中性子・X線小角散乱法によるDDSナノキャリアの精密構造解析

Structural analysis of DDS nanocarriers by neutron and X-ray small-angle scattering measurements

西村 智貴*; 秋吉 一成*; 関根 由莉奈   

Nishimura, Tomoki*; Akiyoshi, Kazunari*; Sekine, Yurina

薬を選択的に患部に運ぶようなドラッグデリバリーシステムは治療効果を上げると共に副作用を減少させる効果がある。本稿では、ドラッグデリバリーシステムに応用可能な新規ベシクルやナノゲルについて中性子線、X線を用いて評価した結果を紹介し、それらの特性について示す。

The development of drug delivery systems (DDS) that enable encapsulation of drugs, selective delivery to target tissues or organs has improved therapeutic effect and reduced side effects. DDS carriers are mainly based on the self-assembled nanoparticles, and their size and shape have significant influences on the therapeutic effect and side effects. However, their small sizes preclude from obtaining structural data with high accuracy by using conventional structural analysis techniques. We thus have analyzed the structures of supramolecular assemblies under the same conditions in actual use by neutron and synchrotron radiation small-angle X-ray scattering. Here, we review our recent studies on the structural analysis of supramolecular assemblies, including nanogels and polymer vesicles using contrast-variation neutron scattering and X-ray small-angle scattering measurements.