Micellar Nanocontainers Distribute to Defined Cytoplasmic Organelles

TLDR

Block copolymer micelles are water‑soluble, biocompatible nanocontainers that can deliver hydrophobic drugs, and knowing their cellular distribution is essential for achieving selective subcellular delivery. Confocal microscopy shows micelles localize to mitochondria and other cytoplasmic organelles but not the nucleus, alter cellular distribution, increase drug uptake, and indicate potential for selective subcellular targeting.

Abstract

Block copolymer micelles are water-soluble biocompatible nanocontainers with great potential for delivering hydrophobic drugs. An understanding of their cellular distribution is essential to achieving selective delivery of drugs at the subcellular level. Triple-labeling confocal microscopy in live cells revealed the localization of micelles in several cytoplasmic organelles, including mitochondria, but not in the nucleus. Moreover, micelles change the cellular distribution of and increase the amount of the agent delivered to the cells. These micelles may thus be worth exploring for their potential to selectively deliver drugs to specified subcellular targets.