Biodistribution of radioactively labelled nanoparticles in the mouse

Introduction
Fluorochromatic labeling of organic nanoparticles is often used to investigate their biodistribution in animal models. However, this technique is descriptive in nature and does not allow for signal quantification. Furthermore, fluorochromatic labeling changes chemical and physical properties and is therefore thought to change the distribution characteristics of nanoscaled particles. We therefore hypothesized that radioactive labeling facilitates a quantifiable determination of the biodistribution of nanoparticles.

Material and Methods
47 NMRI-mice received 35S- labeled, 7 ± 1,5 nm sized dendritic Polyglycerol Sulfate (dPGS) or unlabelled dPGS intravenously or subcutaneously. Radioactivity from tissues at different times up to 21 days was analyzed by surface-counts, autoradiography, liquid-scintillation, imager-survey and histological photoemulsion.

Results
Radioactivity measurements allowed for a tissue- and time-dependent quantification of the labelled dPGS. Radioactively-labelled dPGS were still quantifiable in liver and spleen after 21 days following intravenous injection. Subcutaneous application resulted in a similar but delayed distribution kinetic.

Discussion
The biodistribution of dPGS was quantitatively determined by all methods used for radioactivity testing. This approach should provide an innovative, sensitive and adaptable method to detect nanoparticles without changing their biorelevant properties.