Histology and antitumor activity study of PTX-loaded micelle,a fluorescent drug delivery system prepared by PEG-TPP

We synthesized PEG-TPP as carrier to encapsulate paclitaxel(PTX) in the form of micelles to overcome its water-solubility problem. PTX-loaded micelles possess a-week stability and appropriate particle size(152.1 ±1.2 nm) which is beneficial for enhanced permeability and retention(EPR) effect. Strong pH dependence of PTX releasing from micelles is verified by in vitro release study. At cellular level, PTXloaded micelles can target mitochondria effectively which may results a better cytotoxicity of micelles(especially IC50= 0.123 ± 0.035 mmol/L of micelles and 0.298 ± 0.067 mmol/L of PTX alone on MCF-7 cells). The fluorescence distributions of both isolated and sliced organs show that the micelles can effectively target tumors. Moreover, we further prove the enhanced therapeutic effects of micelles in tumor-bearing mice comparing with PTX alone. The results show that the biodegradable drug delivery system prepared by PEG-TPP can overcome the poor solubility of paclitaxel and improve its tumor targeting and antitumor activity.     

Anti-tumor Activity of Biodegradable Polymer-paclitaxel Conjugated Micelle Against Mice U14 Cervical Cancers

Two kinds of paclitaxel(PTX) conjugate micelles, of which one contained 25%(mass fraction) PTX [M(PTX)] and the other contained 22.5%(mass fraction) of PTX and 1.4%(mass fraction) of folate(FA)[FA-M(PTX)], were prepared for cell apoptosis and anti-tumor activity evaluation on U14 cervical cancer mouse models in comparison with 0.9%(mass fraction) saline(control) and equivalent Taxol. Seven days after tail intravenous injection of the drugs, the mice were sacrificed to measure the tumor masses. The average tumor masses were 4.26, 2.89, 2.63, and 2.17 g for the control, Taxol, M(PTX) and FA-M(PTX) groups, respectively. The inhibition rates of tumor growth calculated for the three drug groups were 32%, 38% and 49%, respectively. Flow cytometry(FC) analysis and termi- nal deoxynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP) nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay were conducted on the cancer tissues. The cell apoptosis rates based on the FC data and the TUNEL data were 20%, 31%, 37%, 42%, and 10%, 22%, 26%, 34%, respectively, both showing statistically significant differences(P<0.05) between three drug groups and the control group, and between the FA-M(PTX) group and the other two drug groups. In conclusion, the composite FA-M(PTX) micelles can be used for U14 cervical cancer treatment.     

聚乙二醇-聚(乳酸-碳酸酯)-紫杉醇纳米胶束对SKOV3卵巢癌的抑制作用

制备了2种两亲性生物降解嵌段共聚物聚乙二醇-聚(乳酸-碳酸酯),进而与紫杉醇和叶酸共价键合,形成高分子-紫杉醇键合物和高分子-叶酸键合物,将它们共组装成复合纳米胶束,直径约50 nm,含紫杉醇27 wt%,含叶酸1.4 wt%.培养了人卵巢癌SKOV3细胞,采用四氮唑(MTT)比色法、流式细胞术(FCM)证明了市售紫杉醇(Taxol)、紫杉醇胶束(M(PTX))及叶酸靶向紫杉醇胶束(FA-M(PTX))在10μg/mL浓度下对SKOV3细胞生长有明显抑制作用,并且M(PTX)和FA-M(PTX)优于Taxol.构建了皮下卵巢癌balb/c荷瘤裸鼠动物模型,考察了Taxol,M(PTX)和FA-M(PTX)对肿瘤生长的抑制能力.在20 mg/kg的剂量下,体外测量的肿瘤体积、9天观察的瘤体重量以及动物的生存期数据都表明,Taxol,M(PTX)和FA-M(PTX)三者都能抑制SKOV3肿瘤的生长,抑制能力的顺序为Taxol相似文献   

负载紫杉醇的聚乳酸纳米纤维对宫颈癌的抑制作用

从细胞水平和动物模型两个层次上研究了负载紫杉醇的聚乳酸纤维毡诱导U14宫颈癌细胞凋亡和抑制小鼠U14皮下移植瘤生长的能力.将U14细胞在纤维毡存在下孵育48 h,经Annexin V-FITC及PI双染后行流式细胞分析.结果表明,载药纤维(折合紫杉醇浓度40)g/mL)组总凋亡细胞比例(25.6%)明显高于对照组(1.0%)和未载药纤维组(1.5%).建立U14宫颈癌皮下移植瘤小鼠模型,将其随机分为3组.A组为对照组,不做任何处理.B、C组小鼠以纳米纤维毡覆盖于肿瘤表面,覆盖率约为70%～75%.其中B组纤维毡为纳米聚乳酸电纺丝纤维,不载药,C组为同种材料纤维毡,载有33 wt%紫杉醇.经处理后第7、14天每组各处死动物5～7只,剥离肿瘤,照相,称重,计算抑瘤率.结果表明,载药纤维对U14宫颈癌皮下移植瘤有明显抑制作用(48%～56%).用未载药聚乳酸纤维包裹肿瘤表面,肿瘤质量与对照组无显著差别,说明聚乳酸纤维本身对肿瘤没有抑制作用,载药纤维组所观察到的抑瘤效果为紫杉醇从纤维毡中释放所致.     

IN VIVO FLUORESCENCE OF TUMORS AFTER TREATMENT WITH DERIVATIVES OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN

Abstract— Administration of a mixture of porphyrins termed HPD (hematoporphyrin derivative) to mice bearing the Lewis lung tumor leads to preferential accumulation of fluorescence at tumor loci in vivo after 48 h. HPLC analysis shows that the fluorescent species consist of hematoporphyrin and its dehydration products. But injection of these porphyrins does not lead to fluorescence localization. The intracellular fluorescence which is observed apparently arises from intracellular degradation of the tumor-localizing component of HPD. These fluorescent species represent only a small fraction of the total accumulated porphyrin pool; a larger weakly-fluorescent porphyrin pool is also present, and may be the major factor in tumor photosensitization.     

Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-g-poly(vinylpyrrolidone): association behavior in aqueous solution and interaction with anionic surfactants

In this work, we aimed to study the association and interaction behavior of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers grafted with poly(vinylpyrrolidone). Critical micellization concentrations were determined using fluorescent probes (pyrene) and critical micellization temperatures characterizing temperature-dependent transitions from monomers to multimolecular micelles were measured. The thermal responsiveness of the copolymer is not affected by the grafting. The hydrodynamic radius of the graft copolymer micelles is found to be greater than that of the original copolymer micelles. The graft copolymer is found to form anisotropic aggregates. The structure of the graft copolymer micelles is less disrupted by the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, compared to the ungraft copolymer.     

Paclitaxel‐Loaded β‐Cyclodextrin‐Modified Poly(Acrylic Acid) Nanoparticles through Multivalent Inclusion for Anticancer Therapy

A nanoassembled drug delivery system for anticancer treatment, formed by the host–guest interactions between paclitaxel (PTX) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) modified poly(acrylic acid) (PCDAA), is successfully prepared. After such design, the aqueous solubility of PTX is greatly increased from 0.34 to 36.02 μg mL^?1, and the obtained PCDAA‐PTX nanoparticles (PCDAA‐PTX NPs) exhibit a sustained PTX release behavior in vitro. In vitro cytotoxicity finds that PCDAA‐PTX NPs can accumulate significantly in tumor cells and remain the pharmacological activity of PTX. The in vivo real‐time biodistribution of PCDAA‐PTX NPs is investigated using near‐infrared fluorescence imaging, indicating that the PCDAA‐PTX NPs can effectively target to the tumor site by the enhanced permeability and retention effect in H22 tumor‐bearing mice. Through in vivo antitumor examination, PCDAA‐PTX NPs exhibit superior efficacy in impeding the tumor growth compared to the commercially available Taxol®.

     

A self-expandable C-shaped 3D printing tracheal stent for combinatorial controlled paclitaxel release and tracheal support

Current tracheal stents palliatively relieve malignant tracheal stenosis but cannot treat the tumor, resulting in the occurrence of restenosis due to tumor progressive over-growth. Moreover, the stents block the entire tracheal mucosa contact with them and thus prevent mucus/sputum discharge, causing an airway blockage. In order to overcome those shortcomings, we study a novel self-expandable C-shaped tracheal stent loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), which consists of an inner poly (ε-caprolactone) layer, a middle Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles loaded poly (ε-caprolactone) layer and an outer PTX-loaded ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer layer containing phase-change 1-hexadecanol. The C-shaped tracheal stents are easily fabricated on a roller by using a self-made specific three-dimensional printer. It is found that the stents present unidirectional PTX release, good self-expanding and appropriate trachea supporting properties, and generate heat to raise temperature under an alternating magnetic field, which facilitates temperature-responsive PTX release and permeation in tracheal tissue. The stents have good biosafety in rabbits and keep airway patency for the investigated period (1 month) without the occurrence of mucus/sputum blockage after implantation in rabbit trachea. This study provides a scientific basis for the development of novel self-expandable C-shaped tracheal stents with combinatorial tracheal support and local chemotherapy.     

Acid-Activatable Transmorphic Peptide-Based Nanomaterials for Photodynamic Therapy

Inspired by the dynamic morphology control of molecular assemblies in biological systems, we have developed pH-responsive transformable peptide-based nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy (PDT) with prolonged tumor retention times. The self-assembled peptide–porphyrin nanoparticles transformed into nanofibers when exposed to the acidic tumor microenvironment, which was mainly driven by enhanced intermolecular hydrogen bond formation between the protonated molecules. The nanoparticle transformation into fibrils improved their singlet oxygen generation ability and enabled high accumulation and long-term retention at tumor sites. Strong fluorescent signals of these nanomaterials were detected in tumor tissue up to 7 days after administration. Moreover, the peptide assemblies exhibited excellent anti-tumor efficacy via PDT in vivo. This in situ fibrillar transformation strategy could be utilized to design effective stimuli-responsive biomaterials for long-term imaging and therapy.     

Drug-loaded and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle surface-embedded amphiphilic block copolymer micelles for integrated chemotherapeutic drug delivery and MR imaging

We report on the fabrication of organic/inorganic hybrid micelles of amphiphilic block copolymers physically encapsulated with hydrophobic drugs within micellar cores and stably embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles within hydrophilic coronas, which possess integrated functions of chemotherapeutic drug delivery and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast enhancement. Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(glycerol monomethacrylate), PCL-b-PGMA, and PCL-b-P(OEGMA-co-FA) amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized at first by combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and post- modification techniques, where OEGMA and FA are oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate and folic acid-bearing moieties, respectively. A model hydrophobic anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX), and 4 nm SPIO nanoparticles were then loaded into micellar cores and hydrophilic coronas, respectively, of mixed micelles fabricated from PCL-b-PGMA and PCL-b-P(OEGMA-co-FA) diblock copolymers by taking advantage of the hydrophobicity of micellar cores and strong affinity between 1,2-diol moieties in PGMA and Fe atoms at the surface of SPIO nanoparticles. The controlled and sustained release of PTX from hybrid micelles was achieved, exhibiting a cumulative release of ~61% encapsulated drugs (loading content, 8.5 w/w%) over ~130 h. Compared to that of surfactant-stabilized single SPIO nanoparticles (r(2) = 28.3 s(-1) mM(-1) Fe), the clustering of SPIO nanoparticles within micellar coronas led to considerably enhanced T(2) relaxivity (r(2) = 121.1 s(-1) mM(-1) Fe), suggesting that hybrid micelles can serve as a T(2)-weighted MR imaging contrast enhancer with improved performance. Moreover, preliminary experiments of in vivo MR imaging were also conducted. These results indicate that amphiphilic block copolymer micelles surface embedded with SPIO nanoparticles at the hydrophilic corona can act as a new generation of nanoplatform integrating targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and disease diagnostic functions.     

Preparation and in vitro properties of redox-responsive polymeric nanoparticles for paclitaxel delivery

Rice-like polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) composed of a new redox-responsive polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactic acid) (MPEG-SS-PLA), were prepared to carry paclitaxel (PTX) for glutathione (GSH)-regulated drug delivery. The PTX-loaded MPEG-SS-PLA NPs were fabricated using an optimized oil-in-water emulsion/solvent evaporation method. The size and morphology of the prepared NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM results demonstrate that the NPs were dispersed as individual particles and were rice-shaped. The PTX loading efficiency, in vitro release, and stability of the NPs were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC results revealed that the NPs released almost 90% PTX within 96 h when GSH presented at intracellular concentrations, whereas only a very small PTX amount was released at plasma GSH levels. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the NPs against A549, MCF-7, and HeLa carcinoma cells were assessed using a standard methyl thiazolyl tetrazoliun (MTT) assay. The MTT assay results show that the NPs caused concentration- and time-dependent changes in cell viability. To investigate the cellular uptake of the PTX-loaded NPs, visual endocytosis assay was performed using the fluorescent dye coumarin-6 as a model drug. The endocytosis assay results reveal rapid penetration and intracellular accumulation of coumarin-6-loaded NPs, as well as rapid coumarin-6 dispersion from the NPs. Overall, these findings establish that the NPs containing the synthesized redox-responsive polymer MPEG-SS-PLA can be used as potential carrier systems for antitumor drug delivery.     

键合紫杉醇的纳米胶束与C6胶质瘤细胞的相互作用

制备了键合紫杉醇(PTX)的聚乙二醇-聚乳酸嵌段共聚物(PEG-PLA/PTX)的纳米胶束, 采用四氮唑(MTT)比色法、流式细胞术、透射电镜及激光共聚焦显微镜等技术, 考察了PEG-PLA/PTX胶束对C6胶质瘤细胞的影响, 包括C6细胞超微结构的变化和细胞周期的改变, 以及纳米颗粒在细胞内的分布, 探讨了PEG-PLA/PTX胶束对肿瘤细胞的作用机理. 结果表明, PEG-PLA/PTX胶束进入到C6细胞内, 聚集于细胞浆中, 通过与细胞核中DNA的作用改变细胞生长的周期, 造成在G2-M期的阻滞, 引起细胞的凋亡. 因此, PEG-PLA/PTX胶束有望用于脑胶质瘤的化疗.     

The intragastrointestinal fate of paclitaxel-loaded micelles: Implications on oral drug delivery

The goal of the present study is to elucidate the intragastrointestinal fate of micellar delivery systems by monitoring fluorescently labeled different micelles and the model drug paclitaxel (PTX). Both in vitro and ex vivo leakage studies showed fast PTX release in fluids while micelles remained intact, except in fed-state simulated intestinal fluid and fasted-state pig intestinal fluid, thus referring to the intact absorption of micelles and PTX leakage in the gastrointestinal tract with d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) micelles showing higher stability than other micelles. All groups of micelles were absorbed intact in Caco-2 and Caco-2/HT29-MTX cell models and the absorption of TPGS micelles was found to be higher than other micelles. The transport of the micelles across Caco-2/Raji (1.6%–3.5%), Caco-2 (0.8%–1%), and Caco-2/HT29-MTX (0.58%–1%) cell monolayers further verified the absorption of micelles and their subsequent transport; however, more TPGS micelles transported across cell monolayers than other groups. Moreover, the histological examination also confirmed that micelles entered the enterocytes and were transported to basolateral tissues and TPGS showed the stronger ability of penetration than other groups. Thus, these results are succinctly presenting the absorption of intact micelles in GIT confirmed by imaging evidence with prior leakage of the drug, uptake by enterocytes and the transport of micelles that survive the digestion by enterocytes and mainly by microfold cells in material nature dependent way with TPGS showing better results than other groups. In conclusion, these results identify the mechanism by which the gastrointestinal tract processes micelles and point to the likely use of this approach in the design of micelles-based therapies.     

Biodegradable and thermosensitive micelles of amphiphilic polyaspartamide derivatives containing aromatic groups for drug delivery

The preparation, characterization, release, and in vitro cytotoxicity of a biodegradable polymeric micellar formulation of paclictaxel (PTX) were investigated. The micelles based on thermosensitive and degradable amphiphilic polyaspartamide derivatives containing pendant aromatic structures (phe‐g‐PHPA‐g‐mPEG) were prepared by a quick heating method without using toxic organic solvent. Dynamic light‐scattering results show that the micelles are stable upon dilution under physiological conditions and the destabilization of the micelles is pH‐dependent and the phe‐g‐PHPA‐g‐mPEG polymers are biodegradable. PTX was loaded into the phe‐g‐PHPAs‐g‐mPEG micelles with encapsulation efficiency of >90%, resulting in a high drug loading content (up to 29%). PTX‐loaded micelles had a mean size around 70 nm with narrow size distribution (polydispersity index, <0.1). The PTX‐loaded micelles showed sustained drug release and obvious anticancer activity similar to Taxol against HepG2 cells, whereas blank micelles were nontoxic. The present results suggest that the thermosensitive and biodegradable phe‐g‐PHPA‐g‐mPEG micelles are a promising delivery system for the hydrophobic drugs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3917–3924     

Enhancement of cellular uptake and antitumor efficiencies of micelles with phosphorylcholine

Internalization of drug delivery micelles into cancer cells is a crucial step for antitumor therapeutics. Novel amphiphilic star-shaped copolymers with zwitterionic phosphorylcholine (PC) block, 6-arm star poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (6sPCL-b-PMPC), have been developed for encapsulation of poorly water-soluble drugs and enhancement of their cellular uptake. The star-shaped copolymers were synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The copolymers self-assembled to form spherical micelles with low critical micelle concentration (CMC). The sizes of the micelles range from 80 to 170 nm and increase 30 ≈ 80% after paclitaxel (PTX) loading. Labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), the micelles were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy to have been internalized efficiently by tumor cells. Direct visualization of the micelles within tumor cells by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the 6sPCL-b-PMPC micelles were more efficiently uptaken by tumor cells compared to PCL-b-PEG micelles. When incorporated with PTX, the 6sPCL-b-PMPC micelles show much higher cytotoxicity against Hela cells than PCL-b-PEG micelles, in response to the higher efficiency of cellular uptake.     

Preparation of amphiphilic copolymers for covalent loading of paclitaxel for drug delivery system

A novel drug‐polymer conjugate was prepared by the copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction between an azide‐functional diblock copolymer and an alkyne‐functional paclitaxel (PTX). The well‐defined azide‐functional diblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐b‐P(OEGEEMA‐co‐AzPMA), was synthesized via the atom transfer radical polymerization of oligo(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (OEGEEMA) and 3‐azidopropyl methacrylate (AzPMA), using PEG‐Br as macroinitiator and CuBr/PMDETA as a catalytic system. The alkyne‐functional PTX was covalently linked to the copolymer via a click reaction, and the loading content of PTX could be easily tuned by varying the feeding ratio. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering results indicated that the drug loaded copolymers could self‐assemble into micelles in aqueous solution. Moreover, the drug release behavior of PEG‐b‐P(OEGEEMA‐co‐AzPMA‐PTX) was pH dependent, and the cumulative release amount of PTX were 50.0% at pH 5.5, which is about two times higher than that at pH 7.4. The in vitro cytotoxicity experimental results showed that the diblock copolymer was biocompatible, with no obvious cytotoxicity, whereas the PTX‐polymer conjugate could efficiently deliver PTX into HeLa and SKOV‐3 cells, leading to excellent antitumor activity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 366–374     

In vivo Fluorescence Imaging of Tumors using Molecular Aptamers Generated by Cell‐SELEX

Poor sensitivity and low specificity of current molecular imaging probes limit their application in clinical settings. To address these challenges, we used a process known as cell‐SELEX to develop unique molecular probes termed aptamers with the high binding affinity, sensitivity, and specificity needed for in vivo molecular imaging inside living animals. Importantly, aptamers can be selected by cell‐SELEX to recognize target cells, or even surface membrane proteins, without requiring prior molecular signature information. As a result, we are able to present the first report of aptamers molecularly engineered with signaling molecules and optimized for the fluorescence imaging of specific tumor cells inside a mouse. Using a Cy5‐labeled aptamer TD05 (Cy5‐TD05) as the probe, the in vivo efficacy of aptamer‐based molecular imaging in Ramos (B‐cell lymphoma) xenograft nude mice was tested. After intravenous injection of Cy5‐TD05 into mice bearing grafted tumors, noninvasive, whole‐body fluorescence imaging then allowed the spatial and temporal distribution to be directly monitored. Our results demonstrate that the aptamers could effectively recognize tumors with high sensitivity and specificity, thus establishing the efficacy of these fluorescent aptamers for diagnostic applications and in vivo studies requiring real‐time molecular imaging.     

Biocompatible APTES–PEG Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles: Effective Carriers of Antineoplastic Agents to Ovarian Cancer

Magnetite nanoparticles are particularly attractive for drug delivery applications because of their size-dependent superparamagnetism, low toxicity, and biocompatibility with cells and tissues. Surface modification of iron oxide nanoparticles with biocompatible polymers is potentially beneficial to prepare biodegradable nanocomposite-based drug delivery agents for in vivo and in vitro applications. In the present study, the bare (10 nm) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)–(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) (PA) modified (17 nm) superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO NPs) were synthesized by coprecipitation method. The anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX), were separately encapsulated into the synthesized polymeric nanocomposites for localized targeting of human ovarian cancer in vitro. Surface morphology analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed a slight increase in particle size (27?±?0.7 and 30?±?0.45 nm) with drug loading capacities of 70 and 61.5 % and release capabilities of 90 and 93 % for the DOX- and PTX-AP-SPIO NPs, respectively (p?<?0.001). Ten milligrams/milliliter DOX- and PTX-loaded AP-SPIO NPs caused a significant amount of cytotoxicity and downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins, as compared with same amounts of free drugs (p?<?0.001). In vivo antiproliferative effect of present formulation on immunodeficient female Balb/c mice showed ovarian tumor shrinkage from 2,920 to 143 mm³ after 40 days. The present formulation of APTES–PEG-SPIO-based nanocomposite system of targeted drug delivery proved to be effective enough in order to treat deadly solid tumor of ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo.     

Assessment of the integrity of poly(caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles under biological conditions: a fluorogenic-based approach

The integrity of block copolymer micelles is important for their effectiveness and successful delivery of the incorporated drugs. Here we evaluate the integrity of poly(caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles in media of varying chemical complexity and in cells by using fluorogenic micelles. Fluorogenic dye fluorescein-5-carbonyl azide diacetate was covalently attached to the micelle-core-forming part of the block copolymer, poly(caprolactone). The fluorescence was not detectable unless the poly(caprolactone)21-b-poly(ethylene oxide)45 micelles were destroyed and the fluorogenic dye was activated by deesterification. The fluorescence of the activated dye from destroyed micelles was easily detectable in various media and in cells. Micelles were stable in simple media such as phosphate-buffered saline but disassembled to varying extents with increasing chemical complexity of the media and addition of serum. The integrity of the internalized micelles within the cells showed a time-dependent decrease but remained largely preserved (80%) after 20 h of incubation with cells. A proof of principle was also demonstrated in vivo in mice. The fluorogenic approach to micelle integrity assessment presented herein should lend itself to other block copolymer micelles and assessments of their integrity in complex biological systems in vitro and in vivo.     

PORPHYRIN ACCUMULATION BY ATHEROMATOUS PLAQUES OF THE AORTA

Abstract A complex mixture of porphyrins termed hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) has been clinically useful for tumor localization. When sections of human aorta containing atheromatous plaques were incubated with HPD, accumulation of fluorescent porphyrin was observed within the plaques. Analytic studies showed that the plaques had accumulated hematoporphyrin (HP), which is substantially more hydrophilic than that HPD fraction generally associated with tumor localization. Fluorescence spectra suggest that the plaque binding sites of HP resemble the relatively aqueous micelles formed by the detergent sodium dodecylsulfate. This result has implications for tumor-localization procedures, since accumulation of hydrophilic porphyrins by tumors has been reported.