Biodistribution of Inhaled Gold Nanoparticles in Mice and the Influence of Surfactant Protein D

Background: The pulmonary route is very promising for drug delivery by inhalation. In this regard, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are discussed and one very promising example are gold nanoparticles (Au NP). Directly after inhalation, Au NP come into contact with pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D). SP-D can agglomerate Au NP in vitro and this may influence the clearance as well as the systemic translocation in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clearance and translocation of Au NP at a very early time point after inhalation and the influence of SP-D. Methods: Aerosolized radioactive labeled Au NP were inhaled by healthy adult female mice. One group of the mice received dissolved 10 µg SP-D prior to the Au NP inhalation by intratracheal instillation. After a 2 hour Au NP inhalation period, the mice were sacrificed and the clearance as well as translocation to the blood stream was investigated. Results: The highest amount of Au NP was associated to the lung tissue. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) more Au NP remained free compared to the amount being associated with the BALF cells. The amount of Au NP, cleared by the mucociliary escalator was low, probably because of this very early time point. Instillation of SP-D prior to Au NP inhalation had no statistically significant effect on the distribution of the Au NP. Conclusion: Our data show that inhaled Au NP are retained in the mice lung, are translocated after a short time, and SP-D has only a minor effect on Au NP translocation and clearance at a very early timepoint. Keywords: gold nanoparticles, surfactant protein D, biodistribution

SCHLEH C.;  HOLZWARTH Uwe;  HIRN S.;  WENK A.;  SIMONELLI Federica;  SCHAFFLER M.;  MÖLLER Winfried;  GIBSON Peter;  KREYLING Wolfgang; 

2013-04-15

MARY ANN LIEBERT INC

JRC67907

1941-2711,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC67907,   

10.1089/jamp.2011.0951,