Evaluation of peptides tagged nanoparticle adhesion to activated endothelial cells

Abstract

Various nanoparticles have recently been developed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We would like to develop polymer nanoparticles functionalized by peptides which specifically bind to atherosclerosis. Hydrophobically modified glycol chitosan (HGC) nanoparticles are used as carriers, and peptide which shows specific biding to the atherosclerotic plaque is screened using phage display. We have developed atherosclerosis specific nanoparticles, and examined their binding characteristics on the activated endothelial cells in vitro. The peptide-tagged nanoparticles more avidly bound to the activated endothelial cells comparing to the unactivated endothelial cells. The adhesion of nanoparticles increased with increase in the concentration of nanoparticles.