Luminescent PLGA Nanoparticles for Delivery of Darunavir to the Brain and Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9, a Relevant Therapeutic Target of HIV-Associated Neurological Disorders
Tiziana Latronico, Federica Rizzi, Annamaria Panniello, Valentino Laquintana, Ilaria Arduino, Nunzio Denora, Elisabetta Fanizza, Serafina Milella, Claudio Maria Mastroianni, Marinella Striccoli, Maria Lucia Curri, Grazia Maria Liuzzi, Nicoletta Depalo
Abstract
-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based nanoformulations resulted characterized by an average hydrodynamic size less than 150 nm, relevant colloidal stability in aqueous medium, satisfactory drug encapsulation efficiency, and retained emitting optical properties in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The assay on the BBB artificial model showed that a larger amount of DRV was able to cross BBB when incorporated in the PLGA NPs and to exert an enhanced inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression levels with respect to free DRV. The overall results reveal the great potential of this class of nanovectors of DRV for an efficacious treatment of HANDs.