title: Cell targeting by a generic receptor-targeted polymer nanocontainer platform.
abstract: Nanotechnology promises new avenues to medical diagnosis and treatment. Of special interest are injectable nanovehicles that are programmable towards specific targets, are able to evade the immune defense, and are versatile enough to be suited as carriers of complex functionality. Biotin-functionalized (poly(2-methyloxazoline)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(2-methyloxazoline) triblock copolymers were self-assembled to form nanocontainers, and biotinylated targeting ligands were attached by using streptavidin as a coupling agent. Specifically, fluorescence-labeled nanocontainers were targeted against the scavenger receptor A1 from macrophages, an important cell in human disease. In human and transgenic cell lines and in mixed cultures, receptor-specific binding of these generic carriers was followed by vesicular uptake. Low nonspecific binding supported the "stealth" properties of the carrier while cytotoxicity was absent. This versatile carrier appears promising for diagnostic or therapeutic medical use.
authors.affiliation: Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel CH-4031, Switzerland. pavel.broz@stud.unibas.ch
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Broz
authors.forename: Samantha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Benito
authors.forename: Cheeloong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saw
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heider
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pfisterer
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marsch
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hunziker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001710:Biotin / Q000737:chemistry; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005079:Excipients; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D010316:Particle Size; D011068:Poly G / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D012828:Silicones; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D005079:Excipients; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008024:Ligands; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D012828:Silicones; D011068:Poly G; C013830:baysilon; D001710:Biotin; D019809:Streptavidin