Intracellular trafficking pathway of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles in human cells: Size-dependent cellular delivery

• Published in: Applied clay science 2012-09, Vol.65-66, p.24-30
• Main Authors: Chung, Hae-Eun, Park, Dae-Hwan, Choy, Jin-Ho, Choi, Soo-Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cellular; Confocal; Drug delivery; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Human; Hydroxides; Intracellular fate; Layered double hydroxide; Mineralogy; Nanoparticles; Pathways; Quantitative analysis; Silicates; Size; Toxicity; Trafficking pathway; Uptake
• ISSN: 0169-1317; 1872-9053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2012.06.007

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles are promising candidates as delivery carriers, since they have low toxicity and can intercalate anionic drugs or genes in the interlayer spaces of two dimensional lattices. However, little information is available about their intracellular fate and trafficking pathway in human cells, which is important to improve delivery efficiency and predict toxicity potential. From the immunofluorescence and confocal microscopic studies to evaluate intracellular colocalization of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled nanoparticles (50 and 100nm) with specific compartments, we found that the cellular uptake reached a maximum level at 0.5h and gradually decreased over time. The present nanoparticles were highly colocalized with early endosomes within the first 0.5h and largely found in an exocytic organelle, the Golgi apparatus over a period of 1–24h. Most of 100nm could escape a typical endo-lysosomal degradation, while 50nm followed an endosome–lysosome pathway as well as exocytosis one with the same degree. A model for the intracellular trafficking of LDH nanoparticles depending on particle size is proposed on the basis of quantitative analysis data. Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles of two different sizes were highly colocalized with the early endosome within the first 0.5h and largely found in an exocytic organelle, the Golgi apparatus over a period of 1–24h. Size-dependent intracellular trafficking pathways of the present nanoparticles are proposed on the basis of quantitative colocalization analysis data. [Display omitted] ► Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles were localized in intracellular organelles in a size-dependent manner. ► 50nm followed a typical endosome–lysosome pathway and direct exocytosis one with the same degree. ► Most of 100nm could escape endo-lysosomal degradation.