Development of AE147 Peptide-Conjugated Nanocarriers for Targeting uPAR-Overexpressing Cancer Cells.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

An AE147 peptide-conjugated nanocarrier based on PEGylated liposomes was developed in order to target the metastatic tumors overexpressing urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), which cancer progression via uPA signaling. Therefore, the AE147 peptide-conjugated nanocarrier system may hold the potential for active targeting of metastatic tumors.

METHODS:

The AE147 peptide, an antagonist of uPAR, was conjugated to the PEGylated liposomes for targeting metastatic tumors overexpressing uPAR. Docetaxel (DTX), an anticancer drug, was incorporated into the nanocarriers. The structure of the AE147-conjugated nanocarrier, its physicochemical properties, and in vivo biodistribution were evaluated.

RESULTS:

The DTX-loaded nanocarrier showed a spherical structure, a high drug-loading capacity, and a high colloidal stability. Drug carrying AE147 conjugates were actively taken up by the uPAR-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. In vivo animal imaging confirmed that the AE147-conjugated nanoparticles effectively accumulated at the sites of tumor metastasis.

CONCLUSION:

The AE147-nanocarrier showed potential for targeting metastatic tumor cells overexpressing uPAR and as a nanomedicine platform for theragnosis applications. These results suggest that this novel nano-platform will facilitate further advancements in cancer therapy.

• Authors: June Yong Park, Yuseon Shin, Woong Roeck Won, Chaemin Lim, Jae Chang Kim, Kioh Kang, Patihul Husni, Eun Seong Lee, Yu Seok Youn, Kyung Taek Oh
• Journal: International journal of nanomedicine (Int J Nanomedicine) Vol. 16 Pg. 5437-5449 ( 2021) ISSN: 1178-2013 [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 34408417 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 Park et al.

Chemical References

• Peptides
• Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics

• Animals
• Neoplasms
• Peptides
• Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (metabolism)
• Signal Transduction
• Tissue Distribution
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator