RGD修饰包载超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒用于脑胶质瘤的靶向研究

目的：采用PLGA-PEG为聚合材料,制备RGD修饰包载超顺磁性四氧化三铁纳米粒子（RGD-NP—Fe3O4）,用于脑胶质瘤细胞靶向核磁共振成像纳米探针。方法：采用沉淀法制备RGD修饰的栽超顺磁性纳米粒,考察纳米粒的粒径,电位等理化指标以及细胞毒性。通过细胞以及肿瘤球摄取实验,考察RGD．NP—Fe304的脑胶质瘤细胞靶向性。结果：制备得到的RGD-NP-Fe3O4粒径在85±7．5nm,电位为18＋1．15mV。纳米粒浓度在300μg/mL范围内,对脑胶质瘤细胞均无显著毒性。经过RGD修饰后脑胶质瘤细胞U87对纳米粒的摄取效率大大提高,纳米粒穿透肿瘤球能力显著增强。结论：RGD修饰包载超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒是一种潜在的高效的脑胶质瘤细胞靶向诊断纳米探针和靶向给药系统。     

转铁蛋白修饰磁性纳米粒的制备及其体外抗肿瘤活性研究

目的:本研究旨在构建一种转铁蛋白修饰负载阿霉素(DOX)的磁纳米粒靶向递药系统,以提高阿霉素作用的靶向性。方法:采用化学共沉淀法制备转铁蛋白修饰负载阿霉素的磁性纳米粒(DOX@MNP),采用zeta电位及纳米粒度分析仪测定DOX@MNP的粒径及其zeta电位,透析法评价DOX@MNP的体外释药特征。通过MTT实验,研究DOX@MNP与游离DOX对A549细胞的细胞毒性,通过激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪观察A549细胞对DOX@MNP与游离DOX的摄取情况。结果:DOX@MNP的释药具有p H依赖性。MTT实验结果显示,DOX@MNP与游离DOX具有相当的细胞毒性;激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪检测结果显示A549细胞对DOX和DOX@MNP的摄取没有明显差异。结论:本文构建了一种转铁蛋白修饰包载阿霉素的磁纳米粒,体外结果显示其具有与游离DOX相当的细胞毒性,为进一步进行体内实验奠定了基础。     

分枝PEI 修饰的PLGA 纳米粒转染DNA 的研究*

目的:建立基于聚(乳酸-羟基乙酸)纳米粒(PLGA)载DNA的基因转染体系,比较用空白聚(乳酸-羟基乙酸)纳米粒(PLG-A-E)吸附质粒DNA和用分枝PEI修饰后的PLGA纳米粒(PLGA-BPEI)吸附质粒DNA优缺点。方法:用乳化蒸发法制备纳米粒,对纳米粒进行表征研究,包括包封率、Zeta电位、粒径大小、稳定性,用荧光显微镜观察它们对NIH3T3和HEK293细胞的转染效率,用MTT检测对它们细胞的毒性。结果:制备了两种基于PLGA的纳米粒,PLGA-E和PLGA-BPEI粒径大小为200-270nm,zeta电位为0-30mV,在血清和不同的pH值时两者均较稳定,转染效率PLGA-BPEI较PLGA-E高,且释放时间早,但前者较后者对细胞毒性大。结论:这两种基于PLGA纳米粒均能有效转染质粒DNA,它们存在不同的优缺点,应根据不同需要进行选择。     

酸敏阿霉素脂质纳米粒的制备及其体外抗肿瘤活性研究

目的:本研究旨在制备具有被动靶向和酸敏特性的脂质混合纳米粒,以期提高阿霉素(doxorubicin,DOX)的靶向递药效率,降低DOX的毒副作用,提高抗肿瘤活性。方法:采用微乳法制备磷酸钙纳米粒核,薄膜分散法制备脂质混合纳米粒,硫酸铵梯度法包封DOX。采用透射电镜观察外观形态,用zeta电位及纳米粒度分析仪测定纳米粒的粒径及zeta电位,透析法评价阿霉素脂质纳米粒体外释药特征。用MTT方法研究阿霉素脂质混合纳米粒对A549细胞的细胞毒性。采用流式细胞仪和激光共聚焦显微镜观察A549细胞对阿霉素脂质纳米粒的摄取。结果:体外释药结果显示阿霉素脂质纳米粒具有酸敏特性。流式结果说明A549细胞对阿霉素脂质纳米粒的摄取具有明显的时间依赖性,激光共聚焦显示阿霉素脂质纳米粒能将阿霉素递送至细胞核中。结论:阿霉素脂质体对A549细胞有明显的细胞毒性,为进一步进行体内实验提供了基础。     

PEG修饰青蒿素脂质纳米粒的体外释放及抗巨噬细胞摄取特性

研究聚乙二醇硬脂酸酯(PEGn-SA)修饰的青蒿素脂质纳米粒(PEGn-ART-NLC)体外释放及抗巨噬细胞(J774)摄取特性。采用高压乳匀法制备PEGn-SA(n=25、40、55)修饰的PEGn-ART-NLC及未修饰的青蒿素脂质纳米粒(ART-NLC),进行体外释放试验、抗吞噬实验、利用Gouy-Chapmann理论计算固定水化层厚度(FALT),并加以比较。在p H 7.4磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)中,药物的体外释放度随PEGn-SA聚合度的改变而改变;加入血浆后,亦有改变。J774细胞对PEGn-ART-NLC的摄取量随PEGn-SA聚合度及J774细胞与制剂孵育时间的改变而改变;加入血浆孵育后,亦有改变。ART-NLC及三种PEGn-ART-NLC的固定水化层厚度分别为0.31、1.76、1.86和2.04 nm。结果表明该制剂体外具有良好的缓释特性及抗J774细胞吞噬性。     

钛- 载药纳米复合材料的组装及其性质的研究

目的:构建一种能结合钛表面的载药纳米粒及钛-载药纳米复合材料的组装和性质研究。方法:(1)多巴胺修饰的非离子表面活性剂多巴胺-泊洛沙姆188(Dop-Poloxamer188)的合成和检测;(2)Dop-Poloxamer188作为表面活性剂、PLGA作为油相基质,制备纳米粒及纳米粒载药和表征;(3)钛片的预处理及钛片与修饰后的纳米粒的结合;(4)纳米粒修饰后的钛表面的表征。结果:新合成的Dop-Poloxamer188在285 nm左右有紫外吸收峰,说明多巴胺成功的修饰在Poloxamer188的两端;Dop-Poloxamer188能和PLGA制备出很好的纳米粒,平均粒径在110 nm左右,PDI小于0.1;多巴胺修饰的纳米粒与钛片通过简单的浸渍过程结合后,通过水接触角、场发射扫面电镜(Fe-SEM)、荧光显微镜、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等仪器检测都显示多巴胺修饰的纳米粒成功且牢固的修饰在钛片表面。结论:成功达到钛表面的载药纳米粒修饰的目的,为钛种植体的载药系统提供了新的思路和方法。     

用于核酸递送的GSH响应型纳米粒构建

摘要 目的：核酸治疗近年来越来越受到关注,但是核酸药物易被快速清除、易被核酸酶降解、非特异性生物分布、以及不易被细胞摄取的缺点使其在体内难以发挥效果。本文提供了一种具有谷胱甘肽（GSH）响应性释放的纳米粒,能够进行有效核酸药物递送。方法：使用十六烷基三甲基氯化铵（CTAC）制备介孔硅纳米粒,在介孔硅纳米粒表面进行巯基修饰并活化,使其与巯基修饰的聚丙烯亚胺和聚乙二醇反应,形成具有GSH响应的介孔硅纳米粒,通过静电吸附进行核酸荷载。马尔文粒度仪测量表面电位、粒径,透射电镜观察纳米粒形态。核酸电泳检测其核酸负载效率,通过体外检测GSH响应释放聚乙烯亚胺（PEI）情况,共聚焦显微镜观察细胞摄取以及溶酶体逃逸情况。结果：成功构建了具有GSH响应的纳米粒,粒径为76.44±1.68 nm,表面电位为33.93±0.59 mV;通过透射电镜观察到纳米粒呈圆形带孔颗粒状;琼脂糖核酸负载试验观察到当氮磷比大于20时,能够有效进行核酸负载。共聚焦显微镜显示该纳米粒能够成功被MDA-MB-231乳腺癌细胞摄取。在溶酶体逃逸试验中观察到纳米粒进入细胞后3 h,Cy5-siRNA与溶酶体的荧光分离,证明构建的纳米粒成功从溶酶体逃脱。结论：成功构建了具有GSH响应的介孔硅纳米粒,能够有效用于核酸递送。     

叶酸白蛋白靶向纳米粒的肿瘤细胞吸收及叶酸受体相关基因表达研究

实验选用叶酸受体表达阳性FR(+)卵巢癌细胞株SKOV3与表达阴性的FR(-)肺癌细胞株A549,通过肿瘤细胞对叶酸白蛋白靶向纳米粒的吸收及叶酸受体相关基因的表达,研究分析叶酸白蛋白靶向纳米粒叶酸受体吸收特征及叶酸受体胞吞途径的参与机制。结果表明:随着叶酸白蛋白靶向纳米粒给药时间的增加,SKOV3细胞FR1基因的表达显著增强,而A549细胞未见FR1基因表达。同时SKOV3细胞FR1基因的表达程度与细胞摄取叶酸白蛋白靶向纳米粒的量成正相关。叶酸代谢通路相关的基因(RFC、FPGS、GGH)表达,研究显示叶酸白蛋白靶向纳米粒能够启动细胞膜叶酸通道相关蛋白的表达。     

聚乙二醇化学修饰的聚乙烯亚胺衍生物的制备及其细胞毒性研究

目的:合成聚乙二醇(PEG)化的聚乙烯亚胺衍生物(PEI-Et)基因输送载体PET 1和PET 2,并考察两个载体材料在He La细胞、MCF-7细胞中的细胞毒性及在He La细胞中的转染效率。方法:将亚乙基二氯甲酸酯与PEI 800 Da交联制备成交联PEI衍生物PEI-Et,进一步将PEI-Et与聚乙二醇(PEG)以不同摩尔比例(1:1,2:1)交联连接,得到PEG化的PET 1和PET 2。采用MTT法检测PEI-Et、PET 1、PET 2对He La细胞、MCF-7细胞的细胞毒性。检测单位质量的荧光强度测定转染效率。结果:PET的细胞毒性随浓度增大而增大,在同一浓度下PET的细胞毒性小于PEI 25 KDa(P0.01);并且与DNA复合后,复合物细胞毒性随质量比的增高而增大,在同一质量比下PET的细胞毒性小于PEI 25 KDa(P0.01),特别是PET 1。并且最佳比例时,PET 1的转染活性最高。结论:作为非病毒基因载体,PET 1具有高的转染效率及低的细胞毒性。     

微生物谷氨酰胺转氨酶催化细胞色素c赖氨酸残基的定点修饰

研究微生物谷氨酰胺转氨酶(mTG)催化细胞色素c(Cytc)的PEG定点修饰的可行性,并优化修饰条件,研究PEG修饰对Cytc性质的影响。将单甲氧基聚乙二醇氨(mPEG-NH_2)与N-苄氧羰基-谷氨酰胺-甘氨酸(CBZ-QG)共价结合制备含谷氨酰胺残基的甲氧基聚乙二醇衍生物(N-苄氧羰基-谷氨酰胺-甘氨酰-单甲氧基聚乙二醇,CBZ-QG-mPEG);mTG分别催化mPEG-NH_2、CBZQG-mPEG(mTG)修饰Cytc,研究酶法定点修饰Cytc残基的可行性;改变酶的用量、温度、反应时间和p H等反应条件优化谷胺酰胺转氨酶催化修饰Cytc的条件。研究结果表明:(1)mPEG-NH_2不能作为mTG的底物修饰Cytc,甲氧基聚乙二醇氨(mPEG-NH_2)分子上引入谷氨酰胺残基后,在mTG的催化作用下了实现Cytc的PEG修饰,而且基于mTG的底物特异性实现了PEG定点修饰Cytc的赖氨酸(Lys)残基;(2)37℃温度下,p H 8.0的溶液中,1mg/ml的mTG催化修饰反应2h是最佳修饰反应条件;(3)化学法PEG修饰Cytc产物复杂,是多种多点修饰产物的混合物,酶法催化PEG修饰Cytc只产生单一产物;(4)与天然Cytc相比,修饰后Cytc的活力、稳定性都有所提高。提出的谷胺酰胺转胺酶催化修饰法解决了蛋白质Lys残基难以定点修饰的难题,拓展了mTG在蛋白质修饰方面的应用。     

Specific Uptake and Genotoxicity Induced by Polystyrene Nanobeads with Distinct Surface Chemistry on Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Macrophages

Nanoparticle surface chemistry is known to play a crucial role in interactions with cells and their related cytotoxic effects. As inhalation is a major route of exposure to nanoparticles, we studied specific uptake and damages of well-characterized fluorescent 50 nm polystyrene (PS) nanobeads harboring different functionalized surfaces (non-functionalized, carboxylated and aminated) on pulmonary epithelial cells and macrophages (Calu-3 and THP-1 cell lines respectively). Cytotoxicity of in mass dye-labeled functionalized PS nanobeads was assessed by xCELLigence system and alamarBlue viability assay. Nanobeads-cells interactions were studied by video-microscopy, flow cytometry and also confocal microscopy. Finally ROS generation was assessed by glutathione depletion dosages and genotoxicity was assessed by γ-H2Ax foci detection, which is considered as the most sensitive technique for studying DNA double strand breaks. The uptake kinetic was different for each cell line. All nanobeads were partly adsorbed and internalized, then released by Calu-3 cells, while THP-1 macrophages quickly incorporated all nanobeads which were located in the cytoplasm rather than in the nuclei. In parallel, the genotoxicity study reported that only aminated nanobeads significantly increased DNA damages in association with a strong depletion of reduced glutathione in both cell lines. We showed that for similar nanoparticle concentrations and sizes, aminated polystyrene nanobeads were more cytotoxic and genotoxic than unmodified and carboxylated ones on both cell lines. Interestingly, aminated polystyrene nanobeads induced similar cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on Calu-3 epithelial cells and THP-1 macrophages, for all levels of intracellular nanoparticles tested. Our results strongly support the primordial role of nanoparticles surface chemistry on cellular uptake and related biological effects. Moreover our data clearly show that nanoparticle internalization and observed adverse effects are not necessarily associated.     

Compare Analysis for the Nanotoxicity Effects of Different Amounts of Endocytic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles at Single Cell Level

Developing methods that evaluate the cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and nanotoxicity effects at single-cellular level are needed. In this study, magnetophoresis combining fluorescence based cytotoxicity assay was proposed to assess the viability and the single-cellular MNPs uptake simultaneously. Malignant cells (SKHep-1, HepG2, HeLa) were incubated with 10 nm anionic iron oxide nanoparticles. Prussian blue stain was performed to visualize the distribution of magnetic nanoparticles. MTT and fluorescence based assay analyzed the cytotoxicity effects of the bulk cell population and single cell, respectively. DAPI/PI stained was applied to evaluate death mechanism. The number of intracellular MNPs was found to be strongly correlated with the cell death. Significant differences between cellular MNP uptake in living and dead cells were observed. The method could be useful for future study of the nanotoxicity induced by MNPs.     

Targeted delivery of paclitaxel using folate-conjugated heparin-poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate) self-assembled nanoparticles

A self-assembled nanoparticulate system composed of a folate-conjugated heparin-poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate) (HP) amphiphilic copolymer was proposed for targeted delivery of the antineoplastic drug paclitaxel (PTX). PTX was incorporated into three types of heparin-based nanoparticles, including HP, folate-conjugated HP (FHP), and folate-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated HP (FPHP), using a simple dialysis method. The PTX-loaded nanoparticles were then characterized according to particle size (140-190 nm) and size distribution, drug-loading content and efficiency, and in vitro release behavior. In the cellular uptake study using KB cells positive for the folate-receptor (FR), FHP and FPHP nanoparticles showed a much higher cellular uptake than did unconjugated HP nanoparticles. Specifically, when the PEG spacer was inserted between the folate ligand and heparin backbone, FPHP nanoparticles had a greater cellular uptake than did FHP nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity of PTX-loaded HP, FHP, and FPHP nanoparticles was studied in KB cells and FR-negative A549 cells. Compared with the cytotoxicity in A549 cells, PTX-loaded FHP and FPHP nanoparticles exhibited more potent cytotoxicity in KB cells than did PTX-loaded HP nanoparticles and free-PTX, suggesting that the presence of folate enhanced intracellular uptake via FR-mediated endocytosis. In addition, FPHP nanoparticles exhibited much greater cytotoxicity in KB cells than did FHP nanoparticles. These results suggest that PTX-loaded folate-conjugated HP nanoparticles are a potentially useful delivery system for cancer cells positive for the folate-receptor.     

Evaluation of cellular influences of platinum nanoparticles by stable medium dispersion

Platinum nanoparticles have industrial application, for example in catalysis, and are used in consumer products such as cosmetics and supplements. Therefore, among the many nanoparticles, platinum is one of the more accessible nanoparticles for consumers. Most platinum nanoparticles that are used in cosmetics and supplements which have an anti-oxidant activity are modified particles. However, the cellular influences of pristine platinum nanoparticles are still unclear, although it has been reported that platinum nanoparticles induce oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the cellular influences induced by pure pristine platinum nanoparticles. Platinum nanoparticles of 100% purity were dispersed in a cell culture medium and stable medium dispersion was obtained. The platinum nanoparticle medium dispersion was applied to two kinds of cultured cells, A549 and HaCaT cells, and the cellular influences were examined. Cell viability (MTT assay), cell proliferation (clonogenic assay), apoptosis induction (caspase-3 activity), intracellular ROS level (DCFH assay), and lipid peroxidation level (DPPP assay) were measured as markers of cellular influences. Transmission electron microscope observation showed cellular uptake of platinum nanoparticles. However, the platinum nanoparticles did not drive any markers. It is known that some metal oxide nanoparticles such as NiO and CuO show severe cytotoxicity via metal ion release. Compared with these toxic nanoparticles, the platinum nanoparticles used in this study did not release platinum ions into the culture media. These results suggest that the physically and chemically inactive cellular influences of platinum nanoparticles are small.     

Synthesis and toxicity characterization of carbon coated iron oxide nanoparticles with highly defined size distributions

Background

Iron oxide nanoparticles hold great promise for future biomedical applications. To this end numerous studies on iron oxide nanoparticles have been conducted. One aspect these studies reveal is that nanoparticle size and shape can trigger different cellular responses through endocytic pathways, cell viability and early apoptosis. However, systematic studies investigating the size dependence of iron oxide nanoparticles with highly defined diameters across multiple cells lines are not available yet.

Methods

Iron oxide nanoparticles with well-defined size distributions were prepared. All samples were thoroughly characterized and the cytotoxicity for four standard cell lines (HeLa Kyoto, human osteosarcoma (U2OS), mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) and mouse macrophages (J7442)) where investigated.

Results

Our findings show that small differences in size distribution (ca. 10 nm) of iron oxide nanoparticles do not influence cytotoxicity, while uptake is size dependent. Cytotoxicity is dose-dependent. Broad distributions of nanoparticles are more easily internalized as compared to the narrow distributions for two of the cell lines tested (HeLa Kyoto and mouse macrophages (J7442)).

Conclusion

The data indicate that it is not feasible to probe changes in cytotoxicity within a small size range (10 nm). However, TEM investigations of the nanoparticles indicate that cellular uptake is size dependent.

General significance

The present work compares narrow and broad distributions for various samples of carbon-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The data highlights that cells differentiate between nanoparticle sizes as indicated by differences in cellular uptake. This information provides valuable knowledge to better understand the interaction of nanoparticles and cells.     

Barrier characteristics of epithelial cultures modelling the airway and intestinal mucosa: a comparison

The barrier characteristics of polarized layers of Calu-3 and Caco-2 cell lines, as commonly used in vitro models of intestinal and airway mucosa, respectively, were investigated by assessing the translocation of model macromolecules and nanoparticles. The barrier capacity of the cell layers towards the movement of macromolecules and nanoparticulates differed considerably between the cell lines. Permeability studies revealed the existence of a notably larger solute molecular weight limit for paracellular diffusion in Caco-2 monolayers compared to Calu-3 cells. Removal of mucus in Calu-3 cells resulted in cell layers exhibiting a larger macromolecular permeability, in addition to improved nanoparticle translocation. Microscopic examination of the tight junctions, as cellular features that play a major role in preventing transepithelial movement of macromolecules, revealed that the appearance of cell–cell boundaries was notably different in the two cell lines, which could explain the differences in macromolecular permeability. The data overall showed that epithelial layers of airway Calu-3 and intestinal Caco-2 cell cultures in vitro exhibit a different level of restrictiveness and this is due to the cell morphology and the presence of mucus.     

Pharmacological activity of DTPA linked to protein-based drug carrier systems

The chelating agent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) inhibits human cytomegalovirus replication. Since chelating agents are known to exhibit anti-cancer effects, DTPA-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated in breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and neuroblastoma cells (UKF-NB-3). DTPA inhibited cancer cell growth in threefold lower concentrations compared to human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). Antiviral and anti-cancer activity of chelating agents is caused by intracellular complexation of metal ions. DTPA, an extracellular chelator, was covalently coupled to human serum albumin (HSA) molecules, HSA nanoparticles (HSA-NP), gelatin type B (GelB) molecules, and GelB nanoparticles (GelB-NP) to increase cellular uptake. Coupling of DTPA to drug carrier systems increased its cytotoxic and antiviral activity by 5- to 8-fold. Confocal laser scanning microscope examination revealed uptake of DTPA-HSA-NP in UKF-NB-3 cells and HFF. Therefore, coupling of DTPA to protein-based drug carrier systems increases its antiviral and anti-cancer activity probably by mediating cellular uptake.     

外加磁场作用下磁性Fe3O4纳米粒子对肝癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察磁性四氧化三铁（Fe3O4）纳米粒子对肝癌细胞的体外作用,并研究外加稳恒磁场（SMF）或交变磁场（EMF）对FeID4纳米粒子作用的影响。方法：光镜下观察CBRH-7919细胞对Fe3O4纳米粒子的吞噬作用;MTT法检测Fe304纳米粒子对大鼠肝癌细胞株CBRH-7919的毒性及外加磁场的影响;流式细胞术检测外加磁场作用下Fe3O4纳米粒子对细胞凋亡及线粒体膜电位的影响。结果：光镜下可见CBRH-7919细胞吞噬大量Fe3O4纳米粒子入胞浆,且交变磁场作用下细胞的吞噬量增加。30-100μg／mLFe3O4纳米粒子作用于CBRH-7919细胞未产生细胞毒性,稳恒磁场对其作用无影响,而交变磁场能增加Fe3O4纳米粒子的毒性,使细胞活性降低、凋亡率增加、线粒体膜电位降低。结论：交变磁场能增加CBRH-7919细胞对Fe3O4纳米粒子的吞噬并产生细胞毒性。     

Incorporation of biodegradable nanoparticles into human airway epithelium cells-in vitro study of the suitability as a vehicle for drug or gene delivery in pulmonary diseases

PURPOSE: Nanoparticles are able to enhance drug or DNA stability for purposes of optimised deposition to targeted tissues. Surface modifications can mediate drug targeting. The suitability of nanoparticles synthesised out of porcine gelatin, human serum albumin, and polyalkylcyanoacrylate as drug and gene carriers for pulmonary application was investigated in vitro on primary airway epithelium cells and the cell line 16HBE14o-. METHODS: The uptake of nanoparticles into these cells was examined by confocal laser scan microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry (FACS). Further the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was evaluated by an LDH-release-test and the inflammatory potential of the nanoparticles was assessed by measuring IL-8 release. RESULTS: CLSM and FACS experiments showed that the nanoparticles were incorporated into bronchial epithelial cells provoking little or no cytotoxicity and no inflammation as measured by IL-8 release. CONCLUSIONS: Based on their low cytotoxicity and the missing inflammatory potential in combination with an efficient uptake in human bronchial epithelial cells, protein-based nanoparticles are suitable drug and gene carriers for pulmonary application.     

Cellular uptake of cationic gadolinium-DOTA peptide conjugates with and without N-terminal myristoylation

Cellular and nuclear uptake of dual labelled conjugates could be of great value for chemotherapy and cancer diagnostics. Therefore we designed conjugates in which gadolinium (Gd)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), a fluorescence marker were coupled to membrane translocation sequences (MTS). The MTSs we employed were the third helix of the Antennapedia homeodomain, the HIV-1 Tat peptide and the N-myristoylated HIV-1 Tat peptide. We used confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence activated cell sorting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and viability tests to examine the cellular and nuclear uptake of these conjugates into U373 glioma cells, as well as their cytotoxic effects. We found that the Antennapedia conjugate was taken up by no more than 20% of the cells. The HIV-1 Tat conjugate showed even lower uptake into less than 3% of cells. Interestingly, N-myristoylation of the HIV-1 Tat conjugate drastically improved its cellular uptake. Up to 70% of cells showed cellular and nuclear uptake of the N-myristoylated HIV-1 Tat conjugate. Conjugate cytotoxicity appears to correlate with cellular uptake.