Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticle-Coupled Proteins in Human Serum Albumin
Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name
Dr. Li Ma
Proposal Track
Student
Session Format
Poster
Abstract
In recent years, cancer has become an ever-growing issue in the eyes of the public and with such attention, has led to the focus of many medical and scientific researchers being shifted towards unraveling the mystery of the disease and thus how to treat it. One such method of treatment that has gained much attention in the recent years of study is the use of nanotechnology-coupled pharmaceuticals. Nanoparticles, although nanoscopic in size, act as a whole unit when in conjugation with other molecules and add to the carrier molecule, most often a protein, any benefits the nanoparticles themselves possess as part of their physical or chemical properties. One such carrier protein that can be conjugated with nanoparticles is Human Serum Albumin (HSA). HSA is a monomeric protein found in human blood that transports hormones, fatty acids, and other compounds while also playing a role in maintaining osmotic pressure. Albumin is of such interest in cancer research for two reasons: since it is native to the human blood stream it does not elicit any immunological reactions, and it is favored for its anti-hypoxic tumor specificity. HSA made its main debut in cancer treatment when it was used to encapsulate Paclitaxel, an FDA approved cancer drug, to improve the drug delivery capabilities of the drug via poly-nitroxylated nanoparticles. The combination of the PNA with Paclitaxel allowed for the treatment of mitotically rampant cancerous cells while also destabilizing the condensed core of malignant tumors via the nitroxide free radicals. The primary goal of this study was to modify nitroxyl-decorated human serum albumin to stabilize Paclitaxel in order to synthesize a spin-albumin-stabilized Paclitaxel Nanoparticle that will act as a cancer carrying protein with improved targeting for cancer drug delivery. The goal is to also have the nanoparticles add additional therapeutic properties to the drug complex: namely acting as an antioxidant and vasodilator. Data obtained from High Pressure Liquid Homogenization indicated that Paclitaxel was successfully loaded into nitroxyl-decorated HSA and nanoparticles formed in the correct size range of 100-200nm. Further analysis will be conducted, including electron spin resonance and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), in order to further characterize the synthesized molecules and their properties.
Keywords
Cancer, Nanotechnology, Albumin, Paclitaxel, Nanoparticle, Nitroxylated
Award Consideration
1
Location
Concourse and Atrium
Presentation Year
2015
Start Date
11-7-2015 2:10 PM
End Date
11-7-2015 3:20 PM
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Mahoney, Kyle M., "Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticle-Coupled Proteins in Human Serum Albumin" (2015). Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (2014-2015). 31.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gurc/2015/2015/31
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticle-Coupled Proteins in Human Serum Albumin
Concourse and Atrium
In recent years, cancer has become an ever-growing issue in the eyes of the public and with such attention, has led to the focus of many medical and scientific researchers being shifted towards unraveling the mystery of the disease and thus how to treat it. One such method of treatment that has gained much attention in the recent years of study is the use of nanotechnology-coupled pharmaceuticals. Nanoparticles, although nanoscopic in size, act as a whole unit when in conjugation with other molecules and add to the carrier molecule, most often a protein, any benefits the nanoparticles themselves possess as part of their physical or chemical properties. One such carrier protein that can be conjugated with nanoparticles is Human Serum Albumin (HSA). HSA is a monomeric protein found in human blood that transports hormones, fatty acids, and other compounds while also playing a role in maintaining osmotic pressure. Albumin is of such interest in cancer research for two reasons: since it is native to the human blood stream it does not elicit any immunological reactions, and it is favored for its anti-hypoxic tumor specificity. HSA made its main debut in cancer treatment when it was used to encapsulate Paclitaxel, an FDA approved cancer drug, to improve the drug delivery capabilities of the drug via poly-nitroxylated nanoparticles. The combination of the PNA with Paclitaxel allowed for the treatment of mitotically rampant cancerous cells while also destabilizing the condensed core of malignant tumors via the nitroxide free radicals. The primary goal of this study was to modify nitroxyl-decorated human serum albumin to stabilize Paclitaxel in order to synthesize a spin-albumin-stabilized Paclitaxel Nanoparticle that will act as a cancer carrying protein with improved targeting for cancer drug delivery. The goal is to also have the nanoparticles add additional therapeutic properties to the drug complex: namely acting as an antioxidant and vasodilator. Data obtained from High Pressure Liquid Homogenization indicated that Paclitaxel was successfully loaded into nitroxyl-decorated HSA and nanoparticles formed in the correct size range of 100-200nm. Further analysis will be conducted, including electron spin resonance and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), in order to further characterize the synthesized molecules and their properties.
