Fluid flow effects on nanoparticle localization in zebrafish vessels and cultured human endothelial cells
Abstract
Assessment of nanoparticle distribution in the vasculature is important for determining drug delivery, molecular imaging efficacy, and risk profiles. Even though most medical nanoparticle applications require a vascular administration, factors affecting nanoparticle association with vessel walls in the presence of fluid forces are poorly understood. We evaluated the effect of fluid flow on the distribution of 200 nm carboxylate-coated polystyrene nanoparticles in flow-exposed endothelial cell cultures and zebrafish embryos. We combined confocal imaging of nanoparticle injected transgenic zebrafish, 3D modeling, and computational fluid dynamics to assess nanoparticle distribution under flow. Highest nanoparticle localization occurred in regions of disturbed flow and low shear stress found at branch points and downstream of bumps and curves in the zebrafish vasculature. Similar findings were obtained in human endothelial cells in vitro. Overall, fluid shear stress magnitude, flow disturbances, and flow-induced changes in endothelial physiology contribute to the vascular localization of nanoparticles.
Description
Keywords
Engineering--Biomedical
Citation
Gomez, M. J. (2017). Fluid flow effects on nanoparticle localization in zebrafish vessels and cultured human endothelial cells (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26195