TfR Aptamer-Functionalized MSNs for Enhancing Targeted Cellular Uptake and Therapy of Cancer Cells

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising nanocarriers for drug delivery due to their favorable properties.
• However, their clinical application is limited by poor targeting and low cellular uptake efficiency.
• Overexpression of transferrin receptors (TfR) on cancer cells presents a potential target for enhancing nanoparticle internalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the cellular internalization and drug delivery efficiency of MSNs for cancer therapy.
• To functionalize MSNs with transferrin receptor (TfR) aptamers to improve targeting and uptake in cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were functionalized with TfR aptamers.
• Cellular uptake was evaluated using fluorescent imaging and flow cytometry in MCF-7, HeLa, and A549 cancer cell lines.
• Drug delivery efficiency was compared between aptamer-functionalized MSNs and unmodified MSNs.

Main Results:

• TfR aptamer-functionalized MSNs showed significantly higher cellular internalization compared to unmodified or randomly modified MSNs.
• Enhanced uptake was observed across three different cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, A549).
• Aptamer-functionalized MSNs demonstrated improved drug delivery efficiency at equivalent doses and incubation times.

Conclusions:

• TfR aptamer functionalization is an effective strategy to enhance MSN cellular uptake and drug delivery.
• This approach holds potential for improving therapeutic efficacy in TfR-positive cancers.
• Functionalized MSNs offer a promising platform for targeted cancer drug delivery.