarriers. The protein corona increased the colloidal stability of thenanocarriers by steric hindrance at high ionic strength, reverted the positive zeta potential of as-preparedLDH-NPs and protected them from dissolution at low pHs. The properties of the anionic cargo ofLDH-NPs strongly affected the protein corona and hence the fate of NPs in biological fluids. Drug nanocarrierswith interfacial properties similar to those of LDH?Cl and LDH?CO3 seem to be more promisingthan LDH?DS in forming a protein corona. Then, LDH?Cl and LDH?CO3 would enable long circulationtimes due to their size, colloidal stability and low protein damage. Our results indicate that LDH-NPs preserveand even improve their properties as drug nanocarriers after interacting with the biological media, particularlytheir ability to reach the site of therapeutic action from the injection place.