Peptide-Coated Platinum Nanoparticles with Selective Toxicity against Liver Cancer Cells

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2019 Apr 1;58(15):4901-4905. doi: 10.1002/anie.201813149. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Abstract

Peptide-stabilized platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were developed that have significantly greater toxicity against hepatic cancer cells (HepG2) than against other cancer cells and non-cancerous liver cells. The peptide H-Lys-Pro-Gly-dLys-NH2 was identified by a combinatorial screening and further optimized to enable the formation of water-soluble, monodisperse PtNPs with average diameters of 2.5 nm that are stable for years. In comparison to cisplatin, the peptide-coated PtNPs are not only more toxic against hepatic cancer cells but have a significantly higher tumor cell selectivity. Cell viability and uptake studies revealed that high cellular uptake and an oxidative environment are key for the selective cytotoxicity of the peptide-coated PtNPs.

Keywords: cytotoxicity; hepatocellular carcinoma; peptides; platinum nanoparticles; selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / chemistry
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Particle Size
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Platinum / chemistry
  • Platinum / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Peptides
  • Platinum