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Purpose:: Lysosomal enzymes require an acidic pH to function optimally, and the lysosomal pH of RPE cells may elevate in disease. Experimentally, elevation of lysosomal pH can lead to the accumulation of lipofuscin-like autofluorescence. As reacidification of the lysosomes can reduce this build-up in RPE cells, approaches to lower the lysosomal pH of compromised RPE cells are of potential benefit. In this regard, we asked whether acidic nanoparticles were delivered to the lysosomes of RPE cells and whether they successfully reacidified these lysosomes.

Methods:: Acidic nanospheres derived from polylactide were developed. Nanospheres labeled with Nile Red were administered to cultured ARPE-19 cells to examine their internalization and subcellular localization. Additionally, their ability to acidify compromised lysosomes was assessed. ARPE-19 cells grown in 96-well plates were treated on day 0 with 10 …