home   genetic news   bioinformatics   biotechnology   literature   journals   ethics   positions   events   sitemap
 
  HUM-MOLGEN -> Genetic News | search  
 

Cell-Specific Targeting of Nanoparticles

 
  November, 14 2005 3:23
your information resource in human molecular genetics
 
     
Cell-specific targeting of nanoparticles by multivalent attachment of small molecules.

Reference: R. Weissleder, K. Kelly, E.Y.Sun, T. Shtatland, L. Josephson. Nature Biotechnology 23(11), 1418-1423 (November, 2005).

Scientists from Harvard Medical School conjugated 146 different small molecules with such functional groups as primary amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, sulfhydryl groups, and anhydrides to magnetofluorescent nanoparticles. They then screened this library to determine whether the surface modifications altered the affinity of various cell cultures to the nanoparticles. Uptake typically varied by three orders of magnitude within a single cell line, depending upon the chemical conjugate.

The physiological state of the cells also affected uptake. Macrophages at a resting state preferentially internalized one chemically modified nanoparticle, while macrophages activated by GM-CSF, oxidized low density lipoprotein (as occurs with atherosclerosis), or lipopolysaccharide (simulating an infection) preferred another.

The utility of modified nanoparticles for in vivo imaging was examined in a mouse pancreatic cancer model, using two conjugates that were found to show high cancer cell uptake, but little uptake by macrophages or endothelial cells. Fluorescent imaging accurately identified the pancreatic tumors in nude mice, as confirmed with fluorescence microscopy and quantitative biodistribution experiments.

This proof-of-concept investigation demonstrated that through simple chemical modification of nanoparticles, it is possible to create efficiently targeted, disease-specific agents for diagnostic and/or therapeutic use.



Message posted by: Keith Markey

print this article mail this article
Latest News
Variants Associated with Pediatric Allergic Disorder

Mutations in PHF6 Found in T-Cell Leukemia

Genetic Risk Variant for Urinary Bladder Cancer

Antibody Has Therapeutic Effect on Mice with ALS

Regulating P53 Activity in Cancer Cells

Anti-RNA Therapy Counters Breast Cancer Spread

Mitochondrial DNA Diversity

The Power of RNA Sequencing

‘Pro-Ageing' Therapy for Cancer?

Niche Genetics Influence Leukaemia

Molecular Biology: Clinical Promise for RNA Interference

Chemoprevention Cocktail for Colon Cancer

more news ...

Generated by News Editor 2.0 by Kai Garlipp
WWW: Kai Garlipp, Frank S. Zollmann.
7.0 © 1995-2023 HUM-MOLGEN. All rights reserved. Liability, Copyright and Imprint.