Antibody-functionalized nano test tubes target breast cancer cells.
OBJECTIVE
To develop nano test tubes that will deliver a biomedical payload to a specific cell type.


METHODS
The template-synthesis method was used to prepare silica nano test tubes. An antibody that is specific for breast cancer cells was attached to the outer tube surfaces. A fluorophore was attached to the inner surfaces of the nano test tubes. The tubes were incubated with the breast cancer cells and the extent of attachment to the cell surfaces was investigated by fluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
Tubes modified on their outer surfaces with the target antibody showed enhanced attachment to breast-cancer cells, relative to tubes modified on their outer surfaces with a species and isotype-matched control antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
This work is a first step toward demonstrating that nano test tubes can be used as cell-specific delivery vehicles.
Buyukserin
Fatih
F
Department of Chemistry and Center for Research at the Bio/Nano Interface, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, USA.
Medley
Colin D
CD
Mota
Miguel O
MO
Kececi
Kaan
K
Rogers
Richard R
RR
Tan
Weihong
W
Martin
Charles R
CR
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm