A novel prototype of albumin nanoparticles fabricated by supramolecular cyclodextrin-adamantane association

Albumin has been viewed as one of the most attractive biomacromolecules for making nanoparticulate systems due to its biocompatibility and chemical functionality. Thus far, albumin nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared by several limited methods, such as, desolvation, emulsification or high-pressure homogenization. In this article, we introduce a new albumin NPs prototype fabricated via a 'host' (β-cyclodextrin)-'guest' (adamantane) supramolecular association. These NPs (GC-CD/HSA-ADA NPs) consisted of β-cyclodextrin-modified glycol chitosan (GC-CD) and adamantane-conjugated human serum albumin (HSA-ADA) (GC-CD/HSA-ADA NPs) that were facilely prepared by a consequent dropwise mixing and sonication method. Doxorubicin-loaded GC-CD/HSA-ADA NPs exhibited an appropriate particle size (∼260nm), good physicochemical stability (∼48h), significant HCT116 cell cytotoxicity (IC50: 0.32μg/ml) and cell internalization. Furthermore, GC-CD/HSA-ADA NPs showed excellent tumor targetability probably due to gp60-mediated transcytosis mechanism because it was markedly accumulated in the tumor site of a HCT116 cell-xenograft mouse. Based on these results, these albumin NPs will be promising for a new NP platform that can be applied for cancer therapy or imaging.