Development of a Nature-Inspired Vector for Targeted Systemic Breast Cancer Gene Therapy
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to develop a gene delivery system that can target breast cancer cells specifically and transfect them efficiently. Using component integration approach, several subsystems of diverse biological origin were integrated onto a modular platform in order to carry diverse functions of an efficient gene delivery vehicle. A biomimetic vector was genetically engineered to contain at precise locations: a) an adenovirus peptide to condense pDNA into nanosize particles, b) a combinatorially-screened synthetic peptide to target breast cancer cells and enhance internalization of nanoparticles, c) a pH-responsive synthetic fusogenic peptide to disrupt endosome membranes and facilitate escape of the nanoparticles into the cytosol, and d) a nuclear localization signal from human immuno-deficiency virus for microtubule mediated transfer of genetic material to the nucleus. The vector was characterized physicochemically and biologically and the results demonstrated that a fully functional vector can be engineered to target specificity, mimic virus characteristics and overcome the targeted gene transfer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA493871
Entities
People
- Arash Hatefi
Organizations
- Washington State University