Transcellular process of coumarin 6 loaded PEG-PCL micelles on MDCK epithelial cells / 药学学报

ABSTRACT

The transcellular process of coumarin 6 (C6) loaded poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate)-co-poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) micelles on Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells was investigated. C6 loaded PEG-PCL micelles were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. The size of the micelles was characterized by dynamic light scattering analysis using a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined by pyrene fluorescence probe method. And the transcellular process of the micelles on MDCK epithelial cells was investigated by using transmission electron microscope, laser confocal scanning microscope and Förster resonance energy transfer technology. It turned out that the size of PEG-PCL micelles was about 30 nm and CMC was 1.01 microg x mL(-1). PEG-PCL micelles were endocytosed in intact form and they could deliver hydrophobic drugs across the basolateral membrane of the epithelial cells. However, PEG-PCL is hardly being transported in micelle formation itself. The transportation of C6 by PEG-PCL micelles was through the transcellular pathway, yet not the paracellular pathway.