1
|
Ibrahim MAI, Othman R, Chee CF, Ahmad Fisol F. Evaluation of Folate-Functionalized Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems-Effectiveness and Concerns. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2080. [PMID: 37509719 PMCID: PMC10376941 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting folate receptors is a potential solution to low tumor selectivity concerning conventional chemotherapeutics. Apart from antibody-drug conjugates, folate-functionalized nanoparticle drug delivery systems are interesting to be explored due to many advantages, yet currently, none seems to enter the clinical trials. Multiple in vitro evidence is available to support its efficacy compared to the non-targeting carrier and free drug formulation. Additionally, several studies pointed out factors affecting its effectiveness, including surface properties and endosomal trapping. However, in vivo biodistribution studies revealed issues that may arise from folate receptor targeting, including rapid liver uptake, subsequently reducing the nanoparticles' tumor uptake. This issue may be due to the folate receptor β expressed by the activated macrophages in the liver; route of administration and tumor location might also influence the targeting effectiveness. Moreover, it is perplexing to generalize nanoparticles reported from various publications, primarily due to the different formulations, lack of characterization, and experimental settings, making it harder to determine the accurate factor influencing targeting effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rozana Othman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Centre for Natural Products Research & Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Chin Fei Chee
- Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (Nanocat), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Faisalina Ahmad Fisol
- Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPHARM), National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM), Gelugor 11700, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Parisi C, Longobardi G, Graziano ACE, Fraix A, Conte C, Quaglia F, Sortino S. A molecular dyad delivered by biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for combined PDT and NO-PDT in cancer cells. Bioorg Chem 2022; 128:106050. [PMID: 35907377 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The design, synthesis, photochemical properties, and biological evaluation of a novel molecular dyad with double photodynamic action and its formulation within biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are reported. A BODIPY-based singlet oxygen (1O2) photosensitizer (PS) and a nitric oxide (NO) photodonor (NOPD) based on an amino-nitro-benzofurazan moiety have been covalently joined in a new molecular dyad, through a flexible alkyl spacer. Excitation of the dyad with visible light in the range 400-570 nm leads to the concomitant generation of the cytotoxic 1O2 and NO with effective quantum yields, being ΦΔ = 0.49 ± 0.05 and ΦNO = 0.18 ± 0.01, respectively. Besides, the non-fluorescent NOPD unit becomes highly fluorescent after the NO release, acting as an optical reporter for the NO photogenerated. The dyad is not soluble in water medium but can be effectively entrapped in water-dispersible, biodegradable polymeric NPs made of mPEG-PCL, ca. 66 nm in diameter. The polymeric nano-environment affects in an opposite way the photochemical performances of the dyad, reducing ΦΔ to 0.16 ± 0.02 and increasing ΦNO to 0.92 ± 0.03, respectively. The NPs effectively deliver the photoactive cargo into the cytoplasm of HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. A remarkable level of cell mortality is observed for the loaded NPs at very low concentrations of the dyad (1-5 µM) and very low light doses (≤0.8 J cm-2) more likely as the result of the combined photodynamic action of 1O2 and NO.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Parisi
- PhotoChemLab, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Longobardi
- Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Adriana C E Graziano
- PhotoChemLab, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Aurore Fraix
- PhotoChemLab, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Conte
- Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, I-80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Sortino
- PhotoChemLab, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moret F, Conte C, Esposito D, Dal Poggetto G, Avitabile C, Ungaro F, Tiso N, Romanelli A, Laurienzo P, Reddi E, Quaglia F. Biodegradable nanoparticles combining cancer cell targeting and anti-angiogenic activity for synergistic chemotherapy in epithelial cancer. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2022; 12:2488-2500. [PMID: 34973132 PMCID: PMC9458690 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01090-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A biodegradable engineered nanoplatform combining anti-angiogenic activity and targeting of cancer cells to improve the anticancer activity of docetaxel (DTX) is here proposed. Indeed, we have developed biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone), exposing on the surface both folate motifs (Fol) for recognition in cells overexpressing Folate receptor-α (FRα) and the anti-angiogenic hexapeptide aFLT1. NPs showed a size around 100 nm, the exposure of 60% of Fol moieties on the surface, and the ability to entrap DTX and sustain its release with time. NPs were stable in simulated biological fluids and slightly interacted with Fetal Bovine serum, especially in the formulation decorated with Fol and aFLT1. The presence of Fol on NPs did not impair the anti-angiogenic activity of aFLT1, as assessed by in vitro tube formation assay in HUVEC endothelial cells. In both 2D and 3D KB cell cultures in vitro, the cytotoxicity of DTX loaded in NPs was not significantly affected by Fol/aFLT1 double decoration compared to free DTX. Remarkably, NPs distributed differently in 3D multicellular spheroids of FRα-positive KB cancer cells depending on the type of ligand displayed on the surface. In particular, NPs unmodified on the surface were randomly distributed in the spheroid, whereas the presence of Fol promoted the accumulation in the outer rims of the spheroid. Finally, NPs with Fol and aFLT1 gave a uniform distribution throughout the spheroid structure. When tested in zebrafish embryos xenografted with KB cells, NPs displaying Fol/aFLT1 reduced DTX systemic toxicity and inhibited the growth of the tumor mass and associated vasculature synergistically. Overall, nanotechnology offers excellent ground for combining therapeutic concepts in cancer, paving the way to novel multifunctional nanopharmaceuticals decorated with bioactive elements that can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Moret
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35121, Italy
| | - Claudia Conte
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Diletta Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Ungaro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, 80131, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35121, Italy
| | - Alessandra Romanelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Paola Laurienzo
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Elena Reddi
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, 35121, Italy.
| | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, 80131, Italy. .,Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Argenziano M, Arpicco S, Brusa P, Cavalli R, Chirio D, Dosio F, Gallarate M, Peira E, Stella B, Ugazio E. Developing Actively Targeted Nanoparticles to Fight Cancer: Focus on Italian Research. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101538. [PMID: 34683830 PMCID: PMC8540327 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Active targeting is a valuable and promising approach with which to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of nanodelivery systems, and the development of tumor-targeted nanoparticles has therefore attracted much research attention. In this field, the research carried out in Italian Pharmaceutical Technology academic groups has been focused on the development of actively targeted nanosystems using a multidisciplinary approach. To highlight these efforts, this review reports a thorough description of the last 10 years of Italian research results on the development of actively targeted nanoparticles to direct drugs towards different receptors that are overexpressed on cancer cells or in the tumor microenvironment. In particular, the review discusses polymeric nanocarriers, liposomes, lipoplexes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, squalene nanoassemblies and nanobubbles. For each nanocarrier, the main ligands, conjugation strategies and target receptors are described. The literature indicates that polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes stand out as key tools for improving specific drug delivery to the site of action. In addition, solid lipid nanoparticles, squalene nanoparticles and nanobubbles have also been successfully proposed. Taken together, these strategies all offer many platforms for the design of nanocarriers that are suitable for future clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Arpicco
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (M.G.); Tel.: +39-011-670-6668 (S.A.); +39-011-670-7194 (M.G.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Marina Gallarate
- Correspondence: (S.A.); (M.G.); Tel.: +39-011-670-6668 (S.A.); +39-011-670-7194 (M.G.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles as Promising Candidates for Nanocarriers in Novel Nanomedicines. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020191. [PMID: 33535563 PMCID: PMC7912766 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
An investigation of the interactions between bio-polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and the RAW 264.7 mouse murine macrophage cell line has been presented. The cell viability, immunological response, and endocytosis efficiency of NPs were studied. Biopolymeric NPs were synthesized from a nanoemulsion using the phase inversion composition (PIC) technique. The two types of biopolymeric NPs that were obtained consisted of a biocompatible polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL), either with or without its copolymer with poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL-b-PEG). Both types of synthesized PCL NPs passed the first in vitro quality assessments as potential drug nanocarriers. Non-pegylated PCL NPs were internalized more effectively and the clathrin-mediated pathway was involved in that process. The investigated NPs did not affect the viability of the cells and did not elicit an immune response in the RAW 264.7 cells (neither a significant increase in the expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines nor NO (nitric oxide) production were observed). It may be concluded that the synthesized NPs are promising candidates as nanocarriers of therapeutic compounds.
Collapse
|
6
|
Dal Poggetto G, Troise SS, Conte C, Marchetti R, Moret F, Iadonisi A, Silipo A, Lanzetta R, Malinconico M, Quaglia F, Laurienzo P. Nanoparticles decorated with folate based on a site-selective αCD-rotaxanated PEG-b-PCL copolymer for targeted cancer therapy. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py00158a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
NPs fabricated from a mixture of PEG-b-PCL and selectively rotaxanated Fol-PEG(αCD)-PCL showed internalisation in KB cells through an active targeting mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudia Conte
- Drug Delivery Laboratory
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Napoli Federico II
- 80131 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Roberta Marchetti
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- I-80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | | | - Alfonso Iadonisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- I-80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Alba Silipo
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- I-80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Rosa Lanzetta
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- I-80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Mario Malinconico
- Institute for Polymers
- Composites and Biomaterials
- CNR
- 80078 Pozzuoli
- Italy
| | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Drug Delivery Laboratory
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Napoli Federico II
- 80131 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Paola Laurienzo
- Institute for Polymers
- Composites and Biomaterials
- CNR
- 80078 Pozzuoli
- Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Conte C, Dal Poggetto G, J Swartzwelter B, Esposito D, Ungaro F, Laurienzo P, Boraschi D, Quaglia F. Surface Exposure of PEG and Amines on Biodegradable Nanoparticles as a Strategy to Tune Their Interaction with Protein-Rich Biological Media. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 9:E1354. [PMID: 31547212 PMCID: PMC6835417 DOI: 10.3390/nano9101354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) based on amphiphilic block copolymers of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and biodegradable polyesters are of particular current interest in drug nanodelivery due to their easily manipulated properties. The interaction of these NPs with biological environments is highly influenced by shell features, which drive biological identity after administration. To widen the strategies available for tuning particle surface chemistry, here we developed a panel of amine-bearing PEGylated NPs with a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) core for the delivery of lipophilic drugs, and investigated the impact of NP modifications on their interaction with abundant circulating proteins (human serum albumin-HSA-and mucin), as well as their transport through biological barriers (artificial mucus-AM, extracellular matrix-ECM). We prepared NPs based on a diamino-terminated PCL (amine-NPs) and its mixture with PEG-PCL copolymers (amine/PEG-NPs) at different PEG molecular weights by nanoprecipitation, as well as corresponding NPs of PEG-PCL (PEG-NPs). The presence of an amine-bearing polymer resulted in NPs with a net positive charge and a zeta potential dependent on the length of PEG in the copolymer. Amine/PEG-NPs had a larger fixed aqueous layer thickness as compared to PEG-NPs, suggesting that PEG conformation is affected by the presence of positive charges. In general, amine-bearing NPs promptly interacted with the dysopsonic protein HSA, due to electrostatic interactions, and lose stability, thereby undergoing time-related aggregation. On the other hand, amine/PEG-NPs interaction with mucin induced switching to a negative surface charge but did not alter the quality of the dispersion. The transport kinetics of NPs through a layer of artificial mucus and tumor extracellular matrix was studied by means of fluorescent NPs based upon FRET. Amine/PEG-NPs did not cross the ECM, but they were promptly transported through the AM, with swifter transport noted at increasing MWs of PEG in the copolymer. Finally, we demonstrated that all the different NP types developed in this study are internalized by human monocytes and, despite the positive charge, they did not induce a measurable inflammatory effect. In conclusion, we showed that the concurrent presence of both PEG and amine groups on NP surface is a promising strategy for directing their interaction with body compartments. While PEG-NPs are confirmed for their capacity to cross ECM-like compartments, amine/PEG-NPs are revealed as a powerful platform to widen the arsenal of nanotools available for overcoming mucus-covered epithelia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Conte
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Dal Poggetto
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Via C. Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (Napoli), Italy.
| | - Benjamin J Swartzwelter
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Diletta Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Francesca Ungaro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Paola Laurienzo
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, CNR, Via C. Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (Napoli), Italy.
| | - Diana Boraschi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR, Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via A. Caracciolo 333, 80121 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Fabiana Quaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Conte C, Moret F, Esposito D, Dal Poggetto G, Avitabile C, Ungaro F, Romanelli A, Laurienzo P, Reddi E, Quaglia F. Biodegradable nanoparticles exposing a short anti-FLT1 peptide as antiangiogenic platform to complement docetaxel anticancer activity. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 102:876-886. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
9
|
Esposito D, Conte C, Dal Poggetto G, Russo A, Barbieri A, Ungaro F, Arra C, Russo G, Laurienzo P, Quaglia F. Biodegradable nanoparticles bearing amine groups as a strategy to alter surface features, biological identity and accumulation in a lung metastasis model. J Mater Chem B 2018; 6:5922-5930. [PMID: 32254712 DOI: 10.1039/c8tb01330f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polymer-based nanoparticles (NPs) with a cationic charge have emerged recently as a potent nanotool due to their unique ability to penetrate deeply inside tumor tissue and to interact preferentially with the plasma membrane of cancer cells. In this paper, we propose a general strategy to obtain biodegradable cationic NPs of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based on an amine terminated PCL (NH2-PCL4.2k) or its mixture with monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol)-PCL (mPEG1k-PCL4k). Positively-charged NPs were obtained, switching to net negative values through adsorption of low molecular weight hyaluronan. NPs exposing both amine and PEG groups on the surface showed a larger fixed aqueous layer thickness as compared to fully PEGylated NPs, suggesting that PEG conformation/localization is affected by the presence of amino groups. The stability of the positively-charged NPs was affected by the presence of ions, while interaction with the human plasma protein pool indicated time-dependent protein corona formation imparting an overall negative charge. NP-induced haemolysis was low, while cytotoxicity against A549 and Calu-3 lung cancer cell lines was cell-specific as well as dose and time-dependent. Finally, the presence of amino groups greatly changed the in vivo biodistribution of the NPs in tumor-bearing mice (lung colonization of B16F10 cancer cells) allowing the amine/PEGylated NPs to accumulate mainly at the target organ. Overall, this study demonstrates that NPs with a mixed amine/PEGylated surface exhibit a peculiar biological identity that alters their interaction with the bioenvironment and are thus worthy of further investigation in the delivery of chemotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Esposito
- Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pereira Gomes C, Leiro V, Ferreira Lopes CD, Spencer AP, Pêgo AP. Fine tuning neuronal targeting of nanoparticles by adjusting the ligand grafting density and combining PEG spacers of different length. Acta Biomater 2018; 78:247-259. [PMID: 30092376 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been extensively used to coat the surface of nanocarriers to improve their physicochemical properties and allow the grafting of targeting moieties. Still, to date there is no common agreement on the ideal PEG coverage-density or length to be used for optimum vector performance. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of both PEG density and length on the vectoring capacity of neuron-targeted gene-carrying trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles. The non-toxic fragment from the tetanus toxin (HC) was coupled to a 5 kDa heterobifunctional PEG (HC-PEG5k) reactive for the thiol groups inserted into the polymer backbone and grafted at different densities onto the nanoparticles. Internalization and transfection studies on neuronal versus non-neuronal cell lines allowed to determine the PEG density of 2 mol% of PEG chains per mol of primary amine groups as the one with superior biological performance. To enhance HC exposure and maximize cell-nanoparticle specific interaction, NPs containing different ratios of HC-PEG5k and 2 kDa methoxy-PEG at the same grafting density were produced. By intercalating HC-PEG5k with methoxy-PEG2k we attained the best performance in terms of internalization (higher payload delivery into cells) and transfection efficiency, using twice lower amount of HC. This outcome highlights the need for fine-tuning of PEG-modified nanoparticles towards the achievement of optimal targeting. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The amount and exposure of targeting moieties at a nanoparticle surface are critical parameters regarding the targeting potential of nanosized delivery vectors. However, to date, few studies have considered fundamental aspects impacting the ligand-receptor pair interaction, such as the effect of spacer chain length, flexibility or conformation. By optimizing the PEG spacer density and chain length grafted into nanoparticles, we were able to establish the formulation that maximizes cell-nanoparticle specific interaction and has superior biological performance. Our work shows that the precise adjustment of the PEG coverage-density presents a significant impact on the selectivity and bioactivity of the developed formulation, emphasizing the need for the fine-tuning of PEG-modified nanoparticles for the successful development of the next-generation nanomedicines.
Collapse
|