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Bi-Functionalized Transferrin@MoS2-PEG Nanosheets for Improving Cellular Uptake in HepG2 Cells.
Si Xu1,2, Shanshan Liang2,3, Bing Wang2
1School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation (Yantai University), Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Transferrin-coated molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs) enhance cellular uptake in cancer cells. This protein corona strategy improves intracellular delivery efficiency for potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Protein corona formation on nanomaterials (NMs) influences their biological interactions.
- Surface functionalization is crucial for controlling NM behavior in biological environments.
- Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets offer potential for biomedical applications but require surface modification for enhanced cellular uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop transferrin-functionalized MoS2 nanosheets (Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs) for enhanced cellular uptake.
- To investigate the effect of transferrin coating on the stability and cellular uptake of MoS2 NSs.
- To compare the cellular uptake efficiency of Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs with other surface modifications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of lipoic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol and transferrin bi-functionalized MoS2 nanosheets (Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs).
- Assessment of dispersion stability in cell culture medium and oxidation resistance.
- Competitive adsorption experiments using transferrin and bovine serum albumin (BSA).
- Evaluation of cellular uptake in HepG2 cells using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Main Results:
- Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs exhibited good dispersion stability and oxidation resistance.
- Transferrin showed a higher binding affinity to MoS2 NSs compared to BSA.
- Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs demonstrated heterogeneous cellular uptake in HepG2 cells with a broader distribution.
- HepG2 cells treated with Tf@MoS2-PEG showed significantly higher intracellular Mo content compared to BSA@MoS2-PEG and MoS2-PEG.
Conclusions:
- Transferrin coating effectively enhances the cellular uptake of MoS2 nanosheets.
- Tf@MoS2-PEG NSs represent a promising strategy for improving intracellular delivery in cancer cells.
- This approach holds potential for advancing cancer theranostics and drug delivery systems.
