Protamine sulphate coated poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles of MUC-1 peptide improved cellular uptake and cytokine release in mouse antigen presenting cells

Abstract

Aim

MUC-1-peptide (M-1-pep) loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles were coated with protamine sulphate (PS), M-1-pep-PS-P-NPs for targeting antigen presenting cells (APCs) to evoke cytokine release.

Methods and results

M-1-pep-PS-P-NPs were tailored by emulsion-diffusion evaporation method and characterised in vitro under a set of rigorous parameters. The average particle size and zeta potential of optimised M-1-pep-PS-P-B-NPs was measured to be 132.21 ± 30.71 nm and 6.29 ± 0.71 mV, significantly (p < 0.01) higher than 71.24 ± 17.76-nm and −43.41 ± 3.37 mV of M-1-pep-P-NPs. Further, 50-μg/ml concentration of M-1-pep-PS-P-B-NPs displayed 82.4% cellular uptake in RAW 264.7 cells calculated in setting of fluorescence intensity significantly (p < 0.05) elevated than 63.1% of M-1-pep-P-NPs. Consistent to quantitative results, M-1-pep-PS-P-B-NPs also confirmed advanced cellular uptake (CU) in RAW 264.7 cells in contrast to M-1-pep-P-NPs suppose to be through multiple mechanisms including phagocytosis and clathrin mediated endocytosis.

Conclusion

M-1-pep-PS-P-B-NPs must be evaluated in vivo through inhalation route of administration for antitumor prospective in lung cancer xenograft model.

Keywords:

• Protamine sulphate
• M-1-peptide
• Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles
• cellular uptake
• Cytokine

Acknowledgement

The authors extend the tremendous gratitude to ICMR, New Delhi, India for given monetary aid as extramural ad hoc project (5/13/40/NCD-III) to Chandigarh College of Pharmacy, Mohali, Punjab, India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).