Targeted Drug Delivery to Endothelial Adhesion Molecules

Figure 7

Endothelial targeting of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) encapsulated into protective semipermeable polymeric nanocarriers. AOE encapsulated in anti-CAM coated carriers bind to endothelial cells. Depending on the selection of target epitope and size and shape of the carrier, it will either preferentially enter into endosomes (left), or remain on the surface (right), thereby protecting endothelial cells against ROS released by activated white blood cells (WBC). Internalized AOE quenches ROS fluxed by activated NOX into the endosomes, as well as ROS diffusing across the membranes. Upon delivery into lysosome, AOE encapsulated in the carriers permeable to ROS but not proteases retain their enzymatic activity and antioxidant potency for a longer duration than protease-susceptible anti-CAM/AOE conjugates (inset).