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Lopalco A, Cutrignelli A, Denora N, Perrone M, Iacobazzi RM, Fanizza E, Lopedota A, Depalo N, de Candia M, Franco M, Laquintana V. Delivery of Proapoptotic Agents in Glioma Cell Lines by TSPO Ligand-Dextran Nanogels. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041155. [PMID: 29641449 PMCID: PMC5979576 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocator protein 18-kDa (TSPO) is a versatile mitochondrial target for molecular imaging and therapy. Moreover, selective TSPO ligands have been widely investigated for diagnostic purposes and explored to target drug delivery systems directed to cancer cells overexpressing TSPO. Indeed, poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymers and nanocarriers decorated with TSPO ligands are capable of transporting TSPO ligands inside cancer cells, inducing survival inhibition in cancer cells and producing mitochondrial morphology modification. The aim of this work was to prepare nanogels (NGs) made with TSPO ligand dextran conjugates (TSPO-Dex) that are useful as potential delivery systems of two TSPO ligands as apoptotic agents. Synthesis and complete characterization of TSPO–dextran conjugates, an average molecular weights analysis, TSPO ligand release profiles, thermal behaviour and swelling studies were achieved. NG preparation, characterization and in vitro biological studies were also performed. The release of TSPO ligands released from dextran conjugates at 37 °C occurred in human serum at a faster rate than that detected in phosphate buffer. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that NGs produced from TSPO ligand–dextran conjugates induce survival inhibition in rat C6 glioma cell lines. Cellular uptake was also proven by fluorescence microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Lopalco
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Cutrignelli
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF)-CNR, SS Bari, Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Mara Perrone
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
- Istituto tumori IRCCS "Giovanni Paolo II", Flacco, St. 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | | | - Elisabetta Fanizza
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF)-CNR, SS Bari, Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Angela Lopedota
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Depalo
- Institute for Physical and Chemical Processes (IPCF)-CNR, SS Bari, Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Massimo Franco
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Valentino Laquintana
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Orabona, St. 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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Xu D, Wu F, Chen Y, Wei L, Yuan W. pH-sensitive degradable nanoparticles for highly efficient intracellular delivery of exogenous protein. Int J Nanomedicine 2013; 8:3405-14. [PMID: 24039423 PMCID: PMC3771747 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s47701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encapsulating exogenous proteins into a nanosized particulate system for delivery into cells is a great challenge. To address this issue, we developed a novel nanoparticle delivery method that differs from the nanoparticles reported to date because its core was composed of cross-linked dextran glassy nanoparticles which had pH in endosome-responsive environment and the protein was loaded in the core of cross-linked dextran glassy nanoparticles. METHODS In this study, dextran in a poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous two-phase system created a different chemical environment in which proteins were encapsulated very efficiently (84.3% and 89.6% for enhanced green fluorescent protein and bovine serum albumin, respectively) by thermodynamically favored partition. The structures of the nanoparticles were confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS The nanoparticles had a normal size distribution and a mean diameter of 186 nm. MTT assays showed that the nanoparticles were nontoxic up to a concentration of 2000 μg/mL in human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, HeLa, and BRL-3A cells. Of note, confocal laser scanning microscopy studies showed that nanoparticles loaded with fluorescein isothiocyanate-bovine serum albumin were efficiently delivered and released proteins into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays showed that nanoparticles with a functional protein (apoptin) efficiently induced significant tumor cell apoptosis, which was confirmed by DAPI staining. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that these nanoparticles meet the high demands for delivering protein medicines and have great potential in protein therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinghui Chen
- Department of Neurology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangming Wei
- Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Micro/Nano Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weien Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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