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Surface controlled nanospheres as drug carriers for intravenous and intranasal administration
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Abstract
The arival on the market of new therapeutic and antigenic molecules requires the development of appropriate delivery systems. The design of injectable nanoparticulate drug caniers invisible to the mononuclear phagocyte system is a major challenge. Also, overcoming mucosa baniers, such as the nasal one, using biodegradable nanospheres is another strategy still to be explored. These routes of administration require nanoparticulate systems with optimized surface properties. We investigated the ability of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated nanospheres made of amphiphilic diblock copolymers to achieve these goals. After an optimization of the nanosphere surface properties, we studied the possibility of entrapping macromolecules within the PEG-coated nanospheres. Results showed that it is possible to encapsulate a model protein, human serum albumin (HSA) within monodisperse nanospheres of a mean diameter of about 200 nm, reaching loadings as high as 9% (w/w). Moreover, these nanospheres showed excellent abilities for the transport of a model antigen, tetanus toxoid (Tr) through the nasal mucosa.
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- Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998