Research project

Regulation of nanoparticle biodistribution by scavenger endothelial cells (SECs)

A very large part of intravenously administered nanoparticles are cleared through the liver. Within the liver, most nanoparticles are thought to be sequestered by macrophages (Kupffer cells). To achieve effective cell-specific targeting of drugs and non-viral gene delivery vectors, improved mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle-liver interactions is required. We have recently shown that the caudal vein of the embryonic zebrafish can be used as a model for assessing nanoparticle interaction with the mammalian liver and identified an important role for another liver cell type, the scavenger endothelial cell (SEC) involved nanoparticle clearance. In this research line, we are studying the differentiation and function of these SECs, the potential of modifying nanoparticle-SEC interactions for targeted drug and gene delivery and the role of SECs in the in vivo distribution of biotherapeutics.

Contact

Jeroen Bussmann