A radiolabeled nanoparticle probe coated with hyaluronic acid via electrostatic interaction to diagnose CD44-positive tumors

Abstract

CD44 is overexpressed in many tumors and is associated with tumor malignancy, including metastasis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biocompatible polymer that specifically targets CD44-positive tumors. In this study, a ternary complex (charge ratio of carboxyl groups of indium-111 (111In)-labeled polyamidoamine dendrimer, amino groups of polyethyleneimine, and carboxyl groups of HA of 1:8:32) was successfully prepared using electrostatic interactions to develop a nuclear medical imaging probe for CD44-positive tumors. The particle size and zeta potential of the probe were 38.6 ± 1.3 nm and −31.6 ± 0.7 mV, respectively. The ternary HA complex was taken up by CD44-positive tumor cells via HA-specific pathway in vitro. Partial CD44-specific tumor uptake of the 111In-labeled HA complex occurred in tumor-bearing mice. The radiolabeled HA complex established by electrostatic interaction may be a nuclear medical imaging probe targeting CD44-positive tumors.