以整合素αvβ3为靶点的肿瘤靶向制剂

整合素αvβ3在肿瘤细胞及肿瘤血管内皮细胞中高表达,RGD序列作为其配体,可与其进行特异性结合,为肿瘤的诊断和靶向治疗提供了理论基础。RGD诊断试剂的前期研究和临床试验数据表明其具有良好的肿瘤组织靶向性。RGD-纳米抗肿瘤制剂(RGD-脂质体、RGD-胶束和RGD-纳米粒)在体外可提高细胞对药物的吸收率,增强细胞毒性;在动物移植瘤模型中,能更好地抑制肿瘤的生长,延长了动物的生存时间。在肿瘤发病率居高不下,治疗手段和疗效都较为有限的今天,RGD靶向制剂在肿瘤诊断和治疗中所具有的优势值得特别关注。     

重组七鳃鳗富含半胱氨酸RGD蛋白rLj-RGD1对人肝癌HepG2细胞的抑制作用

rLj-RGD1为源于日本七鳃鳗口腔腺的基因重组蛋白,其富含半胱氨酸并具有一个RGD(Arg-Gly-Asp)模体.前期工作表明,rLj-RGD1具有抑制血小板聚集及血管新生的RGD毒素蛋白典型功能.为了研究rLj RGD1是否具有RGD毒素蛋白的另一典型抗肿瘤功能,以人肝癌HepG2细胞为模型,对rLj RGD1进行了活性研究.MTT法结果显示,rLj-RGD1呈剂量依赖方式抑制HepG2细胞的增殖,其半抑制浓度(IC50)为36 μmol/L;细胞迁移与浸润实验结果显示,rLj-RGD1能以剂量依赖方式抑制HepG2细胞碱性成纤维生长因子（bFGF）诱导的迁移与浸润.Hoechst染色和DNA Ladder等细胞凋亡实验表明,rLj-RGD1能够以剂量依赖方式诱导HepG2细胞发生凋亡.细胞黏附实验表明,rLj-RGD1以剂量依赖方式抑制HepG2细胞与玻连蛋白(vitronectin, VN)的黏附.上述结果表明,rLj-RGD1具有抑制人肝癌HepG2细胞增殖、迁移和浸润的功能,并可诱导其发生失巢凋亡. 本研究结果提示,rLj-RGD1具有典型的RGD毒素蛋白抗肿瘤功能,其未来具有成为抗肿瘤药物的潜力.     

源于Ⅳ型胶原α3、α6链的肿瘤新生血管生成抑制剂

肿瘤抑素（Tumstatin）和Hexastatin是分别源于Ⅳ型胶原α3、α6链的肿瘤新生血管生成抑制剂.肿瘤的发生、发展和转移都依赖于新生血管的生成.通过抑制肿瘤新生血管的生成,阻断肿瘤细胞赖以生存的氧气及营养供给,肿瘤细胞便会发生凋亡.这是肿瘤治疗的新策略.Tumstatin和Hexastatin是近年来研究比较多的两种肿瘤新生血管生成抑制剂,其中Tumstatin的结构、活性位点、抑制肿瘤新生血管形成机制研究得比较清晰;Hexastatin虽与Tumstatin有许多相似之处,但是还有很多问题需要进一步研究解决.该文就这两种肿瘤新生血管生成抑制剂等的最新研究进展做一综述.     

日本七鳃鳗Arg-Gly-Asp毒素蛋白Lj-RGD3野生型与RGD全缺失突变体Lj-112的抗血管新生作用

七鳃鳗Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) 毒素肽Lj-RGD3与富含组氨酸糖蛋白HRG具有序列同源性,而RGD毒素蛋白及HRG都具有抑制血管新生的活性,但作用靶点不同。为研究Lj-RGD3结构与功能的关系,对野生型Lj-RGD3及其RGD全缺失突变体Lj-112进行了抗血管新生功能研究。将3个RGD模体的全缺失突变体基因Lj-112全序列合成后构建于pET-23b载体,对野生型Lj-RGD3及突变体 Lj-112蛋白进行IPTG诱导表达,重组蛋白经组氨酸亲和层析纯化;采用MTT法测定野生型和突变体蛋白对人     

日本七鳃鳗RGD毒素肽Lj-RGD2的克隆、表达及其抗血管新生活性

日本七鳃鳗口腔腺分泌蛋白Lj-RGD2毒素肽分子质量为8 kD,是含有2个RGD（Arg-Gly-Asp）模体序列的多肽.为了探讨其是否具有RGD毒素蛋白的功能,对其基因进行了克隆和表达,并对其重组蛋白进行了抗血管新生活性研究.从日本七鳃鳗口腔腺中提取mRNA,以自行设计的引物进行RT-PCR扩增,以获得Lj-RGD2基因;将获取的目的基因与pET23b载体连接,经转化、克隆、阳性转化子的筛选鉴定;将含组氨酸标签的pET23b-Lj-RGD2转化BL21菌中诱导表达;经亲和层析纯化,获得可溶性重组rLj-RGD2蛋白,并对重组rLj-RGD2蛋白的抗血管新生功能进行了研究.结果显示,rLj-RGD2蛋白的IC50为1.77μmol/L,并以剂量依赖方式抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞ECV304的增殖;rLj-RGD2蛋白还能抑制ECV304细胞对人工基质膜Matrigel的黏附、以BFGF（basic fibroblast growth factor）为趋化剂的迁移及侵袭.鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜CAM（chick chorioallantoic membrane）血管新生实验结果表明,rLj-RGD2蛋白能以剂量依赖方式抑制BFGF诱导的CAM血管新生.由此可见,rLj RGD2蛋白具有RGD毒素肽的活性特征,其有望成为一种抗血管新生基因工程新药. 关键词日本七鳃鳗; RGD毒素蛋白; 细胞黏附; 迁移及侵袭; 血管新生     

苯胺嘧啶衍生物X-9通过下调整合素β1表达抑制肝细胞癌迁移侵袭

整合素在许多肿瘤细胞中高表达,并且参与肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移。在肝细胞癌中,整合素β1被报导高表达,并促进肿瘤细胞的侵袭。目前,对于整合素的表达调控癌细胞机制以及干预其表达进而抑制肿瘤细胞转移的研究较少。本研究探讨利用小分子化合物抑制整合素表达来抑制肿瘤细胞迁移和侵袭的可能。首先,对临床肝癌细胞患者癌组织和癌旁组织中的整合素β1的表达进行检测,发现其在癌组织中的表达显著高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）。对TCGA肿瘤数据库的生物信息学分析结果同样显示,整合素β1的高表达与肝癌的分期（P=0.019）和预后（P=0.013）相关。通过筛选发现,苯胺嘧啶衍生物X09可以抑制肝癌细胞中整合素β1的mRNA和蛋白质的表达（P<0.01）。细胞划痕愈合实验和细胞穿孔实验结果显示,苯胺嘧啶衍生物X-9能够抑制肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭（P<0.01）。进一步的研究证实,在肝癌细胞中外源表达整合素β1可以逆转X-9对肝癌细胞迁移和侵袭的抑制;而在敲低整合素β1的细胞中,X-9对细胞的迁移和侵袭的抑制被消除。因此,鉴定出苯胺嘧啶衍生物X-9可以通过下调整合素β1表达,进而抑制肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭。     

苯胺嘧啶衍生物X-9通过下调整合素β1表达抑制肝细胞癌迁移侵袭

整合素在许多肿瘤细胞中高表达,并且参与肿瘤细胞的侵袭转移。在肝细胞癌中,整合素β1被报导高表达,并促进肿瘤细胞的侵袭。目前,对于整合素的表达调控癌细胞机制以及干预其表达进而抑制肿瘤细胞转移的研究较少。本研究探讨利用小分子化合物抑制整合素表达来抑制肿瘤细胞迁移和侵袭的可能。首先,对临床肝癌细胞患者癌组织和癌旁组织中的整合素β1的表达进行检测,发现其在癌组织中的表达显著高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）。对TCGA肿瘤数据库的生物信息学分析结果同样显示,整合素β1的高表达与肝癌的分期（P=0.019）和预后（P=0.013）相关。通过筛选发现,苯胺嘧啶衍生物X09可以抑制肝癌细胞中整合素β1的mRNA和蛋白质的表达（P<0.01）。细胞划痕愈合实验和细胞穿孔实验结果显示,苯胺嘧啶衍生物X-9能够抑制肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭（P<0.01）。进一步的研究证实,在肝癌细胞中外源表达整合素β1可以逆转X-9对肝癌细胞迁移和侵袭的抑制;而在敲低整合素β1的细胞中,X-9对细胞的迁移和侵袭的抑制被消除。因此,鉴定出苯胺嘧啶衍生物X-9可以通过下调整合素β1表达,进而抑制肝癌细胞的迁移和侵袭。     

沉默ST3Gal III抑制MDA-MB-231细胞黏附和侵袭能力

我们前期研究表明α2,3-唾液酸水平与乳腺癌侵袭转移密切相关。人α2,3-唾液酸转移酶（ST3Gal Ⅲ）可催化合成细胞表面的α2,3-唾液酸,并在乳腺癌组织中高表达,此酶活性与肿瘤转移潜能密切相关,但其机制尚未阐明。本研究中我们将继续探讨ST3Gal Ⅲ在对乳腺癌转移关键步骤粘附和侵袭中的作用。构建特异靶向ST3Gal Ⅲ的短发夹RNA（shRNA）序列的慢病毒载体,采用细胞转染沉默乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞的ST3Gal Ⅲ,经实时定量PCR及Western印迹检测转染后细胞ST3Gal Ⅲ mRNA及蛋白表达,验证构建了稳定下调ST3Gal Ⅲ表达的两个细胞克隆,分别记作shRNA-2、shRNA-4。细胞表面α2,3-唾液酸是ST3Gal Ⅲ下游产物,可代表酶活性。流式细胞术分析结果证实,shRNA-2、shRNA-4细胞表面α2,3-唾液酸的含量显著降低（P<0.05）。细胞黏附、细胞迁移及侵袭能力等功能学检测结果表明,shRNA细胞黏附能力及侵袭能力明显降低（P<0.05）。β1整合素表达与肿瘤侵袭能力获取密切相关。本研究中,沉默ST3Gal Ⅲ可抑制β1整合素表达（P<0.05）。这些结果提示,ST3Gal Ⅲ在乳腺癌转移关键步骤黏附和侵袭中具有重要作用,沉默ST3Gal Ⅲ抑制MDA MB-231细胞黏附和侵袭能力,其作用机制可能是通过下调β1整合素表达。此研究从新的视角认识了乳腺癌转移的机制,并可能提供乳腺癌转移治疗的新靶点。     

人参皂苷Rg3抗肿瘤作用机制的研究进展

人参作为传统中药家喻户晓,其提纯的重要活性成分之一一一人参皂苷Rg3,在科研中发现,具有多方向、多“靶点”抗肿瘤作用,并在临床治疗中不断被证实和推广.目前发现:人参皂苷Rg3具有抑制肿瘤细胞增殖作用;通过激活凋亡基因活性或抑制凋亡抑制蛋白等,从而促进肿瘤细胞凋亡;抑制肿瘤细胞的侵袭和转移;抑制肿瘤血管生成因子的信号传导途径,促进肿瘤血管生成抑制因子的表达,从而抑制肿瘤新生血管形成;与部分化学药物联合,可明显提高效果,同时对临床患者无明显血液系统毒性,并提高生活质量等作用.近年临床及体外实验证明,人参皂苷Rg3对多个系统并以不同机制发挥抗肿瘤作用,而对其研究仍在不断探索新的方向.作为祖国传统中药中提纯的单体抗肿瘤药物,在现今综合抗肿瘤治疗中意义深刻.     

将RGD模体改变为RGDNM可减弱Echistatin对血小板聚集的抑制但增强血管新生的抑制作用

为了研究去整合素echistatin RGD(Arg-Gly-Asp) 模体周边氨基酸突变后对其生物学功能的影响,根据echistatin序列设计合成6个片段,利用重叠延伸PCR法合成cDNA,使echistatin RGD模体周边序列变为ARGDNM (D27→N),与载体pTXB1连接后转化E.coli BL21(DE3),建立echistatin (ARGDNM)的表达体系．工程菌经IPTG诱导后融合蛋白表达量占菌体总蛋白约30%,几丁质亲和纯化后,DTT裂解释放目的蛋白分子量约5.4 kD．体外血小板聚集和体内鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜 (chick chorioallantoic membrane, CAM)血管新生实验结果表明,echistatin (ARGDNM)抑制血小板聚集的作用减弱,而其抑制血管新生的作用增强．RGD模体周围氨基酸的改变影响了去整合素的生物学功能,echistatin (ARGDNM)增强了与αⅤβ3结合的特异性,本工作为研究特异性更强的去整合素药物奠定了基础．     

G蛋白与整合素αⅡbβ3的双向信号转导

整合素是一类细胞表面受体家族分子,通过双向信号转导参与细胞与细胞外基质、细胞与细胞的粘附以及细胞的迁移.整合素αⅡbβ3(GPⅡb-Ⅲa)特异表达于巨核/血小板系,并且是其含量最多的膜糖蛋白,介导血小板的粘附、伸展、聚集等.G蛋白在整合素αⅡbβ3双向信号转导中发挥重要作用,其中较受关注的是:异源三聚体G蛋白和小G蛋白Rap1参与整合素αⅡbβ3的内向外信号转导;小G蛋白(Rho A、Rac等)和Gα13参与整合素αⅡbβ3的外向内信号转导.在蛋白质结构与功能关系的层面,本文总结了G蛋白的结构、分类、功能以及近年来G蛋白在整合素αⅡbβ3双向信号转导中作用的研究进展.     

Probing for integrin alpha v beta3 binding of RGD peptides using fluorescence polarization

Integrin alpha(v)beta(3) is an adhesion molecule involved in tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. There is substantial interest in developing novel agents that bind to integrin alpha(v)beta(3). Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a fluorescent integrin alpha(v)beta(3) probe and its use in a nonradioactive, simple, sensitive fluorescence polarization (FP) assay to quantify binding to integrin alpha(v)beta(3). For assay validation, the FP assay was compared to a cell adhesion assay. In the two assays, probe binding to integrin alpha(v)beta(3) showed a similar dependence on probe concentration. The FP assay was successfully applied to measure the binding affinity to integrin alpha(v)beta(3) of several cyclic peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif. The FP assay we describe here may be appropriate for high-throughput screening for integrin alpha(v)beta(3)-binding ligands used for anti-integrin therapy or noninvasive imaging of integrin expression.     

Synthetic RGD-containing alpha-helical coiled coil peptides promote integrin-dependent cell adhesion.

Integrin receptors are the main mediators of cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. They bind to their ligands by interacting with short amino acid sequences, such as the RGD sequence. Soluble, small RGD-based peptides have been used to block integrin-binding to ligands, thereby interfering with cell adhesion, migration and survival, while substrate-immobilized RGD sequences have been used to enhance cell binding to artificial surfaces. This approach has several important medical applications, e.g. in suppression of tumor angiogenesis or stimulation of bone formation around implants. However, the relatively weak affinity of short RGD-containing peptides often results in incomplete integrin inhibition or ineffective ligation. In this work, we designed and synthesized several new multivalent RGD-containing molecules and tested their ability to inhibit or to promote integrin-dependent cell adhesion when used in solution or immobilized on substrates, respectively. These molecules consist of an oligomeric structure formed by alpha-helical coiled coil peptides fused at their amino-terminal ends with an RGD-containing fragment. When immobilized on a substrate, these peptides specifically promoted integrin alphaVbeta3-dependent cell adhesion, but when used in solution, they blocked alphaVbeta3-dependent cell adhesion to the natural substrates fibronectin and vitronectin. One of the peptides was nearly 10-fold more efficient than fibronectin or vitronectin in promoting cell adhesion, and almost 100-fold more efficient than a linear RGD tripeptide in blocking adhesion. These results indicate that alpha-helical coiled coil peptides carrying an amino-terminal RGD motif can be used as soluble antagonists or surface-immobilized agonists to efficiently inhibit or promote integrin alphaVbeta3-mediated cell adhesion, respectively.     

ADAM15 decreases integrin alphavbeta3/vitronectin-mediated ovarian cancer cell adhesion and motility in an RGD-dependent fashion

We have recently described that integrin alphavbeta3 upon interaction with its major extracellular matrix ligand vitronectin induces adhesion, motility, and proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells. Due to the important function of alphavbeta3 in cancer cell biology, it has been the effort of many scientific approaches to specifically target alphavbeta3-mediated cell adhesion and tumorbiological effects arising thereof by synthetic integrin antagonists. More recently, proteins of the ADAM family have been recognized as naturally occurring integrin ligands. Among those, human ADAM15 which encompasses the integrin binding RGD motif was shown to interact with integrin alphavbeta3. Thus, we investigated in human ovarian OV-MZ-6 cancer cells, expressing both ADAM15 and alphavbeta3, whether ADAM15 might affect alphavbeta3-mediated tumorbiological effects. We stably (over)expressed ADAM15 or its extracellular domain in OV-MZ-6 cells as well as respective ADAM15 mutants containing the tripeptide SGA instead of RGD. Cells (over)expressing ADAM15-RGD exhibited a significantly reduced alphavbeta3-mediated adhesion to vitronectin. Also, a significant time-dependent decline in numbers of cells cultivated on vitronectin was noticed. This effect was found to be rather due to impaired alphavbeta3-mediated cell adhesion than decreased cell proliferation rates, since de novo DNA synthesis was not significantly altered by elevated ADAM15 expression. Moreover, a substantially decreased random cellular motility was noticed as a function of ADAM15 encompassing an intact RGD motif. In conclusion, our results point to a physiological role of ADAM15 as a natural binding partner of integrin alphavbeta3 thereby loosening tumor cell adhesion to the underlying matrix and regulating tumor cell migration and invasion.     

Integrin α8β1 regulates adhesion,migration and proliferation of human intestinal crypt cells via a predominant RhoA/ROCK‐dependent mechanism

Background. Integrins are transmembrane αβ heterodimer receptors that function as structural and functional bridges between the cytoskeleton and ECM (extracellular matrix) molecules. The RGD (arginine‐glycine‐aspartate tripeptide motif)‐dependent integrin α8β1 has been shown to be involved in various cell functions in neuronal and mesenchymal‐derived cell types. Its role in epithelial cells remains unknown. Results. Integrin α8β1 was found to be expressed in the crypt cell population of the human intestine but was absent from differentiating and mature epithelial cells of the villus. The function of α8β1 in epithelial crypt cells was investigated at the cellular level using normal HIECs (human intestinal epithelial cells). Specific knockdown of α8 subunit expression using an shRNA (small‐hairpin RNA) approach showed that α8β1 plays important roles in RGD‐dependent cell adhesion, migration and proliferation via a RhoA/ROCK (Rho‐associated kinase)‐dependent mechanism as demonstrated by active RhoA quantification and pharmacological inhibition of ROCK. Moreover, loss of α8β1, through RhoA/ROCK, impairs FA (focal adhesion) complex integrity as demonstrated by faulty vinculin recruitment. Conclusions. Integrin α8β1 is expressed in epithelial cells. In intestinal crypt cells, α8β1 is closely involved in the regulation of adhesion, migration and cell proliferation via a predominant RhoA/ROCK‐dependent mechanism. These results suggest an important role for this integrin in intestinal crypt cell homoeostasis.     

Alphavbeta3 integrin blocking inhibits apoptosis and induces autophagy in murine breast tumor cells

Integrins are cell receptors that mediate adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate cell migration, a crucial process in tumor invasion. The α_vβ₃ integrin recognizes the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif in ECM proteins and it can be antagonized by RGD-peptides, resulting in decreased cell migration and invasion. RGD-based drugs have shown disappointing results in clinical trials; however, the reasons for their lack of activity are still obscure. Aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the molecular consequences of integrin inhibition, we tested a recombinant RGD-disintegrin (DisBa-01) in two types of murine cell lines, breast tumor 4T1BM2 cells and L929 fibroblasts. Only tumor cells showed decreased motility and adhesion, as well as morphologic alterations upon DisBa-01 treatment (100 and 1000 nM). This result was attributed to the higher levels of α_vβ₃ integrin in 4T1BM2 cells compared to L929 fibroblasts making the former more sensitive to DisBa-01 blocking. DisBa-01 induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase in 4T1BM2 cells, but it did not induce apoptosis, which was consistent with the decrease in caspase-3, 8 and 9 expression at mRNA and protein levels. DisBa-01 increases PI3K, Beclin-1 and LC3B expression in tumor cells, indicators of autophagic induction. In conclusion, α_vβ₃ integrin blocking by DisBa-01 results in inhibition of adhesion and migration and in the activation of an autophagy program, allowing prolonged survival and avoiding immediate apoptotic death. These observations suggest new insights into the effects of RGD-based inhibitors considering their importance in drug development for human health.     

FAP-alpaha在胞外信号传递中与整合素的关系

目的：研究成纤维激活蛋白（Fibroblast Activation Protein,FAP）在促进卵巢癌细胞发生侵袭、迁移、增殖过程中与整合素α3β1、尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活剂受体（uPAR）的关系。方法：1）．免疫共沉淀共同检测整合素α3β1、uPAR在HO-8910PM上是否为二聚体。2）．transwell侵袭实验、迁移实验检测抑制整合素α3β1、uPAR后,卵巢癌细胞系HO-8910PM的侵袭迁移能力;3）．抑制整合素α3β1、uPAR后,再给予FAPet对HO-8910PM侵袭、迁移和增殖的影响。结果：1）．整合素α3β1、uPAR在HO-8910PM细胞外同一个位置表达;2）．抑制整合素α3β1能够明显抑制HO-8910PM的侵袭、迁移、增殖能力,并且可以抑制FAP对肿瘤的作用。3）．PAI—1抑制uPAR后,HO—8910PM的侵袭、迁移、增殖无明显变化,同时对FAP也无明显作用。结论：整合素α3β1和uPAR在HO-8910PM是一个复合体,FAPα,在细胞外是通过整合素α3β1传递信号进入细胞内而不是通过uPAR,整合素α3β1是通过uPAR与肿瘤细胞相连接。     

A novel RGD-toxin protein,Lj-RGD3, from the buccal gland secretion of Lampetra japonica impacts diverse biological activities

RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) motif toxin proteins from snake venoms, saliva glands secretion of leech or tick have typical characteristics of inhibiting platelet aggregation, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Here we report cloning and characterization of a novel RGD-toxin protein from the buccal gland of Lampetra japonica. In an attempt to study the activities of anticoagulant in the buccal gland secretion of L. japonica, we established buccal gland cDNA library and identified a gene encoding a predicted protein of 118 amino acids with 3 RGD motifs. The predicted protein was named Lj-RGD3. We generated the cDNA of Lj-RGD3 and obtained the recombinant protein rLj-RGD3. The polyclonal antibodies against rLj-RGD3 recognized the native Lj-RGD3 protein in buccal gland secretion in Western blot analyses. The biological function studies reveal that rLj-RGD3 inhibited human platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner with IC₅₀ value at 5.277 μM. In addition, rLj-RGD3 repressed bFGF-induced angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. rLj-RGD3 also inhibited the adhesion of ECV304 cells to vitronectin. Furthermore, rLj-RGD3 induced apoptosis and significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion evoked by bFGF in ECV304 cells. Taken together, these results suggested that rLj-RGD3 is a novel RGD-toxin protein possessing typical functions of the RGD-toxin protein.     

Cyclic RGD functionalized gold nanoparticles for tumor targeting

Integrin α(v)β(3) is an adhesion molecule involved in physiological and pathological angiogenesis as well as tumor invasion and metastasis. Therefore, it is considered an important target for molecular imaging and delivery of therapeutics for cancer, and there is a strong interest in developing novel agents interacting with this protein. Nevertheless, the interaction of individual ligands is often still weak for efficient tumor targeting, and many research groups have synthesized multivalent displays in order to overcome this problem. Gold nanoparticles can be considered a smart platform for polyvalent presentation on account of their globular shape, tunable size, facile surface chemistry, and biocompatibility. Moreover, their unique physical properties render gold nanoparticles ideal candidates for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles functionalized with cRGD integrin ligand and their employment for targeting human cancer cells expressing α(v)β(3) integrin.