Enhanced delivery of siRNA to triple negative breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through functionalizing lipid-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles with dual target ligands

Nanoscale. 2018 Mar 1;10(9):4258-4266. doi: 10.1039/c7nr08644j.

Abstract

The conjugation of ligands to nanoparticle platforms for the target delivery of therapeutic agents to the tumor tissue is one of the promising anti-cancer strategies. However, conventional nanoparticle platforms are not so effective in terms of the selectivity and transfection efficiency. In this study, we designed and developed a dual-target drug/gene delivery system based on lipid-coated calcium phosphate (LCP) nanoparticles (NPs) for significantly enhanced siRNA cellular uptake and transfection efficiency. LCP NPs loaded with therapeutic siRNA were conjugated with a controlled number of folic acid and/or EGFR-specific single chain fragment antibody (ABX-EGF scFv). The uptake of ABX-EGF scFv-modified (LCP-scFv) and folic acid-modified LCP NPs (LCP-FA) by human breast tumor cells (MDA-MB-468) was significantly higher with an optimal ligand density on each NP surface (LCP-125scFv and LCP-100FA). Co-conjugation with sub-optimal dual ligands (50 FA and 75 ABX-EGF scFv) per LCP NP (LCP-50FA-75scFv) further enhanced the cellular uptake. More significantly, much more NPs were delivered to the MDA-MB-468 tumor tissue in the nude mouse model when LCP-50FA-75scFv NPs were used. Therefore, the new dual-ligand LCP NPs may be a valuable targeting system for human breast cancer diagnosis and therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Phosphates / chemistry*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Lipids
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage*
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms*

Substances

  • Calcium Phosphates
  • Ligands
  • Lipids
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Single-Chain Antibodies