title: Targetability of hyaluronic acid nanogel to cancer cells: In vitro and in vivo studies.
abstract: We have, in previous work developed, characterized and evaluated the biocompatibility of an engineered hyaluronic acid nanogel. Here we assess the targetability of a hyaluronic acid nanogel towards CD44 overexpressing cells, in vitro and in vivo. Results obtained by flow cytometry and confocal fluorescence microscopy shows that nanogel is greatly internalized by non-small cancer lung cells (A549 cells), that overexpress CD44 receptors. The biodistribution and tumor targetability of the nanogel labelled with a near-infrared (NIR) probe were performed, in mice, through a non-invasive imaging system. Results revealed nanogel high targetability towards an induced subcutaneous A549 tumor. Nanogels pharmacokinetics was evaluated also in healthy animals, and Alexa Fluor 680 labelled nanogel exhibited higher accumulation in liver, kidneys and skin. Also, a comparative biodistribution study was performed, using two NIR imaging probes, Cy5.5 and Alexa Fluor 680.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga 4710-05, Portugal.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Pedrosa
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga 4710-05, Portugal.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Rua Campo Alegre, Porto 4099-003, Portugal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga 4710-05, Portugal. Electronic address: fmgama@deb.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gama
mesh_terms: D000072283:A549 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008819:Mice, Nude; D036103:Nanotechnology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: Cancer nanotechnology; Hyaluronic acid; Non-invasive imaging; Non-small cancer lung cells