Enhanced fluorescence/magnetic resonance dual imaging and gene therapy of liver cancer using cationized amylose nanoprobe
Hanchen Zhang, Li Deng, Haiqing Liu, Siyao Mai, Ziliang Cheng, Guangzi Shi, Hong Zeng, Zhuo Wu
Abstract
Recently, various technologies for targeted gene release in cancer treatment have emerged. However, most of these strategies are facing the challenge of untraceable distribution and poor antitumour treatment effects. In this study, we constructed a gene delivery system that integrated a series of components to assemble multifunctional NPs, providing a promising theranostic nanoplatform for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. Cationized amylose (CA), superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles (NPs), and tetraphenylethylene (TPE) were self-assembled to form nanospheres (CSP/TPE). The prepared NPs was modified with SP94 pepide through amidation reaction, and then survivin small interfering RNA (siRNA) were loaded into the NPs to form CSP/[email protected] NPs. Our results showed that the prepared NPs had good size distribution, high RNA condensation and transfection ability. CSP/[email protected] NPs exhibited excellent fluorescence and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging properties in vitro and in vivo. The prepared targeted NPs improved Huh-7 cellular uptake in vitro, and the biodistribution of CSP/[email protected] in vivo was observed through in/ex vivo fluorescence imaging system and MRI. As survivin siRNA effectively retained in tumour cells, CSP/[email protected] NPs considerably inhibited tumour growth in vivo. In addition, H&E staining results showed that all the prepared CSP-based NPs had good biocompatibilities, as few histological changes or tumour metastasis were observed in major organs of the mice in the treatment group. Therefore, we envisage that the prepared CSP/[email protected] NPs can represent a promising strategy for HCC diagnosis and treatment.