iRGD-decorated reduction-responsive nanoclusters for targeted drug delivery

Nanoscale. 2018 Jun 14;10(22):10514-10527. doi: 10.1039/c8nr02534g. Epub 2018 May 25.

Abstract

Herein, reduction-responsive disintegratable nanoclusters (NCs) were prepared as a novel nanovehicle for targeted drug delivery. The NCs, with a diameter of ∼170 nm, were self-assembled from hydrophobically modified and iRGD decorated hydroxyethyl starch (iRGD-HES-SS-C18). DOX was loaded into the NCs as a model drug. DOX@iRGD-HES-SS-C18 NCs can disintegrate into smaller ones and release DOX under reduction stimuli. Due to the ligand-receptor binding interactions between iRGD and integrin αV, DOX@iRGD-HES-SS-C18 NCs can specifically bind to the cell membranes of HepG-2 and 4T1 cells (integrin αV positive), resulting in enhanced cellular uptake as compared to DOX@HES-SS-C18 NCs. After cellular internalization, the NCs were transported to endosomes/lysosomes in which the reductive environment triggered the disintegration and DOX release. As a consequence, DOX@iRGD-HES-SS-C18 NCs exhibited an enhanced antitumor effect as compared to DOX@HES-SS-C18 NCs and free DOX, in an in vitro antitumor activity study. The reduction-responsive disintegratable NCs reported here were proved to be a safe and efficient nanoplatform, holding significant translation potential for tumor-targeted drug delivery.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives
  • Oligopeptides
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid
  • Doxorubicin