부산대학교 도서관

Deciphering the endocytosis mechanisms of nanoparticle entry in cells is crucial to understand the fate of nanoparticles and the biological activity of the transported cargo. Such studies require the use of reporter agents such as fluorescent markers. Previously, we have reported the synthesis of self-fluorescent HAp nanoparticles as efficient nucleic acid delivery agents in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Here, we show the application of biocompatible self-fluorescent nano delivery vehicle based on HAp and CPP- octa-arginine as an efficient system to study the mechanisms of intracellular fate of a gene delivery agent. The pathway of octa-arginine functionalized HAp NP (R8HNP) and HAp NP uptake in R1 ESCs was elucidated using confocal microscopy with the help of endocytic inhibitors. The NPs mainly enter R1 ESCs by clathrin mediated and macropinocytosis pathways. It was established that the NPs escape endosomal degradation by proton sponge effect owing to their ability to buffer the pH and trigger osmotic rupture. The functionalization of CPP, effectively enhanced the internalization and endosomal escape in R1 ESCs. The detailed results of these studies are outlined in this manuscript. • Self-fluorescence property of NPs facilitates intracellular tracking in R1 ESCs. • R8HNPs and HAp NPs are internalized in R1 ESCs majorly by endocytosis. • As-synthesized NPs escape endosomal degradation by proton sponge effect. • R8HNPs undergo enhanced escape from endosomes due to presence of CPP- octa-arginine. • Self-fluorescence property of the NPs makes them multifunctional in nature with application in bio-imaging and gene delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]