A comparative study of a range of polymeric microspheres as potential carriers for the inhalation of proteins.
The aim of this study was to compare protein-loaded inhalable microparticles manufactured using a range of biocompatible polymers including hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), chitosan, hyaluronic acid, alginate, gelatin, ovalbumin and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Spray-drying was used to prepare microparticles containing bovine serum albumin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (BSA-FITC). Particles of respirable size and high protein loading were obtained. No evidence of BSA degradation was seen from PAGE analysis. The microparticles were mixed with mannitol as a carrier and powder aerosolization was assessed with a multi-dose dry powder inhaler (DPI) using a multi-stage cascade impactor. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) ranged between 2.9 and 4.7 microm. Potential polymer toxicity in the lungs was compared by impinging the particles on Calu-3 monolayers and assessing the cytotoxicity, induction of cytokine release, changes in transepithelial permeability and electrical resistance. No toxic effects were observed with most of the polymers though some evidence of compromised cell monolayer integrity was seen for PLGA and ovalbumin. PLGA and gelatin microparticles caused a significant increase in IL-8 release. Of the polymers studied, PLGA showed the greatest toxicity. Certain polymers showed particular promise for specific protein delivery needs in the lungs, such as HPC to improve flow properties, sodium hyaluronate for controlled release, and chitosan and ovalbumin for systemic delivery.
Funding
The authors acknowledge Mr. Neal Leddy for assistance with the SEM and Dr. Nadia Ben Larbi for help with the CLSM. This research was supported by the Science Foundation Ireland (Grant 05/RFP/ENG0020).
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This article is also available at http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0378517308001804/1-s2.0-S0378517308001804-main.pdf?_tid=3eeaaf0e-cffd-11e5-b905-00000aab0f6c&acdnat=1455112409_98d4fdb9a2d73d6efe5e35b6faeadcf7Published Citation
Sivadas N, O'Rourke DO, Tobin A, Buckley V, Ramtoola Z, Kelly JG, Hickey AJ, Cryan SA. A comparative study of a range of polymeric microspheres as potential carriers for the inhalation of proteins. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2008;358(1-2):159-67.Publication Date
2008-06-01External DOI
PubMed ID
18448288Department/Unit
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences