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Cell studies of a three-component antisense MORF/tat/Herceptin nanoparticle designed for improved tumor delivery

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 15, pages 126–132 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

The three-component nanoparticle of this investigation consisted of an anti-type I regulatory subunit α of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (RIα) antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino (MORF) oligomer, a tat peptide and the anti-HER2 Herceptin antibody each biotinylated and each linked via streptavidin and tested in SUM190 (HER2+), SUM149 (HER2−) and SK-BR-3 (HER2+) cells in culture, using both radioactivity and fluorescent labels on the antisense and control sense MORF. Within the nanoparticle, the antibody provides specific binding to the target cells, the tat improves cellular delivery and the MORF provides the specific retention of the radioactivity in the target cell nucleus. The results show that within the nanoparticle, the Herceptin was still able to bind to its determinant; that the MORF escaped entrapment with its mRNA-binding ability preserved and that the tat maintained its carrier function. Fluorescence microscopy showed evidence of antisense MORF internalization, separation from Herceptin and migration to the nucleus. In conclusion, streptavidin appears to provide an easy means of mixing and matching components to improve the tumor-specific targeting, cell membrane transport, pharmacokinetics and other properties of antisense and other oligomers. Combining the three components of this investigation with streptavidin apparently did not interfere with the properties of each component in cell culture and significantly improved delivery.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by the Office of Science (BER), US Department of Energy, grant no. DE-FG02-03ER63602); the National Institute of Health, grant no. SR21CA100092; Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP; grant no. W81XWH-06-1-0649) and grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (19659315, 19591434, 17659374); and the 21st Century Center of Excellence (COE) Program entitled ‘Establishment of individualized cancer therapy based on comprehensive development of minimally invasive and innovative therapeutic methods (Keio University)’ from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    X Liu, Y Wang & D J Hnatowich

  2. Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

    K Nakamura, A Kubo & D J Hnatowich

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  1. X Liu
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  2. Y Wang
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  3. K Nakamura
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Correspondence to D J Hnatowich.

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Liu, X., Wang, Y., Nakamura, K. et al. Cell studies of a three-component antisense MORF/tat/Herceptin nanoparticle designed for improved tumor delivery. Cancer Gene Ther 15, 126–132 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cgt.7701111

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cgt.7701111

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