Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2016, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (30): 4425-4433.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.30.003

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Construction of folate-modified nanoparticles as ultrasound contrast agent targeting breast cancer

Chen Yuan-yuan1, Xu Feng1, Yang Hui2, Liu Ting1, Zhou Jian-qiao3, Cai Chen-lei4, Ye Yuan-yuan1, Liu Pei-feng4, Han Bao-san1   

  1. 1Department of General Surgery, General Surgery Laboratory, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China; 2Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization of Ministry of Education, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, China; 3Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China; 4Medical Science Research Center, Affiliated Renji Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
  • Online:2016-07-15 Published:2016-07-15
  • Contact: Han Bao-san, Chief physician, Department of General Surgery, General Surgery Laboratory, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
  • About author:Chen Yuan-yuan, Studying for master’s degree, Physician, Department of General Surgery, General Surgery Laboratory, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81172078; Major Science and Technology Project of Ningbo Social Development, No. 2012C5013

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have testified that nano-ultrasound contrast agents have a strong permeability, making it possible to image the targeted tissues outside blood vessels and overcome the limitation that micron contrast agents are only available for the blood pool imaging.
OBJECTIVE: To construct the folate-modified nanoparticles targeting breast cancer as ultrasound contrast agents, as well as to observe their ability to specifically bind to cells and imaging effect in vitro.
METHODS: Both contrast agents, pegylated lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer wrapping liquid fluorocarbon formed nanoparticles (mPP/PFOB) and folate modified pegylated lactic acid-glycolic acid wrapping liquid fluorocarbon formed nanoparticles (mPPF/PFOB), were constructed by phacoemulsification-evaporation method. (1)Biocompatibility detection: HFF-1 and MCF-7 cells in the logarithmic phase were cultivated with various concentrations (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 1 g/L) of mPP/PFOB or mPPF/PFOB for 24 hours respectively, and then the cell viability was measured. (2)Targeting ability detection in vitro: HFF-1 and MCF-7 cells in the logarithmic phase were divided into three groups. Cy5-labled mPP/PFOB and mPPF/PFOB were added into groups A and B, respectively; the cells in group C were pretreated with folate for 2 hours, and sequentially Cy5-labled mPPF/PFOB was added into group C. Fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry after 0.5 hours of culture. The distribution of contrast agents in cells was observed using confocal microscopy after 20 minutes of culture. (3)Ultrasound imaging in vitro: there were three groups: saline was as group A; the suspension of saline and mPPF/PFOB nanoparticles was prepared as group B; MCF-7 cells were resuspended with the mixture of saline and mPPF/PFOB nanoparticles to prepare the suspension of nanoparticles and cells as group C. In each group, the suspension was added into latex gloves, that were then tightened and immersed in water. Finally, the ultrasound was use to detect the ultrasound imaging effect in vitro.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Neither nanoparticles were with significant cytotoxicity. The flow cytometry showed that the mean fluorescence intensity in MCF-7 cells of group B was significantly higher than that of groups A and C. But there were no significant differences in the mean fluorescence intensity in HFF-1 cells among the three groups. It was observed that mPPF/PFOB mainly gathered around the MCF-7 cell membrane, while mPP/PFOB randomly distributed in the cytoplasm. After mPPF/PFOB binding to MCF-7 cells, they could enhance ultrasound echo in vitro. These findings indicate that the targeted nanoparticles mPPF/PFOB have good biocompatibility and can specifically bind to breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro and enhance the imaging capability.

Key words: Nanoparticles, Ultrasonography, Contrast Media, Tissue Engineering

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