ABSTRACT
The delivery of therapeutics across the cell membrane and into the cytoplasm is a major challenge that limits the development of new therapies. This challenge is compounded by the lack of a general assay for cytosolic delivery. Here we develop this assay based on the pro-fluorophore CrAsH-EDT2, and provide cytosolic penetration results for a variety of drug delivery agents (polyethyleneimine, poly-arginine, Ferritin, poly [maleic anhydride-alt-isobutene] grafted with dodecylamine, and cationic liposomes) into HeLa and T98G cells. Our results show that this method can be widely applicable to different cells and drug delivery agents, and yield statistically robust results. We later use this method to optimize and improve a model drug delivery agent's (Ferritin) cytosolic penetration.
Subject(s)
Drug Carriers , Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Humans , HeLa CellsABSTRACT
The efficient targeting of cancer cells depends on the success of obtaining the active targeting of overexpressed receptors. A very accurate design of nanoconjugates should be done via the selection of the conjugation strategy to achieve effective targeted nanoconjugates. Here, we present a detailed study of cetuximab-conjugated nonspherical gold nanocages for the active targeting of triple-negative breast cancer cells, including MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468. A few different general strategies were selected for monoclonal antibody conjugation to the nanoparticle surface. By varying the bioconjugation conditions, including antibody orientation or the presence of a polymeric spacer or recombinant protein biolinker, we demonstrate the importance of a rational design of nanoconjugates. A quantitative study of gold content via ICP-AES allowed us to compare the effectiveness of cellular uptake as a function of the conjugation strategy and confirmed the active nature of nanoparticle internalization in cancer cells via epidermal growth factor receptor recognition, corroborating the importance of the rational design of nanomaterials for nanomedicine.
ABSTRACT
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors represent a promising strategy toward the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is often associated to genomic instability and/or BRCA mutations. However, clinical outcome is controversial and no benefits have been demonstrated in wild type BRCA cancers, possibly due to poor drug bioavailability and low nuclear delivery. In the attempt to overcome these limitations, we have developed H-Ferritin nanoformulated olaparib (HOla) and assessed its anticancer efficacy on both BRCA-mutated and non-mutated TNBC cells. We exploited the natural tumor targeting of H-Ferritin, which is mediated by the transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1), and its physiological tropism toward cell nucleus. TNBC cell lines over-expressing TfR-1 were successfully recognized by H-Ferritin, displaying a fast internalization into the cells. HOla induced remarkable cytotoxic effect in cancer cells, exhibiting 1000-fold higher anticancer activity compared to free olaparib (Ola). Accordingly, HOla treatment enhanced PARP-1 cleavage, DNA double strand breaks and Ola delivery into the nuclear compartment. Our findings suggest that H-Ferritin nanoformulation strongly enhances cytotoxic efficacy of Ola as a stand-alone therapy in both BRCA-mutated and wild type TNBC cells, by promoting targeted nuclear delivery.
Subject(s)
Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Apoferritins/metabolism , Drug Carriers , Phthalazines/pharmacology , Piperazines/pharmacology , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Receptors, Transferrin/metabolism , Antigens, CD/genetics , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Apoferritins/chemistry , Apoferritins/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Nucleus/drug effects , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Cell Nucleus/ultrastructure , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded , Endocytosis , Female , G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects , G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics , Gene Expression , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/cytology , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Humans , Nanostructures , Phthalazines/chemistry , Piperazines/chemistry , Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1/antagonists & inhibitors , Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1/genetics , Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1/metabolism , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/chemistry , Protein Binding , Proteolysis/drug effects , Receptors, Transferrin/genetics , Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/drug therapyABSTRACT
An external PIGE-PIXE setup was installed on a beam line of the 8 MV tandem Pelletron accelerator of the Open Nuclear Physics Laboratory (LAFN). Proton beam energy was chosen in the 8-12 MeV range, sufficient to get an acceptable gamma ray yield but not so high as to prevent us from measuring X-rays. This also allowed the use of a thick aluminum exit window (0.5 mm) instead of the usual thin and sometimes fragile plastic windows. This external PIXE-PIGE system was used to analyze trace element concentrations in the enamel of human and animal teeth. The main interest was to find compatible human teeth substitutes for dentistry laboratory practice and chemical tests. In spite of their morpho-histological similarity, trace element concentrations in human and animal teeth have not yet been compared. Teeth from humans, cattle and swine collected primary at São Paulo region were analyzed. The elements Cu, K, Zn, Fe, Ti, Sr, V, Mn and Zr were detected by high energy external beam PIXE technique. Though preliminary, the results showed that the trace element concentrations observed in the enamel of human and swine are more similar to each other than to cattle teeth
