Song Yi Lee

Dual CD44 and folate receptor-targeted nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and anticancer drug delivery

Dual CD44 and folate receptor targetable nanoparticles (NPs) based on hyaluronic acid-ceramide-folic acid (HACE-FA) were fabricated for improving tumor targetability. HACE-FA was synthesized via esterification between the carboxylic group of FA and hydroxyl group of HA. Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded HACE-FA NPs, with a mean diameter of 120-130nm, narrow size distribution, and negative zeta potential, were prepared. The drug release from HACE-FA NPs were significantly increased in acidic pH (pH5.5) compared with physiological pH (7.4) (p<0.05). The cellular accumulation of the drug in HACE-FA NPs group was higher than that of HACE NPs group in SKOV-3 cells (human ovarian cancer cells; CD44 and folate receptor (FR)-positive cells). Dual targetability of HACE-FA NPs, compared to HACE NPs, was also verified in the SKOV-3 tumor-xenografted mouse model by near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging. Twenty-four hours after injection, HACE-FA NPs were accumulated mainly in tumor regions and their fluorescence intensity was 4.82-fold higher than that of HACE NPs (p<0.05). These findings suggest successful application of HACE-FA NPs for the accurate delivery of anticancer drugs to ovarian cancer.

Amine-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for improved cellular uptake and tumor penetration.

Amine-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA-NH2) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed for the delivery of phloretin. PLGA-NH2/phloretin NPs with 237nm mean diameter, narrow size distribution, and around -6mV zeta potential were fabricated by a modified emulsification-solvent evaporation method. The results of solid state studies revealed that drug was successfully incorporated into the polymeric NPs. The initial particle size of developed NPs was maintained after 24h incubation in human serum albumin (HSA) solution, fetal bovine serum (FBS), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Sustained and higher drug release patterns at acidic pH (pH 5.5), compared with neutral pH (pH 7.4), from PLGA-NH2 NPs were observed. The experimental data of flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies suggested that PLGA-NH2 NPs may have an improved cellular accumulation efficiency, compared with PLGA NPs, in Hep-2 cells (human laryngeal carcinoma). Also, PLGA-NH2 NPs exhibited enhanced growth inhibitory effects rather than PLGA NPs in Hep-2 spheroid model. By introducing a simple strategy based on amine-functionalization of PLGA NPs (without installing complicated functional moieties), improved cellular uptake and antitumor efficacies without severe toxicity, compared with unmodified PLGA NPs, have been accomplished.

Cholesterol-modified poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery.

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-cholesterol (PLGA-C)-based nanoparticles (NPs) were developed for the tumor-targeted delivery of curcumin (CUR). PLGA-C/CUR NPs with ∼200nm mean diameter, narrow size distribution, and neutral zeta potential were fabricated by a modified emulsification-solvent evaporation method. The existence of cholesterol moiety in PLGA-C copolymer was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) analysis. In vitro stability of developed NPs after 24h incubation was confirmed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and serum media. Sustained (∼6days) and pH-responsive drug release profiles from PLGA-C NPs were presented. Blank PLGA and PLGA-C NPs exhibited a negligible cytotoxicity in Hep-2 (human laryngeal carcinoma) cells in the tested concentration range. According to the results of flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies, PLGA-C NPs presented an improved cellular accumulation efficiency, compared to PLGA NPs, in Hep-2 cells. Enhanced in vivo tumor targetability of PLGA-C NPs, compared to PLGA NPs, in Hep-2 tumor-xenografted mouse model was also verified by a real-time near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging study. Developed PLGA-C NPs may be a candidate of efficient and biocompatible nanosystems for tumor-targeted drug delivery and cancer imaging.

Omega-3 fatty acids incorporated colloidal systems for the delivery of Angelica gigas Nakai extract.

Omega-3 (ω-3) fish oil-enriched colloidal systems were developed for the oral delivery of Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) extract (ext). By constructing a pseudo-ternary phase diagram, the composition of oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion (ME) systems based on ω-3 (oil), Labrasol (surfactant), and water was determined. AGN ext was dissolved into the ME system and d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) was added to the ME formulation in order to enhance the mucosal absorption of the pharmacologically active ingredients in the AGN ext. The droplet size of AGN-loaded MEs was 205-277 nm and their morphology was spherical. The release of major components of AGN, decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA), from ME formulations in pH 1.2 and 6.8 buffers was significantly greater (P<0.05) than that from the AGN suspension group. The pharmacokinetic properties of AGN-loaded MEs in rats were evaluated by measuring decursinol (DOH) concentrations in plasma after oral administration. TPGS-included ME (F2) resulted in significantly greater (P<0.05) systemic exposure of DOH than that with ME without TPGS (F1), AGN ext+TPGS, and AGN in suspension. Severe toxicity of F1 and F2 on the intestinal epithelium was not observed by histological staining. The colloidal carriers described herein are promising delivery systems for oral administration of AGN ext.

Polyethylene glycol-conjugated chondroitin sulfate A derivative nanoparticles for tumor-targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-decorated chondroitin sulfate A-deoxycholic acid (CSD) nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated for the selective delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to ovarian cancer. CSD-PEG was synthesized via amide bond formation between the NH2 group of methoxypolyethylene glycol amine and the COOH group of CSD. CSD-PEG/DOX NPs with a 247nm mean diameter, negative zeta potential, and >90% drug encapsulation efficiency were prepared. Sustained and pH-dependent DOX release profiles from CSD-PEG NPs were observed in dissolution tests. Endocytosis of NPs by SKOV-3 cells (CD44 receptor-positive human ovarian cancer cells), based on the CSA-CD44 receptor interaction, was determined by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) studies. PEGylation of NPs also resulted in reduced drug clearance (CL) in vivo and improved relative bioavailability, compared to non-PEGylated NPs, as determined by the pharmacokinetic study performed after intravenous administration in rats. Developed CSD-PEG NPs can be a promising delivery vehicle for the therapy of CD44 receptor-expressing ovarian cancers.

Angelica gigas Nakai extract-loaded fast-dissolving nanofiber based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and Soluplus for oral cancer therapy

A poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Soluplus (SP)-based nanofiber (NF) mat was fabricated using an electrospinning method for the delivery of Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) extract (ext) to oral cancers. AGN/SP NF (mean diameter: 75±26nm; entrapment efficiency: 84.6±18.6%) and AGN/PVA/SP NF (mean diameter: 170±35nm; entrapment efficiency: 81.0±10.1%) were fabricated using an electrospinning method. Amorphization of AGN EtOH ext was verified by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis during the electrospinning process for the fabrication of NF structures. The AGN/PVA/SP NF group exhibited instant wetting (within 2s) and rapid disintegration (within 3min) properties compared with those in the AGN/PVA NF group, assuring the successful and conventional application of AGN/PVA/SP NF film in the oral cavity without the intake of beverages. After the spontaneous dispersion of NF in the aqueous media, it was converted to nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. In YD-9 cells (oral squamous cell carcinoma from buccal cheek), the anti-proliferation activity was ordered as follows: AGN EtOH ext suspension < AGN/PVA NF < AGN/PVA/SP NF. All of these findings indicated that AGN/PVA/SP NF can be used as a fast-dissolving mat formulation for the therapy of oral cancers.

Boronic acid-tethered amphiphilic hyaluronic acid derivative-based nanoassemblies for tumor targeting and penetration.

(3-Aminomethylphenyl)boronic acid (AMPB)-installed hyaluronic acid-ceramide (HACE)-based nanoparticles (NPs), including manassantin B (MB), were fabricated for tumor-targeted delivery. The amine group of AMPB was conjugated to the carboxylic acid group of hyaluronic acid (HA) via amide bond formation, and synthesis was confirmed by spectroscopic methods. HACE-AMPB/MB NPs with a 239-nm mean diameter, narrow size distribution, negative zeta potential, and >90% drug encapsulation efficiency were fabricated. Exposed AMPB in the outer surface of HACE-AMPB NPs (in the aqueous environment) may react with sialic acid of cancer cells. The improved cellular accumulation efficiency, in vitro antitumor efficacy, and tumor penetration efficiency of HACE-AMPB/MB NPs, compared with HACE/MB NPs, in MDA-MB-231 cells (CD44 receptor-positive human breast adenocarcinoma cells) may be based on the CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis and phenylboronic acid-sialic acid interaction. Enhanced in vivo tumor targetability, infiltration efficiency, and antitumor efficacies of HACE-AMPB NPs, compared with HACE NPs, were observed in a MDA-MB-231 tumor-xenografted mouse model. In addition to passive tumor targeting (based on an enhanced permeability and retention effect) and active tumor targeting (interaction between HA and CD44 receptor), the phenylboronic acid-sialic acid interaction can play important roles in augmented tumor targeting and penetration of HACE-AMPB NPs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (3-Aminomethylphenyl)boronic acid (AMPB)-tethered hyaluronic acid-ceramide (HACE)-based nanoparticles (NPs), including manassantin B (MB), were fabricated and their tumor targeting and penetration efficiencies were assessed in MDA-MB-231 (CD44 receptor-positive human adenocarcinoma) tumor models. MB, which exhibited antitumor efficacies via the inhibition of angiogenesis and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1, was entrapped in HACE-AMPB NPs in this study. Phenylboronic acid located in the outer surface of HACE-AMPB/MB NPs (in the aqueous milieu) may react with the sialic acid over-expressed in cancer cells and intramolecular B‒O bond can be formed. This phenylboronic acid-sialic acid interaction may provide additional tumor targeting and penetration potentials together with an enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect (passive tumor targeting) and HA-CD44 receptor interaction (active tumor targeting). Developed HACE-AMPB NP may be one of promising nanocarriers for the imaging and therapy of CD44 receptor-expressed cancers.

Nanocomposites based on Soluplus and Angelica gigas Nakai extract fabricated by an electrohydrodynamic method for oral administration.

Nanocomposites (NCs) based on Soluplus (SP) were fabricated by an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) method for the oral delivery of Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN). Nano-sized particles were obtained after dispersing the resultant, produced by the EHD technique, in the aqueous environment. AGN/SP2 (AGN:SP=1:2, w/w) NC dispersion in aqueous media exhibited a 130nm mean diameter, narrow size distribution, and robust stability in the tested concentration range of the ethanol extract of AGN (AGN EtOH ext) and at pH 1.2 and 6.8. Amorphization of the components of AGN and their interactions with SP in the AGN/SP2 NC formulation were demonstrated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis. The released amounts of decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA), major components of AGN, from NCs were improved compared with those from the AGN EtOH ext group at both pH 1.2 and 6.8. As D and DA can be metabolized into decursinol (DOH) in the liver after oral administration, the DOH concentrations in plasma were quantitatively determined to evaluate the oral absorption of AGN. In a pharmacokinetic study in rats, higher oral absorption and the maximum concentration in plasma (Cmax) were presented in the AGN/SP2 NC group compared with the AGN EtOH ext and AGN NC groups. These findings indicate the successful application of developed SP-based NCs for the oral delivery of AGN.

Electrosprayed nanocomposites based on hyaluronic acid derivative and Soluplus for tumor-targeted drug delivery.

Nanocomposite (NC) based on hyaluronic acid-ceramide (HACE) and Soluplus (SP) was fabricated by electrospraying for the tumor-targeted delivery of resveratrol (RSV). Amphiphilic property of both HACE and SP has been used to entrap RSV in the internal cavity of NC. Electrospraying with established experimental conditions produced HACE/SP/RSV NC with 230nm mean diameter, narrow size distribution, negative zeta potential, and >80% drug entrapment efficiency. Sustained and pH-dependent drug release profiles were observed in drug release test. Cellular uptake efficiency of HACE/SP NC was higher than that of SP NC, mainly based on HA-CD44 receptor interaction, in MDA-MB-231 (CD44 receptor-positive human breast cancer) cells. Selective tumor targetability of HACE/SP NC, compared to SP NC, was also confirmed in MDA-MB-231 tumor-xenograted mouse model using a near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging. According to the results of pharmacokinetic study in rats, decreased in vivo clearance and increased half-life of RSV in NC group, compared to drug solution group, were shown. Given that these experimental results, developed HACE/SP NC can be a promising theranostic nanosystem for CD44 receptor-expressed cancers.

Dopamine-conjugated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for protein delivery to macrophages

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-dopamine (PLGA-D)-based nanoparticles (NPs) were developed for the delivery of protein to macrophages. PLGA-D was synthesized via amide bond formation between the amine group of D and the carboxylic acid group of PLGA. Bovine serum albumin (BSA, model protein) was encapsulated in PLGA NPs and PLGA-D NPs, which had an approximately 200nm mean diameter, <0.2 polydispersity index, and negative zeta potential value. There was no increment in the mean diameters of BSA-loaded NPs after 24h of incubation in biological fluid-simulated media (i.e., aqueous buffer and serum media). The primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of BSA released from the NPs were studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectrophotometry; the structural stability of BSA was preserved during its encapsulation in the NPs and release from the NPs. PLGA/BSA NPs and PLGA-D/BSA NPs did not induce serious cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells (mouse macrophage cell line) in an established concentration range. In RAW 264.7 cells, the intracellular accumulation of PLGA-D NPs was 2-fold higher than that of PLGA NPs. All of these findings indicated that PLGA-D NPs are a promising system for delivering proteins to macrophages.