Uptake and intracellular fate of cholera toxin subunit b-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle-supported lipid bilayers (aka protocells) in motoneurons

Cholera toxin B (CTB) modified mesoporous silica nanoparticle supported lipid bilayers (CTB-protocells) display targeting to motoneurons. 1) The mechanism of uptake involves various endocytic pathways (macropinocytosis and lipid raft endocytosis). 2) Once internalized, CTB-protocells escape lysosomal degradation, and engage biological pathways that are not readily accessible by untargeted delivery methods (cytosol and Golgi); and 3) CTB-protocells exhibit robust uptake at neuromuscular junctions with and without nerve stimulation.387