Interaction of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Nanoparticles with Pulmonary Surfactant

Abstract

The biological fate of inhaled nanoparticle-based therapeutics can be modulated by its interaction with pulmonary surfactant, altering its toxicity and/or therapeutic potential. Nanoparticles based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer secreted by many bacterial species, have been used for the development of drug delivery systems and in tissue engineering since this biomaterial has better bioavailability and encapsulation capacity and is less toxic than other polymeric materials.