Plant plasma membrane vesicles interaction with keratinocytes reveals their potential as carriers

Abstract

During the last few years, membrane vesicles (as exovesicles) have emerged as potential nanocarriers for therapeutic applications. They are receiving attention due to their proteo-lipid nature, size, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this work, we investigated the potential use of isolated root plasma membrane vesicles from broccoli plants as nanocarriers. For that, the entrapment efficiency and integrity of the vesicles were determined. Also, the delivery of keratinocytes and penetrability through skin were studied. The results show that the broccoli vesicles had high stability, in relation to their proteins, and high entrapment efficiency. Also, the interaction between the vesicles and keratinocytes was proven by the delivery of an encapsulated fluorescent product into cells and by the detection of plant proteins in the keratinocyte plasma membrane, showing the interactions between the membranes of two species of distinct biological kingdoms. Therefore, these results, together with the capacity of brassica vesicles to cross the skin layers, detected by fluorescent penetration, enable us to propose a type of nanocarrier obtained from natural plant membranes for use in transdermal delivery.