Nanoparticle Interactions within Cellular Systems
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Nanoparticle Interactions within Cellular Systems: A Comprehensive Study of Uptake, Distribution, and Influence on Organelle Structures in Primary Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
IRAS ID
355975
Contact name
Robbin de Kruijf
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Wageningen University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 0 months, 19 days
Research summary
Nanoparticles are extremely small particles that hold great promise for improving medical treatments. They can deliver drugs more precisely, enhance imaging to detect diseases earlier, and make therapies more effective. However, to safely use nanoparticles in medical treatments, we first need to clearly understand how they behave within different types of human cells.
Our research will examine specially designed nanoparticles made from perfluorocarbons (PFC), a substance already approved for clinical trials. We will investigate how these nanoparticles enter and move within human cells, particularly looking at how different cells respond based on their origin, as well as donor factors such as age and gender. Understanding these interactions is critical because different people and different cell types may respond uniquely to nanoparticles.
We will use advanced imaging methods (cryo-Structured Illumination Microscopy and soft X-ray tomography) to accurately map where nanoparticles travel inside the cells and how they influence cellular structures. Specifically, we'll study two cell types crucial for safety:
Immune cells (PBMCs): These cells protect our bodies from infections, so it’s essential to understand how nanoparticles affect them.
Kupffer cells: These liver cells clear foreign particles from our bloodstream. Knowing how nanoparticles behave in Kupffer cells helps us predict how safely the particles will perform when administered to patients.
Our research supports another ongoing clinical trial (VIVID), which has already been approved and will begin in June. The findings from this study are vital to ensure patient safety during the VIVID trial, as they will help us anticipate and address any potential risks or unexpected responses during that trial. Ultimately, this work aims to make nanoparticle-based treatments safer and more effective, moving us closer to widespread clinical use.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0346
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion