Dual-responsive TPGS crosslinked nanocarriers to overcome multidrug resistance

J Mater Chem B. 2020 Sep 23;8(36):8383-8394. doi: 10.1039/d0tb01140a.

Abstract

Efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into tumor cells and reversal of chemoresistance are crucially important to enhance cancer therapy. We fabricated pH/redox dual responsive nanocarriers based on cell penetrating peptides (TAT) functionalized TPGS (cTAT-TPGS) and polypeptide (PEG-b-poly(aspartic-lipoic acid), PPAL) to reduce the permanent drug release and overcome multidrug resistance. TAT was used to functionalize TPGS and shielded by pH-responsive fatty acids, and polypeptides with lipoic acid side chains (PPAL) were synthesized. Reversibly crosslinked hybrid micelles (RCMs) were fabricated based on cTAT-TPGS and PPAL. RCMs nanocarriers exhibited acid-responsive charge reversal and redox-responsive drug release. The in vitro results showed that the RCMs could be efficiently internalized by the MCF-7/ADR cells in an acidic microenvironment and inhibited the DOX efflux, causing a higher cytotoxicity than non-crosslinked nanocarriers. Furthermore, the dual-responsive structure effectively prolonged the circulation time of RCM nanocarriers and achieved a high level of accumulation in cancer cells in vivo, leading to much more effective inhibition of tumor growth. The DOX-loaded RCMs also showed excellent biosafety, especially for the myocardium tissue. This novel strategy provided an effective platform for drug target delivery and reversal of MDR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacokinetics
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Liberation
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Micelles
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacokinetics
  • Vitamin E / pharmacokinetics
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles
  • Vitamin E
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin
  • tocophersolan