Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
14:20

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?

Published on: June 13, 2014

17.2K

Aptamer-targeted delivery of Bcl-xL shRNA using alkyl modified PAMAM dendrimers into lung cancer cells

Sara Ayatollahi1, Zahra Salmasi2, Maryam Hashemi2

  • 1Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology
|October 17, 2017
PubMed

Insights

This study presents a novel targeted delivery system for cancer gene therapy using modified PAMAM nanoparticles and an AS1411 aptamer. The system effectively delivers shRNA to cancer cells, reducing Bcl-xL expression and inducing apoptosis with high selectivity.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Nanomedicine
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene therapy offers a promising strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor cells is crucial for enhancing efficacy and minimizing side effects.
  • Aptamers offer high specificity and affinity for targeted delivery applications in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel targeted non-viral delivery system for shRNA-mediated gene silencing in cancer cells.
  • To enhance transfection efficiency and target cancer cells specifically using modified PAMAM nanoparticles and an AS1411 aptamer.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of the targeted system in down-regulating Bcl-xL protein expression and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a targeted delivery platform using modified polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with 10-bromodecanoic acid (10C) and 10C-PEG.
  • Conjugation of AS1411 aptamer for targeting nucleolin on cancer cells and incorporation of shRNA plasmid for Bcl-xL knockdown.
  • Evaluation of transfection efficiency in A549 cells and assessment of gene silencing and apoptosis induction via gene silencing and apoptosis assays.

Main Results:

  • The modified vector demonstrated significantly improved transfection efficiency compared to non-targeted vectors in A549 cells.
  • The targeted shRNA delivery system effectively down-regulated Bcl-xL expression by up to 25%.
  • The system induced 14% late apoptosis in target cancer cells, exhibiting strong cell selectivity.

Conclusions:

  • A novel targeted non-viral delivery system for shRNA-mediated gene silencing in cancer cells was successfully developed.
  • The modified PAMAM-based vector with AS1411 aptamer enhances transfection efficiency and provides targeted delivery to cancer cells.
  • This targeted system shows potential for effective and selective cancer gene therapy by down-regulating Bcl-xL and inducing apoptosis.
Keywords:
AptamerBcl-xL shRNANon-viral vectorPAMAMTargeted delivery

More Related Videos

Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles08:03

Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles

Published on: December 1, 2016

9.5K
MISSION LentiPlex Pooled shRNA Library Screening in Mammalian Cells09:12

MISSION LentiPlex Pooled shRNA Library Screening in Mammalian Cells

Published on: December 21, 2011

19.1K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.0K
Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers01:24

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...
34