Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025
A Flow Cytometry-Based Cell Surface Protein Binding Assay for Assessing Selectivity and Specificity of an Anticancer Aptamer
Published on: September 13, 2022
Selective Targeting and Eradication of Various Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines Using Self-Assembled
Daniel Barak1, Shira Engelberg1, Yehuda G Assaraf2
1Lab of Biopolymers for Food & Health, Department of Biotechnology & Food Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.
Abstract:
The leading cause of cancer mortality remains lung cancer (LC), of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the predominant type. Chemotherapy achieves only low response rates while inflicting serious untoward toxicity. Herein, we studied the binding and internalization of S15-aptamer (S15-APT)-decorated polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) by various human NSCLC cell lines. All the NSCLC cell lines were targeted by S15-APT-decorated NPs. Confocal microscopy revealed variable levels of NP binding and uptake amongst these NSCLC cell lines, decreasing in the following order: Adenocarcinoma (AC) A549 cells > H2228 (AC) > H1299 (large cell carcinoma) > H522 (AC) > H1975 (AC). Flow cytometry analysis showed a consistent variation between these NSCLC cell lines in the internalization of S15-APT-decorated quantum dots. We obtained a temperature-dependent NP uptake, characteristic of active internalization. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays with APT-NPs entrapping paclitaxel, revealed that A549 cells had the lowest IC50 value of 0.03 µM PTX (determined previously), whereas H2228, H1299, H522 and H1975 exhibited higher IC50 values of 0.38 µM, 0.92 µM, 2.31 µM and 2.59 µM, respectively (determined herein). Cytotoxicity was correlated with the binding and internalization of APT-NPs in the various NSCLC cells, suggesting variable expression of the putative S15 target receptor. These findings support the development of APT-targeted NPs in precision nanomedicine for individual NSCLC patient treatment.
Insights
S15-aptamer decorated nanoparticles show variable binding and uptake in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, correlating with paclitaxel cytotoxicity. This supports aptamer-targeted nanoparticles for precision nanomedicine in NSCLC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Lung cancer (LC), particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a leading cause of cancer mortality.
- Current chemotherapy for NSCLC has limited response rates and significant toxicity.
- Targeted nanomedicine offers a promising approach for improving NSCLC treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the binding and internalization of S15-aptamer (S15-APT)-decorated polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) in various human NSCLC cell lines.
- To evaluate the correlation between NP uptake and the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel-loaded NPs in different NSCLC subtypes.
- To assess the potential of S15-APT-targeted NPs for precision nanomedicine in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of S15-APT-decorated PEG-PCL nanoparticles (NPs).
- Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry to assess NP binding and internalization in NSCLC cell lines (A549, H2228, H1299, H522, H1975).
- Cytotoxicity assays using paclitaxel-loaded NPs to determine IC50 values in NSCLC cell lines.
Main Results:
- S15-APT-decorated NPs successfully targeted all tested NSCLC cell lines.
- Variable binding and internalization levels were observed across NSCLC cell lines, with A549 cells showing the highest uptake.
- Cytotoxicity of paclitaxel-loaded NPs correlated with NP uptake, with A549 cells exhibiting the lowest IC50 value.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates variable expression of the S15 target receptor across NSCLC cell lines, influencing NP binding and internalization.
- S15-APT-targeted NPs show potential for precision nanomedicine applications in NSCLC.
- These findings support the development of personalized nanomedicine strategies for individual NSCLC patients.
More Related Videos
08:03Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
09:38Establishment and Characterization of Three Afatinib-resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma PC-9 Cell Lines Developed with Increasing Doses of Afatinib
Published on: June 26, 2019
