Mechanism (biology)

Philosophy

Boron

Biology

Materials science

Vesicle

Biochemistry

Endocytosis

Cytotoxicity

Drug delivery

Combinatorial chemistry

Drug carrier

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Membrane

In vitro

Epistemology

Chemistry

Cell

Biophysics

Endocytic cycle

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin

A novel polymer (PEG2000-carborane), self-assembling into spherical vesicles (boron-containing vesicles, BCVs), could be quickly taken up by tumor cells and had an enhance stability in the bloodstream in previous study. To have more comprehensive understanding of BCVs, endocytic mechanism and cytotoxicity assessment were conducted. The results showed that BCVs were taken up in the intact form with cholesterol-dependent pathway during endocytosis, and BCVs exhibited nearly no cytotoxicity. BCVs could accumulate within tumors for at least 24 h. The data would provide reference information and guidance for BCVs’ multifunctional application serving as a boron delivery agent for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic drug carrier and a diagnostic imaging fluorescent probe.

The Endocytic Mechanism and Cytotoxicity of Boron-Containing Vesicles