Cancer cell targeting and imaging with biopolymer-based nanodevices.

Abstract	We report here the synthesis, in vitro and in vivo investigation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) active nanoparticles, which target folate receptor overexpressing tumor cells. Self-assembled nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic size of 50-200 nm were prepared from poly-γ-glutamic acid and chitosan biopolymers with Gd-ions. The nanoparticles are biocompatible, non-toxic and stable for several months in aqueous media. In vitro assays using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and MR imaging on HeLa human cervix carcinoma tumor cells showed that folic acid targeted nanoparticles were internalized specifically in a folate receptor dependent manner. In vivo study confirmed, that, considerable accumulation of nanosystems was found compared with the control animal represented by the MR images. Relaxometry measurements demonstrated that the nanoparticle-Gd complexes drastically change the signal intensity of the tumor cells. Because of the contrast enhancement, they are attractive candidates as potential contrast agents for a variety of diagnostic applications including early diagnosis of tumors.
Authors	István Hajdu, Magdolna Bodnár, György Trencsényi, Teréz Márián, György Vámosi, József Kollár, János Borbély
Journal	International journal of pharmaceutics (Int J Pharm) Vol. 441 Issue 1-2 Pg. 234-41 (Jan 30 2013) ISSN: 1873-3476 [Electronic] Netherlands
PMID	23246780 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Copyright	Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chemical References	Contrast Media Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored poly(gamma-glutamic acid) Polyglutamic Acid Chitosan Folic Acid Gadolinium
Topics	Animals Chitosan (chemistry) Contrast Media (administration & dosage) Drug Stability Drug Storage Female Flow Cytometry Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored (metabolism) Folic Acid (administration & dosage, chemistry) Gadolinium (administration & dosage) HeLa Cells Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods) Mice Mice, Nude Microscopy, Confocal Nanoparticles Particle Size Polyglutamic Acid (analogs & derivatives, chemistry) Time Factors Uterine Cervical Neoplasms (diagnosis) Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

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