TY - JOUR
T1 - Design of cyclic RKKH peptide-conjugated PEG liposomes targeting the integrin a2ß1 receptor
AU - Knudsen, Nina Østergaard
AU - Schiffelers, Raymond M.
AU - Jørgensen, Lene
AU - Hansen, Jens
AU - Frøkjær, Sven
AU - Foged, Camilla
PY - 2012/5/30
Y1 - 2012/5/30
N2 - Peptide conjugation to the surface of stealth liposomes has been studied for liposomal drug targeting to cells expressing specific receptors to provide a site-specific drug delivery. This study investigated the potential of peptide-conjugated liposomes for targeting cells expressing the human integrin α 2β 1 receptor. A 12 amino acid head-to-tail cyclic peptide derived from the Jararhagin protein containing the Arg-Lys-Lys-His (RKKH)-specific binding site was conjugated to the distal ends of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains on PEGylated liposomes. Epithelial cells expressing the receptor showed increased cellular association and uptake of peptide-conjugated liposomes at 4 °C, compared to liposomes conjugated with a non-specific peptide. The interaction between cells and peptide-conjugated liposomes was significantly increased at 37 °C suggesting that a possible uptake mechanism might be energy-dependent endocytosis. In keratinocyte cell cultures, the ligand-conjugated liposomes loaded with the vitamin D 3 analogue calcipotriol induced transcription of the gene encoding the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, which is activated through the vitamin D 3 receptor upon binding of vitamin D 3 analogues. This suggests that the liposomes are internalized and that calcipotriol is delivered intracellularly and released in an active form. In conclusion, the 12 amino acid head-to-tail cyclic RKKH peptide seems promising for targeting of liposomes to the integrin α 2β 1 receptor.
AB - Peptide conjugation to the surface of stealth liposomes has been studied for liposomal drug targeting to cells expressing specific receptors to provide a site-specific drug delivery. This study investigated the potential of peptide-conjugated liposomes for targeting cells expressing the human integrin α 2β 1 receptor. A 12 amino acid head-to-tail cyclic peptide derived from the Jararhagin protein containing the Arg-Lys-Lys-His (RKKH)-specific binding site was conjugated to the distal ends of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains on PEGylated liposomes. Epithelial cells expressing the receptor showed increased cellular association and uptake of peptide-conjugated liposomes at 4 °C, compared to liposomes conjugated with a non-specific peptide. The interaction between cells and peptide-conjugated liposomes was significantly increased at 37 °C suggesting that a possible uptake mechanism might be energy-dependent endocytosis. In keratinocyte cell cultures, the ligand-conjugated liposomes loaded with the vitamin D 3 analogue calcipotriol induced transcription of the gene encoding the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin, which is activated through the vitamin D 3 receptor upon binding of vitamin D 3 analogues. This suggests that the liposomes are internalized and that calcipotriol is delivered intracellularly and released in an active form. In conclusion, the 12 amino acid head-to-tail cyclic RKKH peptide seems promising for targeting of liposomes to the integrin α 2β 1 receptor.
KW - Former Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.02.043
DO - 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.02.043
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 22414425
SN - 0378-5173
VL - 428
SP - 171
EP - 177
JO - International Journal of Pharmaceutics
JF - International Journal of Pharmaceutics
IS - 1-2
ER -