Abstract
Co-application of fluorescent quantum dot nanocrystals and therapeutics has recently become a promising theranostic methodology for cancer treatment. We developed a tumor-targeted lipid nanocarrier that demonstrates notable efficacy in gene delivery as well as tumor bio-imaging. Coupling of aptamer molecules against the EGF receptor (EGFR) to the distal termini of lipid nanoparticles provided the carrier with tumor-specific recognition capability. The cationic lipid component, referred to as O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate (DMKE), was able to effectively complex with anionic small-interfering RNA (siRNA). The hydrophobic quantum dots (Q-dots) were effectively incorporated in hydrophobic lipid bilayers at an appropriate Q-dot to lipid ratio. In this study, we optimized the liposomal formula of aptamer-conjugated liposomes containing Q-dots and siRNA molecules (Apt-QLs). The anti-EGFR Apt-QLs exhibited remarkable EGFR-dependent siRNA delivery as well as fluorescence imaging, which were analyzed in cultured cancer cells and tumor xenografts in mice. These results imply that the formulation of Apt-QLs could be widely utilized as a carrier for tumor-directed gene delivery and bio-imaging.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 9474 |
Journal | Scientific reports |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 Dec 1 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2013R1A1A2009431, NRF-2016R1D1A1B03935847) and “Leaders in Industry-university Cooperation (LINC)” Project, supervised by the Ministry of Education (2016-D-0044-010108).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Author(s).
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General