Interactions between self-assembled polyelectrolyte shells and tumor cells.

Layer-by-layer self-assembled polyelectrolyte shells are a new class of micro/nanocapsules with unique physicochemical properties for potential applications in drug/gene delivery. The objective of this study was to investigate the interactions of polyelectrolyte shells ( approximately 1 mum in diameter) with MCF-7 breast cancer cells and identify key parameters that affect such interactions. Tailoring of surface properties of polyelectrolyte shells was achieved by choosing different outermost layer materials, including cationic polymers, anionic polymers, and lipid bilayers. Different surface compositions led to a wide range of electrostatic potentials from -46 to +47 mV in phophate-buffered saline buffer. Confocal microscopy studies showed that the polyelectrolyte shells were internalized into the cell cytoplasm, but not into the nuclei. Correlation of cell uptake with shell surface compositions was complicated by the adsorption of serum proteins on the surface of polyelectrolyte shells, particularly polycation-coated shells. To prevent protein adsorption, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafted poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) copolymers (1:1, 1:5, 1:10 graft ratios) were synthesized and introduced on the shell surface. Shells coated with PEI-PEG copolymers effectively reduced protein adsorption whereas PEI-PEG copolymers with lower graft ratios achieved higher cell uptake efficiency after 24 h of incubation with MCF-7 cells.