Biodegradable double nanocapsule as a novel multifunctional carrier for drug delivery and cell imaging

Abstract

Highly-efficient delivery of macromolecules into cells for both imaging and therapy (theranostics) remains a challenge for the design of a delivery system. Here, we suggested a novel hybrid protein–lipid polymer nanocapsule as an effective and nontoxic drug delivery and imaging carrier. The biodegradable nanocapsules showed the typical double emulsion features, including fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumin shell, oil phase containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and linoleic acid, and inner aqueous phase. The nanocapsules were spherical in shape, with an average size of about 180 nm. Proteins packed into the inner aqueous phase of the nanocapsules could be delivered into cells with high efficiency, and the fluorescence of the fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumin could be used for tracing the protein migration and cellular location. Further studies suggested that the co-delivery of transcription factor p53 and lipophilic drug paclitaxel with the nanocapsules acted synergistically to induce Hela cell apoptosis, and the fluorescence of apoptotic cells was clearly observed under a fluorescence microscope. Such multifunctional delivery system would have great potential applications in drug delivery and theranostic fields.

Keywords:

• emulsion
• protein transport
• fluorescence labeling
• theranostics
• cell apoptosis

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the grants from the Natural Science Foundation of China (81273416), the Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Scholars, Ministry of Education of China (2012-940), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (XDJK2013A030), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (XDJK2013 C030), and the New Century Excellent Talents Award in University, Ministry of Education of China.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.