title: [Study on the tumor cell targetability of folate-conjugated albumin nanoparticles].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study folate-conjugated albumin nanoparticles targeting to tumor cells via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The activated folic acid (N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of folic acid) was conjuated to the surface of bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSANP) via the amino groups. The extent of the influence that concentration, incubation time and free folate exerted on the uptake of Folate-BSANP by ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3) was determined using fluorescence spectrophotometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Folate-conjugated BSANP (Folate-BSANP) was successfully achieved. Uptake of Folate-BSANP by cancer cells was gradually increased with the extension of incubation time or the increase of Folate-BSANP concentration, and the uptake could be competitively inhibited by excess free folate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Folate-BSANP could be delivered into tumor cells via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis and significantly targeted to tumor cells with rich folate receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Liang-ke
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shi-xiang
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Sheng-jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Da-peng
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Xiang-rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xiao-rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Qiao
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004337:Drug Carriers; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D005492:Folic Acid