Polymeric functionalization of podophyllotoxin carrier-free drug nanoparticles for enhancing bioavailability and in vitro cellular imaging

Abstract

To enhance the bioavailability of carrier-free drug nanoparticles (NP) and extend their application on the fluorescence imaging of cancer cells, the design and functionalization of NP surfaces are crucial. In this study, the surface of podophyllotoxin dimeric prodrug nanoparticles (PPTD-NP) was functionalized with PEG-BODIPY FL conjugate (PB@PPTD-NP). PB@PPTD-NP shows superior dispersion stability in biological media compared to the previously reported PPTD-NP. Furthermore, thanks to the superior fluorescence property of BODIPY FL, PB@PPTD-NP inside cancer cells can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy. These results demonstrate the potential of surface functionalization for enhancing the application of NP in cancer treatment and diagnosis.

Keywords:

• Cellular imaging
• delivery system
• dispersion stability
• drug carrier-free drug nanoparticle
• surface functionalization

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Dr. Hiroshi Yabu of IMRAM, Tohoku University, who established the in vitro experiment.

Fundings

This study was supported by JSPS Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 19K15690, No. 19H02785), Grants-in-Aid for JSPS fellows (No. 21J13093), the Cooperative Research Program of “Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices”, and the Research Program of “Dynamic Alliance for Open Innovation Bridging Human, Environment and Materials” in “Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices”.

Additional information

Funding

We would like to thank Dr. Hiroshi Yabu of IMRAM, Tohoku University, who established the in vitro experiment. This study was supported by JSPS Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 19K15690, No. 19H02785), Grants-in-Aid for JSPS fellows (No. 21J13093), the Cooperative Research Program of “Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices”, and the Research Program of “Dynamic Alliance for Open Innovation Bridging Human, Environment and Materials” in “Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices”.