Interaction of polyelectrolyte-shell cubosomes with serum albumin for triggering drug release in gastrointestinal cancer

Author(s)

Pimenta, Barbara V. ; Madrid, Rafael R. M. ; Mathews, Patrick D. ; Riske, Karin A. ; Loh, Watson ; Angelov, Borislav ; Angelova, Angelina ; Mertins, Omar

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B; v. 11, n. 11, p. 14-pg., 2023-02-03.

Abstract

Nano-structured and functionalized materials for encapsulation, transport, targeting and controlled release of drugs are of high interest to overcome low bioavailability in oral administration. We develop lipid-based cubosomes, which are surface-functionalized with biocompatible chitosan-N-arginine and alginate, displaying internal liquid crystalline structures. Polyelectrolyte-shell (PS) cubosomes have pH-responsive characteristics profitable for oral delivery. The obtained PScubosomes can strongly interact with serum albumin, a protein which is released in the stomach under gastric cancer conditions. An effective thermodynamic PScubosome-protein interaction was characterized at pH 2.0 and 7.4 by isothermal titration calorimetry at 37 degrees C. A high increment of the albumin conformation transition temperature was evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry upon incubation with PScubosomes. The performed structural studies by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed essential alterations in the internal liquid crystalline topology of the nanocarriers including an Im3m to Pn3m transition and a reduction of the cubic lattice parameters. The PScubosome nanoparticle interaction with serum albumin, leading to inner structural changes in a range of temperatures, promoted the release of water from the cubosomal nanochannels. Altogether, the results revealed effective interactions of the PScubosomes with albumin under simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions and suggested promising nanocarrier characteristics for triggered oral drug release. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/00971-2 - Crystalline-phase nano cubosome functionalized with biopolymers: development as a drug carrier and in vivo studies in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
• Grantee: Omar Mertins
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/13368-4 - Nanostructured systems: from membrane biomimetic models to carriers of bioactives
• Grantee: Karin Do Amaral Riske
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants