RESUMO

AIM: To improve the in vivo delivery of gold nanorods (GNRs) to the central nervous system of rats, these gold nanoparticles were conjugated to Angiopep-2, a shuttle peptide that can cross the blood-brain barrier. MATERIALS & METHODS: GNRs were synthesized and modified using polyethylene glycol and Angiopep-2 (GNR-PEG-Angiopep-2). The physicochemical properties, in vitro cytotoxicity and ex vivo biodistribution of the conjugate were examined. RESULTS: GNR-PEG-Angiopep-2 was stable over the following days, and the different concentrations that were tested did not affect the viability of microvascular endothelial cells. The conjugation of Angiopep-2 to GNRs enhanced the endocytosis of these particles (in vitro) and the accumulation in brains (in vivo), when compared with GNRs modified only with PEG. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that Angiopep-2 improves the delivery of GNRs to the brain parenchyma. This property is highly relevant for future applications of GNRs as platforms for photothermal and theranostic purposes.

Assuntos

Sistema Nervoso Central/efeitos dos fármacos , Ouro/química , Nanotubos/química , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Animais , Transporte Biológico , Barreira Hematoencefálica/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Sobrevivência Celular , Portadores de Fármacos/química , Liberação Controlada de Fármacos , Células Endoteliais , Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Humanos , Masculino , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão/métodos , Imagem Óptica/métodos , Tamanho da Partícula , Peptídeos/toxicidade , Permeabilidade , Polietilenoglicóis/química , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Propriedades de Superfície , Distribuição Tecidual