Integrin-targeting with peptide-bioconjugated semiconductor-magnetic nanocrystalline heterostructures

Abstract

Binary asymmetric nanocrystals (BNCs), composed of a photoactive TiO2 nanorod joined with a superparamagnetic gamma-Fe2O3 spherical domain, were embedded in polyethylene glycol modified phospholipid micelle and successfully bioconjugated to a suitably designed peptide containing an RGD motif. BNCs represent a relevant multifunctional nanomaterial, owing to the coexistence of two distinct domains in one particle, characterized by high photoactivity and magnetic properties, that is particularly suited for use as a phototherapy and hyperthermia agent as well as a magnetic probe in biological imaging. We selected the RGD motif in order to target integrin expressed on activated endothelial cells and several types of cancer cells. The prepared RGD-peptide/BNC conjugates, comprehensively monitored by using complementary optical and structural techniques, demonstrated a high stability and uniform dispersibility in biological media. The cytotoxicity of the RGD-peptide/BNC conjugates was studied in vitro. The cellular uptake of RGD-peptide conjugates in the cells, assessed by means of two distinct approaches, namely confocal microscopy analysis and emission spectroscopy determination in cell lysates, displayed selectivity of the RGD-peptide-BNC conjugate for the alpha v beta 3 integrin. These RGD-peptide-BNC conjugates have a high potential for theranostic treatment of cancer.


Tutti gli autori

  • AGOSTIANO A.;FANIZZA E.;ALTAMURA E.;VALENTE G.;CURRI M.L.;ALTOMARE M.;DEPALO N.;DENORA N.;COMPARELLI R.;IACOBAZZI R.M.;LATRONICO T.;LAQUINTANA V.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile


Anno di pubblicazione

2016

ISSN

1998-0124

ISBN

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Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

13

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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