Polyhydroxyalkanoate Nanoparticles for Pulmonary Drug Delivery: Interaction with Lung Surfactant

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are polyesters produced intracellularly by many bacterial species as energy storage materials, which used in biomedical applications, including drug delivery systems, due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we evaluated the potential application of nanomaterial a basis inhaled systems. To that end, assessed possible interaction between PHA nanoparticles (NPs) pulmonary surfactant using dynamic light scattering, Langmuir balances, epifluorescence microscopy. Our results demonstrate NPs deposited onto preformed monolayers DPPC or DPPC/POPG bind these lipids. This facilitated translocation towards aqueous subphase, with subsequent loss lipid from interface. remained at interface associated liquid expanded (LE)/tilted condensed (TC) phase boundaries, decreasing size domains promoting intermixing TC LE phases submicroscopic scale. provided stability necessary for attaining high surface pressures upon compression, countering destabilization induced loss. These effects were observed only NP loads, suggesting limit use delivery.