New strategy to surface functionalization of polymeric nanoparticles: one-pot synthesis of scFv anti-LDL(-)-functionalized nanocapsules.

Purpose: In general, the surface functionalization of polymeric nanoparticles is carried out by covalently bounding ligands to the nanoparticle surface. This process can cause a lack or decrease of the ligand specificity to its target receptor, besides the need of purification steps. We proposed a ligand-metal-chitosan-lecithin complex as a new strategy to functionalize the surface of biodegradable nanoparticles.

Methods: One pot synthesis of scFv anti-LDL(-)-functionalized nanocapsules was carried out by self-assembly and interfacial reactions. Particle sizing techniques, lipid peroxidation and molecular recognition by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assays were carried out.

Results: The selected formulation had unimodal size distribution with mean diameter of about 130 nm. The metals in the complex did not enhance the oxidative stress, and the scFv anti-LDL(-)-functionalized nanocapsules recognized LDL(-) and did not react with native LDL indicating the maintenance of the active site of the fragment.

Conclusions: The one pot synthesis, using the ligand-metal-chitosan-lecithin complex to functionalize the surface of the biodegradable nanocapsules, maintained the active site of the antibody fragment making the device interesting for applications in nanomedicine.