Internalizing antibody-based targeted gene delivery for human cancer cells

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Gene therapy offers solutions for diseases but faces delivery challenges.
• Nonviral vectors like cationic carriers provide safety and flexibility advantages over viral systems.
• Functionalizing nanocarriers with molecules like antibodies enhances targeting and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop internalizing antibodies against mortalin/mtHsp70 for enhanced nanocarrier applications.
• To investigate the use of these antibodies for nanoparticle internalization and gene delivery.
• To assess the cancer-targeting potential of antibody-functionalized nanocarriers.

Main Methods:

• Generated internalizing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against mortalin (i-mot Ab).
• Utilized i-mot Ab for the internalization of nanoparticles (quantum dots).
• Evaluated gene delivery efficiency using cationic polymer polyethylenimine (PEI) complexed with i-mot Ab in cancer and normal human cells.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful internalization of nanoparticles and generation of illuminating cells using i-mot Ab.
• Showcased enhanced gene delivery specifically in human cancer cells when using PEI and i-mot Ab complexes.
• Indicated potential for i-mot Ab-PEI complexes as a novel cancer-targeting nanocarrier.

Conclusions:

• Internalizing anti-mortalin antibodies are effective for nanoparticle delivery and gene transfection.
• The i-mot Ab-PEI complex demonstrates specific enhancement of gene delivery in cancer cells.
• This approach presents a promising strategy for developing targeted cancer nanocarriers.