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Synthesis of Functionalized 10-nm Polymer-coated Gold Particles for Endothelium Targeting and Drug Delivery
Published on: January 15, 2018
Directed evolution of gold nanoparticle delivery to cells
Na Li1, Timothy Larson, Hong H Nguyen
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 13, 2010
Summary
A new aptamer targets cancer cells by binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This aptamer guides gold nanoparticles to EGFR-expressing cells for targeted delivery.
Area of Science:
- Bioconjugation
- Nanomedicine
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key target in cancer therapy.
- Targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects.
- Aptamers offer a promising alternative to antibodies for specific molecular targeting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a targeted delivery system using aptamers conjugated to gold nanoparticles.
- To investigate the specific and quantitative delivery of these nanoparticles to EGFR-expressing cells.
Main Methods:
- Selection of a novel anti-EGFR aptamer.
- Conjugation of the aptamer to gold nanoparticles using a hybridization method.
- Evaluation of nanoparticle targeting and cellular uptake in EGFR-expressing cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Main Results:
- Successful conjugation of anti-EGFR aptamer to gold nanoparticles.
- Demonstrated specific and quantitative delivery of gold nanoparticles to cells expressing EGFR.
- Confirmed receptor-mediated endocytosis as the mechanism of cellular uptake.
Conclusions:
- The developed aptamer-gold nanoparticle conjugate is an effective targeted delivery system for EGFR-expressing cells.
- This approach holds potential for applications in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Facile hybridization offers a straightforward method for creating targeted nanoconstructs.
