Cellular Interactions and Formation of an Epithelial “Nanocoating-Like Barrier” with Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors
Xuan Li, Ka Yan Pang, Tsz Wing Ng, Ping Chung Leung, Cheng Fei Zhang, Ken Cham-Fai Leung and Lijian Jin
Institution
The University of Hong Kong
Country
China
Year
2016
Journal
Nanomaterials
Abstract
Oral mucosa as the front-line barrier in the mouth is constantly exposed to a complex
microenvironment with multitudinous microbes. In this study, the interactions of mesoporous silica
nanoparticles (MSNs) with primary human gingival epithelial cells were analyzed for up to 72 h,
and their diffusion capacity in the reconstructed human gingival epithelia (RHGE) and porcine ear
skin models was further assessed at 24 h. It was found that the synthesized fluorescent mesoporous
silica nanoparticles (RITC-NPs) with low cytotoxicity could be uptaken, degraded, and/or excreted
by the human gingival epithelial cells. Moreover, the RITC-NPs penetrated into the stratum corneum
of RHGE in a time-dependent manner, while they were unable to get across the barrier of stratum
corneum in the porcine ear skins. Consequently, the penetration and accumulation of RITC-NPs
at the corneum layers of epithelia could form a “nanocoating-like barrier”. This preliminary
proof-of-concept study suggests the feasibility of developing nanoparticle-based antimicrobial and
anti-inflammatory agents through topical application for oral healthcare.