ABSTRACT
To achieve the effective intracellular delivery of siRNA and silence specific genes, various types of conjugates between cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs; Transportan, Penetratin, Tat) and cationic peptides were developed. Uptake, intracellular localization, cytotoxicity, and biological activity of siRNA were significantly dependent on the kind of CPP used and the length of the cationic peptides in the conjugate. Transportan-based conjugates yielded both high internalization of siRNA and strong gene silencing activity, while Penetratin- and Tat-based conjugates did not. These different properties of CPPs emphasize the importance of careful peptide selection and design when attempting the application of CPP technology.
Subject(s)
Carrier Proteins/chemistry , Oligopeptides/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry , RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage , Cell Membrane Permeability/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cell-Penetrating Peptides , Drug Delivery Systems , Galanin/chemistry , Gene Silencing , HeLa Cells , Humans , Luciferases/antagonists & inhibitors , Luciferases/genetics , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Oligopeptides/chemical synthesis , Protein Transport/drug effects , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/chemistry , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Wasp Venoms/chemistryABSTRACT
Polymeric micelles consisting of amphiphilic block copolymers have emerged as a promising carrier of various drugs, but unfortunately show a limited potential for encapsulating (solubilizing) such drugs. In this study, hybrid nanoparticles consisting of monomethoxypolyethyleneglycol-polylactide block copolymer (PEG-PLA) and oleic acid calcium salt were prepared to enhance the solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs. Micelles made of a mixture of sodium oleate and PEG-PLA at various ratios were used as the template for preparation of the nanoparticles. These mixed micelles could efficiently solubilize poorly water-soluble drugs in aqueous media, when compared with polymeric micelles made of PEG-PLA alone. Addition of calcium to the mixed micelles induced the formation of oleic acid calcium salt, resulting in hybrid nanoparticles. These hybrid nanoparticles had a high colloidal stability, neutral zeta potential, and high drug entrapment efficiency. Drugs entrapped in nanoparticles made at a high PEG-PLA ratio were protected from enzymatic degradation in serum, while drugs entrapped in the mixed micelles were not, indicating that the hybrid nanoparticles show good drug retention. These results suggested that such hybrid nanoparticles may be used to expand the availability of poorly water-soluble drugs for various therapeutic applications.
