ABSTRACT
Objective The purpose of this study was to prepare RGD4C modified ferritin nanocages (RGD4C-FRT) for targeted drug delivery to rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6). Methods RGD4C modified human H-chain ferritin was expressed and purified. Doxorubicin (Dox) was encapsulated into the cavity of RGD4C-FRT through ion channels, which resulted in RGD4C-FRT-Dox. The target of RGD4C-FRT-Dox to HSC-T6 was detected using fluorescence microscopy. Results Transmission electron microscopy showed that RGD4C-FRT was hollow spherical-structured with uniform size and good dispersion. The average particle diameters of RGD4C-FRT and RGD4C-FRT-Dox were 12.57 nm and 20.13 nm , respectively. The drug encapsulation efficiency and loading percentage of RGD4C-FRT-Dox were 77.32% and 15.88% respectively. RGD4C-FRT-Dox was significantly uptaken by HSC-T6, and the uptake could be blocked by the empty carrier RGD4C-FRT. Conclusion RGD4C-FRT-Dox can specifically target HSC-T6. Further animal experiments are needed to inspect its therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis.