The exploration of endocytic mechanisms of PLA-PEG nanoparticles prepared by coaxialtri-capillary electrospray-template removal method

•The nano-sized PLA-PEG particles were efficiently prepared by using coaxial tri-capillary electrospray-template removal method.•Caveolae-mediated endocytosis was one of endocytosis pathways in A549 cells for PLA-PEG nanoparticles.•Clathrin mediated endocytosis was not involved in the endocytosis process.•The endocytosed PLA-PEG nanoparticles enriched in the head of A549 cells.•A small amount of PLA-PEG nanoparticles was transported into lysosome after 24 h incubation.

The nano-sized poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-PEG) particles with core-shell structure were efficiently prepared by using coaxial tri-capillary electrospray-template removal method. The cellular uptake mechanism, intracellular distribution and exocytosis in A549 cell model of electrosprayed PLA-PEG nanoparticles were systemically studied. The drug release behavior of electrosprayed PLA-PEG nanoparticles were also investigated. Our results showed that PLA-PEG nanoparticles can be endocytosed quickly by A549 cells. The cellular uptake of PLA-PEG nanoparticles was an energy dependent endocytosis process. Caveolae-mediated endocytosis was only one of endocytosis pathways in A549 cells for PLA-PEG nanoparticles, while clathrin mediated endocytosis was not involved in the endocytosis process. The endocytosed PLA-PEG nanoparticles enriched in the head of A549 cells and only a small amount of them was transported into lysosome after 24 h incubation. These findings provided insights into the application of electrosprayed PLA-PEG nanoparticles in nano drug delivery field.

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