(348c) Development of a Lectin-Modified Core-Shell Paclitaxel Nanoparticle Based Drug Delivery System

A novel lectin-mediated core-shell nanoparticle drug delivery system was fabricated with Paclitaxel as the model drug. This core-shell drug nanoparticle system has potential application in controlled and targeting colonic drug delivery. Surface modified paclitaxel nanospheres(approximately 200 nm in diameter) were used as the solid core on which synthetic and natural polyelectrolyte layers poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) (PSSCMA), chitosan and dextran-sulfate were electrostatically deposited by using layer by layer self-assembly method.[1] This nanoshell can provide specific sites for surface modification to improve biocompatibility and target cancer cells. Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a molecular weight of 3400 was covalently attached to the nanoshell surface forming a hydrophilic nanoparticle and avoid opsonization.[2] Fluorescent labeled wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin moieties were then conjugated to the nanoshell to allow specific targeting to cancer cells.[3] Zeta potential measurement was used to confirm the successful addition of each polyelectrolyte layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated the sulfur and nitrogen element composition change due to the increasing self-assembled layers. Analysis of high resolution spectra of C 1s and N 1s by XPS confirmed successful chemisorption of PEG onto the particle surface.[2] Successful conjugation of lectin WGA was confirmed by spectrofluorometer. Morphology of these core-shell nanoparticles was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).