Zinc-stabilized colloidal polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan/hyaluronan: a tool for the inhibition of HIV-1 infection.

Zinc(ii) stabilized polyelectrolyte nano-complexes (PECs) of chitosan and hyaluronan (HYA) were designed as safe and efficient drug delivery systems. HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor tenofovir (TF) was quantitatively encapsulated and the particle interface could be functionalized in PBS with targeting proteins such as anti-α4β7 immunoglobulin A. Chitosan-HYA nanoPECs were non-cytotoxic on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), within the investigated nanoparticle concentrations. A dose-dependent reduction of the HIV-1 infection of PBMCs co-cultured with the nanocarriers was observed. Even more interestingly, a synergistic effect was evidenced with the nanocarriers by comparing the IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) value of the aqueous TF solution (4.35 μmol L-1) with that of TF loaded nanoPECs (1.71 μmol L-1) and anti-α4β7 IgA functionalized TF/nanoPECs (1.01 μmol L-1). This effect could be attributed to the presence of zinc(ii) in the formulation of the colloids. All these data establish that the zinc(ii) stabilized chitosan-HYA nanoPECs can be potentially efficient and safe colloidal delivery system candidates for enhancing antiviral activities in the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS.