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Self-Assembling VHH-Elastin-Like Peptides for Photodynamic Nanomedicine
Jan Pille1,2, Sanne A M van Lith3, Jan C M van Hest1,2
1Radboud University , Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Biomacromolecules
|March 9, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed novel nanoparticles by attaching 7D12 antibody fragments targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to self-assembling peptides. These targeted nanoparticles show promise for cancer therapy and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanomedicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Recombinant llama heavy-chain antibody fragments (VHHs) are valuable for targeted nanomedicine.
- The 7D12 VHH targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is overexpressed in many cancers.
- The small size of VHHs leads to a short circulation half-life, limiting their therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct well-defined nanoparticles incorporating the 7D12 VHH for enhanced EGFR targeting.
- To create a versatile platform for combining targeting moieties and therapeutic agents in nanomedicine.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of these nanoparticles in targeted cancer cell killing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized thermoresponsive diblock elastin-like peptides for self-assembly into micellar nanoparticles.
- Functionalized nanoparticles with the 7D12 VHH to target EGFR.
- Incorporated a photosensitizer into the nanoparticles for light-induced cell killing experiments.
Main Results:
- Successfully constructed 7D12-containing nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic radius of 24.3 ± 0.9 nm.
- The nanoparticles retained full EGFR-binding capacity.
- EGFR-specific light-induced cancer cell killing was demonstrated using the photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- Developed a method for creating defined VHH-containing nanoparticles using self-assembling peptides.
- These nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for targeted nanomedicine, improving therapy and diagnosis.
- The approach is adaptable for incorporating various functional modules for enhanced therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
