The chemical sensitivity of linear and non-linear Raman-based imaging approaches will be utilized for the characterization of the interaction mechanism of nanoparticles and drugs with (i) hepatic stellate cells (HepSC) and (ii) their uptake kinetics, aggregation behavior, and vitamin A (vit. A) release within the cells. The specific role of HepSC in vit. A uptake and storage offers the ability to purposefully use this function as a targeting moiety at least in early stages of their transformation. Therefore, natural and synthetic polymers will be covalently functionalized with vit. A as targeting moiety for HepSC uptake to be further formulated into siRNA carrying nanoparticular systems for HepSC treatment.
