Modified epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-bearing liposomes (MRBLs) are sensitive to EGF in solution.
Cancers often overexpress EGF and other growth factors to promote cell replication and migration. Previous work has not produced targeted drug carriers sensitive to abnormal amounts of growth factors. This work demonstrates that liposomes bearing EGF receptors covalently crosslinked to p-toluic acid or methyl-PEO(4)-NHS ester (or, in short, MRBLs) exhibit an increased rate of release of encapsulated drug compounds when EGF is present in solution. Furthermore, the modified EGF receptors retain the abilities to form dimers in the presence of EGF and bind specifically to EGF. These results demonstrate that MRBLs are sensitive to EGF in solution and indicate that MRBL-reconstituted modified EGF receptors, in the presence of EGF in solution, form dimers which increase MRBL permeability to encapsulated compounds.
Wong
Albert
A
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. albert.wong@yale.edu
D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000378:metabolism; D002645:Chickens; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019281:Dimerization; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism
D001565:Benzoates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008081:Liposomes; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D003609:Dactinomycin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; C009504:4-toluic acid; D066246:ErbB Receptors