Multiscale characterization of ultrasmall fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles in cartilage and synovial joints reveals rapid cartilage penetration and sustained joint residence.

ABSTRACT: Development of non-surgical disease-modifying interventions for knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains a persistent challenge despite decades of efforts. Therapeutic transport to cartilage in synovial joints is hindered by the dense, negatively charged cartilage matrix, and further challenged by rapid synovial fluid clearance within hours to days. In this study, we investigated ultrasmall (d_h ∼ 6 nm) fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles (Cornell Prime Dots, or C' Dots), which have received FDA-investigational new drug approval for multiple human clinical trials in oncology, as cartilage-penetrating delivery vehicles for applications in knee OA. Across multiple length and time scales, we examined the relationship between C' Dot tissue and cellular transport kinetics and whole jo

SUBMITTER: Fortin AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12539274 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature