Peptide containing polymeric nanoparticles as carriers for target cell specific delivery
Our aim is to incorporate peptides, peptide conjugates (low molecular weight active compound and chemically bound carrier peptide) into polymeric delivery vehicles. These peptides and bioconjugates are the important new generation of drug candidates. The transportation of these – mainly hydrophilic – compounds is limited by their short lifetime, enzymatic degradation etc. The ability to selectively deliver drugs to target cells is a major challenge in the treatment of cancer and host cell pathogen caused diseases. Our approach is based on to enhance cellular uptake and efficacy of the active compounds using peptide and peptide derivatives decorated polymeric nanoparticles. To provide the proof of principle, internalisation profile of the constructs will be evaluated and their intracellular activity will be determined to define optimised nanoparticles with improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution controlled release for site-specific delivery. As targeting moieties cell surfaces specific peptides, penetrating and antimicrobial peptides will be employed.
Nanoparticles have the ability to alter basic properties and bioactivity of active compounds. Moreover, the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles can be tuned by altering their compositions, sizes, shapes and surface properties (surface charge, functional groups, coating, attachment of targeting moieties thus increasing their stability and maximizing the biological effect.
Szilvia Bősze, Gergő Gyulai, Éva Kiss