title: Aptamer-labeled PLGA nanoparticles for targeting cancer cells.
abstract: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in most parts of the world and is a very serious cause of concern particularly in developing countries. In this work, we prepared and evaluated the aptamer-labeled paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Apt-PTX-PLGA NPs) which can ameliorate drug bioavailability and enable accurate drug targeting to cancer cells with controlled drug release for cancer therapy. Paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (PTX-PLGA NPs) were formulated by a single-emulsion/solvent evaporation method and were further surface-functionalized with a chemical cross-linkerbis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate (BS3) to enable binding of aptamer on to the surface of the nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity studies were carried out using normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC cells) and human glial cancer cells (GI-1 cells) by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and Alamar blue assay, which confirmed that PTX-PLGA NPs with aptamer conjugation (Apt-PTX-PLGA NPs) were comparatively non-toxic to HMEC cells while toxic to GI-1 cancer cells. Cellular uptake of PTX-PLGA NPs with and without aptamer conjugation was studied using GI-1 cells and monitored by confocal microscopy and phase contrast microscopy. Our studies demonstrated significant internalization and retention of nanoparticles inside the cells, inducing apoptosis. The preferential accumulation of PTX-PLGA NPs within the cancer cells were also confirmed by flow cytometry-based uptake studies. The results indicated that Apt-PTX-PLGA NPs could be a promising targeted therapeutic delivery vehicle for cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Athulya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aravind
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Saino Hanna
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Srivani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veeranarayanan
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Anila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagaoka
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Seiki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hasumura
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maekawa
authors.affiliation: Bio-Nano Electronics Research Center, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary New Science, Toyo University, Kawagoe, Saitama Japan.
authors.forename: D Sakthi
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Aptamers; Cancer therapy; Drug delivery; PLGA nanoparticles; Paclitaxel