Folate-conjugated boron nitride nanospheres for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Shini Feng
  • Huijie Zhang
  • Ting Yan
  • Dandi Huang
  • Hideki Nakanishi
  • Xiao-Dong Gao

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4573-4582
Journal / PublicationInternational Journal of Nanomedicine
Volume11
Publication statusPublished - 12 Sept 2016

Link(s)

Abstract

With its unique physical and chemical properties and structural similarity to carbon, boron nitride (BN) has attracted considerable attention and found many applications. Biomedical applications of BN have recently started to emerge, raising great hopes in drug and gene delivery. Here, we developed a targeted anticancer drug delivery system based on folate-conjugated BN nanospheres (BNNS) with receptor-mediated targeting. Folic acid (FA) was successfully grafted onto BNNS via esterification reaction. In vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that BNNS-FA complexes were non-toxic to HeLa cells up to a concentration of 100 µg/mL. Then, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), a commonly used anticancer drug, was loaded onto BNNS-FA complexes. BNNS-FA/DOX complexes were stable at pH 7.4 but effectively released DOX at pH 5.0, which exhibited a pH sensitive and sustained release pattern. BNNS-FA/DOX complexes could be recognized and specifically internalized by HeLa cells via FA receptor-mediated endocytosis. BNNS-FA/DOX complexes exhibited greater cytotoxicity to HeLa cells than free DOX and BNNS/DOX complexes due to the increased cellular uptake of DOX mediated by the FA receptor. Therefore, BNNS-FA complexes had strong potential for targeted cancer therapy.

Research Area(s)

  • boron nitride nanospheres, folic acid, doxorubicin, targeted delivery, cancer therapy, CANCER-THERAPY, INTRACELLULAR DELIVERY, CPG OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES, MESOPOROUS SILICA, CARBON NANOTUBES, NANOPARTICLES, DOXORUBICIN, CELLS, BIOCOMPATIBILITY, TOXICITY

Citation Format(s)

Folate-conjugated boron nitride nanospheres for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. / Feng, Shini; Zhang, Huijie; Yan, Ting et al.
In: International Journal of Nanomedicine, Vol. 11, 12.09.2016, p. 4573-4582.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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