Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted lipid nanoparticles retain self-assembled nanostructures and provide high specificity

Nanoscale. 2015 Feb 21;7(7):2905-13. doi: 10.1039/c4nr05200e.

Abstract

Next generation drug delivery utilising nanoparticles incorporates active targeting to specific sites. In this work, we combined targeting with the inherent advantages of self-assembled lipid nanoparticles containing internal nano-structures. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting, PEGylated lipid nanoparticles using phytantriol and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-PEG-maleimide amphiphiles were created. The self-assembled lipid nanoparticles presented here have internal lyotropic liquid crystalline nano-structures, verified by synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy, that offer the potential of high drug loading and enhanced cell penetration. Anti-EGFR Fab' fragments were conjugated to the surface of nanoparticles via a maleimide-thiol reaction at a high conjugation efficiency and retained specificity following conjugation to the nanoparticles. The conjugated nanoparticles were demonstrated to have high affinity for an EGFR target in a ligand binding assay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • ErbB Receptors / chemistry*
  • Fatty Alcohols / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / chemistry
  • Ligands
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Maleimides / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Ligands
  • Lipids
  • Liposomes
  • Maleimides
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • 1,2-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine
  • maleimide
  • 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-1,2,3-hexadecanetriol
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors