Control of Endothelial Targeting and Intracellular Delivery of Therapeutic Enzymes by Modulating the Size and Shape of ICAM-1-targeted Carriers

• Published in: Molecular therapy Vol. 16; no. 8; pp. 1450 - 1458
• Main Authors: Muro, Silvia, Garnacho, Carmen, Champion, Julie A, Leferovich, John, Gajewski, Christine, Schuchman, Edward H, Mitragotri, Samir, Muzykantov, Vladimir R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2008; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal - chemistry; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Caveolae - metabolism; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Line; Disease; Drug Carriers - administration & dosage; Drug Carriers - chemistry; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Endocytosis - physiology; Endothelial Cells - cytology; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Endothelium; Environmental health; Enzymes; Gene therapy; Geometry; Humans; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - immunology; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - physiology; Male; Medicine; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Oxidative stress; Particle Size; Polymers - chemistry; New York; Santa Barbara California; California; United States > US; Pennsylvania
• ISSN: 1525-0016; 1525-0024
• DOI: 10.1038/mt.2008.127

Endocytosis in endothelial cells (ECs) is important for many biomedical applications, including drug delivery by nano- and microscale carriers. However, little is known about how carrier geometry influences endothelial drug targeting, intracellular trafficking, and effects. We studied this using prototype polymer carriers of various sizes (0.1–10 μm) and shapes (spheres versus elliptical disks). Carriers were targeted to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), a transmembrane glycoprotein that is upregulated in many pathologies and used as a target for intraendothelial drug delivery. ECs internalized anti-ICAM-coated carriers of up to several microns in size via cell adhesion molecule–mediated endocytosis. This pathway is distinct from caveolar and clathrin endocytosis that operate for submicron-size objects. Carrier geometry was found to influence endothelial targeting in the vasculature, and the rate of endocytosis and lysosomal transport within ECs. Disks had longer half-lives in circulation and higher targeting specificity in mice, whereas spheres were endocytosed more rapidly. Micron-size carriers had prolonged residency in prelysosomal compartments, beneficial for endothelial antioxidant protection by delivered catalase. Submicron carriers trafficked to lysosomes more readily, optimizing effects of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) enzyme replacement in a model of lysosomal storage disease. Therefore, rational design of carrier geometry will help optimize endothelium-targeted therapeutics.